(Contains a few religious references)
2025
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its flavor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot." - Matthew 5:13
This was the first verse my twin brother and I learned. Assuming my element is sodium and his is chlorine, it makes complete sense, doesn't it? This is part of the famous 'Salt and Light' sermon. I always wondered if gold-wielders learned the other verse as their first verse. I always loved this verse.
My name's Natalie Salt, or 'Nat' for short. Only teachers, old people and distant relatives call me Natalie. My brother's nickname is Cal. Our parents have a good sense of humor. Our nicknames are a letter short of Na and Cl. We've always been inseparable. In our own words, as nine-year-olds,
"If Nat and I stopped being friends, that'd be crazy." he said, when his friend at school asked why we always hung out after school.
"Yeah. We're practically twins," I added. "Something really dumb has to happen to separate us. Because we can't get rid of each other even if we wanted to." He had no idea we were twins.
I shouldn't have jinxed it back then. 9 years later... now, something dumb happened. We grew up, turned 18, and joined one of the world's top universities. We're into medicine and are working on our MBBS degrees. I know, we're resilient like that.
Anyway, during a routine laboratory experiment, a freak surge of energy separated us, severing our physical connection and fracturing our bond.
I found myself alone, adrift in a world that felt unfamiliar without my twin by my side. My sodium powers, once a source of strength and confidence, now seemed muted, a pale reflection of their former glory. Not literally, figuratively.
So... I suppose I'm not great with lab equipment. Some doctor I am.
Don't worry, guys. I'm still alive, and so is he. He's just mad at me.
I stared at the broken test tube in my hand, my heart racing from the shock of the explosion. The once-clear liquid had morphed into a bubbling mess, a vivid testament to my failure. In my eagerness to impress my professor, I had ignored the instructions, and now I was left with nothing but a ruined experiment.
"Nice going, Nat," I muttered to myself, sarcasm dripping from my words. "What a way to ruin your day."
As I began to clean up the wreckage, an unsettling feeling settled in my gut. My sodium powers, usually reliable and quick, felt sluggish and unresponsive. I focused on a nearby pencil, willing it to lift, but it remained stubbornly still.
Panic gripped me. This was uncharted territory. Could the explosion have affected my abilities? Or was there something darker lurking beneath the surface?
Before I could reach out for help, a recognizable voice pierced through the turmoil. "Nat, are you alright?"
It was Cal, my twin brother, rushing into the lab with a look of concern etched across his face as he assessed the situation. But beneath that concern, I could sense something else—a flicker of annoyance.
"I'm fine, but my powers... they seem weak." I paused, the doubt weighing heavily between us.
He grasped my hand, his touch warm but firm. "Don't worry; we'll solve this. Elemental Manipulation is a mandatory subject for all here, so of course the professors will know what to do" His voice carried an edge, as if he couldn't believe I had let things get to this point. "But seriously, how did this even happen? You know better than to mess around with things you don't understand."
I sighed, feeling the weight of his words. "I just wanted to push the boundaries a little, you know? To show that I could do more. I guess I got overconfident."
Cal shook his head, a wry smile tugging at his lips despite the seriousness of the situation. "You and your experiments. Always trying to reinvent the wheel. But hey, that's what makes you... you."
His attempt to lighten the mood didn't go unnoticed, and I managed a small smile in return. "Yeah, well, sometimes being me isn't all it's cracked up to be."
He chuckled, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. "Don't worry, Nat. We'll figure this out together. We always do. Let's talk to Professor Lin; she'll know what steps to take next."
I nodded, feeling a little of the tension ease from my shoulders. Cal's unwavering support was a balm to my frazzled nerves. Together, we made our way out of the lab, determined to find a solution and restore balance to our lives.
That's when I heard a shrill scream. It was familiar. "Nat, you're here! He asked me!! EEEEK!!"
"Cadence, slow down, what... what's happening?" Cal asked, looking at her with confusion. "Who asked you what?"
"Oh, hi, Nat's twin. Sorry, I forgot your name." she said, her leg visibly vibrating as if she was high on sugar. And the lollipop in her hand made it clear.
"It's... Cal," he said, nearly saying his full name before pausing. "Who are you?"
"I'm Cadence, her friend. I only know you by reputation." she introduced herself, offering him her hand to shake, and she shook it violently. "Anyway, as for your question... I'll tell you later. Seems like you're in the middle of something."
"Nah, go ahead." I answered. I could guess it, but didn't want to say it.
"Lead! He asked me out! Can you believe it? Me, Cadence Mercurial, asked out by the infamous Lead Carbon!" Cadence's eyes sparkled with a mix of disbelief and delight.
Nat and Cal exchanged amused glances. Lead, the enigmatic senior known for his ability to manipulate time, was a figure of fascination and admiration among the student body. It was no surprise that Cadence, with her infectious personality and sharp wit, had caught his attention.
"That's great, Cadence," Nat said, offering her congratulations. "You two seem like a perfect match."
"I know, right? I can't believe it's finally happening," Cadence replied, her cheeks flushed with excitement. I couldn’t help but smile as I watched Cadence beam with joy, her excitement infectious. Cal and I exchanged amused glances, both of us caught up in the whirlwind of her enthusiasm. Lead was the kind of guy who seemed to exist just out of reach for most of us, his reputation clouded in mystery and whispers of his incredible time-manipulating powers. The way Cadence lit up at the thought of him was adorable.
"That's wonderful, Cadence," I chimed in, my voice steady despite the flutter in my stomach. "You both seem like an ideal pair." I meant it, too. Cadence had a way of bringing energy into every room she entered, while Lead was the kind of enigma that could balance her out—or maybe even challenge her.
"I know, right? I can hardly believe it's actually happening," she replied, her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue that matched her vibrant spirit. I could see the excitement radiating from her. As Cadence continued to gush about her upcoming ball, I felt a sense of normalcy settling back into our lives, if only for a moment. It was comforting to be reminded of the everyday joys amidst the chaos of university life and the challenges I faced with my weakened powers.
"Well, you better give us all the details later," I teased, nudging her playfully. "I expect a full report."
"Absolutely," she promised with a wink, spinning around on her heel, the lollipop still clutched in her hand like a victory banner. "But first, I've got to figure out what to wear!"
With a cheerful wave, Cadence bounded off down the corridor, leaving Cal and me standing there with matching grins.
"She's something else, isn't she?" Cal remarked, shaking his head in amusement.
"Yeah, she really is," I agreed, feeling grateful for the distraction her news provided.
As we walked towards Professor Lin's office, my mind began to wander. I knew I needed help to restore my powers, and an idea struck me. Lead Carbon. Sure, he was a bit of an enigma, but I had seen him and his friends tackle challenges that seemed insurmountable. They had saved the school once, and nearly did it again. Their reputation for stepping up when it mattered was hard to ignore.
"Cal," I said, my voice thoughtful. "What about Lead Carbon? He’s majoring in elements, right?"
Cal raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, he is. Why do you ask?"
"Well, we know him... by reputation. And his friends. They could help me figure out my powers. They’ve dealt with more intense situations than we have, and they seem to thrive under pressure."
Cal considered this for a moment. "That could work. If anyone can help you tap into your abilities again, it’s them."
I felt a spark of hope igniting within me. Maybe reaching out to Lead wasn’t just a distant fantasy; it was a real possibility. With the support of seniors like him, perhaps I could reclaim what I had lost.
10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjmNd8dS5v
