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"Last night I lost the world, and gained the universe."

― C. JoyBell C. 

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WATCHING THE SMALL boat swim away was the hardest thing she could have ever done. It was a surprise that she didn't jump in after them into the water.

The next morning, it was quiet. None of them spoke. It was only Helene, Cas and Brenna left. Helene wondered when there would be only one of them left.

And then none.

Hours ticked by and she got no text from Legion. Or Ella. Or Raylan. Thoughts after thoughts nagged her, and soon she was going crazy and half delirious with the pain of the unknown. She wanted to know what was going on. What they were doing. Where they were.

Had they got there fine? Were they lost? Were they alive?

She tried the link between her and Legion.

Legion?

Nothing. Her voice echoed back in her head.

Lee?

Nothing. And then:

Lee? I like that.

Helene gasped in relief, standing up so fast that the chair she was sitting on went down with a thud, making sailors standing near her jump.

What the hell is going on? Where are you? Is everyone hurt? Are you okay? Did something happen-

Everything is good. We just got to Belwick.

Silence.

And?

It doesn't look so good here. Everyone is holding themselves by the hinges. I-

He paused. And then, she felt something weird. She felt emotion that wasn't hers. It was something extra in her brain and she processed slowly.

It was what Legion was feeling at the moment.

Despair. Disappointment. Sadness. Need.

Need?

Helene bit her lip.

We'll make sure they make it. I promise.

Making promises that you can't keep? Better not say them at all.

Everything went silent. Then Helene realized that he hadn't meant for her to feel what he was feeling at the moment. It was a slip and he wasn't going to do that again. He had made a mistake and he was angry.

Helene suddenly felt exposed and stupid. What was she doing? Why was she being so soft? Why?

She stomped her foot angrily.

"Watch it!" A woman snapped.

Helene kept on stomping all the way to her room, not bothering to say sorry.

Before she even made it one step, she noticed how close they were to land. She could see docks from where she was. Ships were docked. Many and many of them. The many warriors had already made it before them, and they had taken most of the space as well. But a little to the right, Helene noticed an empty dock, people standing there waiting for them, holding banners and posters and they were waving.

At them.

Helene stood with her back straight, watching in awe. They were all waving at them.

Before she could think, she was rushing into her room, throwing her things into her suitcase and packing as fast as she could. She wanted to be ready to get off as soon as the ship docked and the horn was blown. She wanted to be there first. She wanted to see the people.

She had never been the one to be congratulated. Only famous heros drew crowds as big as those and fans screaming their names.

For a second Helene felt like a hero.

As soon as the horn blew, the sailors on the ship got to work, preparing to make sure everyone aboard the ship were preparing to get off. They helped each other carry suitcases off. A woman picked up Helene's belongings and began to carry them off. The cheering got louder.

Helene wondered if she got more followers on instagram.

She mentally slapped herself for being so stupid and gave the reporters her shiniest smile. Behind her, Brenna and Cas were coming out, waving and smiling.

For a second there, she forgot all about the troubles going on in the world. And their mission. She thought about how this could be her after saving the world.

And then the thought disappeared as soon as she saw the Queen and King's carriage. Beside theirs were the captains of the army and an empty carriage for them.

The king was searching in the crowd, "Where are the rest of your companions?"

Helene froze. "They had to go back. Legion's parents called for his aid and had to ensure his safety."

That was the best she could do at a time like that. The King assessed her, "And the other two went with him?"

"And two sailors, Your Majesty." Brenna nodded.

The Queen smiled at Brenna, "Hurry up now. The Captains await the urgent meeting."

They quickly loaded the carriage, their belongings going in the back. Their driver whipped the horse and they were off, following the Majesties ride and with the Mortal companions beside them. As they rode, fans stuck in their hands to get a high five or a shake. Most of them were yelling, children perked on top of their shoulders.

Helene wondered how many of them would be alive tomorrow. Or the next day. Or the next week. She wondered if they were all going to die.

People looked so delighted to watch them go by. She tried not to meet their eyes. On the way, she spotted a boy that reminded her of Grave and she wondered what Grave was doing now. Was he with his father Asmodues? Was he sleeping peacefully, knowing that his father loved him? Did his father even love him?

The ride was short. Apparently, they weren't too far from the castle of SwynCrest. As soon as the carriage stopped short, the Queen and King were helped out, guards quickly stepping towards them, as if they could ward off everything.

The mortals exited their carriage. They looked awfully excited.

"For the alliance," Brenna whispered as if reading her mind, "They have secretly wanted this for years."

Helene nodded as discreetly as possible.

"Let us make our way to meeting room number 10. We may talk there. On the way, please remain silent as to the fact that everyone is scared of the attacks and are..." The Queen paused and then, "...hiding."

The mortal captain in the middle seemed amused. Helene raised her eyebrows.

Their walk through the castle and up the elevator was quick. They stopped only by the food hall to tell the cooks and bakers to get them some food since they had just come from their long journey. Instantly, they began to put together a meal for them and they continued to make their way to the meeting room.

As soon as they entered the room, Helene felt the mood in the air change. Everything seemed to freeze. The Mortals were fidgeting.

Helene's hand stayed near her weapons. Her body was itching for a fight she so desperately needed to get out of her system. But at the same time, she didn't want to ruin this alliance.

But something was off.

Really off.

Brenna and Cas kept shooting glances at each other and Helene wished that Legion was here.

This isn't good. She told herself without realizing.

What's happening? His reply came quick. Helene didn't know if he sounded worried or not.

Mortals look like they are about to spring on us.

Silence.

What was wrong with him?

The Queen and King settled themselves into their seats, just as the mortals did. The guards were outside restless. Helene watched the Mortals, not bothering to make it subtle.

"Nice place you've got here," One of them said.

And that was when Helene jumped to her feet, pushed the cocky one back in his chair until he was leaning against the wall and hissed, "There is nothing funny about this. What do you want?"

He laughed, "Read minds now do you? I thought you breathed fire."

"Helene-" Brenna seemed horrified.

They didn't understand, did they?

Helene felt Cas' hands pulling her back and pushing her into her seat.

And together, as if they had rehearsed it, the four captains stood up and pulled out their swords, "You will do as we say and when we say it. You think because you are Scars we will listen to you? You think we have no power? Do you now?" The cocky one seemed to love talking.

The Queen rushed back, grabbing the King behind her. They didn't seem surprised.

Helene didn't bother taking out any weapon. She didn't need it.

Yet.

The blond one seemed too confident and threw a dagger. Helene watched it fly over the table and passed their heads.

And straight into the King's throat.

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Well...

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