Someone had once said that the thing that’s worse than death is betrayal. Yekaterina and the rest of Ahrio’s team felt the heavy truth of that as they know each passing second sends them closer to their own demise. Each jolt of electricity weakens them, blurring their vision, fainting their heartbeats and slowly losing their consciousness. For them his betrayal is more painful than his death.       But for Svetlana, his death was because of her, as well as the lives of his team. And that fact is harder to accept more than anything else. She’s weak, she’s fully reliant on others to save her every time. She had no right being the leader of the team when she can’t save them, she had never done so. Instead, she endange

      Minerva’s statement earned different reactions from them. The first time she demanded it, Blaize and Zayden thought she wasn’t that serious about it, deduced it to be just a spur of the moment kind of thought. Yekaterina on the other hand knew very well that Minerva’s words weren’t just a weightless demand. She meant every word and she’s here to claim it.      Glancing at Zayden’s surprised expression, Yekaterina stared straight at Minerva’s impatient frown. “How about you get Tradd instead? Wouldn’t it be better to join forces with someone you know beforehand?” She tried negotiating with her.

     The elevator ascends and inside were each of the teams as they were being taken to the venue of the next game. Twisting her wrist in a circular motion, Minerva can hear the soft cracking sounds of her joint. She must have strained it. She looked up and glance at Zayden when from her peripheral vision, she can clearly tell he is staring at her curiously.      Sighing, she looked at him straight and said, “We may be your new group but we will protect you as much as we protect each other.”       “I know. I would have never joined your group if I had doubts.”

     The bridge lifted again, connecting the platforms and enabling the winning team to cross. Blaize caught up with Andrik who was walking a few steps ahead and threw his arm around him.      “Big brain!” He grinned, referring to how Andrik was able to figure out the way to complete the game despite the ordeal they were in.       Andrik removed his arm and gave him a pointed look of annoyance. He ignored him and went to Yekaterina to check on her.

     It was still early in the morning when the players were once again disturbed by the loud, robotic voice of an announcement coming from the speakers somewhere around the whole place, instructing them to gather in main hall. There weren't any games scheduled today so it's kind of odd that have to gather. It didn't take long for the players to be all in the same place, waiting for the information that might change their lives for the better or maybe for the worst.       A large, clear bowl jar is placed on top of tall round table in the middle of the stage. Inside it were small plastic balls of different colors. Behind, is the digital screen that shows nothing as of the moment. But soon enough, the s