Amentia, realizing the filth she was involved in, fumed with rage, pacing back and forth, barking orders around her. Her relentless efforts to both punish the man she saw as her king and to rid themselves of the troubles he had caused continued without pause. That evening, Brandon and the others merely watched the queen, waiting for her commands to end so they could return to their mission. Amentia, however, despite everything that had happened, offered them at least a night's lodging as an apology and promised access to Darkar's caves the next day, thus hosting them for another night in the underground kingdom.
Stella, immediately after a nice shower, changed into the nightgown given by Amentia's servants. Aisha, still in the shower, thought a bit of fresh air would do her good and stepped outside. Taking charge of the girls' situation, Amentia led them through a secret passage to an area where they could access daylight, allowing the girls to regenerate and prepare for the challenges ahead. Of course, it wasn't an act she would have done if she didn't feel deceived and humiliated, but what was done was done, and somehow it turned out to be beneficial for the group.
Although her clothes weren't shorter than what she usually wore, all the outfits Stella had worn since the beginning of the mission filled her with an unusual discomfort. Climbing onto the wide wall of the balcony, she ignored the cold hitting her hips and sighed deeply. She was certain that they were not safe, regardless of what situation they were in now. The fact that Faragonda had sent her on a mission again after going through something very heavy, and even tagged Bloom along, had shocked Stella enough. On top of that, the specialists had also been sent after them. She knew that none of the missions with specialists had ever ended in peace and tranquility for the fairies. Moreover, the specialists had never stood by the fairies' side; they had always protected the witches, yet they were assigned to the same mission.
Frowning, she looked up at the sky, the growing unease within her making it difficult for her to remain neutral. Her feelings were engulfing her body; after all, she wasn't a stone statue, she felt, and besides the growing unease, there were other emotions swelling inside her. Like Brandon. Although she had maintained a clear and distant attitude towards him for years, his coming to save her today and his reaction after learning that she had almost been assaulted had left Stella's mind in turmoil.
The warmth spreading through Stella was not unfamiliar; her feelings for Brandon seemed to stand up with hope, looking at her expectantly. It was as if they would instantly ignite and resurface if Stella so much as winked or sighed at them. But she wasn't foolish enough to make that mistake again. Being blonde didn't mean she was stupid; despite those around her objectifying her and saying her worth was purely physical, Stella was smart and conscious enough to ignore them. Brandon had clearly put her in her place, teaching her not to look hopefully towards a future that would never happen. During that mission, when she was trapped alone with Brandon in the cave, Stella understood and recognized the truth as it hit her like a harsh slap. Although the age difference between them had initially tired her, later, seeing the hatred and ignorance Brandon was consumed with, Stella had taken a step back. But Brandon, as if that wasn't enough, never hesitated to remind her, whether he was by her side or not, and kept trying until he instilled the same hatred in Stella. Eventually, Stella grew to hate not only him but all the specialists. And the specialists were not much different; they hated the fairies as much as Brandon hated Stella.
"It's a chilly night. If you don't want to get sick and be a burden to us, put something on." Startled, Stella turned toward the voice behind her. Maintaining her balance, especially while sitting on the balcony wall, was difficult for a clumsy girl like Stella. As she turned towards Brandon, she nearly lost her balance and toppled backward, but naturally, Brandon grabbed her by the waist and pulled her upright to prevent her from falling.
This shouldn't be happening, Stella thought to herself. He shouldn't be this close to me. Shaking her head slightly to regain her composure, she looked into Brandon's eyes, ignoring the tears welling up in her own. "I never understood why you hate me so much."
Brandon's muscles tensed, and the hand on Stella's waist turned to stone as he could only stare. Even if he wanted to, he couldn't say a word. As she pressed her hands against Brandon's chest and leaned on him, Brandon grew even more tense and rigid. Stella's scent alone was enough to make his head spin, and the effect of her touch was an unfathomable abyss.
"It's hard to understand my hatred because I'm not like everyone else who loves you. You are a beloved person, Stella. I just couldn't love you."
A bitter smile appeared on Stella's lips as she shook her head more definitively this time. The man in front of her wasn't someone trying to deceive her with small words. Brandon wasn't a man trying to seduce her, someone who wanted her just for her body. It wasn't his status as a commander or his reputation as the strongest specialist that drew Stella to him. Stella was attracted to him, and although she didn't believe it, this wasn't an unrequited attraction. Either Stella was paranoid, or Brandon was completely unhinged.
"You don't have to love me. But hate? Hate requires a reason, and you don't have one."
Brandon raised an eyebrow and looked at Stella, still holding her tightly, trying to ignore the warmth and pull of her skin that the thin nightgown couldn't conceal. Stella's amber eyes gazed at him so beautifully that he had to steel himself not to drown in them.
"Who said I don't have a reason?"
Biting her lip, Stella scrutinized Brandon. Whatever words came out of his mouth, his body screamed the opposite. Even his grip and touch were passionate. He was holding her so tightly now that if she tried to struggle, she would hardly be able to free herself. Her warm skin, revived by solar energy, was causing Brandon's hands to warm up, but he knew the real reason was the tension.
"What is your reason for hating me?"
Brandon gritted his teeth, holding himself back. If anyone could see how hard he was trying right now, they would know that Stella would be in constant danger throughout her life as a specialist. Just like it was for my mother. Even though this was his main reason, Brandon would never admit it, nor could he bear to let anything happen to Stella because of him. Just like my father couldn't bear my mother's death.
As his hand moved a bit lower, his intention was to make Stella uncomfortable enough to push him away and leave, but his plan backfired. As Stella pressed her body against him, Brandon involuntarily murmured with a guttural sound.
"You're not real. None of you are, living as if in a fairy tale and dream, putting all the responsibility on us..."
"Don't, Brandon." Stella sighed, pressing her finger to Brandon's lips. A tear fell from her eye, rolling down her cheek as she sniffled and stood on her tiptoes to reach Brandon. "You think this isn't real?" As her lips brushed his cheek, both of them couldn't help but sigh. When Stella couldn't prevent one strap of her nightgown from slipping down due to its looseness and the wind, Brandon's other hand moved along her arm to adjust the strap. Their breaths grew heavier, and neither knew what to say. Stella pressed her lips to Brandon's, starting to kiss him slowly. Of course, the kiss that began slowly deepened intensely as Brandon realized what was happening, causing feelings as strong as standing on the edge of a cliff to arise. His body moved before his mind, driven by the pleasure of feeling Stella in his arms and against his skin. His hand, which had been on her waist, moved to her hips, lifting her slightly and setting her down gently on the cold marble, positioning himself between her legs and kissing her as if he were a man dying of thirst.
For both of them, ending this would be akin to death. As Brandon's hands roamed Stella's leg and arm, his lips continued their exploration, sucking on her lips as if wanting to savor them, causing Stella to let out muffled moans. The more Stella moaned, the more Brandon lost control, speeding up his caresses and slipping his hand under her nightgown to massage her thigh, eager to apply the burning touch he craved.
"Brandon..." Hearing his name amidst her moans added another layer of passion for Brandon, as his finger slowly moved Stella's underwear aside, using another finger to enter her womanhood. Stella clung to Brandon with a cry mixed with a moan, while Brandon's lips tirelessly explored her skin and lips. Bringing her lips close to Brandon's ear, Stella let her moans escape in a tone that nearly drove him mad, making Brandon feel himself trembling.
"This isn't real, is it? Am I not real?"
Brandon growled, shaking his head. When Stella's eyes met his emerald green ones, she smiled. Her body was trembling but looked magnificent. Her skin glowed, and Brandon realized once more that even if his self-made lies were true, it wouldn't matter to him. Stella was as beautiful as a fairy tale and as perfect as a dream. As Stella's head tilted back, she pushed her hips against his finger. "You're so afraid of losing me," she said. Brandon, lifting his head in surprise, looked at the woman he was certain was one of a kind in the universe. "Without ever having me, without having this, you're not even aware that you're sending me to my death." As Brandon shook his head and was about to silence her, his arms were suddenly pulled to the sides by a heavy force pushing him back, and Stella, arching backward, looked up at the sky.
Brandon tried to push away the hands holding him; and a high-pitched scream echoed. When he turned his head back to Stella, she was looking at him with tears streaming down her face, still smiling.
"Will my death be really enough for you, Brandon?"
Before Brandon could say or do anything, Stella's body slipped off the balcony. His own scream untied the knot in his throat as he shouted, a desperate, exhausted, and broken child's scream. He cried and kept shouting as Stella fell.
"Wake up! Brandon!" Jolting awake, drenched in sweat, Brandon was not his usual controlled self. His body trembled wildly, and he realized that what he thought was sweat were actually tears. I don't cry. When his eyes met Nabu's, he saw how worried his friend was. Running his hands through his hair and tugging hard to ground himself, he heard Nabu ask, "What the hell was that? What did you see that shook you so much? I've never seen you like this."
Shaking his head, Brandon stood up, with only one thought in his mind: he wanted to see Stella. Panting, he plunged his hands into the basin of clean water and splashed his face forcefully. Nabu offered him a towel, but Brandon refused, sinking to the ground to catch his breath. He'd dreamt of Stella before, even in more revealing situations, but none had ended with losing her. And the things she said... he couldn't help but wonder if it was really Stella speaking.
"Where's Stella?"
Frowning, Nabu knelt beside him, waiting for a moment. When Brandon gave him a stern look, Nabu sighed, "They're sleeping in the room next to ours. If something had happened, we'd know. Calm down. Did you see her in your nightmare?"
Brandon jumped to his feet, not caring about being half-naked, and headed for the girls' room. Just as he was about to open the door, Nabu grabbed his shoulders and pushed him back, standing in front of the door with a bewildered expression. "Are you crazy? They're sleeping, and they might not be decent! Are you just going to barge into the girls' room?"
"I need to see her!" Although Brandon spoke angrily and harshly, Nabu could clearly see the underlying worry and fear. Just then, the door behind him creaked open, and Aisha appeared. Both men turned to look at her. "What's going on?" With her hair disheveled and wearing a long nightgown, Aisha glared at them, making Nabu smile. "Uh, is Stella in there?"
"No, she's with the king."
As Brandon growled and moved toward Aisha, Nabu held him back and turned to Aisha with a warning look. "This isn't the time. Can we see her?"
Rolling her eyes, Aisha continued to glare at them. "What are you going to see? The girl is sleeping!" When Brandon exhaled sharply, indicating he wouldn't wait any longer, he pushed the door further open, causing Aisha to step back, and he approached Stella. Seeing the fairy clutching her pillow while she slept, he knelt beside her, closed his eyes, and started to breathe more easily. Witnessing her death, so real and vivid, while doing nothing but trying to protect her had nearly driven him mad. He raised his hand and gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Even this small touch felt too much; the only thing he needed to do was stay away from her, but he couldn't manage that. He was failing.
"I don't know what this is or what's happening, but if my friend gets hurt, I'll burn your fountain down. Clear?"
Aisha intervened just in time to prevent Brandon from kissing Stella. Brandon slowly stood up, giving Stella one last look before leaving the room. He couldn't foresee what would happen next, filling him with fear. Turning around, he gave a sharp look to the two people standing before him and dug his hand into his pocket. When Aisha was about to say something, he turned back and placed the Solaria ring on Stella's bedside table. And then without another word, he left the room.
As they finished their preparations and were about to continue their mission, the last thing they wanted to hear was the message announcing the return of the second group. Aisha and Stella changed out of their tattered clothes into khaki shorts and vests given by Amentia, while Nabu and Brandon stared at the screen, suspecting the message they were reading was a joke. Still shaken from his nightmare, Brandon's frayed nerves were further aggravated by the news.
"This must be a joke. Reply to them, ask if they're joking," Brandon snapped at Nabu, turning away just as the girls entered the room. His eyes immediately found Stella, while Nabu waved the screen at them, speaking in a loud voice, "Did you get the message? They must be joking."
Stella shook her head, walking over to them, while Aisha focused on the buffet table laden with various dishes. At the moment, nothing mattered more than her hunger. Stella, on the other hand, couldn't help but think of the waste all the food represented. "This isn't normal. Tecna would never allow a mission to be abandoned halfway. And this isn't the kind of message she would send." She handed her communication device to Brandon, who felt a strange sense of relief seeing the ring on her finger. As he took the device, he made sure to brush against her skin, frowning involuntarily at the coldness. Focusing on the message, his frown deepened, and he handed the screen back to Nabu. "Flora wouldn't have returned without seeing us first. Something else is going on here." Aisha's mouth was full as she spoke, causing Stella to grimace. She couldn't understand how her friend had survived so long as a princess with such behavior. Brandon's gaze found her again, his worry only increasing the more he looked at her. As Stella bit her lips anxiously, another part of his brain, focused on Stella's body activated itself. He licked his lips trying to ignore the effect of seeing Stella torture her lips with her teeth.
"Should we return too?"
Brandon gave Nabu a look that could only be described as calling him an idiot, while Nabu shrugged and continued watching Aisha. Despite chastising Brandon, he didn't hesitate to do the same with Aisha. "We're not returning. I don't even think they've returned. It could be a trap." Stella turned to Brandon with wide, fearful eyes, thinking that if he suspected a trap, there was likely some truth to it. "Could they be in danger?"
Though he inwardly cursed himself for scaring her, he could only shrug in response. "Stella," Aisha called from the table without getting up, sensing her friend's anxiety, "Stop overthinking and come eat something. We need more than just light for energy before a mission." Stella shook her head, frowning as she looked at the table. "I'm not hungry." Her response drew everyone's attention. Two of them, in particular, looked at her with concern and frustration, while Nabu eyed her suspiciously.
"You'll fly away with a puff of wind, Stella. Are you trying to die? Get up and eat something." Brandon clenched his fists at Nabu's bluntness and turned to his friend, "Fill your mouth with food, before I fill it with your teeth." Nabu blinked at Brandon, then realizing he had pushed too far, nodded and moved towards Aisha. Aisha, her mouth full, placed her leg on the chair next to hers. "Taken," she mumbled, making Nabu roll his eyes as he pulled another chair and stuffed his mouth with a pastry, glaring at the water fairy. Stella turned to Brandon with a sigh, "Aisha told me you found and brought back my ring. Thank you." Brandon shook his head to imply it wasn't a big deal. Part of him wanted to hear her voice more, but another part screamed at him to leave her alone.
"You being sick helps none of us. So eat something, if not for yourself, then for your chatty friend." Stella frowned, ready to argue with Brandon about many things he just said, but the doors opened, and the dancers announcing Amentia's arrival burst in.
"Oh my god, this woman is the epitome of a drama queen!" Aisha clapped her hands mockingly, still chewing on a large bite of food. "Well done, well done." As Stella and Brandon stood up and moved towards the table to be together with their friends just in case, Amentia entered, fluttering her eyelashes flirtatiously at Brandon and Nabu. Stella and Aisha instantly frowned, while Nabu grinned, unbothered by the food in his mouth. This woman was insatiably flirtatious.
"My guests! I hope I have been a good host during your stay!" She twirled her way to the table, brushing against Brandon as she did. Brandon tried hard not to grimace, while Stella felt her anger rising to the point she thought lasers might shoot from her eyes. Control yourself, girl. Internally reminding herself, even if their engagement was fake, reacting this way was normal. Brandon's reactions, however, made her want to pull back.
"Very well, Your Majesty! Thank you very much." Aisha stood up, sitting on the edge of Nabu's lap, smiling. It was a reaction to seeing Amentia slowly sliding towards Nabu, though she inwardly cursed herself for not considering the effect. A silence fell over the room, broken when Nabu suddenly wrapped his arms around Aisha, pulling her fully into his lap. Stella closed her eyes and took a deep breath, thinking that her two childhood friends had gone as mad as Amentia in underground. Can we please just get out of here!
"I need a husband."
"Fucking hell." Brandon couldn't help but curse, attempting to cover it with a cough, while Stella's giggle made it clear she heard him. The two exchanged a glance, their most common form of communication recently, and Brandon felt warmth spread through him. It was surprisingly not unpleasant how anything Stella did seemed to affect him this way. Stella's laughter was rare, likely because she was often too serious around him, but he found it worth trying to be funny sometimes. Those times usually ended with Stella turning red with anger, a clear sign Brandon wasn't doing a great job at humor.
"I didn't catch that?" Amentia raised an eyebrow, looking at the young commander with the same seductive gaze, while Brandon shook his head and grabbed Stella by the arm, pulling her closer. After all, she's my fiancée, he thought, justifying his actions. Like Aisha, he reacted quickly, wrapping an arm around Stella's shoulder and pulling her close. Both of them tried hard not to sigh, aware that they needed to get their act together; Brandon had become too soft, and Stella was getting used to it.
"I was asking how we can help, Your Majesty."
"Don't you have any friends?" Nabu grinned at Brandon, "Actually, Riven or Helia might…" Brandon silenced him with a look, making Nabu bury his face in Aisha's hair without losing his grin. God! Has everyone lost it? Stella looked around with bewilderment, trying to make sense of the situation, while Amentia shook her head. "I don't want a specialist. I'm traumatized now." Oh, poor you! Stella rolled her eyes and leaned back against Brandon. This time, she didn't bother trying to gauge his reaction.
"We'll try to send someone as soon as the mission is over, Your Majesty." Aisha looked at her friend in surprise, while Stella shrugged, silently thinking they'd deal with it after the mission.
"Good. Whenever you're ready, two worms will be waiting outside to take you wherever you need to go. I recommend two people per worm. Otherwise, they can be a bit unruly."
With a brief exchange of looks, the team nodded and expressed their gratitude to the queen. Let's just get this mission over with, Stella thought, the real cranky ones will reveal themselves soon enough.
"Those damned leeches promised they'd take us to the caves, so why did that idiotic woman make such a promise if she wasn't going to keep it?" Aisha huffed and puffed as she continued walking, with Nabu trailing behind her, his eyes fixed on the sea fairy's hair, waiting for her next stumble. As much as she walked, she fell just as much. Stella walked silently beside her, head bowed, grateful for the opportunity to think at last, yet cursing it at the same time. The underworld had shaken everyone, dragging them into events beyond their control. For instance, she knew Brandon wouldn't normally be this sensitive and attentive towards her. She shuddered as she remembered the war with the witches. They had no allies then, and by the time the kingdoms were notified and help arrived, the war was over, the witches defeated. But Stella couldn't forget the lives lost and the collapse of hope.
That night, Brandon had been alone with Stella and his first move was to draw his weapon and pull the trigger. Without hesitation. He wanted her dead more than anything, all because of their last mission together. During that mission, Brandon had clearly stated that there would never be anything between them, and in the ensuing war, he had sided with the witches, targeting Stella first. He had pulled the trigger as if they were alone, though everyone was watching. Aisha had deflected the bullet with a shield, realizing her friend was in shock. Stella's active guard would have blocked the bullet anyway, but Brandon couldn't have known that. The way fairies protected themselves was a closely guarded secret, known only among themselves to prevent enemies from exploiting it.
"Hey," Stella's thoughts retreated as she turned to look at Nabu. Despite being childhood friends, years of silence had created a gulf between them. Nabu had tried to bridge that gap with his warmth, but Stella still felt a barrier between them, as if he was working with the specialists. She sighed and attempted a smile, though it was clearly forced.
"Hey," Nabu took a troubled breath, watching Aisha as she continued ahead. Brandon, who was leading the way, showed no signs of fatigue or emotion. It wasn't just his training, though that played a part; the mission was getting on his nerves. They had spent four days trying to reach the caves, constantly facing different, aggravating obstacles. Brandon's already frayed nerves, worsened by nightmares, were at breaking point. Nobody was acting like themselves. Aisha was more lenient with Nabu and Brandon, and Nabu was more open and expressive with Aisha. Brandon and Stella, on the other hand, had dropped their guards and clung to each other. This was the worst possible scenario. Brandon's motivation to keep moving and maintain his stamina stemmed from this. "We haven't talked in a while. How are you?"
Stella quickly responded to avoid thinking too much. "I'm fine." Nabu frowned at her, having momentarily diverted his gaze from Aisha. Though Brandon and Stella had re-erected their guards, Nabu and Aisha continued as before. "Stella, do you feel like you can't talk to me? Has something come between us?" He grinned at Aisha implying that he meant her, who shot him an irritated look and tossed her hair back. Stella sighed, trying to smile sincerely at her friend. "We don't have much to talk about, so I don't talk."
Nabu was momentarily taken aback but accepted it with a nod. She was right. He owed Stella an explanation, but he had chosen to remain silent, occasionally asking how she was to cover it up. The issue wasn't just about them, it was more about being among a group that disliked fairies and their allies. Nabu remained neutral in most conflicts, and Stella's silence was a sign of her disapproval. When he turned back to Stella, he saw the sunlight fairy staring straight ahead, never once glancing his way. He felt something break inside him.
"ENOUGH! I need to rest. You guys go on ahead. Not you, Stella, you stay with me." Aisha pulled Stella down by her arm, forcing her to sit. They had set a record, walking for five hours straight. Brandon felt nothing, and Stella's mind was completely muddled. Only Aisha and Nabu were exhausted. "Ash, please, let's keep going. I just want this to be over," Stella said, trying to get up. Nabu looked at Brandon, gauging his reaction. Brandon was already in a low mood and would likely lash out at Aisha.
Just as predicted, a deafening noise erupted. As they turned toward the path they had come from, they saw a horde of creatures large enough to fill the entire cave moving towards them. Everyone immediately got into defensive positions. Stella and Aisha transformed and took to the air, Aisha relieved to finally take the weight off her feet. Her relief was short-lived, as the creatures roared and advanced, causing her to hold her breath. Her hands glowed with the anticipation of launching a real attack, and suddenly, a torrent of water surged through the rocks, crashing into the creatures. The smaller, lighter creatures were swept back, and Aisha twisted the water into a whirlpool, drowning as many as she could. Brandon, leaning on his sword, watched the girls with frustration. He could use a fight to vent his anger, but they were already engaged and eager. At least Aisha was; Stella observed her friend's attacks with patience. Her expression was unreadable, but Brandon sensed her discomfort, knowing he was the cause. Just like she was his.
Aisha surveyed the now clear path with satisfaction, only to scream as bat-like creatures swooped down on her. Stella rolled her eyes and smiled at her friend. "You really do remind me of Musa." As Aisha looked back and forth between her friend and the approaching bats in disbelief, Brandon noticed that neither of them was doing anything. He frowned. Nabu raised his staff, readying himself, when suddenly, a blinding light filled the cave. Stella, glowing with bright yellow light, walked back towards the path they had come from, checking for more creatures. The others rubbed their eyes, trying to regain their vision. Though she felt a twinge of guilt for not warning them, releasing the energy had been necessary. Otherwise, she would have had to scream uncontrollably until she was out of breath.
Aisha landed beside her, choosing not to strain her wings further. "A little warning next time!" She was still rubbing her eyes as she complained. Stella placed her hand on Aisha's head, pulling the light from her eyes. As her friend sighed in relief, Stella gave her a stern look before grinning. "Don't do it to them. Let's go, leave them here."
Ignoring Aisha's whispered suggestion, Stella approached Nabu, removing the light from his eyes similarly. Brandon, trying not to show it, kept his eyes closed, but his efforts to conceal his struggle were obvious. Stella grumbled at his pride as she moved towards him. Just as she was about to place her hand on his head, Brandon grabbed her arm and pulled her close. Stella felt her mind go blank. His breath cooled her face, sending a shiver down her spine. She swallowed, about to ask what he was doing, but Brandon spoke first, his face close to hers. "What are you doing?"
Stella clenched her teeth to keep her voice steady. Despite their proximity, which wasn't ideal for either of them, they often found themselves in these situations. She made sure her voice wouldn't tremble. "I'm trying to take the light out of your eyes. You're the last one."
Brandon's slow movements suggested reluctance, but Stella always suspected there was more to his actions. When he finally released her arm, she was grateful he couldn't see her trembling hands. She pressed her palm to his head, cursing herself for taking longer than with Nabu and Aisha. Brandon's eyes opened as the light faded, and she looked at him with a complex expression he couldn't decipher. He frowned, feeling his lips tighten. The situation they were being dragged into was becoming increasingly frustrating, and resolving it seemed more difficult by the minute.
"Shall we go? Stella? I think I'm rested," Aisha said. Witnessing the interaction, their friends were just as uncomfortable. Despite her aching legs, Aisha preferred continuing than dealing with the awkwardness. She pulled Stella along, believing it was necessary. Stella followed without protest, and for the first time, Brandon trailed behind, his eyes fixed on Stella. His hatred for her was becoming harder to maintain. Her presence—her skin, her breath, her scent—made his anger almost non-existent. Something else was emerging, something unfamiliar to Brandon, and his solution was to push Stella away. Hard. He gripped his sword tighter, closing his eyes to calm himself, a habit that had become more frequent as he increasingly lost control these days.
"Stella! No!" At the sound of her name, Brandon's eyes snapped open to see Aisha looking down in shock and fear, and Nabu collapsed by a gaping hole. His feet moved instinctively towards them before he knew it. The lack of Stella's presence was enough to send him into a panic. Had she fallen into that hole? How could she not have seen it? Especially in the dark, where she had the best vision! As the ground started to shake, Nabu suddenly stood and shoved Aisha against the cave wall. Brandon assessed the situation swiftly: active pits. That's why she hadn't seen it; the ground had opened up and swallowed her. "Brandon! Hold onto the wall or you'll fall too!" Brandon looked up at his panicked friend. Their gaze locked for no more than five seconds, but Nabu understood his intention, his eyes widening in horror. "No! Brandon, no!"
Before Brandon jumped into the pit Stella had fallen into, he uttered only one thing, "Stay alive."
