Chương 23: 023

The girl didn't come any closer, but some of the fear drained from her posture. Her hands twisted in the thin fabric of her dress, knuckles whitening, and after a moment she scrubbed at her cheeks, smearing away tears with the heel of her palm.

"You're him…" she whispered.

"The one who's here to save us, right?" Her voice wavered, barely strong enough to carry the words. She swayed where she stood, like a stiff breeze might knock her off her feet. I ran a hand through my hair, buying myself a second.

"I don't know," I said honestly.

"Everyone seems to think so, but I'm not sure they're right." Her shoulders sagged. The frantic motion of her hands picked up again, fingers knotting tighter in her dress.

"Do you not like us?" The question hit harder than it should have. I sat down on the stone bench behind me, angling my body so we were closer to eye level. When I met her gaze, I shook my head.

"That's not it. Even if I didn't like someone," I said gently, "I wouldn't let them suffer if I could help it." She frowned, confusion knitting her brow as she shuffled closer, testing the distance.

"Then why don't you want to save us?" When she stopped less than a foot away, I sighed.

"It's not that I don't want to. It's just…" I searched for words a child could understand.

"I was dropped into this world with powers I don't know how to use yet. If I tried to fight an entire army right now, I'd die. Probably fast." And if I focused on the army and ignored the larger threat, the apocalypse, it would be my luck that the other shoe dropped anyway. I refocused on her, a thought sparking.

"What do you know about them? The army. Anything could help me make a plan." Her body folded inward. She wrapped her arms tight around her middle, like she was holding herself together. Tears welled up again, spilling over.

"They took Aman," she said.

"Adan was gone and King Silas says she's… gone too." Her voice cracked.

"And Adan hasn't come back. I want my adan." The names were unfamiliar, but the pain wasn't. I'd heard that same broken cadence from kids searching hospital halls, foster homes, shelters… always looking for the same thing. I want my parents. When the sobs broke loose, sharp and hiccuping, panic flared in my chest before I crushed it down. She didn't need my emotions right now. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

I drew her in, rubbing slow circles over her back.

"Where was your adan last?" She wiped at her face with her sleeve.

"He fights the army when they get close to home. The bad things came a few days after he left. Aman told me to run." Her shoulders shook.

"I don't know where Adan is." Her sobs grew louder, and she clutched at my cloak as if it was the only solid thing left.

"I want to go home." By the sound of it, she might not have one to go back to. Her father was probably a town guard, and since the army made it far enough to take her mother, odds were, he was already dead. I had just enough tact to know she didn't need to hear that. I held her until the crying burned itself out. When she finally pulled back, her eyes were red and glassy, exhaustion dragging her down until she half-slumped against my side. Something tight twisted in my chest, and I tucked her closer.

"I never introduced myself," I murmured.

"That's rude of me. I'm Nikolas. What's your name?" She tilted her head back, eyelids fluttering as she tried to focus.

"Maya," she mumbled. Then her eyes slid shut again. She yawned wide, curling into my side like it was instinct. I bit back a smile.

"Get some rest. You've earned it." Her breathing evened out quickly. As she slept, the pieces settled into place. An undead army was marching across Nexus, destroying towns, tearing families apart. Which meant waiting wasn't an option. Back up or no, something had to be done. Despite that, I reached inward for one last desperate message. Time, I thought, pushing the words outward. If you can hear me, I need guidance. Nothing answered. I exhaled slowly, dragging a hand through my hair. Figures.

It would've been too easy if he'd miraculously answered when I needed him most. Hopefully, whatever, or whoever, the king had summoned wouldn't complicate things long enough for me to deal with the army first. A rustle sounded nearby. I stiffened, attention snapping toward it. This time, it wasn't a child. The bat beastfolk from earlier stood on the stone path leading back to the castle. Up close, the details sharpened.

His leathery wings were folded around his shoulders like a cloak, clasped at his chest, the tips brushing just above the ground. They matched the deep black of his hair, cut short and swept back. Long batlike ears replaced human ones. When our eyes met, I paused. He wasn't looking at me. His gaze slid past my shoulder, unfocused, fixed on something beyond my sight. The silence stretched until he cleared his throat.

"My name is Dominicus," he said.

"One of King Silas's personal guards. He asked me to see how you were settling in." More like to see if I'd decided to help. I smiled anyway.

"As well as can be expected. You can call me Nikolas. It's nice to meet you." He inclined his head, then nodded toward Maya.

"Is the girl troubling you? If so, I apologize. I found her after her town was destroyed and brought her here, believing she'd be safe." Then the army followed them back here… I shook my head.

"No. She's fine, but I do need to speak with the king." I glanced down at Maya.

"Could you watch her until I'm done? I don't want her waking up alone."

"Of course." I shifted carefully, easing her into his arms. She stirred but didn't wake, nestling against his neck after a moment. Dominicus adjusted his grip without hesitation, cradling her with practiced care. Then he gestured down the path.

"I'll take you to the king." Good. Whatever Silas knew, I needed it now. I hadn't come to Nexus to fight, but I'd be damned if I let Maya, or anyone like her, die while I still had the chance to do something. No matter what happened next, she was going to survive. I would make sure of it.