(A/N Big thanks to everyone for the Power stones and Golden tickets, they an a lot. As usual, please don't hesitate to comnt or drop a review. ENJOY)
Power stones people, Gim it.
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"Why are you telling us this?" The Verdant was the first to ask.
"Like I said before, we wish to partner up." Caelum replied with a raised brow, his tone even, as though the question had been expected.
The Niver stared at Caelum for a brief mont before opening his mouth.
"We'd be willing to partner up," he said decisively.
Caelum was about to nod.
"Pardon , but I still haven't agreed." The Verdant cut in, bringing a faint frown to the Niver's face.
A few ters away, Alice subtly inclined her head. The Verdant wasn't intimidated. That alone set him apart from many she had encountered so far.
"And why is that?" Caelum asked calmly.
Alice could have sworn she felt a tick form on her forehead. Caelum's composure was infuriating. It wasn't arrogance, nor was it feigned confidence. It was control. The kind that ca from certainty. Whether it was because it reminded her of Orion, or because it suggested he had anticipated this exact resistance, she couldn't tell—but it irritated her all the sa.
"I understand you shared this information because you wish to partner up," the Verdant said, his voice asured, "but I don't see why you'd be willing to partner with us."
Caelum tilted his head slightly, brow lifting.
"For the sa reason you're partnered with the Niver," he replied, as though the answer were self-evident.
The Verdant's frown deepened by a fraction.
"Or did you assu we see ourselves as so far above you that we don't require assistance?" Caelum continued, his tone still neutral. "If that's the case, I'm not sure whether to be offended by the implication or flattered by your confidence in our capabilities."
The Verdant didn't answer imdiately.
"So you require our help," he said finally, as though testing the words aloud.
Caelum's gaze sharpened, just slightly.
"Yes," he replied. "If that's what you need clarified, then yes—we require your help. Provided, of course, that you're willing to offer it."
The Verdant fell silent again.
Caelum waited.
If the man asked why they should help at all, Caelum would have imdiately categorized him as shortsighted—and therefore easy. The absence of that question was, in itself, a point in the Verdant's favor.
"Are you hesitant out of calculation," Caelum asked after a mont, "or out of fear?"
The question should have sounded insulting. It didn't. There was no challenge in his voice, no provocation—just genuine curiosity.
"We're working toward the sa goal," the Verdant replied carefully.
"If you an the competition's objective," Caelum said, "then yes. We're all aiming for the sa endpoint."
"And how do we resolve that conflict?" the Verdant asked.
Caelum exhaled quietly.
"Forgive my bluntness," he said, "but you can't truly be that naïve."
He continued before the Verdant could respond.
"If your concern is who ultimately cos out on top, then that's valid. This partnership is about confronting a common obstacle—not eliminating competition. How you position yourself afterward, how you navigate the chaos that follows, is entirely up to you."
His gaze locked onto the Verdant's.
"If you can't plan around that," Caelum added, "then you're simply undeserving of the reward and prestige you're pursuing."
The words landed cleanly.
Not harsh. Not aggressive.
Final.
"So make your choice," Caelum said. "You can't eat your cake and have it."
The Verdant studied him in silence.
"If we refuse?" he asked.
Caelum raised a brow.
"Then we move on," he said simply. "The belief in your family's strength is not universally shared."
"Even after you've shared valuable information?" the Verdant pressed.
"You seem to be expecting a threat," Caelum replied. "If so, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. You're free to do whatever you wish with what you've learned."
He paused briefly before adding,
"Information has limits. We're prepared to explore them. Are you?"
That was enough.
The Verdant mbers behind their leader were no longer neutral. Their expressions had shifted—interest, admiration, impatience. They wanted this. They wanted their leader to agree.
Alice watched them all with a flat expression.
She didn't understand it.
The boy was her age—maybe younger—and with a handful of asured sentences, he had achieved what she had needed blood, sweat, and bruises to earn: attention and deference. The Niver's eagerness only made it worse.
She stopped the thought imdiately.
That line of thinking was dangerous.
She wasn't here to wallow in resentnt. She wanted answers. She wanted retribution. Letting bitterness rot into sothing ugly would only dull her edge.
She forced herself to reassess the situation objectively.
If even half of what Caelum had revealed was accurate, then cooperation made sense. None of them knew the true structure or strength of the Sylgrid. Acting alone would be reckless.
That didn't an she trusted him.
In fact, she was almost certain they were being maneuvered. Whether by instinct or long-standing hatred for the Chronos, she couldn't say—but the certainty remained.
Still, what she thought didn't matter.
She couldn't influence this decision.
She was fifteen, surrounded by strangers, deep in hostile territory. Disagreent here could an isolation—or worse.
So Alice stayed quiet.
She observed.
Her ti would co.
And as expected;
"We agree." The Verdant said.
Caelum nodded as though expecting it.
"I do have one more question though." The Verdant said.
Caelum stared at him for a second. "Ask away." He said.
"Where are the rest of your group mbers?" The Verdant asked.
"You should already have the answer to that question." Caelum replied.
And he was right, it was obvious that the other Chronos mbers were most likely out there also trying to recruit other groups.
The Verdant looked down, a complicated expression appearing on his face.
It was impressive and sobering that while they had been struggling and doing their best to survive the forest.
This group of 14 year olds had already scouted, picked out the problem and selected an effective solution.
'They really are different.'
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