The group strode through the jungle, unaware of Anton and Maximus trailing them. Later Maximus and Anton followed the kidnappers until they arrived at a small camp. “Leon! You’re back!” a woman cheered, swiftly climbing to her feet. She ran to the man who carried Gothalia over his shoulder. “That was exceptionally fast,” she complimented, paying very little interest to Gothalia.

 “It was exceptionally easy,” a man behind Leon Nero-Ignatius declared, striding passed him. “Have you been keeping the fire going Aramina?”

“Of course, I have Drayus.” Aramina Grimory-Rienheart declared, with a bright smile, until her eyes tapered on Lucius Brutus-Marius. His disinterested gaze drifted over her before he strode towards the other two men who sat casually around the campfire within the cave.

“Back so soon?” Titus Frustus-Ignatius declared, with a playful smile. His blue eyes drifted over Gothalia’s unconscious form with mild intrigue. “Surely, taking out the demoness wasn’t that easy?”

“Surprisingly, it was.” Leon muttered, joining them around the fire. His eyes drifted to the dark red-haired man, sitting far from the group and against the stone wall of the cave. The man’s gaze lingered over everything aside from the people surrounding the fire. “You should eat something.” The man remained silent. Leon looked down at the food Aramina had pushed toward him, a frown deepening as he puzzled over the gesture. Despite the sharp warnings hissed by his teammates, he climbed to his feet and strode toward the stranger, emboldened by Aramina’s encouragement. Leon sank to one knee before the man, offering a large leaf laden with cooked meat and berries. “I know it’s nothing fancy, but it’ll fill you up.”

Leon rejoined the group, but the red-haired man gave no sign that he’d even noticed the offering. Instead, his golden eyes drifted toward the unconscious woman lying beside Leon. He lingered for a moment on her bound hands and feet before wordlessly looking away.

Leon’s blue eyes observed Leviathan Ignatius-Dragor with mild curiosity. “Is everything okay Levi?” Aramina asked, gently. Noticing his sudden silence.

Titus growled, “Aramina, don’t be so familiar with him!”

“What are you implying? I’m just asking a question.” Aramina remarked, glaring at Titus.

Leviathan climbed to his feet and strode past the group without a single glance back. He stopped at the mouth of the cave, his curiosity piqued as his gaze lingered on the shrubbery directly opposite the entrance. “Is everything okay?” he heard Lucius ask from behind him. Absently, Leviathan glanced over his shoulder, and evenly regarded the dark-haired man.

“I’m fine. Go back inside.” He declared, before vacating the cave. Without question, Lucius bowed with a hand over his heart before retreating further within.

Leviathan strode passed the green vegetation and paused. He watched the two men crouch behind the shrubs, amused. “You must be her bodyguards. She’s unharmed and inside. You better hurry.” Without another word, Leviathan turned and vanished into the depths of the jungle, ignoring the men as if they were never there. Anton and Maximus tracked his retreating form with narrowed, suspicious eyes before trading a look of mutual bewilderment.

“Um, was that . . .?” Maximus declared, surprised.

“That doesn’t matter right now.” Anton regarded Maximus and remarked. “We need to make sure Gothalia is okay.”

“He just said she’s fine.” Maximus declared, gesturing at where they’d last seen Leviathan. “Considering he doesn’t seem to care about her implies he has nothing to gain from her presence. If anything, he sounded bored.”

“Yeah well, I still don’t trust him. It is Prince Leviathan, we’re talking about.”

“You know . . . I never understood why the King or even the Queen named him that. Doesn’t that mean sea-God or monster or something? And, considering he’s from the Fire Reserve it doesn’t really make that much s—”

“—That doesn’t matter right now Max. We got to make sure they don’t kill her. We are being tested you know.” Anton declared, observing the mouth of the cave.

Maximus returned his gaze to the cave. “I know. I was just saying. And quite frankly, this doesn’t even feel like a test. It feels very real.”

“Regardless, of whether it’s real or fake. I know one thing, that being killed is just as painful.” Anton’s declaration was met with a heavy silence from Maximus. In the quiet, Anton’s mind drifted back to their first moments in the arena—to the woman he’d stabbed and the look in her eyes. Shaking the memory off, he glanced up at the timer looming in the sky before turning his focus back to the mouth of the cave.

“So, what are we going to do? I mean, how are we going to get to Gothalia back. They kind of have the advantage here and I don’t just mean in numbers.”

“Not sure, yet.” Anton replied, before glancing at where Leviathan vanished.

* * *

“How did the fire start?” Asashin casually asked Eva, guiding the horse. She glanced over her shoulder and down the road they had just come.

“I’m not sure,” she said.

Altair watched the woman steadily.

“So, you didn’t see anything at all?” Danteus doubted.

The woman shook her head.

“I was with Lila. She was in the kitchen, and I was taking care of the baby.”

“So, she’s a friend of yours?”

“Yes.” Eva declared. “Is it suddenly unusual for women to be friends?” She glowered at Danteus who glanced away. His attention returned to her once he recognised the burn mark on her wrist and added, “You’ve been injured.”

Every horse stopped.

“I know. I’ll be fine.” Danteus pulled out medical supplies.

“We should at least make sure that you haven’t been too badly injured.” He dismounted the horse, strode over to her and regarded the injury. “Good news, it’s not too bad but just to be safe.” At his command, Eva held out her arm, and he poured a steady stream of water over the skin. She bit her lip against the sting, watching as Danteus finished tending to the injury. With the wound dressed, he turned and swung himself back into the saddle.

After a moment, she said, “Thank you.”

“It would look careless on our part if you arrived at the castle with no first aid.” Danteus replied, guiding his horse forward while Asashin smiled at the remark and Eva frowned at the comment, when Asashin urged his horse forward with Altair.

An hour later, the towering walls of New Icarus loomed ahead. The city’s massive gates were heavily fortified, guarded by a formidable line of Centurions, Cavaliers, and Legionnaires. Every person entering or leaving the city was subjected to their silent, watchful scrutiny.

“What’s with the excessive security?” Eva asked, eyeing the top of the walls housing watch towers and heavily armed soldiers.

“It’s been like that ever since the Deamone attacked the city that day.”

“I remember hearing about that,” Eva declared. “That even reached where I’m from. It wasn’t just to conquer but to slaughter. I’m not too sure about the details, but apparently it was reported that all twelve royal bloodlines agreed to such an attack. Even til this day, I still don’t know why that happened—it must have been something drastic. After all, you guys seem to have gotten along with them for quite some time, since their country literally borders yours. I even heard there was a treaty.”

“There was but apparently whatever happened between their ruling family and ours enticed a war. We’ve heard different stories over the years as to why it happened but, whatever it was, it was enough to cause a military response.” Asashin remarked.

Altair remained silent, on the topic.

Danteus regarded Altair, recognising his unusually quiet demeanour, “You’re from the Augustin-Grimory Deamone clans. Did you hear about the reasons behind their attacks?”

Altair shrugged and glanced at the large wall well protected by the Seer’s barrier, “I don’t know. I was too young to understand it all, and no one ever mentioned it.” Eva regarded Altair surprised while Danteus steadily watched him for a moment before turning his attention to the Peacekeepers at the gate.

“You’re really a Deamone? I thought all of you were wiped out.”

“No, my parents negotiated for my life and in turn I live here.”

“Interesting . . .” Eva muttered.

“Sorry, I can’t really add to these conspiracy theories.” Altair remarked sarcastically, bored of the topic.

“No, that’s ok,” Eva quickly replied, watching him for a moment longer than turning her attention to the Centurion Peacekeepers.

When they arrived at the gate they were greeted by Centurions and Legionnaires who requested for their identification and their pass which contained all the information they need. “Who’s the woman?” a Legionnaire asked.

“Someone who needs to see the King.”

The Legionnaire paused and contemplated this as her hazel eyes lingered over the woman, suspiciously. “Is there a reason you’re hiding your face?”

“Um,” Eva began, and the surrounding soldiers regarded her. “Yes, there is.”

“If that’s the case, I’ll require you to remove your hood.” At those words, the Centurions, Cavaliers and Legionnaires placed their hands on their swords while others gripped their rifles and approached. The rest watched.

“She’s unarmed and a Civilian. She’s not a threat.” Asashin remarked, appalled. He felt Eva tremble a little as she took in the armed weapons. “What’s with the hostile response? You’re scaring her.”

“We’re just taking precautions.” the Legionnaire declared, ignoring the unsettled horses. “Rogue mercenaries, soldiers and spies have been sighted within a day’s ride from here.”

“She’s not a soldier or a mercenary or a spy.” Asashin replied, staring the Legionnaire down.

“How do you know? Did you screen her?” the woman asked.

“We didn’t need to.” Asashin replied, glaring at the Legionnaire.

Eva took a deep breath to clear her head and placed a gentle hand on his back. “It’s okay. It’s standard procedure, right?” Her eyes on the woman.

“It is.” she responded and pulled the group aside. When everyone dismounted their horses, she began. “First, your hood. I’ll need identification, your citizenship status of this Reserve or any other, your first and last name or any other aliases.”

Eva regarded the woman carefully, hesitantly she reached into the satchel strapped to her waist beneath her cloak. Altair regarded the Legionnaire as she held out her hand waiting for her Pass which Eva reluctantly handed to her. Asashin noticed, the gold colour of the digital device but didn’t get a chance to recognise the crest on it. The Legionnaire regarded Eva with surprise, “This crest . . .” she muttered. “I’ll need to scan it to be sure.”

“Do what you must,” Eva declared, and removed her hood. The soldiers around them regarded her with surprise when they noticed the crest. Then they glanced to each other with fear and uncertainty.

Asashin regarded the blond-haired woman. He took in her bright green eyes. Stunned, he returned the smile. Before he scanned the rest of her and noticed she didn’t dress like any noble or someone of high net worth.

When the Legionnaire returned her pass. The woman smiled brightly. “We were concerned when you didn’t arrive, when you were supposed to. Regardless, we’re just glad you’re safe Princess.” the Legionnaire declared, with a hand over her heart and a slight bow.

“Princess!” Danteus and Altair exclaimed in surprise while Asashin stared with equal shock. The surrounding soldiers bowed in response with a hand over their hearts like the Legionnaire which was customary.

Regardless, of the customs still Danteus and Asashin couldn’t help but stare. While, Altair remarked, annoyed by everyone’s reactions and glowered, “You know if you keep dropping your jaws like that, you’re going to catch flies like a bunch of idiots.”

Danteus glared at Altair and began to say, “You know what Altair—”

Eva cut him off. “Shall we go?” she asked, glancing at Asashin who nodded.

They moved to their horses while Asashin, regarded Eva, uncertainly. She merely smiled when the others mounted their horses and then Asashin climbed onto his before holding out a hand to help her up. She took it. Mounting their horses, they entered the gates of New Icarus.

Eva’s face lit up as she took in the city that buzzed with life. “Wow, it’s just like home. Just different architecture.” Many citizens strode the streets in casual clothing, others in formal, some in semi-formal and uniforms while others wore colours that reflected their elemental abilities. Some casual.

“You’ve never been here before?” Asashin asked, surprised.

“No, I haven’t. I haven’t been anywhere outside the castle walls. It was always so claustrophobic and isolating.”

Everyone regarded Eva. “Oh, sorry. Forget I said anything.” Then she recognised that only adults strode the streets or drove vehicles or mounted horses. Not a child in sight. She didn’t see even see babies or toddlers. “Where are the children. I’m sure New Icarus has children. You know little Excelians.”

Danteus raised a brow, at that comment. “We do. They’re just at the phrontistery or nurseries.”

“On the weekend?”

“Yeah, it’s not normally as long but it’s just so the workload during the week isn’t too much. Same with their parents.”

“So, everyone is working even on the weekend?” Eva asked.

“Yes, but it’s not as full on. Well we hope.” Asashin replied.

“Huh,” Eva considered his words. “So, it’s true what they say then. You guys work all week but have extended holiday periods and sick leave.”

“Yeah, it’s mandatory.” Danteus replied. “Along with four to eight days off per month.”

“Huh, that is different.”

“How? Is your home not like this?” Asashin asked.

“No, ours follows the surface world general workday and weekend schedule.”

“Why? That’s so boring.” Altair remarked, with a smile and Eva laughed. “Why not spice it up a little?”

“Honestly, I don’t know. It doesn’t really boost the economy either but maybe we should.”

As they guided their horses through the city, Eva took in the sights with wide, eager eyes, noting every building and strange detail that caught her curiosity. Her wonder brought a faint smile to Asashin’s face as they wound their way through the streets, finally drawing closer to the looming silhouette of the castle.

* * *

Anaphora and L’Eiron regarded the screen before them with an intense gaze. Their eyes considering the intentions of the figures on display. “This doesn’t look too good,” L’Eiron remarked.

“No, it doesn’t. I don’t understand why they’ve taken Gothalia. What purpose will that serve?” Anaphora watched the holographic screen, deep in thought as she observed the recruit standing guard at the cave’s mouth. Not far from the entrance, hidden within the thicket, Anton and Maximus kept a sharp eye on the opening before turning to each other, locked in a low, intense conversation.

“What are those two doing?” L’Eiron muttered, with a sigh. “That’s not a one-way cave. I don’t understand why they haven’t scouted around for another entrance. If they had followed Prince Leviathan, they would have seen it and him enter it earlier.”

Anaphora touched the screen of the live feed twice. The video changed and now presented a view of the camp within the cave. There were three three-man teams within. “I think that hasn’t occurred to them. Besides, I’m pretty sure they’re trying to figure out how to get into the cave and maybe how many are within.”

“Potentially but given the amount of time they’ve been hiding there. Gothalia could have been removed from the simulation.”

Before Anaphora could answer, her eyes widened and understanding blanketed both her and L’Eiron’s features.

The guard turned his heel and walked inside the cave while both Maximus and Anton ran towards the mouth of the cave and waited on either side of the entrance.

Another man returned, guarding the entrance.

L’Eiron and Anaphora watched as Maximus hurled an object into a nearby tree, the rustle of the leaves and snap of branches immediately drawing the guard’s attention. As they looked on, the guard drew his sword and stepped away from his post to investigate the disturbance in the bushes. Seizing the opening, Anton and Maximus slipped quickly and silently into the cave. “Well now, I guess we just had to have some faith in them.” L’Eiron remarked.

“Hang on, they still haven’t found Gothalia yet. Let’s see how they handle this.” Anaphora’s eyes drifted over the woman behind them, the Assessor. Both Anaphora and L’Eiron knew why she stood in the centre of the room, monitoring every screen while taking notes on the tablet. She wore the uniform of the Centurions, coloured in dark red, silver and black. Next to the others in green and blue uniforms. Both Legionnaire and Cavalier. 

“Your children haven’t been forced from the simulation yet. Never expected that.” Domitia Aelius muttered, with a ghost of a smile. Her green eyes peered at the timer in front of her, then to her watch. She paused and observed the timer count down to zero, and then she pressed a button on her armoured wrist, as she had a dozen times before, and reset the timer. “Time to send another report to the unit Major Generals. I’ll be interested to see their reactions and hear their thoughts on those who’ve lasted this long.” Quickly, Domitia turned her heel and vacated the room.

At her words, Anaphora and L’Eiron shared a look of concern. “You don’t think they have other plans? Do you?” Anaphora asked him. L’Eiron shrugged his shoulders, watching Domitia leave.

“Honestly, I’m not sure.” He replied.

* * *

Within the cave, Leviathan regarded Gothalia as she laid a few feet from him. Before his attention drifted to the members of his three-man team and everyone, they’d made an alliance with. Leviathan cast his eyes away, staring at the fire, deep in thought. His frown deepening with each conclusion. “Why haven’t they stopped the simulation yet?” he muttered. His hand grazed the folded bow at his side, his fingers idly fiddling with the arrows strapped to his forearm. His mind was too far away to even notice the restless movement—until his golden eyes caught two faces shifting in the shadows of the cave. He snapped his gaze upward, but saw nothing but the dark. Leviathan stared hard at the cave corridor for a long beat before turning his eyes back to the woman.

“Leon. Titus.” Leviathan called. “Do you know where the other Valdis members are?” Leviathan’s eyes rested on Leon as he strode towards him.

“They had followed us but now we’re not too sure anymore. They should’ve made it here by now. Maybe they’d been taken out by the other teams.”

“So, you don’t know if they’re here?” Leviathan questioned.

“Not that we know of.”

Leviathan glanced at the other end of the cave. “Maybe you should go check.” Everyone bowed with a hand over their heart and quickly they vacated the cave at the opposite end where he nodded.

Leviathan’s gaze swept over the cave wall before he pushed himself to his feet. He moved toward the corridor with a tentative step, then paused, his eyes locking onto Anton and Maximus. They hadn't heard him coming. Though they both tensed instinctively, the words that left Leviathan’s mouth caught them completely off guard. “What are you doing standing there? Get her out of here.”

Anton regarded Leviathan carefully, “Why are you helping us?”

“I don’t like the idea of taking hostages. It’s an underhanded and cowardly move.” Leviathan declared and turned from them before striding to Gothalia, aware those ropes wouldn’t hold her or anyone with her délanocyte or élanocyte count for too long. The stillness of the cave caused her groan to echo, Anton and Maximus strode toward Gothalia and sat beside her, carefully, assessing her.

“Gothalia,” Anton whispered. “Wake up.” Gothalia groaned softly, and as her eyes fluttered open, it wasn't Anton’s face she saw, but Leviathan’s. She watched him with a gentle, awestruck gaze; his deep red hair looked like a bloody blaze against the golden glow of the campfire. His golden eyes gleamed in the light, watching her with quiet curiosity while her own dark eyes searched his, looking for something that had once been hidden.

Slowly, her hand reached out and he didn’t move. Intrigue captured him as much as it did her. Tenderly, she touched his smooth sturdy jaw before her gentle fingers grazed the straight loose red hair, unkempt by the thin transparent bands in his hair, framing his face. Instantly, Anton and Maximus became rigid. Leviathan froze, when she muttered, “Beautiful.” At those words, Anton and Maximus’s eyes widened in shock and studied Leviathan. His molten gold eyes gradually softened before his pale lips curled into a grin.

“How hard did they hit you?” Leviathan asked, concerned yet amused. Even if there was an unrecognised familiarity with her presence, one that he couldn’t quite understand.

Confusion struck Gothalia. “Huh?” She queried, barely registering his question, before blinking several times. Leviathan removed the binds from her wrists while Maximus removed them from around her ankles.

Gothalia recognised, Leviathan’s warm gentle fingers against the bare skin of her wrists and hands. Panic, embarrassment and nervousness filled her as she realised what she said and who she said it to. Gothalia sprang up, recoiling so sharply she almost struck him in the head—he moved just in time. She barely registered it; her mind still fixed on what had just occurred.

“Hey, don’t move so quickly,” Maximus growled, more worried than upset. “That can’t be good for you.”

“Gothalia, are you alright?” Anton asked.

“I’m fine. My head just hurts.” Little by little, the world around her became clearer. Gothalia eyed her environment, before her eyes drifted to Leviathan who climbed to his feet and moved from them. “Prince . . . Leviathan.” Gothalia muttered, and Anton swore he saw the colour drain from her face. Quickly, she climbed to her knee and bowed with a hand over her heart and her fist on the ground supporting her. “I’m so sorry, I had no idea it was um . . .” Gothalia couldn’t bring herself to finish the sentence, much less justify her actions. There was no excuse. He might have been right to want her head for what she’d done—she wouldn’t have blamed him—and she had no way to explain any of it to Anaphora or L’Eiron. The thought terrified her.

Leviathan raised a brow, his grin returning. He was even more amused. “Why are you apologising? It was a kind compliment even if you weren’t in your right frame of mind. In saying that, make sure not to get too many more knocks to the head on your way out.” He remarked with a kind smile, one that caught Gothalia off guard.

Without another word, Anton and Maximus dragged Gothalia toward the entrance of the cave. She peered back over her shoulder at Leviathan, who stood still, watching her leave with a steady, unreadable gaze. Each of them was lost in their own thoughts until, finally, she turned away from his retreating figure to face the path ahead. Trailing behind the men, her mind was so distant that she failed to notice the unconscious contender lying in the dirt at their feet.

“Gothalia, let’s go, before they come back.” Maximus whispered urgently, peering at her behind him.