Lexy exited the building with Varikin shortly behind. She walked back to the door that went to the desert only to hear growling from Varicin. Lexy looked to the wolf and back to the door just in time to watch as one of the monsters leaped at her. Lexy yelped and took a step back.

The creature set its eyes on her and its haunting orange eyes glowed. The monster screeched and began slamming itself against the block while another came and began clawing at the doorway. Lexy stared at this with wide eyes as the bearer that was shocking the creatures began to crack. Varicin growled while some who were walking by stopped to see what was happening.

Some gasped,

“It’s a royal dutch lizard!”

Lexy saw a thin crack appear in the corner when a sound like glass shattering echoed around as the whole seal cracked and then fell apart. Lexy immediately grabbed her father's knife while the first Royal dutch Lizard went for her, Varicin leaped at the beast heading for its throat while the other monster leaped past its friend and was heading for Lexy.

Lexy ran in the other direction while the royal dutch lizard chased her. Lexy tripped and the beast lowered its lion legs unsheathed its claws, and leaped for the girl.Lexy rolled onto her back and with a yell of fury raised her father's knife into the air.

The monster, unable to change its direction in time, was stabbed in the chest by the blade. Black blood spilled from the wound while the beast shrieked as the rune on the knife glowed purple. Lexy watched the half-dead monster fall onto her and as dark black and purple tendrils spread through it as it turned to ash.

With wide eyes, Lexy stood up to see Varikin battling with the other monster. Quickly she tightened her grip on her father's blade and rushed towards the other monster. The blade glowed a vibrant purple as she slid under the beast's stomach and used the momentum to push the blade into the monster's underbelly. More black blood stained her clothing as this time Lexy watched the black and purple tendrils seep from the blade and turn the creature into ash.

Varikin stopped his attack and looked to the child in front of him, covered head to toe in blood and ash. Other rebels stared at her with wide eyes. Lexy felt her head sting in pain while her teeth also stung.

Lexy let out a breath while she looked at her father’s knife which was still glowing an ominous dark purple. Lexy looked to Varicin and ran a hand through her blood-stained hair,

“Alright, now let’s go.”

Lexy walked through the doorway with Varikin shortly behind. Lexy stopped after taking a few steps and turned to Varikin. She knelt and touched Varikin’s scruff. “Ok weird ability please, please work.”

Lexy had begun to think about the trees and wildlife around the mansion. She started concentrating her energy towards Varikin hoping this works. Lexy opened her eyes, there were trees and shrubbery, she looked down to her right to see if Varikin made it and yes, he did.

However, he no longer looked like a wolf; he now held the form of a Doberman pinscher. Lexy blinks “huh that’s handy.” She then sees the chalk markings and begins following them home.

On the way there Lexy gets lost in her thoughts speaking out loud, “how am I going to explain this to Thokath I’ve barely been there for a day or so and I’m already bringing a pet.” The two exited the forest and entered the driveway. She shook her head and she pulled herself away from her thoughts.

Lexy reached the front of the mansion feeling her hands sweat as she opened the doors. Lexy left some of the blood from the monsters on the doorknob. She stepped inside hoping Thokath isn’t home while monster blood dripped from her stained black hoodie.

But to her internal dismay, Thokath was already in the lobby sitting on a chair while setting up a chessboard “welcome back I was about to go out there and start looking- “

Thokath stopped when he saw the dog and Lexy covered head to toe in blood and ash. Lexy felt ice run up her spine and feels herself shake a bit, “yup he’s seen the dog.”

Thokath just stared at the dog for a short moment “Lexy what is with the dog? And is it a Doberman pinscher?”

Lexy can only blink as she sees his face changed to excited, she nodded,

“yes?” not sure if he sounded angry or something else.

“I'm a goner,” Lexy thought when she saw Thokath get up from his seat and walk over to Lexy and Varikin.

She stammered for a lie that would sound somewhat believable “w-well you see I found him in the forest, and he has no ownership collar and I can’t just leave him outside in the woods what if a mountain lion or something else ate him”

Thokath looked at her than the dog and to Lexy’s surprise he shrugs “Shure lucky for you I love dogs. I used to have a black one. Sadly she is no longer with us but. Oh, he’s adorable”

Thokath knelt in front of Varikin and started petting him, at first Varikin gave no response to Thokath quickly after Thokath started scratching behind Varikin’s ear. Varikin started thumping his left leg against the floor.

Lexy felt the ice in her veins be replaced with relief and she sighed. Lexy then watched as Thokath stood up and brushed himself off.

His expression went to a smile, “well Lexy I did promise to teach you how to play chess and I hate breaking promises. But you may want to clean up first.``

Thokath said when he eyed Lexy’s bloodstained appearance. Lexy nodded,

“yeah I'll go clean up. Varikin wait here please.”

The dog only huffed and sat down while Lexy went to go take a shower.

****

Lexy later comes back in a fresh set of clothes and no longer was covered in blood and ash. Thokath gave a soft smile and went to an old-fashioned record player. It was on a table he opened the deep drawer on the table and picked out a large envelope. Thokath then pulled a large disc and gently put it on the player. Music erupted from the machine.

Thokath then walked over to one of the maids,

“Have the chef prepare some food for me, Lexy, and our new friend.”

Thokath then walked back over to a table that had a chess set on it and sat down on the side that had black chess pieces. Thokath motioned her to sit on the side with white pieces.

Lexy walked over and sat down on the opposite side of Thokath. Varikin followed and sat by her side.

Thokath picked up the black king piece “you see chess can be related to many things and it’s because of this. That I love it. But it’s just a game, it would be dangerous to go around having a mentality that life is just a game. What a stupid way of thinking.”

Lexy looked at her pieces and listened carefully to Thokath. Who seems to have a point? She is having a hard time understanding. Lexy heard that chess is a strategy game but just how hard could it be?

Thokath continued “so some pawns can move along the board differently than others.”

Lexy nodded,

“question? What if you have an enemy, but you don’t know who they are or what they are capable of.”

Thokath chuckled “that is difficult, but I think I know what you mean. How you deal with an enemy like that is not trying to predict them, it is more of learning from what they do and preparing for the unexpected.”

Lexy gave a smile “oh, ok thanks”

Thokath then explained how the pieces moved on the board to her. They started their first game and Thokath beat her in less than an hour of the game, but she was not one to give up, so she asked to try again and again. They were currently at their fourth match and Lexy had managed to last longer than thirty minutes and an hour of which so far, she was very proud of.

Thokath made his move, he exposed his queen. Lexy was shocked it was an easy pawn to take but if there is anything, she has learned through this game about her enemy that there is always a reason behind his moves. He always would give up his pieces for only one reason, a trap.

So Lexy focused on the only noise that could be heard was breathing and the soft waltz music in the background. She quickly sees why he moved his queen. It is a sacrifice trick; Lexy only has one pawn that is not in gridlock-like form; she has all her front row pawns move up one through the turns.

Thokath in those turns is rearranging his pawns while she sets up her defense and the second someone infiltrates her defense the pawns in the back would attack. She looked closer and just as she thought it was a sacrifice move the second, she would send one of her pawns after the queen. It would leave a gap in her defense and he would make his move.

Lexy was about to make her move when rapid footsteps came from the stairs. The two stopped their concentration on chess and turned to see who was running downstairs.

It was Carin,

“Hi, Lexy. Is Thokath teaching you how to play chess?”

Lexy gave a kind smile,

“yah he’s really good at this”

Thokath chuckled,

“well you’ve only been playing this game for the last few hours and this is your first few times playing so you’re actually doing really good for your fourth match but then there is also the fact that I am going easy on you”

Lexy’s jaw dropped “you’re going easy on me. You’ve absolutely pulverized me in the last three games''

Thokath just gave a nonchalant shrug and Carin piped up,

“do not feel bad you are doing way better than I ever have, he did learn from-” Carin stopped and looked at Thokath, if glares could kill she would be dead.

Thokath shook his head slightly no. Lexy’s expression changed to slightly confused; she didn’t see Thokath's expression, only Carin’s.

Carin gave a fake smile to Lexy “you know what never mind I'll grab dinner and go” she sounded nervous and angry, “wait Carin please don’t go.”

Carin looked at Lexy's hopeful expression and sighed, grabbed a seat, and sat down at the side of the table holding the game. Carin knew Thokath was going very easy on Lexy. Especially if the match lasted longer than an hour.

Carin looked at the board whether Lexy would have not taken the queen or not she would have lost it was a trap either way. She then looks at Thokath who has a smile on his face.

Lexy has her cheeks puffed in frustration of her loss,

“I demand one more round then we will see if you can keep a hold on that crown Champion of chess!” Lexy said trying to sound serious but with her cheeks puffed Carin could only giggle once she saw the young girl's face.

Thokath laughed and shook his head,

“I am sorry, but you just are too adorable when you’re frustrated”

This only made Lexy puff her cheeks a bit more,

“I am not adorable, I am... Well, I don’t know. But adorable isn't it”

Thokath shook his head and smiled,

“alright adorable little one,” he said in a teasing tone of voice,

“one more round of chess and this time if you beat me you get a cookie.”

Lexy raised a brow,

“and if you win?”

Thokath smirked,

“you have to admit you’re adorable”

Lexy crossed her arms, fire now in her eyes,

“alright challenge accepted”

Lexy and Thokath shake hands and begin resetting the board.

While they do so Leslie comes over to Carin with a chair and sits down,

“So who's winning?”

Carin looked to her older sibling “Thokath is going easy but not nice so far no wins for our newcomer and their resetting right now”

Leslie smiled “sounds like Thokath”

Carin shrugged, “Are the others going to watch?”

Leslie stood up ajusting her glasses after doing so “I don’t think they even know, or they would be down here with popcorn. I’ll go tell them though. Make sure they wait before they start because I want to watch this”

Carin nodded and watched her older sister leave she then turns to Lexy and Thokath,

“wait to start ok the others want to watch”

Lexy tilted her head,

“oh ok it won’t matter though because this time I will CRUSH you and take the crown”

Thokath smirked,

“oh really just be ready for another defeat and admitting you are adorable,” he said playfully back.

Lexy put on a smirk,

“of which will not happen!” her voice in the same playful tone by the time she finishes her statement Leslie was walking down the stairs with Varic, Varan, Axle, Misa, and Mina shortly behind

The five get chairs and set up around Lexy and Thokath to watch. Mina and Misa have a large bucket of popcorn.

Lexy didn't notice the crowd once Thokath smirked “alright I’ll let you have the first move” the others watched every move Lexy and Thokath made. Until Thokath had Lexy’s king checkmated by his duke. Thokath’s smirk stretched further,

“checkmate.”

Lex's eyes widened,

“no! How do you win every time?” Lexy said with defeat in her voice.

Thokath chuckled,

“Practice little one is key and it’s for my spoils of war?”

Lexy puffed her cheeks,

“Fine, I’m adorable. Happy?”

Thokath smiled “yup. Very, Now let’s go get some dinner”

Lexy can’t argue with that and stands up and jumps with shock “oh hi when did you guys get here?”

The group chuckled and began putting chairs away and heading to the dining room. Varic smiled at Thokath,

“congrats on another victory.”

Thokath smiled,

“can it count when my opponent doesn't have a chance?”

Varic shook his head,

“Learn to take a compliment, you jerk.”

Thokath rolled his eyes and the group went to dinner.

***

Lexy woke up to see she slept in her clothes and sighed. She ran a hand through her blond hair and got out of bed. Lexy heard the soft pitter-patter of movement when Verikin came up to her. The dog stared at her and tilted its head as if to ask what she would be doing. Lexy smiled and went over to her dresser, grabbed her father’s knife, and put it in her pocket,

“Ok, I'll do a supply run for the rebels today. Onward to something.”

Lexy winced when she felt her teeth almost feel loose she then walked out of her bedroom with Varikin by her side. Lexy headed to the bathroom door and looked to Varikin,

“Wait here.”

Lexy went into the bathroom and closed the door behind her. She looked into the mirror and opened her mouth. Lexy touched her teeth and was horrified when she saw her whole top row of teeth move from the force. Blood began seeping from her gums as the teeth tore through and her whole upper jaw of teeth fell out. Lexy pulled out the row of teeth with wide eyes.

Blood fell from her mouth and with her other hand, she touched the bottom row. only to be horrified as all her bottom row teeth were just as loose. It only took a slight tug for the whole row to come out together. Lexy wanted to scream. But she didn't. Lexy let out a strangled cough when she felt pain bloom from both her gums. Lexy looked in the mirror and opened her mouth. only to be shocked when she saw new teeth came in with blood still dripping from her mouth.

The new teeth were more pointed versions of her last set. Lexy let out a shaky breath, spit out the blood in her mouth, and ran a hand through her hair. She put the two rows of teeth in the trash. Lexy then walked out of the bathroom to see Varikin and gave a nervous smile,

“Ok, now let’s go.”

Lexy headed downstairs with the dog and walked up to one of the butlers,

“Do we have a pantry I could snag some cans from?”

The man nodded and walked away and came back with a large bag of canned goods and an apple. He handed it to her and Lexy smiled,

“Thank you.”

The butler nodded, patted her head, and walked away. Lexy looked to Varkin and sighed,

“Ok now let's go.”

With that, the duo heads out of the mansion and head into the woods. Upon entrance into the forest, Lexy noticed how Varikin’s illusion went away and looked like a white wolf instead. Lexy nervously then leaned down and touched Varikin’s scruff, she closed her eyes and thought of the doorway to the rebellion, she opened her eyes to see the bare dirt and dunes of the desert as well as the doorway into the rebellion.

Lexy and Varicin went through the doorway. Lexy hauled the cans with her to the building Jackson and Fendres had brought her to last time. Lexy and Varicin entered and halfway into the cafeteria were when a little girl came up to her who had a white lizard tail with brown colored hair and white eyes. They had a little grey skirt and a blue blouse. The little girl was just a bit shorter than Lexy.

They smiled at Lexy and offered a handshake,

“I'm Kiri, who are you?”

Lexy accepted the handshake and was about to speak when she saw Kiri’s eyes widened with fear while she took a sharp breath. Kiri quickly pulled her hand away and looked at Lexy like she was a monster. Lexy frowned,

“Are you ok?”

Kiri flinched and shook her head and ran away. Lexy glanced at Varikin with a raised brow. Varikin only stared at her with his head tilted.

Lexy sighed and continued making her way through the crowded cafeteria. Lexy saw another female that was crocodile tailed only older. Her head was halfway shaved, and the rest is chocolate-colored hair ruffled all to one side by her is a black dog-like Varikin, only with crystals coming out of their back.

The older girl's once small smile changed to a teeth-bared snarl, the second she looked at Lexy. Lexy tried to talk but was quickly interrupted by the girl,

“So you finally decide to show your good for nothing face. I’ll admit I wasn’t sure it was you when I first heard the description but now, oh now I know it is you.”

Lexy looked to Varikin with pleading eyes. To Lexy’s surprise, Varikin did nothing.

She frowned and turned back to the girl,

“wow uh hi and I don’t know what I did to you but there is no need to be such a jerk. Why don’t we start over? I'm Lexy and you are?” she said with a friendly smile and an extended hand while she set down the cans of food.

The older girl raised a brow and gave a flabbergasted look “excuse me, You what?”

Lexy’s smile didn’t waver,

“you heard me let’s start over I'm Lexy, what’s your name?”

A smirk spreads over Talo’s face as she shouts out,

“My name is Talo Evercore and I challenge you, Lexy, to a Garrshon!” An eerie silence falls over the whole cafeteria. All eyes turn to Lexy and Talo.

Talo’s smirk only grew when she saw Lexy drop her extended hand and her smile turned to a frown.

Lexy wrinkled her nose,

“What’s a Garrshon.”

The pride in Talo deflated,

“Excuse me what? You don't. Ugh, it’s a fight, I'm challenging you to a fight.”

Lexy took a sharp breath and puffed up her chest “No I’m not fighting you, I don’t have time to deal with a stupid moron like you anyway.”

Talo huffed “Well there is no denying a challenge.”

Lexy glared and looked at Varikin who didn't even look at her. “Well I don’t care, I'm not fighting you. Uh, what’s your name again?”

Jackson heard the challenge and stood up. Concerned after listening to everything, he walked over to Lexy. Shaking his head, he informed her,

“You being the challenged to a Garrshon” The captain sighed, “There is a choice to be made, do you want a fight to the death or until one of you to give up?”

Lexy’s eyes widened,

“uh, Till one quits please.”

Jackson nodded and looked at the two girls,

“You both have four days to prepare then report to the fighting ring.” With that Jackson went back to his seat.

Talo gave a sadistic grin when she turned and walked away, “Till then I can’t wait to pluck your little feathers my pretty.” With that, she and her wolf left the room.

Lexy sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose,

“Please, tell me that was all fake.”

Varikin just looked away from Lexy,

Lexy frowned,

“Thanks for the reassurance.” Her voice dripped with sarcasm. Lexy then saw Alcore coming into the room.

Lexy walked over to Alcore with the canned goods and Varikin shortly behind,

“Hi”

Alcore picked up his mug of water,

“oh hi how are you liking the base?”

Lexy gave a nervous smile,

“Yes, I love it so far and it’s great.”

Alcore raised a brow “but?”

Lexy scratched her arm,

“This has nothing to do with the base but what’s Garrshon?”

Alcore shrugged “eh it’s a way to prove your self usually it is used to determine what squad you go in or it can be a gruesome battle to get some of your frustrations out. Why do you ask?” Stating this before he calmly took another sip of his drink.

Lexy looked from Varikin and to Alcore, “oh I was wondering because I got challenged by a member named Talo to an until give up version.”

Alcore spat out what water was in his mouth “a what? Do you? Do you know how to fight in close combat?”

Lexy shrugged,

“I do but it’s melee and throwing knifes”

Alcore hummed worry was on his face “Who challenged you I don't think I catched it if you said it.”

Lexy huffed,

“ a member named Talo.”

Alcore frowned and Jackson came up to the group,

“That’s true.”

Lexy flinched with a soft yelp and turned to Jackson,

“Holly, you came out of nowhere!”

Jackson shrugged,

“Question, has Varikin changed yet?”

Lexy shook her head,

“Oh no he’s a wolf, how can a wolf change?

Jackson turned to Alcore with a pondering look,

“Do you think she should start with mine?”

Alcore shrugged,

“I was trying to figure that out. But if you do that would be one less thing I have to worry about.”

Jackson nodded and turned to Lexy,

“ I, Jackson of the k-nine-unit, welcome you to my squad.”

Lexy just stared at Jackson for a long moment.

Jackson chuckled and continued,

“Anyhow, you’re a part of my squad now it means I am your captain and as your captain you are to follow orders and any missions, I give you, got it?”

Lexy finally had heard enough tilted her head and wrinkled her nose,

“Excuse me, I’ll be a monkey's uncle if that happens.”

It was now Jackson’s turn to tilt his head and he looked confused. He only saw a smug grin creeping its way onto Alcore’s face as he chuckled,

“That is now your problem captain.”

Jackson looks back to Lexy who just looked at him with nothing but the attitude in her eyes,

“I don’t think I stuttered.”

Lexy only chuckled,

“Yeah and I don’t think someone should have authority over someone else just because of a wolf.”

Jackson huffed,

“Do you want help with fighting against Talo or not? Keep this up and you’ll never get out to help anyone.”

Lexy stopped “help? Like fighting lessons?” she said keenly with interest.

Jackson nodded “now do you want to listen?”

Lexy nodded softly and Jackson sighed,

“alright, you’ll need throwing knives not just for the fight but also for training and in-field use... You said you can use those, yes?”

Lexy smirked,

“Yes, yes I can.”

Jackson pointed to a door “that's the door to the lab Leo should be in there he might have some knives you can use. Do you think you can handle that?”

Lexy nodded,

“of course” and with a smirk on her face, she left. Varikin shortly followed behind her.

Jackson turned to Alcore who only chuckled and sighed. He was about to say something to Alcore when a girl with two red glowing streaks on her cheeks. Her eyes are blue and red.

She quickly rushed up to Alcore coming out of a flash of lightning,

“Alcore! They're alive!”

Alcore and Jackson jump and glance at each other. Alcore is the one to talk,

“Wait, slow down Jennie, who is alive? Do you mean the others?” others in the cafeteria stopped whatever they were doing and begin to listen.

Jennie nodded,

“they all are survivors from the fall, they're being held in the capital”

Alcore’s expression furrowed,

“How did you find this out?”

Jennie shivered,

“While we were doing a scout out near the capital, we managed to capture a head guard’s men. We interrogated him and he told us that there is an area of dungeons where a lot of guards are being assigned to but are not allowed to go in or see the prisoners but he was there when the prisoners got there and were told they were rebels.”

Jennie paused and shuddered,

“But here is the strange part: the only people allowed to see the rebels were the king, the council, a highly-skilled doctor, and a chef and that are all we got out of him right now.”

Alcore put his hand up “ok keep interrogating but keep in mind they could be lying you know as well as I the chances of even one of them escaping what happened alive. Also, I doubt it’s that lazy good for nothing, king. He hates doing anything anyway.”

Jennie nodded and lowered her head,

“you're right I'll go see if we can figure out more” with that she left.

Jackson turned to see Alcore who had a concerned expression,

“Do you think it’s true?”

Alcore shook his head,

“I want to but we should wait till I address this at the next council meeting”

Jackson nodded,

“you know speaking of addressing things Alcore I’m rather curious”

Alcore gave a heavy sigh as he set down his mug of water,

“curious about what?”

Jackson opened his mouth but closed it trying to find the right words to use,

“curious about Lexy you’ve never recruited someone so fast without a test . . ..” the look in Jackson’s eyes changed to sympathetic,

“does.” He paused,

“she reminds you of something”

Alcore’s eyes began to fog over and a shadow fell over his face. He turned away softly but responded with ever so softly “yes…. She does. I . . .”

Jackson lowered his head in silence.

Alcore gripped the table harshly behind him and said through gritted teeth,

“they started getting worse the first time I met her …. When I met her in the woods I swear for a moment I saw Lilly. The only thing that made me realize was the fact that …... she was wearing goggles so. . . “

Alcore fell silent for a bit,

“She's just like her as far as personalities go Lily wouldn’t care who you were, what you were, or what you’ve done. if it meant you wanted to change or if you needed help she wouldn’t take no for an answer she would just help you and not have a care in the world.” Alcore took a shaky breath and closed his eyes thinking of the past.

A boy aged seven, who had dark silver hair and dark violet eyes holding a wild look of wonder inside. The boy was a little tall for his age and was dressed in somewhat tattered clothes.

“common Alcore why are you staring off into space we’ve got to pick a present for daddy,” said a girl with long almost white-blond hair accompanied by deep storm blue-colored eyes. The little girl was half a foot shorter than Alcore, she puffed her cheeks in frustration.

“I know Lilly, I know, I’m just trying to think of something good to buy dad”

Lilly deflated her cheeks and looked around at the markets and one traveling market caught her eye.

“Hey, big brother doesn’t dad like collecting souvenirs especially if they're colored or something he’s never seen before?”

Alcore looked over to the traveling market she was referring to. The caravan had vines with flowers and moss covering it like it took a piece of the jungle and covered itself in that. The caravan itself was being pulled by a four-tailed black and gray deer fox.

Its antlers were large and purple. Its back feet are cloven hooves while its front feet are fox paws. It holds its head high as people pass. The merchant inside was a blooded wolf beast and was setting up glass and wooden figures that consisted of magical creatures and monsters all of which were moving on their own.

The two children ran up to the caravan wonder and curiosity filling their eyes as they gazed at the strange creatures.

“Hello good sir” Alcore began already confident that this is what he wanted to get for his father. The merchant turned his attention to the two siblings and gave a friendly laugh,

“why hello how can I help you today” Alcore and Lilly gave soft smiles and looked at the other and nodded in agreement,

“Yes, I was wondering what your merchandise is. It's wonderful and I and my little sister would like to buy one for our father.”

The merchant rubbed his chin and posed for a moment and then stopped and smiled.

“These are bio fighters they can be a companion and a weapon. They are well-built too, they each have a core inside them that is made of pure magic so even if its body is destroyed by battle you can revive it by putting its core in the water. Also, as for the price, on the house pick whichever one you think father will enjoy the most” The sibling's jaws dropped with astonishment.

Alcore turned to Lilly,

``I will let you pick ok.”

Lilly’s eyes filled with excitement from her big brother’s words. Alcore picked up Lilly so she could see better. Lilly looked at all the creatures and warriors, but one caught her eye.

It was like the creature hauling the caravan, a dear fox with nine tails only the bio fighter had more white and smaller antlers. Lilly pointed to it “this one please” the merchant nodded and handed it to her. The little creature steadied itself carefully in Lilly’s hands and chirped happily.

Lilly smiled ear to ear, happy with her choice. Alcore put her down, thanked the kind Merchant and the two went off to go home.

Alcore and Lilly entered their home only to be greeted by their mother sobbing instead of the cheerful mother they knew.

“Mommy, what’s wrong? Where’s daddy, isn't he supposed to be back now from his mission?”

Their mother looked up at them from her seat and looked Alcore in the eyes and shook her head no. Unlike Lilly Alcore recognized what that look meant and tears began forming in his eyes and swallowed what felt like a ton of bricks,

“Dad, Lilly. . . isn’t coming home Lilly …. He won’t ever come back dad …” Alcore swallowed waterfalls of tears flowing down his face “dad's dead Lilly” Alcore hung his head low.

The words that her big brother said took a moment for her to sink in to just realize what had happened. She wanted this to be a bad joke, a really bad joke but no …no punch line here so the three stand there not shore in what to do next.

They hear uniformed marching coming from outside. Alcore snapped his attention to outside, their whole home surrounded by Anawrath soldiers with lit torches. One stepped up and pulled out a scroll,

“Attention the Lervaro family due to your husband and father's actions for killing the king it is the law to kill the family of the killer since he himself has died as well so, goodbye”

A dragon blooded stepped up and changed to their dragon form and began setting the house on fire. Their mother began screaming but Alcore couldn’t hear through the static that was his thoughts.

He needed to protect Lilly, so he pulled Lilly down into a curled-up ball and curled around her in an attempt hoping he would save his sibling from agony. The little bio fighter crawled out of Lilly’s hands and crawled into Alcore’s main shirt pocket. Alcore eventually could no longer take the heat and lost consciousness.

When Alcore awoke there was no house, just dust, and a concrete floor. Alcore looked for Lilly. No Lilly the only thing left was his little sister's metal hair clip and the glowing orange core of the bio warrior.

“ya I admit it, she reminds me of Lilly, I am curious about her combat abilities. I may have to watch and see what you have planned.”

Jackson noded when he watched Leo, Lexy, and Varikin come out of the lab,

“Well I have to go.” with that he left.

Lexy followed Leo out with Varikin by her side.

Leo coughed,

“come on we don’t have all day,” he said this when he handed Lexy a large cloak

Lexy smiled and took the hood,

“right sorry Leo” and she put on her cloak. With that, the three leave the base

Alcore watched this and then left the cafeteria and walked through a few hallways. He stops and enters his office. His office has a large table and a desk. Alcore walked up to the table and put his hand on it.

The table glowed and it produced a hologram, he walked away from it and then turned back to the holographic map. Alcore moves the structure it was showing around a bit. Alcore moves his hand and it zooms in on one part.

The structure is in fact a theater and on one of the ticket, booths is a poster advertising a play that the king will be going to see and the name of the play is called Le Oprah, a very popular play among the high class.

The play itself will be held in five weeks. “Five weeks we made our move. Yet I can't help but wonder if it should be sooner” Alcore pondered about everything and sighed.