Chapter 69 - Cowards (1/2)

”I know.” Ariana said with a smile as she hugged her Lumas tightly. Rahul struggled to break free as he stared Edlyn down. ”W-w-w-w.” Edlyn stuttered and gave up. She brought her hands up and started to sign. ”Why would you do that? Being able to speak is one thing but hearing magical creatures is another!” Rahul finally broke free and leaped through the air towards Edlyn. His eyes were sparking until he landed on top of Edlyn's head. ”Oh! Purr... this is softer then it looks!” He purred as he wrapped himself up.

Ariana released the rest of her Lumas and watched as they rushed over. ”Edlyn, I know I didn't give you the ability to speak perfectly. You will have to work hard to build up your vocals but I won't apologize. I think if you work hard and find your voice, through effort you will appreciate it more.” Edlyn's eyes started to water as she looked at Ariana. A huge wave of emotions was washing over.

”Besides... I didn't have enough power to do it anyways so-o with the left over power I had why not let you hear the voices of every magical creature and the rest could go to helping the weak and drained.” She said with a shrug. ”Wait what do you mean the drained?” Rain said as he walked up and grabbed Ariana's arm. Ariana raised her gaze and locked eyes with Rain. ”The light from before, it let me resonate with the magical creatures here. They all know who I am and in return I felt their power. There are some who are so drained of magic that they were on their last breath.”

Rain released her arm and looked at Ms. Hadley. ”There is no one on this campus that could drain a creature of it's magic! This is unheard-of, practically insane!” She shouted but Peppa placed the tip of her face to Ms. Hadley's forehead. ”It's the truth.” A sweet, whimsical voice said as Peppa moved back from her master. ””Peppa you didn't... you didn't see who did it, did you?” She asked nervously. ”No.” Peppa replied.

Cayden stormed up to Ariana and grabbed her hand. He looked at the teachers and gave a swift bow. ”I apologise for the damage to the door and for my rudeness but I must speak with Ariana privately.” He said before he turned and started to drag Ariana off. ”Mr. Remo stop where you are!” Ms. Hadley said as she moved away from Edlyn. Cayden stopped and started to squeeze Ariana's hand. Ariana flinched and let out a sharp breath but he refused to release the pressure.

”I think Miss Drake owes us an explanation of what just happened.” She said in a stern voice. Cayden turned back and glared disdainfully at Ms. Hadley. ”She can explain herself after she has spoken to me in private... I also must remind you that you must never call me by that name again.” He commanded. ”Cayden?” Ariana called out but Cayden ignored her. He looked around and sighed, he eased up on the pressure and pointed towards the female dorms. ”We will talk in there, she will be out once we are done. Is this alright with you?” Cayden asked.

”A young man and young woman should not be alone together, especially in said young woman's room.” Ms. Hadley said promptly causing Cayden to clench his jaw. ”Cayden they know already.” Ariana said quietly. Cayden spun quickly to face her, he released her hand and grabbed her shoulders. ”What do you mean they know?!” He shouted as he gave her a small shake. ”I told the board who I am and Edlyn knows too.” She replied with shamefully innocent eyes.

”He knows....” Cayden said blankly as he slowly dropped to his knees, his hands slowly slid down her arms as he moved downwards. ”Who knows?” She asked but Cayden pursed his lips. ”You're not safe anymore... you need to leave. Go back to the cafe, stay away from me and everyone here.” He said as he raised his wide, shaking eyes to meet hers. ”Why wouldn't she be safe here?” Ms. Hadley said with a humpf then quickly looked away. Edlyn could see her embarrassment from her own words and looked away.

”Cayden... I can't go back. Everything has been compromised... I... I... I thought you knew.” Ariana said pitifully as she looked at him. ”I...” He started to say but dropped his gaze. ”Is that why you stopped writing? Why did you say you were imprisoned? Why was there such a large wound on your back?” He asked quietly enough that only Ariana could hear. Ariana panicked, she tried to step away from him but he held his grip on her. ”W-w-why do you care? You never wrote back or came back to visit!” She shouted a little too loudly.

Cayden released Ariana and slowly got back up. ”You're right.” He said, he raised his head and gave her a pathetic smile. His eyes still trembling from sadness and hurt. Ariana stopped breathing, her heart hammered against her chest. Every fiber in her being screamed to run into his arms but he moved before she could react. ”We are nothing to each other... I must take my leave, excuse me.” He said as the top half of his face became dark and unreadable. He turned to his teachers and gave them a swift bow before starting to walk away.

”Uhhh!” Edlyn shouted as she rushed up to Ariana. Her face had paled and eyes were already starting to pool with tears. ”That's not fair Cayden! That's not fair! You can't walk away from me as if you're the victim! You can't push me away again?! How can you even say we are nothing?! This is some sick joke right?! We aren't nothing to each other Cayden! You will never be nothing to me and I will make sure your remember!” She started to shout, small amounts of tears started to escape and roll down her face. Cayden stopped walking, he turned back, his face colder then a block of ice. ”We are nothing.” He replied then continued walking.

Ariana looked to Edlyn, she scrunched up her face and tried to smile. ”I'm okay.” Ariana said weakly but Edlyn shook her head. ”N-n-not.” She managed to say. Ariana wrapped her arms around her friend and hugged her tightly. ”I just need to rest.... Alone. I need to rest and be alone.”

....

Ariana opened her eyes. She spent the rest of the afternoon in her bed curled up with the plush comforter. She tilted her upwards, she could see tiny sparrowmen, fairies and pixies of all colours cautiously approaching her window. She slowly got up from bed and walked over to the window with the giant comforter wrapped around her body. The tiny magically creatures panicked and dropped whatever they were carrying before flying away. 'Cowards.' Rahul said in a disgusted tone as he landed on Ariana's head. ”Didn't I say I wanted to be alone? Why didn't you go explore the grounds with the others?”

Rahul turned his plump, chibi body around and started to sway his tail in Ariana's face. 'He didn't leave so why should I?' He replied in an arrogant tone. Ariana turned around and saw Vasu laying in the bed she had set up earlier for the Lumas. ”And why are you here?” Ariana asked exhaustedly. Vasu opened up his eyes and looked at her. 'Lazy.' He replied, closed his eyes and snuggled into the bed. ”Why not just hang out with Edlyn?”

Rahul jumped off Ariana's head and flicked his tail upwards. 'My Master is you, not her. I am not obliged to listen to anyone's orders... not even my Master's so if I want to stay then I will stay.' He said with his head held him. Ariana started to giggle and she dropped her comforter onto the floor. She jumped onto her bed and caught Rahul within her arms. ”Strong words for a warrior who was openly purring earlier today.” He said as she scratched under his chin. Rahul's red hair stood on end as he hissed. 'Who says?!'

Ariana continued to stroke his chin as she watched his reaction change from anger to joy. ”Why did you say they were cowards?” Rahul opened one eye and looked at Ariana. ”You heard them don't pretend.” Ariana shook her head. ”No, they're to small and weak. I can't hear their voices. Edlyn will be able too but I can't.” Rahul swatted away Ariana's hand and jumped up next to Vasu. ”You lie. I know you can, you just never bothered listening. Wanting to wallow in self pity like a regular human! Why not embrace your powers and get in with your life.” He said before he curled up into a ball.

”What did they want?” Ariana said trying to change the topic. Vasu propped up his head and looked her square in the eyes. ”Welcome gifts.” He replied nonchalantly. ”Why would you ruin a perfectly good training opportunity?” Rahul hissed as his tail shot upwards and flared out into a giant bottle brush. ”Get over it.” Vasu replied as he got up. He jumped out of bed and gently leaped towards Ariana's arms. ”Get over! Get over it! Get over he says and you say nothing! All my underlings would have destroyed villages to just get me to utter golden words like the ones I have just spoken but your idea is to get over it! Master you have let this lazy veal act too freely and he must be rein in and punished for his rude behavior!”