Chapter 20: What Lies Beneath the Eyes

Cole's POV:

Six dragons. Six ninja. Six hearts, beating, and alive. I push Rocky to his limits. I need to get to Maya. I don't want this to be our end. "Come on, boy!" I shouted. "Faster, Rocky. Faster!" Rocky made a frivolous roar and continued to push himself. He was connected to me, he knew how I was feeling about Maya. He loves her too. He doesn't want anything to happen to her. He pushed and pushed and pushed until he couldn't anymore. Rocky screamed and his wings collapsed. "What's wrong?" How could something be happening to him? His form is based off of my fear. Because I fear for my love, is that why Rocky is failing me? No. It couldn't happen like that, could it?

I eased on my reins and slowed Rocky down. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. I concentrated on my fears. Instead of removing them from my head, I thought about how I could face them instead. Rocky continued on as the strength of my courage came back. Before I knew it, we arrived at the hospital in Nom. I fell to the ground as Rocky disappeared from under me. I hit the ground with a loud "Umph!" but it was nothing I couldn't bear. I ran inside as quickly as I could. I scared the nurse at the front desk when I ran into the counter.

"My goodness, boy! What's the matter?" She asked with a fright.

"I'm sorry, ma'am," I said out of breath. "But I'm looking for someone, Maya Lenn? She...she had surgery. Something's happened?"

"Ah, yes, Ms. Lenn. Are you a relative?"

Relative? Why did it matter? "I-i'm her uh.." I knew she wouldn't except boyfriend. "I'm her fiancé." Fiancé, Cole? Really?

"There was no mention of a fiancé, but alright. She's in room thirteen with your future mother-in-law." The nurse said.

"Thank you!" I ran down the hall. Every room had a curtain over the room number, so I wasn't able to tell which room was number thirteen. Curtain after curtain, I gently pulled open, just slightly enough to see if Maya was there. It wasn't until the end of the hallway, the second to last curtain I pulled, when I had found her room. I hesitated pulling it open, I didn't know what I should expect. I took my shaky fingers and pulled the curtain open. I gasped.

"Maya?" She was alive. She wasn't just alive, she was alive. She stood before me with the utmost brilliance. She had strong color in her face again, and she glowed. Shined. She smiled at me and held out her hand to me. I grabbed it, still looking at her in awe. "How?" I questioned.

"Shh," Her finger that was glowing like a flashlight pressed against my lips. "My powers; they're healing me."

Maya's POV:

I grazed my finger against Cole's lips. They felt as soft as a whisper, but no moisture. He was definitely dehydrated from all the running Misako had told me he was doing. "My powers; they're healing me. I woke in so much pain, I felt the life slipping out of me. I felt like I was going to slip right through the cracks. Wu whispered something to me, I don't remember what it was, but it made me want to use my powers. After being so afraid to use them after what happened in the mech cave, I didn't dare to try. Now, I'm letting my powers completely absorb through my skin," I laughed twirling around. "I've never felt so alive. My powers are healing me, Cole." I grabbed his hands.

"I still don't understand, what if you didn't use your powers?" Cole asked.

"Nothing great. I don't want to think or talk about that." I crossed my arms and shuddered.

"I'm just so relieved. I can't tell you how terrified I was...to...to..." Cole stuttered.

"Terrified to what?" I asked softly.

"To lose you." A tear streamed down Cole's cheek.

"Cole," I wrapped myself around him, giving him the biggest hug. Misako had left the room seeing how important this reunion was.

"I love you, Maya Lenn." Cole's whisper sent shivers down my spine. Did he say that? Really?

I backed up from him with confusion written all over my face. "What?" I asked quietly, not sure if I heard him correctly.

"I said," Cole cleared his throat. "I," He grabbed my waist. "Love," he pulled me close. "You." He touched his lips to mine. I wanted to cry, but not while kissing him. I couldn't believe it...he told me he loved me. He really loves me.

I continued to kiss him until we broke apart for a brief moment. "I love you so much, Cole." I sobbed.

"There's no reason to cry, Sparky!" Cole sniffled and wiped the tears streaming down my face.

"Yes there is. These are tears of joy, my love." I laughed and cried at the same time.

Both Cole and I made our way towards my hospital bed. Because Cole knew I was still sore from everything, he sat me down on the bed gently. My legs hung from the side and I stared up into his dark eyes. Again, being gentle, Cole caressed my lips then moved his hand down to my neck. The feeling gave me butterflies. His thumb rested against the vein in my neck. I could feel it pulsing against his finger. My heart beat faster and faster with every breath. He then slid his hand towards the back of my neck, gripping it softly like a baby. He pulled my head to where I was looking up directly. Then he pulled my head towards his chest. He bent over and kissed me again, but this time it was different.

I've made out with him once, but this kiss had fire in it. I noticed his lava arm was active. I had to admit, in the moment it scared me, but I knew he was in control. I felt the power of the mountain surge through me. I didn't feel like I had given him anything. I let my powers surge to my lips, giving him my kiss of light. I gave him everything good about me. In the end, we both sat on the bed next to each other. His hand rested on my thigh and my arms were wrapped around his.

My mind is one to ruin the best moments, but this time, I allowed it. I only thought of Lloyd now. "Wait," I turned towards Cole. "Oh my god," My breathing grew faster.

"What's wrong?" Cole said with worry.

"Lloyd! I never went back for him. I have to find him. He needs me! I need to-"

"Hey, hey, hey! Shh," Cole stroked my hair. "Relax. It's alright. We found him. He's safe. He's a bit banged up but nothing he won't recover from. All you need to worry about is healing. Now I want you to lay down and sleep. You aren't fully healed yet, Sparky." Cole laid me flat on the hospital bed and covered me with blankets.

"I need to see him. I probably would've died if he didn't save me when he did." I grabbed Cole's arm and squeezed it.

"I know," Cole knelt on the ground beside me. "The doctors here are just going to run a couple tests, but as soon as he's done, I will make sure he sees you." Cole smiled.

"Do you promise?" I whimpered.

"I promise." He kissed me on the forehead. "Get some sleep now." I was going to respond, but I had already drifted off to sleep. After I stopped using my powers, my mortal self became exhausted. I just need to build up strength then I can leave this place. I can see Lloyd and go finish off Cyrus Borg. Once and for all.