Malia

"Auntie Lucia is going to kill us for being late. Did you really have to insist we stay until I make the shot on that guy's head?"

Sina gave Malia a playful yet disapproving look. A look Malia frankly could not take seriously because she was still recovering from laughing all the way back from the fighting house.

They were covered in sweat and exhausted from fighting for two hours straight. The local fighting house kept them occupied, filled with buff fishermen and other strange characters. Sometimes even foreigners. Sina had a marksmen competition with a strange woman from Yuyang, and they shot several arrows at a human target.

The man was not harmed, of course. He was paid to be there every night. Sina made sure he was covered head to toe in protective clothing before aiming an arrowhead at the apple on his head.

"What can I say?" Malia laughed and shrugged. "I didn't want that foreigner to think she could best Sina Lineir, the top markswoman from Lilth."

Sina rolled her eyes and nudged Malia hard in the ribs, chuckling to herself. "Ugh, as if. You were betting, weren't you? How much did you make?"

Malia grinned and pulled out rolls and rolls of Kukoan Rivo. Sina gasped at how full her hands were.

"You...genius!" She was in awe. "Did you make that off me alone?"

Malia shrugged again, a smirk on her face. "I had a few fights myself. Beat one lady and three guys."

Malia looked at the Rivo in her hands, mentally divided them in the middle and gave the other half to Sina.

"You did not count this money," she said.

"I split it all in the middle."

"That's not counting, Malia."

"I'm sure I have enough."

"Oh, Goddess help us."

Sina took the rest of the rivo from her hands and actually began counting. Unfortunately at that moment the clocktower in the middle of the town blared across the night. They were still on their way to Kiribati. And it was past curfew.

"Shit. Do you have your papers?" Malia shot Sina a look.

Sina frowned. "Only some. I didn't think we would need them."

"Me neither. Guess we got carried away."

Sina handed Malia her share of the money and they started bolting home. Sina wanted to sleep at her treehouse, but with curfew already in place she would have to sleep over. Auntie Lucia would not be happy with them.

The humid and lit streets of Kiribati welcomed them in minutes. Malia thought they were going to make it home if they just ran faster. But their eyes saw everything.

The Kaua Police were like vultures. Just ready to descend on prey they deemed dead enough. Pieces of their tight rope were flung around Malia and Sina's ankles as they rounded a bend, causing them to crash on the cold cobblestone.

"Owww!"

"Fuck!"

They piled onto each other, ankles and arms tangled. Malia wriggled to push herself up, but a black boot pressed her flat into the stone.

"Would you look at that? Two degenerates breaking curfew," the officer said with a smug scoff.

"We were on our way home," Sina explained. "We just got sidetracked. Please let us just be on our way."

"Don't beg, Sina," Malia forced out. "Don't ask these fuckers any kind of mercy."

The boot in Malia's back suddenly dug deeper. She couldn't even see the officer's face with how hard she was squeezed against the ground. Her breaths were constricted.

"You're still acting tough, Sai wench?" The officer hissed. "Just for that, let's see your papers."

Malia levitated off the ground as she was yanked up. She was slammed against a wall along with Sina, unable to move her limbs. The streets were empty. No one would see if anything happened to them.

There were two officers. One went to search Sina and the other started to pick at Malia. His hands drifted over her chest, searching for pockets. Redness flooded her cheeks.

"I don't have my papers!" She snapped. "Okay? Now stop touching me."

The officer smirked and kept putting his hands everywhere and anywhere. Sina was not escaping the punishment either. "I'm going to scream if you keep doing that!" Sina told the officer searching her.

"And who's going to hear you? The people already in their houses? At least they're obedient and follow the rules of the King."

"These rules that only go for us?" Malia challenged. "Why the fuck should we be at home just as the sun sets? But everyone else can travel as they please? Even foreigners? They can travel better than us?"

Malia was shoved hard into the wall, her head hitting the stone. She winced and almost slid down, but was held at her collar by the officer.

"Maybe if you people weren't such disgusting criminals you wouldn't be forced to be at home like prisoners!" He grit through his teeth. "You don't even have your papers yet you want to act cocky? You Sai wench."

"Sorcio, hold on," the other officer put his hand on his partner's arms that were holding Malia up. He took a look at her up and down, even squinting.

"Is she not the one who beat up the Captain?"

Malia and Sina shared a look. It was one of acceptance. Acceptance that this night would only get worse.

Sorcio's eyes widened in realization. "It is her. What is her name again?"

"Malia Lui."

"That girl who got a beating right in the Kings courtyard," Sorcio started laughing, ruffling her hair. Malia snarled. "Oh she's still not learning her lesson? You must want another trip to the palace huh?"

"Malia, don't say anything," Sina warned. Malia's face already showed her rage. She looked like she could spit fire from her eyes.

Sorcio's partner turned on Sina again. "Shut up. I wasn't done with you actually."

He started digging in the pockets of Sina's skirt, forcing her up against the wall. "No! Leave me alone! You bastard!–"

"Let me go so I can beat the fuck out of you the way I beat Captain Jared," Malia dared. "Unless you're a fucking coward. Which I can bet you are."

Sorcio was amused. He stroked her hair and let his hands roam like he was not afraid to lose them. "Such a mad little thing. You really shouldn't be like this. Can I tell you what happens to people who piss off the King?"

"They go far, far away. In pieces. That's how you'll end up if you don't behave. But you're far too pretty for that. You and your friend. My partner and I can forgive you, if you do us a little favour."

He grabbed the front of his pants and squeezed suggestively. Malia's rage could not contain itself. She shot forward to headbutt him, but was pushed down to the floor. Sina screamed.

"Don't touch me!" Her voice cracked, coming straight from her stomach. Janilo tugged at the sides of her skirt, Sina's throat only withered more. As he began to pull on her clothes, stacks of her Rivo fell out.

Janilo paused and picked it up, gaining Sorcio's attention. He smiled wolfishly. "Oh, so you don't have your papers, but you have this?"

Sorcio gasped. "How much is that?"

Janilo pointed to Malia. "Check her as well."

Malia couldn't stop it. Sorcio roughly emptied her pockets, freezing as he almost exposed her skin. They gawked greedily at the Rivo, their attention shifted.

"Maybe we can work something out–" Sorcio laughed, his voice dying out when Sina jumped from the floor and started running. Malia broke after her, the two of them bolting like mice from prey. Leaving everything they earned behind.

***

Malia shot up in her bed, staring into darkness. Sina writhed next to her, letting out a soft groan at the abrupt movement. Malia wiped the sweat off her face, frowning to herself. Her heart was beating so fast.

"Hey..." Sina softly said, poking her in the arm. "What's wrong? You've been restless all night."

Malia gulped. She thought sleeping with Sina in the King and Queen's designated room would make it less creepy but this was her second nightmare.

"Sorry for waking you," she muttered. Sina sat up next to her and flicked on a nightlight beside the bed. A soft golden light fell over them, highlighting the deep lines of worry in Malia's face.

"I asked you what's wrong," Sina repeated. "Did you have a bad dream?"

Malia would have laughed at Sina's concerned tone any other day. She liked that Sina was always so caring and motherly, she made Malia feel like an accident-prone toddler most times. But it was a feeling she loved.

"I was just thinking...do you remember those pigs? Sorcio and Janilo?"

Sina's face morphed into disgust. "Were you thinking about them?"

Malia nodded silently. Months had passed since the incident, but it was one of the worst things to happen to them. Malia felt responsible, knowing she was the reason they ran into the police in the first place. She had gotten Sina into so much trouble. Sometimes she wondered why Sina still bothered being friends with her.

"Don't give your time to those pigs. You know they're long gone," Sina rubbed her shoulder.

"It's not them. I just can't stop worrying. I keep thinking about all the bad stuff that's happened to us. And we made it out because we were together. We could protect each other."

His face flashed in her mind. His soft and kind smile.

"He has no one to protect him."

Sina's mouth parted when she realized who Malia referred to. She was worried about Halo.

"He has Gus, doesn't he?" She asked.

"Gus won't be able to protect him forever. I feel stupid for leaving him there, Sina. I feel like I made a mistake letting him go back there. When I think of the bad stuff that's happened to us, I remember Halo has no idea what he's up against. He hasn't seen it the way we have, you know?"

Sina stared at Malia in awe. She had never seen her in such distress unless it came to her and Auntie Lucia.

"That's true. He doesn't know the extent of the system Vaea created. He's only seen the tip. He doesn't know about our curfew, the forced removals, the beatings, and crimes these officials have done to the Sai people. But we have to trust him, Lia. We can't make him go by all our rules."

"Why not?" Malia said, groaning in frustration. "Why can't we just keep him here with us? Why won't he listen? He's so...he doesn't get it, Sina. He's in a palace with his evil brother who tried to kill people and sell his best friend to slavery. And yet he still goes back?"

"He can fight, can't he?" Sina asked, trying to be helpful but Malia was already glaring at her.

"It doesn't matter how good he fights, he'd be outnumbered. He doesn't even have potions!"

Sina sighed. She could already sense the determinedness in Malia's eyes and voice, and it would be hard to contain soon enough. If Sina didn't listen to her now, she would go off on her own and do something worse.

"So? What's the plan?" Sina asked.

"Let's go get him."

"Now!?"

Malia shook her head. "Tomorrow. The two of us can go and we can visit your tree house. See if anything's left."

Sina frowned sadly, remembering her former home. She missed waking up to the birds and sounds of the forest in the morning. She missed the humid air that would make her hair puff up into silly waves. Everything she worked on had gone up in flames.

"You really trust him, huh?" Sina asked Malia. Of course she tried to play it off with a shrug.

"He's the oldest Prince. He's our only hope at things getting better."

"Is that it? Are you willing to die for him?"

"Yoooowi!" Malia let out in frustration, glaring. Sina however, did not back down her question. "Why are you asking me all this after I wake up from a nightmare? Are you crazy?"

The night silence was shattered by the sound of squealing rail. Sina and Malia immediately jumped from their bed, alert and slightly panicked. Why would the train be moving this time of the night?

"Go get a weapon." Sina said, slowly creeping towards the entrance of the bunker. She was so relieved that Jack came up with the idea to light it up with torches, the cavernous dark would have been terrifying at this hour.

Sina couldn't see at the end of the tunnel, maintaining a safe distance. Her knees shook under her night dress.  What if someone discovered them?

Malia returned with an axe and a bow and arrow for Sina. She handed her the weapon, and Sina reeled back an arrow, aiming at the end of the tunnel.

"What if its supposed to make that sound?" Malia wondered. "Like the rail?"

Sina tightened her grip on the bow. "A rail doesn't squeal unless a train is on it."

"Then who..."

Finally a shadow emerged from the tunnel. It was slow and tall, and the mop of hair that was both green and white made Sina lower her bow instantly.

"Halo!" Malia yelled, dropping her axe. She ran and launched herself at him, the hug nearly toppling him over.

"What in the tits are you doing here?!"

Halo's face partially softened when looking at Malia, but his gaze was tortured. He looked exhausted, whiffs of colour floated around his aura.

He drank potions.

"I left the palace. I've come to stay here with all of you," he replied, frowning. "You were right, Malia. About Vaea."

Malia's nostrils flared. "What did he do this time?"

"Wait. I think its best the Prince gets rest," Sina said.

Malia nodded and took the bag that rested in Halo's hand and he slid off his black cloak. He sat down at the table, where Malia slid next to him. Sina disappeared to get a tray of water for everyone.

"How did you travel? Was it difficult?"

Halo nodded, swallowing hard. "Lots of policemen and Guardsmen at the docks. They were all looking for you."

"Me?" Malia's mouth hung agape. Halo gently pushed it shut again, and he would have laughed if it weren't for the exhaustion.

"Someone reported you for assault. It was hard to get to a good boat with a solid motor, so I took a shabby one, got stuck along the coast without fuel and had to run down the beach to the train station."

Sina returned with the tray and handed both Malia and Halo a glass. Halo swallowed everything in one go. "Thank you, I needed that."

"You drank potions, didn't you?" Sina asked.

"Misty made it for me. You remember Misty, right?"

Sina's face fell. It had been a long time since they had last seen each other. Sina made peace that it would be the last in her lifetime. It was dramatic but she genuinely gave up.

"M-Misty helped you?"

Halo nodded with a weak smile. "She wants to see you all again. They moved into the palace. The Hira siblings. Vaea and Leilani are getting married."

"Those...scumbags!" Malia burst out. Sina quickly hushed her.

"Hey! Finn and Jack are sleeping!"

"Those scumbags!" Malia repeated, now whispering. "So they forced you to leave or else your life would have been in danger. Goddess, Halo you should have came with us to begin with!"

Halo looked too drained to respond. He couldn't match Malia's fervid irritation this hour of the night. He couldn't believe the week he was having.

Sina recognized the Prince's subtle swaying and droopy eyes. The potion effects had to be dissipating and he was left with the empty, weary aftermath.

"Lia, let's get him to bed." Sina suggested and got up. Malia followed, taking his arm around her shoulder.

"It's alright, I got it, Sina." Malia said, eventually having the Prince completely leaning on her short frame. He was already falling asleep on her. Sina rushed to get blankets so he could sleep in their shared bed.

***

Augus spent all morning trying to reach the eldest Prince through his Communicator, hoping he would have figured it out by now. His stomach turned not knowing if he was safe or not. He could only hope for the best.

He left a message to Halo informing him of Captain Jared's mission to find him and lock him up. Augus was left in his office, staring at a chessboard trying to figure out the next move.

Captain Jared was the King's slave trade accomplice. He knew what happened to those people and where they went. It was something only he, the King, other perpetrators and the victims knew.

That's when he suddenly realized.

Augus left his office, not before looking at Sir Alan's place on the Guardsmen roster.

Sir Alan was stationed at the Eastern gate of the palace grounds with a group of other Guards. They all fell into position as soon as Augus neared, placing their rapiers at their chest.

Augus nodded in acknowledgement. "At ease, men. Sir Alan...a word with you at my office please?"

Alan followed after Augus obediently, his demeanor completely changing, as though he were terrified and excited at the same time.

"Alan, I'm sure you understand the situation at hand. But I need your confirmation," Augus began. Alan immediately nodded.

"Of course, I do, Marshal Na. The Prince has run away...hasn't he?"

Alan's blue eyes were big and almost innocent, Augus felt a tinge of guilt for roping him into their conspiracy. He was only a young Guard.

"He is hiding out. And I know where he is. You know we are his eyes and ears at the palace. You and I, we are the only ones he has on this side of the wall. Do you understand?"

"O-Of course, Marshal Na! I will never disappoint you. You have my silence if that's what you need. I will give and do whatever you ask of me!" Alan said with ardent passion.

They arrived at Augus' office, where Alan took a seat at his desk. He paced around it for a few minutes, his stomach conflicted. It truly felt wrong relying on a rookie like Alan. He was fresh out of graduation, barely had any rank. How could he be trusted?

The boy's eyes shone with worry. "Is something wrong, Marshal Na? Do you need me to run any errands?"

"Sir Alan...do you understand that your life could end by doing this work. You could surely be caught and killed by the King for knowing what you know," Augus got to the point. Alan slowly gulped.

"I do not want to scare you, but I'm sure you have put it all together. King Vaea is involved with dark conspiracies that have resulted in the Prince having to flee. We are under his supervision everyday. You must know the risks that comes with this work. Are you willing to fix all that's out of place?"

"Of course I am, Marshal Na! I will do whatever you ask of me!" Alan repeated, his enthusiasm unstifled. How?

Augus could not hide his bewildered expression staring at Alan. The boy even grew coy.

"Y-You must wonder why I-I'm so willing?"

Augus nodded. "I am wondering if you are a foreign spy, you seem content with betraying your King."

"I-I trust you, Marshal Na. I've always looked up to you...as a trainee. I-I've wanted to w-work under your wing since I was a boy. I w-went to all royal events to see you display your swordsmanship. I-I even used to write to you as a child. Do you remember?"

Augus frowned thoughtfully. There had been a time period where King Makoa had the public all write letters to the palace, expressing how they felt about how the kingdom was being run, and their thoughts overall. It was during the war, and the King wanted to keep up the morale of the people by creating a closer connection through the letters.

A running joke started amongst the barracks and even King Makoa joined in. Augus received consistent fanmail. From women, and a strange man who wrote consistently in broken language praising Augus like he was a Goddess himself.

Whenever there would be batches of letters, half of them would be for Augus. Half of them from...

"You were Amasing Alan?" Augus smiled against his will.

Alan reddened and chuckled softly. "Y-Yes, that was me. S-Sorry I didn't know how to spell back then. You were always my idol, Marshal Na. I joined the Royal Guard to learn from you. You are the best, most perfect officer in all of Kukoa."

Augus fought the warm feeling in his chest. He suddenly thought of introducing Alan to his daughter, but she would chew him alive.

"You are really making me out to be more than I am, Sir Alan. And I appreciate it. I however, do not need your praise. I only require your utmost loyalty. I am pleased to hear that I have that. Now to the pressing matter. I want you to–"

A knock interrupted Augus, causing both him and Alan to snap their heads at the door. His blood slowed like ice cubes were inside his veins, blocking the flow. Captain Jared stood at the door, a crooked smile on his face.

Alan stood up and saluted, but Captain Jared ignored him completely. "Marshal Na, what are you doing couped up in your office? We have action to get to."

"Excuse me?"

"The King ordered that we interview Malia Lui's mother. Did you not get the alert on your communicator?" Captain Jared narrowed his eyes. "The Police deduced that she was in Kiribati in this week of the protests. They think she must have made contact with her mother since she assaulted someone the same day it occurred."

This would not be the first time Augus spoke to Aira Lucia, as the Sai people called her. She was a cold woman, not one of many words. Captain Jared wouldn't get anything out of her.

Also, Malia Lui would go ballistic if they went near her mother.

Oh. Augus realized. The King was trying to lure her out.

Goddess help us all.

Augus cleared his throat. "The Police should hand over all information on Malia Lui if we will be handling her case. She is no ordinary criminal, but an enemy of the crown. We should know all there is to know about her whereabouts."

"Oh we will, as soon as we get into town. Malia Lui will come crawling out like the cockroach she is once we go near her beloved mother." Captain Jared, a devilish smirk drew on his face that made Augus clench his jaw in the most subtle way.

He had to do right by Halo no matter what.

The trip to Kiribati felt too quick. Augus blinked and they were out in the streets, with people parting ways for them like they were human tanks. Captain Jared certainly walked that way. Augus didn't miss it. He loved having people jump out of his way in fear.

It was crowded. Particularly around the clocktower area. The police were swarming, their black robes looking like a massive funeral. Augus could barely see what was going on.

"Did something happen?" He asked Captain Jared as they passed. Sorrowful screams cut through the air. Augus couldn't ignore it.

He gently pushed past the police to get a good look. He froze in place.

Captain Jared sighed, moving in next to him. "Corporal Keahi?"

The officer stood over a sobbing woman and man, as they kneeled infront of the body of a young girl. Her hair was seeped in a puddle of blood, Augus stepped forward, feeling like the ground had slightly shattered.

"No..."

"You murdered her!"  Mr Federici screamed. "You're monsters! Murderers!"

Corporal Keahi looked at Captain Jared like he was bored. "They are accusing us when their daughter jumped from the clocktower. Can you believe it? Why would we want to kill a child?"

Jumped from the clocktower?

"Sika would never do that!" Her mother sobbed. "You silenced her! She spoke of all the crimes in that warehouse and you silenced her!"

"You are making steep accusations, lady!" Corporal Keahi heatedly said.

Mr Federici stood up and slowly walked to Augus, his eyes watering.

"Please...please believe us..."

Augus felt everything tighten. Captain Jared pulled his rapier and held it out at the man, halting his movement. "Stand back, civilian!" He snapped.

"My daughter was killed...please sir," the man continued to beg, staring straight at Augus.

Captain Jared noticed. This was bad. "Do you know this man, Marshal?"

Augus gulped hard and shook his head. "I do not. We should go, Captain Jared."

Captain Jared snorted. "That I agree with."

Augus walked away with a pit in his stomach and his breath hitched. He kept his cool infront of Captain Jared, but the wailing of Sika's parents were hard to tune out. He couldn't believe this. She was only a few years younger than Riso.

They are luring her out.

***

When Halo woke up, he was surrounded by everyone talking around the bed he was in. Sina, Misty, their muscly friend Jack and Finn halted their chatter, instantly ready to tend to the Prince. Halo felt like an injured toddler. With his growing headache he certainly felt like one.

He wanted to scowl but he was too relieved to be around people he didn't want to smother.

"Finally in the right place, ey mate?" Finn slightly cocked his smile.

Malia slid next to him, an excited gleam in her eyes. "Halo, Sina has a plan to kidnap Captain Jared!"

"At least let the Prince eat something, geez!" Jack shook his head. "The man just opened his eyes!"

Malia rolled her's. "I was just letting him know what to expect!"

Malia's words reminded Halo of Augus' contraptions. He quickly pulled the sack out of his pocket, pulling out the ear pieces.

Sina's eyes went wide. "Where did you get that?"

Halo was startled. "Do you know what this is?"

"That is Moon Ranger technology. I learnt about it at my old academy."

"The Hell is that?" Finn scrunched up his nose. "Sounds bloody fancy."

Sina warily reached out to Halo. "May I?" She gently swiped one of the devices from his palm.

"The Moon Rangers are some kind of elite force that aids governments in conflict and peacekeeping. They are years ahead in technology and use special techniques, military weaponry and more. This is a Ranger earpiece, its for communication."

Halo nodded, in awe of Sina's knowledge. "Augus said something about that. He wanted me to let him know when I'm safe. These devices are for us, to be able to communicate with him on what's going on in the palace."

"How does it work?" Jack was lost.

Sina clicked a button on the piece, and Halo's name was logged into the device. It opened up a media file that had Augus' name attached to it. Sina opened it and read the messages aloud.

Augus Na: PRINCE ARE YOU THERE? LET ME KNOW WHEN YOU ARE SAFE.

Augus Na: YOUR HIGHNESS, IT HAS BEEN 16 HOURS. DID YOU MAKE IT THERE SAFELY? LET ME KNOW WHEN YOU SEE THIS.

"You should let Gus know before he spills all his tarts onto the pavement," Malia said with a snort. "He's stressed about you."

"What's this?" Jack pointed to a flashing yellow icon. It was shaped like a microphone. Sina lostly pressed it, it was her first time handling this technology as well.

As soon as Sina opened it, Augus' voice started playing from the device. It startled everyone, to the point where they missed what was being said.

"Can't you make it louder?" Malia said frustratedly.

"We'll have to figure out the buttons later on. One person listen to it and tell everyone what's being said." Sina handed the device back to Halo.

He pressed it to his ear, listening again.

Prince Halo, if you hear this, I apologize for my whispering. You have been declared an enemy of the crown. Before you refer this message to the rest of your allies, keep in mind Malia Lui. Sika, the girl that was saved from the slave warehouse has been killed. The Police ruled it a suicide, she was found at the bottom of the clocktower. The King has ordered that Malia Lui's mother be brought to the palace for questioning on her whereabouts. This is all in an attempt to lure her out.

Keep her calm upon hearing this. You cannot afford to make mistakes. The King will try everything to make sure she surrenders to the crown. He will likely imprison her mother, or do something worse. I am working on a plan. I have to go, goodbye.

"Well?" Malia sat with her knees pressed into the bed, curiousity aimed at Halo. He stared at her, unable to get the words out.

Goddess help them all.

"Malia..."

***

A/N: Sorry for the long hiatus guys. I've been in and out of rehab and have been having a hard struggle with mental health. I am getting better and getting back into writing. I am very excited :) although the updates may still be scattered due to the reasons listed above. I'm hoping it does not come to that. Thank you for supporting the story!