After the clash with Alexeon, I dragged my weary feet to the gladiator preparation area. My body ached from the combat, the rush of the battle fading, replaced by a deep fatigue. Needing to ground myself, I sank into a corner and let my mind touch the edge of the bridge that had been trying to cross. I did not have the time to try and create a mental avatar again, I just wanted to poke around at the crossing. The power it emanated felt both comforting and invigorating, there was something there, of that I had no doubt.

I wanted to stay longer, to create an avatar and try again to cross but I couldn't linger. I pulled myself back to the present, standing up, and began looking for Korrok. Usually after my fights were over, he would be right there, ready to break down my performance, pointing out my strengths and weaknesses. But today, he was gone.

With a growing sense of unease, I decided to check his quarters. I had never been there before, but he had told me where to find him if I needed to. Knocking loudly on his door, I waited. Silence. I tried again, harder this time, but there was no response. The door was locked, and a chill ran down my spine.

Confused and filled with concern, I headed back to my bunk, hoping for some clarity. To my surprise, Elyria awaited me. Her silver eyes held a mix of worry and determination. Seeing her there caught me off guard, it honestly made more curious about Korrok.

"Elyria," I began, "have you seen Korrok? Do you know where he is?"

At this point she seemed to hesitate, choosing her words carefully. "Everett," she started softly, "Korrok was rewarded for the success of his mentorship to you. He was allowed to claim his mentor’s reward early and return home. He took it."

I felt like the wind had been knocked out of me. The idea of Korrok, my guide through all this madness, leaving without a word was incomprehensible. And an early reward? That was practically unheard of.

She continued, her voice gentle, "With his departure, I've been appointed as your temporary mentor. When you picked it came down to Korrok and I so they assigned me to you for now. If you choose to keep me for the rest of the tournament, I am happy to do it but at least for the next fight it is me. She attempted a comforting smile, but I could see the concern in her eyes. "My alchemy shop is in safe hands while I'm here with you."

"Why? Why would he leave so quickly without even a goodbye?" I asked, my voice filled with confusion. "Did he say anything about my meditation or the bridge?"

Elyria took a deep breath, her eyes searching mine. "He had made a few inquiries I know. He even asked me about it. And after, while you were in your fight, the offer came. I can't say if they're connected, I don’t know why they would be honestly, but it might be too coincidental to overlook."

A heavy weight settled in my chest. Had my discovery put him in a situation he couldn't refuse? Why would this be? I did not understand. I stared into Elyria's eyes, searching for any hidden truths. "Do you really think he got his promised happy ending? What even was that for him?”

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She looked back, her gaze unwavering. "He wanted to get his elite class and go home, from what I understand his home had been invaded like yours but he there was a stalemate. He was hoping he might be able to make a difference with a more powerful class. I want to believe it that he got it all, Everett. But in this tournament, it's hard to know what's real and what's not."

With my mouth agape I looked at her. I could not believe what I was hearing. I had dreamt this, this was my fear. “What do you mean invaded?” I queried.

“Oh no Everett, I thought you knew. I don’t know much, just that the invasion happened shortly after you were pulled away.” She spoke.

“Ha- how are they fairing?” I barely managed to stammer out the question. I was feeling overwhelmed, I felt like I might throw up again.

“Oh, I have no idea, they don’t publicize those things right away. More news will come out eventually. Hopefully they are holding their own.” Elyria said, trying to reassure me.

“I don’t really understand, who is even invading them? What is happening.” I asked, I could see spots in the corners of my eyes, my hands were shaking.

After a moment she started, “I don’t know everything, every world that is a system world has been invaded at some point, that’s how you join the system. You were just pulled away for the tournament, the reasons behind why some people are pulled away as they are invaded is completely unknown.” I beckoned for her to continue with a heavy sigh and a nod of my head.

“Well,” she continued, “there are many reasons why a world will be invaded or integrated as some call it. First, if the world is on the expansion list.”

“Expansion list?” I questioned. “Are you serious?”

“Very serious, it is not known why the system picks world for expansion, there are theories sure but anyone who tells you they know the real reason is full of shit. Pardon my language. But the list exists and is not really hidden, all of the biggest factions of the system know what worlds are next but they don’t know where to find them. If one does find a world early, they can attempt a solo invasion to try to become the sole owner of the world and the riches that come with system integration.”

“This is all a bit too much.” I interrupted. “I can’t believe this.” My head collapsed into my hands and I started rubbing my temples.

“I understand, sorry.” She apologized. “I’ll just give you the most important part, I’m sure this is overwhelming. After a world is invaded it enters a status quo and becomes part of the system. People get classes, whether they are normal classes or elites ones depends on the person. Nobility get a number of elite classes they can assign based on whatever reasoning they want and people can earn them. Like you did, getting to your third fight in the arena. There are other ways too but mostly it involves getting in the good graces of the system. Don’t ask me how you do that, I have no idea.”

I was speechless, I sat down on my bunk. Tears rolled down my eyes, I could not remember when the last time was that I had cried. Had I not grieved for my family? I was too caught up in this tournament. I let tears fall down my cheeks. Elyria sat next to me. She was the most beautiful women I had ever seen, but in this moment there was no tension between us, only grief.

We sat side by side in silence, each lost in our thoughts, aware of the uncertain path that lay ahead.

Then with a start Elyria announced. “You should go ask the Iron Princess about Korrok. Come on we are going to try to talk to the Iron Princess.”