Maya Tempora's Journal: Entry 5
by Carl van Ostrand

When I awoke during daybreak, Helios was acting strangely. He flickered, crackled, and combusted rapidly, letting out small clouds of smoke. Fist almost seemed intimidated by his spastic rapid movements back and forth above us. Then Helios settled, hovering just above the ground, and his red flame began to spiral in to the sand. Dull popping sounds could be heard beneath the sand, and in one last effort, Helios burst in to a huge cloud of smoke, and then rose from the sands in a pillar of yellow fire. What a fascinating display. He was nearly twice as large now, and seemed to burn much brighter and hotter. I could tell he was ecstatic as he made wide laps around Fist and I, leaving rings of smoke everywhere. I do not know what brings on these changes, but this is the second “growth spurt” I have witnessed since his birth in the sands 2 months ago.

I have packed as much water as I can carry, and we will be on our way northwest today. As we prepare, I cannot help but think about my brother again. All he cared about was the arena – the gladiator matches. He would do anything to gain a chance to fight, but he was not cut out to be a warrior. Why did he have to defy everything I love? Brother why did you care not for our creators? Brother I pity your obsessive ways, but I will find out who you were working for, and punish them for using you. Rest in peace brother – despite what I did, I still love you.

I saw more bot prints in the sand earlier, about 20 hours old I would guess. We are not far from my love’s camp now, I am sure of it – thinking of him helps me find sleep tonight.