Bab 8: Correcting the Past
"After Novalis returned from the mission, he vehemently rejected their proposal of 'examining' his son. He even asked his trusted soldiers to stand guard over the child in case the commanders and scientists tried something funny."
"He went to such extent to protect the baby... What happened to him? Why have I never heard of him before if he was such a big shot?"
Luna's face twitched as she was about to answer. The corner of her lips couldn't hold up and dropped. Her hands were shaking while holding the cup of water. Luna was holding in her emotions as best as she could.
"He died."
"Died...?"
Elina choked on water as she heard a twist she didn't expect. A Legion Commander dying? She couldn't believe it. They were the pinnacle of humanity and the lanterns of the NFDR. It would've been more believable if he abandoned Luciel for whatever reason. What was the truth?
"The Legion Commanders buried everything related to Nova because they wanted to hide the fact that they pushed him towards his death. Those bastards... I can never forgive them. They are worse than those northern empire scums."
Luna's face crumpled like paper. The glass in her hand broke into pieces as she applied little pressure. The strength of an S-Class was no joke.
She continued despite her uncontrollable anger. "The baby got kidnapped right after the New Year celebration when everyone wasn't paying attention. Nova found out about this and went crazy. He attacked the Joint Base Judger where the other Legion Commanders and the scientists gathered."
"Judger? I have never heard of it." Elina narrowed her eyes in confusion. There were tons of information that she didn't know about. It surprised her because she believed she was quite knowledgeable when it comes to the history of Noxio.
"It got destroyed during the clash. Of course, those bastards covered it up nicely. They then used that as a justification to oust Nova from his position and even accused him of colluding with Lumenpolis' archbishops to "steal" the baby. Steal, they said. Screw them, honestly."
"It must be devastating for him. I couldn't even imagine losing my son and then got betrayed by my own comrade."
"I couldn't do anything. I just let him die like that without any revenge." Luna clutched her hands tightly and shivered. The guilt must have been huge for her to bear for all these years.
Elina put her hand on Luna's trembling hand to reassure her. Elina wanted to say that it was okay now, since the baby had grown up nicely, but she wanted Luna to finish the story.
"Did he die by suicide?"
"They said so, but I didn't believe a single world that came out of their mouths. I still don't believe it to this day. Even though the event was tragic, Nova wasn't that weak and pathetic that he would commit suicide in the Chasm."
"So, you believe that someone disposed of him because they were scared of the fact that he would take revenge in the future."
"You're smart as usual. It's just my speculation, but they definitely stole the baby and didn't want Nova to find out, so they killed him in the Chasm. As you know, the Chasm is a lawless place. It's the best place to kill someone."
"I see. That might be the case. What about the Grand Marshal? Does he know about this?"
"Of course. I'm thankful for him. He imprisoned and killed all the corrupted commanders, but he had no choice but to keep this case under wraps because it would ruin the military's reputation. I didn't like it, but I had to respect his decision."
The Grand Marshal was someone Elina could trust, so he was a very reputable and outstanding man. He was dependable and would not turn a blind eye to justice except for when a necessary action was needed to be taken.
"That was the story! Did you like it? Please rate it from one to five stars." Luna completely turned her mood around and started joking again. This was her unique skill.
"Seriously... I need to examine that head of yours when you die. You know that brain research they've been doing at the lab?"
"Take a joke, jeez. You're no fun at all. Anyway, tell me your story now." Luna immediately turned serious again.
Elina contemplated for a while, but there was no point of doing so. Luna already knew the moment Elina was desperate for the truth of Luciel's origin. Luna knew the truth, but she wanted to hear it from Elina's words.
"Well, I think the child that I adopted has the same description. His name is Luciel. I first found him at..."
Elina started telling Luna everything about how she met Luciel and how she had been raising him for half a year. Luna kept looking at her as if she was mesmerized. She hasn't seen Elina this happy at all since the day they met each other. Luna thought Elina must have really loved the child and considered him as a family member.
Luna's eyes were watery, and her nose was stifled after hearing that the baby that she couldn't protect had grown up to be Luciel.
After Elina finished telling the story, Luna's blue eyes deepened.
"I have one request. Will you grant it?" Her voice solemn.
"What's your request?"
"I've been living in guilt for the past 10 years. The opportunity to correct my mistakes is right in front of me, so I want to support raising Luciel to the best of my abilities."
"You mean that...?"
"Yes. I want to be his godmother."
Elina's eyes widened at Luna's words. She thought it would be great for Luciel to be raised by the kindest and most trusted Resonator she knew. Luna was a bit quirky, so Luciel could learn social skills from her. She thought about the scene two single women playing with their adopted child. Honestly, it could be a great idea for a movie.
"I think Luciel would be glad to have you around, sis." Elina smiled broadly.
Luna immediately stood up and ran to the door. "Hehe. I'll make him like me more than you. Let's go!"
"Wait! Who said you could go to my house!? I was there for him first, goddammit!"
And so, both of them raced to Elina's house. When Luciel met Luna for the first time, he was indifferent as usual, but he could sense that she was a good person since she was Elina's friend.
"He's handsome, isn't he? Our Luciel is a future chick magnet."
As always, Luna spouted out the most ridiculous thing to a nine-year-old child.
"I'm happy that he got to meet you. If it was anyone else, I don't know what would happen. You're a kind soul, Elina."
"It's nothing. He just reminded me of my past, so I took a liking to him, that's all."
"That's all? I've never seen you this happy ever. You can quit your tough woman face."
"Go home. I don't want you here."
"Isn't this the dream, though? A kid with two mothers. Well, you're still too young to be one. A mother and a sister, perhaps."
"You're delusional... He's mine first. If I see him learn something ridiculous from you, I'll revoke your godmother license."
With a cup of hot chocolate in their hands, the two women talked until late night. It was time for dinner. Luna helped Luciel cook dinner while Elina sat uselessly on the couch watching her favorite show.
***
Just like that, it was New Year's Eve.
"Happy birthday!" Elina and Luna shouted in unison. It was Luciel's 10th birthday.
"...What's all of this? Birthday?"
"It's your birthday, Luciel. We have a cake for you here."
Elina brought out a strawberry sponge cake that Luciel loved. Luciel's eyes sparkled when he saw the biggest cake he has even seen. He saw the candles on top that counted up to 10.
"A special day needs a special cake, you see. I asked Grandpa Murphy to make this personally, so it should suit your taste."
Luna came over and patted Luciel's fluffy white hair. "What are you waiting for, sweetie? Make a wish and blow the candles!"
"A wish?"
"If you make a wish before blowing the candles in your birthday, it'll come true!" Luna smiled.
"I'm not falling for those superstitions, Luna, but I'll play along."
Luna and Elina exchanged a look after hearing what Luciel said and laughed. They thought he was incredibly adorable despite his indifferent manner.
"Hmm. I wish to be strong enough to protect those I love and cherish." After Luciel said that out loud, which he wasn't supposed to, he blew the burning candles.
"That's a big wish, sweetie. I love it." Luna patted his head once more.
Elina stood still as she held the cake. She remembered making the same wish when she celebrated her birthday with Murphy.
'I wish to protect you and everything here!' was what she said.
Having the power to protect your loved ones is not something anyone could have. Tragedies happen. Unfortunate events happen. The sea of life is that of chaotic waves mixed with serene waters. The power to change fate itself. Elina thought about Luciel and his unprecedented case.
Elina resolved herself and made a decision.
"Luciel. Remember when I told you to get ready when the time comes?"
Luciel raised an eyebrow before realizing what Elina was implying.
"Becoming a Resonator?"
"Yes. Get ready. It's about to be a bumpy ride."
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
NotSharkie
NotSharkie Hello there. I'm sorry for the disapperance. College hits like a truck. But do not fret. I'll be restarting my writing journey in the summer!
Status Power Mingguan
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Power 
-- Power
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