Over the next day, more competitors were eliminated. With the difficulties of the challenge being randomized, no one could predict if the weaker would get lucky and pass while a strong competitor would draw the short end of the stick. It made the matches all the more exciting and the crowd ate every moment up.

While Ash was more interested in her training, Keegan refused to partake. He firmly stuck to having her take a break after the last incident. Thus, Ash found herself wandering from watching matches to spending her time trying to relax.

Wearing the casual uniform they'd all been given for downtime, she chewed on a snack she'd nabbed from the cafeteria while taking a stroll to explore. She'd gone down a few halls before something caught her eyes. She paused then took a few steps back.

In a room with a few couches and bookshelves, a relaxing atmosphere, she saw several familiar figures.

Daxon stood, the ever-friendly smile on his handsome face. Several other competitors sat around, worship-like expressions on their faces. Adonis was among them. Ash had seen his last round. The boy had lucked out, pulling a scenario where he was up against a winged creature in a barren land. His arrows allowed him to take it down and pass after only somewhat of a struggle.

She was not surprised to see Daxon had passed. Though she'd missed his round, she recalled hearing rumors of it being quite impressive.

Though their conversation would usually have nothing in it to catch her interest, what made her pause was the bald head with the snake tattoo. Tobias stood in the middle, hands stuck in his pocket and head down, hiding his expression, however, his body language was enough for Ash to note that he wasn't there voluntarily.

"Why so defensive? I was just saying that you were very impressive!" Daxon's cheerful tone and the hand he clamped on Tobias' shoulder really looked like a friendly gesture to those around.

Ash, however, took in how those fingers tightened on the shoulder.

"Yeah, why so rude?" the others chimed in, expressing obvious displeasure.

"I've told you over and over again, stay away from me," Tobias growled as he tried to duck from under the grip.

Daxon increased his strength, eyebrows furrowing. "What did I ever do to vex you so?" he asked in astonishment.

Ash watched the drama unfold.

"Coming from the person who tried to kill me," Tobias spat back.

Daxon's eyes rounded and sadness flooded through them. "When did I...?" he seemed at loss. "I thought we were a team..."

The others joined in, scolding Tobias.

"Daxon helped us win!" Adonis protested.

"Pretend all you like," Tobias sneered, "I know your real face." He took a step away from Daxon and turned to the others. "And you lot, letting your guard down so easily." His eyes fell on Adonis, "Don't say I didn't tell you so when he stabs you in the back as soon as you're in the arena."

Just children squabbling, Callous yawned.

In agreement, Ash was about to turn when she felt the slight fluctuation in the air. She hesitated, eyes narrowing. It was so subtle it would most likely not be detectable by anyone a few meters away or below a certain level of crystal user.

Oh? Callous perked up. How bold.

Ash watched with renewed interest.

Tobias was sweating, obviously not feeling well. Those around were too busy telling him off to notice. Daxon's eyes gleamed.

There's a barrier set up, Callous continued. Using crystals shouldn't be possible. Could he be...?

Ash pushed the door fully open and strolled into the room.

"Do correct me if I'm wrong," she spoke loudly, "but wasn't fighting outside the arena strictly...what was it...?" Ash's lips curled, "prohibited?"

All eyes turned to the newcomer. The ripple that had been in the air withdrew and Tobias let out a gasp of air.

"Ash!" Adonis gave an excited greeting.

He was ignored.

"Fighting?" Daxon threw an arm around Tobias and pulled him close, taking the moment to rub the other's bald head. "We're just having a friendly chat." He smiled warmly.

"Hmm?" Ash glanced around the room before she showed mock surprise at seeing Tobias. "There you are!" she exclaimed.

Tobias raised his eyes.

Daxon tightened his grip on the other. "Surely you weren't only looking for Tobias? If you wanted a team reunion you should have just said the word. I was actually wanting to pull the five of us together for a meal."

"No thank you," came Ash's curt reply. "I'm quite shy and five is a crowd." She nodded to Tobias. "Didn't we agree to meet? I was thinking you'd forgotten. Turns out you were held up here."

Daxon loosened his grip and Tobias quickly stepped away.

"Looks like you're all done with your..." she raised her eyebrows, "friendly chat." She motioned to him. "Let's go then."

Tobias paused, seeming to consider his options. "You better hope you don't let me meet you in the arena," he growled under his breath to Daxon before stomping from the room.

"Such a tempter," someone muttered.

"That's why no one likes him," another added.

"Don't worry, Daxon. We'll support you," a girl spoke.

Ash didn't hide her amusement. These were supposed to be rivals and yet somehow Daxon had them rooting for him. It was quite interesting.

Not planning to stick around, she simply turned to follow Tobias.

"Ash." A strong hand grabbed her wrist.

She let the boy turn her around to find that he was standing very close. He pressed a finger to his lips. "What happens in the arena stays in the arena," he whispered before shooting her a wink that could make a girl weak in her knees.

Ash's lips curled. She leaned forward and the other's eyes were drawn to her lips as they approached. They beelined last minute, pausing beside his ear, her hair tickling his cheek. "I'll remember that," Ash breathed. She withdrew, an equally warm smile on her face.

Even as she left, she could feel Daxon's eyes glued to her back.

Something is off about that one, Callous cautioned.

Tobias was storming down the hallway, the entire air around him one of brooding dark clouds.

Ash headed in his direction as a crisp sound of boots hit her ears. A beautiful figure dressed in white appeared around the corner. Every step clacked.

Tobias froze in mid-step. He was ignored as Dawn, the arbitrator, strode by. Her eyes stayed ahead, not seeming to see even Ash as she walked toward her, a cool breeze accompanied her. The moment she passed by, her eyes narrowed ever so slightly. Two steps by she paused by the open door, turning to look at the two she'd bypassed.

"I wonder..." she began, gaze raking over the pair. Tobias visibly shivered under the cold that passed over him. Dawn's lips lifted. "Never mind. Go about your business." She shot a glance at the room where Daxon and the others were before continuing toward whatever her destination was.

That wasn't a coincidence, Ash noted.

She's certainly something. Being able to detect that from so far off. Don't get on her bad side. Callous cautioned.

With a hum of acknowledgment, Ash turned to continue down the hallway.

Tobias stood there, frost in his eyes. "I don't need you to keep saving me," he muttered as she approached.

"I wasn't saving you," Ash replied calmly. "I just don't like that guy's pretense."

Tobias' lips drew down in an arc. "Mind your own business next time."

"You're very unlikable," Ash informed.

The frost intensified.

"I know," the boy muttered.

"You're putting a target on your back," Ash continued lazily. It wasn't so much advice as it was a fact. "Once they bring in multiple contestants into the arena, who do you think they'll work together to eliminate first?"

"There's no such thing as friends in Dragon Bane," Tobias sneered. "Everyone will be stabbed in the back regardless in the end."

Ash eyed him. "Daxon is ensuring he gets to stab before being targeted first. Are you really that eager to try the opposite?"

"Better to know their true faces ahead of time."

Ash nodded. "And yet, if you make them all want to take out the same target, those who are enemies will band together for a short time to fulfill the same goal."

"As if you care. No one is here to look out for others. We all want to win."

Ash's lips turned up. "Oh. There's no want on my part. I will."

Tobias scoffed at that. "We'll have to see."

"I hope we won't face each other too soon," Ash's voice was neutral. "It would be a shame if you were eliminated."

The boy scoffed. "Losing is not an option for me." His eyes hardened. "Either I win or die trying."

Ash lifted her chin. "What if it's neither?"

"I still die," Tobias sneered.

"Hmm." Ash eyed him. "Not exactly here of your free will?"

The boy's mouth shut tight. And his brow furrowed. Ash could see the faint beads of sweat forming.

"Whatever the situation. It doesn't concern me." She raised a hand. "Good luck."

The girl was about the walk away when the small voice stopped her.

"If I don't win, never mind what happens to me, he'll kill her too." A chord had been struck with the boy, giving way to a rare moment of sharing.

Ash turned, patiently listening. She had nothing better to do, after all, so she might as well show the crazy boy, who'd co-operated quite well in their team fight, some face.

Tobias lifted his eyes. His fists shook as he clenched them tightly. "He'll kill my mother."

A mama's boy.

Ash's lips twitched. She was sure that if Tobias could hear the dragon, then he'd fly into a rage.

"I've caused her enough pain in life...but I can't let her die," Tobias spoke. His knuckles were white.

The crazy laughter and look in his eyes during battle seemed to be nothing but an illusion from another life.

"So, you at least have a conscience." Ash titled her head. "I wasn't sure there was one in there as you didn't strike me as someone raised with morals," she deadpanned.

Tobias opened his mouth, then he pursed his lips before muttering. "She didn't raise me. He took me away when I was still a ..." his hand rubbed the tattoo in his head, "and made sure to turn me into..." He trailed off again with a sigh of frustration. "What's the point of explaining myself to you?"

So, he's not just a lunatic, but a lunatic that cares about someone, Callous noted. Or just enjoys putting on a show. Do you believe his story?

Ash remained expressionless. There were so many here for different reasons. Whether it was for glory, honor, a sick family member, to take care of loved ones, or a life and death situation, everyone was here for something. Each story could be more heartbreaking than the other, but there could only be one winner.

"Don't want to die?" Ash told Tobias. "Then stop making enemies outside the arena and focus on winning."

"It's not like I want to," Tobias muttered, "people just keep trying to pick fights."

Ash eyed the shiny head sporting the snake tattoo. She couldn't help but reach out and rub the spot.

Tobias withdrew as though he'd been bit, glaring at her.

Ash laughed. "Maybe grow some hair," she suggested. "It might help you be less...provoking."

With that, she turned and walked away.

Tobias' eyes darkened. "What do you have against bald people?" he sneered.

"Not the lack of hair," Ash shot back, "but the giant snake yelling for a beating."

She didn't respond to the curses flying after her. Smiling, she'd just rounded the corner when an arbitrator shimmered into view. He slid up beside her.

"You have a visitor," he murmured, the voice familiar.

Ash shot him a glance. Isn't he the same man as the time Dara came?

Once disloyal, always so, Callous commented.

As visitors were still not allowed, Ash knew what he meant.

She calmly followed the arbitrator who took to walking some way ahead, as though he was just passing through the area and had nothing to do with her. You think Dara is back?

Callous didn't voice his thoughts and so Ash continued to follow in silence. Though she looked relaxed on the outside, she was on high alert. Even though she had not been the one to request the visitor, she was sure that if discovered she wouldn't be without punishment.

Three corridors and two gardens later, the arbitrator motioned to a door. Unlike the last time, he didn't enter.

"Don't take too long," he murmured before turning to walk away rather than guarding outside.

Ash raised an eyebrow, watching him disappear. After a moment, she opened the door and slipped in.

In a corner of the room, a cloaked figure sat, back toward her. Besides the figure, another cloaked person stood. Ash took a double-take when the latter lifted their head. What greeted her was a smooth white mask, with simple black line-markings. From their stature, Ash guessed this had to be a woman, one from whom she could detect an aura of danger.

Neither person was Dara.

Looks like you're popular, Callous commented.

Though Ash remained on high alert, she wasn't worried about any attempts on her life. The visitors were already sneaking in, if they caused a ruckus of any sort, arbitrators of Keegan and Dawn's level would suppress them in moments.

Closing the door with a slight click, Ash made no attempt to walk further into the room, leaving it to the visitors to state their reason for being there.

"It's been a while," the sitting figure spoke. Though her voice was silky, with a soft feminine charm to it, there was a frosty undercurrent mixed in that sent involuntary icy shivers down Ash's back.

Her eyes flew in surprise to her hand that began to tremble without reason.

Callous shifted.

The figure slowly stood, back to her. "Insubordination, betrayal, faking your own death. Shall I continue to list your crimes?" She turned. "The mistress is not pleased," a hand was lifted to the hood. "Zaria," the name was spoken as the hood dropped.

Hair that glowed like the shimmering pearl cascaded down her back. A beautiful face without blemish faced her. Eyes, the color of the blue where the ocean met the sky, though gorgeous, caused the icy shivers to turn to slivers of terror, leaving goosebumps on Ash's back.

Be careful, Callous warned sharply. His warning had no effect as Ash felt as though she's losing all control of her body.

The woman walked over, gracefully swaying. "The mistress..." she stopped, before the girl who now stood rigid, "No," she chuckled. "Your mother." A hand reached out to touch the top of her head. Though the touch was featherlight, Ash felt as though thousands of needles pressed into her head and she had to grip her disobedient hand to try and steady the trembling while willing her legs not to buckle. "Sends her regards."

Through her body's disobedient reactions, a single question slipped through the confusion in Ash's mind. Who?