We were sent straight to Harror.

Once we reached the Cathedral we were rushed into another vehicle where we were driven to Harror. Trent worked on fixing Rix’s seal while we rode, so I tried to keep myself occupied writing a message to Ether to let her know we were alright now. Then I fell asleep. I’d been awake for almost the whole night. It was six in the morning and we had a few hours until we reached Harror.

I woke up when the car stopped at the Publian Clinic. As we got out, I checked my messages. I had one from Ether, which I opened immediately.

Atlas, I’m so happy you’re safe and free! I hate that I wasn’t able to see you while you were here, but I talked to Justia this morning and she said that you had a very important job that you had to do in Harror before you come back. I can’t wait to see you tonight! Love you!

I smiled. It’d been twenty four days since I’d seen her. Technically I’d now been away from her longer than I’d known her. It felt strange to try to think about what life had been like without her.

“ATLAS!” Gesai wrapped me in a hug, breaking me out of my thoughts. "I’m so glad you’re safe!”

I looked at her hands, they were still black, but at least she could use them. Her skin was going to be permanently scarred. They could heal her body, but scars were out of their realm of ability.

She saw me looking at her hands. "Do you hate it?” She pulled a pair of white laced elbow-length gloves out of her crystal band. "I can wear gloves.”

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I took her hands together and kissed them. "I think it shows everyone just how strong you are.” I kissed her hands again. "So no, I don’t hate them.”

She squealed and wrapped me in a hug again.

Yeah, I had a lot to tell Ether about.

“Did you hear about my stats?!” She reached for her crystal band.

Trent stopped her. “We can have time for that later.” He pointed at the car in the driveway. "We have an appointment to keep.”

Hye and Suna Publian were already in the car. Rix got in the back and scooted over as far as she could to make room for me and Justia. Trent ushered Gesai into the car that Paul was driving. Dacine and Oz were already in the car and waiting on us to go.

We rode in silence as we drove to the Alard Clinic Headquarters.

The five of us got out of the car and met us with the other five.

Trent marched the ten of us into the Clinic. I noticed that Gesai was wearing the gloves she had taken out earlier. Everyone looked nervous and I could understand why. They were the ones that were going to have to do the talking. All I had to do was stand there.

Trent completely ignored the blonde at the front desk and led us to the stairs. It was a climb to go up five flights, but considering how much running I’d been having to do during training, this was nothing.

The sixth floor was reserved for VIPs, so the door at the top of the stairs was locked. Trent broke the door knob with his bare hands and opened the door for us. A very flustered brown-haired man in his early thirties tried to intercept us.

“You can’t be up here! You need to leave! I’ve already called security!”

Trent stopped and glared at him. "Do you know who I am?”

The man was shaking as he nodded.

“Do you think your security can MAKE me leave?” Trent moved the man out of his way and walked over to the large ornamented wooden doors.

“Time to see the man at the belly of the beast.” Trent pulled the doors open.