A deafening siren was heard, startling everyone who could hear it. Mikhail rushed out of the house, with Shelley and SJ following after him.

"Why have they called a meeting now?", questioned Mikhail.

"Do you reckon it's something to do with the people on horseback we saw?", asked SJ.

Shelley nodded. "That seems likely."

"Let's get going then", said Mikhail.

-

Everyone assembled in the Chosen Monument, whilst remaining in their groups. There was a thin piece of slate separating each of the groups, though they could still see each other.

When the siren sounds, a meeting is called in the Chosen Monument. Everyone is required to attend these meetings. These meetings are incredibly rare, usually happening around twice a year.

A man in a long grey robe, similar to the colour of his hair, stepped forward, with the men at his side drawing their swords. "I, Shireen, have called a meeting here today. The Opulants, a rebel group, have asked for this meeting to be called", he said, before pointing to one rebel. "Speak up."

The rebel nodded their head and stepped up to the platform. "Hello. My name is Aurelie. For too long we have been controlled. Never being allowed to socialise with others. This kind of disgusting power move will only cause Coppersberg to burn. I ask you as a fellow human, please, abolish this ridiculous law."

Shireen looked at the rebel. "I feel for you, my child. I do. But I am afraid I cannot reverse this law. An appeal must first be made."

"But isn't this his appeal?", asked Luna, her voice loud and as clear as day.

Everyone looked at her, their eyes widening in surprise. Luna's gaze lingered on SJ though. She had observed the girl in previous meetings, so knew she'd be shocked by her words.

"My child, this is not an appeal. To make an appeal, you must first find the one who created the law", said Shireen. "And the creator of this law is dead."

"Is there no other way?", asked Aurelie.

Shireen remained silent as he was deep in thought. "Yes, there is. You must find this man's essence. His specific essence is encased in a red crystal. Bring it here and the appeal can begin."

Aurelie nodded. "Consider it done."

"The quest is a long and dangerous one, my child. Many before you have tried and failed", said Shireen.

Aurelie turned to the crowd. His warm eyes glimmered in the sunlight. "You were just children when this cruel law ripped you away from all you ever knew. You may think this law has given you a family, but it has not. This law has taken you away from it. This law wants to isolate you. This law wants to limit you. This law will kíll us all. There is strength in numbers. Join us in taking back what's ours."

His speech was like a gateway into his heart. He truly felt for these people and wanted to free them from this cursed law. From this cursed way of life. His words enchanted everyone.

"That will be all, my child", said Shireen. "Good luck on your quest. May the Monument's light guide you. This meeting is now adjourned."

As everyone dispersed, Luna watched as Noah rushed over to Aurelie. Audrey's eyes widened. "Dámn. Never seen that boy move so fast."

"He's got the right idea", said Luna. "I'm gonna go to him", said Luna, starting to walk away.

Audrey grabbed her arm and pulled her back. "Hey, wait. I've got a surprise back at the house."

A curious Luna followed Audrey back to their house.

Noah shook Aurelie's hand. "Hey. I'm Noah. I'm all for what you're doing. If there's anything I can do to help, let me know. If you need a place to stay-"

Aurelie raised his hand to silence Noah. "That won't be necessary. Your words are most kind though. We're glad to have your support."

"Aurelie I've got the-", started a young woman, stopping when she saw Noah talking with him. "Sorry."

The young woman, who looked like she was in her early 20's, had long jet black hair with vibrant blue streaks in it. She had big eyes, which seemed to highlight the twinkle in them. The eyeliner underneath her eye helped with this too.

Aurelie smiled and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Ah, Noah. This is my fellow Opulant, Drea."

Drea gave Noah a small smile. "Hi."

Noah smiled back politely. "Hi. Nice hair."

Drea seemed taken aback by the compliment. "Oh. Thanks."

Aurelie chuckled. "She's a woman of few words."

"I have plenty of words. For the right people", she replied, a smirk on her face. It was clear she was close to Aurelie.

Aurelie turned back to Noah. "We're heading back to our camp now. You're welcome to join us."

Noah looked back at the now almost empty area, searching for Luna and Audrey. When he couldn't find them, he turned back. "I'd like that."

-

Mikhail looked around his room, thinking back on all the memories he made here. All the memories with his Tapestry family.

He struggled to understand why Aurelie was so pained by law. But he wanted to understand. No one should feel the pain Aurelie felt.

SJ and Shelley knocked on his open door. "Food's ready", said Shelley.

Mikhail waved his hand dismissively. "I'm not hungry."

SJ and Shelley looked at each other. "But...you're always hungry."

"I'm going to go with the rebels", he blurted out.

Shelley and SJ's eyes widened. "What? You can't!", exclaimed SJ.

"Aurelie was so sad, SJ! Don't you want to know why something that's been so good for us has caused him so much pain?", asked Mikhail.

"But, it's dangerous", said SJ.

"I have to do this", said Mikhail. "I need to know!"

"I'll come with you", said Shelley.

SJ's mouth flew open. "What? You too?"

"Is this a stupid idea? Yes. But what if Aurelie's right about this being bad? We'd be ignorant if we just stayed in our little bubble", said Shelley.

SJ's eyes filled with tears. "Guys, please don't go."

Mikhail and Shelley frowned. They had been together since they were 16 years old. They were a family. They had a bond that couldn't be broken by distance. "We'll keep in touch", said Shelley.

Shelley and SJ left his room so he could pack. As soon as they left the room, SJ wrapped her arms around Shelley. "Shelley, please..."

Shelley was surprised at the tears in her own eyes. She never knew she could be this close to someone she wasn't related to. "I think we both know I'm stubborn."

SJ laughed, tears streaming down her face. "You sure are. But so am I. We've got so many memories of Mikhail doing things we refused to do."

Shelley laughed. "Those were the good days."

"That literally happened yesterday", laughed SJ.

"I'm... I'm going to miss you, SJ."

SJ stared into Shelley's eyes. "I...I actually have something I need to tell you."

"What is it?"

SJ took a deep breath. "When we first got grouped together, well more like after a year... ok, I-I had the biggest crush on you."

Shelley's eyes widened. "Really?"

SJ nodded. "I thought you were so pretty and it's like, well I felt like we were kindred spirits. I still think those things."

Shelley was stunned. She had no idea SJ felt this way. Shelley felt like, seeing as SJ wasn't coming, this was the perfect time to tell her about her feelings for girls. She knew SJ wouldn't judge.

She opened her mouth to speak but the words wouldn't come out.

"Don't worry! I don't have those feelings for you anymore."

"Oh! Wh-when did they stop?"

"Um... a few months ago?"

Shelley nodded. She couldn't believe she kept her feelings hidden for so long. But then again, Shelley did the same. "SJ... I'm going to tell you something. Promise me you won't tell anyone."

SJ frowned. "What is it?"

"Just promise me."

"Are you ok? Has something happened?"

"SJ-"

"-Is there any way I can help? Sh-"

"-SJ... I'm gay."

SJ's eyes widened. "You're gay?"

Without warning, SJ leapt on Shelley. "Oh my God, I can't believe it! How long have you known?"

Shelley found herself laughing as SJ wrestled her into a hug. "Um, a while now."

"This is great! We can talk about girls together-"

"-Wait, SJ. No one else can know about this, ok?"

SJ nodded. "I understand, Shelley. Your secret is safe with me. I promise."

-

Maaria finished disposing of the Malumeq. She was the only one strong enough to lift the heavy carcass.

"Gigi, where's my designer bag?", asked Naomi.

"Threw it in the hole with the Malumeq", she joked Gigi.

Naomi glared at Gigi. "That best be a lie, girl. Or Malumeq's will be the least of your worries."

"Well this is riveting", said Maaria, sarcastically. "I'm going to go and pack."

"Pack?", asked Gigi.

"I don't really care about this whole law, but this quest thing sounds like a good way to use my skills. I can't stay cooped up here", said Maaria.

"Funny because I was planning on joining the rebels too", said Gigi. "There's still so much out there to explore."

Naomi watched in horror as Maaria and Gigi went to pack. She hated the idea of working, camping and being away from her luxuries. But she hated the idea of losing her 'followers' more.

Reluctantly, Naomi went to her room.

-

Lyndi was in her room, packing. Her and Holly had already decided they were going. Why? Well, it has something to do with a little girl they saw with the rebels. She had her whole life ahead of her. They felt an inexplicable connection to her, so wanted to keep her safe.

"Yo guess what? Holly's packing- oh. Wait. You're going too?"

Lyndi nodded. "Yeah. I can't explain it but... I just feel like it's something I need to do."

Lyndi's determination caught Duke off guard. He stared at her, as if he was seeing her in a whole new light.

"What? Is there something on my face?"

"Uh, n-no. Nah. Your face is fine."

Lyndi nodded. "Thanks."

After a long pause, Duke spoke. "I mean, I'll come too. Don't want to do the washing up."

"Duke there's mold on this plate! Why hasn't it been washed since the 1600s?", called out Holly, from the kitchen.

-

Noah returned home to leave a note and get his things. Noah placed the note on the kitchen counter.

Gone with the rebels. Can't live like this anymore. Something has to change.

P.S  Don't break any more bowls.

As Noah grabbed his things, Audrey stumbled out of the storage room. Her hair tangled. "Noah! Uh, hey."

"Hey", said Noah. "I left a note on the counter", he said. He would've explained but promised Aurelie he wouldn't be long.

As Noah left, Audrey cleared her throat and tapped the door. "All clear", she said. "I'll go check on the crops."

As Audrey left, Luna emerged from the storage room. She ran a hand through her messy hair, a smirk on her face.

-

I'm sorry this was so long!

I know I said I'd wait but I really wanted to write it. I found a way to still add Noah without his connections being done. However, I don't want him not to properly react to others so I'll probably not update again until the connections are done.

What are your thoughts on this chapter?

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