"Fine. I'll do it," Isla responded.

Worries existed, primed and ready, but for her alone. Yet, this chance brought an opportunity for change. A simple wager, resulting in annihilation or victory. A risk with the clear pathway to thwart another emotional loss like Rydin. How could she cede this break?

Nirvana smirked. "Very good. Glad to see you didn't inherit your father's eager flight tendencies."

"Coward would be the least of my descriptions for him."

"You two are surprisingly similar," Layla laughed.

"Not a chance," Isla rebuked, "I'm not that old and decrepit."

"Such ill-will towards your benefactor. Your mother would weep. Perhaps some personality lessons would help as well," Nirvana responded, tapping her chin.

"There's no fixing what's already broken," Linda mocked.

Isla raised an eyebrow. "Says the one who broke it?"

Nirvana sighed. "It's the past. Move on."

"If they can be 'heated emotionally' for eight years, I'm allowed the same. Tell me what I need to do so I can leave," Isla snapped.

"Fine, child. Listen well. Arcadia is a special world, unlike others. The world watches over its residents, nourishing the land. Only after one is accepted by this world's spirit, can they become Queen. A future without this bond leads to destruction."

"Okay, create a bond. How?"

"When you are ready, travel to Mount Avia. At the top will be a shrine, pass through the barrier and the spirit's test will begin."

"That's it?"

"Isla," Layla protested, "it's not that simple."

"Quiet, Layla. She can figure the trial out on her own," Nirvana reprimanded.

Isla watched Layla, her mouth parting and gaze telling. What couldn't be said? Did the trial entail a far deeper concept than she presumed? No, her sisters survived. She could endure similar challenges fate had anticipated. Even tests worse than death.

Ignoring the impulse, she stood. Needles poked and prodded her thighs, the effect pulsating. One step, and her vision blurred alongside her lurching stomach. The door enraptured her gaze, drawing her forward.

"Isla?" Layla called.

She paused, the door handle leveraging her weight. Her legs trembled and she clawed her weakness.

A sluggish touch and the door creaked open. Again, she moved, their gazes serrating her back.

Isla concentrated on a solid stride—straight, even, and strong. Her persistence transported her past smut riddled walls and through stone fragment littered hallways. She shuffled into the central hub, heaving at the corner. Her gaze scoured the wide, empty expanse. The echoing footsteps of two patrolling guards synchronized with her heartbeat.

They halted and their gazes followed her movements. Still, she continued, avoiding the questionable stares she knew her appearance incited.

A golden light blindsided her as she exited. She winced and shaded her eyes. The star shined overhead, emanating cheerful rays and warming the land.

Why did even the weather mock her? This scenery rekindled her detachment to time's passage. People died, but life continued, unending and repetitive. How laughable did her circumstances need to be before she found peace?

A tap on her shoulder interrupted her thoughts. "Isla?" Layla called.

She lowered her gaze. "What?"

Layla descended the short steps before Isla, peering upwards. "Just hear me out, okay?" She clasped her hands, fiddling her thumbs.

"What do you want?"

"Er well, about the trial," she stammered, biting her lip.

"Get on with it," Isla retorted.

"Isla, I know you're strong, really. But the forest around the mountain is dangerous. The place is crawling with monsters. Won't you let me help you?"

"I don't need your help."

Her brow wrinkled and her eyes watered. "But-"

"Why would I trust my back to you? No thanks." Isla sidestepped, escaping from the conversation.

"Please, maybe not my help, but others. I just want to make sure you're safe."

She halted, spinning on her heels. "Oh wow, you care? What about your prediction of Rein's attack? You didn't care enough to tell me then, but now you do. Amazing what little time does." Isla approached her sister, glaring. "Where was this care for me when I was young? When you condemned me to die? Give me one good reason I should accept your help?"

Layla's face paled, but she breathed deep, clearing her throat. "Excuses, I know Isla. Nothing I say can change what happened. But I know you want to pass this trial. And Isla, I know you want to stop our father. Accept what I offer, not for my feelings, but for what you will gain."

Isla clenched her hands and released them. Her emotions bubbled and surged, an act unappealing to her. She didn't react to every nuance, this wasn't her. Forget the shameless actions committed by her sisters, her future hinged on this life.

"I'm listening," she growled.

"Both Linda and I contracted a group of mercenaries to guard us. I'd recommend the same. I can introduce you. They know the forest and are able to navigate through the miasma that disrupts your sense of direction."

"And?"

Layla tilted her head. "And, what?"

"So what if you introduce me, how do you expect me to afford hiring guards? Do you think I live the life of a princess?"

She flailed her hands and blushed. "Oh, no. Of course not. Don't worry about the funds. I'll take care of that."

Isla narrowed her gaze. "And what do you plan with having me in your debt?"

"Nothing! For heaven's sake, Isla. I don't want anything from you. I swear. If anything, I'm in your debt. I owe you plenty. Can't you at least accept that?"

"Whatever." Isla rolled her eyes and returned to her retreat.

"You can't keep running away, Isla!" Layla called.

Her legs hauled her weight forward, bursts of pain coordinating with her footsteps. The distance towards slumber shortened, one shaky leg at a time. With the world outside her peripheral blurring, she arrived at the living quarters, staggering through the door. The stairs loomed ahead, steep and mammoth. She dragged her feet, surmounting both flights.

Isla shoved her oasis' door as she turned the knob. The door launched open, knocking into the wall. Her vision swirled and she grasped the doorframe. Though her body screamed, instinct blared louder, forcing her to secure the entrance. Taking a step towards the bed, she collapsed, face first.

Her body relaxed into the cotton blanket, the warmth caressing her skin.

The day whirled by, memories flickering past. Again, she killed another innocent soul. His life destroyed from her presence. She should have warned him more. She should have distanced herself by force. All the should haves and smarts were meaningless with death.

She knew why her decision strayed. Rydin had intrigued her.

His bright and straightforward personality enamored her. Naive, but still life's tribulations hadn't sullied his actions. Not quite a man, but one with promise. She couldn't lie, not to herself. He pierced her defenses, creating an entrance for himself. If he lived, time would have favored him. To her, he was light.

Isla nuzzled against the bed and clasped the blanket.

What about Leef? He would be heartbroken. A mere separation invoked a hulking flood of emotion. She could predict his reaction. Tears glistened his emerald eyes and overflowed at the corners, cascading down his face. He would sob his brother's name till exhaustion. His tousled blond hair matting against the tears as he curled into a ball. The only blood relative he had—gone.

How could she compensate his loss? Could she procure treatment for his illness?

She rubbed her face, heating her skin. An option, but would she be redeemed? No, nothing could redeem the darkness she inflicted.

What about Rein? Again, he surfaced and haunted her. How could he? He trusted her father of all people! Didn't actions speak louder than words? Where did that saying disappear to?

Right to Rein as he betrayed her.

She could imagine his handsome smile, his annoying retorts, and his dramatic acts. She remembered how his eyes would brighten when he joked. Even his hearty laugh, which drew young and old alike. The sight amazed her, but a dream-like fantasy forevermore.

The blanket dampened, the wetness clammy against her face. She shunned her thoughts and ceded her barriers. Morning would come accompanied by her revival, but tonight she would weep.    

A/N: Sorry that this chapter is short. I had more but after editing I pushed some to the next chapter. So the next one should be long. Enjoy!