“What?” Alex asked, looking at Kelile. “So, all this work that we’re doing at the campus, that is being done across the world, doesn't matter because it's not going to fix the actual problem.”

  “If they were to come up with something it would be a band-aid at best,” Kelile replied. Alex stared at Kelile in disbelief. “I’m sorry if that disappoints you.”

  “I mean, kind of,” Alex laughed. “I have been working for months on projects to help stop these disasters apparently for no reason!”

  “Alex, you are the only one that can truly stop them. Uniting our people again, bringing unity back to the kingdom, that is the biggest thing in saving the planet. Why do you think it calls out to you?” Kelile asked, glancing at Alex.

  Alex was quiet for a moment. “I didn't ask for this, I don't want this. This is too much.”

  “You were born for this Alex. Whether you believe it or not. You are the key,” Kelile replied.

  Alex turned his gaze out the window not knowing what to say. He watched as they drove past miles of corn fields watching as they swayed in the wind. The music from the radio continued filling the silence of the car.

  After a few more hours of driving Kelile pulled off on the next exit and turned down the first dirt path. Following as the trail twisted and turned down the back roads until pulling completely off road and driving to the middle of a clearing. “Here we are,” he said as they stopped in front of a small log cabin.

  Alex got out of the car and stretched. Looking around he asked, “How do you remember where this place is? It’s so isolated.”

  “I remember where every safe house is. I had a hand in making them all,” he said. “There should be clothes and food already here. There is a network set up to keep all the houses stocked. The key is beneath the ground under the mat. I am just going to set up some traps and alarms.”

  Alex nodded and walked towards the house. He moved the mat and placed his hands on the ground. Closing his eyes he furrowed his brows and concentrated a slight glow emanating from his hands as he called to the earth to move, revealing the key. Smiling to himself he picked up the key and stood to open the door. It was nicer inside than the rough exterior led on. It was a simple set up in a small kitchen with a nook. A living space with a couch and television over a fireplace. As Alex walked further in he noticed a few doors. One was to a small bathroom with a standing shower. And the other was to a bedroom.

  “Only one room?” he muttered to himself. Sighing, he went to the room to look for any clothing. The room held a full sized bed, a dresser and a closet. Digging through the drawers Alex found some sweatpants and a t-shirt and went to the bathroom to shower and change. When he was finished he went to the living room and turned on the television. Scanning the channels he froze as his own face stared back at him.

  “Was it a hoax? Or are super beings living among us? See later tonight on Fact or Fake!” the announcer finished.

  “What?! How would I have faked that?” Alex sputtered

  “They will do what they can to discredit your claims,” Kelile said from the kitchen, making Alex jump in response.

  “Dude, you scared me!” Alex exclaimed, standing and walking towards the kitchen.

  Kelile chuckled, “Sorry, didn't mean to startle you.”

  “Right,” Alex frowned, “what do you mean though?”

  “Well, the government keeps our existence a secret. They don't want the public to know there are others on the planet that have powers just like many of us don't want the humans to know we exist. So they will tear down your image. They will make it seem like you are crazy and a phoney. They will smear your name so that no one will believe you,” Kelile said.

  Alex slumped into a chair in the nook shaking his head. “But what about all of my research? All of the years of work I have done? My accomplishments as a geologist?”

  “I’m sorry Alex. Their job will be to destroy your image,” Kelile replied softly.

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  “I should never have done it. I shouldn't have shown my powers. I don't know what I thought would happen, but I didn't think it was this,” Alex said.

  Kelile was quiet for a moment before he said, “I don't know you very well, or at all really, but I knew your parents. I see a lot of them in you, Alex. Noble, smart, kind, brave, these are all traits you have. I’m sorry your ‘normal’ life has been upended, but you are not normal. You are the heir of the earthen kingdom. A ruler needed to save not only what is left of our people but the planet itself. This is no easy task, but it is one you must claim.”

  “How do you know?” Alex asked.

  “Excuse me?” Kelile replied.

  “How do you know I am who you say I am? How do you know I am this lost king?” Alex asked.

  Kelile smiled at him, “I told you. I see them in you, but I can also sense it. There is an aura around you. One that only royals have, gifted from the earth itself.”

  Alex turned and stared out the window. After a few minutes he looked back at Kelile and nodded. “If I am who you believe I am,” he started, “then where do we start?”

  “Honestly I want to go back to the dream you had before we were attacked,” Kelile admitted.

  “Do you think there is something deeper?” Alex asked.

  Kelile nodded at him, “You said something was calling your name. That it didn't feel like when the earth calls to you. Then it yelled at you to run.”

  “Right, I was asking who was there but it wouldn't answer,” Alex said.

  “What was strange was that none of my traps were set off, but I could feel something near us. Which is why I went to check on you,” Kelile said. “The other thing though, is that I felt the same, I don't know what to call it, presence maybe, when we were leaving the diner.”

  “Weird,” Alex murmured.

  “You don't remember anything more about the dream you had?” Kelile pressed.

  “No, that was it,” Alex replied.

  “Humm,” Kelile said, walking to the window and looking out. “Interesting.”

  “So where do we start?” Alex asked, looking at Kelile.

  Kelile turned slowly, “There is a lot you need to learn. I think we should start with your sense though. Knowing who and what is around you will be important. Especially with the amount of people that are looking for you right now.”

  Alex nodded, “Yeah, I agree.”

  Kelile looked at the time on the clock, “How tired are you feeling?”

  “I mean, kind of tired. It has been a long twenty four hours,” Alex laughed. “I guess just another day for you though, huh?”

  Kelile smirked, “An average Tuesday. It’s good you are a little tired though. It is important that you are able to hold this ability even through your most exhausted state. The ability to sense is called kulsoom.”

  “Kulsoom,” Alex said, the word feeling foreign on his tongue. He closed his eyes and flexed his hands, a light glow beginning at his palms and spreading to his fingertips. Furrowing his brows as he concentrated, throwing his sense out with force. He could feel Kelile next to him as he continued to push out he could feel everything. He could feel where the car sat and feel squirrels running on the ground. “This is amazing,” he said with a smile attempting to push harder, but as he did, he collapsed.

  “Whoa there,” Kelile said, catching Alex. “You need to learn to hold it. You are forcing your kulsoom. You need to learn to hold it. To do it subconsciously, like breathing.”

  “I can barely do it at all, let alone subconsciously,” Alex said frustrated.

  “Come with me,” Kelile said, walking out the front door and turning towards the treeline. Alex followed him quietly until he came to a stop. “Here, sit.” Alex did as he was told and sat down on the ground. Kelile walked around him, “Center yourself. You cannot force what you want to be done. You will burn out that way.”

  “Okay, then what do I do? How do I get it to work?” Alex asked.

  “It's your will. Your intention that makes it work. That helps to mold the material to your needs or keep you aware of what is around you,” Kelile answered. “Now close your eyes, put your hands on your palms up, and breathe. Let yourself link with the earth. Feel everything around you. Imagine you are a spring and slowly uncoil yourself.”

  “I’m a spring,” Alex repeated, lowering his guard and exhaling slowly. Feeling everything around him and slowly expanding it with every breath.

  “That’s it, can you feel everything? Feel the small critters?” Kelile asked.

  “Yes, I can even tell that you moved away from me,” Alex said softly.

  “Now, hold onto that and open your eyes,” Kelile said.

  Alex slowly opened his eyes and looked around. “I can still sense it all.”

  “Good,” Kelile said as his hands flashed and he hurled a basketball sized rock at Alex’s head.