Arella listlessly came out of Stella's ward. No expression could be seen on her face, but inside her was a turbulent inferno blazing increasingly.
She asked the cook to take her back to her own room. She didn't want to meet anybody at all.
Was what Stella spoke the truth? Arthur wasn't her father? But how was that possible? She remembered her parent's face. He mother! She remembered spending time with her! Stella must be sprouting nonsense. How could there be any truth in that?
"Tired? I told you to have some rest." A familiar deep voice interrupted her thoughts.
When Arella looked up, she found Nicholas sitting in the wheelchair near her bed.
"Do you need water?"
"Hmm."
A glass of water soon made its way to her.
Arella drank slowly and gave the glass back to him.
"Do I know you?" This man acted very friendly and gave her a dependable feeling.
"We met in the forest. Did you forget so soon? Should I get your brain checked too?" Nicholas's words were humorous, but his tone remained flat.
"Before that?" Arella wanted to know.
"No." A simple answer came out of his mouth.
"Why are you here?" Shouldn't this man be busy?
"Checking on you?" Nicholas replied innocently.
"Don't you have work?"
"I don't work here."
"Huh?" Confusion etched on her face.
"I was passing by when I received a distress signal. So, I came to your rescue."
"Oh! Thank you, then! I really appreciate it. We couldn't have held on any longer." Arella thanked her stars for the timely rescue. Otherwise, the situation could have become very tense.
"What do you plan to do now?" Arella wanted to keep talking to him. His voice sounded pleasant. And in his presence, she felt safe.
"Nothing much, I just plan to go sightseeing," Nicholas replied as he kept playing with the wheelchair, moving it to and fro.
Arella smiled at it. Looks like she wasn't the only one who found the wheelchair interesting.
"Are you a healer?" Arella had seen him in the uniform before.
"Yes, but I work as a Military healer." Nicholas looked at her and responded solemnly.
"Military? Then, do you know Adrian Scott?" Arella thought it was a coincidence to find someone from the military in this place. Military officials had their own healing centers.
"No. I don't know him. But I have heard of him." A serious expression appeared on Nicholas's face.
"Ohh! Both of you must be in different units." Arella didn't notice the subtle changes on his face.
"Hmm, I am from Star Alliance," Nicholas revealed nonchalantly.
Star…star alliance! Arella's eyes widened in astonishment!
It was the oldest and most esteemed unit on their planet! It only recruited people who had an aptitude of S and above! It was the dream of every beast. What's more, having an S rank can't guarantee your entry! They were very picky in their selections!
It's revered by everyone. It is said that the members had astonishing powers. Legend has it that they could command wind, water, and thunder! Some even say that all those SS and above ranked beasts, who are said to be in isolation, actually were in the Star Alliance.
Rumors surround Star Alliance, making it very mysterious. Some say that they can even meet the Beast Gods. Some say that Star Alliance is the home to people from different planets. Some say it is a giant prison.
Star Alliance had its own land. And it was surrounded by deep, unchartered forests. These forests were said to be home to different ancestors, and the Star Alliance was tasked to guard them.
Whatever the case, one thing was crystal clear. People from the Star Alliance were not to be messed with!
Looking at the girl who had gone into silent and alert mode, Nicholas found it a little funny.
"You have some rest. I should leave now." Nicholas thought it would be better to leave her alone right now.
"Star Alliance is very powerful, right?" Arella' quiet whisper stopped Nicholas in his tracks.
"Others say so." Nicholas was taciturn regarding it. Because according to him, power was relative. Star Alliance was powerful in the eyes of normal beasts. But was it really powerful?
"Then, do you know how to check a connection between parents and offspring?" Arella started at him with quiet and dull eyes.
She didn't want to believe Stella's mindless ramblings. But somewhere inside her core, she wanted proof. A proof to refute Stella. A proof to calm her doubts. But unfavorably in their beast clan, they didn't have a test to prove a relation between parents and offspring.
Most beasts follow instincts. So, they instinctively know who their child is. Arella's instincts weren't very strong regarding her family. She always thought it was because of distance and lack of warmth. But now, a new thought has taken rook into her core. She needs to check her origins.
Other than instinct, one was left with prints and blood. But, after reaching adulthood, they were all blessed with the Beast God, and their blood and prints would evolve according to their beast spirit.
So, Arella wasn't aware of any known method to check the relationship between parents and offspring. But in front of her was someone from the Star Alliance. They were the most powerful. They should know something.
"Huh! Just that? It's easy." Nicholas neither questioned her thoughts nor did he prob for the reason. He didn't mock or judge.
"What is it?" A glint of hope appeared in her eyes.
"Strength," Nicholas spoke determinately.
"I beg your pardon?" Arella couldn't understand.
"We are beasts. And beasts are exceptionally instinctive in nature. When hungry, we fight. When beaten, we hide. Strength can tear apart and dig deep. Strength can open mouths and force them to reveal the truth." Nicholas didn't look like he was joking.
He made sure that the naïve girl understood the importance of strength and then, left her to ruminate over it. He didn't ask her for the reason behind her query because he already knew.
In fact, he knew a lot more than Arella.