Page 98 of A Simple Truth

All we had to do was capture the flag that was randomly hidden somewhere on the premise of this small island. Whatever team captured the flag in the first round got to place it in their territory during the next round and defend it from the other team. Then, the losing team from the first round had two gamesto capture it back. By the end of those two games, whoever had the flag was the ultimate winner.

“Ready?” Gia winked at me as she pinned any flyaway hairs.

“I think so,” I replied, unsure. Ioanna handed me a jar of black paint as she dragged two fingers across her face. I copied the gesture, passing the jar to the twins next to me.

“Your first War Games are the best! You’ll love them! It’s so exciting!” Tori squealed near me.

Excitement was not quite the word I’d use, but I just smiled in return.

A horn sounded through the morning air, and we fervently climbed up the carved, rocky stairs leading to the top of the island that now served as our arena.

“This is new,” I whispered to Ashe, my eyes widening as we approached the top. The whole landscape of the island was changed.

“Courtesy of Creators. They changed things up for the Finals. It makes it more fair, since neither team is aware of the layout or where the flag is.”

How wonderful.

“So, we just wander the whole island until we find the flag or get killed?”

“Pretty much,” Ashe retorted, as if it was no big deal.

“The goal is to make them all tap out first and then just scavenge for the flag,” Cass clarified.

“Good thing it’s a small island, I guess,” I mumbled, my hands clenched into fists while my heart pumped at crazy speeds.

My eyes scanned the crowds that had gathered to see the games, there were the De Villiars madly waving at me, Aurelia jumping up with a large poster she’d drawn for me. I smiled and waved back at them. My heart eased seeing their excitement forme. However, that immediately changed as I saw Zora’s figure marching towards us with fury written on her face.

“What happened during the captain meeting?” Gia asked, as the Ten circled around her.

“Oh, you will see in just a minute,” she hissed.

And we did.

The ten battalion commanders came marching out across the field.

“They are back!?” Tori screamed so loudly that I flinched at the volume in my ear as both twins were jumping with glee. In fact, all of the Ten lit up with happiness as they saw their husbands strolling towards us.

“Not only are they back, but they are also the ones we will be fighting today.”

“Hold on. Did you just say we are fightingthem?” Motra turned back to Zora.

“Yep. Apparently, they fought Georgino’s team earlier today and won.”

“Are they allowed to do that?” Cass commented through wide smile without turning her gaze away from her beloved as he stared with hungry eyes at her.

But I didn’t care for the rest of the conversation as my own heart stopped beating as I sawhim. The man that had left flowers on my nightstand each morning, despite being miles away, that made dumb jokes making me smile and laugh. The man I saw in a completely different light now as he made his way through the battalion commanders to the front.

“Hello, ladies,” Gideon crooned. My mind turned blank as he sent a small smirk towards me.

“Oh, and, Gideon is also playing,” Zora muttered, clearly unhappy with the decision. The Ten all turned to her at that.

“But he’s banned!” Ioanna whispered as the Ten exchanged questioning looks between themselves.

“You have a Justice Wielder, it’s only fair we have one too,” Orest added, visibly enjoying the riled up look on Zora’s face.

“I am more than happy to sit this one out.” I raised my hand, turning to Zora.

“Oh, hell no. They want to play dirty, then let’s play dirty.” Zora narrowed her eyes at Orest with her intimidating glare, but he didn’t back down. In fact, he wasn’t even remotely concerned.

---