A desire for freedom

Chapter 4-Skyler

Skyler fell out of her chair as the power overwhelmed her body. It sank into her skin, her blood, and mind, she was visibly changing, her body evolving to contain all of her power.

The Numbers watched the small thing, clenching their fists, outraged that First would tell her to die in such away. Gritting their teeth they held their tongues. Even Second was visibly upset about it, frowning, worrying for the young girl. It risked a glance at First, who should be trembling just as the girl was, but First was sitting and frowning at the thing like she was being overdramatic.

Skyler thrashed about on the ground wildly. When she stopped it felt like an eternity had passed, the Numbers were all visibly worried now wringing their hands or running their fingers through their hair. She was breathing very heavily, but at least she was breathing.

She picked herself up off the floor, readjusted her chair, and sat down, her broad smile returning to her face, she looked up at First who sighed but smiled at her like a parent to their child. This made her smile even more.

"Child if you would please proceed, so we can finish and continue your training, that would be greatly appreciated."

She continued to smile, but she felt a blush cross her cheeks, to which some Numbers laughed.

The two of them put on quite the show, don't they? Second thought.

"Shall I begin then," Skyler said when the laughter died down, her voice had changed to something deeper and far more terrifying. She looked to Second, who nodded. She stood up tall and unnaturally straight. She was silent and her eyes slid shut.

She was as still as a shadow.

"Your enemy has conquered the world, from east to west, unfurled. They will collapse all rebellion, this will be our Armageddon. There will only be one way to stop them, to trap them in the dark." She looked toward Second. "Few connected will live through the fight, destruction will choke the world in the night, what you long for will never exist."

Her eyes flashed open, she stared directly at Second. Her eyes grew dark almost absorbing the shadows around them and radiating them back

"You will be the first to die when you enter the mist. By the hands of a trusted friend, you will fall. And mine the last to bring you their withdrawal from the fight.

The field will be littered with bodies and blood. It will not finish soon enough. Your heart will burn and enslave the broken. caught between death and life your burnt heart will take flight."

She blinked and fell unconscious. The power had drained her life force, she was lucky to have lasted as long as she had and stayed alive.

First quietly carried the unconscious girl out of the room, to be taken to the healers

All remained quiet, no one wanted to say anything to disturb the silence she had left in her wake. But this was something that couldn't go undebated, and Second was not happy that it was Its job to listen to the arguing that was soon to come in waves.

First sat on the edge of Skyler's bed in the form of the kitten she had first met. They had been at the healer's for almost three days, she hadn't woken up once. First had only spoken a few words since they arrived. A few of the other connected had visited and left small parchments with writing that she could not read and boxes filled with oddly-shaped sweet morsels that she could not eat.

First thought for the hundredth time 'Human customs are incredibly strange' In the few months they'd been in Tarence, Skyler had become friends with nearly every Connected inside of the marble wall.

First sighed deeply and placed Its paw on Skyler's shoulder. Her breaths were easy and calm, First did not doubt in its mind that she would wake soon ready to fight and honor her name.

A knock came from the entrance, there weren't any doors in the healer's hall, the healer didn't like wasting precious time on opening and shutting doors.

First motioned to the being who had knocked to come in then turned its attention back to its child.

"I came as soon as Twenty would let me, I know it's rather late First, but may I please be alone with her for just a few minutes?"

First turned to look at the boy standing next to the bed.

"If you wish to speak with her Mason, wait until she is awake."

First turned its gaze back on Skyler, and lay its head on her arm.

"I don't want to wait any longer, First, Please?"

"You're an impatient child, geez, do you expect me to listen to you when you whine like that? My word is enough, Mason, she is fine, now leave here till she wakes."

"Never thought anyone would fight over me. Especially not a boy and a cat."

Skyler laughed as she sat upright.

Mason looked at First who now rested on Skyler's shoulder

"Looks like she's awake. May I see her now?"

First sighed heavily and jumped to the floor.

"I will go and alert the healer that you're awake. Do not strain yourself."

"Don't worry about me First. Go see if it worked, I don't want to be hospitalized for nothing."

"So... what exactly happened that caused you to end up in the hospital?"

Skyler put up a mental wall to keep First from eavesdropping.

"Do you remember the conversation we had about what if our number gave us 100% control of our powers? Well, it's not all 'what ifs' anymore. First gave me control when I went to the sanctum and it took its toll on my physical form. Could you hand me one of those chocolate boxes? Thanks." He handed her a large box and took one for himself.

"If you got control, how are you not insane?"

"We've been playing around with an idea, that is First and I. It's because I was connected at such a young age that my body can easily consume First's chemical. Since I was around it while my body was still developing, and because I'm female, I have a different mental structure than a male does. Therefore, it's easier for me to keep my mind from harm when absorbing more than an average dose. For some reason girls don't become connected, that's why the Numbers don't know about it, which puts our side at a major strategic disadvantage! That is why I suggested the demonstration in the first place."

"Wait, was it your idea to do the thing that put you in the hospital for days?"

"Yeah, well not the hospital part, that was an accident."

"Well, at least you're okay."

"Of course I am. I'm not as weak as you."

"Hey! It was only one time and it was barely a month."

"Weakling, bow before my superior healing!"

"I should be on my way back to Twenty for curfew, but I'll see you when you get out."

"Yeah, I should probably rest more anyway. See you later."

Skyler fell asleep soon after Mason left.