Kaloo

The air is hot and heavy. Saturated with moisture, impossible to be dry. The deep blue water gradually turned green as the island approached. With the green water came the increasing swampy smell of the Pergonia Islands. In school Kaloo had read that it rains twenty out of the twenty-four hours. The thought of a constant barrage of water made him sick as his disgust deepened. Anger and betrayal filled his heart. His own father had banished him to live life on such a vile island and despite his mistakes he felt this to be unforgivable . He could already feel the moisture seeping into his skin and dampening his flame. "I refuse to live here. I must escape this dreadful place," he thought to himself.

"Fifty miles east are the red plains. Take me there and I will not harm you," Kaloo shouted to the guards.

"Shut it!" said the guard followed by a smack of his whip to the back of the neck. Kaloo could feel the heat begin to grow, starting in his stomach and extending to his shackled hands and feet. The iron chains began to glow as his anger grew.

"One last warning; turn this boat around!" said Kaloo.

"That's enough!" said the second guard as he kicked Kaloo in the side. Kaloo gasped for air. His eyes turned red as his chains grew hotter. He felt uneasy. The same uncontrollable feeling that he felt when he had burned down the market as a young boy. He rose and threw off the molten chains. The guard with the whip ordered him to stand down, but Kaloo only saw the movement of his mouth. The ringing in his ears was far too loud, as the heat began to reach his face. The guard mouthed a series of commands as his whipping arm swung back, the brass tip hurled towards Kaloo's face leaving a deep cut. Kaloo felt as though someone was controlling him. His right arm rose, in line with the belly of the guard. His arm felt as though it was going to explode, until a bolt of fire sent the guard flying off the boat and into the sea. What felt like a few minutes happened in an instant.

The second guard swung his axe at Kaloo, slicing down his shoulder. He felt the heat in his toes and swung around kicking the guard in the temple. The kick exploded with a fiery crack, scorching the guard's face and knocking him unconscious. The ringing in his ears began to retreat along with the heat in his limbs. He felt a sharp pain and fell to the deck clutching his shoulder. Blood flew fast from the wound and he began to feel light-headed. Kaloo fetched the medical kit below the captain's wheel, fumbling around until he found thread but no needle. His right arm had lost feeling and he needed to close the wound quick. He focused, searching for the heat he felt earlier in his stomach. It grew as he guided it towards his left finger. Reaching over his right shoulder he expelled a small flame, cauterizing the wound. Although the pain was immense, the feeling of joy overcame him. This had been the first time he was able to control his fiery power. He shackled the guard and steered the ship due east. He headed away from the island towards the vast red plains and even more importantly towards his father.

"Kaloo" Source: Pixabay

Bibliography:

Hindu Gods and Heroes by Lionel D. Barnett

Ramayana Online: Public Domain Edition

Mahabharata Online: Public Domain Edition

Author's Note:

Kaloo's story is mostly based off of the Mahabharata, the Ramayana, and the Hindu Gods and Heroes. In the Hindu Gods and Heroes reading, the god Agni has the ability to control fire. Kaloo's abilities were inspired by Agni and his darker and mischievous manner. When Kaloo feels like someone is controlling him I am referencing how Agni persuaded various characters to do his bidding. In the Ramayana, Rama is exiled by his father because of a debt he owed to one of his wives. Rama accepts his father's command and holds no grudge. Kaloo's attitude and feelings towards his father are not as gentle and forgiving as Rama's. Rama and Kaloo differ greatly in many ways. This also includes physical attributes such as size, height, and posture. Kaloo's darker characteristics were inspired by Duryodhana, the leader of the Kauravas. In the Mahabarata, Duryodhana holds immense anger and jealousy towards the Pandava brothers (a rival family consisting of five brothers). Although Kaloo may not express jealousy, he constantly expresses anger much like Duryodhana. The feelings toward his father also mimic the Kauravas' feelings when their father pardoned one of the Pandava brothers' gambling debts. This formed a sense of betrayal that is very evident in Kaloo's character.