He thought about this while holding Leo in his arms, as Diona’s body was being carried out of the Arena. He pressed him tightly to himself, closing his eyes. He could feel him shaking. From anger, from helplessness, from grief and fear. And rage boiled in Iris’s chest. The boy didn’t take his eyes off Nari, who was sitting motionless on her knees, in a pool of blood where her friend had just lain. Her gaze was vacant, colorless. The supervisor tightened a metal collar around her neck and roughly pulled her off the stage. But suddenly, someone screamed loudly. The flower of the World Tree, stained with blood, suddenly began to close again. Along with it, Nari’s flower, which had fully opened its petals.
– What’s happening?!
– This has never happened before! What does this mean?!
– The Tree was against this sacrifice?!
– What will we do if the Tree no longer has enough omega songs?!!
The Alphas in their balcony began to glance at each other and whisper about something. Finally, Ado Yomiya stepped onto the tribune and proclaimed loudly:
– Our magnificent World Tree grants us the warmth of its barrier every winter! And we are obliged to replenish its energy of life! The next phase will be conducted immediately! The Tree needs our strength! Our winner 13-22 will step into the Arena! And her opponent will be 13-19! The legendary duo!!!
Iris could hardly breathe. He looked across the Arena, where two beta supervisors were preparing Nari for her next entrance on stage. The hunger to fight had faded from her eyes, and the spark of life barely flickered. The supervisor approached from behind.
– 13-19, – he addressed Iris, – get ready. You will enter the Arena immediately.
– What the… are you beasts?!
– What did he say?! – the second supervisor stepped toward him, brandishing his baton.
– Iris… – suddenly Leo raised his tearful eyes to him, – Iris, please…
Iris fell silent.
– Please… she… make her… I beg you, Iris… she will die too! Please…
– Damn you… – Iris cursed, – why is it… unbearable when you cry?!
– Iris…
– I will do anything, – the boy replied, – if she sings in half voice – I will sing in quarter voice. If she sings in quarter – I will be silent. Just don’t make that face, I beg you…
He released Leo from his embrace and turned to the betas.
– Well, let’s put on a show, – he hissed angrily.
They were both led to the buds. Nari, like a marionette, obediently followed the supervisor. She looked like a doll with glass eyes. No emotions, no feelings. The collars were taken off, and the betas gave the command to start. Music began to play.
– Pull yourself together, sister, – Iris said, – didn’t you realize how this would all end?! The seventh stage? Did you know this was a fable? But you have a chance to fit in well. So, calm your emotions. Start singing, Nari.
– How can you… – the girl whispered, – D just…
– I saw, – Iris waved it off, – do you want to join her?! Sing!
– Diona… they killed her!!!
– And they will kill you, you idiot! If you don’t start singing right now, – Iris began to growl, – they will shoot you! Another senseless death!!!
– Senseless?..
– Why are they silent? – came a voice from the tribunes, – will there be a continuation today?
– Won't we fill the flower with energy?
– What do these omegas think?
Iris moved close to Nari and pulled her towards him with one hand.
– If you don’t sing, I will sing for both of us, – he said, lifting her up in a dance.
You are so cold, yet only your gaze
Will cause the stars to extinguish
You are the perfect doll, my misty gaze,
Your words are bitter…
My salvation, beautiful soul
Nari’s breath hitched. Iris wasn’t just directing energy into the flowers. He was directing it at her. She had to join in. But the words seemed to stick in her throat.
I don’t believe you, I don’t believe…
When your soul reveals,
Let the darkness be taken away…
Iris gripped her hand tightly, squeezing so hard that her knuckles turned white.
Submit to me, submit to me…
Beautiful, like crystal…
Submit to me…
– Come on! – he whispered directly in her ear, – prove to me that she didn’t die in vain, giving you a path! Allowing you to live!!!
And then what happened was something Iris hadn’t anticipated. His goal was to provoke Nari. To anger her, irritate her. To make her sing from feelings of anger, hatred, to ignite her desire to fight. But… suddenly Nari broke free from her stupor and lunged at him. She knocked him off his feet and began to hit him in the face with all her might.
– Shut up! Shut up!!! SHUT UP!!! – she screamed.
– What’s going on?! – voices rang out from the tribunes, – is she going to kill him?!
– Stop this immediately! – Yomiya shouted from the balcony, – why are you just staring?! Get 13-22 under control NOW!!!
– Nari! – Leo shouted, – Nari!!! Stop!
Iris just looked her in the eyes, silently accepting each blow. Nari swung again, and her hand fell weakly on his chest.
– I can’t… – tears streamed down her cheeks, – I can’t! For what?! For what?!!
Her scream was so loud that even the Alphas on the balcony felt the surge of her energy. Adelson barely managed to keep from falling to his knees, beside him other alphas on the balcony began to gasp for breath, drenched in cold sweat, some began to cry. Ado Yomiya, as if in agony, reached out to the girl and shouted.
– My goddess! Your grace! I belong to you! Please… touch me! Touch me!
– Hold her… don’t let Ado jump from the balcony! – trying to regain his composure, Saifer growled, – and shut up 13-22!!! NOW!!!
Iris tried to reach Nari, but it was in vain. She, raising her head to the sky, simply screamed, flooding with tears. The tribunes seemed to sway. The Alphas slowed down, the omegas froze, the betas were bewildered, not knowing what to do. And suddenly… An explosion sounded. A cloud of dust and smoke rose. Someone’s hands grabbed Nari. A black jacket covered her face, a broad back shielded her from everyone. And one sharp, loud roar made her go silent instantly.
– Quiet… – a voice whispered, – calm down. I’m here. I’m nearby. Everything will be alright.
Nari only quietly sobbed, gripping the black clothing tightly. She knew whose voice it was, knew whose roar had silenced her. And she wasn’t scared of him again.
– Noah… – she whispered before losing consciousness.
The Alpha scooped her into his arms, turning to the sounds of gunfire and screams.
– Let’s go, – he threw at Iris, – Mai and the guys will handle it here.
Iris, beaten and scratched, got up, leaning on his hands and wiping his face.
– Give me a minute, – he spat blood, – I’ll take something that will now belong to me.