CHAPTER 15 - FAILED AGAIN - AVERLY'S POV
1074 Words
The air crackled with energy as Casey and I stood together, hands clasped tightly, as we tried to concentrate on evening out our powers, but I felt myself growing weaker again. We were supposed to be a perfect team, two halves of a whole. But like always, it felt like I was nothing but a shadow.
The spell we were trying to perform demanded strength, focus, and unity, but I could feel my powers flickering like a dying flame, while Casey's energy surged around us, vibrant and steady.
''Ava, focus!'' Amere’s voice pierced through the room, sharp as a blade. ''Don’t let her do all the work again! Do you want your sister to die? You need to pull your weight!''
I hated disappointing her. I hated feeling weak. But no matter how hard I tried, my strength slipped away like sand through my fingers.
''Ignore him, and focus on me.'' Casey told me, though I could see sweat over her brow. I glanced at Casey. Her eyes shone with determination, but there was a hint of worry. She knew I was struggling. It made her want to help even more. I could see her energy flowing into me, a desperate attempt to keep us afloat. But it wasn’t fair.
I could feel Amere’s frustration growing, and I didn’t want to be the reason for it. I tried to draw in more power, but the second I felt it, it seems to die out against Casey's power.
'''CASIDY, LET HER DO IT! STOP COMPENSATING!'' Amere shouted.
''I can't do it.'' I groaned, as I felt my legs shaking, ''I need to stop.''
''NO!'' Amere shouted again, ''Push through the pain. Do you think you'll get a coffee break during the ritual?''
''Ava, please!'' Casey whispered, her grip tightening. ''You have to push through! Believe in your power. Let it consume you, let it take over, and push it towards me.''
But how? I took a deep breath, trying to summon the power within me. The energy felt like a distant memory. I could sense Amere pacing behind us, his eyes fixed on our intertwined hands, ready to pounce at any sign of failure. The pressure was suffocating.
''Stop compensating for her!'' Amere yelled at Casey again, his voice echoing off the walls. ''She has to learn! You’re only enabling her weakness!''
The words stung. I felt my heart drop as Casey flinched. It was true. I was weak. And with every moment that passed, I could feel Casey pulling her power away, trying to maintain her own balance. The spell was faltering. I could sense the energy dissipating, and with it, the hope of mastering this together.
I didn't understand this. I had mastered my healing power. I had mastered my nature ability. Why couldn't I do this?
In that moment, something shifted within me. I saw the hurt in Casey’s eyes, the pain of watching me fail. I realized that my struggle wasn’t just mine. It affected us both. I took another deep breath. This time, I reached deep, searching for the spark that still lingered, but then I felt pain, and screamed as my legs finally buckled beneath me.
I let go of Casey’s hands, and closed my eyes, as I wept into the ground, ''Ava,'' Casey's arms were around me in seconds, but Amere gave a loud frustrated roar.
''ENOUGH, GET UP AND TRY AGAIN!''
''BACK OFF!'' Casidy shouted, and threw up her hand, causing Amere to fly into the wall.
''What? How did you do that?'' I asked, as I looked at my sister who was froze with her hand outstretched.
''I.... I don't know...'' She looked at her hand, while the guards rushed to help counselor Amere. ''I'm sorry. I didn't mean to!''
Casey got up, as tears filled her eyes.
''It's okay Casey,'' Amere said as he rotated his arm, with a pained expression, ''You control the elements, it's just an extension of that, you must have used the wind to knock me down. Don't panic. We'll help you learn to control it, but for now you both need to try again.''
Casey, sniffed and wiped her tears away, as I got up and held out my hands, and we touched again.
I focused solely on my own energy this time. The warmth surged through me, not as strong as Casey’s, but it was mine. I felt the magic swirl, a vibrant pulse of my own. I opened my eyes, looking at Casey. She was surprised, her expression shifting from concern to pride.
Casey smiled, her eyes glistening with tears of joy, as our powers blended without one overshadowing the other. The spell ignited, bright and powerful.
''Okay, good,'' Amere celebrated, ''Now, take the power to the next level.''
We both pushed more power forth, but then something shifted again, and Casey's power started to overpower mine again.
''Casey, pull back.'' I ordered.
''I am,'' She answered, her voice trembling, ''You need to give more.''
''I don't have anymore.''
''You do, you're more powerful than you believe, you have to trust yourself!''
I tried, but the pain started again, and then we were both thrown back, when the power exploded between us.
''Ava, are you okay?'' Casey quickly crawled over to me, and took my face in her hands.
''NO!'' I shouted and pushed her away, ''I'M DONE WITH TRAINING TODAY!''
''I will be the one deciding that!'' Amere told me, ''Now get back into position.''
''NO!'' I shouted, as tears fell down my face, ''LEAVE ME ALONE!''
I got up and ran from the training facility.
''AVA!'' Casey shouted after me, but I ignored her and kept walking, while my guard rushed after me.
I went and hid out in the garden, under the bridge where I watched the ducks floating around on the water. It wasn't fare. Why couldn't I do it? Why wasn't I as strong as Casey? I was going to be the reason we fail, and our whole world would die, and if we succeeded, Casey wouldn't survive because she'd die compensating for me.
I pulled up my knees and started crying into them, but after about ten minutes, I heard footsteps, and without looking up, I shouted.
''Casey leave me alone!''
''I'm not Casey, does that mean I can stay?''
I looked up and saw Aiden walking towards me, looking troubled. Damn it, one of the stupid guards must have contacted him.
- Writer
