Long ago there were 10 Champions. These Champions created the foundation of what the world was today. What people did not realize was that the Champions had a severe advantage to what life had to offer; they were immortal beings.

As centuries passed the lineage of these Champions grew. Families were started, friends were made, and wherever there were friends, there were also enemies. The offspring of the Champions were later given the honorable title of the Five in Command. They too, ventured off and began their own families, their own cities, and their own gifts.

Now, all was not well in the world. Mortals were growing in population just as quickly as the Immortals were. Throughout history many Immortals fell into a dark state, they wanted to overthrow the Five in Command; what they really wanted was control. This meant complete and utter control of both realms. Small armies of these Traitors were slowly growing and one day they would unleash their plan of complete destruction.

These Traitors spent their time in the mortal realm. They cororsed mortals into thinking they too could gain immortality, but only by agreeing to war. Over the centuries this was only a mere rumor, the Champions and Five in Command were not worried. That all changed when two of the Five in Command's children turned their backs on them and left for the mortal realm. Since then an ongoing war was steering up, and it would take the courage of two Immortals to create a bond between both realms to help defeat the Traitors.

—

Year 9048

A man with ocean eyes scanned the sanctuary that was almost at capacity. His eyes jumped from person to person until they rested on the face he was searching for. Squaring up his shoulders he moved through the crowd, casually saying his excuse me's as he bumped into various people. Once at his destination he cleared his throat, causing the person in question to turn and smile. The woman was of a small body frame. She had hazel eyes that changed color in the sunlight and her hair was as golden as the sun. He was undoubtedly in love with her, but was not able to express it as he himself was too scared of ruining a lifelong friendship.

"Hey, Bridge! Could I ask you a small favor?"

His voice was a little higher than he would have liked. He watched as the woman's face, also known as Bridgette, turned into an exhausted expression.

"Geoff, we're in the middle of a lockdown, what could you possibly need?"

Geoff hesitated and decided a change of words was the best solution as he did not necessarily need anything.

"It's nothing too big. I was wondering if you could ask Courtney to explain the seriousness of this situation to Duncan."

"I don't think that's a good idea. They don't particularly get along, and there's already enough tension in here as it is."

As if on cue someone dumped Bridgette. She lost her balance and was shoved right into Geoff. Luckily, he was able to keep her up right and once the person apologized profusely he straightened her back up right.

"See." Bridgette said with a wave of her hand.

"I know, but he's wanting to sneak out and I think that would put us at more risk."

"I'll see what I can do."

"Thanks, you're the best! I-I mean y-you're cool."

Geoff watched as Bridgette made her way through the crowd that seemed to just keep growing. He kept an eye on her to make sure nobody shoved her again, if that were to happen this time he'd surely have to take matters into his own hands.

He watched as she approached the woman in question, Courtney. This wasn't just anyone, Courtney was the only daughter of one of the Five in Command. Courtney had leverage and if anyone needed to be put in their place, she was the person to go to. Saying she was attractive was an understatement, but Geoff never let those feelings grow. He only had eyes for one particular person, and if he was being honest there was something between Courtney and Duncan he couldn't put his finger on. The four had been friends for years, but Geoff was still scared to ask her personally, especially when it came to Duncan. Now, Duncan was a different story. He was notorious for getting into trouble his whole life, at one point people thought he would venture off to join the Traitors, but that rumor was soon put to rest when they realized where his true loyalties were. Nevertheless, Duncan was set on getting to the bottom of this war and he wanted to do it sooner rather than later. Geoff being the good friend he is could not let him take that chance, not at the pressing moment at least.

He focused his attention back on the two women conversing in a corner. Courtney's face gave away everything he needed to know, this was not going to end well. Geoff quickly pushed himself along the crowd and made his way back to Duncan, who was currently laying on a blecher with his hands behind his head and his eyes closed. Before Geoff could plead him to stay cordial a feminine voice spoke.

"Okay, which one of you needs a lesson in sit the fuck down and wait this out?"

Geoff turned and noticed Courtney was standing on the lower bleacher to make herself look taller, it didn't work. Looking back he noticed Duncan's eyes had shot open and was glaring daggers at him.

"What the fuck, Geoff?!"

Geoff sucked in some air and hopped off the bleacher before anything escalated. He stood next to Bridgette as Courtney pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. This wasn't the first time she had to do this, before it was both Geoff and Duncan wanting to go. After a stern lecture she convinced Geoff it was a bad idea, but it did not stop Duncan from wanting to go.

"Of course, why am I not surprised?"

"Listen, Princess. I'd love to stay and chat, but I'm leaving. We've been here for almost two weeks and it's driving me insane."

Duncan sat up and was about to jump down when a hand tugged him back to his original position. He snarled as his ass made contact with the metal bleacher but did not move. In any other circumstance he would have been aroused, but there were too many people around for that. Courtney shoved a finger onto his chest and moved her head so she was at eye level with him.

"Oh, no you don't! None of us can be seen. Do you not understand what's going on? They'll capture us!"

"I'm touched by your concern, but I can handle myself."

Courtney scoffed and straightened herself upright. She placed one hand on her hip that was poked out as she put all her weight onto one leg. Her other hand made gestures as she talked.

"Duncan, I could care less if you ran out and never came back. The bottom line is someone could see you and know where the rest of us are. Don't be selfish!" She now had stomped her foot down causing a rattle to come from the bleacher, a few people turned to look, but quickly averted their eyes when Duncan was seen.

"Wow, I'm actually hurt, you doubt me too much. I am known for sneaking around, and I have my invisibility cloak, so what's the big deal?"

Courtney could not believe Duncan was this stupid. Scratch that, she did, but she never expected him to be so forthcoming about it. No version of an invisibility cloak was going to mask him. They were dealing with other immortals who knew the signs and could feel a change in atmosphere. At this point she would not be surprised if some mortals picked up on it as well. To top it off, immortals we're not allowed to use magic outside of their own realm, so what could he really do once he left?

"The big deal is that it's against the rules, and you're going to cause an uproar!"

"A great number of us don't give a shit about the rules, and that's why we're in this mess! Who cares if I'm one more who's still with us?!"

"You really think your parents, and my mother, one of the Five in Command, are going to let you just do whatever you want just because?!"

"Well someone has to go out there! We can't just stay here and wait!"

This was exhausting at this point. It seemed like Courtney had to have this discussion with Duncan every other day.

"What could you possibly want out there that you so desperately need to go?"

In all honesty, Duncan just wanted some air. It was physically impossible to be alone in this place and he had just about enough of it. He could opt out to walk among the empty streets in their own realm, but they were currently being destroyed by the Traitors. The mortal realm was the next best thing, at least there he could blend in. If another immortal was around he would surely know, and hide. If he was lucky enough he'd be able to get some valuable information and let others know.

"I just know I'll be a good spy for us. Don't you think we need the upper hand here? I could go out, see what these dumb mortals and our traitors are planning, and come back with valuable information."

"In theory that sounds great, but that's not the reality. Have you forgotten the treaty the elders signed? Unlike them, we have values and will not stoop to their level. We can't just snap our fingers and have them disappear anymore. This is war, we have to be smart; and that means staying put."

Back when the 10 Champions were the only beings in their realm they came up with an agreement with the mortals. No harm was to come to mortals from any immortal that could cause them death. This way, nobody thought they were bigger than anyone. For a while it was peaceful, but then things become complicated. Mortals thought they had an upper hand due to not being able to be hurt. Some immortals let their temper get the better of them and lashed out. That was what essentially began rumors of war. What the mortals didn't know was that many immortals were merely taking advantage of them to build an army. They never truly cared if mortals had a right to live or not, they were the puppets in this mess.

"I don't give a shit about a stupid treaty that others signed. Mortals are the stupid ones who are siding with Traitors who started this! Ever since some of us fell off we're at a disadvantage! Did you know Max and Scarlett have been working on weapons that could severely hurt us? We might not die, but we'll sure wish we were! Then guess what happens? They win, and we suffer in whatever fucked up chamber they put us in for eternity."

"Duncan, could you just please stop. Nothing good will come out of this, we'll all be sent home soon."

With that she maneuvered her way down the bleachers. Duncan watched her as she made her way over to his father.

Great, this was definitely not going to end well.

—

Before the end of the day Courtney decided to catch up with her mother. It was harder these days as so many people came to her, and wanted advice or a reassuring message that all of this would be over soon.

In all honesty, Courtney didn't know what was going on. Her mother never kept her in the loop, but she could not let others know. What type of role model would she be if she let the community go up in shambles?

Finding her mother wasn't easy. The sanctuary was nearly overcrowded and there were many levels to it. She heard a familiar voice and turned to her left, her mother was frantically whispering to one her protectors.

Once they saw Courtney they stopped, wordy plastered on their faces. The man excused himself and transferred to another part of the sanctuary. That was odd, nobody had used that spell while being here, there was no need.

"What's going on?"

Courtney wasn't sure why she asked, it wasn't like her mother was going to tell her. Her mouth beat her to it and was shocked when her mother reached for her hands and gave them a squeeze.

"They found us. We have to move to different locations, but there will not be enough room for everyone. Pack your things and let's go."

Courtney pulled her hands back in shock.

"What?! We can't just abandon our people! Mother, they're scared, what kind of leader would you be if you just left them to suffer?"

"Courtney, we just don't have the resources anymore. They will be okay, but we don't even know where they're being sent. All we can do is continue to wait and see what we can do."

"I can't believe this."

"Honey, I know this is difficult, but my main priority is you. You will be safe."

Courtney's mother reached out to her again, but Courtney stepped back. No, she was not going to let her mother just run away from this anymore. How many cities needed to be overrun before someone did something? Maybe Duncan was right. Maybe they did need spies on the other side to see what could be done. She knew one thing for sure, she was not going to run with her mother. Courtney turned on her heel and ran away from her mother. She needed to find Duncan before it was too late.

"Courtney!"

—

Courtney moved past everyone, she occasionally said sorry to anyone she shoved, but she needed to find Duncan. She ran towards the bleachers but he was not there anymore. She stood on them scanning the crowd in hopes of spotting his green hair. Bingo, he was leaning against the far left wall that led into another quadrant. She transferred and was standing in front of him within seconds.

"If you're here to lecture me again, don't. My dad already locked me down to the realm."

"He put a spell on you to stay?"

"Yeah, nobody can do anything because he specifically molded it so only the Five in Command can break it."

Courtney thought for a minute. She had read something in her Spells 203 class last semester, something about spells cast and how lineage could reverse them. Of course this was only the case if certain people were set as the sole breaker. Which in this case, it was.

"There's always a loophole in spells you know."

"Yeah, well good luck finding one for this."

"What if the Five in Command weren't the only ones who could break it? What if their offspring also had the ability?"

Duncan eyed her cautiously, was this a trick? Was she going to undo a spell just to rat him out again?

"Why would you want to help me? You're the one preaching about 'stay put and wait it out.'"

"Yeah, well I've changed my mind."

Before Duncan could question her Courtney closed her eyes. She concentrated on Duncan's presence and slowly opened her eyes back up. They were glowing, and she reached her hand out toward his chest. She could feel a pressure around him, it had to be the spell. Carefully she pushed her palm against him, after a few minutes he felt a pressure rip through him. He gasped at the intensity, and watched as Courtney's eyes went back to normal.

"Holy shit, Princess. How the fuck did you manage that?!"

"I read ahead in our Spells & Healing class." She said as she shrugged her shoulders. Anyone could have done it.

"Well, I'm out of here."

Duncan began to transfer but Courtney's hand pulled him back. He groaned, he knew this was too good to be true. He was about to get a shit load from his dad now.

"Not so fast, I'm coming with you."

Duncan laughed, did she really think he was that gullible? No way, Courtney, little miss perfect, was going to venture out into the mortal realm, with him at that.

"No thanks, I work alone."

"You can agree or not, but I'm still coming."

"Why? You're the one so bent out of shape about me leaving in the first place."

Courtney held up her hand to stop him from continuing. She had already made up her mind and she was sticking to it.

"Don't worry about it. We need to go now, before this place goes into crisis mode." Fuck, she didn't mean to say that. Everyone knew crisis mode was only made for the most dire of situations. Maybe Duncan wouldn't pick up on it.

"Crisis mode, what do you know?"

Courtney opened her mouth to try to say it was just an expression when a loud explosion was heard. The whole sanctuary went silent as debris was crackling down from the ceiling. Courtney's eyes widened in horror, they were here. She hadn't even realized Duncan had pulled her up against him shielding her from whatever was going on. She didn't move and neither did he.

"What the fuck is that!?" Duncan said in a low voice. It was too quiet for anyone to hear in the silence that overcame them.

Another explosion was heard and Duncan's grip around Courtney tightened. This was way too close for comfort, she needed them to get out, now.

"I don't know, but I don't want to stay and find out. Are you coming?"

Within seconds other immortals were transferring inside. Everyone in the sanctuary screamed trying to find places to hide. Duncan and Courtney watched as some tried fighting each other. There was no time to hesitate, they were being overrun.

"Let's go."

A light surrounded them as they disappeared into the depths of the mortal realm.

—

Courtney's mother searched frantically through the new sanctuary. Where was Courtney? She must have gotten away, she knew her daughter was strong enough to fight off anyone who threatened her.

"Courtney?! Has anyone seen my daughter?!"

One of her protectors, Don, pushed past people and stopped in front of her. He held a device up showing names of everything who was present and names crossed off. The guilt in her stomach grew as she recognized some names. She needed to think of a plan to get her citizens out of whatever torture chamber they were in, but she needed her daughter first.

"Lady Rosales, only half of us have been accounted for."

"I don't care, where is my daughter?!"

Don hesitated, he had not found any trace of Courtney during his round. Maybe she was on a different level that was still being surveyed. With no luck a notification appeared with more names that were accounted for by other protectors. No Courtney.

"We- we could not find her."

Courtney's mother was about to scream when another panicked voice was heard through the crowd. A man rushed through until he stopped in front of her. She recognized him.

"Duncan?! Lady Rosales, my son is unaccounted for! He should be here!"

"For the millionth time, Drew, stop with the 'Lady Rosales', we grew up together. I'm in the middle of trying to locate my daughter as well."

Drew sighed and rubbed the back of his head. He was worried, all his sons had made it through but Duncan was the only one missing. His wife, Miranda, was in distress.

"Sorry, Elena, but wait, Courtney isn't here? Do you think she's with Duncan?"

"We can only hope. When was the last time you saw him? Maybe their transfer is delayed."

"I put a spell on him when I saw he was trying to leave to the mortal realm. Only one of the Five in Command is able to reverse it."

Elena rolled her eyes. She knew Courtney and Duncan were somewhat friendly, and she knew Courtney was smart enough to figure out a reverse. It was common Spell knowledge! Well, for anyone who paid enough attention to detail.

"Please tell me you are not this naive. You know spells of that nature can be broken by anyone with the Five Commanders' blood."

"I love my son, but he doesn't pay close enough attention to detail to figure that out."

Geoff and Bridgette appeared, they seemed to be out of breath as they ran over towards the two parents.

"Lady Rosales." Geoff was having a hard time calming down. He had his hands on his knees and his hat fell to the ground. Bridgette took the lead for him in hopes of getting him to calm down.

"We saw Duncan and Courtney transfer out, so they definitely aren't captured. Everyone we saw that came to that fate was stricken down. They got away!"

"He and my daughter are missing." Elena gasped as she held her hand over the mouth realizing what really happened. Drew started to protest that the two were not missing.

"Well, we don't know that for sure. Like you said, the transfer—"

"It's been too long for a transfer to be incomplete! Duncan and Courtney are together, in the mortal realm."

Worried expressions covered everyone's face at the severity of this revelation. If Duncan and Courtney were in the mortal realm, there was no way of keeping track of their safety. It was too dangerous, Traitors walked amongst the realm, powerful ones. Duncan and Courtney were merely twenty-one years of age, just starting out with their powerful gifts, there was no way of knowing if they would handle an attack.

This was bad.