04-23-2015, 09:40 AM
Any sense of pride and awe quickly evaporated like steam at The Ascendancy's words. Fear lanced through Lucas. It had only been less than an hour when he'd learned of Aria's mission- her death sentence. But that was in the future, something that might still be avoided, that might be changed.
Instead, it was here, now. Aria was with the man she had been ordered to kill. Now, more than ever- he'd seen what he had done- he knew Aria would die if she tried anything. Fear and grief warred within him and he nearly felt overwhelmed.
But somewhere deep inside, a kernel of determination grew. He looked at the man who ruled the world, the man who represented everything strong and good in this world. He knew he was insignificant in comparison. There was nothing he could think of to do. But he couldn't give up.
His eyes were burning and his voice shook as he sent every ounce of pride and love and trust to her. "Aria, I love you. I will wait for you, for as long as it takes."
The man was human. He had to have compassion somewhere inside him, a sense of justice, of right. He turned his eyes to The Ascendancy, trying to figure out what he could do.
"Forgive me, Ascendancy, but I have to speak. Aria is a good woman. I have never known someone so driven to hold on to her humanity, to her kindness and compassion. Everything she does is to protect your people, Ascendancy."
He shook his head, anger at the Atharim surging forward. "But these...Atharim!"
- his disgust was clear as he nearly spat he word-" these....people who've had her since she was a child have only ever used her. Never once did they appreciate the person they had in their midst. She cares, Ascendancy. I hate the Atharim with every fiber of my being. They have trapped her and either way for her means death. And yet she never stops protecting people. Though she is Atharim, she is not. And neither is Nox. They care. They suffer and risk their lives to protect people, sir, from things I can't even begin to imagine."
Memories of Aria's injuries sprang into his head and he shook his head to dispel them lest rage overwhelm him.
"They do it thanklessly, in the shadows. And yet they never lose sight of the fact that they are doing this for others. Aria clings to this. I love Aria, Ascendancy."
His words were simple and earnest. He looked over at Nox. "Nox can sometimes be a di- er, irritating, but he has been a loyal friend to Aria. And to to me."
Memories of the his request to make a home for her came to the back of his mind. "Please let her come home to me when you have finished talking to her. Please. You have made our nation a great place where people can find security and hope."
He felt Valentin's hand on his shoulder that night in the alley, the kindness in his eyes. "A place where people can help each other to lift themselves up from the gutters and find happiness. I know this from experience, sir. Aria deserves hope too. Please, Ascendancy. You are a good man. I believe in your justice."
He looked at Aria again and smiled at her, unshed tears in his eyes. He prayed to God that he look out for her.
Instead, it was here, now. Aria was with the man she had been ordered to kill. Now, more than ever- he'd seen what he had done- he knew Aria would die if she tried anything. Fear and grief warred within him and he nearly felt overwhelmed.
But somewhere deep inside, a kernel of determination grew. He looked at the man who ruled the world, the man who represented everything strong and good in this world. He knew he was insignificant in comparison. There was nothing he could think of to do. But he couldn't give up.
His eyes were burning and his voice shook as he sent every ounce of pride and love and trust to her. "Aria, I love you. I will wait for you, for as long as it takes."
The man was human. He had to have compassion somewhere inside him, a sense of justice, of right. He turned his eyes to The Ascendancy, trying to figure out what he could do.
"Forgive me, Ascendancy, but I have to speak. Aria is a good woman. I have never known someone so driven to hold on to her humanity, to her kindness and compassion. Everything she does is to protect your people, Ascendancy."
He shook his head, anger at the Atharim surging forward. "But these...Atharim!"
- his disgust was clear as he nearly spat he word-" these....people who've had her since she was a child have only ever used her. Never once did they appreciate the person they had in their midst. She cares, Ascendancy. I hate the Atharim with every fiber of my being. They have trapped her and either way for her means death. And yet she never stops protecting people. Though she is Atharim, she is not. And neither is Nox. They care. They suffer and risk their lives to protect people, sir, from things I can't even begin to imagine."
Memories of Aria's injuries sprang into his head and he shook his head to dispel them lest rage overwhelm him.
"They do it thanklessly, in the shadows. And yet they never lose sight of the fact that they are doing this for others. Aria clings to this. I love Aria, Ascendancy."
His words were simple and earnest. He looked over at Nox. "Nox can sometimes be a di- er, irritating, but he has been a loyal friend to Aria. And to to me."
Memories of the his request to make a home for her came to the back of his mind. "Please let her come home to me when you have finished talking to her. Please. You have made our nation a great place where people can find security and hope."
He felt Valentin's hand on his shoulder that night in the alley, the kindness in his eyes. "A place where people can help each other to lift themselves up from the gutters and find happiness. I know this from experience, sir. Aria deserves hope too. Please, Ascendancy. You are a good man. I believe in your justice."
He looked at Aria again and smiled at her, unshed tears in his eyes. He prayed to God that he look out for her.