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Realistic or Modern Oracle Manor

Those dark eyes of his took in everything about Essa as she made her way up to the stage. He noticed the roll of her hips, or those velvet swirls of her dress as they bunched with each leg up the stairs, there was a slit in the dress too and Hayden found that glimpse of tanned skin and toned leg almost maddening. He found himself resisting the urge to march up those stairs right after her so that he might tug his jacket over her shoulders and glare into the cameras. The idea that the rest of the world could see how much she revealed in that dress was inexplicably frustrating.

The MC was quick to dive into his questions and Hayden settled back, the picture of ease, minus the way his knee tapped impatiently. The MC painted a picture of Essa's life that didn't surprise Hayden, and based off how much he pressed the woman about the finery she now found herself, he hadn't been far off with his assumptions of her lack of wealth. His eyes narrowed on the way she held her head high, promising to give the viewers at home someone worthy of their support. He had to admit he enjoyed how well she seemed to control the answers and gave only what she wanted to give. Those left in the audience loved it too and Hayden took his eyes off her for just the briefest moment to look around the room and saw the effects of her charm.
That wouldn't do.

He turned back to watch just as a surprising new tidbit of information was revealed and from the way Essa's features dimmed at the mention of her sister Esther. He took in each detail, the way her lips curved down just the slightest before returning to something more neutral- the glance down to the floor and the way her fingers twitched over the fabric of her gown. He listened with rapt attention as Essa earnestly spoke of the sister waiting at home for her and he wondered what it might be like to have someone watching the TV and cheering for him. Someone that wanted nothing but the best for him without any strings or stipulations. He almost had to shake his head to get rid of those nonsense thoughts, thoughts like those didn't produce winners.

When it came time for Essa to display her talent Hayden leaned forward in his seat, his elbows pressed to his knees as he watched the woman approach the edge of the stage. There was something intense in her gaze as it zeroed in on the camera just in front of her. She sang with no accompaniment, letting her voice seep through the echoing halls that seemed to almost join in with her song. She sang beautifully- so softly and melodically Hayden found himself trapped under the same spell she wove over everyone else and when she was done the entire room burst into applause at the sight of the woman with her sad eyes and beautiful voice.

Hayden blinked himself out of the stupor she had placed him under and when she rushed past him he could all but feel the anxious energy emanating off of her. He knew he should stay, knew that he should watch the other contestants for their weaknesses, after all only half of Hades chosen had gone up- but he couldn't let her march out those halls alone, not when his enemy was weak. There was something languid about the way he rose up from his chair, folding his jacket over his arm and followed after her.

He slipped out the doors just as the next contestant was called up and saw Essa pressing herself to wall just across the way. His dark eyes lit up in challenge when she noticed him.

"And now she's a song bird." He mused to himself. "She sings of a warm hearth, a loving family and a home." His lip curled a little with each passing word, all of those things he'd never really had- not that he wanted them of course. Certainly he had the finest penthouse apartment that money could buy, but was it ever truly a home when the decorators chose everything down to the sheets you slept between? "Who would have thought Athena's chosen would sing her little heart out when the goddess might have wanted a warrior?" He mused taking a step closer to her, there was something feral in his mind that enjoyed she had no place to back up from him. He took one more step and bent his head to look down at her.

His eyes moved over her face in both scrutiny and appraisal and he wondered what on earth was happening behind those eyes of hers.
 
As soon as Essa reached the quiet of the corridor, she leaned back against the wall, her head, tilted eyes closed. She needed a moment, just one moment--

And now she's a song bird.

Those glowing amber eyes snapped open immediately, searching for the source of the voice which she of course, already recognised. Her expression was blazing, angry - a far cry away from the haunted look that had overcome her on the stage. How dare he interrupt this time that she needed to pull herself together, how dare he follow her out here? Who on Earth did Mr Kaneko think he was?

It was clear that he'd caught up with her at the wrong time, although if Essa's mind had been clear enough she'd have realised that to him, this was the very right time. She was vulnerable, open to mistakes; perhaps the first being how she'd reacted to Esther's name, showing every last contestant in that room that she had a weakness. Though if that meant she won the prize... was it truly a mistake?

These thoughts buzzed around her mind like angry hornets seeking an escape; her nostrils flared as she noticed the curl of Hayden's lips when he approached her, the way he backed her against the wall, the way he needed to dip his head to look at her even though she was wearing heels. Her chest raged and her cheeks warmed but she didn't break eye contact, not once.

"You underestimate me," Essa seethed in response, meeting those dark, shark like hues with not a single ounce of fear. "Or perhaps you don't... seeing as you've taken the time to remove yourself from the show to follow me out here." The realisation wrote its story across her features as Essa's eyes began to change, as a smirk began to slowly replace the anger. Realisation.

"Hayden Kaneko, business man, millionaire... boxer, fiancé..." Her words were dripping with the poison she meant them to be coated in. "Or not..." Essa's tone was mocking, searching as she moved now, closer towards him, her face, her lips inches from his. "... Threatened by a timid, little songbird. Who'd have thought it?" The wild haired girl could feel his breath upon her face, could smell the scent of whatever cologne he was wearing. It was almost intoxicating really, but she was too in her feelings, her goal to notice Hayden's handsome features, the strong line of his jaw, the rows of dark lashes that lined his eyes.

"I may not be a match for you in the ring, Hayden. But out here... you know, you should really start watching your back. I've heard that songbirds are especially skilled at plucking worms from the dirt."
 
Essa seemed to have the nasty habit of finding just where to poke and prod at him, until Hayden no longer felt like he had the upper hand. It was absolutely unforgiveable. Hayden had no idea how she kept pulling the rug out from under his feet and it had a growl of frustration building in the back of his throat.

"If you think I could look at you and see a threat, you are sorely mistaken." He seethed at her, his dark eyes burning like the coals in Hephaestus's forge. That smirk she shot his way had his his palms hit the wall on either side of her head and he towered over her like a mighty beast that was ready to devour his prey. His fury that she would think he would crumble at her will fueled his spiteful words, and he refused to linger on the fact that a better, more composed man would have just walked away at this point. How could he, when she seemed to be able to look right through him. People bowed their heads in respect when he entered rooms and it was fucking maddening that she would think to sneer at his façade. She was inches from him, her lips the barest breath below his and he had the sudden image of driving his hand through her wild curls and anchoring her there as he plundered.

"No, I don't have to worry about you at all, song bird. I can see your wings are clipped already." He mused- looking down at her with heavy lidded eyes, his gaze slid down, meaningfully lingering on her lips and for half a moment he wondered if she would taste just as incredible as he imagined. Then he lifted away, pulling out of her intoxicating orbit, his palms left the wall and he gave Essa's cheek the slightest tap with the tips of his fingers, "you talk a big game Essa but I've yet to see anything that worries me, you walk among Gods with your head held high and yet you're blind." He stepped away from her and leveled Essa with one last lingering look.

"You're nothing to me. Not a threat, not a blip- but if you do try and "pluck" me, I will kill you." Hayden slipped back into the hall, not stopping, even if she called out to him in retaliation. What ever it was that was happening between them needed to stop. Hayden could still smell the lingering scent of her and when he considered sipping his head that extra inch to press his lips to hers he knew he couldn't have anything more to do with her. Essa was turning out to be a tempting weakness, one that diverted him away from all his hopes and dreams.

By the time he settled in another chair, one that let him keep an eye on the back door in case Essa decided to join again. He barely paid any attention to the on going acts and when the last of the contestants were finally finished the MC in all of his glittering glory bid them farewell, promising that the winning contestant would be found after the gods deliberation. Hayden lifted from his chair and found himself full of restless energy. Perhaps now that they had a little time to kill before a winner was announced he could find time to explore the house. He made sure Essa was nowhere in sight and he despised himself for avoiding her like a goddamned child but he feared if she shot him one more angry look he might just actually kiss her- which was completely unacceptable behaviour. He could just hear his grandmother in her screeching tone reminding him that he could be nothing short of perfect, and following that path with Essa was anything but.

Hayden walked down ornate halls, some filled with more bedrooms while others led to large libraries and open spaces where lush plants and cushy seating seemed like the perfect place to curl up and relax. He ignored any contestants he passed in the halls and when he rose to the third floor of the manor Hayden stumbled upon the most beautiful and up to date gym he'd ever seen in his life. Treadmills faced large windows that looked over the trees down to the ocean cliffs in the distance. He saw boxing equipment and weights that begged for his attention, and with a wry grin Hayden stepped into the room and headed right for the punching bag that seemed like the perfect place to put the fury and lust that Essa had lit within him.

All they could do now was wait.
 
Essa was nothing short of satisfied as she noted the way that Hayden's expression had twisted into pure, unadulterated fury. Gone was the smirking curl of his lips, the taunting words. What she had said to him had struck him somewhere that it mattered; he may not have seen her as a threat, but he certainly saw her as something and that's exactly what Essa had intended to happen. To distract Hayden, to put him off his game. It was good practice for those who mattered.

There was a look of triumph on her delicate features until the two hands slammed into the wall by her head, blocking her in, cutting off any escape route. For the briefest of moments as Hayden leaned down towards her, eyes so dark they swallowed his pupils, Essa wondered if she had pushed him too far. Slinking away was her forte, but a face to face battle? She was no match for him and they both knew it. Nevertheless, even as her own features contorted, darkened; she didn't take her eyes from his, didn't miss the drop of his gaze to her lips, just as she was sure he didn't miss the way hers parted in surprise, until his own words in return doused the flames that had started to lick around her heart.

Oh, Essa already believed that her wings had been clipped long ago. But right now it was her job to make the world, including Hayden, believe otherwise. Except it seemed that with him... she had failed already.

A look of disgust, of true irritation replaced her short-lived confidence as fingers ghosted across her flushed cheek. Though she would never admit it, Essa was surprised that Hayden pulled away from her. She wasn't sure what she had been expecting, but a retreat certainly wasn't it. In fact, in the absence that followed as he turned away from her fully, Essa was surprised that he left her feeling somewhat... empty. Not jubilant about what she had achieved, not pleased with the result but... lonely. And that didn't make any sense. Couldn't make any sense.

Hayden's threat rang in her ears as his footsteps did and although she wasn't sure what prompted her response, the words slipped from her lips of their own accord.

"I'd like to see you try, Mr Kaneko."

But Hayden didn't turn around, didn't even acknowledge that she'd spoken, let alone if he'd heard her, which in turn only made Essa feel worse. Small. Invisible. A mouse amongst cats. She wasn't cut out for this. She couldn't play this game, no matter how much she tried to convince herself. She was in out of her depth and it was high time she started to accept that. Only then did she stand a chance of winning this thing.

Letting out a slow, shaky exhale of very mixed emotions, Essa eventually began back to the main hall. She kept her head down as she did so, avoiding seeing or indeed even looking for where Hayden might now be. This had to stop. This... whatever it was. She needed to get her head in the game and properly this time. What mattered right now was awaiting the results of the trial they had just partaken in, so when the MC finally dismissed the audience, Essa slipped from the room and headed with a few others to the communal baths and pool, as a way to bathe and swim off the tension that lingered after her and Hayden's... encounter. Only then could she focus on the task at hand; defeating her actual opponents.
 
"I think you killed it." A charming voice sounded from behind Hayden as he delivered one last blow to the punching bag. The chain's keeping it in place groaned with the effort of the swaying bag and Hayden settled it before turning to see the man who'd been the first of Hade's chosen. Beau Montegue. While Hayden towered over the man, Beau seemed to make up for it with how incredibly sturdy he looked. Sweat dripped it's way down Hayden's nose and the boxer nodded his head in response to the quip, not quite able to catch his breath enough to speak yet. Chucking Beau went to a nearby mini fridge and tossed him a water bottle, one that Hayden caught and gratefully took a few chugs from before speaking.

"Thanks." He wasn't accustomed to thanking others, but in this case he'd been so lost in his head- he hadn't noticed the way his throat had begun to scratch from the harshness of his breath.

"That's quite the left hook you've got there. I'll do my best to make sure I'm not on the receiving end of it." Beau settled himself on the edge of a nearby weight lifting bench, a towel draped over his tree trunk of a neck. "I thought you fancy types we're all posh and soft edges- but I get the feeling you'd make it just fine on my dad's ranch." Beau chuckled, seemingly unperturbed from Hayden's lack of chatter.

"You're a ranch man then?" Hayden asked after one more sip of the bottle.

"Born and raised." Beau said proudly. "Dad wasn't quite sure what to make of the summons." Beau said good naturedly. "To be honest I wasn't either, but when my name was called for Hades it just felt... right." Hayden could relate to that, though he wouldn't tell Beau that. "Listen, I know we're all here to win in the end, but I've been doing some watching of the others and it seems to me that you and I are the last of Hades chosen to not team up." That was news to Hayden and he straightened looking down at Beau with pure suspicion written over his features.

"What are you suggesting Beau?" The growl that emitted from his throat was mostly directed at himself. He'd been so lost in how maddening Essa was and hadn't even noticed his competition was teaming up? Thank the gods he wasn't going near her again. Beau merely looked at the deadly anger emanating from Hayden and smiled.

"You and me, until it doesn't make sense anymore. I'll watch your back and you watch mine." Beau lifted to his feet and took a step closer to Hayden a hand held out in truce. Hayden regarded it for a moment before deciding. Beau's calloused hand was cool against his throbbing fingers, worn from the hits against the bag and the men gave their hands two firm pumps before dropping them.

"I thought you farm boy types spit in your hands before making deals." Hayden said dryly and Beau let out a deep booming laugh that seemed to make the walls shake.

"I thought it might offend your delicate rich boy sensibilities." He teased in return, retreating from Hayden and heading for the door to the hall. Beau's giant hand lingered on the wood and he seemed to consider his words before he spoke again. "You should know, I've heard Jacob Tran is quite eager to be rid of you." With that Beau left, leaving Hayden wondering what on earth he'd done to earn Jacob's mark. He turned to regard the punching bag once more when the TV's that were hung in front of every treadmill sparked to life, the glittering face of the MC shining out at him.

"Could Essa Hariki join us in the main hall! We're so eager to give you the first prize of the games!"

Hayden let out a growl, and ignoring the pain in his hands he began to punch the bag once more.
 
The moment that her name was announced, all eyes around and in the pool turned to search for Essa. She had been sat on one of the lounge chairs around the edge of the room, simply watching the comings and goings, planning and assessing when to join in instead of actually doing so. She could convince herself that she remained on the outskirts for a tactical advantage, but if she was honest with herself… Essa didn’t know how to fit in with these people. These people who were mostly, as far as she knew, from wildly different backgrounds to her. These people whom she couldn’t afford to get close to for the simple reason that most of them probably wanted her dead. It was for this reason then, that as much as her heart leapt upon hearing her name announced from the MC’s lips, a part of her also wanted to slip into the pool, away from the prying eyes of her competitors, beneath the rippling water where she could hide until she was alone once more.

Just as these thoughts were beginning to envelope her mind, as well as the shock at hearing her own name, Essa felt a presence beside her in amongst the hushed whispers.

“I believe congratulations are in order.” Amber eyes met with a large hand extended her way and Essa finally dipped her gaze upwards to be met with Julien’s handsome, if not slightly too polished, features. She was loathe to admit it, but in that moment Essa had never been happier to see him and without the reluctance she usually held, she placed her fingers into his palm and allowed him to pull her from the seat. “And I believe I should hand you commiserations in return,” Essa smirked lightly, to which Julien let out a quiet chuckle.

“It seems the Gods are more sympathetic than we took them for, and as much as it disheartens me that they didn’t prefer my heartfelt offering, I’m pleased at least that they didn’t pick Jay for his… juggling performance.”

Essa snorted at this and accepted the arm that was offered to her in place of Julien’s hand.

“Allow me to escort you?”

“I think I will on this occasion. For the simple reason that you may make an excellent shield against the knives that are now most likely coming for my back.”

Julien and Essa departed once more when they reached the stage. Essa hardly had time to question what his true motive was, as nerves began to once more bubble in her chest at the thought of being whisked back into the centre of attention. She took two deep breaths before allowing the spotlight to find her and forcing her lips to curl into an almost genuine smile.

“Essa Hariki, ladies and gentleman! Let’s give our first success a winner’s welcome, shall we?”

Essa watched as lights and confetti swarmed the room, as cameras rounded on her to find the winning shot. “So, Essa. It seems that the Gods are in favour of that beautiful voice of yours. How does it feel, to be noticed?”

The question was loaded and she knew she should have been expecting it but for a moment it took Essa a little by surprise. Thankfully, she recovered quickly. “Wait, you mean… You can actually see me?”

The MC guffawed but commented no further, while he awaited a more genuine response. Essa shook her head. “No, I mean it feels… good. Great, actually. I think I’m still in shock, if I’m honest. I didn’t expect this, I… I really didn’t. Not after so many other talents were demonstrated.”

“My dear, the Gods are nothing if not full of surprises,” the MC chuckled, “But I’m curious. Why do you think that you were chosen as the winner?”

Essa didn’t immediately answer, thinking on what she wanted to say. “I think that maybe it’s because my performance was… honest. It meant something, to me at least. But maybe the Gods saw that too. Who knows?”

“Who knows indeed, little dove.” The MC smiled but his face straightened almost instantaneously so that he could continue in the wake of her answer. “Now as you and the viewers may know, the first prize is a time sensitive conversation with the Gods’, in this case Athena’s, most recent Chosen. What you choose to learn from this conversation is up to you and so my advice to you my dear… would be to use it wisely. And so without further ado…!”

The MC moved away from Essa then, beckoning his arm out to a set of double doors behind him. They were grand, ornate and opened slowly, revealing a blast of white light that meant the contents within were completely unidentifiable. “Through these doors, Essa Hariki, your prize awaits. Now go forth, seek your destiny… and we shall see for ourselves at the next trial, whether it was all worth it.”

Essa took a breath as she slowly turned towards the light and with one last lingering thought about what this could mean for her, she stepped into it.
 
If there was one thing that Hayden hated in the world, it was loosing. In the three days that had passed since their first official competition Hayden had grown more and more surely by the day, his mind warred against him, and he mulled over and over again what he could have done differently to have secured his victory. Thanks to his grandmother's training, Hayden could have pulled out any number of talents to wow the crowds and the Gods. Difficult piano sonatas, the perfectly stepped waltz, long soliloquies on achievable world peace- and yet the Gods had chosen the song bird. They had chosen the earnest woman with the wild hair and her heartfelt song that still echoed through his mind in waking and in sleep.

It fucking infuriated him.

Beau had taken to brining him peace offerings of fine whiskey stolen from behind the bars manned by a few of the workers over the days. He told Hayden that if the malty brown liquor didn't put a smile on his face then he truly was a lost cause. Hayden merely stewed and did everything in his power to avoid Essa as they waited for their next challenge. He may not have seen her over the days, and yet he couldn't take his mind off of her- of what she might have learned with her victory prize. He sat with Beau, his whiskey balanced on his knee, slumped low in the little loveseat near the window, listening with only half an ear as Beau remarked on the finery the window pane revealed to them.

"... my pa always said there wasn't anything more pretty than the plains but I think he might have been wrong."

"Hmm." Hayden grumbled, earning him an exasperated look from the rancher.

"Careful now city-boy, or else I'll think you're a sore loser." Beaus words made Hayden sit up straighter, a remark that he watch his tone already brewing when the TV's in the house once more came to life and flickered with the MC's shining face.

"Greetings chosen! It is my absolute pleasure to announce our next competition will soon be starting. Please make your way to the bottom most garden for further instructions." With that the TV's flickered out and the house was filled with excited murmured and the sounds of bodies complying with the God's latest decree. Hayden and Beau's gazes locked for a brief moment before the both of them tipped their heads back and downed the rest of the rich fiery booze. Since there had been no instructions for clothing Hayden assumed his work out gear from the gym would be acceptable enough and he and Beau fell in line with the rest of the chosen as they filed through house and out into the gardens.

At the bottom most garden Hayden and Beau took themselves over to Joan, the emissary of Hades, they were the second to arrive with Jacob Tran being the first. He gave Hayden a steely glare before twisting away from him and awaiting Joan's instructions. Once all of Hade's chosen had gathered Joan turned her cool eyes to each of them in turn.

"Welcome." She said, her voice stern. "The God's have arranged a game of sorts and we will be separating each of you into teams with the God's other chosen." Joan gestured to signs that held the numbers one from ten. Hayden's jaw clicked, his dark gaze focused solely on Joan as she relayed the rules of the God's game. It seemed they were to play a sort of war games mixed with capture the flag for this challenge. Each team could have five contestants from each of the God's chosen and they would be given a flag. They would be given one hour to hide away the flag and when the cannon sounded the challenge would officially begin. Each group had forty eight hours to protect their flag and gain any of the other contestants- the team with the most flags at the end won. There were no limits to where they could go, and the rules seemed to be even more limitless.

Hayden could feel the shift in energy in Beau next to him. The gentle rancher's shoulders dipped and the realization that some of the familiar faces around them might die this day was a hard truth to swallow.

"Beau, you'll be on team 3." Joan told him after placing the others, finally her frost gaze turned to Hayden. "Team 4 for you Mr. Kaneko." Beau gave Hayden's shoulder a friendly slap before the two of them departed to stand next to their numbered signs. Already Jay was standing at the fourth sign and he turned his friendly smile on Hayden before it dimmed a little at the serious expression Hayden wore. This wasn't the time for pleasantries, this was the time to win.

A face Hayden didn't recognize joined them next, a young woman who from her accent sounded like she was Australian when she introduced herself as Jade, she was one of Dionysus's chosen. She looked sturdy enough and Hayden was assured at her usefulness at first glance, he could only hope that Athena's and Poseidon chosen would be equally useful.
 
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It went without saying that Essa's meeting with the emissary was... enlightening, to say the very least. Nonsensical to a point but to have the one on one time in itself was enough to garner an insight into what her future might hold and how she now wanted it so much more.

For the next few days following this meeting, Essa remained... alone, for the most part. The only other person she truly spoke to was her maid, or Julien when he deigned to pop up and offer some sarcastic remark about how all the men in this contest were prudes before poking fun at Essa's hair, or her voice, or something and then disappearing to straighten up or slick back those flawless blonde tresses of his. Athena's chosen wasn't sure why Julien seemed to have taken such a shine to her; initially his flirtations had been off putting but now that she saw through them for what they truly were, she was learning to, dare she say, enjoy them. Although it could be considered dangerous to think of anyone in this game as an ally, in a way having Julien around felt comforting and Essa felt less alone in his presence.

He also provided a wonderful distraction from him.

Since their last meeting, she and Hayden had managed to avoid one another, though that wasn't to say she didn't think of him often when she rounded a dark corner, or found herself walking the gardens alone. She was always on the lookout, waiting for him to pounce, because there was absolutely no doubt in her mind that his time would come and she'd be damned if she was about to lose the chance to save her sister's life at the hands of Hayden Kaneko, of all people.

It was these thoughts that were swarming her mind when the next trial was announced. Essa had been reading in her room when the TV flickered and she watched with a thumping heart before galvanising herself into action. A few deep breaths later and she emerged with the rest of the contestants, dressed in her own sportswear as her maid had suggested; leggings and a rather short sports top that stopped short of her midriff. Rubbing the top of her bare arms slightly, Essa was immediately set on edge when she heard a low wolf whistle through the crowd, but when she turned to find Julien grinning at her she rolled her eyes at him and continued to move with the flow of bodies.

The contestants each made their way to their emissaries once they came into view, where the rules of the challenge were explained. Essa listened intently, trying to slot the piece of information she had received the day before into place. It didn't help that she could feel more eyes upon her than ever now as the first winner, the one who had a step up on all the rest, but she kept her chin high, watched Julien saunter to his place in group 3, just as she was placed in... "Miss Hariki, group 4, please."

The salt and pepper haired man peered down his glasses at the young woman for a moment too long before she nodded silently and turned to make her way over to her designated group... only to find her worst nightmare standing before her. Essa's footsteps slowed as she laid her eyes upon Hayden again, the way his own clothes clung to that lithe figure, accentuating muscles, finesse. Money. A scowl immediately crossed her features, her gaze shifting to the woman next to him and then back again. "This is team 4, isn't it?" She asked sharply, as though she hoped she'd made a mistake. When the Australian girl answered though, even if the question hadn't been meant for her, Essa nodded curtly and turned her back to Hayden for a second time in just a few short days, not wanting him to see the expression on her face.

Moments later and another male joined them, one with honey coloured skin and soft brown hair. He winked as he came to stand beside who Essa assumed was Poseidon's chosen. "Alright, team!" He yelped, fists in the air before his eyes settled upon Essa herself. "And hey... you're... her, aren't you? The singer?" Essa didn't confirm but the stranger took her silence as a confirmation anyway.
"Nice. We're gonna smash this then, I just know it. You got that god's secret all ready to go, yeah?"
This time, Essa did look away, but not without glancing at Hayden before looking back to the floor. "I... I'm working on it."
 
A muscle popped in Hayden's jaw as Essa approached, he didn't miss the way her eyes dipped to take in his outfit, and he took the opportunity to do the same. That bit of exposed skin near her midriff was liable to drive him to distraction and he resisted the urge to peel his shirt over his head and demand that she wear it- so he could focus on important matters. Like winning. She thankfully turned from him and Hayden forced air into his lungs as he fought to steady his breath as the last contestant joined them. Poseidon's chosen was a cheery fellow, and Hayden fought to keep his face in a neutral line as the irritating sunbeam of a man mentioned Essa's win.

"I certainly feel like a winner already." Jay added, and Jade nodded along. "Dream team for the win." Hayden resisted the urge to roll his eyes and instead focused on a nearby worker who stood next to a large gong.

"Let's not rush off to hide the flag right at the signal." Hayden suggested, getting right down to business. "It might be advantageous to watch what direction the other teams move- especially since any fighting can't happen until an hour has passed."

"That will make sure no one see's what direction we hide our flag as well." Jade added as she folded her hands over her chest. "Does anyone have any thoughts for where we can hide it?"

"One of our bedrooms maybe?" Poseidon's chosen suggested, but both Jay and Hayden shook their heads.

"A little too obvious." Jay said far more kindly than Hayden could have mustered. "If we didn't have to collect them and return them, I would have said we just huck it off the cliff." Hayden scratched his chin as Jay spoke, his mind flashing around to all of the places he'd been on the estate in his few short days. They didn't have time to discuss further as the sound of the gong filled the gardens, reverberating through them as the metal echoed the crash. All around them teams scrambled to gather their flags and make haste for their destinations, all of them but Team 4 who remained still, their eyes watching closely. Hayden whipped around, wanting to cover as much ground as possible with their scouting, already a number of the teams were hustling into the house.

"We'll likely get a number of flags just by peering into bedrooms." Hayden muttered to his team, trying to keep his voice low so that only they might hear as more people rushed past them. Already the garden was growing sparse, the ground eaten up and dishevelled by the many feet rushing over it. Within minutes the garden emptied, save for team 4. Hayden surprised the group for a moment by stepping away from them and approaching the man who still held onto the rather large mallet for the gong.

"Could I borrow that?" Hayden asked, instantly the mallet was handed to him and Hayden returned to the group with a delicate shrug, he offered the makeshift weapon to Poseidon's chosen who accepted it with wide eyes.

"Shit, I actually gotta hit someone with this, don't I?" He looked at the hard rubber of the mallet like it might come to life and scare him at any moment.

"That's the plan." Hayden said. "Be sure to pick up any other weapons you might find. Now we better find a place to hide and discuss how we're going to both protect our flag and gather others." Finally his gaze found Essa's and he held it, though his next question was directed at the whole group. "Is everyone ready?"
 
Jay and Jade's positives were ignored by Essa as they were by Hayden and it was only when he spoke in an attempt to put together a game plan of sorts did her ears perk up. She didn't look at him though, her own jaw working as she thought through what he was saying. Like it or not, they had to work together for this and squabbling between themselves certainly wasn't going to help. So, with this in mind, as the conversation continued between the three others, Essa slowly turned to face them, her own mind working quietly in the background. She had to admit, Hayden's plan of waiting to see where the others scarpered to was a good one. Not that she'd tell him that, of course.

Eventually, as they continued to whisper amongst themselves, they were interrupted by the gong and the scattering of contestants. As the rest of her team did, Essa scanned the fleeing bodies, but her mind was seemingly elsewhere, silently resting upon Jay's question of where they should hide their own flag... that and the words of the emmissary that had been given to her a few days prior:

Where the waves meet the sun.

"Where the waves meet the sun," Essa muttered to herself, glancing up at the sunlight that was filtering through the clouds in golden rays. She vaguely registered Hayden retrieving the mallet and Jay's earnest response but the question directed at her was what snapped her out of her trance.

Squinted golden eyes flickered from the sky to meet Hayden's and after blinking slightly to register that he was not the only one looking at her, her lips began to curve into the lightest of smirks. "Follow me."

Without any further explanation than that, Essa turned on her heel and started towards the edge of the island. With a confused and somewhat exasperated look passed between Jay and Jade, Jay shrugged and began after her, closely followed by the Australian girl, assuming that Hayden would follow too.

Essa didn't stop as she continued away from the buildings, away from where the rest of the groups were inevitably scrambling around. She waved them through the gardens and beyond until she reached the cliffs that overlooked the seemingly calm ocean below, waves lapping at the rocks and occasionally sending spray upwards, droplets of water glistening like jewels in the sun. For a moment, Essa stopped before looking up at the sky again. Then as if deciding something only she was privy to, she started to walk towards the edge of the cliff.

"Um, what are we doing, exactly?" Jay asked cautiously. "You know this is a timed challenge right, and we're kind of wasting time..." But Essa ignored his concerns as she reached where the sun felt the strongest, brightest. Silently, she leaned over the edge of the rocks and again, without explanation, she sat down on the edge and then... slipped off.

"Hey, what the fuck!" Jade exclaimed as she rushed forwards, only to find the top of Essa's head disappearing into an opening in the cliff face.

The ground at the opening was wet with sea spray and bright with sunlight, and so as Essa moved forwards she could see that lay scattered on the ground of the small cave were... flags. Many, many, old flags, some of which the colour of could no longer be made out. She pressed a small hand to her chest as she turned to face the group who she hoped had followed her, a triumphant smile and glittering eyes shining back at them.

"We have our hiding place. We won't need to worry about defending the flags we find because... I bet nobody else knows where there is. Where the waves meet the sun..." She glanced back towards the cave opening once more where more spray flipped over the ledge.

"We can take a group approach to stealing other flags and send a runner back here while the rest of us defend them. Plus..." She continued, retrieving one of the flags from the floor and snapping the stick of it in two upon her knee. "We now have multuple weapons to help us do you." Then with a shrug, looking directly at Hayden she added, "You're welcome."
 
Had it been anyone else leading them to an unknown destination when everything was on the line, Hayden wouldn't have allowed it. He didn't trust any of his teammates, and knew there would be later opportunities for all of them to turn on one another. But when Essa led the charge he didn't stop her and demand to know where she was taking them, if he'd done that he'd have only wasted time and she would have likely put him in his place. The group followed her through the gardens and out to the cliffsides. As Essa moved towards the jagged edges of the cliff Hayden's heart involuntarily leapt into his throat while the others questioned her.

"Essa." He growled her name softly, it could barely be heard over the crashing waves below them. The wild haired woman sat on the edge of the cliff. His heart stopped then, the moment she slipped off the cliff and out of sight. Hayden didn't think, he only reacted as he rushed forward, prepared to hurl himself off the cliff and ensure her safety. Only he came up short when he saw what it was the Essa had led them to. A wicked smile curled over his lips as he jumped into the cave after her and took in the sight of the multiple flags already hidden safely away.

The triumphant grin she flashed his way made Hayden forget that he was smiling too, and for half a moment he forgot to school his features.

"This is incredible." Jay muttered, stepping out of the caves entrance as another wave sprayed water over them. Hayden turned, his face back to his usual stony seriousness as Essa snapped one of the flags over her leg and suggested how they move forward. Her sassy 'you're welcome' had him fighting off another grin- he settled for a grimace instead.

"We should get out of here as soon as possible, try and make sure no one can glean where we've hidden the flag until we send a runner back." Hayden said, grabbing another flag and snapping it just like Essa had. Around him the others did the same.

"Won't a single runner back be vulnerable?" Poseidon's chosen asked, gripping tightly to his mallet.

"That's why we're going to defend you." Hayden said sternly, repeating the words Essa had just stated. Clearly this one wasn't the brightest crayon in the box.

"Me?!" The man squeaked, "why me?"

So I don't have to hear your inane questions and suggestions. "You look fast." Hayden said instead. "Come, let's get out of here and take position. Most won't be suspecting an attack right at the hours change- we can likely take one or two groups by surprise. It's likely that we'll be encountering groups of two to three people, depending on how they choose to defend their flags. With our full group we'll have an advantage over them." Hayden gave the group with their weapons a once over, before he steeled himself. "If you're not in a killing mood, aim for their knees, just remember the other person might not feel the same." He knew where all his hits were going to land, Hayden wasn't going to pull any punches in this twisted game. Not when that wish would grant him everything he could have ever wanted.

"Let's go."

"Dream team!" Jay exclaimed over the most recent crashing wave. The group ascended back over the cliff and after making sure they hadn't been spotted, they began to head back towards the Manor. For their vantage point Hayden spotted a small group clustering near one of the gardeners sheds close to the house.

"There." He pointed out their quarry. "We'll start with them."
 
It was quite clear that Hayden had taken some kind of charge of their little group, but for once, Essa was happy to follow. She'd done her bit, she'd given them a leg up and while she might have usually questioned someone taking control, on this occasion... there was just something about the way that Hayden had returned her grin. A sort of joint pride between them that had felt odd and yet something else too. Something that Essa couldn't place, nor wanted to. So for now, she brushed off the sensation, putting it down to simple jubilation and maybe even a little bit of gratitude that someone else had done the honours of assigning Jay as the runner.

Moments later, with snapped weapons in hand and a new sense of purpose, their merry band emerged from the edge of the cliff once more. They even seemed to move as one, scouring for signs that others had seen them and happily ignoring Jay's yelp of encouragement. For now, Essa could only hope that he was as fast as he was irritating.

It didn't take them long to spot their first targets and upon Hayden's instruction, the group continued forwards. Essa motioned with a hand movement only for them to stay low, and took it upon herself to guide them over to a nearby bush without being seen. There were three bodies circling the gardeners shed, which she assumed meant, "There must be one inside with the flag." Essa's voice was barely above a whisper and she trailed off before ducking as one of them turned their way. When she was sure they hadn't been seen, she raised herself slightly again.

"Alright, okay," she murmured, her mind whirring so hard you could almost hear it. "Jay, you're our runner, it's your job to get the flag out. Hayden, Jade - I'm going to distract them. When they're least expecting it, you strike. Got it?" Golden eyes flickered around the group, looking for signs of disagreement. When she found none she continued, looking at Hayden directly this time as she handed him her weapon. "Take this and throw it back to me when the time's right." Her gaze lingered upon his and then with a slow nod, Essa turned back, took a breath... and began to move.

She moved quickly, quietly towards a direction the three weren't looking in and once she appeared in sight of them... she began to scream. The group's attention immediately snapped up as Essa appeared, limping, holding her right leg. "What the fuck?" She heard a guy's voice cry out. "Who's there?! Stop where you are!"

"I-It's... It's Essa," Essa yelped, doubling over. "I-I'm... I'm hurt. I need... I-I need..." But before she could finish the sentence, she fainted. Or seemed to faint.

"Shit." A woman's voice this time. "Mave, Stevie in there," she wrapped her knuckles on the wall of the shed. "You guys stay here. It could be a trap but that's... that's Essa and she knows things."

And with that, the remaining two began to make their way over to where Essa now lay, playing bait.
 
It was a strange dance that seemed to be making Essa and Hayden circle one another- in one moment they lashed out, like the complicated aggressive dance that was the tango and in the next it was like they'd switched to something smoother- where their steps matched in time. It just simply wasn't logical that two people so at odds with one another could work so well- and yet here they were. Essa took Hayden's commands in stride, nodding along with his plan and adding her own thoughts and opinions and he led their dangerous dance closer to the garden shed. It was like there was a switch in the music between them once again and Essa stepped up- taking the lead away from him, and for some Godsdamned reason, he went willingly.

She thrust her weapon at him and Hayden held tight to the spot where her hand had warmed over the wood, he gave her a curt nod as she explained her plan. His dark eyes burned like coals as Essa rose to the occasion- her scream piercing the air. It took everything in Hayden not to wince at the abrupt terrible noise and once more his mind betrayed him with his next thoughts, I hope I never have to hear that noise from her for real...

Jay and Jade fell into position at either side of him, their knuckles white over their weapons as Essa limped closer to the shed. The inhabitants that surrounded it jumped into action immediately- warning the two inside to stay put while they investigated. It intrigued him when their enemy recognized Essa for the asset she could be- and he wondered how much they could play into that as the game moved on. His mild whirred to a stop with his wonderings as the figures drew closer to Essa, to those that hid in the shadows and greenery not far off from her. All that mattered now was the flag- their victory.

"Think she'll give up the information willingly?" One of the men asked, and the woman shrugged.

"Whose to say? Hopefully she'll recognize our kindness in not killing her when she wakes." She said- they were only steps away now.

"Let's hope she co-operates. Otherwise it's going to be a bad time for Essa." The male voice sing-songed and Hayden narrowed his eyes on the man as he moved to kneel in front of Essa. The man made a move for her hair, presumably to wrap his fingers into her strands and lift Essa's head to peer at her- but he never got the chance. Hayden leapt from the shadows, a silent killer. There was no noise, no warning as he swung with all his might towards the man's head, hitting him dead in the nose. A sickening crunch filled the air, and Hayden felt the warmth of blood as it spattered over his face and shirt.

Time froze then and Hayden watched his eyes wide as the man slumped backwards, blood seeping from the gaping wound in his face. From the angle of the man's neck Hayden knew what he'd done. He'd expected to feel sick, perhaps even vomit but those feelings never came- the man had clearly been ready to toy with an 'unconscious' woman. Don't take it easy on him. Hayden sent up a silent prayer to Hades- how strange and right it felt to dole out judgement on the God's behalf. It was then he noticed that Jade and Jay hadn't joined him- their forms still hidden in the brush. Cowardly bastards. The woman on the opposite team let out a a strangled noise- her eyes wide and fearful at the sight of her dead partner, she made a move to scramble away from them.

"Essa! Here." Hayden tossed her weapon in the air, hoping the little song bird might catch it, hoping she would take the opportunity of attack that was suddenly presented to her.
 
It was difficult not to smirk at the words that came from their opponents, naive as they were. They thought they were being smart, thought that they had the upperhand, which is exactly what Essa had wanted them to believe. Her plan so far was working; now she just had to hope that the rest of her team would fall in line.

In the end they did. Or at least, one of them did.

Essa didn't see Hayden's attack as much as she heard it. The sudden silence followed by a crunch, and something warm tickling droplets over her face. From where she lay, Essa was unable to keep her eyes closed any longer and she opened surprised ambers to be met with the bloody scene of a body now crumpled beside her. The warmth on her face she realised, was blood spray.

There was no time to react as she took in the sight; no time to feel sick, to question, to mourn.

Essa! Here.

Sound came rushing back to meet her at the same time as her senses did and before it even felt like a conscious decision to do so, she was moving, her hand whipping out to catch the weapon that was thrown her way. Her fingers wrapped around the wood just as she pulled herself to her feet and was met with the opportunity of a retreating figure within arms reach.

There was no hesitation. Essa swung her snapped flag pole and the material connected with the girl's calf, sending her sprawling onto the floor, double over in pain. More blood covered the ground beneath them. Essa panted with the exertion of it, before straightening over her target who was now on the floor before her. She paused however, when the girl began to beg.

"Please," she groaned, "Please. Don't."

Essa hadn't given much thought to what it might feel like to kill someone. Her focus had been success and doing anything that might lead her back home, to her sister. Now there was someone in front of her though, someone she could end quite easily, someone who was begging for their life, her thoughts surprised her. She was filled with... compassion. Mercy. What if this girl had her own little sister to protect? Would Essa be stealing protection, a bond from another? Had Hayden already done that with his own kill?

Her mind whirred, her hand shook and in the end she simply said, "This might hurt in the morning," before swiping her weapon clean across the girl's face, knocking her out cold. For a moment she just stood there, breathing in her decision, but after a few moments had passed Essa retracted her weapon and simply glanced at Hayden, not quite able to look him in the eye because she felt... perhaps a little bit of fear, of what he might think of her now, of what she might find in his expression. She shouldn't feel that way, shouldn't care, she knew that and yet... she did, which only made the feeling of shame all the worse.

"There's two more in the shed," she motioned towards the wooden building flatly. "Shouldn't be too tricky now that he have them surrounded. Might even be easy if those two assholes weren't such cowards!" The latter part of her sentence was yelled towards the bush that Jayden and Jade were now emerging from and with a roll of her eyes, Essa huffed and started past Hayden and the two bodies to where they might find their goal.
 
The flag pole flew through the air, arcing up and then down right into Essa's palm. Hayden breathed a sigh of relief as his teammate took out the woman with a swift swipe to the legs, sending the woman crashing to the ground. Blood matted the dirt, staining earth and stone red as Hayden's kill remained still. For the briefest moment Hayden let his eyes wonder over to the sightless ones that stared back at him- it felt like at any second those eyes might blink, they were still glassy in those moments after death, but there was no mistaking the blown pupils that saw nothing. Hayden waited for his stomach to roll as Essa's pole whistled through the air and struck the downed woman, but the regret and sick never came. It wasn't a hard enough hit to kill, but definitely enough to send a message.

There was a part of him that mourned Essa's opportunity to join him- he'd crossed the threshold and there had been a secret part of himself that had expected, no, wanted her to follow. She didn't meet his eye but looked his way all the same. He could see the wheels in her head turning, even through the blood that spattered onto his glasses and in an act of nonchalance he took off his thick rims and rubbed away the blood on his shirt as Essa called out to the others that hadn't been able to join them. Hayden joined Essa in the glare that was sent Jade and Jay's way and the two chosen hung their heads in shame. They didn't offer excuses or words, but merely followed after Essa who took the charge towards the garden shed.

"Get your fucking shit together or stay out of our way." Hayden seethed at them before turning. Hayden caught up to Essa after slipping his glasses back on, his shoes thudding on the fertile ground as he jogged. There was something almost right in walking in step with her towards their goal. In a way they almost felt like equals. As they drew nearer to the shed they could make out the faint sounds of hushed whispering as teammates struggled with what to do next.

"It's been too long- we should-" Hayden heard one of the voices whisper and he tightened his hold on the flag pole. Once at the door he gave Essa a look, not bothering way Jay and Jade- he'd already discounted them as valid members of the team with their inability to protect a working member of the team. He wouldn't depend on them for anything- it both pained and delighted him that Essa was potentially someone he could count on. Once he was assured Essa was ready Hayden pulled on the handle of the shed abruptly, flinging open the door so hard it crashed against the sheds walls, the thunderous sound mixed with the screams of the sheds inhabitants.

The two chosen took one look at Hayden and Essa spattered with blood and lifted their hands into the air, the fear palpable on their faces at the very real evidence that the game for the Gods favour was deadly.

"Your flag." Hayden demanded, lifting his pole up the slightest amount in a threatening motion that made the two chosen flinch. One managed to gather themselves enough to kick over the flag on the ground towards them. Scanning the contents of the shed Hayden turned to Jay. "Bring the one contestant over." He nodded to the unconscious woman and both Jay and Jade hopped into action, dragging the woman into the shed along with the other two contestants. Grabbing a nearby shovel Hayden shut the door on the group and slid the thick wooden pole between the handle and the shed, locking the group in.

Angrily he thrust the newly acquired flag at Jay pushing it against the mans chest, "here, take this back to the cave."

"I'll go with him." Jade immediately offered and Hayden looked at the woman like he could see through her very soul. His gaze leveled the woman and he could see she felt it's intensity with the way she ducked a step behind Jay. Jade's eyes lingered on the blood drying to Hayden's skin and her arm snaked through the crook of Jay's arm to hold on tight.

"Fine." Hayden snapped, not willing to bother with reprimanding her for going against the plan once more. "Essa and I will walk back through the gardens with you and see if we can spot our next target. You'll leave once you know where we're going to hit next." Turning back to Essa he gestured with the bloodstained pole, a harsh visual contradiction to the gentlemanly gesture that she go first. Like he was a man holding the door open for her. Once more he fell into step with her, and he found himself wanting to gauge where she was at- there would be time for processing after they had won.

"If that was a demonstration of your ability to pluck me little bird... " Hayden had taken a great number of leadership seminars and workshops in his time and he knew it went against all teachings to rile up ones partner and get them angry- but that was what he needed, that was what he wanted from her. He bent a close to her ear as their gait would allow, the wild curls of her hair tickling his skin with each foot fall. "I think you're going to have to try harder."
 
Disappointment and anger drove Essa forwards. Despite the busyness of her mind, her eyes remained focused upon the garden shed, upon their goal, their next target. For now, everything else could be tuned out except for what they needed to win this. They being she and Hayden, of course; Jay and Jade had already proven that they were unworthy of such a collective title.

This time it was Hayden that took the lead and Essa gladly followed, breathing hard through her nose, eyes bright and keen upon their next two victims who didn't so much as put up a fight. Essa found that she couldn't blame them - the sight of the two of them spattered with the blood of a dead teammate was possibly enough to send anyone balking.

Within minutes, their team had their first flag and Jay and Jade were already running it back to their hiding place. Essa watched them go, feeling somewhat conflicted in whether they were capable of fulfilling the job. Hayden was right though - they needed to start the search for their next. Acquiring the flags took time, time that wasn't really on their side.

Jay and Jade scuttled away under the intensity of Hayden's order and Essa didn't think twice of falling back into step with - dare she say it - her partner, until she felt his presence closer to her than was comfortable. Immediately her hackles raised, her skin prickled and a lip-curling scowl began to draw its way onto her features. Her head snapped up to look Hayden dead in the eye as she considered the contrast of his words to the way he had gestured that she walk before him; a gentlemanly gesture or a smart one?

"You seem to be forgetting, Mr Kaneko," Essa hissed his surname, ignoring how close he was, how she could feel him. "That our success here so far has been because of me." Her footsteps didn't slow for a second, even as she lifted her chin slightly to make her point. "If anyone needs to try harder..." She let her voice trail off pointedly, this time her scowl turning into a slow, cat-like smirk. "Then I don't think that it's me." The songbird had just been about to add to that when something caught her eye... movement, by the back door of the large main building that led to the kitchens. Without warning, her small hand flew out and slammed into Hayden's chest. "Wait."

Her fingers lingered as her eyes narrowed on the retreating bodies they could see disappearing into the building. "Over there." Essa gestured with her head to their next target at the same time as tugging Hayden by his shirt over to a nearby bush so they weren't seen. "They already have an advantage," she murmured, her eyes not once letting up on their focus. "The kitchen is full of things that they could use and... there's more of them. Hm. As much as I hate to say it, we might need to wait for our other two before we take them." Then finally, she looked at Hayden, her eyes less guarded, a little brighter, almost as though she had forgotten their previous interchange, as though she was... excited at the prospect of what was ahead. "What do you think?"
 
Her hand found his chest and Hayden halted against the press of her fingertips- the warmth of her hand seeping through his athletic wear became a sensation he wished he could direct his entire focus to. Instead of focusing on the way her hand stayed there, he followed her gaze and spotted their next target near the main kitchens. Just as he was about to suggest they seek cover Essa's hands curled into the fabric of his shirt and she dragged him along to a nearby bush that would serve as ample cover. He should have kept his eyes on the prize as Essa was doing but he couldn't help but turn his head and witness as she worked through strategy- like he supposed the Goddess herself might.

An errant sunbeam caught her face, burning away the shadows with its glory and illuminating the brightness in those dark eyes he'd often thought looked sad. He didn't see any of that sorrow now, instead her amber eyes were like molten metal- burning with the intensity of her cunning. It took him a moment to understand she had asked him a question and Hayden forced his gaze back towards the kitchen where he noted the movement behind some of the windows- whoever was behind there had used cloth to cover the large panes of glass lining the counter and cooking areas. The fabric fluttered as someone peeked through- observing the path up to the door.

"I do not think the others will be useful for anything other than their current task or cannon fodder." Something dark and mysterious flickered into his coal like eyes before they dimmed. No he couldn't in good conscience send Jay or Jade to their deaths- even if they were useless. He was a ruthless man- but not that ruthless. "Trying to find another way might also risk us running into others." He mused. "You may be right, though I hate the idea of leaning on those two anymore than we have to." Hayden settled back, his rump hitting the dirt and he scratched at his chin as he considered their plan of attack.

"It's a shame we don't have a large wooden horse we can all hide inside and offer it up as a 'gift'." Hayden's lips pursed at the thought just as a fluttering caught his eye and both Essa and Hayden watched as a small grouping of moths danced in the space between them before fluttering off towards a small building down a path he hadn't noticed just down the way. The building was wood paneled and had a slightly open large metal garage door. The moths continued their journey, and through the flutter of wings he spotted something absolutely spectacular hidden in the darkness of the shed.

A wicked sort of smile curled his lips upwards as he regarded the four wheeler ATV, "It's not a horse- but close enough. I hope the Gods won't mind a little structural damage to the house." He muttered, leading the charge towards the garage. The two chosen ducked behind shrubberies and thick foliage, sticking close to the ground as they worked their way past the watchful eyes from the kitchen window and to the shed. Their knees were scuffed with dirt as well as their bloodstained clothes- and though the challenge had only begun he knew he'd very much enjoy sinking his body into the communal baths after this.

The ATV fortunately came with it's key hanging on the nearby wall and Hayden and Essa searched the shed looking for any other tools that might prove useful for their next attack.

"If we can find something to keep on the gas pedal and something else to keep the steering locked we can send this right into the door of the kitchen." Hayden proposed spotting a nearby collection of unlaid bricks. "Ah that should do nicely."
 
She was far too engrossed in their planning right now to consider that maybe a small part of Essa was actually quite... enjoying bouncing ideas off of Hayden. Despite growing up with a sister, she was always the one who was in charge, had to take the lead, make tough decisions. It was a role that she was used to and yet that didn't mean that it didn't wear on her after a while and so this change felt... nice. To be able to plot and plan with someone else, to lift the weight that was permanently settled on her shoulders even just a fraction. Not that she would realise this until a little later on, of course.

Athena's chosen considered Hayden's mock suggestion for the sarcasm that it was, until it wasn't anymore. Her amber gaze locked onto the fluttering of the moths as her companion's did and began to follow them, because nothing like this was a coincidence in this world, as Essa was quickly coming to realise. They spotted the ATV at the same time and Hayden was already smiling when Essa turned from the garage that had been revealed to them, back to those dark, shark like eyes that were now shimmering as her own were.

Within minutes the two had made their way to the building to reveal their Trojan Horse, and Essa immediately clocked the key that was hanging on the wall. Hayden muttered to himself about holding the gas pedal down and locking the wheel as Essa moved about the room, quietly, looking for string, for something she could tie. The bricks would work for the acceleration, sure, but the steering? That would be tricky. They had to get this thing out of the building for starters, line it up with the kitchen, set it off on track to crash into the building, all without anyone else noticing. It was a long shot and for a moment, Essa began to feel doubt filling her mind. Her lips parted slightly to express this, until a thought struck her, like a voice whipering through consciousness.

"I'll drive it," she announced, before she'd properly had a chance to think through her plan. Her brow furrowed slightly and she smacked her lips before continuing. Her small body moved towards it and she crouched to look at the handlebars. "If we use the bricks we risk the whole thing going wrong when it spins out of our control. If I'm in the drivers seat, I can rev it up, speed it towards the destination and then..." Essa finally straightened with that and found Hayden's gaze once more. There was no fear in her own features, only strong-willed determination.

"I'll drive it into the kitchen, maybe try and jump off just before it hits." Whether she would actually be able to do that was a serious consideration, but nevertheless; "I've always wanted to try my own stunts. Now seems like a good a time as any."
 
Hayden was used to boardrooms, the sort of atmosphere where primly dressed people nodded mutely along with the presentation of facts. It was sterile, grey walls with classic black and white photographs and expected responses, everything so unlike the setting Hayden now found himself. If any of his staff had stood up and taken control of the reigns of his billion dollar plans he'd have fired them on the spot; and to think that the wish offered to the winning chosen was more priceless than any deal he could have fathomed it was outlandish that he didn't put Essa right back into place as his subordinate- a brainless mindless worker of his schemes.

Instead he looked at the woman like she was a hydra and had just sprouted another head, his dark hair tickled the edges of his vision and he impatiently swept it back, his mouth still agape at her chosen course of action. He couldn't let her do this... could he? Truly if she ended up killing herself it was a weight off his shoulders. How strange it was to fear for a woman he should want dead- and he'd been about to tell her that when she did the strangest thing. She made a fucking joke.

It was the kind of joke the boys on Wall Street would tout before betting it all on the next uptick. It was the kind of attitude actors had in the movies before they did something so stupid that Hayden was a watcher was astounded to see it work out in the end. It was the kind of joke that made his lips twitch up the barest amount and had him ducking his head in the hopes that she hadn't seen.

It was the kind of joke that made him want to follow her.

"And what, do you expect me to sit on my ass and watch you take all the glory like Thelma and Louise?" He huffed grabbing tightly onto the flag pole and hoisting himself up onto the back part of the seat. In a way he felt almost light a modern twist of a knight of old, his jousting pole a sturdy piece of wood instead of a brightly decorated weapon, he gave her an arched look and then pointedly stared at the spot in front of him- indicating she should drive. "Stunt guys never stunt alone." He huffed in addition when she didn't move quite fast enough. There was no way he was going to let this chosen of the warrior Goddess enter battle alone- he couldn't shake the feeling that witnessing her in action would meet his every expectation.
 
As Hayden was involved in his own thought process, Essa was very much too deep into her own. Admittedly, this was focussed around the plan and task at hand however, it was the silence from her... partner, that pulled her back into the present. She had missed his incredulous expression, his attempt at trying to decide if she was being serious. What she didn't miss however, was the slight twitching of his lips and the ducking of his head that happened so quickly it left her wondering if she had imagined it. Was Hayden... amused by her?

A flare of irritation flushed across Essa's tan cheeks as she misread the way he had looked at her completely. "Well, that's up to you isn't it?" She huffed in response, hands naturally making their way to her hips. Before she could say anymore though, Hayden was moving. He was grabbing onto his flag pole and pulling himself up onto the vehicle. Amber eyes tracked him, blinking. Surprised.

"This is... I mean, it isn't... Shouldn't we...?" The full question however, wouldn't quite form. Essa wanted to tell Hayden to get off, not to be so stupid, to let her do this but... she wasn't sure why she felt that way and the confusion pushed her into burying the feeling, the doubt it caused, the... fear. If Hayden joined her in this, they could both wind up hurt, he could wind up hurt. Shouldn't that be a good thing?

Essa shifted uncomfortably at the sudden barrage of confusing thoughts outside of her usual sole focus and in an attempt to brush it off, she rolled her eyes. "Pompous ass," she muttered under her breath. "Can't possibly have a woman stealing all the limelight now, can you?" It was a low blow, perhaps designed to irritate, maybe not necessarily something Essa believed of him. Nevertheless, she didn't argue any further as she grabbed the key and clambered onto the vehicle in front of Hayden, shifting as far towards the front of it as she could. Small hands came out to rest on the handles, her body angled to find the ignition.

"And don't even think about holding onto me if you get scared, Kaneko. You best look for something else that's gonna keep you upright."

Slender fingers slotted the key into place and then paused, before Essa turned to look over her shoulder. For all her jibing, this was important, and they both knew it. She took a breath.

"You ready?"
 
The ATV dipped with Essa's motions as she seated herself and Hayden forced his eyes heavenward at her jabs. He'd enjoyed seeing the look of surprise come over those amber eyes of hers and though he barely knew the woman, Hayden knew with absolute certainly that rendering her speechless was not something anyone got to see often. Perhaps that was why she shifted so quickly to anger, and why she wouldn't hear of him holding onto her for their short but exciting ride.

Even with Essa seated as far forward as she could be, the sides of his knees brushed against her thighs and the roundness of her- he widened his legs wanting nothing to do with the distraction that she unconsciously offered him. Though he couldn't help but linger on the sensation of that briefest touch. When he caught himself thinking too long it Hayden shook his head and his unruly black hair fell forward into his eyes once more.

She turned then, looking over her shoulder at him and he looked at her stoically as she asked him if he was ready. He could still feel the heat of her between his knees and Hayden found himself gripping the flag pole like he wanted to strangle it. A sneer marred his features and he leaned forward the barest degree.

"Are you gonna keep dawdling then, Essa? If you keep stalling like this I might get the sense that you're afraid." His eyes dipped down to her hands on the handle bars and he gave her an overly saccharin look that dripped with antagonism. "Or can you not drive?" He asked. If she was going to make low blows then he'd meet her hit for hit. Hayden smiled at her, a cruel and twisted sort of smile and weathered whatever she had to say in return.

With their heated affirmations that they were both ready Hayden gripped the back of the ATV as it rumbled to life under Essa's hand. He adjusted his grip on the flag pole and soon the two of them were blinking in the early afternoon sun as Essa drove them out of the barn and down the perfectly maintained garden path. The tires ate up the ground spitting up dirt as they roared up the path and towards the kitchen. Hayden kept his eyes peeled on the windows and he spotted the rustling behind the makeshift curtains.

"Heads up! They've spotted us!" He shouted over the roar of the engine. They drew closer and closer and Hayden instinctively gripped his arm around Essa's hips, his mouth directly next to her ear. He'd weather her ire later, now he just needed them to win. "Keep it going." He urged and his eyes scanned forward spotting the clear patch of grass that looked hard to land on but softer than the nearby bushes filled with twigs and thorns. "Full throttle Essa." He demanded and as they drew near the patch of grass his grip on her tightened and he shouted, "now!" Hayden propelled them sideways off the ATV and instinct took over him as he tucked her close to his body and rolled onto the lush smelling patch of earth.
 
He didn't hold onto her yet but boy, was Essa acutely aware of Hayden's presense behind her. She could feel the warmth of him, his longer legs naturally curving around her hips because they didn't have anywhere else to go. She could also feel the tension from the way he held himself, away from her, trying not to touch. It gave her a grim sort of satisfaction in a way, to know that he was either repulsed by her or... heaven forbid, something else. In fact, she may have even felt a little cocky about the whole thing had she not turned to find Hayden's dark hair falling forwards onto his face, shadowing those already bottomless eyes.

Essa licked her lips and turned away only to feel the tickle of warm breath in her hair moments later. She'd had a return punch at the ready when Hayden suggested that she couldn't drive, one that caught in her throat at the same time that her body stiffened. As a matter of fact, Essa couldn't drive. She'd never had the chance, or the funds to learn. It was a stark reminder of, a quick flash back to where she had come from, why she was here... and what a fucking disadvantage she was at.

A low hiss curled from her lips, "Fuck you," before she jammed the key into the ignition, revved the engine and sent the wheels into a spin, all within seconds of each other. Hayden had unwittingly lit a fire underneath his teammate, whose grip upon the handle bars tightened as she attempted to steer them both at speed out of the barn. It didn't matter if she couldn't drive; there was but one direction this was going in, and that was the kitchen.

The roar of the ATV was deafening, as was the ringing of the thrill in Essa's ears as a breeze whipped through her wild mane, as she powered the hungry wheels beneath them forwards. She could only just make out Hayden's voice over the commotion of it all, barely registered the way he curled around her waist and spoke into her ear, their newfound closeness feeling so... so natural, so right as Essa did exactly what Hayden asked of her. As he guided her. As he...

The kitchen drew nearer and nearer, with Essa almost forgetting to leap until Hayden yanked her with him, right before the two things collided. They toppled with force into the soft patch of grass, rolling and eventually landing on top of each other. Essa didn't fully realise where she was until she pushed herself up, one hand on the ground beside Hayden's head. The length of her small body lay pressed against the length of his and they were... close, so impossibly close, she realised as their eyes met. Essa's breaths panted from her lips, her eyes shining with adrenaline as she looked down at the warmth that suddenly encompassed her, an expression of confusion playing upon her sun-kissed features. He'd pulled her out of the way. Hayden Kaneko had... He could have...

But it was an explosion that cut off those thoughts, a loud boom that richoeted through the gardens. This time it was the turn of Essa's instincts to take over as she curled herself around Hayden as if protecting him from the blow, shrapnel pouring down over them, screams hurtling up into the air, smoke billowing from somewhere close. She felt slightly dazed as she emerged and realised that currently, she could hear nothing. Nothing other than her own breath and a ringing in her ears until everything seemed to rush back to her with startling clarity.

They'd blown up the fucking kitchen.
 
The ground met Hayden's back with such force the breath was knocked clean out of his lungs, Essa's body was pressed tightly to his as they rolled and he did his best to take the brunt of the impact. Later he'd look back on that moment as he curled around her, rolling until they stopped with her resting heavily over him and he'd wonder why the thought never occurred to him to push her away. Truthfully Hayden wasn't thinking- he could only feel the cool of the grass tickle his skin, the pounding of his bones as they struggled to come to terms with the rattling adventure he'd just sent them on; but most of all Hayden felt Essa.

He felt the rise of her chest as she struggled to find her own breath, he felt every dip and curve of her spine as he held her to him, and he felt the wild tendrils of her hair brush against his forehead and cheeks as she loomed over him her eyes wide and lips parted. He was too rattled to take in any of her confusion for what it was, and he focused on forcing breath back into his lungs when the earth rumbled beneath them. He felt the heat of the explosion seconds before Essa descended over him, her body shielding him from the rain of debris as the blast echoed in both their ears.

Hayden's eyes shut and he instinctively rose his head into the crook of Essa's shoulder, pressing his forehead against her collarbone for the briefest moment before he recognized what he was doing- what she had done. What kind of woman protected a man like him? His ears gave way from the ringing and Hayden heard the shouts and screams from the kitchen, though they were muffled. With the groan the two Chosen parted, Essa rolling one way while Hayden another. Ash and rubble from the kitchen fell off them, finding rest in the grass while Hayden picked up his broken pole.

"Well I think that worked." His voice rasped, still not quite back to normal after having the breath knocked out of him. In the distance he caught sight of Jade and Jay, though they reminded hidden behind a tall hedge, peeking out the barest amount. If he had the energy he would have snarled at the deserters. Instead Hayden turned to Essa while rotating his wrist and sending the pole arching through the air, swishing it like the trained fighter he was. Someone burst through the billowing smoke of the kitchen falling to their knees just outside of the door with two flag poles tucked under their arm.

Hayden ran his tongue over his teeth, readying himself once more, "You'd better hand those over... before I take them from you." He called to the hacking Chosen. Hayden shot Essa a sideways look before the two of them converged, stepping towards their mark as one. Red rimed, watery eyes lifted to meet them and the Chosen quickly lifted their arms, letting the flags clatter to the grass.

"All yours." They wheezed out.
 
As soon as Essa realised what had happened, both to the kitchen and to she and Hayden during the explosion, she was quick to push herself away from the warm body beneath her. The cool prickle of the grass was a welcome relief, even in amongst the ash and pebbles that surrounded them and while Hayden rasped, Essa coughed against the dust filling her lungs in response. She couldn't quite believe what they had achieved, couldn't quite get her head around what this meant. Would they be punished for this? Was vandalism and outright destruction covered in the rules of the games? Essa wasn't generally one to worry about rules but this... this was important and plus, it was a god damn nice distraction from where her mind had been a few moments ago; on Hayden Kaneko's thick dark lashes and silken hair.

Slowly, the petite brunette began to pull herself back onto her feet, her amber eyes squinting through the dust clouds as her hearing returned. It was the sound of running and yelping that caught her attention first as a Chosen they didn't know emerged from the disaster and fell to their knees with the two flag poles - a stark reminder of why they were here. Essa's muscles ached in protest at the thought of another fight but she was soon relieved on this occasion that the girl could see that she was outnumbered, could see that she didn't stand a chance against the two who were responsible for the devastation wrought upon her and her fellow teamates.

Athena's Chosen returned Hayden's sideways look as they started towards their goal, only to find the journey shortened when the stranger pushed the flagpoles towards them. Without taking her eyes of the girl who was still struggling to inhale, Essa reached the poles and crouched, slowly, picking one up and handing it to Hayden, then the other. Within moments she was straightened again and backing away.

"You two..." The girl wheezed between coughs, "You're... You're monsters."

Essa blinked, unsure of whether she had heard correctly but when the grim reality of those words settled, her lip curled slightly. "That maybe," she wiped a hand across her forehead, smearing the grey dust that had settled there. "But at least we're not the ones on their hands and knees in the dirt." Then with that she turned, trying not to let the emotions she currently felt show upon her features. The hurt. The worry. The weakness.

Turning however, was the first mistake. Essa was too in her own mind to realise that the Chosen behind her was on her feet within seconds and launching after the retreating body before anyone could do a thing about it. An arm wrapped around her neck and yanked her backwards so hard that the two women toppled back onto the ground. Essa was winded immediately upon impact, to the point that it gave the stranger time to straddle Essa's waist and press both of her hands to Essa's throat. Before she knew it, her air supply was being cut off as the pressure began to grow and so did the panic. She didn't know what to do, couldn't think, couldn't speak... Esther. Her little sister flashed before her eyes as Essa searched and flailed and choked. The woman on top of her was saying something that she couldn't hear, as her hands scrabbled at her neck and then flung out, only to come into contact with... her pole.

What happened next was over in a matter of moments. Her hand wrapped around the cool material and brought it up to smash against the girl's temple. With a groan she fell from Essa's waist who gasped a gulp of burning air into her lungs. She was back on her feet as quickly as she had been knocked from them and before she knew what she was doing... she raised the pole into the air and with a yell, a release of so much emotion, she plunged the broken end of her pole straight into the back of the stranger who was struggling to get back onto her feet.

A blood-curdling shriek filled the air as the body dropped onto its front and then just... stopped, leaving Essa panting above it and.... staring, and staring, and staring... at what she'd just done.
 
He could scarcely believe that they'd become two flags richer with a well placed ATV and the sort of explosion and aftermath cinephiles would have drooled over. And to have them handed over all too easily. Clearly he should have known better, but he didn't and Hayden accepted the flag Essa handed his way. The wood was warm and scorched from the flames and even now with smoke pouring from the house Hayden could feel the heat of the flames that still remained.

He supposed they must have looked like monsters, covered in soot and blood. It was funny how perspective work, because truly all he felt was like a winner- he fucking loved feeling that way. He turned his back to the woman he'd written off as inconsequential- the one in her hands in knees, bowing before her victors. They'd gotten what they'd come for. At the sight of Jay and Jade, Hayden lifted the flag pole up in the air in victory.

"No thanks to you fu-" His shout cut off abruptly at the sudden intake of breath and scuffle that sounded from just behind him. Essa scrabbled at her captors hands her face growing shades darks as the air was pressed out of her wind pipes. It was like time had slowed and Hayden watched in slow motion as Essa writhed under her captor, her hands leaving the ones around her throat and reaching.

Help her!

His mind screamed and Hayden took a shaky step forward- every ounce of his logic fighting against the need to protect, to care. That kind of thinking was going to get him killed, he couldn't be worrying about others when everything was at stake. His wish- what it meant. The flag pole he'd risen to smash against Essa's attacker fell back, finding rest on his shoulder just as Essa gained the upper hand. The Chosen of Athena whirled around in the air, gaining her footing and with a mighty roar that would have put the fear of the Gods into even the mightiest soldier she felled her attacker, driving the broken end of the pole through muscle and bone until the stake pieced the ground.

The action made him want to fall to his knees, to worship at the temples of old and ask for even the smallest amount of her fire. Essa hovered over her kill, the weight of what she'd done a heavy shadow curling over her features as she stared sightlessly down at the un-moving body painting the grass red. It looked like the sort of scene a sculptor might carve into marble and Hayden hated to break it, but what he saw in Essa's eyes moved him.

He approached her, his steps sure on the debris littered grass and reached out with a filthy hand to press to her shoulder. His fingers and palm left their mark on her as he guided her gently away from the sight and towards Jay and Jade. Without a word he tossed them the flags and they caught them, already turning tail to return their newest wins to the cave. Both Chosen stood there, watching their teammates circle through the garden, the kitchen still smoking and flaming at their backs. Hayden slid Essa a side-long glance.

"Looks like Athena chose well." He told her, his eyes lingering on the handprint he'd left on her. "Are you ready?" He asked her moments later.

***

At nights fall, when the first of the constellations dotted the sky the game drew to a close. They'd done well enough and gathered four more flags to add to their collection, though nothing nearly as dramatic as the ATV incident took place. The great gong was sounded and Hayden wondered how many of the mallets they had laying around- since he'd stolen the one used that morning. Morning seemed like a distant memory- like it had been eons ago. When the light shone merrily down on him and he'd yet to find blood on his hands, but a night welcomed them Hayden felt the weight of everything he'd done press in on him. His body ached, as did his mind- his tired eyes swept over the scene. The fire had been put out in the kitchens and tarp flapped in the cliffside breeze covering the destruction caused.

Those that surrounded them numbered far less that what they'd started out with that morning and Hayden swept his eyes over the haggard teams trying to pick out faces he knew. Everyone's eyes looked different- hollow, darker.

"Well that certainly was quite the event!" A voice boomed over the speaker and Hayden groaned at the familiar grating tone of the MC that had opened the games. He'd come to learn the man had taken up the namesake of the God's messenger- Hermes. Spotlights focused on Hermes as he walked down the main garden steps and camera's seemingly appeared out of nowhere, focused on him. Hermes gave a cheeky thumb over to the newly covered kitchen. "Explosive even... if you catch my drift." He gave the camera a cheeky wink and clicked his tongue.

Hayden couldn't help but run a filthy hand down his face, not caring what he all smudged over himself. As soon as the winners were announced he was off to the public baths to get rid of all the evidence of the days events.

"I'm sure yourselves as well as everyone at home are eager to hear the results as well as hear about the lovely prize we've curated for the winning team!"
 
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