"I'm sorry," Almas interjected, "hell?"

Raye smiled, "Yep. That's what we call it here in Luna. Hell."

Serena was shaking, and Endymion wrapped a brave arm around her shoulders. "Why do you call it that?"

Raye turned her attention to Endymion's question, her eyes dancing to Serena and back and her smile dropping. "Are you two a team or something?"

Endymion supposed it was an appropriate question to ask, what with his clear attachment to the blonde shivering in his grip. "No."

"Endy is a good man, that's all. A gentleman."

"He's not the only one here, you know?"

Silas had edged closer at some point, putting a hand on Serena's shoulder. His eyes met Endymion's angry ones, and he smirked, but when he turned back to the front, Silas cringed and backed up a step. Endymion turned as well, Raye seething at the man and turning it onto Endymion right after. "Good. Because there's only one spot open here at Luna, and I'd hate to split up a couple over it."

"We are not a couple," Endymion spat out, removing his arm from Serena.

Regardless of his intentions, Raye's words had Endymion feeling unfaithful. He was a good man, a nice man, and yet he felt like a greedy one, caring for two women at once. In the end, Endymion cared for Serena, and it was deep, filling his heart to the point of pain. Pain he intensely felt when she walked ahead of him without him.

She still shook a little, dancing a little from it and her search of the place behind Raye. Serena stood as firmly as she could before the dark beauty and held out her hand. "I'm Serena."

Slowly, Raye took the blonde's hand and held it as she turned. "Let's continue, shall we?"

Now in Raye's hold, Serena followed behind, as did the men. Only Raye guided Serena by the hand. Endymion was thankful; it kept the others away from Serena while keeping him free of the burden. That was what he told himself, that caring for Serena during this invaluable interview was a burden he couldn't afford. The only people he should care about were his family, and the only woman he should concern himself with was Beryl. But, his skin itched to touch Serena again. And his heart ached to have her close. It was nothing like how he felt about Beryl, so it was friendly affection. The way he felt about Beryl was romantic love and how he felt about Serena was a friendly concern. Like a sister, Endymion compared Serena to that of a familiar feeling where Beryl was romantic. It made him feel less like an adulterer but still, for some reason, he felt avaricious with women as of late.

Intense heat hit Endymion's face and broke him out of his thoughts. In his distraction, he'd missed the introduction of the place. But it was hard to miss what this place manufactured.

"This is our war room. We make weapons here."

Up on a catwalk, they all looked down over the rail to work transpiring below. Men and women moved back and forth, putting the puzzles together. Endymion couldn't figure out what they were making past deadly. None of it looked familiar, but Endymion had no experience with weapons. Not even fencing—which was why he was sweating (and not from the heat the smelting pot below created) as Raye led them towards a wall of swords and a platform.

"Let us test your resolve? And our latest style of sword. Its design is light and perfectly balanced. So anyone with any experience will be able to go pro easily with our sword."

"Why would any of us want to go pro?" Almas asked, disgust in his tone.

They all got it; Almas was above all of this. And above them, but if he wanted to meet Serenity, he needed to shape up. Endymion didn't know if or when Serenity would show up for this interview, but it was likely at the end if she did. As the CEO's daughter and next in line to running the place, it would behoove Serenity to watch them. That thought had Endymion looking around. They had known their names without asking. It was proof that they were being spied on but from where?

Raye was still talking while Endymion searched the walls for some kind of tell. He didn't think it would be as apparent as holes in the walls, but there was nothing: no framed pictures or thin tapestries. The walls were empty and flat. If they were being watched, it wasn't through the walls.

Looking around, it was clear why they called this place hell. Forget the weapons being made; the only light in the massive dome-shaped room came from the Kelm off to the side. A fire popped brilliance beneath it, but the boiling metal shadowed that inside the Kelm. A few dim lamps sat on desks of the workers while some kept in nearly complete darkness. Their shadows stretched upward to a windowless roof. The smoke from the Kelm was funneled out through a chimney above it, so windows and vents were unnecessary. These men and women moved like demons, the weapons their pitchforks.

He missed a lot while searching because when he turned back to the interview, Serena and Raye stood on the raised platform with swords in their hands. "How does it feel, Serena?"

The golden blonde stared at the blade in the grip as if scared. "It feels…wrong."

"Then maybe you shouldn't be here?"

Endymion watched Serena closely, looking for any change in her resolve. But there was none as she straightened up and faced Raye. He didn't have any experience fighting, not with weapons, and so his opinion was biased. But he thought that Serena had unusual methods. Raye came at her fast, and Serena blocked…barely. Every time Raye attacked, Serena held her own. The fight would never end this way; it would be endless, but no one said a word about that as the two women continued. The three men watched on in awe with no means to stop it.

Only Serena could stop it, the skirt of her dress flying around her as she spun hard. It didn't seem like play anymore as Serena stopped blocking and began attacking. She went from lucky fumbles to tactful movements. It was beautiful and over too soon.

Serena knocked the sword out of Raye's hand and held her in place with the sharp tip at her throat. Endymion was busy watching Serena, her face twisted as if in pain. He was glad the fight was over; he couldn't watch anymore of it. Serena was right; it felt wrong.

"Good job," Raye stated, looking glum, "next pair."

Endymion was lost, watching Serena's face as it slowly turned to him. Sweat brimmed on her brow and glistened, but it didn't take away from her glow. The frown she wore did, all eyes on him as they waited.

"You're up!" Raye called.

Silas was already on the platform with a sword. Almas smirked at his side. Serena, though, looked terrified for him. It was a little insulting, but she was right. Endymion had no business being in a sword fight. "I don't know how."

Silas snickered, and Almas laughed outright. Endymion burned with embarrassment. Even if he wanted to fight, he was a poor boy that never had the time or money to learn. That was for those of privilege, and Endymion was far from that.

"And you call yourself a gentleman?" Almas roared through his chuckling.

Endymion started at the ground and begged to be swallowed by it. Instead, he was consumed by bright blues. "I think a true gentleman would never be so violent."

Serena was calm and sincere but Almas only laughed all the more. "He needs a woman to defend him with a sword and her tongue!"

Endymion gently pushed Serena out of harm's way, grabbed Almas' shoulder, spun him towards him, gave Almas a moment to understand and fight back, then slugged him in the jaw.

"Ah!!!" Almas cried through his hand and swollen tongue, "you bruth…"

"I can defend myself and others just fine. Without a sword."

Endymion shook the pain out of his hand, and Serena refused to look at him. She could be angry; that was fine. For the best, maybe. But he would be damned if he allowed her to fight all his battles. Endymion would never be that spineless or selfish to put it all on another.

"You yield then?" Silas asked, bored.

"Yes."

Raye's eyes flicked to Endymion, then Serena. "Odd. You'll refuse a duel you know you'll lose but rush into one that's obviously in your favor?"

Crossing his arms over his chest, Endymion hoped to hide his shaking as he did it from frustrated impotence. "There's a difference in knowing when you're beaten and being a coward. I'd rather not waste anyone's time either. I'm poor, untrained, and here for employment. Not a show and not to embarrass myself."

"To be clear," Raye asked, "if you had any skills, you would participate?"

Endymion didn't flinch, "no, that's not what I'm saying either. I'm saying if the fight is of a worthy cause like defending the honor of a friend, then I'll take up the cause. But I won't fight for mindless reasons even with the skills required."

For some reason, Endymion's speech had a smile on Serena's face again. She still kept her distance, but he was a little relieved at the sight. Serena was much prettier when she smiled; it fit her better.

"I…respect that," Raye mumbled, and Endymion missed it. Silas pointed at Almas, challenging him instead. The two dueled, and although impressive, it wasn't as pretty as when Serena was on the stage.

She still stood a reasonable distance from Endymion and he could stand it no longer. Carefully winding his way to her, Endymion made no excuses for himself; he wanted to hear Serena's voice. "You fight well," he whispered, her eyes on the fight. "Who taught you?"

Serena fidgeted, as though uncomfortable but still answered him. "My father."

"Oh," he responded, surprised, "the way you spoke before, I assumed you didn't have a father. Why isn't he here seeking employment for your…"

"I am young and able. Why can't I be the one to support my family?!"

He'd offended her. Endymion bowed his head deeply, not caring who was watching. "Forgive me, I meat no offense."

Serena playfully talked his head and pushed on his shoulders. "That is too much, Endy. You need not bow to me!"

Keeping his head down, Endymion played back. "And why not? You could best me at swordplay without struggle. We're currently surrounded by them; I need to watch my tongue!"

Now she was pushing on his forehead, hoping to get him up by force. "Is this revenge for embarrassing you? Now you seek to humiliate me?"

Endymion popped his head up just enough to give Serena his eyes. "No. Even if you were the one to embarrass me, I'd never seek revenge upon you, Serena."

"You wouldn't?"

Endymion shrugged, loving how her eyes glowed when he looked into them with his. "I'm struggling to imagine you doing anything that would give me cause to be upset."

"Not even…dueling in your place?"

It didn't sound as if that was what she intended to say, but Endymion didn't press. "Only if you desire the fight as well. I won't force you or have expectations that require you to go against what brings you comfort."

She blushed heavily at that, and Endymion thought over his words. Then his position still bowed towards Serena. Every bit of him was comprising; if Beryl were here to see him acting this way, it would break her heart.

Endymion was finding it harder and harder to keep Beryl in his thoughts, what with Serena smiling as she did. Flush cheeks and pink lips, her eyes only brightened with her dark face and surroundings. Something inside him had changed, but Endymion was unsure what it was.

Almas fell to his knees in a huff before Silas. Endymion felt satisfaction in the victor, if only slight. Silas was the lesser of two evils, but as he strolled off the platform, Silas shot Serena a wink. She was already flushed from their conversation, and Silas misunderstood. It had nothing to do with his duel; Serena hadn't watched a moment of it!

Endymion didn't know why he was rationalizing all this. It wasn't his concern, only that Serena not be taken advantage of. Neither of these men had her best interests at heart.

Not like he did.

Almas whined about unfair advantages. Something about the blade being defective. Endymion was too busy searching his feelings as the more time he spent with Serena, the more confused he became. Until time was up; Raye stood before the four of them to tell who would continue on.

Endymion hadn't participated; surely he would be asked to leave? "Thank you all for your help."

It was all she said, and looking around, no one else understood either. Had they been dismissed? Was the interview over? Was Lina yanking them around?! All seemed viable, given the day they'd had. And with Luna's track record, Endymion wouldn't put it past them to turn them all away and lock the doors again.

Raye stepped down and passed by them, only looking back when none of them moved. "This way, please. Your next task for the interview will be completed by the CEO's daughter!"

There was a hint of sarcasm to Raye's voice that Endymion didn't understand. No one else seemed to notice or bother. Even Almas snapped ahead of them and followed closely behind their leader.

Serena grabbed Endymion's arm again, this time tighter than any time before. "What's wrong?"

She glanced up as if afraid to take her eyes off the next set of doors for too long. "We're about to meet the most powerful woman in this building. Aren't you nervous?"

"No more than I have been all day long."

This time, Serena looked at him for far longer than a heartbeat. It made his own heart flutter. "You have to be the bravest man I've ever met, Endy."

"While you're the bravest woman…second of my mother, of course."

Serena's sparkling white teeth shined against her pink lips and Endymion felt sweat form on the back of his neck. "Of course," she whispered with a giggle."

Almas pushed Silas back so Endymion and Serena kept their distance. The energy in the room had Endymion's pulse up; everyone was dancing in a nervous tisy. Except Raye, who paused for dramatic effect before swinging the doors open…to nothing.

Endymion stiffed a laugh; no one stood on the other side of the door. After a minute, Raye groaned and shifted to stand with a hip popped out. "She always does this. So unladylike!"

A woman appeared at the end of the hall before them. She raced closer, falling with her hands on her knees once at the threshold. Panting, see finally introduced herself. "Forgive me; I lost track of time," standing, her flushed face was framed by gold, "I'm the one you've all been waiting to meet. And the one to decide your fate in our company."

Here she was, the CEO's daughter, Serenity, and she was far from what Endymion expected.