Chapter Seventeen

Discover what you must... Find thyself...

To see the truth inside of you, to brighten the dark paths, and destroy all was the reason behind most people's desire for the Messerayf from the Tuveshis. Their duty was to protect the orb with their life so that it may not fall into the wrong hands of men. Still, they failed, and in the wrong hands, it could only be used as a weapon over the goodness of its usefulness.

Vakiyv stared into an abyss, lost in the face formed by the swirling colours of the orb. Why are you here?

"It's because you feel a connection."

Vakiyv jerked at the voice, which sounded like a whisper in his ears.

Who are you?

"I am the truth, and I can see through you."

You can read my thoughts?

The female voice continued to whisper into his ears, and Vakiyv gulped.

Are you from the orb?

"I am the orb."

What do you want from me?

"Watching you make the mistake of your life."

You mean by obeying overseer Vermeen.

"By giving me into the hands of a man that will misuse me."

And what makes you think overseer Nyla won't use you the same way.

Nyla is only fuelled by Vermeen's betrayal.

What do you mean?

"You understand what I mean."

Show yourself!

"I am the orb, remember."

Vakiyv's nerves screamed to take the orb and escape, but he was mesmerized by the voice and attracted to the truth of the words. If Vermeen were here, he would have cursed him and subjected him to more torture back at their world that would withdraw him from creatures and people.

"I can hear you, Vakiyv."

You know my name?

"I know your thoughts, and I can see you battle with them. I won't stop you from taking me, but listen more to your intuition. You are a good man, Vakiyv, no matter how they taint you, being a cold, heartless man. You have a good heart, and it should help you make your decisions."

Memories of Vakiyv's past and how Vermeen had helped him from the brink of death, the rejection, the loneliness, and the neglect from the revelation of his powers. He only had a purpose he owed to Vermeen to worship him and act as he was commanded. Shyva's face drifted into his thoughts, but he knew better. He was choosing Vermeen over her.

Vakiyv drew out his clad hand and lifted the small, round, colourful ball. He jerked at the whirl of alarms that resonated in the chamber and beyond.

Nyla's eyes were shut, and tears streamed from her right eye; he hurt her yet again. She lay bare on the floor while he was clothed, staring at her with frustration and guilt. It hadn't taken her long before the alarm informed her and every soldier in the Dome of his real intentions. They stared at each other; Nyla was furious and scared of her actions if she unleashed her hate. Vermeen was hurt but worse at how she was hurting.

"Nyla." He raised his hands, trying to construct an explanation.

"You lied to me." She yelled and stood to her feet; he ran his gaze along every inch of her delicate skin. She was irresistible, and he wished he could lay with her over and over till they were both famished. Just as he knew her many vasa before. Her narrow waist and legs were slender and muscled from her rigorous tactical training. The small mounds on her chest rose and fell at the swell inside her. Her neck was lean with her chin lifted. Vengeful eyes stared back. Her face was small with the perfect smooth face. High cheekbones and long chin, he remembered tracing it a few moments ago. The darkness of her hair complimented what she was feeling. Her hair was in disarray; the Nyla he knew would tie it so well a strand was never spared.

Nyla raised her hands, standing ferociously.

"I wouldn't do that." He noticed glowing swirls emanating from her palms. He caught her off guard and swung his arms in the air, sending her backwards and knocking her head against the wall. It wasn't premeditated, but he knew how powerful she was. Nyla was knocked unconscious. He dressed her and lifted her through the passageway armed with soldiers, not the way they had come in earlier.

The soldiers were urged to attack, but Nyla was bait, and they resisted.

Vakiyv was out of the chamber only to be faced with Shyva.

"I knew Vermeen would never be here without you."

"Call him with respect," Vakiyv instructed.

"He lost that title long before now for having you steal for him. You all disgust me, cowards!"

"Don't call me that," Vakiyv warned.

"What will you do? Kill me, but that's before I kill you first."

Vakiyv had the orb secured in his suit; he wished he didn't have to face her; everything about her made him spiral out of control.

Shyva didn't hesitate to lunge her fist at his masked face but he blocked her crossing his arms. He grabbed her arm and swirled her around so he was behind her, whispering into her ears and bounding her arms.

"Stop now, stop trying to harm yourself."

"I am not hurt."

He squeezed an arm behind her, and she gritted her teeth but wouldn't surrender.

I wasn't expecting you, he communicated in her mind, and she hated that. She jumped to throw him off balance, and it worked; without him regaining his stance immediately, she rose and gave him a double kick. Doubling back some distances away. Vakiyv had had enough. He had never used his powers against her and only swore to use them when she discovered hers.

He lunged himself in the air, diverting her blow, yanking and pulling her loosening hair. Shyva screamed, and he pushed her into the wall. He held her head and hit it fuaz times against the wall. She tried grabbing any part of him but couldn't. He pulled her hands behind her and tied them.

"What are you doing?" she asked, shaking her concussed head.

"Saving you."

"That is what cowards do."

Her use of words got on his nerves; he knocked her head the last time, so she fell to the tiled floor, completely unconscious.

He watched her face stained with red. Under his mask, his nose bled a little. Fighting her was going to be time-consuming, and he couldn't afford it now that the Dome knew of their purpose. He smirked.

 Beautiful Siquadus.