Protecting the Chosen.

Chapter 19, home.

Orion.

Walking through the halls with Killian on my heel, it was surreal. The constant flow of energy he emitted was almost like a second heartbeat. I felt calm, even as we opened the door to the infirmary. Kita and the rest had worked around the clock to help everybody affected by the incident. Most were already back to their own rooms, only the severe cases remained. One of them being Dician propped up against a stack of pillows in a secluded cot near door. Damian was surprisingly absent. As soon as he spotted us he grinned and waved us over. Behind me Killian was tense and reluctant to move more into the room, but as he did he walked over to him, staying a small distance away from the cot. I almost smiled at how uncomfortable he was. Almost.

'I'm glad you came Orion, Killian you as well.' He flashed a sweet smile towards us both. 'Don't mention it, you wanted to speak to us correct?' nodding his expression became serious. 'yes, as you know I had a few of our men investigating the incident. They found something that disturbs me.' Nodding I urged him to go on. 'They found traces of an energy foreign to us, it was not natural almost synthetic.' 'synthetic?' killian whispered, completely lost in thoughts. 'Killian? Any thoughts on the matter?' he looked up to me his eyes slightly unfocused. Standing straight I turned towards him, ready to jump in at any moment in case he slipped back into a memory. He seemed to calm down enough before answering. 'When I was in that prison, the guards sometimes talked. Not a lot or in much detail. I remember one saying something about a research, a way to take energy from magical beings and harness it.' Tilting his head back, glowering towards the ceiling he muttered something under his breath. 'Killian, you think they succeeded in doing that?' Dician asked after a few moments of silence. 'after what I felt, and your men confirming it, yes I do. I don't know how or when but they did it.' He turned to me before speaking again. 'they used the others, that's what they did. They drained them of their energy, and somehow turned it into a weapon.' Gritting my teeth I only nodded once. I could feel my heart rate speeding up only fuelling my anger. 'This means they either found us, or used this area as a test subject. Both possible but I don't like the odds of them knowing about us in the slightest. Orion, tell Damian code Alfa needs to begin. You know your task, you are excused.' His expression was reflecting my own, as a heavy frown set on my face. Confirming the order I turned and walked out of the room. Instinctively following Damian's energy I found him in the library. The sight before me took the edge off my feelings as Damian was surrounded by books helplessly trying to translate the book in front of him. Pieces of shredded paper stuck in his hair and around him were the evidence he had lost his cool at one point. Coughing slightly I gained his attention. The bewildered look on his face as he noticed us was very amusing to Killian as he seemed to chuckle slightly. 'did the bad books attack you?' he deadpanned before walking closer and picking up a broken book cover from the floor. 'seems like an unfair fight, poor books.' Walking over to damian he stared at the book cover and back at Damian, going back and forth a few times before promptly smashing it over his head. 'Payback for the books.'

Damian was gasping at him as he walked back towards me. 'What the fuck just happened?!' he growled pointing an accusing finger at him. 'he likes books, don't ruin books. Or he will hit you with said books.' Shrugging I ignored the rest of his cussing as he got the hint and got out of his fortress of books. 'Well I suppose you came to me for a reason, as you are still supposed to be resting.' Crossing his arms he glared at me as best as he could. 'Code Alfa is go, just got the order. Damian tensed up and nodded sternly.

'So are you going to tell me what the fuck code Alfa is?' it surprised me he actually waited this long before asking as we walked through the halls. 'Code Alfa means we need to evacuate. As soon as possible.  Humming he walked ahead of me opening the door to our room. He flopped down on the bed on his back staring up at me. 'where will we go?' it was a simple question, but one I had trouble answering. 'I am not sure. There are a few possibilities were the rebellion could go to, safe places we have secured in the past.' He narrowed his eyes and sat up. 'they way you said that, I get the feeling we are not going with the others.' Sighing looked at him, he could tell straight away. Letting my shoulders drop and run a hand through my hair. 'The look on Dician's face told me he wanted to order code Omega, but he hasn't.' grunting I let myself fall down next to him. 'as much as I want to go with the rest, I know we can't do that.' His hand grabbed mine as a way of offering me comfort; he could feel my emotions raging under my skin. The soft stroking of his thumb was as soothing as a lullaby. 'we should pack then I suppose?' humming I agreed and let him drag me off the bed. Taking the large bag I had tucked in the corner of the room I walked over to the closet and stuffed it with both our clothes. Killian had gone into the bathroom to collect our things there. It wasn't a lot and all of it fit in the one bag I had. I used to be the kind of person who could never part with anything now I hardly had things to bring along. Nothing personal, only the essential. Killian didn't have anything I realized. The only thing I regretted not being able to bring was the magic branches Call had woven into the ceiling. 'that's all, I need you to stay close to me. It will get hectic at one point. The order to pack is already given but I expect panic among the people. They will want answers and if pushed enough they can become violent.' Sighing he rolled his eyes. 'As if I would be anywhere else than beside your side.' Shrugging he walked out of the room. Swallowing the lump in my throat I shook off the feeling those words gave me. Happiness, fear, anger; all hitting me at once. The more I was around him the stronger my feelings became. I knew deep down that I had become numb and lacked most emotions for a long time. The sheer power of those feelings startled me. A knock woke me up from my thoughts. 'You going to keep dreaming or are we going?' the frown on his face told me he knew what I had felt, and most likely also didn't know what to make of it. Great, if even he can't figure me out how the hell am I supposed to do it. Groaning I shook my head and left our room. Glancing up at the ceiling one last time. Just to keep the memory fresh.

The halls at first were empty as all of my men where already following orders. The more we came towards the centre the more people appeared. Killian tensed beside me after taking a left turn, instinctively stepping in front of me as we were faced with a crowd of people all screaming and demanding answers. 'called it.' I sighed and grabbed Killian's arm pressing him up against me. I spotted Elliot and called him over. 'Do you have everything under control?' seeing as his usual grin was not present and his eyes kept shifting back towards the crowd I already had my answer. 'ehh well, I tried being nice, I tried being understanding, but honestly I'm about to start hitting people.' The soft tone and slight shaking of his hand told me he was not joking. 'I will handle it, just make sure the path towards the cars are open.' Nodding he walked back into the chaos. Clearing my throat and letting go of Kilian I raised my voice, creating an echo in the halls so I would be heard even at a larger distance. 'People, calm down. If you have your belongings and your group that you have been assigned to is complete move towards the west hallway. There you will escort out of the bunker and towards a new safe place. The location is confidential for your own safety. Follow the instructions and you will remain safe!' it remained silent and only soft murmurs followed as people started walking towards the west hallway. Only a few groups remained. 'Elliot, get those groups complete, you have the list check the names with the ones in the infirmary. If not present let jimmy sniff them out. Understood.' He saluted with his trade mark grin back in place. Killian had stayed silent the whole time. I could feel his eyes on me. 'Come on, we should go.' It hurt to say it, I knew I didn't wanted to leave. The decision was not up to me anymore. 'Orion, are you alright?' confused I turned to face him. He pointed towards my hands. Looking down I saw I was clenching them into fists, my nails breaking the skin of my palms. He grabbed my hands turning them palm side up. A very faint pulse of energy sprouted from his fingers and seeped into mine, closing the cuts and relaxing my body in the most amazing way. The way his energy seemed to flawlessly intertwine with mine. Smiling I thanked him silently before dragging him along. Towards the west hallway. The pit in my stomach was gone. The fact I had him next to me it made me realize he was my home and not a stone structure surrounding me. The smile on my face was real. I would miss the hallways we walked through and the room I slept in. but all off that never made it a home. It was the people and that was all I needed.