"You want me to do what?!" I exclaimed. But his face was dead serious. And I instantly knew that there was not a single way around it. "What do you mean by I need to open myself to the darkness?"
"Chance, the House of Vladimir focuses on using the dark element to their advantage. And that means you would have to open yourself to the darkness for you to control it. That's why you get all emotional and worked up whenever you tap into Israfil's abilities." Ven mentioned. But I was completely oblivious. My mind was still fixated upon what he stated. "Just because you are using the dark element doesn't mean you are evil. Your gifts and talents will never be the basis of who you are. But your character as a person does."
I was struck by what he said. Because he was right. I got so worked up watching too many fictional movies that I thought I would be some kind of evil person if I allowed the darkness to hold me. But that wasn't the case this time.
"Well?" Ventus asked. His eyes narrowed as he waited for an answer from me. He knew that I would have to consider a lot of things. "If you expected that it will be easy, then you're very wrong. Israfil had a hard time controlling his powers because of the emotional strain that carries. I understand that it scares you, but that is why Rei and I are here."
"Don't tell me you're going to do it right here and right now." I asked. It was too much to handle talking to Rei already. He was not the person I was expecting to mentor me. I wanted to hit him, not to be taught by him. Those were two different things.
"Of course not." The blonde boy smiled at me. Ventus seemed to be a real friend who wouldn't betray me. It was wrong of me not to trust him. The Rei thing was probably just too much. "We need to get back home. Besides, we're going to be classmates this Monday."
"You transferred? That's funny because you're going some sort of inter-dimensional transfer student, and no one would know except me." I exclaimed. His eyebrows went up and down with a smug on his face, confirming my obvious question. "How are you going to keep up then? Last time I checked, we didn't have any magic class. I can't even pronounce your spells right!"
"Relax, Chance. Don't underestimate me. I can easily catch up to your so-called earthly lessons if I need to." Then he started walking and motioned me to come along. He touched one of the walls and a magic ritual circle like before appeared on it. It began to glow into a deep ocean blue color, and sparks of lightning started to come out of it. "Come on, we don't have all day. Time moves differently in this realm."
"Do we really have to? I mean, I would really love to go around and check the place some more." I gulped. Inter-dimensional travel was the worst. It really sounds exciting at first. But don't let it fool you. Because it was so bad, I got knocked out instantly. A lot happened, and it was one of those remarkable things. "Please? I'm not sure if my stomach can handle another round of being torn apart from the inside out."
"We have to go." He replied with a more firm tone. "I have duties tonight, and I need to check out the rest of the town just in case there are enemies nearby. Samael already knows Israfil has partially awakened. And he might strike anytime."
"I just don't like the feeling of teleporting, that's all." I grumbled further but still walked towards Ven anyway. "It feels like I'm going to puke my soul out. Or maybe I can puke Israfil out of me if you keep doing it."
"You'll get used to it." He just smiled back. As charismatic as possible. But I think he's just being sarcastic and having fun watching my insides explode as we teleport back to our realm. He placed his palm on the ritual circle on the wall. "Are you ready?"
"Nope." I shook my head. "Never in a million years. I still think you're about to offer me to Satan."
With a tap of his magic pushing towards the rest of the circle, the blinding light appeared again. It was instantaneous, and I couldn't even feel the ground leaving beneath my feet. As the light settled down, I was on my back again, and my insides felt like they had some sort of permanent damage.
"I'll just never get used to this." I grumbled. But no one answered back. My eyes were still too blurry to see. My muscles felt sore from being shot to another dimension and back. I laid flat on the floor like a stupid starfish washed up on the shore. "Ven? Trev? Where are you? Answer me!"
"In the kitchen. Got hungry, sorry." I heard his footsteps towards me, and when I looked up, I saw that idiot face of his with a smug. "What do you want to do?"
"From the looks of it, I want to study Inter-dimensional Astrophysics. Then maybe find how my intestines would not end up in my lungs whenever I go to your world. I don't think my body was supposed to be that way." I complained. Ven just sat in front of me while eating a piece of donut. From the looks of it, it was his first time consuming the thing. "Please, don't take me back there if it's not needed."
"You know, Jaden was right about you." Ven replied and took another bite on his donut. My eyebrows were raised in wonder what Jaden told him about me. I knew for some reason that it wouldn't be anything good. "He said that you're such a big pussy."
Sounded just like Jaden.
Afterward, I started crawling upwards and found myself sitting in one of their chairs. Ventus seemed to be really happy with the donut. I guess I should have asked him for one, but my stomach was not ready for that yet. It might end up triggering my stomach and hurl it back at him like some sort of spell.
"Before I forget, I need you to give this." Ventus suddenly said. He took a small, black marble out of his pocket and handed it to me. When I picked it up, it felt like my energy was being sucked by the small thing. It was also a bit weighty for its small size. "It's a communication device."
"Am I supposed to put this inside my ear?" I asked as I examined the small marble. It wasn't giving any luster at all and was bare stone. "I don't think it'll fit. What on earth is it anyway? Looks like an Apple Airpod."
"It's marked with Rei's avroi, and he will be using that to telepathically talk to you." He instructed. "It could also be a good way to train your control over your avroi. Two birds in one stone. Come on, try it."
I focused on the small rock and imagined my shadows melding and sinking into the blackness of the marble. Then my fingertips felt some sort of vibration.
'Chance, can you hear me?' A voice spoke in my head. And I knew it was that man's voice. It was something I won't easily forget. 'Try and put your thoughts into it.'
'Loud and clear.' I thought. Then a vision of what took place in the alley the other night flashed back in my head. 'Of course, I wouldn't forget the voice of the bastard who knocked my friend out.'
'I heard that, too.' Rei replied.
'Sorry.' I replied with a sarcastic tone in my thoughts. Not sure how that was going to work, but I imagined it anyway. 'But I am not going to be sorry for saying such a thing.'
'Well then. Have it your way.' He replied with a calm demeanor. 'Go home and rest in the meantime. We can try it out some other day. I'll ask Ventus to escort you just to the outskirts of town where it's safe to use your magic. I'll set up a protective spell there later.'
'I've been aching to get some rest. Transporting to the other realm took a toll on me.' I told him. 'You must be thrilled that I had to travel to the other side just to meet you. I didn't know you have a sensitive side.'
"Hey, are you okay?" Ventus interrupted my thoughts. I found myself sitting on the floor while holding the small stone inside my palms. "It seems you've made contact with Rei."
"I did." I quipped. Then looked at him straight in the eye. "And to tell you the truth, I'm not getting fond of that guy. He's a jerk."
Then I stood up and walked towards the door before I faced him again. "I'll see you on Monday. Our family needs to go somewhere tomorrow if I remember it right. And thanks for the rescue. I'll repay you someday."
"Do you really know what you're saying?" He replied with a jeer.
"I guess not." I shrugged. "Goodnight."
Then I left Ven and went back home. As I walked, I checked my phone. It had 3 missed calls from Jaden. When I checked the time, it was a couple of hours after we left. I'm not sure if it was because of the time difference or that I got knocked out twice in those two hours.
I tapped the callback option, and I heard Jaden's phone started ringing.
[What on earth happened to you?] Jaden asked hysterically. His voice kinda cracked in mid-sentence. And I was just perplexed with how he started our conversation. [I was worried about your ass!]
[I dozed off in my room.] Again, I lied. And it was becoming a habit I wasn't proud of. [I don't remember the need of having to ask you permission just so I could sleep.]
[Idiot!] He shot back. I swear I almost heard his breathing on my end. Looks like he was that frustrated. [Chance, ask me why I am not convinced.]
[Huh? What do you mean?] I asked.
[Just ask me why I am not convinced.] Jaden repeated. And that meant he was serious. I didn't reply right away. It felt like a joke. [Come on.]
[So Jaden, why are you not convinced?] In the end, I gave in.
[Celine came by and asked if you were here because no one couldn't contact you for the past two hours. And she kinda berated me for not knowing where on earth you were.] Jaden explained grumpily. [Then you're going to tell me that just dozed off in your room. Celine would have at least checked if you're home. But you weren't. That means you're somewhere else.]
[Fine.] I quipped. [I was in Trevor's house. We kinda hit it off and got to hang out some more in their place. Then the next thing I know, I fell asleep on his bed. That's why. Now, are you convinced?]
[Yep. And that was a joke. Celine was not really looking for you.] Then he started laughing. My eyebrows just crunched in annoyance. And I almost dropped the call, but Jaden wasn't even finished laughing his ass off. [I guess you really trust me that much, huh?]
I didn't answer back. Because it was true. [How did you know I would give in?]
[It was just a gut feeling. I know you well, remember that.] He replied. Now that I thought about it, Celine or mom would have left me a missed call if they were really looking for me. [Looks like Trevor is going to replace me sometime soon. I guess my best friend has a new best friend.]
[Dude, stop.] I said. [No one is getting replaced.]
[I know. You're not ready to let go of someone like me.] Jaden stated. And I knew there was that smirk on his face. [We've been friends since forever. I'm one damn irreplaceable person in your life.]
[You're right.] I responded. He may not see it, but there was a smile on my face when he said something like that. I was not supposed to be affected by his boyish charms, but there I was, smiling. [Anyway, what's up?]
[Nothing, I just want to borrow a game. Your new Naruto game that you bought a couple of weeks ago. Please?] He pleaded. [Pretty please?]
[But I'm not yet done with it.] I retorted.
[Bring it on Monday.] He said quickly. [Bye!]
Then he dropped the call. I just shook my head and went inside our house in disbelief. Jaden just wouldn't take no for an answer.