The Truth of Emotions

Chapter 31: Then and Now

A half hour later...

The heroes are just coming up to a large hotel around seven stories high.

Rox: "So Nyria works here?"

People are still talking about Veld.

Veld: "(awkwardly) Let's just hurry up so we can get away from all of this staring."

Lariat: "I agree. We feel just as embarrassed as you."

They all head inside to meet a female Dwarf at the front desk.

Receptionist: "Can I help you?"

Veld: "Yes uh... Nyria wanted our-"

She's now staring at Veld.

Receptionist: "She's currently in the nursery on your right. Go ahead."

They awkwardly head down the hallway as she continues to stare.

Meanwhile...

A young, male Sprixie in the cloak is currently sitting atop one of the trees overlooking the town.

Sprixie: "So now I've got eight to deal with?"

He tosses and catches a vial of D-263F over and over again.

Sprixie: "Piece of cake."

He pockets the vial as he jumps onto the ground.

Sprixie: "Niozal was a noob anyways."

He turns around towards a large campsite filled with the Second Page.

Sprixie: "Tomorrow, we'll go ahead and take that power from underneath their noses."

Meanwhile...

The heroes have arrived in a brightly lit room filled with newborn babies of all races being under the care of Nyria.

Makoh: "(dumbfounded) ... Wow."

She notices them as they close the door behind them.

Nyria: "W-Wow, you actually got here pretty fast."

Nyria and Veld lock gazes.

Veld: "When your life is at stake, we won't waste any time."

She awkwardly pauses before she attempts to calm down a Fangli baby.

Nyria: "Wh-What about my life at risk?"

Makoh and Veld start calming down a few others.

Lariat: "A group known as the Second Page has targeted all nine of the Embodiments for our power. In fact, Owen and Cale are back at our trailer with a Harmony girl named Ariyae, an envoy for Dae."

Nyria: "The Second Page?"

Lariat and Rox go try to calm down some more.

Rox: "Yeah, these guys are no joke. They managed to keep Veld under wraps to manufacture the ultimate drug that mops the floor with us."

She looks down at the floor.

Nyria: "(somberly) I knew something like this was inevitable."

Makoh: "Yeah, but that's why we're getting everyone back together. After you, we're just missing Xaena and Thoris."

Nyria looks at the unusual mark on her arm.

Nyria: "You know, there's a reason why I chose to work here."

Rox: "Nyria?"

Nyria looks at all of the newborns, helpless and scared.

Nyria: "To think that our lives were just as fragile as theirs, that we were once susceptible to the gates of death, as ordinary as all others."

The words hit a little too close to home.

Veld: "Yeah, I miss my old life too."

Nyria: "That's why I chose to work with these infants, so that their lives will live for a tomorrow."

She sheds a few tears.

Nyria: "So, can you guys give me some time to think this over?"

Lariat: "Take all the time you need. We're over at the edge of town when you're ready to talk."

The babies begin to calm down as Makoh, Lariat, and Rox exit.

Nyria: "I'm sorry Veld."

Veld turns towards Nyria with a look of sympathy.

Veld: "There's nothing to be sorry about."

He exits the room...