Since Austin could not work on any new enchantments, he decided it was best to take it easy. While Maya was extensively working on her Essence, Austin decided he would give Ava a break from watching Elliot. Ava had been a great help to the two, but Elliot was still their kid. He did not feel right having Ava always watch over him.

  Austin sat with Elliot at the edge of camp. The camp had turned quiet due to most people meditating. The only real noise was the sound of children playing and some quiet talk. Those who did not talk did not want to disturb those who were mediating.

  “Uh, what do you want to do?” Austin asked awkwardly. He had gotten into such a zone with his work that he was not really sure what to do with Elliot. This was not uncommon, though. The same thing happened a lot back before the Survival Game.

  “Play!” Elliot’s eyes beamed as he smiled broadly. Austin was always happy to see that smile. Despite Austin’s feelings about himself, when he saw Elliot smile, he felt like he could do no wrong.

  “I figured that,” Austin chuckled. “What do you want to play?”

  Elliot grabbed Austin’s arm and started to pull. “Climb?”

  That made sense. Elliot could not climb and wrestle with the other children like he could with Austin. Austin smiled as he got down on all fours, ready for Elliot to climb all over him. Elliot immediately took the invitation and pulled himself up Austin’s arm. Each pull took Elliot considerable effort until he managed to pull himself onto Austin’s back. As Elliot made it on Austin’s back, he wrapped his arms tightly around Austin’s neck.

  “Crazy horsey!” Elliot exclaimed as he held Austin tighter.

  At Elliot’s request, or more like an order, Austin started to move. Austin immediately flung his arms and body upwards. As he did, Elliot dangled from his neck as he tried to hold on. As quickly as Austin flung his arms upwards, he brought them down and kicked with his back legs. Elliot’s grip grew tighter as his legs were kicked into the air. Austin continued this process as Elliot was sent rocking back and forth. Elliott’s laughter echoed throughout the camp, and Austin could not help but laugh too. The pure playful joy from Elliot radiated throughout Austin and brought him back to his own childhood. Back when Austin could just play and did not have the worry of the world on his back.

  Eventually, Elliot’s arms grew tired, and he let go of Austin as Austin threw himself upward. With his enhanced reflexes and speed, Austin quickly turned around and threw his arms underneath Elliot. Elliot safely landed in his arms as Austin cradled him.

  “Cool,” Elliot’s eyes grew wide in a mixture of shock and excitement. Austin realized that Elliot had not really seen Austin’s enhanced abilities.

  “Phew, that was close,” Austin sighed in relief as he set Elliot on the ground. Afterward, he lightly patted Elliot’s head. “Sorry if I went a little too hard, buddy.”

  Elliot shook his head with a broad smile before he said, “No, lots of fun.”

  “Good,” Austin smiled. “You want to keep playing?”

  Elliot responded with an excited nod. Before Austin could do anything else, Elliot already pulled on his arm. Austin got back on all fours as Elliot wanted. This time, Elliot climbed all over Austin. As he did, the pair started to wrestle. Austin acted like Elliot had gotten him several times before he lightly threw him to the ground.

  The play eventually took its toll on Elliot. He struggled to keep his eyes open as he rubbed them. Until he could no longer fight sleep. He curled up in his sleeping bag and began to close his eyes.

  “Just five minutes,” Elliot said drowsily as he fell asleep.

  Austin brushed his hand through Elliot’s hair as he fell asleep. While sleeping, he looked almost completely different. The wild child was replaced by a peaceful toddler. As Austin moved his hand away from Elliot, he brought Elliot’s sleeping bag in tighter. He then opened his book on intermediate enchantment and started to study it. While he could not work a new enchantment in practice, he still could study.

  Austin did not get the chance to study long before he was approached by someone. The man who approached him was not someone he had talked to before. He was a little younger than Austin and very handsome. Austin considered himself to be of average height and appearance. While this man was tall and handsome. His blonde hair added to the stark contrast of the two. The man was James, the new resident of their camp.

  “Cute kid,” James commented as he walked up to Austin.

  “Thanks,” Austin responded coldly as he peered over his book. He really was not in the mood to talk, especially with James.

  While Austin knew that working with James was a necessary evil, he did not like it. Katie had informed Maya about his actions in the Survival Game, and Austin could not approve of him fully. Once James came back from his master, he was interested in gathering the strongest warriors to work under him. He did this by gathering people from all over the forest and promising them safety underneath him. Of course, many took the opportunity. After he had gathered people, he forced them to go on more and more dangerous scouting missions in the forest. The worst was that he did not allow people to take breaks between missions. Then, once a person failed a mission, he would leave them to die. A good portion of the camp, including Zoe and Katie, were part of that group of people. Natasha had luckily found and saved them before the beasts of the forest took them.

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  James had told Natasha that he had a change of heart, but Austin still could not be sure. He did not feel like people suddenly changed like that. He worried about what would happen after they dealt with Chet. Would James turn on them? He claimed that he worried about the future of humanity, but his prior actions showed differently.

  “I just realized that we had not gotten the chance to talk,” James said with a smile. It was a politician’s smile. One that unnerved a person because they knew that it hid hidden desires. “I figured that we should get to know each other since we both trained with a master. I figured you are an important figure in the camp.”

  “I guess you make a good point,” Austin said as he shut his book.

  “Mind if I take a seat then?” James asked.

  “Go ahead,” Austin said as James already started to sit down. Obviously, James only asked as a formality and was going to sit anyway. “So, what do you want to talk about?”

  “I can tell you aren’t a man who likes small talk. So, I figure we can talk about the future we envision for these people once we get back home,” James said. “Personally, I think we should continue to work together, but I think we will need some sort of structure once we are back on Earth. The other species that will invade our planet will not be kind, and we must stay united.”

  “You know, I do agree with you that we should stay united,” Austin said before his eyes narrowed. “But there is a problem. I don’t really like you. I’m not Natasha, I won’t make pleasant conversation just because.”

  “I had a feeling you would say that,” James said. “I’m not disappointed. In fact, I think I like that about you. You’re a guy who is looking out for the best interests of his family. I hope that I can prove to you that working together is in their best interests.”

  “Maybe you will, but until then, I’m not going to put my guard down around you,” Austin said.

  “You are just giving me more and more of a reason to like you,” James laughed as he patted Austin’s back. Austin quickly shrank away from his touch in response. “Natasha and I put on fronts even Luke did. We put on a persona that we feel best fits our interests. I’m not saying that Natasha doesn’t care about the people here, but she does put on a persona. You, on the other hand, are so genuinely you.”

  “What’s your point?” Austin said flatly.

  “It’s sort of refreshing. You don’t compromise yourself, and I think that it attracts people. You don’t use a persona just honesty,” James said.

  “I really don’t care to be analyzed,” Austin rolled his eyes.

  “Oh, sorry about that. I am leading to a point. I personally think you are a better choice to lead than Natasha or me,” James said.

  “And what does Natasha think about that?” Austin asked with a raised eyebrow.

  “I haven’t brought it up with her, but I think she may agree if I talk to her,” James said.

  “Why would she agree? I don’t even see why you would want to give up power,” Austin said doubtfully.

  “As the situation stands, I have people loyal to me, and she has people loyal to her. But everyone seems to like you. You haven’t even really talked to my men, and they seem to have an interest in you,” James explained. “I know that many people don’t like me for my past actions, and I can’t blame them. Which is why I think you can be the factor that unites everyone.”

  “That is pretty sound logic,” Austin nodded. “I’m not sure if I want to lead, though. So, let’s wait and see what happens after we take care of Chet.”

  “Fair enough, I can wait until then,” James nodded. “We should take care of the problem ahead of us, first.”

  “Good, at least you understand that,” Austin said. “Is there anything else you need?”

  “Just one more thing,” James said. “I have sent some of my men to scout the overall forest. It seems like Chet is sitting back right now. I’m not sure if he is planning an attack or waiting for the game to end.”

  “Did he notice your men? I’m sure that would cause him to attack or worse,” Austin said.

  “No, my men are pretty good at hiding their presence. Well, some of them at least,” James said. “I do think that he is trying to gain more power, regardless of his overall plan. Do you know of a hill with a large Essence fruit tree?”

  “Yes, it is actually where I first encountered him,” Austin replied.

  Austin was confused, though. He knew there was no way that Chet had been using that as a base this whole time. That would be too obvious a spot to stay. Austin just did not know why Chet chose to stay there. Was he just to get more power? Or was it a challenge to Austin?

  “Interesting,” James said as he held his chin in thought. “He seems to be gorging himself on the fruits like he is trying to gain even more power. But it is interesting that was the first place you met him.”

  “I agree. I feel like he dislikes me as much as I dislike him,” Austin said. “It may be a challenge. Like he wants to end it where we started.”

  “I think you are right,” James nodded. “Regardless, I think we need to make a move as soon as possible. While he does not have the control that we have, we cannot let him continue to gain all that raw power. Not to mention, we are coming close to the end of the Survival Game. He needs to be stopped before we are back on Earth.”

  “I actually agree with you,” Austin said. “He will just be a bigger problem if he is allowed on Earth. When do you think we should move out then?”

  “I think tomorrow has to be the day,” James said. “It gives everyone a day of rest.”

  Austin let out a breath. He was worried it needed to be that soon. That was what he thought too, but he did not want to admit it. “I think you are right. Tomorrow, everyone gathers for the battle.”