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Iggy's stomach felt like it would explode at any given moment. He'd filled up on countless dishes ranging from fruit-filled pastries to creamy desserts made from the milk of animals he'd never even heard of before. The table he and Tenn shared looked like a castle of plates and glasses by the time they were done.

He made sure to savor every last bite. They wouldn't eat this well for a long time. Once they returned to the arena, it was back to the gross slop and stale bread he'd grown accustomed to.

His stomach knotted at the thought. Grimacing, he forced the thought out of his head. He wasn't in the arena—he was in Elysium Prime's palace, the crown jewel of the entire planet. The Elysian Games were an afterthought, for now, anyway. For as long as he was there, he'd do his best to enjoy himself.

That included avoiding Tenn until the time came for them to leave.

He didn't need the old man's negativity right now.

Following the commencement of dinner, Iggy decided to do some exploring. The palace had been opened to the public. He wandered out into an expansive balcony overlooking the now tranquil ocean wrapping around the cliff the palace had been built into. A few other Elysians stood about with drinks in their hands. Their tones lowered the moment he entered the space. Their eyes tracked him like lasers from a blaster rifle as he approached a sandstone banister chiseled with elaborate designs.

He tried his best to ignore the stares. Luckily, the view of the ocean was enough to seize his attention. He closed his eyes and inhaled the pleasant smell of saltwater rising from the waters hundreds of feet beneath him.

Novr didn't have much water. In fact, he couldn't remember ever seeing an ocean or lake anywhere. The last time he saw a body of water this big was on Yensari. Fuzzy memories of vermillion waves lapping onto sand whiter than sugar exploded throughout his brain like a bomb.

He smiled.

"Ahem."

The memory disappeared. He opened his eyes. The view, while magnificent, just wasn't the same. It wasn't home.

Suppressing the urge to sneer, he glanced at the pair of Elysians dressed in burgundy now standing next to him. A meekish android lingered beyond them with its head lowered.

"Er, can I help you?" Iggy asked.

"Ædard Au Taela," the one on the right—a stocky man with a bush of a mustache—said. He extended a ring-laden hand toward the Arigorii. "Beside me is my wife, Amæra Au Taela." The woman smiled brightly at him. Literally. The diamonds on her teeth nearly blinded him.

He nodded slowly at the pair. "Nice to, uh, meet you. I'm Iggorii Amrada. I go by Iggy."

"Oh, we know all about you, Iggy," Ædard said. "We've been following your progress throughout the games. Your fighting style leaves much to be desired, but you have a knack for coming out on top. You're a survivor. A champion—one we'd like to get behind."

Iggy's face brightened. "Oh, wow. Thank—"

"I'm sure you've heard of sponsors by now, yes?"

"I have, uh...Ædard?"

"Sir, if you will."

Swallowing hard, he nodded again. "Right. Sorry, sir."

Ædard beamed at his wife. "He even takes orders well! The analytics team was right to have us approach this one."

Amæra smiled. "He fits the Au Taela brand perfectly. Think about the merchandising! With his small frame and little ears, why, he almost looks like an elf from Troslore."

Iggy pursed his lips. "Hey—"

Ædard erupted into laughter. The Au Tælas broke off into their own conversation while still standing right in front of him. It almost seemed like they'd forgotten he was even there. It wouldn't have been the first time something like that happened to him. He shifted his feet, his brows furrowing as he watched them gush over broadcast ratings and the future rounds of the Elysian Games.

"Er, can I ask you guys something?" Iggy interrupted.

The Elysians stopped midword, their eyes wider than moons. A hint of surprise surfaced on Amæra's face as she stared at him. Her husband regarded him with a hint of displeasure. Or perhaps it was disgust. Iggy couldn't tell. The Elysian eventually gestured for him to speak with an annoyed flip of his hand.

"What exactly happens if I get sponsored by your house?"

"Why, you become part of the Au Tæla family, of course!" Amæra chirped. "You'll wear our colors and symbol in future rounds. You'll represent our house as you fight your way toward glory. We'll supply you with help and equipment when possible."

Iggy squinted at her. "What's in it for you?"

The woman laughed and nudged her husband. "Isn't he adorable?" Had he not known any better, he would've thought he asked a dumb question. Perhaps it was. "All the houses pick a tribute to represent them. It's tradition. We don't get anything out of it, per se, but it's great fun for everyone involved."

Yeah, fun for everyone besides me.

"I'm afraid you'll be facing some stiff competition," someone from behind them said.

They all turned to face the new voice. Iggy went cold. His joints and muscles seized up as if he'd died and rigor mortis began to set in. But he wasn't dead. Not yet. He wished he was, though. Anything to get him out of another interaction with him.

Emperor Voltai Au Castus stood beneath the doorway of the balcony entrance with a glass of bubbly liquid the color of sunrays in his gloved hand. Noia stood at his side with her arm coiled around his. A blank expression covered her colorful face like a shadow. Iggy made sure not to keep his eyes on her for too long. He could feel Voltai's stare digging holes in him.

The Au Tælas bristled under the gaze of their ruler. They bowed their heads at him before backing away from Iggy.

"Enjoy the rest of the party," Voltai told them. He hadn't said it to be pleasant. It was an order—an order they heeded immediately. They bid Iggy goodbye before rejoining the festivities inside.

A tense, rigid silence washed over the balcony. Birds cawed in the distance, a brief reprise from the awkward quiet. Iggy didn't move a muscle. He wasn't sure he could if even if he wanted to. The emperor's intense stare had him in a chokehold; an invisible force held him down, pulling at his body like the gravity of massive gas giant.

He was a moon. Voltai was the planet.

What did that make Noia.

Before he could determine the answer to his pointless question, the golden-haired Elysian finally spoke.

"Iggorii Amrada of Yensari."

"Emperor." He bowed begrudgingly.

The Elysian extended a hand toward him. The Arigorii nearly fainted. Swallowing hard, he shook his hand. Voltai's strong grip nearly crushed his fingers. He masked his pain by flashing his crooked teeth in the form of a lopsided smile. The emperor mirrored it, but his grin was much more appealing. Beside him, Noia shifted her feet uncomfortably, her gaze drifting off elsewhere.

"I was wondering when we'd finally meet. Officially, I mean."

He blinked. "Really?"

The man nodded.

"Why?"

Voltai's smile widened. Iggy resisted the urge the do the opposite. The suspense amplified with every slow breath the emperor took. Eventually, he spoke. "House Au Castus would like to present you the opportunity to be our champion for the remainder of the Elysian Games."

He nearly choked on his spit. "Excuse me?"

"I do not like repeating myself."

"You're joking, right? Why would you want to sponsor me?"

Noia cleared her throat. "This is a great honor, Iggorii. House Au Castus doesn't just sponsor anyone."

A great honor.

The sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach suggested otherwise.

"I'd like an answer," Iggy said. "With all due respect."

"That's fair, I suppose." Voltai stole a glance toward the ocean. "I heard about the circumstances of your arrest on Novr."

His blood transformed to ice in his veins. Chills ravaged his body, and it took every ounce of willpower he possessed to stop from shivering in front of the emperor. Gulping quietly, he held his tongue. He'd wait for the emperor to reveal exactly what he knew.

"Commander au Victorus is a good friend of mine," Voltai added. "He's been searching for an insurgent on Novr for cycles now. He told me that insurgent was you." Iggy said nothing. "But I know that's not true. I mean, you're no rebel. But I do believe you know who the commander was looking for."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Please, let's save some time. You carry the symbol of traitors in your pocket, do you not?"

The image of the medallion hiding in his pants came to mind. He still had no idea where the logo originated or what it represented. Jaxon Gunn didn't wear anything that bore the symbol. Tenn even told him it wasn't a rebel indicator. Yet, the emperor still referred to it as the mark of a traitor.

"I found it," he said. "In the mines. I didn't know what it meant when I did."

"You found it?"

"That's right."

Voltai slipped out of Noia's hold like a snake before stalking toward Iggy. The boy retreated slightly as his heartbeat quickened by a few paces.

"That symbol belongs to the Centuri Order."

"The what?"

The emperor lifted his chin. "Perhaps you truly don't know."

"I already told you I didn't. What is this...Centuri Order."

"Nothing you need to concern yourself with. If you're as smart as I think you are, you'd be wise to listen to me." The man took a careful sip from his drink. "But back to my offer. I assume you accept, yes?"

"Do I really have a say?"

"You catch on quick."

"What if I don't accept."

"You won't make it out the arena without the help of my house. The others can't help you as I can."

Iggy rolled his eyes. He might not have liked it, but the emperor had a point. The man's house currently sat at the top of the Noblus totem pole. After speaking with the Au Tæla's, he figured partnering with the most powerful Noblus house in the empire couldn't be too bad.

His eyes lit up as an idea slammed into him with the force of a blaster bolt. If the emperor and every other wretched Elysian died in a ship fire, he wouldn't have cared. He wanted nothing to do with any of them, especially Voltai Au Castus. But his mother still needed help. Even with a cosign from House Au Castus, his survival couldn't be guaranteed. He might've successfully stolen a keycard for Jaxon Gunn, but who was to say his smuggler would hold up their end of the bargain? He needed to secure his mother's safety.

If anyone could help him provide her with the medicine she needed to live, it was the emperor.

"I have one condition," Iggy said.

He laughed. "A condition? I don't think you understand how this works."

"I'm aware of the absurdity, but...just hear me out, okay? My mother is sick. With me not working in the mines anymore, she can't afford her meds. If you could just—"

"I am not a charity."

Iggy's face went red. Heat rushed to his cheeks and the tips of his pointed ears. "But—"

"Do not forget your place, Arigorii. You should be grateful I've even offered you this opportunity."

"Voltai..." Noia shot him a disapproving look before glancing at Iggy with an air of pity.

If he wasn't careful, he'd spontaneously combust in a plume of red-hot flames. The pitiful look in the high priestess' eyes only made his embarrassment worse. He couldn't believe he'd been naïve enough to think the emperor of all people would help him save his mother. The Elysians only made themselves useful when they had something to gain. What did Voltai get out of helping him?

His hands balled into fists at his side. The emperor cracked a smile.

"Something you'd like to say, Iggorii?"

He bit his tongue—quite literally. One wrong word and his head would be put on a platter like the finger foods circulating the floor of the feast hall. Rage grabbed hold of him. His body trembled as if he'd been stuck in a blizzard for hours. Still, he forced a strained smile onto his lips.

"Thank you for the opportunity, oh gracious emperor," was all he said.

The emperor's smile slipped a bit. Nervousness flashed across his face for a moment, quick and bright like a lightning strike but gone just as fast. Clearing his throat, he gave the young tribute one last nod before disappearing back into the noisy hall behind them.

Iggy's shoulders deflated once the Elysian faded from view. He hung his head with his jaw clenched.

"I'm sorry, Iggorii," Noia told him, her voice smaller than the glittering piercing in her button-like nose. "I'll...I'll talk to him."

He said nothing—much like how she had when her fiancé denied his simple request. This whole time he thought the High Priestess was different. After all, she didn't grow up an Elysian. The Majaan people had values and goodness in their hearts. At least, that's what he thought. Now he wasn't so sure.

Noia opened her mouth to say something else, but the words never came out. Eventually, she left him alone on the balcony. He didn't watch her leave. He couldn't bring himself to look at her.

She wasn't different like he thought. She was just like them.

The image of the emperor's face burned in his head like a bad dream. A scowl pulled at the corners of his mouth. He threw a final glance at the ocean ahead before turning on his heel and heading through the doorway at his back.

#

Eventually, Iggy found himself staring at his reflection in the massive mirror wall in one of the many bathrooms built throughout the emperor's palace. His thick, oil-black hair looked grimier than usual. He had it pulled away from his face now, but it nearly reached his chin when freed from the clip holding it in place. The arena didn't exactly have a barber on standby for him and the showers didn't come with conditioner.

The familiar layer of dirt that once covered his face had been scrubbed away earlier in preparation for the feast. Coupled with his attempt to make his hair look somewhat nice and the outfit supplied to him, he almost looked presentable.

But he'd never look like the Elysians. Even with his new status as House au Castus' champion, he'd never fit in among them. He was too small, too frail, too weak. He wasn't perfect enough.

And he never would be.

He never wanted to be, either. If he was perfect, then he'd be just like them. He'd rather be poor for the rest of his life than live in vanity like the Elysians.

With a heavy sigh, he waved his hand beneath the touchless sensor controlling the water from the golden faucet on the trough-like sink running beneath the expansive mirror. He cupped his hands, filling them with cool water, and brought them to his face. The chill seeped into his pores, soothing his frayed nerves. He closed his eyes and soaked in the brief moment of serenity.

Then he opened them.

I better get back before they notice I'm gone.

Nodding to himself, he made his way toward the exit. As he reached for the door handle, the door swung open, nearly hitting him in the face. A man wearing a server's uniform barged in. Within the blink of an eye, two white gloves were gripping Iggy's shirt. He was pushed back into the bathroom. The door closed with a haunting thud.

Iggy clawed at the hands grabbing him but their grip was vise-like.

"Let me go! Let me go—"

"Calm down, kid!"

Iggy stopped fighting. He looked at the person's face and nearly fainted. Familiar eyes the color of cobalt stared back at him. "Jaxon?"

"Yes, it's me," the rebel hissed. He glanced over his shoulder. After waiting a few seconds, he faced Iggy. "Way to almost blow our cover, genius. Also, you scream like a banshee ."

"Our cover?" He gawked at the man. "What're you doing here? How did you even get in?"

Jaxon flashed his signature grin. "A magician never reveals his tricks." He fished in his pocket for a device. He tossed a square-shaped piece of metal onto the door. It crawled along the surface with arachnid legs before pressing itself over the handle, locking the door from the inside. "That should hold."

"You gonna answer my question?"

"I'm here for your ungrateful ass, kid."

He blinked. "Excuse me?"

"Couldn't get to you after the game to collect that keycard you owe me. Congrats, by the way. Wasn't pretty, but you survived. Pretty inspiring honestly."

Iggy couldn't help but smile. "How'd you know I was here?"

"Did a little asking around. You know, detective work and all that jazz. I'm a spy, after all. And quite a good one at that. Finding out things I'm not supposed to know and sneaking into places I'm not supposed to be is kind of my job."

Iggy smoothed out his wrinkled shirt. "You didn't have to barge in here like that, though. It's not hard to act normal, you know. You should try it sometime."

Jaxon rolled his eyes. Then he held his palm out. "Keycard?"

His stomach dropped. "Er, I don't...have it."

"What do you mean 'you don't have it'? You told me you could get it. You told me I could—"

"I don't have it here. It's back at the arena."

The rebel narrowed his eyes. He pressed a strong finger to the Arigorii's bony chest. "You better not be lying to me, kid. I've already got my guy headed to Novr with your special delivery."

"Don't worry, I got it."

Jaxon beamed at him. He dropped both hands on the boy's shoulders. "Knew I could count on you." He wagged a finger at the Arigorii. "There's something about you, kid. I dunno what it is, but it's intriguing. If you weren't stuck in the arena, you might make a half-decent member of the Alliance."

Iggy blinked.

The rebel once told him he'd never have the guts to go up against the empire. Had he been telling the truth or were the words manufactured to get under his skin? If it was the latter, then it worked. And if it was the former, how could he trust what the spy said now?

"Alright, where'd you put the keycard?" Jaxon asked. "I'll probably make it back to the arena before you, so just let me know where you left it."

He pursed his lips for a moment. "Er, it's under my bed. But—"

"Excellent hiding spot. Thanks for the assist. I'll be sure to mention you to my boss once this is all over and done with." He winked at the boy before turning to the exit. "I'll see you around, kid."

As he prepared to leave, Iggy recalled his interactions with the Elysians upon arriving at the palace. They didn't make him feel welcomed in any sense of the word. They barely made him feel like he belonged in the room. The Au Tælas, the emperor, and even Noia continued to reinforce what he already knew about the galaxy's elite. Things needed to change.

Jaxon Gunn and the Axarian Alliance were fighting for that change. Iggy had to be a part of that movement. He knew Tenn wouldn't want him getting involved, but he didn't care about what the old man wanted right now. This was his calling. It was the reason why he found that amulet in the mines. It was why he was forced to leave his mother on a ship housing hundreds of criminals. He hadn't come across Jaxon by chance. This was his destiny.

Now that he'd been sponsored by the emperor, he figured he could do more to help Jaxon and the other rebels complete their plan.

Before the blue-eyed man could leave the bathroom, Iggy called out to him.

"Yeah?"

"I want to do more."

"Er, not sure I'm following you, kid."

Iggy frowned. "C'mon, you know what I mean." He

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