It was only when I was outside that I let out a small startled exclaim. There was powdered colours flying everywhere. In the distance, I could hear musical laughter and turned to see Arun holding a fistful of colour and spraying it across the crowd as he ran as they did the same to him. He was doused in yellow and green, with his hair fully powdered in pink which he tried shaking off.

"Colours?" I asked in awe, looking around giddily as villagers chased each other to smear colour on one another. Ayla passed my line of sight, letting out small giggles and I smiled as Abrax chased after her, a fist full of blue powder. He caught up to her effortlessly, lifting her from behind, making her let out a playful scream as he used his free hand to smear the powder into her face. I could have swore he held her there for a moment before letting her down as she slapped at his arm with a pout. It looked rather funny when she was covered in powder.

"They usually bring this out on only special occasions." Emut appeared suddenly near me and I let out a startled noise before processing his words. He smiled at this as we walked closer to the crowd. He expertly dodged any colour and I was thankful that his towering figure stopped from any colour falling on me.

"I'm just hoping it's washable." I muttered, covering my dress slightly and Emut laughed. I scanned the crowd again to see Maya running through and jumping gracefully in the air. She landed colour on both Saf's and Jamila's face, propelling them to the floor before she backed off with a smile. I let out a small laugh at her competitive nature, watching as she sneaked up on an unsuspecting man before flinging the colour into him. Besides from a small smear on thigh and torso, she was otherwise clean.

"Well, we can find out if it's washable." Emut answered and I turned to him at his words, letting out a scream as he threw red colour towards me. Instinctively, I covered my face, but it landed against my arms and torso.

"Emut!" I glared at him playfully to which he shrugged apologetically.

"You did mention liking red." He offered jokingly and I smiled with narrowed eyes before looking to the table of colour beside us and grabbing a fistful of the orange.

He noticed this and raised an eyebrow, almost as though he was accepting the challenge. I moved towards him, throwing the colour, but he was undoubtedly faster and he moved to the left at an insane speed, an amused glint in his eyes.

"I think you missed." He mocked me and I scowled before grabbing colour and chasing after him. He ran at a slower pace this time as though he wanted me to keep up, but I still lagged behind.

He threw yellow colour back and some landed onto my neck, making me let out a squeal. I knew that trying to play the speed game wouldn't help, so instead I tried another method. Grimacing, I stopped suddenly, holding to my ankle.

"Ow!" I let out in mock anguish to which Emut stopped suddenly and moved towards me without hesitation.

"Hanna, are you okay?" He asked as he neared, but I didn't spare him an answer. Moving quickly while his guard was down, I threw the colour towards him. He dodged instinctively, but it landed against his arms and chest to which he looked to me in shock. His gaze flitted to my ankle before a look of realisation crossed his face and he smiled.

"I never took you as a liar, Hanna." He mused and it brought me back to Demir's words two nights ago and I rolled my eyes playfully at his words, yelping as Maya threw colour towards me. I had hoped Emut would come to my aid, but his attention was on the males in front of him who were trying to throw the powder at him. He laughed at this before dodging it gracefully and throwing it back.

"Up for a bit of colour, Hanna?" Maya mused, circling me and I pouted at her words, looking down at my clothes.

"But, I really like this dress." I muttered to which she scowled, her hands full with pink powder.

"I see you've already been corrupted by Ayla; you've even started to sound like her." She absconded, her eyes briefly flitting to Ayla. I took the small brief opportunity to run, my hands clutching to my dress as I moved away.

The pattering of her shoes sounded behind me and I let out a squeal as I felt some colour hit against my back before turning and throwing some of my own. I let out a laugh as it fell in her hair before making move away from her. We neared housing and I ducked behind a stall, my breathing rapid as I watched her look around cautiously. My chest was rising and falling as I looked to her walk away towards the centre again and I gazed around to see any other potential exits.

It was only with looking around that my eyes graced Demir's form to where he was sat on the charpoy beds, situated against the sidelines. His body was devoid of the powdered colour and his expression devoid of interest. He looked around with vacant eyes and I could tell that this wasn't the type of thing that he normally partook in. Nevertheless, I couldn't stop the mischievous portion of my mind that thought back to how much he had enjoyed seeing me in torment. Surely, it would only make sense to return the favour. I turned my gaze to Demir's stoic form with pursed lips before making my way to the table and grabbing a handful of blue colour. Thinking of the events on the terrace as well as in the kitchen and barn only increased my pace.

Demir didn't like colour? Well, that was great to have as ammunition.

I smiled as I neared, even more so when his gaze landed on my approaching form. I moved until I was within a meters distance and Demir raised an eyebrow expectantly, an amused smile on his face.

"Not scared anymore?" He teased, referring to my nervous behaviour whenever I was in close proximity of a male. It took a great deal not to bite back, but I controlled myself and- instead- made my way over to him. His smile dampened slightly at this, not expecting my movements and I smiled internally at the uncharacteristic confusion; he was usually the one to instigate the unpredictable atmosphere.

I halted in front of him and he looked to me cautiously, but said nothing. He was nearly the same height as me when he was sitting, so I only dipped a little bit lower, causing him to tense. I reached out a hand and stroked the colour down his cheek, making him take in a sharp breath, his eyes glancing deep into my own. The feel of his skin was smooth yet firm under my palm and I finished at the jaw, not breaking the eye contact. I had hoped to pass a teasing comment about not being afraid of the proximity, but now I was locked into his silver gaze, the silence engulfing us like sand.

It lasted a few moments, but the sound of drums broke us slightly out of our trance and I pulled my hand back. However, I stopped short when Demir caught my hand in his own, making me still, my hand heating up from his contact.

From our levelled heights right now, I could see the depths of his eyes, every shade and every brilliant contrast. He pulled my hand closer, his eyes gazing into my own and I let out a small sound as he abruptly placed it against his unstained cheek, pulling it down as I had done on the other side. He watched me intently as he did so and I stilled, the silence overbearing.

I let my hand go loose as he did so, feeling him tense slightly as my thumb grazed against the corner of his lips. His skin was smooth under my hands and I looked now at the two markings on his cheeks with flushed cheeks. He dropped my hand after that and the surroundings went silent as I looked to him, his gaze fixed on mine. Again, the silence unnerved me and I felt myself cower at his intense gaze that was much too powerful to hold.

"Isn't it your turn to do it to me?" I said quietly before I could even process. I had meant to talk to diffuse the silence, but that was the last thing I had expected myself to say. His jaw notably twitched at my words and I took in a breath as he slowly got to his full height. his dead gaze, making my heart thud in my chest. At this point, I would usually falter from his indomitable presence, but I couldn't find it in me to move.

He raised his hand to touch against his stained face before he moved closer, making me take a deep intake of breath as he swiftly brought his hand up to my cheek, stroking down. His hand was cool compared to my cheek as well as much larger, making me feel like a small doll in his hold.

"I'll do it so long as you stop talking." He murmured, but it lacked the usual playful irritation it usually had and I chose to say nothing as his hand finally rested at my jaw, his eyes freezing me to my core. It was a few moments of silence before Demir dropped his hand abruptly and turned to look behind us.

I turned at his gaze as Abrax neared with a smile and his form coated in colour.

"What is it?" Demir asked almost tiredly and Abrax gestured behind him with a hand.

"Negus wants to see us all." He answered, looking to the both of us and Demir nodded before walking ahead, leaving me to walk with Abrax who smiled kindly at me. I only raised an eyebrow in response.

"I saw you throwing colour at Ayla. You didn't save any for the rest of us?" I teased to which Abrax looked down bashfully, shaking his head.

"I apologise, it may have slipped my mind. I can still do so later, if you would like." He offered gently and I giggled, shaking my head as we came closer to the group.

"Oh, that won't be necessary, I've had my fair share of colour already." I answered, looking to my now stained dress. Hopefully, the colours would wash out.

Abrax nodded at this with a laugh before I looked to the fire pit surrounded my three logs. The first Emut and Demir were sat on, talking about something. The next was Maya and Negus who smiled at us as we came. The last one was the one I walked to where both Arun and Ayla ushered me over and I wedged myself between their coloured bodies with a laugh. Abrax seated himself next to the other males and Negus stood up then, his voice carrying over the crackling of the fire. The villagers had long since dispersed and now the area was silent, save for Negus's voice.

"I've called you all here because I believe in giving credit where credit is due. You all have made me very proud and I can only imagine what you could all accomplish in the years to come." He said and I smiled at his warm affectionate words.

"It wouldn't have been so had you not given us your diligent attention and care." Emut said in disagreement and Ayla nodded beside me eagerly.

Negus shook his head with a smile, closing his eyes for a moment before turning to look to Maya then who was sporting her usual fierce look. He then turned back to look at the rest of us.

"I only give my attention and care because you make me capable of doing so. A teacher is only as good as his students. Nay... a father is only as good as his children." He corrected himself with a wilful tone and my smile widened until it hurt my cheeks. He extended his arms out yet again, but this time beckoning to us all and Ayla moved forward first with Arun on her tail as they gripped to him tightly. Emut and Abrax moved next, both just placing an arm around Ayla and Arun, respectively. I moved forward then, hugging to Arun and I felt Maya hold tightly to us from my left. Demir was last to move and he moved towards Emut, putting an arm around his shoulder.

"Great, I thought I was an only child." Maya grumbled jokingly and we laughed at her words, even Negus did. He opened his mouth to speak, but only a spluttering noise left and we moved back quickly.

"Negus?" Emut asked cautiously and I moved back tepidly at the wide look in Negus's eyes.

"Father?" Maya repeated, pushing through until she was next to him and I flinched as she screamed, looking down to see the blood seeping from his stomach from where the dagger pierced him.

"Negus!" Emut shouted, over Maya's cries to which Negus toppled back. Demir caught him from behind as Abrax surveyed where the onslaught had occurred from and I raised my hands up urgently.

"Let me heal him!" I urged out and Maya nodded, the tears streaking her face. I moved in to get closer, but didn't anticipate the punch to my face that sent me flying backwards.

I could hear the roars of soldiers as the Chigaru came piling in, but that wasn't what shocked me the most. I looked with a gaped mouth, a bruised cheek and tears escaping my eyes at the delicate male in front of me.

Arun.

His face was impassive as he looked to me, just mere moments after knocking me back. Emut moved in then viciously, but the Chigaru were converging and, then, I felt the pushing feeling against my chest.

"The Bakenanouke are coming!" Demir called out as Emut stabbed at a Chigaru soldier. One pulled roughly at my hair, making me let out a cry, but Abrax slashed through them and pulled me closer to the circle.

"Gather together!" Emut commanded and I felt hands grab me before I felt the familiar feeling of Ayla warping, but I couldn't focus on anything else, but my eyes transfixed on Arun who let us leave easily.

His hand was bloody, a sign of his betrayal and his face expressionless as the Chigaru converged, but they didn't touch him in the slightest.

We warped back then to the house in the cold desolate office of Negus, I moved hurriedly towards Negus then and they let me through, pulling Maya back as she cried loudly.

"Negus." I cried, reaching my hands out to him and letting the doors open, but he held tightly to my wrists with the strength of a man in his youth.

"Let..." He choked out and I frowned, the tears seeping down on my face as he garbled his words.

"Let him." He said simply, trying to convey something so desperately and I tried to move my hands towards his stomach yet again. He could tell me when he was healed. Negus shook his head frantically at this, looking more dishevelled than I had ever seen him.

"See it." He spat out and I let out a cry as blood escaped his mouth before pushing back his hands, so I could heal him. This time his hands fell loose off my wrists and I would have been thankful for that had it not been for the way they fell against his chest.

"Negus?" I stuttered out, my eyes glazed over with tears and I could have sworn he smiled slightly before his eyes closed.

Yet this time, they didn't open again.