24: Engraved in Ice

If Machi was most scared of anyone on Earth, it was of Zac. Jisa warned him that he had something that made even her worried, which shocked him. But watching as he got scolded by his mother while holding Harper he laughed and nodded, well, the scene made Machi question a lot about Zac.

"You don't have to keep wearing them." He turned and saw Mira standing behind him as the leaders talked and Machi chuckled. "I do. I can't be dependent on this ability when that's the very thing I need to keep hidden." She looked down and noticed her father was partaking heavily in the conversation when he normally remained silent until necessary. "I don't know how you got found out. I went over everything and it was perfect. You were hidden well. So someone intentionally revealed that you were here."

"I didn't really care for being exposed. I just came to see if there was anyone who'd grow a lot like Rocco. Or you."

"Me?"

Machi nodded and sighed. "With the right... mindset it's amazing how far one can grow."Mira wondered what he meant and shook her head. "I'm not going to be crazily strong like you or Karma or my father. I'm fated to remain here." She headed off and Machi wondered if this was some cliche beating oneself down coming from the girl who was so righteous and brave. Or whether she truly believed that she should remain at her current level.

***

Machi decided to disappear when he saw his mother and Zac approach, not wanting the whole scolding when he had his own, very valid reasons for coming to the tournament. Opening a rift, he arrived at his bedroom and sighed, but then felt himself falling through another rift. Since he got ahold of using them, Carbine's consciousness also grew in strength. So, there were times when the former doll was able to use rifts like that battle 5 years ago. And this time it was in conjunction with Machi's intentions.

So he was spat back out to his original location.

'You can't avoid her.'

Machi landed in his hotel bed and groaned. "Way to pop out out of thin air." Zac smiled and Machi remembered he had to ask him a few things. "Your mother just left." Seeing him look annoyed and upset, a rather new combination of emotions Zac had witnessed from his stepson, he sat across and listened.

"She doesn't agree with what I'm doing. I feel like she can't even see me as her son anymore. Why should I bother?" Machi questioned honestly.

Zac sighed and didn't know why Ever was acting like this. "She's your mother," he answered, "She loves you."

Machi sighed and looked to the ceiling before looking at Zac. "My father has a power that could break the space-time continuum. He was one of a kind but I don't think so. He clearly has a past... maybe one he didn't know about but I want to know what that was." And Zac didn't judge him for that.

"I know. Honestly, he did too but you were his focus."

Machi was handed a stack of paper held by a rubber band. "This was everything he found before he decided to not leave," Zac said, "I've been going through it too. Your instincts aren't wrong that this may all lead back to Rylan. Will you go alone?"

Machi wondered too. "I think Rocco would kill me."

***

Rocco was going to kill Machi before he revealed he could come. Little did they know, Karma and Mira overheard them both. "Well, if Zac is right then our first stop would be Hendge Collapse but you need the highest authority to head there. And looking at your status now… yeah breaking in will have to do."

Mira walked in and the boys just hid their sheets. "I was listening. And you both do realise trespassing is illegal."

"Honestly my mom would love to--" Rocco elbowed him and Karma snorted.

"Hendge Collapse literally is a death sentence," Karma said.

"And why do you both care?" Rocco asked.

"That one is interesting." Karma signalled to Machi. "And this one," she signalled to Mira, "has authority to enter Hendge Collapse."

Mira looked to the boys and then to Karma. "The adults of the three circles don't want to proceed in case the balance of peace gets fucked." Never have they seen the elegant Ice Princess so... badmouthed. "5 years ago pissed me off. All of the strongest people couldn't do anything yet a measly level 2 could. The system seems perfect but just as fucked up as the history books full of injustice and prejudice."

Karma raised her eyebrows at Mira's words. "It would be ideal if one of us can heal," Karma added.

"Don't worry Machi has that covered." Rocco smacked his back. "Ki is very handy at the different stages ain't it?" Machi just kicked his back before Karma asked another question. "What about those restraints on your wrist?" Seeing Machi rub his arms, was a good question. Restraining kept them hidden, taking them off guaranteed power. And a lot of it. So the struggle of battling potential enemies would be lessened.

"I'll keep them on."

*

Ruth was rather confused when Mira did not show up to the MC box, and looked around before noticing something in the middle of the arena. Lord Hogwood, Lord Hellyer and Lady Harkness were all frozen as they arrived and saw an ice block carved out with a message.

DONT FUCK UP THE WORLD WHILE WE ARE GONE

- MACHI ROCCO KARMA AND MIRA

That's how Day 3 became a legendary moment written down in the history books, as the ones voted by the high officials disappeared on a mission not assigned by the Citadel or personally by their respective leaders. And the team consisted of people from the three circles, and not just a team from one.

"Talk about a message." Dawson looked to Jo who shook her head. "Though Mira Hogwood is surprising."

"She had a rebellious glint in her." Anne chuckled and Kai nodded. Zac looked to Harper's necklace as it glowed the same colour as the ice and he looked up to Evermore. She was stoic yet worried.

***

Down across a dark corridor, in a castle filled with blue flamed lanterns, an eerie purple tint to the bricks, and auras so crushing yet calm, sat a round table filled with 8 figures, watching as an empty stone chair glowed and the others looked at one another, shocked seeing a sight like this so soon, again. "His bloodline had awoken again. This is the second time in 22 years."

The leader opened his eyes and they glowed blue. Looking across to see the third chair empty too, she sighed and looked to her right. "And what of Refed?" He asked, his voice demanding and dominant. He was unable to be seen by the other 7 figures in the room, only his eyes glowing to signal he was present.

"Still going mad across the universe."

Maybe. Maybe this was a sign change was coming.