“Why couldn’t you save us?” the voice snaps. It rings in Aria’s ears. She doesn’t want to open her eyes. She doesn’t want to face the voice, but it keeps getting louder. And louder and louder until she begins to drown in the voice.

“You’re just like them. A monster,” it snarls,” gurka.” That makes her snap her eyes open to see the shadows surrounding her. The inky black shadows swirl around her, deadly screams echoing from them. She covers her ears, pressing her palms against her head.

Aria shouts,” Stop! Leave me alone!” but that was to no avail because it just causes everything to get even louder. The voices multiply, drowning her. She feels suffocated, unable to find a way out. A way to escape this nightmare. She knows it’s just a dream but she can’t get away from this!

Suddenly, a single voice snickers,” You’re just like me.” She shoots her head up, her eyes searching wildly for the source. Red eyes gleam back at her, bloodlust flickering in them.

“Embrace it, Umbram,” it whispers, a hiss in its voice.

Her eyes widen as a face begins forming around the eyes. A face that looks like hers. Fangs, glowing red eyes. she hurriedly looks down at her hands to see the claws growing. Her dar brown skin begins to pale into a grey.

“I’m not,” she whispers. I’m not like you. I’m not Umbra. I can’t be! Why this? Why me?!

“Aria…” another voice whispers. This one sounds less haunting and more… concerned?

She squeezes her eyes shut, trying to hold in the tears. “Wake up!” the voice coaxes, getting louder.

~

Her eyes snap open and she stares up at the ceiling. Evritt’s face appears above her, tears rolling down his cheeks. “You’re awake!” he cheers, his voice trembling slightly. Elias looks tense as he leans his face over her face. The top of his head bumps against Evritt’s as they try to gauge her state.

She nods, tears pooling in her own eyes. “I’m… I’m sorry,” she whispers. Her voice hiccups as she tries to hold in her cries. This is all her fault. They were put in danger because of her. It seems like everything always ends up being her fault for some reason. She just doesn’t understand.

“Sorry? Aria, you protected us and a twenty other people who literally did not care for your safety at all,” Elias scoffs. His hair is a bit out of sorts. The ponytail that he normally has his thick curls in is messy, with a lot of tresses sticking out. His brown eyes narrow when she opens her mouth to argue. “It wasn’t your fault,” he assures, firmly.

Her eyes widen at his words and the tears begin falling. Oh… that felt better than what she had expected. She has never heard anyone say those words to her.

A voice clears its throat and grumbles,” Not to interrupt this touching moment. But you are still in a bit of a situation here.” It sounds authoritative and harsh. The three of them glance up and Aria can actually get a look at the room that they are in. It looks a bit like a courtroom, with a huge stand for someone to sit in. The seat is occupied by a man with pale skin. Even with it being pale, freckles litter his face, giving him an almost innocent look, however his blue eyes are cold, calculating. Standing next to him, her stance tall and straight, is a woman who looks almost exactly like the man. She is willing to bet that she is his daughter. Her curly read hair falls along her shoulders. Her eyes glare daggers at Aria, mistrust in them. In response, Aria raises an eyebrow, annoyed.

Her face falls back into its default guarded expression as she moves to stand. “You shouldn’t be standing right now. You were hit with over a thousand volts, Eliarin.” the girl states, placing her hands in front of her.

Aria scoffs,” And as you can see, I am fine, red.” She stands, stretching her body and running a hand through her own coils. As it is now, she stands taller than the red hair girl and inwardly chuckles. Imagine that.

The girl glares, taking a step forward. “I’d watch how you speak to me, grey,” she snaps. Her hand reaches for her waist and Aria’s eyes dart towards to it to see a gun. She smirks to hide her annoyance. Not this again. When will people realize that those weapons are virtually ineffective against her.

She also steps forward, ignoring Elias’s weak protest. “Aria. This is not the time,” he tries to whisper. Pointedly ignoring his little brother, he stands as well. Evritt seems excited to see this fight happen and that is not what they need right now.

He moves in front of Aria,” Stop, think about this. They kind of saved us. We were out in the open and Civics were going to get to us if they hadn’t got to us first.” His eyes furrow. “How did you know to get us. And how did you accomplish that?”

Aria snarls, her eyes narrowing,” Because they’ve been following us since yesterday.” She continues walking forward. Her eyes flash when she sees the girl walk forward as well. She has been itching for something to vent her frustration on. Not even Elias standing in front of her was going to stop this.

Elias tries to push her back,” You know, we thank you for all of your help! And we definitely do not want to waste your good hospitality. Right, Aria?” His efforts are in vain due to his… lack of strength in comparison to Aria. Even though he is the one pushing against her, she is effortlessly causing him to slide backwards. And Evritt is no help as he watches with stars in his eyes!

Thankfully, the man chuckles,” Let’s all relax. Lydell.” The girl immediately stops. She moves back into the exact spot she was in, exact position and everything and her expression goes blank. As if a huge fight wasn’t about to happen. The man stands moving from his seat and steps down to the ground. He rests a hand on his daughter’s shoulder, an easy smile on his face. “I am Cambrell. You are in the Logi base of the Martyrdom.” Elias’s eyes widen before he narrows them at the man. That resistance group? That name? They might have some answers. The man turns to him,” Now who are you? We had saved you because the woman is a wanted fugitive. And I was shocked to see that not all of the Eliari clan had been lost.”

Aria raises an eyebrow, not liking the smile on his face. She doesn’t trust him. He gives the air of a snake. A hedim.

She glances at Elias, whose eyes are calculating. She has seen this expression when he is concocting a plan. His nose is slightly scrunched, and his eyes are narrowed behind his lenses. Don’t tell him you’re the guardian, his voice mutters in her head. Then he cocks his head up, giving the air of bravado.

“Do you know of Sien and Koal Prim?” he asks. The man’s eyes widen, a hint of glee in them that all three of them catch. Elias clenches his fists. This man knows something. He’s planning something.

True to Elias’s assumption, Cambrell moves towards him,” Well, I’ll be damned. You must be their sons. They have talked about you before. Why are you here?”

There is a choice to make. How much information should they share? Elias bites his lip, contemplating on his answer. He takes a deep breath. “Our parents have been missing for two weeks. I suspected that there was something going on and decided that we should search for them at their last known location. I happened upon some information that hinted at their involvement with the Martyrdom, which you have proven to be true.”

Cambrell nods, running his hand down his bushy red beard. His expression shows that he is impressed with Elias’s deduction. He clears his throat,” Yes, I remember your parents well. They were working together with us from the inside.”

Evritt gasps,” You know Mamam and Papa?! Do you know where they are?”

The elder man shakes his head, causing Evritt’s shoulders to slump.

Elias huffs,” Well, can you tell us what they were doing working with you?” Crossing his arms, Elias examines the man. Something doesn’t feel right with this.

A smile grows on Cambrell’s face as he looks over the three. Before he could answer, his daughter huffs stepping forward. “Uh, that’s classified information!” she snaps.

Elias raises an eyebrow, not expecting the girl to even speak up. “Classified? Why can’t we know about our parents? That makes no sense.” He steps up to Lydell, meeting her eyes. They are both easily the same height.

She chuckles, her eyes showing her anger,” How can we trust you? You could be working for the Citadel!” Lydell tosses her arms up in frustration. She faces her father,” I know you wanted to recruit the fugitive, but I do not think that is wise, father.”

Aria narrows her eyes,” Recruit? What do you mean?”

Cambrell chuckles, annoyance flashing through his face as he glances at his daughter. “We wanted to ask if you would lend us your strength for a mission.” He steps closer,” I feel like we could help each other out.”

Aria scoffs, not believing this. He just wants to use her power. Another stupid salgri trying to use her for his own gain. She has had enough. She moves to answer his question, but Elias steps in front. Wait, wait. He says, causing her to wince at the fierceness of his voice.

“Uh, we would have to think on that.” He answers, quickly. Lydell sneers, narrowing her eyes at him.

He glares right back, not letting her intimidate him. “Is there an issue, Miss Lydell?” he asks, puffing his chest. He may not be the most physically capable, but surely he could handle himself without help from Aria.

Lydell huffs, rolling her eyes,” Yes, actually there is. 1. You are not the one he is trying to recruit so why are you speaking for her? 2. You are not in any position to be trying to negotiate.” Her boots move across the floor as she steps closer to him.

“You just don’t trust us. You think we are spies sent by the Union of Generals,” he snaps, insulted.

Her eyes flash, angrily,” Well, yes. Your parents work for them, and they have been radio silent for over two weeks, which means that they have betrayed us.”

Elias’s nostrils flare as he clenches his fist. Lydell catches the movement, and a wide smirk grows on her face. “Are you getting angry, beanpole?” she jeers, her hand reaching for her waistband. If he wants to try to fight her, then she will give him a fight.

Evritt and Aria watch the scene unfold, with completely different expressions. Aria looks ready to step in to help, her nose flared and fists clenched. Evritt, on the other hand, is shaking his head. Elias… can’t fight at all. This is going to end badly for him at least.

Elias snaps, rushing towards Lydell with a fist ready. She easily side steps him and takes his arm. Twisting it, she forces Elias to the ground and shoves her knee into his back. Elias gasps out, pain shooting up his back.

Aria’s eyes narrow and she steps forward, the flames licking her skin. She watches as Lydell rolls her shoulders and snickers,” Beanpole, you need to watch yourself.”

Lydell suddenly feels a burn on her wrist and she whips her head up to see the angry silver eyes of Aria. She gulps, the flames whispering against her skin. “Remove your hands from him, or I will singe the pale skin from your bones.” Lydell glares, holding in the tears as she roughly removes her hands. Aria’s eyes are swirling with anger as she tightens her grip,” Watch yourself, Red.”

Snatching her hand from the tight grip, Lydell holds her gaze. This girl… is dangerous. She moves back to where her father stands and snaps,” Well, what is your answer?”

Aria glances back at Elias and Evritt, who look exhausted and hopeful. “I will think on it for a bit. Elias however is useful in acquiring information in the time being.”

Cambrell nods, a wide grin on his face,” Wonderful!” he clasps his hands together,” May this be the start of a beautiful partnership.” Aria glares as she helps Elias to his feet.

“Of course,” he coughs out, keeping a close eye on Lydell, who could break his arm any minute. Evritt cheers, happy that he gets to sleep somewhere more comfortable.

Lydell scoffs, a smirk on her face. Her father glances at her, a glint in his eye that she is not fond of. He then turns to Elias,” For now, Lydell will be watching over you during your stay here.” The smirk instantly falls from her face and she furrows her brows, annoyed.

All the three of them blink before turning to face Lydell. The scowl on her visage is so evident and she doesn’t even want to hide it. Which makes all three a bit uncomfortable. “Are you sure?” Evritt pipes up.

A sure nod flits across him and he smiles,” There is no other person that I trust more than my daughter.”