(Amaia)

With measured steps, Ramian walks over to where Saiph is standing.

Alnitak moves and stands just behind me, lowering himself. He places his chin on my shoulder as if ready to enjoy the show.

My skin delectably tingles from the contact, crossing my arms over my chest I intently watch.

"We will begin with Mr Kalit. Come and stand here, face your peers," Saiph instructs, pointing at a spot in the middle. Ramian reluctantly obeys and stands with his legs slightly spread. His blonde hair is pulled back today.

"Now, your mind is going to induce a reality which won’t be there. It will conjure up a nightmare for you, bringing to life what you dread. You will fight it, using your mental strength. No weapons. The task is to pull yourself out of that imaginary reality. Are you ready?" Saiph takes a round and stands in front of Ramian, his broad back facing us. I’m amazed by how huge he is in comparison to me.

His muscular arms lift, and his large hands move closer to Ramian’s head, touching his temples with his index finger.

And then he moves back, letting us have a clear view of Ramian. Saiph stands facing us and begins to speak.

"I have induced a nightmare for him, it will evolve according to what he fears the most. He needs to fight his way back."

While Saiph explains what’s happening, Ramian’s facial expressions begin to change. From neutral to confused and then finally to horror. His cheeks pull back, and his nose pulls up.

Suddenly, he crouches, his hands shoot in front of him as if ducking and blocking something terrifying him.

Screams escape his throat. He lands on his knees, his head bends forward, and his eyes are still closed. His body shakes involuntarily as if he is being electrocuted.

His mate shrieks from our side, her hands going to her terrified face.

"Told you, Saiph is going to fry his brain." Alnitak has no shard of mercy in his voice when he whispers it in my ear.

I try to feel some pity for Ramian but there is nothing.

"Fight through it. Channel your inner strength, your light," Saiph guides him. But he is on the ground now, holding his stomach, his legs thrashing.

"It’s not real, Ramainnn. Whatever you are seeing is just an illusion. You can pull yourself out," Filana shouts, bending over and holding her knees.

"No one can escape Saiph’s prison jail..." Mintaka murmurs from my side.

The looks of horror pass over everyone’s faces at Ramian’s growing yowling.

With a passive face, Saiph finally bends down and touches Ramian’s forehead again.

Slowly, Ramian’s expressions begin to soften, the look of horror on his face melts away, and he stops squirming.

His eyes open and the terror reflects back in them. His breaths come out ragged as Filana rushes to him and takes him in her arms.

"Ah, little pussy is frightened," Alnitak mercilessly says.

I try to feel some semblance of pity for him but knowing his take on my kind, I come up with nothing.

"Stand up, Mr Kalit, I hope it answers your question if I am qualified enough to teach you how to fight against a Chittering," Saiph mercilessly asks, not giving Ramian time to even catch his breath.

He leaves Filana’s arms and staggers to his feet, huffing and terrified.

"It’s not a cuddling session," Saiph says, folding his arms and gesturing to Filana to step aside with a slight shift of his right hand.

Flabbergasted, she obeys, casting Saiph a distasteful glance. They don’t regard him like a real professor; I am sure they know that he is Queen’s personal guard and think lowly of him.

That’s not the vibe I get from him though.

"Explain to others what you saw," Saiph focuses his attention on Ramian.

Sweat covers Ramian’s face, which has turned red from embarrassment. His gaze flickers towards us and I know twins are snickering back at him.

"...umm, I am not going to talk about it. I need a break..." he huffs out.

Saiph regards him for a second. His face gives nothing away. Ramian appears like a dwarf in front of him. "Chittering won’t give you a break during combat–will you ask it the same question?"

Ramian shakes his head, still trying to recover from the experience he had.

"I saw my kingdom burning and everyone I loved lying dead in a pool of blood," he says in a small voice and for the first time I do feel pity for him.

That’s exactly what my worst nightmare was, where my village was burnt, and my family was massacred. He only got a glimpse of what I went through and he was already losing his shit.

"Next time, you will fight through, instead of losing yourself in the illusion. Remember, to focus on that inner light or the person you care about," Saiph explains, making Ramian nod.

"Return to your guildmates." Saiph turns fully to face us again, his legs spread wide, and his shoulders squared.

"Don’t lose yourselves in your brains and illusions. Learn to focus, learn to channel that light you all are born with," he repeats for us and we nod.

His gaze rakes past everyone and then focuses on me.

"Miss Zhāng!" A slight jolt my heart gives in anticipation. "Let’s go with you next."

Alnitak’s hands find my shoulders and he squeezes. "You can do it, Amaia. If anything goes wrong, I will pull you out. Remember to latch onto your light early, that’s the only way to survive his illusions."

I nod and step forward, trying to keep the elevated beats of my heart in control.

Saiph points towards the spot Ramian has left and I occupy it, taking in a deep breath.

"Are you ready?" He asks, his cold eyes finding mine.

I give him one simple nod. He shifts, standing in front of me. His large hands reach out and his index fingers gently touch my temples.

Warm, his touch is warm.

"I believe in you, Amaia," he almost whispers before my soul seems to be hurled out of my body and I land in what appears to be a thick forest.

And I am not alone.