Chapter 31: Rebirth

"Anya . . . Anya . . . Wake up."

The voice sounded faint and so far away but I was able to hear it nonetheless. It was smooth and gentle like it was calling me using my name as a lullaby. I tried to move but my body . . . or at least I thought I could feel it was . . . wouldn't budge. Even my eyes refused to open but the voice called me back again. The same gentle tone as before.

"Anya . . ."

And just in that instant, the heaviness was lifted from me and it was like I could take a deep breath for the first time. A tingling sensation traveled from my fingertips and toes, making it way up my arms and legs until reaching the center of my being. It awakened all the nerves in my body and I was able to move my fingers and toes a bit. It was very strange to me. For some reason, it was like my body was waking up on its own. Like an out-of-body experience.

"Anya . . ."

Again, the voice called and I was able to finally open my eyes slowly. My vision was blurred for a moment until some time had passed and it cleared up. When I was able to see, there wasn't really much to look at.

Everything around me was all white and nothing else existed. I turned my head slowly around and saw that I was lying on my back on whatever ground that was below me. Carefully, I lifted my upper body up using my elbows but a huge soreness from my chest made me flinch. I looked down and used my hand to lift my shirt up but there was nothing there. It was practically normal as it could be. But the memories from earlier came back to me. The Bad Blood . . . the fight . . . Rory and the others . . . and . . . Lar'ja.

Where is he?

Without hesitation, I quickly got to my feet although I was lightheaded as first for standing up too quickly. But then I noticed that my leg wasn't hurting and I glanced below and it looked practically normal except for some slight pain that radiated from it. No bones sticking out . . . no blood to be seen. All the injuries that I had before were gone as if they never existed. And also, my wrist blades were gone and so was my necklace.

This doesn't make sense. I killed the Bad Blood and I felt I was dying . . . So why am I here? Or more importantly . . . where is here?

"Anya . . ."

Again, the voice called and I thought that it came from behind me but when I turned around, no one was there. I shook my head in disbelief and I was for sure losing my mind.

Who's calling me?

But then, I heard faint footsteps from behind and I was expecting another mind trick so I slowly turned around, slightly annoyed but when my eyes caught the sight before me, I froze.

A lone figure comes walking slowly towards me, gracefully taking one step at a time but the figure was too far away for me to see their face. I focused as much as I could but when it wasn't working, I moved forward a bit, taking it slow since I didn't know who it was. Slowly, we got closer and closer until I was able to see the unknown figure's face and that is when my heart leaped in my chest with shock and awe.

Standing right in front of me . . . was my mother. Her flowing, brown-grayish hair swayed back and forth as she walked and her cheeks looked lively with a slightly pink blush to it. Her blue eyes sparkled like diamonds and her smile was so warm that I thought she was the sun itself.

"Anya."

When she called, I knew now that it was her calling me from before except her voice was clear and strong. I didn't move though since I couldn't believe it still. But when she spread her arms out as if wanted for a hug, I didn't hesitate. I ran to her as fast as I could and was surprised when I could touch her. I wrapped my arms tightly around her as she did the same. When we did, I let out all my emotions and the tears came on full force but I didn't care. I just buried my head in the crook of her neck.

"Mother . . . I'm . . . so . . . sorry. I'm so sorry."

I cried out so much that I wanted to scream but I held it in, not wanting to ruin this moment. She began patting my back softly with one hand while the other stayed on the back of my head. She just held and cooed a little as she let me cry all my tears out. I blamed myself for all that I have caused . . . her death . . . her friends . . . and much more. I believed that all the problems in the world were centered on me and I kept saying sorry to her. She just kept patting my back over and over again.

"It's okay, Anya. I'm here."

We stayed like that for who knows how long until I couldn't cry any more tears. My heart pounded from all the strain while I tried my best to slow it down. After some time, I pulled away from her neck and unwrapped my arms from her as she did the same until we were both standing in front of each other. I wiped my face a bit to remove the leftover tears.

"How are you here? Am I dead?"

That was my initial thought since I found her body at the facility and knew that she had been dead for quite some time. Plus, I remember the pain after the fight with the Bad Blood and I could feel that I was dying. So I assumed that everything was over. But my mother swayed her head side to side in a 'no' gesture.

"No, sweetheart. You're in limbo right now. The world between life and death so you are neither alive nor dead."

I was utterly confused at her words.

Limbo? I didn't think that existed. And yet, here I was.

"But if it's true, then how are you here? You've been dead for ten years."

She lowered her head down and I was starting to regret it until she came back up and smiled at me.

"Yes . . . but I've been waiting for you here. I knew that someday we would meet again but not like this. This isn't your time now."

My time?

"What do you mean, Mother?"

She moved closer to me and placed her hand on my shoulder, rubbing it ever so often until she spoke.

"You're not ready to die. You still have a purpose in life . . . and you have friends who are waiting for you, along with Lar'ja."

My head straightened up fast and my eyes widened in surprise. I had no idea that my mother knew of Lar'ja but then again, nothing seems normal around here so I just shook my head to clear all the many questions that I wanted to ask but I still had some that needed an answer. I looked straight back to my mother.

"How do you know of Lar'ja?"

She giggled a bit and looked back at me.

"I've been watching you ever since you escaped. I made sure that you were safe and well"

"But . . . why didn't you tell me the truth before? What stopped you?"

Suddenly, her head drops until it was blocked from my view. The tears were threatening to come back again but I stood strong. I took both of my hands and placed them on each of her cheeks, raising it up so our eyes met once more. Her eyes conveyed a hint of sorrow in them. I waited for her to speak once more.

"I was worried that you would be angry with me. I thought that if you knew, you would hate me for the rest of your life and I was frightened. But it was selfish of me to keep it from you. I'm so sorry for putting you through all of this. I should have freed you sooner and maybe you wouldn't have gone through so much pain."

For some reason, I didn't want her to be sorry for it. These things happened for a reason and my mother sacrificed her life to save mine and will forever be grateful for it.

"It's alright, Mother. I'm okay now. That's all that matters."

When I spoke those words, my mother slowly smiled once more and it was so infectious that I had to smile too. I was glad that I was able to see her again. To know that she blames herself for what had happened to me all those years ago. I was so happy. She speaks out again before I could.

"But at least you made new friends. Ones that will stick by you no matter what and I'm forever grateful to them. And also, you have found love."

When my mother said that, I blushed immediately with embarrassment. I never thought I would have a conversation like this with my mother. Let alone be that the person I love is an alien.

I tried my best to get my words out but the sparkle in my mother's eyes didn't help at all.

"I . . . well . . . yeah . . . but I didn't think . . . you would . . . be okay with it."

My mother lets out a huge laugh that I jumped a little in my place. She knew that I was a little embarrassed to tell her. I didn't know what she would think of Lar'ja until she looked back at me with all the love in her eyes.

"It's fine, Anya. No matter who or what, I'm happy for you. Besides, he feels the same way about you as well."

"Really?"

I asked and she nodded immediately. My cheeks burned a little but my uneasiness started to die down and I just smiled at her. She moves her hands back to cup my face.

"Really. Besides, I accept you as well. As both human and Yautja and even if you weren't my daughter, I will still love you, even when you are a Yautja, which you are still beautiful in that form."

I blushed again and my mother laughed at my reaction. I had to laugh a bit as well when she kept going and both of us were just happy as can be. I just wished that this moment would last a little longer. However, my mother lets me go and stares into my eyes.

"You need to get back now. Your friends and Lar'ja are waiting for you. They're very worried."

All of a sudden, a huge blinding light shined from behind me that reminded of some doorway to somewhere unknown. I was a little skeptical about it until my mother moves beside me and motions her head towards it.

"This will lead you back to them. Just follow your heart and you will make it."

I looked back at the light and slowly started to walk towards it until I stopped just in front of it. But before I could, I turned around and looked back at my mother.

"I wanted to ask something."

My mother nods and comes strolling to me once more until he was face to face. She waits patiently as I cleared my throat a bit so I could say my words loud and clear.

"Why did you name me Ta'kasa? Balance?"

She didn't answer me but smiled once more. I tilted my head to the side in confusion, not getting her silent message.

"It was a name that I picked because it represents both your human and Yautja sides and I know that you will find peace between them. I'm sure . . . Plus, I had a bit of help with it since I didn't know much of the alien language at that time."

"What time?"

She didn't answer but just patted my head gently and smiled.

"It's a long story but you will know in the future."

I giggled a bit, expecting that she wouldn't tell me right away but she had a reason for it and I nodded in understanding. She removes her hand and was about to step back from me but I needed to do one last thing for her. Quickly, I went to her and wrapped my arms around her in a warm embrace, feeling her skin on mine one last time.

"I love you. No matter what, you will always be my mother."

When I said that, my mother's face showed shock for a moment before she smiled and tears began to form from her eyes. Next thing I knew, she wrapped her arms around my shoulders once more, pressing her face on top of my shoulder.

"I love you too."

And with that, I pressed my face on her shoulder, closing my eyes a bit and enjoying the moment with her. I missed her so much and for once, I was at peace with everything. But I had one last thing to do before I left. I whispered into her shoulder so that she could barely hear me.

"The last time we were together, you set me free. Now . . . it's time for me to set you free."

When I spoke those words, my mother's form began to fade and turn into sparkles of light. We both moved our heads back until our eyes met and we smiled at each other. We stayed like that for a while until my mother disappears completely, leaving a trail of sparkles that faded away until nothing was left.

A hint of sadness crept into my chest but it was dissipated completely as happiness took over and a single tear drops from my eye. I was happy and free at last.

When that was done, I turned around back to the light and with confidence, I stepped forward and went through it as my vision became obscured until I couldn't see anything anymore.

. . . . . . . .

It became dark afterward and I was having trouble finding out where I was until a stinging pain in my abdomen and leg started to grow. It wasn't too unbearable but I had to admit that it was uncomfortable. But again, I couldn't move my body much. I pushed through the darkness and finally, I was able to open my eyes once more but the light that was shining through had me closed them back up for a second. I blinked a few times until my vision cleared up and the sky was the first thing that I noticed.

There were mixed colors of pink, purple, and blue swirling around that was partially covered by clouds so it indicated to me that it was barely sunrise and I also noticed that I was on my back lying on something soft. I looked around more and saw that we were in a small patch of forest and a campfire was burning in the center of the area. Guess the others must have set up camp here.

Trying to get up, I moved my arm so it was underneath me but then the pain in my lower chest caused me to wince and I had to lay back down for a moment. I lifted my head a bit to look down my body and saw that Rory was lying on my side, sleeping peacefully. I turned to the side and saw A'kib sleeping as well on the other side of me. I smiled a bit, knowing that they were safe and beside me. But I turned back to see down my body that was covered in a huge blanket. I pushed it down a bit and lifted my shirt, which I noticed was new and clean but my wrist gauntlets were gone but my necklace was still around my neck. Someone must have changed clothes when I was out and took my things.

I shook that thought and proceeded to look at where the pain was coming from. I tilted my head more and saw a huge, scar just below my breasts that looked nasty at first but the shape of it reminded me of a star so I didn't think it was too bad. The pain is what I didn't like.

Remembering the fight with the Bad Blood, I looked further down and saw that my leg was wrapped tightly with a boot of some kind. I could only imagine that it was a walking one for those healing from broken bones. But to my surprise, it didn't look as bad as it was before. There were no bones sticking out and it was fairly straight so someone must have fixed it while I was gone.

I didn't want to disturb Rory or A'kib but the urge to get up overpowered me so I slowly moved out of Rory's grip and avoided touching A'kib in fear that he would wake up if I did. It was a struggle but I managed to break free by crawling away on my hands and knees without waking wither one up. When I was clear of them, I struggled to get on my feet, even though the ache in my leg and the pain in my chest told not to do so.

Using my other leg more, I leaned on it and saw an unused blanket just a few inches away. I grabbed for it since the cold weather was making me shiver and wrapped it around myself. When I got myself warmed up a bit, I looked back at Rory and A'kib before limping off into the forest.

I kept going, not really mattering what direction I was taking but I followed the sunrise, my only guide through the maze of trees. It was then that I made it to the edge of the forest and stepped out to a small cliff area that overlooked the entire forest with the light shining down in it beautifully.

I saw a log lying on the ground and so I got closer to it, placing my hands on it as I moved to sit on it. It was surprisingly comfortable but then again, I was in so much pain already that it might feel like nothing. Still, I enjoyed it.

I started out into the horizon, admiring the beauty of the land before me and I couldn't help but reminisce about my mother and my time as a child with her. I smiled and observed every detail of the forest.

But then, I took a huge breath into my nose and the smell of sweet rain came through. I closed my eyes and sighed heavily, letting nostalgia flow through me. I opened my eyes when I heard the faint purring from behind and my heart leaped for joy.

"Lar'ja . . ."

I paused for a moment before I turned my head to the side and saw the one person that I longed to see. His massive form comes slowly walking over as if I would run off at any moment. His golden eyes sparkled from the sunrise but I couldn't help but look up and down his body, seeing his muscles flex back and forth until he stops just right behind me. His armor shining brightly than ever before. We stare at each other for quite a bit until I motioned him to sit down beside me.

Without hesitation, he moves to sit down on the log beside me but doesn't break eye contact with me. He just looks at me and I did the same but no words were exchanged. It a while before one of us spoke at last.

"You're . . . finally awake."

I lifted my eyebrows in confusion a bit.

"What do you mean?"

He shifts in his seat a bit and his mandibles twitch a few times as if unsure on how to answer. I waited patiently for him, hoping that he would clarify some things.

"You've been out for over a month."

My eyes widened a bit. A month? I've been sleeping for over a month? But it felt like only an hour had passed. I had to rub my head a bit when it was starting to hurt.

But then, I felt his hand gently glide across my cheek, stopping when it fully covers it. Instinctually, I pressed my face into it more, closing my eyes and hearing Lar'ja purr once more. His voice cries out to me and I opened my eyes to see him.

"I thought . . . I lost you."

He sounded sad and it resonated into me and my heart sank a bit. I scooted towards him more and pressed the whole side of my body to his. His body tenses a bit before it slowly relaxes and he wraps one arm around my shoulder, being careful of not exerting too much strength on me. I didn't mind at all.

"I'm here, Lar'ja."

It was only a whisper but he heard me as he squeezed me into him a little more. It was wonderful. His heat warmed my whole body and his scent calmed my heart a little. He's here. With me.

But then my stupid mind had to remember that he got injured the last time I saw him and I whipped out of his hold so I could check his chest but then I winch as the pain from my leg and chest came back. Lar'ja moves quickly and kneels down in front of me.

"Anya, are you alright? Are you in pain?"

I had to take a moment to stay still and let it pass. It was a while until I looked back at Lar'ja and smiled so he wouldn't worry.

"I'm fine. I just moved too fast. But what about you? The injury to your chest?"

He lifts his head up a bit and must have remembered as he moved his armor slightly and showed me. When I looked closer, there was only a little nick of a scar that was the size of my hand but was completely healed. I sighed in relief.

"Thank goodness. At least you're alright."

All of a sudden, the energy that I had just disappeared and I slumped forward so I was thankful that Lar'ja caught me, bringing me up so that he was sitting down and I was curled in his lap. His arms acted like a cocoon around me and I laid my head down on his chest. His claws gently raked through my hair and over my scalp, which felt amazing.

"What about your injuries? How are they?"

"Fine but sore and stings a bit. Nothing I can't handle."

"You handled more than enough for all of us."

I chuckled a bit into his chest and he tilts his head to the side and begins to purr again. I melted on him and stayed like that for some time. But then, I remembered something from my past and decided to tell him for some unknown reason but the need to do it was greater.

"I saw my mother. When I was sleeping."

I didn't move but I could sense his gaze on me but I just kept going.

"She told me that it wasn't my time yet and that I was needed here. That you and everyone else were waiting for me. She was watching me this whole time, even when I thought I was all alone. I was stupid to think that there was no one for me. That I would be alone for the rest of my life."

Right then, I lifted my head up and looked dead straight into his eyes, admiring their golden color for just a moment until I spoke.

"What I said before . . . that I loved you . . . I meant it. I just didn't know it until now."

I saw his mandibles open wide along with his inner mouth in a shocked expression and I chuckled again. It was pretty funny in a way. But then he lowers his head down until our faces were right in front of each other.

"I know. And I mean it as well when I said I love you too back then. I'm just glad you're here and alive."

His voice sounded like it was about to crack and it shocked me a bit that someone as strong and menacing as Lar'ja could do something like that. But when I looked into his eyes, I knew that he meant what he said and vise versa with me.

I couldn't hold my feelings any longer and without warning, I pressed my lips into his inner mouth and tasting him. He froze for a second but then his hand moved to the back of my head, pressing my mouth harder on his. He tasted delicious and I couldn't get enough of him. My heart kept pumping faster and harder and in some way, I could feel his following the same rhythm as mine. But before I could think about that any further, he slips his tongue from his mouth and shoves it into mine.

It was very unusual and foreign but welcomed after some time has passed. His tongue moves inside my mouth, feeling every corner of it and I started to battle him with my own. It was something I couldn't describe but I wanted more. It was addictive.

But as soon as Lar'ja shifted his body around for a minute, the pain came back again and I wince and in the process, bit his tongue with my teeth. He pulls his mouth away and freezes immediately, watching me with great concern.

"Anya. Are you alright?"

I paused a moment to get some air back into my lungs before I nodded at him. Fuck my injuries. Always something coming between us.

"Yes. Just . . . hurts a bit."

"Then we need to get you back to the others so we can treat you. I'll carry you."

I didn't want him to carry me, thinking that it would be a bother for him but he gave me no choice. He scooped me into his arms and slowly turns and starts walking back the way we came. His strong arms kept me close and all I did was lean my head on his chest, closing my eyes as we made our way back.

. . . . . . .

"What the fuck were you thinking?! Taking off like that!?"

"Sorry."

I lowered my head down when Brackett started to yell at me as soon as we got to camp. Lar'ja did give her a warning growl but she didn't seem to get the message. She was fuming with rage that I left without telling anyone. Rory was the same except more worried than angry. A'kib and McKenna watched from afar as Lar'ja laid me down on the blankets that I was sleeping on earlier.

Brackett comes kneeling beside me, almost shoving Lar'ja out of the way.

"Well . . . you're here and awake so let's just check your injuries and see how they are doing."

She proceeds to lift my shirt up but stops when Lar'ja growls a bit, being very protective of me but I told him that it's alright. He relaxes immediately as Brackett kept going with her inspection, lightly touching the scar under my chest.

"Sorry about this, Anya. You were losing a lot of blood and we needed to cauterize it. Left a pretty bad scar."

"It's fine."

I just closed my eyes and reached out for Lar'ja and he grabbed mine eagerly. Brackett started to apply some sort of cream that she got from a store earlier on, which she also explains how they got new clothes and supplies. She made it sound like stealing is a good thing.

Once she was done with that, she focuses on my leg and inspects it carefully. She didn't play around with it too much, only turns it to the side but I had to hold it the pain or else Lar'ja is going to get very angry. She sighs in relief.

"This is good. We had to break your leg again so your bones would heal correctly. Thanks to your fast regenerative powers, your body is taking care of it very well. In another week or so, you should be fully recovered."

Brackett looks at me and smiles and I do the same. It was strange that a while ago, I hated her guts but now . . . she was my best friend.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. Just take some time to rest until you feel better. We'll find you something to eat when you wake up."

I nodded. "Alright. But where is my stuff?"

She was confused at first but then McKenna speaks out. "We have it safe in the backpack along with the weapon so don't worry."

McKenna smiles and nods, which helped me to relax again and I nodded back in return.

Everyone scatters away afterward but it took Rory a little bit of convincing from McKenna to get him to leave me. I assured him when I promised I would play with him and his child-like smile spread on his face and I couldn't help but laugh. A'kib stayed beside me, whining a little and I petted his head so he would calm down. Sure enough, he lies down on his side and eventually falls asleep once more, leaving me and Lar'ja alone for a moment.

"Lay with me. Please."

When I said that, he moves without hesitation and moves behind me, laying himself down slowly until his chest presses to my back. One arm wraps around my waist while the other spread out so I could lay my head down on it like a pillow. Despite being rock solid, it was very comfortable.

I adjusted my body a bit before I asked him something important.

"So what happens now?"

Lar'ja pauses for a second, probably trying to think of the right answer to tell me.

"With the evidence destroyed and my mask lost, we have nothing to prove about the Bad Blood clan's existence. But there's nothing left to do on this planet."

"So?"

I turned my head around to see him in the corner of my eye and he looked very uncertain about what to say like he was too nervous to do it.

"What is it?"

"I have to return to Yautja Prime and regroup with my clan. It's the only thing I can do now."

That made my heart skip a beat. Leave the planet? That means he might not come back and who knows what will happen when he returns. I twisted quickly to face him, hiding the pain from Lar'ja.

"Do you really have to go?"

"I have to. If I remain here, then the Bad Bloods would have already won. I have to tell them what had transpired here."

His voice was strong and determined so I knew that there was nothing I could do to stop him. I lowered my gaze down in sadness, knowing that I will be separated from him once more but for how long? I didn't know.

But then, his fingers grasp my chin and lifts my head up to meet him. He purrs a little bit until he opens his inner mouth.

"But . . . I want to take you with me."

My eyes widened immediately and I couldn't believe his words for a minute. Go with him? To his homeworld? Could I?

"Are you sure though? I mean . . . will the others accept me? I'm a hybrid and they don't seem to like hybrids at all. What if they—"

He cuts me off by placing a finger on my lips, closing my mouth effectively but not too hard. Once he was sure that I had calmed down, he caresses my cheek again.

"They will accept you. You've already proven yourself to be a great warrior. And even if they don't, you will prove them wrong and I'll be beside you."

His words provided much comfort to me. He's right. I did kill a huge Bad Blood with my own hands and fought my way to get here. If Lar'ja believe me, then I can do it.

"Alright. When do we leave?"

"As soon as you are fully healed. It will give me time to repair the ship that the Bad Blood left behind. But for now, you need to rest."

With that said, I smiled at him and he did the same in his own unique way, I chuckled again and he just grunted in annoyance. I laughed again. That will never get old.

I moved back to my original position with my head on his arm and my back pressed to his chest. I yawned and I knew that sleep was taking over but I wanted to say one more important thing.

"Lar'ja?"

"Mmmm?"

"I need to let the others know soon about our departure."

He shifted a little bit but I knew that McKenna, Rory, and Brackett needed to be informed. They were my friends and I know that this will be extremely hard for Rory to accept but I had to go. The Bad Bloods have caused much pain to me, my mother, Lar'ja and everyone else and if I didn't go to stop them, then more pain and death will follow. I couldn't just sit back and watch it unfold.

I knew what I had to do.

I could feel Lar'ja moving his head until it rests on the crook of my neck. I suspected that he was trying his best to keep most of his weight off of me and I smiled, knowing how gentle he could be.

"We will tell them soon. Just close your eyes and go to sleep."

Somehow, his words triggered another huge yawn to come out of my mouth and my eyes began to droop. Before I fell into a deep slumber, I say one more thing.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

He didn't hesitate upon answering me and the warmth in my chest spread all over my body and a smile erupted on my face.

And before long, my eyes finally closed and I had the most blissful sleep I've ever had in my life.

Hi Readers!

So Anya has survived and had a touching moment with her mother, which s what Anay needed to move on and do what she needs to do. But now, she is recovering until she's ready to take off for Yautja Prime but what do the others think about it? Will they try to keep her on Earth or is her mind already made up?

What new challenges await her if she goes with Lar'ja? Will they find the way to expose the Bad Bloods once and for all?

Find out when the last chapter of Twisted Fate comes along this Sunday so that I can focus more on Break Free afterward! :)

P.S. Following Obi-wan Baloni's way, I've put some easter eggs in the last chapter and this one that is connected with the side story I'm making when the sequel kicks off. So let's see how many readers can guess what it is.

Let's find out.

Enjoy! :)))