Month 1, Day 4, 12:00:00; Arvium, Arvium Forest

Aella froze, her eyes narrowing as she stared at the man. He wore no helmet, and his armor was filthy. Dirt and blood crisscrossed his upper body, and he shifted, keeping his weight off of his left leg.

"Garron," she whispered. She lowered the blade, feeling a chill move over her body.

He held out a hand, but paused and drew it back to his side. His voice was soft as he spoke. "Are you okay?"

Her chest was warm from Chloe's crystal, and she lowered her shoulders. She turned her head away from him, glancing at the dark blobby shadows that denoted trees on the top of the ridgeline. "I know what I'm supposed to do. It's a start."

The ground crunched underneath Garron's feet as he stepped closer. His fingers wrapped around her hand as he gently pried the sword from her grasp, and slid it into her sheath. Then, he lifted her face to face his.

She glanced up, then frowned as she glanced down at his armor, seeing a gash on his side. She gasped, then glanced back up at him.

"I'll be okay," he said.

She pulled away from him, turning her side to him as she crossed her arms. "You said you would come for me."

Silence filled the clearing, then a twig snapped somewhere overhead, and an owl cried out.

She lifted her head to the sky. She smelled the salt of the sea, and she could see the surface of the planet high above even though it was darkened-the swirling white clouds, the blue seas, and green continents. The red planet was fiery, with lava trails moving over the surface, the image wavering because of the heat. A cool breeze swept over her skin, and she shivered.

"I'm sorry," he said.

She blinked, feeling her throat constrict and she bit her lip. She squeezed her arms tighter across her chest and lowered her head. "Why?"

He stepped closer until he was just behind her. His tone was low, and quivered as he spoke. "Will you come with me to somewhere safer before I explain myself?"

She turned around to face him, and rubbed her finger on the side of her arm. His shoulders were slumped, and his face was turned away from her gaze.

Beo stepped in front of her, the wolf's red eyes looking into hers. She watched as he walked up to Garron and jumped up, licking him on the cheek. Garron stepped backward, his eyes wide as his arms flailed next to him. "Wha--what?"

Aella chuckled, then laughed, her whole body feeling lighter. She grinned as Garron kept trying to scoot away from the wolf who followed him around at a slow pace.

"Call off your wolf," Garron pleaded, waving his hands in front of him.

"Beo," she called out.

The wolf froze, then came over to her side.

Garron sighed, nodding his head. "Thank you."

She nodded her head, then swallowed. "Will you take me home?"

His eyes widened and he nodded once, holding out his hand.

She stepped forward and placed her hand in his. "Not Anadon's--not yet."

He nodded. "Yes, Princess."

She stepped closer, and closed her eyes, feeling a rush of air as the teleportation spell enacted. She blinked as she opened her eyes, seeing the small cabin they were standing in. It was one room, but a comfortable size. Two cots lay against one wall, and the other side of the cabin held several shelves full of jars, weapons, and a variety of pouches of all sizes. A door and a window were across from her, but little light penetrated the thick curtain. The table in the center of the room had several chairs around it, and a cushioned chair at the head

She jumped as someone cleared her throat. She turned, seeing Ender standing behind them with a canteen in his hands. He nodded to her, then slowly walked across the room and laid down on one of two empty cots. "Please take the wolves out."

Her eyes widened as she turned around, seeing Beo watching her. "Huh?"

Garron moved away from her, sitting down in the cushioned chair and leaning forward on his legs. His armor disappeared, showing ripped pants and a tight black t-shirt. A jagged tear in the fabric on his side showed a bloody wound, and he held a hand over it. His eyes were closed and his shoulders shook as he took erratic breaths.

She stepped forward, then knelt in front of him. She looked up into his eyes, seeing his gaze fixed on her own with tired eyes. "May I?"

He nodded, and she placed a hand on his side, then concentrated as she began the healing spell. Green light moved around her fingers, disappearing into his side. He sighed and leaned his head back, his shoulders relaxing. "Thank you."

She stood as the spell ended, then grasped the back of the chair as she felt her knees buckle. Garron caught her, helping her to steady herself.

"Just come lay down and rest already," Ender said, ending with a low sigh.

She nodded, and turned around, walking slowly toward the second cot. She sat down on the thin mattress, then laid back, her limbs tired. Beo followed her, and jumped onto the edge of the bed, curling up at her feet.

"Why?" she said, staring up at the wooden ceiling.

"That's a complicated question," Ender said, his chuckle turning into a rough cough.

"Rest," Garron said. "And I'll tell you our story."

The cot rustled as Ender turned over, and she moved her head so she could see him on the second cot. He was laying on his back, his arms hands underneath his head. "And I'll add in what he forgets."

"We met early on in the Alpha Game," Garron said.

"I stole his supplies and he tracked me down and hung me from a cliff," Ender said.

Garron chuckled, then sighed. "We formed our group as we traveled through the challenges. As our numbers grew, and our skills grew, we formed Omega. I found the Trinity during one of the battles between Invictus and Mortia, and they healed me. When I came back, I--I--"

Ender's voice was harsh and low as he spoke. "He couldn't lead, couldn't fight. It was only because Cerci staged an intervention that brought him back to reality."

Aella pushed herself up onto the pillow so she could look at the two men. Ender had turned his face away from her, and Garron was silent, staring down at his hands.

"Cerci was the third wraith, along with LightningStrike, and Sorena. Ken joined us later on," Ender said.

Aella nodded. "Where are they?"

"They're gone," Ender said, his voice dull. It sounded like a deep hole was speaking, no life and hollow-sounding.

Garron sighed, rubbing his face with his hands. "Mortia thought we were too big of a threat, and their ranks held anti-Trinity players. When they found out I was protecting Trinity players, they launched an attack on us by using a spy within our ranks. We were decimated, our team killed. Cerci was taken, and only Ender and I escaped."

"We're going to get them back."

She glanced at Garron, seeing his arms muscle tense as he clenched his fists and lifted his head. "We will take every last one of them back, no matter the cost."

Ender sat up as well. "We're a target now, Aella--every time we save an Omega, we risk being discovered. We can't guarantee your safety while you are with us."

"But," Garron said, standing and squaring his shoulders. "I will train you to become stronger than anyone else in the Game, so even if we are sent to the Underworld, you will be able to survive."

"So," Ender said, turning toward her. "You've been given a job to do; yes, maybe not the one you thought you were supposed to have, or one that you even really want. It was important to your sister, and it is important to our family, and our home. We will be here to help you, no matter what happens. So--I guess what we are asking is this--will you become an Omega?"

Aella's eyes widened as she saw the two men watching her. They were relaxed, but their eyes held a magnetic resolve that froze her to the spot where she was sitting. These two--taking on the whole game?

She looked down at her lap, then reached up and felt the crystal on her chest.

"You don't have to answer right now," Garron said.

Aella jumped as thunder shook the sky and rain began to beat the cabin, creating a staccato cacophony on the roof.

"You need to go home, Aella," Ender said. "You're on Prince's watchlist and I don't want him searching for this place."

"I understand."

Garron stood and offered his hand to her. "Are you okay with teleporting?"

Aella nodded, standing and taking his hand. His grip was firm but he relaxed it as she put her hand in his.

This time, she closed her eyes and relaxed her stomach, and the sensation of dropping and falling like when you are in an elevator was softer than the previous times.

She opened her eyes and blinked, stepping backward in confusion. They were outside the small cabin, moonlight filtering though the trees and creating shadows everywhere she looked.

The black dragon sat in front of them with its head on its front paws, nostrils flared as it snorted.

"I thought we could take Noir rather than teleporting—I want to conserve magic if I can. Unless you want to walk." He looked up at the sky and shrugged. "It's a nice enough night to do so."

"No," she said, planting her feet on the soil and squaring her shoulders.

Garron turned to her and the dragon tilted its head, almost as if it could understand what she was saying. "No to what?"

She glared at the dragon, and turned to Garron. "We don't have to walk."

He nodded and stepped forward, placing one foot on the dragon's front leg and swinging his leg over the dragon's neck. He reached forward and extended his hand toward her. "Whenever you feel ready."

She stepped forward and looked into the dragon's golden eyes, and reached out her hand. "We haven't properly met," she said softly. "I'm Aella."

The dragon didn't move, a small tendril of frosty air coming from its mouth. Then it moved silently, it's cold nose pressing into her hand. The scales were smooth as if they had been polished by a river, and the dragon was colder than she thought it would be but it was invigorating rather than harsh.

She smiled, then moved to the side and grasped Garron's forearm as she stepped on the dragon's leg. He pulled up as she swung her leg around Noir's neck.

"Are you ready?" he asked, looking back at her over his shoulder.

She slowly slid her arms around his waist, and looked up at him. "Yes."

"Hold on tight until we gain enough altitude."

She nodded and leaned forward as the dragon shifted to a standing position and flared its wings, then jumped into the sky. Each powerful flap brought them higher into the sky, the dragon taking a circular motion until they were above the treetops before the dragon leveled her wings and started to pick up speed.

She felt, rather than saw the craggy cliffs around her, as the air seeming to be holding its breath within the confines. The moonlight lit up a wall in front of them, impenetrable and cold, the shadows creating ominous breaks and jagged edges.

The dragon flew straight, heading for the center of the cliff, beating her wings faster as she approached.

"Bod?" Aella shouted.

He turned his head back to her then placed one of arms on top her own.

Aella gasped, burying her head into Bod's back and closing her eyes as the dragon swooped through a shadow into—nothing? She turned her head and her eyes grew wide as the sight of the rocky wall that rose beside her, the crags blurry as the dragon flew past. She turned to other side, seeing another wall. She pulled her head up, seeing the canyon walls high above her, seeing only a thin strip of starry sky high above her.

Aella gasped as the dragon tilted sideways, swooping around a turn. The dragon flew straight ahead toward the exit of the canyon, showing a deep blue sky twinkling with stars. With a burst, they flew out of the canyon, turning left and flying high above the side of the mountain and above the valley that plunged thousands of feet below.

Garron chuckled as the dragon extended her wings as soared on a gust of wind, following the ridge line. "Hold on tight," he called back to her, his hand squeezing hers.

Aella's eyes grew wide as he shifted his weight to the right, and the dragon followed suit as she broke from the ridge line and pointed her nose down. She squealed as the dragon dropped and her ears popped as they raced down the side of the mountain, heading for the tree line of the small plateau.

Bod laughed, throwing his arms out and leaning forward.

Aella's stomach flopped as the dragon pulled up and sped past the tops of the trees. The dragon beat her powerful wings, heading toward the base of the hill, the ocean coming into view. They shot into thin air as the trees stopped at a massive cliff, the white water as the waves of the ocean slammed into the gray rock spraying high into the air.

The water was alive with colors, blue and pink and green and yellow glittering under the surface, the lines broken and shifting as the waves moved power to and from the glittering white beaches. They gradually came closer to the water, the gusts from each beat of the dragon's wings sending a spray of water extending out from their flight.

Aella leaned to the right, stretching her arm out toward the water. Noir tilted slightly, her wing carving a spray of water as she soared. The water was cool to the touch, water droplets streaming from her fingertips.

Aella laughed, seeing the multiple colors of fish darting about under he surface. She leaned back as the dragon righted herself, climbing higher in altitude. They turned back toward the land, the tops of the pines rising and falling with the land like a green wave.

Aella shifted, bringing her hand to her leg as she dried it off. She leaned her chin on Bod's shoulder, seeing the cliff curve and lower in elevation as the glittering lights of the city came into focus, the white buildings glowing in the warm light. The mountains behind them grew smaller as they angled toward the center of the island, heading for the glowing center in the distance. The breeze gently waved her hair and the night was calm.

The dragon turned to the left, skirting the forest line. She slowed as they approached the fields that marked the boundary of Arvium, landing and running along the ground. When she stopped, Bod slid out of the saddle. He pulled off his helmet and held out his hand.

Aella took it and dropped to the ground, turning and sliding her hand down the dragon's neck. "Thank you," she whispered. She stepped away from the dragon, joining Bod.

Bod sat his helmet on the ground, standing and crossing his arms in front of him. "Return" he said softly.

Noir turned her head to the sky, pulling her wings close to her body as a cloud of black smoke enveloped her body and she disappeared.

Aella turned to look at the fields that stretched before her, the hills gently sloping down toward the city.

"I won't make us walk the whole way," Bod said, turning to her. "Do you mind if I teleport us to your home?"

Aella shook her head.

He held out both of his hands.

Aella reached forward, placing her hands in his.

"Ready?" he asked.

She nodded, closing her eyes.

"You can open your eyes now," Bod told her.

She opened them, blinking in the semi-darkness at the top of the stairway just in front of her door.

She pushed it open, walking inside to the lit room. She turned, looking at Bod. "You aren't finished yet, are you?"

He pulled off his helmet and shook his head. "I still have some things I'd like to explain to you about being your mentor. But I can do it some other time."

"Come in," she said, turning and moving toward her bed.

Bod stepped inside, closing the door behind him before he walked across her room and leaned against the open window. He sat his helmet beside him on the windowsill, resting his arm on it to keep it in place as he watched her pull off her sword and place it on the bed.

She sat down beside of it, pulling her legs underneath her. Shadows danced across her features, her hair glowing in the brilliant light of the moons.

"I would have a ton of questions if I were you," he said softly, his hands fidgeting in front of him.

Aella nodded. "I think—I think I just need to think about all of this first. I understand what you've told me, but I don't trust you. I don't know you—so I don't know if I can trust you."

Garron nodded, listening quietly as she talked.

"I found out my adopted sister was Trinity, a Europan princess. She is missing—whether dead or alive I don't know. All because of Founder troops I was supposed to be helping. I have her necklace."

She reached down and felt it, warm against her skin. "It allows me to see things I otherwise wouldn't have been able to see. I've been asked to help the fight my sister believed in. This isn't my fight. I was never supposed to go through this and I don't know if I can."

Garron stood and stepped forward until he was standing in front of her. He bowed his head to her. "I will wait until you decide. If you decide not to help us, I will leave you alone. But my offer of training you still stands—there are no strings attached to that."

He reached into his jacket, pulling something out and holding out his hand to her. "I want you to have this."

She reached for it, letting it roll to the center of her palm.

The ring was small, with a crest engraved on its square face. The black sides were intricately carved with swirls and letters she did not recognize.

She looked up at him, raising her eyebrows

"It's a tracker and a conduit to my castle," he said. "It's an amulet of a sort. It would allow me to teleport to your location at any time and would allow you to draw magic and health from the vault. Call it a gift from one apprentice to another."

"Thank you," she whispered, her fingers closing over the ring.

He smiled and nodded. "You are already stronger than you know, Aella Rynnex. Don't ever forget that."

She felt her eyes fill with tears and she lowered her head. "You are kind to me, even though you don't know me."

He placed his hand on her shoulder, letting it rest there for a moment. "I would have wanted someone to reach out to me when I was in your place. You shouldn't have to feel alone when you're surrounded by so many people."

She sniffed, and nodded.

"Now," he said, lifting his hand and stepping away from her. "Dry your eyes. You're about to have company."

She looked up, seeing only the empty room. Footsteps pounded up the stairs and someone knocked on her door, the raps fast and hard.