The Sanctuary Side-Story (6/17)

"Genesis was one of the first people I met on this Isle. He told me my name, and he told me I was special. Somebody who could unite thousands, and even millions. I took his explanation with a grain of salt and split off from him, knowing that a man who would preach about what I was capable of would only slow me down. Words mean nothing until actions give them meaning, after all." Nova began her explanation. I was stuck in awe, only watching her face move from a slight smile to a grim frown.

"I fear the worst, knowing that he has interacted with Genesis. The things he has told you, the inciteful lies that come from his mouth, Dustin has fallen ill to what Genesis comes up with. Truth be told, Genesis offered me quite the deal in exchange for killing everybody here. However, I told him to shove it and decided to help you guys out instead. That was three months ago." Nova added on.

"So, what can we do about this Genesis guy?" I asked Nova. The people around her were conversing with murmurs, but once Nova rose her hand, they grew silent.

"Absolutely nothing. That's the scary part. My staff doesn't work on him, he's smarter than me, and he has more control than I do. He's the scariest person I've ever met. I've tried hard to hide from him, but he has found us... and I fear for the future." Nova said.

Everybody seemed to lose hope after that.

Which was completely reasonable.

Hearing your leader falter like that only subjected us to a fate we were determined would outrun us, and eventually kill us all.

I had learned something, as a new father. As I watched Inora give birth, I kept telling her that she would be fine and she would make it, but that's not 100% true, is it?

In fact, it's not even true right now. We could be killed by a bow, or by an illness... or by anything else, at any given moment.

What I've learned as a father and a husband, is that it's okay to lie. Lying keeps people happy, and safe, and is what Nova had built the very foundation of our confidence on. When she admits she was lying, that comes toppling down, leaving us in a phase of unrest.

And I can't let it slide.

"I think you're wrong... I mean, come on, fourteen years in a row we were worried that we would die. We were worried our lives would come to an end... and then suddenly, a day passed. Then another. Then another. We fought hard for that, we fought hard for our lives, and we still will do just that. Even if you are afraid of Genesis, Nova, we are not, and that's what counts." I told her, putting my hand on her shoulder.

"Genesis is not a foe that you will take on alone if that's what you wish to do. You have done us a great service, and we will take him on with you. If you wish to cower away, then nobody is stopping you, but you are much more powerful when you are fighting. We will follow you no matter what you do, that's the least we owe to you, right?" I asked her.

"R-Right... Sorry, I'm just afraid of the unknown. You're absolutely right. If Genesis becomes a problem, we will fight him together. However, if he does not, then we live like we always have." Nova said. She slapped her cheeks with her hands, let out a deep sigh, and refocused her eyes on the ground.

"I'm here again. I'm sorry, that was ignorant and weak of me. Anyway, as for Dustin's punishment... well, I think that's enough. Why don't we just put him in a cell and stay away? We'll keep ourselves in the base for a few weeks and tighten our defenses. Kire, is that farm doing okay?" Nova asked me.

Good, she was back to normal.

"Absolutely! Production is doing great. I will maintain that farm for as long as possible!" I told Nova. With a smile, she started to bark more orders out to other people, calling on them to watch over the base, to make shifts for guards, to stay on guard throughout the night, and for all women and children to stay in the houses no matter what.

Looking at her, I was nervous about how flimsy her will was after talking about Genesis, but it seemed that it was just a moment of weakness. We can all have those from time to time, but only one who dwells on them is truly weak. I just had to stand by and watch Nova with admiration, as I always have, as she comes up with a new plan.

The people dispersed around Nova and she looked at the moon rising above the horizon. I went to leave as well, but as I looked back at her one more time, she was staring right at me.

"Thank you... for holding me together. I find myself faltering more and more often nowadays." Nova told me.

"Hm? It's nothing. Fighting for that long on your own must be exhausting. You might be the strongest, but we can still help you. Do you need anything else from me?" I asked Nova.

She turned her head up and held her shirt tightly.

"I'm nervous... I got really close to killing Dustin... and I was okay with it. You know, before today, he wasn't that bad to be around. But, the second he got bad to be around, the bones in my body moved to rid him of his life. I'm not sure why, I scared myself when I hit him..." She said.

"Do... do you think I'll be a killer when I'm older...?" She asked me again.

"I don't think you would kill for a reason that wasn't justified. Dustin did almost kill us all, and you reacted how you thought was right. Truth be told, I've never taken a life, so I can't be sure of the signs of a killer. As long as you kill for a reason that is justified, and isn't for self-satisfaction. I don't think there's anything to be worried about." I told Nova.

"I see... I'm sorry, for being weak today." Nova told me.

I waved off her concerns and returned to Inora and Ra, watching her turn back toward the Moonlight.