Droplets ran down Eden’s face as unblinking stared at the grey clouds. The children were hidden in the hole of the tree as Nova lay peacefully on her lap.

“What happened?” Eden jumped at the voice. Turning around she saw Tempest worriedly looking at Nova. She didn’t even notice Tempest sneaking up on her.

“She got hurt badly,” Tempest started to rush over, “but it's all good, I healed her.” Tempest stops and looks back at her.

“You healed her?”

Eden gulped and nodded. Tempests’ beady eyes stared in silence at her.

“You. You can heal people?” Eden screamed internally. She realised her mistake, but she was not backing down now.

“I know it’s a weird ability?” Eden laughed awkwardly, scratching at her arm. “Everyone told me all my life that isn’t magic, and you know… stuff.”

Tempest seemed to accept it and huffed snuggling up to Nova, whispering about how reckless Nova is. Tempest seemed to even be bothered by the harsh rain at all. Most birds usually hide away not wanting to fly or be in the rain.

Though Tempest is a minor spirit maybe they like the rain. Eden then slapped her hand onto her face and groaned. Tempest. Gosh, Eden can be dumb sometimes.

“Where were you?” Tempest was always following Nova around.

“Nova asked me to look around the town. I hurried over here as soon as I felt Nova in pain.” Tempest seemed to notice the children in the tree hole and titled their head.

“Just don’t question it.” Eden slumped against the tree, rubbing her eyes.

“I was, but I guess I won’t,” they moved to be snuggled against both Eden and Nova.

 ///

Nova's head pounded as she forced her eyes to open. She flinched at the light and groaned as her mind swirled. She distantly felt the presence of Tempest and another warmer presence.

Nova went to push herself up but was quickly pushed back down.

“Nova! What are you doing? You need to take it easy,” Eden's eyes were darting around checking Nova's face.

“I’m alright, are you okay?”

Eden hesitantly nodded, as she helped Nova to sit up. Nova's body felt like jelly and her legs refused to move. She glances up to see a very puffed-up Tempest. Their beady eyes were death glaring at her.

“You are an idiot,” Tempest jumped into Nova's arms.

“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to scare you.” Tempest huffed.

Nova glanced up at Eden. Her hair was drenched, and despite the cold air around them, she felt warm. Her eyes looked tired, and her hands trembled. Gently, Nova grabbed Eden's hand and rubbed circles into the palm.

“Are you sure you’re, okay?”

Eden nodded again.

Nova eyed Eden but didn’t argue. With a quick push, Nova stumbled up as the other two screamed their protest. Nova grabbed the tree for balance. As much as Nova would like for sleep to take her away from her pounding head. Staying in a forest with that monster isn’t a good idea.

“What happened?” Nova didn’t see or hear anything. Where would it have gone?

“It ran off when you passed out,” Nova looked at Tempest and they only shrugged. “I suppose it got scared and left.” If it did run off Nova wasn’t going to stay if it decided to show up again.

“We got to go.”

“What about the kids?”

Nova looked at the sleeping kids and internally groaned. Her mind was blank and huffed. Grabbing one of the smallest of the kids and passed it to Eden who gently held them. Nova grabbed the other too and ventured back to the village.

Before leaving, Nova's eyes saw blood in the grass and looked over her body. Not a single wound, just fatigue and a headache. Tempest didn’t say anything, and Eden didn’t ever.

What in the greater spirits happened? Not only didn’t the monster leave when Nova was vulnerable, but Nova didn’t have a single scratch on her.

She didn’t sign up for this.