A Hero In The Dark

Chapter 56: Glacen in its First Form

Once all have woken up from the vision, we decide it is best to head back on the road.

Everyone is silent and in awe of what we have all witnessed, none of us really sure what to say, not even I.

It's been a couple of hours. The moon has reached its peak when we find a motel to stay at.

"It's probably best if we hide here for a few days. At least until we know our next steps," Henri comments.

It is a quiet night, the sounds of crickets chirping nearby under the unclouded sky. I don't think I'll get any sleep tonight – I don't think any of us will sleep much tonight. There is too much going through my mind.

I want to train with the Garde. Not only do I feel the need to strengthen my own legacies, but I feel it necessary to strengthen the others' too.

I can help Marina practice combat since she hasn't had the chance to in Santa Teresa.
I can help Ella practice her own legacies.
I can bond with Five; help and teach him about his home planet.
I can help John with the development of Ximic.
Yeah. There's a lot going through my mind.

~

As expected, I fell asleep for only a few hours, and yet still had nightmares. Even while John and I walk hand in hand alongside Six, Marina, Eight, Five, and Sam, I can feel my body slump heavily.

When we arrive to the motel pool, Six strips off to her bathing suit and does a perfect swan dive into the deep end of the pool. Pixie dives in after her in the form of a sea turtle, followed by Eight who shapeshifts into a red swordfish before he even hits the water.

"Alright, so what were you thinking Emily?" Sam asks casually.

I let out a short yawn and reply, "Well, I was thinking of Marina's legacies and remembered Glacen."

"Glacen?" Marina asks.

At the time Marina asks, Six splashes out of the pool, nearly soaking John and I with water. She laughs as Eight – still in swordfish form – teleports to the other end. "Oh, it's so on," she says eagerly and swims towards him.

I pay them no mind, turning my attention to Marina again, and nod. "The ability to control and manipulate ice to your will, create icicles from the palm of your hand, whatnot. It's basically the opposite of John's lumen."

"Wicked," says Sam who stands nearby.

"Really?!" she replies, surprised and amazed. "How do I use that?"

"It develops from your healing legacy. In case you weren't aware, there should be an icy sensation when you heal people," I explain.

"Interesting. How can she practice that?" John asks curiously.

"Well, unfortunately – or fortunately – we can't practice with your healing if someone's not hurt. But why not try to form an icicle in your palm? Focus on that icy sensation," I suggest.

Marina tries it, but nothing happens.

"Hmm. I understand emotions are often a good source for discovering legacies. I know you're pretty close with Eight. What if you try to imagine him die?" I say, thinking out loud.

"Imagine him die?" she questions in return. "Why? How is that going to help?"

"I know it might be uncomfortable," I say initially, sensing her reluctance. "But it may help trigger a false emotion, and in turn, trigger that development. I won't force you too, but maybe..."

"I'll give it a try," she interrupts and closes her eyes.

I see her face twist into discomfort, and so say, "Imagine the pain that could be there. Imagine your response to it. Then focus on the iciness of your healing. The coldness. Do what feels right."