2 | flatline [darkling]

six

"ARE YOU SURE ABOUT THIS?" Nikolai asks as they stand on the west side of the camp. It was completely dark, their only source of light being the moon.

"I won't lie to you, this plan is extremely insane." Tamar muses from behind Nyx, who closes her eyes as she starts having second thoughts about this. Fedyor, Zoya, David and Adrian are still deep in their sleep unaware of the small group making their way back towards the Skiffs.

"If you don't succeed and die, I'll write a poem about you." Tolya hums, standing next to Tamar and his comment causes Nikolai to turn around to glare at him.

"I'm glad you find humour in this." Nikolai says dryly, making the twins shrug innocently at their leader. Nikolai turns to look at Nyx again and softens. "You could always go back to the Little Palace. I don't mind not becoming the King of Ravka. Don't hurt yourself because of your need for vengeance."

"No. I won't back down. I can't let him win." Nyx huffs as she opens her eyes agains to look at where the Fold is, far ahead. "You don't have to come with me, you know?"

"How else will you cross? You're leaving behind your Squaller." Nikolai shiver her lightly, trying to cheer her up. That's when he notices she's wearing a black hooded cloak instead of her black Kefta. "What about your Kefta?"

"It's best I leave it behind. It attracts too much attention." Nyx hums, making him smile sadly. She'd been constantly making sacrifices to be able to achieve her goal, but it seemed like she was still so far from success.

"Shall we go then? Before the other wake up and realise we left." Tamar says, making Nyx nod, before glancing back over her shoulder at the camp. Her heart clenches at the thought of leaving most of her friends behind, but she knew she had no choice. From here on she's been on her own.

She could imagine the panic Adrian would be when he wakes up in the morning and couldn't find her, which would be replaced with worry - if not anger - when Zoya or David explained to him the situation. She could imagine that he'd take Libitina as he followed the others to the Little Palace. She hoped he wouldn't act on his promise to punch the Darkling, for the sake of his safety.

With one last look, she turns around and follows Nikolai, who is accompanied by the twins and two other Grishas. As soon as they reached Os Kervo, she'd leave them behind and make her way to Ketterdam, where she'd have to look for the friends she had made at the beginning of her journey, a little over a year ago.

"My offer always stands." Nikolai whispers to her as they walk side by side. She looks up and smiles gratefully at him. During the past year he had made sure to let her know, if she ever wanted, she could join him in his crew. They'd use a tailor to make sure they were both unrecognisable - him going back to being Sturmhond - so that no one found them. She had declined the offer.

"Thank you." She hums and he can tell that it was her way of declining his offer once again.

"Well, if you change your mind. You know where to find me." He winks and she chuckles softly, shaking her head at him.

"I pity whoever ends up being your significant other." She says teasingly, making him smirk.

"Is it not a little too narcissistic to pity yourself?" He asks flirtatiously, making her hit him playfully.

"You and I, not happening. You're like a baby." She muses and he gives her a look.

"There is a fifty year difference between you and I. Isn't the Darkling much older than you?" He asks and she huffs.

"Just thirty something years older." She lies, knowing well enough that the age difference was three hundred and more. "And even, the Darkling and I are not happening. That is over. I don't need a man anyway."

"Alright. You'll just raise your kids, a single mother." He says, smirking teasingly and she rolls her eyes at him.

"Something like that." She grumbles, making him chuckle.

"Hopefully you finish your plans quickly and then you can reunite with the kids." He hums softly, causing her to smile sadly as she nods in agreement.

"Yes. I hope they'll be okay without me." She sighs, expressing her worries.

"They'll be fine. You taught Adrian well, Zoya is a good leader and David is very smart. So they'll manage." Nikolai says trying to reassure her.

"I know. But it won't stop me from worrying." She says honestly and he nods understandingly.