by J. Clarice
Nineteen
The discovery haunted Scarlett.
It stayed in her mind as she retreated to Jenna’s home and woke up back on Earth. She hasn’t spotted her parents and doesn’t know if she’d even be able to face them after knowing about Cain. She knew they wouldn’t approve. The hostility between them was clear but what else could she do about it?
Her head throbbed from her raging thoughts.
Activities gym had ended and Jasper and Jayden needed to do something, leaving her alone. There was no training either. Jayden must’ve known she needed the day off. Scarlett could go to Jenna’s but decided to explore the Center. Maybe she’d find some answers.
Scarlett made a right when she exited the school instead of going straight like she normally did. A decent amount of Dreamers hung around. They were the ones that either lived on the other side of the world where it was night or simply wanted to stay. She kept to herself as she passed them and entered the main building. The circle desk she’d first seen Ren at was empty with no line of people.
‘No one’s here…’
Maybe her parents were somewhere in the building. She caught sight of the elevator shafts at the other end of the room and stepped deeper into the reception. As she passed the desk, the slamming of a door bounced off the walls. Scarlett quickly whipped around and found Ren exiting from one of the rooms.
Her red bob was messy and she rubbed her eyes and cheeks. ‘Was she crying?’
“Hey, are you alright?”
Scarlett’s voice startled Ren and made her jump. “Oh! Scarlett, I didn’t see you there. What are you doing here?”
Scarlett lightly shrugged. “I was hoping to find my parents, I haven’t seen them in the last couple of days.”
Ren stared as if on pause before she vigorously nodded her head. “I see, it’s been a little bit trying recently with the situation that’s been arising. They’re just a little bit busier than normal trying to keep everything controlled.”
Ren widened her eyes as if she’d said too much and Scarlett narrowed her eyes. “What ‘situation’? And what are they trying to control?”
Scarlett read Ren’s wandering eyes and observed her as she quickly neared. “I’m not supposed to tell anyone.”
“I promise, I won’t tell anyone you told me. Please?”
Ren skeptically looked at Scarlett before she let out a sigh. “They’ve been having trouble with the nightmares, apparently there has been rising activity.”
“What do you mean? And why?”
“They don’t know but they suspect it might be because of…” Ren glanced around before moving her head closer to Scarlett’s. “A new Dreamer.”
Scarlett slightly stiffened but didn’t let her expression betray that she might’ve known something. “A new Dreamer? How could that be possible?”
Ren’s eyes narrowed the tiniest bit before she widened them like a doe. “I don’t know. If I hear something, I could let you know?”
“Yes, that’d be great. Thank you, Ren.”
Ren’s expression turned cheery as a smile spread across her face. “Of course! In fact, would you like to come with me to check if your parents are here?”
Scarlett was about to say yes when an unease settled in her stomach. Ren noticed her hesitation and her cheeriness began to dull. “I’ll pass on today, I think I’m going to go home.”
Ren looked as if she wanted to say something else but instead repaired her smile. “No worries, see you around Scarlett.”
Scarlett turned and walked towards the building's main doors. Before she exited, she glanced back to find Ren staring after her, Scarlett gave her a small smile and a wave. Ren returned the smile.
As Scarlett let the door close behind her, she could’ve sworn Ren’s hands were fisted at her sides. Scarlett didn’t get to dwell on the thought when she felt a wisp touch on the back of her mind. Scarlett briefly closed her eyes and instantly knew who it was.
She stepped off the star and walked in his direction. He knew she was coming, he called her after all.
“Cain.”
He blended into the dark space of Ever Realm with his black armor and observed from afar. He wasn’t exactly welcome there.
“We’re training today.”
“Training? There is no training today.” Scarlett crossed her arms.
“I didn’t ask and your training with Jayden is not today. You’re training with me.”
Scarlett stared up at Cain who gave no window to his thoughts. Without warning, Cain turned and began walking towards the blackened edge of Ever Realm.
“Hey! Where are you going?”
“We’re training.” He threw back. She scoffed and uncrossed her arms as she ran to catch up. ‘Pompous ass.’
Cain led Scarlett into the Dark Realm and to the Refuge. He peeped not a word and Scarlett didn’t try to converse. Quite frankly, she wasn’t in the mood either. Her thoughts were all over the place.
They entered the grey ring and walked to the middle field where it was a good ways away from the buildings and the edge of the Refuge. Just the two of them.
“Call on your power.”
It took a second for Scarlett to register his words. She felt for the strings and pulled them forward. The tendrils left her palms and slowly filled the air.
“Faster. You would’ve been slaughtered by nightmares.” Cain calmly corrected. “They show no mercy and do not know of it. Therefore, don’t show them any in return. Again.”
She heard the silent snap in his voice and ignored it. She called forth her power and it raged from her palm to surround not only her but Cain as well. Scarlett gave him a face of innocence as she enthralled him with her black tendrils. Cain opened his palm and in less than a second pushed hers back with his grey power.
“Don’t mess with me, this is training,” Cain said as he pushed his power out and encircled them both. “In which, every time you do something correctly, I will allow you to ask one question.”
Scarlett froze and brightened the next second determined to get some answers. ‘Let’s do this.’
“Give me a burst of darts all targeted towards one direction.”
“Here goes nothing,” Scarlett muttered under her breath as she turned towards the wall Cain put up. She closed her eyes and planted the instruction in her mind as she released her power. She opened her eyes to a single blackened spot on the wall. She smirked as Cain pleasantly nodded.
“First Question?” He asked.
Scarlett racked her brain and asked the first one that came to mind. “How old are you?”
She realized the question she blurted out and blushed red. ‘Seriously Scarlett?’
Cain raised a perfectly arched brow. “Older.”
“Oh come on.” Scarlett scoffed. “At least answer it correctly.”
“I don’t know my exact age.”
Scarlett scrunched her face. “You’re joking. You only look a few years older than me. How do you not know?”
“You had your one question, next exercise.”
Scarlett opened her mouth to retort but instead got ready for his next request. She was going to get her answers.
“Same attack, but with your eyes open.”
‘Crap.’ It’s harder for Dreammares to perform certain attacks with their eyes open as they can’t focus all their attention on it. It takes more will and restraint.
“Alright, I can do this.”
She stared at the spot beside her first target. Right there. Scarlett released her power.
“HA! I got it!” Scarlett clapped her hands and smiled. Cain’s expression didn’t share the excitement. “Oh come on, you’ve got to admit that was impressive.”
“Next question.” His brush of her moment made Scarlett roll her eyes.
“Why can’t you tell me how old you are?”
“I was born in Ever Realm. I’m sure you’ve noticed that time is different here.”
Scarlett’s mouth formed an ‘O’ as a whole new set
of questions filled her. She knew she wouldn’t be able to get to them all and picked the most immediate and important ones.
“Next exercise.” This time it was she who said it. Cain nodded.
“A whip with a spread of circling darts as you strike.”
Scarlett got in position and glanced at Cain out of the corner of her eye.
“If you’re worried about hurting me, you best drop those worries. They’re pointless.”
Scarlett swallowed the insults that wanted to spill out and performed the task. She failed. Her whip was more of a noodle and her darts were weak. Cain clasped his hands behind his back and urged her on.
“Again.” She failed another two times.
“Our power is strong and more robust than that of the Dreamer’s bracelet. They share their power from one source, therefore theirs is more calmed and easier to manipulate. Our power comes solely from within – our minds. To control it smoothly you must be able to focus on the specific strings to pull to execute moves perfectly. With time, it will flow and before you know it, you no longer will need to think about it. Take a breath and do it again.”
As much of an ass Cain could be, he was a well-spoken teacher and knew exactly what to say. Scarlett loosened her shoulders, inhaled, and exhaled as she executed the move with ease. She beamed before straightening and asking her next question.
“What is going on with the nightmare situation?”
Cain stilled and narrowed his eyes. “How do you know of that?”
“I asked my question, you answer it.” Scarlett shook her head at him, attempting to brush her question aside.
He stared at her for a second before answering. “Their activity is increasing and instead of isolating themselves like normal, they’re pairing and working in groups.”
Scarlett was about to ask another question when she paused and resumed to her spot on the wall. “Next exercise.”
The hint of a smile graced Cain’s face and Scarlett bit the inside of her lip to contain hers.
They went back and forth and Scarlett asked him new questions. She learned that nightmares usually traveled alone and that communicating could result in them rising against the Dreamers, much like they did in the war with Edgar. Except now, there are too few Dreamers to even think of fighting in another war.
Her parents were keeping the situation under wraps as to not alert the people since there’s no big need for any panic. No obvious signs of threats – yet. Cain kept his answers vague and Scarlett pressed for more.
A question popped into her head and she bit her lip, hesitant to ask.
Cain’s arms were loose at his sides and she knew he would close up the second she asked. Still, she needed – wanted – to try.
“A shield that encases not only you but, me as well.”
Scarlett blinked and exhaled through her teeth. This one was going to be difficult, but she wanted this next question and she was going to get it.
She opened her palms at her sides and yanked on the string inside her mind and let the gate of her power flood open. The black tendrils formed a sheet that rapidly made a dome over herself and Cain. Scarlett left it up as she stepped towards him. His face stayed passive, but she noticed the slight lift of his brows. He was impressed.
“My next question,” Scarlett started as she stayed a few inches from Cain. She bit the inside of her cheek as the intensity of his eyes struck her. “We’re… partners aren’t we?”
Scarlett kept her eyes trained on Cain and caught the change in his demeanor. He went rigid and his eyes hardened.
Scarlett took another step forward. “Tell me the truth, are we or are we not?”
“We are.” Cain roughed out as he clenched his jaw. “But nothing is going to come out of it. Partners aren’t needed.”
A stab pierced Scarlett’s heart at his words and her nose flared. She should’ve known this was coming – No, she knew it was coming. It hurt all the same. Instead of dwelling on the pain, Scarlett closed her parted mouth and returned Cain’s hard stare. “And nothing will come of it. It’s just a stupid bond.”
They locked on each other’s gaze and were breathing hard. Scarlett tried to contain the heavy rise of her chest but failed. Her mind pounded as she finished saying the words and wondered if he felt the pain that was tearing through her. The ball in her chest darkened.
“Answer me this one other question.” Scarlett clenched her jaw and fists. “What am I and why am I not like the other Dreammares?”
Cain opened his mouth but before he could respond, a shake from the ground dropped Scarlett’s shield. She backed away from Cain and squinted her eyes as a bright light emitted from the edge of the Refuge barrier. It dulled and revealed Scarlett’s father who had white flowing from his bracelet.
He wasn’t able to get in and from the looks of it, he was fuming.
Twenty
Roger wasn’t allowed to enter The Refuge. Cain’s power had forbidden any other to enter unless they were a Dreammare. Roger knew that Cain had known exactly when he arrived. His power alerted him whenever someone got close to his haven. He purposely lured Scarlett here.
Their argument earlier confirmed it.
“She has a right to know.” Cain held his ground and not once bowed to Roger. Even though Roger was Leader of Ever Realm, Cain was born in it and therefore older. He experienced things Roger had only heard of.
“I don’t want her to know any more about this than she already does. It’ll put her in more danger and I won’t risk it.”
“You and your ‘not wanting to risk it’ is what’s going to get her killed. Being ignorant of the fact that you already know they’re after her and yet you still hide.” Roger ground his jaw and pound his fist on the table.
“I said no! Leave it be!”
A realization dawned on Cain. “You haven’t even told Cher, have you?”
Roger let out a shaky breath as he sat back in his seat. “I have not.”
“At least your man enough to admit it.” Cain rose from his seat, sympathetic towards the man that sat across from him but that would get them in a worse place if something’s not done.
“If you don’t tell your women of the on-goings and what Scarlett truly is, I will do it myself.”
Roger snapped his head up and glared at Cain’s retreating form. “Cain! Dammit!”
Roger’s blood boiled at the sight of him next to his daughter. Cain walked ahead of Scarlett and told her to follow.
“Mr. Blackdall, what a delight to see you here.”
The two men stood at the same height and the tension couldn’t be missed.
“What’s going on? Dad?” Scarlett asked as she glanced between the men.
Roger didn’t want to cause a scene in front of Cain. “Scarlett, come on, we’re going home.”
“I was in the middle of training –.”
“Go with your father, Scarlett. We’ll continue this another day.”
Roger saw Scarlett snap her mouth shut and nod. She crossed the barrier and moved to his side. Roger visibly relaxed and without another word walked away from the Refuge.
“Dad, what’s going on?”
Roger ignored her question lost in his turmoil of thoughts. “Dad!”
He blinked at Scarlett. “Not now Scarlett, we’ll talk when we’re with your mother.”
“No.”
Roger slowed his stride as Scarlett’s response reached his ears. “What?”
“I said, no.” Scarlett stopped walking and faced him. “I’m tired of this waiting for answers. I have questions and I want to know what’s going on.”
Roger’s irritation grew. “Scarlett now is not the place nor time.”
“Place or time?” Scarlett threw her hands up and scoffed. “There’s no one around and we’re at the edge of the Dark Realm. You and mom disappeared for days and left me with important unanswered questions. So yes, now is as good as any time to tell me what is going on.”
Roger didn’t want to see his daughter
’s spirit flicker once she found out she was the key to possibly the end of all the Realms. The hidden mark on her armor announced her so. He blamed Edgar, the son of a bitch that messed with power that shouldn’t have been awakened. He traded his sanity all for the taste, only for it to be his downfall. Edgar didn’t go down alone, he made sure to drag everyone else down with him.
Shaking his head, Roger refused to answer to Scarlett. He’d solve the problem before it could harm her. Even if he’d die trying, as long as his family was safe. Nothing was out of bounds.
“What is going on with the nightmares?”
“How do you know about that?” Roger shot his eyes at Scarlett. “Did Cain tell you?”
“I’ve heard around and so what if Cain told me? He’s letting me know more than you are.”
“Your training with Cain is to cease and you’ll continue training with your mother.”
Scarlett stopped dead in her tracks. “No, you can’t do that I won’t let you.”
“I am your father and the Leader of Ever Realm. Yes, I can.” Roger ground his jaw and ended with a tone of finality. “I am doing this to protect you and I need you to trust me.”
Scarlett turned her head and clenched her jaw. It was hurting her and he knew it, but he couldn’t get himself to say the words.
“How can I trust you, when every time you don’t tell me anything, something bad happens?” Scarlett whispered as Roger’s resolve cracked. It pained him to see her this way.
Before Roger could respond, the white light on his collar brightened and Official Samsus appeared before him as his voice filled his ears.
“Sir, something has come up and your presence is needed urgently.”
The worry in the Official’s voice caught Roger’s immediate attention. “I’m on my way.”
He glanced at Scarlett. Her arms were crossed and she kept her head turned away.
‘I’m sorry, my beautiful girl.’
“I’m taking you to the edge of the Realms before I leave. I have urgent business to attend too.”
Roger stepped towards Scarlett and tried to touch her shoulder.