*Aida*

The hours passed by without a word from the generals on our failure to secure the last major event medal. My wounds were almost all gone, but that didn't matter to me. The physical pain didn't compare to that of having had my honor broken.

I spend most of the hours since the event in my room, contemplating what I did wrong.

"How could I have lost?" I mumbled. "I'm perfect... Perfect... just like Father designed me to be... I'm perfection..."

*Knock* *Knock*

"Who is there?" I yelled, standing up.

"It's me," Ben said as soon as I opened the door.

"Oh, I thought it was Father..." I said, lowering my head.

"About him, he wanted to speak with you."

I raised my head. "Really? Did he say about what?"

"No, not a single word."

I grimaced. That wasn't good...

"D-do you think he's mad at me?" I asked, hugging myself. "Do you think he hates me?"

"I... don't know," he said.

I sighed. "Had a feeling you would say that..." I pushed myself up. "Where is he?"

"He said to meet him in this location," he said, handing me a folded paper. "Aida, take care. If he's mad, don't make a wrong move. You know him better than me."

I nodded. "Alright..." Though it felt odd to think that he could possibly hit me. Out of all my siblings, I was his favorite. Unlike them, I wasn't a failure... at least not until now...

***

A man dressed in a nice, ironed out black suit and pants stood in the middle of an alley connected to a secluded part of the city's main plaza. It was the place Father had told me to meet him in.

"Father, Ben told you wanted to talk to me," I said, walking up to the man.

He turned around to look at me. His emerald eyes lacked their usual sparkle. "Yes, I told that failure of your fiancé that."

"Failure? Ben's not a-"

"He is, as are you three. You were doing so well at first, until you embarrassed me in the very end. It would've been better to have had the committee follow through in kicking you guys out of the games. That in itself was a dire mistake. You couldn't even retrieve Experiment R-11 without witnesses around. Even then, you failed to execute said witnesses."

"I'm sorry, Father. I was a tad disoriented at the time after having-"

"You're giving me excuses? That's not like you. Perhaps allowing you to go to Helix Academy was a mistake. Aida, you won't be returning to H.E.H."

"What?"

"You heard me." He turned his back to me. "I don't ever wish to see you again. You aren't welcomed back in H.E.H. after that miserable performance. If you try to come back then I won't hesitate to terminate you."

My eyes widened. "Bu-"

"No buts. Only one of you four will be returning with us, but that's because she's too valuable to toss aside."

Nia? Why her? I'm his daughter! Nia is just an orphan girl the genetic corps took from her home. Her potential can't be that much, especially when compared to mine.

"Do you understand what I'm saying? Or will you attempt to force your way back and risk death?"

"I... understand, Father," I said, trying my best to keep my voice from shaking. "I... won't return home."

"Hmm. On second thought, there might be a way you can redeem yourself in my eyes and those of the rest of the generals," Father said, keeping his back to me. "You can determine how you'll do that. You're a smart girl. I know you'll figure something out."

My eyes dropped to the ground. "Alright, Father. I promise, I won't disappoint you again."

"You better not, or I truly will forget that you're my child."

I gulped as his footsteps drew farther and farther.

A way I could redeem myself... Only one thought came to mind; Lei. I needed to retrieve the abysmal core within him. But how would I do that with so many people around him? Especially given the state I found myself in.

I turned and slammed my head against a brick wall, drawing blood. Before I had departed from home, I promised Father I wouldn't embarrass him, yet I did just that.

"Huh, Aida?" a voice called out. It was the red-haired kid I spoke to during the track race. Though he was barely recognizable with the prim white-suit he had on with a black-undershirt that went well with his crimson-tie. In his hands was a white box resembling a miniature cooler.

"Ulissis," I said, turning to look at him. "What are you doing here?"

"I went to get some ice cream before heading to the..." He gasped and put his hands into the pockets of his white-pants. "You're bleeding. Use this to wipe your forehead," he said, holding out a red handkerchief to me.

I stepped back. This made no sense... Why was he being nice to me after what I did to his friends? Was he an idiot? Or did he wish to trick me; make me trust him so that he could back stab me.

He sighed and stepped forward. I wanted to flee, but for some reason I didn't. Perhaps it was the lingering fatigue.

His long fingers moved the cloth over my cheeks rather than my forehead.

"Why are you crying?"

"I... It's none of your business!" I shouted, turning around. "And don't think that I'll fall for your trap!"

"You think I'm tricking you?" he asked.

I glanced over my shoulder and saw that he was smiling, almost wanting to laugh.

"Don't make fun of me!" I yelled, sending vines at him. The plants through fell to the ground as soon as they got too close to him. Tsk. How could I have forgotten about that strange power of his?

"I'm not," he said, glancing up at the cloudy sky.

"What do you mean you're not? Why are you helping me? It makes no sense whatsoever! Did you forget that I tried to kill the princess of Shui, or that An got hurt trying to get revenge for her?"

He looked straight at my eyes. "No, I haven't, but seeing someone hurt isn't to my liking either."

My eyes narrowed. "So you feel sorry for me? Well, for you information, I don't need pity." I turned around and walked away.

"Aida, why are you like this?" he asked, following after me.

I continued to walk. "Why should you care? You might have superior genes to me, but they're useless on someone like you."

"You can tell who my bloodline is?"

"Yes. I could tell since the day we met that you were special. You're the grandchild of a deity or two. I bet your friends don't know that, do they?"

"Even if they did, it wouldn't change a thing. They like me because of who I am as a person, not what I am."

I turned around and saw him flashing me a fierce look. It was strangely attractive...

"Ulissis, you're a nice guy, but in this world, niceness doesn't win battles. Power does. Strength is what allows one to protect one's family. In this world, only the strongest and smartest survive. You have a unique power, if you learn how to use it, you will be feared. In fact, that power of yours is already to be reckoned with."

He gasped and backed away.

I grinned. "You thought that you could hide it? I'll admit, it did take me some time to put it together, but I figured it out. You're an anti-mage. The most feared kind of mage in this world dominated by magic. Anti-magic, the best power to survive a world like this. But the weak are afraid."

He lowered his head.

"See, you won't even deny it. Ulissis, you shouldn't be afraid of others discovering your power. Instead, they should fear being at its mercy."

"My power has its limits," he said, staring at his hands.

"True. You can't heal and the like. But all magic has its strengths and weaknesses. That's why I dream of creating magic which can't be stopped by anything or anyone."

He gulped. "I-is that so?"

"Interesting," a voice called out from above. Ulissis and I glanced up. A guy with stone-blue hair sat at the edge of the building on the right-side of the ally.

"You're that guy who fought Ben! Ricardo, was it?" I said.

"Indeed," he said, jumping down. "Benjamin was a strong opponent. Sadly, I was no match for him in the end."

Vines appeared from the sleeves of my blouse. "What are you doing eavesdropping, though? Spying for your king?"

"No, well not for him. More for my own purposes."

"Ehh? You sound just like a friend of mine," Ulissis said, laughing.

"Well, I detest those who eavesdrop on the conversations of others," I said, narrowing my eyes at the stone-blue-haired guy. My lips curled up into a smirk. "Though this gives me an excuse to fight you. If Ben was willing to spare you, then you must be a powerful person."

"I would gladly fight, if you weren't still recovering."

"I can take you on even as I am right now?"

"Really? I don't wish to break your pride any further."

Spikes popped out of my vines. "Don't taunt me!"

"Calm down," Ulissis said, pulling me back. Suddenly, my vines vanished.

"Let go of me," I said, elbowing him in the stomach. "I don't need your help, or one else's! Just leave me alone!" I ran off from there as fast as I could.

Before I could reach the end of the alley, four beams of light fell from the sky, each in a different direction. The rays vanished to reveal four people in white cloaks.

"Who are you?" I said, glancing around.

"My name is Ashynna," one of them said, stepping forward. "We met at the forest. You are quite powerful, Aida. Unfortunately, during the course of these games, you've used that power to hurt others."

I snickered. "So you're here for revenge, is that it?"

"No. If we were, we would've brought Kun," one of the others said. "I'm Nahimana, one of the higher ups in our organization."

I gasped. "Organization."

"Your power can be used for good," another one said. It was another woman.

I recognized her voice... it was Yanyu.

"Shouldn't you want revenge too? An is in the situation he's in because of me. Or don't you care about your—"

"I do care about my teammate. I'd be lying if I denied resenting you, but this is bigger than that. That's why I spared you from death."

I scoffed. "Death, huh?" I lowered my head. "You were better off killing me. My worth in this world has diminished."

"Your worth is found elsewhere," Ashynna said. "We can give you something better."

I narrowed my eyes. "Why should I believe you?"

"You might not believe our words now, but you will in due time," the fourth one said. This one was male.

"We'll need your power to save the world one day," the four said in unison.

"Save the world? From what exactly?"

"Those creatures your nation has been collecting. The abysmals. We want you to tell us everything you know about what they're up to," the lone male said.

"I don't know much," I said. "Even if I did, I wouldn't tell you four a thing! I won't betray my people!"

The guy sighed. "You sound just like Mayu and Sarah."

"Sarah? I'm nothing like that weakling! I'm strong!"

"You are, there's no denying that. Yet, despite all that power, you suffer from an inferiority complex," Yanyu said. "You wish to be at the level of a goddess, but you're a mere mortal."

I gritted my teeth. "What do you know about me? Huh? Get out of the way or I'll kill all of you!"

"Aida!" Ulissis yelled, running over. "Who are these people?"

"Nice of you to join us, Ulissis," Nahimana said. "We've been waiting for you too."

"Huh?" the two of us said in unison.

"Accompany us, we should move someplace where we may speak in private," the guy said.

"Tahoma?" Ulissis asked.

He remained silent.

"I won't accompany you!" I said. "Not without more details."

"We would love to, but there's an unwelcomed party," Nahimana said, looking at the one behind Ulissis. It was the stone-blue-haired guy.

"We appreciate your help in the forest, Ricardo," Tahoma said. "But if you would please depart from here."

He narrowed his eyes at them. "Alright. Though it worries me that the triplets have such shady people like you so close to them."

Nahimana scoffed. "One of those triplets is among our group to begin with."

"Huh?" Ricardo said, gasping.

"Nahimana, don't give away further details."

She sighed. "Don't worry, I'll erase his memory."

Ricardo backed away. "M-my memory?"

So that Toran girl wasn't the only one around with that power...

"Yes, but don't worry. You won't even realize they're missing."

Ricardo jumped back.

"Avoiding me won't help. You can't escape," she said, her eyes glowing through the hole in her white mask.

This girl was dangerous... all of them were. If only I had my full power...

"We won't hurt you," Ashynna said, putting a hand on my shoulder. "You can trust us."

"How can I trust someone with a mask on?" I snapped.

"S-she has a point," Ulissis said, slowly walking away. "Ricardo, stay close to me. Nahimana's memory power won't affect you."

"Huh, who are you?" he asked. His eyes scanned the alley. "Wait, where am I? I was with my friends... Uh, excuse me weird cosplayers, coming through," he said, walking past the four as if nothing had happened.

"No... th-that quick?"

"I erased the memories of Kun from everyone except for you before."

"Well, that Ricardo guy is gone now, what do you four wish to tell us?"

"We need your help tracking down the Four Rulers."

"The rulers?" Ulissis asked.

"Yes. They're the leaders of Abyss. Years ago, two of them ruined the games being hosted in my nation. They weren't at their prime at the time, but they were still capable of holding their own against Magus Maximus Daisuke and others... all at the same time."

Ulissis and I gasped.

"Wait, if Daisuke is still around then what was their purpose?"

"We aren't entirely sure," Ashynna said. "But three of the rulers have reincarnated in order to retrieve their original power."

"And the fourth?" I asked.

"Their whereabouts are unknown," Nahimana responded. "We do have an idea of where one of the other three are. We got someone keeping an eye on him."

"Who is it?"

Nahimana shook her head. "I can't say. Not right now. This one... he can change his destiny. Whether he'll bring about the end or help save it, it's all up to him. So we can't act yet, not until he's made his decision clear."

"I see," Ulissis said.

"This is all going over my head. Who are you people, truly? How come you seem to know so much?"

"We are the Shards of Light," Tahoma responded. "We are destined to save the world against the abyss. That too is your destiny. So, will you join us?"

I gritted my teeth. "No. I won't."

He scoffed. "So be it. We won't force you to decide. It has already been foretold that you'll aid us. You can't escape that destiny, Aida. Farewell."

Pillars of light struck the four and they were gone just like how they had come.

"Wait, they didn't even wait for my answer..." Ulissis said, blinking.

"Be careful around them. Anyone who is willing to mess with one's memories like that isn't to be trusted. Ulissis, like I said, you're a nice guy. But if you don't get smart and tough, you'll either die or be played like a flute."

He stared right into my eyes. "What about you? You're also being played, aren't you? You're a dog of your father's and the others."

I raised my hand at him but he blocked it.

"Why that response? Am I right or am I wrong?"

I yanked my arm back. "Leave. I didn't need you to come. I could've handled that situation by myself."

"Aida..." he said, furrowing his brow.

"I don't even know why I gave you advice..." I whispered, closing my eyes.

**Solar Note: Hope that you enjoyed the chapter :)! Only two more numbered episodes and the epilogue left!**