Moho (Part One: Rise of a Symbol) Read Free Page A

of shock. He shakes off the dirt. The little girl is so startled by the accident that she just stares up at Cosmo for a while. Then, she runs into the arms of a woman in the crowd.
    Cosmo looks around, anger and dirt covering his face. His power that appeared protective and enviable before, feels hostile and dangerous now. And it is scary. I can outright sense how everyone fears his wrath.
    Then, in what feels like a very gutsy move, the third contestant, an old man, steps forward to demand his turn.
    Silence.
    “Ares, you have proven unworthy more times than I’m willing to remember. And this is not going to change today - or - any - other - day,” Cosmo responds. His eyes wander through the crowd before he locks eyes with Ares.
    “Look at you 'Cosmo' … all puffed up in your fancy costume these days,” Ares says slowly with disdain in his face “But you and I, we both know —”
    “That you won’t get selected, correct,” Cosmo counters quickly.
    “What about her?” Ares asks as he points to the little girl. “And him?” and points to the young man next to him.
    “Neither. Based on unparalleled discipline, unbreakable perseverance and enlightening adaptability, I select…” he declares and looks right into my eyes "Moho.”

Chapter 2
Springtreegrove
     
    Silence.
    What? I look around, wondering if anyone noticed that he was looking at me when he announced his decision. Unfortunately, every single one of them did and none of them seemed to understand it either. Cosmo doesn't know how to process his own decision either. If it wasn't for the palpable tension all around me, I'd think this was a prank. Part of me wants to walk over to Cosmo to get an explanation, and there is a short moment when I could, but that moment passes. Within the blink of an eye he turns into pure light, shoots up into the grey sky and disappears in the same jaw-dropping fashion in which he first appeared. Gone.
    Ares’ eyes and mine lock for a moment. He is still furious, but he also seems a bit jealous now. I’m a little afraid that I will get to feel his wrath, now that Cosmo has vanished. But then he turns around and disappears into the fog without saying another word.
    Guilt settles in my mind as the uncomfortable silence continues. Nobody appears excited about my selection and I don't blame them. There are at least two people here with otherworldly abilities which, for whatever reasons, transform the ground below and the sky above us. They aren't good enough for Cosmo's Islands — but I am? I don't think so. Incredibly poor judgement on Cosmo's part. And what was I even selected for? Discipline, perseverance, and adaptability? How does he know that I possess those qualities when even I am unaware of them?
    I turn my head to Victor in the hope for guidance, but his previously comforting aura is gone. His face has hardened and the warmth in his eyes has faded. I don't see anger in him, though. He stares across the plaza, straight into the fog. It’s almost as if he is deeply sad because he had been rooting for an entirely different outcome.
    “What a surprise!” Aleeya exclaims in excitement. “Getting selected without doing anything at all. He must see something very special in you!” she says, grabbing my shoulders and shaking me a little as if she is trying to wake me up. Well, at least someone here is excited.
    “Let us get started, my dear. We have a long journey ahead of us,” Aleeya says, before getting up and offering me her left hand. I look at her demanding hand but I don’t feel like taking it. None of this here makes sense or feels real. For some reason I feel the need to talk to Victor about this situation.
    “Victor, ” I begin.
    “Yes, Moho,” Victor responds in a short tempered voice before he takes a deep breath. He can barely look me in the eye. There is an uncharacteristic sense of seriousness in him.
    “So, what will I do now?” I ask. He rubs and squeezes his knees.
    “You will figure it