The room was full of people looking suspiciously at each other. Erik could see out of the corner of his eye that some of the men's tense posture was beginning to relax slightly due to the young man's words.
Despite this, the spears did not lower their points; they continued to point in his direction menacingly.
"Why would they do that?" Amos inquired, his tone indicating nothing about what he was thinking in response to Erik's statement.
The awakener was the subject of the older man's gaze, which, while not entirely cruel, was nevertheless suspicious.
The manner in which he spoke to Erik exhibited some degree of deference, and it was clear that he recognized the power that the younger man possessed.
"For someone your age and coming from the city, you have an impressive amount of power. You would not have been able to make it here if it weren't for the fact that the thaids would have eaten you."
Erik gave a slight nod and swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. The most challenging part was just around the corner.
He finally admitted it, raising his voice just a hair above a whisper, "Because of my brain crystal's power."
He could almost see the question form in Amos's head as the elderly man's eyes narrowed, and he searched Erik's face for any indication of dishonesty.
However, Erik was telling the truth in his statement here. His power, or, as he had come to think of it in the past, his curse, was the root cause of the initial misfortunes he experienced in New Alexandria.
Now all he could do was hold out hope that the residents of this peculiar village wouldn't turn against him as well.
"What do you think of that?" Amos spoke as if he had some comprehension of the young man's struggles.
Erik began his statement by saying, "I do not think this... I know for a certainty. My power... it's not suited to fight." Before returning to look directly into Amos' eyes, his attention was briefly drawn to the splintered surface of the wooden floor.
"I can... cause plants to grow faster." Once more, there was complete silence in the room. As she contemplated the new information, Vanessa's brows furrowed, and she formed a thin line with her lips by pressing them together.
Erik could read the questions forming in her mind as they were reflected in her eyes, but she refrained from asking. The expressions on the faces of the other villagers in the area were very similar to hers. They were full of questions.
On the other hand, Amos assumed a slightly forward, lean posture and kept his gaze fixed on Erik, almost as if he were trying to dissect Erik with his penetrating gaze.
His gaze revealed a curious mix of doubt and skepticism at the same time. He murmured, "That is indeed unique, but also not the most advantageous power for survival, especially in these times."
The dryness in Erik's throat caused him to swallow as he nodded his head. "I know. A man wouldn't be able to make it through a fight using that kind of power, at least not the kind you'd expect him to have. But it's all I've got, so I've had to learn to make the most of what I've got."
He neglected to mention that he could now actively manipulate the plants to do his bidding and even employ them as weapons. He decided to keep that information to himself because he was unsure how others would react to it. Maybe he could share it with them in the future; who knew?
Amos continued, his voice barely raised to the level of a whisper, "But you're here. You've made it this far with that power and this spokes volume about your skills," Amos said inquisitively.
"You should know that the world is not an easy place to be. You have likely come across Thaids and beasts. How did you manage to keep yourself safe? Shouldn't the fact that you managed to do so with your power be a testament to your strength? How come they tried to kill you?" He lastly asked.
Erik took a moment to pause and think about his response. It was a question that made sense to ask.
"I understand your suspicions. You think that I'm lying and that my power is something else. But... You see, I'm an awakener… That is why I'm alive..." Erik remarked while maintaining a solemn demeanor.
It would explain how he made it here without being killed, but it would also mean that they would view him as a more significant threat. It was a complete failure in the tense environment.
He recalled his close calls with the Thaids and the beasts as he reflected on those experiences. He recalled the rushes of adrenaline, the fearful anticipations, and the frantic struggles for survival he had experienced. However, he had improved; he had adapted.
Erik fell silent, meeting Amos's gaze steadily. He hoped they could see the truth in his words, the sincerity in his plea for understanding. He was not a soldier, not a threat. He was just a survivor, trying to make it through one day at a time in this cruel world he lived in.
After some time had passed, all that Amos could muster up to say was, "Interesting." On the other hand, his eyes told a very different tale.
Erik could spot the glimmer of curiosity flickering across the elderly man's face. Perhaps, just possibly, there was a possibility that they would acknowledge him, believe his story, and release him from his captivity.
Erik's eyes swept across the room, taking in the gaunt features of the villagers and taking in their emaciated and wiry bodies. He recalled Vanessa's slender hold on his arm and the hollows in the cheeks of the men who had pointed their spears at him.
He inhaled deeply and cast a quick glance in Amos' direction before continuing. He spoke into the room's silence, allowing his voice to reverberate throughout the space.
"There is something I can offer in exchange for my freedom, and I swear you won't see me again after this if you so desire," he said.
"I couldn't help but notice... but it appears as though you all could benefit from some nutritious meals. I... I might be able to assist you with that..."
A few of the villagers moved uncomfortably and exchanged glances with one another as they did so. Vanessa's grip on her spear became even more firm, and her lips thinner.
Despite this, Erik could make out a flicker of interest in their eyes—a glimmer of hope despite their mistrust. Amos relaxed his posture in his chair and curled his fingers into a steeple in front of him.
He gazed thoughtfully at Erik for a considerable amount of time, during which there was no conversation between them. Finally, with a rough tone in his voice, he inquired, "How?"
Erik elaborated, "My power," he said.
"With it, I can increase the rate at which I grow crops. In a very short amount of time, I can grow a seedling into a fully developed plant. I can contribute to the provision of food for your community."
He was met with a wave of people murmuring and staring at him with wide-eyed stares. While Vanessa retreated a few paces and Amos maintained his intent gaze on the young man, the woman's hold on her spear began to relax slightly.
He asked the question with a trace of wonder in his tone: "You can really do that?"
Erik nodded. "I can," he said. "But in order for that to happen, I need my stuff, and I need to be out in the fields with the dirt and the seeds," he added.
The room fell back into its customary state of utter stillness. The eyes of Amos, which were keen and analytical, remained fixed on Erik the entire time. Finally, he broke the silence after what seemed like an interminable amount of time.
His words carried the weight of authority as they reverberated through the room: "We need to think about this." that was all he could say at that moment. But he didn't stay silent for long.
"Vanessa," he said.
"Yes, sir?" the woman replied with a military demeanor.
"Vanessa, take him to the prison for the time being. I want at least two men guarding him at all times. Since he said himself he is an awakener, I want you to be among the guards…"
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