The Elementai

Chapter 6

After much inevitable scolding and lecturing, Commander let them go, giving Alex Carter an extra sharp look. They all walked silently next to each other, Alex a few paces in front of them. Lexa caught up to him. "Since when does the great Carter apologise?" she said, looking at him. He stared ahead. "Hello?" she said, waving a hand in front of his face. "Earth to Carter."
"It wasn't for you," he said. Lexa scoffed. "Why, am I not worthy enough of your apology? Am I so-"
"It was for Axel."
"Why?"
"She deserved it." He glanced at her, then looked ahead again, as they entered the cabin area. Ex and Axel were close behind, talking to each other. Then he said,"You're too irritating to get an apology."
"What? But you apol-"
"It was to appease her." Lexa frowned. "Now you're suddenly Mr Nice Guy?"
"I don't have an issue with her."
"So, you got an issue with me, is that it?"
"Yes," he said. "You're irritating, arrogant, childish-"
"Yeah okay, I get it," Lexa muttered, "I have a few words to describe you too, you-"
"Bye," Alex said, cutting her off and going into his cabin. Lexa stared at him in disbelief.
"Hey! You have to pay for my window, you nincompoop!" she called. Ex snickered behind her. Lexa went to her friends and put an arm around Axel. "You okay?"
"Yeah," Axel said, giving her a sad smile. "At least he had the sense to apologise."
Right, Lexa thought. Even if he only meant it towards Axel.

The next morning of connection classes were futile. Alex and Lexa continued to disagree and Ms Felicia was fuming. Lexa could swear she saw smoke coming out of the Philosopher's ears. "Have you been spending any time together?" she whined.
"If that includes almost killing each other, then yeah," Lexa smirked.
"You two are not trying! Not at all! You- no, listen to me Lexa."
"Honestly, hear me out first, miss-"
"-No, no, let me speak-"
"-But miss! Look, this isn't going to work. I'm-no, wait, I'm-"
"Lexa! Listen to ME. You must, I emphasise this, MUST spend time together and get to know each other. You have to get into each other's minds! You have to understand."
"Why do you sound so desperate, miss?" Lexa growled. Alex was observing Ms Felicia with slightly raised eyebrows. She sighed and sat down on a bench behind her. Looking defeated, she said, "It's worse than we thought. Commander didn't want us to tell, but-"
"What?" asked Lexa, taking a seat next to her teacher. Alex took a step closer. "What is it?" Lexa repeated.
Ms Felicia looked at them both. She took a deep breath. "The Dakai attacked a nearby camp." She shuddered, finding it hard to continue. "It was horrific. Mass genocide, Commander called it. They are killing us, or taking us as slaves. They want to rule over us."
"Well isn't that typical villain behaviour," Lexa muttered. "Couldn't they be more original?"
"This is serious, you insolent fool," Alex said to her. She opened her mouth to retort, but was cut short by Ms Felicia. "That's not all. They kidnap the most powerful Elementai and..." she whimpered, holding back a sob, "and drain their powers."
Lexa's heart skipped a beat. "D-drain their powers?"
"Yes," Alex said. "Are you deaf?" She stood up and punched his shoulder. Then she began to pace. This was bad. Very, very bad. The genocide was serious, but their powers were part of them. They weren't supposed to be taken away. If they lost their power, it would be like an eagle losing its wings, a fish losing its fins, or lemonade with no lemon. They were nothing without their powers. It shouldn't have even been possible to drain them. "How?" Lexa said finally, stopping in front of Ms Felicia. "How can they have so much power?"
"They're getting stronger. For our sake, let's hope they haven't exceeded our strength yet. This is why you have to connect," Ms Felicia said, "This is why it's so important. It is the only surefire way to stop them."
She stood up and walked to the door. Reaching for the doorknob, she added, "The fate of our existence depends on you." Then she walked out.
"Oh," Lexa said. "No pressure then."