Chapter 20

She groaned heavily. Her body felt heavy. Her stomach was empty. Maya slowly opened her eyes and realized that she was no longer at The Fields where she sparred with Red. She was looking at the ceiling and the ceiling could not be mistaken that was her room. She felt the soft bed that she was sleeping and the blanket being put up until her chest. Maya looked through her window and it was night. Did she pass out during the spar? Did she failed? Maya quickly sat up; she looked to the left and saw Kharkov sitting at her desk.

Kharkov was reading something and he heard Maya's movements. He quickly turned and saw her already awake in good shape. He smiled widely, finally she was awake, and he had waited for her to wake up and didn't go anywhere else. He closed the book and turned his body to face her.

"You are awake!" Kharkov said. "How are you feeling?"

"Did I failed?" Maya instantly asked as it was the only thing that she was thinking. "Did Red beat me again? Are you guys are going to disqualify me?"

"Calm down Maya." Kharkov happily said. "Everything is fine. Looks like you are okay."

Kharkov stood up and sat at Maya's bed. Looking at her very closely, he asked again. "Are you feeling anything weird?"

Maya looked at her feet and looked at Kharkov, shook her head with a firm answer. "No. Feels like normal to me."

"Just for you to know, you passed out for three days straight." Kharkov informed. "That's why I asked. But seeing that you are the same Maya that I know, I think it's safe to say that you are fine."

"Three days!" Maya covered her mouth. "I'm out for three days? So I am disqualified?"

"No no no, you're not. In fact you are more than qualified." Kharkov gestured her to calm down again, Maya was certainly a serious woman when it comes to Siren things. "In fact you beat Red in the last spar."

"Did I?" The news that she was receiving was more and more surprising. "How did I win?"

"You used your Siren powers on him and overwhelmed him. But…"

"But?"

"You almost killed him in the process. Thankfully he survived and right now he's at The Academia doing his work."

"Kharkov… I didn't mean to-" Maya stopped talking and pondered for a while, she couldn't remember the part where she attempted to kill Red. "I just followed what The Host told me to do and… I don't remember that Id did it."

"It's okay, it's fine, you don't have to judge yourself so hard. Things like this happens from time to time. Nobody died, some of us got hurt including me, but we Searchers and The Host are well prepared for this."

"Did I hurt you too?"

"Maya! Get yourself together and listen to me." Kharkov became serious. "Things already happened so there's no need to dwell. I want to tell you something important so play close attention."

Maya nodded and did not say anything.

"Do you remember what The Host has taught you before the spar?"

"Yes, the three things that makes a Siren. Nonua, Nomine', Naraane."

"Good." Kharkov nodded. "The three elements are all important. Even humans, they need to keep all three in line and checked. The mind needs knowledge, the body needs food and water, the heart needs passion. Simple concept, I hope you understand. What you did three days ago is that you let your Nonua take control of you. You release the leash.

"The hardest thing to do is to keep everything in balance. Not too much, not too little, but just enough. Too much knowledge, the mind will get a headache. Too much food and water, the body will be obese. Too passionate, down the line, somebody will get killed. Too little of it, the opposite would happen. Simple rules."

Maya's face turned shock to sad. She didn't mean to do it but it already had happened.

"Just like Sirens, humans can be passionate. But unlike Sirens, humans don't have any powers that can channel the passion. Sirens do." Kharkov put his finger on Maya's chest. "Whatever inside your heart, can be used into power. From passion turns power turns worldly effects." Kharkov moved his finger to Maya's Siren hand.

"Do not let your heart control you Maya. Do not let your Nonua take over. Because if you do, it will drain you until you die. Not counting the effects on others, the only thing I can guarantee is that you will die in the process if you don't keep the balance."

The fear in her heart was getting bigger and bigger. Kharkov was clearly warning Maya to not make heavy errors again.

"How do I control it?" Maya asked.

"You will learn with The Host." Kharkov answered. "She will help you on making sure that Nonua of yours is in line with your other elements."

Maya nodded. "And how is Red? Can I meet him? I think I need to say I'm sorry to him."

"You will meet him, don't worry. Tomorrow begins your training and he will be the first that teaches you." Kharkov got up from the bed and looked at Maya. "Now you just need to eat and prepare for the next day. Red made some extra in case you were to wake up."

Maya pulled the blanket to the side and put her legs on the ground. As she stood up, she asked Kharkov. "You mind give me some company? It's kinda lonely being here in an empty Siren city."

"No problem, Maya. I'm always open for a chat." He patted her back. "Come on, you need to prep for tomorrow."

Heyo, Author here.

Just wanna talk to the readers a few things, we already arrived at the 20th chapter so I feel obligated. The end of the year, the end of the decade, there's a lot of things I wanted to say but not so much because I don't want to waste your time. Thank you for following and favourite the story, it's an honour to get your loyalty. I'm sorry I've been updating once a fortnight, but it comes down to this, I was working on another project. The new project really takes a big chunk of my time and really need my focus during the time of making it. So I had no time on writing and just all out on the said project. Don't worry my readers, I'll make sure the wait is worth it and try my best to get back to pace.

By the way, I just watched Borderlands 3 story and I have to say, they really didn't focus on the story unlike Borderlands 2. Honestly, a story in fanfiction is well written than the game itself but hey, just my preference. Oh well, just move on I guess. Fanfiction is still on so no big deal if you think about it.

Regardless, new year and new decade is near and I have to say happy greetings to all my readers. I hope that you all have a good life and also achieve what you want to achieve in the upcoming years. Sincerely, from the bottom of my heart, the author. Good luck and God be with you. Happy New Year!

Cya Mates_