They arrived at a large ship, and were brought inside. Novala was put in a cell like the one they had first been in, and put Michael in a separate one with bars. They left. Michael sat in the corner with his knees pulled to his chest and his head on his arms.
“You okay?” Novala asked. Michael didn’t answer, but his shoulders started shaking so she could tell he was crying. “I’m so sorry. I should have just not taken my sword out that day.” She said. “You sh-shouldn’t b-be sorry.” Michael said in a muffled shaky voice. “But all of this is my fault! And if I knew how to control my stupid powers We could have escaped!” She said part shouting.
Michael looked up at her. His eyes were watery and tears streamed down his face. “We wouldn’t be here if I could actually use a sword. We got captured because of me! I don’t know why you did that! I am not worth your attempts to stop me from being killed.” Michael said quietly. “Of course you are!” Novala shouted. “You’re the first person aside from my dad who actually likes me. Michael… You're my best friend. I love you.” She covered her mouth after the last sentence, her face turned bright green.
Michael looked completely shocked for a moment. “I-I love you too.” He said quietly, his face turning pink. “I really wish I could hug you right now.” Novala said flatly. She poked the barrier and her hand became distorted. “Ow!” She exclaimed.
“Why? I mean if I had just minded my own business and hadn’t gotten myself captured then we wouldn’t be here.” Michael said. “I should have brought my sword for this whole thing. It was stupid to run out of the shrine.” Novala responded.
“My question was why me? I’m a human and I am a terrible friend. I literally yelled at you and said I wished I never met you.” Michael said, his face turning even more red. “So more simply why do you… love me?”
Novala put her head back against the wall. “Your the only person my age that has been nice to me. You care about me, and I have no idea why, but you refuse to leave me no matter what I do. We may have fought, but I did almost kill you.” She said. “I can’t understand how you would like me though. I keep leading you into danger. They only keep you here because you won’t leave me. I spent most of my life killing and fighting, but I can’t defend myself against the people who raised me. I don’t see how anyone could love or even like me.” She responded.
“I don’t see how you can’t see it. I have never had a friend in my entire life. I was only ever picked on and ignored. You are really smart and yes you may have a hard time defending yourself against words, but in battle you are always brave and strong. 355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhF2ZqmgM4
When I saw you that first day in class I wanted to say hi and stuff. I just didn’t have the courage to. The first time I talked to you I didn’t know what I was feeling. As I started hanging out with you, I realized that I liked you. I never thought you’d like me. I just think you are really beautiful and amazing. I really do love you.” Michael said smiling.
Novala smiled. “I guess we have that in common. Neither of us have any friends.” She said, then yawned. “Sorry. I haven’t slept since we woke up in the cave.” “Why don’t you sleep. I’ll wake you up if I hear someone coming.” Michael suggested. “Thanks.” She said. She was asleep in minutes. The next few minutes were so boring that Michael fell asleep too.
He was jolted awake some time later. The entire ship shook, then settled. Michael could tell it wasn’t moving. Novala had been woken up to. Several guards came down the hall. Three opened Novala’s cell. She backed up against the wall. The soldiers had different armor than the others.
One grabbed her roughly by the arm, and pulled her out. Another came into Michael’s cell. Michael scrambled to his feet and backed against the wall. He kicked the guard in the leg so he fell to the ground with a clank. He stood up without a word. “Do you want to see her hurt?” He asked, nodding to Novala. “No.” Michael said walking toward the guard and standing still.
The guard grabbed his arm, and led him roughly out of the cell. Michael winced because this was the arm that the soldier had cut into his shoulder on. “One of the ones who captured us swore on the queen he wouldn’t be hurt.” Novala said. The soldier gasped, and quickly switched the arm he was holding Michael by. “Thanks.” Michael said to Novala.
“He swore on the queen. The only reason any of them care is because if you get hurt, she feels the pain also.” She explained as they walked, surrounded by the soldiers. Michael nodded so apparently swearing on the queen was a big deal.
They were led off the ship into a large hallway. Michael couldn’t see much of it thanks to the soldiers, but it was beautiful. They were led into a huge room. Novala was led to the center, while Michael was led off to the side. In front of Novala, A beautiful woman sat on a throne.
“We finally caught you.” She said. Novala looked up at the woman in fear. “And look. You have a new pet.” She said. The woman’s gaze turned to Michael. “It’s certainly younger than the first one, but it fits with your alterations.” She said.
“I am not a ‘pet.’ Seriously what is it with you people? I can think and use common sense like well not like you but other smart people like Novala.” Michael said. The queen was silent for a moment.
“Kill it.” She ordered. “We can’t one of the commons swore on your name no harm would come to it.” One soldier said. The queen muttered a curse. “I am not an it!” Michael shouted. “Silence!” The queen boomed.
She turned back to Novala. “You have murdered soldiers, among them my favorite. You have led many of my people astray, exposed our kind to the humans, and killed my husband. Give me one good reason not to kill you right now, Novala.” The queen said. Novala looked at Michael.
I want to tell her it was my mother, but I’m afraid. Novala mouthed. Tell her and if she doesn’t believe you come up with a plan B. Michael mouthed back. Novala took a breath. “I may have killed midnight, killed some of your soldiers, and brought Michael here. But I am not my mom.” Novala said, looking up at the queen. “The first human was my father. My mother is dead. I may have her powers, and her name, but I am not her.” Novala said.
The queen looked at her for a second, then laughed. “Is that really what you're telling everyone? You alter your form, and make up this extravagant lie about everything! Ha! I am not stupid. I see right through your lies. Now give me a reason not to kill you, because I would very much like to.” The queen said. “Seriously?! How do you not believe her? I mean really? Are you seriously that stupid?” Michael said. “She is.” Novala replied.
Her face suddenly lit up. “I know how to prove it!” She exclaimed. She turned back to the queen. “I swear on your name, that if I truly am my mom, you will die.” She said. The soldiers gasped. They waited. Seconds ticked by. Nothing happened.
Suddenly, the huge window behind the queen shattered, and hundreds of soldiers dove through. The shattered glass sprayed everywhere. Several shards stabbed into Michael. Michael cried out. The queen screamed as well. Cuts appeared on her where the shards had hit Michael.
All the guards began battling those that had just arrived, leaving Michael and Novala unattended. Novala ran to Michael. “Michael! Are you okay? Please be okay.” She said, pulling out one of the glass shards. Michael cried out again.
“I’m ok it just hurts a little bit. Who are these guys?” Michael asked. “They’re soldiers from a different shrine. Likely came here to get us since they are from the closest one.” Novala said. She pulled out another shard. “Ow!” Michael shouted. “Sorry. I need to get all these out.” Novala told him. She pulled another one out. “It’s ok, Novala.” Michael grunted.
One of the soldiers from the other shrine walked up to them. “You two need to get out of here.” She said. Novala pulled another shard out. “Hold on I need to-“ Novala stopped, then muttered a curse. “What’s wrong?” Michael asked.
“A big one is lodged in your shoulder. Right in the middle of your wound from our battle on the ship. If I pull it out, you’ll lose a lot of blood, but I can’t leave it in.” She told him. “Just pull it out. Then we can find something to make the bleeding stop and wrap it around it so it will somewhat stop bleeding. “You can’t feel it because of adrenaline, but it’s gonna hurt like heck when I pull it.” Novala told him. “It will come out easier if you relax your muscles.” The soldier said. “Okay.” Michael said quietly letting his body relax.
“One.” Novala grabbed the large shard with both hands. “Two.” She tensed. “Three!” Michael felt pain shoot through his body like fire as she pulled the bloody shard from his wound. Blood gushed from it. Michael screamed. His eyes watered and his hands were shaking. “Tense your muscles. It might slow the bleeding.” The soldier instructed.
She tore off a piece of her outfit, and used it to cover the wound. Novala took over, and put pressure on it. Michael tensed but his hands were still shaking from all the pain. Novala used her other hand to hold his. Michael’s hand stopped shaking.
“We need to get him to a healer.” Novala said to the soldier. “I-I’m fine.” Michael said unconvincingly. Novala put his other arm around her shoulders, and helped him stand. “Seriously Novala I’m fine.” Michael said quietly. “You're not fine.” She said. The soldier called over a woman who looked similar to Cammine. “Take them back home.” The soldier told her. She nodded, and raised her hands.
Suddenly they were in a small room with a bed in the corner. “You can put him here.” She said. Novala helped Michael over to the bed, and had him sit down. “Novala seriously I’m-“ Michael started. “Stop. You are not fine.” She interrupted him. Michael nodded. “Not convincing you otherwise am I” Michael said smiling faintly. Novala laughed. “Nope.” She said. “You rest.”
Over the next few weeks, Michael got better. His wound from the large glass shard was mostly healed, and he now had a huge scar on his leg, and on his shoulder. They were sitting in Michael’s room, still at the shrine that was helping him heal.
“Michael?” Novala asked. “Yeah?” Michael said. “What is it like on the surface?” She asked. “What do you mean?” Michael asked. “You know. My dad told me about it, but all I ever saw was the school. I didn’t even understand half the lessons. What is it like up there?” She asked. “It’s pretty cool, but it’s way more exciting down here.” Michael said.
“For you. The sky is normal for you, but I still think it’s weird. And that giant yellow ball.” Novala said. “That’s called the sun.” Michael said, taking her hand. “I can show you what it’s like up there. Wherever you want to go I want to go.” Michael said. “I don’t think I’ll be allowed up there again. Besides I can’t leave without my sword.” Novala said. “Then let’s go get your sword and we can go anyway.” Michael said smiling. “Since when do you follow the rules?” He said with a laugh. Novala laughed.
“Okay. I’ll ask if we can be teleported to the shrine, then to the school. That’s close to where you live right?” Novala asked. “I don’t need anything there.” Michael said quickly. “What's wrong?” Novala asked. “Nothing.” Michael said too quickly again. “Come on. What’s wrong? I can tell.” She said.
“I just don’t want to go back there.” Michael said. “Oh. Your family.” Novala said. “You need a change of clothes though. Also I can't go around the surface looking like this.” She said. “Yeah I know. We can go and until we can get you new clothes. We can either go to a store and try to steal some but attention will be immediately brought to you. We can go to my house and you can borrow some of mine or my mom’s until we go to a store.” Michael said. “We could sneak in through a window, get some new clothes and money then leave. We need money to get food right?” She asked.
“Um the thing is we can’t sneak through windows because they have alarms.” Michael . “We could come in the middle of the night. I know how to pick a lock.” Novala said. “The surface is way different then down here. The alarms will go off if we try that.” Michael said.
“We might just have to knock on the door then. They'll let us in if you're there right?” Novala asked. “Uh yeah. I just don’t really, uh, want to see them.” Michael said. “I’ll knock though.” Michael said, looking uncomfortable. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to.” Novala said, squeezing his hand. “It’s okay they probably won’t even look at me.” Michael said with a shrug. “Are you sure?” Novala asked. “We don’t have to go up if it’s too much.” She said.
Michael turned his head to look at Novala. “It’s okay. As long as you’re with me I’ll be fine.” Michael said smiling. “I won’t leave your side.” She promised. Several hours later, a teleporter came in, and they appeared at the entrance to the shrine. “You ready?” Michael asked Novala. “Nope.” She said. They went in anyway.355Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDSPV4PTDN
