The Land of Dawn (ML Fanfic)

24. awakening

She pushed the dead bolt with all her might whilst typing on the keypad the code to lock the Titanium door. With one swift flick, the door shut itself, closing behind it the outside world.

She removed her lilac hood that shadowed her face and let it dangle behind her neck. She fixed her hair and tied it into a messy bun. She took small steps toward the headquarter's kitchen; she was thirsty and wanted a glass of water.

She opened the autoclave freezing vault and got out a jug of water. She opened the cupboard above the clave and raided a glass cup. She poured the water into the cup with precision and calmness-- just like how she slays her enemies. Calm, subtle yet sure.

Natalia raised the cup and brought it to her mouth and downed the liquid instantaneously.

It has been a tough day for her. Yun Zhao seemed doubtful in the hologram message they exchanged earlier. He seemed preoccupied by things other than his mission to redeem Moonexus' fallen king.

She could only heave out a long sigh and place Yun Zhao at the back of her mind; she has more important things to worry about.

The Malefic gunner enlisted herself as one of them, Alpha just woke up from what seemed to be a trauma-induced slumber and Natalia, was left alone to deal with all of it.

She did not fear because she was weak nor incapable of guarding the quarters, bringing it through wars and raids; she was just often haunted by the feeling that what if she'd fail again. What if she'd disappoint everyone around her just like she brought everyone down during the battle in the Church of Light.

"Hi. Are you okay?" A voice from behind her said, taking Natalia out of her daze.

It was Layla in silk blue pajamas and her Malefic gun was strutted on her left shoulder. The girl offered her a warm smile as their eyes met. Natalia couldn't help but feel light inside. She missed being given smiles that could cover up a multitude of scars, dissipate a myriad of worries.

Layla took steps toward her and roamed her eyes around the kitchen. Natalia looked down only to find out Layla was barefoot.

"I have extra slippers in the closet. It is behind the armory. I'm fine by the way. Worry not of me." She replied, trying to not sound cold nor intimidating.

The Malefic gunner flashed her another toothy smile as it turned its back to fetch the slippers. It was a sight to behold for Natalia. She never had a sister and yet, in a strange manner, it seemed that Layla was. Well before Layla came, she was the only woman in the headquarters. She was surrounded by men most of the time. That gives it. She was just new to the feeling of having another woman aside from her in the quarters.

She followed Layla all the way to the armory, abandoning her glass of water on the tophold table in the kitchen.

On her way to the closet, she saw Alpha sprawled on the floor of the laboratory, talking to the tiny hovering machine that came with Layla when she got to the quarters.

"So you brought her here? How?" He asked, eager to recieve a reply from the tiny floating device. The machine nodded and flashed its lights. It also did a backflip and poked Alpha on the cheek.

"I do not like her! Stop it! I don't even know her. Don't be silly Beta." Alpha said in a slightly shrilly voice. If Natalia was just near him, she might see how his face flushed a dark shade of red-- like an overripe tomato.

"I can see that you're getting along with your brother, Alpha. You must have missed each other terribly." Natalia chimed, taking Alpha and the floating device by surprise.

Beta's side lights flashed red as a response and it flied towards her. It released a wide beam of translucent red light and it scanned Natalia's entire body. For a minute, the room grew quiet and only beeping sounds from Beta can be audible. Alpha, realizing the situation, snatched Beta away from Natalia's proximity and told his brother off.

"You should not be doing that. You don't need to scan her. Natalia is good. She took care of me when you were away." SE702 said, his forehead rigged with sweat. It was obvious that he was embarrassed by their current situation.

Natalia only smiled and proceeded to the armory.

She saw Layla wearing a pair of blue bunny slippers. She was reminded of a memory. The slippers were from a girl killed by a Bloke back when they were on their regular raids.

The girl was a human and was abducted by demons in the hopes of making it as their meal. The demons failed miserably though. For Natalia and her team luckily arrived in the Misty Mountain before the demons got to the human. And even if the girl died, it did not die in the hands of the darklings. It died because it wasn't capable of surviving in the Realm.

Humans had different core affinities than them, who originated from the realm. Although humans have invaded the realm for quite a lot of times in the past, it was because demons helped them go through the portal using dark magic and vile manas.

"Layla, would you like to hear a story?" Natalia suddenly uttered, bringing the curious gunner towards her.

"Yes, of course. What is it about?" Layla replied, her ears willing to listen to any story other than her home that's blewn to ashes. It was all she can ever think about, and any story even a talltale can delight her and take off a bit load from her chest.

"It's about an assassin that failed mesirably in the past. Yet she is determined to come back far more better this time." Natalia said, entwining her right hand covered with glass blades together with her left hand as she sat down on the floor and leaned on a nearby wall.

On the outside of the quarters, lurked a purple man with its quiscent spear in tow. He was waiting for the right moment, where he awaits for his take, no matter how long it would take him. He was determined to bring home anything for his lover. His dear, dear blood queen.

* * *

Estes was flabbergasted. His memories were hazy and he has a strange looking warrior standing on his room. His sister was nowhere in sight. He feared that he was in a different place, far from the safety of his dear kingdom, Moonexus.

All he did was stare at the warrior that's basked with a silver armor as it stood rigidly at the bottom of his poster bed. The warrior stared back at him with pure astonishment evident in its eyes.

The warrior was almost to say something when another person entered the room. It was his sister, Miya. The moon elf inched the distance between them and gave him a tight hug. He was breathless for a brief moment. His eyes were groggy and his head was spinning yet he was happy that his sister was near him.

He couldn't remember anything that led him to sleep for months, but he knew that something terrible has happened.

"Brother, I am glad that you are awake!" Miya said, slightly loosening her grip on Estes.

"Who is he?" Were the flutter of words that first escaped his mouth. Miya could only smile, as her face flushed and as her eyes dwelt on Yun Zhao's.

"He is here to help us, especially you." Miya replied.

Estes pursed his lips and his eyebrows furrowed. The warrior suddenly seemed all too familiar to him.

"This cannot be!" Estes shouted, as he lost consciousness once again.