Chapter 8
Maya told her history, from the days of The Abbey till the death of Handsome Jack. The Host was certainly a good listener as Maya started to open up to her. Maya usually never liked to be open to anyone about her life, even with her Vault Hunter family.
"How are you coping Maya?" Asked The Host.
"Fine, uh I can't really describe the feeling because everything is new to me." Maya answered.
The two Sirens strolled around the place; enjoying the beautiful temple architecture. All the water flowed at the centre where there was a statue of a Siren that gave a saintly vibe. There were some furniture made out of wood, crafted in epic detail that suited the Siren theme. Maya had realized that the Siren architecture was similar to the marks at her hand. Having flow and ebb.
"Are you well acquainted with The Searchers?" The Host asked again. "The two of them are the only one left and they will be helpful in the journey ahead."
"Yes, I already talked to them. Slowly they becoming my friends." Maya answered.
The Host stopped and looked at Maya seriously, it made her more anxious than ever. After a few seconds of silent, she then smiled and put her hands on Maya's shoulder. Maya eyes widen and her posture became even stiffer. Then The Host just calmed her down by simply massaging her shoulder; Maya did not expect such method but it truly calmed her down.
"There's no need to be too serious little one…." Akari said. "I'm no executioner for you to be worried of your head being chopped. I am The Host; the person that will guide you to the true Siren heritage."
The woman touch had a motherly vibe. Something that she never had the experience throughout her life but suddenly yearned it for no reason. Maya hugged her suddenly and closed her eyes. The Host was not surprised in fact she embraced her entirely. A few seconds passed by and Maya opened her eyes to realize that she was doing a foolish thing. She wanted to separate it but The Host insisted to continue the hug. Seeing the acceptance, Maya continued to hug her with her eyes closed.
"Are you by any chance my mother?" Maya asked shyly.
"I'm sorry but I did not bare any child in my life." Akari rubbed Maya's back. "But as a Host, I'm the mother to all Sirens that requires guidance. "
Akari separated the hug and touched Maya's face with her two hands. Maya welcomed it, they were soft and warm.
"What do you feel little one?" Akari asked softly.
"I feel like I'm home." Maya smiled.
"That is better." Akari welcomed. "I know that the path that you tread must be hard. But gather strength little one, the road ahead is full of challenges, it requires the will of steel and stone."
"Understood." Maya nodded.
"You can call me my name if you please, you don't need to be formal with me. We supposed to be sisters but separated only by blood and knowledge."
"There's a lot of things I need to learn Akari, please pass me your wisdom."
"In time little one, in time." Akari assured. "Know this, your purpose here is to continue your Siren heritage. A heritage that is at the brink of extinction. By passing my wisdom, you must bare the challenges ahead that are unimaginable for the typical Siren. This will be the final ask, are you willing to bare the responsibility and insurmountable weight of commitment?"
"I am." Without a doubt, Maya announced her acceptance.
"You are truly brave for a Siren, Maya." Akari complimented. "Have you learned many things before you came here?"
"A few books and researches."
"Then that is good. From now on, you will learn, unlearn and discover from the two Searchers. Kharkov and Red are more than the eye can see, their knowledge about Sirens are certainly more than the average. The Searchers will be your guide and from time to time, I will personally attend to you."
"Thank you Akari."
"Now go, let us not waste even a second of time." Akari told.
…..
"So her friends managed to track us down." Kharkov contemplates what Red had informed him. "Did they pose any threats?"
"From what I saw, they were doing some light recon; nothing more than that." Red explained.
"Hmm, then there is nothing to make of it. The Vault Hunters seems to have no suspicion towards the place. You have put all the sensors in place haven't you?"
"Followed the usual procedures from A to Z."
"And what do you make of the situation my friend?"
"Well, Maya's friends are the family close type of friends, they would certainly want to take her back since she didn't contact them for quite a long time. I already put the cloak to hide the vehicle so they won't know that we are here. So chance of intrusion is fairly low."
"That is certainly good news."
"How about Boss? Did you hear anything from him lately before you went to the cave?"
"Well we are certainly out of the map right now. I heard that AE Company is having some problems regarding some payments so that will keep them not bothering about us." The door sounded and the two soldiers shifted their focus on the person oncoming. "Right now, we need to focus executing our main job. Remember, Priority Maya."
"Got it." Red nodded.
The door opened fully and Maya returned to Kharkov. She was surprised seeing Red finally arrived to the place and not empty handed. Red raised his hand and waved to The Blue Siren.
"Red," Maya arrived to the two. "you made it."
"Well I'm the one that supposed to say that." Red held a bag that was familiar to Maya. "I bought your bag."
"Thanks."
"Actually those are replicas, your real bag is still at the cave. As for the explanation, I'll tell you later."
"Got it." Maya took her bag from Red and hangs it on her shoulder.
"So how did it go?" Kharkov inquired.
"It was great!" Maya said. "I don't know why but I just feel different."
"Look Red, she's different." Kharkov pushed Red shoulder.
"Damn right." Red agreed.
Maya looked at her hands. "I've never felt like this before. For some reason, everything seemed to be going into place. All the weight in my shoulders is just gone. I feel light."
Maya looked at Kharkov and Red, the two didn't know what to say. It made the blue Siren blushed her cheeks out. Kharkov laughed it out to make the situation less awkward. He put his hand on her shoulder.
"Congratulations." Kharkov celebrated. "Isn't that right Red?"
"Sure is." Red spoke.
Maya looked at the two and even though that she had met them recently, they were certainly can be trusted. And with them finally showing who The Host was, Maya was all convinced with their agenda. The two of them truly wanted to help her on learning her Siren lineage.
"Come on; let's go to your room." Kharkov said.
……
On an empty building, the many rooms were empty but only one. Red opened the door and revealed the room inside. One single bed, one wardrobe and a desk beside it. At first glance, it was like priest room where it only serves it place only to sleep. But as she entered the room and experience it, it felt welcoming and cosy as the time pass by. Red snapped his finger and the lantern at the centre light up. Kharkov waited at the door and Red presented the room.
"So here's your room." Red told. "Not as luxurious but cosy like home. There's no fan or air conditioning because the temperature around Tretho is quite cosy all the time. Everything that you need is all here, you can put your clothes here, take a bath, and do whatever you fell like to do."
"Thanks Red." Maya looked around the place.
"And don't forget about the window." Red pointed at. "One of the best view at Tretho."
Maya peered at the window and was amazed by it. All of the beauty in a frame of a window. At the centre was the temple, at the left was the library and the right was a collection of waterfalls. The sun was about to set and the view was breath taking. It was worth the fleet of stairs that she had taken.
"Kharkov and I are not far." Red informed. "As you can see at your window view, The Host is at the temple, Kharkov will be at the waterfalls and I will be at The Academia. If there is anything, you can meet me, Kharkov or even The Host at any time."
Maya nodded.
"Well that's it for me. You got anything to say Kharkov?" All eyes on Kharkov leaning at the door.
"Take a good rest Maya, now we may be in another place with our soul separated but that does not mean it will forget worldly needs. Needs such as rest, food and water still must be fulfilled at a certain time. Yes you can eat, drink and sleep at Tretho but one point, we must return back to Pandora to eat because of your body's needs." Kharkov told. "As for your training, it will start at dawn and you will meet with The Host so it can start. Then, Red and I will teach a few tricks here and there and ultimately you will grow."
"Speaking of Pandora, before I forget." Red interceded. "I made replicas out of it to make sure you get the same thing from Pandora from your clothes to your books. And I add another one, check it out."
Maya went to her bag and opened to see what's inside. She searched and found the book that Red mentioned, it was unique than any other that she had. It was thick and comfortably heavy. Feeling the surface of the book with her palm, it was made by leather and had the colour chocolate oak that was certainly natural. She opened it and there was no content. Clueless, Maya looked at Red.
"This book is kinda unique Maya. Two exist. One here." Red pointed to the book. "The other at Pandora. Whatever you write at that book, the other book at Pandora will have the exact same writing. So after all you learn or whatever you want to write that you want to keep at Pandora, made sure write that on the book. And I think that's it, meet you tomorrow morning."
Maya and Red fist bumped and he left Maya's room going to his place possibly. Kharkov was the only one left.
He smiled. "Things are just beginning and I hope you're ready."
"I am." Maya looked at Kharkov; she released a sigh. "I truly am."
"Good, we need that confidence." Kharkov left.
"Kharkov." Maya called, halting him halfway.
"Yes?" Kharkov returned.
"Thanks. For all of this."
"It's my job." Kharkov smiled and before he left, he said. "Welcome home Maya."