Chapter 31- The Realm of Monsters

That night ended and I did not go back to the hall, I rested immediately because we would be picked up early to the Arena or what they call the Realm of Monsters.

I woke up before my alarm clock rang, it was exactly three in the morning. We need to be in front of the Academy at exactly five, so I need to move.

I got out of bed and went to my bathroom. I stared at myself in the mirror. It's been so long since the last time I had a haircut. My hair almost reaches my waist. I heaved a deep sigh and took a scissor. Might as well cut it.

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As I walked out of the Academy, I saw Isaac and the others waiting for me in front of the car that'll bring us to the Arena. When I approached them, they couldn't take their eyes off me. More specifically, on my hair.

"You cut your hair," Hunter said then he messed my hair. Rica and Hunter will go to the Arena with us to watch the Tournament. "It suits you," he said while smiling from ear to ear.

I smiled back and we hopped in the car along with Kristian, Lydia, Cath, and Kurt. There are two cars, one is for us. While the other one is for the Leaders.

Mr. Hawkins and Mrs. Athena were in the other car together with Isaac because they said they would talk to the team leader. Rica was also there as a representative of the former group.

I was next to Hunter in the car, but I didn't bother to talk to him. I want to apologize for not coming back to him last night. I feel like, after what happened, I can no longer face him and go inside so I went back to my dorm last night.

I felt his hand on mine, so I turned to him. "Everything will be okay, Althea." I nodded because that's what I keep on saying to myself. After all of these, I will return to the real world I grew up in.

We were quite the whole trip, no one was speaking, and I could feel the tension inside the car. Hunter and I were quiet as well. We are all nervous about the Tournament.

It was still dark outside, any minute from now, the sun will start to surface. They said it's a long trip, so I decided to take a nap.

I woke up with hands holding my two shoulders, I opened my eyes and saw Hunter in front of me.

"We're here." We immediately got out of the car and I was stunned by what I saw. We were in front of a huge building and I couldn't help but be amazed. The materials used on building it looks strong to be able to use it as the Realm of Monsters. I can't believe there's this kind of building here in Magic Word. We all turned our gaze with the car that has arrived. It was Team Magical University's. They all got out of the car and meet our gazes.

Amanda smirked at me and rolled her eyes as they walked toward the building with an escort. At the same time, we looked at a man who was probably in middle age and wearing a formal suit who suddenly stood in front of us. There are two women in uniform right next to him.

"Good morning, Team Alexandria. I'll be your escort for today, I'm Robert. You have seven hours to rest and then the Tournament will begin," he announced to us. "Follow me."

Just like what he said, we followed him, but Hunter and Rica separated from us. We just walked quietly inside the Arena. I thought it was huge outside, but it was even more huge inside.

There are people wearing lab gowns, I think they are scientists or doctors who are in charge of the tournament. There are large flat-screen televisions to be seen on the right side of the wide hall, and there are seats in the front that seem to be able to watch a show.

"That's where judges and other people will watch all of you while you're inside the open field," explained Mr. Robert as he referred to that part. "It is called Media Theater."

We passed through it and entered the elevator. Mr. Robert clicked the fifth button and the elevator lifted. When we got to the fifth floor, we were greeted by a wide hallway and many distant doors that look like a dormitory.

"Room 506 will be your room. Six beds, one bathroom, one mini-kitchen, and a living room enough for all of you." He handed the key to Isaac and he smiled at us. "We will give you phones which only work here inside the Arena. When you need something, you can use it to contact us."

Isaac nodded as Mr. Robert handed him the devices and when we got to the door of room 506, Isaac opened it and we entered. I was completely amazed when the beautiful room where we would rest for seven hours opened up to me.

There are beds near the veranda, and on the side is the living room. This is too much for us, there are only six of us, but it is too wide. It looks like two dorms are equivalent to the Academy. And it smells so good inside.

"Goodbye, players. Good luck and have a nice fight." Mr. Robert bowed down to us as well as those two women he's with. We did the same and they left immediately.

Lydia, Cath, and Kurt are laughing while Kristian went to the kitchen. Isaac and I stayed in the living room. We were on either side of the long sofa and no one was talking. It is awkward knowing that I'm avoiding them while they're around. It's hard, I'm not feeling comfortable at all.

"Althea--" before Isaac had finished what he was about to say, there was a knock on the door, so I immediately stood up to open it and to avoid Isaac.

When I opened it, Hunter came up to me and I was surprised. "What are you doing here? How did you find out our room number?" My eyebrow furrowed.

I went out and a moment of silence enveloped us throughout the hallway. "Rica and I are just in the other room."

"Don't you want to rest--"

"I don't want to. Let's go to the rooftop." He didn't wait for what I was going to say, and he pulled me toward the elevator, and he clicked the last button on the upper side of the elevator. He seemed to know the ins and outs of here.

When we reached the rooftop, it had a roof that was high to cover the sunlight. "I want to show you something." He pulled me again to the edge of the rooftop and as we peeked there, my stomach almost turned upside down. It was too high for me to handle.

"The view here is amazing." He was amused as he raised his hand to feel the air. This place is spacious and amazingly beautiful.

"Do you think we'll make it?" I asked him so he stopped and looked at me. I somehow feel afraid now, knowing that one of us might die inside the Realm of Monsters.

"Isaac is a good leader. He may not be a good person, to begin with, but he is a good model and a leader. He surpassed me in many things. And I am sure you will be able to get out because you are all good." He closed his eyes and felt the wind again, I just stared at him as he did that. "Isaac is angry towards me because he thinks that I'm the one to blame for Rhian's death."

I frowned at what he said. "What do you mean?" I did not know that such a thing had ever happened.

"Before all of these, Isaac and I are like brothers. He treated me more like a brother than Isaiah. You know him?" He asked so I immediately nodded. The jerk. "I didn't know I'd fall for her, as well as Isaiah. The truth is, Rhian is someone you could never forget that easily. Every action she makes, every word she'd utter will make you fall for her. But I put aside my feelings for Rhian because my friendship with Isaac weighs more heavily on me. Until that day came..."

He did not speak for a while, so I was even more curious. "What happened that day?"

He chuckled, drastically. "Isaiah ruined everything. When Isaac found out that Isaiah liked his girlfriend and it seemed that he was forcing Rhian to break up with Isaac, he was angry with his older brother. But Isaiah told Isaac about my feelings for Rhian. He told Isaac that I am in love with his girl, and he never talked to me again. He didn't let me explain."

I clenched my fist in anger at Isaiah. He's a piece of shit. Even when I first met him, my blood was heavy on him. I didn't know he ruined Isaac and Hunter's friendship.

"So, when Rhian and I participated in the Tournament, Isaac thought I would take away Rhian from him. Believe me, I protected Rhian inside the Realm of Monsters. I did everything I could... I--" I hugged him, and I know how painful it was for him.

"I know you did. I believe in you, Hunter." I know him, he's a good man and I also know he tried everything "Why is it that everyone I like, Isaac is the first to own," he joked. He caressed my face and smiled at me. "If only I'm selfish enough, I'd fight for you."

I don't know what Hunter meant when he said that, but I know he was sincere in what he said. He's more than what meets the eye. I hope the next person he likes, will like him back.

He walked me back to room 506 and when we got there, he faced me. "Good luck, Althea. I'll always be here for you."

I smiled and hugged him. "Wish us luck, Hunter. Tonight, will be hard for us..." I remembered Isaac. I know he is having a hard time now more than us. "... especially for him."

It will always be like this, I guess. At the end of the day, I still love him that it hurts so badly to let go but I have to.