Jaya Week 2024

jolt!

Sunlight spills through an open slit in the curtains, slowly moving across Nya's face until the light is cutting across her eyes. A soothing pulse of electricity skitters down her spine and into her toes. In her hazy, lazy state, she can't help but smile.

"Jay, close the curtains," she mumbles as she rolls over and burrows into the blanket. But there is no warm, strong chest to snuggle against. Nya cracks open her eyes, seeing that the side of the bed is empty. Her heart sinks as memories from the prior day flood to the front of her mind.

With a deep sigh, Nya pushes herself out of bed, her hair a frizzy mess. It doesn't matter what she looks like right now, especially if it is just her. The others are still sound asleep on their respective futons, even Lloyd looks like he is finally starting to sleep through the night.

Her eyes flick to the window. The sunlight is almost too bright to look at. It is a beautiful, sunny day. It seems cruel, somehow.

Nya shakes the thought away and trudges to the bathroom.

As she brushes her teeth, Nya looks at herself in the mirror, noting how tired she looks. There are bags under her eyes and her lips are dry and cracked. The corners of her mouth tug downwards as she continues her morning routine. Lightning, Jay's lightning, flutters under skin, like it is trying to sooth her nerves, telling her everything is going to be ok. She clings to the feeling, imaging Jay there, holding her from behind in his signature warm and strong bear hug.

She wishes she could believe that.

Her hand moves of its own accord, her fingers tracing the spot on her side where a bruise has formed. He had hit her hard during the match, claiming that he wasn't going to hold back, yet it still felt like he was. Her skin is a sickly green-purple, and the mark has started to scab. She presses her fingers against the skin, and a fresh wave of tears threaten to fall.

Nya blinks them back.

There will be time for crying later.

The others are still fast asleep as she makes her way to the makeshift shrine. It has grown a bit, the offerings more personal as the others try to think of something that would help trigger Jay's memories. Nya lights some incense, then kneels before the shrine and clasps her hands together. She doesn't pray to the First Spinjitzu Master. Instead, she prays to whatever is left of Jay's shattered goodness, asking for forgiveness and promising him that she will make this right.

Nya is not sure how long she sits there, letting her grief wash over her. Lightning zaps through her, and she can feel her sadness turning into determination. She has a job to do. Her hands tighten as her resolve strengthens.

She can do this.

Jay is counting on her.

Her friends are counting on her.

The fate of the merged lands is counting on her.

Lightning jitters down her spine, as if agreeing with her thoughts. Nya opens her eyes and smiles. She feels more determined than she has in months.

Jay's lightning is coursing through her veins, lending her strength and energy. Her heartbeat slows and evens out. There is nothing to worry about. They are going to defeat Ras, win the Tournament if Sources, and get Jay back. Nya will make sure of it.

She tip-toes out of the dormitory, opting to skip breakfast and get an early start on training. It's not like she has much of an appetite anyway. Jay's lightning pulses again, almost as if it is trying to comfort her. Nya bites back a smile. As she walks to the courtyard, she rolls up the sleeves of her gi and studies the intricate symbols carved into her skin. The design is similar to the markings on her arms from when she first used water. The blue lines branch off her shoulder, cascading down to her wrists, looking almost like lightning bolts. The carvings tingle along her skin, begging to be used.