Part 12 - Something in the Water

Two months of training and practising communication. Tash, Vysna and Aaden had to manage their studies and the legacy training. There were only three months left for the Selective Legacy Tests. Markand had not set up, another class, instead he had insisted on improving their communication skills. So every day Aaden, Tash and Vysna practised their brains off. At the end of the first month, they got used to each other's energies. They could recognise each other's wave patterns easily. But communication was a different ball game altogether.

Tash has mastered his presence. Every time he sent a wave he would garner attention no matter who was around him. Aaden was doing pretty well but the one who suffered the most with communication was Vysna.

She had practised a lot underwater and was now able to hold her breath for a longer time. In her spare time, she visited the yellow lake often and she carried Blue along with her. She used to send it into the lake and then called it back. Sometimes she called other creatures from the lake as well such as turtles, frogs and large catfish too. She wondered what connection she had with that lake, it was like a calling. Why did she feel so much at ease when she was near it? It felt like a second home. She had control of her energy, she could manipulate the amount of energy to spend but it was very difficult for her to use it to communicate with her siblings. So, she decided to ask for help from Tashvin. Who at first teased her but then agreed.

She didn't understand how he was so good at it. He had found a way of not only communicating but was able to send exact emotions. Smugness being his forte, he sent it across with ease.

" Are you even trying?" Tash complained.

" Yes, I am," she said. She sent a wave but it was only a spurt of energy.

" I can feel that, but I don't understand you. What are you trying to convey?" he asked.

" Anger, I am angry." She said.

" Your anger is fluffy." He said, grinning.

" Fuck it, I give up." She said.

They were standing on the terrace of their house. They had been practising for almost three hours. And Tashvin was tired and bored.

" Uncle Markand has not confirmed the day of the lesson yet. You have until then to improve. Come on, we will give it one more try." he said.

" Let it be Tash, even you are tired. It's hopeless, I am hopeless." She said, sighing.

" You are not, don't give up, I am not giving up on you. We will try again tomorrow, okay?" he said.

She nodded.

" Come let's go inside." He said.

Aaden was studying at the library, at least that's what he told his mom when she called him after school. He was actually in the park near the school trying to connect with the creatures underground. When he found out that Vysna could connect with other animals apart from Blue, he wanted to know if he possessed the same abilities. He had been trying for the past one hour but in vain.

He was able to get a clear map of the park, the number of trees, benches, pathways for joggers and kids' play area. He had hoped to find at least one mole underground or even a rat or a mouse but he didn't. He had carried Ghost with him, who had decided to climb a tree and ignore him completely. After coaxing it for treats, Aaden had given up and was sitting under the tree. The mouse was as stubborn as he was he'd thought. Smiling at the idea he took out his phone and called Ishil and asked him to meet him at the park. Aaden had not got time to meet him or even Nidhi. Aaden always wanted to spend time with Ishil but he didn't feel the same about Nidhi. He had spent even less time with her since they had started with training and he didn't regret that at all. If he was selected after the tests he wouldn't miss her as much as he would miss Ishil. He thought of breaking up with her a few times but couldn't. 'you are being dishonest and selfish' his conscience poked him but he quickly shut those thoughts.

Markand called Leysa to inform her about the date for the next lesson.

" We have decided to have it on the coming Sunday. But I have something else to tell you. Please keep calm and listen to me carefully." He said.

Leysa perked up, now what was it they were planning? She thought.

" Hmm... I am listening," she said.

"Last time you talked with Aveda about changing the water element test."

"So...?" She asked with a little sparkle of hope.

" Well, they have asked me to take a special lesson on the water element. And the ... Elders have decided to come and watch the same," he said,

" All of the elders and a few other important dignitaries." His voice sounded a little hesitant.

"Why? Why are they coming to watch?" She asked. Her mind shattering at the thought.

" It's been a long time since we have someone with water element. Many of them are only curious to see," he said.

" My kids are not for exhibition, " she retorted. " Markand, you should have denied them." She gripped her phone tightly.

"You are overthinking. Things will take their course. You should embrace an opportunity with open arms. Many don't have much luck, Leysa." he said.

" You have started to sound like them. It's easy for you to say. I find this test as an imposition and not as an opportunity. One that will only bring pain to me and my family. By now I have got used to the fact that it's useless to try to reason with you and the elders. All of you are riding the same boat." She was annoyed and tired of trying to make them understand her situation.

" I don't have a choice, you know that right?" He said.

" Yes, I know, " she said, " if they have decided to make lab rats out of us, no amount of sensible talks will change that. " She taunted.

But the thought that there were going to be witnesses to see the abilities of her children and then these witnesses are going to sort and pick her children like a game of cards was horrifying.

Aaden, Vysna and Tashvin were called early in the morning on Sunday and they were pissed. The worst part was that they had to reach the given venue, completely dressed up and for that, they had to wake up even earlier so that they could reach there on time.

An arena was set up at the Kali lake, which was located about twenty kilometres from the main city. It was a ginormous lake, surrounded by old trees. The water was dark and deep and packed with aquatic life like fish, turtles, frogs and even water snakes.

When they reached there. Markand was standing at one end of the lake. From their vantage point, they could see the entire lake. They noticed that a podium was erected at the other end of the lake where some chairs were also arranged.

Vysna was angry and anxious at the thought that they were being watched and evaluated as if they were putting up a performance for them.

Aaden didn't mind being watched, this situation was not new for him he had always been under the spotlight. But what unnerved him was that the people who were going to watch him were the ones going to decide his fate.

Tashvin was petrified at his spot looking at the vastness of the lake and the arrangements that were made for the audience at the other end. He hated being there and wanted to be at home.

Markand cleared his throat and got their attention. " I had never thought I would get a chance to witness such an event in my lifetime. I am very excited." He grinned while talking.

" Perform today's task like any other task that you all have done before. Ignore the audience at the other end. Pretend that they don't exist. Listen to the instructions carefully and follow the rules. You all have done very well so far. And I am sure that you all will excel in this task as well." He said, trying to motivate them and to bring a smile to their sullen faces.

" I have a helper today," he said and turned to look at one side. When all three of them turned, they saw a familiar face walking towards them.

Vysna's mouth fell open and she shot a glance at Aaden, all the while grinning at him.

Aaden stood rigid at his place but was smiling foolishly at the person approaching them.

Tash was confused to see both of their reactions but when he saw Neela walking towards them, he too shot a glance at Aaden with a smile on his face.

Aaden felt butterflies in his stomach when she walked and stood beside Markand. He mustered up the word,

" Hi," to her. He almost squeaked the word out.

" Do you all know each other?" Markand asked, finding their reactions odd.

" Yes, we were in the same class," Vysna said. And Aaden probably still meets her in his dreams she thought.

Ishil had told her about the huge crush Aaden had on her. She didn't believe that someone like Aaden would act like such an idiot around a girl. Usually, he was the star of any situation, he could handle any crowd but to see him fumble and turn red in front of Neela was an enjoyable site.

Even Neela looked shocked to see them there. " I didn't know that Dad was training all of you." She said.

Aaden raised his eyebrows at the revelation. So she is Markand's daughter. What were the odds of her being a Partham as well? He smiled at the thought.

" This is good, you all know each other. Saved me from all the introductions. Let's get to the task at hand shall we." He said and gestured for them to walk to the edge of the lake to a deck that extended inwards.

There were quite a large number of people gathered near the lake. All of the Partham elders, Leysa and Navil. Shanka Bali and a few others whom Leysa didn't recognise but they seemed like very important people.

All of them settled on the chairs which were arranged on, the podium.

Leysa could see her children getting ready at the other end of the lake. She was both angry and anxious about the situation but couldn't do anything about it.

" I am very excited." Leysa heard someone say among the people sitting in the crowd. Which angered her even more.

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Hello my beautiful readers ❤️

Hope you like the new chapter.

Please give feedback in the comments. I have no idea if you all like the story or not.

My work schedule has changed so I won't be able to commit to a particular day for chapter updates.

As I am writing three stories at the same time and also doing it whenever I get time. So, I might update anytime during the week or even on weekends.

But I am in dire need of your feedback to keep me motivated to write.

Loads of love ❤️

RTW