"Have you heard of the facility?" she asked.
"I read about them. Hidden organizations in different realms that kidnap and experiment on shifters. Once you're in, it's almost impossible to get out alive. Most shifters die behind those walls," I disclosed, remembering my lessons from Cece.
When I learned that such facilities existed, it pissed me off. I could feel the anger in the elements as well, wishing there was something I could do to solve the growing reality to many of our kind around the realms.
She crossed her legs, lowering the hoodie of her unicorn onesie.
"I lived in a facility since I was six cycles, till four rotations ago."
Silence
No one said a word, all of us shocked at what she'd just revealed.
She survived the facility? The place where people were tortured daily and got their blood drained out of them till they could barely survive?
I opened my mouth to speak, but was left speechless.
Makoto relaxed in the cushions, seeming unbothered by our silence. She continued, "It's not a big deal. It is what it is. Sure, I'm not gonna deny the fact is was hard. Every day was a fight for my life. Shifters were placed in a room and by the end of the session, there was always one left standing. We had experiments done on us from electrocution sessions, blood withdrawals, and other stuff I don't want to talk about. Do I wish I could get my childhood back? Sometimes...but, I doubt I'd be the individual I am today. Life is so sacred, and humans and shifters take advantage of such freedom. You don't understand how precious freedom is until it's taken away from you," she whispered the last part, staring straight into my eyes.
I didn't think before I acted, standing up to my feet and walking to Makoto. She didn't move, eyeing me as I knelt before her. I reached out and grabbed her hand in mine, my body ready to see exactly how bad her childhood had been. It was as if it needed the validation of what Makoto had been through in order to desire justice.
My surroundings shifted; the bright living room turned into a dimly lit cell. I saw Makoto in the corner of the cell in a brown dress that barely covered her assets. She had chains around her bruised wrists and multiple wounds and blood stains on her arms and legs. The walls were filled with mold and there was only one small window above that showed nothing but darkness outside.
Her eyes glanced up to meet mine; hollow eyes filled with sadness and despair. It was the complete opposite of the girl sitting in the living room in her pink unicorn onesie, who smiled and laughed with ease. My heart clenched for this woman, and the elements within me were just as upset.
I pulled out of the vision, taking a moment to re-orientate myself, overhearing the guys behind me.
"She has the power of foresight. She can see the past or future with a simple touch of her palm," Jaxson explained to the others.
Makoto was silent, staring at me.
I took a deep breath, allowing the words to flow out of my lips. "Princess of Heila. You've grown to be wise and loving, regardless of the multiple obstacles and tribulations. Know that the elements mourn the past you've had to endure for sixteen years. However, understand that the clock has already begun to tick as justice approaches. You will obtain justice for the wrongdoings and years lost. And you will end up victorious. I, the Elemental will ensure that."
I didn't know what power had taken over, but I needed to make sure she knew I would help her any way I could. No one deserved to live a past like hers. I remained in shock that she could smile and appreciate life without a hint of hate in her. She wasn't tainted with inner rage or aimed to destroy the people who contributed to her suffering. She accepted the reality that shit happens, and she'd moved forward and was grateful for being free of those shackles that held her captive for years.
"In stars we trust," she replied; her hand that was in mine glowed a beautiful pink while my hand markings began to glow a bright orange.
Neither of us knew what was happening, but it was as if we'd initiated our own bond. I knew that when the time came, I'd protect and fight alongside her, and she'd do the same for me.
We blinked out of our trance, both of us yawning.
"I'm tired," I confessed.
Makoto smiled. "Me too," she laughed.
I felt a hand land on my back; Jaxson's worried expression met mine.
"You okay? You went into vision mode and then into a trance," he reminded.
"Just tired, but I'm fine," I reassured him.
"Mako?"
I turned to see Daniel inquiring if Mako was okay. She looked fine, just a small sign of exhaustion registered on her face.
"I'm fine. I'm not taking a nap," Mako replied, scrunching her face which caused me to laugh.
Dammit, how is she so cute?
"Princess? How did you get out of the facility then? I know how hard it is to escape," Junho asked; his gaze turned to Marcus for a split second.
I glanced at Marcus who simply nodded, but turned his attention back to Mako.
"Ryder, Daniel, Elias, and Marcus broke in and saved me. Kai was back in Heila keeping guard," she replied.
Kai nodded.
"We're her star knights. We'd somehow all managed to reach Heila when Makoto was kidnapped sixteen years ago. We were told by a fortune teller that we were her star knights and would help her rid the darkness. Since then, we’ve trained in hopes of finding her one day. We discovered a hidden facility, and Makoto was there. Our duty now is to return her to Heila which is six days from now," he explained.
Ryder continued, "We thought it would be a good break for her to come down and enjoy the culture of Earthala."
"Plus, she did get a perfect score at school, so we owed her," Elias added.
"Wow," I commented, needing a moment to process.
Jaxson helped me up, and we both returned to the couch before another question popped into my head.
"Wait so you’re all from different realms?" I asked, curious.
They glanced at one another, turning to Makoto. She nodded her head, giving them permission to continue. Ryder, Daniel, Elias, Marcus, and Kai stood up.
"Ryder Carter, future heir of Realm Five, Minato."
"Daniel Moore, heir candidate of Realm Ten, ArchAilennia."
"Elias Kingsley, future heir of Realm Nine, Miolana."
"Marcus Hunt, heir candidate of Realm Seven, Distala."
"Kai Akiyama, future heir of Realm Four, Phentailia."
They sat back down, waiting for us to say something. I glanced at the others’ shocked expressions, only Junho looking not in the least bit surprised. Ethan pulled out his phone, typing away before he looked at each of them.
"Shit, they're legit," he announced.
"There's an app for that?" Makoto asked, tilting her head in confusion.
"It's not an app, uh Princess? It's a royal directory. I can input a name, and it will let me know if that person is of royal background. We used the same thing for Scar," he disclosed.
Mako turned to eye me. "You're a princess too, right?" Makoto asked me.