“Mind if we talk in my bedroom” Said Atlas.

“Wow that worked a lot better than expected” Said Hex.

Atlas walked with Hex to his room. They held hand as they walked.

“Would you mind sitting down” Asked Atlas.

“What exactly are you planning to do to me?” Asked Hex in a seemingly suggestive tone.

“I’m going to describe a color to you” Said Atlas.

He took a deep breath and began with the color of his eyes. A half hour passed as he finally completed his task.

He opened his eyes and said “That’s the color of my eyes”.

Hex had a smile and tears running down her face. Atlas felt worried. What had he done to make her cry. He was convinced he had made her sad.

“Get over here!” Said Hex.

She kissed his cheek and said “Thank you”.

“Maybe tomorrow I could describe a few more” Said Atlas.

“That would be great” Said Hex.

Atlas felt the need to hold her. He held her hand. She smiled and pressed herself against him. They walked outside and everyone was giving them odd glances.

“I'll be right back” Said Atlas.

He walked to his room and changed. Someone knock on the door just as he finished.

“Hurry up Atlas you're going to be late!” Said Levy.

She sounded happy even when she yelled. Atlas knew he loved her and he would do anything to make her smile. Everyone was dressed well including Hex. She had changed into a fancy blue dress.

“So what were you and Aurora doing earlier” Asked Levy.

“Nothing in particular” Said Atlas walking over to the door.

They walked to the building where they would be dining with the Elders. They saw a total of fifty Elders.

“Good morning” Said Ako.

“Hello Ako” Said Atlas.

They all took their seats and looked at the foods on the table.

“Ako, what is all this?” Asked Atlas looking at the tacos, hamburgers, burritos, pizzas and pies.

“We prepared food to make our honored guest more at home” Said Ako.

“I see” Replied Atlas.

“Lucky” Said Hex.

“A toast to love” Said Azul.

“To love” Chanted the council.

“Hey why do you all have an A in your names?” Asked Hex.

“Well it is part of who we are. We the Noah are bore knowing our names. But our names have always had an A, N, H, or K sound. The first of our people Ka was the only Noah with only a K and an A. Nakhan the second Noah was the first to have a N and H. But our names are believed to be sacred so we tell only those who we love. What you know us by is our titles” Said Ako.

“That's cool” Said Hex.

“Let's eat” Said Levy.

The Elders removed their hoods revealing their soft faces. Levy picked up a hamburger and the Elders mimicked her. They moved in a perfectly identical way.

Tabitha jammed an entire hamburger in her mouth and yelled “By the Seven this is good”.

The Elders looked young yet old, happy yet hate full, but they seemed to be somewhere between a man and woman. They had faces without flaws with the exception of two Tabitha and Awar. But Tabitha looked distinctly female.

“Aurora,” Said Atlas.

“Yeah?” Replied Aurora.

“Did you enjoy being surrounded by sea men?” Said Atlas.

Levy, Allison, Morrie, Raven, Hex, Korea, Havana and Scarlet all spit out their food. The Elders thinking it was part of the culture did so as well. Tabitha continued eating.

“And sorry for getting you wet” Said Atlas.

“We were on a boat!” Said Aurora as red as humans could ever be.

“I know it's not my place to question but as a favor to your mother we are all to look after you, so I must ask have you had sexual intercorse with your brown haired friend Aurora or anyone besides Havana?” Said Awar.

“As of yet I believe I have had not sexual relations with anyone” Replied Atlas.

Awar had what looked like black vines across right eye.

“Good” Said Levy.

“I just needed to know to insure that you have not created any offspring without your mother's blessings. But if you are having relations with anyone please keep in mind that you are very young” Said Awar.

“Don't worry, I'm not my father” Atlas looked at the injury Awar had.

Atlas recalled how Awar had come across that scar. He was in the top one percentile of the oldest Noah alive with a total of six hundred thirteen trillion nine hundred sixty seven billion five hundred twenty two million eighty one thousand and fifty years. He was nearing the end of this life and only had a few million year left. The scar as Atlas recalled was given to Awar by a Lord. The Lord of Yull had attempted to kill him as revenge against his ancestor War. War is one of the four horsemen. War is one of the few beings Jane had blessed with agelessness. He could be killed but he could never die of age. The Lord of Yull had the power to create cracks in space and let energy from the void seep through. Raw energy from the void can kill primordial gods and could easily kill the average Noah. But Awar was anything but. Awar killed the Lord of Yull by opening a full view into the void. This broke the mind of the Lord of Yull. But the damage was done to Awar. Nothing he could do could ever reverse the damage done by the void. Awar was a low Lord class slayer.

“Why would you think that I have had a relationship with Aurora in particular?” Asked Atlas.

“I can read emotions as you will recall. I get almost nothing from you of course but from your friend I can read a deep emotion. I believe it may be love” Said Awar.

“It's most likely hate” Said Atlas.

Awar nodded and got back to eating. Tabitha had eaten at least twenty of every food. When the dinner finally ended Atlas knew the time had come. He took a moment to think about what his children might look like. He walked out the door and all the Noah of the town were there to greet them.

Atlas didn't notice the surprise on their faces. He thought they knew. He took Havana's hand and smiled. They walked to the Citadel of the Last. Awar would be the one to unite them in the absence of his mother. Everyone took a seat and they began to understand what was happening. Havana was walked down the aisle by one of the Elders. Atlas walked alone.

Havana had a beautiful dress, unknown to Atlas she had chosen it with Jane. She had promised she would wear it if she married him. Atlas knew he wanted to stop but would do anything to make his mother proud. Awar started to speak in the language of the Ancient. The words could be understood regardless of any obstacle. It was a language all understood but few knew how to speak.

“You're getting married!” Cried out Aurora.

“Yes” Replied Atlas.

“Married!” Yelled Scarlet.

One by one they stood up. Aurora had tears as well as Scarlet and Morrie. Aurora ran off and Scarlet followed. One by one they ran off after her Hex followed Morrie by holding her sweater.

“Awar may a have a moment” Said Atlas.

The Noah began to chatter and wonder. Havana followed closely behind. Atlas walked at a quick pace and managed to find Aurora first. He was able to follow her out of the crowds. She had lost the rest of the group. She walked towards a forest and hid beneath a tree. Her tears watering it's old roots.

“Aurora” Said Atlas walking towards her.

“Why are you here?” Asked Aurora.

“Why are you crying?” Asked Atlas.

“You're getting married!” Cried Aurora.

“So?” Asked Atlas.

His mind could not grasp why she was sad.

“Don't you get it, I thought you liked me!” Said Aurora.

Atlas didn't know if he did. He knew he felt something but it was not the same thing as what he felt for Levy or his sisters. He knew it could be a form of love. He didn't want to lie to her if it was love so he told her.

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“I don't know about that” Said Atlas in a way that seemed to say he questioned whether he liked her at all.

She seemed to be in pain.

“I know it's probably too late but I want to give this to you” Said Aurora pushing her tears away.

She had two things to give. She had built up courage. She grabbed his shirt closed her eyes and kissed his lips. Their lips seemed to be holding on forever. Atlas could feel his hands go numb along with his mind for just an instant. He seemed to be in frozen. With a mind like is it was eternity in ecstasy.

If only she knew his mind had just exploded with joy and confusion. He had never felt so much in his life. Her soft warm lips called to him. They continued to kiss for a short while. His hand finding a place around her waist. She places her hands on his chest.

She had one more thing to give. She had kept it safe just for him. She had spent months working on the bracelet. She knew it wasn't beautiful but that was part of the point. If he could love something as flawed and strange as the bracket she knew he could love her. She did the one thing she never thought she would do and backed away from him. She handed him the box she had placed it in. He seemed to like it as first until he opened the box. He dropped the box and smashed it with his feet. He didn't know what that had done to her. It made her feel like she had just taken all her love and crushed it once again. She had fought to protect it just for him. She had spent months crafting it dispute hurting herself several times. She felt like each crunch and snap was that of her own bones and heart. She felt hollow and only wondered why he was so intent on hurting her.

He knew what that material was. It was slag from the blades. Atlas had no idea why it had not exploded and killed her. The material was toxic in large pieces but was harmless in small pieces. Atlas continued to smash it until it was small enough for him to feel certain she would be safe. He felt her hand strike his face. She ran away and he felt broken. His mind had reached its maximum. He could not understand what was going on.

He stood alone beneath the willow tree like she once had.

He reached in his pocket and grabbed a handful of pills. He knew he needed another. He felt it kill what remained of his humanity. He was better this way. Clear cold, lacking in human emotions. He took a step forward as he walked to the Citadel. He found Havan standing beside Awar.

“Child?,” Awar hesitated when he saw his eyes “Havana has explained the situation to me. The festival of all love was not to celebrate your love for one another?”

“I don't love Havana, and that would be a yes. It is a celebration of all love not our love” Said Atlas.

Awar nodded and flinched when Tabitha said “anyone got any drinks?”

She had a smile on her cute face. Her small nose and vibrant eye only seemed more beautiful when she smiled.

“No” Replied Awar and Atlas.

“One of you should feed me” Said Tabitha tossing a piece of pepperoni at Awar.

“I am deeply sorry for the misunderstanding” Said Awar.

“No need to apologize” Said Atlas.

“Atlas I'm sorry about all this” Said Havana.

“As I said no need to apologize” Repeated Atlas.

Dispute not being able to feel emotion in his current state he still knew that Scarlet and other had started crying before they ran off. He had the intention of asking why. He didn't care whether they felt better or not because of it. He wanted to understand why they were sad for the sake of knowing.

He walked with Havana and eventually found everyone. He walked up to the group and Levy turned to him.

“I'm disappointed in you”

Were the only words that could have affected him in such a way to make him feel anything. He had never heard Levy say that to him before. Even in the state of mind he was in he understood how much the words hurt.

She was everything to him. She was his main motivation to live and hearing the words she had said made him feel something he had never felt.

“Let's go to our house” Said Atlas.

He was going to spend time alone with his thoughts. Not because he wanted to but because he knew he didn't deserve to be in her presences. He was worthless and simply being around her seemed wrong. They all returned home. Once they all went home he locked his room. Atlas looked at himself in the mirror. He removed the waterproof makeup from his body. He wiped away his perfection. He looked at the countless scars and wished that they had finished him off. He continued to undress more and more wounds. The memories of all the people who had tried to kill him came rushing back. He listened to the music that played in his room. Every note a different face. Each had brought him harm and pain. He had never hated anyone for their hate for him. He only felt sorry felt living as long as he did. He looked at the massive amount of scar tissue that covered his chest. It looked as if he had been struck by lightning in an acid rain storm. He looked at the markings that covered his back. He could feel his tree shaped birthmark. Every roots planted in worthless dirt. Every leaf showered in bountiful light every time he turned away from it. The old bark calist by hate and pain. He lay in bed and fell asleep after a few short hours. He heard the door open and soft feet walk in. He felt her hands grab him and he knew she had another nightmare. He hugged her once she fell asleep. He placed a blanket over her as well.

“Sweet dream” Said Atlas.

She smiled as she slept. When it was six he had already cooked the meals for Evelynn and Levy.

“Smells amazing” Said Evelynn hugging Atlas.

Her soft skin made him conscious of his own ruined body. His flesh a mausoleum of pain. His scars an archive of hatred.

He shrugged “I wanted it to smell how you look”.

She smiled and ruffled his hair. She ate the bacon and eggs. She also had french toast with Levy and Havana. They seemed to enjoy the meal.

“Sorry about what I said Atlas I didn't mean it I was just a little upset” Her blue eyes seemed to bestow him with joy. He felt better knowing she hadn't meant it.

He walked to Morrie's library. He found a note saying she was already at school. He walked to school alone and found where he told her to wait for him and Nero by chance.

“Sup” Said Nero walking away from his group.

“How are you today?” Asked Atlas without out any real interest in the response.

“Good how about you?” Asked Nero.

“Fine” Replied Atlas.

Evelynn had hugged him so he was having a rather good day.

“Mind if I talk to you alone alone real quick” Said Nero scratching his short brown hair.

Atlas walk off with Nero and he asked “Is that girl your girlfriend?”

“No, she just lives with me” Said Atlas.

“Oh, by the way I wanted to ask you if your sister has a boyfriend” Said Nero.

“I am a boy and her friend” Said Atlas.

“I mean like is she with anyone?” Asked Nero.

“Most mornings she is in the same area as me” Said Atlas.

“Never mind” Said Nero with a smile.

Havana walked back over and held Atlas’s hand.

“By the way these are my friends. Kip, Nile, Jay, Randolph and my sister Dick” Said Nero.

“Nice to meet all of you” Said Atlas not meaning a single word of it.

Kip had hazel eyes and dark brown hair. He was large and muscular like Nero. Jay had gray eyes and extremely dirty blonde hair. Randolph was taller but thinner than and Jay with extremely similar features. Jay’s simple eyes seemed to capture every movement Havana made in fear.

“Nice to meet you” Said Dick.

Her golden blonde hair was in a ponytail.

Her green eyes seemed to say “what you looking at”.

Nile was short with a mean face. His dark brown eyes matched his hair. Atlas noticed none of them seemed to make eye contact with him. They seemed to be avoiding his eyes if anything.

“Dick’s a strange name” Said Havana.

“It's short for Richard” Said Dick crossing her arms.

She seems to be more comfortable looking at Havana’s eyes.

“How do you get Dick from Richard?” Asked Havana.

“You ask nicely” Replied Atlas.

Havana stood silent for a moment before she pushed Atlas.

“You pervert!” Said Havana with a smile.

“I heard your sister is super strong” Said Dick.

“Not really, she is about five times stronger than Havana but that's all” Said Atlas.

“She doesn't look that strong” Said Nile looking at Havana.

Havana sighed and picked up a rock. She crushed it with two fingers.

“Damn” Said Jay.

“I suppose it would be a good idea for me to introduce you to Athena sooner than later” Said Atlas.

“Why is that?” asked Randolph.

“So if you accidentally hurt me she doesn’t kill you out of anger” Replied Atlas.

They seemed frightened by that. Levy had built a reputation for quit a few things. She had beauty without equal. She was stronger than everyone in the entire school. She was the head cheerleader and now had every heavy lifting record in the school. She wasn't the smartest but she wasn't stupid. She was loved by all the teachers. Nearly the entire school wanted to be friends with her.

Atlas heard the bell ring and walked to class. He would have to introduce them to Levy later. He found it odd that he was unable to find any of Levy's friends such as Scarlet and Morrie. He had arranged to have every class with Havana by paying the headmaster to place them in the same classes.

He spent most of his time teaching Havana. People would ask Havan if she wanted to work with them. She would alway demand they they be nice to Atlas. They alway agreed in order to talk to Havana. The end of the day came and he was unable to spot any of Levy's friends.

He found Nero at the end of the day and asked “How was your day today?”.

“Good enough. What about you?” Asked Nero.

“I’m not dead so that's a good sign” Said Atlas.

“So Lucius, would you want to go on a date on Wednesday?” Asked Havana.

“Maybe” Said Atlas.

Nero looked at his watch and said “Well I have to get walking. See you tomorrow”.

Atlas and Havana began walking home.

“Hey” Yelled out a childish voice. Azrin was holding a heart shaped box.

“What do you want bitch” Said Havana with a pouting face.

“Hey chill out I just wanted to give him something” Said Azrin with sadness in her voice.

Azrin didn't know what his real name was but made her best guesses. She had it down to about fifteen different names.

“I wanted to give you this” Said Azrin blushing slightly.

Atlas followed the instruction plan Levy had made for him “Thank you” whispered Atlas as he hugged her.

“I'm not giving you this because I like you it's just because I wanted to say thank you” Said Azrin.

“I never asked if you liked me but maybe we could hang out this week end” Said Atlas.

“Sounds like fun, just you and me though” Said Azrin.

“As you wish” Said Atlas.

Atlas wanted to drop by the store where he had gotten Morrie's sweater.

He walked to downtown. He walked through the crowds of people and quickly realized he had lost Havana. He walked around and was unable to find her. He walked to the store and walked in. He saw the woman and her children. Atlas bought a pair of socks and gave her three thousand Marks.

“You don't have to do this. You have already given me so much. I can't thank you enough and that's why I can't take this” Said the woman.

“Please, if you won't do it for yourself do it for them. With his money you can take a break from work and spend time with them. This is my way of saying. Take care of them, you as a parent should know better than anyone that your children are the most precious thing that you will ever have in your life. So do this for them” Said Atlas handing her the money.

She wiped a tear away and said “Can I give you a hug”.

Atlas smiled and said “That would be great”.

“Please come back to visit anytime” Said the woman.

As he walked about he recalled the dinner date he would be having with Moriarty’s daughter. Atlas walked around until he found Havana. She was sitting by the curb in front of a taco shop.

“Hey” Said Atlas.

“Where were you!” Said Havana.

She ran up to him and hugged him.

“What are you hugging me for?” Asked Atlas.

“I thought I lost you!” Said Havana.

“You did” Said Atlas.

“That isn't making me feel any better” Said Havana.

“Will this?” Said Atlas kissing her cheek.

She began smiling more than he had ever seen before.

“Hey Atlas!” Yelled his phone.

He pulled it out of his pocket.

“Did you place my phone on automatic pick up again?” Asked Atlas.

“Nooooo… anyway everyone is here and I wanted to know what time you would be home. Oh and I need help with my German homework”

“I'll be marching home”.