CHAPTER 132: THE MAW FEAST (1)

Since that night, Nova kept having the same dream weekly. But as time passed, with the progressing attacks from the Ancients like the Akhlut growing fiercer, and the death toll increasing, the dreams that held so much mystery started returning nightly.

Her sleep became interrupted each time as she woke up in a cold sweat, that same warm sensation pulsing within her until it dulled again. The dream was always the same—floating inside that lake as the stars watched her. But she was sure, a lot more happened because at least half of the night had passed before she would wake from it.

The problem was, she couldn’t remember. There were only fragments of the dream, glimpses into something else. But it didn’t last long enough for her to gain any more information.

Now there was only one word now programmed into her mind:

Remember.

"Is Yoa not letting you rest, cutie?" Atia booped her nose from where he hung upside down from the balcony above her on the treehouse.

Nova smacked his hand away with a frown, ignoring the guy who was doing hanging sit ups like some weirdo, and just had to do them right above her.

"Of course he is," she huffed, now smacking at his plait that had whipped her in the face.

"Easy." Yoa’s arm curled around her waist after she lost balance, irritated by the hair-whip, and almost fell off the platform and into the netting below.

Honestly, if Yoa wasn’t there to grab her, or the netting below her, then she would genuinely fall to her death, and it would be all Atia’s fault. She narrowed her eyes at him as his body came back down after crunching up.

"Ah, you’re moody and have dark circles because

he’s not keeping you up all night!" Atia chuckled and crunched up with a grunt, dodging Yoa’s swipe, claws and all. He could jump up if he really wanted to, but Yoa was in his lazy-cat mood. It was only his quick reaction to save her that had made him get up from the hammock.

"No, it’s not that," Nova yawned. "I’m just having strange dreams."

Atia came back down with his body, the plait now dangling between Nova and Yoa. "Oh?"

"Tia, leave them alone, can’t you tell Yoa’s almost bouncing off his feet, wanting to surprise Nova," Aiyana scolded him, rolling her eyes.

Nova frowned, but was pleased by the subject change. Usually people would drop it if they weren’t interested but here dreams were important, and something to take seriously. It was reoccurring, so nobody had to tell her the importance of it.

She glanced at Yoa and chuckled. He really was almost bouncing on his feet in excitement. "You’re such a big kid," she mused with a widening grin. "What is this surprise?"

Yoa’s eyes sparkled, and he took her hand, leading her all the way to the rooftop. Atia stopped doing his ab workout and Aiyana also followed, wanting to see what the fuss was all about.

"Close your eyes," Yoa instructed.

Nova closed her eyes, her lips unable to stop the small smile on her lips. She didn’t know what the surprise was but his excitement was contagious. She heard him take a few steps, the wood creaking beneath his feet, and the sound of rustling and movement before a bit of wind fluttered her hair back and she felt him stand before her again.

"Hold out your hands," he whispered.

She did as she was told. The weight of an object landed in her hands. It was thin, smooth...

"Now open."

Nova looked down and her mouth dropped open. "Yoa," she breathed, gaping at the beautiful bow in her hands. Unlike the others she’d seen the tribesmen use, and Atia use, it was smaller, and crafted with elegant details. It was also pale, and just right.

"So you don’t have to get your hands dirty.. or let any enemy too close," Yoa said quietly.

Nova’s hand slid along the curve of the bow, admiring it. There were symbols running down the middle of it, along with patterns. It was engraved with such beautiful drawings, Nova knew it must have taken a long time to make, especially around Yoa’s schedule as the guardian.

Looking back up, she saw him watching her. "Its so beautiful," she whispered in awe, unable to speak any louder.

"Do you like it?" He asked, somehow unable to see the look of love on her features.

"It’s wonderful! Thank you so much. Truly. You must have taken so long to do this, and put so much effort into it. I love it!" Nova exclaimed.

She might have been a city girl but slowly she was becoming a part of this world and a bow was exactly what she needed. She’d still been trying to practice with one of Atia’s older bows from when he was younger, but that was still too big.

"Go on! Test it!" Atia urged, the excitement clear in his voice.

Before she tested it out, Nova leaned onto her tiptoes, bracing her hand on Yoa’s arm to give him a kiss. He closed the distance, helping her by lifting her with one arm beneath her backside and brought her to him. She kissed him softly, taking her time and sighed. "Thank you so much."

"You’re welcome," Yoa murmured against her lips, his voice low with warmth. He set her gently back on her feet, but his hand lingered at her waist, unwilling to let go just yet.

Atia cleared his throat loudly, rolling his eyes. "If you two are finished melting into each other, some of us would like to see the little shrimp actually fire an arrow."

Nova shot him a playful glare, but her cheeks heated all the same. She turned back toward the bow, running her fingers over the polished wood. It felt lighter, balanced — not clumsy like Atia’s old one.

Drawing in a steady breath, she set the arrow and raised the bowstring. Her arms were still a little achey from the little fighting session she had with Aiyana that morning, but determination steadied her grip. The jungle seemed to hush for her, even the insects quieting in the underbrush.

She pulled back, the cord creaking, and let fly.

The arrow sang through the air, striking the bark target Yoa had carved into a tree. It hit just off-center, quivering with the impact.

"Not bad for your first shot," Yoa said, pride flickering in his amber eyes.

"Not bad?" Nova grinned, already reaching for another arrow. "You mean amazing."

This one flew truer, dead into the middle of the mark.

Atia gave a low whistle, folding his arms. "Well... guess the shrimp’s learning."

Nova laughed, exhilaration rising in her chest. She might have been a city girl once, but here, with bow in hand and Yoa at her side, she felt like she truly belonged.

"Hmmm, I think it’s time we moved your lessons onto say... a moving target," Aiyana grinned from the side, her arms crossed.

Nova met her challenging gaze, eyes sparking. "Bring it."