by J. Clarice
Jenna shifted in her seat and placed her drink on the table. Her eyes fell over the people walking throughout the small plaza. It wasn’t much, but it was a nice spot for the townspeople to enjoy an evening walk. Potted trees dotted the walkway and in the middle of the center was a water fountain. The best feature of it all that never failed to catch everyone’s eyes. A statue of a woman sat in the middle of the water. Tendrils of stone surrounded her as her chest curved upward and her head was thrown back. With one hand reaching up towards the sky, the other fell behind her. It was chained to the ground, keeping her from floating to the surface. Never to be free.
“As hard as it may seem, it’s okay to find a partner during this time. Chad and I… We went through war together.” Jenna huffed out a laugh. “If he hadn’t been there, I wouldn’t be here today.”
Scarlett glanced at Jenna and saw her eyes glossing over. “I’m not saying to throw yourself at whoever’s on your mind. But, being partnered helps in ways you wouldn’t think possible. Just don’t forget, you don’t choose your partner. Much like our armors, the bond chooses us.”
Scarlett covered her sister’s hand with hers and rubbed her thumb.
Jenna and Scarlett made their way back home as the sun began to set.
“The first few days are always the most difficult, in Ever Realm and Earth. But as time goes on, you get the hang of it and somehow balance your Dreamer and human life.” Jenna told Scarlett as they walked side by side, eating their ice creams. “You can choose to close yourself off from the world and hole up or you can take advantage of the fact that you’re now a part of something more, and explore like you originally wanted to... You’ll figure it out with time, Scarlett.”
Scarlett didn’t feel like talking as she didn’t know how to respond. She simply hoped everything would turn out right like her parents said it would.
But then again, nothing’s that simple, is it?
Fourteen
Time in Ever Realm was longer than on Earth. It’d already been a week and Scarlett’s Youth Dreamer training was well underway, but her sessions with Cain had yet to start. She tried conversing with Jayden but wasn’t successful. Jayden would avoid Scarlett or not show up for classes at all. Her parents were always unavailable so Scarlett was stuck with Jenna in Ever Realm and the occasional visit from Grandma Ruth on Earth.
Everything was going great… Not.
She blamed Jayden’s bitchy attitude. She blamed the fact that nobody would tell her exactly what was going on.
Sure, she became a Dreamer about a week ago. But, the absence of her parents ticked her off and fed the anger that was slowly growing and festering within. Little touches on the shoulder would have Scarlett jumping and snapping at the person. Her studies were steady but she found herself less and less interested in them as the days passed.
To Scarlett, they didn’t feel like days. In Ever Realm, the time stretched and moved slower than on Earth. The only thing that gave Scarlett any kind of relief and stability was physical training. She gave it her all and in seven days, outshone other students. She knew it had something to do with being a Dreammare but hadn’t had the chance to ask anyone about it.
No more creepy appearances, no parents to ask, and Jayden was acting as if she had a plague.
The professor dismissed the class and Scarlett rushed out of the classroom. She breathed a sigh of relief and rolled her neck.
“We’ve got roundabout today.” Jasper sang as he fell into step beside her. Scarlett gave a wide smile and hopped on her toes. Jasper laughed and loosened his shoulders. “Time to kick some ass!”
Inside the Activities gym, the others were warming up and preparing themselves. Students crowded around the ring as a fight was already in action. Scarlett rushed to the edge and pushed through people to find Jayden swinging fists with another girl.
Twice a week, open practice fights were held between the Dreamers. Mainly only Youth as the official Dreamers had duties to fulfill. The roundabout was a test of their newfound abilities. The winner would go up against the next contestant until there was one victor. Occasionally, experienced Dreamers will pop in and give a look but this training remained only for the Youth.
“Get her Jayden!” Jasper encouraged as he came up behind Scarlett. Being a full head taller, he had a perfectly good view. Jayden’s opponent was wobbling on her legs and Scarlett saw the professor and Chad on the side getting ready to end it. Yet, Jayden wasn’t done and Scarlett could see it in her eyes.
She was just getting started.
Jayden spun a roundhouse straight for the girl’s face. Her purple armor flashed as it glided in sync with her body and gave way to land the kick. The girl’s face snapped to the side and she flopped down to the ground. A giant thump echoed as her head connected with the floor and roars erupted from the watching students. Jayden jumped around the ring with her hands high. Scarlett felt Jasper jumping behind her as he shouted his sister on.
Scarlett observed the crowd around and saw cringing mixed with cheering, bloodthirsty faces. Young Dreamers were hungry for any action they could get. Scarlett blinked and swayed as a single thought crossed her. It began as a whisper that tickled the back of her mind before it grew and sent a wanting shiver through her body.
She wanted to do it.
Without another thought, Scarlett hurriedly climbed up the side of the ring as Jasper’s calls fell short behind her.
“Scarlett, what are you doing? Scarlett, don’t!”
She felt him move and swiftly swung her legs out from his reach. He wasn’t stopping her.
Scarlett stood in the ring as medical pulled the unconscious girl out. Jayden’s back faced Scarlett as she held her arms high. Not a scratch or dent on her armor. She remained undefeated and Scarlett knew damn well why.
“Any of you wusses want to give this a try?” Jayden taunted the people below.
Scarlett bitterly laughed and shook her head. “The only wuss I see here is you, Jayden.”
The crowd quieted at Scarlett's words and Jayden’s back straightened as she turned. Scarlett held her head high and cocked a brow. Jayden stalked towards Scarlett with distaste clear as day in her eyes. Despite their height difference, Scarlett wouldn’t let Jayden get the upper hand on this one.
“What did you call me?” Jayden glared at Scarlett.
Scarlett moved closer and smirked. “You. Heard. Me. Only a wuss would call themselves a champion going after others that don’t even stand a chance.”
Jayden’s eyes widened at Scarlett’s whispered words, catching the meaning hidden behind and Scarlett wasn’t done. “If you want to prove that you’re the ‘Queen of the Ring’, I suggest you go against someone your own size.”
The crowds’ chants had drowned out as Scarlett maintained eye contact with Jayden. She stepped back and was willing to give them what they were calling for.
A fight.
Jayden’s eyes burned before she fisted her hands and smoothed out her face. A smirk of her own came through. “Let’s play, princess.”
Scarlett glanced at Jasper from over her shoulder and his face showed with worry. She knew the worry was more for her but he didn’t know that they were equally matched. They’re both Dreammares after all.
“Scarlett, are you sure?”
She turned her head towards the edge of the ring where Chad stood on the inside. He sported the same worry Jasper had. His eyes told Scarlett she shouldn’t but of course, she ignored it and faced Jayden.
Chad stepped out of the ring and threw his hands down as the crowd jumped. The floor shook from their stomping and more Dreamers entered the Activities Gym. Scarlett zoned them out and kept her eyes on Jayden.
The two circled each other, eyeing the way they moved. Jayden made the first move. She edged close and front kicked Scarlett’s chest. Scarlett swiped the kick away with her arm and went in as Jayden stumbled to where she previously stood. Now on Jayden’s side, Scarlett threw punch after punch. Jayden ducked low and went for Sc
arlett’s exposed legs, taking her to the ground. Scarlett landed on her back as the air left her lungs and fluttered her eyes closed.
Taking advantage of Scarlett’s winded state, Jayden jumped on top of her and pummeled Scarlett. Scarlett tried to squeeze her arms shut as she covered her face but her head continued to whip from Jayden’s forceful hits.
“Scarlett! Throw her off!” Jasper’s shout reached her ears and she remembered a maneuver he taught her. Scarlett jerked her hips up into the air while rolling over and Jayden too caught up in punching, got thrown onto her side.
Scarlett hadn’t touched up on ground fighting yet and now realized she needed to. She couldn’t let Jayden take her to the floor because she’d have the advantage. Scarlett let out haggard breaths and brought her hands close to her face as she climbed to her feet. Jayden got up from the ground and gave her a bloody smile. She sported a busted lip but relished in the fact that Scarlett looked much worse.
The teachers weren’t going to stop them unless they were in grave danger and with the hidden fact that they’re Dreammares with excellent healing; Jayden could give Scarlett all she wished.
Jayden moved towards Scarlett and threw a roundhouse kick to her side before going in with a straight punch and a hook. Scarlett simmered with anger as the hits came her way. Heat began to emanate from her skin.
Moving her hands from her face, Scarlett ducked one of Jayden’s punches and gave her a straight and a hook as she rose off to the side. Jayden hunched over as Scarlett rushed her hits. She turned with a hammer fist aimed for Scarlett’s head but before it could connect, her feet were swept from under. The hammer fist didn’t reach Scarlett and Jayden stumbled backward into the ropes as she found her footing.
Scarlett spit out blood to the side and gave a twisted smile when blinding energy filled her veins. She remembered the feeling and she wanted it to come out. The heat rolled through her and she locked eyes on her target.
Jayden recognized the hunger in Scarlett’s eyes. She knew it all too well.
Scarlett spread her arms to her sides and began to open her palms as Jayden got up from the ropes. Jayden barreled herself towards Scarlett and grabbed a hold of her hands. The two landed heavily on the ring floor and the crowd roared, oblivious to what was about to happen. Pain radiated throughout Scarlett’s back as Jayden’s weight crushed her from above.
“Get yourself under damn control. This fight is over.” Jayden harshly whispered into Scarlett’s ear as she kept her hands pinned to her sides.
As much as Scarlett wanted to fight Jayden, she knew the outcome would be horrific and fought the urge instead. Scarlett groaned and tried to suppress the power that eagerly wanted to break free. She shoved it down and a scream lodged in her throat. Her body burned immensely and grew hotter by the second.
‘Why was it hurting so much?’
Jayden stayed on top of Scarlett and covered her from the crowds’ buzzing eyes.
“Jayden… It hurts.” Scarlett pinched out as she kept her eyes glued shut.
Jayden heard the pain in Scarlett’s voice and swept her eyes through the crowd. She avoided contact with Chad and Jasper when a figure in the corner of the room caught her attention. He blended in with the walls behind him but his grey eyes could stand out anywhere. With a tip of his head to the right, Jayden knew what to do.
“Scarlett, I need you to reel it in and hold it for a few minutes. It’s going to hurt like hell but I’m going to need you to move with me so we can get out of here.” Jayden rushed out as she exhaled heavily.
Searing fire ripped through Scarlett’s chest and she bit her lip to keep from screeching out. A metallic taste filled her mouth and she increased pressure. She needed to appear fine but couldn’t get a grip on what to do.
Chad and the other Dreamers were taking notice that something wasn’t right. Jayden worked quickly and slowly peeled herself off Scarlett. She helped her stand and saw her eyes flutter open and give a little nod.
Facing Chad, Jayden yelled over the crowd. “We tie and do not wish to continue.”
The crowd hushed and whispers broke throughout. Chad nodded and motioned for them to get off the ring. Heading in his direction to get down, Jayden helped a limping Scarlett.
“What happened? Is she okay?” Chad didn’t spare a second and helped them down.
“Girl stuff.” He skeptically nodded his head. Chad didn’t believe it for a second but let it go for their sake. The pair moved through the crowd as Chad climbed into the ring and called for the next two volunteers. As the crowd moved on from Scarlett and Jayden’s fight, they easily parted for them.
Jayden felt the energy in Scarlett bursting to pop, like a volcano with pent up pressure ready to explode and burn everything in its way. Cursing Cain for his ignorance, Jayden took in Scarlett’s pained state. Sweat lined her forehead as blood dripped from the corner of her eye. She had a cut on her cheek and reddened busted lips. Jayden shook her head at the crazy Dreammare before her.
She didn’t know.
Jayden walked Scarlett out into the hallways and searched for Cain’s presence. A sliver of his power reached out to her and led her to an empty theater classroom. Its windows were closed and had plenty of room. Cain stood at the front of the room with his hands in the pockets of his suit.
“Drop her and guard the door.”
Jayden gently let Scarlett down and walked back to the door. She locked it shut and covered it like a curtain with her power before turning back and facing Scarlett who laid on the floor a few feet from Cain.
Scarlett was out of it and numbed to everything else. How she even made it out of the ring to wherever she currently laid, was a miracle.
“Get up Scarlett.” Cain’s clipped words fell short on Scarlett’s ears. She lightly groaned and stayed on the floor.
Cain turned towards her and saw that she started to shake. She was letting go.
“Jayden cover yourself!”
At his urgent words, Jayden made a purple shield that covered her in a bubble. Cain’s power burst from his body and lined the walls of the classroom. Protecting the outside from the energy Scarlett was about to let loose.
Not a second later, Scarlett’s back arched as she let out a bloodcurdling scream and her power exploded from every pore on her skin. Blackness left her like a heatwave and washed over Cain but he held his ground. He kept the shield steady as Jayden covered herself by the door. The fights on the other side of the building wouldn’t have been able to hear their commotion. They were clear. Scarlett’s body convulsed and the power rolled itself through every crevice in her mind.
Her mind watched the scene from above. It was bliss. Peace.
She felt no pain and didn’t want to go back. Sadly, that’s not how it worked.
Scarlett’s body began to lower to the ground and the pull of her power reached out to bring her back. She clawed to stay, but there was no give.
Scarlett opened her eyes to a white ceiling. It was quiet aside from her heavy breathing and that of others. She sat up and everything was covered in black cinders aside from the walls that surrounded her. The once chairs, tables, and cabinets were the black ash covering the ground. Some of it swirled throughout the air, floating downward.
Scarlett coughed as she rose from the ground and faced Cain. He offered her a hand and lifted her the rest of the way. Cain’s hair stuck in all directions and his black suit was disheveled. This was the first she’d seen him unkempt. Even though his appearance wasn’t his best, he kept the same demeanor with his head high and shoulders back. His eyes were steel and shot arrows at Scarlett.
“What were you thinking?”
His words had Scarlett gaping her mouth like a fish. “What was I thinking?! What the hell do you mean? I don’t even know what happened.”
Cain appeared like he wanted to say more but instead moved his gaze to Jayden who had let her shield down.
“Before you come at me, I didn’t even know she’d gone through the first use of her pow
ers already. If I‘d known, I wouldn’t have fought with her.” Jayden straightened her shoulders and lightly rested her hands to her sides.
Taking in her words, Cain glanced between the two and released a small sigh. “The first and second use of a Dreammare’s powers are the most dangerous. The first is pleasant and a preview of the power the Dreammare possesses. The second is the pain. The power needs to make a home in the Dreamer and so, it changes the original and mixes it with the nightmare half of you. It’s the final transition for a Dreammare.”
Scarlett blankly stared at Cain. ‘Why do I keep finding everything out after it happens?’
“No one thought to tell me that?” Scarlett gave a mirthless laugh.
Jayden moved until she was a few spaces beside Scarlett and glanced back at Cain, silently asking for permission. He gave a tilt of his head and she continued. “Scarlett, no Dreammare accesses their powers after one week of activating them the first time. The power isn’t supposed to burst through until at least two weeks later."
Before Scarlett could respond, Cain snapped his head towards the door of the classroom. A bang sounded and pink tendrils slithered their way past Jayden’s power. Jayden backed up as the door busted open to show Scarlett’s mother in the doorway.
“Where is she?” Cher’s eyes landed on Scarlett and scanned her body. “Did she do it?”
Cain made eye contact with Ever Realm's leader. “She did.”
Cher paced into the classroom and closed the door behind her. “Scarlett, you’re training with Cain begins right away and I don’t want to hear anything else. Those outbursts you’ve had are your nightmare half breaking through. Now, they’ll be more violent. Cain and his people will help you control and learn how to use them.”
Scarlett looked between her mother and Cain, she caught the silent message they shared. Scarlett’s shoulders hunched as she lowered her head. Her mind was still in shambles and didn’t know where to focus.