He carries her a good distance and doesn't show signs of tiring, even after the wounds he has suffered. Joran looks down at her several times and sees the blank stare she has. His mind ponders what the girl has been through but doesn't ask. He can see that she's not ready to discuss such things.
They come to the place he works on but go to where the cave is. Her eyes look at it and the black void makes her shake. She takes hold of Joran by his jacket. Joran looks into her eyes and sees them change to fear. He looks at the cave then looks at her once more before asking.
"Does the dark bother you?"
She didn't have to answer as it is obvious. Joran carries her over to where wires hook up to a panel by the entrance. He opens it and there are several switches and flick all of them on. Lights fill the cave. Joran feels her grip loosen and the look of fear slightly diminishes. He carries her down where there is the sound of water. After going a quarter-mile into the cave they come to a very large opening.
There are several electrical lights set up but they are not fully necessary. Premderian crystals glow bright enough that they can see somewhat as well. Inside there is a beautiful waterfall that sees a river flow into the ground, with steam rising. The unusual sight is trees, grass, and flowers blooming. The temperature is perfect with the rising steam. One last thing is that there are several other caves.
There are several workbenches, computers, and different rooms set up with beds and blankets. One of the rooms is a very large workstation with many tools and parts. Inside the very large cavern, there is even a small kitchen. Old refrigerators and freezers that have new parts put on them and look fully restored. Also set up near the large screen is a couple of guitars, a drum set, an electric piano, and a microphone resting on a speaker.
Joran smile at the sight but finds it more joyful at the sight of her surprise. He put her down so she can walk around and look at everything for a moment. Her biggest interest is the water. She goes over to it and squats down. The steam emitting from the water feels different. It makes her body feel relaxed.
"It is very helpful with wounds and injuries. The water would certainly help yours I have no doubt," he says while pointing to the many injuries she has. She looks back to the water and then Joran once more. "You can go in if you want."
She looks back to the water and stares at her reflection. She sees the blood and mud on her face. Joran watches as she looks at the other wounds on her arm for a moment. Next, she looks at her dirty cut up feet. Standing outside already feels comforting. Her decision comes without words. She under the rope tied around her waist and remove the top.
Joran finds out quickly she is wearing nothing underneath and immediately turn his eyes away gasping. He listens to her feet touching the water and did not look back until the small splashes from her entering suddenly stop. He looks over his shoulder and sees her sitting curled up like a ball in the shallow waters. Her back is just as scarred and bruised as the rest of her.
He takes a moment and goes into one of the rooms and go into a dresser. The drawers are full of girl's clothes and he looks for something comfortable. He grabs several things. Back in the main caverns, she sits there quietly but her mind is quite loud. The sound of lash striking flesh followed by her screaming along with many others. She grips her legs tight enough they start piercing the flesh.
"I hope these are alright," Joran says while coming into the room
The girl stops hearing the voices but feels alarmed. She immediately turns and see Joran but is very on guard when standing up. She stumbles back further in the water. Joran turns his eyes away but immediately tries to calm her.
"I am sorry. I didn't mean to scare you," he says while extending out the clothes, comfortable shoes, and a towel. I brought you some fresh clothes. They are my friends and you are about the same size," he says calmly in an attempt to not startle her.
He places them on the mantel and walks away, turning his back. She is slow but gets out of the water and Joran didn't look. The girl makes use of what she offers. After drying herself, she gets dressed. Joran waits a good moment until hearing her footsteps. He slowly looks over and sees her look at a picture on a desk. The same picture of him and his friends that he has at home.
She takes hold of it and looks at each of them. The smile Joran has in the picture makes her fascinated. She rubs it with her fingers. Joran slowly walks over calmly and she looks at him when he gets close. He stops holding up both hands. She points at him in the picture.
"Yes that is me," he tells her and she surprises him.
"Jor...an," she says and he smiles with joy.
"Yes," he says with a small laugh. "I am Joran."
His positive enthusiasm makes her show a very small smile. It makes him happy to see her do so. He let her continue looking at all of them. Her fascination can't be contained by the wandering of her eyes She looks to the others and points to the one hiding his face.
"That is Mildral."
"Mil...dral?"
"He is considered the genius of our group and is awesome in making stuff. All the lights and computers he has hooked up is from his work. He is probably the smartest Premderian alive," he explains before pointing to Traur. "That is Traur. My closest and oldest friend. We have known each other since we were born. It was hard to keep us apart. Now he is in school as a Cadet and going to be a soldier of our people. I have no doubt he will be great."
"Traur...clo...est...friend?"
"That's right. They are all my friends but Traur is my closest friend," he explains before she looks at the two boys that have different personalities. That is Dusglar," he says pointing to the one with a blonde streak in the back of his hair having a cocky smile. "He is a bit of a clown. He is funny but is very fun none the less. When Dusglar is around, there is trouble. He usually wanders the planet exploring, drinking, and looking for pretty girls."
"Dus...glar...trouble?"
"Not in a bad way, unless those girls are chasing him threatening to kill him."
What she sees from the two girls is unusual to her. She sees both of them holding hands. For her, she places her hand on top of theirs. The girl looks to Joran once more in hopes of an explanation. Joran keeps his small smile but explains.
"That is Tilain. She is a super awesome drummer and going to be an Honor Guard. When it comes to fashion, design, and style, she is amazing as well. What she makes is unique. Don't make her angry, because she packs a mean punch," he explains pointing to the girl with a shaved head. "The girl with the dark hair is her aligned love, Melrina. She is an awesome singer too. I think she will be a star in the galaxy soon. They both own a successful shop in town called Art of the Flame. They design clothes. A lot of their big business is for Premderian fighters and other famous fighters throughout the galaxy."
"Al...igned...love?"
"It is Premderian magic. I can't explain it. It is a connection that you have with the one your suppose to be with. There is supposed to be an eternal love between the two. Nothing can break it. That person is who you are destined to be with. Doesn't matter if it is a male or female. The only exception is that they are not of your bloodline. It is weird. My father and mother thought they were aligned and conducted the eternal bond but were wrong, despite having me and my two younger sisters. I am just glad they both found happiness though."
Her attention turns to the last one in the picture. The boy with the dark hair. She points to him with a small smile. Joran gives a small smile but is not so quick to talk about him. Images flood his mine of the two sparring not even a year ago. It is Joran who ends up flat on his back but smiles. The boy extends his hand showing a small smile. Joran accepts the offer. The image comes to an end. It is then he explains.
"That is Arlex," he says with a not so positive tone. "He is…no longer around."
"No…longer…around?"
"He died…" Joran explains before taking a hold of the picture. "My father told me he and his parents were traveling through space in the East Quadrants. They were ambushed by a violent gang and killed."
"Sorry…" Joran gives a slightly bigger smile while she asks another question. "All friends?"
"The very best I could ask for," Joran explains before having a thought. He didn't want to pressure her but ask calmly still smiling. "Can you tell me your name?"
She couldn't answer him. It's not because she didn't want to. Her mind drifts to an image. It is very blurry. She sees people in black with their black glowing eyes. One of them paces back and forth with his face covered by a black hood and cloak. His eyes glow of a different color. They glow of gray. A voice comes from underneath the hood.
"You are nameless until I say you are worthy of such a name," he says to them. "You are worthless!"
She tries to think about it. He stops her by gently putting his hands on her shoulder. The image the girl sees disappears and comes back to where she stood. The moment frightens the girl so much she falls to her knees gripping her head hard with her hands. Joran sees how scared she is and immediately get down on his knees and take hold of her hands while screaming.
"It is alright," he says to her several times but she is wild.
Joran takes hold of her as she is wild and is constantly screaming. Her strength is astounding and surprises him. The girl's eyes change and Joran sees them turn completely black. He loosens his grip from seeing them. She elbows Joran in the face and knocks him back.
The girl suddenly display sparks of dark energy while screaming. She walks forward stumbling over her feet. Joran slowly watches as she stumbles into the hot springs. She walks in clinching her head screaming. The energy has become wilder. Joran rushes into the water and is struck by one of the surges of black energy knocking him back. It rips through his shirt and leaves a black burn mark on his chest.
"Worthless," she says in a quivering tone while shaking. "I am worthless!"
Joran moves fast to her. Several times he takes black bolts of energy several times. Three of them he blocks with his arms, one hit him square in the chest. Joran dives down into the water and swims to her. He emerges in front of her as she continues screaming the same words. Joran wraps his arms around her and holds the girl tight.
"You are not worthless!" He shouts at her several times.
Her screaming reaches a peak and the dark energy Joran feels on his body but stops in seconds. The girl's breathing is heavy as she loosens the grip on her head. Joran sees her hands drop down to the side. He loosens the hold on her and sees her eyes return to that of a vendarion. She continues resting her head on his chest. He sees how scared she is. With one hand he rubs her hair. The feeling is unusual to her, but find comfort in him doing it.
When her breathing return to normal, Joran let go and rub her arms. He touches his forehead to hers and again the feeling is quite comforting. She sees Joran smile but her eyes look down. The wounds on his body make her eyes go wide again. Joran sees what she is looking at and he still smile.
"Don't worry, I will be alright," he says and motion for her to look again. She sees them slowly healing on their own. "Being cursed with a deadly disease does have its benefits," he tells her, while she touches where the wounds were. "So you don't have a name?" He asks and the girl drops her hands and head.
"I am not worthy of a name."
"Who told you that?"
"Master. Master says we are not worthy of names in his eyes. That we are worthless to him until he appoints us names."
"Who is this master?" He asks and the girl thinks but the images are blurry.
"I...don't...know," she says while holding her forehead and Joran put his hands on the girl's shoulder. "I am sorry."
"That's alright," he says before looking at all the wounds she has. "Did your master do this to you?" He asks and she didn't reply in any way. He can see she didn't need to. "Would you like a name?"
"Master says I am not worthy of a name. I am still worthless," she says but Joran didn't accept it.
"Forget your master. Your master isn't here and will never harm you as long as I am around," he says to her and she finds his spirited words somewhat comforting. "Remember that you are not worthless."
"I'm...not?"
"No," he tells her with his spirited smile. "No you are not," he says while looking at her hair and having an immediate thought in his mind. He is quick to share it. "I can give you a name if you like?"
She didn't have an answer for him right away. The enthusiasm Joran show from sharing his idea startle her slightly. The smile he gives while sharing still makes her feel comfortable. A sense of trust in him. It is odd to her but she is kind enough not to make him wait.
"Alright," she says while stuttering, not even making eye contact at first but slowly look up seeing Joran already have one picked out and eager to share it.
"How about Nima?" He asks her and she nods her head in approval immediately so eager to accept a name that Joran chuckle. "You don't have to accept it because I picked it. You can pick your own," she shakes her head. "Alright, Nima it is."
The girl finds it strange. The feeling of having a name that she can call hers. Her eyes wander and look past Joran. Something else behind Joran catches her attention. The girl is not scared but lets Joran know about what she is looking at.
"Mel...rin...a,"
Joran is confused by what she is saying. Suddenly he feels a tap on his shoulder. He looks behind him and sees Melrina for a second before seeing her fist fill his sight. The punch is loud and thunderous. Nima watches Joran grunt in pain for a moment holding his nose.
"Why have you not answered Mildral's transmission?" She asks and then looks to Nima. She hits Joran again making him shake his head. "And why is this girl wearing my clothes?"
"Because I found her lost in the woods and needed my help. It is not like you are here much anymore practicing since you were discovered," Joran replies before snapping his nose back into place like nothing. "And what do you mean Mildral's transmission?"
"He has been trying to get in contact with you," she tells him and looks to his special wrist device noticing that it is damaged.
"It must have gotten damaged...again," he explains before Melrina uses hers and establish communication with their friend. An audio signal is set up. "I found him here as you said."
"Did you break the device getting into another fight, Joran?" Mildral asks and he can hear Joran laughing. "A report from the Federation Network came in with you and Tilain listed as suspects along with a Premderian girl that has red hair. You assaulted some Cadets mercilessly for no reason."
"You know there is always a reason for me fighting. I don't feel like being lashed by my father," Joran says as he looks to Nima.
"Federation troops are on their way to bring you in and there will be some unwelcoming company with them. I suggest you behave."
"Yes, Doc," he says while rolling his eyes.
"What about this red-haired Premderian girl?" Mildral asks next.
"She has been here with him the whole time," Melrina answers, and Joran slaps her on the arm while she laughs. Apparently, he bathed her, clothed her, and fed her too. I can only guess what else."
"What concerns me is that he doesn't know what we mean when we say "Protection" in that regard," Mildral comments.
"Shut up," Joran says to them before ending the transmission. He looks at Nima and sees that she is concerned. "Can you watch out for her while I am gone?" He asks Melrina and she takes a deep inhale while rolling her eyes. "Just until I get back," he pleads and she is not so quick to agree. "They are going to be looking for her. You know that."
"Why not let the Federation help her?"
"I don't think it is a good idea," he says while looking at her. "She has endured a lot, Melrina. Trust me when I tell you, keeping her hidden from them is for the best right now."
"What trouble have you gotten yourself tied into now?"
"Something with a lot of knots that will be difficult to untie I feel like," he tells her before going over to Nima. "Melrina is going to take care of you while I am gone," Joran tells her and she looks at the picture. "Do you understand?" He asks calmly and she looks at her.
"Friend?" She asks before looking back at him.
"Yes she is," he says and Joran begins to walk away. She takes hold of his hand tight. He looks back and sees the nervousness on her face despite his words. "Don't worry," he says before turning back around to show his smile and take hold of her hand. "I will be back. I promise."
Nima is not so quick to acknowledge him. Joran takes his hand and places it on the back of her head. He presses his forehead up against hers. It is a mother's new feeling but is comforted by it. Seeing his smile with his eyes shut, make her confident enough to let his hand go. He opens his eyes and he nod, and Nima nods back. Joran starts leaving the cave but stops in front of Melrina.
"Please take good care of her," he says to her.
"I swear it."
The two clasp their wrists together. They touch foreheads as well. Joran looks back at Nima and sees her still looking at him. He gives her a smile once more followed by a nod before leaving. While she watches, Melrina looks at her. She places her hand on Nima's shoulder.
"Come on."
Melrina makes her way over to the kitchen. She stops halfway and looks back. Nima didn't budge. Her eyes continue looking at the entrance of the cave. Even when Joran is clearly out of sight, she continues looking.