Chapter 3: Strange Revelations
“…I swear that I heard screaming in my head. I knew something bad was happening.”
“You and your senses are quite ridiculous Lucas. I mean no offense but, aren’t you the only one out of us three who has no need for the Proving? How could you be sensing things?”
“I don’t know Markus. But, it has helped me and Jaden a lot. I always knew when something bad happens to her.”
“And here I am wondering why I am left out.”
Jaden heard voices coming from her side, sounding like her brothers. She opened heavy-laden eyes, though her sight was still blurry. As her senses began to function, she felt a palm on her forehead; though she could not tell whose palm it was. Her head was woozy and she groaned slightly with pain.
“Jaden? Lucas, is she awake?”
“How am I supposed to know? Her eyes are covered by her blindfold.”
“Lucas? Is that you I heard?” Jaden queried meekly. As the blur of her sight faded, she could see Lucas smiling down upon her with his hand on her forehead. Sitting not far behind him was Markus, whose raised eyebrows showed his seeming surprise. She observed her surroundings and found herself lying on her bed. The large stack of pillow she used to scare her brothers not long ago were gone, but the humorous memories made her smile briefly.
“Are you alright Jaden? You sound very weak.” Lucas asked. “I don’t know. How long was I unconscious?” “About five hours. I honestly thought you aren’t waking up Jaden. Tough Proving huh?” Markus answered. “You don’t say. No one told me that I might be fighting.” Jaden replied.
“Fighting? There wasn’t any fighting in my Proving.” Markus retorted. Jaden’s brow rose with surprise. She remembered fighting two Magical Energies simultaneously and unarmed, and she could have sworn that she was attacked first. “You know, you are really burning up. Touching your forehead feels like I am putting my hand close to a fire.” Lucas commented. “That would explain the headache I am getting. I really exhausted myself in my Proving.” Jaden explained. “Yeah well try to be careful in the future. I don’t enjoy seeing you in this state.” Lucas said. Jaden was not surprised to know that her beloved brother was concern for her well-being but she replied, “I can take care of myself Lucas.”
“Well that Proving really proved otherwise doesn’t it?” Lucas retorted before chuckling.
Seconds later, the door opened, startling Markus who was close enough to the door to get hit. As he growled in pain while rubbing his nose, Kiyara peeked in and said, “Oh sorry Markus. I didn’t see you there.” Lucas then said while glaring at Markus, “I told you not to sit there.” “Shut up Lucas.” Markus retorted.
“Is your sister awake? I sensed her heartbeat accelerating.” Kiyara queried. Lucas answered with a nod and a smile. “Good. Would you two excuse us if I speak to her in private? I have some questions to ask her.” Lucas turned to Markus, who simply shrugged back. They both made their way out of room, closing the door behind. Kiyara turned her attention to Jaden, who struggled but managed to sit up. She sat next to Jaden and asked, “Are you alright? You had me worried there.”
“Yes I’m fine, I think. Was I supposed to faint after my Proving?” Jaden queried. “Well, that depends. But, what truly worried me was during your Proving. Your physical body was screaming, shouting in pain. It is almost as if you were being hurt during your Proving and that is not supposed to happen, even if you fail. What happened exactly?” Kiyara questioned.
“I saw two beings, one of Light Energy and another of Dark Energy, dueling with one another.” “What? Both Light and Dark Energies during your Proving?” Kiyara exclaimed. “Yes. Is there something wrong?” Jaden asked. “Remember when I told you about two or more Energies being inherited genetically, about how rare it is? Light and Dark Energies existing inside one person is impossible.” Kiyara answered. Jaden recoiled, shocked to hear her words. She remembered the blue man and the Dark Energies summoned by the red man. She was certain that both Light and Dark Energies were encountered.
“Impossible? Why is that?” Jaden asked. Kiyara explained, “Light and Dark Energies are polar opposites. They are incapable of existing together as they have a natural hatred for the other. No one understands why but some people theorized that it was due to their nature. Light Energies are used to enhance or help people and are rarely used to hurt others, unlike Dark Energies. Anyone who tries to obtain both will not last long without suffering from Magical Overflow and fall under its corruption due to the constant power struggle within them. Maybe that will explain your glowing eyes but…never mind. What did you do then?” Jaden heard Kiyara mentioning her eyes but she decided not to linger on such a subject.
“I approached them, asking them to forget their duel and go on with my Proving. The Light Energy got aggressive and attacked me. Right after that, the Dark Energy cast a Dark spell on me. They then started arguing over who should take over my will.” Jaden added. Kiyara’s brow rose while her eyes slowly widen with seeming surprise. “Seems like the constant fighting between the two made them very aggressive. I’m guessing you fought back.” Jaden simply nodded as an answer.
“I defeated them somehow, stealing their weapons and threatening to destroy them. They eventually submitted and said that my Proving was done. They claimed that it was not planned but both were impressed that I maintained my composure even during an unfair fight. They both then mentioned that they are willing to tolerate each other’s presence to serve me.” Jaden continued. Kiyara retorted, “Serve you? And they are willing to tolerate one another’s presence? This is very unlike how Energies are supposed to behave.” “Is that a bad thing?” Jaden asked, suddenly feeling very fearful after looking at how her mentor was reacting to her explanation. “I don’t suppose it is but I need to speak with Dementius about this. This is one of the strangest Provings I ever heard of, no offense.”
“Kiyara wait. Now that I’m done with my Proving, what now? When will I start learning to cast spells?” Jaden queried. “You need to rest first before we get on to that. You will feel different for the next few weeks, trust me on that. Once I feel that you’re ready, I will teach you some of the basics of spell casting. For the time being, I suggest you rest.” Kiyara said.
The door behind Kiyara opened and the heartwarming sight of Jaden’s mother, Glacier Highland, came into the room. “There you are. Kiyara, there’s something going on outside and…Jaden! You’re alright!” Glacier exclaimed upon seeing her daughter awake after five hours of waiting. Jaden smiled warmly at the sight of her relieved mother. Glacier closed in to hug her daughter, whispering to her ears, “I was so worried about you. I thought you won’t survive your Proving,” Tears welled up at her eyes and rolled down to Jaden’s shoulder. “I’m still breathing mom but I am glad to see you after such an experience.” Jaden replied.
Kiyara smiled at the sight, trying to recall the last time she ever saw her childhood friend smile. Forty years felt rather fast to her and Glacier has been through worse times than she had. Thinking that it was right to leave them alone, Kiyara left the room to look for Dementius. Still, she could not help but turn back to look at them one last time before closing the door behind her.
“I must say that I miss the smiles that Glacier shows.” she admitted to herself.
“I’ve been waiting for you to wake up. I sat outside for almost five hours, praying to the Spirits that you will wake up. I am not going to lose you like how I lost your father.” Glacier choked as she caressed her daughter’s cheeks. “You love him didn’t you? How was he like? I want to know.” Jaden questioned out of pure curiosity. Glacier heaved a heavy sigh, hoping that she would never have to dwell in the past but after seeing how much her daughter had grown; she felt that Jaden should know more about her father.
“He was…a handsome, kind young man. He and I had known each other ever since we were kids. He and I even grew up and stayed with each other. His parents were killed defending the city and he stayed with me and your grandfather ever since. He went through his Proving at the age of fifteen, much earlier than you and Markus. He was truly talented and he had caught my eye when I realized how…charming he was. We planned a marriage until the day he saw a vision of a shadowy figure, trying to kill me. I didn’t believe him but he remained persistent. He died, protecting me from his rogue student. I fled with Kiyara but I should’ve…I should’ve…”
“You should’ve believed him.” Jaden helped her weeping mother continue. “I’m sorry for bringing this up.” “No don’t be sorry. You never met your father and you’re curious. You’re old and experienced enough to know after going through your Proving, which is why I decided to tell you here and now.” Glacier said. “You’re very special to me Jaden. You bore your father’s determined spirit and compassion. I can almost see him inside you. Do know, if anything happens in the future, that I will always love you and your brothers.” Jaden nodded, smiled faintly and replied, “I love you too.”
“So Jaden has both Light and Dark Energies within her? And she earned the respect of both Energies? This is unusual indeed. And here I am remembering an old researcher saying that Light and Dark Energies can’t coexist since it causes Magical Overflow.” Dementius said after listening to Kiyara’s words. She nodded and replied, “It surprised me too. Do you think it may have something to do with her being a clone instead of fully human?” “It may be possible. After all, extra DNA of her father was used. We may have forcefully infused Dark Energies into her through the cloning. That may explain her eyes. Glowing eyes is the first symptom of Magical Overflow.” Dementius added.
“Wait a minute. Are you suggesting that Jaden may have been…corrupted from the time she was created? That her current personality was….not her original personality?” Kiyara queried. Dementius rubbed his chin, falling deep into his thoughts. He then answered, “It could be possible. After all, she is the first human clone. We barely know how different a clone can be to a normal human being.”
“I guess we’ll have to trust time to tell us our answers.”
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