Chapter 26

KAIDA'S POV...

For over the next two days I, Axton, and others, all stay in the A3 Prison.

That morning, I was sitting with Axton outside the building we were currently occupying. He was speaking with some of his men about something I didn't quite understand, but since it seemed like just something they usually discussed amongst themselves, I minded my business and focused on looking around.

This was as far as I was left to wonder for over two days, just in front of the building, and Axton was always by my side; it was either him, Thane, or Zarek. They were literally switching roles of who stayed with me while the others went to do some stuff.

I was growing with curiosity. Each day, I wanted to know my current surroundings; I wanted to get familiar with it and at least, get to move around and do things like every other person did.

I didn't want to feel as if I was being caged. I knew they all cared about me getting in trouble or, worse...Kidnapped, but I knew how to be careful. I wanted to live.

I suddenly remembered something, I can only be trusted to go out on my own if I get them to believe that I can fend for myself.

Fine, I needed to start from somewhere.

As I prepared to speak to Axton, I was glad to see the men he was speaking to taking their leave.

"Axton," I called.

He turned to me immediately, "What's the problem, Kaida?" He asked.

His face was always so stoic whenever he spoke to me, but I've come to look beyond his cold looks and focus on his kind intentions toward me.

"I want to see more of our surroundings, I've not gone anywhere for over two days, and I want to be able to associate with others," I calmly informed him.

Axton was looking at my face; he was going to say something, but I already knew what he was going to say so I hurried and interrupted him, "How about I start from undergoing training?" I questioned.

Axton remained quiet, making me tense. He wanted to carefully think about what I had said before he could reply.

"You want to train with the team members?" He asked.

I nodded my head, "Yes."

"Alright," He stood and offered his hand to me.

I slowly stood from the elevated rock I was sitting on and took his hand.

Axton led me into the building and toward the room he shared with Thane. I entered and stood beside the door while he went over to his bag and brought out something from it.

I watched curiously as he walked back to me, holding something that was wrapped in a black cloth in his hand.

"Take it, you'll be needing it," He gave me the cloth-wrapped object.

I took it from him and unwrapped it and I couldn't believe my eyes, "My dagger!" I squeaked excitedly.

Axton nodded.

"How did you find it? Where did you find it?" I was giddy with excitement as I ran my fingers around the familiar lines of my dagger's handle.

"I found it around Factory 29 when I and my team went to search the area, and I knew it would belong to you," He replied.

I smiled at him, "Thank you."

"Come, I'll arrange some squad members for you to practice with," He informed.

I nodded and followed him out of the room.

We reached outside and the men were gathered together, discussing. He walked toward them and called someone.

"Andre, take her with you and arrange more men to fight with her," Axton ordered.

I was taken to an area with a dwarf wooden fence used to mark out the fighting area.

Andre was the first to teach me some basic punches and kicks and then I went ahead to fight with Lex. I put all my concentration into the fight because I knew that Axton, Thane, and Zarek were by the side watching my performance.

I made sure I showed a strong desire to learn and fight, and from the astonished looks I saw on the faces of the men, I knew I was doing great in impressing the men.

"Wow! You're really impressive, Kaida," Zarek was clapping as he walked up to me after I defeated the last team member In a fight.

"Didn't know my princess was a fighter too," Zarek put his arm around me and led me toward Axton and Thane.

"Nice job, Princess," Thane commented as I reached his front.

I could see Axton staring at him in surprise for joining Zarek in addressing me "Princess."

"Thank you," I said to Thane.

Axton didn't say anything but the look in his eyes showed that he was also impressed by my performance.

"Hugo's coming," Zarek said, pointing at the side.

I looked and saw Hugo walking over to us with a few squad leaders by his side.

"It's about the teams we sent to scout the border," Axton informed.

The squad leaders reached to us and Hugo gave Axton a curt nod before he glanced at me.

'Why was he always awkward around me?' I thought.

"The teams sent out have just returned," Hugo informed.

"And what's the status of the border?" Axton asked.

"The reports indicate that there is no immediate movement from the border guards," Hugo responded.

"We sense that other prisons may have already descended into chaos," Another man replied beside Zeno.

"I suggest that we should proactively attack District 11, They won't see us coming because they'd least be expecting our attack," Hugo proposed a harsh retaliation against the District 11 garrison commander.

Axton remained silent, observing Hugo while Zarek spoke up. "I'd like to remind you that the commander is a scion of a prominent family from the capital and has never been defeated; a surprise attack would only be a surprise for a second and in the next second, his men will be on our neck," Zarek reasoned.

Axton slowly nodded, "The District 11 fortress is guarded by a hundred thousand troops if not more," He pointed out. "Is everyone willing to fight for a chance of survival?" He asked.

The squad leaders exchanged a look and each nodded their heads. "We will not back down; we are ready to fight for survival," The other man declared on behalf of the group.

Axton knew that my appearance as a female Purifier in the desolate District 12 was an extraordinary occurrence. The border guards, the central government, and the parliament of District 1 are still unaware as if a storm is brewing, ready to destroy everything.