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

Chapter Fifty-Six - The Pain of Defeat

CAlex sat on a bench watching Jade on the battlefields. Alex remained distant enough that Jade should pay no mind. Joe should be meeting him any minute. Alex's heart grew heavy watching her practice the same movements trying to find a way to stop the way he threw her across the stadium floor. The way Edge shot her through the wall made the hair on Alex's arms stand up. Alex knew the defeat wasn't what bothered her, but something happened between her and Edge. Alex wasn't sure what, but it was evident that it was more than the battle that bothered her. He wanted to cross over, embrace her and take away the pain of whatever it was, but Alex had to keep a distance. Alex waved as Joe made his way toward him. Joe followed Alex's gaze and frowned as he noticed what Alex did.

"She's taking this rough," Joe said, lacing his hand in Alex's.

"It has to be something to do with Edge. I mean, sure, our first loss sucks, but." Joe nodded, understanding what Alex was saying.

"Should we say something?" Joe asked.

Alex shook his head, "I think this is something Jade needs to work through on her own." Alex and Joe glanced at each other as Edge crossed over, sitting on the other side of Alex. "What are you doing?" Alex asked, his anger evident in his tone.

"Enjoying the sights," Edge said, smirking, leaning his body backward, and relaxing on the bench. "You know, she can try and try, but she'll never be stronger than I am."

"You don't know Jade then," Alex challenged.

"We'll see. I destroyed Jade, didn't I? Just imagine her confidence in every match to come. I was surprised I sent her through the wall, but it woke her up." Alex clenched his hand in a fist, resisting the urge to punch Edge. Edge snickered as Jade sat on the ground, her hands in her hair. "Such satisfaction. So much bite in that one, but in the end. That same Serf hides in her, and the more she loses, the further she'll crawl back to the comforts of being in someone else's shadow.

"You're wrong," Joe interjected. "Jade has grown so much since she's been here. One defeat from a manipulative Wera like you won't change a thing."

"No?" Edge gestured back to her. "Seems like it already has." Alex turned back to Jade. There was some truth to what Edge said. Jade was the most undone he had seen her in months. Jade proclaimed she would become strong enough to stop anyone from hurting her again, but in a sense, she failed. Now the failure was stunting her growth and ruining her confidence. "Well, I have other matters to attend to." Edge patted Alex's leg with his hand. "Much luck in your next battle." Edge chuckled as he left.

"Wera," Joe sneered. Joe's attention turned to Alex, a frown overtaking his face. "Alex?"

"Sorry. Lost in thought," Alex turned to Joe and smiled. "Jade will be okay. It's just a setback." Joe nodded, turning his attention back to her. However, they shifted as they saw a darker aura floating around her. "What is that?"

"I don't know," Joe said, his eyes equally large as Alex's.

Jade stood up, shaking it off of her. She steadied her breathing and returned to practice. Whatever happened between her and Edge recently had taken its toll. Even when Alex returned to Inanis, she sucked in the insults and pushed through. No matter how sad it made her, she did what she had to survive. Maybe this was her acting on those old behaviors again. Alex shook his head to regain attention as he saw Joe halfway towards her. Jade stopped as Joe crossed to embrace her. The look in her eyes was the same as they were back on Inanis. Joe reached into his backpack pulling Pangy out. Jade's smile returned as they sat down and turned their attention to Pangy. Relief filled Alex's lungs as her smile returned. Alex stood up when he noticed other critters coming out of the bushes and approaching her. Joe turned with a wide-eyed expression. Jade, however, seemed unphased by it as her attention became divided among them all. Alex remembered the day in Dean Turk's office and how Moon reacted to her. Here was proof of her connection with nature, something more substantial than the passion she carried around for a lifetime.

Alex's heart warmed as he watched the life around her bloom. He frowned and reached into his bag and dug out his pills, swallowing another. Taking a deep breath, he waited a few minutes before the light around her dimmed and turned to Joe. Alex stood up and crossed over to them. Jade's eyes focused on him before returning to the animals around her. Alex took a seat beside Joe and joined them in enjoying the nature that she somehow summoned. Joe placed his hands on both of their knees.

"Everything will be okay," Joe said, and somehow Alex believed it.

"Thanks, guys," Jade smiled. "Sometimes, I forget that I don't have to be alone in these feelings anymore."

Joe glanced at Alex, knowing how much Alex wanted to ask about what had happened. Joe turned back towards Jade and forced the conversation. "What happened between you and Edge?" Jade turned her head, and Alex knew they struck a chord.

"We had a run-in, and basically what he said would happen happened. He told me I'd be his again, and I wasn't as afraid before, but now. I don't understand how he got so strong so quickly. He only was a year ahead in training, and after training with Topaz directly." Jade shook her head. "I don't know how I'm supposed to beat him."

"We will beat him as a team," Alex said, placing a hand on her knee and smiling. Jade relaxed, returning his smile. "For now, why don't we take a break and go get something to eat?" Joe nodded. Jade stood up and grabbed her stuff, following them.