When we last left our protagonists, they are unknowingly waiting to hear of Cyborg's condition.
Seventeen: Hand of Fate
The sun poured softly through the window and caressed the features of the room inside. Other then the sun, there was no other lighting to the room. The room itself had a humming silence to it, almost as if it was breathing. Robin awoke to this setting.
His mind was blurry and faded. He breathed in as he realized he had gotten the best nights sleep he had in a long time. Something under his chin nuzzled into his neck. He looked down to see Koriand'r asleep with the face of an angle. He smiled and put his hand against her bare shoulder. There bodies were entangled with one another, as if they were one being.
Their cloths were scattered among the floor like fallen leaves. The only thing that hid them from the world was a thin sheet that felt cool and soothing to Robin's skin. His bangs stuck to his forehead with dried sweat and his entire body seemed to be relaxed. If he had one wish, it would be that time would freeze over, so that they would stay like this forever. But it wasn't long until he realized that every minute wasted is a minute given to Komand'r. He sighed and slowly got up, trying not to wake the sleeping princess beside him.
He just put on the pants of his uniform as he heard a moan from the bed. He looked over his shoulder to see Koriand'r rising to sit on the bed. She held the sheet to her chest in a charming way and smiled.
"Good morning," she said, smiling.
"Morning," said Robin quickly. Then he picked up her dress and handed it to her. "Come on, we have to get going."
She sat there for a moment and then looked sadly down at her dress. Robin blinked.
"Koriand'r?" He sat next to her.
"Robin… do you – love me?"
Robin didn't know what to say.
"Kori," he said, "why do you even have to –"
"Do you?" she asked, turning sharply to him. Robin was taken aback. Then, his shoulders slumped and he smiled.
"Of course I do," he said, pushing back some of her hair. "I love you more then anything in the world." She looked away, smiling a bit. "But we have to leave as soon as possible. We need Galfor's army to help fight Komand'r and her forces. And, hey," he lifted her chin and gave her a tender kiss, "never doubt that I love you. I'd do anything for you."
They put their foreheads together and paused for a bit.
"Lets get dressed, ok?" said Robin. She nodded.
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Robin and Koriand'r walked into the lobby just out side the medical room where Raven, Beastboy, Roy, and Garth awaited the update on Cyborg's condition. (Raven had filled them in on who had been helping the Gordanians)
"How's he doing?" asked Robin as the two sat down.
"We don't know," said Roy. "Bee hasn't come out yet and she wont let us in."
"She has been in there this whole time?" asked Koriand'r empathetically.
"All night," answered Garth.
"And speaking of 'all night'," Beastboy butted in, "what were you two doing last night? Been – busy? Ow!" Raven had smacked him on the back of the head.
They both blushed feverishly.
Swoosh.
They all turned to see the door of the medical room open, with Bee standing there. It shut behind her. Her eyes were red and puffy, and she had dry streaks of tears running down her cheeks. She looked at them all, eyes full of sadness.
"Victor… Victor's dead."
The air became still, as if time had froze in shock. They all looked at one another. None of them were able to talk.
It was at that time Robin found that his body had a mind of its own. All of a sudden, he was standing up. He walked over to Bee, as if an invisible puppeteer was pulling him along on strings. He put his hand on her shoulder.
"Are you going to be ok?" His voice was distant – as if someone else was forcing out the words. She nodded and he squeezed her shoulder slightly as if to say – everything's all right. But the funny thing was, he didn't know if he wanted to say this, or if he wanted to hear it.
"Before – um – before he died… he told me that – that I reminded him of his fiancé."
"Seresum?"
"Yeah."
He noticed something in her hand
"May I?" he asked, motioning to it. Bee held it out to him. It was the same gold necklace Robin saw Cyborg wearing the night they had talked. He took it in his hands. He then found the two ends to the necklace and started to place it around Bee's neck. She looked at him, startled.
"Wha –?"
"Trust me," he said, "he would have wanted you to have this." He hooked it around her neck and smiled. She looked down at the engagement ring and felt it between her fingers. She pressed it tightly to her breast and closed her eyes. Robin thought now was a good a time as any to leave.
"Raven?" he said.
"Yes?" she answered.
"Can you set quarantines for Tamaran?"
"Sure." She and Beastboy stood up.
"C'mon, Koriand'r," he said, following the other two.
She stood up, only to stop, mid-motion. She placed her forefinger on her temple and began to massage it.
"Koriand'r?" asked Robin.
"Nothing, Robin," she said, unconvincingly, "it's – just a headache."
But then, it got worse. She shut her eyes and retreated a bit. Then, she lost her balance and nearly fell to the floor. Robin rushed to her.
"Koriand'r!" he said, quickly grabbing her. A groan escaped her lips.
The rest of them stood in alarm at this. Bee quickly opened the door to medical room.
"Bring her in here," she said. As he did, he noticed the curtains drawn around one of the beds where he knew Cyborg lay.
He set her down gently as she started to sweat profusely.
"What happened to her?" asked Garth.
"She was fine just a minute ago," said Roy.
Do you think it's true?... about my life being in danger?...
"I know what happened," said Robin, darkly. "Beastboy," he said quickly.
"Yeah?"
"Do you know how to fly the ship?"
"Uh-huh."
"Good. Set quarantines for Azerath."
" 'Azerath'!" he repeated in horror. "Are you insane? Komand'r's still there! And the Gordanians!"
"I know…
"But you can't just –!"
"Now!"
Beastboy scampered off to the ship. Raven looked at him.
"Robin?"
"Promise me you'll protect Koriand'r, ok? Please promise, Raven."
She nodded. Robin took one last look at Koriand'r and then hurried down the hall.
He promised he wouldn't let anything happen to her…
… he'll go to Hell before he'd break that.
Will Robin save Koriand'r in time? What does he plan to do? And when will we learn of the gunther knife's secrets? Tune in next chappie to find out!
T.