“Frontlines.” Rayal said. “What!?!” Novala exclaimed obviously shocked. “But I’ve never-“ “No buts.” Lunal interrupted. “Your both of frontlines.” “Is that how you punish people?! You send them off to die!?” Michael said shocked. “We more than double them, and they’ll be on defense. She is well trained, and you’ll be well enough along in training that you’ll be fine.” Nebulav said.
Michael stared at them trying to connect the dots. “So being on the frontlines in a battle isn’t the worst punishment.” Michael said getting irritated. “For you it is.” Rayal said. “What do you mean for me? Are humans just not as great as you? Just because I’m a human means I am weak and stupid.” Michael said fuming. “Michael stop.” Novala whispered. “Trust me this isn’t going to end in your favor.” She looked like she wanted to disappear. Michael knew what she said was true, but he was too angry to give up now. He wasn’t going to let them walk all over him.
“She has some sense for once.” Rayal said. Novala looked down, blushing. “Why are you so hard on her? She is 14 and she is fighting in battles and surviving!!!” Michael said looking at Rayal anger continuing to build. “It’s fine, Michael.” Novala said quietly, blushing more. “No it’s not, Novala. You don’t deserve to be treated this way!” Michael said to her then turned back to Rayal.
“Why are you so hard on her?” He repeated angry that Novala accepted this treatment and angry at all the adults for letting it happen. “Our reasons are none of your concern.” Lunal said. “It is my concern when I see someone I know getting this kind of treatment from people who are supposed to help them and help them not make the mistakes again. Isn’t an army or a team supposed to help each other get better not send them head first into a battle for making a mistake?” Michael said now looking at Lunal.
He knew this wasn’t going to end well, but he was too deep to back out now. “It’s not our job to do anything, but train her and help her learn to survive. Her father was the one meant to raise her, and he got himself killed!” Rayal yelled back. Novala’s head snapped up, and she looked at him. Michael could see the hurt in her eyes. “Is that her fault!!! Did she ask for any of this?! Why do you insult her father when he died for your cause?! Is it fair to her at all that just because her father died for your cause that she should be sent to the same fate for making a mistake. If anything the least you could do for the daughter of a man that fought for what he thought was right is maybe help his daughter to survive and help her to improve! And not by sending her into battles frontline defense or not!” Michael yelled scowling at Rayal.
“Without him, her mother would still be alive!” Rayal shouted. Novala took a step back. Michael grabbed her wrist and held her there. “Novala don’t leave. They will win.” He whispered out of earshot of the adults. “Stop insulting her parents and their memories. Novala is smart and she is skilled. Stop acting like she knows nothing and she is barely right. You all are terrible! You just send people into the battle when they make mistakes and you don’t care if they come back or not!” Michael yelled, releasing Novala’s wrist.
He knew she wanted to leave so he would let her. Novala turned and ran off. Michael stormed after her, disgusted with the adults he left behind. He saw her go down one of the tunnels, and followed her through a winding network of tunnels. He emerged into what couldn’t be described as a cave. There was a ceiling, but it glowed softly, so it looked like night. For almost as far as he could see, an entire world lay before him.
He saw Novala sitting on a large rock jutting out of a field of tall blue grass. She had her back to him, and her knees to her chest. He walked over to her and sat beside her. He put an arm around her shoulders. “Why do you let them talk to you like that Novala?” Michael asked a completely different person then the one yelling a few minutes before. Novala leaned on him. Her tears sliding down her cheeks. “I don’t know.” She said, her voice breaking. Michael squeezed her shoulder. “It’s okay Novala.” He said.
She took a shuddering breath. “Why did you do that?” She asked, her voice quiet. “I just think you’re too brilliant to be treated like that.” Michael said not turning red this time just accepting the fact that what he said was the truth. He wasn’t embarrassed to compliment her anymore. “Thanks.” Novala said relaxing against him.
They stayed like that for several minutes. “Well, well well.. this is an interesting scene.” A woman said from behind them.
Novala sat up, and looked behind them. She shook her head, “No, no, no. Please no. Not now.” She whispered, sounding slightly hysterical. Michael turned around, and saw a woman standing there.
She was about seven or eight feet tall with broad shoulders and long black hair. Her skin was black, with grey stripes. She wore an orange shirt, dark red pants, and lighter red boots. She had a huge battle axe on her back. She had on a huge smile, but there was an evil, cruel confidence in her eyes. “Isn’t this fun. I finally catch you, but you're with a human. Be careful, or I might just kill that one too.” She said.
Novala’s eyes were huge. She looked terrified. “Stay away from her.” Michael said standing in front of Novala. “She isn't who you think she is.” Michael said, somehow remaining calm. The woman laughed. “She knows very well who I am.” She said “I said you didn’t know who she was.” Michael said flatly. “Oh, but I do. She’s a coward who's just trying to pretend she’s someone else.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURHNNvD4NL
” The woman said. “How did she find us? She can’t be here. I can’t do this again.” Novala whispered sounding hysterical. “Let’s run. She is in front of the exit but we can run to the other side and try to find somewhere to hide.” Michael suggested under his breath. “Y-yeah okay.” Novala said standing shakily up. “On the count of three….one…….two…..THREE!!!” Michael shouted grabbing Novala’s hand and sprinting to the other side of the field toward what looked like a forest. 511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡio2CRqob1Q
The woman laughed. “You can’t outrun me, Novala. Give up while you have the chance.” She said behind them. “Novala don’t listen just run to the forest line.” Michael said panting. They ran toward the forest knowing the woman was gaining on them. If they could just make it to the forest, but it was still so far. Michael felt a jerk, as the woman grabbed Novala and stopped them. Novala stared up at her in fear and the woman held her from running. 511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRetKgqbBL7
Michael pulled Novala’s arm, since that didn’t work he attempted to kick the woman in the legs. She laughed. “Don’t bother, human.” She said. She looked down at Novala. “Finally. No army, no weapon. You know I can kill you, so just give up.” She said. “How about a friend?” Michael said continuing to kick punch or do anything within his power. She was unphased. Novala tried to pull away, but it was useless. Novala looked panicked. “I’m not my mom. Please Midnight.” Novala said fear in her voice. Suddenly Michael got an idea. 511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHCebZic90
He stopped kicking and waited for Midnight’s response. “You can’t lie to me, Novala. You’ve just made yourself small and weak to escape your problems.” Midnight said. “Well at least her problems don’t make her look like an ugly rock.” Michael said with a smirk. “Silence human, it’s not your place to speak.” Midnight said turning back to Novala. “Surrender, and I won’t kill this human too.” She smiled. “What is it with you people? If rocks like you can talk and be smart, so can I!” Michael said with fake exasperation. Midnight rolled her eyes. “Choose, or I’ll just do it.” Midnight said. Novala looked desperately at Michael. “Are the choices being killed by an ugly rock or an attractive rock? I can’t see the attractive rock though.” Michael said pretending to search the room. 511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiz91hkIQ8
He had to get her angry enough to forget about Novala for just a second so she could get free. “Know your place, Human. I am no rock, and your insults don’t work.” She said. She glared at Novala, who tried to back up. “Ok well if I am so stupid then who are you thinking that a fully grown woman changed herself into a weaker form. You have been told several times this is her daughter, but you refuse to accept the truth and remain an ignorant idiot.” Michael said staring coldly at Midnight. 511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTOfdYOD1x
“I won’t fall for this trick.” Midnight said. Her eyes returned to Novala. “Now choose.” She said. “Aww Novala the rock wants you to choose as she has said repeatedly. Apparently she is not stupid enough to fall for such trickery! If only she knew the only trickery she is falling for is her own.” Michael said with mock pity smiling a reassuring smile at Novala in the process.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhTvqwAX2X
She looked worried. “I can’t. She won’t give. She won’t listen. I-I think…” Novala whispered, trailing off. “I am sorry for the loss of your brain cells, but this is really sad for a talking rock you know.” Michael said with mock sympathy. “Silence!” Midnight yelled, smacking Michael in the face. He fell over, and his nose started bleeding. 511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGWF0Gag24
“Michael!” Novala exclaimed, trying to get over to him. “Man you hit like a rock too. Are you just one of those oafs with all strength but no brains.” Michael said staggering to his feet. Midnight smiled. “If that’s what you want.” She said. She drew her axe, and approached Michael, dragging Novala behind her. “Okay!” She yelled. Midnight stopped, and half turned toward Novala. “What was that?” Midnight asked. “Okay, you win. Just don’t hurt him, and let him go.” Novala said, looking down.
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