Jonas smiled, happy that even if he couldn't do much else surrounded by all of the magic, he could make people laugh. That, Jonas supposed, was its own sort of magic.

At the mention of Amika, he bashfully looked down, "Ah... Thank you, Kaitlyn... That means a lot."

Maybe one day they'd be safe enough Jonas could make them laugh when their life wasn't in danger.

-

Jason was prepared to listen to some petty, stupid, or ridiculous drama that should have been left behind a long time ago.

What Jolon actually told Jason blew him away, making him go slack-jawed and glossy-eyed as he stared at the witch.

The immortal witch.

It made Addilyn's task of killing him seem even more impossible.

...

And Addilyn... Kit's concerned cries were pushed to the back of Jason's mind.

He had to focus.

Jason doubted Jolon would tell the complete truth, and that he was really the "savior" he claimed to be. It was likely, though, that his words were based on the truth.

And that is what scared Jason.

He had to say something. Jolon might suspect him... Jason blinked.

Once.

Twice.

....

He asked himself why, after everything Jolon just told him, he still was going along with the plan.
Perhaps Jason couldn't imagine his Addilyn doing those things. The same Addilyn who loved with all her heart but was afraid to show it, the same Addilyn who couldn't swim, yet held the ocean in her eyes, the same Addilyn who had wanted to be in the military, armed with her bow, the same Addilyn who cuddled with him cuddled with him in the trailer when his father was out again... The same Addilyn who saved Jason's life more times then he could count...

That could not be the same Addilyn of Jolon's stories. Something was desperately wrong, and Jason would fight with every fiber of his being to make it right.

So, yes.

Jason would stick with the plan, and help rid the world of the tyrants and evil that was Jolon and his advisers.

He had to say something...

"Sir... I..." Jason had no clue what to say, "You are a hero, then.... I apologize for originally suspecting you of anything else... You've singlehandedly saved the world. I pledge my allegiance to you, Sir. Th...thank you."

Jason was surprised by how convincing he sounded, even to his own ears.

Perhaps he wasn't as sure as he thought he was...

Now was not the time for doubt.
Jason would have to figure it all out later. For now, he had to push away all emotion, and do the job he was given.

Even if it killed him.

Kaitlyn smirked at Ribs' face, his obvious liking of Amika was quite adorable for such a man. Though Kaitlyn had learned in all her years of life that things often happened the way you would least expect them to. She glanced over to Addilyn, she truly hope that wasn't the case for Addilyn's fight.

A woman entered the room, her eyes a soft carmel color and her hands with a spiral pattern printed on them. She looked absolutely nervous and it didn't help that as soon as she'd entered Addilyn had frowned. "H-hi, my name is Isabelle Laurel, Level 2, rating witch. I'm here to figure out what your rating is Ms. Garcia."

The name made Addilyn wince in disgust, her green eyes closing as she gathered herself, not wanting to snap at the girl that had probably just turned 17. "It's Stevenson, not Garcia. And go ahead." Addilyn put out her hand for the other girl to take, which she did cautiously.

The reaction was immediate, for a moment the girl stood there, dumbfounded, then just as suddenly she snapped her hand back. A sudden terrible fear flooding her eyes. "There's something wrong with you. I don't know what it is but you are not who you claim you are. I assign you a level 9, that's all I could get out of your reading. Please don't talk to me again." The girl seemed terrified, her body shaking badly as she left.

Addilyn looked at her own hand, face filled with confusion as Kaitlyn looked on Sadly

~~~~~

Jolon watched as Jason went through shock, as was normal for such a situation. It was only natural that Jason would react in such a way. Jason's pledge of allegiance to Jolon made a wicked grin appear on his face. "That is good Jason, I thought it would be best to tell you, so you could understand better why I do what I do, and to discredit any lies Addilyn may have told you about me." Jolon shrugged as he looked out over his arena, an immense sadness covering his gaze as he tried quickly to hide it.

"I have been alive for a very long time, and I never ever wanted to hurt Addilyn, or Lilith. I still don't. I never will want to." Jolon truly did not want to hurt Addilyn, but he wanted her to do things his way, and in every life she refused him. It had become an endless, tiring cycle.

Kit's cries were somehow making it through the muzzle, which annoyed Jolon to no end. Luckily, his own familiar was arriving. The large barn owl swooping in and sending Kit tumbling. "Kit do shut up, you are annoying my witch." The female's inner voice was much cooler, and colder than Kit's, her voice caught Kit off guard and for a moment he just stared. His back bleeding slightly from her sharp talons.

"Go to hell Cathy, you've tortured us for far to long. Stop messing with us." Kit's mind speech with the other familiar was violent and he was now standing, his back arched as he stared at Cathy. "Oh I'm sorry, did I disturb your mourning for your fake life? Your mourning for Addilyn and not Lilith?"

Kit launched himself at Cathy, his claws fully out as they tumbled about. Though pretty soon Cathy had pinned down Kit, since he did have the muzzle on and could not shred her to pieces. "Don't start something you can't finish cat." Kit slapped Cathy with his claws out one more time before she got off him. Jolon watched with a glare as Cathy's pretty pale feathers began to turn a light red from Kit's sharp claws.

Kit slowly got up, his injuries aching as Cathy joined her witch on his nice chair. The cat sat but stared at the ground, containing his sadness and betrayal that Addilyn had given him. As she had not wanted it, neither did Kit but he didn't have much of an option. Besides, those emotions were there regardless of what Addilyn had put into him.
The duo had been deceived. And now Kit mourned for the ignorant life they once had. A life where they were Addilyn Garcia and not the monster witches warned their children about.

-----

Jason figured being speechless would be acceptable, and honestly didn't know what lie he could even tell. It was all of his ability to simply nod, and stare out at the area, thinking hard.

When Jolon's familiair flew in, Jason jumped, surprised when he heard her speak too. He stared at the rumble, fighting to keep the look of cool detachment on his face. When both creatures separated, Jason was relieved. He could hear Kit's turmoil, and was relieved to hear it. That meant that this was also a surprise to Kit, meaning Addilyn, no matter what degree of truth Jolon's stories held, didn't lie to him. She had told him when she knew, and believed to be true.

After openly staring at the owl at Jolon's side, Jason figured he should say something, "So, Uh, Sir? May I ask something... about your familiar?"

Addilyn stared at her hands for a long moment before looking up to meet Kaitlyn's sad eyes. "Wha-what was she talking about? And isn't Jolon a level ten?" Addilyn stared at her two witch friends, Zane was avoiding her eyes, as if hiding something...

"No idea what she was talking about, and yes, Jolon is a level ten. But that girl obviously didn't get a good reading. She was preoccupied with whatever else she saw. Addilyn look at me." Kaitlyn's voice was firm and the girl's gaze drifted over to her, she looked unfocused, dazed, and the most surprising to them all, a little scared.

"Addilyn you are strong, powerful, and absolutely gifted. You've been through so much and I promise once this is over, you can rest dear. You can get on with the life you were never allowed to have. I believe in you. We all believe in you. So when you go out there, you're gonna beat all of those witch's assess and you're gonna do amazing. Okay?" Addilyn stared at Kaitlyn as she spoke, and slowly nodded in reply, the fear slowly, oh so slowly, disappearing from her beautiful green eyes.

~~~~

Kit sat there, paws covering his little ears, when for a moment, an uncontrollable anger filled him where the fear had once been. He assumed that there was some sort of fluke in Addilyn's spell. That she was so nervous, so scared for this fight, that somehow the spell binding her 'weak' emotions to him had broke for a moment. It was scary, to see that Addilyn was so nervous for this fight that she was breaking through the barrier Jolon himself had put up to block them from being connected.

Kit stared straight at Jason for a moment, letting this information flow through him into Jason. Just so that the boy, no, man, was aware that this was happening.

"Of course Jason, ask away. And this is Cathy by the way." The owl stared intently at Jason, her black eyes practically reading his very soul.

Jonas didn't know how he could possibly contribute, and only gave Addilyn a cheesy thumbs up. Surrounded by all of these witches who could evaporate him with a snap of their fingers, Jonas was wary, but knew he wouldn't back down. Not when his friends were there too. He would support Addilyn to the best of his ability.

--------

Jason processed Kit's information quickly, a brief Hope blooming that if Addilyn was strong enough to break Jolon's spells, she could best him.

But now Jolon was waiting.

The owl... Cathy... unnerved Jason, but he tried not to show it, "If you are immortal, and have been living for a long time... does that mean your familiar has been alive the whole time? And... you said that one time... uh... that you died, then came back... is it the same familiar?" Jason realized he may have let his own curiousities wander too far, "Sorry! I overstepped. Ms Cathy is a beautiful owl."

Addilyn gave Jonas a weak smile as she settled back into her seat. Closing her eyes and balancing herself as she had once always done before any fight.

~~~~

Jolon chuckled lightly at Jason's seemingly innocent behavior. Jolon was not stupid, he knew that Jason was undoubtedly having second thoughts about this whole thing, he could only hope he had convinced Jason enough. That he had told him enough bad things to get their unbreakable bond to sever.

If only for this life time.

"Ah, it is okay to be curious, though other people do not believe this, I do. My Cathy has been alive for as long as I have. We died back in.... ancient Greece I believe, and she was known by a different name back then. Cathy has always been with me, as has Addilyn's Kit. Though he has always been a little pest." Cathy made no noise but it seemed as if she was laughing. "You hear that Kit? You're a pest to most everyone." Kit did not reply, he was busy staring through the glass balcony to the arena below.

"It seems as if the first fight is beginning." Asmodeus' voice was rather loud, and made all the other men go silent as the announcer blared over the speakers.

~~~~~

Addilyn's eyes opened moments before the woman walked into the room, a different woman than from before. "It is time for your first fight Ms. Garcia. Please take the stairs to the left and your... friends can take the stairs to the right for their front row seats." Addilyn nodded as the woman disappeared out the door, the young witch stood, her black hair drifting with an invisible breeze. "I'd wish you luck but I don't think you need it." Zane smiled as he spoke, and Addilyn merely smirked before disappearing up into the arena.

Jason was involved in the short story, hiding his flash of sympathy for Kit. When Asmodeus announced the fight was starting, Jason felt his blood run cold, and knew his face was pale. Everyone was silent, so Jason felt he shouldn't talk either. His hands clenched the arms of the chair, repeating over and over again that Addilyn was strong enough, and that she could do this. The feeling of Jolon's cold mind broke him out of it, and Jason made his hands relax, and, to hopefully convince Jolon that Jason was on his side, muttered under his breath, "She's evil... it doesn't matter... calm down Jason. She doesn't matter."

An icy shield fell over his face, and suddenly, Jason appeared emotionless and indifferent.

Inside, he was anything but that.

--

this is stupidly short, but i dont have much to write about (i think)

It be fine))

Jolon shushed the other men as the announcer began to speak over the system, the voice shaking the crowd into silence as well. "Welcome back everyone, to the fight of the century! Addilyn Garcia has returned from her exile, wishing to challenge Jolon, but not for his throne. In an intense change of events, it seems that Addilyn Garcia is only here to murder our king!" The crowd released a collective gasp that seemed to sate Jolon's worry that thye would figure out that he hadn't exiled Addilyn, but she had left of her own accord. Though he supposed that she technically escaped and not left. The English language was much to complicated.

"Despite Addilyn's level nine, she still has to follow normal procedures, so Addilyn will be fighting the top five powerful people in our hierarchy. The first fight is against Angel Roma, level six." The boy walked into the arena, met with rounds of applause and a nervous smile on his face. He couldn't be any older than 15.

"Now for Addilyn Garcia!" Addilyn entered, met with reluctant applause and no sort of smile on her face. She just looked grimly determined. "Normal rules apply to this fight. Death is only allowed if Jolon says so. Though as Addilyn is unallied, she may kill who she wants. Begin!"

Kaitlyn sat in her seat quickly enough, between Zane and Ribs. She didn't look even slightly nervous, she believed in Addilyn. She was more worried for the poor boy who stood in front of her. He didn't stand a chance.

"Begin!" The word rang in Addilyn's ears and she didn't hesitate as she put up a barrier, which was immediately hit by the boy's earth spell that had been trying to throw rather sharp, large rocks at her. She slipped out of the barrier with ease and sent a wave of needles through Angel's skin. He screamed in pain as two tore through his skin.

Like a bullet.

Angel collapsed onto his knees and Addilyn wasted no time running at him and knocking him over. She put a knife to his throat and allowed him to gasp his words. "I quit, I quit." Addilyn pulled away just as fast, he shuddered for breath.

From what she could see, she had probably punctured his lungs.

Not that is mattered, because she was already walking away from him. Knowing it had only taken her twelve seconds to take him down. She looked up at Jolon's box, grinning maliciously for a moment before disappearing back into her waiting room.

Jonas had gasped out loud when he saw Addilyn's opponent. He hadn't seen much of Addilyn's magic in action, but still! That was a child. Jonas turned to Kaitlyn, his face bitter as Angel's screams riped through the stiff air, "So," Jonas spat out the words, "They send a child to do an adult's job. Everyone knows he had no chance. He knew he was walking towards a possible death. And yet? No one said anything." The fight, if you could even call it that, ended, and Jonas turned towards the area, but he wasn't looking at it, "This is fucking sick. She was already a level nine, and they sent a child who was level six. The rating doesn't mean much to me, but I know that a three level gap favors no one but the better warrior. No one."

Jonas wasn't sure why he felt such a disgust towards this fight. Maybe it was because he saw himself in Angel's pained face, having to fight a battle that wasn't his.

Only, Angel was facing an even bigger threat and danger than Jonas had in the past, and had people who dared to cheer.

-

Jason couldn't help it.

When the kid walked out, Jason turned to Jolon, "He is a child! Oh my god he is going to die." Jason roughly ran his hands through his hair, his face ashen. Even if it was to save her own life, Jason couldn't imagine killing a child. Good god he was a child. Jason's face was like ice as he watched, hands gripping the arms of his chair as the poor child fell. A whispered, "No!" slipped out, but Jason suppposed that it would only appear that he was against Addilyn, so didn't think much about it.

When Addilyn walked away, Jason let out a sigh, "Is he going to get medical attention?"

Zane watched with an angered expression, and Kaitlyn looked only sad. Children were always used up in the witch world. They never got the chance to be kids or allowed to grow. It was why Addilyn was so mentally... not available. She recognized that she was being cruel, she just didn't care. Not that that was an excuse, it was just that Kaitlyn knew that deep down Addilyn hated herself for doing what she'd just done.

Zane looked up at Ribs cursed the witches for their malevolence. Zane really couldn't agree more. He had lost everyone to Addilyn, who had only done it because she was a terrified 6 year old. That didn't stop him from being angry though, and he stormed down the stairs to greet Addilyn as soon as she walked in. Kaitlyn got up from her chair quickly, muttering a simple, "I fucking hate my job," before hurrying after.

Addilyn was busy collecting herself for the next fight when she got pushed into the wall by another teen. Her eyes narrowed as she glared up at Zane. "What the hell are you doing? Can you not see that I'm walking here?" Her words were as sharp as one of her invisible weapons as Zane glared at her. "You could have killed him. He was 15 Addilyn, 15!" Zane looked like he was ready to murder Addilyn while she seethed in front of him. "Look, I was only doing what he needs to learn to do anyways. He'll be wiser to different shields now." Zane didn't hesitate, he took a step forwards and slapped Addilyn across her face.
"Do you have any idea who he is? He is Aegeus Roran. He has been through more in this one life remembering who he is than anything you've even dealt with in this one. You think you're so special because you're so powerful. Well let me make one thing clear, you ar enot special, you are weak and a coward for almost killing a practically defenseless boy. You don't even know who you are. And that's what sickens me the most, because you don't know how many times over I could kill you and you'd still owe me. Go to hell." Zane's voice was a near shout as Addilyn trembled with rage, a red mark on her face from where he had hit her. She made a start for Zane when a deep red barrier appeared between the two, throwing Zane backwards and stopping Addilyn in her steps.

"That is enough, both of you. Zane, go up to your seat and calm down. Addilyn, you stay down here and chill, you're up again in ten." Kaitlyn waited as Addilyn returned to her seat in her room while Zane went back up to his arena seat. Kaitlyn sighed, the tension was so high and Zane was just getting started.

Jolon knew Addilyn would never kill the kid, he reminded her to much of herself. Fighting to be prove herself. Kit winced and didn't watch as Addilyn finished the fight. Her anger was malable and he didn't want to feel her piercing stare.

"He will be okay, thank you for asking. Fortunately, Addilyn was definitely going easy on him. She was just teaching him the workings of the world. Something I managed to teach her that she took a little too far, obviously." He gestured to the child that lie limply on the ground. Everyone was returning to their business, going to the restroom or getting more food before the next fight. "He will be okay, Angel is a good kid." And just like that medics rushed the boy and rushed him down to the Below. Kit said nothing, just laid down and covered his headwith his paws, his obvious grief causing Cathy to release a noise of soft amusement. "Your Addilyn is a monster," her words were filled with hate as she tried, and failed, to get a reaction out of Kit.