Out In The Light

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"Love feels no burden, thinks nothing of its trouble, attempts what is above its strength, pleads no excuse for impossibility, for it thinks all things are lawful for itself and all things are possible."
-Thomas A. Kempis

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Nova's POV

Cold wind whistles through the dense forest around the building. "Can you feel it?" Angus wonders, with his chin pointing to the sky.
I look around, realizing he moved us to the rooftop. "What should I feel?" I wonder, glancing at Angus.
He stretches his arm out, waiting for an owl to land on his forearm. "If you have to ask, then you're not feeling it." He says, looking at the creature.
"Whatever. What is it that you want to talk about?" I insist, trying to figure out why he didn't just kill me.

Under us, there's the second guard shift. "We got off on the wrong foot." He points out, looking at me with a grin.
I scoff, shaking my head in disbelief. "Is that what you call it in Agapi when you're trying to murder someone?" My question comes out mockingly.
Angus straightens, obviously trying to conceal his annoyed expression.

The owl hoots softly, preening his feathers. "You and me, we have the same goal. Make Agapi a better place." Angus mutters, admiring the bird.
I frown, slowly walking around him. "How come that, since you took over this place, it looks like hell then?" I taunt, careful to not expose my back to him.
He chuckles, peering at me. "You see, it's hard to accomplish my vision when some people refuse to see the bigger picture." He hints, referring to the rebels. "To put it into terms more clear to you, it's like a cancer consuming its host."

I stop, rubbing my hands together and hoping friction will help warm them up. "Your vision ends in ashes and blood, Angus. You're consuming Agapi." I state, getting in front of him. "You want to make Agapi a better place? Leave, and never come back." My voice gets deeper, my heart racing in my chest.
"Leave?" He chuckles. "I'm going to be honest with you, and if you don't trust me, I'll understand. You're not used to it." A smirk forms on his face, and I feel my mouth getting dry.

"I don't want to rule," Angus prompts, and I look at him with a frown. I can't have heard that correctly.
"Oh, please. No one does all this for nothing." I counter angrily.
"I'm merely a tool to achieve a bigger goal," Angus claims, his small eyes fixed onto mine.
"This is something bigger than all of us." He whispers, stepping closer to me.
I stare at him perplexed, gulping. "The prophecy," I mumble.
"Did they tell you what happens tomorrow?" He wonders.

I step back, still too confused. What's his point? "You're going to stop me from doing the ceremony?"
He shakes his head, "Oh, I want you on the throne as much as they do."
"You?" I scoff, glancing over the edge of the roof, trying to estimate if there is any way out if things get ugly.
"They don't trust you, but I do. I see your potential, but your mother and her accomplice can't understand it." Angus points out, looking over my shoulders, at the windows of the dorms.
"What are you talking about?" I hesitate.
"They all live in a fairytale, believing they can put their morals on top of every situation. They are weak, but you've got what Agapi needs. Someone not afraid to make hard choices." He emphasizes, stretching his arm out again and letting the bird fly away.

"Morals are what separates us from animals." I retort, stepping to the side and getting closer to the ladder hanging from the edge.
"Do you really think they will let you stay on the throne? You're going to be too much bothersome the second they get their control back." He scoffs, cocking a brow.
"Good, I don't plan on staying." I seethe.
A strong wind blows on my face, making me shiver. "You're meant to rule, to have this." Angus probes, slightly raising his voice to be heard over the wind. "After all you've seen, you deserve some recognition." He cajoles.

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