Now that Niya had her real focus to unleash her true power, she felt unstoppable. She regularly put Braxton to sleep or made him so calm he zoned out for hours at a time so she could file the annulment paperwork and go on dates with Natasia. She was feeling more confident and racing towards starting her new life. Unfortunately, her eagerness led to her making a small mistake. Part of the reason why Braxton was able to eventually break her first focus was because he could build up a resistance to her mist, and really to any charm. She suspected it had to do with him being half orc and orc’s were incredibly charm resistant. She thought with her new focus she could keep him sedated but he started to build his resistance again. One particular afternoon she started spreading her mist around the house again to ease him to sleep but it wasn’t working…in fact it was only making him more agitated as he realized what she was doing and it sent him into a rage. Moments later, Natasia was disturbed from her peaceful afternoon when she felt the moonstone she had given Niya for protection crack.

Natasia stirred visibly and got up to get her phone real quick to text Niya. She waited for a bit. No response. Hmmmm. A little strange. She would’ve answered by now…She calls her…it goes straight to voicemail. Her eyes go wide. Oh no oh no! 

She shouts from the banister to Nigelius.

Natasia: Nigelius! We need to go to Niya's house now!

She phases right outside, not even grabbing her coat as she moves like the starry night with such speed that she’s already in the car. Nigelius is right behind her and pushes the gas all the way as he switches the car into night realm mode which rides through everything like a shadow, appearing in front of Niya’s house within a matter of minutes. Natasia steps out and calms herself, walking to the front door and knocking. Knock knock knock. No answer. She knocks again. Knock knock knock. 

Braxton: -he yanks the door open and scowls at her- What do you want now?

Natasia steadies herself as she looks him in the eye: Just doing my rounds. I tend to check on the teachers to make sure they are ready for the next school year but I didn’t get a response. Is Ardonia currently around for me to speak with?

Braxton: -his scowl deepens and he tries to keep the door fully blocked- She’s. Out. Honestly I don’t think she’ll be working at your little school much longer…I don’t like her attitude lately. She needs to remember what it means to be my wife.

Natasia’s night gaze has been scanning the room while he was talking and there are faint traces of struggle along with a body in the corner of the room right beside the entrance of what looks to be the dining room. Her brain is racing but she knows she has to act. She looks him in his eyes and with her sclera turning a deep blue with starlight, she speaks a small incantation: By Darkness, By Light, move away from my sight! 

Braxton goes flying into the wall, all the way behind and is knocked completely unconscious from the spell blast of the Court of Darkness. Then, she sees Niya, on the floor of the other side of the dining room table with the moonstone cracked into pieces. She is unconscious. Natasia shouts to Nigelius.

Natasia: Call the authorities please. I will take Niya myself to the hospital!

Nigelius: On it, My Lady.

Natasia steps in and sees a lot of broken glass and tattered cloth in the dining room. She sees Niya and touches her face and even though she doesn’t stir, she is breathing. She picks her up very slowly and softly and takes her out of the house. The authorities had just arrived when Natasia was walking out with Niya and they all bowed to her in respect.

Ivory Sentinel: Oh Lady Haile? Is everything alright? Should we call medics? Is the perpetrator still inside?

Natasia while walking towards the car with Niya: It’ll be alright now. I’ll take her myself. And yes he’s still in there. He needs to be handled for what he’s done.

She uses her night powers to phase to the Lucid City Medical Building where she walks in with Niya and they attend to her. They don’t ask Natasia a whole lot of questions, just wanting her to answer if she’s aware of anything else that they can’t see with just the naked eye. Natasia stays by her side as much as possible while Nigelius keeps her up-to-date on everything with Braxton.

Niya: -she wakes an hour later with a start and starts looking around panicked- Fuck where am I..! No no no no…!

Natasia comes over and puts her hands on hers: Niya my darling, calm down. It’s me. I brought you here…you were hurt, my love. 

Niya: -she stares at her wide-eyed and tries to calm her panicked breathing. Once she realizes she’s safe she breaks down crying and clings to Natasia- Tasia!...Thank the gods it’s you!...

Natasia holds her closely but watches out for her gauze and she pets her head: I’m so glad I found you. The authorities of the Ivory Sanctuary have Braxton. You are safe with me…

Niya: -she clings to her harder and sobs as she buries her face in Natasia’s chest- I…he!...He caught me by surprise!...I couldn’t fight him off..!..I hope they never set him free!...

Natasia holds her and just gently strokes your head: I hope they banish him from this continent. That might be the best they can do…for now. But let’s focus on you getting better. Your injuries were severe in some parts. But the doctors did a lot of healing for you. You just need rest. *She touches her face softly.* I won’t let anything happen to you ever again.

Niya: -she nods and holds Natasia’s hand to her cheek, kissing it softly- Okay…thank you for coming to save me..

Natasia smiles and bends down so they are eye to eye: I just wanted you to be safe and I could feel the moonstone crack. It scared me and then you didn’t answer so I just went to you. He won’t hurt you again. The doctor also said he will come back to check on you later and if you are clear, you can leave. He’ll prescribe you some pain meds just in case you need them. He also said the mana release with your focus needs to be slow since you had some internal bleeding.

Niya: Okay…I can do that..heh guess I’ll need to get my furniture ordered sooner..

Natasia chuckles: It’s fine, I always have my catalogues so after you get discharged and eat something. Then we can discuss furnishing your home. I just want you to rest for a few days. 

Niya: Heh okay…-she takes her hand as she rests back on the bed and kisses it again- Thank you my love..

Natasia smiles and leans in to kiss her lips softly: Anything for you, my darling.