CHAPTER 122: MEET THE PARENTS (1)

Tempakar’s wrath didn’t last as long as Nova believed it would. Within an hour or so, the storm swept away, but left destruction in its wake. After their little battle in the caves, Atia and Aiyana had led Nova back to the first hideout she’d stayed in to wait out the storm. The wind still howled through the hideout, echoing and sounding much harsher than it was. They were sheltered with only one side exposed.

But the rain never went further than halfway across the ’infinity pool’. A wall made of woven leaves had been placed up, shielding them from the waterfall spraying water into the cavernous hideout. While they waited out the storm, Yoa still hadn’t returned, though Nova could tell through the bond that he was in good health.

The skies and winds had calmed, and still her Serakai hadn’t returned. Nova paced along the pool, acutely aware of the time passing, the heavens now painted in shades of orange, purple, and pink after the storm’s passing.

"What do I do?" Nova asked the others, worry forming at her brows. "This is our first meeting..."

Aiyana was chilling by the firepit, sharpening one of Atia’s blades while he had sprawled out arrogantly on the bed, his hands behind his head, arms flexing.

"They will understand," Atia replied nonchalantly.

That didn’t help the rising stress in her bloodstream, though. This was a big deal, right?

As though reading the panic in Nova’s eyes, Aiyana added, "Yoa is always being called away as Tayun’s guardian. If you are late or do not turn up, they will understand that it has something to do with his duties. It will not leave a bad impression about you if-"

"Don’t even turn up?!" Nova interrupted. "Has he done that before?"

The pair looked at her, expressions blank. It was obvious Yoa had done this before. But it was different this time. He was bringing her home. It was a big deal!

"Did he at least send word?" Nova asked. She would never reprimand him for being this island’s own superhero, but it must be disheartening or frustrating for his parents if they weren’t aware when he would show up or if he showed up at all.

It only made Nova realise how much easier communication was in her world. A simple text would reduce any upcoming family drama or problems.

"Nova. It’s different here." Aiyana showed a little more affection than usual by taking Nova’s hand in both of hers. They must be entering friendship territory by now. Hopefully.

Either that or she is like the housecat that only likes one owner and puts up with the other—barely. No, no, they were friends. She wouldn’t help her out so much or open up a little on their runs.

"They understand, believe me," she added, squeezing Nova’s hands gently, and offering... was that a smile?! The corners of Aiyana’s lips curled up slightly. Nova gaped at it a little. She’d seen her smirk and only ever offered Atia small smiles.

It was never aimed at her!

The smile dropped, and she turned from her, sauntering away and waving her hand to the side, looking over her shoulder. "Don’t worry about them. It’s best not to face Raokan alone anyway."

Raokan, the intimidating man who had raised Yoa. The bundle of nerves that had been gnawing at her insides dispersed, replaced with a wave of courage. She grabbed at it and held on tight. "I’m not going to hide behind Yoa."

Her words halted Aiyana’s steps. Atia sat up and stared at Nova like she had a second head. "Look, if I thought you were a little snack he’s going to chew you up like his favourite bone-"

"What are we waiting for then?" Aiyana cut him off, a broad grin on her lips as she turned to look at them.

Atia gaped at her like she was insane. That insanity then spread on his face as his eyes lit up, a grin tugging at his lips. Nova looked between them and nodded, holding tightly to the courage burning through her veins. "This is Yohuali’s parents. I will still arrive on time with or without him. What sort of Serakai am I, or even this... Electa, if she couldn’t face his parents alone?"

They would doubt her. He was courageous and all sorts of powerful. She could barely wave a dagger around—but she wouldn’t put herself down. She was nowhere near Aiyana or Atia’s skills, let alone Yoa’s. Yet, she wielded more skills now than she did coming out of that lake.

"That’s more like it," Aiyana grinned more and beat her fist to the air. "Let’s go impress his parents then!"

Atia hopped off the bed. "Whoop!" Fisting the air, spurring Nova on.

She grabbed the spear full of fish and started ahead, followed by Aiyana.

Atia caught up to her and rested his arm over her shoulders. "Do you think it will impress them? You know how Raokan is..." He whispered, not wishing for Nova to hear his doubt.

"Let her do this... You can’t really question it. You used to annoy us all in training," Aiyana smirked.

Atia pouted. "We were cubs."

"You should be grateful he only kicked you out of the sessions and not pushed you into the river or something," Aiyana snickered, knocking his arm off her playfully, and walked ahead.

Atia’s gaze snapped to the easy way her hips swayed. "Come on now. I wasn’t that bad!" He called out, ignoring the lust coursing through his veins.

Aiyana picked up on it, though, her body tensing slightly as she looked over her shoulder, eyelashes fluttering slowly, gulping slightly from the sudden dryness in her throat after inhaling his strong scent.

"Are you guys coming? I don’t know the way," Nova called back to them from the large cave that was aglow with the worms in the cavernous ceiling.

Aiyana cleared her throat and turned her back to Atia, swinging her staff in circles around her body casually until she caught up to Nova. "Now now, don’t worry, we’ll be with you."

"We will?" Atia asked from afar, still taking his time and appreciating Aiyana from a distance. Their eyes glowed golden in the dark as they looked at each other.

"Well... Until Raokan tells us to clear off," Aiyana added, offering Nova a comforting smile.

It didn’t deter her, though. She nodded, determined by her choice. It made Atia and Aiyana smile to see Yoa’s little mouse, their new friend, clasp at the courage that they’d known was inside her all along. Even if it meant facing Yoa’s parents.