*18*

(PREVIOUSLY ON DARKNESS BEFELL US)

"Okay I am Zod, son of Nazak," he said and I had no clue of what was going on still,

He looked at us and we looked at him back because we did not know what was happening, maybe he was someone important but he had to explain more,

"I am second in command of the etocrite queen," he said and my eyes almost popped out,

"You promised you would not over react, like I said I am here on good terms," he added looking between Noth and I,

"I do not believe you, you look human," Noth stated,

"Well as etocrites we can shape shift and I turned myself into a human but that is not the point, I am here to help, you know the queen is coming for you, she is coming after your tribe and no any other," he said and I could help but ask a question I have always wanted to ask,

"Why is she after my tribe and I?" I asked looking at him,

"Well the real thing here is she is after you and she knows damaging or harming your tribe will get to you," he replied,

"Why is she after me, I just do not understand," I said frankly,

"She has always been in love with you even after all these years, she has used my tribe just to get to you, haven't you ever thought of why a human would lead my tribe, she made them believe that humans are the worst, that humans want to kill us, she made sure she got her way with us, I tried explaining to my brothers that she was just using them but they failed to understand and that is why I am here I need to save my brothers from that monster, she also sent me for that metal but I am not going back, I want to help defeat her for good," he said and I could help but wonder why the woman was in love with me,

. . . . .

(NOW)

Zod (narration)

I walked up to the large tent where I heard Tenia shouting at someone, "I want you to bring me that girl at once I do not want to repeat myself!" she screamed and that is when I saw Bale moving out fast, he glared at me for a second and moved on,

Well I knew she must have been talking about Karth's girl, I hope they heed my advice and protect her because Tenia is now sending people after her, I know they did not believe me but then again they had no choice I was their best shot at winning the fight, the one thing Karth and his brother did not know was that Tenia was so strong and despite them having the metal she would still find a way to defeat them, I knew her more. Most times I knew what she was going to do, I knew what she was capable of,

She turned and her facial expression changed, she smiled she must have thought I brought what she asked for, well she was going to get disappointed,

"Zod, that was quick, do you have good news for me?" she asked coming close to me,

I had to give her the worst news she heard today, well we all do not get what we want, she just had to move on and I was way past everything to be scared of her,

"No I am sorry I could not get what you asked for," I said looking in her eyes,

"Why, what happened?" she asked rather calmly, I anticipated anything she was going to do to me,

"The mountain has a protection seal around it and anyone who is not allowed to access it cannot go in," I lied simply, I could not tell her I was not anywhere near that mountain,

"Did you go near or you saw from far away?" she asked trying to seem smart,

"I had to observe from a far and to be honest it looked like anyone could access it but when I got near it, it had a protection seal and I could not go in," wow I was really getting better at lying, I felt like laughing but I had to keep a straight face,

She looked like she was thinking hard about it, she turned facing the large seat, she then turned to me and looked at me, maybe she was trying to see if I was lying about it,

"That is a problem Zod but we will get that metal either way, I need it to improve our armor, I will find a way to break that seal," she said looking at me, wow I cannot believe she actually believed me,

"I want you to go back and keep an eye out and report anything that can help okay, just keep an eye out make sure you don't look suspicious," she said simply,

I nodded and left, she just gave me an opportunity to go back, we had to make out plan within the time I was in Karth's tribe

. . . . .

Nen (narration)

I woke up and saw Karth was sitting on the seat next to the window looking at his acbook seriously, I stretched and sat up in bed, he looked at me and smiled,

"Good morning beautiful, "he said and walked to the bed and pecked my forehead, I turned my head and pecked his cheek,

"Good morning why didn't you wake me up huh you know I don't like sleeping in it makes me feel lazy, " I said and pouted and he just smiled walking back to the seat,

"I let you sleep in you needed it and by the way Caz told me about his almost betrayal," he said simply and looked at me as he said the last part,

I shook my head, "I am really sorry about him I don't know why he is the way he is, " I said and got out of bed and went to the bathroom to brush my teeth and take a shower,

I got out and dressed in the pants and shirt I wore yesterday because my clothes are in room,

"Hey can I ask you something Nen?" he said and walked over to where I was standing, I shrugged,

"Why don't you want to move in to my room? " he asked and I was at loss for words, well I knew he would suspect one day but I never anticipated it so I just looked at him,

"Anensia are you even listening? " he asked a bit frustrated,

"Of course Karth I just umm did not expect that, " I said and turned to look at the mirror a bit scared,

"I mean we have been together for years like a really long time and I just keep wondering why we are not sharing a room I know you are miss independent and all but I thought it would be obvious that I don't need to ask you.... You know I love you and I don't want you going back and forth between rooms when you spend the night here but then you go change in your room, " he said and I could sense worry in his voice, I turned around and kissed him slowly which he responded too,

"I love you Karth.... Very much it hurts but I thought we would commit to each other before we shared a room and als____," I said but he quickly cut me off,

"What do you mean by commit we have been together for so long isn't that good enough commitment that you are mine and I am yours?" he asked and I blinked,

"Of course it is but I was thinking something like marriage, " I said shyly, and he smiled,

"So that is why you had refused to share a room huh...dont worry baby once we are done dealing with this etocrite problem I will marry you and we will start a family together, " he said smiling and I laughed shaking my head,

"I don't want to force you but I feel like we are way past time Karth, " I said and he looked like I had abused him,

"We are still young!!" he exclaimed and I laughed hard, I nodded understanding,

"I love you Karth, " I said and kissed him he kissed me passionately everytime he kisses me it just makes me love him more because I never get bored, he doesn't know how much I love him we have been through a lot and I can't forget it when my brother disappeared he was there, when my parents died he was there, when we were attacked he was there, it has been a really tough journey with him and I will never let him go

....

Noth (narration)

I was walking back from Clay's house we had to discuss the etocrite problem and also Karth sent me to tell him that we may or may not have an ally amongst the etocrites,

When I was going to enter I saw Caz sitting on a log from one of the trees that fell during the missile attack and he looked miserable, well he is a backstabbing asshole but I just decided to talk to him either way,

"So why are you sitting here alone?" I asked and he looked at me then looked back down,

I figured he was going to ignore me so I decided to just leave him alone,

"You don't have to pretend to care about me Noth I know each and everyone of you hates me and I can't blame you my actions have brought me here, " he said when I was about to leave, I shook my head and looked down at him,

"Not everyone ___your sister does not hate you no matter what you will always be her big brother, " I said simply, and he looked up at me like he didn't believe me,

"Look Caz I may not be very fond of you but I know deep down you have a good heart the fact that you are here looking like that shows that you actually care what people think of you, my advice is try to change if not for us do it for Nen she loves you even after you abandoned her, " I said and walked away,

"How do you know that? " he asked, and I turned quickly,

"I just do, " I said and turned around and continued to the tower,

When I got to the tower my mission was to find Santi and make it right with her I was following Karth's advice, I looked around and I saw her talking with Garon, I approached them and Garon bowed his head in respect for me but Santi bowed too and looked the other way,

"Can I have a word with Santi __i hope you don't mind Garon? " I said and looked at Garon who nodded and left us alone,

"Santi can we please talk in private? " I said and she just accepted maybe because I am second in command so maybe it was out of respect,

We walked to the balcony and I asked her to take a sit, I first looked at her and honestly she looked uncomfortable,

"Santi I am sorry if you are feeling uncomfortable but I had to talk to you I am sorry I ignored you for years I truly am I was in love with you but I decided to push it to the side and focused on work and I know you are with Farath but I cannot help but feel bad but I umm with the help of Karth I have learned to live with it, " I said and she looked at me seriously.... Well it is an improvement from her rolling her eyes so I will take it,

"I am in love with Farath I cannot help it at first I didn't know what it was but I know I love him, " she said looking me in the eye,

"I know that and I decided to be happy for you I know Farath he is a good man he will take care of you and that is enough for me, all I want is for us to at least be friends that is all I am asking for, " I said hopeful and smiling,

"Of course Noth I would like that trust me the times I have been ignoring you it was really hard but I am glad we can at least be friends, " she said smiling,

I hugged her and I still felt a tad bit of jealousy that she could have been mine but I was not raised as a negative person so I will learn to move on maybe there is someone out there,

She smiled then we walked out of the balcony and we saw Farath looking at his acbook, she immediately went to him and kissed him I saw him smiling and my heart stung

I honestly do not know how I will live with seeing that all the time.