Dream Partners: Dark Rain (book 2)

Chapter 22: Sweet Sorrow

However, after another week of humiliation, Andrea had reached breaking point like Maya anticipated and began fighting with ferocity and utmost strength and ended up Roughing Maya up, a little too much but nevertheless, they were ready for the final part of training tomorrow. The next morning started off as usual, with Andrea and jay eating and then being whisked away to the arena for training only this time, Maldor and Ariel were present. Maya smiled and said, "congratulations, today is the last day of training".

Andrea said "what's the catch?" and Maldor said, "Today you and jay will mix your powers, without destroying yourselves". Maya smiled at them both and said: "you've got this and if you get into trouble I will guide you, my child". Andrea smiled and hugged her as her and jay stood across from each other and began to channel their powers. Jay channeled the chaos from the universe whilst Andrea channeled the harmony. They let the power build up before releasing it carefully; causing a sphere of dark purple energy to form where their beams of energy met up and fire out towards space.

They slowly continued to increase power, causing the beam to widen until they couldn't hold it anymore and cut power. As they floated down to the arena floor, Maya smiled and said "excellent, now do it 3 more times. Andrea and Jay groaned and walked off to go do what she told them before she smiled at Ariel and Maldor and said to them "they're ready".

After they got in, Maldor and Maya gathered everyone at the table to tell them what was going to happen next. Maya spoke first and said, "Tomorrow morning, all four of us will go to the first city in the celestial plains".Ariel spoke next and said, " Maldor will lead us to the anti-crystal, we will destroy said crystal before battling and disinfecting our fellow gods".Maldor spoke last and said, "it sounds simple but it's not, and the plan may curve off but we've trained for it and we will move at the necessary pace, but as far as I'm concerned, no one is expendable and if necessary we will retreat and form another plan".

Andrea's mother sighed and said"there's nothing we can do to assist?" and Maldor said, "no, we four are the only ones trained and immune from infection but no one will be left behind, and no one's expendable but if it came down to it, Andrea and Jay are top priority and must be kept safe at all costs...any other questions?". No one said anything but even Maldor knew that there was much to be said, so he and the other gods left to allow the family processing time. Instead of saying anything right then and there, Andrea stood up and said " if there's anything you guys need to say, I and Jay will be in my office".

Andrea's mother was the first to come into the office, with a worried look on her face and jay nodded and left them alone. Her mother walked over and hugged her tight and said"I won't lie, I'm scared, but there's a time when a mother has to trust her daughter to handle her own issues...you were always strong, and even though I couldn't always help you, you still pulled through and survived". Andrea smiled and said "I never blamed you because it never was your fault...you always did the best for me when dad wasn't there ...even when you were hurting you still cared for me and I will never forget that mom...you are the strongest Woman I know and I will forever look up to you even after you messed up".Her mother teared up and said"I believe in you baby and I don't care what happens next, just come back safe" and Andrea smiled and said, "I will mom".They hugged for a bit longer until her mother kissed her cheek and left the room.

As she walked out she stopped jay in the hall and said "keep her safe" and he smiled and said "I'll bring her back even if I don't make it back" Her mother nodded but said, "you better make it back, We all need you just as much as she needs you".The next person to come in was her best friend Paula and she had a more optimistic look on her face but it all faded when she came and sat on Andrea's desk. She sighed before saying "I wish I could go with you...we do everything together but this time I gotta sit back and helplessly watch".Andrea smiled at her and said, "Paula I wouldn't be here today without you, you've gone above and beyond for me and I will forever love you for that".Paula said, "I know but I wanna face this with you and keep you safe because you mean so much to me and it was scary when you were gone... I do a lot for you but what you don't know is that you do so much for me".

Andrea looked confused and said, "how?" And Paula said, "you welcomed me into your family and you're always around to support my ridiculous schemes, but most of all, you inspire me and give me strength to overcome my insecurities". Before Andrea could say anything else, Paula looked down and said"I turned shallow and became a people pleaser because my parents never showed me attention and I myself was picked on because I was so tall and it hurt being isolated and alone...even when I had all those friends at school before you found me, I could never talk to them about it because I knew they'd judge me and throw me out".

Andrea held her hands as she continued speaking and said"when I met you, I knew your history from rumors and the real reason I wanted to be your friend was that I was looking for someone to be myself with, someone who would accept me and inspire me and you did...everyday I thought about what you went through and how you still smiled everyday and I thought to myself that if you could do it, so could I". Andrea teared up and said, "I didn't know it was that deep, but don't worry I'm coming back Paula, no matter what it takes".