I Believe in you - A GWH Story

I Believe in You - Chapter 6

With renewed resolve, Amaya helped the Dioxes Squad set up the finishing touches of their defenses before midnight fell. The small auto-turrets were placed in very strategic positions all around the temple, hidden out of sight, their purpose being solely to delay the advance of the Imperial troops in case things got out of hand and the Rebels needed to escape through the back door. The real stand would be made mostly by the goddess herself, who would use her power to defeat the incoming enemies. However, since Amaya needed believers to draw out her true divine powers and have enough strength to overcome the Empire's strike force, the entire Rebel Alliance would have to channel their individual faiths on her. Hopefully, they would suffice. The squad had contacted their leaders, still on standby behind Dioxes's moon, to make sure everyone was doing so at the time of the attack. They didn't tell them about the whole Night Crow and Bright Crow matter Moon Snake had relayed to them, though.

"We wouldn't want to worry Riku and make him do something rash that'd screw this plan up, would we?" Lib pointed out.

The young woman had no choice but to agree with that. The Niji Army Commander was always well-intentioned, but sometimes he would worry too much. They chose to tell him later, lest he call off the mission or interfere with it or who knew what else.

Given the chance to visit Dioxes, most people would probably agree that nighttime on the planet was a lot prettier than daytime. With the landscape of dead trees and toxic mist obscured, the only thing left was the great screens of colorful light that projected themselves from the ground and got lost in the mostly clear, star-filled sky, like pale auroras that reached the world's surface, interrupting the surrounding blackness and drawing spectators' attention.

Amaya and Darreek beheld this spectacle of nature from the temple's balcony, resting in each other's arms. They huddled together, for the air was relatively chilly, and just enjoyed the company in a very comfortable silence. The girl needed no words; she could already feel the support of all her friends, both up in space and down here on the planet. When it came down to what mattered, that was all she needed. Thanks to them, she knew she could succeed.

"Thank you." Amaya sent a mental message to nobody in particular. "Thanks for standing by me. I will not let you down."

"Now you sound like a goddess." Darreek replied softly. The woman hadn't realized she had voiced her thoughts out loud, but went along with it smoothly.

"But what I feel is more than just that. It's my most heartfelt gratitude to everyone as a companion, as a friend. And to you, as well. It's pretty special, in your case." The black-haired lass added, giving him a smooch on the cheek.

"I'm thrilled to hear that." The demon answered with his own little kiss on the tip of Amaya's nose, to which she reacted by blushing, as usual. "I'm your biggest believer, after all."

"Are you? Prove it." She replied in a teasing tone.

"Ah, you're testing my faith." Darreek spoke his words sounding more like they were a statement rather than a question. "Is my word not enough?"

"I'm just kidding." The goddess giggled. "I trust you, dear. You do more than enough to keep me going. You don't need to do anything more than what you're doing, honest."

"Oh, you can't back away from this challenge now, love." The young man smirked. "Give me a bit, and I'll show you just how deep my devotion for you goes."

His pride nerve had been prickled, it seemed like. Amaya knew there was no talking him out of this anymore now that it had happened, so she just shook her head and smiled at him reproachfully. She didn't give in yet, though.