Chill (Klance Warmth series Book 2 of +4)

11: Cold as Death

A/N: Couple important things. First, there is an event near the end of this chapter that, while not detailed, could be disturbing for some readers. Remember, this fic is Mature for more than just the eventual smut. This is a darker series than the animated show. Just FYI.

Second, there will be eventual Shallura in this series. I know Shiro is officially gay in canon but I wrote this series WAY back when season 2 was BRAND SPANKIN' NEW! Shiro's sexual orientation was up to the viewer/reader. I went with Shallura because it suited the characters as I wrote them best. I won't be changing it. The Shallura is way too ingrained in this series for me to change it now. Sorry.
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Everything had been going well so far so naturally that's when everything stopped going well. Or, at least, that's what Hunk thought until he rounded the corner of the tunnel with Shay and Coran. Over a dozen Galra sentries stood in front of Hunk and his friends, blocking the main tunnel back to their pod. Shay gave a cry of despair and dropped the crystal she held. For a moment, Hunk thought it was from seeing the Galra. But then he saw who was standing in front of the sentries: Rax.

"No," Shay moaned. "Rax, why?"

The male Balmeran glared hard at Hunk and Coran. "These ones bring only pain and despair to our family," he said. "I did this to save you from their Altean tales."

"But this one," Shay said, pointing to Coran, "is Altean."

"And which one was it who told you this?" Rax demanded.

"It's true," Coran said, stepping forward so he stood in front of their little group. "Although I understand your doubt, doubt does not change the facts."

"I told her," Hunk said, placing a hand on Coran's shoulder when the Galra sentries pointed their weapons at Coran. If someone was going to get shot at around here, it was going to be him. He was the one with a weapon to fight back and armor to protect him. He drew his bayard and activated it in preparation for the coming attack.

However, before any fire could be exchanged, Shay dropped to her knees and placed her hands on the ground. A soft glow like what filled the crystal when Coran 'spoke' to the Balmera appeared around her hand and the Balmera moaned. To the yellow paladin's shock, large chunks of rock detached themselves from the earthen ceiling and fell to the ground, crushing the sentries where they stood. Rax alone remained unscathed.

"The elder will hear of this, brother," Shay said, standing and taking the crystal back into her arms. "These ones have the Balmera's blessing."

"The Balmera cannot bless these ones," Rax shot back, angry and frightened by his home's rejection of his attempt to save his family. "Why would She offer aid to the skylings when they bring death and separation to our family?"

"It is not for us to know Her will," Shay said. "We will understand when She is ready to tell us."

Rax shook his head. "That is too long," he cried.

"For you perhaps," Shay said, turning her back on her brother to head for an alternate route. "But not for the Balmera."

Without another word, Shay left her brother there alone on the ground. Hunk stood still, feeling very much like an outsider during the siblings' fight. He applauded Shay's will to stand her ground, but he also felt sorry for her. It was never easy leaving loved ones to suffer the consequences when they made a mistake. Then again, this argument was tame compared to the one between Allura and Lance that he'd listened in on with Coran.

"I'm sorry you had to do that," Hunk said.

Shay's eyes saddened. "As am I," she said softly, never slowing her pace. "If my brother has informed the Galra of your presence, then it will not be long before they find your ship. You must flee this place."