Capítulo 27: HYDRO

The sun hung low on the horizon as Jay and Aria stood in the tranquil gardens of the royal palace. Jay had taken it upon himself to teach Aria the intricate art of Terrakinesis, the manipulation of earth elements. Aria, though initially reluctant, had agreed to this lesson, perhaps as a way to bond with Jay and bridge the gap that had formed between them.

Jay began by explaining the fundamental principles of Terrakinesis.

"It's all about connecting with the earth, feeling its energy, and channeling it through your body," he said, his voice calm and reassuring.

"Start by taking a deep breath and envisioning the earth beneath your feet."

Aria closed her eyes, her brow furrowed in concentration. She inhaled slowly, letting the earth's energy fill her senses. Jay watched her closely, offering guidance when needed.

"Now, focus on a small patch of soil, just a few feet in front of you," he instructed.

Aria extended her hand, palm facing the ground, and tried to visualize the soil responding to her command. At first, nothing happened. Frustration crept into her expression, but Jay encouraged her to keep trying.

"Remember, it's all about patience and practice," he said, a reassuring smile on his face.

With determination, Aria continued to concentrate, and gradually, she felt a subtle shift beneath her hand. The soil began to stir, forming a small mound as it responded to her newfound connection with the earth. Aria's eyes widened in amazement, a mixture of surprise and excitement lighting up her features.

"You're doing it!" Jay exclaimed, genuinely impressed by her progress.

"Now, try to shape it into a simple form, like a sphere."

Aria nodded, her focus intensifying. She manipulated the earth with delicate movements of her fingers, coaxing it to take shape. Slowly, a small, perfect sphere emerged from the soil, floating slightly above her palm.

Jay applauded her efforts, his smile widening.

"Excellent! You've got a natural talent for this."

Flushed with pride, Aria looked at Jay. "Thanks for teaching me, Jay. I didn't think I could do it."

Jay chuckled softly. "Believe in yourself more, Aria. You're capable of incredible things."

As they continued their practice, their conversation shifted to Siena. Jay couldn't help but wonder about the strained relationship between Aria and Siena. "Aria," he began cautiously, "why do you dislike Siena so much?"

Aria's expression tightened, and for a moment, she hesitated. She glanced away, her eyes focused on the small earth sphere she had created.

"I don't hate her," she finally admitted, her voice low. "It's just... it's like you and her are getting closer, and I feel left out."

Jay listened attentively, understanding dawning on him.

"Aria, Siena and I are friends, yes, but that doesn't mean I value our friendship any less. You're important to me, too."

Aria looked up at him, her eyes filled with uncertainty. "Really?"

Jay nodded earnestly. "Absolutely. Friends can have different bonds with different people, but it doesn't diminish their feelings for anyone else. You're like a sister to me, Aria, and I cherish our friendship just as much."

Aria's features softened, and she managed a small smile. "Thanks, Jay. I guess I just needed to hear that."

They continued their lesson, the tension between them dissipating as Aria focused on honing her Terrakinesis skills.

The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting a gentle twilight glow across the training field as Aria prepared to teach Jay Hydrokinesis, the art of water manipulation. Unlike Terrakinesis, which seemed to come naturally to Aria, Jay struggled with water magic. He believed that his affinity for it was lower than that of the other elements like Earth and Fire, which were his strong suits.

Aria stood near a serene pond, the water reflecting the fading light. "Okay, Jay, let's start with the basics of Hydrokinesis," she began. "It's all about connecting with the water's energy, just like with earth, but this time, you're dealing with fluidity."

Jay watched the tranquil surface of the pond, his brow furrowed in concentration. Aria continued, "Imagine yourself becoming one with the water, like it's an extension of your own body."

Jay closed his eyes, attempting to visualize the water's energy, but he couldn't seem to grasp it. Frustration welled up inside him. "This is ridiculous," he muttered, growing increasingly impatient.

Aria remained patient and encouraging. "It's okay, Jay. It takes time. Just try to focus."

Jay attempted to connect with the water again, but his efforts were in vain. His agitation grew, and he couldn't shake the feeling of inadequacy. He decided to give it one more try, his determination flaring.

Suddenly, his frustration got the best of him. He summoned his Earth magic in a fit of anger, creating a massive rock spike that shot up from the ground, demolishing the nearby training equipment shack.

Dust and debris filled the air as Jay's fury subsided. He realized the extent of his outburst and sat down on the ground, dejected. Aria approached him, concern etched across her face. "Jay, maybe we should take a break. You seem really worked up."

Jay nodded, feeling defeated. He had always prided himself on his ability to master elemental magic, but now he found himself struggling with something as basic as water manipulation.

As he sat there, Jay heard a familiar voice in his head. It was Clara, his inner consciousness. They hadn't spoken for days, ever since their argument at the training field. Clara was concerned about him and asked if he needed help.

Jay hesitated, still resentful about their previous disagreement. After a moment of contemplation, he replied, "I can do this on my own, Clara."

Clara seemed to understand and didn't push further. She had always been there to support him, even when he rejected her assistance.

Jay then sparked an idea. He remembered some scientific principles he had read about. "Aria," he said, looking at the serene pond, "watch this."

He closed his eyes once more, envisioning the air molecules around him transforming into vapor, then condensing into water droplets. He focused on the intricate process, tapping into his understanding of the natural world.

Slowly but surely, a small, glistening blob of water formed in his palm. Jay's eyes snapped open in astonishment, and a triumphant smile crept across his face.

Aria's eyes widened in amazement as she watched the water take shape. She couldn't contain her excitement and threw her arms around Jay in a tight hug. Blushing slightly, she pulled back and said, "That was incredible, Jay!"

Jay's heart swelled with pride, and he realized that sometimes, he just needed to approach things from a different perspective. With Aria's guidance and his newfound understanding of Hydrokinesis, he felt more confident about mastering this element in the future.

"How is such a wacky element, so hard to master, I'm not even past beginners level...(SIGH)..

But I'll use my wits."

///NEXT CHAPTER: PARTIAL GAZE ///

Edited by: JJ