I never thought we would ever see the hallway once more, and I never thought I would rather want to stay in that horrid world than walk through the dreaded hallway once more. I trudged through the hallway with Mevia leading the charge, the colours of the portals reflecting off the polished floor. I sighed quietly to myself as I followed her, lowering my head, focusing on my steps. One two three four, one two three four, one two three four, over and over...

"This one!" Mevia exclaimed with pride. I looked up as she pointed to a wooden-rimmed portal glowing a dark, rusty orange. No doubt the one we were aiming for. "Come on!" Mevia grabbed my wrist and started to drag me towards the portal. I tugged her, wanting to retrieve my arm once more, but she had an iron grip on me.

"Hadrian, stop being a wimp!" Mevia exclaimed. "Do you want to kill her or not?" I hesitated. I... I didn't know. Back at The Games, I would've done it without another thought, without mercy, however this world had no re-spawn command within it. I hated her, I hated her with a passion, but was it right to commit murder for the reasons we had? After she stopped us, I finally realised all the damaged we had caused. I was honestly surprised she didn't murder us as soon as she could...

"Hadrian, helllooo?" Mevia whined. "Hey, I know you're think all technical right now, but look; we don't need a strategy, we need weaponry and our raw strength. We'll jump her!" I looked up at Mevia with a blank expression. This was something I never expected to come out of Mevia's own mouth. Yes, she certainly got carried away with killing competitors back at The Games, but she knows they won't re-spawn this time, right? Does she even care? Is she really willing to take someone's life permanently? That feels like overkill, literally...

"Hadrian, are you even listening?!" Mevia snapped.

"Y-Yes!" I managed to stammer. "I'm just not sure we can jump her very easily with the others around her"

"We'll be fine!" Mevia said, pushing me lightly. "Now come on, let's get going." She laughed. "This is going to be so much fun!" I only nodded in response, but deep down I was disgusted by her behaviour.

What had happened to Mevia? Why-

"Stop!" I exclaimed with anger. "I've heard enough!" Hadrian slumped down, guilt still plastered on his face, however I was blinded with anger at this point

"Jesse... I-"

"You are not sorry mister!" I shouted, my anger taking control. "You and your buddy escaped your imprisonment and made it to this world just to attack me? Kill me?! And what were you going to do next, harm everyone else? Lukas, Petra, Axel, Olivia, Radar, Ivor and even Harper?! Here I thought that maybe, just maybe you were here for another reason, possibly lost or that maybe you had turned over a new leaf, but no! You crumbled it up in your own hand and let fly away with the wind you sick bastard! First The Games, now this! What is wrong with you, you... You...!" I stopped. Hadrian looked horrified, hurt by my words. He was even tearing up slightly. He avoided my eyes and buried his head into his pillow as best as he could. I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my stomach; Guilt. I silently thought over everything I had just blurted out, but as I did, the guilt only built up more, as everything I had said I believed in. I forgot how much I hated Hadrian at The Games, how much I hated him for tricking me and my friends, for outright murdering them, stealing from me and manipulating me, but at the same time, the Hadrian in front of me now seemed to show regret for this. From what he had just told me, it seemed like it was Mevia's plan to commit homicide, and he himself was having second thoughts on the situation, but could I really believe every word he said when he seemed so 'victimised' in the story he gave me? When Mevia seemed like the true 'villain'? With all these conflicting thoughts in my head, I felt myself tearing up slightly, both from the guilt and stress. However what really got to me was Hadrian's soft sobs that had slowly become audible as I pondered.

He was crying.

Now I really felt guilty... Even if he was lying on the first part, I certainly had hurt him on mentioning The Games once more, and maybe even by mentioning Harper. Slowly, I placed my hand on his shoulder

"Hadrian, I... I-I'm sorry..." I murmured. "I didn't mean, well, I-I did but..." I stopped and sighed. "I didn't want you to know all that... I... I don't hate you, I just got angry..." Hadrian didn't move. Slowly, he lifted his head up from his damp pillow

"No, it's fine Jesse..." He whispered sadly. "You have every right to feel that way and every right to tell me so. I did hurt you beforehand and Mevia and I were going to hurt you again. You have every right to be mad with us" He paused for a moment, seemingly fighting the urge to sob once more. "Especially since you were kind enough to take us in and help us recover, despite what we were planning to do..." He lowered his head, tears spilling down his cheeks. "I'm sorry Jesse, I shouldn't have told you-" He stopped. "No... I'm sorry I even came to this world to harm you. I'm sorry I escaped. I should've just stayed in that world you had banished up to..." I had no words. I had no idea how to reply to all that. Hadrian sounded very sincere with his words, plenty of emotion seeped within every word, his tone filled with distraught and regret. I only looked upon the Old Builder, who only sat motionless in his bed, letting the tears fall once more. I bit my lip. I couldn't forgive him... But I could at least acknowledge that I believe him. Slowly, I moved my hand from his shoulder to the top of his back and lightly patted it. Hadrian winced a little, making me jolt my hand back

"Sor-"

"It's fine" He interrupted. "I know you were only trying to comfort me..." He smiled sadly. "I appreciate it..." I smiled back as I picked up the tissue box and offered them to him, though he shook his head. "I can barely move my arms, I couldn't even use them if I tried" He stated. "But thank you" I only kept my smile as I placed them back on the table. Despite just yelling at him mere minutes ago, he already seemed to have shrugged that all off. I myself however was still feeling slightly guilty from it all... I honestly couldn't forgive him. He had caused enough damage and enough trouble for my friends and I, but the least I can do is help him and Mevia recover. Despite what they did, no one deserves to die by immolation, or from the injuries they have endured so far. I want to help them both recover from this traumatising and damaging event, and maybe... Maybe I'll see if Hadrian truly is sorry, and he isn't just pulling the wool over my eyes once more. I'll admit any day that Hadrian is smart, very manipulative and very good at tricking people into doing his bidding, so he could easily be tricking me, giving me a false sense of trust, but I shouldn't assume this, at least not after the side of Hadrian I had just witnessed. Maybe he truly is sorry for his mis-deeds, maybe he truly does want to turn over a new leaf, start anew. Only time would tell however... Who knows what's going through his mind...

Before our, let's be honest, awkward conversation could continue, there was a small knock at the door, before about three doctors walked in.

"Madam Jesse, we're here for Hadrian's check-up" One of them stated. I nodded and stood up.

"He's all yours" I said. The doctors walked past me as I walked out of the room, but not before giving Hadrian one last look. He looked a little worried as the doctors surrounded him, but I merely gave him a thumbs up to make sure he was OK and as to say 'You'll be OK'. To my surprise, he smiled at me and mouthed 'Thank you'. I nodded in response as to say 'You're welcome', before I closed the door and made my way to the main room once more, expecting Radar to be there, however, he was nowhere to be seen. This didn't bother me however, he was more than likely attending to another job or on a quick break. I sighed and sat down on the steps to the armoury and looked at the pedestal where the Atlas would usually be held. Ivor and Harper had left for another 'adventure' a few days ago, though this time, if I wasn't mistaken, they were in Ground City for something. The last time they were there, they told me about this 'Dark Shadow' shenanigans, but apparently something more alarming had occurred at the city. I would've offered to join the two, but with Hadrian and Mevia still unconscious at the time they were called, I had to stay back. Hopefully, it wasn't too major and they have everything under control. Though my yearn for adventure myself wasn't the reason I was viewing the pedestal, but rather the adventure that I had obtained the Atlas. Despite how twisted The Games were when my team and I had arrived, the games were unbelievably fun! I could see why some competitors like Nell didn't mind Hadrian and Mevia's reign as long as the only concentrated on the games, they had a blast, and every time I visited, I did as well. However every time I was at the games, Otto barely spoke of Hadrian, Mevia, even Cassie at times. He would occasionally mention that he 'misses them', but never goes into any detail about them or who they were before their powered reign. The only 'clue' Otto has given me however, is the saying 'Never judge a book by its cover'. After what I had experienced today, maybe Otto was right... Maybe I was just judging Hadrian and Mevia from what I was seeing instead of actually getting to know them? Maybe there's more to them than what meets the eye...

As I pondered all this, I heard someone clear their throat, making me sit up immediately in surprise. To my relief, it was only Radar

"S-Sorry if I scared you Bos- I-I mean Jesse" Radar corrected himself. "A-And sorry for my absence. I was at the bakery. Here, I got you something as well" Radar handed me two freshly baked cookies. I smiled as I took them

"Thanks Radar, I appreciate it" I said as I took a bite, the gooey chocolate chips immediately melting in my mouth. "Mmmm!" I cooed. "That's good!"

"I thought after everything going on, we could use a little treat" Radar explained. "I even got Hadrian and Mevia some if they want one"

"That's very kind of you Radar" I said to him with a smile. "And smart. After all I had heard, I definitely needed this..." Radar gave me a slightly concerned look.

"D-Did something happen while I was gone?" He stuttered.

"Oh, nothing major" I dismissed. "Hadrian only told me how he arrived here, and... Why..." I looked at Radar, who had his notepad out. He looked at me eagerly, patiently waiting for me to inform him on what I had heard. I smirked.

"Always ready to do your job, aren't you?" I spoke. I chuckled slightly. "OK, I didn't get much since he didn't want to tell me much..."

"But here's what I've gathered..."