(Our Realm)
A couple of hours later, the whole group had gathered at the beach. Jen, Corie, and Alethia were setting up the beach chairs, while the boys went off to change. Corie, slipping off her top to reveal a black one-piece bathing suit, took a seat in one of the chairs.
Alethia curiously asked, "So, what was your dream about, Corie?"
Corie sighed, her eyes filled with a mix of confusion and concern. "It was bizarre, like we were ourselves but not quite. Zepher was there too. We were surrounded by a multitude of people, and you were crying and yelling at someone you called 'father.' Zepher and I were desperately trying to pull you away. It felt so vivid, Alethia. I woke up drenched in sweat, my heart pounding."
Alethia, revealing a dark green bikini top as she took off her shirt, looked at Corie with understanding. Brolly and Zepher approached them, and Zepher, wrapping his arms around Alethia's waist, commented, "That sounds like an intense nightmare, Cor."
Brolly, observing Alethia closely, seemed to be waiting for a reaction. Alethia smiled and said, "Zepher, I think I left my phone in the car. Could you please go check for me?"
Zepher smiled and kissed her cheek. "Of course, love. I'll be right back."
Alethia waited for him to leave before turning her attention back to Corie. Both Jen and Brolly were aware of the existence of other realms, so Alethia felt comfortable discussing this in their presence. "Corie, it wasn't just a dream. Though I'm not entirely sure what it was or what was happening, it was a memory from one of the other realms."
Corie sat up straight, her confusion deepening. Brolly sighed and shook his head, walking away, clearly displeased with Alethia's response. Perhaps he had hoped she had more insight into the memory. "A memory from another realm?" Corie asked, seeking clarification.
Alethia nodded. "Yes, we know each other in another realm. It's a realm filled with magic, and you are my adopted sister there."
Corie's smile revealed her lack of surprise. "That... that is incredible. I want to know more. Tell me everything you know."
Alethia and Jen chuckled. "We'll explain further when Zepher isn't around. He's not aware of any of this yet."
Corie appeared slightly disappointed but nodded as Zepher returned, handing Alethia her phone. "Here you go. It was right on the seat."
"Thank you," Alethia said, taking her phone back and placing it in the cup holder on the chair.
Once everyone had finished changing, they spent an enjoyable hour in the water. However, Alethia started to feel strange. She informed Zepher that she had a headache and needed to sit down for a few minutes to see if it would subside. Making her way out of the water, she collapsed into her chair. Her head throbbed, and she felt nauseous. Closing her eyes and resting her head against the chair, vivid images began to form in her mind.
She perched on the edge of a small staircase in a bustling hallway, her eyes darting around anxiously. A girl with shoulder-length blond hair caught her attention, her concerned gaze fixed upon her.
"Alethia, what are we supposed to do?" the blond girl asked, her voice tinged with worry. Shaking her head, Alethia replied, "I honestly don't know, truly."
The blond girl let out a sigh of disbelief. "I can't believe this is happening. None of us are prepared for this."
Nodding in agreement, Alethia surveyed the crowd in the hallway. They were all teenagers, and as she examined them more closely, she recognized her high school. An idea sparked in her mind, and she rummaged through her bag until she found her wallet. With trembling hands, she retrieved her ID card. Grade twelve, seventeen years old.
Confused, the blond girl asked, "Alethia, are you alright?"
Alethia nodded, her gaze shifting towards the approaching figure of Corie. Once, Corie had possessed long, curly brunette hair, but now it was cut short and dyed red. Alethia watched as Corie sat down, her fingers running through her hair in a display of worry. Casting a glance down the hall, Alethia noticed Zepher leaning against a row of lockers, engaged in conversation with a group of guys. "We need the others to join us before we can discuss our next move," she said.
The blond girl shook her head, growling, "I don't want those idiots anywhere near us."
Alethia turned to her, taken aback by her words. "I'm sorry, Kitty, but those 'idiots' are the Chosen, and one of them happens to be the other leader. We can't accomplish this without their assistance."
Kat sighed, her voice filled with remorse. "I apologize, Alethia. I just don't trust them. Not how Zepher keeps playing with your heart. He broke up with you, he can’t control who you date."
Alethia offered a soft smile, her gaze returning to the guys. Had she and Zepher broken up? Was he truly meant to be the other leader? It didn't make sense. The man in her vision, the one with the little girl, wasn't Zepher. What did all of this mean? Catching Zepher's eye, she smiled, and he nodded, tapping one of the taller guys in his group on the shoulder.
The guy turned to look at him before nodding, and they made their way towards Alethia. The one who walked alongside Zepher was taller, with short, dirty blond hair and piercing blue eyes. He exuded an air of superiority. As they approached, Alethia smiled and glanced back at Corie and Kat, who sat on the stairs, observing.
Alethia positioned herself between Blank, Corie, and Kat, while Zepher stood across from her, his arms crossed.
"As we all know, the veil is thinning," Zepher began, his voice carrying a weight of importance. "More and more of us are gaining our powers, but not all the unions have been formed, leaving some without abilities."
Blank chuckled, his gaze shifting towards Corie and Kitty. "So, which one of you two hasn't acquired your powers yet? Zepher and I have ours, and I know Alethia possesses hers. So, who is it?"
Kat growled, her voice filled with defiance. "What makes you so sure it's one of us she's referring to?"
Blank smirked, an air of confidence surrounding him. "Call it intuition, darling."
Alethia sighed, her patience wearing thin. "That's enough from both of you. Those who haven't received their powers yet are marked, except for Corie. She's more than marked; she's an elemental. The elders know we need her now."
Blank smirked, his arrogance shining through. "I think we could manage without her."
Alethia growled, her glare fixed on him. "You may think you and Zepher can handle this alone, but the truth is, we need all the help we can get. If you're not willing to accept that help, you can leave now, Chosen or not."
Blank huffed, about to retort, when Zepher interjected, his voice firm.
"Alright, listen up. I admit we require all the assistance we can muster. Alethia is right. The unions have not been fully forged. Not everyone will be able to aid us if the veil continues to weaken. Those who possess the ability to help will be welcomed with open arms." Blank leaned against the railing, rolling his eyes. "Fine, whatever you say, boss."
Alethia closed her eyes, shaking her head. Of course, he would listen to Zepher. Corie rose to her feet, growling as she peered down the hall. Two men were approaching their group. Blank and Zepher glanced over their shoulders, assuming fighting stances. Zepher positioned himself between the men and Alethia. Alethia steadied her breathing, attempting to focus and read their auras.
But it felt as if someone were shaking her, disrupting her concentration.
As Alethia awakened, her eyes fluttered open to find herself once again in the comfort of her beach chair. Brolly knelt beside her, his hand gently resting on her shoulder.
"Are you alright?" he asked, concern etched on his face.
Alethia sat up, her tired eyes rubbing away the remnants of sleep. She nodded slowly, her mind still grappling with the vivid images that had just filled her dreams. "Yes, I must have dozed off," she replied, her voice laden with uncertainty.
Brolly's gaze shifted to the crystal pendant hanging around her neck, a gift from Chris after her first prophetic vision. Its radiant glow had diminished, fading away like the remnants of a distant memory. It was through this precious crystal that Alethia could preserve her visions, to revisit them when the need arose.
With a thoughtful nod, Brolly rose to his feet, the fading glow of the crystal mirroring the fading possibilities of the future. Could this latest vision be a glimpse into what lies ahead? Could it be that Kat and Blank, those familiar faces from her dream, were destined to become her allies in the days to come?
