{The Heart of Enki | Within The Previous Hour}

Calibrated.

Optimized.

Stabilizing…

Unable to stabilize.

Warning: Nine hours and seven minutes until maximum destabilization.

“Elden, I need your help.”

The nacres laid on their pedestals in the amber dome, playing sentinel over Cinder’s failing prosperity. The same ancients who’d witnessed the fall of the royal family. All those tribulations and losses, never once interfering.

Not until the girl who stood in the chamber’s center swallowed Nox’s nacre under Li’s bloated sky. Now Rayne had returned with more prayers. Elden permitted her to hold his chipped nacre in the small palm of her hand, squeeze it inside her fist, and—

A splinter cracked and laid in her hand, further diminishing the white pearl.

Much like when she retrieved Night Killer, Rayne punched a hole in her own chest. Distracting from the agony, she muttered, “One splinter for the Icarean Royal Family. One splinter for me. But,” her voice squeezed tight as she gasped out, “Unlike Umbra, I’ll share mine with you—”

Chink.

Rayne entered her chest with one white chip and removed her hand—healing the wound instantly—with one of amber glass. She fixed it to Elden’s pearl and kissed it before restoring the ancient nacre to its pedestal. “I’ll keep my promise.”

Over the last hour, Nox witnessed Rayne lie to the people she loved. The martyr knew no ultimate way to survive the Weapon detonation, but she may have afforded herself some hope with Elden’s nacre.

Why had Elden helped Rayne keep Nox’s nacre separate from hers? Did the ancient Icarean deity and his reincarnation share an accord?

It was an impressive, if desperate maneuver, which left Nox more than a little curious as to Rayne’s kinship with his ancestor. Curious as to how she impacted her relationships and engendered so much loyalty and trust even among the ancient and powerful—

And now Rayne was kissing Sagan after returning to the heart of Enki.

Nox turned all the way around and busied himself with the three-dimensional rendering of their fronts.

Calibrated.

Optimized.

Stabilizing…

Unable to stabilize.

Warning: Seven hours and twenty-two minutes until maximum destabilization.

Nox winced even as Rayne said, “Worth it.”

He’d be damned if he didn’t smirk, which quickly vanished as the Seamswalker and the War King exchanged heartfelt goodbyes.

Inside her head, with his back to her, Rayne’s voice was thick with emotion, the tears audible in her words. “Please don’t pity me. I couldn’t bear it right now.”

Nox shook his head, whether or not she could see him. “I could never pity you.” Because he loved her too much not to do something about it. “Look.”

Behind him, Rayne straightened herself. He knew because when she appeared beside him, the evidence of her tears was mostly gone. “What is it?” Her voice was still heavy with sorrow, but filled with the light familiarity she’d found when speaking with him lately.

Nox would take the good with the bad. He pointed, “This is the projection of the rogue half of Gait if Enki’s predictions are accurate. It will impact the hull in three hours. If you keep physical contact to a minimum—”

“We could make it. I can refill at the battleground and not have to explode Enki, myself!” Rayne gripped Nox’s wrist while she hopped up and down with excitement. “Here’s to Matt and Lucy!” She released him to punch the air.

Damn Nox, but he grinned down at her, the enthusiasm infectious. Not to mention, surviving this would be nice. Although, they’d have to create some protocols for her privacy. A way to dismiss Nox for intimate moments. If they lived through this, he’d be fine with that.

Azure pulsed under her skin again.

They stopped celebrating as Rayne stared at her arm outside her head. “Nox?”

He hated the finality in her voice, and he wanted to remind Rayne of her strength. “Yes, your majesty?”

She pushed her hair behind her ears as she said, “We can fix this, too, right? Me and Silence with Ishkur—whatever Ishkur is.”

Comfort. Rayne needed comfort, and Nox wasn’t able to give it more than the words. “I believe we can. Without further obstacles, the teams will be successful and Gait will destroy Enki without endangering you to the brink of destruction, but these variables are unpredictable. The situation is fluid and outside of our control. Either in or against our favor, this delicate balance can tip at any moment—”

Enki went dark.

Rayne gaped and laughed incredulously. She looked him up and down, accusing, “You did that.”

Nox opened his mouth to say he obviously did not, but thought better of it and closed it.

Over the private channel, she said, “Sagan, this is War King. What’s happening out there? Everything’s dark. Over.”

Sagan responded, “Just some difficulties. We’ll figure it out. Over and Out.”

How should Nox approach informing Rayne that her lover had just lied to her? Sagan’s voice sounded frenzied with an edge of panic. Was it even worth mention—

“She lied to me.”

The azure pulse came again, the frequency increasing.

Rayne sighed, heavy with exasperation.

Nox would try some diplomacy. “Without knowing her, it might seem unfit for me to advocate. But knowing what I do of her, I can vouch that Sagan would never lie to you unless she wanted to prevent this exact frustration and impotence you’re feeling because of your distance from the fronts.”

Rayne looked away from him and spoke to the view. “Nox, you lived my life with me. You know her as well as I do, and that’s why I know you’re right. Only… I don’t want her to keep things from me. Damn it! I can still fight.”

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

Staring at her profile, he pointed out. “Without her or T.a.o., you are immobile, cut-off up here. Let her manage, and I’m sure she’ll return to you promptly.”

Unexpectedly, Rayne laughed and turned to Nox with humor glittering in her vibrant eyes. “‘Promptly.’ Yes, I guess if Sagan’s anything, it’s ‘prompt.’ Thank you, Nox.” She went back to staring at the dark view.

Nox returned to his calculations, and after a time, the lights returned. During their lull, the azure light had pulsed twice more under Rayne’s skin. Each time, her brows tightened, and she swallowed, choked with apprehension. This isolation wasn’t benefiting her fear. Nox didn’t ask why she kept her comms on the private channel. If anything happened below, Rayne couldn’t help them. The ineffectualness would simply drive her mad until the situation worsened to the point of Sagan fetching her from this important task.

Calibrated.

Optimized.

Stabilizing…

Unable to stabilize.

Warning: Six hours and forty-nine minutes until maximum destabilization.

A conduit opened.

Nox narrowed his gaze at the timing as a parade of familiar faces emerged. Rayne contained herself as Sagan, Xelan, Korac, Primary Tumu, and a Lyrik, who could only be Pehton, stepped through. It was the last person entering the space who decimated Rayne’s self-control.

“Tameka!”

Rayne flew to her, and they embraced tightly. The King of Earth and Cinder muttered to her friend, “You smell like home. Elden, I missed you.”

“Oh, I have so much to tell you. I can’t wait for you to meet Pax officially.”

Calibrated.

Optimized.

Stabilizing…

Unable to stabilize.

Warning: Six hours and thirteen minutes until maximum destabilization.

Nox winced.

Rayne choked on a gasp and separated them, brushing the tears from Tameka’s face before letting her go completely.

Sagan shared, “Echo’s here.”

Nox stifled a cheer. By Elden, if he’d possessed a body, he’d wrangle Korac into an uncomfortable hug and demand to hold the child. As it was, Rayne cheered for them both. “I can’t wait to properly meet them! Congratulations, Korac—That’s not Korac.”

No. Those eyes were all wrong.

The man dressed in Korac’s skin took a step forward before Xelan stopped him with a magnificent sweep of his ridiculous coat. “That’s close enough for me, thanks.”

Pehton snickered and whispered something to Iuo, who shared a grin over his stenography equipment.

Tumu looked disconcerted by the situation altogether.

Rayne smiled at her guardian and shook her head at how seriously he still regarded his role. Inside her head, to Nox, she said, “He still thinks I need protecting.”

“You always will to him.” And Nox knew this to be the truth.

A tiny flicker of love flashed in her eyes before she returned to the present assembly.

Korac’s hand waved at her while the man inside him spoke. “Hello, Rayne. I can call you ‘Rayne,’ can’t I?”

Rayne’s response brought a smile to Nox’s lips. “Only if I get to call you ‘Three Two Four.’”

Even Xelan grinned with a touch of pride.

The Pain Curator’s eyes tightened slightly. “I want us to be friends.”

Pehton raised a brow and jabbed, “I’m not sure if the King of Earth and Cinder is interested in your idea of friendship.”

Tameka got to the point, a trait Nox admired about her. “Rayne, those Weapons you told us about, they’ve arrived, and Xelan told me about your plan. I’m down, but we need ideas on how to fight them. All I can come up with is more of your blood.”

Tumu’s voids scanned Rayne before meeting her eyes. “I’m not so sure powering up the Weapon inside your nacre is a good idea.”

Pehton pointed out. “It’s the only one we’ve got.”

Sagan asked, “What about the blood, Rayne? We’ll have to touch you for it.”

Rayne looked at Nox. He said, “It should be doable.”

To them, she said, “You can have it. It won’t impact the fuse. Much.”

Xelan looked unconvinced, but stayed the course. “We’ll bring Pablo immediately and load up—”

The azure pulse came again, and everyone stared in silence.

Rayne shrank inside her head, her eyes widening on the brink of tears.

Nox ran a hand through his hair, seeking the best approach. Eventually, he settled on, “Look in their eyes.”

She nodded.

“See all the love there just beneath the concern?”

Again, the nod, but this time Rayne’s shoulders loosened with it.

“Hang onto the warmth, Rayne. I know it’s impossible to imagine at this moment, but they act out of love. Not pity. They don’t think you’re a freak or a monster. Those were my fears. Don’t let them be yours.”

Rayne shook herself, inside and out, and targeted Razor. The man watched the strained encounter with unveiled curiosity. She said, “I assume you serve a purpose. I’m still waiting to speak to my General. How much longer will you inhabit his body like this?”

Nox nodded with approval. “Very good.”

It snapped the others out of their staring, and some of them looked away, dealing with their shame and concern. Sagan and Tameka hovered closer to Rayne. The three powerful women who held the Vast Collective above water while the floods rolled in would learn to traverse emotional currents beneath the surface of their warrior facades. Together.

Razor, who noticed the power stance, smirked at the females. “Your majesty, Seamswalker, and Fury—I promise to return him moments from now. I call to Ishkur to relieve your nacre of its ailment. And what a nacre the Tritans gave you. Tumu, was it difficult for them to part with Primary Des?”

Tumu glared at him. “Watch your words, Pain Curator.”

“Two nacres would’ve done the job.”

Razor’s words widened Nox’s eyes.

Rayne breathed inside her head, “Does he know?”

Nox had no assurances to offer her. “The Aegis were phenomenal beings. There’s no limit to what he can discern simply from looking at you.”

Razor pressed on, turning to Xelan. “And you, dear Prince. Did you ever learn how your first nacre found its way to Gait? Instead of Nox’s?” He winked at Rayne.

Shit.

“He knows,” Nox and Rayne exclaimed at the same time.

But Tumu surprised them by saying, “I will knock you unconscious for Korac’s sake if you continue to antagonize us.” The Primary gave Rayne a look with reassurance in his voids.

Xelan glanced at Tumu, and Rayne noticed the question in her guardian’s eyes.

She asked Nox inside her head, “Do you think…”

Did Tumu substitute Xelan’s nacre for Nox’s? Could the Primary also tell Rayne was carrying Nox’s nacre with her all along?

Nox let out an incredulous laugh. “At this point, nothing is beyond anyone. Focus on the war at hand, your majesty.”

“Right.” Rayne returned her focus to Razor. “Stop deflecting and do your part to fulfill whatever bargain you’ve made with the Shadow.”

Again, Nox approved.

Razor straightened Korac’s body and pounded a fist to his chest in salute. “Right away, your highness. By the way, you are simply stunning in person.”

While Nox agreed, the naked admiration in Razor’s eyes boiled Nox’s blood—

Pehton flicked Korac’s ear, barely able to reach it.

“Ow!”

Nox and Rayne both laughed.

Sagan left Rayne’s side to smooth Pehton’s back. “I know. I know. But leave his beautiful ears alone, okay?” She opened the conduit.

Pehton agreed as they stepped through it. “Fine, but they both deserve it.”

Tumu laughed and joined them.

Iuo paused to wave at Rayne on the way through. “It was nice seeing you.” For the last time hung in the air, and it was there in the sadness of his two-toned eyes.

“I’ll see you again,” Rayne called with a wave before the Lamia disappeared with his stenography equipment to the bridge.

Tameka and Xelan remained.

The amount of people who cared about Rayne overwhelmed Nox, but not more than the power radiating from this couple. Together, they exuded confidence, hope, and consternation.

Tameka promised, “We’ll be back for the blood.”

Xelan’s eyes held so much concern. “If you need anything, tell us. You know our channel frequency.”

Rayne inhaled a shaky breath. Nox knew what she needed, and she was out of time. So he offered, “Only an hour from now and Gait will crash into Enki.”

She nodded and pushed through the grief. To Xelan and Tameka, she assured, “Let’s get everyone prepared with my blood, and we can start the power transfusions whenever you’re ready, Tameka.”

Xelan reached to touch her hair. She shook her head, and he let his hand fall without showing the loss in his smile. “I got you.”

Inside her head, Nox watched, impotent, as Rayne’s heart broke while the couple stepped through the conduit.

Tameka lingered long enough to say, “I love you.”

“I love you!”

Then they left Rayne alone to her tears.

Not alone.

“Rayne.”

A shiver passed over her, head in her hands.

“Rayne.”

Nox waited until he drew her out of the shelter of her palms. He wanted to touch her, but resisted lest he trigger old trauma. Rayne met his eyes finally with hers constellated in pain. He said, “Talk to me.”

A couch appeared behind them in the construct of her mind. Rayne fell onto it and pulled her knees to her chest, hugging them. She swallowed before saying, “Please, sit with me. I don’t want to be alone right now.”

Nox sat on the couch beside her.

They stared out at the sight of Enki and the continents and oceans of its Sphere. The star in the distance, blocked by a massive structure to provide shade and the semblance of night. It revolved around the nameless star as the moon revolved around the Earth. Day. Night. Shadow. Light.

Silence.

“They love me.”

“They do.”

“I love them.”

“I can see why.”

“I hope we win.”

“I know we will, your majesty.”

“Thank you, Nox. Just… thank you. I’m less scared with you around.”

“So am I, Rayne. So am I.”

Calibrated.

Optimized.

Stabilizing…

Unable to stabilize.

Warning: Five hours and fifty-one minutes until maximum destabilization.