World Tree
It was the sweetest morning. Here, in the underground bunker of Sigma, it was the sunniest morning of their lives. Noah was the first to wake up. Nari lay beside him, the blanket slipped off her shoulders, exposing her delicate back. He leaned toward her and buried his nose in her soft hair. The scent of her body drove him crazy. She was so warm, so gentle, so desirable. Her even breathing soothed him, making him feel alive. All the sensations and emotions that engulfed them that night were so vivid, so intoxicating. When Noah held her close, she quietly murmured something simple and opened her eyes. Meeting his gaze, her cheeks flushed. Noah gently kissed her.
They spent a few more hours in bed. Noah didn't want to let her go. He softly caressed her shoulders, touched her collarbones, inhaled the scent of her hair, kissed her warm cheeks. In his hands, she felt delicate, seemed so tiny and helpless. And at the same time, he knew how strong this girl could be. Stronger even than him. A flawless omega. His omega. Her presence felt like the sweetest dream of his life. It seemed that if she disappeared from his sight, she would disappear forever, leaving behind only a small, reddened bite mark on his shoulder. She did it subconsciously, in a fit of passion and desire. But once she bit, it felt like electricity coursed through his body. Deep down, he hoped that the mark of her bite would never fade.
Closer to noon, they had to get out of bed and tend to business. Noah had to return to his group and discuss future plans. Despite everything, he remained one of the key fighters of Sigma, and many saw in him a protector and hope for victory. Nari had no particular matters during the day, so, trying not to catch Toneri's eye, she aimlessly wandered the corridors of the bunker. In one of the corridors, she ran into Maida. The alpha did not look very welcoming. But as soon as Nari approached closer, she broke into a sly smile.
– Someone had a good night, – she hissed.
– I don’t... it’s not what you think, – Nari mumbled.
"Devilish Alpha's sense of smell," she thought to herself.
– Yeah, yeah, – Maida waved her off, – what are you doing here?
– I didn’t know how to occupy myself, – the girl said, – so I’m just wandering around, trying to gather my thoughts.
– Thinking about what happened yesterday?
– You… remember?! – Nari was stunned, – but Noah!..
– Noah is a dominant Alpha. He is much stronger than me, and in this case, it’s more of a problem, – Maida shrugged, – didn’t you know? The stronger the roar, the weaker he is against the influence of the call of the dominant Omega. Such is the paradox.
– I don’t understand anything anymore.
Maida looked around and, ensuring no one was nearby, took Nari by the hand.
– Come on, I’ll show you something, – she said quietly.
The alpha pulled Nari along. They turned a few corners and eventually found themselves in narrow, unlit corridors. Increasingly, they came across rusty grates that Maida easily lifted and pushed aside, allowing Nari to pass. Finally, a pale light shimmered ahead. After passing under another grate, Nari froze. It was the Arena, but completely different from the one she was used to seeing. Many dusty and time-worn seats, a stage, and bent fixtures of spotlights. This place looked as if concerts for a large audience had once taken place here. And in the center, Nari saw it. The large and eerie but magnificent and powerful roots of the world tree. A single beam of light fell from its very crown through a tiny gap in the concrete ceiling.
– I come here when I need to think, – Maida quietly said, walking past the stunned Nari.
– This place… are we under the Arena? – the girl whispered.
– Uh-huh, – Maida nodded, – generally, it’s forbidden to be here because it’s too close, dangerous. Very few know how to get here. So this has become my secret refuge.
– Is this really the roots of the World Tree?
– As you can see. Once, this place was also an Arena. They sang and danced here, held concerts and ceremonial events. When the tree was still very small. Now it’s just ruins.
– Maida.
– Huh?
– How did you end up in Sigma?
– Mmm… I’m from the Lotharis clan, a side branch of the Neis clan.
– Neis? – the question in Nari's eyes was more than obvious.
– Yes, – Maida nodded, – Alphas of the Lotharis clan are raised to serve in the secretariat of the Neis clan. I was being trained to be an assistant to the woman who was to become your father’s wife.
– Did you know him?
– Who didn’t know him? A prominent figure. You know, during my training, I met someone. We were always taken to the ghetto to train roars on omegas. There, I met Eric. However, I wasn’t allowed to call him by name in the presence of teachers and supervisors. 34-12, his identification number. I had a weak, not yet mutated roar. So weak that the omega’s call couldn't even reach me. But Eric could... it was only to him that I reacted. And he to me. I started visiting him more often. We talked a lot. And I fell in love. It was mutual, but you understand... Alphas and Omegas... and then the heir of the Neis clan ran away with that Omega… ahem… with Lindel. Because he loved! He inspired me. His act gave me strength and confidence.
Maida fell silent. It was clear from her face that further words were becoming more and more difficult for her.
– But I didn’t make it in time, – she smiled sadly, – Eric died in the Arena the day we planned to escape. I think someone ratted us out; it wasn’t a coincidence. I only saw his lifeless body being wrapped in black film.
She fell silent again and sighed deeply.
– I couldn’t… I couldn’t go home. I lost my thirst for life in an instant and saw no meaning in anything. I wanted to take my own life. That’s when I met Noah. He pulled me out of the sewer where I wanted to drown. He took care of me until I came to my senses. That’s why I reached out to him. I had nowhere to return to anyway. That’s how I ended up in Sigma. When I realized that Toneri was insane, I stayed only because Noah was still there. I owe him my life; I can’t leave. And he is stubborn, as if this organization can solve all problems.
– But can’t it?
– What do you think? – Maida raised her eyebrows, – our leader’s bottle has been whistling for a long time. His ideas are crazy; his methods even more so. The world he strives to create is madness.
– Does he really want me to "reshape" Alphas?
– He aims to exterminate Alphas, – Maida spread her hands, – leaving only the controllable ones, like slaves.
– Truly madness. So what should I do?
– I don’t know, – Maida shook her head, – all I can advise is to stay here for now; maybe the Tree will guide you. Perhaps you’ll find some solution. I would run away as far as I could if I were you. But it doesn’t seem like you would do that.
Maida fell silent and, looking once more at the only beam of light, headed toward the grate.
– Will you find your way back on your own? – she asked.
Nari nodded.