chapter fifty-eight: nova's return

A sharp gasp escaped Nova's lips as she abruptly sat up and her eyelids fluttered open. Bright white light burned her irises and the girl hissed in pain screwing her eyes shut once more. After a few moments, she hesitantly allowed her eyes to crack open, giving them time to adjust to the harsh light. As she took in her surroundings Nova realized she was seated in a narrow corridor. White light illuminated from all four walls mixed with a simple black line pattern. Klaus was a few feet ahead of her in the corridor groggily coming too.

"Holy shit!" Nova exclaimed when she realized where they were. Astonished the girl couldn't help but pat her stomach, her arms, her legs, even her face, just to make sure that it was all real.

"Shhh, five more minutes," Klaus mumbled before turning on his side and curling into the fetal position.

"Klaus! Klaus, buddy, it worked! We have our bodies back and we're not in the Void anymore!" Nova exclaimed excitedly rushing over to the man and shaking his shoulders. When she finished he seemed to process her words and his eyes snapped open in surprise.

"Holy shit!" Klaus exclaimed when his eyes met Nova's.

"Holy shit," Nova nodded with a grin.

"Holy shit!" They both exclaimed jumping to their feet and hugging each other excitedly.

"We did this! Oh my God, I can't believe we did it," Klaus murmured in shock. "Where are we exactly?"

"No idea, but it looks like there's only one way out," Nova shrugged before raising her arm to point at the door far at the end of the corridor.

When Manuela returned to the hallway after searching one of the rooms on the sixth floor her siblings were arguing. It didn't take a genius to figure out what was going on. Judging from the paintings that were on the floor on Sloane's side of the hallway the woman was frustrated that her brother wasn't helping. Ben, being Ben, probably made some sarcastic comment just to piss off his sister. Manuela wasn't sure she had the energy to deal with this today.

"Guys, can we please not fight right now?" Manuela asked as she rubbed her temples and closed her eyes. She could already feel one of her signature stress migraines forming behind her eyes.

"People are dying left and right and our brother is acting like a sulky teenager," Sloane snapped as she opened another door and quickly checked that room.

"Ugh, Sloane, you sound just like Dad?" Ben groaned in exasperation as Manuela checked another room.

"Why is it so important for Dad to like you?" Sloane scoffed in response. "He doesn't define you or us. We made our own mark in this world without him."

"As the Sparrow Academy, but they're gone now," Ben snapped.

"But we," Manuela gestured between the three of them, "Are still here. And all of this fighting is just what he wants. He wants to divide us and we need to have each other's backs."

"Dad wasn't even a Sparrow. He was our dad and a shitty one at that. You don't need him," Sloane continued to argue with her brother.

"Easy for you to say, both of you," Ben began glaring at each of his sisters individually, "when you've already got a new family."

"And the best part of that family just died," Sloane managed to spit out but her voice was choking with emotion.

"You know, I expected this from her, but not you. I'm disappointed in you," Ben said specifically to Manuela this time. The woman glared back at her brother.

"You think I'm trying to replace our family?" Manuela asked through gritted teeth.

"I mean, you seemed awfully close to them ever since we got to Oblivion. Plus you sided with them when Dad tried to split us into groups," Ben spit in her direction. Manuela couldn't help the furious laugh that escaped her lips.

"You thought I was trying to divide us? Ben, open your eyes. Jesus, we are the last three Sparrows. We cannot trust anyone else. We only have each other. I backed up Five and Viktor down in the lobby because they were suspicious of their sister. I don't want anything to do with their family drama but I wasn't going to send you two off alone with Alison. The three of us have to have each other's backs because no one else will." Manuela ranted angrily. Once the words came spewing out of her mouth the fight seemed to leave her. After a deep breath she finished, "But if Sloane has moved on and you insist on being a lone wolf from now on there is no point in me continuing to try and keep what little is left of this family together anymore."

Manuela could feel the hot tears pressing against the back of her eyes. She had been watching her family fall apart for days. No matter what happened she desperately tried to not let it fall into shambles. But sometimes when you don't let go you'll end up getting burned. Her siblings looked like they were about to respond but at that moment Five hurried around the corner and into view.

"I can't believe I'm saying this but I'm actually glad to see you guys," The boy stated as he shoved his hands in the pockets of his suit.

"What's wrong?" Sloane asked after hurriedly wiping the tears from her eyes. If Five noticed her actions he didn't show it.

"The hotel is changing," Five began before he looked back and forth taking in his surroundings, "I've been walking around in circles, but it's like the thing is alive."

"Well, that's a terrifying prospect," Manuela sighed as she hugged her arms across her chest hoping it would bring her even a sliver of comfort.

"We should get back to the lobby," Ben suggested when he noticed the discomfort on Manuela's face.

"Tried it," Five sighed. "Whatever direction I choose, I end up in the same spot."

"Or maybe you have no sense of direction," Ben commented sarcastically.

"Well, then lead the way, Magellan," Five responded with the same level of attitude. To top it off the boy dramatically made a sweeping gesture with his arm signaling for the man to lead the way. Manuela noticed her brother's eye roll before he led the way down the corridor. "Manu, you coming?"

"Yeah, yeah," The girl said with a sigh before hurrying to catch up with the group.

Klaus and Nova cautiously walked the length of a plush velvet carpet. When they had emerged from the glowing tunnel they found themselves back in the lobby of Hotel Obsidian but it was different. They didn't dare to speak for fear of bringing any unwanted attention but when they got closer to the bellhop's desk they recognized the figure of Sir Reginald Hargreeves. It was concerning to Nova that Hargreeves seemed to be the only one around. She had to remind herself that if Five had died she would have known about it while she was in the Void.

"Problem, Dad?" Klaus asked sarcastically startling the old man.

"You!" Hargreeves exclaimed in shock, he had yet to notice the girl behind his son.

"You miss me?" Klaus asked.

"Or me?" Nova asked, stepping into Hargeeves' field of vision and crossing her arms over her chest.

"There's only one way into Oblivion. It's not possible," Hargreeves sputtered.

"Oblivion, is that what this place is called?" Nova inquired as she let her eyes wander around the room.

"Well, deal with it 'cause here we are," Klaus shrugged.

"Fascinating, I wish I could explore this more, my boy and girl, but now isn't a good time," Hargreeves said dismissively and Nova couldn't help but scoff in response to the older man's comment. She honestly couldn't believe the audacity of the older man.

"You used us, you know, to get the family here," Klaus began to complain but Nova quickly interrupted.

"He used you, Klaus, I was collateral damage," Nova pointed out.

"Yeah, yeah, but he...he used me! Then when I was no more use to you, you left me to die on the floor? And to make matters worse you had to murder Novie as well? What did she ever do to you?" Klaus asked.

"Leave you to die? Murder her?" Hargreeves scoffed, "I did you both a favor."

"Oh so, I guess you're expecting our gratitude now," Nova cut in sarcastically.

"Yes, I knew the two of you would find your way back to the Void where you belong," Hargreeves argued before going back to his notebook.

"I do like it there," Klaus mumbled and Nova elbowed him sharply in the side.

"That's not the point. You sacrificed us like pawns," Nova growled at the old man. "You murdered Luther!"

"Seriously! Like who's next, Dad? Five? Viktor? The whole goddamn family?" Klaus scolded in a hushed tone.

"Stop this at once!" Hargreeves suddenly cut off his son before saying, "Everyone's in position. The battle's about to begin. I am one bell ring away from my prize. You two are going to ruin everything!"

"Oh, if I had a nickel for every time I heard that, I'd have a dollar," Klaus said dismissively. "Which isn't that much money, but then again, there are those dollar stores which are quite..."

"Klaus!" Nova exclaimed in horror while jumping backward.

She looked up with wide and startled eyes to see Hargreeves still standing in front of her with his weapon raised. The girl couldn't tell what he had in his hand but she knew it was a heavy blunt object. Hargreeves had just knocked out Klaus in front of her. The older man watched the girl for a second before deciding that whatever he had to do was more important than dealing with her. Nova began to say something but he immediately cut her off.

"That's that," Reginald nodded before slamming his hand down on the bell that sat on the countertop.

The sound of a booming gong echoed through the lobby. It was followed by a harsh trembling that shook the building like a massive earthquake. A ringing in Nova's ears followed the gong and yellow light streamed through all of the windows.

"What the hell did you just do?" Nova growled as she began to move toward the old man menacingly.

Her eyes had turned fully black and dark energy swirled around her fingertips. That is until a deafening roar startled her back to reality followed by screams of pain and urgent shouts. Nova's worry for her boyfriend and family broke her out of her homicidal rage. Hargreeves seemed to take note of this as well judging by that shit-eating smirk on his face. Nova just wanted to slap it right off of him.

"You might not want to leave your team waiting. It doesn't sound like they have long left," Hargreeves said as he glanced down at his pocket watch before snapping it shut and putting it back in his pocket. Conflicted Nova glanced at the stairwell then back toward Hargreeves. More screams echoed through the lobby followed by monstrous growls.

"Shit," Nova cursed as she sent one last glare in Hargreeves's direction. As she took off toward the stair well she called over her shoulder, "This isn't over!" 

Nova's Spotify Playlist: Nova Perez's Epic Time Travel Jams

Manu's Spotify Playlist: Manuela Hargreeves' Post-Mission Jams

First Published: 02/06/2023

Edited: 10/08/2023

Aesthetic Change: 07/07/2024

Chapter Word Count: 1,897

Book Word Count: 143,797