image [https://img.wattpad.com/story_parts/1450965631/images/17d5939621e5316a915659882153.jpg]
I bit my lip in a last-ditch effort to suppress my tears, but the wall broke as a flood of them fell down the corners of my eyes.
"Thank you all..." I said through sobs as I rubbed my eyes, not trusting myself to get anything else out without sounding like a mess.
Damien smiled down endearingly.
"You've treated each of us, despite our quirks, as part of your family and respected our different views. We all may not have seen it at first, but despite you being human, Viraa has done well choosing a leader capable of keeping us together."
I stared at them blankly, unsure I understood what he was insinuating.
"Wha–Are y–," I looked at Tymon, who smirked. Michael nodded approvingly.
"That means if you survive this, you'll officially be our leader," Tymon clarified.
I started to blush. They were actually acknowledging me...
"Hearing if come from you is a little discomforting," I responded jokingly, wiping the rest of my tears away. "Thanks guys for believing in me. I promise not to waste your faith—I'll do my best."
I looked at each of them gratefully before settling in, a warm feeling burning pleasantly within my chest. "Okay, I'm ready."
"I'll activate the restraints," Michael said as he headed to the touchpad on the wall.
Congratulations on winning their trust, Viraa shared mentally. I could tell she was truly happy for me. This is a turning point for each of you. Hold them close. Lead them well.
Thank you, Viraa—for everything.
...
Nothing to say suddenly? I asked warmly. I may not grasp things the way you want me to, but I know we'd be lost without you. And as their leader I'll need you with me to avoid mistakes due to my inexperience and youth. So, thank you, and I look forward to working with you.
You truly have grown significantly from the little girl who used to observe the world through her tower window, Viraa praised.
Well, I've come to realize that we're stronger together. I want us to have a better impact on humanity moving forward and to undo the issues Avarice and Verin have caused once this is all over.
"Are you certain that you're ready?" Michael's voice called out.
"Yeah, I'm ready," I responded, getting as comfortable on my back as I could. After a beep from Michael's button input, the cold metal restraints clamped down, firmly locking me in place.
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"It would be wise to place something inside her mouth to prevent her from biting off her tongue," Viraa advised.
Za'Fia pulled a fancy belt from her spatial bag.
"Here, it's rubber. Should help."
She handed the belt to Michael who folded it before inserting it between my teeth for me to bite down on. It was folded just large enough to barely fit inside my mouth but also too big for me to spit it out intentionally.
"If the pain becomes too much, try to bite down instead of opening," Michael instructed.
"mmph-kay," I replied.
"Naomi, you will be the first to go," Viraa stated.
Everyone backed up and gave us space as Naomi stood next to me.
"Here goes," she stated as she partially transformed her left index thumb into a clawed appendage. She then used that claw to prick that hand's index finger until a small drop of blood formed on it.
I shut my eyes tightly in anticipation.
When I felt her touch my shoulder at first, it felt like I was being touched by something a bit wet—nothing unusual happened. Then, a low, chilling sensation crept throughout my body. It was uncomfortable at first, but I wouldn't call it painful. That is, until it intensified. Rapidly. The initial sensation became one of a crippling, unimaginable pain associated with an extreme cold, unlike anything I'd ever felt. It happened so quickly that I nearly blacked out.
The pain was too much. I tried to scream for them to stop but couldn't through the belt. Feeling my vision blur from the overwhelming agony, I bucked and thrashed around violently, trying to use every fiber of strength within me to break free of the restraints, but to no avail.
This went on for maybe five or six seemingly everlasting minutes until the pain subsided, and I lay there, exhausted, freezing yet hot, covered in sweat, and out of breath. My entire body ached to the point that even moving a finger was agonizing. My vision was still blurry, but I swear I saw the cold steam lifting from my face. My head lolled to the side.
"My, she feels like a completely different person..." I heard Damien remark.
"You did great," Viraa encouraged me with an urgency in her voice. "Stay strong; the pain was intense, but remember, you'll be fine. Don't let it shatter your mind. Michael, if you will..."
I felt Michael's light touch on the sides of my head as a warm feeling washed over me, pushing the pain aside. As he continued to heal me, with the pain fading, I noticed my body felt leagues stronger than before.
This might actually work. We might win with this.
That's the idea, Viraa mused.
"Arne, you'll be next," she instructed.
Arne walked over to where Naomi had just been standing.
"Stay strong," Arne commented, looking over me.
I nodded and closed my eyes as I mentally prepared for the following sequence of misery.
-----
Fun fact: Damien, "Sensuous Feline," is the second fastest Primordial behind Michael [https://img.wattpad.com/148932159a846ea4e92e79fffc8224c5056e8de2/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f773365415235567a49417a7444513d3d2d313435303936353633312e313764353933666131613462396335323932363238343334373333362e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
Fun fact: Damien, "Sensuous Feline," is the second fastest Primordial behind Michael. Due to his selfless nature, he often ends up putting others needs above his own or sacrificing his own desires to help those he care for achieve theirs.
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