“Of course. Shoot,” he replied.
“Can you use your Element to control plants? Like make them grow?” I was trying to learn everything about my Elements before attempting Akasha again—I needed to perfect them if I wanted to succeed. I needed to succeed, especially with the news we were just given.
“Yeah, but it's not that cool of a power except for being able to grow roots and vines, then use them to grab people—that's always fun,” he replied with a chuckle.
“I'll have to practice that. I think it will come in handy.”
“If you need any help, let me know,” Zane replied.
“See ya later, girlie,” Kimber called as they were walking away. Jace and I both waved in response before shutting the door. Jace sighed as he leaned back against it, and opened his arms for me to enter. I happily obliged, wrapping my arms around his middle and laying my head in my favorite spot—over his heart. It beat steadily, its rhythm my favorite melody in the whole world. He kissed the top of my head before murmuring, “I'll never let anything happen to you.”
I didn't say anything, but I knew he could hear my thoughts. I had no doubt that he would protect me. I would do the same for him, and that was why I needed to be stronger.
“You don't have to worry about protecting me, mi amante. I can take care of both of us,” he replied to my thought.
“Still, I want to be prepared for any situation, and being able to harness Akasha will prepare me for anything.”
“I know, I know. I just don't want you to get hurt, but you're right. Let's go practice,” he said, releasing me from his embrace. Kiera stopped us as we walked past her bedroom, saying, “Hey, you okay? I heard the convo and wanted to make sure you were alright.”
“Yeah, I'm good. Nothing Jace and I can't handle.”
“I have something that might cheer you up—I found out more about Akasha from my source.”
“Really?! What?!” I asked with excitement.
“Well, I found out that after pulling your combined Elements into yourself, then you will be able to call forth Akasha just like you do your other Elements. It will severely drain you, and your powers, so you need to be careful.”
“Wow, well, that's good to know. I wouldn't want to leave myself vulnerable after using it. I wonder if Jace could help me regenerate since he can heal me. That would be extremely helpful,” I remarked.
“It would, but let's not get our hopes up. Let's focus on one thing at a time. Like pulling that Elemental death ball into yourself without killing both of us,” Jace said sarcastically.
I rolled my eyes and walked out the back door. I made my way to my normal training spot and began pulling my Earth into my palm, hoping the most stable element of the four would provide a solid base for my “death ball,” as Jace so eloquently put it. The dirt gathered in my palm, appearing out of thin air. It still amazed me that I was capable of doing things like this. You are what is amazing, I heard Jace's voice in my head say. I turned to see him staring at me from across the yard, the trademark smirk that I loved visible on his lips. God, he was so fine—how did I get so lucky? I could hear his laughter in my head before he said, I'm the lucky one. Now get back to work.
I concentrated on calling my Water, pooling it on top of the dirt. They repelled at first, as always, but I forced them to touch. Next, I called my Fire, even though it was the most volatile, because I thought having two, more stable elements bordering it would help to balance it. I quickly piled my Air on top, hoping to quell the Fire's raging flames before it overpowered the other elements. The flames died down some, enough to give me the time I needed to start to fuse them together. I began to swirl them around each other, encapsulating them in an air bubble so they wouldn't escape. They revolved faster around one another, colliding at some points and sending off sparks of light. As the velocity increased, the orb began to pulse with light before finally being engulfed by it. The light was so vivid that I had to close my eyes, my sight overloaded by the brightness. I struggled with the intensity of the ball, and I feared that it would explode like last time. I took deep breaths in and out, attempting to calm myself so that I would be able to complete this whole process. I would not fail again.
I felt Jace walk up behind me, his presence instantly soothing me. He lined my arms with his, placing them on the outside of mine. I could feel his energy infuse me through our bond, and I knew that I could accomplish this with his help. I don't know why I didn't think of this to begin with. He was my rock, my other half; it made sense that I would need him for something so powerful. He pressed his torso to my back, supporting me in more ways than one as I started to bring the ball towards my chest. His power invigorated me, giving me the last push I needed to merge the orb with my body. I saw a brilliant burst of light, along with the feeling of an excruciating burning, like someone had poured acid all over me. I screamed, or at least I thought I did, but all sound was drowned out, and I couldn't hear anything but a loud ringing in my ears. Oh God, what have I done? I clutched at my chest, wondering if I had made a terrible mistake, images of Jace flashing behind my closed lids before blackness coated me like tar.
I was floating somewhere, a place I had never been before. A glistening pool lay beneath me, reflecting a perfect blue sky. I felt at peace—wait, did I die? Oh no…no, no, no, I can't be dead! I still had so much to do, and…Jace. Tears flooded my eyes, flowing freely as I thought of my soul mate. I already felt lost without him with me, my heart splintering into tiny shards of its former self. Hold up! If I was dead, then he would be, too and we would be here together, right? I wasn't dead, I couldn't be, so where was I, and how was I going to get back home? I found the edge of the pool I was in, and lifted myself out. I took in my surroundings, trying to piece together where I was. Beautiful cherry blossom trees filled the landscape, green grass their luscious carpet. In the distance, I could see a huge mountain range, extending upward into the clouds, lost from view. If I wasn't so distraught, I would be in awe from the breathtaking scenery, but the tears clouding my vision distorted my beautiful surroundings anyway.
I surveyed the landscape, wondering what direction I should go in. I started walking where my gut told me, hoping I would soon find a way to get back to Jace. I walked for what seemed like hours, even though it was maybe thirty minutes, before I slumped to the ground in sorrow, the weight of Jace's absence overcoming me. I alternated between sobbing and screaming, until my eyes burned and my throat was raw, and then I screamed and sobbed even louder. I chided myself for being so weak, and ordered myself to get back up and find my way out. I wasn't going to get back to Jace by lying on the ground crying.
By the time I had walked to my destination, which was a cherry blossom tree that towered over the others, I was exhausted. I had to have walked at least six miles, and I was still no closer to figuring out how to get home. I looked the short distance to the now closer mountain range; with my luck, I would have to climb to the top of the mountain to get out. I began my trek, hoping I had the energy to make it to the peak of the mountain.
I collapsed at the top, the walk not as long as I expected, but draining nonetheless. I slowly inhaled and exhaled, trying to regain my bearings. When I looked up, my jaw dropped, and the breath I had just regained left me again, the sight of the God before me leaving me immobilized. His hair was long, wavy, and pure white. His eyes were an electrifying blue, so luminous that they were actually glowing. I tried to speak, but no words came out. I was literally stunned into silence.
“I have been waiting for you, my child,” he spoke.
“You…you have?”
He chuckled softly before replying, “Yes, I have. Your existence is of great importance to me—you are my great-granddaughter after all.”
What the? So I knew one of my great-grandfathers was Hades, but this God before me didn't strike me as the God of the Underworld. He was too poised and polished. That left…Zeus.
“Zeus?” I asked. Seems like I was capable of only one or two word utte
rances as of now. Way to impress, Brie.
“Correct. Do I frighten you?”
“Well, uh…you are kind of intimidating.” At least that was a more complete statement.
“I apologize. Would you like me to change my appearance? To something more modern and less intimidating, as you say?”
“No…I…uh…you don't have to do that for me,” I stammered.
He smiled warmly, obviously amused by my awkwardness. “Well, I bet you are wondering why and how you have arrived here.”
I nodded eagerly, desperately hoping he would be able to send me home.
“The process of Akasha is extensive, to say the least. This is the final stage of the process, where you are gifted with the power of Akasha,” he said.
“So, I don't have it already? I mean, I pulled the orb into my chest and everything went black.”
“Ah, yes, I assume that part was quite excruciating. No, you do not have it yet, and the process of obtaining it is even more agonizing. Do you still want the power?”
“Of course! What do I need to do?” I replied without hesitation.
“You do not care that it will cause unimaginable pain?” he asked curiously.
“No…well, yes, but I have to. I have to defeat Uranus and protect humanity. There is no other option.”
“You are definitely unique, my child. I am very pleased that I had a hand in creating you,” he said. “Now, let us begin.”
“You are going to give me Akasha?”
“Of course. I am the mighty Zeus, and the power of Akasha is similar to my lightning bolt, only stronger. I was chosen for the task of bestowing the power to the One.”
“Wait…why wouldn't you keep the power for yourself?” I asked, suspicious as to why a God wouldn't want ultimate power.
“Because I am not meant to be all-powerful. All of the Gods have limited power so that we will not destroy the universe. One God with ultimate power would be…disastrous. The Moirai have a design for us all, even the Gods,” he replied.
“The Moirai?” I questioned.
“The Moirai are the Three Fates. Clotho is the spinner of the Thread of Life—she decided that you were to be born. Lachesis, is the measurer of the Thread of Life—she decides how long a person will live, as well as their destiny. Atropos is the cutter of the Thread of Life—she determines how and when a person will die. She is the reason your father lived, even though your mother perished.”
“Wait…so my father lived because of this Atropos?”
“Atropos needed your father to live so that you could fulfill the Prophecy, which they created. She couldn't allow him to die because of his bond with your mother.”
“Why couldn't they just keep both of my parents alive?” I sadly asked.
“I do not know. The Moirai do not justify their decisions to anyone. They orchestrate all life, and are more powerful than even I.”
“Oh,” was my simpleton response. Great, back to one word utterances.
Zeus laughed. “You are amusing, my child. And yes, I can read your mind. Do not trouble yourself with the Moirai. We will discuss them further when we meet another time. Now, let's get started. As I said, this will be painful, but when you awaken, you will be reunited with your twin flame. Do not waste this gift you are receiving. Are you ready?”
I nodded, anticipation consuming me. I closed my eyes as I waited for Zeus' instructions.
“It was a pleasure meeting you, Brielle De Luca,” he said before I felt his fingers touch my temples. I was instantly jolted with electricity, my body convulsing as I fell to the ground before the God's feet. The current traveled up and down my body, leaving no area unexposed by the searing hot pain. It was like I was attached to a live wire, constantly being surged with electricity throughout every part of my body. My chest constricted, making breathing immensely difficult. I gasped for air, only to be rewarded with sharp, stabbing pains in my lungs. I felt like my skin had been removed, only to be replaced by alcohol being poured all over my exposed muscles and tissue. I screamed, tears streaming down my face, until my voice left me. He was right—I could have never imagined pain like this. I had to be dying. There was no way I could endure this much and survive it. I sent a silent message to Jace, letting him know that I was sorry and that I loved him. That I was so blessed to have had him in my life. I prayed to pass out, to be relieved of the agony, but it took what seemed like days for the blackness to finally overtake me again.
Oh…my…God, what the fuck was happening to her?! I lay next to Brielle on the bed, clenching my teeth and writhing in pain. A sheen of sweat covered my entire body, making my clothes uncomfortably stick to me. I gripped the sheets in my hands, trying to stifle the pain I was experiencing. I felt like I was being sliced with razors, and I didn't know what to do to make any of it stop. I knew the pain was coming from Brielle. I prayed that she couldn't feel anything in her unconscious state, but the tiny whimpers she made occasionally told me otherwise. I wished that I could take away her pain, to take the full brunt of whatever she was feeling away from her, but I just lay there helpless, not knowing what to do.
Time passed slowly as I waited for her to awaken. The only thing that grounded me was that she had a steady pulse, and her breathing was regular. It had been at least ten hours that she had been like this, and I prayed over and over again that she would come back to me, only to be answered with silence and the occasional whimper of pain.
I knew this was a bad idea, but she never listened. That amount of power was too much for any person to handle, even though she was the One. I tried to be angry with her, but my concern and love for her quickly trumped any feelings of anger. All I wanted was for her to wake up, to open those gorgeous eyes and smile at me. She whimpered again, her face scrunched in pain, and I pounded my fist against the bed as the wave of her pain hit me. I had never felt anything like it, and I had endured many injuries throughout my fighting career, as well as fights with Elementals. It was as if someone was trying to filet my skin from my bones with a scorching hot knife. Moisture pooled in my eyes as I gritted my teeth from the pain.
“Jace,” Brielle whimpered, eyes still closed. “I'm sorry…I love you,” she continued, several tears dripping down the sides of her face.
“Baby, wake up, I'm right here. Please wake up!” I said as I softly pulled her into my lap, cradling her as more tears streamed down my face, stemming from a different form of pain. The physical pain I was enduring paled in comparison to the emotional one I was feeling right now at the thought of losing her.
“I was so blessed to have you in my life. You were the best thing that ever happened to me,” she murmured, her eyes still closed and furrowed in pain. No, no, no…why was she talking like that?!
“Brielle, I'm right here! Wake up!” I repeated more forcefully, shaking her. “Wake up, mi amante, please! You can't leave me!”
Her body went limper, if that was even possible, and I felt the breath leave her. “NO!!! NO!!! BRIELLE!!! BRIELLE!!!” I screamed, bringing my head down to hers and pressing her cheek to mine—it was burning up, impossibly hot, even for me. I rocked her against me, silently begging for her to wake up, as our tears mixed on our joined faces. I took her face in my hands and kissed her lips, willing her to wake up. I caressed her face and stroked her hair, still silently praying she would come back. I realized that the pain was gone, but it didn't make any sense. If she was dead and the pain was gone, how was I still alive? This was the only thought that kept me from completely losing it, even though I was only hanging on by a fraying thread.
Then, her whole body jerked, and I felt the pain slowly returning, building steadily back to full force. It took all I had not to drop her, but if these were our last moments, I wanted to be holding her, to feel her against me. My place was with her, my soul intertwined with hers until the end, which seemed to be sooner than we had wanted. She started convulsing, and I held her tighter to me as I choked through my sobs, “I love you, Brielle, mi amante, until my last heartbeat
. You are the light in my darkness, the sunrise in my life, the missing piece that completes my soul. I was broken until I found you, your existence making mine worthwhile. There is so much more that I don't even know how to express in words, but I know you can feel the never-ending depth of my love for you. I'm sorry I didn't protect you better.”
Dots spotted my vision, dizziness settling like a fog around me. The pain was unbearable, and I wished for, as well as cursed the relief of death. I was not going to give up. I would endure any pain imaginable if it meant that I kept Brielle. I fought against the dizziness and blackness creeping up on me, straining to keep my arms wrapped around Brielle. I tried to focus on her perfect face, but I was slowly losing the battle of consciousness. I felt my body swaying as a bright light coming from her blinded me right before the darkness defeated me.
My eyes blinked open, trying to adjust to the darkness in the room. Night must have fallen since I blacked out. As my mind cleared, I instinctively reached for Brielle, finding her on my left side, her head resting on my stomach. I eased out from under her, eager to turn the lights on and check on her since we somehow miraculously survived whatever caused the pain we suffered. My eyes once again struggled to adjust, this time to the light flooding the room. My eyes flitted to Brielle's prone form, and I quickly rushed to the bed to flip her over carefully. To my relief, her chest rose and fell, and I slowly caressed her face, attempting to wake her. She stirred, her eyes fluttering behind her closed lids before she slowly opened them, blinking several times. She finally registered my face, a relieved but sad smile gracing her lips as she sat up to wrap her arms around my neck.
“Oh, Jace,” she sobbed into my shoulder.
“Shhh, mi amante, it's okay, I'm right here.”
She pulled back to look at me, her bottom lip quivering, as she perused over my face to assure herself I was really there.
Envisioned (The Elemental Prophecy) Page 18
