REVOLUTION: A Rebel Among Monsters ✔

Twelve••Someone New

Staring across the table, gaze resting on her younger sister—newest recruit of the Monster army—Valnia tried her hardest not to grimace. Not to flinch or show any emotion, anything that would betray her worry.

She took too long to bow.

The beat of her heart was so intense in her chest, she wondered if anyone else heard it. Drumming harder at the sight of her unhappy sibling; the girl she'd dreamed of being reunited with, and who, it seemed, wasn't pleased with the opportunity to serve her planet.

Sipping on water, ignoring the surrounding conversations, drowning in the noise of the celebration, memories swam into her mind. Images of a young Melaynia, already rebellious, loving to argue, idolizing Valnia. A girl she thought would want to fight, to save the world.

Is that not her? Is she not ready to be here?

Attendants and recruits ate, excited at the prospect of their hard-earned efforts finally coming to fruition. Smiles and cheerful demeanors filled the room—except for Melaynia, whose discomfort poured from her reluctant face and hunched shoulders in waves. No one else seemed to detect it; but Valnia read her sister like an open book stuck on a page covered in despair and rage.

She had studied her. Spied on her. Disobeyed the rules to look after her, checked in on her every year before the Ceremony. For many years, she was aware Melaynia's destiny was to be chosen... and she wanted to be positive she was ready. So she examined her expressions, interpreted her behaviors—but the near-refusal to bow, to swear the vows... didn't sit well with Valnia.

Where did I go wrong? Her body language never implied she'd be against something like this.

Melaynia was only six when Valnia was selected. A small and lean girl, with a mess of dark brown hair and eyes like mysterious emeralds, always sparkling with mischief.

That tiny thing, that innocent but stubborn girl—she was now a young woman. Seated a few chairs away, her hair as messy, her eyes as deep; but taller, older, and her slight mischief gone, transformed into something Valnia couldn't identify. She had no positivity, no enthusiasm, no anticipation of the tasks she'd be asked to do. No longer the happy child, full of life, eager to please but willing to make her own rules.

Twelve years had shifted her completely.

It had been a while since Valnia last spied on her, but something changed; something she couldn't put her finger on.

Her stomach grumbled, prodding her to eat. She dug into the feast—enthralled by the potatoes—but couldn't help glancing at Melaynia, wary and concerned. As she chewed, keeping to herself, black-clad recruits approached Melaynia and Lexa introduced them, allowing them to shake hands. But there was no energy in the exchange, at least not on Melaynia's side.

Is Lexa picking up the vibe, too?

Her Main Attendant Supervisor usually caught hidden feelings easily; she'd caught hers more than once.

But none noticed how Melaynia winced, forced smiles, flushed at the attention and appeared anxious to be alone, far from the crowds, from the overwhelming notion of becoming a soldier in a Monster war.

Valnia's mouthful of food turned sour.

They'll blame me, won't they? If she's not a good fit...

This was Melaynia's fate, but the crystals usually picked multiple options, and the Monsters debated, weighed pros and cons. Valnia discovered her sister's name among the choices, and pushed for her. Insisted. "Bring my sister, she'll be perfect!" she said, stepping over the usual red tape and bypassing the usual means of communicating with the Eldians.