Chapter 3. Lilith

Without warning, the woman suddenly went pale, and started swaying slightly. " Whoa whoa whoa!" Maya exclaimed, lunging forward and catching the woman in her arms as she started to fall. She slowly kneeled to the floor, cradling the woman.

Seeing her up close, she was even more beautiful. Her skin was flawless, eyes like a deep golden fire, she had to look away for the fear of getting lost in them was too great. The woman was impressive in her skills, but here she looked so small. She was sweating and breathing heavily, and all Maya wanted to do was to hold her until she was okay. Wait what?

They looked at each other for a moment. The woman crack a smile despite her situation. "howyadoin? The bandits call me the Firehawk, but the names Lilith. I'm with the raiders, like you. I keep the bandits in line so Roland can focus on taking down Jack. Anyway, long story, lots of internal bleeding. Could you uhhh…" she gestured to Maya, who was still cradling her as if she was about to take her down the aisle.

Maya jumped with a start. "oh..OH yes of course, I uhh…sorry."

She stood up, helping Lilith slowly to her feet. "I'm Maya. I'm from Athenas. A Siren, like you"

Lilith regarded her tattoos, "I must say, its refreshing to meet another siren that isn't trying to kill me and my friends, and unleash a beast capable of destroying Pandora."

Maya stared at her, confused.

"another long story."

"I see…"

Maya had heard about Lilith in the town of Sanctuary. Whispers here and there about the vault hunter, and how she had taken down the destroyer. She was thought to be dead, but here she was. Don't act like a crazed fan!

Lilith brushed herself off. "Ugh my head…do me a favor will you? Grab me a hunk of Eridium from one of my strong boxes over there?" gesturing toward the shelves across the platform.

Maya nodded and went to the strong boxes. Pulling out a glowing purple chunk of Eridium, she wondered what Lilith was possibly going to do with it.

She handed it to Lilith, and watched as it melted in her hands, a powerful violet energy creating a glowing aura around Lilith's body. She stood up straighter, the color coming back to her face.

"Ahh, thanks. Bet you're looking for Roland huh? He's not here. The bloodshots grabbed him, made em' cocky too. They've never come at me this hard."

"Why the Eridium? I mean, what does it do?" Maya questioned.

"Ever since the vault open, I don't know, but my Siren powers have been getting kinda..awesome. No idea why. Now, let's talk about rescuing my boyfriend."

Boyfriend? Roland is her boyfriend? Maya felt even more unsettled now. She didn't have a clue why, something about that statement had made her feel slighted. I just met this other Siren. I must just have this desire to bond with her. Yep, that must be it.

"Well, ex boyfriend." Lilith added as she turned.

Ex. Good. Maya was glad Lilith couldn't see her look of relief. She felt a little bad, she hoped Lilith wasn't too heartbroken over this guy.

"Before the bloodshots grabbed him, Roland was getting Intel on the vault and what Jack plans to do. We have to find him, but first we need to head back to Sanctuary and resupply. One of us will have to remain to keep the city safe while Roland is away. But I figure you and I could both use a meal and a good nights sleep or else we wont be of any use in rescuing Roland. We must regroup with your friend Axton, and figure out a plan to infiltrate the bloodshot stronghold."

Lilith picked up some weapons left behind from the bandits. "come here Maya."

Maya tried to keep her face from reddening. Be still heart. What the fuck is going on with me?

She approached Lilith slowly. "Come on killer, I don't bite, unless that's your thing," she winked.

"Uhm…I uh, I-"

"Relax Maya. I'm teasing you. Sheesh you must not have gotten out much on Athenas did you?"

This time Mayas face did heat up. If only you knew. Lilith either didn't notice, or pretended not to. She took Mayas hand. Maya looked at their hands, then up at Lilith questioningly.

"Hold on tight" Lilith whispered, a devilish smile playing on her face.

A whooshing of air, everything was a blur. She felt like she was moving a thousand miles an hour, but it only lasted a second. Until her feet were suddenly on solid ground.

"Hah! Holy shit!" Maya gasped, clinging on to the body next to her…when she realized that body was Lilith.

She abruptly let her go, shooting Lilith a glare as she laughed. "Sorry Maya, it can be a little..intense the first time."

"first time what? What the fuck was that!?"

Lilith was still grinning. "I phased us out of the lair and back to Sanctuary," she shrugged, as though it was a daily occurrence.

Maya took in her surroundings for the first time in a while, the adrenaline subsiding. Sure as shit, there was the community of Sanctuary about a half a mile in the distance.

"Amazing…" she muttered.

"Gee, I'm flattered"

Fuck I said that out loud. Maya turned and glared at the red-haired Siren. Lilith only laughed that same beautiful laugh, and turned toward the city. "You wanna stay out here killer be my guest, but I'd like to go to a bed!" She called over her shoulder.

Maya snapped herself out of the all too familiar trance that Lilith enraptured her in lately. It's just because she is another Siren. I'm in awe is all. But Maya was completely oblivious to what was happening to her. She was quite inexperienced, so she chalked it up to being somewhat star struck in seeing another Siren. I'm not sure I like this .

They walked in silence for the first little while, Sanctuary edging closer as they closed the distance. Lilith spoke first, "I gotta ask. Why on Earth would you come to a place like Pandora?"

Maya thought for a moment. "I felt trapped." She wasn't sure if she should say much more.

"I wanted to see something more, I knew I was different, and I wanted to see if I could use my powers elsewhere. I wanted to be a Vault Hunter, save the world and all that." Like you. "I guess it was pretty silly, but where I came from wasn't exactly…fulfilling either." She chose her words carefully.

"How did you find the crimson raiders?"

Maya told her the story of the bullymongs, bandits, and annoying robots. How Handsome Jacked had lured her and Axton with the promise of a job, before trying to blow them up on the train. How she helped sanctuary at the request of Roland and Lt. Davis in bringing them power for the town's shield with a core stolen from the bloodshots. How she came to find the "Firehawk". No, her brain told her. Lilith.

She could feel Lilith watching her, listening to her every word. When Maya met her eyes, she was greeted with a look she couldn't quite understand. It's like Lilith was looking into her soul, searching for something. Before she could ponder it for long, Liliths calm, cool demeanor was back on display, a witty comment already playing on her lips, "sounds like you've been having all the fun huh?" she said, winking at Maya.

Maya could feel that same strange feeling in her stomach. i wish it would stop. Or do I?

Before she could say another word, she already found herself walking through the gates of Sanctuary.

"you have a room here right?" Lilith asked.

"Yeah, in the HQ."

Lilith walked with her to the HQ. Lilith had her own room in the building across the road, above Dr. Zeds. "more privacy" as Lilith described.

"Okay then" Lilith said. It looked like she wanted to say more, but instead, "get some sleep killer. You've kicked ass today. I couldn't thank you more for getting to me when you did. Get some sleep."

And before Maya could even respond, Lilith was already turning away.

"Goodnight" she whispered. Who are you?