Page 394 of Light Leech

Petya: What is it then?

Naoma: You know how Ralia has problems with her Gui? Like personal problems?

“All too well,” Zhu snorted

Petya: Yes.

Naoma: Well, it’s not like that. She used to be apprehensive about having a spirit within her, or whatever it is, but she’s since overcome that with Boyband’s help.

Petya: And he sure loves his.

Naoma: That’s what she said. Now that she’s opened herself up to it, it’s trying to take control.

Petya: Like, take over her mind?

Naoma: No, more like it’s trying to steer her. She can’t relax because it keeps showing her odd visions and telling her to go somewhere. She doesn’t think it’ll stop until we listen.

Petya: Where does it want her to go?

Naoma: Near her home in the southern Republic. It wants her to go to some ancient ruins, or that’s at least what she said. She describes it as a temple of some sort.

Petya: Huh.

Ralia: Oh, and now that she’s more comfortable with us, she wants to make sure we call it South America, not the Southern Republic.

Petya: Oh yeah, did I slip?”

Naoma: Oh, you knew about it already?

Petya: That a lot of the south wants to count themselves separate from the Republic? I mix up the names but try to stick to South America.

Naoma: Yeah. I guess she’s right in being proud of her home with the mess the Republic is right now. We’ll chat about that later though.

Petya: Sure, I guess we don’t have any specific direction after the moon.

Naoma: Yeah, I understand that might change, but this is something to keep in mind.

Petya: Thanks for letting me know.

Naoma: Just don’t let it overburden you, okay? I’ve been around you long enough to see the weight you hold with this family of yours. The only one who compares to you is Ralia.

Her words tempted me again to complain, but she was right. Ralia must be aching after holding us up for so long. I could only do so much. Without Ralia, we would have been caught, imprisoned, and likely executed by now. I was still frustrated with her, but I recognized that nothing could make me hate her.

Naoma: Sorry, Pet. I’ve got to go help Kuni work on his light manipulation.

Petya: What?

Naoma: Yeah, haha. I know that our abilities are different, but the kid’s been learning how to channel his personal light into lanterns, tools in the kitchen, and so forth. He still shocks us on occasion, but it’s amazing to see what he is capable of.

Petya: Pulse. I can’t wait to see.

Naoma: You’ll be back soon enough.

Petya: Take care, Nay.

Naoma: You too, Pet.

I wondered if I should say something more, some final concession of a deeper admiration, but some sentiments are better said face to face. She sent me an image of her and Kuni, cheek to cheek, each holding out two fingers and smiling.