Saving the Nexus

Beneath the Surface

The walk to the back of the school was quiet but not uncomfortable. Jermaih didn't speak much, but there was something comforting about the silence between them. Sonia had always been used to solitude—her tail, her water powers, her differences from the other students—it was rare that she found someone whose presence didn't make her feel like she was drowning in their expectations. But Jermaih... Jermaih was different.

They passed through a series of winding hallways, out past the garden and toward the school's edge, where the trees grew taller and the buildings began to thin. Sonia's curiosity bloomed with each step, though she tried not to show it. Jermaih had said he wanted to show her something, but he hadn't explained what. The air was cooler here, and the sound of their footsteps muffled by the surrounding greenery made it feel like they were leaving the bustle of the school behind.

Finally, Jermaih stopped in front of a large, ancient-looking stone archway, partly concealed by ivy and thick vines. It was a part of the school that Sonia had never noticed before—hidden away behind the more modern parts of the campus. The archway looked almost like something out of a fairy tale, worn and weathered with age. There was no sign, no indication that it led anywhere important.

Sonia raised an eyebrow. "What is this place?"

Jermaih gave her a sly grin. "It's a bit of a secret. Something only a few people know about. But I trust you won't go telling Neptune and the rest of the school, right?"

The mischievous glint in his eyes made her smile despite herself. "What's in it for me if I don't?"

Jermaih chuckled, stepping closer to the archway. "You'll find out. But no promises on whether you'll like it."

Sonia hesitated. The air was thick with a strange energy here, almost electric. It felt like they had crossed into a different world, where the rules of her everyday life didn't quite apply. A part of her wanted to stay with her feet firmly planted in the familiar, but something about Jermaih's quiet confidence coaxed her forward.

"I guess I'll take my chances," Sonia said, stepping toward him.

Jermaih gave her a nod, and then, without another word, he pushed aside the ivy to reveal a hidden doorway carved into the stone. Sonia hadn't even noticed the faint glow of the symbols etched into the walls until they were revealed, their patterns shimmering faintly in the dim light.

"After you," Jermaih said, gesturing for her to go first.

She didn't need any further invitation. Sonia stepped through the archway, her heart racing, unsure of what she might find. The space beyond the archway was cool and shadowed, but it was like stepping into another realm. The ground beneath her was smooth, as if it had been polished by centuries of feet passing through. Water—glowing, pulsing, ethereal—moved through the cracks in the stone beneath her, the faint hum of it echoing through the cavernous space. The walls were covered in old murals, faded but still beautiful, depicting creatures Sonia couldn't quite place—beasts of the sea, dragons, mythical figures. It was like something from the ancient stories her grandmother had told her.

Jermaih followed her inside, closing the ivy door behind him. He glanced around, taking in the space with a sense of familiarity.

"I thought you'd like it," he said, his voice low. "It's a place where the barriers between our worlds are a little thinner. A spot where you can feel the connection between things... water, air, energy, all of it."

Sonia's eyes widened as she took in the scene. "It's beautiful," she whispered. "But what is it exactly?"

Jermaih's smile softened, his expression thoughtful. "It's an ancient nexus point—at least, that's what I believe. This place is tied to the flow of energy, the currents that run beneath the surface of everything. It's not just water that moves here. It's the power that connects all living things. It's a little like... like the heart of the world."

Sonia looked down at the water beneath her, watching the glowing currents move like liquid light. "So... is it like a kind of magic?"

"Yes, in a way." Jermaih crouched down beside her, his fingers lightly brushing the water's surface, sending a ripple through the flow. The glowing liquid shifted under his touch, responding to his energy. "Esoterians like me, we have the ability to tap into that deeper force—what you might call supernatural energy. I'm able to manipulate it, mold it, even bend the flow of reality when I concentrate."

Sonia leaned down, dipping her fingers into the glowing water. It was warm, comforting, and yet alive with power, almost as if it were responding to her. She could feel it in the tips of her fingers—a hum, a pulse that matched the rhythm of her own heart. For a brief moment, she let the connection flow through her, feeling the tingling energy in her veins, like a call to something deeper, something she could barely comprehend.

"You can control it?" Sonia asked, intrigued.

Jermaih nodded, his gaze steady. "In a sense. But it's not about controlling it—at least, not in the way most people think. It's more about understanding it, becoming one with the flow, letting it guide you instead of forcing it to obey. That's why this place is special. It's a reminder of what we all have inside us—the power to connect, to change, to grow."

Sonia looked at him, her curiosity blooming even more. He spoke with such ease about things that seemed impossible, but there was no arrogance in his voice, no hint of superiority. Jermaih was simply... being. And it made her feel like maybe, just maybe, she could let go of the fear that had always tethered her.

"Do you think..." Sonia began, her voice uncertain, "Do you think I could do that? I mean, control the water in the same way?"

Jermaih studied her, his dark eyes scanning her face as if trying to read her soul. "You already do, Sonia. You just don't realize it."

She stared at him, confused. "What do you mean?"

"You're a Hydrari," he said, standing up and turning to face her fully. "You're connected to the water in ways that most people can't even imagine. The trick is learning to listen, to trust in your own power. When you do, you'll see the world in a completely different way."

The weight of his words sank in, and Sonia felt a spark of something inside her, something she couldn't quite explain. It wasn't just the water or the magic—it was the possibility of change, of growth, of breaking free from the limitations she'd always thought defined her.

"I'll help you," Jermaih continued, his voice calm and reassuring. "But you have to be open to it. The water, the magic—it's not about controlling everything around you. It's about letting go, embracing it. Letting it become a part of you."

Sonia nodded slowly, her fingers still resting in the water. She wasn't sure if she was ready for all of it. But one thing was clear—something had shifted in her. The same way the water flowed and shifted, she felt like she, too, could change.

As Jermaih stepped back, giving her space to absorb the moment, Sonia felt a quiet determination begin to grow inside her. For the first time in her life, she wasn't just a creature of water. She could be something more. Something powerful. Something real.

And maybe, just maybe, she wouldn't have to face it alone.