Arvium

28: Teammates

The air was heavy, thick with the scent of food and fresh cider. It was silent, except for the crackling of a roaring fire. Aella looked around, seeing dark wood paneling on the walls of the massive two-story room, and dark wood bookcases filled with books behind her. In front of her was a large marble fireplace, a roaring fire inside warming her body and making her feel relaxed. A man stood in front of it, one arm leaning on the mantle.

He wore black armor, the many pieces fitting perfectly together. His posture showed he was exhausted, but contemplative. He was motionless, save for the slow rising and falling of his shoulders as he took a breath. A black cape and a helmet with black wings extending from the sides lay in a plush, red velvet chair to his left. A black sword sheath with a black metal hilt lay propped up against one side. A small side table next to the chair held food, small jets of steam rising from them.

She ducked behind the closest bookcase, watching him.

A voice came from somewhere above her, but she couldn't see who it was from. "Where did you go?"

The figure in front of the fireplace didn't move, but his head lowered slightly. "Out."

"And you messed up?"

The man turned his head, glaring at someone on the second floor.

She inhaled sharply, noticing that his golden eyes seem to glow in the light of the fire. Then they turned on her.

She backed up, then screamed as everything turned bright, and the roar of an explosion filled the air. Sleet stung her skin, and the ground rumbled beneath her feet.

She stood on a hilltop, and below her two armies clashed. Blood stained the ground at her feet, and the lightning lit up the darkness. She coughed as she inhaled the smoke from the raging fires.

A figure in black armor appeared in front of her, wearing a mask. Smoke poured from it, and it looked like a deathly ghost, its eyes glowing red. It held out a hand to her, standing out from the chaos as the only thing that stood silent and motionless on the battlefield. "Come home," it said, it's voice deep and rich.

She gasped, jolting awake.

She blinked as she took in the ceiling above her in her room. She was in the Game Center. Gentle rays of sunlight lay across her, and illuminated her room. She slowed her breathing and rolled onto her side.

"Clock," she whispered.

"Good morning, Aella," the Computer stated. "It is 6:05. Alarm set for 6:20. Shall I turn off the alarm.

Aella closed her eyes and nodded. "Yes." She wrapped her arms around her body and squeezed, realizing she was trembling. The dreams have only gotten worse.

She shook her head, and moved so that her legs were dangling over the side of the bed. She looked out of her window, seeing the blue sky above, and the fluffy white clouds that were drifting lazily overhead. Her room was quiet, peaceful in the early morning. She took a deep breath and exhaled, letting her shoulders loosen.

"Day 2," she whispered. "Remember you are doing this so you can fight against your enemies. You fight to avenge Chloe." Her hand touched the crystal hanging at her neck, and she nodded. "I promised you, Chloe. I haven't forgotten."

She stood from the bed and rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand, yawning. She moved over to her dresser, and starting rifling through the articles of clothing. "Computer, send a message to Luke alerting him that I will be entering the game soon."