From his throne, Novus looks down at the four of them as they sit in his room once again. A thin smile is present on his face as he speaks.

  “Very, very well done, all of you. As always, my expectations have been not only met but exceeded. Now, it is time for your rewards! First, come up here, Hunter.”

  The bowman stands up from his seat and walks up the stairs.

  Once he arrives, Novus holds his right palm face up and snaps his left hand’s fingers. A long, thin twine appears resting on his open palm.

  “This will allow you to shoot freely without having to repair your bow.”

  Hunter bows and returns to his seat.

  “Next, Vis.”

  The warrior does the same thing, and Novus gives him a sack full of weapons, both of them lifting it with ease despite the huge weight.

  He returns to his seat.

  “?elare.”

  As the boy stands up, he whispers to Astraea, “Please don't cause trouble.”

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  The girl winces, watching him walk away and be given something, but she pays little attention to what it is. Doubt consumes her thoughts as she deeply considers confronting Novus over his blatant manipulation. She steels her nerves as his voice calls out, “Astraea.”

  She stands up from her seat and glares toward the man smiling from his throne. His grin only grows, taunting her.

  As she reaches the top of the small staircase, Novus stands from his seat.

  “Your reward,” he announces with a loud voice, “is nothing material.”

  She opens her mouth to speak, but winces and grasps the side of her head as an aching pain overcomes her.

  “You will be granted an opportunity like no other.”

  Her vision flashes orange and everything around her seems to morph into a familiar scene.

  Astraea grunts as she feels a dagger prick her neck, then her eyes shoot open as she finds herself being pressed against the wall of her family's former manor by Dolus.

  “You are not supposed to be here!” she shouts, trying to push back, but she finds herself unable to move.

  “Sister, you are nothing. All your efforts are futile- you couldn't even touch me on that mountain!”

  She growls and strains herself, managing to lightly touch his arm and tries to overload him with life energy like before.

  Nothing happens.

  Dolus chuckles to himself, moving the dagger back before thrusting it into her neck and dropping her to the floor.

  As she lies on the ground, her rage gives way to exhaustion and her eyes close. She hears her brother speak with Novus’ voice.

  “I will be sending you, and you alone, to, once and for all kill your brother.”

  Suddenly, her vision returns and she is looking back at the smiling, brown-haired man in the grey room. Glancing around frantically and breathing heavily, she takes a moment to respond.

  Her confidence destroyed, she simply mutters, “Thank you.”