Noverus ran as fast as a Vajra chasing its enemy. He bumped into several God Eaters, but he didn't care. All he care about is his childhood friend. Soma called him after Nov completed his mission. He told him what happened to their mission and about Alisa.
He finally reached the elevator and, due to his worry and adrenaline, punched the button that leads to the clinic.
Nov grits his teeth in annoyance, "Damn elevator! Go faster!"
He closed his eyes and began to steady his breathing, "Calm down, Nov. Alisa wouldn't want to see you losing control again."
He sighed and mumbled, "I still can't believe the Aragami managed to injure Alisa.. Come to think of it, Soma didn't mentioned what kind the Aragami is.."
*Ding*
'Finally, that's my signal to get outta here.'
Nov quickly got out of the elevator and ran towards the clinic. He suddenly stopped at the front door. He's about to touch the door but, he hesitated. 'My heart is beating so fast.. Is it due to adrenaline?'
He placed his hand on where the heart is. True, its beat is faster than his normal heart beat, 'No, it's fear.. It's been awhile ever since I felt like this.'
He shakes his head in attempt to erase the fear, "Let's just hope Alisa's wound isn't that severe."
He took several deep breaths and placed his hand on the door and it immediately opened.
[Clinic Room]
Nov entered the room and looked at his surroundings. The room is occupied by the rest of the Unit 1 and Kanon.
Soma, as usual, is on the side leaning against the wall with his hands in his pockets while Kota is struggling not to break down.
Erina is crying uncontrollably while Emil rubs her back in attempt to calm her down but, failing.
Kanon stands next to Kota with a sad look on her face.
Seeing the others' state, Nov looks at Alisa. His eyes widened in shock and disbelief, 'What the… Hell?!'
He couldn't believe what he's seeing.
The wound is worse than he thought. There's some sort of burn that covers half of her neck and arm where the armlet is, thought the armlet is unharmed. From the looks of it, it looks like she narrowly dodged the attack. Yet, it still caught her.
There are also scratch marks in some parts of her body, the others are deep. But thanks to Kanon, the other marks are healing. Her face is a little dirty due to their battle. Her red beret is on the table beside her, also dirty.
His childhood friend looks almost… dead.
His heart clenched tightly at the horrible sight. He looked away and closed his eyes in attempt to block the tears that were threatening to get out.
Kanon spoke in a dispirited tone, "Her burn is still quite fresh. I'll treat it as soon as it cool down for a moment."
"I-I see.."
Suddenly, the door opens. The person revealing to be Sakuya who is out of breath. Like Noverus, as soon as she heard the news from Lindow, she immediately went to the clinic, leaving Ren to Lindow's care.
As she finished catching her breath, Sakuya looked at Alisa on the bed, noticing the burn. She covered her mouth in shock and tears are starting to flow freely, "Alisa…"
Sakuya walked towards the bed and started to cry, still can't comprehend what happened to her best friend.
Nov can't take it anymore. He needs to know what Aragami did this to her. He said in a low voice, "Tell me, Soma. What type of Aragami did this to her?"
The atmosphere suddenly became tensed.
Soma looked away and said nothing.
Nov repeated the question with an irritated tone, "Soma. What. Aragami. Did. This. To. Her?"
"….."
Getting impatient, Nov approached him slowly and deadly with clenched fists beside him. His eyes slightly glowing in anger, "I'm gonna say this one more time and I'm not going to repeat myself again. What Aragami did this to her?"
Everybody in the room nervously looks at Soma, hoping to answer their former leader's question.
Soma locked gazes with Nov. But, regretting it instantly. His eyes are menacing. It looks like Nov will tear him apart if he didn't answer his question. Soma audibly gulped. He has never been this terrified before.
"I-it was the Kyuubi. The Kyuubi came when we were going back to the chopper."
Everybody was surprised. They never heard Soma stuttered before. But of course, who wouldn't be terrified by their Lieutenant.
Nov is taken aback. His heart clenched further and the tears are threatening to fall again. Sorrow started to cloud his mind.
He lowered his head and mumbled, "Could you guys give us some privacy? Please…"
Everybody nodded and stands up to take their leave. Sakuya is still crying as she left the room. Before leaving, Kota pats Nov's shoulder, as if saying to hang in there. Nov silently thanked for his best friend's support. He really needs it.
After everybody left, only the two of them are in the room. The only thing that can be heard is the device monitoring Alisa's heart beat and her light snores.
Noverus walks to the bed side, 'Seeing Alisa like this makes me angry yet relieved at the same time.'
He moved some of Alisa's bangs to see if there are any wounds. Seeing none, Nov sighed in relief, 'It's a good thing there's not a single wound on her forehead. Just dirt,'
He pulls out his yellow handkerchief and starts to wipe her face, being careful not to wake her.
After cleaning her face, Nov lightly chuckled while lovingly stares at Alisa's face, 'She still managed to sleep peacefully despite her nasty wound. That's good.'
He takes the chair next to her and the tears are starting to fall. He rests his head on the side of the bed as he sobs while holding her hand with both of his hands, subconsciously creating a Resonance. "Please be okay.. I don't know what I'd do if I lose you…"
After a few minutes, Nov hears a faint sound. Almost like someone's crying. He looks to his side, only to see that Alisa's crying in her sleep.
Then, Nov remembered what he would do whenever Alisa had a nightmare. He would sing to her to chase the nightmares away, 'I hope I still know how to sing. It's been years ever since I did it.'
Nov takes a deep breath and starts to sing,
I can see every tear you've cried
Like an ocean in your eyes
All the pain and the scars have left you cold
Nov reached Alisa's face to wipe her tears with his other hand, not letting go of her hand.
I can see all the fears you face
Through a storm that never goes away
Don't believe all the lies that you've been told
He remembered the time when Alisa was brainwashed by her bastard-of-a-doctor named Dr. Oguruma. Telling her lies like Lindow is the Aragami that killed her parents. It's a good thing that doctor didn't come back and instead died going back to Russia.
I'll be right here now
To hold you when the sky falls down
I will always
Be the one who took your place
When the rain falls
I won't let go
I'll be right here
He noticed Alisa is starting to calm down. But the tears are still flowing, 'I wonder what made her cry… Did she remembered her parents or she's having a different nightmare?' Nov slightly tightens his hold on Alisa's hand to let her know that he's always there for her.
I will show you the way back home
Never leave you all alone
I will stay until the morning comes
'Always remember that I'll be by your side no matter what happens. Don't be afraid.." Nov said through Resonance.
I'll show you how to live again
And heal the brokenness within
Let me love you when you come undone
After Alisa broke down and trapped Lindow inside the ruined church, he remembered Alisa's screams inside the clinic. 'I was so helpless at that time… I punched the nearby wall in anger and helplessness.. It made me go mad when I heard her asking for forgiveness to her parents when it wasn't her fault in the first place…'
I'll be right here now
To hold you when the sky falls down
I will always
Be the one who took your place
When the rain falls
I won't let go
I'll be right here
"Looks like it still works." He mumbled as he saw that there are no tears falling anymore.
When daybreak seems so far away
Reach for my hand
When hope and peace begin to fray
Still I will stand
Nov cares for Alisa since the two met when they were children. He always thought of her as a little sister. She would always come to him whenever she has a problem or just want to spend time with him. But, that changes when she turned into a strong, beautiful young woman. He doesn't love her for her looks, he loves her for who she is. He wants to heal her with his love, but he doesn't know how to express it and if she feels the same way.
Right here now
To hold you when the sky falls down
I will always
Be the one who took your place
When the rain falls
I won't let go
When the rain falls
I won't let go
"I'll be right here.." Nov said as he finished the song and a lone tear escaped.
"Attention! Cradle Branch Leader Lieutenant Noverus Surreric, please report to the Director's Office. I repeat…"
He sighed, "Seriously? Why won't Doc call Lindow or Hiro for our mission report? Well, no use arguing with Sakaki."
He stands up from the chair and removes his hand, disconnecting the Resonance, "I have to go. The Doc needs me in his office. I'll be back as soon as I'm done. Sweet dreams, Alisa."
He ruffled her silver hair by habit. He loves doing this to tease her ever since they were kids. She would always scold him for ruining her hair and playfully punch his shoulder.
He flashes a sad smile to her before leaving, 'Be strong like you've always been. I have faith in you to pull this through.'
Unknown to him, she shed a tear as she uttered his name desperately. As if a lost girl wandering in the woods, "Nov…"