Genesis flexed her fingers and stared at Naomi. Naomi smirked as they circled each other, but Genesis kept her face blank. No one could read her. Not even after the hit to her ribs.
"What are you waiting for? Come on, baby girl, hit me," Naomi taunted, her grin starting to twitch.
Genesis didn't move.
Naomi growled. "Fine. Have it your way." She lunged, fists flying. But every punch she threw—Genesis blocked. Left, right, uppercut—blocked again.
The other angels watching leaned forward.
Naomi snarled, swinging harder. Genesis ducked, spun, and her kick slammed into Naomi's side. Naomi stumbled, teeth gritted.
Genesis shot forward—lightning fast—flipped over Naomi's shoulder and landed behind her. Before Naomi could turn, Genesis kicked her legs out. Naomi crashed down hard.
But Naomi wasn't done. She rolled, jumped back up, and slammed her fist into Genesis's jaw. Genesis's head snapped to the side, but she didn't fall. She wiped the blood at the corner of her lip, eyes blazing.
Naomi charged. Genesis caught her wrist, twisted, then slammed her elbow into Naomi's stomach. Naomi gasped for breath. Genesis didn't stop—she flipped Naomi over her shoulder and threw her flat onto the floor.
A sick crack echoed.
Naomi groaned, clutching her nose as blood poured out.
Silence fell. The angels around them stared, wide-eyed.
Two weeks. Only two weeks since Genesis had been brought to the academy by Night—yet she was already fighting like this.
Naomi stared up at Genesis, who stood over her. Genesis was in a defensive stance, fists raised, eyes locked on Naomi.
Naomi knew that if she tried to stand, Genesis would be ready—and could really hurt her.
So she raised a hand, a sign of surrender. Genesis leaned forward, stretching out her hand. Naomi grabbed it, and Genesis helped pull her to her feet.
Naomi smiled and bowed, acknowledging her. She had joined the academy just a week before Genesis arrived, and at first glance, she had underestimated the petite woman. Now she knew better.
She stepped aside toward the other angels, who welcomed her with smiles and hugs. They appreciated that she'd taken her defeat with integrity, without anger.
"You did well," Saoku said from behind Genesis.
Genesis whirled, a smile curling her split lips. She bowed her head, then bit her lip, debating how to ask the question she'd been holding onto for hours.
Each day that passed without an answer chipped away at her resolve. She had been asking how to reach Knight, only to hear the same response: "Not now."
She opened her mouth to speak the one name she could make a sound for, but before she could, Saoku interrupted.
"There is someone here to see you."
The words left her chest tight and her heart thumping. Could it be him? Genesis couldn't tell—her teacher's face was hard to read.
She nodded, and Saoku turned, leading the way out of the arena. Genesis followed, the other angels watching silently, smiles on their faces.
****
Genesis rubbed her hand over her lips; blood smudged across the back of her palm from her split lip. She wiped it down her dark training pants and tried to slick back the short strands of hair sticking to her forehead. Nothing worked. She sighed.
Soon, Saoku stopped in front of a large white door Genesis had never seen.
"You may go in," Saoku said, turning away. Genesis took a deep breath and approached, goosebumps prickling her skin. The fear she felt wasn't danger—it was the fear that it might not be who she longed to see.
Just as she reached for the door, it yanked open from the inside. Standing there was Knight.
Her eyes went wide. Weeks of tears, of endless training and punishment, had left her thinking she'd cried it all out. But now, the tears flowed freely, trailing down her cheeks.
"Kieran," she whispered, her voice soft and raspy. Knight's eyes went wide.
"W… what did you just say, princess?" he stammered.
"Kieran," she repeated, louder this time. The sound broke him.
Knight froze, chest tightening as though her voice could shatter him.
Her hand shot forward, striking his chest—not in anger, but because she didn't know what else to do. Another hit followed, weaker, as she whispered his name again.
"Kieran…"
Knight caught her wrists gently, eyes glistening. "I'm sorry, princess. I'm so sorry."
Genesis shook her head, tears dripping off her chin. She wanted to scream, to pour out all the frustration and pain she had carried alone—but her voice cracked. All she could manage were broken fragments.
"You… left… me…"
The words were ragged, almost inaudible, but they cut deeper than any blade.
His hands slid from her wrists to her cheeks, cradling her face. "I know. But I had to keep you safe. Every second I stayed away, every choice I made—it was for you."
Her chest heaved as she searched his eyes for lies or excuses, but there were none. Only raw, unguarded truth.
Slowly, her anger softened into longing. She leaned into his touch, closing her eyes as more tears fell.
"Kieran…" she whispered again, softer now, a trembling plea.
His thumb brushed her cheek. "Say it again."
Her eyes met his. "Kieran…"
He swallowed hard, pulling her into his chest as if letting go would kill him. She clutched his shirt, trembling, her anger buried beneath relief an
d love.
After years of silence, she had spoken. And the first word she chose was his name.