A wave of relief followed the heat of the Genius Loci. The metal spiders scurried back under the dress, and the floor beneath them began to crack and glow. With a smile, Aaron noted the Matriarch's jaw tighten as the spiders hissed in her robes. I hope you get burn marks from this.

The Hyphant's humongous ears flapped loudly. She stared at Aaron. "Champion, it is not your place to disrespect your Clan's Matriarch. You will spend the night in contemplation before the sacred flame."

The sides of the Matriarch's wrinkled mouth twitched, but the High Priestess' trunk whipped in her direction, making her flinch. Aaron pressed his lips together. I will be punished because I won't take her imposing her will onto me? He took a breath. No, this was a bad public performance. I fucked up. Fuck!

"And the Honored Matriarch would do well to remember that not all cultures share the same attitudes. I recommend contemplating the conditions under which the Champion will choose his mentor."

The pleasant smile on the Matriarch's face made a chill run down Aaron's spine. He noticed how the others seemed to freeze as they saw it. Aaron furrowed his eyebrows. Why is she doing this? She must know that she's just pissing me off. He studied both powerful women before him. Is there a deeper plan here? Or is she just used to getting her way? Great, more to discuss with the others. And I'm not gonna pick you anyways. Then he smiled slightly.

The Priestess inclined her head slightly. "We shall take our leave now."

She threw the Matriarch an unyielding look. The Matriarch inclined her head imperceptibly, raised her nose, and gave Aaron a look woven of elegance and disdain. "You may present me a list of bachelorettes you deem suitable for my selection within a season, Champion."

They both watched her go. Aaron clenched his jaw as the Priestess exhaled with a low hum. "More trouble will come. You should have been brought to me the moment your nature became clear."

She flapped her ears. "Alas, this is not how the powers of the Polis operate. Consult me, should you feel under pressure and in need of anything."

The Priestess left with measured steps, taking her time appreciating the flowering trees and plants.

Aaron looked after her, then glanced at his companions after she had disappeared around a bend in the road. Bug signaled him to be quiet. Aaron gave him a pained smile. Yeah, let's not be overheard again.

Theon shook his head, hooked into Rhea's arm, and motioned the rest to follow. Yet, the tension clung to Aaron like wet fabric as they walked back toward the cottages. Weighted by thought, Aaron followed the others in silence—hoping the rest of the day would bring peace.

His head heavy with worries, Aaron followed the others in silence.

Later that afternoon, beneath the curved sky and shimmering light, Aaron tensed—preparing to pounce in the cold water of the academy lake. He focused on his hand, forming a funnel. The enemy charged with a bloodcurdling battle cry. She jumped as he focused on the mental coin. His hand shot forward, skimming over the water surface and creating a jet of water. His enemy stumbled and disappeared under the water's surface. Got you!

He grinned and jumped in joy—just as an iron grip encased his calves in the depths of the lake. He screamed as Rhea shot up and threw him into the air. Falling headfirst into the water he swiveled his head around. Where is she?

A fist slammed into his stomach, and the air shot out of his lungs. He curled up and punched blindly. His fist found a body, but the water robbed his strike of all power. Hands found his armpits and pushed his head toward the lakebed. He relaxed and let it happen. I lost again. No matter how clever the trick—Rhea cuts through it like the truth through a lie.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

He was pulled up by her stone hands. As soon as he broke the surface, a coughing fit hit. He tried to stand, but without Rhea's help, Aaron wouldn't have had the energy to do so. He cringed, knowing what came next. The fist struck his stomach, and he spat out the remaining water in a choking cough. Rhea's grinning face was the first thing he saw as he wearily opened his eyes.

"I win?" Her smile broadened.

Aaron groaned and raised a limp fist. "Yes, yes, yes."

Aaron scrambled back and let himself sink into the refreshing water. Why did I accept her offer to train some water combat? A fun round of sparring—that's what she said.

As he leaned back into the water, a familiar voice called from nearby. "So, when's my turn to smack the Champion around a little?"

Lyra giggled as she swam towards them. Aaron tensed slightly. Lyra. I'm supposed to get close. Infiltrate her family. Stop the genocide.

Her smile made his gut knot. Like smiling at someone you meant to betray.

Aaron nodded at her and looked around. The shore of the academy lake stretched out before them. Erai and Creios had swum out into the deeper water. Bug, Bark, and the guards were watching over the group. Theon had struck up a conversation with Bark. The world curved above them, the light of the distant sun band dancing across seas suspended in the sky like mirrored ceiling.

Lyra swam closer and touched Aaron's shoulder. He tensed, and her hand fell back, hovering a finger's width from his skin.

"Is everything alright?" she asked, raising her eyebrows.

He forced a smile, but inside, his thoughts were a storm of guilt and calculation. Why is this so awkward? Maybe because you want to use her as a tool for political goals? Or maybe because her family is engaged in genocide? Somewhere in there, some awkwardness can surely be found, right?

"Rhea, how did you avoid my spell last round?" Aaron splashed her to get her attention. She returned the favor and shook her head with a wide grin.

"Lyra? Care to take a guess?" She tilted her head and grinned mockingly.

"Let me guess, you learned your first cantrip and have been using it in every fight?"

Aaron slumped and gurgled out a laugh. Well, shit. "So, what's my tell?"

"Not telling." Rhea chortled. "Get it?"

Aaron and Lyra splashed her as she dove under with a wide grin. Lyra turned to him.

The laughter faded into easy silence, broken only by splashing. Then Lyra's voice came quiet, hesitant. "So... I heard about the estate. And the whole Magister Charos trying to kill you thing."

Aaron blinked. "Kill me? That's what they're saying? It was a godsdamned accident."

She shook her head, all playfulness gone from her face. "There are no accidents if you play with forbidden magic. The gods do not look kindly on that. When rules are broken, providence punishes." Aaron raised his eyebrows at the intensity of her faith and tilted his head. I kinda want to refute that and say accidents happen. But I am the Chosen One of an Eldritch God. He clenched his fists, remembering the one that tore out his eyes for calling it at the wrong time.

Aaron shrugged. "Whatever. Dangerous ideas. But not all danger is wrong.. The chimpanzee he altered was tough as hell."

"What is 'hell'? And why is it tough?"

Aaron rolled his eyes. "An expression from my world. Hell is a brutal place." Kinda like the underground was for me. But with more darkness. Though, isn't there a dark circle of hell according to Dante?

She touched his shoulder, her hand lingering. "If you need distraction, I'm here."

The hand lingered longer than necessary.

Aaron let out a long breath. "Listen, Lyra. About what happened with your brother... I am sorry he got hurt."

Aaron shook his head. Do I really need to fix my relationship with that asshole for this to work? Fuck it. Children are dying. You can suffer some assholes.

An unreadable expression ran over Lyra's face. "His temper always gets him into trouble. One day it won't be something he can talk his way out of."

She paused and looked Aaron deep in the eyes. "You did nothing wrong, Aaron."

Her eyes dropped onto the surface of the lake. His social skill guide flared like a warning light. The way her eyes slid away—she was lying. Aaron began to frown but controlled his expression. She spoke up quickly without meeting his eyes. "Fist's Fury, I'm sorry that I ruined the fun."

She looked out over the lake at the spires of the academy. Aaron was about to say something, but she pushed on, as if she wanted to get rid of the words. "Take us with you when you explore your estate. Might be fun—if the threads fall the right way."

Aaron opened his mouth to respond—then noticed ripples behind Lyra. Too late. She yelped and vanished upward in a splash of water. Rhea's head emerged between her legs. Lyra struggled against the stronger Rhea in vain. The latter grinned broadly as her hands shot up. She hoisted the struggling Lyra up and looked mischievously at Aaron.

"Catch!"

Aaron yelped as both of them tumbled into the water to the sound of Rhea's laughter.

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