𝙏𝙃𝙐𝙉𝘿𝙀𝙍 // 𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙪𝙚 𝙭 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙤𝙣𝙚

// Change P.O.V //

The Twin Dragons made quick work of the path ahead of them, having faced no danger yet. The only thing that slowed down their pace was Rogue's limping and consistent trembling as he tried to keep up with his counterpart.

"Are... you okay?" Sting took notice of this and slowed his strides to match his friend's.
"Y-yeah. I'm good," Rogue nodded, but continued at the rise of Sting's brow, "the ethernano potion makes you shake. It's like an energy drink for Dragon Slayers."

"Ohh, I get it," he nodded, turning his eyes back ahead of them and parting his lips slightly to take in the air, hopefully smelling out their next opponent. Although salt still hung heavy on his tongue, his nose was getting clearer.

"Nothing's nearby, I think..." Rogue hummed, though he fell short when, in the distance, a single set of light footsteps started approaching at an alarming speed.

"You hear that?" Sting hissed, stance widening.
"Yeah," Rogue nodded, "I do."

Having years and years of practice, it was only second nature to get into a defensive stance in which their bodies were opened wider and therefore lower to the ground, as well as being back to back.

Both Twins mentally prepared for a scrap when a familiar scent came.

A scent that so dearly reminded Rogue of dark chocolate, or a strong hot cocoa on a cold winter night.
"What..."

And there she appeared.

Short black hair mopped one way, strands plastered to her face by blood that ran down the left side. Her dark and baggy clothes were soaked, and clung to her skinny frame.

She skidded to a halt, Sting and Rogue in her view.
And then began to bawl.

While Sting stared in shock, Rogue went into autopilot and took a couple of non-threatening steps forwards, arms opening.

Novalee ran into him, sobbing and clutching at the back of his cloak. Her little body heaved with sob and Rogue held her tightly, frowning.

The black-haired girl spoke, but all that came out was an incoherent jumble between hyperventilated breaths.

"Novalee..." Rogue said, "Novalee, slow down."
He moved backwards and placed both hands on her cheeks firmly, meeting her crimson eyes with his own. Her eyes were wide, and filled with panic.

"Breathe with me, Novalee," the use of her name felt intimate, "okay?"

Her breaths eventually slowed and she stopped trying to talk, tears silently spilling down her cheeks.
"Okay... now, tell me what happened. Slowly," the Shadow Dragon said.

"It wasn't my fault," she cried, "but... i-it is at the same time."
"What?" Rogue's brow creased even more.

"I didn't say something— something really important," she stuttered out, "and now you could get hurt and mom could get hurt, and Auntie Yukino and Uncle Sting and—"

"Novalee, you're fine," he said quietly, "you're okay. Just breathe. Take a deep breath for me, okay?"

She did as she was told, nodding and inhaling slowly.

"Good girl... now, can you tell Uncle Sting and I what's wrong?" he asked.
She paused, and then sobbed out,

"The God Slayer. He's my father."