Hex followed his team toward the exit of the arena. As participants they had their own designated exit, preventing the crowd from blocking their path. The others were discussing the matches in length while discussing possible opponents. Hex listened with half an ear. ’With this round won, I can upgrade my membership tier. This, plus the earnings from this match and the betting shops, will help me acquire more materials to upgrade the Bear Soul. And the Frost Dragon might need some treasures too.’ Hex made a mental list of the things he would need. There was a week before the next round, filled with festivities and events declaring the upcoming matches. He would use the Oldest Store to enhance himself and his soul, feed the Dragon, and spend time in the library. There was enough to do. With a little luck, he would be able to advance before the next round. He believed he could win without the advancement but having witnessed Althea’s almost divine-like abilities and sensed a whiff of Sven’s tyrannical potential, he didn’t wish to take any risk. There were two more things he wished to do but both seemed troublesome. Searching for traces of his mother would be futile, perhaps. She did promise to contact him when she believed the coast to be free. And meeting Althea, well, that had been difficult to begin with but with the stunt she pulled off, it would be almost impossible. "Look who we have here," he heard Sterling sneer suddenly, as their speed faltered. Looking up, Hex noticed Ella, Hestia, and their team members gathered at the exit. "What?" Ella raised her brow with a faint smile on her lips. "Didn’t think we could win?" "We?" Sterling spat in disgust. "YOU did nothing. She "Aww. You really think I am pretty?" Ella countered, stepping close up to Sterling. She ignored the sharp hiss from behind Sterling. The twins were dangerously close to snapping at her. "Yeah, you looked pretty...useless," Sterling smirked in reply. Anger flashed through Ella’s eyes and she stepped back. This time, she didn’t ignore the chuckle from behind Sterling. "Why are you here?" Hex interjected before they could bicker anymore. He was happy to meet Hestia but he knew Ella and co would have some business if they waited for them at the exit. Ella took a deep breath, crossed her arms at her chest and turned toward Hex. He had removed his disguise in the changing room to keep the mystery of Mike. "You saw the matches. Those of the North and the Temple are strong beyond measure. We can’t be sure if they have shown us their full strength or not. I have my doubts about the two Wrixian teams too." "So?" Dollaire seemed impatient and more than eager to take Sterling as far away from Ella as possible and as quickly as achievable. "So, I propose we fulfill our promise of working together." "By mixing and matching." Hex listened with intrigue to her proposal. It wasn’t a bad idea. Gronke could synergize with the Star Sword and Stellar shield, while Hestia could adapt to them with Ella in the lead. And Elron could help Hex and the twins with area of effect and long-range abilities. The twins weren’t pleased. But it was Sterling’s call. And Sterling wouldn’t make the call without discussing it with Hex, which couldn’t be done in public. They agreed to decide once they knew more about the next round of the competition. "Why do we need to team up?" The Stellar Shield wasn’t one to lose his calm but he couldn’t help it in this case. Formally, he was still a Templar, a servant of the High Temple. In his heart, he followed the Divine Lord, who was the enemy of the Temple. By sitting with Ella, he was risking his cover being blown. His entire life and future development rested on this. "You don’t trust me?" Ella asked with her back to him. His gaze traced her outline from behind. There was something about her that filled his head with visions he had to disperse through prayers. Yet, when he heard her voice, his mind went blank and he acted on his smouldering desires. He stepped forward in the empty tunnel, in which they remained behind with the two of them, till he felt her soft body against his. Ella gasped ever so slightly but didn’t protest. Nor did she move. His heart was beating at a speed he feared might cause it to dislodge and sprint out of his chest. He gulped before replying. "I trust you," the Templar whispered in her ear. His dry throat seemed to have lost the ability to put more strength in his voice. She squirmed a little but still didn’t move. Was he imagining it or did she press against him? He shuddered in shock. The good thing – was it a good thing? – It did help him gain a little clarity. ’What am I doing?’ He stepped back quickly. "I don’t trust them. They don’t serve our Lord." Wait. Why was he shouting now? His own body seemed unreliable. Ella turned and met his gaze. Those big, bright eyes struck his resolve like a giant hammer hitting a glass wall. "Trust our Lord. This is his order. To keep them as close as possible. He is already outside the Crack. As soon as the space shatters, He will come for them." She spoke softly and stepped toward him. She smelled like fresh daisies in the morning sun, basked in divine light. She placed her soft hand against his face. It burnt him. In a good way. He wanted to reply. He wanted to say so many things. Make new vows. But again, his voice left him. He could accept his failures and nod. She, however, smiled and continued to gaze into his soul, or was it his eyes? It felt like one and the same thing. Looking into her eyes, the Templar felt stirrings he had not felt since his vow of servitude. Time was changing. Loyalties were changing. Perhaps it was time for him to change as well.