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Chapter 2

8 Years Later

Sixteen-year-old Athena Mutou sauntered through the Central Building of Athens. Each region had a central building where the head family takes care of all the "government" issues. After the horrible incident that had happened 8 years ago, Athena, as the next Mutou in line, took the role as the head of the head family.

The room she walked into was filled with the hustling and bustling of workers. The noise died down to no more than a whisper. Everyone in the room stood up and bowed respectfully to the head of the Mutou family. Athena nodded once to acknowledge them. In less than a second, the room was once again filled with voices.

"Ms. Mutou, there is an important letter for you on your desk from Atlantis," said a man as Athena made her way to her office.

"I will promptly look into it," she replied.

"Ms. Mutou, we need more soldiers at our north borderline. I need your permission to send any back up," said a woman.

"Permission granted."

"Ms. Mutou, your siblings are waiting for you in your office. They had just come in a few minutes before you arrived," said a woman who handed her some of the daily paperwork.

Athena smiled at her then took the several folders of paperwork out of her hands. She stopped in front of two heavy oak doors and sighed before two men pushed it open for her.

Once she entered, the double doors were gently shut. Athena walked over to her desk and put the stack of paperwork down. She went through them briefly. Skimming through papers and signing where it was necessary.

She was halfway through boring paperwork when she was greeted by two energetic twelve-year-olds.

"Hi Ana!" they both greeted their older sister in unison.

"Good afternoon to both of you, too. So how was your training?" Athena asked, smiling at her siblings. The twin's eyes lit up. It was weird to call them twins when Cleo Mutou looked a lot like Athena and Yugi Mutou looked a lot like… Yami. Yami and Athena are also twins. When the fire region had been informed that the head family had two sets of twins, they had thought that they were lucky.

"You should've seen us, Ana! Yugi and I flew through every course perfectly!"

"Yeah! Everyone was so amazed," Yugi gushed. "I think Cleo and I are getting better at controlling our element." In the Fire Region, the people's power comes in the form of a phoenix. Once they were old enough, they would "earn their wings." Literally. Their wings come in different colors. And they are not ordinary wings. Sure it has feathers, but how many birds have you seen with feathers that were on fire? Again, the wings come in different colors.

When Athena had earned her wings, which was a month after the horrible accident, they were a fiery blue color. Then, after 4 years, Yugi and Cleo both earned their wings. Yugi's wings were an orangey-red color while Cleo's wings were a bluish-purple.

"That's good. Maybe one day, you can even out fly me," Athena said, smiling. Yugi and Cleo noticed that the smile was half-hearted and that her tone sounded tired and exasperated.

"Athena, why do you pretend like you're not tired? You work day and night. And when you're not working, you take care of us," Yugi asked.

"Yeah," Cleo agreed. "You hide it so well that sometimes, we don't even notice. We're really worried about you."

Athena smiled her half-hearted smile. It was the smile Yugi and Cleo had come to know. They had never seen their older sister full of happiness ever since what had happened 8 years ago.

"I'm really sorry for worrying you two. It's just that… when you're running a whole Region, you should always stay on task. You can never show anyone that you're tired or weak. You have to show them that you are strong. That will prevent a lot of things. Especially war with banished men." It sounded like she spat the last sentence out, but Yugi and Cleo couldn't tell. They decided that they wouldn't further the subject.

"So… I saw the letter that Mr. Gardner sent you. I think it has something to do with what you discussed during the Annual Meeting," Yugi said hurriedly.

"Oh, that's right. I almost forgot," Athena said as she dug through the pile of paperwork, looking for the letter. After a moment, she said, "Ah, here it is."

She pulled out a blue envelope. It was addressed to her, obviously, and stamped with the royal seal of Atlantis. As soon as she opened it, she read it aloud for Yugi and Cleo to hear.

"To Ms. Athena Mutou:

I, Hiro Gardner, am willing to make the deal we have made come true. Although, there are some conflicts we are facing here in Atlantis. During the Annual Meeting, all four regions had discussed about the prophecy. We have also made a truce with each other and agreed to help the other if needed. Since your region is the closest to Atlantis, I am asking for your help. Banished men have been raiding some of our towns. I am only asking two things of you.

One: I am asking that you send a backup soldiers to Atlantis.

Second: I would like you to keep my only daughter, Tea Gardner, safe, in case something goes wrong.

She is traveling towards Athens as we speak. I would like it if you await her arrival at your south borderline. I hope you would agree to my terms. We would be in your greatest debt. Thank you.

Hiro Gardner"

Once Athena finished, she picked up the phone and dialed a number. She waited three rings until someone picked up.

"Yes… yes… I would like it if you send backup soldiers to Atlantis… yes… yes… thank you."

"Wow. I can't believe a water element is coming here. I wonder what she'd be like?" Yugi said.

"I bet she's pretty. They did say that the only daughter of Mr. Gardner was beautiful," Cleo said. "By the way, why are you agreeing to this so quickly?" she asked Athena.

"Because it will strengthen our alliance with Atlantis and I want to know what the water elements are like," Athena replied.

"You mean, you've never seen what they're like?" Yugi asked.

"Well, I've seen them in person and they're really kind, yes. But I've never seen them in action though," Athena replied. "Tea is really pretty and nice, too. I met her during the Annual Meeting. I'm pretty sure you'd like her, too."

Then she thought, "I'm pretty sure Yami would've liked her, too."

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