Lydell gulps, nervously pacing. She glances at the entrance to her father’s office, which is closed, but she could enter whenever she wants. However, she is... anxious. This is very dangerous. First, they have to get past her dad, who seems to be getting a bit power-hungry. It’s worrying her. He used to be so genuine and would always avoid conflict. But now? He's changed since her mother died. “Where is he?” she mumbles to herself. Kial was supposed to meet her here so they can brave her father together, but he is late. She gulps to herself. What if something is wrong. She can’t do this herself! After waiting a few more minutes, Lydell takes a deep breath. There shouldn’t be a huge issue if Kial is not present, right? She knocks on the door, waiting on permission to enter. “You may enter, Lydell,” her father’s voice booms through the wood. She pauses. Something isn’t right. How does he know that she was at the door. She wasn’t that loud in her worrying, was she? Opening the door, Lydell’s eyes widen as she takes in the scene before her. Aria is locked in a chair. Her wrists are bound the arms and she is watching Cambrell with a scathing glare. Her grey eyes are glowing in fury. Cambrell, on the other hand, leans against his desk, calmly. Two of his soldiers are at his sides, ready for any wrong movement. Not far from them, Elias and Evritt are in a forcefield. Unable to escape, they bang against the bubble to no avail. Their noises are muffled and Lydell can barely hear what they are saying. She then looks around, hastily. There's no sign of Kial. Fear settles in the pit of her stomach as she tries to calm down and figure out what’s going on. “Um, Father sir. What is going on here?” she ponders, nervously. Huffing, she straightens her posture as to not outwardly look afraid. Even though the look in her father’s eyes is darker, she keeps her eyes trained on him. Does he actually know? Has he found out? Cambrell chuckles, shaking his head. “Oh, Lydell. You have made a grave mistake in betraying me.” Standing up straight, he walks past Aria, who is holding herself back. Lydell pierces her lips as he nears her. Elias and Evritt must have been threatened for Aria to not immediately retaliate. Lydell spares her a glance before feeling her father looming over her. She looks up at him, her shoulders tense. “Did you think that I wouldn’t find out? It was easy to see that you were getting a bit too comfortable with these people. So I had Wells report all your moves. And come to find out, you aided in their stealing of Martyrdom information and were planning on getting them out of here and to the Citadel, correct?” Cambrell asks, an eerie smile on his face. He continues,” And you even considered this... creature a friend. You always had a soft spot for ajins, so I shouldn’t be surprised that you’re befriending an Eliarim.” Aria’s eyebrows nearly touch her hairline as the words that this man said register in her brain. Oh, he is for real. Lydell gasps, her eyes widening as she looks over at his soldiers, who are indeed ajin. Are they just going to sit and listen to this? “You cannot be serious, father. These people have helped you, ajin or not. I would not be here if it wasn’t for an ajin and you are saying they’re less than? Do you hear yourself?” Cambrell scoffs,” I am well aware on what I am saying, child. If it wasn’t for those ajin, your mother would also be here. As far as I am concerned, they are as expendable as the rest of these human-like creatures.” Biting her quivering lip, Lydell mulls over her options. This is very bad. Extremely bad. Horrendously bad. “So, what is my punishment?” she asks. She is unnerved by the switch from the raw anger to a calm and easy stance that her father takes. He smirks,” Well, we are still waiting on our last guest. Who should be showing up in the next few minutes.” On cue, the doors open and Kial is dragged in... looking a bit worn down. Lydell’s eyes widen and she gasps. “Kial!” she turns to rush over to him, only to be stopped by Cambrell. “Hold on there. He is fine. Just a bit... disciplined,” Cambrell explains, his blue eyes darting over to the man. Kial has bruises littering his face and a black right eye. He is staggering slightly as he stands up. The man who has a hard grip on his arm, Wells laughs at his struggle. “Ah, yes. Welcome Kial,” Cambrell beckons. Wells shoves him towards the group and moves to stand with the other soldiers. “Now. I just want to applaud your efforts, but I would like to know why?” Kial wheezes out a laugh,” My bad sir. It just seems that you are getting a bit too greedy for your own good.” his eyes flash, but he is too weak to even try to use his ability. Cambrell raises an eyebrow,” Greedy? I know what I want. What this country needs. The Union isn’t providing it for us, so we need to take it from them, any means necessary.” “Even at the expense of others. I think you just want their power,” Lydell butts in. A hushed silence falls over the room. It's heavy and has everyone on edge. Cambrell looks to his daughter, who looks so much like him and acts so much like her mother. His eyes narrow at her statement. Who does she think she is? Lydell’s head whips to the side as a stinging pain flares in her face. She has to blink rapidly to keep the tears at bay. He slapped her. He actually slapped her. She slowly looks back at him, not even recognizing the cold blue eyes he has or the fiery red hair that’s low on his head. Her dad wouldn’t hit her. He wouldn’t. He shouldn’t. “Please watch your words, Lydell,” Cambrell admonishes,” Now. Since you want this mission so badly. I am going to let you go on this mission, with an added objective. Capture the dog of the General of Irion.” Aria releases a bated breath. She knew it. He wants that man. He wants that power. And he will use whoever he can to get to it. Cambrell continues,” We have already been preparing this mission but since you have done most of the work for us, why not just see it until the end. Consider this your apology, Lydell and Kial.” He glances over at the boys,” If your... bodyguard doesn’t succeed in bringing me this man, I will turn all three of you over to them myself. A hefty price for war, but necessary.” Aria has had enough. She takes a deep breath and then her hands burst into flames, melting the shackles from her hands and she stands. She runs to the forcefield, ignoring the stunned expressions on the soldiers faces and looks over the boys to make sure nothing is harmed on them. Are you two ok? She asks. They both nod, setting her mind at ease and she then glares at Cambrell. “Fine. We will cooperate. But, watch yourself, hedim. Because I will remember this.” her voice deepens, almost sounding as if it’s not her voice, which causes everyone to stop. Cambrell stiffens from the threat and catches sight the red undertone in her irises. She’s trying to hold it back but it isn’t working as well as she hoped. Cambrell clears his throat, trying not to show that he was affected by her threat,” I am glad that we have come to a consensus. Wells, get prepared and be gone in 30 minutes please. Eri is at the van, loading up. You all will join her.” With that, he nods to Lydell,” You are dismissed.” The forcefield holding Elias and Evritt disappears and Aria releases a breath, relieved. For someone who is supposed to be a guardian, she is not doing a good job. It's so frustrating! Elias can see the look of anger in her eyes and sighs,” Aria, we are fine. The man just caught us off guard.” Aria pierces her lips, not really wanting to hear him make excuses for her, but she lets it slide. “Evritt, Elias. I am sorry I got you into this mess. This is going to be dangerous. Very dangerous,” she explains. Elias nods, while Evritt offers a thumbs up. He grins, widely,” Well, I am ready. I want to be helpful!” Aria raises an eyebrow before shaking her head. She stands, turning to Lydell and Kial. Kial is leaning against Lydell’s shoulder, a wavering grin on his face. “Well... that was an unforeseen circumstance.” he winces, bringing Lydell’s attention to his stomach. “This is not good. Kial is injured and he wants us to go on this mission? Evritt is a whole child and Elias... isn’t equipped for battle!” Lydell complains, her worries showing in her furrowed brows and frown. Aria nods, crossing her arms. They were already heading into uncharted territory, but now? This is not going to end well. ~ After a good ten minutes of coming up with a game plan, the group makes their way to the loading dock, where a large van is sitting, waiting. Outside the van is the man who had beat Kial, Wells. He stands, a bit gangly, but his arms are absurdly long. Straight blond hair sits on his head, hanging over his forehead. When he glances up at them, beady green eyes stare. He snickers,” Well, look who it is? You seem a bit worn down, Kial?” Kial's own eyes darken and he straightens his body, wincing against the pain. “I wouldn’t keep laughing Wells. Everyone knows that when I get my hands on you, it will not end the same way.” The anger in his tone is unlike his normal personality and it shocks the others a bit. Scoffing, Wells glances back at his screen,” I am just having a little fun. Don’t take everything so seriously.” He then glances over at the younger boys,” So you’re the one who hacked my system. Can’t say I’m not impressed, but I also am not happy.” His large boots move across the floor, bringing him right up to Elias. “What should I do with you?” Elias’s eyes widen and he scoffs,” That’s your handiwork? I have to say. I’m very underwhelmed by it. Your coding is so rudimentary that a child can get access. Which I did.” the wide grin that was on Wells’s face disappears in an instant. “I’d watch my mouth, boy,” he threatens. Then suddenly, he feels a heat nearby. As if he is about to be swallowed by this presence. He glances over to the Eliarim. Who has a fiery glare with her silver eyes staring him down. The girl walks up to him, easily towering over his frame and tilts her head. “I would watch what I say,” she says, her words cutting through his bravado. “Because I won’t hesitate to rip your tongue out of your mouth and shove it down your throat.” She strolls past, letting the threat linger in the air. Elias’s eyes widen, as he covers his own mouth. Wells is tensed, the fear causing him to slam his mouth shut, as if that would provide the barrier needed. He watches as the others pass him and join Aria at the van. Almost instantly, he feels as if he lost all authority and power he had within his grasp. How frustrating that he is going to be ignored by these... children! Well... what’s the plan now? Kial asks as they all clamour into the van. Elias sighs but before he could even think of an answer, the door opens. A woman climbs into the seat and turns her glare to them. He straightens his back in the seat as she scoffs,” I do not remember signing up to watch over a bunch of children.” Wells crawls in on the other side,” Of course Eri. These are the outsiders. Plus Lydell and Kial. Cambrell ordered them to go on this mission with us.” She huffs, settling into her seat. Aria tenses, readying herself for another painful ride in a vehicle. The silence is thick and heavy as the engine revs up and Eri puts it into gear. “Of course. These kids just don’t know how to survive in the field.” a sneer grows on her face,” I doubt they’ll even survive, so think of this as a death sentence.”