The Academy For The Aces: BOOK 1 OF THE ACE SERIES

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

As Madame Lavigne set up her easel and canvas, everyone looked at each other a bit puzzled.

"Madame Lavigne's ability is Realism. She's able to bring her paintings to life, however, her paintings haven't been the same since the tragedy," Antheia whispered.

"I'm still quite lost," Faith stated a confused look on her face. "What is this tragedy?"Faith questioned.

"The Painted Chaos," a boy interjected from behind them, and they turned to see Romeo Wyllt.

"Apologies for the interruption, girls," Romeo said with a small smile. "I'm Romeo Wyllt, by the way," he added.

"No please, continue," Faith said, intrigued by Romeo's input. He nodded and inched closer to the girls, ready to share the haunting tale.

The Painted Chaos was a night etched in infamy, a spectacle that started with awe-inspiring beauty and ended in terror and destruction. In her youth, Madame Lavigne, renowned as The Enchantress, took the stage in a grand theater in the heart of London. Her paintings adorned the walls, each one a mesmerizing masterpiece that seemed to come to life under the flickering lights.

As the audience settled into their seats, anticipation hung thick in the air. Madame Lavigne's reputation preceded her, and the crowd was eager to witness her unique and captivating performance. With a flourish of her hand, she began her act, painting scenes that seemed to leap off the canvas with an otherworldly charm.

The enchantment of her performance was palpable, and the audience was spellbound by the living art that surrounded them. But as the night wore on, a subtle unease crept into the atmosphere. The paintings that once danced with grace began to show signs of restlessness.

At first, it was barely noticeable—a slight tremor in the painted figures, an unsettling glint in their eyes. Madame Lavigne pressed on, seemingly unfazed by the subtle shifts in her creations. However, as her brushstrokes quickened and the intensity of her performance grew, so did the agitation within her paintings.

Suddenly, with a deafening crash, chaos erupted. The once-mesmerizing scenes turned into nightmarish terrors. The painted figures broke free from their confines, tearing themselves away from the canvas in a frenzied frenzy.

The audience's gasps turned into screams of terror as the painted creatures stampeded the stage, their brushstroke limbs thrashing and flailing. Panic spread like wildfire, and chaos engulfed the theater. People scrambled for the exits, trying to escape the wrath of the living art.

Madame Lavigne, too, was caught amid The Painted Chaos. She struggled to regain control of her creations, her pleas drowned out by the cacophony of fear and destruction. In the end, it took a combined effort of skilled Aces and emergency responders to quell the rampage, but not before the tragic toll was exacted.

More than a dozen people were injured in the frenzy, some with wounds so profound that the scars would last a lifetime. The once-celebrated Enchantress was devastated by the events that unfolded on that fateful night, her beloved paintings turned into instruments of chaos and pain.

Since that night, Madame Lavigne's performances ceased, her artistic talents overshadowed by the haunting memory of The Painted Chaos. She withdrew from the public eye, seeking solace in her teaching at The Academy For The Aces. Determined to prevent others from making the same mistakes, she devoted herself to guiding young Aces on the path of precision and control.

As Romeo recounted the tragic event, his voice trembled with sadness and anger. "That night was beyond horrifying," he whispered. "After the chaos in the theater, a group of enraged humans learned about Madame Lavigne's true nature. They saw her as a threat, a dangerous Ace capable of such devastating power."

Faith's eyes widened with disbelief and sorrow. "No... they didn't..."

Romeo nodded, "They found her home, where her parents lived, and they attacked. They killed her parents in cold blood, blaming them for raising a dangerous daughter. Then, in their fury, they severed Madame Lavigne's hand—the very hand that had once brought life to her enchanting paintings."

Faith felt a surge of anger and sadness wash over her. The injustice of it all weighed heavily on her heart. "How could they do something so cruel and heartless?" she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.

Daiyu's face darkened with anger. "Fear can drive people to commit unthinkable acts," she said. "And for Aces like us, who possess extraordinary abilities, that fear can turn into hatred and violence."

Antheia took a deep breath, trying to steady her emotions. "Madame Lavigne survived that night, but she was forever changed," she continued. "She retreated from the world of performance and art, vowing to use her abilities only for good and to teach others the importance of control and precision."

Faith looked toward the front of the classroom, where Madame Lavigne stood with her back straight and her gaze unwavering. Despite the tragedy she endured, there was an undeniable strength in her, a determination to overcome the darkness that threatened to consume her.

"Now, I need you all to pay close attention," Madame Lavigne said, and the students' focus shifted back to her. The weight of her experience and wisdom settled upon the classroom.

In the dimly lit classroom, Madame Lavigne stood with an air of composed authority, her prosthetic left hand and paintbrush held with practiced ease. The easel in her right hand was a mere extension of her artistic prowess. With a confident stroke, she dipped the brush into the paint, and as she began to paint on the canvas, something extraordinary unfolded.

As if conjured by her brush, droplets of rain materialized from thin air, cascading down from the ceiling. In a matter of seconds, the raindrops coalesced into a mesmerizing form—an ethereal woman-like creature, reminiscent of a mime. Yet, its unsettling appearance betrayed something otherworldly about it. It lacked pupils in its eyes, had a neck elongated like Pinocchio's nose, and an exaggerated, permanent scowl stitched onto its face.

Madame Lavigne's voice resonated in the hushed room, a mix of caution and explanation. "If you make a sound," she warned, "this creature may not cause you physical harm, but it feeds on the joy of others. You might find yourself feeling rather...unhappy for the rest of the evening. The effects will wear off in a couple of hours, but be mindful."

A collective hush enveloped the students as they watched the eerie creature, a mix of fascination and trepidation washing over them. The boy who had questioned Madame Lavigne earlier nervously pressed his lips together, determined not to give the creature any satisfaction.

As the creature inched closer to him, its outstretched hands almost grazing his skin, a shiver ran down his spine. Yet, he remained resolute in silence, knowing the stakes were too high to risk a single sound. Meanwhile, the rest of the students held their breath, watching the tense encounter unfold.

Suddenly, a scream pierced the stillness, and the creature's head snapped in the direction of the girl who had let out the cry. Its gaze was fixated on her, seemingly drawn to the disruption of the otherwise controlled environment. But before it could take any action, Madame Lavigne's swift reaction thwarted its advances.

With a deft smack of her paintbrush on the canvas, the creature dissipated into thin air, leaving the students startled but safe. The two students closest to the encounter let out a sigh of relief, their eyes wide with awe and fear at the powerful display they had just witnessed.

Madame Lavigne lowered her paintbrush, her demeanor calm but firm. She addressed the class once more, her voice a reminder of the lesson they had just learned. "In the world of Aces, control is paramount," she said. "Precision and mastery over your abilities will protect you from the unpredictable. Each of you possesses unique talents, but it's how you wield them that will define your journey as Aces."

As the students took in the gravity of Madame Lavigne's words, a newfound sense of determination washed over them. The encounter with the mysterious creature had left an indelible mark on their minds, underscoring the importance of honing their abilities with care and discipline.