Jesse's POV

A heavy force lands on my back out of no where. Then another, then another, then four more!

"Can't....breathe...!" I struggled to say as my lungs felt like they were crushed.

One by one all the weight gets off my back and, thankfully, I'm able to breathe again. I was about to get up off the ground but something stopped me. Lukas was holding his hand out to me. I was a bit surprised, considering our disagreement that had just occurred a few short minutes ago. But I nonetheless, took it. He lifted me off the ground and I stared into his shining blue eyes. I blushed ever so slightly and smiled.

"*sigh* I finally know what it's like to be the one who gets landed on" I said, letting out a small giggle. He chuckled at my comment and for just a split second I was able to forget that we were surrounded by people. I looked around and saw dozens of people wearing helmets and different colored uniforms while carrying diamond shovels. We were standing on a floating platform of snow with several holes in the ground. To my left are; Petra, Jess, Nell, and the robbers and Lukas being in front of me, still holding my hand. Well, we made it. I then hear the man's voice again but clearer this time now that my face isn't planted into the snow.

???: " Jesse...?"

I turned to the direction of the voice which came from a high area up to my right, then see a man with a white beard, bald, and wearing a green robe with yellow details. "Otto? Is that really you?" He gave me a wide smile then, through the microphone, said: " Contestants, please make your way back to the Competitor's Village while I sort things out. The games will continue as soon as possible." As soon as he finishes his statement, he starts to build himself a spiral staircase all the way down to the ground to greet us. All the competitors make their way off the platform and walk away off to the Competitor's Village, muttering quietly all the way. We hopped off the platform and walked over to Otto to talk to him. He gives me a welcoming smile and I extend my hand to shake his. He shook my hand and tried to strike friendly conversation with us, and while I desperately wanted to catch up with him after so long and talk, we couldn't at the moment. He then asked me what brought us back after so long. I saw it as my opportunity to explain everything.  And that's what I did, I explained everything. He seemed interested but not necessarily surprised. After I was finished he finally gave his reply: "My, you sure have gotten yourselves in a predicament, haven't you?" I chuckled then said "Ha, that's one way to say it."

Otto: "So to my understanding, you made a deal with these criminals that they'll get The Enchanted Flint & Steel and the Atlas, all depending on whether they win or lose a game of spleef?" He asked hesitantly. He wasn't wrong. It just sounded a lot weirder when he said it like that. "Yup, pretty much..."
Otto: " I must say, the stakes are quite high. Are you sure you want to do this, Jesse?"
I didn't answer him, I didn't need to. He already knew my answer. We've gone too far to turn back now.
He gave me an uneasy nod, then thought for a moment. He whistled for two of the gladiators and they walked over to us.
He ordered them to reset the arena. Obeying, they walked off to do as they were told. Otto then turned to me saying: " The arena should be ready in half an hour. In the meantime, you should head to the locker rooms; grab your supplies, get into your uniforms, construct a plan, etc. Caleb will show you the way-" he said gesturing to a young man by one of the exits. "...I hope you know what's your doing..." He finished before walking off. Caleb walked over then told us to simply follow him before he walked to the exit door. We all stayed silent as we walked to were Caleb was leading us. In the silence, I had time to think. I thought about everything. Everything we were getting ourselves into. But one thought stuck out the most: My conversation with Petra, and I remember telling myself that I'd try to talk to Lukas. I suppose now's probably the best time while everything is still tame. So I slowed down my pace and walked next to him. I don't know why but I'm a bit nervous to talk to him, I shouldn't be, but I am. I need to apologize, it's honorable for Lukas to be so concerned for his loved ones and I need to tell him that.

"Hey honey..." I said sorta quietly.

Lukas:" Hello, love..." He said after a second. He gave me a small, calming smile that eased my nerves.

"How are you feeling?"

Lukas:" Better. I've calmed down a bit-- And I'm sorry for taking my frustration out on you, I shouldn't have done that..."

I shook my head " No, it's fine. You shouldn't be apologizing, if anyone should be apologizing, it's me. Lukas, your kind and loyal, and brave and trustworthy and those are just a few of the endless list of reasons why I love you. But I failed to realize why you were so troubled. It was wrong of me to underestimate your concerns. I'm sorry..."

He looked a bit shocked at first but after a moment, his expression softened and he smiled at me.

Lukas's POV

I was a bit taken back by Jesse's response. But I just smiled and pulled her closer to me. "Thank you, Jesse. I love you too...❤️" I said before giving her a peck on the top of her head. She looked up at me with her cheeks a cute shade of pink and gave me a gorgeous smile that lit my heart on fire.

Caleb:" Alright, we're here!" We arrived at the locker room and, naturally, there were dozens of lockers. Speakers and banners lined the walls of stone and birch blanks. I've never actually been in this room. I know that Jesse has with Ivor but never myself. Nell and Caleb talked for a brief moment in the back corner of the room before Caleb entered some sort of back room. Perhaps they know each other? When Caleb came back out, he was holding and a pile of black uniforms. He started to hand each of us one, except Nell, who had already had hers. He gave me, Petra, Jesse, and Jess ones that were all black with green patches, while giving the robbers one that had red patches. Our helmets matched our uniforms and we were all given diamond shovels. Without much talking, we all changed into our uniforms.
When we were all ready, we headed out to the arena, which we've been told is ready.

Ahhhh! MCSM Season 2 episode 5 came out today and I'm so excited! Hope you liked this chapter, the next one should be out soon. Anyway, have a good rest of your day!