Sylvie woke up before dawn and mindlinked the squad to meet. They arrived by the training grounds where she had noticed from the mage tower where her room was, that there was an equipment room they could meet away from others. Oscar was yawning still because Gunther kept him up late to go over the new plans of the armor. He wanted him to be prepared in case Eden asked for a plan. She was known for expecting everyone to be one step ahead of her from the way she spoke and asked questions. It might not have been her intention to appear that way, but it made everyone want to always be ready to answer any future questions. Even in her broadcast, she always seemed to detect things in advance. It's why Gunther felt he needed to follow her lead. Sylvie rolled her eyes at Oscar, "You are a Lycan, it's shameful you can't even skip on your beauty rest." Oscar wanted to say something smart ass to her but he knew she would have him pinned to the ground before he could finish it. No one would dare insult her because she was strong and possessed a great amount of hidden power. Being the only female lieutenant among a male dominant pack for warriors was an accomplishment on its own. Lewis mindlinked Oscar, "good decision to keep your mouth shut, or you'd be catching on some beauty sleep for the rest of the year." Lewis snickered as Oscar gave a low growl. The rest finally arrived and Sylvie began to pass out a few fools rings. They all looked at them bewildered. Then she said, "These will change your appearance temporarily. None of you have been seen in your human form. I, however, had revealed myself to her not considering we would end up in this situation. You don't need to activate it, just wear it. I will change my hair color which is the thing most obvious to notice. I'll add a bit of makeup as well." Then Kane said, "so in a way, we are helping you out." Sylvie narrowed her eyes at him. Kane was known for demonstrating shire strength, but he lacked leadership qualities. When Sylvie was promoted over him, he had a small irk that would come out once in a while. Sylvie wanted to force him to eat the ground, but she calmed herself down. Then she said, "yes, I will pay the consequences for my lack of foresight." Kane gave a little side smile, but Gideon spoke up, "None of us had the foresight that we would end up in this situation." Kane uttered in a low voice, "Kiss ass." Sylvie placed a hand on Kane's shoulder and added a little force. Kane looked like he was struggling to stand straight. One knee began to bend slightly as Sylvie smiled and said, "You're such a team player." She then released him and patted his shoulder and then moved away from him. Everyone else stood silent as she effortlessly showed her strength. Oscar mindlinked Lewis, "I rather be a kiss ass than kissing the ground for dear life." They both held in their laughter. Then Sylvie mind linked them both, "you blokes, I can hear you. You didn't shut out anyone." Both Lewis and Oscar looked surprised at this revelation, but knew they were too groggy from waking up earlier than expected that they forgot to check their link. Kane gave them both an angry look. Then with a straight face Oscar said, "I said what I said." Murphy and Gideon held Kane back from punching Oscar. "Enough," said Sylvie in a raised voice. "The plan is for it to look like we just happen to have rings so it looks ordinary, however it can back fire. This is why we make it seem as natural as possible when we walk in. The best case scenario if we get discovered is we have to become deserters which means we failed our mission." She looked around at them confused. Gideon asked, "Why is deserting and failing our mission the best case scenario?" Sylvie then said nonchalantly, "have you forgotten of her protector already? She could easily render us powerless and slaughter us." Their moods darkened a little. Then Oscar asked, "But shouldn't our best case scenario be that she is a reasonable person? Gunther said he was sure she would not release me into limbo even if she found out." Sylvie clicked her tongue and answered, "I'm ruling out miracles and unrealistic expectations. If I go into battle, I need you all to leave me behind. That is an order." Kane got angry and asked, "you expect us to run and be saved by you?" "I expect you to live and continue to carry out the mission," answered Sylvie. She bit her lip and then said, "there is nothing left for me to return to if I fail my mission." That's when they realized that Sylvie was holding in her tears. She had curled her hands into fists and tried not to furrow her brows. She had made up her mind last night after Celeste informed her of Troy's passing from an attack by a gargoyle. At first she wanted to throw everything and break out to find the perpetrator. But her mission was priority, she was trying to think of other ways to get out from meeting Eden as a group. She knew the squad would not want to leave her behind if she was found by Eden. She attempted to talk Gabriel into seeing Eden alone because she felt sick, but the frail looking girl spoke up and said the order was for all to be together. Her attempt to take full responsibility failed. Then she kept thinking it's not so bad to return home with her first failed mission. Troy, her younger cousin, was always there to console her and keep her company. He was the only one of his relatives that got distributed to this realm and saved by Cerberus. But when she inquired last night Celeste gave her the grave news. Celeste explained she did want to hold out on this information, but Cerberus convinced her that it was the best thing for the mission or emotions will get in the way of decisions. Sylvie was distraught for a few hours. She didn't sleep because she kept thinking of how to get out of this predicament and be able to mourn her cousin Troy. She came to a conclusion, be upfront of her mistake. Order the squad and go. The only way to hold back Eden's guard was by providing a decoy. Just a few seconds, even a minute would be more than enough for a Lycan to get away without a scratch. The rest knew there was only one thing that could cause this icy female to feel so much emotion and hold it all in. Then bowed their heads and submitted to her orders. They all felt like cowards for agreeing to it, but what other plans could they come up with in such a short amount of time. Not wearing the rings would only out Sylvie, then they would have retaliated if she was taken down in front of them. The only way they could watch that happen is if they were on the ground too ready to be beheaded. Part of Oscar felt there was another way, like talking to the Monarch. He heard Gunther talk about her all night and she didn't sound like a ruthless ruler.
Eden was sitting in her study waiting for the new hires to arrive and greet them. It was the first time she did that and she wanted to give them a welcome token. Maybe send to everyone a welcome token as well. She thought about it and the only thing she had on hand was her letter seal. It had a symbol of a flying bird, her initials and shield behind it with a crown over the shield. Then she melted some wax on a small sheet of paper and stamped it. It was like a small coin of wax . She made 12 of them for the new hires. Eden smiled at her art and then said, "Erza, could you please stand a few feet behind me so that a non human isn't repelled from you?" Erza nodded and took a few paces back from Eden. Then Eden said," not that I need it, but if I feel threatened all I need to do is call your name and you can come to my aid. Erza smiled and answered yes. The door opened and in came the new hires. Eden smiled widely at them. They all stood in a line facing her with their hands closed together in front of themselves. Eden said, "Good morning!" In unison they responded and said, "Good morning." Eden then went over the basic responsibilities and expectations. She thanked them and then announced that she wanted to show them gratitude for their hard work. Then she asked them to hold out their hand and she will give them a symbolic gift. Soon she will have the forger make coins to hand out to every member.
Eden was passing out her makeshift coins from wax when she got to Sylvie she stopped. She dropped the wax item on her hand when Eden stared at her eyes. Those bright blue eyes she once set her sight on once. Eden asked herself, where have I seen these eyes. She looked at her facial features and then it clicked in her mind. The silvered hair woman that was in the forest after emerging from the cave. "Erza," said Eden and in a swift second Erza switched from her training gear to full on battle armor and pushed Sylvie with just her energy force. Sylvie flew back and hit the wall.
Erza then traveled at the speed of light and stood next to Eden. With her sword already out and her shield in the other ready to battle. Erza's eyes flickered slightly with gold lightning around her eye's iris. The rest of the onlookers didn't know what hit the wall until they saw Sylvie. The only one who watched every second was Kane who never took his eyes off Erza as soon as he entered the room. He moved just slightly with a bend of a knee towards Sylvie's direction. He had an impulse to want to protect her. He only managed to move a centimeter before Erza directed her attention to him. He froze at the intensity of her look. The fear of death crept into his chest the instant Erza and him had eye contact. Fuck, he thought to himself. I can't even move fast enough to cover her. My body's magic just drained from inside faster than I could blink. Kane just barely had strength to keep standing. He cursed himself internally.
Sylvie coughed as she tried to catch her breath. She should be pissed, but she had accepted that she would die for the squad. She pushed herself out of the wall she smashed into and fell to her knees while landing on her palms. Eden noticed that Sylvie didn't make any attempt to fight back. Then asked, "why are you here?" Erza corrected Eden, "they." Eden then looked around at the once's who were struggling to breath. Gideon, Oscar, Murphy, Kane, Lewis and another mage that was hired, the one that had the 5th mark. His name was Merlin. Eden's eyes widen at the realization of the situation. She could have been killed in her sleep if Erza wasn't by her side. The only place Erza wasn't present was the bathroom, but she wasn't about to invite her for a bath. Eden was terrified of just having a thought like that. She shook her head to get that thought out. Now is not the time to think about those kinds of things. She needed answers. Eden asked in a more stern voice, "Why are you and your squad here?" Sylvie was trying to think of an acceptable answer. She couldn't just say we have a mission to spy on you and protect you from afar. IT would sound weird. Who does that, Celeste, only she could think of wild things like that and convince everyone else it's a good idea. But she followed her blindly. "Speak!" Erza's voice was heard in the entire room like there were speakers hidden in every corner. Sylvie felt a chill travel down her neck to the lower part of her spine. She took in a deep breath and said loud enough to hear but in a soft tone of voice. It was almost submissive. Sylvie still on all four, finally answered, "We don't mean any harm. I am the one to blame for giving you the feeling that you need to keep your guard up." Tears began to fall and wet the floor. Sylvie rolled her hands into a fist before continuing. "I was sent to watch over you from afar, but an opportunity arose where we could infiltrate your castle without setting an alarm of defenses. I was counting on just myself being the only casualty of this mission, but I see it was trying to hide. All I ask is that you don't release my men into limbo and send my body to rest next to my cousin." Kane felt his heart crack at hearing her plea and seeing her crumble down before their very eyes. The once impenetrable icy princess was now reducing herself to begging and falling into despair. The rest of the crew felt the ball forming in their throats. They had not turned to look at Sylvie, but the cracking in her voice told them enough.
Eden felt the sincerity in her words and felt her heart tug. She knew that look too well, not to recognize it. The look of someone holding in everything and putting on a tough attitude. She remembered Sylvie's attitude when she first met her and it wasn't pleasant. That of a snobby and arrogant woman. She's probably a bitch too, Eden thought to herself and internally chuckled, but let out a hmph instead. Oscar took the hmph as a sign of disbelief from Eden, so he threw himself to his knees and lowered his head to speak, "Please, please listen to Sylvie, she is being honest. We all came with pure intention despite our feelings or attitudes towards you. Gunther told me you are a fair and reasonable person. Our Queen Celeste wouldn't have allowed us to sign contracts that could enslave us into life times of work if she didn't believe you were a good person." Eden didn't plan on killing Sylvie, actually, she thought they could be good friends once they both learned to tolerate each other and not let their stubbornness get in the way. After all, Eden was aware she was called a bitch behind her back all the time because of her lack of sweetness with words. Eden let out a breath of air and went to sit down on her desk. She crossed her legs and set her hands on the desk to support her posture. " Erza, thank you for your quick response. I believe them." Erza got out of her fighting stance and relaxed. Erza then turned to look at Eden to ask her, "what about that one?" Erza was pointing at Merlin who regained color to his face. "Ah , we will get to him too, but for now I'd like to hear them out."
Gunther and Gabriel walked in with the new uniforms to give the new hires as instructed by Eden. They both walked in with a cheerful smile, but then looked stunned at the scene they walked in on. Oscar was on the ground bowing, Sylvie was also on all four, the guys were sweating as if recovering from an illness and there was a hole on the wall. Gabriel then asked, "Commander?" Eden looked at him and smiled, "please give the new garments to all of them. I have a few questions to ask to some in particular, the rest may leave and start their day." Gabriel looked around and asked, "who is free to go?" Eden looked at them all in one swift scan and answered, "They know who they are." "Yes Commander," answered Gabriel as he started passing out the clothes. Then Eden cleared her throat, "I don't feel I need to say this, but not a word of what transpired here. I don't like rumors and I don't want anyone to feel any different. You don't have all the answers. Thank you all for coming." Then she waved them to head out. Everyone began to leave with Gabriel. Gunther tried to grab Oscar from the ground, but Oscar refused and gave him a pleading look to go. Gunther gave him a sad look as if he just saw his child get scolded for something and he couldn't do anything about it. Eden noticed their exchange and could help but feel empathy for them both. She thought to herself, Gunther must've grown fond of Oscar overnight. They must've stayed up late since I can see the bags under both their eyes.
Once everyone left that needed to leave, Eden spoke up again, "Please take a seat in the couch area that is next to you Sylvie. I want everyone to join her there as well." In Eden's office, there were a few couches arranged parallel and facing each other. There was a recliner that overlooked the two. Eden had just recently added that because she didn't want groups of people in her study to constantly stand if they're going to be there for a while. After everyone was seated and Eden was on the recliner she then continued, "this will only work if you are all honest with me. I rather know unfavorable things than be blind sided." Eden looked at Sylvie who still wasn't making eye contact with her. Eden noticed some blood smudged on the corner of her mouth. Eden then took out a healing potion from her arsenal and handed it to her. Sylvie said, "we have a fast recovery speed, I'll be okay." Eden rolled her eyes at her stubbornness, then said, "being around Erza's presence has slowed it hasn't it? Besides, I already got up from my seat, so I am ordering you to take it." Sylvie scowled a little as she turned to look at Eden who had a serious look. " You are my mage, are you not?" Eden asked. Sylvie took the potion and drank it. Then Eden sat back down and said happily, "Well, now that Sylvie has drunk the poison, you guys have 5 minutes to tell me everything to give her the antidote." Everyone's face dropped. Eden then said, "I'm only teasing you all." She roared in laughter at their faces. They were still processing it, except Merlin who roared in laughter shortly after Eden. They both dried the tears of laughter after catching their breath. "Okay, joking aside, I don't have time to sit and wait. I would like for us to start our day. Please tell me all the necessary details now and we will revisit the rest later."
Eden waited to see if anyone would speak before she voluntold someone to talk. She didn't want to be rude and not acknowledge that Sylvie was a higher ranking officer than her squad warrior, but this was her domain. She wasn't going to be okay with just having spies walking within her castle walls without getting checked. She was about to voluntold Oscar since he was more eager to explain their situation during the confrontation, but Sylvie finally spoke. "Our Queen believes it is in the best interest of our kind to assist you in times of conflict. She sent us to form an alliance with you at some point after we observed you for some time. The opportunity to join your workforce arrived, but at the cost of our freedom. That is how strongly our Queen Celeste believes in you." Eden wondered why her, but then again it's probably what Erza could do. Then a question popped in her head that she quickly asked, "what did you mean, when you said, if I released them they are placed in limbo?" Sylvie answered, " We had to sign a contract that qualified us to be able to be hired by monarchs. If we were dismissed, we would be placed in this space called limbo. I read it in the fine print." Kane and Oscar both said, "fuuuuuck" at the same time, because they both just signed it without reading. Lewis, Murphy and Gideon just rolled their eyes at them because they knew those guys were just meat heads half the time. When they read the contract, they saw that the merchant was lying through his teeth, but they had already agreed to follow Sylvie with the plan. It wasn't a surprise to them that Kane and Oscar didn't read it. Eden began to bite her thumb nail as she processed that new information. She was about to ask how the Lycans even got to the realm, but they would be breaking the rules by talking about their past. So she stopped herself from asking. She bit her lip as she began to think of the reason and possibilities of their decision. She could see how they would be entrapped under servitude for the rest of their lives. She mentioned "at the cost of their freedom", so they broke free from something. Eden looked at each one as if scanning them. She then stared at Oscar's neck. Why didn't she notice it before? The tattoos of runes. She focused on them. Everyone's eyes were suddenly on Oscar and he turned slightly red. He felt weird as if he was a specimen about to be dissected for science. Sylvie spoke, "they are runes embedded on us to keep us from teleportation magic or anything that would allow us to leave the realm." Eden then leaned back on her chair, and took in a deep breath. Of course, their freedom meant being unchecked by the elders in the realm. But how? She asked internally. Then Eden asked Sylvie, "Why are you in hiding if you are free to roam the realm?" Silvie froze a little as if Eden hit a nerve. Then Silvie looked at Erza and asked, "how are the elders unable to hear or see your actions without the broadcast?" Eden let out a hmph and thought to herself, I don't fucken know. I didn't even know they could see and hear every action I take. Sounds stalker-like. But wait, why is she deflecting the question? Ah this bitch is sneaky. "Why are you avoiding the question?" Sylvie opened her eyes wider and raised her eyebrows, clearly not expecting Eden to catch on so quickly.
Merlin, who has been silent the entire time answered instead. "Because some of the mystical creatures in this realm sided with the Elders. They report to them and show them what they see through their eyes. In return, they don't experience the same treatment as the ones who resisted. Isn't that the reason you stay hidden from prying eyes?" He looked at Sylvie not expecting her to answer because he knew he was right. Eden frowned her face like a little kid disappointed. She thought, traitors among the mystical creatures as well. Are we all that different in the way we act? Eden let out a long breath of air. This is some fucken bullshit. Around every corner there's eyes. How do I know who's in the elder's pocket and who's not?
" Alright, so we agree that this place is a jail and the Elder's are responsible for entrapping us. Now for some reason we are brought together. How can I trust I will not be betrayed?" All of the Lycan's reacted angrily as if she just offended them in the worst way possible. Merlin, however, remained calm and said, "It is logical she asks this question." With their chests still fuming from the hot air, they tried to relax a little. Murphy said,"We can sign a binding contract with you." Then Lewis added, "we're already under your workforce." Kane said, "though our allegiance is with the Queen, our freedom depends on you." Eden said, "no." right away. Then continued, " I don't need a binding contract, I need something that will just confirm I won't be betrayed." Sylvie rolled her hands into a fist and she furrowed her eyes. She looked down at the ground as she whispered, "forgive me my Queen and King." Her eyes began to get watery and she asked Eden out loud, "Can you prevent Merlin from hearing what I'm about to say?" Eden looked at Sylvie and noticed she was slightly shaking as if she was going to burst. Then Eden looked at Erza who nodded in agreement. Erza raised her hand as her eyes began to glow and the gold liquid Eden once witnessed began to raise from the ground. It encapsulated the Lycans with Eden. Erza then said, "you can hear and see the outside, but it's not the same the other way from this barrier. " Eden had already known how it worked from her encounter with the Elder, but the explanation was for the Lycans. Then Eden awaited Sylvie to speak who was looking as if she was about to commit an unforgivable sin. Sylvie began to speak without looking at the rest, "there are pups in our pack. One's born without runes capable of demonstrating immense magical power. This is our most guarded secret from any outsiders. If the Elder's knew, they would enslave them too and take the embryos before they fully develop." The squad looked shocked. They never expected Sylvie out of anyone, to break the code of silence. She would fiercely punish anyone who spoke of it. It was high treason. Eden remembered the pup she saved back at the cave. She completely missed the mark on that encounter because she had decided not to pursue it. Only for it to catch up to her again. Then Eden came to the realization of what happens to the embryos. "Those mother fuckers!" she blurted out as she recalled the necklace around the elder's neck. The round item holding a bean like thing. Eden was angry and felt sick to her stomach. The rest looked at her as she stared into space while she recalled memories. "If I only had the strength, I'd fuck them up!" Eden said right after. Kane said, "get in line." Then Eden realized she wasn't alone with her thoughts, she's been thinking out loud. Eden tilted her head as she looked at Sylvie who was scolding herself in silence. "You did what you had to do at the expense of being shunned from your pack. Rest assured, I will not abandon you or betray you. Your Queen sounded like someone I could reason with, I will speak to her and vouch for you when the time comes. I hope none of your subordinates treat you differently when I'm not looking or they will take on Erza." Eden looked at all of them and announced, "contracts , physical gifts or pledges wouldn't have made me believe you won't betray me. It was her act of trusting me with your most precious secret that I can feel satisfied with. I will act as if I still don't know anything and I command you as your monarch to keep this silent. If you speak of this or bully her, then I will dismiss you into limbo." They looked at her with a bewildered expression. Oscar thought to himself, Eden just met Sylvie and she's willing to stick her neck out for her. She doesn't even owe her anything. Is this why Gunther feels so strongly indebted to her? Sylvie said, "please don't, It was my decision to break my vow and they are not held responsible. This is how our pack is and I will bare the shame and accept the consequences alone." Eden just stared at Sylvie thinking, Dang, she's like me in some way. I hope her childhood wasn't as terrible as mine. Then again, we all go through something that inspires some of us to want to save others from the pain and suffering. Eden didn't nod or agree with Sylvie, she left it open for interpretation. Now, how to deal with Merlin, who was still sitting outside the barrier waiting for them.