The Gold Paladin

Postmortem

It had some days since the battle on that deserted planet between Lotor and Novae versus Emperor Zarkon. Novae had destroyed Zarkon with her own blade, ending the fear of Zarkon attacking the universe anymore than he already did.

With that, Novae had finally avenged her mother and father, freed the universe from Zarkon's hold over them, and ended Zarkon's ten thousand year reign over them. However, she wasn't celebrating.

Since they left the planet, Novae had sealed herself away in her room, not speaking a single word to anyone. The Paladins wanted to help her, to try and do whatever they could to help her get through this. After all, it was the first time she not only fought so violently against the former Galran Emperor, but it was also the first time she had killed someone. It was rough for her to process.

And she wouldn't let anyone in to help her. Once again, she put up that shield to keep her painful feelings inside and keep it away from her friends and comrades. And it terrified them to the bone.

🦁🦁🦁~~~~~🦁🦁🦁

The Paladins went back to Olkarion, looking over the Coalition that they had created over the past couple months. Pidge, Matt, Sam and Ryner stood in the central tower of Olkarion, watching the Olkari build and expand the refugee camps.

"Part of me misses my people's exile in the forest." Ryner said smiling down at the people working so hard below, "But since Olkarion became the hub for refugees in this quadrant, it made sense that we should return to the city and transform it into the Coalition's capital."

Sam Holt was amazed by the technological advances the Olkari had created, pressing his face against the glass window of the tower to see the progress closer from where he stood.

"So much has changed so fast." He said.

"For the better." Pidge said happily.

"Yeah, well, Zarkon may be dead, but the war's not over yet." Matt added.

"But the more people we gather, the stronger we become. I know that this war will end in our victory." I said confidently.

"That is why the Olkari are grateful Voltron is here until our drfense systems are fully operational." Ryner said, frowning, "I fear tumultuous times are upon us."

"Speaking of tumultuous, how is Novae doing?" Sam asked, making everyone's smiles turn to frowns.

Matt placed a hand on his sister's shoulder to try and comfort her. He knew that she cared about Novae like she was her own older sister, loving the Gold Paladin as if she was related by blood. And Matt owed so much to Novae for protecting the universe for ten thousands years and keeping his little sister safe while she was in space.

"Novae.... still hasn't left her room." Pidge answered.

"She's still not talking to anyone?" Sam asked.

Matt shook his head, "No, not one word. But then, neither would I if I did what she had to do. Taking a life to save thousands more, it still takes a toll on someone."

"She kept her promise to her parents to destroy the dark Emperor that took their lives." Pidge added, "Novae just.... she just needs a little more time to process it all."

Everyone could understand why she needed time. The way that Novae cried on that day... it was both in relief and in terrible pain.

🦁🦁🦁~~~~🦁🦁🦁

Shiro walked over to Novae's door, the same door he had visited several times a day since they left the plant after Zarkon was defeated. He, just like the others close to Novae, was worried about the woman being locked away for so long.