Chapter 145: Chosen by Tayun (2)
Geometric patterns pulsed behind Nova’s eyelids while she remained in a trance, running through the entire route that led her to this moment. In her mind, she returned to the beginning where the first shape began to dim from the usual brightness that ran all over the island. Her head tipped forwards slightly as though in prayer as warmth rushed through her bloodstream, the power growing, filling her up until she was ready to burst.
Her hands shook as this life force, not her own, started to brim over like a bubbling pot. But it did not hurt. It was just extremely uncomfortable, and she needed it to be set free. Slowly, she lowered her hands to the ground, focusing on the geometric patterns that led her here. Her fingers scraped against the rock as her breath whooshed past her lips and the golden warmth within her bled out from her fingertips.
She watched within her daze, moving her fingers into the shape that needed more of Tayun’s light. Within seconds it pinged back vividly, returned with full life like it had never been dim in the first place. Nova didn’t stop there, she moved onto the next one.
For hours, she was hunched over, drawing the patterns she saw into the slabs before the gem. Over and over again, she was correcting the life force that had been gradually being taken away.
With shaky fingers, a painful ache pulsing around her joints, and fatigue settled into her strained position, Nova sat back, unable to do anymore.
"Nova?"
That warm, velvety voice welcomed her back from sleep. She blinked, snapping out of the daze, noting the stiffness in her joints, and the slight hollowness in her chest from the powers she’d used. She raised her head, taking in her surroundings that came back into focus.
Although she’d been asleep, and apparently sleepwalking, her eyes hurt, like she’d been staring at a screen for too long. The geometric patterns were still there, pulsing in and out of her vision until they dimmed, reminding her of the job she still had to complete.
Her eyes flicked to the gem, to the being inside, then followed the darkening veins along the cavernous wall.
There was much work left to do.
The fate of the island... its weight heavily fell on her shoulders, her chest tightened like a heavy weight pressed down on it.
"Nova?" Yoa spoke softly nearby.
The fatigue that had settled in her bones lifted a little. The weight pressing in on her eased as she looked up to find him beside her. His hands were spread out, waiting for her.
He looked tired, the others were behind him as well, the strain of whatever they’d gone through during the night wearing on their features.
"Home?" Yoa asked simply, and the warmth in his eyes, his voice, his scent, they calmed her nerves. She leaned into him, and let out a breath, soaking in his warmth.
"Can I?" She whispered, her eyes closed. "I’m not finished here."
Yoa looked up at the gem. The creature did not attack him or his friends since Nova had gone into a state of repeatedly moving her fingers and hands along the slabs beneath her. It almost seemed to have calmed from the motions.
Yoa brushed aside Nova’s hair, feeling how drained she was. "Of course." He kissed the top of her head. "We can return another day."
Nova nodded then clung to him, even in her weakened state, as he cradled her in his arms, rising to his feet.
"Who knew our little snack would be so powerful?" Atia grinned at her, trying to lighten the mood.
Aiyana clipped him around the back of the head. It was so automatic, they’d forgotten the awkward, strangeness they’d settled into since going to the Maw Feast. Nova couldn’t hold back her chuckle, as weak as it was as she watched them in amusement. Atia frowned at Aiyana and she arched her eyebrow at him.
’Glad to see things are back to normal around here...’ Nova murmured through the mind link with Yoa. Her eyes flicked back to the gem and the creature within, adding, ’Almost normal...’
Yoa chuckled, his arms tightening around her a little more, comforting her more from the bizarre scenario she found herself in. Hopefully, it wouldn’t require her to be asleep every time because right now, it felt like she hadn’t slept in two days.
Her head lolled to the side, and her eyes drooped again. One blink, another... And just like that, she fell asleep in Yoa’s arms. The next time she stirred awake, some sunlight flickered across the side of her face. She didn’t even bother to open them and turned her head inwards, listening to the sound of Yoa’s heartbeat.
It wasn’t until the following evening, hunger surged through her and she finally woke up. Yoa sighed, his head dropping, shoulders slumping. "What happened?" Her voice croaked, and she realised how dehydrated she was.
"You were so still..." Yoa breathed out, taking her hand.
"He was going crazy!" Atia said from the entryway, his arms crossed, relief flooding his features too.
Aiyana peaked in, nodded, and walked off. "Told you both to calm down. Our girl is strong," she called out from the other part of the main treehouse. "I bet you’re hungry."
Hearing those words from Aiyana was a treat in itself. She just called her strong?! Right now she felt weak.
"Starving," Nova murmured, trying to sit up, but Yoa wouldn’t allow her to strain her muscles and lifted her easily into his lap. He used his pecs as a cushion for her head again. The warmth of his body curled around her, compelling her to stay in bed with him and do nothing.
That sounded blissful, just maybe not when the island seemed to be plagued and dying out. Yoa’s arms tightened slightly, instinctively after hearing her thoughts.
"He’s been so clingy," Aiyana rolled her eyes, amusement flashing in them as she returned with soup and some meat. "Eat up before his beast cries again."
’Your beast cried?’ Nova pondered, the thought shooting down the mind link without meaning to.
’We were worried about you,’ Yoa murmured back, his lips brushing along the top of her hair.
The corners of Nova’s lips tilted up, and she kissed Yoa’s bicep before accepting the food onto her lap. "Thank you."
While she ate, with the only three people who ever showed her true concern and love, fragments of what had happened kept flashing through her mind. Yoa subtly shifted closer as if to steady her, sensing his mate’s distance from the present, offering her quiet strength. Atia and Aiyana busied themselves with playful bickering—failing to hide their concern with false laughter.
Nova loved them a little more for that, but as much as she tried to stay present with them all, she could not fight her mind. She needed to acknowledge all that had happened, not spiral into a manic mindset and then proceed to repeat the task again.
As she accepted the strangeness of it all, and the pawn-like role she was playing for Tayun, any resentment or negative feelings that had started to bubble up inside of her faded away as her words resonated in her mind.
Why me? Nova had once asked her in that lake, during her journey to Yohuali’s world.
At the time, she had yet to meet Yoa, Aiyana and Atia. She had yet to discover her place on the island. But hearing these words now, settled something within her she didn’t realise felt unnerved.
’I need a foreign soul, untouched by island politics, grudges and old tribal cycles.’ The ancient tongue of Tayun responded to her. Nova could not quite describe the lyrical tone, if the entity that was Tayun was male or female, but in her heart, she knew to call Tayun she, and her voice was soft.
’A foreign soul...’ Nova accidentally murmured down the mind link.
Yoa was already paying attention to his mate, and now his curiosity had been piqued. He did not interrupt her thoughts though. It was clear she was in some type of trance again. It wasn’t obvious as she continued to eat her meal but her eyes were a little vacant.
In her mind, she was sitting on a fallen log at a campfire, her hair short, still wearing that dreaded blue dress once worn to impress Chad. But at this campfire she was not alone. A shimmering figure sat opposite her on a boulder. Their hair blew softly in the wind as they sat comfortably, mostly naked. Everywhere sparkled, even their eyelashes, their eyes were a pale-gold, and her hair so long it covered her torso. Leaves and tropical flowers decorated her head in a crown.
Nova knew she had been in the presence of a being unlike any other she’d met. Their nakedness did not make her feel uncomfortable, and it appeared so natural for the glittery entity.
’You are my chosen, my Electa... someone with a creative mind and creative thinking... You will be perfect for your Serakai, child...’
Those words were so confusing to Nova of the past but she nodded, accepting what was explained to her. Any questions that opened her mouth to be voiced were then whooshed away as golden light speared through her senses, blinding her until she was brought to last night when she was in her trance, trying to complete the task Tayun had given her.
Nova could plainly see then and there, with the entity circling like a glowing ball of light, skimming over the gem, the heart of the island, that power was leaving it, weakening the island. The creature inside had been silently screeching and glaring at the glowing light.
’Why?’ Nova had asked while in her trance-like state.
’Corruption... Akura’s doing... You are not done yet...’ The sweet voice replied before her vision cleared and she was once again sitting inside the treehouse, eating among her friends and mate.