Gael

Entry one: Day six – I've been on Prince Pylos’s ship for nearly a week now and the prince has only proven to piss me off more with each second he's around me. Though, he was the one that gave me this tablet so that I can have another way to express my feelings it seems. I don't really know why he thinks this will help me feel better about being in this glorified prison, but I suppose it is worth a try. The games are nice to play.

I have noticed that the rest of this strange band of misfit alphas, not including Renallia, have been very careful about what they say around me. I can only assume it has something to do with my outburst towards the prince my first day here. Thankfully he had the foresight to leave me alone the rest of that day and didn't even question me the next day about where I was the rest of the day and night and the next morning. Though, I have no doubt that Renallia told him that I was with her the whole time… he is her leader, I would have done the same if I were in her position. 

This morning during breakfast, the prince seemed like he wanted to tell me something, but he kept it to himself. I can't lie that I'm curious about whatever was on his mind at that time, but I have no intention of asking him. I assume it had something to do with the scent blocking patches Dradeth had given me yesterday that I now wear religiously and wrap bandages around them to keep them snuggly in place on my scent glands. So it doesn't matter anymore.

I close the journal application on the tablet, glancing up to see the prince sitting in his throne-like seat in the center of this ship’s control room. He’s smiling at me again, the smile gentle and small, like it always is. I glare at him and that smile fades into a bit of a sad expression, staring at me for a few more moments before letting his gaze flick away from where I sit, on a large, plush pillow next to Renallia’s station. 

I roll my eyes and look back down at the tablet in my hands, sifting through the different applications in the hopes of finding some sort of entertainment, whether that be a game or a book to help me pass the time. I let myself smile a little in triumph when I managed to find a simple puzzle game involving connecting dots without crossing lines. I quickly open the game and pass the first few levels in a matter of minutes. 

After I was sucked into the game for what seemed to have been almost two hours, Prince Pylos was summoned to meet with his father again. He took Rexa and Dradeth with him, leaving the rest of us confused about what was happening, including myself. He had just met with his father when he had gotten me from the witch and my undercover teammate. When he had come back, he had a grim look on his face but wasn’t ready to talk with anyone about it.

Entry two: Day seven- This morning, Pylos informed us that he was summoned yesterday to be told that he is now the Emperor Pro Tem while his father lay in a coma. Something we are not to repeat to anyone else, no matter what. He has also asked if I would still like to watch him spar in the arena, as if my previous answer would have changed. One would think it obvious that being stuck on a ship mostly alone would drive someone like me crazy or risk me attempting escape. I don’t even understand why it matters so much to him that I be there. I’m just glad that he allows me to keep my own distance, despite it clearly bothering him in a way. So I suppose it’s only kind to throw him a bone, so to speak. I plan to use this opportunity to observe him in combat anyway.

I save the entry and turn off my tablet, the holographic screen dissipating into its small storage device for me to easily slide under my pillow before climbing out of my makeshift bed and head over to the bathroom with clothes in hand. I needed to hurry and get ready before Renallia comes to retrieve me, seeing as the prince had left before us to get ready at the arena. I am to wear one of the space suits they found for me today, it was similar to my suit from the Spirits, snug and conservative about armor, so not great at protecting me from laser shots but perfect for me to move around the way I usually do in combat. I appreciated feeling more like myself again, but I hated seeing myself clad in enemy colors. I was more than glad to cover myself with the cloak Renallia hands me the moment she arrives, cinching it as tightly closed as I possibly could.

We took the remaining fighter ships once we were all ready. I rode with Renallia but had to stay with Rexa once we arrived at the base the arean was held in. Unfortunately for me, Renallia was tasked with finding those that spoke ill of Pro Tem Emperor Pylos. Though I don’t really know what it is they have planned for any of the ney sayers.

I look around the lobby area that Rexa and I are currently waiting in, standing in a slowly moving line that leads into the arena where Pylos is fighting today. Bexti and Dradeth, off in a different line waiting to get their seats while Renallia has likely already snuck in. She had used a camouflage ability I wasn’t aware that she had, it was quite interesting to watch her fade into near nothingness and slipping away. If I hadn't watched her, I would have likely missed her sneaking away entirely. 

I let out a low growl when I hear sniffing near me, glaring in the direction of the alpha that dared to take in my scent. I hadn’t realized I forgot to change out my scent blockers until we were already flying in the fighters and the damn emperor pro tem knew that prolonged use of most suppressants out there can cause an omega's body issues and therefore refused to buy me even the weakest ones. So, with the lack of new patches and the strong suppressants I used before getting caught fully worn off, everyone around me can tell I'm an unmarked omega. I should just let Prince Pylos mark me, then no one would be sniffing in my direction. I shake the thought away and growl at another alpha sniffing in my direction.

I glare at Rexa when she sighs and shakes her head at me. She has no right to be annoyed in any way at me for trying to deter these assholes around us from further sniffing at me. She doesn’t understand how annoying it is to be sniffed at by alphas with no manners every time I don't wear strong enough scent blockers. I would much rather kick those assholes in the face, but her leader told me that I need to behave, so I am. Gods, I fucking despise the alphas of this corrupt empire. 

We finally get into the arena after waiting several agonizing minutes, taking a couple of empty seats the moment we spot them, needing to be quick as they seem to fill up in no time. I look down at the two fighting below, it didn't take long to realize the smaller individual was Prince Pylos with the color scheme and design of his suit. If I hadn’t already known he was one of the participants, I would have had trouble determining his identity though. He moved so swiftly, dodging and blocking attacks and counterattacking with the utmost precision. The other three were doing some investigating that I was not technically allowed to know about, though Renallia clued me in a bit anyway. I don’t really know why I wasn’t allowed to know, but due to direct orders from their leader, the others refused to tell me what all was planned and Renallia only really let me know that they were to be listening for anyone speaking ill of Prince Pylos. Seeing as I was kept in the dark about everything else, I saw no point in trying to fight him on the decision. 

I allow myself to get distracted by the emperor pro tem, cataloging all the skills he demonstrates during his fight. Once the duel comes to an end, the winner unmasks himself and reveals that he is in fact Crown Prince Pylos. His gaze immediately turned to the side of the audience that Rexa and I are seated in, locking onto whoever his target is. 

He raises his sword, the tip pointed in our direction, calling out to one of the soldiers that sat not too far from us. “Trilox,” His voice echoes throughout the arena with clearly practiced ease, prompting everyone, including myself, to look down at the soldier that had caught the prince’s attention. “You dare to challenge me? Then come down here and claim the crown yourself.” The challenge was bold but certainly one the soldier couldn't refuse, not after being called out in front of the entire packed arena, a cocky smirk ever present on Prince Pylos’s lips as he was projected on one of the massive screens hanging from the middle of the ceiling. Another showing the shock on the soldier’s face.

The audience around us starts to murmur as I look over to Rexa with my brows furrowed, hoping she'd say something to clarify what exactly was going on. She refused to even glance at me, her ever blank expression giving nothing away. It was clear the prince was trying to make an example out of this particular soldier, but I didn’t understand why.

Pylos continues to speak, staring the soldier he has called out down as he lowers his sword, “A true Ekatian soldier does not take the throne by stirring up insurrection in darkened chambers. They rise through honorable rites of combat. If you defeat me here, then the throne will be yours.” The pieces finally click together as the audience cheers around us, though I couldn’t tell if they were on Prince Pylos’s side or the soldier's. 

Rexa stands and throws off the cloak she wore to hide herself, one similar to mine. I look around to see Bexti and Dradeth having done the same thing not too far from where we sat, quickly spotting Renallia as her camouflage faded to reveal herself standing only a few steps away from the called out soldier. I decide to keep myself hidden under my cloak, I am not one of them after all. I'm not here to support their leader, only to gather information. Thankfully Rexa doesn’t seem to care that I don't stand and reveal myself with her, nor do the others. All four of them focus on the soldier, all but Renallia showing their displeasure. Renallia just wears her usual smug and slightly unnerving smirk.

The soldier that was called out stands after a moment of consideration, accepting Prince Pylos’s challenge, “I gladly accept this challenge! Now all will see who the rightful leader truly is!” Glancing from the soldier to the prince, it's obvious that everything is going exactly as expected. Prince Pylos waits patiently as the soldier joins him in the pit of the arena, allowing the soldier to set himself into position a ways away from where he stands with his blade in hand. “I have fought thousands of battles and left many enemies much more fearsome than you wasting away on every battlefield.” As the soldier monologues, Pylos readies himself, ignoring the far too confident man.

The soldier lets out a battle cry that makes me cringe as he throws himself at Pylos, their blades clanging together loudly. The soldier throws quite a lot at the half-breed prince, using a lot of strength to slash and kick at him, despite each move being easily blocked and dodged by the warrior prince. They step away from each other and pause their fighting, circling each other as the prince seems to be talking. I can’t hear him from where we sit though. Whatever was said did not sit well with the soldier as he threw himself at Prince Pylos again. Their swords clanging and sliding against each other until Pylos hit the soldier in the side with the hilt of his sword, sending him to the ground after slicing the soldier's blade in half with little effort. 

Pylos aims the tip of his blade at the soldier, speaking again and this time the man submits and accepts his impending fate. Though, he surprises me when lowers his blade, addressing the crowded arena, “My father built this empire on the bones of his enemies. But the time has come to change these old ways of striking fear in those we conquer and instead inspire loyalty from those we wish to take into our empire. We must not waste our time fighting to keep our subjects down, but rather allow those worthy to rise and join our ranks.” I watch with genuine surprise and slight awe as Prince Pylos turns to extend a hand to help the soldier up. “The universe shall no longer doubt our strength! With each ally gained, we only make ourselves stronger!” The soldier goes down on one knee and bows his head to show his respect for the prince, before standing once again to salute him. 

 I look around and witness most if not all of the other soldiers stand and salute Prince Pylos along with the soldier and the four misfit generals. I only allow myself a moment to think before letting my body take the lead, standing and pulling my cloak off to let the colors of my suit show. Letting the alphas around me know that I’m with Prince Pylos. I never knew he was so passionate about changing the ways of the empire that his father had set in place. I do not fully accept him just yet, but after witnessing this, I may as well give him a better chance to prove himself worthy of me.

Pylos

I was surprised to find Gael not automatically glaring at me the moment we all reentered my battle cruiser. It seems we are finally making progress in a positive direction. I couldn’t help but smile at that, at him. He doesn’t smile back, but he doesn’t glare either! That’s an important first to me. He just looks at me, notices my smile, then whispers something to Renallia that she beams at. I wish I could know whatever it is the omega said, but it’s fine, maybe I’ll get to know what it is later.

“Hey, he didn’t look as mad at you as he usually does.” Dradeth points out, patting my shoulder a tad rougher than necessary. “That speech of yours really did some wonders today, might have even changed his mind.”

I nod, trying to subtly watch Renallia and Gael whispering to each other, “It certainly seems so. I truly hope that I’ve finally started to prove myself to him.” Thank the gods. 

“You seem to like this one a lot. What’s so special about him that’s got you so hooked?” She inquires, her head tilting into my peripheral.

“I’m not entirely sure,” I sigh. “He’s disobedient, angry, and unwilling to let anyone but Renallia around for too long without snapping in some way. I really shouldn’t feel so… drawn to him. I don’t know what it is, but maybe he feels the same strange connection. He hasn’t even tried escaping.” It’s the first time that I’ve actually thought about it, but there has to have been at least a few moments that Gael could have attempted an escape, yet he hasn’t tried once as far as I know. He hasn’t even tried to get a separate room despite being pissed that I refused to get him suppressants. By now I usually start thinking of sending back the omegas that have been sent to me, but the thought hasn’t even crossed my mind. Though knowing how that could end now, I’d have been weary about sending him back anyways. But that doesn’t diminish the fact that the thought of letting him go hasn’t crossed my mind once.