Disclaimer: I do not own Storm Hawks or any of its characters. I do, however, own my own characters and plots.

Chapter 33

"You were right... I had forgotten my promise," I said softly. "I'm sorry."

At first, sitting down in an enclosed place like Farida's room was intimidating. It was even more intimidating sitting in it with someone who always wanted to kill you. I had seated myself in front of her, but she wouldn't look at me at first. She was too absorbed in the scrapbook she held in her hands. I realized that they were all drawings, the same drawings that had been hanging on her wall when I first visited her all those years ago. There were other drawings as well, sketches, observations —still-life and anatomy— and most interestingly, maps. She was still looking through them when I stepped in, and the only difference that occurred was her speed in it. I figured that she was not entirely absorbed in it, and that she lent a piece of her attention to me. I had to do the best I could do with that.

But it was very difficult. I was not used to speaking to her without the paranoia of her lashing out or barking something harsh, which would otherwise discourage me from continuing talking. With her calm demeanor, she was sort of inviting me to talk in length, without interruption. I had to think very hard at how to explain my feelings, that I had to talk about something else to buy time.

Additionally... I didn't feel right, inside. It had nothing to do with where I was or what I was doing. I felt distant, and tired. So very tired.

I glanced at the wall I left, trying to find the contours of the one-way mirror. I knew Luchas was on the other side with Seth, unless Seth decided to go and attend to his other duties, in which case it was just Luchas. Normally I would be disturbed with him watching us. However, after what had happened... I don't know. I didn't see him as I used to anymore, not as one of the men that haunted my childhood. It was like I'd forgotten, or it had lost its meaning. It didn't seem to matter anymore. I turned to Farida, who still hadn't looked up.

"You... you know Luchas?" I asked. My mouth was cottony, my tongue thick and settled before my teeth. Farida flipped a page.

"He worked as company," she said simply. "I wouldn't have cared if it was anyone else, but since he worked on the Oasium Project, he was a reliable reference."

"You... asked about it?"

"Yeah. He told me what it was they were trying to do, and everything you went through."

I had the sudden reminder of our encounter in the lobby of the facility. She said with utmost hatred about how she could care less about what happened to me. What she said just now contradicted the image of the Farida I was led to believe in. She asked Luchas about it, put an effort to learn... Once again, Farida wasn't as she had seemed.

I leaned forward, licking my lips and looking for words. "Did you... really try to set me free? Back when we were children...?"

Farida rubbed the page between her fingers in consideration.

"I did," she sighed. "I didn't know what they were doing to you at the time, but it was obvious enough to me that you weren't happy. I wanted... to talk to you... and..." She hesitated, frowning. "...make you happy, too."

My head tilted, stunned by those words. Farida, despite being raised by the Dead Queen, could still maintain such compassion? Or was that just childish naivety, since she wanted someone to play with? I leaned back again, looking at my hands, one of course being tightly compacted in the cast.

"I never knew, and I don't think I ever noticed any attempts," I murmured. "Were you... punished for trying?"

"Beaten." Farida wrinkled her snout, but she still didn't look at me. "Every time I did something wrong or failed, that's what I'd get. It was just more severe that time."

"I'm very sorry."

"You seem like a pro at saying that." Farida sighed again, this time impatiently. She said her next sentences with some finality. "I didn't like Cyclonia. I don't know, I just never felt that... 'homely' feeling people describe."

"Then why did you always say you wanted to return there?" Given some credit, I had a right to ask that with some accusation. Her eyes shifted, a step closer of getting her to look at me. "You even tried to tempt Repton to take you there. Why did you—"

Words stumbled to a stop when she brought her eyes up to mine. They were hardened, but ever since I saw them crack, they had been easier to read. They looked appalled, as if what I was saying was where the answer lay and I was too blind to see it. I took a moment to recollect my thoughts, but in the end she had to say it for me.

"Don't you think I would've gone there myself if I wanted to?" she asked me. "There was nothing stopping me. I had my own ride, my own privileges... if I wanted to serve Cyclonis, I would've gone and done so years ago."

That was true. She always talked about Cyclonia with such an important air... She had all the power to go there, but she didn't. I just assumed that she was just afraid to do it, probably afraid she'd become the next test subject. Not to mention, the Dead Queen was no longer in power, and it was her granddaughter who ruled now. Cyclonis was born a few years after we had been rescued, and even if she and Farida had spent some time together, I doubted a sisterly bond would have formed between them. The Dead Queen would simply have favoured her own flesh and blood. But that was besides the point... Farida would just not belong... and I realized that she knew this. She knew that she didn't belong in the first place, all along.

Why did she go on about returning to Cyclonia then?

"You did that because you wanted to get my attention...?" I started doubtfully. She didn't break eye-contact with me, and she didn't deny anything. She scoffed to herself, then forced a bitter smile.

"It did get your attention, didn't it? But it wasn't the only reason... I did that because I wanted to make you angry. I tried to make myself feel better, seeing you squirm."

She waited for me to interject, but I was watching her very closely. She continued when I had nothing to say.

"I didn't like you, Beta. After what happened to you, you just took whatever was thrown at you. You didn't fight back. You fought me, but what were you fighting for?" She shook her head, continuing scathingly. "Let's say you won the fight. So what? You'd have locked me away like you have now and remain a coward. You'd slip into those stupid disguises and hide yourself from the Atmos. You're going to continue your life like that? You're going to hide from Cyclonis for as long as you live?"

"Don't tell me you were trying to teach me some moral lesson," I protested, stung. "Lives were in danger because of you. You hurt Lilym, the small Blizzarian girl. You wanted to kill me."

"Yes, I wanted to kill you. I gave up on you realizing what you did, so what purpose did you have for me? And who knows, maybe Cyclonis would've seen me favourable if she knew I killed you in her name. The façade I played would have made everything play out nicely. If Repton had taken me to Cyclonis, maybe I would've gotten another chance." She broke her gaze and clenched the book tighter. "...that's... that's what I thought."

I cast my eyes down to my lap again, allowing the silence to come between us. My energy seemed sapped. Once again, I was rendered unresponsive. I simply didn't know what to say, words that wouldn't make things worse.

It turned out I didn't have to spend so much time thinking, because then I heard Farida's choking gasp. I looked at her and watched as she still stared down at her book, very rigid. She swallowed, her lips pressed tightly, angling her head but still not up at me. Tears had dropped from the corners of her eyes and dotted the worn pages of her scrapbook.

"Why are you so strong, Beta?" she rasped. My eyes widened. "Everything's that happened to you... don't they faze you at all? You face life, the Atmos, me... like none of that matters. You go on living and caring for others, not once about yourself! I..." She shook her head roughly. "Damnit, I'm the weak, stupid one..."

After a few stunned moments, watching her weep as silently, stubbornly, as she could, I crawled my way over to her cautiously. I knew she was aware of my movements, but she didn't reply with any aggressiveness. When I arrived at her side, crouched, it was then that she looked up at me, even if she adverted them a second later. The tears were still welled up in her eyes, and she tried to banish them. She turned away and rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand.

"You're not weak or stupid," I said gently. "And you were right, Farida... I've been the stupid one for all these years. I thought it would be best for you if I wasn't there. I thought I pained you... so I tried my best to set up a good life for you, and check on you from a distance." I smiled ruefully. "I cared for you deeply, and that hasn't changed. Even if I failed to make things right with you and I doubted myself... the heart just acts on its own sometimes, and I couldn't go a day without worrying about you, or wondering if our relationship would ever brighten... Truthfully, I was always a little scared to talk to you. I thought I'd always screw up..."

She continued sniffling quietly. I rested my left hand on her shoulder tenderly, and I felt my heart ache.

"You have every right to call me a coward, too. After the Oasium Project, I ran away, leaving you behind. I didn't even think of it until now... my reasoning played no part at that time. I turned my back on you."

"...you were... just a kid..."

I smiled slightly. "I won't accept that as an excuse. I won't use the Oasium Project as an excuse. I caused you so much unhappiness when I meant to steer you clear of it. I'm truly sorry. I won't run from you anymore."

She said nothing more, but the tears kept flowing. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders, somewhat embracing her. I felt awkward with this new experience, but... I realized it was something I had dreamed distantly of. To embrace my sister. Half-sister or full, she was still family, the only I had left. I thought my little hug was as far as it would go, but I was surprised when she leaned in into me, resting her head on my chest. She buried her face there, and I could feel the bandages that encircled me dampen. I rubbed her arm comfortingly as she cried, resting my jaw down on her head, where her spines became flaccid.

Throughout the years, I had come to know the strength, audacity and temper that she inherited from Karbus. Today, I saw at last a more delicate heart that she received from our mother.

That much we shared.

Leugey would not go away. He wanted to watch the Eye with Repton, no matter how many times the older brother threatened to bodily maim him. And in reality, Repton didn't see any harm in indulging him, and he knew the younger would be pestering about the Eye later. So Repton decided to transport themselves to a more private location, such as his chambers. This was the first time he was allowing Leugey into it, and the younger brother looked around in awe. He was probably baffled that it was clean, everything set aside in order. Repton also had the best skins from the hunts draping over his bed, so it was only natural that Leugey head over there and feel them. Rubbing them between his clumsy fingers, he made cooing sounds. Repton rolled his eyes and directed his attention back to the Eye.

Nakoto had just embraced Farida, and surprisingly the younger Raptoress responded with no hostility. She actually invited the gesture. It seemed like the bond between the two sisters had mended at last... or it was a start. The two doctors watched them silently, having not heard any of their conversation. When Nakoto had approached Farida, Seth showed some signs of tension, probably dreading that something would go wrong, but he relaxed when the scene took on a more serene mood.

"I'll go and fetch the Chancellor," he said after a few more moments of watching them. "I know your shift's long been over, but could you look after them until I come back?"

"It's not a problem, Dr. Seth," Luchas replied. "Take as long as you need to."

The younger doctor left. After everything that happened, they all seemed to forget, even reject the idea that Luchas was a Cyclonian spy. Once Seth was gone and the door closed in after him, Luchas was all alone.

"Turn the intercom on, Luchas."

Repton's hands twitched slightly in alarm, close to dropping the Eye. Leugey turned around with a greater amount of urgency and surprise, staring at his brother. Luchas jumped as well, the pencil he was holding in his hand flicking out of his grip. Leugey went up to his older brother and whispered in a frightened tone:

"Was that Master Cyclonis...?"

Repton hissed at him to be quiet. Answering and explaining why Cyclonis' voice carried through the Stone would take more time than he wanted, and Luchas was already speaking.

"Turn the intercom... on?"

"Did I stutter, Luchas?" Cyclonis' drone made the Eye vibrate under Repton's hands. He wondered if Luchas' pendent exhibited such a reaction too. Maybe it was a good indicator that someone was speaking to him in case he couldn't hear or notice. "That's what I said."

"But Farida and Nakoto requested privacy," Luchas replied timidly. "They—"

"Have you forgotten your place? You're a spy. You'll do any means necessary to get into the victim's life and find her weakness. And from what I can see, our target is very weak in the time being, and it's all the more reason to examine her. Have you forgotten one of your duties in all the commotion?"

"N-No... Master Cyclonis."

"Then turn it on at once. No one's around to see you do it. If there are cameras, it's not exactly something Alpha or Beta would fall back to. They're distracted... and I know Beta trusts you now. She won't suspect you of breaking this little promise."

"How do you..." Luchas trailed off immediately, which was expected of him. Both he and Repton knew how impatient the Empress could be. He twisted in his chair, slowly, as if he was stretching. He was undoubtedly looking at each corner, to see if there were any cameras being operated. He turned back and waited for a few moments before he reached over and activated the intercom. Static sounded for a second, making the doctor freeze, but the Raptoresses inside didn't pay it any heed. Farida's breathing came through as she tried to recollect herself.

"It's okay," Nakoto sighed, stroking the scales on Farida's shoulder. "I'm not going anywhere. It's okay."

"What am I doing?" Farida grunted in frustration. "Why am I the one like this? I wasn't... I wasn't tortured. I wasn't experimented on. And yet I'm crying. I'm the one who's crying. Am I just not strong enough...?"

"Even the strongest falter, Farida."

"You're not faltering."

Nakoto said nothing in response. The younger sister slowly pulled herself away, looking up at her as if waiting for her to explain how she managed to keep her composure together. The older sibling returned a different, more solemn gaze, shuffling back a little. One leg was folded and rested underneath her while the other was bent. Her left hand rested on her knee while her cast lay in her lap. Her head lowered slightly.

"I'm sure Luchas told you what happened?" she started. Farida's head tilted. "He must have told you that, after thinking you were dead... I nearly killed the man that shot you."

Leugey's head tilted too, but surprisingly he didn't say anything as of yet. He was actually listening intently. Farida didn't look like she was shocked by this news. She waited quietly for Nakoto to continue with whatever point she wanted to make. Nakoto shrugged.

"I wish I could tell you how I've been able to keep myself going all these years," she said. "I used to have all the answers to questions I asked myself throughout my life. What's the point of living anymore? Why don't I exact revenge on Cyclonia, or fight for what I believe in? How am I able to stay strong when I need to be? I used to have the answers. I had everything played out. But after that night, I don't know anymore. I can't tell you. It feels like I've been wrong all along."

"How so?" Farida shook her head in disbelief. "So what? You almost killed someone. I don't understand..."

"Farida, I always told you that neither you nor I are weapons." Nakoto bent her head and broke her gaze from her sister. "That's what the Dead Queen always referred to me as... a weapon. I swore to prove that wrong, but... the amount of hurt and destruction I caused, was close to causing... I'm starting to think I'm becoming exactly what she wanted. It may not mean anything to you, but... I feel like I've lost some sort of game. That I actually died rather than falling in reserve like you. I'm the youngest and oldest I'll ever be. I'm at the end..." She chuckled tiredly. "Now I just feel like I'm in the afterlife, full of trials of unfinished business. After I'm done, I'll be able to sleep forever."

Farida had been growing very tense as Nakoto talked, but when the older Raptoress finished that sentence she jumped to her feet. The scrapbook she had been clutching onto slipped from her lap and landed audibly on the floor between them. Nakoto's eyes followed Farida up, and she kept a small, forced smile on her lips. The younger sister looked very angry.

"You've got some nerve, telling me that now!" she shouted. "I don't want to ever hear you say that, you hear me? You're supposed to be the oldest one! Why are you thinking about death over this? You almost killed this fool, so what? A life is a life, who cares! I'm actually glad you've finally found out how it feels, after all the times you just sat there and took hits! What I don't understand is how it makes you wonder about your life and who you are. If anything, it tells you that you're a really strong Raptoress who... who..." Farida shook her head aggressively. "Who... really does care about her family."

The fatigue on Nakoto's face was even deeper this time as she considered her younger sister. She tried to keep her smile, but it only seemed to age her even more. Her thoughts were reflected in her whole demeanour... she just observed everything slowly, as if there was no point in keeping her awareness. Her mentality right now was depressing... lost in some sort of purgatory, resolving conflicts she couldn't while she was 'alive', before leaving for the unknown realm of death.

"...maybe you're right," Nakoto replied at last. She shrugged again. "Maybe I'm just being stupid. Nothing unusual."

Farida let out an exasperated growl and turned away, walking to the opposite end of the room, probably trying to burn off some steam. As she did so, Nakoto sluggishly looked down at the scrapbook and reached over to it. She fell back onto her bottom and folded both legs to sit more comfortably, and she opened the book. She viewed it silently, flipping through the old pages. Farida was still muttering to herself when Nakoto spoke again.

"I... wanted to tell you this years ago, but you... you really are an amazing artist."

Farida looked over her shoulder, and Nakoto raised her head.

"I wonder who you got it from?" she pondered, smiling distantly. "From our mother's side, or your dad's side? I'm trying to remember if any of Karbus' relatives were skilled in this..."

"Karbus?"

"Yes, that was your father's name."

"What was yours?"

"Blaed." Nakoto simpered in mild amusement, returning her eyes to the pages before her. "It fit him. He was the knife-thrower in our village, hunting with short blades and daggers. He had an amazing aim."

"...what was our mother's name?"

Nakoto's eyes softened, and she took a breath before responding: "Frieda. Beautiful name, isn't it?"

Farida nodded, turning away again. Nakoto's free fingers handled the pages delicately, even though they weren't in terrible condition. Very slowly, the tension that previously existed between the two sisters started to subside. They were holding civil conversation. Even if Farida didn't give in and show Nakoto full forgiveness, she was somewhat... getting along. Nakoto continued looking quietly until she hummed, intrigued by something.

"These are really old drawings... It makes me wonder how you fare now." She straightened up a little. "You really like to draw maps, too. Are these real places?"

"No." Farida folded her arms and considered the contents of the shelves where she stood, her back to her sister. "They're what I imagined the Farside of Atmos to look like."

"The Farside of Atmos? You'd like to go there?"

"Someday. Most of those Terras I drew... I always imagined that's where the other Raptors were."

Nakoto's head tilted, looking thoughtfully at the maps. She turned the book differently to get a different sense of direction from time to time. She sighed through her nose.

"You've had just as much luck as I've had, trying to find the others," she said reflectively. "It seems like Bogaton is the only Terra on this side that's inhabited by them. Oasium used to be its companion, but it no longer exists. Only Bogaton remains."

"Mmhm." Farida turned toward Nakoto slowly, rubbing her arms. "And if the Raptors of Bogaton don't do what Cyclonis says, then they'll be gone, too. The Farside of Atmos is the only place I haven't looked, and someday I hope to get there."

"So you're more of an explorer than a knight. That's very interesting, Farida." Nakoto's smile faltered. "Are you... worried about Bogaton?"

"Worried? I've never been there before, so I wouldn't hold it with much endearment..."

"Well... you seem rather fond of Repton."

Leugey looked at his brother as if on cue, and the Rogue felt his scales heat up slightly. He didn't want to be spoken about, or brought into a conversation, especially when Cyclonis was watching. And since the two sisters were alone, anything could be said... he found himself dreading anything slipping out. Some secret. Some weakness.

But then again... what did Nakoto have to say?

"Fond? In what way?" Farida demanded pointedly. "He's impressive, sure. He's strong, cunning, ambitious... in what way did you mean 'fond'?"

Nakoto laughed, sounding more sincerely amused. "Oh, you sound defensive..."

"I don't think so," Farida snorted, making Nakoto laugh even more. It was a weak sound, but it was getting better. Farida looked flustered. "What? Stop laughing! You think I fancy him? Oh please! I don't have time for that trivial stuff!"

"Oh, trivial? Don't you want to have kids?"

"Kids are annoying. I don't know about Raptor hatchlings, but don't make me think about it... it's giving me a migraine already."

"Well, I personally wish to have children someday. Start a family of my own." Nakoto closed the scrapbook and caressed the spine. She looked up at Farida teasingly. "You'd be their scary aunt."

"Huh..." Farida stopped and stroked her chin. Then, she drawled dryly: "We'll see, then. Good luck in finding a mate for that. You hardly have any suitors to choose from, if any... unless..."

Nakoto tossed the book carefully, then leaned back, catching herself with her good hand. She bore her teeth in a small, mischievous smile. "How did we get to this topic? We were talking about your artistic skills."

Farida looked down at Nakoto with suspicious incredulity. She put her hands on her hips. At that moment, the door from out of the hall opened, and Seth and the Chancellor stepped inside. In all actuality, it didn't take them long to come in, which meant that the Chancellor was already in the building. When they arrived, Luchas feigned reaching for the intercom to turn it on. When he did so, Farida accused with shock:

"You fancy—?"

"Na-Nakoto," Luchas stumbled, due to his haste of covering himself up. "The Chancellor's here to see you."

Both sisters looked toward the invisible window. Nakoto's playfulness had gone, and she looked older again. Farida shuffled backwards, looking like she had no business in what was happening now. The Chancellor glanced at Luchas, kept him under his gaze for a long moment, then approached the intercom. His suit was not as neat as it usually was, and his eyes drooped in exhaustion. Perhaps he really had stayed in the institute to keep close to Nakoto, despite his duties for his Terra. Luchas rolled slightly aside on his chair, and the Chancellor leaned in.

"Nakoto?"

"...hello, sir," she responded. She made an effort to get to her feet and face the window.

"How are you feeling?"

Nakoto's eyes adverted to the ground, and she rubbed the back of her neck with a deep exhale through her nose. After a few seconds she looked back up again with a hopeless, weak smile.

"I'm... alive, aren't I?"

The Chancellor returned with a tired smile of his own, even if Nakoto couldn't see it. "Would you come out here and speak with me?"

Nakoto paused, then looked to where Farida retreated, with her back to all of them. Nakoto shook her head slowly.

"Would you... be able to come in here instead?" she requested. "I don't want to leave."

Farida looked over her shoulder.

"Of course I'd be able to," the Chancellor said, to which Seth's posture adopted an anxious form. The old man gestured to Luchas as he made his way to the door.

"Open the door, Luchas."

Seth barred his way, and Luchas hesitated upon opening the door yet. "Sir, if you please," he whispered. "Do you think that's wise? Farida..."

"If Nakoto thought it unsafe for me, she would have come out to see me," he breathed back. "I trust her."

"I trust her too, but the risk of..."

"Thank you for your concern, doctor, but it's unnecessary."

The older man regarded him with exhausted eyes. It took Seth a while for him to fall back from him, and he stepped out of his way. The Chancellor nodded, and stepped into the room once Luchas opened it for him. It shut swiftly after him.

Seth turned and walked toward Luchas, who promptly flicked the intercom off once more to show his dedication to Nakoto's request, even as things have changed. The younger gestured to the desk.

"I can take over for you now," he said. "You've done more than enough to help. You should go home and rest."

Luchas hesitated. "Are you sure you don't need any rest yourself?"

Seth shook his head. "No. I'll be fine. Go on."

Luchas stood up slowly, and with a last glimpse into the room, Repton saw Nakoto standing very still, waiting as the Chancellor approached her. She had her eyes forced down to the ground, as if she couldn't bring herself to look at him with any pride. She looked ashamed. However, it didn't look like the older man was scolding or shouting. It was as if she could already hear it in her head, and it reached her heart all the more harshly.

Seth sat down in Luchas' former seat with a sigh. Luchas didn't take any more time to loiter, and he bid the younger doctor a good day. When he stepped out, the last thing glimpsed was Seth taking off his glasses and rubbing his eyes wearily.

The hallway that Luchas entered was completely deserted. There were no other doctors around. Was this a hallway in the facility or someplace else? A small curiosity, but Repton paid it no heed. He listened very quietly, and immediately gave Leugey a kick when he tried to speak. The younger lizard thought that this was the time to ask questions, but he was mistaken. When Luchas slowed his pace, Repton knew what was coming.

"Interesting conversations, wouldn't you say?" Cyclonis mused. Repton hated the sensation that the Eye gave him, when she spoke. Seeping with arrogance. Luchas adjusted his own pendant on his breast.

"Yes, Master Cyclonis."

"Tell me, Luchas... who would you say was the better between the two? Alpha, or Beta?"

Luchas hesitated. "Better for your needs, do you mean?" When Cyclonis said nothing, Luchas didn't waste time to wait, in fear of it being the poorest of choices. "Alpha has the ideal temperament. With the exception of earlier, she has a short temper and isn't afraid to unleash it through violence or aggression. She would make a good soldier, provided she doesn't rebel against her superiors, which she seems prone to do. Nakoto... you would have to prompt her somehow in order for her to attack as she did Corvid. As she is, she doesn't make a good warrior. Not with her spirits so delicate."

"But she remains the most powerful, in the sense of her chemical make-up."

Luchas' head nodded, his chin being the only thing this side of the Eye could capture. Forgetting himself, the doctor hastened to answer. "Yes. The trials of the Oasium Project had placed her at a higher level than any of her kind could've hoped to reach, not for at least a few generations. She would be... preferable, but she would be even more rebellious if you were to try and control her, both mind and body."

"But she is weak. Her body is battered, and her spirit is in a terrible state."

"Yes," Luchas replied hesitantly. Luchas had made his way to the door that lead out of Sector Zero, but before he could enable it to open, he paused. "Do you think... this is the time to...?"

"I believe so," Cyclonis mused. "Yes, I think we've waited long enough. And what better opportunity to claim my property than now?"

Repton's blood seemed to run cold. Having watched Nakoto for so long, he'd forgotten to think of the time when it would end. When Cyclonis would finally get her hands on the Raptoress... A sense of anxiety rose within him, and to prevent himself from dropping the Eye, he set it on his mantle. His retreating fingers trembled for a moment but he forced them to curl into fists. His body was stiff for having stood at attention, so he wandered over to his bed, sitting at its edge. Leugey had glanced at him, but returned his gaze to the Eye.

Luchas had said nothing, so Cyclonis continued. "I'll be dispatching the Nightcrawler squadron once they return. They'll be finished their scouting any day now."

Luchas breathed. "Night...crawlers?"

"I've got important matters to attend to now. Once we're ready to retrieve Alpha and Beta, I'll need you to make sure the building's security is weakened."

"Y-Yes, Master Cyclonis."

Eerie silence announced Cyclonis' leave. Luchas, having stood before the door for a few minutes, finally opened it and began his departure from the building. There was no reason to watch or listen to the Eye now. The doctor encountered other people, which whom he spared a few words, but none of that was important to Repton. This turn of events...

"Repton?"

The world spun back into focus before Repton got too deep and he snapped his eyes to Leugey. The younger brother furrowed his brows.

"What's going to happen to that lady?" he asked. "What does Master Cyclonis want with her?"

Having just jumped into this twisted plot, Leugey surprisingly seemed to quickly grasp the fact that Nakoto was in some sort of danger. He was concerned. He may have been slow, but he wasn't dumb enough to believe that Cyclonis would take someone and treat them kindly. Nakoto and Farida's backstory may have all gone over his head but the immediate issue remained apparent to him.

"I don't know, Leugey," Repton replied. "She wants her as a soldier, a tool... a slave, maybe."

"Can't we help her?" Repton looked at him in annoyance, but Leugey didn't shy back from the topic. "She's... she's a Raptor. She should be with us."

Should be... with us?

"There's nothing we can do. Cyclonis appointed me to watch over her, so that I can... help her with her plan. I can't help Nakoto."

"That's her name?" Leugey looked down at his hands, which were held together in front of him. His fingers touched each other tentatively. "Nakoto... shouldn't be taken to Cyclonia... she's a Raptor..."

"Yes, she's a Raptor," Repton barked impatiently. "Don't you think I know that? Why do you keep repeating it?"

The bumbling Raptor shuffled, still looking at his hands. "She's... one of us. She should be... safe. Why can't we bring her here?"

Repton reared his head back a little, giving Leugey a cynical look. " 'Bring her here'? How do you propose we do that? Nightcrawlers will get to them in a matter of days, leaving us no time to prepare anything. If we barge right in, the Eye-" He motioned to the crystal on the mantle. "-will notify Cyclonis immediately. If she knows we've got her and we don't hand her over, it's treason. Then you can say goodbye to Bogaton. Nakoto won't be the only one who'll suffer."

When Leugey didn't reply, the Raptor King smacked his hands off his knees, snarling. "Why am I even explaining something like this to you, anyway? You don't understand anything." He got to his feet and passed by the younger sibling. "When I come back, you better be out of this room. This was a one-time thing; it's not a new privilege."

He could tell that Leugey looked up at him and followed him with his eyes, but he wouldn't meet his gaze. Sometimes Leugey had this way of getting under Repton's skin; it was one of the reasons why he hadn't killed him for his insufferable clumsiness. Leugey was a little too innocent, and too naive. It was considered weak of a Raptor to still maintain these things in adulthood. Leugey never really grew up, though. He was still a kid inside, and sometimes that kid had such hopeful ideas that it was painful. Nothing was as good as Leugey suggested. And yet, the bumbling idiot was happy, ignorant of how things really worked. It left Repton bitter... bitter with envy.

He wandered out onto one of the lower balconies, overlooking the village below. He stood with his arms behind his back, watching his people mingle and go about their work. Drellian was hidden somewhere, probably rounding up some remaining rebels despite Repton's warning. He looked to the horizon, where whatever it was cutting off their food supply was prowling beyond his sight... And finally, even further than his Terra, Nakoto was in danger. Leugey didn't have to worry about confronting these problems; it wasn't his responsibility. He was deemed unfit to deal with anything besides his own mindlessness, and it somehow made him more fortunate than Repton.

If only he could bring Nakoto to Bogaton. If only! Such a hopeful sentiment. If he could find a way to do it without revealing himself to Cyclonis, he would. He found the thought of hiding from her cowardly, but being reckless about it would seal Bogaton's fate, and that would do little good for any Raptor. That was out of the question.

Since Nakoto had nearly killed the man, Corvid would undoubtedly press charges and call for a trial. She couldn't be protected by the Chancellor, not without evoking public shame. The people would doubt that he deserved his seat in power if he bent the law for his own gain. Corvid wouldn't let this go quiet. It was either Nakoto got punished or the Chancellor lost the favour of a Terra. All of that, though... none of that would matter when the Nightcrawlers arrived. As bad as punishment by law sounded, nothing was as bad as Cyclonis finally getting her hands on them. No one but Luchas would see it coming.

Repton had looked up to the sky, scouring it, but had frozen upon a thought. His arms loosened, swinging back to his sides, and then he turned around and entered back inside. His eyes were cast to the ground, pensive. Thinking, thinking...

Slowly, as the idea grew, a strong feeling swelled and he was struck by insight. His pace quickened and he returned back to his room. Leugey was gone and Repton didn't care. He didn't even pay attention to the Eye, still maintaining life on Luchas' end. He arrived at his desk and swiftly opened the drawer, taking out scrolls of paper. Repton spread it upon the surface, carelessly allowing the scroll to roll off the edge beside him. Finding a fountain pen nearby, he scratched at the corner, satisfied as ink revived from disuse.

Left unsigned, he wondered if Nakoto really would recognize it was from him.

End of Chapter

A/N: Oh my goodness gracious.

If anyone is still out there, hello! I am so... SO sorry. xD Life has gone completely haywire with school and love and stress. And total writer's blockkk

But you know what? I'm still gonna try. Even if everyone's forgotten about this story or they've lost interest, that's okay. I still wanna leave on a good note you know? If you're still here, kudos! Leave a review here and tell me what you think. Let yourself be known and maybe it'll give me more incentive! I really have missed all of you, and you left me with such nice reviews before~

Much love! c:
~Vix