Stay With Me

"You're eating a lot, Sapphire," Hal worried.

"I normally eat like this," I said as I devoured my third batch of food.

"More than normal, actually," he raised a brow, "I think we need Stif here."

"I told you, don't," I spun my head towards the direction where Stif usually eats, only seeing an empty table; a bunch of empty tables actually. "Are they that busy?" I looked at Nica. I see her wounds aren't that cured yet but not worse like the last time. Her hands are still covered with bandages and so is her temple.

"It was a rough fight," Nica raised her glass to her mouth.

"Just who did you fight with?" Hal curiously asked.

"Not normal people, obviously," Aaron commented.

Julia gave me more rice, "I think you need it."

"I think I had enough," I said, pushing the plate away from me.

"No, really," Julia pushed it back to me.

I looked at her confused. But I realized that I do want to eat more so I accepted her offer.

"Just like Aaron said, we didn't fight with normal people. But they did have normal people with them. I'm guessing it's one of Nero's allies. They fought really well like us," she looked at my brother.

"Artisans too?" I asked.

"It's not confirmed yet," Nica breathed nervously.

"Does the Commander know about this already?" Aaron asked.

"He's well informed," Nica answered.

I finally finished the food that Julia gave me. I was about to take a bite on another piece of bread when Aaron took it out of my hand. He only smiled at me and placed it on his plate. "Enough."

I sighed. "Well, what about your team? Who did those to you that even the healers find it hard to cure you all," I gazed around the Dining Hall.

"Whoever was there; that person has a poison or something. Someone was throwing grenades at us but instead of exploding and killing us all instantly it explodes and slowly weakens our system until we fall down. The first squad had inhaled the most," her eyes shifted around the room trying to push back the fear and the memories of her comrades being defeated.

"You won, right?" Julia asked.

"Not exactly. The enemies pulled back first. I don't think it's right to consider anyone winning; my team is at the Medical Facility and their team retreated."

"It's terrible. It's been days since that but the aftermath is not yet over." Aaron played with his food using his fork.

"You should be resting then. Regain your health," Hal advised.

"I can't, I'm restless." Nica propped her elbows on the table and clasped her head between her hands.

Hal is now just learning about his talent; getting to know it better, but he is suddenly tornado-ed towards the world of Artisans; protecting other Artisans, keeping away enemies and keeping the world in balance. I wonder how he's holding up?

"It's just a suggestion. You're not required to do it," Aaron felt the heavy atmosphere probably came from brother and Nica's energy.

Something above us suddenly exploded. I would've jumped off my chair if only Julia didn't hide behind me. Aaron was fast enough and covered our heads from the falling shards coming from the exploded chandelier.

"Pardon. I need to go now," Nica wiped her mouth and immediately walked out the room.

"That was her?" Julia's voice is shaking.

"I'll follow her," Hal stood up.

I wrapped my hands around Julia comforting her from what had just happened. Aaron started to brush off the shards from her other hand and wrapped it with a paper towel.

"Are you alright?" the Commander headed towards us with Ton and Ulysses trailing behind him.

"Yeah, I guess Nica was just stressed," I said.

Using telekinesis Aaron gathered the smaller shards hovering them towards his prepared paper towel preventing anyone from being hurt.

--

I didn't go to class today because I woke up late, only waking up when Aaron entered my room.

"Slept well?" He sat on my bed.

"I overslept. What do you think?"

"Again, Sapphire, people here are always on time, you can't be like this always," he reminded me.

"I know. I know," I squinted my eyes. "I'm not like this anymore. But now, I just feel tired and all," I fixed my hair. Fixing it in a way that it looks more presentable.

"Then why are you acting like this again?" he helped me brush my hair and tuck them in behind my ear.

"Not sure."

"Let's go. Lunch is ready," he stood up from the bed and handed a hand to help me off it.

"I'll just shower quickly," I went to my closet and took some clothes with me that I will use.

I watched Julia and Timothy practice with Ulysses in the Training Grounds. They seem to be enjoying their training. It seems like it's just a game for them.

"You're not doing it right, Julia." Ulysses cautioned.

"I'll try again," Julia placed her fingers on each side of her temples. Trying to make herself focus more and enter Ulysses' mind void. I took my phone out of my pocket seeing missed calls from a number that was not saved. Who could this be? My phone started to ring again showing the same number. I hesitated answering but it won't stop calling.

"Sister, the vibration from that phone is disrupting my concentration. Please shut it off if you don't want to answer it." Julia looked at me.

"I'll answer it. Sorry" I waited for another call then I answered, "Hello, who's this?" There was no reply at first. The line went totally blank then I heard breathing.

"Hello?" I might not have a proper connection in this area to hear the voice from the other line. For the first time in a long while, I placed the phone near my ear and spoke again, "Hello?"

Then there was a response from the line, "Sapphire." The voice is familiar but I can't get a grasp of who it is.

"Sapphire, it's me, Mark." I immediately turned off the phone.

How many times should I change my number and phone to keep them from reaching me?

The phone rang again and I answered it, "Hello?" there was a static, I removed the phone away from my ear.

"Sapphire, why did you put it down?" Mark asked.

"How did you know my number?" I bit my nails.

"From your mother. They have a lot of connections, you know," he sassed.

I should not get another phone the next time I throw this one. I won't need it anyway, telepathy is handier. Though I need it to connect with my friends.

"Why'd you need to call me?"

"They ask me to persuade you to come back," he didn't hesitate to answer.

"I am not going back," I said strongly.

"You're not going to be the one to choose. It's our parents," he reminded me of Ton's vision. No, I won't let that happen.

"Sapphire, who are you talking to?" Hal surprised me that I almost threw my phone.

"Oh, no one," I turned the phone off to keep Mark from calling me again.

"Your energy is not good," he sat beside me.

"Definitely," I agreed.

"What is it then?"

"Mark."

"Mark?" his eyes widened. "Mark?"

I nodded.

"So they're targeting you now," he bit the side of his cheek.

I gazed at him, "What do you mean?"

"They've been calling me too. They told me to go back because the business is running downhill without me," he faked a gasp, "they only think of themselves. What about our freedom?"

"Do they call Julia too?"

He shook his head, "She's not telling me anything."

I switched my gaze towards her. She doesn't seem to be my parent's number one priority now. Good, get their hands off her.

My brother's phone rang this time.

"What is it now?" he fished his hand through his pocket for his phone. "It's them," he showed me the caller ID.

"Don't you plan to change your number?"

"They'll find a way to find it out anyway. What's the point?" Even though he was annoyed he answered the phone, "Hello?" He made a clicking sound with his tongue. "I told you before, I'm not interested. It's your business not mine. No, I don't want it. I am fine on my own," he ended the call. "Annoying."

"Say it again," I rolled my eyes.

My brother's facial expression changed. It darkened.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

He faced on his right side looking at the entrance towards the main lobby.

"Is it Nica?"

"She said something's up in the main building," his voice became serious. He jolted up from his seat and drew his way towards the place.

I tagged along.

We met Nica just outside the main building. I don't think she minds my presence. We continued walking inside the main building. Everyone looks busy on their computers, papers and everything.

"There was a reported suspicious energy in Italy. We have to go there." Nica continued to walk fast towards the hall.

"When are we going?" he asked.

"As soon as possible."

"Are we ready for that? We have not recruited enough Artisans. Not everyone is willing to join the military. Not that we could blame them."

"We have no choice. We just need to go with what we have."

"Nica, we are not even close to fifty percent of being prepared and you want us to go to Italy?"

"It's fine. We know someone there. A group of soldier Artisans from a different company."

"So other Artisan organizations are also building their own military?" I asked.

"Yeah." Nica answered.

"Can we not ask SOA for support?" Hal asked.

SOA? That's new.

She shook her head, "they said that it's not their business. It's not code red so whatever."

Hal pinched the bridge of his nose, "Alright, fine. Where exactly in Italy?"

"Wait, what is SOA? This is the first time I'm hearing this."

"Secure Organization of Artisans." They answered simultaneously.

"Wha-aat?"

"They're the main organization for Artisans. Bigger than we are. They're like...our own government in basic terms." Hal explained.

"The report says it's in the city of Pisa," Nica handed the report to Hal. I can't stop looking around. There's a lot of things going on inside. People are talking about things that I can't comprehend.

"If you lack men then I want to come," I volunteered.

"What?" My brother doesn't seem so happy with me.

"I want to help. I could use my supersonic hearing thing to hear the enemy's plan or their footsteps and all," I tried persuading them. "I also discovered a new side of my talent. I could make people deaf!"

"No, this is like a war, Sapphire. I won't let you join us. You're not trained for this kind of thing," he raised his tone at me.

"But I won't want you to come there either," I raised my voice back at him.

"This is ridiculous. It's my duty," he exclaimed.

"It's my duty as your sister to protect you," I pointed my index finger at him.

"I'm your brother. The oldest in fact. It's MY duty to protect you and Julia," he shouted.

"You two, if you're going to fight, don't do it here. We already have enough commotions going on," Nica said pertaining to the people around us.

"Pardon us," Hal lowered his head a little.

I lowered my head too.

"What's it with you Valoria siblings always bowing down?" Nica mumbled.

"We were taught that way," me and my brother simultaneously said.

"O…kay," Nica looked at us strangely.

Nica and Hal went directly to the Meeting Room with the Commander and other Artisans who Nica had chosen to come with them to Italy. My brother told me to stay outside the room. I planned to use my talent but of course, they got a shield in there and I can't use it. But I really wanted to be beside my brother so I sneaked inside the room and hid myself under the long table. He's going to kill me once he finds out.

"According to my researcher's report," Nica started. "A suspicious and strong energy was detected in the west which points to Italy. The report didn't state what type of energy it is from but from the description, we began to guess that it was from an Artisan too. We were skeptical at first because the energy is far too strong for a normal Artisan. I had my colleague restudy the report and have the activity be confirmed. They come to the conclusion that it might be a group of Artisans."

The room suddenly felt heavy. I don't think anyone is breathing anymore.

"Are you sure about the report?" someone asked.

"How many are you going there?" The Commander asked.

"I plan to bring the whole team; not the final line up but so far these are the candidates: Ulysses as the shield, Stif as our healer, Kenneth as energy detector, Joshel as our cloak and Aaron Avee will be using his telekinesis," Nica mentioned her team's names.

But something isn't right, "Aaron is coming with you?" I crawled out under the table and faced Nica . She was not surprised by my appearance; it's as if she was expecting me to be here already.

"Sapphire?" Aaron called my name.

"Sapphire!" Hal shouted.

"How do I not get to come when you and you are coming?" I pointed at Aaron and Hal.

"Go out, Sapphire," my brother is pissed off.

"Go out, Sapphire. You're not part of the team, Sapphire. You are not trained for this, Sapphire. Sapphire, Sapphire, Sapphire," I mocked them. "I can't believe this." I feel tears coming from my eyes. I swallowed it all back.

"Calm down, Sapphire."

I glared at the commander.

"Your brother is just protecting you. The reason why Aaron is included is because he's familiar with the place and a good navigator, he's a trained spy, remember?" the Commander explained.

"You knew?" I scowled a look at Aaron who only avoided my eyes. "When do you even plan to tell me this? When you're all planning to leave already?"

"I'm sorry, Sapphire. It's just as it is," the Commander can't reason anymore.

I stayed in the room a little while only having a curious and surprised look from the people inside. Everyone seems ready for a battle; they are even wearing their uniforms for the fight. The way their body is built is perfectly fit for this kind of situation making me inappropriate to be present in here. I look like a daisy lost in the bush of red roses, a cat in a group of dogs. I stepped out of the room, it's suddenly suffocating to be in there.

"Sister?" Julia gave me a worried look. How did she get here?

"What are you doing here?"

"I sneaked in." She guiltily said.

I sighed. "Fine, but why did you go here?" I wiped my tears before it fell down to my cheek completely.

"I heard everything," she crumpled her skirt inside her hands.

"You don't even have a talent like mine, how can you hear inside a soundproof room?"

"I don't but I could enter someone else's mind, remember?"

"Did you control me?"

She shook her head, "I only used you so I could listen."

"You shouldn't be hearing those," I stepped closer to her.

"I know but…Ton told me that you're not feeling well. He won't tell me the reason so I checked by myself," she lowered her head, "I'm sorry for trespassing in your mind."

"Just don't think about it, okay?" I brushed her hair at the back.

"Will they be alright?" she asked.

"Hal and Nica are their team leader. I'm pretty sure that they will be alright." I lied to myself. I need to be strong for my sister.