Malia

It took Malia forever to run all the way home as she lived on the complete other side of Kahele, where the wealth and luxury did not reside. Without the Prince's compass and map, she probably would have wandered into some nobleman's yard.

Her nerves and blood were spiked with adrenaline, breaths heaving out heavily. She had to be quick. Show her mother that she was still alive and then she'd have to find Sina. But she couldn't stay.

As soon as the King realized her cell was empty, there would be Hell to pay. She had to vanish.

When the dirt road of the forest transitioned to the cobblestone path of the town, Malia kept to the alleyways and shady corners of Kiribati. There was always an overwhelming amount of Kaua police lurking, as if constantly spying on the Sai people.

She didn't know how fast news had travelled, but she didn't want to find out on the spot that she was a fugitive.

Malia climbed over the walls of about three houses before she reached her own. Without knocking she entered, quickly closing the door behind her. She braced herself for anything, but there were already people in her home.

She walked out into the living room, seeing boxes upon boxes stacked next to each other. Her eyes met that of Aira Lin's son, Terran. He was putting her family pictures into a box, pausing mid-action when seeing her.

"What on earth are you doing here?" His face twisted in confusion. "They said they were going to kill you!"

"Well, I lived. Now what are you doing in my house?" Malia asked defensively, moving in on Terran with her fist ready. Where was her mother?

"Did you escape the Royal Guard?" Terran asked, his face still on the ground. "Oh, you're screwed! Do you have any idea what you're in for?"

"Don't ask me more questions while I'm asking you questions!" She said, frustrated.

"He is helping me move out," a familiar voice said. Malia turned around to see her mother rolling in from another room.

Malia immediately shot at her mother with a hug. Lucia barely retured it, but she didn't care. Malia just needed to feel her warmth, she didn't know when it would be her last.

"You owe everyone an apology," her mother said as soon as she pulled away. Lucia's eyes were disappointed. "They burned down General Faatu's statue after you were arrested. Why did you lie to me, Lia?"

"Why couldn't you listen to me just once in your whole life!"

Her raised voice made Malia's stomach and heart sink. "I'm sorry," she said, sorrowful. "I'm sorry for everything. I escaped so I can't stay here too long. I'll come back for you I promise."

"Your promise is a futile one," a cool and authoritative voice said. Malia whirled around and saw Aira Lin stroll into the living room, accompanied by two of her helpers. Malia frowned when she noticed they had more boxes.

"What are you doing?" Malia asked, puzzled. Her mother smacked her in the arm, making her yelp.

"Why don't you greet Aira Lin? It is the least you can do!" She reprimanded, but Malia's head wasn't there.

Aira Lin was a middle-aged woman with sleek long silver hair and happened to be the most important Elder of Kiribati.

Being an Elder and the daughter of a warhero, she had control over the neighborhood affairs and punished those who misbehaved. Malia was always on her list, even as a child.

Malia swallowed hard, giving Aira Lin a stoney look. "Where are you taking my mother?" Were they expelling her from the district because of what Malia had done?

"She is moving in with me. She is an Elder after all," Aira Lin said gazing disdainfully. She turned her nose upward. "There she will be cared for like she deserves. Since you cannot fulfill your daughterly obligations and put her first. Instead you only bring misfortune to your people."

"You don't get to say that," Malia hissed, heated by what was going on. "You do nothing to protect us. All you do is comply and let our people get stepped on!"

Slap!

Malia's head snapped to the side. She slowly turned back to Aira Lin with searing hot rage in her eyes.

"You got my father's hard-earned statue burned down and you have the nerve to disrespect me?" Aira Lin narrowed her violet eyes in disgust. "Your mother deserves a better daughter. By my power I will not allow you to see her. Not until you've stood trial for your crimes."

"That's never going to happen, because they weren't crimes," Malia sneered. "They're retribution."

"She's some kinda hero," Terran remarked sarcastically. "Isn't that your whole deal? You claim to do things for your people and those you care about but all you do is hurt them. This is why you should just leave."

Aira Lin hummed in agreement. "That is why you are no longer welcome. You do not bring us peace, Malia Lui. We might be under the King's boots, but you have just driven us further into the dirt."

"You are no longer welcome."

Malia hated it. Her eyes turned bloodshot, wetness gathering at the rims. She turned around to her mother, who wouldn't even look at her. Her gaze was turned downward, pitiful but she wouldn't give that away. Had this been before the war, Lucia would have stood by her daughter for everything.

"I see how it is," she muttered, sniffling. She wiped her tears aggressively with the back of her hand, straightening up.

"If you want me to leave, I will. But this isn't just about you all. It's about everyone the King will hurt."

"You're one loose cannon, what will you change?" Aira Lin asked her seriously. "You must accept the world when it changes. You cannot go back to the way things were."

"You all hate me, don't you?" Malia muttered, backing away. Aira Lin's eyes softened for a moment.

"We don't hate you," she said gently. "I know you lost your childhood to the war. I know you must miss your father and family. But what you are doing is endangering yourself and the people you love. Resign, Malia. Turn yourself in. Perhaps the King will show mercy."

Aira Lin's mention of the King and her family had only boiled her blood. Malia's temporary sadness converted to rage, and her skin pricked with heightened sensation yet again.

"To that quiche-eater? As if!" Malia scoffed. "I just came to let you know I'm alive. I'll come back when the heat dies down. But don't expect me to change. I'm not a coward and I'll never be one."

"You shouldn't come back at all!" Terran yelled. "You're so selfish! Did you hear anything Aira Lin said? You're a fugitive! A danger!"

Malia was on her last nerve and Terran managed to pluck it out. She swung over the couch and body-slammed him to the ground, making him crash butt-first into the boxes. Aira Lin gasped and her mother shouted for her to stop, but they blended into the background as she sprinted for the door.

"Love you mum!" She yelled before flying out of the house, ducking her head as she immediately ran for an alleyway.

She ended up running into Sud, who stared wide eyed as they bumped chests. "Malia? You're supposed to be dead!" He exclaimed. She pressed her hand over his mouth and pushed him against the wall. His eyes washed over with terror.

"Don't go announcing it to the whole world, loser," she told him, laying down her hand. His face reddened.

"What? Aren't you glad I'm alive?" She attempted to joke, but she felt like crap.

"There's a massive reward for whoever catches you. Soldier or not," Sud said, gulping. "You should be careful."

"I'm invincible, don't worry about it," Malia winked at him. She dashed towards a wall that separated the district from the forest. She vaulted over it expertly and followed the path she remembered to Sina's house.

At least she'd be safe there.

***

Sina

"Are you sure this will work?" Jack asked her worriedly. "I won't combust, will I?"

Sina gave Jack an obvious look as she held the glassware to his lips. They were in her tree house, where they hadn't left since Malia was caught. Sina had dropped off the money at her Auntie Lucia's home, but didn't have a single shred of courage to explain to her what happened to Malia.

She decided she wouldn't go back without bringing back her best friend.

"This is the only way we have a chance, okay?" She told Jack seriously. "The potions are safe. It will last for an hour so we have to be quick and get her out as fast as we can. They're going to execute her!"

"What's this potion called again?" Jack's head was fuzzy. Whenever Sina spoke of her alchemy it sounded like a different language entirely to him. She sighed.

"It's invisibility and strength. We're going to break into the palace and hope to the Goddesses we find her in time. If we don't well..."

"Run like Hell?" Jack offered. Sina nodded surely.

"You already know the drill. Now open wide!"

Sina poured the potions into Jack's mouth as though she were feeding a baby. He gulped down the warm liquids quickly, his face twisting with disgust as he tasted it on his tongue.

Almost immediately, the effects started to show.

Jack's body started disappearing from the bottom up, hiding the strange orange aura emitting around him from the strength potion. This went on till he was completely invisible, and Sina grinned to herself.

"How do you feel?" She asked, putting her hand infront of her. Her hand slapped the air and it felt like his shoulder.

"Invincible," he whispered, filled with awe. "You're amazing, Sina."

"I know right," she shook her head proudly. Sina picked up two other flasks that held her portion of potions. "Now let's go save my amazing best friend."

Then, as if the world wanted to be comical, the trapdoor of the tree house was thrown open with a hard push, hitting the floor as an arm poked itself inside. Sina screamed when the familiar head of green hair showed itself.

She was about to pass out.

Malia climbed in and Sina immediately ran her over, tossing her arms around her. "You're alive! Oh my goddess! I love you, I love you! Please don't ever sacrifice yourself again!"

Malia hugged her back tightly, tears gathering in both their eyes. They held on to each other like a dead man grasping his last breath. Sina needed this before than anything.

She pulled away with red, puffy eyes. "Do you know how guilty I felt?" She sniffled. "I haven't slept since that day. I've been making so many potions to break you out. I really thought we wouldn't save you in time and yet-"

"Sina!" Malia gripped her arms with a wide smile. "I'm alive, I'm okay! I'm a fugitive, but still okay."

"I know, but I was scared for you!" Sina sobbed, then wiped her eyes continuously. Malia was the only family she could proudly say she wasn't embarrassed of. "Don't ever do that again, please!"

Malia laughed, it was sad and nothing like the loud, obnoxious goofy laugh she was used to. Something had obviously happened.

"Where did you come from?" Sina asked. "And how did you escape?"

"Yeah, you look like you ran a marathon," Jack said, making Malia look around in horror.

"Who in the Hell said that?"

"That's Jack. He's invisible," Sina said, then smiled sheepishly. "We were about to go break you out."

"Hi, Malia. Glad to see you alive," Jack said, making Malia look to the sky as though she were talking to the heavens.

"Glad to..."see" you too, Jack," she said breathlessly. "I'm glad you didn't come break me out. The Crown Prince actually ended up letting me go."

"You were let go?" Sina and Jack chorused in confusion. "By the Crown Prince? The one who ran away?"

"He's back," Malia nodded, then her face plumped up. "And he's so hot."

"I'm so confused," Jack said. "Wait, so what does this all mean? Are you free to go?"

"Not in the slightest. I'm probably more screwed than ever. The King was pissed and probably would've stabbed me if Prince Halo hadn't walked in. He's back, and I think he's staying."

Sina blew out a breath. That was huge news. "This could change everything. He could take back the throne from the King."

Malia gave an uneasy look. "I don't know if he will. He was begging for forgiveness from the King. Apparently he abandoned the throne years ago."

"It doesn't matter, there's still hope for things to change!" Sina said, ever the optimist. Her eyes smiled suggestively. "So he let you go, aye?"

Malia's grin was just as sly. She let out a wistful sigh. "Yes, like some hero saving the girl. I hated the cliche of it, but it made my stomach twirl. It's sad he told me we can never see each other again. He just didn't want me to die. He's nothing like his brother, Sina. Nothing at all."

"Is he handsome in real life?" Sina asked. It was most important, of course.

"So handsome!" Malia nearly squealed. "He dyed his hair green. The same shade as mine!"

"It must have been fate!" Sina giggled. Jack cleared his throat awkwardly, reminding them of his presence and bringing them down to earth.

Malia's face slackened and went mock-serious. "Oh, and I kinda got exiled from Kiribati."

"What?!" Sina yelled. "They did that to you?!"

Malia nodded, then shrugged. But Sina could tell by the way she avoided eye contact that it obviously hurt. Malia cared about people more than anything. Especially the people she loved.

"Yeah. My mom's done with me for the time-being. But whatever. This isn't over."

"What do you mean?" Jack questioned. The chair's cushion sunk in, so Malia figured Jack was now sitting down.

Her amber eyes glowed with determination. "I want revenge on the King."