Electric Blue Rose - Book One. [COMPLETED] Undergoing Edits

Chapter Twenty-Four - The Dark Aura

Friday finally came, and Jade couldn't have been more excited to participate in her first fieldwork day. Jade showered and tied her hair in a long braid to the side, a braid that covered her tattoo. She frowned and adjusted it until it landed on her opposite shoulder. It was time she stopped hiding her past and instead embraced it. Jade changed into shorts and a tank top with her running shoes, preparing for the workout. Crossing out of the bathroom, she took a seat at the counter of Amelia's room. Today would be the last night Jade had to stay in Amelia's room. Dean Turk told her that she could move back into her room tomorrow, and she was grateful. Not that she didn't enjoy this time with Amelia, but she missed having her own space.

Amelia groaned as she crossed over to the coffee pot and started a new pot. Jade looked at her pondering why Amelia would be so exhausted. Amelia's gaze met hers. "I was up all night researching," she explained, answering Jade's unasked question.

"Researching what?"

"Well, you." Amelia poured the cup and laid the book on the counter by Jade. "See, since what happened yesterday, I couldn't get it out of my head. Everything was unusual and didn't meet the exhaustion characteristics I've witnessed. I went through a few books before I got an idea." Amelia flipped the page to information about the Absorption ability. "

"What are you getting at?" Jade asked, looking at the page. "The Enlightened's ability?" Her eyebrow rose.

"Well, I thought that maybe you could be a duel-wielder," Amelia explained. "It says here that when a second power emerges for the first time, it can be debilitating and cause physical pain in your body. Especially your stomach region."

"Come on, Amelia. No one had any clue I had an ability for eighteen years. Now you're trying to tell me I may have a second?" Amelia shrugged. "I'm sorry you lost so much sleep over this, but I'm sure it's just because I am so new to this. I haven't trained my body for an ability like most of you have."

"Yeah, I guess you have a point." Amelia sighed. "I feel like we're missing something. There has to be something with how bright your aura is, with your body's reaction. It doesn't make sense that it's all a coincidence."

They both turned towards the door as a knock sounded. "Why don't you shower? I'm going to head off with Joe and get an early start on stretching." Amelia nodded. Jade opened the door, letting Joe in while she grabbed her bag. He looked uncomfortable, as if he wanted to tell her something but was struggling. Jade met his gaze, and he turned his. They crossed out of the room. She considered pressing for more information, but she figured Joe would tell her when he was ready.

When they arrived at the field, they were among the first ones. They threw their bags down with the others and began to stretch. Jade's mind wandered to what Amelia said. She could not have a second ability, and she was sure of it. After all, wouldn't it have been revealed by now? What about her birth father? Who could he be to pass down such a powerful aura, but one that she somehow kept suppressed? Her mind was cluttered with thoughts, with reasons that none of Amelia's considerations could be correct.

"Jade?" She shook out of her daze and met Professor Q's gaze. "You alright?" She nodded. She noticed that the rest of the class had joined them. She wondered how long she had let her mind wander. Professor Q. walked away from her and began to address the class. "Alright, class," Professor Q. exclaimed with a clap to get everyone's attention. "Thank you all for beginning stretches without me. Please ensure you do before tackling the obstacle course if you haven't. Since we're still in the early stages, I'm going to allow you to take this course at your own pace, so run as you feel you can, or use the pull-up bars or endurance equipment over there," he said, gesturing. "Alright, let's have at it."

Jade turned to the obstacle course and took a deep breath, and took off towards the course. She ran as quickly as possible, letting the dirt kick up behind her. All of her running around Inanis gave her an advantage in physical methods such as this. Her hands began to tremble. She slowed, feeling the energy surging through her. She closed her eyes, focusing, trying to put it away. "What's happening?" She asked herself. She looked to Professor Q, ready to signal his help, when she felt the energy from her hands backfire, shooting her back. Flashes of green and black in her eyes rubbed her head. The pain focused on that area.

"Are you alright?" Amelia asked, rushing over to her.

"Um, yeah," Jade answered, brushing the dirt off of her, "I'm not sure what happened." Jade took Amelia's hand and stood back up. "Well, I better get back to it." She looked at her hands, concerned, before taking off again. Jade jerked, clutching her stomach as the pressure sent her to her knees. Amelia stopped kneeling beside her. "Okay, something's wrong." Jade cried out as energy surged that she didn't recognize as she finished saying the words. "Amelia?" Jade cried out, but as she sat up, no one was around. Jade stood up and turned around. She remained on the obstacle course, but nighttime fell, and all the students had long gone. Even though the wind didn't sound, Jade took a step forward, unsure of where the path led. Her breath shook as she continued.

Do you feel it? Jade jumped, looking for the voice. You won't see me because I am you. Just look at your arm. Turning her attention, she noticed a black aura circling her wrist. Holding her hand out, she could see it mixing with her green aura. She flinched, clutching her stomach. Yeah, it can hurt, but once it is fully merged, the power you're going to feel, you wait.

"Who's there?" Jade called out, "show yourself!" No one responded, not a sound other than her voice. She looked down, feeling the splash on her ankle from stepping in a puddle. Her reflection showed her eyes flashing between blue, green, and black and doing so quickly with each second she stared. She cried out, holding her palm to her head. "What is going on?"

Things will start making sense soon when you start putting things together, starting with your birth father. Jade grimaced and looked around. Ah, got your attention now? Your eyes will lead you straight to him. Give it time. One blue eye to watch the world above you, the green to see the one you stand.

"How do you know that?" Jade said, "mom?"

No, still just you. Jade could hear her heart thumping loudly, and it sounded as if it were echoing around her. Just a scared Serf, huh?

"No, you're wrong. I'm not."

A couple of weeks here, and you think you're strong enough to be an Arc? They will run laps around you and bury you right beside your mother.

"Shut up!" Jade screamed, waking herself from the illusion. She gasped, sitting up, panting when she noticed Amelia, Professor Q., and a few others circling her.

"Uh, are you alright?" Professor Q. asked, looking at her. "What happened?"

"Uh," Jade looked around, and everything was normal, "I-." She stood up and turned her hands towards her, flicking her wrist to see her aura, the color still bright green. "I-I'm not sure."

"Well, I think you should head to the Medical Ward," Professor Q. Stated, but Jade interrupted him.

"Wait, please, I want to do the obstacle course. Maybe it's because I haven't slept so well lately. I promise I'll try harder to focus."

"You fall again. There are no if's and's or but's, got it?" Jade nodded obediently. He looked her over once more, and concern plastered on his expression before walking off.

Amelia turned to Jade, but Jade shook her head. She dismissed having a second ability. However, there was a second aura. And again, the voice returned. She pushed the thoughts away and returned to the obstacle course. Her birth father. Why did he suddenly become such an asset in her life? Eighteen years of abandonment, and now suddenly, he was the key to all the answers she needed.