Part of the chapter is written in third person view.

Jon POV

The mountain I'm on gives me a pretty difficult climb. But mountain climbing is one of the very few activities that allow me freedom. Freedom is something that everyone says is at Whitefire. Sadly, it just doesn't exist.

I stop for a second to catch my breath. The altitude is making me feel a little light headed and the stick I'm using is starting to break apart. I knew I was going to feel this way and although I knew I didn't have enough practice, I can't let the path stray again. It did once when Mare had Dahlia. One that happened, I had to ensure that it would go back to the right track.

Speaking of Dahlia, she has a very interesting background. She has both Red and Silver blood in her and was raised by one Red and one Silver parent. Not to mention, she has her mother's electricon ability and red blood. Like me and many others, the genetic mutation already makes her an interesting specimen. Not to mention her unique upbringing. There have been too many influences that have shaped her into the person she is now.

Her education was quite good for a girl of fourteen- turning fifteen- or so years. She can read, write, and act many different roles if she wanted. In fact, she has such great prowess over herself that she has surpassed her mother in most things. Being trained by Cal and Mare in ability along with the some people from Montfort, she had received better instruction when she began learning how to use her ability. Additionally, she was a prodigy, grasping all the basic techniques at the age of seven. At the age of twelve, the electricon Tyton began to teach her how to use brain lightning. She never became extremely good at it since it does require immense precision, but by the time she turned fourteen, she could use it on rabbits. It did come with a disadvantage as she would be extremely tired by the end of it. Not a very good trade in a fight.

Moreover, Mare considers her daughter to be better than her when it comes to acting and navigating an environment like the Silver court. Mare taught her the colours of all the houses and their abilities while Cal taught her etiquette and the meaning behind words. How to bite while also being sincere. How to craft two meaning sentences. How to read body language. At present day, she's surpassed both of them. I consider Dahlia to be a rung lower than Maven in this skill but it's high enough for her to go against him if need be.

That's not all. The minders in the Scarlet Guard also taught her to read and write. When she was six, she could recite poems and verses by heart and by the time she was thirteen, she memorized Norta's history. All these teachings made her learn how to think logically and rationally even in a tough situation. She drew inspiration from other figures and used that to influence her own strategy. Her teachers taught her well.

Such a talented soul was put through so much pressure to be where she is today. Even Clara didn't have as much training as Dahlia did and Clara's training was tough too. Or at least, it was much better than the other Reds in the Scarlet Guard.

The reason for this is precisely because of her parentage. If anyone found out about it, she would be a target for personal gain by Reds and Silvers alike. And Mare, being the naturally worried parent, wasted no time in preparing her for facing the challenges of life. I see that she has received the best of both her parents. Her father's political, cunning mindset and brutally logical way of thinking and her mother's fighting spirit, physically and mentally. And she received the morality bit from her uncle.

Dahlia's training had also formed her into an attractive young lady. It may be painful to Mare, but her daughter inherited her father's clear blue eyes. If I didn't know who they belonged to, I would think them mesmerizing. And because all Silvers are attractive to a large degree, it's only natural that their children would receive some degree of that beauty. I should also not forget to mention that Dahlia's taller than her mom. Height plays a role too. Even if she might not know it, the world does. I'm sure that magnetron agrees with me too. Like it or not, Samos also has an eye for beauty in all its different forms. He didn't have a very beautiful childhood so he found beauty in other things to substitute for the missing bits in his life.

Here's a checklist that I made mentally of all her skills:

- Is a prodigy when it came to physical training both with and without her ability

- Is an adept social manipulator and actress (when she wants to be)

- Can read body language

- Is knowledgeable

- Received the best from both parents (and relatives)

- Is also a great beauty (or at least is attractive to a large degree)

I don't think I even scratched the surface of her skill. There might be more that she's hiding or at least doesn't show on the outside.

But despite her strengths, Mare still won't let her daughter fly. I guess it's because she's afraid. She constantly worries over her and underestimates Dahlia's skill because of her fear of Maven. I don't blame her. If I were in her shoes, I would be. Maven is not a very kind person, not after what his mother did to his brain. But Dahlia's already made herself known to him. Mare can't keep her hidden anymore and the thought of that keeps her up at night all day. Even she can't undo what's already been done. But she shouldn't worry. Dahlia has enough skills to rival Maven. Her mental strength is enough to have a fighting chance against him. Dahlia also rises above him in her physical ability so she'll be able to handle herself well if need be. If I were anyone else but Maven, I would fear her.

But I'm afraid, Dahlia will attract a lot of attention during her time at Whitefire even if she doesn't mean it. She has a certain air about her that draws people's eyes to her. Perhaps it's a sense of mystery she was born with, or the result of so many years of training. On that specific day when Dahlia defended her teacher, she drew two people to her, much to Mare's horror. The first one is obvious. It was Maven. Dahlia doesn't know this, but Maven was already intrigued by her from day one. Her nature only drew him in further.

The second one is Evgeny of House Samos. He saw her on the first day too, but didn't pay Dahlia much attention since she had red blood. The only thing he noted down was that she had a good degree of beauty. Like I said before, Evgeny has a good eye for pretty things. But when she stood up for Lia, he finally paid her some attention. She wasn't an easy person to pin down and defeat both physically and mentally. And Samos likes challenges. It's been a long time since he met someone just like Dahlia. People like her don't exist in the Silver world.

And of course there are weaknesses. Dahlia is not completely invincible. Although she has a rational mind and a logical way of thinking, it's hard for her to part with people and things that are dear to her. I should not forget to mention her bottomless hatred for certain people. If they are ever brought before her, she might let her emotions guide her actions. She can act impulsively in the moment if she's too conflicted, making decisions she might regret later on. And there are times where her morality overrides what must be done. Dahlia's also extremely compassionate, willing to put herself in front for others safety and to rescue people she loves at the cost of her life. It's a "weakness" people will exploit. After all, that's what her mission is now; save her mother, Mare Barrow.

Mare knew of her mistake yet she still chose to keep Dahlia. And I think she doesn't regret her choice. Although there were times where she might have regretted it, watching Dahlia grow into the girl she is now has made her think it over. That is both a blessing and a curse. Both will get hurt by the time the path I set off has completed. And neither of them will recover.

But there is hope. Strangely love and relationships will be in the strangest of places for Dahlia. Rivals will meet and battles will be fought. The outcome of who wins depends on the other and how focused they were in moment. And which one is more skilled and cunning.

Thinking about makes me casually reminded of Maven and Mare. Except, the situation is different: Maven and Mare are enemies, not rivals. And come to think of it, I saw this future so long ago. Two enemies bonded, not by matrimony, but by blood. And the result of that sort of union would yield one of the most powerful bloodlines in history. It would result in a strong, prodigious person. And come to think of it, that bloodline was an accident.

I will admit that Dahlia does have a keen sense of her ability and of manipulation. She might not have spent much time in the Silver world, but the war has forced her to mature early. She's currently fourteen and her achievements surpass any average person her age.

I breathe the air again as I realize my placement. I'm at the top of the mountain now and I can see everything below me, from the streams, the villages, and the woods. The path has ended like so many others. I just need to make sure which paths will live.

Now, it's time for me to go back to the palace.

Clara POV

If there's one thing I definitely know, it's that my cousin will rage at me.

I heave out a sigh as Lia leads the group to the dorm rooms. There's no way I can avoid Dahlia's inevitable "conversation" about my arrival. She told me I shouldn't go, but after being unable to sleep for nights on end, I've made my mind up. She definitely doesn't like it. She'll understand, I tell myself. My decision will definitely benefit her and Aunt Mare.

If you ask me why, I'll just say I have my reasons.

The only person who've I've met which who was nice enough is Lia, my instructor. I wish I could trust her, but what keeps me on edge is that she's a Silver. I'm a Red. And although I have powers, I am not trusting her any time soon. But I will say, there are a lot people I could use here too. Maybe I can use her for my own gain. After all, there are many people who want to be friend's with me because of my strange, foreign ability.

Speaking of which, my entrance today was...puzzling? I'm not sure how to describe it.

"Hello Your Majesty," I say from the back of the hall. I was before him a split second ago and thankfully, the jump wasn't that far. If I teleport too far away from my starting point, I can become a little dizzy.

All eyes turn to me as I teleport myself back in front of the group. Some of the Silvers stumble back, shocked at my ability to move so quickly. I merely sneer at them. "Now you see me. Your eyes aren't fast enough."

My teleportation ability, no doubt an invaluable skill for the Crown. I wonder what they'll make me do.

It reminds me of Dad. Long ago, the mention of Shade would have made me burst into tears. But I take my drive from his death. And my ability is one thing that connects me to him, even in death. I am still his daughter. And I will forever continue to be his daughter until the day I die.

"Clara," Lia's voice jolts me back to reality. "Here's your room."

"Great!" I reply as enthusiastically as possible. It doesn't amount to much. "Is anyone with me?"

"I believe there are two." My instructor bites her lip before her mind finds the answer. "Dahlia and Kiera."

So am I put in Dahlia's dorm? Good. Luck is on my side. But this Kiera person? I have no idea who she is. I must tread carefully when I'm around her. If word gets out that I'm Dahlia's cousin, our stories won't match up. She chose being an orphan so she could have a clean slate in the Silver world. If it becomes known that I'm her cousin, that slate is ruined. It would be a lie and Maven would become suspicious, jeopardizing this mission. And that's the last thing I need now.

As I get settled into my room, I take a moment to prepare myself. Just to prepare myself for the future, if it includes death, and to prepare myself for my cousin's scolding. It's probably a good thing I did that since Dahlia arrived earlier than I expected.

"Good afternoon Clara," a voice says from the doorway. I flinch before turning around to see my cousin, glaring at me from the doorway. "We need to talk."

Evgeny POV

I hate life.

I hate everything.

Normally I would have Leo to occupy my thoughts. But he's gone off to do whatever. I don't follow him. There are just times where he and I need to be alone to just regain our senses.

Most people think Leo's a slight bit crazy. A slight part of me agrees with them but if he's crazy, so am I. We've both been shaped by the trauma we've experienced in the past. His parents constantly argued about the slightest things because they don't love each other anymore. Sometimes their fights became physical. It became so bad that sometimes the Red servants at his estate were badly injured. I found Leo outside the garden, crying because of it. On our next visit he told me that when he arrived home, the hallway was a mess. There was a trail of silver blood on the stairs. The windows were broken. His mom was bleeding and unconscious while his dad was nowhere to be found.

My trauma was a bit different.

When you know your dad is cheating on your mom with the family healer and your mom is cheating on your dad with your aunt, things can get weird. And then imagine that the rest of society also knows. What's worse is that I was created for the purpose of duty. We goddamn Silvers have children just for duty. And then the children are expected to carry that duty on. Your only the heir because you just need to carry the family name onward. Oh, and society knows about that too.

It's why I envy her. That newblood girl. Dahlia? She has no parents. She is free. She can live her life unburdened by the chains of the past. And if she wonders about her parents, she's wondering about useless things. The only thing parents will do is chain you to the ground. They provide no guidance despite the many years of experience they've had. What I would give to be in her shoes. If a contract like that existed, I would give everything. But it doesn't exist. And there's this small part of me that wonders if I could really accept that trade. Even if they don't show it, Mom and Dad do love me. I'm their son. I'm their child.

But everything they put me through made me become a very bitter person.

I let my bitterness in different ways. I let it out on different people because I wasn't feeling so great that day. Or I train. I train hard. To me, exercise was a form of release. It was a distraction. But right now, the Reds are using it. Lia's busy training them.

Speaking of Lia, the girl who was with her left a strong impression on me. The girl- Dahlia has a very good sense of rhythm in her movement. And it's not restricted to any form. When we first learn how to use our abilities, we learn the different forms for it. Each form differs based on your ability. But her movements are very fluid, almost like a dancers. I didn't know she could dodge that well too.

There's a small window that allows us to watch the Red's training. I take a slight peek at what their doing. I smile when I see the exercise. Lia is busy controlling the wooden balls, throwing them upwards into the hair. I remember that exercise. I usually pinned the ball on the other side of the wall with a nice metal spike. One by one, the Reds learn to take the orb down, some successful and some not. Most of them are still pretty slow with their ability. There were a few close calls with some of them but to their relief, they got it just before the ball touched the ground.

I remember that exercise. I usually pinned the ball on the other side of the wall with a nice metal spike. The instructors weren't really happy about that, but it gave a little bit of a flair to my performance.

My thoughts are cut short when Dahlia walks forward, each step filled with confidence. I'm interested to see her performance. She's already ready, her hands favouring a more "precise" method of attack. Unlike the rest of the group which use a fist or an open hand to channel their ability, Dahlia puts her index and middle fingers together when using her ability. Even her shadowed friend still uses an open hand to bend the light around her.

When the ball comes up for her, I smile. Reacting quickly, Dahlia shoots out a lethal bolt of lightning towards the ball from her two fingers. It meets its mark and the wooden sphere falls the the ground, blackened, burned by her lightning. There's no way you can use that again. Lia sends her an approving nod and a smile. Dahlia also seems to be pleased with herself. Out of the group, she seems to be the most talented.

What am I saying? Of course she's the most talented. I thought about the first day I fought her. She might not have the best control over her powers, but she has a keen sense of timing and good intuition. Dodging involves these talents and those are the skills she's naturally good at. Maybe I'll have a chance to fight her again.

Slowly, I pull away from the window. I'll have a chance to look through it later. And maybe I can observe more then.

She amuses me. Just a little bit. It's the courage she has to stand up for things that makes me smile. If only I had the courage to stand up to society. But then again, she's free. I belong to Silver society. She doesn't have rules, I have too many of them.

I return to my dorm a couple minutes later. I find Leo holding a letter, most likely from home. There are a few tear drops on it.

It's definitely about his parents.

"Are you okay?" I ask, patting him on the shoulder. "If it's your parents-"

"Of course it's my parents," Leo replies quickly, the letter falling out of his hand. "The problem's getting worse."

I tense up. My family dynamic was never as bad as his. I don't think I'm able to even express by words anymore. You would have to see it and experience it on your own to find out. There were a couple times where I glimpsed this, but I never told him. He would feel ashamed.

"Maybe you should go back home and get things sorted out," I suggest. "Do you think that will help?"

"The only thing I need to do is get my dad out of the house!" he replies angrily. "I keep on telling my parents to divorce or something, but they never do. I don't know if they know what a lost marriage looks like."

I sigh. "Just stay here for the time being.

And after a long time, I see him cry again.

"I don't know why Mother still decides to stay with him," he says as normally as he can. "There are days where I fear for her life. That if one day, Father will overstep his boundaries and do the unthinkable."

The unthinkable. I'm able to talk it out with him but I try my best to suppress a shudder. The possibility of that isn't far off. Leo's mother was always a very passive, kind person who would always take the punishment for her son. And his father was a person who could get angry easily. And where would he take that anger out on? Although his family has a healer, the chance is always there.

He doesn't know this, but at night, I only pray for his peace. I care about Leo more than my own family partially because he is part of my family. So, I send a prayer to the gods, to someone.

Please let my friend's problem resolve earlier.

I'm not as heartless as you think I am.

Leo remembers the very first memories he had with his parents. The one's he had with his mother were sweet. She used to tell him stories and sing him to bed at night. But the rest of his childhood was tainted with the arrival of his father. In his house, there were moments of peace, but most of the time there was war. Leo remembers his mother always telling him to just go upstairs or outside whenever trouble struck. There was nothing she would for her son, even if it meant taking the pain from his father.

But this was the reason why he didn't spend much time with his mother. In fact, he spent a lot of time with Evgeny. He too also had his parents abandon him at a young age. And through their shared experience, they became close friends, as close as a pair of brothers could get.

Despite their relationship, there were things even Samos couldn't handle. When he was about eight, he came home to a horrible sight. That was the moment where he realized how shattered his family was.

The hallway was unrecognizable. The windows were shattered and the bits of glass pierced his hand when he touched it. The physical damage wasn't the worst of it. When Leo entered the house fully, he found his mother was almost unconscious on the floor, silver blood leaking from her wounds. There was a trail of silver blood pooling dripping down from the stairs. And his father was gone. When he ventured further, he found some of the Red servants, tidying up their own injuries. It seemed as though both Red and Silvers were affected.

Leo didn't dare his friend the whole story. And he even lied to him as to not worry Evgeny. He didn't tell him that his father didn't return until three days later and how his mother was still sick. He took it upon himself to lead the household. And for a person his age, he did quite well.

But why does he act differently during some moments? He asks himself that question too. Maybe it's because he's used to seeing his dad act like that. And that may be the very reason. There are times where his own shattered mentality channels his father inside him instead of his mother. And it's during those times where Leo begins to understand what his father feels. He too regrets doing a lot of it of his actions but the feeling of guilt only happens afterwards. So if he really wanted to cure himself, he would need to channel more of his mother inside him.

All he knows is that he needs to change.

Mare POV

No.

No, no, no, no, no.

My mind won't stop thinking about it. First Dahlia, my own child, then Clara, my niece. Whoever is in charge of fate certainly hates me. I watched my niece enter a couple days back and I will say, teleporting is an invaluable skill for the crown. Though I believe she scared half the court in doing so. A Silver fainted when she teleported right behind him.

I shouldn't also forget Dahlia's mishap in the hall two weeks ago. I was afraid. I was afraid I was going to see my own daughter killed in front of my eyes. For once, I'm thankful that Maven didn't let his usual self take over. I keep on reminding myself in my head that she's alive.

She's alive.

And so is Clara.

My hand on the blanket becomes infinitely tighter. I can't lose two Barrows to the void of death. And if Clara does die, Farley will blame me and Dahlia for it. Plus, she will have lost both a husband and a daughter. But I know Clara's reasoning. Families are meant to stick together no matter what. That's why she's here.

I wonder what Farley said to her daughter before she left. I bet she begged her and cried for her to come back until her voice was hoarse. When she was around her daughter, Farley acted completely different. The difference between her work self and her home self is astounding. But Clara is loyal and so much braver than she is. She has enough of both to go do something as risky as this. It's something that she got that from Shade.

Shade.

My brother.

For a second, I can't breathe.

The tears fall freely now. They drop onto my blanket and I use that as a distraction to take me away from reality. It's made up of a very thing casing of fabric but it's still able to keep me warm due to the amount of fur and cotton inside. I remove the stuffing. If I had a couple tools like a knife or fork, I would feel a little bit of surgeon. My work would also look and be a lot more neat. Maybe I'll pretend I'm dissecting a body. It'll be a good distraction and one that will satiate my nature for something to break.

For the first time in a long time, I actually smile. When I finish ripping the pieces of fabric off, I take the individual strands of thread off. I love doing that. It's strangely calming.

Apparently, ripping up blankets it's a good activity since I didn't notice Maven walk in at all. He comes as silently as a cat. I make a mental note to do it more often. More distractions for me meaning more time for me to keep myself occupied.

"How are you?" he asks, putting a hand on my bed frame as I tear up the blanket. Anything to avoid his face.

"You ask me that every time you come here," I reply angrily. "Maybe you should know the answer to that by now."

"I want to hear it from you."

"What do you think?" I snap, tearing my eyes away from the blanket for the first time since he entered. I bet he can see my tears. "Should I shackle you to some Silent Stone manacles for you to understand?"

"No you don't," Maven replies, unaffected. "I understand."

"Because you sit on that throne everyday?" The slab of grey, silvery stone registers in my mind. I don't need to think about the feeling of it. "You sit on that whenever you're in court. Sometimes I wonder if you ever feel tired doing so."

My voice softens at the end. I try to sculpt my face into something of concern and sympathy. It's for show, and a method of manipulation that I'll use to keep Maven unsteady. To be honest, my work is nothing compare to my daughter's. Dahlia's a better actress than I am to the point where she could probably lie in my face and I wouldn't know. Of course she wouldn't do that, but my attempt at acting would be a poor representation of all the performers out there.

Speaking of acting, there was one thing Dahlia told me about actors: a great actress is able to make the audience feel everything without feeling anything themselves.

But thankfully, it's enough to ensnare the adult king. His gaze softens. I suppress the urge to laugh. I can't believe I've had enough practice to pull that off. Then again, I've had enough experience. I know his weak spots. I know where to hurt him the most.

Hopefully he won't see me coming.

"I'll get going now," Maven says softly, avoiding my question. "I have things to do."

"Then leave," I snarl. "Stop wasting your time here!"

He listens. The door closes quietly behind him and I resume ripping up the blanket. Reality hits me again as I'm reminded that my daughter and my niece are in places of danger. And even in such a low position, I can do my fair share of damage. Maybe if I manipulate Maven, I can help them somehow. Keep him off balance. This plan, however shaky, must work. It just has to or else the consequences will be horrific. Clara could die and Dahlia could be alive but live a live a life worse than death. But she's strong enough to handle herself right?

I'll let you in on a secret: There are times where I see bits of myself in her but there are also times where I see bits of her father in her.

From the day she was born, she had the best from both of us. Her body was built for fighting. She grasped the concepts and forms from Cal so quickly that even he was taken aback by her sheer talent. It was one reminder that she was mine. Her father was never a natural at physical training compared to me. And Dahlia was even better than I was.

But is was her inborn skill of mental strength that made me shiver at times. It was as if she could channel her father's way of thinking inside her if she needed. She may have not been as soulless as he was, but there were times where her face would change into his. It scared me. Each time that happened, I had to remind myself that she was mine. So if Maven finds out that Dahlia is my child, he might use her as a way to get to me. So this gamble she took has to succeed.

"Please, please, please." I repeat it over and over again like some sort of mantra.

It's all I can say in my cell.

Just before I finish off: I actually finished this ages ago, but I didn't release it because school has been very unforgiving and tiring. So, I'm not neglecting my duties as an author, I'm just trying my best to release chapters as quickly as I can. If you don't believe me, I'll tell you that I already have drafts in a document that I'm currently trying to edit and publish. Besides, y'all gotta study too.

A/N: O.o some new perspectives!

I hope I humanized the Samos and Iral somehow but I don't want to offend anyone. So...just putting that out there. Not everything is as it seems.

While I was away, I read a lot of books on human nature. It helped me flesh out my characters more and I hope to explain more in the analysis next chapter.

Next chapter will have a perspective from some other characters!