Eclipse

Chapter 28

★Elio★

I wring my hands together, my heart pumping heavily in my chest. I'm meeting Ana today after my training. I can't believe it. She actually is interested in me. I didn't ruin everything after all.

My attention drifts back to the situation at hand. I stand in front of my mirror, looking at my clothes. I can't help but wonder whether they will be covered in blood by the end of the day. I hope that Arino Lidin won't go too hard on me on my first day of physical training.

My heart starts beating harder for a different reason this time. A hand lands on my shoulder. "It's going to be alright, Elio. He's not going to kill you," Dayton says, his attempts at reassuring me becoming more and more futile by the second.

I smile grimly, picturing my body burning in front of the palace by noon because my heart gave out. I shake off the thought. "Yeah, whatever you say," I mutter.

I turn and make my way to the opening of the tent. Dayton followed behind me. "Seriously, dude, you're going to be fine," he calls after me.

I throw a remark over my shoulder as I toy with my high collar. "Yeah? And how are you so sure?" My shirt is sleeveless, tight, and red. The collar rises onto my neck. The shirt is tucked into my black pants, which aren't tight, but tighter than civilian pants.

Dayton grabs my wrist, stopping me, and yanking me to face him. "Because, Elio," he begins, looking me in the eyes with a serious look. "You're the strongest person I've ever met, and that includes the king."

I open my mouth to respond, but nothing comes out. A lump forms in my throat at the thought of everything. This is really happening. I'm really going into excessive training. I am really seeing a girl even though it will be illegal soon. I'm really Sun, and despite that fact, not even I am confident about my abilities to finish my training. But Dayton does. That thought warms me.

"Ciya Solten," a deep voice interrupts us. I turn to see Arino Lidin standing with his hands neatly behind his back. His face looks grim today, and I worry what will become of me. I try to remind myself of Dayton's words.

I nod. "I'm ready, Arino Lidin."

He only smiles back at me. "Good. Now, follow me, Ciya Solten." He turns and begins walking the other way.

I don't bother saying goodbye to Dayton as I follow him. I'm afraid that if I look at him, I'm going to back down and give up my chance at Arino. That is not a choice if I want to protect this kingdom.

★★★

I stand silently in the room from before, turning and taking in the sight again. I was ordered to enter the room, though Arino Lidin didn't follow. I'm not sure where he went. The hairs on the back of my neck rise, a feeling deep inside me yelling at me to run. But I don't. Instead, I turn and take in the far walls, the high ceiling, the blue flames, a color that seems so artificial.

I feel so small in a room this size. The heat feels as if it's getting more and more intense, though I wonder if it is my own mind. If I'm only imagining it. I am not, I realize.

My gaze snaps to the door in which I entered. Or at least, where it should be. My heart jolts as I realize that it is gone. That, instead, there is only smooth wall, as if it had never even been there in the first place.

I get ready to walk toward it, to make sure that I'm seeing it correctly, when I hear something behind me. I feel like I'm going insane. That my mind is playing tricks on me. Maybe it is.

I hear a growl so deep that it rattles my bones. I jump and turn, realizing that it was directly next to my ear. But despite the fact, I see nothing. That's insane, though. It was right there. I heard it. I felt it.