1.12 Rankings, Results, and Resurrections

Luna got ready and headed to the mess for breakfast, a subtle smile playing on her lips. In just an hour, the trial would be over, and the troublesome Dorian would be out of the picture for good.

Ever since Aries poisoned him, Dorian had confined himself to his cave. Luna took pleasure in the confusion that ensued when people started questioning Dorian's absence on the show's Stellarnet account. Damian, it seemed, remained indifferent.

Luna deliberately avoided Damian. Aware of his intention to propose, she believed it best to keep her distance until the end of the trial. While her family's reputation had taken a hit, she anticipated that Dorian's demise would soon dominate conversations.

Luna entered the mess, feeling uncomfortable under the scrutinizing gazes directed her way. People had been avoiding her ever since the truth came to light.

Swiftly finishing her meal alone, Luna made her way to her office. Her routine was interrupted by an unexpected announcement: "General Luna Zeno is being summoned to the Supreme Commander's office."

Luna frowned but complied, hoping the meeting would revolve around work. Knocking on the door, she waited for permission to enter.

"Come in."

Entering and closing the door behind her, Luna stood before the commander with a forced smile.

"What can I do for you, Supreme Commander?"

Damian looked up from his tablet, stating matter-of-factly, "I only called you to let you know we're done. And you can stop avoiding me. If you miss another one of your shifts, you'll be penalized. You can leave now."

Her heart raced, and her eyes welled up with tears. Luna couldn't help but ask, her voice shaky, "Why?"

Damian chuckled, offering a simple response, "Are you seriously asking me that question?"

Luna bit her lip, her eyes reflecting hurt.

"We've been together for two years. How can you break up with me just because of my reputation?"

Damian responded calmly, "I'm not breaking up with you because of your reputation. I'm breaking up with you because of the way you treated Dorian."

Luna blinked, confusion evident.

"What does it have to do with us? You were just planning on having fun with him."

Damian said, "I wasn't. I want him and no one else. I won't give up until he becomes my mate."

Tears streamed down Luna's face. She couldn't believe the determination in Damian's eyes. Despite knowing her for two years, Damian seemed captivated by someone he barely spent time with.

Unable to face the situation, Luna turned around and left. Locking herself in her office, she slumped onto the couch. Even though she knew they could never be together now that Dorian was dead, the fact that Damian cared for him infuriated her.

Certain that Damian would come running back to her once he found out about Dorian's demise, she resolved to make him beg before considering taking him back.

Aries approached the rendezvous point with a smile. Surveying the area, he noticed that a third of the candidates had been eliminated. Darius inquired about Dorian, but Aries couldn't help but roll his eyes. Dorian was dead, and Aries couldn't be happier.

Within minutes, the candidates were beamed onto the ship, focusing their attention on Damian, Aeron, and Luna.

Damian acknowledged, "Congratulations for making it this far."

Amidst the joyous applause, Aeron announced, "You have two hours to shower and eat, then we'll meet in the council room for the ranking."

Everyone nodded. Darius lifted his hand, seeking clarification, "All the people missing have been eliminated?"

Aeron confirmed, "They have."

Darius nodded disappointingly. Aries couldn't help but smile, knowing the situation was far worse than they thought. As the candidates dispersed to shower and eat, Aries relished in anticipation of the impending revelation.

In the meantime, Damian headed to his office. Beaming himself into the cave, he found Dorian leaning against the wall. Damian smiled, took his bag, and laced their hands before beaming them both to his quarters.

Dorian eyed the suitcase in Damian's quarters and then looked at him. "I wanted to make sure you would have everything you need."

Dorian smiled in gratitude. "Thanks."

Once in the bathroom, Dorian luxuriated under the running water, relishing the sensation. He took his time, thoroughly rubbing his body until he felt refreshed. After dressing, he left the room and strolled down the hallway, unable to ignore the stark contrast between his surroundings and the candidates' quarters.

Enticed by the aroma of food, Dorian followed it to a dining room. There, he found a table filled with a variety of dishes. His eyes gleamed brightly as he filled his plate, savoring the satisfying moment.

He settled into his seat and glanced at the note placed beside him. *I had to go, I'll text you when it's time. Damian.*

Dorian smiled and dug into his food, relishing the flavors.

Meanwhile, after a lengthy shower, Aries made his way to the mess. He immediately sensed the weight of everyone's gaze upon him, likely aware of the recent events now that they had their phones back.

Hurriedly finishing his meal, Aries headed to the council room. If it weren't for Dorian, he wouldn't be facing the disdain of the entire galaxy. Taking a seat at the front, he exchanged a glance with Darius as he settled on the other side, his expression oozing with contempt.

Surveying the room, Aries noticed the deliberate distance everyone maintained from him. His eyes moistened, and he bit his lip, knowing that once they learned of Dorian's demise, they would forget all about him.

Excitement bubbled within him when Damian entered with Aeron and Luna. At least he would have the chance to grow closer to Damian during their one-on-one training sessions.

Damian took his place and addressed the room. "As you know, the winner will be trained by me before the second trial next week. Here is the ranking."

Eagerly, everyone's eyes darted to the ranking displayed. Aries felt his heart race as the names scrolled from the bottom to the top. Annoyance prickled within him as he noticed Dorian had surpassed him by 9000 points, even if he was dead.

With anticipation hanging in the air, Damian declared, "The winner of the first trial is..."

Aries rose with a proud smile as Damian declared, "Dorian."

Confusion painted Aries' face, mirroring the sentiment of the others. Luna voiced her thoughts, "I thought Dorian was eliminated."

Aeron, with a frown, clarified, "He wasn't eliminated, I'm sure of it."

Aries interjected, "If he's not here, it means he's disqualified, and the second place will take first."

Darius sneered, "Is that all you care about?"

Damian glanced at the door, urging, "Hurry up."

Confusion lingered as they wondered who Damian was addressing. Luna and Aries widened their eyes as Dorian walked in. The galaxy felt a collective happiness at finally seeing him.

Darius stood up, smiling, and embraced Dorian. Dorian hugged him back, reciprocating the warmth.

"I was worried you might've been eliminated."

Dorian added uncomfortably, "When you were beamed, I was asleep in my cave."

Laughter echoed through the galaxy as Darius pulled Dorian to sit next to him.

Damian, announcing, said, "Dorian, you'll receive a training schedule. A car will pick you up and drive you back home since the training is at the palace."

Jealous murmurs filled the room, a wave of envy washing over the candidates. Aries felt his anger rise. How was Dorian still alive? He shot a furious look at Luna, who had assured him it was a sure thing.

Luna met Aries' gaze briefly, then averted her eyes. She couldn't fathom that Dorian, the troublemaker, was not only alive but would also be spending ample time with Damian.

Dorian, glancing at the ranking and then at Darius, remarked, "Congratulations on taking third place."

Darius beamed. "Thanks. Congratulations on securing first place."

Dorian, sporting a smile, responded, "Thanks."

Damian gazed at Dorian with a tender smile. Sensing the warmth of Damian's eyes, Dorian looked up, his heart quickening as he observed the gentleness in Damian's grey eyes.

Surprisingly, despite spending the previous two days together, Dorian wasn't tired of Damian. He had expected annoyance to set in at some point, but he enjoyed their time together. Damian had chosen to spend both days with him in the cave, engaging in activities like watching movies, playing games, or simply talking.

Caught in the act of gazing at Dorian, Aeron nudged Damian. Annoyed at being interrupted, Damian snapped, "What?"

Amusement rippled through the galaxy. It was evident that Damian would have preferred to continue gazing at Dorian, a stark contrast to their last encounter in that very room. Evander who was sitting in the back narrowed his eyes.

Aeron sighed and addressed the candidates, "We'll be landing in ten minutes. You'll receive a text with the location for the second trial next week. I suggest you get some rest; the second trial is no joke."

The tension rose among the candidates at the thought of the upcoming trial. Damian concluded, "You're dismissed."

Everyone stood up and left to retrieve their luggage. Damian descended the stairs and approached Dorian, pulling him into an embrace. With a teasing smile, he asked, "Did you miss me?"

Dorian shook his head, and Aeron and Darius chuckled. Damian shot a threatening look at Aeron before turning his gaze back to Dorian. "Not even a little?"

Amusement flickered in Dorian's eyes. They had been together constantly, so the question seemed a bit absurd. Shifting the focus, Dorian asked, "When is the first training?"

Damian replied, "On Monday, so you have the weekend to rest."

Dorian nodded, pushing away from Damian and pulling Darius toward their quarters. Aries hurriedly followed them, eager to find out what the fuck happened.