Knotted Connection

As promised, you've met up with Caelum out at the backfield to help with practicing for the competition that's happening next week.

"So, here we are, now what?" you asked. In front of you were three wooden target dummies, a few feet apart. You both wore your training gear but Caelum's was slightly different from yours, it was fireproof. "Now, we train," was his answer before standing in front of the targets. He stood there for a few seconds, before taking in a deep breath, with his concentration, he managed to light the targets ablaze without even batting an eye.

Your eyes widened, how fast it was until the fire dissipated, "And how long did you practice before being able to do that?" you asked. Unlike you, who only learned about your magic a couple of months ago, Caelum already knew of his abilities since he was old enough to set the tablecloth on fire. He's had lots of training and lots of practice, so it was only reasonable for him to be able to do this much.

"It's not that hard, all I had to do was focus on the target and command my flames to do what I want," he answered as if it was the most natural thing for him. You could never relate since you battle with another being inside you every single time you use your powers.

It wasn't as easy as breathing, it's like fighting against the current, He could tell by the way your face suddenly downcasted by his statement, that it was something that bothered you, "But it took me years to get to where I am, it wasn't without its struggles and frustrations," he added, suddenly aware of your feelings.

You nodded in understanding, "Well, practice makes perfect I guess," you answered half-heartedly.

"I heard you're still practicing with Professor Silas, and you've had tremendous progress," he said, slightly encouraging. "Well then, go ahead," he prompted, motioning to the empty field.

"What if someone sees?" you asked worriedly. If anyone saw what you could do, you might be incriminated for using dark magic, or worse, feared. Which scares you far worse than being expelled.

"How about there?" he pointed toward the woods.

Then you remembered that somewhere within the woods, is a spot where all life is gone--the plants have wilted, and the trees are petrified--because of you. And despite the fact that Professor Silas may have encouraged you to use the art of aether manipulation, it does not mean it is moral.

Aether extraction is a taboo, and it corresponds with the extraction of life itself, so using it is close to illegal, although there hasn't been a law that specifies it, however, there are rules upon which it is signified, that it is therefore not allowed.

Hesitation is evident on your face. Caelum sighed, before walking to you and putting a hand on your shoulder, "It's alright if you don't want to," he said reassuringly.

"Here is fine, just keep an eye out for me," you replied, slightly evasive. He nodded in understanding, before giving you a pat.

You stood in the center, and Caelum backed away to give you some space. Taking a deep breath, you tried to control only a bit of the Aether, so as to not suck up all the life force in the area around you. You took only a portion, and called upon the shadows that hid within yours, "Come forth!"

This time, only two are able to come up, and they aren't as powerful as the ones you've summoned before with the use of a substantial amount of Aether. They're slightly slower, and a bit sluggish. Once you've managed to strengthen the hold between your connection to the Shadows, you sighed in relief and said, "Alright, how about a little match?" you offered.

Caelum stood there, staring at the creatures you control, remembering the first night you showed it to him, and it didn't exactly go well, "Only if you're comfortable with it," you added, aware of his discomfort towards them.

He shook his head, but made a stance, "I'm ready if you are," he replied, hiding his unease with a provocation of confidence.

You were also hesitant but you shook it off, "Impetus!" and the creatures lunged at Caelum, making him jump back.

"Two against one? Hardly seems fair," he commented, as he dodged and moved away from the consistent attacks made by the Shadows. He was pushed back again and again until finally, he made his attack.

Summoning tree roots from below, he snagged the Shadows, wrapping the strong vines around the Shadow's legs and body, immobilizing them. Before dragging them across the field, and setting them ablaze.

And that was when you heard it, "Help! No!" that was followed by a piercing pain that shot through you. "Make it stop! Please!!!", the voices begged, the sound a high-pitched wail. And that was when you felt the connection snap between you and the Shadows, only did the pain go away.

You fell down to your knees, clutching your chest, "Painful isn't it?" her voice whispered to your ear, "That's what it feels like, to truly die," were her last words before she faded in a fit of condescending laughter.

"Emilia!" before you know it, Caelum was already kneeling in front of you, clutching your shoulders, "What happened? Are you alright?" he asked, worry evident in his face and in his eyes.

The pendant you got from town a month ago dangled down your neck, and you held it. As if it were alive, it pulsed warmly in your hand, until slowly, the pain that you felt dissipated.

"I'm fine, just a bit tired is all, they still take up a lot of my energy," you replied. It wasn't exactly a lie, and not using the sufficient amount of Aether has forced the Shadows to once again resort to absorbing your energy. And telling him about the voices and the pain will only make him worry, you thought.

It looked like he bought your excuse, but for how long he will, you don't know, "Let's get back, that's enough training for today," he helped you get back on your feet.

"No, you stay and train, I'm sure you haven't even started yet," you said, trying to evade the situation, "I'll go inside first," you stretched yourself before walking back inside, but not before giving him a wave, which he returned, albeit hesitant.

When you got inside and into the changing rooms, you sat down and breathed a sigh, clutching your chest. You took off your gear to change back into your uniform, the necklace still hanging from your neck.

You touched it, and there it was--a pulse. Like a heart beating on your chest, it was cold in your hand, as if it had been left outside in the cold of winter, and the cold remained inside it. You took it off, to assess it and held it out to the light.

Inside the opal gemstone, was a silvery-white haze that twirls, like a cloud trapped inside the small stone. It was mesmerizing, and you stared at it for a few minutes more before the school bell broke your reverie, it struck six and started to gong, which indicated that it was time for supper.

You put the necklace back on and finished changing into your uniform. You went to the basin and washed your face, but when you looked up, a black figure was reflected in the mirror instead of your own, it held its hand to you. You staggered back in surprise, only for someone to catch your back.

"Ahh!" you yelped in surprise, to see Caelum just as shocked as you are, "You scared me, wait, do you see that?!" you commented, before going back to look at the mirror, pointing at it, but the figure was gone.

"Are you absolutely sure you're fine?" he asked, worriedly. He looked at the mirror where you pointed accusingly, only to see nothing but your own reflections. He sighed, "There's nothing there Emilia, what is going on with you?" he asked, turning you around to face him.

You casted your gaze to the floor, slightly embarrassed by your outburst, "I'm sorry, I probably must be hungry, I forgot to eat lunch earlier," you found yourself lying to him once more. Unable to tell him the truth, because even you don't know what truly is going on.

After that, you both went to the mess hall, and once again, all eyes are on the two of you. You're used to the belittling gazes and scornful gawking, but never have you been the object of envy.

When you got to the table, only Kieran, Sitara, and Rowan were there, "Oh, if it isn't the love birds, finally blessed us with your presence. " it was Kieran of course who spoke teasingly, rolling his eyes at you. "You both worried me for nothing, and as much as I would've loved to drop in on your rendezvous this afternoon, I thought it would've been better to flag down some rodents," he widened his eyes at you, before pulling you down to him.

"What?" you asked, surprised and confused at the same time.

He peered down close to your ear, "Next time you think of brandishing the fields with your royal darkness, please keep in mind that you're not alone," it was a warning, but you still couldn't quite get what he meant, "Ascian almost saw you," was all it took for you to understand.

You immediately moved away from him, in panic, "Did he-?" and he shook his head before you could finish your question.

"Let's just say I managed to keep him away with my charms," he replied, half teasing, half boasting, but then he became serious again, "Be more careful next time, not everyone is as understanding," were his words before he went back to his usual Kieran-self.

You sighed in relief, "Thank you," you side-hugged him, "you're the best," you added, and he only patted your head, before turning it towards Caelum, who had his eyebrows knitted from the scene.

"You heard that? She said 'I'm' the best!" Kieran said to Caelum mockingly, which only earned him an eye roll and the finger, making you laugh.

"She probably means best at being a flirt!" Sitara commented.

"I caught him flirting with three different girls this week, three! And the one he mentioned just now doesn't even count!" she exclaimed.

"Oh, look who's talking, I saw that letter," Kieran retaliated, which clearly meant something based on Sitara's already reddening face, "The one from that girl--" he was immediately shut up by a piece of bread that was shoved in his mouth by Sitara.

However, it was too late, since you'd already gotten the idea of it, "A 'girl' gave you a love letter?!" you exclaimed excitedly.

Sitara only shrugged, It's not exactly a hidden fact that some of the girls in your year and even some in the lower years have found themselves attracted to Sitara. Not only is she an outstanding Knight, but she's also very beautiful.

Sitara Aiden is one of the very few Knights who were female, with a height of over six-foot-one, she was almost as tall as Kieran who was six-foot-three. She had beautiful copper skin, and her long dark curly hair cascaded down her back every time she wasn't wearing it in a ponytail. Her body was built towards the masculine side because she was genetically born that way.

Thus, the other girls found themselves attracted to her despite the fact that she is indeed a girl, "Was it another confession of her love? And how she has swooned with your grace and beauty?" you asked, teasing her more.

Sitara groaned inward, "Oh please, the owner of the confession I truly want has been hardly here nowadays, and busy comforting another man," she grumbled. Though it was known to you that Briony has been in love with Dorian since you were in seventh grade, however, Sitara has been in love with Briony from long before then.

"Hold on!" Kieran bursted out, "You're in love with a girl?" he asked incredulously, with widened eyes and a gaping mouth.

You and Sitara only laughed at him, neither confirming nor denying it. It was these exchanges that make you forget, even for a while, of the hardships that you've faced, and the ones that you have yet to face, that are far worse than the strongest of storms.

After returning to your dormitories, and long after your friends have succumbed to slumber, the earlier events have kept you awake. Unable to shake the feeling, like it was something you shouldn't ignore.

The moment you closed your eyes, and darkness consumed you, Nox stood in the middle of it. Her usual condescending smirk was wiped clean, and only a blank expression remained.

"There is a force that connects us to the darkness, and that darkness is intertwined with our fate," she spoke but with no clear interpretation, "Beware of the pain that comes with each demise, and with each summon to the dark, it gets closer to finding us," she said with no emotion.

As if someone else was talking through her, and after that, a piercing cry came from her lips, jolting you awake, leaving you gasping in your bed.