Nari ran as fast as she could. She understood everything. Dionna was right. She couldn’t endure even ten minutes beside her when things got worse. In those moments, she felt the progress of her illness most acutely. And all because of her own calling... to heal, one must feel the wound. The same goes for diseases. Nari felt it, but couldn’t heal it... and for that, she hated herself. A calling that allowed her to sense how her closest friend was slowly dying. A calling that she couldn't use to save her.
She reached the gates, showed her permission to the grim-faced beta guard, and moved on more slowly. The man watched her with an unsatisfied gaze but said nothing. As one of the thirteens, she was hardly addressed at all. Even other omegas sometimes preferred to avoid contact with people like her. Strangers among their own.
Nari quickly passed through the fifth circle and emerged into the fourth. She dashed into the pharmacy. The pharmacist quickly packaged the necessary pills for her. Silently. He handed her the package and slid the register towards her. Nari understood that he didn’t want to touch her; he didn’t even want to breathe the same air as her. However, everyone was served at that pharmacy. So, he had no choice. Stepping outside, the girl finally sighed in relief. She knew she had nowhere to rush, and those meds were just an excuse to escape.
It started drizzling again. Nari stepped under the awning of the nearest store. She needed to head back, but she didn’t want to. Now there was at least some excuse for her delay. Suddenly, she felt someone’s presence behind her.
"Hey," she heard the familiar voice of the white-haired beta, "looking for trouble again?"
"Are you following me or what?!" the girl bristled immediately, "don’t tell me this is some fantastical coincidence."
"Whoa, whoa, take it easy," the beta raised his hands in a conciliatory manner, "I just said hello. Are you here on business? Or maybe back for something sweet again?"
There wasn't a hint of mockery or ridicule in his voice. But for some reason, Nari got angry.
"Oh, seriously?! So that’s how you see me, silly omega?!" she retorted irritably.
"No, I just..."
"You think if a majestic beta offers a helping hand, I’d just melt? Swear allegiance?!"
"What’s got into you? I just!.."
"You think if you give me a treat, I’d immediately start wagging my tail in front of you?! I’m not a dog to be fed!"
"I’m not doing anything like that!.."
But Nari was no longer listening; she turned on her heels and ran away. Through the rain, along the wet road. She stumbled a few times and almost fell. This time she ran for a very long time. Already at the threshold of the fourth and fifth circles, she stopped and barely caught her breath. "World Tree! What an idiot I am! Why did I suddenly..." she thought, breathing heavily. Her hair stuck to her face, her pants were splattered up to her knees. Catching her breath, Nari adjusted her backpack and froze.
The bag was open. Apparently, the zipper tore when she stumbled or tripped over something. The package with the meds was missing from the bag, and there were a few other things as well. It seemed everything flew out while she was running like a madwoman.
"No... no, no, no!!!" Nari screamed at the sky, "what a day!!!"
She kicked a stone that was lying nearby with all her might and slipped on it.
"You are a complete misunderstanding," she heard a bold voice behind her.
"What do you want?!" the girl turned around, "did our prince descend from his chamber to leave them and in such weather too?!"
"Why are you growling?" Iris asked mockingly, stepping closer, "it’s not my fault you messed up again."
"So you’re following me too?"
"Following you?.." the golden-haired boy asked, surprised, "well, whatever. Yes, you’re right. I’m following you. Come on, I’ll walk you home."
He extended his hand towards the girl.
"I can manage!" Nari brushed his hand away, "what do you want from me anyway?!"
"From you? To keep you from causing problems," the young man shrugged, "you do know that every one of your antics has consequences?! And Leo cleans up all that crap. Don’t you care about him?!"
"What’s it to you?!"
Iris sighed.
"Absolutely nothing," he said, pretending to be indifferent, "just think before you act. Last time, he took on the Rick from Yomia. The Rick that no one would have heard if it weren’t for you."
"I already apologized for that incident!"
"Oh, so you saved the situation!" Iris clapped his hands, "bravo, milady! Let’s go, you need to head back."
"I’ll go back!" the girl said, "I need to return the meds. Or at least buy new ones."
"Still playing doctor?" Iris raised an eyebrow, "don’t be foolish, Nari. There’s no reason to wander alone in the city. It’s dangerous. Haven’t you heard the rumors?"
"You’re the one gathering rumors," the girl snapped, "they don’t bother me."
"It’s dangerous in the city!" Iris repeated, this time louder, his tone already showing irritation, "they say some terrorist group is either kidnapping omegas or forcing them to go with them. So, please. Don’t make Leo worry. He’s already got trouble because of you."
"How kind of you," Nari retorted sarcastically, "but I’ll say it again! I’m going back! And if you’re so worried about Leo, you could just stay his friend! And not abandon him!"
"Nari!"
Iris had never raised his voice. He was calm, sly, and quiet, like a venomous snake. When he argued with someone, he did not yell. He hissed. And the angrier he got, the quieter his voice became. But now he just barked at her.
"You’re going back. Right now!" Suddenly Nari felt the pressure of his calling.
Like Nari, Iris was a thirteen. A favorite chosen personally by the head of the Alpha family, the elite of the Arena. His calling was mental influence. Iris could make his opponent do anything, he could suggest, make the desired seem real. The air around them vibrated. Nari and Iris stood facing each other. A grayish aura left the girl’s body, while Iris’s aura glowed golden.
"Nari," he hissed through clenched teeth, "stop! If you don’t!...
"But how... you’re getting on my nerves!" The girl stepped closer to him and, with all her strength, clapped her hands right in front of his face.
Iris took a step back but didn’t lose his concentration. But now Nari started to get anxious. Logically, it would have been better just to turn around and run, but pride wouldn’t allow it.