Thoughts of Aron lingered at the edges of my mind as I shot through space, distracting me from what I really should've been thinking about: my mission. Despite my efforts to divert it, my brain continuously returned to the rebel leader's confidence and optimism. He radiated a sort of sure pride even in his situation, and seemed to live by the belief that, in the end, everything would somehow work out. 

I found my admiration of his attitude (and the long scar on his cheek- don't forget the strangely attractive scar) quickly growing, and consuming most of my available brainpower at the moment. 

Although, in the defense of my behavior, I was fairly well prepared for my task. At least, as prepared as you could be for what was essentially a suicide mission. 

The Flame girls on-board had twisted my long, dark hair into loose curls and given me a short, yellow dress to wear. By the time they were finished with me, I looked less like a shadow of a girl who's been to Hell and back, and more like an innocent kid straight out of the Program.

That was good.

I could not allow my appearance to arouse suspicion, or my already low chances of survival would further diminish. 

"We're preparing to land, Princess," said Rory as the spaceship leaned to the side, beginning to drift to the right. This position gave me a clear view of Lessaenes. 

The sight of the bluish-gray ball filled me with a hodgepodge of jumbled emotions. I was filled with a sense of pride at the grandeur and beauty of my home planet, but also hatred and disgust, for its horrid inhabitants. These weren't even the only things I felt. In fact, I didn't even know what I felt, only that I was feeling something very strongly. 

We dropped closer and closer to Lessaenes until its curves were no longer visible against the black sky of outer space. The planet's gravity slowly drew us into orbit, and the ship's window was filled with a deep, glowing blue. It was almost the color of my Aura. I experienced the now-familiar sensation of weightlessness yet again as we plunged into the atmosphere.

"We're going down in a flat plain about a mile out from Glaisse," Rory yelled over the roar of the rockets. "Your job is to walk to the city and request entry at the wall. After that, your only task is to stay alive."

I squeezed my eyes shut as we plummeted towards an endless ocean of tall grass, wondering what I had gotten myself into.

Our ship rotated, going from a nose-first dive to a tail-first drop, before three spindly legs extended out from its belly, gently grabbing the ground and breaking our fall. The landing was less disastrous than my previous one. I barely felt the bump of the spacecraft's legs hitting the ground. 

"Now, go! We'll take care of the evidence!" Rory nearly commanded.

I opened the hatch and jumped out of the ship. My legs felt like jelly from my long journey through space, and I was forced to sit for a few seconds in the long grass until I regained control of my lower body. 

It was hard to believe that I was so close to the largest city in the Empire. Endless fields stretched out forever in all directions, and a narrow, stone path was the only indication of the right way to Glaisse. On this path, I began what seemed like the longest walk of my life. 

I was forced to drag my feet through the thick grass, which brushed the tops of my knees, and my thin dress certainly wasn't helping. By the time the towering Wall of Glaisse was visible, my back was drenched in sweat, my shoes were filled with sticky mud, and my perfect hair was ruined. 

However, this was good. I needed to look like I had been in a struggle in order for my story to be believable. 

And my story had to be believable. 

A cascade of memories overtook me as I stood in front of the tall, seamless metal wall that separated the city of Glaisse, Lessaenes from everything outside it. I remembered playing on the very same wall, putting out an Aural slide and zooming down the slope at breakneck speeds. The laughter of my younger self echoed in my ears, and I felt Tara's hands wrapping around my waist, shielding me.

The recollection filled me with a new sense of purpose. 

I had to save her. 

Metal doors were stationed across the circular wall at equal distances, clearly built to blend in with the barrier. In front of each entrance was a pair of Ice Guards. The soldiers stood at the ready, one hand holding a spear and the other placed on a concealed gun. As soon as I was within their view, five of them snapped to attention, training their pistols on me. 

"Name and business," an Ice Guard said roughly. 

"Princess Viviana Arystenn," I said with mustered confidence, trying my hardest to look like a true royal.

"Nice try, kid," he rolled his eyes. "Go back home."

"No, I'm actually the princess!" 

"I said, go! Scram!" 

I extended my arm, exposing my purplish Aura, and lifted my eyes, displaying their purplish hue. 

"She looks legit, man," the other Ice Guard nudged his partner. "I mean, the up-there capital accent, the eyes, the Aura...it's so accurate. I've been in the Ice Guard for a decade now, and I've never seen no con artist who could pull somethin' like this off." 

"So, whaddya say we do?" The first Guard exhaled sharply. 

"I say we take 'er to the Queen." 

"The Queen would laugh at us." 

"Better safe than sorry. We could be beheaded for turnin' the lost princess away." 

"The lost princess ain't stupid! If she really is alive, why on Lessaenes would she walk up here like she don't got a care in the world?" 

"Sweet Lumys, you're such a moron!" 

The Ice Guards continued their bickering for a few minutes before they finally arrived at a- somewhat- reasonable compromise. 

"Come with us, and don't try anything," one of the Guards growled. He pulled a keyring out of his pocket and stuck a different key into each of the three locks on the outer door. Then, he punched a long code into the keypad on the metal wall beside the entrance. He gripped the long knob tightly and jerked it to the left, causing the heavy door to slowly swing inwards with a loud groan. 

I blinked as the blinding lights of Glaisse pierced my eyes for the first time in ten years, and the second Ice Guard placed his hands on my shoulders, limiting my mobility. 

I was in the city. 

Now, it was time for the hard part.