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Iggy dreamt of his death.

He stood in the middle of a battle with various blades sticking through him like pushpins stuck to a doll. Blood poured from his wounds and mouth. Smoke, ash, and death lingered in the heavy air around him. Bodies littered the burning ground. Overhead, warships screamed as they tore through the sky, shooting off bright bolts of energy from their massive cannons.

Another sword ripped through him, this time piercing his heart.

His eyes snapped open. He shot up from the bed he laid on with sweat pouring down the sides of his reddened face. His throat tightened. Black spots marred his sight as oxygen failed to reach his brain.

He hyperventilated until a pair of calming hands urged him back down onto the bed beneath him. It was softer than his cot in the sleeping quarters. Squeezing his eyes shut, he sunk into the plush mattress and waited for his breath to return to him. He wasn't anywhere near an ocean, but he felt like he was drowning.

It took a few more moments of laborious breathing for him to calm down. Once he did, he reopened his eyes.

There were no flags. No tributes trying to kill him. No Tenn either. The arena was nowhere in sight. Despite the lack of stands full of onlookers watching him fight for his life, he could still hear their deafening noises permeating his eardrums. His ears still rung from the sounds of the arena.

The image of the scoreboard stood out in the busy haze of his mind.

His tongue felt like a decommissioned trader frigate in his mouth.

Team Green finished the game in the third, meaning he and his teammates progressed to the next round of the Elysian Games. But that also meant the yellow squad would be eliminated. Iggy might not have killed anyone himself during the challenge, but he might as well have. The Elysians were going to kill those tributes. And it would be his fault. He stole their last point. He stole their lives.

His stomach twisted at the thought.

"Iggorii Amrada, please calm down," a stiff voice from the side of his bed urged.

He snapped his eyes to them.

An android dressed in an all-white uniform with red trim peered at him with bright eyes. Behind them, screens displayed his heart rate and vital signs while a floating three-dimensional display of his body rotated in front of them. On the miniature diagram, his right arm was highlighted red. The area around his chest had been colored orange.

He looked away from the screens and tried to get a grip on his new surroundings. Opaque glass walls wrapped around the room he laid in. Through the frosted material, he could see identical rooms on either side of him. He arched an eyebrow at the attendant standing over him.

"Where am I?"

"You are in the infirmary," the android answered. "You collapsed after your victory."

Iggy glanced at his arm. He could barely feel it. A bandage snaked around his bicep, covering the wound. "From the blood loss?"

"Yes, but mostly due to the exhaustion."

Embarrassment flooded his face like the redness filling his cheeks. Before he could ask the android any other questions, three people entered through the sliding glass door at the front of the room. Moxi Daystar helmed the group while Ivy Brightway followed behind. A man dressed in a familiar black and gold uniform walked alongside her. Iggy's eyes lit up. High Priestess Naija's guards wore those garments. Much to his dismay, he didn't see the Majaan priestess among them.

Moxi beamed at Iggy upon arriving at the foot of his hospital bed. "What a relief! Almost thought we lost you there."

Sitting up, Iggy squinted at the three newcomers. "What are you doing here?"

Ivy smiled, but it wasn't one full of kindness. Something hid behind the reporter's eyes. She knew something—something he didn't. He looked past Moxi and focused on her with his brows drawn together.

What is this?

"Your heroics pushed you straight into stardom, Iggy. Well, that and your interview, which went live right after the game," the woman told him. "The crowd is loving you. Plenty of suitors have reached out to sponsor you for the rest of the games, among them being—"

"People want to sponsor...me?"

"Yes! You'll never believe who's at the top of the list. It's­—"

The uniformed Elysian cleared his throat before stepping forward. Ivy's smile slipped off her face. Dipping her head, she shuffled toward the door. Iggy tilted his head at the stranger staring at him. The Elysian opened his hand, revealing a circular device sitting in the center of his palm. He tapped the center of the metallic circle. A blue light flared before projecting a holographic silhouette of an elegantly dressed man with high cheekbones, striking eyes, and short hair. His pale hands were folded over the black folds of his garments.

Iggy froze.

He'd only seen clippings of the man in magazines back home, but he'd never gotten this good of a look at him. Most people across the empire barely knew what their newly elected emperor looked like. Their leader—much like his claim to fame—was an enigma.

"A message from your gracious ruler," the uniformed man announced. He bowed his head and held his free hand behind his back.

The message began.

"I would like to congratulate you on your victory tonight, young Iggorii Amrada. Your journey through the arena has been a rather...intriguing one." The emperor's voice was smoother than silk, his tone richer than the empire he presided over. "As a reward for your great triumph, House au Castus would like to invite you to a feast in the name of the Elysian Games. I look forward to seeing you there, Iggorii. We will have much to discuss."

The emperor smiled. Despite it being a video recording, Iggy couldn't help but feel like the man's eyes were digging through the contents of his soul. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat and averted his eyes until the hologram disappeared.

"Isn't that wonderful?!" Moxi exclaimed while clapping his hands together. "This is the first event the emperor has hosted since his inauguration! You must be so excited."

"I'm not going."

His words sucked all the air out of the room. Every set of eyes in the room regarded him with stupefied confusion and shock. Even the android standing in the corner couldn't believe their manufactured ears.

"Excuse me?" Moxi cleared his throat uncomfortably. "One does not simply decline an invitation from the emperor of the galaxy."

"Especially not this emperor," Ivy added.

"Half the galaxy," Iggy corrected. "Technically."

"The half that matters," Moxi said.

The Arigorii boy rolled his eyes. He wasn't going. He wanted nothing to do with the emperor.

The words from his gracious ruler echoed in his ears. The emperor's tone had shifted ever-so-slightly once he got to the end of his message. A quiet forcefulness hid underneath his words, like a viper waiting to strike its prey. While he might've been inviting the young Arigorii to the feast, it felt more like an obligation. Or a command.

He swallowed hard.

What would happen if he didn't go? What would happen if he did? He wrung his hands underneath the sheets of his hospital bed.

Perhaps Moxi had a point. One does not simply refuse an invitation from the emperor of the galaxy. The empire thrived on the submission of its subjects. It excelled at breaking spirits and getting billions of lifeforms to conform to a single entity.

Iggy scowled.

"Especially not this one," is what Ivy had said. None of the past emperors had been particularly nice people, but Ivy's words suggested there was something different about their new leader. He knew virtually nothing about the man. Something told him that was by design. The Elysian made an effort to stay out of the public eye, unlike his predecessor.

A spark of curiosity had been lit inside Iggy's chest. Soon, it'd become a wildfire.

And there was only one way he'd be able to put it out.

#

Luckily for Iggy, he wouldn't be attending the emperor's feast alone. Tenn had been invited as well. The two of them were pretty much a package deal now—they rarely went anywhere without each other.

"Why do we have to wear these ridiculous outfits?" Iggy grumbled while tugging at the collar suffocating him.

Once he was discharged from the arena's infirmary, he returned to the sleeping quarters. Another plastic pack containing more clothes sat atop his cot. A message accompanied the package. A single word, signed by the emperor himself, stared back at him on the small, paper card: enjoy.

Iggy had a feeling he'd be doing the exact opposite.

The emperor gifted him with a pair of pressed slacks the color of soot, a similarly colored shirt and jacket with bronze trim, and pointed shoes more expensive than his apartment back home. The material of everything felt way too luxurious to be in his grubby, calloused hands. Once he got dressed, he couldn't help but feel like a total fraud. Judging by the pained look on Tenn's face suggested he felt the same.

The old man fidgeted with the sleeve of his shirt, cuffing it so his wrists were exposed. Iggy let the material drape over his hands. Despite the awkwardness the outfit provoked within him, he liked the way the velvet felt on his skin.

An android followed by two Elysian guards entered the room shortly after. The android notified them of the arrival of their transport. The other tributes in the room—which weren't many at this stage in the Elysian Games—shot them dirty looks. They must not have gotten invited. Iggy felt his face redden. He glanced at Tenn for guidance.

The man simply shrugged.

"Let's move," a guard ordered.

Iggy let out a nervous breath before following the small party out of the room and down the arena's corridors. They were led through the tunnels until they arrived at the stadium's docking port. A guard unlocked the door and herded them inside.

Various ships of differing sizes populated the high-ceilinged parking structure. Most had their landing gear engaged while others floated inches off the glossy, reflective material of the hangar floor. Guards dressed in armored suits the color of the Elysium's moons milled about. Androids in their standard uniforms tended to the vehicles. A few patrons of the Elysian Games made their way toward the elevators that traveled throughout the stadium.

Iggy gawked at the stunning view of the sprawling Neon City lingering beyond the mouth of the loading bay ahead. The towering buildings rose above the glimmering horizon. Dark dots zipped about the air, heading off in various directions as they traveled about the crown jewel of the empire.

"Keep moving," the guard behind him barked.

Pursing his lips, he hung his head and shuffled forward. He and Tenn were led through the hangar until they reached a smooth, edgeless vehicle hovering above the ground. The black-painted pod bore the symbol of the empire along with one of the twelve Noblus house symbols—a gold wreath with an eagle in the center.

House Au Castus.

A panel in the vehicle's wall popped out before sliding to the side silently, revealing the lavish interior and high-tech furnishings within. Two people sat on purple cushions inside. The first person wore the black uniform of the emperor's personal guards. They stepped out, planting their boots firmly on the ground, before offering a gloved hand toward the woman inside.

Iggy's eyes widened once they exited the vehicle.

Tenn bowed his head instinctively. Iggy followed suit. As he dipped his head, he hoped the priestess couldn't see his reddening face.

"High Priestess Noia," the old man said.

"Ohr-Yahn Tennic," she said back with a smile. "And, please, just Noia." She shifted her bright eyes to Iggy. Her smile widened. "Iggorii."

He swallowed hard before deciding to smile back; crooked teeth be damned. "Er, hello, High Priestess—er, I mean, Noia." He rubbed the back of his neck, which felt hotter than a burning furnace. "How are you, uh, doing today?"

She stifled a laugh. The guard beside her didn't seem amused.

"I suggest we get moving. The palace is a significant distance away from the arena. We don't want to be late," the uniformed sentry said.

Noia rolled her eyes. "Ah, yes. We don't want to keep my fiancé waiting." She gestured toward the inside of their transport. Iggy flinched at the mention of her betrothed.

Tenn thanked her before entering. The young Arigorii went in next. The High Priestess settled into the seat across from him. Her guard filled in last before closing the door behind them. He punched in a location into the holographic screen at the front. A robotic voice repeated their destination to the Elysian.

"The Elysian Palace. Estimated arrival time: four hours."

Iggy blanched. "Four hours?"

"I told you it'd be a long trip," the guard grumbled.

What the heck are we going to do in here for four hours?

At least the cushions he sat on were soft. Softer than soft. It was as if he was sitting upon a cloud from the skyworld of Asbel.

The vehicle's engine rumbled to life. They approached the front of the hangar before darting off into the sky. The metal walls of the pod shimmered for a moment before turning into translucent windows. Iggy pressed his hands against the cool surface as he took in the sights blurring past them.

They were high above the upper levels of Neon City. Skyscrapers extended toward them like fingers of the damned reaching for heaven.

"Magnificent, isn't it?" Noia's soft voice pulled him away from the window.

"Yeah, something like that."

"I've been here for weeks now, and the views continue to amaze me."

He lifted an eyebrow at her. " I'm sure Elysium doesn't hold a candle to Eos." He'd only seen pictures of Noia's homeworld, but it was easily one of the most beautiful planets in their galaxy. "What's it like? Eos, I mean. I've always wanted to visit."

"Eos is beautiful, much like Elysium, but in a much different way. There are beaches everywhere. Our temples are glorious structures, symbols of the endeavor and ingenuity of my ancestors. I grew up within their walls, training and praying to my gods." Her face fell a bit. "I haven't had much opportunity to pray since I've been here."

Tenn folded his arms at the mention of prayer. Hundreds of religions existed throughout their galaxy, but a few of them dominated the others. Iggy wasn't well-versed in any of them. He didn't despise religion the way Tenn did, but he did sometimes wonder why the gods—whichever ones truly existed—hadn't come to his family's aid.

Such questions were pointless, though. He avoided them when he could.

Iggy glanced at the high priestess. "How exactly did you meet the emperor? A trip to the Eos isn't an easy one, even for someone like him."

That was an understatement if there was ever one. Eos—the magical, fuchsia-colored, seven-mooned world—and the Elysium Prime were separated by millions of lightyears. Standard ships couldn't even dream of making the journey. Only a very wealthy Noblus could make that voyage.

Noia shifted her gaze from the Arigorii before speaking. "He visited my home for the first time several months ago. He and his fleet landed just outside of Geshaa, my home. A party of Elysium representatives informed my people that he was in search of a meeting with my mother."

"Your mother?"

"Yes. She's the leader of all the united Majaan tribes on Eos."

Iggy's eyes widened. Not only was the woman a powerful priestess, but she was also a princess.

"What did the emperor want?"

"A partnership."

"With your mother? Or you?"

She smiled. It looked painful.

Tenn shot Iggorii a look, but he ignored it. He knew he should've stopped talking, but his mouth had other plans, as did his stupid, curiosity-filled brain. He unconsciously leaned in closer to the priestess, his eyes narrowed as he readied his next question. He wanted to know more. He didn't know why, or what he'd even do with the information, but he wanted—needed—to know.

"He desired a partnership between our peoples. It was not dependent on our marriage specifically. The transaction could've been made without wedding anyone," Noia explained. "But the emperor...he saw something in me. Something he could not leave Eos without. As the new ruler of his empire, he desired a mate to help him in his journey as emperor."

Iggy resisted the urge to crinkle his nose at the thought of the priestess and his emperor mating.

"Is that what you wanted?" he asked.

Tenn shook his head disapprovingly. "Iggorii..."

Noia lifted her tattooed hand. "It's fine." She drew her lips together into a thin, tight line before answering. "The day before the emperor arrived, I prayed to my gods. They bestowed me with a vision. Marrying the emperor is but a single step in my destiny."

"Your destiny." Iggy weighed the word in his mouth.

The priestess seemingly knew her purpose and place in this galaxy. What was his? To be a servant for the empire until he died, consigned to oblivion for the rest of eternity like billions of others across the galaxy? That couldn't be his fate. Then again, there was every chance it was. Countless lives across the empire never amounted to anything higher than serving those who ruled over them. Nothing indicated Iggy's life would deviate from the caste he'd been born into.

He slipped his hand into his pocket. The pendant hiding in his pants brushed against his hand. His mind wandered to his escapades the night before his second challenge in the arena. Jaxon's words echoed in his head.

He glanced out the window. The sapphire sky stretched on for miles.

Perhaps something else waited for him beyond the horizon.

Something better than this.


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