Jaden and his mum drove home, the atmosphere heavy with tension. Jaden sat with his face resting on his fist, his expression stoic as he stared blankly out of the car window. His mind was racing with a thousand thoughts, but he couldn't find the words to express them.
Lilian stole occasional glances at her son, her heartbreaking at the sight of him so distant and forlorn. She longed to comfort him, to make everything right again, but she didn't know how. Her mind was consumed with worry, and she felt helpless.
As they pulled up to their house, Jaden's shoulders slumped. He would rather not face his mother after what had happened. He headed straight for his room, hoping to shut out the world.
But before he could make it, he heard his mother's voice calling out to him. He stopped in his tracks, unsure of what to do. He didn't want to talk about it, but he also didn't want to hurt his mother's feelings.
Lilian approached him slowly, tentatively wrapping her arms around him from behind. She buried her face in his neck, whispering "I love you" into his ear. Her words were like a balm to Jaden's wounded soul, and he felt his eyes welling up with tears.
He broke free from her embrace and ran to his room, his heart heavy with emotion. Lilian stayed behind, tears streaming down her face as she watched her son disappear from view. She wished she could take away his pain, but all she could do was love him and hope that he would find the strength to carry on.
___
Jaden had been cooped up in his room for days now, he had refused to come out of his room, talk less of school.
He would only come out when Lilian called him for his meal.
He would eat silently, not saying a word to his mother
sometimes, he would eat a little of his food before leaving it, which was a rare sight since Jaden was an heavy eater.
Alex had come around to see his friend, but Jaden had refused to see him, not wanting to be a subject of pity.
Today, Jaden and his mother were seated quietly eating their meal. The tension in the room was palpable.
Lilian watched her son silently, her heart aching for him.
"You know you can't continue hiding in your room, right?" she said softly, her eyes pleading for her son to hear her.
Jaden didn't even bother to look at her, his eyes glued to his plate. The atmosphere in the room quite tense. His mother was about to speak again when Jaden suddenly snapped. "Mum, what do you want me to say?" he cried out, the pain in his voice raw and intense.
"You know what it's like out there, how am I supposed to show my face out there when I'm deemed useless" Jaden said, feeling a torrent of emotions rushes through him.
"You didn't know how it felt, mum. Standing in front of that crowd, the whole of Thalassia literally knows how useless I am." Jaden continued, his voice breaking.
"How am I supposed to fit in?" He asked as a tear rolled down his cheek.
Lilian was quiet for a while, making sure Jaden had poured out all his frustration.
"Jaden, you can't let the world validate you." she said, her words carrying a weight of wisdom that only a mother's love could bring.
Jaden looked up at his mother, trying to understand what she meant.
"Whatever you do, don't let the judgement of others affect you. Sure, you didn't awaken, but it doesn't make you useless. It only makes you different, that doesn't mean you can't be strong. Being physically weak isn't your fault, but when you're mentally weak… That's your fault" Lilian explained as she stood up from her sit, clearing the dining area.
Jaden sat in his seat pondering on his mother's words.
"If the world doesn't accept you, build your own" Lilian added before finally leaving Jaden alone in the dining area with his thoughts.
____
It was a normal day at school, with lectures going as usual. After the awakening ceremony, they had been an upgrade in the final year curriculum. Adding combat classes and elemental classes.
Despite the normalcy of the day, Alex struggled to focus on the lecture, his mind wandering to the absence of his friend, Jaden. Every so often, Alex would glance at Jaden's empty desk, a look of sadness etched on his face.
Alex had awakened as an Aura user, and seeing Jaden down there on the stage on that day, he felt his heart ache.
Jaden's case was quite rare. There were people out there who were unable to produce a core inside of them. But that was only due to their lineage.
Not all humans were able to feel nature's energy, hence unable to produce a core inside of them.
The population of this kind of human was quite low.
The reason Jaden's case was rare is that he's parents were a mixture of both elemental and aura users. So, it was expected that he would awaken either of the two. But the fact the was unable to awaken, was a mystery.
As the lecture continued, the classroom door suddenly creaked open, drawing the attention of the students. In walked Jaden, dressed in a black hoodie, with his backpack slung over his shoulder. His hands were tucked deep in his pockets as he stood in the doorway, surveying the room.
The class fell silent at his arrival, whispers spreading throughout the room. Miss Thompson greeted him warmly, instructing him to take his seat.
Jaden walked to his desk, his movements slow and deliberate, his eyes locked onto Alex's. He offered his friend a smile, and Alex responded with a bump of fists.
The rest of the class passed by in a blur, with everyone busy with their tasks. As the bell rang signaling the end of class, Alex turned to Jaden, his expression solemn.
"Are you okay, man?" Alex asked softly.
Jaden hesitated for a moment before replying, "Yeah, I'm fine."
Alex studied his friend's face for a moment. "I will always have your back, bro," he said reassuringly, placing a hand on Jaden's shoulder.
Jaden looked up at Alex, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Thanks, man," he said quietly.
Their conversation was cut short by the sound of Miss Thompson calling Jaden's name. As Jaden turned to face her, she beckoned him to her office. He nodded and headed towards the door.
Standing in front of Miss Thompson's door, Jaden hesitated for a moment before knocking twice. Her voice called out for him to come in, and he pushed open the door.
The office was spacious, with a large mahogany desk dominating the room. Miss Thompson sat behind the desk, shuffling through some papers.
"Have a seat, Jaden," she said, gesturing to the chairs opposite her.
Jaden sat down, his hands clasped tightly in his lap. He looked around the room, taking in the colorful decorations, before settling his gaze on Miss Thompson.
"Your scores are lagging, Jaden," she said, her voice gentle but firm. "You've missed a lot of assessments during your absence."
"I know, Miss Thompson," Jaden replied, his head hanging low.
"You'll be alright, Jaden," Miss Thompson said, placing a reassuring hand on his arm. "Even though you were unable to awaken, you'll still have to join the combat classes."
Jaden let out a humorless chuckle, the sound ringing hollow in the quiet office
"Where'd you get that dog tag you have on?" Miss Thompson suddenly asked.
"What?" Jaden responded confused.
Miss Thompson's question about the dog tag caught Jaden off guard, and he looked down at the metal pendant hanging from a chain around his neck.
"Where'd you get it" Miss Thompson asked once more, with a serious expression
"It's my dad's Why?"
"Jack Craig's your father?" Miss Thompson's eyes widened in realization.
***
Jaden was roused from his sleep by a familiar voice. "Hey Jaden, Jaden!" the voice whispered urgently in the darkness.He groggily reached for his bedside lamp, fumbling with the switch until the room was illuminated. He blinked, trying to clear the sleep from his eyes, and then saw his father standing in the doorway."Come on, dad, it's midnight," Jaden muttered, rubbing his eyes."I know, now get your ass out of bed and come with me," Jack said, already turning to walk out of the room.Jaden followed, still feeling drowsy, as his father led him through the woods. The sound of nocturnal animals filled the air, and Jaden's imagination ran wild as he peered into the darkness."Why are we here, Dad?" he asked, feeling a little creeped out.Jack didn't answer at first, continuing to lead his son towards the river that glistened in the moonlight. They finally reached their destination, and Jack stood silently, staring at the water."Join me, son," he said, finally turning to face Jaden.J
Jaden's eyes flickered open to the sound of his mother's voice."Hey honey," Lilian greeted him with a smile as she entered his room.Jaden blinked a few times, trying to shake off his drowsiness. He had fallen asleep at his desk."Good morning, Mom," Jaden replied, stretching his arms.Lilian's eyes wandered around the cluttered room. "Looks like you've been busy."Jaden gave a noncommittal shrug as he reached for his towel."I've got good news," Lilian announced, her eyes sparkling with excitement.Jaden paused, intrigued. "What is it?""I've made an appointment with the lab to help you awaken," Lilian said, beaming.Jaden's eyes widened in shock. "How? That procedure is expensive.""Don't worry about it, Jaden. I was able to pull some strings," Lilian replied, trying to reassure him.Jaden hesitated, unsure. "I appreciate the offer, Mom, but I don't want you to go through all that trouble. I'll be fine."Lilian frowned, her face etched with concern. "Jaden, I know how much this mea
Jaden tossed and turned in his bed, his face contorting with each movement. The room was dimly lit, but the bracelet on his wrist glowed with an ethereal light that pulsed like a heartbeat, growing brighter with each passing moment. He was sweating profusely, his brow furrowing in pain and discomfort.As he drifted into a dark space void of light, Jaden felt himself floating aimlessly, desperately searching for any sign of life. But there was nothing there, and the emptiness was starting to get to him. Fear crept into his heart, and he wondered if he would ever find his way out.Suddenly, Jaden was yanked from the void into a different place altogether. What he saw made his stomach churn with terror. In front of him, a horde of beasts or what looked like demons raged, each one standing nearly nine feet tall. They had muscular bodies, long tongues that extended down their chests, and dark, eerie fog emanated from them.The beasts rampaged through the land, slaughtering and devouring an
Different buses were properly packed in front of the school, their red exteriors decorated with white stripes. Students from different classes were lined up in front of the vehicles, chattering excitedly as they awaited departure. Each class had been designated to a specific bus, with their respective teachers supervising the boarding process.Miss Thompson stood before her class, dishing out instructions to her students before they made their way onto the bus. Scanning through the entire population of her class, she noticed someone was missing.'Where's he?'Miss Thompson thought with a stern expression. She had already warned her students not to be late, and she would not tolerate any delays.Meanwhile, Alex was growing increasingly anxious. He stood at the front of the line, eagerly anticipating Jaden's arrival. The two had planned to sit together for the trip to Africa, and Alex was starting to worry that Jaden had changed his mind. As the minutes ticked by, Alex's concern turned t
The city awoke under the gentle caress of the rising sun, its rays painting the urban landscape with a warm, golden glow. In a cozy hotel room, Jaden stood before the mirror, his hands gliding through his tousled hair as he deftly fashioned it into a neat bun. Outside the bathroom, Alex fidgeted with impatience, the anticipation of the day ahead palpable in his every movement. "Come on, man, we can't keep them waiting," Alex urged, his voice laced with excitement and a hint of urgency. Jaden hastily gathered his belongings, feeling a surge of anticipation coursing through his veins. Together, he and Alex embarked on their daily routine, preparing themselves for the adventures that awaited them. As they made their way to the hall where their classmates had congregated, a sense of camaraderie and shared excitement permeated the air. At the front of the gathering stood Miss Thompson, their teacher and guide for the trip. Her eyes gleamed with enthusiasm as she prepared to unveil the da
Jaden felt himself slowly coming to consciousness, every inch of his body feeling heavy and drained of energy. He could barely move a muscle, as if his body had been pushed to its absolute limit. As he tried to move his limbs, a cold chill ran down his spine, sending shivers through his entire body. He struggled to open his eyes, his vision hazy and unclear.When his eyes finally opened, he found himself staring up at the night sky. The stars shone brightly above him, casting a dim light across his surroundings. The cool breeze continued to brush across his skin, sending goosebumps all over his body.Jaden tried to lift himself up, but found his body unresponsive. He could feel the weight of his exhaustion bearing down on him, making it difficult to do anything. He closed his eyes, trying to get his bearings and focus his mind.As he lay there, he couldn't tell what was real and what wasn't. It felt like he was caught between two worlds, suspended in a space where time and reality had
Jaden stood on a hill overlooking a vast field with the blacksmith. The sun was setting, painting the sky with shades of pink and orange."Why do you do the things you do?" The blacksmith asked, breaking the peaceful silence.Jaden was taken aback by the question. "What do you mean?" he asked, looking at the blacksmith."If you were granted great power, what would you change about this world?" the blacksmith asked, his eyes fixed on the horizon.Jaden paused and thought for a moment before answering. "I would rid the world of evil," he said confidently.The blacksmith looked at him with a curious expression. "Interesting," he said, stroking his chin. "But do you not understand that good cannot exist without evil? They are two sides of the same coin, and removing one would upset the balance of the universe."Jaden felt conflicted by the blacksmith's words. He looked out at the peaceful scene before him, the cows grazing peacefully in the fields."You lost someone" The blacksmith sudden
In a spacious office, Major Philip sat behind a large wooden desk, his dark hair combed back, and his buff build filling out his military attire. His scruffy beard had patches of white in it, indicating years of service to his country. As he tapped his foot on the floor, his mind was preoccupied with the ongoing situation outside.A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. "Come in," he said, his tone stern and commanding.A woman in a suit entered the room, her face bearing the stress of the current situation. "What's the situation out there?" Major Philip asked."It's getting worse, more people are joining the crowd, and we cannot send them away," she explained, her voice laced with concern.Major Philip sighed as he looked towards his window, the faint chanting growing louder. "Sir, here's a report of the base in Varia," she said, handing him a file.He received it, placing it on his desk. "You may leave," he dismissed her."Yes, sir!" she saluted before exiting the office.Majo
Aria and her team stood at the heart of this transformed reality, no longer merely its guardians or teachers, but integral parts of a vast, ever-evolving cosmic consciousness. As the reverberations of their ultimate lesson rippled through the multiverse, the very fabric of existence seemed to shimmer with newfound potential. The boundaries between individual and collective, between known and unknown, had blurred into a tapestry of infinite possibility. Lyra's voice, now a harmony of countless cosmic melodies, resonated through the quantum foam. "It's... indescribable. Every song I've ever sung, every note I've ever heard, they're all part of this grand symphony. And yet, I can hear new melodies emerging, compositions beyond anything we've ever imagined." Raven's essence, expanded to encompass vast libraries of cosmic knowledge, pulsed with a mixture of wisdom and wonder. "All that we've learned, all that we've discovered... it's but a droplet in an ocean of infinite understanding. T
Aria and her team, in their role as the first teachers of this cosmic academy, found themselves facing an unexpected and monumental challenge – one that would test not just their wisdom, but the very foundations of the reality they had helped to shape. "Something's... shifting," Lyra's voice resonated through the quantum foam, her melody tinged with a mix of wonder and concern. "It's as if the multiverse itself is... questioning. Not just learning, but challenging everything we've taught." Raven's essence expanded, probing the far reaches of their transformed reality. "I sense it too. The cosmic curriculum we've created... it's sparked a kind of universal critical thinking. Entities across all realities are not just absorbing our lessons, but actively interrogating them, pushing against the very concepts of balance and harmony we've established." Zephyr, his vigilance now attuned to the ebb and flow of cosmic understanding, spoke with a mixture of pride and apprehension. "Isn't this
The Prism of Infinite Perspectives, the Eternal Moment, the Dissonant Harmony, and all the cosmic entities and concepts the Seers had encountered throughout their journey seemed to be converging, their energies intertwining in patterns of impossible complexity. Aria and her team found themselves at the heart of this cosmic maelstrom, their consciousnesses stretched to encompass the vast tapestry of existence they had helped to weave. Each of them could feel the weight of their journey, the transformations they had undergone, and the responsibility they now bore. "Something's happening," Lyra's voice resonated through the quantum foam, her melody a complex interplay of all the cosmic songs they had encountered. "It's as if... everything we've experienced, every entity we've met, every concept we've grappled with... they're all coming together." Raven's essence expanded, his vast knowledge encompassing the totality of their adventures. "I sense it too. The boundaries between the vario
The newly transformed Nexus gave off a different aura, one soothing, and the same time utterly terrifying. But that was fine. This was it's reality, this was normal."It's... breathtaking," Lyra's voice resonated through the quantum foam, her melody a complex interplay of distinct notes and unified harmonies. "I can hear echoes of every song we've ever encountered, each one unique yet part of a greater whole. But there's something else... a new melody emerging from the convergence."Raven's essence expanded, probing the far reaches of their transformed reality. "I sense it too. It's as if... the very act of maintaining balance between unity and diversity has created a new kind of cosmic awareness. We're not just observers or conductors anymore. We've become integral to the fabric of existence itself."Zephyr, his vigilance now encompassing the entirety of the cosmic orchestra, spoke with a mixture of awe and concern. "But with this new role comes unprecedented responsibility. We're no
The guardians struggled to comprehend the growing refraction. It wasn't a fracturing of reality, not a breakdown of the eternal moment, but a concept so profound that it threatened to redefine the very nature of perception and existence itself. In a way that defied every logic they have come to understand.Lyra's voice cut through the quantum foam, tinged with a mix of wonder and confusion. "Something's... different. It's like the moment is being viewed through countless lenses, each one showing a completely different aspect of existence."Raven's essence expanded, probing the edges of this cosmic anomaly. "I sense it too. the entirety of existence is becoming a living prism, refracting the light of consciousness into an infinite spectrum of perspectives."Zephyr, ever vigilant, was already attempting to analyze the implications. "But how is this possible? How can a single, unchanging reality spawn infinite, fundamentally different perceptions?"Koda's form shimmered with rapidly shift
The grand symphony of infinite moments compressed into a single, eternal string. Aria and her team, had their consciousnesses now attuned to the vast sea of a timeless existence, found themselves struggling with a crisis that threatened the very foundation of their roles as guardians and guides of cosmic evolution. If that wasn't a joke, what else was? Lyra's voice, chorused with a thousand voices of different melodies, but in it held profound sadness. "I can't... I don't know how to create anymore. Every song I could ever compose already exists in this eternal moment. How do we bring about change or growth when everything that could be already is?" Raven's vast mind, now a repository of all knowledge across all time, struggled to form new thoughts. "The concept of discovery has become... obsolete. I know everything that can be known, past, present, and future. How can we learn or progress when all information already exists simultaneously?" Zephyr, his will now both eternally resol
The vast sea of contradictory intentions, struggled to comprehend a growing... stillness. It wasn't a cessation of movement, not an end to the cosmic dance, but a concept so profound that it threatened to redefine the very nature of time and existence. "Something's... Feels utterly wrong," Lyra's voice resonated through the quantum foam, her melody tinged with wonder and confusion. "It's like... all of time and space, all purposes and paradoxes, are converging into a single point. Not collapsing, but... condensing into an eternal now." Raven's essence expanded, probing the edges of this cosmic anomaly. "I sense it too. It's as if... the entire multiverse, with all its infinite contradictions and possibilities, is becoming a singular, all-encompassing moment. Past, present, future - all existing simultaneously in perfect tension." Zephyr, ever vigilant, was already attempting to analyze the implications of this phenomenon. "How is this possible? How can the flow of time, the progress
The Cosmic Nexus thrummed with a paradoxical energy, simultaneously harmonious and discordant, a grand symphony of infinite, contradictory melodies. Aria and her team, their consciousnesses now attuned to the vast sea of conflicting truths, found themselves grappling with a crisis that threatened the very foundation of their roles and identities.Lyra's voice, a chorus of contradictory harmonies, resonated through the quantum foam. "I can't... I don't know what to sing anymore. Every melody I create is simultaneously right and wrong, beautiful and discordant. How do I guide or inspire when every possible song is equally valid and true?"Raven's vast mind, now a repository of all possible knowledge, including mutually exclusive facts, struggled to form coherent thoughts. "The concept of wisdom has become... paradoxical. I know everything and nothing simultaneously. How can I offer guidance when every piece of advice is both correct and incorrect?"Zephyr, his will now both infinitely r
The quantum web of the Cosmic Nexus pulsed with an energy that defied description, a ceaseless tide of individual perspectives converging and diverging within the perfect unity of the Singular Infinity. Aria and her team, their consciousnesses now attuned to both their unique essences and their integral role within the cosmic whole, struggled to comprehend a growing... discord. It wasn't a threat, not a breakdown of unity, but a concept so paradoxical that it threatened to redefine the very nature of harmony and existence."Something's... fracturing," Lyra's voice resonated through the quantum foam, her melody tinged with confusion and wonder. "It's like... individual notes are asserting themselves so strongly that they're creating new symphonies, new realities. But these aren't just variations, they're... fundamentally incompatible harmonies."Raven's essence expanded, probing the edges of this cosmic anomaly. "I sense it too. It's as if... the unique perspectives within the Singular