“Before the Zironists, we didn’t have an intelligent thought in our brains! We didn’t know what was good or bad or—” Ellia began to say, but Nikodemus interrupted her.

“Ellia. Listen to me.” Nikodemus said sharply.

Ellia found her mouth shutting without her permission—almost as if she was being influenced by Nikodemus somehow. She leaned on one hip, waiting for him to talk.

“I know what the Zironists promised you earlier. They were lying to you.” Nikodemus said. “They aren’t going to give you what they want for delivering me; not only that, but they plan on alerting every tribe in the Wasteland that you’re in possession of me.”

Ellia shook her head, incredulous that he would tell such lies. “The Zironists breed mutants so they can help us survive in these uninhabitable lands. They grow us greens and minerals—we humans would be dead right now if it weren’t for them. They wouldn't do such a thing... not when they've told me how special I am.”

Nikodemus shook his head. “I’ve never believed that lie. I have a feeling that, once—before they came along—that this earth was green, covered in water, and there were resources enough for everyone. Not only that, but the XY problem probably didn’t even exist!”

Ellia stalked closer to him and grabbed him by the collar. “Where is the proof of this heresy?”

Nikodemus looked her in the eyes unblinkingly. “I can read minds. They were lying to your face. You will not make it to Paradise, your tribe will not be blessed with baby boys, and when they get ahold of me, they will eat me.”

Ellia jerked him closer by the collar, glaring at him coldly and wordlessly. Her grip tightened on the collar; she held her other fist high in the air, and he thought she was going to punch him. Nikodemus still didn’t flinch, however. “If you think punching me is going to allay your fears—is going to make you feel better—then go ahead and do it. I’m used to it by now. But if you’re still human—and I strongly suspect you are because you have treated me compassionately—then you’ll lower your fist. You’ll listen to what I have to tell you right now, because it’s very important.”

Ellia’s fist trembled, her face remained pensive.

She gasped in annoyance, dropping her fist. She planted her hands on her hips. “Fine. Continue with your lies. What else is it that you want to tell me?”

Nikodemus sat cross-legged, folding his hands neatly in hip lap. He lowered his voice, trying to calm the situation down. “Ellia, they have already alerted the Lionesses that you know when they’re going to attack. Now, we don’t know when they’re going to attack. You’re not special to them; they don’t care who brings me to them, or how many humans will die in the process.”

Ellia’s eyes were shiny with tears. “You’re lying… the Zironists ended the Thousand Year Conflict of humanity—the conflict that brought about this desert land—they divided us into tribes to keep us safe from each other, and they have given us resources to survive.”Nikodemus, beginning to lose his temper, rolled his eyes and said in exasperation, “Where is the proof of this conflict, Ellia? How do we know that this Thousand Year Conflict wasn’t just a lie—a lie the Zironists constructed to control us and keep us under their reign?”

“The proof is in the videos the Zironists have shown us of battles humans used to fight! There were explosions—missiles, guns, grenades—we would have destroyed ourselves entirely if not for the Zironists!” Ellia was nearly yelling, and Nikodemus never thought he would ever see such a pragmatic, intelligent woman so unhinged.

“Those videos couldn’t have told the whole story. They were probably only part of it.” Nikodemus replied. “It’s not enough proof.”

“I don’t need anymore proof! That’s the point of faith!” Ellia shook his shoulders. She shook them because she wanted to hurt him, but she knew it was wrong to do so.

Nikodemus was silenced by her words for a moment—as if he understood this point to its core, and was moved by it, deeply. The pair stared at each other, both silent and determined. Eventually, Ellia began sobbing. She fell to her knees. “If what you say is true, what are we going to do?”

Nikodemus dropped his cold demeanor immediately—hopping down from the bed and encircling the sobbing Ellia in his arms. “Ellia… you shouldn’t be punished for your faith; you should be rewarded; you shouldn’t be brought to tears of sadness by it or divided by it—you should be inspired and brought tears of joy because of it. That’s how I know that this Zironist faith is not a true faith; it only brings its followers misery.”