The ground had seemed to tug at my spirit. My mind had swirled with questions as I descended towards the healing base. The moment my feet had touched the soil of Meridio's camp, it had signaled that a decision needed to be made—whether to fight or simply leave Mors, just as Killan and I had discussed.
I had swallowed hard.
In a fleeting instant, my heart had seemed to skip a beat.
There it had been. The moment of truth had arrived. I had needed to decide and make concrete whatever choice I had arrived at.
The solid earth beneath my feet had sent a slight jolt through my soles. I had felt the cool sensation from the healing base. This time, I hadn't needed physical healing. It had been my mind and heart that had needed to find clarity.
My attention had been drawn to Sir Borracho standing in front of Meridio's tear. He had tightly gripped a large metal staff, facing Senta lane, waiting for reinforcements. On his right, Bonbon had stood ready for the incoming forces from Shita lane. Threads of power, controlled by Bonbon, had formed a web of green light. I had glanced at Rouma on the other side, stationed at the entrance to Appu lane. Her body had been shrouded in black and orange luminescence, seemingly engaged in a personal ritual as she prepared for whatever had approached from Appu lane.
I had heard Kenru clear his throat. He had been standing beside me, observing. Then his voice had broken out, hurried and slightly hoarse. "I can lead you to the exit fen, Idrish. It's just behind the healing base. You only need a single drop of your blood to open it. You can leave and be with your siblings."
Kenru's words had shattered the veiled reality within me. It had been as if he had jolted me awake from an unconscious trance. The expressions of Borracho, Rouma, Bonbon, and Kenru had subtly shifted as they had watched us, seemingly lost in contemplation.
A sudden stab had pierced my chest as the thought of seeing Cali and Poras again had flashed in my mind. Seeing the determination in the faces of Borracho, Rouma, Bonbon, and Kenru had altered my perspective. They had needed me now.
I had known I could trust Killan's assurance that Cali and Poras were safe.
They had been safe. I had reassured myself.
"Camp Septen arrives in five minutes, Idrish. You still have time," Kenru's voice had carried a sense of urgency.
I had glanced at his gray eyes.
He had raised a thick eyebrow, not uttering a word. I had seen nothing but the set of his jaw and the tension in his face. He had been placing the decision squarely in my hands.
"I'm staying. I'll fight with you. Till we win." My voice had remained steady as I had spoken the words. My chest hadn't shattered. I had been doing what had been expected of me—putting on a brave facade and relying on luck to favor us. I had gathered all the courage within me. It had been what I must do then. There had been no room for cowardice within me at that moment.
My doubts and fears could have betrayed me. They could have been my undoing.
The sound of a katana being unsheathed had echoed behind me. It had seemed that Kenru hadn't been opposing my decision to face the impending danger. A strong gust of wind had swept around, as if drawing strength from the force surrounding Kenru. His pale gray eyes had fixed on me before he had spoken. "Try not to get killed then."
I had nodded and once again channeled the power of the gauntlet through my palms. I had felt an even stronger surge coursing through my veins. The energy had manifested as a brilliant combination of silver and white light that had enveloped me. I had felt like I had been wearing an impenetrable armor. This enhanced power had possibly been granted by the dominus.
I had taken a step towards Meridio's tear. Borracho had been right behind me, his posture indicating there had been no intention of retreat. I had caught another glimpse of Kenru. His eyes had reflected a hint of fear despite his brave front.
"I've planted dark trap ivy plants around the camp. The enemies will have been incapacitated when they step on them. They'll be disoriented for three seconds, and that's your opening, Sir Borracho. Seize the moment to use your hook and deliver a deadly strike. Bonbon will ensnare the stunned enemy with his linen cloth to immobilize them. Kenru will strike from any direction possible, dealing the most damage to eliminate the enemy. Idrish," Rouma had paused as she had given instructions. Her tone had been grave, carrying a deeper meaning. She had continued, "You'll be our marksman. Guard us with your long-range attacks so we can guard you."
We could guard you. Rouma's last words had resonated with me. It had been the first, and likely the last, time I would have heard her utter that phrase. Why had it felt like they had all been there to protect me?
"Protect Idrish. Protect Idrish," Bonbon had interjected. His single eye had blinked, and he had regarded me as though I had been the most precious gem that must be safeguarded at all costs.
"W-why had it felt like you all had known what I am?" My question had trembled in the air as I had shifted my gaze from one member of Team Meridio to another.
"It's a long story, Idrish," Sir Borracho had spoken up. He had glanced at me, a faint smile gracing his lips. "Prince Salinas sent me here to protect you. You are our only hope. All of us here had been tired of the slavery imposed by the ranking system. With you as the winter heiress, there had been a chance for Springgan to regain its former glory."
"Queen Alondra had sent me here not just to win the arena, but primarily to watch over you," Rouma had confessed. Her dark metallic eyes had softened, and her words had carried a depth of sincerity.
"So, all of you had been here b—because of me?" I had inquired.
"We had been here to keep you safe and to seek answers," Kenru had explained. His attention had never wavered from the entrance of the base.
"A—answers?" I had asked, feeling perplexed.
Kenru had spoken once more. He had briefly glanced at me, then had returned his focus to the base's entrance. "A faction known as the Meadanach, a secret council with the aim to eliminate potential heiresses, had a presence here. They had intended to prevent the resurgence of the long-forgotten queens. Remember when I had mentioned the order the season queens bring in the ancient tales? The Meadanach had existed as a counterpart, ready to safeguard the heiresses and dismantle the ranking system."
"We hadn't been the initial candidates for the supposed arena, Idrish." The wind had ruffled Kenru's hair as he had divulged. He had taken a few deep breaths and clenched his jaw before continuing. "The Meadanach had orchestrated secret negotiations to allow our entry when they had learned that the winter queen had passed on the gauntlet to you and had purposely sent you to Mors, with the intent to eliminate you."
"Kenru's right. Kenru's right."
"So," I had cleared my throat, feeling a lump forming, before I had proceeded, "the queen of the fourth region, Prince Salinas, and the representatives of other kingdoms had been part of The Meadanach?"
Sir Borracho had spoken again. "They hadn't revealed themselves to outsiders, Idrish. It had taken one to know one." He hadn't directly answered my question, but his words had seemed to leave a fragment of a possible answer. Bonbon, Borracho, Rouma, and Kenru could have been members of the Meadanach... and they had been there to ensure my safe departure from Mors.
Truly, I had had formidable allies, strong and unwavering. But now there had been only one pressing concern.
That.
Vindictive.
Miss.
"They're here." Rouma's words had signaled the beginning.
They had been there. Their purpose must have been fulfilled.
That had been.
To assassinate the new winter heiress.
To kill me.