Chapter 13

Ashnah roamed her eyes around. She can't see anything. Her heart began thumping as she realized the situation she's in. 'A nightmare?' She blinked her eyes, willing herself to wakeup. But she failed to do so. 'I can still control this,' she said to calm herself. She breathe in and out in the attempt to let blood flow to her brains.

She imagined light coming on the surroundings but nothing's coming out. 'Come on. Help me out here.' She said to herself. She tried to focus on what's important.

She heard a resonant of ringing bells. It was afar. It whispered in the air. And calling out to her. The sound it brought to her ears have calmed down her nerves. Her feet unconsciously strode towards the source of it. Rays of light broke in the darkness and all she can do is raise her hands to shield her eyes from the sudden light.

A voice filled with sovereignty echoed all over the place.

In you I placed a hidden hope

No doubt, no need for you to probe

Let time long planned for you unfold

Time will tell and you'll come as called

"W-Who are you?"

"I am known to you. Ask your soul and you will be told."

She felt his presence slowly leaving the dream she's in. "W-Wait!" But he was gone already.

Ashnah blinked. She was back again in her room and widely awake. She pushed herself. Something at the corner of her eyes caught her attention. She saw a shadow jumped out from her windowpane. She ran towards the window but see no one when she checked. She looked around the scenery outside but the night was still and motionless as it basks in the darkness.

"What the heck was that?" She sat back on her bed. When she realized that sleep is going to be elusive for the rest of the night, she took her drawing pencil--since she cannot find a pen--and her sketchpad. She began writing the details of her dream. 'A strange dream. How can I ask my soul? Is there such a method? Whom can I consult about this?' As the night drew to dawn, her questions keeps on piling unanswered.

****

Ashnah checked her phone. Fina messaged her about Uncle Arnold.

Arnold's going to be back from his task. We need to start planning on resolving my vision. See me as soon as you can.

Ashnah hurriedly prepared all the things that she'll need including the sketchbook where she jotted down her dreams with. Her strides echoed down the hall. The alarmed suddenly sounded. It wasn't just a simple alarm. The alarm was for an infiltration of enemies. They are under attack! Mrs. Gavin's voice was on the speakers allover the buildings.

"All trainees and Gifteds are needed on the training ground. We are under attack! I repeat: All trainees and Gifteds are need on the training ground. The organization is under attack! "

Ash she ran through the corridors, other trainees ran with her on the same direction. They didn't slow down till they reach the training grounds. The other gifteds are already there. They were fighting a miasma of smoke that spouts spikes of lightning. The electric bolts are somewhat familiar.

"What is that thing?" Monette asked in shocked.

"It looks like no other thing that we had encounter," said Cale who was fighting it before. They scattered when the lightning striked them. It strike again on Ashnah's direction. She was thankful she had her training, she was able to moved swiftly and avoid it.

"Ashnah!" she heard someone scream, but she can no longer distinguish who it is from.

The lightning went after her, strike after strike.

"Ash, you're too close!"

It was too late, the smoke engulfed her in it. The moment it touched her, she felt its rage and its jealousy. Memories that are not hers flashed on her mind.

How could you call this obssession?

How could you pay such transgression?

Is longing not love that awaits?

I've no other way than use baits

Cause you can't see the truth portrayed

You can't see the reason I stayed

You're the first love in chest I keep

If you could just see how heart leaped

Why insult it as obession?

Why rub salt on your rejection?

Can't you just feel the way I do?

Could I ever accept what's true?

Ashnah realized then whose memories those were and who's causing this havoc. It was Tyra.

***

It was the first time that Tyra had seen a jet black hair and a pair of chinky eyes. She was only eight years old, and it was her first time seeing someone from Asia. He was a tad shorter than her. His cute features just fed her interest right when it is needed. Boys of her age easily succumb to her whines whenever she needs their attention. But this little boy hid away from her.

She smiled very brightly, excited to allure him of her beauty and show him the world she's living in.

"Hi, my name is Tyra. How about yours?" she laid her hand in front of her.

He looked up to his foster father. His foster father gave him an encouraging smile and spoke to him softly. "Make friends, Jin! It's great to have found someone you can be friends with."

His eyes shifted to Tyra. When the little boy still did not held her hands, she took the matters herself. She held his hand and shook it. The innocent glee in her eyes is invaluable.

"He's a little bit shy but I know he'll be better with you, little Tyra," his foster father said gently. He nudged the little boy towards Tyra, "Play with her for a while, Jin. I'll be back after our conference." He got up and started to walk to where the adults are. The little boy was afraid and attempted to ran after his foster father but Tyra's hold was firm enough to stop him.

"Let go," he said, pleading.

"Nope, I won't," Tyra teased him and pulled him instead to the playground.

The memories shifted like movie reels and Ashnah was brought to their newly teenage life. In that setting, they were wearing uniforms for school and Tyra was again with Jin. She was edgy when someone of opposite sex gets near her beloved. Jin remained motionless and uncaring of whatever happening to their premises.

"He's no longer single?" whispered the girl to her friend which reached Tyra's ears.

Tyra walked towards the two. "He's mine. So leave him be," she said vehemently.

"Tyra," Jin called. Her mood immediately lightened up and a sweet smiled displayed on her lips. "Stop messing with people around."

"I'm not," she pouted and walked back to him.

"Can you please stop saying weird things to others?"

"Weird things? What weird things are you talking about?"

Jin sighed and walked outside the room. She followed on his footsteps. When they were finally out, he closed the door behind. "You know what I'm talking about. Saying things such as I'm yours or I'm your fiance. Don't degrade yourself."

She felt a pang of pain in her chest. Yet she tried to put herself on his stance. "You're only worried about our status right? You're not saying that you don't want me," she tried to smile the pain away. "You don't need to be bothered by that. My family wants me to be happy--"

"You don't need to put it that way," he sighed again, looking tired. "Stop making things complicated than it already is."

"B-But--"

They were interrupted by one of the students. "Jin, you were called in the guidance counselor's office."

Tyra looked at him sharply. But the student probably have mistaken her stare. "Hi, Tyra. How's your day going?"

She just ignored him completely, irritated by his interruption as well as his notion while Jin is still with her.

The memories shifted again and now they are in the rooftop of their training building.

This time, guilt was written on Tyra's face when they finally stopped. "I'm sorry, Jin. I didn't mean to get angry."

"Let me make things clear, Tyra. I have been patient with your wiles. I thought you will change in time. I respected you since we grew up together. I have kept my mouth shut and obeyed you and your grandfather since they are the elite, the elders. One wrong move could be the downfall of the family that I am indebted to. I can only offer you friendship, Tyra. I never once taken the thought of you being my lover, being my wife."

"You had never?"

Jin sighed, his anger dissipating, replaced with guilt. "I never once did, Ty. I'm sorry. I never once thought of you as more than a friend, a sibling or a playmate. You'll always be the headstrong Tyra who other kids looked up as strong individual."

"But you can never see me as a woman?"

"I've tried telling you Ty. So many times but you keep ignoring me, you continued to pursue your own will. That is not love. That is obsession. Do not waste your time on me. There are a lot of things that needs to be done. You have a lot of potential but you lack the will to direct it to the right things where it is needed."

Tears fall from her eyes. Jin froze. He seemed to hesitate at first whether he'll comfort her or not. He chose the latter.

"Do you love her?" she said.

"Who are you talking about?" his brows once again furrowed.

"Don't give me the maze question, Jin. I'm talking about Ashnah and no other. You reacted to her like no other."

Ashnah's brows went flying atop. What the heck is tyra spouting about?

"What are you talking about?" he said confused.

'See?' Ashnah said but none of them heard it.

"Don't you deny it. Your eyes follow her whatever she does. You shielded her and is willing to take blows for her. If that is not love, then what is it?"

Jin froze. Yes, he did those. But only cause he was tasked to do so. 'Right?'Ashnah couldn't help thinking.

"You're wrong. Her safety was a task I must accomplished."

'See?' Ashnah just shrugged, still not believing what Tyra was spitting.

"Really, Jin? You aren't aware of your actions? Then how come you're bothered if it was announced that we are betrothed? That you had a lover? That should not matter to your misson, right?" Tyra's will was breaking as Jin was not able to answer her.

Ashnah felt Tyra's pain. She reached to her own chest. Tears began to form on her eyes.

"Jin, Ms. Fina is calling you to her office," a trainee said, interrupting their conversation.

Jin looked at Tyra. She was still holding on the last straw of her hope.

"Yes, I might be in love with her."

Tyra's tears flowed like a dam. She felt her knees weaken. Ashnah felt her heart being crushed.

The surroundings shifted and she is now in the middle of nowhere. Smoke are allover. And a familiar face is at the center of it all. She was almost wholly emerged in the trunk-like dark veins, only her face is on the surface. The veins kept on pulsating like it's taking each of her heartbeat, eating away her life.

"Tyra," Ashnah whispered. "What--What has been done to you?"

Tyra, in her struggle, managed to open her eyes halfway. "W-Why are you here? I-I don't...want to see you." she said in her weak voice.

"I need to get out you here." Ashnah started to yank away the veins she got hold onto. But it sprouted back like how it used to be. 'Ashnah, think, think.' She heard the ringing of the familiar bell. And it just zapped on her mind.

"It's useless," Tyra said, her eyes slowly closing again.

"Stay awake, Tyra. I'm gonna get you out of here." Some of the dark veins pulled itself from the ground, feeling what Ashnah is trying to do.

`Seems like it's going to be hard.' She jumped to avoid the attacking dark veins. On her last attempt, it grazed her arm but she ignored it. Adrenaline rushed in her veins and all she could think of is she need to save Tyra now or she'll die out of life force. While jumping allover the place, she tried to focus her spiritual force, trying to reach her deepest core. She remembered Tyra's pain, and tried to recall a familiar emotion.

She found an old memory that could somehow relate to Tyra's pain. She grabbed into it and waited for the opportunity to connect with Tyra's consiousness. She slowed down her movement as she avoided the dark veins. Every step she took take her closer to Tyra's location.

'A little bit more.' She said as she approached her. She let the veins grazed her arms a bit as she gather her force to leap. She pushed herself to the ground and successfully landed onto where Tyra is.

"Get...off...of...me," she whispered.

Ashnah ignored her rebellion. She imagined herself having the ball of light inside of her. She put her palm on her chest as she imagined pushing it out of her body. She had goosebumps allover her body as she felt something warm surged inside her move. Words weaved to golden light and formed a golden sphere on her hand. A smile crossed her lips in her success.

Hush girl, not a word to utter

Nothing of past really mattered

Close your eyes and forget the pain

See yourself, the worth of your gain

Aren't you notable enough?

To treat yourself to such great stuff?

Why waste yourself from rejection

Don't drown yourself in obsession

Things are waiting for you to see

It's for you to find, gift of glee

Open your palm that holds the hope

Don't let it with your soul elope

Nothing comes from this sense anger

It will only bring disaster

Unhand the jury within you

Clear your mind and check what's renew

"It's hot," Tyra whispered. The dark veins were about to attack but the sphere got bigger as it engulfed both of the women. They melted like hot iron drowned in the volcanic heat. The smoke slowly faded.

"Ashnah!" she heard the callings of her friends simultaneously.

"Why?"

Ashnah was about to answer them but was withheld by Tyra's question.

"Why what?"

"Why did you save me?"

"Isn't it the right thing to do? I'm not sure about you but even if it's someone else, I'd still do the same thing."

"But I've been mean to you. You shouldn't have save me!" She said in her frustration.

"Hey, I understand that you are obsessed before with Jin. But you're beautiful, young and so much capable of doing a lot of things. It's not your loss if Jin can't love you back. You are so blind to what you're worthy of."

"I'm not!"

"If you're not, why do you succumb to someone who doesn't even have an ounce of emotion for you?"

"I hate you!"

"Hate me all you want but surely, understand that a lot of women will be envious of what you are and of what you have. See it for yourself, take your time and don't waste it obsessing with someone you can't have."

"Ash!" she heard Cale's voice. She felt his hand touched her arm. "Are you okay?

"Yes," she said, she smiled to ease his worries.

"Tyra?" Cale looked across her, baffled by her appearance. "I didn't see you on the training ground.

Tyra looked at him sharply. "None of your business!"

"Tyra!" Tyron exclaimed. Then his gaze turned angrily towards Ashnah, "What have you done to my granddaughter?"

"What are you talking about?" Ashnah asked, confused of his sudden accusation.

"Elder Tyron, aren't you able to distinguish the lightning bolt that we have encountered before?" said Cale, his brows furrowed in fury. "If I may say, I don't think those belong to Ashnah in any way. Ashnah might have save your 'precious' granddaughter."

Tyron looked at his granddaughter. "What does he means, Tyra? Proved them wrong. You are one of the acclaimed gifted over time. Your gift can't be used by the demons." He made a brief scan of his granddaughter. "And if she becomes a drifter, her spiritual aura would have darken by now, don't you think?"

"Tyra, can you please explain what happened?" It was Jin asking Tyra.

"Why do you suspect my granddaughter only? Why don't you suspect someone who just suspiciously entered the organization with her suspicious abilities?" Tyron said.

"Grandpa," she said in a whispered. "It wasn't Ashna."

Tyron's face paled. "What in the world are you saying, Tyra?"

"I'm not lying, grandpa. Something was planted within me yesterday." She said in her weak voice.

"Planted within you? What do you mean?" Jin asked.

"They planted a demon within me through my emotions. I let my guard down," she said as shame veiled upon her.

"It isn't impossible anymore," Fina butted in. All eyes spun to her. "A lot of cases will probably be sprouting in the future. But we have someone who can stop it."

"I think it's pretty obvious," Jin stated.

"We have her with us," Fina coninued. "You need not doubt her."

"And once again this lass," Tyron countered.

"Your granddaughter have seen it herself, Tyron. Why not believe it?"

"How could I know if she was enchanted to do the devil's bidding?" He scowled. "You have not even reported accurately about her in the main branch so how can I trust you?"

"We have not because we are still checking further as to what extent her gifts fare," Fina explained, trying to calm her down and not let emotions erode the last straw of her patience.

"I have reported to the main branch and explained everything about Ashnah if that is your concern, Tyron," said the deep voice. Arnold appeared from the crowds of trainees.

"Of course you did," his eyes full of scorn met Fina's. "You've seen it beforehand and so you did plan ahead. Magnificent!" He said through gritted teeth.

Fina didn't budge and stood her ground.

"I will see you later on. We're not done on this," he said begrudgingly. He went to Tyra and supported her up. They went away from the eyes of the crowd.

Ashnah was worried that Tyra might receive more than scolding.

"Don't worry," said Jin as if reading her thoughts. "Although Tyron is strict in training, they treasured Tyra the most in their family."