Warrior Nun: The aftermath

Chapter 15

One bang after another echoed through the gym. Annoyed Beatrice stems her hands against her hip.

"What is she doing up there?"

"What do you care? We have our task to focus on."

Lilith faced her with her fists raised, waiting for Bea to return to her training. Normally, it was easy for her to block out everything and concentrate on just one fight. Today, however, Ava's words kept buzzing around in her head and what she wanted to say when Beatrice had more or less confessed her love to her. Lilith also noticed her absence.

"When you obviously don't want to train, maybe you want to talk about it?"

"No... I mean... I don't know."

"I saw you when Tarasc killed Adriel. It means a lot to you, everyone can feel it. Still, you should think about it."

"What do you mean?"

"She suddenly reappears here, has been back for weeks and apparently knows everything. I'm not sure if it came in as it got out of this world."

Beatrice became angry, even though there was no real reason for it. Lilith only expressed doubts that Bea herself already had, but did not want to say out loud. Still, she didn't like how she indirectly portrayed Ava as a liar. 

"I've been there myself. It was short, but cruel. Did she tell you how long she was there and what happened to her there? I can still feel the loneliness when I close my eyes. It always changes and shapes you a little. Ava has been there even longer than I am, so it's even more important to keep an eye on her." 

"No, she hasn't. Whatever happened over there, it was bad. But she wants to hide it somehow and always avoids when I ask her about it. I only know of new abilities with the halo."

Lilith listened.

"New skills? Which ones?"

"She mentioned something about invisibility and healing. Why do you ask?"

"I need to check something."

Without explanation, Lilith simply left Beatrice in the middle of the gym and teleported away. In that case, the training was over and Bea decided to check on the others. Again and again thrusts from the roof echoed through the corridors and she wondered what Ava was up to. Since the sounds were continuous, she obviously trained without interruption. The sun burned particularly strongly from the sky today and it was unbearably hot. Camila had managed to get the electricity and water working again, but the air conditioning and heating for hot water still didn't work. Beatrice was sweating wet under her habit and was already looking forward to a cold shower. But she had to wait. Like ants, Yasmine and Camila ran around the room, looking for places in books scattered all over the place. Mother Superior was sitting a little apart and was finishing a call.

"Vincent and Sister Dora will arrive here tomorrow with equipment and support us."

Actually, for no really important reason, they discussed whether it was really smart to inaugurate him. Beatrice was adamantly against it. Whether a nun or not, she could not forgive him and trust him again. The day was almost over and it was already dark outside. They unanimously decided to rest briefly and get ready for dinner together. On the way to her room, Beatrice noticed that it was quiet. Ava had apparently also finished work. Without expecting her, Beatrice opened the door and stopped in shock. Ava stood in the room only in her underwear and tried to put on her pants while jumping. It had been a long time since Beatrice had seen her so scantily dressed, but that was not the shocking thing. Almost her entire upper body was covered with scars.

"Ava!"

Surprised, she drove around and almost lost her balance when Beatrice made herself felt.

"What the hell happened to you?! What did they do to you there?"

In disbelief, she approached Ava and stretched out her hand to touch one of the biggest scars on her stomach. Just before Bea's trembling fingers touched the skin, she withdrew her hand and looked at Ava insistently.

"It's not as bad as it looks, they have..."

"You tortured!" Beatrice finished her sentence. "The hubs there are from the divinium splinters. That's the only thing that causes you permanent damage. I have seen many injuries and these are different cuts and... is that a gunshot wound?"

Ava backed away and put on her pants. Her expression was hard to read. Beatrice was pretty sure, however, that Ava was not aware of how terrible her condition was.

"Yes it is. It's not like..."

"Ava, no. You're not downplaying it and finally tell me what happened to you there!"

"They trained me! Me prepared! Beatrice, what awaits us is not comparable to Adriel. I mess with the whole world! Everything the world believed in will be questioned and not everyone will just accept it. They made me strong and gave me the opportunity to actually have a chance in the fight for my life!"

Bea staggered back a little, but didn't take her eyes off Ava. She couldn't be serious! All sorts of interpretations of her statement were buzzing around in her head. How much else was there that Ava had concealed? And when she talked about survival, did Ava really mean she could die?

"Bea, everything alright?"

At the idea of how she inflicted all these scars on Ava and how she fought for her life, Beatrice lost her composure. She began to hyperventilate and everything around her suddenly spun. 

"Bea! Hey, calm down! Breathe!"

Beatrice lost her balance and fell into Ava's arms. She still wasn't dressed and Bea could feel the incredible warmth even before they touched. As Ava had always done with her, Beatrice buried her face against her neck. The strong throbbing of her carotid artery calmed her down a little. Rather the thought that her heart was beating and she was alive. Beatrice enjoyed every second in Ava's arms and became calmer and calmer.

"Bea? Are you feeling better?"

"Promise... Promise me that you will always be honest with me and not do anything alone again."

Ava's hesitation was sign enough that she would struggle to keep the promise. Now all that remained was to find out which part of it.

"I promise."

After a few minutes on the floor, they lay down in their bed. Ava was still lying almost naked in her arms and had her head resting on Beatrice's chest. Bea would wish for nothing more if they could lie like this every day. 

Nevertheless, this beautiful moment was clouded by her thoughts. Over and over again, Beatrice played out the scene in her head as she entered the room and saw Ava. With her life, she would have protected the love of her life. Ava was unfortunately exactly the same. She would have blown herself up to save Bea. The ability to do everything for the characters was what Beatrice loved and hated most about Ava at the same time.

"You should stop."

Ava pulled her out of her thoughts and looked at her incredibly cute teddy bear.

"With what?"

"Beatrice, your heart beats faster than it probably is healthy and if you continue to think like this, the wrinkle will remain and you will soon smoke out of your ears."

Both had to laugh. She had missed Ava's humor and closeness so much and was now happy to have both back.