Chapter Twelve

A Part of Something Greater

When Anwen cheerfully hopped into the living room in that lazy morning, Naya could've sworn she had just closed her eyes. As her sister playfully pulled her covers, opened the curtains and sang, Naya groggily and slowly got up, feeling more than just a little exhausted.

But Anwen's energy was contagious so, soon enough, both Keepers were strolling through the streets of Aurora once again. Luke was, once more, perched on Naya's shoulder while Sariah stayed at home (she was too obviously a Keeper's Ally).

Anwen showed Naya a different part of the city. The houses were much smaller than the ones on Kayla's level and more heavily stacked and crushed upon each other. The roads were thinner, the streets more crowded and the people there were louder and much more energetic, while there was also an obvious lack of green spots and trees. The buildings were more colorful, but looked poorer, the streets less clean and taken care of and either smelled wonderfully of all types of food and perfume or smelled horribly of waste. There was art everywhere, which blew Naya's mind.

Art was something inherently humane and Aurora displayed it everywhere in this area. There were people playing music on the street, others dancing, others painting walls or even the ground. It was beautiful, it was alive, it was raw with humanity.

"This is where I work," Anwen told her, as she showed her a quaint little stone building that was hidden beside a stone bridge that formed a short tunnel.

"What is it?"

"It's a bar," Anwen explained, shrugging lightly. "Not the fanciest place and also not the best salary, but it's good enough for me and I have fun working here."

"Shouldn't you be working then?"

Anwen laughed. "Not yet. I do the last shift, late at night. Oh, I know the best little food stand around here, it's cheap but delicious, you'll love it. Let's go, lunch is on me."

Anwen took them to a small area that was crowded with food stands and people walking and eating everywhere. Naya didn't know much about human languages and cultures, but it was easy to tell that there were many different people from many different places and backgrounds here, as she could definitely hear different languages and accents, see different clothing, diverse skin and hair tones and different styles of food everywhere, completed with different kinds of street music.

It was a very overwhelming and busy environment, but warm, familiar, fun and dynamic at the same time.

Naya was completely clueless on what to choose, she could barely register what was happening around her, such was the energy in the small place and she had to struggle to keep up with her sister, who moved around gracefully and completely at ease. She decided to choose the same stand that Anwen went for, which was owned by a kind and loud woman with flawless dark skin, big round and expressive eyes and a genuine, giant smile. She dressed in colorful robes which also covered her hair and insisted on calling them 'honey', 'darling' and 'sweetie'.

The girls walked away from all the confusion into a quieter place. They sat beneath the only tree in the area, a huge and large one that shared its shade with them, sitting on its massive roots right in front of a small and passive pond. It was quickly becoming one of Naya's favorite places in this world.

She had no idea what she was eating, but it was surely delicious. The sisters enjoyed a quiet meal for a few moments, before conversation naturally started.

"How long have you been down here, Anwen?"

"Oh, too long," Anwen replied with a clumsy smile, as she chewed. "Years and years, probably more than a decade."

"So you know how this world works as well as any human."

"Well... Kind of. You know, unlike the World Above, which remains the same, forever untouched by time and space, this world changes. A lot. Constantly. Which means you have to adapt to it quite often. Even humans do. But that's really what I love the most about it. Change, growth, the unexpected."

Naya smiled, finding comfort in those words and relating to them deeply. "So, was it difficult at first? You know, to fight all your Sins?"

Anwen's eyes locked on Naya's immediately. "Oh no." She chuckled. "I didn't have to, sis."

"What do you mean? How so?"

"I didn't Fall, Nayara. I was Released."

"Father gave you permission? You're still blessed?"

Anwen nodded and took her time swallowing before replying. "I Descended. I kept asking Father to Descend-"

"So did I..."

"Until one day, he simply allowed me to." Anwen shrugged and smiled. "Don't know why, one day he just let me go."

"So you never lost your Sins..."

"Nope. And I have permission to return anytime I want-"

"Like Lucia and Elias..."

"And many others. But I don't want to, I mean, come on." She opened her arms and looked around, as if proving a point. "Why would I ever want to go back, even if only temporarily, when I have all this? Why would I ever want to go back to the cage? I would have to be mental."

"So you never returned? Not even once?"

"If I had, you'd have noticed, sis. My cage was right next to yours, remember?" She winked. "But no way I would return, I love it here. This world is just too much fun to leave."

Naya nodded, understanding her completely and envying her. Their Father had allowed Anwen, and many others, to Descend, he had listened to them and granted their wishes. Why wouldn't he listen to her? Didn't he care? Not at all?

If she had been Released, she wouldn't have caused mayhem and destruction. Her Sins would still be inside of her and she wouldn't have to fight them and prevent them from hurting someone.

She wouldn't have to Ascend upon capturing her last Sin. She would be free to stay in this world, free to come and go at will, like many of her brothers and sisters. In a way, she resented her Master, in a way, she blamed him for her troubles and the troubles she had brought with her. Although, as another part of her whispered, it still didn't rid her of her guilt and fault. It still didn't make her actions any less selfish and destructive.

"He loves you, Nayara."

Naya looked at Anwen with widened eyes. It was like her sister had just read her mind.

"You're a Favorite, that's why he wouldn't let you come."

"You know, everyone tells me that, but I wonder what that really means."

Anwen shrugged again. "No one really knows for sure, other than Father that is, but I think it's obvious he's just trying to protect you."

"From what?"

"Heartache. Pain. Death. Maybe he just loves you so much, he can't bear the thought of losing you."

"Maybe he just didn't listen. Maybe he just didn't care."

"Nonsense. Look at Solange. She's a Favorite, she's never coming out of her cage and everyone knows Father loves her deeply."

"She sings to him all the time... But what about Elias? He's Solange's twin, he's a Favorite too and he is down here right now."

"Maybe it's the other way around, Nayara. Maybe he's protecting others from you."

"What?"

"Well... You did have much more Sins inside of you than normal... And they are pretty brutal... Maybe he thought you were too powerful, maybe he feared you could hurt others... Not on purpose, of course! You're a gentle soul, everyone knows you'd never hurt anyone."

"Except that I already did," Naya replied with bitterness. She did end up hurting others when she Fell, she could end up hurting many more. Maybe her Father was right, maybe she was supposed to be caged, away from others whom she could hurt.

She gazed at the small pond, smiling a little at the sight of Luke chasing butterflies and playing with his own reflection in the water.

"You know, Anwen, when that Sin showed up, last night, it... It attacked me."

"They do have a pesky habit of doing that," Anwen replied before wiping her mouth. "Either that or running away from us as fast as they can."

"I couldn't, I mean... I froze," Naya admitted. "I couldn't do anything. If Adam hadn't... I would be dead by now."

Anwen returned Naya's stare but didn't reply.

"Aren't we supposed to be natural born fighters? Then why couldn't I..." Naya sighed. "What if I'm not good enough? My Sins are going to show up, sooner or later, and what if I can't fight them? Maybe this is why Father wouldn't let me Descend, he knows I'm weak, he knows I can't do this! Oh no, what if I can't do this?" She grabbed her head and faced the ground. "What if I'm not strong enough? I don't think I am! Then the Sins will destroy everything and Adam, Nicole, everyone, they'll get hurt or they won't and my Sins will be defeated and I will die or one of our siblings will get them and then I will die again! Father will never forgive me. I will never forgive me! What was I thinking? How could I think I could do this? I can't do it! I will just freeze again and everyone will be in danger and-"

Anwen rested her hand on Naya's leg, which was enough to soothe her and bring her to silence. She took a deep breath and looked at her sister, who was kindly smiling at her.

"Nayara, trust me... Father knows what he's doing. If he trusted those Sins to you, then it's because he is sure you can dominate them. You are the best possible hunter for your Sins. It's the reason you were created."

Naya nodded and her sister continued, "Trust me, when the time comes, you'll know what to do." She winked and smiled again and Naya returned the gesture, feeling slightly better, slightly lighter.

The young Keeper believed and accepted Anwen's words, although she had to admit, she probably did so for selfish reasons. She had to believe she could do it, otherwise she would be a failure and Aurora and her friends would be in danger and she would have no choice but leave and hope, with all her might, that her Sins would follow. She had to believe she could do it, or else she would stand alone and isolated.

And that was the absolute last thing she wanted.

After that heavy conversation, the atmosphere became lighter again and soon both girls were walking to the lower level, giggling and laughing, Anwen holding Naya by the arm while telling stories of the crazy, often drunk humans she got to serve at her workplace.

Suddenly, something small and delicate, yet strong, crashed into Naya's body. Confused and shaken, it took her a few seconds to recognize the short hair and the skinny arms now embracing her.

"Naya! I'm so glad you're alright!"

"Kayla?"

The young girl released her and smiled with relief.

"We've been worried sick! We thought something must've happened! You weren't home and you wouldn't come back and... We spent the whole night and morning looking for you. Are you alright?"

Naya was caught completely off guard by Kayla's words. Something very close to bliss took hold of her heart.

They worried. They had looked for her. They cared!

Behind Kayla stood Adam, looking sullen and exhausted, his eyes lacking their shine and framed by dark circles, as if he hadn't slept at all. He looked at her like he was angry – and Naya couldn't blame him, she had deliberately broken her promise to him and, once again, became a nuisance.

Surely he hated her.

Her concerns were interrupted by Anwen, who moved right next to her, bringing her back to reality.

"Oh, right! This is Anwen, my... erm, friend. Anwen, these are Kayla and Adam."

"Nice to meet you," Anwen cheerfully greeted, prompting a joyful wave and smile from Kayla and a polite nod from Adam. "I'm sorry if you guys were worried, it was my fault. Naya was lost when I found her last night. She tried to find her way home but I insisted she spend the night at my place, to make sure she was safe. We were searching for your home right now, so she could tell you she was alright, but she doesn't know Aurora well enough yet and it was taking us longer than expected to find it."

Naya only nodded, grateful that Anwen was so at ease with lying.

"Thank you for helping her."

"Yeah, thank you, we'll take it from here," Adam said, walking closer to Naya and telling her, without a hint of a smile, "Don't do this again."

"I'm really sorry."

"Let's go," he said, turning around to leave. When Naya didn't move, he stopped to look at her. "Well? Come on."

Naya wanted nothing more than to run to him, but she stood her ground.

It was the right thing to do. The best thing she could do for everyone.

"No."

Adam looked at her with confusion while Kayla immediately asked, "What?"

She took a deep breath. "I... I think it may be best if I stay with Anwen."

"Why?" Kayla insisted.

"I'm too much trouble and you don't need it-"

"That's silly!"

"I'm really grateful for all you've done for me, but I think it's best for everyone if I stay out of your way-"

"What's best for everyone is for you to come home with us," Kayla continued, looking at Naya with such disappointment it nearly broke her. "Let's just go."

Naya sighed. This was so much harder than she thought. She was just trying to protect them and herself, it shouldn't feel like she was betraying them.

"You don't understand-"

"Alright, that's it," Adam suddenly said, extinguishing the distance between them and holding her arm. "Enough of this, let's go."

He gently pushed her and, noticing her hesitation, turned to her again and told her, "Naya, this is stupid. I am tired, I need to rest for at least an hour before going to HQ, everyone back home is worried about you. We took you in, we opened our family to you and now you belong in it. Let's go."

"But I-"

"You're a pain, yes. Believe me, I noticed. We love a challenge. Now come on."

All Naya could do was nod and let him lead her. Kayla followed looking relieved and Luke eyed her with heavy disapproval. She looked back at Anwen, apologizing with her eyes.

"It's okay, Naya!" Anwen told her, waving and winking at her. "We'll see each other soon!"

Naya smiled, knowing she was right.

The truth was, she was in bliss again. Looking at the back of Adam's shoulders and Kayla's happiness beside her, she couldn't help but deliver herself back into selfishness. It felt good to know they wanted her close, it felt good to know they cared and that they came for her and wouldn't let her go. She was curious about the way they felt about her and how she felt about them. She couldn't quite grasp it. There was no blood connection there, yet she felt closer to them than she had ever felt to anyone but some of her siblings.

Was this what it meant to be human? If so, it was wonderful, rewarding – and dangerous.

"Pay attention to where we're going," Adam said even though he never bothered to look at her. "You have to know your way home, you can't go around asking for shelter at random every day."

Kayla stepped closer to her and whispered, "Don't mind him, he gets grumpy when he doesn't sleep."

If she still had any doubts about her decision, they were quickly dissipated as soon as she stepped inside their home. After Adam said, "We found her!" at the entrance, Nicole, Matt and even Tatiana quickly showed up, all of them looking as tired and sleepless as Adam. Yet, instead of being angry at her or asking for explanations, they smiled wide at the sight of her, Nicole hugged her, Matt playfully patted her back and Tatiana looked genuinely relieved.

"We're so glad you're okay!"

"You scared the living hell out of us."

"We thought something bad had happened. Adam was already going into full emo mode, blaming himself over letting you on your own..."

"Trying to get rid of us, huh?" Matt said with a playful smirk, making her laugh. "Well, too bad. You're not going anywhere. You're part of the family now. Almost. Kind of. Anyway, we told you we had your back and we will."

"So don't try and make liars out of us," Nicole added, after a chuckle. "We don't make empty promises."

Naya shared their laughter and enjoyed their warm welcome. She felt protected, she finally knew, for sure, that she belonged, something she had never felt before. And it was wonderful.

So what if she was being unforgivingly selfish? That didn't matter to her at that moment. All that mattered was that she was a part of a family.

And at that moment she knew, with every fiber of her new being: she could never leave them and she would do everything she could to protect them.

Even from herself.