The Silent Watcher.

A Sea of Storm.

Yup, new chapter ahead. Please enjoy 😉

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Standing in the opposite wall from the entrance, she armed herself with the excuse of just being curious. She had saw them earlier and had decided that those hidden buttons needed to be pressed. Biting her lower lip like a mischievous child she pressed the first button, wich glowed blue as it came to life. Mechanics sounds echoed in the now empty room and a portion of the wall opened itself, revealing a cristal clear window.
She smiled genuinely for the second time today. This was just as exciting as discovering the bioluminescent flora of this planet. 

Outside, the sun was setting in multicolored lights. Soft rain was falling lazily as the wind picked up pace. The sky was now a sea of revolting angry clouds. This vision was a work of art. She could, if she really tried, find some resemblance of peace within herself. Although, the turmoil inside couldn't be more opposite to peaceful.

How could she do that to herself. Why, in heaven's name had she allowed herself to fall for an Alien? One that was actively part off her abduction. A being made of raw strength and arrogance. Why did her scarred heart let itself open up for a complete mess of contradictory perfection?

The entrance door swooshed open and she turned in time to see the trio seeking the warm refuge off the fireplace. As Vine feed a couple of wood pieces to the fire, not a single a sound was made. She saw as they visible relaxed and wondered about theirs relationship once again.
Back when they were settled in that camp at the ruined temple, she always sensed tension in the air. Like anything could easily trigger a full blown war between the twelve different partitions, except when she looked directly to the clearly marked territories. Analyzing their borderline uncivilized tribal customs, she grasped the notion that they must all hail from different countries or villages. ... Even different clan's. As she observed the more relaxed demeanor of her roommates, Hope pondered the dynamics of their relationship. It was evident that Vine and Shorty followed the Dark Warrior's command, but within the confines of the Hut's walls, a subtle shift suggested a temporary lifting of hierarchical boundaries. The nuances of their interactions hinted at unspoken camaraderie and shared experiences beyond the rigid structure of their roles.

In the dimly lit Hut, Hope was presented with a serving of meat, but her roommates chose not to join her this time. The night unfolded in profound darkness, intensified by the torrential rain outside. The once surreal jungle, now devoid of its enchanting colors, played host to shadows dancing in the relentless windstorm. A silent thunder illuminated the sky for a brief moment, revealing the ominous clouds. The winds, once melodic, now sang a foreboding tale of what lay ahead. As the storm approached, Hope resigned herself to a restless night.

Not too long after the storm picked up it piece Shorty and Vine retreated to one of the bedrooms available, lefting her, alone with her Warrior. ' Please, don't do anything stupid!' Her inner demon demanded in aggravation.

The Dark Warrior appeared lost in contemplation, his masked gaze fixed upon the flickering flames. It was the first time she noticed the uniqueness of his mask, adorned with foreign inscriptions. Unlike the pristine masks of the others, his bore the marks of time, with scratches and carefully welded pieces, revealing a history of numerous repairs. Intrigued, she pondered about his age and occupation. The thought of him engaged in a mundane corporate job made her suppress a laugh, and she found herself biting her lower lip to stifle the amusement.

He uttered a low growl in his language and turned to meet her gaze. Blushing, she instinctively comprehended his message – she had been caught staring. Unable to prevent the flush from spreading across her face, Hope shifted her attention to the end of her lone braid.

In a silent, graceful motion, he rose and gestured for her to accompany him to the second bedroom. Once inside, he indicated the bed and then directed his attention to her. Retrieving a fabric from a concealed compartment in the wall, which she hadn't noticed before, he stood there, awaiting her response.

Uncertain and a little confused, she made her way to the bed. When he didn't move an inch, she relented and lay down, melting a little into the comfortable furniture. Only then did he walk over to her, draping what she now understood to be a blanket made of some kind of pelt. It was soft, warm, and a little heavy. Not that she was complaining. 'Did this freaking Hulk just tucked us in?' Hope used the blanket to hide the smile that formed at the intrusive observation from her inner voice.

She had just closed her eyes to enjoy the sensation of the cozy blanket when thunder struck, shaking the hut and her. Startled, she opened her eyes, urging her heart to slow its beating. 'Relax, it's just a storm. We are safe.'

Apparently he had deemed her cozy enough for he had turned to leave." Wait!" She demanded without thinking. 'What are you doing Hope?'.

The Warrior was already at the door, but stopped, turning slightly in her direction. " P-please, stay..." Even in the dark ambience of the room she saw him cocking his head in expectancy for her to continue." I-I don't want to be alone. I am scared of storms." Hope didn't recognized her own pleading voice.' Which part of -don't do anything stupid- you didn't heard?'  After a few tense minutes he fully turned to her staring at her in silent question. "Please, don't leave. I know I am safe with you."

With that, he closed the door, the faint sound of a mechanic latch snapping into place echoed in the room. Slowly, he walked towards the bed, each step deliberate and measured. Taking a seat on the other side, across from her, he began the meticulous task of removing his armor. The metallic pieces clinked softly as they were set aside. Once he was only wearing his mask, wrist pieces, and a barely there loincloth, he laid down on his back. His left arm served as a makeshift pillow, his profile outlined in the darkness of the room.

With a heart pounding and butterflies fluttering in her belly, Hope settled down. Exhausted and comfortable, she couldn't help but tremble with each lightning strike. Her warrior, letting out a soft sigh of frustration, unceremoniously pulled her into his arms, enveloping her in a protective embrace as if to shield her from the storm outside.

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