A Condition

But just before he hit the ground a soft, warm hand caught him.

He was pulled into an embrace.

A gentle warmth surrounded him.

His body tensed for a moment, then relaxed as he inhaled a familiar scent.

It was Freya.

And she..

*Sniff *Sniff

She smelled... nice.

Alex blinked up at her, slightly dazed.

"You haven't left?" he asked.

Freya shook her head, a faint blush dusting her cheeks.

"No."

Behind her, Ella stood quietly, watching the exchange.

Ahead, Ezekiel was talking to some of the players Alex's clones had saved.

In total, there were about a dozen survivors.

Alex's eyes swept over them, then narrowed slightly.

"What about Onigi and Dorion?"

He hadn't seen those two anywhere.

Freya's expression shifted slightly as she answered.

"They took their fight to the next trial. The old man seems hell-bent on ending his life."

Alex sighed.