The Gold Paladin

Venom Nightmares

It had been a few days since the Balmera, and the team was exhausted. However, it was Allura and Novae that paid a larger price.

While Allura was too weak to stand on her own for too long, Novae has been unconscious since the event. Shiro and the others have been watching over her since she had been brought back, and she still has not woken from her sleep.

It troubled the team of how long she has been sleeping, but they couldn't do anything since the pods don't work on healing her body. She had to heal through her own strength.

Shiro walked through the door of Novae's room, seeing Pidge sitting by her bedside.

"Pidge, it's time to change shifts." He said, grabbing the young girl's attention, "Has she woken up?"

Pidge sighed, standing up and shaking her head.

"She hasn't even stirred." Pidge answered, "I'm getting worried, Shiro. Her scans show that she's fine, but she won't wake up. I'm getting really scared that she won't ever wake up."

Shiro walked up to Pidge and placed his hand on her shoulder.

"Don't give up hope, Pidge. Believe me when I say that she's stronger than she seems." Shiro said.

"I know. But it's still scary." Pidge responded, then left the room to go do her own research, not only for her personal search for her family, but to figure out what had happened to Novae.

Shiro sat in the chair next to the bed and watched as Novae slept. It was the first time he had seen her so calm and serene. When she was in the prisons with him, she would only sleep for a couple hours a day, and she had never seemed so calm than now.

He placed his hand over hers and for a moment, it was as if he was as calm as she was.

"Who are Novae? Why won't you wake up?" He whispered as the woman continued to rest, her calm face hiding the nightmares that plagued her down to her soul.

🦁🦁🦁~~~~🦁🦁🦁

Allura sat in the AI room, the place where her father resided, and projected images of Altea through her memories.

The princess sighed, "I loved the smell of the mountain juniberries in the early morning breeze." She said, remembering their sweet scent.

"As did I, Allura." Father said.

"Remember the Summer Berry Festival? People would come from all over Altea for the harvest."

"I remember how the berry juice stained your favorite dress. You were so upset."

Allura laughed softly, "It took forever for Mother to calm me." She frowned.

"I miss Altea so much. I miss you, Father. I wish it didn't have to be this way." She said sadly.

"I know, Allura, but, as leaders, we have to do what's right for our people, even if it means great sacrifice."

"I know, Father. That's what you always say."

Suddenly, the door opened. Allura turned around to see who had entered and saw Coran with a worried expression.

"Princess, there you are. What are you doing up and about? You should be resting." He said.

"Oh, Coran, can't I stay?" Allura asked, not wanting to part from her Father.

"The Balmeran rejuvenation ceremony took a lot out of you. Come along, to your room." He took her hand and stood her up, the Altean mice following them.