Painful memories

Shadley stood in his room, his eyes fixed on the family framed picture in his hands. In the photo, he saw himself, his mom, dad, and twin sister Sharpay. They all looked so happy, so carefree. The memories came flooding back to him, bringing a smile to his face despite the pang of sadness in his heart.

He remembered that day at the beach, the sun shining down on them as they built sandcastles and splashed in the waves. It was a perfect day, one of those rare moments when everything felt right in the world. His mom had put her arms around him and his sister, laughing and singing along to the music playing on the radio.

But then the memory shifted, and Shadley felt the familiar ache in his chest. His mom had been taken her from them too soon. He missed her every day, her warmth and her love that filled the room whenever she was around.

The memory haunted Shadley like a specter in the night, a cruel reminder of the tragedy that had torn their family apart. He could still see his mother's face, filled with fierce determination as she pushed him and Sharpay to safety, her eyes brimming with love and fear.

The attack had come without warning, the descendants of the fallen angels descending upon their hometown like vultures, hungry for blood and vengeance. His mother had stood tall, a beacon of strength in the chaos, her sword raised in defense of her family. Shadley could still hear the clash of steel, the screams of the innocent, the roar of flames consuming everything in their path.

As he and Sharpay watched in horror, their mother fought with all her might, a warrior in her own right, facing down their enemies with a courage that stole their breath. But the odds were against her, and as the battle raged on, Shadley knew deep down that their mother's sacrifice was inevitable.

And then, in a flash of violence, Shadley saw the glint of steel pierce the darkness, a blade striking true against his mother's side. The sight was like a knife to his heart, as he watched her fall to the ground, her eyes locking with his for a fleeting moment before they closed forever.

Tears stung Shadley's eyes as he remembered the agony of that moment, the raw pain of losing the woman who had given him life and love. He felt a deep well of grief and anger rising within him, knowing that his mother had given everything to protect them, to ensure their survival even at the cost of her own.

As the memories washed over him, Shadley felt a mixture of sorrow and gratitude, his heart heavy with loss but also filled with love for the woman who had sacrificed everything for her children. In his mind's eye, he saw his mother's spirit soaring high, a guardian angel watching over them from above, forever remembered and cherished in their hearts.

Sharpay's voice broke through his reverie, pulling him back to the present. She stood in the doorway, her eyes filled with understanding and sorrow. "You miss her, don't you... I do too," she said softly, her voice filled with emotion.

Shadley turned to her, his eyes misty with unshed tears. He gave her a small, grateful smile, feeling the weight of their shared grief in the air. "What if she didn't die," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "What if she was still here with us?"

Sharpay moved closer, wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug. "I wish she was," she whispered, her words filled with a longing that matched his own.

They stood there for a moment, lost in their own thoughts and memories. And then, as if by unspoken agreement, they pulled back, their eyes meeting in a silent understanding. They knew that their mom would always be with them, in their hearts and in their memories.

In the dimly lit training chamber, Tracy faced off against her tutor, Lucian, their wands locked in a fierce magical standoff. The air was heavy with tension as they engaged in an intensive sparring session, their spells clashing in a spectacular display of light and sound.

Lucian, his eyes gleaming with a knowing glint, began to taunt Tracy, "Your magic is as unpredictable as your emotions, isn't it? I hear you were quite... fond of Shadley, your best friend's boyfriend." His voice dripped with sarcasm, "Ah, yes, the very same Shadley who got you expelled from Wilmer Academy."

Tracy's face flushed with anger, her Eldrenos ability simmering just below the surface. She tried to maintain her composure, but Lucian's words struck a nerve. "You don't know anything about it, Lucian!" she snapped, her magic surging in response.

"Oh, but I do," Lucian countered, his smile mocking. "I know you let your feelings cloud your judgment, just like you're doing now. You're so blinded by rage, you can't even control your magic."

Tracy's Eldrenos ability burst forth in a blaze of fury, her magic raging out of control. She unleashed a torrent of spells, each one more powerful than the last. Lucian stumbled back, his eyes widening in surprise, as Tracy's magic overwhelmed him.

With a fierce cry, Tracy struck the final blow, her magic crashing down on Lucian like a storm. He stumbled, defeated, and Tracy stood over him, her chest heaving with exhaustion.

As she caught her breath, Lucian gazed up at her, a hint of admiration in his eyes. "Well, well, well... looks like you've finally learned to harness that temper of yours, Tracy," he said, offering a half-compliment. "You've got potential, I'll give you that."

With that, Lucian rose to his feet and walked away, leaving Tracy to ponder the truth in his words.In the stillness of the night, Tracy harnessed the power of her eldrenos ability, allowing it to weave a magical path that led her to Wilmer Academy. As she materialized in the shadows, hidden from the sight of the bustling students, a pang of bittersweet longing filled her heart .

From her vantage point, Tracy observed the members of the Super Squad - Dianne, Daisy, Shadley, Sharpay, Rebecca, Erin, Vorden, and Jason - laughing and interacting with an infectious energy that filled the air. Their camaraderie was palpable, a bond forged through shared experiences and challenges.

But it was Shadley who captured Tracy's gaze, his infectious smile lighting up the night as he engaged with his friends. Her heart clenched with unspoken feelings, a love unrequited that had lingered in the depths of her soul for far too long. As she watched him, a sense of resignation settled over her, a realization that it was time to let go and move on.

With a heavy heart and a silent vow to herself, Tracy made the decision to leave behind the spot where she had stood, a ghostly presence in the night. Just as she turned to depart, a fleeting moment of connection passed between her and Shadley, as if he had sensed her presence, his gaze searching the darkness for something he could not see.

And then, as quickly as the moment had come, it was gone. Tracy faded into the shadows, her heart heavy but her spirit lighter with the decision to release the burden of her unspoken love. As she disappeared into the night, a sense of peace washed over her, a new chapter unfolding in her heart as she embraced the journey ahead, leaving behind the memories of a love that could never be.

"Hey, Tracy. I don't think we've officially met yet. I'm Elias, one of the residents of the palace." Elias said.

" Oh, nice to meet you, Elias. I didn't realize there were others living in the palace that I hadn't met yet."Tracy said with a polite smile.

" Yeah, there are a few of us that tend to keep to ourselves. I couldn't help but overhear your conversation with Lucian earlier about your feelings for Shadley. I just wanted to say, don't let his harsh words get to you. Lucian is a broken man, just like the rest of us." Lucian replied

"Thank you, Elias. I appreciate your kind words. It's just hard to hear someone I care about say such hurtful things."Said Tracy slightly elated that there was someone nice to talk to.

" I understand. But you have to remember, Lucian has been through a lot. He and Malischa were deeply in love before she was killed by the witches. It tore him apart." Elias further explained leaving Tracy slightly shocked

" Wait, Malischa? The soul that I was reincarnated as?" Tracy asked confused.

"Yes, that's right. Malischa and Lucian were soulmates. And now, with her dormant inside you, it's no wonder he's struggling with his feelings." Elias replied his tone calm and collected.

"So, you think Malischa is still inside me? I've been feeling strange lately, like there's a part of me that I can't quite explain."She thought out loud .

"It's possible. Malischa's presence may be influencing your emotions and actions more than you realize. Just try to be patient with yourself. And remember, you're not alone in this. We're all here for you." Elias encouraged and a smile crept in her face.

"Thank you, Elias. I really appreciate you sharing all of this with me. It helps to understand a bit more about what's going on inside me. But it's also a bit overwhelming to think that Malischa's presence might be affecting me without me even knowing it." Tracy admitted.

" I understand. It's a lot to take in, but just know that we're all here to support you through this. And remember, Malischa was a strong and loving soul. Perhaps her presence can bring out the best in you as well."Elias assured her.

"That's a comforting thought. I'll try to embrace Malischa's strength and love as I navigate this situation with Lucian and Shadley. And maybe, in understanding Malischa's past with Lucian, I can find a way to help mend their broken relationship."She wondered if it was possible for her to do.

" That's a noble goal, Tracy. Just remember to take care of yourself along the way. And if you ever need someone to talk to or just to listen, I'm always here."Elias said.

"Thank you, Elias. I'm grateful to have you as a friend in this strange and complicated journey. Let's work together to uncover the truth and bring healing to everyone involved."Tracy said with that she wished him goodnight and made for her room.