Chapter 53:

  A Bittersweet Beginning

  (Lucas's POV)

  "Ugh..." I groaned, my head feeling like it was being crushed, "Why does my head hurt so badly..."

  The st thing I remembered were The Tears of the Sea activating and...that was about it. Everything else was foggy or just nonexistent.

  "Ah, wonderful timing, my love," a familiar voice called to me as if it had called to me a thousand times before, "Here, take this."

  I felt pills being put into my mouth and a bottle held to my lips. The touch of the person holding me was extremely tender as always.

  "Thanks...Ellie," I smiled up at her gratefully.

  "Of course," she replied, kissing the top of my head gently, "As much as I'd love to give you time to recover...I'm going to need your help."

  "My...help?" I had barely gotten ahold of my surroundings to understand we were currently outside, "What's going on?"

  Looking around, I noticed an enormous wall of fire surrounding us, the sound of helicopters overhead filled my ears, and looking up I noticed that they were newscasters. Among the buildings past the wall of fire were many people trying to get a good look in, but what drew my attention most was where Elizabeth was looking.

  "I have to maintain the wall and...restraints," Elizabeth expined, giving me an apologetic smile, "Hannah can't use her abilities with others watching. That might...make it worse. I called who I could from Zero Squad, but they're crowd controlling."

  My heart sunk as I saw Maya upon a hill of rubble, corpses littered around her. She was currently encased in chains of ethereal fme. A pure white mask, broken on the right side to reveal her face, and clothed in flowing dark robes. She was covered in blood and the look in her eye was...concerning.

  "What the hell happened while I was out?" I muttered, slowly standing, my heart filling with concern, "What's happened to her?"

  "Well..." Elizabeth let out a deep breath, "In order to save you, she released her limits. It allows her to use her maximum potential, but...at the risk of her mind."

  "Why the hell would you let her use that!?" I excimed, now fully aware of the situation, "Damn my safety, what about her?"

  "Lucas..." Elizabeth called my name in such a way that it gave me pause.

  It was filled with the pain of a thousand lives, pleading with me to understand. Taking a breath, I guess I couldn't really bme her. There were people everywhere, and from the amount of corpses everywhere...they couldn't prolong the fight.

  "Damn it..." I calmed myself, "I guess it couldn't be avoided, but honestly...and you call me a handful."

  Elizabeth's expression softened into an amused smirk.

  "You are a handful, my love," she told me pyfully, "She had a personal vendetta in this as well. I'll hold her still, but you need to reach her."

  "No," I took a step forward and gazed upon Maya in her state of frenzy, "When I go towards her...release her."

  "Lucas, that's not a good idea," Elizabeth cautioned, "I doubt she'll hurt you, even in this state, but she might turn her ire towards the civilians."

  I looked back with a gentle expression.

  "Trust me, my love," I smiled, leaning down to give Ellie a kiss, "She won't be able to take her eyes off me. Could you?"

  Elizabeth watched me with heavy, nguid eyes full of desire. A glint of begrudging understanding fshed across them.

  "Hrm, no," she admitted, shaking her head, "I never take my eyes off of you."

  "Exactly," I was gd she understood, "I've made my decision. Is that okay with you?"

  "I've had many lifetimes to warm up to the thought," Elizabeth expined softly, her words filled with warmth, "I want a life where you're safe and happy. Maya is a part of that. Safety...well, we'll talk about that after you bring her back to us."

  She cast a mischievous gnce my way, causing me to grimace with a nervous chuckle.

  "I-I guess that's fair..." I replied, scratching my cheek, "Well...to be honest, I didn't have much of a choice."

  "I'll hear your excuses ter," Elizabeth told me cheekily, "Go get our girl back."

  "Yes, Ma'am," I feigned a salute and steeled myself.

  I couldn't stand to see Maya like this. Right now, she looked like a rabid animal. Her fangs waiting to be bared against anyone and anything, but...that wasn't the Maya that I knew. Most would look into her eyes and see the madness. The frenzy that threatened to devour her, but what I saw...was fear.

  She was afraid, and when you're afraid...what is the one thing that you want most? Safety. Assurance. Comfort. The belief that everything would be okay.

  Her identity as Orchid had just been revealed. Right now, thousands of people online were probably talking about it. Making the connections. There wasn't a way to stop it anymore. The thing that Maya feared most.

  Maya knew that Orchid was a part of her, and she had long since accepted her past. She told me as such. Even so, she had still kept a distance between the two, and right now that distance had been closed in a way that she wasn't ready for. At first, I didn't know if I could help when I saw her, but something in me was saying that I had to try.

  As I began making my way up and through the debris towards her, I looked to the sky at the helicopters once more. "Fucking leeches..." I grumbled to myself, knowing that they were having a field day, "Well, let's give them one more thing to talk about..." I smirked to myself, taking this as an opportunity as well.

  All those rumors being spread, the vicious things they said about Maya...I'd end them all. She wasn't just some homewrecker. She wasn't a monster. She was my best friend and someone I wanted to spend my life with. Someone I loved dearly, much like Elizabeth.

  It was time the world knew, and as I looked back to Elizabeth, she gave me an assuring, encouraging smile. I nodded back, telling her it was time. I was almost to Maya, her aura was intense, sending the area into a chaotic whirlwind of pressure.

  "Maya!" I called out to her, immediately drawing her attention.

  I gazed into the one violet eye which stared at me with a frenzy of fear and desperation. Anyone else would think she had gone mad, one wrong move might get them killed, but I wasn't afraid of that. I was afraid of her losing herself. To become something that she wasn't.

  "Ellie, do it," I ordered, and the ethereal chains around Maya released, causing her to take a moment to look at her newfound freedom, but before she could do anything else, I called one more, "Maya, look at me. It's okay."

  She tilted her head, turning her gaze towards me, bdes dripping with blood.

  "They can't know," she muttered, her voice echoing with power and half-moduted, "I must kill them."

  I shook my head, getting ever closer to her, the pressure threatening to ftten me, but I pushed through. This was nothing I couldn't handle. I lived with two yanderes and was constantly surrounded by strong individuals. I was used to it.

  "No, Maya," I once again shook my head, "I can't let you do that."

  The visible side of her face furrowed in a frown, staring me down angrily.

  "You think you can stop me?" she asked, raising one bde dripping with blood towards me, "If you get in my way..."

  "Yeah, I'm getting in your way," I told her, swallowing hard as I saw the twisted expression upon her face...and then the searing pain of my face being cut.

  I had only blinked, but I saw the streak of crimson sever the air before me, feeling the liquid red run down my face.

  "Lucas!" Elizabeth called in arm, but I raised my hand to let her know I was okay.

  I had a lot to make up for after this, but right now my main priority was getting through to Maya, no matter the cost. Solidifying my determination, I continued to step towards her.

  "This mask you wear..." I told her gently, "It's just that. A mask, Maya. You don't need to hide who you are. You told me before you accepted your past and who you are..."

  She grimaced in an almost snarl as I continued to approach. It was a warning of her subconscious reaching out to me. Telling me not to get closer, but like hell I was going to listen. After all, I was reckless. That's what they always said...so why stop now?

  "So, show me," I felt dozens of tiny cuts against my skin as petals filled the area of her aura, but I ignored them, "I'm not going anywhere, Maya."

  I smiled my best smile, finally before her and past the torrent of razor-sharp petals. I was finally able to stand face to face with her, looking with gentle composure upon her. Slowly, I began to reach up to the broken mask, only to feel the sharp bde of her dagger press against my throat.

  "Don't..." she was pleading me, "I'm not...ready."

  "Yes, you are," I told her softly, "And no matter the storm that follows, I'll be by your side, and I want you by mine. So, let's stop this facade, Maya..."

  I could see the internal struggle as she fought with herself. It pained me to see her like this after everything we've been through, but I wasn't going to abandon her.

  "If you really want to stop me..." I told her, cupping the mask in my hand, uncaring of the blood which sullied it, "You know what you have to do. Cut me down."

  For the first time, her hand wavered. The look in her eye shifted and I was finally looking at the Maya I knew. Seeing that she wasn't about to stop me, I slowly, and carefully, began to take off her mask. It was time Orchid and Maya truly became one, and not just to those who knew her.

  As I pulled the mask away to fully reveal her, Maya's eyes were beginning to fill with tears as she looked at me so softly that I felt like I was about to melt.

  "That's unfair, Sir," she told me, her voice no longer surging and half-moduted, "You know I couldn't harm you...wait, those cuts, did I-?"

  "Hush," I interrupted softly, discarding the mask, "That's not important right now. Maya, I love you, and I hope...that you can forgive me."

  "Forgive...!?" she wasn't able to finish speaking as I cupped her face with both hands, pulling her close to me.

  Her eyes widened as our lips met in a solidification of my feelings for her. I didn't care who saw, or what they had to say. I cared for and loved Maya, as guilt as I felt at first about it, I couldn't deny it. I was grateful to have someone as loving and understanding as Ellie in my life, but right now...this was our moment. Maya's and mine.

  Maya firmly took hold of me as her dagger slipped from her hand, cttering from the floor. I felt her cling to me so desperately to me that I felt like I might disappear if she let go, which was probably what she was feeling herself. I smiled into the kiss, raising one hand towards the reporters and flipped them off. Fuck the rumors. They wanted something to talk about...then let them talk about the truth.

  As I finally, reluctantly pulled away to catch my breath, I saw for the first time quite the sight to see. Maya was blushing profusely, her expression not even trying to hide her etion. She was smiling so widely that I thought the sun disappeared. I was dazzled by the sparkle in her eyes.

  "I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble," she whispered, "I was a little bit foolish, losing myself like that over something I've long accepted..."

  "Nah," I shook my head, "You would have gotten there eventually."

  "Hmm, maybe, but..." she looked at me wryly with a mischievous smirk, "I told you I needed your help."

  She caressed my face fondly, causing me to blush in embarrassment.

  "I don't know," I shrugged, trying to py it cool, "You seem pretty capable to me."

  Maya smiled amusingly before looking towards the sky, her expression turning a little worried.

  "So, I guess there's no hiding anymore..." she muttered, beginning to step away from me.

  "Nuhuh," I firmly grasped her by the lower back, pulling her close, "Where do you think you're going?"

  She looked at me rather surprised before remembering that we had just kissed, a blush returning to her face.

  "I guess...it would be a little foolish now, wouldn't it?" she admitted, rexing against me as she rested her head against mine, "Thank you, Luke. I...love you, too."

  I felt embarrassed again, but pleased and content with myself. With the danger now passed, Elizabeth finally joined us, embracing the two of us warmly. She released the fire wall as Aegis had finally secured the area, and rushing up towards us was Denny and Hannah.

  Hannah embraced her sister, despite her protests of being covered in blood. Meanwhile, Denny profusely apologized as she smothered me in hugs. I reassured her that everything was fine. I knew she had been in a tough pce and did what she thought was best.

  The world now knew about me and Maya, as well as Elizabeth's acceptance of our retionship. That wasn't all, however. Shortly after we rested and the warehouses were searched, we held a press conference to expin the entire ordeal. Thanks to Denny's information, having hacked into their systems, and the evidence collected from the scene, The Ptinum Lotus were no longer a hidden organization.

  Just as Maya had long hoped, we had driven them into the light. All because of the mistake of one obsessed bastard. The world now knew about them, so there would be no hiding anymore. They would have to rethink and reorganize, but were now backed into a corner. Soon, we would destroy them.

  Unfortunately, they weren't the only ones to be asked about. There were many who were concerned about Maya being Orchid, and the reasons for her hiding her identity. After seeing her massacre all of those people, they worried about her being a threat. A risk that needed to be controlled, but we were prepared for that inevitability.

  Maya stepped forward with her sister Hannah, revealing to the world what The Ptinum Lotus, and their own family, had put them through. Maya kept her secret in order to protect them from The Ptinum Lotus as she worked to take them down. It was made clear that she held no ill-intent to the public, only the enemies that threatened the world.

  I and Elizabeth vouched for her, as did everyone in Aegis. Even the Association backed her, which some questioned the validity of since the head of the Association was Elizabeth's grandmother, but it wasn't the biggest concern and so most honestly dismissed it. It helped that all of the heads of the Major Guilds also stepped forward to vouch for her.

  The public trusted the Association and the Pyers who protected them. So, if they vouched for Maya, then that was all there was to it. To say I was relieved that everything went well was an understatement, but...

  "...Is this necessary?" I held up the literal leash that Elizabeth had tied to me, an ethereal cord that tied directly to my wrist.

  It was an item that was only visible to those it was attached to, or had permission to use it. It tied two individuals together so that they would always know where the other was...and could be pulled if necessary. Thankfully, unless directly interacted with, the rope itself passed through everything so it didn't restrict movement. The only solid part was tied to the wrist.

  "For the moment, yes," Elizabeth smiled like a cat pleased with herself, "You can't be trusted not to do something foolish again."

  She practically purred as she spoke, lifting her end of the leash which was tied to her wrist and began pulling me towards her.

  "The range is about a thousand feet," she expined, "So, you're free to move anywhere within that range, but either Maya or I will have control of it."

  I didn't resist her pulling me, finding this rather...enticing. Besides, I knew there would be consequences for putting myself in danger again, even if I had a pn.

  "Speaking of Maya," I sat down on Elizabeth's p, her arms wrapping around me, "Sigrid asked to talk to her, do you think everything is okay?"

  "I don't know," she answered honesty, pying with my hair, "We'll have to wait and see."

  "Yeah, I guess so..." I hoped everything was okay, but for some reason I had a sinking feeling.

  ----

  (Maya POV)

  "You're...ending things?" Maya asked, a little in shock.

  She currently wore casual clothing, just jeans and a t-shirt with a sports bra underneath. A far cry from what she usually wore. She had wanted to appear somewhat different when meeting with Sigrid, excited to see her after all of the hectic events tely. So, to say that she was hit in the gut wouldn't be an understatement.

  "Y-Yeah..." Sigrid shift next to her as they sat on a bench together at the park they had met up at, "I'm sorry..."

  Sigrid looked amazing in a tank-top and cargo pants. Maya admired the tone of her muscles, but more so the gentleness of her aura. She appeared to be genuinely remorseful, looking to have come to this decision after difficult deliberation.

  "Is it because of Luke?" Maya had to ask the obvious, "He doesn't mind, you know. He's the one who pushed me to ask you out."

  Sigrid gave a pained smile, but there was a warmth behind it.

  "I'm grateful he did," she admitted, but sighed, "Which is why I feel awful that, yeah...he's part of it, but I'm not angry and I don't bme him."

  Maya could see that this went deeper than that, and though she felt a little disheartened, she still did care for Sigrid. Touching her arm gently, she urged her to say more.

  "What's the rest?" Maya inquired softly, "You were fine before."

  Sigrid pced a gentle hand over hers, patting it before leaning back with a heavy sigh. Maya took back her hand and began to listen.

  "Yeah, I was, or I thought I was..." Sigrid began, looking pensively at the sky, "Back when I was still the Vice Leader of Iron Cw, I had someone I liked. Someone I...loved."

  She said the word with so much pain and regret that Maya's heart ached for her.

  "Her name was Vanessa," Sigrid continued, smiling fondly, "She was our Healer. A proficient one at that. She was kind, gentle, but...you'd be a fool to underestimate her."

  Sigrid recounted the tales of how Vanessa was a healer with a bite. She could kill just as well as she could heal. She wielded a bded staff and had dark violet hair, pure green eyes, and a fair complexion. The way Sigrid described her told Maya how much she cared about them.

  Vanessa was a volunteer who helped feed, clothe, and house those who were dispced by the change in the world. She always helped those in need and never compined. According to Sigrid, she would only ever rex when they spent time together. Their favorite activity was sitting at the top of their guild hall, looking out at the stars at night. Vanessa would rest her head against Vanessa's shoulder, and the two of them would remain like that for hours.

  "She sounds like an amazing woman," Maya said quietly, gd that Sigrid confided in her, "You must've been happy together."

  "Yeah, she was, but..." Sigrid's tone grew sad, "We weren't together. I loved her, but...I don't know if she ever knew."

  "Why not?" Maya inquired, "It sounded like she liked you back."

  "Maybe," Sigrid smiled hopefully, "But, I'll never know now...she died during the raid on Titania's Lair. As you know...I was the only survivor."

  Being the st survivor wasn't easy. Maya's heart definitely went out to her.

  "I had resolved myself to confess to her after the raid," Sigrid leaned forward as she spoke, csping her hands before her, "Whether she felt the same or not...I just had to tell her."

  Maya was beginning to understand what Sigrid was getting to before she even said it, but respectfully waited.

  "I was filled with regret," she told Maya, wringing her hands anxiously, "Even at the end...she didn't know how I felt, or maybe she did. It doesn't matter. I had missed my chance."

  She then looked up at Maya with unwavering crity.

  "I didn't want to miss my chance again," she admitted with an apologetic smile, "But that's unfair to you, and it's unfair to myself. When I saw you with Sir Lucas...I was reminded of Vanessa."

  "Was I just filling a void?" Maya asked in a whisper, though she wasn't upset.

  Sigrid shook her head.

  "Absolutely not," she was adamant in this, "I genuinely like you, Maya, and I want to get to know you, but...I don't think it'd be right if we dated."

  "Why not?" Maya may be, for the first time, acting based on her feelings, "That's no reason we can't try."

  Sigrid smiled warmly and chuckled lightly, still, she shook her head.

  "I'm still not over Vanessa," she stated, speaking gently, "I acted on impulse, and when you were in need the most...I froze. I was there when Sir Lucas approached you in that sea of deadly petals. I was a part of crowd control. I wanted to go to you, but...I couldn't."

  "But you wanted to," Maya countered.

  "But I didn't," Sigrid replied, "I was afraid. The thought of approaching you...scared me. Not that I'm afraid of you now, but the fact that I was afraid of you at the time..."

  Sigrid shook her head in disappointment with herself. Maya felt her heart sinking, but she couldn't really bme Sigrid. She was being open and honest with her, which Maya truly appreciated. At one point in time, Maya might have closed herself off when someone said they were afraid of her, but that wasn't her anymore.

  "I saw how the two of you looked at each other, and I..." Sigrid smiled fondly, "I admit, I was moved. Happy, even, but...it made me realize something."

  Sigrid adjusted herself, looking off into the distance.

  "You've no room in your heart for anyone else," Sigrid spoke softly, "This isn't an accusation. I just don't want us to fool each other. You deserve someone like that, and-"

  Maya didn't wait to hear the rest; she moved based on emotion. It was a new feeling, but it felt right. She stood and hugged Sigrid to her, cradling her head in her arms. She gently pced a warm kiss upon her head, continuing to hold her.

  "I understand," Maya whispered, "You're a kind woman, Sigrid. I won't force you to try. Though, I will be rooting for you."

  Sigrid's eyes went wide, but then rexed against her as if an entire weight was lifted from her shoulders.

  "Thank you for understanding, and..." Sigrid looked away in embarrassment, "I'm sorry."

  "Don't be," Maya soothed, "I hope one day you find that person."

  "I take it that means we can stay friends?" Sigrid asked hopefully, "I won't be kicked from Zero Squad, will I?"

  "Heh, yes, we can remain friends," Maya answered amusingly, "And no, you won't be kicked just because of this."

  "Good," Sigrid took a deep breath, pulling away from Maya, "I appreciate you taking the time to talk with me. I know it wasn't what you expected, but..."

  The two of them shared a look of understanding before they parted ways. Maya watched her walk away, for the first time feeling heartache. At least it was bittersweet and not complete devastation. As she made her way back home, she was soothed by the fact Lucas waited for her.

  "Maya!" Lucas excimed, sliding into the room on his socks, "You're back! Quick, you gotta-"

  "Lucas~," Elizabeth's voice called, "Where do you think you're going?"

  Immediately, Lucas bounded towards her, heading behind Maya's back.

  "Oh, Maya, you're back," Elizabeth walked into the room, slowly wrapping the ethereal cord around her arm, "Do you really think she'll save you?"

  "I just wanted to get fresh air!" he excimed, "You said I could go wherever the rope allowed!"

  "Yes, and the rope is getting shorter," Elizabeth replied mischievously, continually wrapping it around her arm.

  "That's cheating!" he decred, and Maya let out a little ugh, hiding her mouth behind the back of her hand.

  "Honestly..." Maya muttered, "It's your fault, Luke. I'm sorry to say, but you'll have to deal with it."

  "Hmph!" Lucas crossed his arms in a pout, his keen eyes looking up at her, "Fine, but...what's wrong?"

  "Nothing is-" Maya began, but her words were cut off as Lucas reached up towards her face.

  His touch was gentle, wiping away the tears she didn't know were building up.

  "What happened?" he asked softly, Elizabeth pcing a comforting hand upon her shoulder, "Tell us."

  "Sigrid...broke up with me," she told them, pressing her face against Lucas's touch.

  "Ah, your first heartbreak, huh?" Lucas sighed, a little frustrated, "Well, her loss. Come on, tell us all about it over some wine. We'll put on a movie to watch together."

  He then began walking away, only to be stopped short by the rope.

  "Dear," Elizabeth called with menacing affection, "You're still not off the hook."

  "...Yes, Ma'am..." he hung his head in defeat, amusing Maya and easing the burden on her heart.

  Though she had her heart broken, she had also gained something quite precious. Perhaps Sigrid was right, and this was for the best. Lucas had stolen her heart, and...like Sigrid said, there might not be enough room for anyone else, and her sister didn't count.

  "I'll make the snacks," Maya told them, heading off to the kitchen, "Get the movie ready."

  Lucas couldn't really argue with her, as Elizabeth was currently dragging him off. Maya smiled after them, gd to be back home. This was a start of a whole new chapter for her. One she was quite looking forward to.

  -----

  Nikushimi