The Stolen Element

Lines in the Sand

The tension between Vanessa and Bloom had reached a boiling point. Alfea's halls buzzed with activity as students prepared for midterm evaluations, but Vanessa's focus remained locked on the glowing shard hidden in her bag and the mystery it represented. Every time she tried to approach Bloom, her sister pushed her away, and the weight of the unspoken conflict between them grew heavier with each passing day.

Vanessa found herself in the training hall that morning, going through combat drills with Alexander and Sky. Her movements were sharp and precise, but her frustration was evident in the way her spells flared too brightly or her strikes hit harder than intended.

"Easy, Nessa," Sky said, blocking one of her blows with a teasing grin. "We're just training, not fighting for our lives."

Vanessa exhaled sharply, lowering her sword. "Sorry. I'm just... on edge."

Alexander stepped forward, his green eyes narrowing. "This is about Bloom, isn't it?"

Vanessa hesitated, then nodded. "She's hiding something, and every time I try to talk to her, it ends in a fight."

"She'll talk when she's ready," Alexander said, his tone steady. "You can't force her."

"I know," Vanessa said quietly. "But I can't just sit back and do nothing."

The bond buzzed faintly with their shared concern, and Vanessa felt a flicker of reassurance. But deep down, the frustration still burned.

Later that day, Vanessa found Bloom in the courtyard, surrounded by a group of first-years. Her fiery red hair caught the afternoon sunlight, and her laugh rang out over the chatter of the crowd. Vanessa's chest tightened at the sight-an echo of the sister she remembered from their life in the human world.

But the warmth was fleeting. Vanessa couldn't ignore the distance between them, the walls Bloom had built since arriving at Alfea.

"Bloom," Vanessa called, her voice firm.

Bloom turned, her expression instantly guarded. "What is it now?"

Vanessa hesitated, her gaze flicking to the first-years. "Can we talk? Alone."

Bloom sighed, but after a moment, she nodded. "Fine."

They walked in silence to a quiet corner of the courtyard, the bond thrumming faintly with Alexander and Sky's distant presence. Vanessa clutched the shard in her pocket, its warmth grounding her as she turned to face Bloom.

"I found something," Vanessa said, her voice steady. "Something connected to the veil-and to Rosalind."

Bloom's fiery temper flared in her eyes. "Why do you keep bringing her up? What does she have to do with anything?"

"She has everything to do with it," Vanessa said, her voice rising. "And I think you know that."

Bloom's hands clenched into fists, her fiery magic flickering faintly. "You don't know what you're talking about."

"Then tell me," Vanessa said, her chest tightening. "Because I'm tired of guessing, Bloom. If you know something, you need to tell me."

Bloom's fiery temper flared fully, her magic sparking around her. "Why do you care so much? You've spent your whole life trying to be perfect, trying to prove you're better than me. Why do you care now?"

Vanessa's breath caught, her chest tightening with a mix of anger and hurt. "Is that what you think? That this is some kind of competition?"

Bloom crossed her arms, her fiery magic crackling in the air. "Isn't it? You've always been the golden child. Mom and Dad loved you more, even when you didn't try. I've always had to fight for everything, and now you're here, trying to take this from me too."

Vanessa stared at her, the bond buzzing sharply with Alexander and Sky's alarm. "Bloom, this isn't about me. It's about the veil, the realm-everything. I'm trying to protect you."

"I don't need your protection," Bloom snapped, her fiery presence flaring. "I can take care of myself."

Vanessa's chest tightened, her own magic sparking at her fingertips. "Fine. If you don't want my help, then figure it out on your own."

Bloom's fiery gaze hardened, but she didn't reply. Instead, she turned and walked away, leaving Vanessa standing alone in the fading light.

Vanessa found Alexander and Sky in the common room later that evening, their bond thrumming faintly with concern. She sank into the chair beside them, her shoulders slumping as the weight of the day pressed down on her.

"She doesn't want to listen," Vanessa said, her voice trembling. "She thinks I'm trying to compete with her."

Sky frowned, his usual grin absent. "That's not true, Nessa. She's just scared."

Vanessa shook her head. "She's angry. And I don't know how to fix it."

Alexander placed a hand on her shoulder, his green eyes steady. "You can't fix it on your own, Vanessa. She has to meet you halfway."

Vanessa looked at him, her chest tightening. "What if she doesn't?"

"She will," Alexander said firmly. "Because deep down, she knows you care."

The bond pulsed faintly, their presence a quiet reassurance. Vanessa exhaled, some of the tension easing from her chest.

"Thanks," she said softly. "For being here."

"Always," Sky said, his grin returning. "That's what we're here for."