Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

" S eren Solais."

Ryuu snaps to attention, his entire body turning to stone as my name is called out for the chosen participants in this year's guard's competition. Moving toward the center of the market square, where the Caligo guards set up their announcement, I attempt to act indifferent, knowing I will have to deal with him soon enough.

Ryuu isn't the only one shocked at a Sidus being chosen. The Caligo people that made their way down to the Sidus town to hear if their name has been picked also look at me with disbelief.

This is all just a game to the Caligo guards. Another way to degrade the Sidus and prove to every other Caligo how weak and incapable we are when we are not chosen. They could choose to have this up in the Caligo city, where nearly every last competitor has been chosen from these last few years. But instead, they go out of their way to come down here and do it.

And although none of this was my purpose when I slipped past the guards last night to swap my name with one of the already chosen participants, I secretly revel in the fact that they will not have any smug looks for the Sidus once they finish calling out the participants.

The Sidus murmur amongst themselves, all wearing shocked but happy expressions at finding one of their own is in the competition. The last one to be accepted was Ryuu, and it was over a decade ago.

No other Sidus has been able to be chosen for the guard's competition since then.

After Ryuu managed to beat every Caligo and win it, the guards made sure no other Sidus would ever want to attempt it again and made it known to those who were brave enough that they would be immediately overlooked and denied.

I take my parchment and stand to the left of Ryuu as the next few names of the competitors are called out. Time blurs as I focus on the guards to my right, their shocked stares now outright hostile glares.

I knew choosing this path would not be easy. I will have to tread carefully moving forward, watch my back and, from the looks of it, my sides and front too.

The announcement passes quickly, and I step off the stage and move toward Jarek and the wide smile he wears like a beacon of relief.

"So, your plan is to become rich and share your winnings with your best friend?" he says the minute I step up beside him.

"Or maybe it is so I can destroy them from within." With a wicked smirk, I narrow my eyes on the nearest Caligo guard.

"Don't joke," Jarek says, his smile quickly dropping.

I chuckle, feeling light for once. "I have no interest in joining the guards, nor usurping them from their thrones. But I may have a little plan to try to help us with our mess."

Jarek straightens up as he fully turns to look at me, his face now shadowed with fear. "Now you have me worried."

"Don't be," I tell him.

"Seren—"

"You're using my full name? This must be serious." I turn to look back at him as he searches my face for something.

"I take it back. I don't want to be rich. I want you safe by my side instead." He takes my arm and quickly looks around. "Let's find one of the guards and tell them it was a mistake. A joke that someone played on you."

I pull my arm from his, forcing him to stop and look at me. "What has changed your mind? You were practically begging me to join the competition the other day."

Jarek fists his wavy brown hair. "In jest, mostly , because I knew you would never truly do it." He releases his now disheveled hair to look at me. "But I can see it in your eyes. You're serious about this. And whatever you are going to do will more than likely get you killed."

"You know I can take care of myself." I reach out and take his hand, hoping to ease some of his growing apprehension.

His fingers tighten around mine. "I also know that you are not invincible, and mistakes happen. Look at yesterday." He gives me a pointed look.

One that I glare back at him.

"Yesterday was my own fault. A foolish mistake that won't happen again."

He shakes his head at me, the worry clinging to every shadow on his face.

"Ren—"

"I will be careful. Trust me on this, please. You have my word," I promise.

Jarek sighs but soon relents. He knows I wouldn't do anything too impulsively. My plans are usually well thought out and conscientious.

"Seren." Ryuu's harsh voice rings out around us, making me stiffen and wince.

Jarek smiles at my discomfort. "Ah, maybe the captain can talk some sense into you."

"You are supposed to be my friend," I hiss, giving him a glare my mother would be proud of.

Jarek's eyes soften. " Always , Seren." His tone leaves no question about how much he means it. But then a glint of devilment enters his eyes as he opens his mouth to speak. "Even when the captain and Aloisia decide to lock you up and I have to visit you in your cell just to pass you some edible food."

"That's a tad bit dramatic, don't you think?" I frown at him.

Jarek leans forward, tilting his head at Ryuu. "Is it? Is it really?"

I chance a glance at Ryuu's face and instantly regret it. "Maybe not," I whisper just as Ryuu steps in front of me.

"Home. Now ." Ryuu swiftly turns and heads in the direction.

"Good luck, Ren." Jarek starts walking backward, a small smile tilting his lips. "It looks like you're going to need it," he sings, chuckling under his breath as he disappears into the crowd.

Turning, I follow Ryuu home, leaving a few feet between us while I mentally prepare myself for the incoming battle with my mother.

Coming around the corner, I hesitate a moment, seeing half a dozen guards near the entrance of our small home. It sets my nerves on edge.

A couple notice me and glare or snarl as I pass them. It's nothing unusual, but something doesn't feel right. The guards don't pay social visits to the Sidus, even with the captain living here.

Stepping into the small front room of our home, I find Ryuu facing another man, whose back is to me, but his build and the insignia on his black coat inform me of a high-ranking position. Neither are talking but, rather, having some sort of tense stare down. The air in the room feels thick with trepidation.

Moving closer, I notice the tension radiating from Ryuu. His jaw is clenched, his arms crossed as I walk over to him. His eyes briefly flicker to mine before returning to the man in front of him.

"Seren, this is Lieutenant Amaro." Ryuu's face is unreadable as he introduces me to his commanding officer.

The man in question turns to me with no smile or warmth in his eyes. The lieutenant is not what I had envisioned. From Ryuu's brief description in passing conversation, I imagined a gruff older-looking man, stricter than the captain himself. And although his long hair is washed of any color, nearing complete gray, his face is youthful, only a few years older than mine.

It shouldn't surprise me. Most Caligo guards are corrupt and immoral. Why wouldn't they also have favors among themselves and skip the ranks?

The lieutenant is slightly shorter than Ryuu, but he holds his head high as if to look down upon everyone around him, and his expression shows nothing but arrogance.

I thought they might be somewhat amicable, having to work with each other, but seeing the two of them together suggests otherwise.

Amaro tilts his head as his cold glance examines me closely. "Seren. I have heard a great many things about you."

Keeping my facial expression neutral, I cast Ryuu a quick glance. I did not realize I would ever be a topic for discussion unless it was regarding some sort of dispute. Nothing about this conversation is easing my turbulent nerves.

Ryuu continues to ignore me, his complete focus on Amaro. I, too, face the lieutenant, giving him a tight smile, and wonder what it is he requires of me.

The lieutenant's cold face turns apologetic as he looks at Ryuu. "As you are aware, this year the guard's competition will take place in the palace grounds. Many of the guards have heard your… worries about strange creatures, and I thought it best to come collect your daughter personally." He gives Ryuu a vicious smile that makes my stomach drop to the floor.

The lieutenant knew. He knew Ryuu went to his men about the dark creatures, and it seems I am going to be a part of whatever payback he will receive for it.

I mask my face with one of indifference as Ryuu quickly realizes this too.

Ryuu clenches his fists at his side. "What is this about, Amaro?"

The lieutenant cuts Ryuu a sharp look. "It is Lieutenant Amaro to you, Captain. Do not forget that."

The look Ryuu gives him is terrifying. "Forgive me, Lieutenant . Explain… please." He grits his reply, his last word sounding like twisted thorns getting caught on each syllable and sounding anything but pleading.

Amaro, oblivious to Ryuu's silent rage, replies, "We are simply protecting our own. Seren is… special to us. To have been chosen to enter the competition is a feat not many Sidus achieve. But not to worry, I will personally deliver her to the palace and make sure she is looked after with great care."

The glint in his eyes expands, and I can tell the exact kind of care he'll be administering the minute I enter the palace grounds.

Ryuu's rage explodes out of him at once when he realizes it too. "Seren entering the competition was a mistake. She will immediately rescind her entry."

Amaro whips his head toward him, his own rage burning like flames in his eyes. "That is not an option, Captain . Once entered and chosen, all entries must compete. And need I remind you which of us holds the power here?" I clench my fists tight as Amaro takes a step closer to him. Ryuu's whole body vibrates, his powers barely restrained. His eyes swirl with his Sidus power, waiting to be unleashed.

Amaro narrows his eyes, a cruel smirk to his lips. "Try it. I assure you it won't end well." He briefly glances over at me. "For either of you."

Ryuu snarls at Amaro before glancing away. Taking deep breaths, he tries to calm his tense body and pull back his powers from the brink.

Amaro turns back to me, his cold smirk still firmly in place. I pull my own powers back as they try to seep out to the surface to protect and attack the threat in front of me.

"Now, where were we? Ah yes, Seren, you will be coming with us immediately. The sooner we have you in the safety of the palace grounds, the better."

Amaro looks to Ryuu, a flicker in his eyes that quickly turns threatening before it is masked behind one of mock remorse. "I am sure you would not want any repercussions to befall your family should you not follow our rules. Would you, Seren?"

Although his tone is sincere, the final threat is unmistakable. The cruelty in his eyes reveals everything I need to know about what kind of man he is. He will get his way, one way or another. Now, it is down to me whether it happens quietly or not.

The look Ryuu gives me tells me not to trust him, nor even dare think to go with him, but if there were even a little truth to his words, attempting to prolong this would mean putting him and those I care about in harm's way.

It is a risk I would never be willing to take.

Seeing the decision on my face, Ryuu gives me a disappointed look.

"Seren—" Ryuu's tone holds nothing but fury.

Abruptly, the front door opens, revealing my mother. Upon seeing our guests, her calm face morphs into a controlled fury only years of training could display.

"Lieutenant Amaro." She speaks but two words. Two simple words, and I can already tell how much she despises this man. "What is it you need?" Her words are sharp and harsh even to my own ears.

"As sharp as a blade and straight to the point, Aloisia." Amaro dips his head to her in greeting, one my mother does not return. She merely raises a brow, waiting for a response.

Amaro smirks. "On to more urgent matters, I see. You'll be delighted to know that Seren has been chosen to compete in the guard's competition and will be coming to stay with us in the palace. As a special guest, of course, until it is finished."

My mother's body turns stiff, her expression blank. "May I have a moment with my daughter? Alone ," she says, her voice just as devoid of emotion.

"Of course." Amaro gives me a look of warning. "I'll be waiting outside. Do not be long." Amaro gives Ryuu a sharp look before heading outside, his guards following him closely behind.

Once they are gone, my mother rushes over to me, her masked fury no longer contained, bleeding out around her. "You are not going with that man!"

I swallow back the bile and pull on years of training to push away any emotions I feel right now. It would do me no good to regret what I cannot change. "I have to," I tell her.

"No, you don't." My mother looks to Ryuu for an answer. "We will come up with a plan."

Together, they start thinking of people they can contact to get me somewhere hidden and safe. But I know what I must do. No plan they will come up with will get me out of this. It would only make things worse. Amaro already holds a considerable amount of hostility toward Ryuu. It will not take much for him to turn on him and then my mother.

My stomach churns at the thought of what Amaro has planned for me, but I need to follow through with this. There is no other way.

"No." My voice cuts through their discussion, silencing them.

They both turn to look at me.

"It's too late. I have to go with him." I plead with my eyes, begging them to trust me with this, to understand.

"I will not allow you to leave with that… man! I'd trust a serpent quicker than I'd trust him."

I'd have to agree with my mother; there was something Amaro was hiding, something I know I will discover soon. But it might be better to be inside the nest of snakes than waiting on the edges for them to strike.

"Neither do I, but you know I need to go with him."

"I know no such thing," she says, her voice like a whip. Her stubborn nature is legendary. Her anger, a violent storm ready to be unleashed. But I was raised among her whirlwind of fury. Never fearing the raging turmoil, only feeling the strength beneath it. I will not yield on this. I can't, not with their lives at stake.

"Amaro has made it very clear how he expects this to go should we not agree to his terms," I tell her.

"He's going to make you pay, Seren. For my mistakes," Ryuu hisses, the fear in his eyes seeping onto his face.

"What mistakes?" I ask him. "All you did was try to make them listen."

Maybe revealing the dark creature to the lower guards was a mistake, but one that also ended up revealing their part in whatever they are hiding. It is time to find out if the royals are also a part of this.

"And because of it, you will pay for it."

I look to both of them. "You've both taught me how to fight. Taught me well. You know I can take care of myself. Besides, you said it yourself, the dark creatures are growing in numbers and strength. Apart from trying to keep them at bay, there is nothing more anyone else can do. I can enter the competition and try to meet with the royals to ask them to see reason."

"They will not listen to a child," Ryuu hisses out in anger, but I know it is born more from fear.

"Then I will make them listen," I tell him with complete certainty. I am not leaving that palace without the royals seeing the truth. No matter what I must do to show them.

I look at my mother. "You both believe that the royals are not aware of this? Then let's find out for sure. I will fight in the guard's competition and win if I have to. This will end one way or another. And after the competition, we will find out the truth once and for all."

A sheen of unshed tears glazes her eyes, causing a lump to form in my throat.

"You and Ryuu are all I have. I cannot lose you, Seren."

I step into her embrace, wrapping my arms around her, hoping she can feel some of the warmth and comfort she has always given me. "Trust me. Trust that I can do this. If not me, then in the years of training and support you've both given me."

I pull away and watch a lone tear fall from the corner of her eye. She wipes it away, furious that it escaped.

"We'll get through this, all of us," I tell them both with confidence behind my words, though feeling anything but. A storm of nerves swells inside me, ready to burst free at any moment.

"I can see this is something you will not relent on," Ryuu says with a sliver of hope in his tone, hope that I will hesitate.

But I nod my head, confirming my choice, and he frowns as that hope disappears.

Ryuu glances over at the door. "Amaro will test you. He will push you to your limits. This is not something I ever wanted you to experience. Fighting to defend yourself is all I ever hoped for."

He looks at me once more but finally sees it. Sees that I will follow through on this, whatever may come of it.

Ryuu sighs, shaking his head, and steps forward, his body tense and alert. "Are you sure about this? You are not used to being around so many Caligo guards. The palace houses most of them, and you will come across many… unsavory characters."

"I will be fine," I tell him, my voice confident and assured. I look to my mother. "Watch over everyone while I'm gone. I will see you soon. I promise."

"You better," she warns, moving a step back before taking a hold of Ryuu's arm.

Ryuu reaches out his free hand and places it on my shoulder. "I will make sure to visit you as soon as I can. Stay alert and do not do anything too reckless."

"I will do what I must," I tell him, but I cannot promise him I will not do anything foolish. Although the competition provides an opportunity to reach the royals, I have no idea what I am willingly walking into. If I need to use force to protect myself or try something Ryuu considers reckless, I will.

He nods his head once more before letting go of my shoulder with a squeeze.

"I love you both."

Ryuu's eyes widen slightly. He swallows hard, looking away. My mother tightens her grip on his hand as she looks to me.

"As do we, Seren. Always. Come home to us soon, or I will go to the palace and get you myself."

My mother's words are warm and welcomed. I know she would do anything for me, but it will not be necessary. I will get myself out of this. One way or another.

Turning, I rush to my room and grab a few pieces of clothing and keepsakes before joining Amaro and his guards outside. Without question, the six guards form a circle around us both as they call on their shadows. Amaro crosses his arms and closes his eyes, waiting for the guards to perform their task of transport with no effort on his part.

I hide my own disbelief at his behavior. He is the perfect model for what is wrong with the Caligo guards. Just like the guards see themselves above the Sidus, he sees himself above even his own men, choosing not to help them when he can. The guards look to him for guidance, but showing them nothing but selfishness teaches them just that.

I feel their power, familiar yet different, as they work hard to generate the energy needed to transport us all.

Taking one last glance at my mother and Ryuu, I scan their somber faces and give them a small smile, hoping it will ease some of their dread.

The shadows slowly envelop us, quickly obscuring them as we are pulled into the darkness.