Andy headed outside, breathing in the fresh air. She looked out at the beach before looking back at the men, "Ready to swim?"

They grinned at her in response.

She went out to the beach and laid out her towel before taking her dress off to reveal a light blue bikini. She went toward the water and entered slowly, giving a slight shiver at the temperature.

Tet whistled as he saw the bikini, quickly following her in. The others put their towels down and then got in the water.

Tet swam over and kissed her. "You're so beautiful, I have to pinch myself."

Andy blushed in response before laughing and splashing at him.

"Why you little.." He dived under her, then came up tickling.

She giggled before looking over at the others and smiling.

"You're on your own, Princess." Ryon waved at her with a smile.

Kiba began to swim closer, then suddenly was pulled underwater. He surfaced once, his eyes panicked then disappeared from sight.

Andy frowned, trying to look underwater but not seeing anything.

Tet cursed, scanning the water. "You need to get to shore and the guards." He pushed her forward as a crossbow bolt buried itself in his abdomen. "Run.." He toppled into the water, floating limp.

Andy pulled him up, trying to get him to the shore. She managed to get him almost all the way there before she was grabbed. She struggled against the hands pulling on her but couldn't get free. She was pulled underwater, trying to kick out to get back to the air. She soon released the air from her lungs and tried to hold from breathing in as long as possible. She started feeling like she'd pass out, her body breathing in trying to get air. She soon lost all fight and lost consciousness.

Yamae cursed as he picked her up, racing for the shore as fast as he could. "Ryu! Help me!" He laid her on a towel as Ryusei's hand began to glow. He stayed kneeling beside her as the gifted boy struggled to heal Andy, catching him when Ryusei's eyes rolled up. Yamae held his breath, waiting for some sign of life from her.

Andy sucked in air, rolling onto her side and coughing water out. Her eyes opened slightly and she tried to check on the others but soon lost consciousness again.

Yamae stood as the guards quickly took Andy away. Another group of guards manacled him and collected the other men, taking them to a cell. He sat down and sighed heavily, watching the others with worry.

Andy woke slowly, looking around in confusion. She pushed herself up and headed into the hall, looking for any sign of the guys. She eventually found herself down by the cells. She looked in and noticed them. She gave them a worried look, "How are you?"

Yamae gave her a panicked look. "I can't wake Ryusei. Kiba is unconscious still and Tet.." He glanced over to where Ryon was trying to staunch the bleeding. The crossbow bolt lay in a corner. "Help us please."

Andy ordered the guards to bring a doctor in. Soon he arrived, stitching Tet up and checking the others out.

She leaned against the cell door, still feeling weak but wanting to stay to make sure the others would be okay.

The doctor moved to her side. "Princess, you should be resting."

She nodded slowly and ordered the guards to let the men out of the cell.

"Apologies, Princess. Your father's orders. They are to remain here." One of the guards dipped his head.

Andy looked into the cell with a worried look.

Ryon forced a smile. "We'll be okay, Andy. You need to recover. Don't worry about us."

She nodded slowly before heading back to her room. She got to sleep easily but soon woke again, worried about the others.

There was a frantic knock at her door.

She answered it quickly.

Yamae stood there, breathing raggedly. He kept glancing behind him into the hall.

"What's wrong? And how did you get out?"

"I ran when they took Ryusei and Kiba. Andy, your father has ordered them to fight each other in the arena.."

Andy's eyes widened as she tried to think of any way to stop them. She shook her head, "Can we make Ryusei win and then he help Kiba back to health?" She sighed, "I wish I could order them to stop this.."

Yamae took a deep breath. "Andy, you don't understand. This is in retaliation for the attack. Whoever wins will be executed. The guards told us Ryon and I are next. They took Tet away, I don't know where." He cursed as a trio of guards came running down the hall.

Andy pulled him in the room and locked the door.

He collapsed to his knees shaking with exertion. "I shouldn't have come here. I don't want to cause problems."

She shook her head, "It's alright. I'd rather have known about it than not. I'm not sure how to help though. And with all of you guys separated, I can't help you all escape.."

Yamae looked up. "I'm not going anywhere without them." He shakily stood. "Thank you for everything." He moved toward the door. "At least we'll die together."

Andy's eyes filled with tears, "I don't want any of you to die."

He turned, his own eyes wet. "I don't want to die either. But I can't abandon them. Bad enough that I can't be with my right arm, but my brother.."

"I wish I was in charge.."

The guards hammered on the door. "Princess! Are you alright?" There was an undercurrent of anger to the words. "We must get you safe!"

Andy looked at Yamae sadly. "Guess it's time.." she sighed.

Yamae gave her a fleeting smile. "It's alright. Better open it before they break it down." He took a deep breath and faced the door.

Andy moved in front of him, gently pressing her lips to his.

He kissed her back, his lips curling in a contented smile.

Andy took a deep breath before opening the door. She watched sadly as the guards took him away. She went and curled up in her bed, beginning to cry about the situation. If only she could take over. But she knew she couldn't bring herself to kill her parents. She felt hopeless as she cried herself back to sleep.

Alarms brought her awake.

She pushed herself up and looked around. She went into the hall, asking a guard what was going on.

"There's been an attack. Your father.. Your mother is Queen fully now."

Andy's eyes filled with tears, "Where is she?"

"In the strategy room. Your sister is with the nanny." The guard bowed and began moving away.

Andy went to the strategy room and waited for her mother to exit.

The door opened, the Queen appearing slowly. Her eyes were red, her cheeks tear streaked. She saw Andy and extended her arms. "Oh Andaka.."

"You weren't hurt at all, were you?" Andy hugged her tightly.

"No. It happened in the throne room after I retired for the night."

Andy nodded slowly. "May I ask a favor?"

Her mother looked at her for a moment, then inclined her head.

Andy took a deep breath, "My slaves.. they saved my life today yet Father was sending them to the arena. I'd like to request they be returned. They're the reason I'm alive, they don't deserve to die, especially not like that."

Her mother shuddered. "I always hated that place. One of the things I did not love about your father. I will send them to your wing immediately." She gave Andy a kiss, then disappeared down the hallway.

Andy slowly made her way back toward her room, a mix of emotions overwhelming her.

Twenty minutes later, there was a knock at her door.

She got up and answered it, her eyes filled with tears.

Guards stood flanking the men, who looked worse for wear. Kiba was fighting tears, the others quiet. "Your slaves, Princess."

Andy looked, "Where is the other one?"

"Deceased."

The tears fell from her eyes as she nodded. "Thank you."

Ryusei grabbed her arm. "Please..they won't let me try."

Andy nodded and looked back at the guards, "Bring the deceased one as well."

They frowned, but bowed and disappeared, leaving the four standing in front of her.

She wiped at her eyes before speaking quietly, "I'm glad you're alive."

Yamae gave her a smile before swaying. "Your mother stopped things just in time. If she hadn't, none of us would be here."

"You guys need to rest," she took them to the living room.

They all collapsed on the couches, except for Kiba who sank to the floor sobbing.

Andy moved toward Kiba and gently wrapped her arms around him.

"I wasn't there… he died alone.."

"I'm sorry." She held him tightly.

The guards returned carrying Tet. They laid his body gently on the floor, then departed.

Ryusei scrambled to his side, hand already glowing as he tried to revive him. He refused to give up, even though there was no visible change.

Yamae tried to move him away and the gifted boy snarled at him, making him back away in surrender.

Suddenly the light flared brightly and Tet sucked in a breath. Ryusei gave Andy a triumphant look, his eyes glittering in his pale face. Then he fell backwards and didn't move.

"Ryu!" Yamae cradled him, his face worried. "He's not breathing…"

Andy knelt beside Ryusei, pressing his chest repeatedly to try to bring him back. She put her lips to his, breathing air in before going back to the chest compressions.

Suddenly, Ryusei began to cough. His eyes cracked open for a minute, then closed again.

Andy let out a relieved sigh. "Thank the gods."

Kiba nodded, his eyes locked on Tet's unconscious form.

Yamae stared at Ryusei. "Did he really just bring Tet back to life?"

"Seems like it," Andy answered.

"What is he?"

Andy shrugged, "Does it matter?"

Yamae chuckled ruefully. "No. Just in shock right now."

Andy nodded and took a deep breath, "I get that."

Ryon looked at her. "What happens now? Is it true the King was killed?"

She nodded, "My mother's in charge now. But at least we don't have to worry about you guys being sent to the arena anymore."

"But what about being executed? Is that a possibility?" Kiba asked bluntly. "We are captured rebels after all."

"I don't know, but I'll do everything I can to prevent it."

"Well, we can't worry about it tonight. I suggest everyone get some sleep." Ryon yawned.

Andy nodded, "Good night, guys." She headed out toward her room.