It had been a day since the contestants had entered the dome. The entire continent was abuzz with anticipation of the contest, but the dome had blacked out. Globe boards and billboard showcased the dome occasionally with the hopes of it finally revealing something about the contest happening within. Paparazzi were basically camped there waiting, but still nothing.
Many hoped for an immediate address from their ruler on what the situation was, but Zoran had remained quiet about it, leaving everyone in the dark.
Merva sat on her bed in her chamber in the official mansion, going through her mobile device, watching the dome updates, and videos on how to grow ones core energy. She stumbled upon a channel called "Suma's Dance", and got engrossed in her videos about how dance could enhance the core energy, and power.
There was a knock on her door.
"Yes." She shouted.
"Coming in." Alex said, and he opened her door, entering her chambers.
She looked up at him from her device. "Mhm?"
His eyes swooped around her room, before it landed on her. "You're not coming down for breakfast?"
"Not hungry." She answered, her attention back on her device.
"Is that devotional music I hear? Since when did you become religious?" Alex asked, a smile on his face.
"I am religious, I go to the Artemis and Apollo temple and pray during every festival. It all depends on... Well you know, one's point of view." She sat up, her attention divided.
"Really," he said his arms folded. "I am busy with military work, but I go to the temple more than you do." He was pushing her defensive buttons, and he knew it.
"I listen to the Phythia, and Hiereus channels, to educate myself even when I don't go to the temple."
Lena opened the door, and walked in. "Well, i go to the temple every week, if anyone cares to know." she said looking between the two of them.
"Impressed, aren't you?"
They both looked at her unimpressed.
"Besides, Alex." Lena said, folding her hands and facing him. "You are way older than both of us. When will you stop rage baiting either of us?"
He laughed throatily. "It is fun to see you both riled up, defending yourself."
"I was not defending myself, I was stating fact." Merva shot back.
"Why did I come here again?" Lena muttered, turning to leave. "Aha. I remember." She turned back. "Mother said everyone should come down for breakfast. Now!" Imitating the sharp tone of her mother.
'There was no way out.' Merva grumbled, she had mapped out her plan for when they all were eating.
She got up from her bed, following them behind. They all bantered and argued on their way down stairs.
Merva felt her time was running out. The application period for the Volataire Military Academy was almost over, and she needed a letter of guarantee from someone with a superior position, like her grandfather. She had already written her personal statement, and could retrieve copies of the other important documents from the institute.
She rushed through the meal, and went back to her chamber's. She paced back and front, her anxiety growing with each moment.
'What if I find a way and submit my application, and they don't pick me?' She paused. Another new fear. She shook her head, and resumed pacing. 'If I get the application submitted, I am sure they would pick me. I just have to get it in first.'
'Alex.' Her cousin brother's name popped in her head. 'He could forge grandfather's handwriting. He had done it when she and Lena were little.'
She hastened out of her chambers to his own, hoping that he was still around.
She knocked on his door, and barged in. He was holding onto a console, playing games, with headphones on.
"Alex." She called, walking to him. "Alex." But he was immersed in the game.
She tapped him on his shoulder. He removed his headphones, and paused his game, looking back at her.
"I see you are enjoying your military break." She remarked, rubbing her neck anxiously.
"Any problem?" He dropped down the console in his hands, his attention on her. "Is something wrong?"
"No." She answered, pausing. "I need your help."
"And. What do you need me to do for you?"
It felt like a rock in her throat. Would he agree? She remembered that when he had done it back then, it had gotten him in trouble.
"Could you please help me..." She whispered the rest. Her hands felt clammy. This was hard.
He was confused. "Are you in pain? Should I be worried?"
"No." She stopped him.
"I need a letter of guarantee."
"Okay. For what?" He asked, visibly relaxing that all was well.
"For the Military academy." She held her breath.
He was shocked. "You've never been interested in it."
"I am now." She replied.
"Does grandfather, or anyone else know?"
"No." She answered, biting her lips.
"You want me to forge his handwriting."
"Yes." She answered eagerly. "Grandfather wouldn't let me go, and I want to." She knew Alex would never betray her, but she did not want to tell him now.
He agreed, shaking his head slowly. "But you will have to be careful, I don't want it affecting me."
She nodded vigorously, trailing behind him as he got the supplies to get it done for her.
She watched as Alex formed the letter, perfecting their grandfather's handwriting. She took it from him once he was done, her eyes scanning the words with a mixture of excitement, and fear.
All she needed now was his stamp on it. As long as it was stamped, even if the handwriting seemed suspicious, she would not be suspected.
He watched her leave, but did not question her. She knew he should have already guessed where she was headed.
She made her way to her grandfather office, using a bit of power to turn the surveillance away. She made her way in, her heart pounding in her chest.
There was surveillance in the office. She darkened their camera's, reaching for the stamp which was on his desk. She took it, her heart skipping a beat as she quickly stamped the letter.
It felt easy, and frightening, adrenaline pumping through her veins.
She made her way out of the office, watching out to make sure no staff saw her.
"My lady." Her maid called, causing her heart to jump.
"Yes." She answered. She straightened immediately, hiding the parchment behind her. 'This was a wonderful way to expose oneself.' She thought.
"What is it, Gina?" She asked, her face a picture of calm.
"Nothing really." Gina responded.
She continued on her way to her chambers, and suddenly remembered. "Gina, I will go to the institute now. Could you get my things ready?"
"Would you be needing a flight?" Gina asked.
"Ah. Yes, but only as far as the gates. I'll board the tram to go inside."
She felt her heart hanging in her throat the entire flight from the mansion to the Institute gates, her mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead.
She was one step three steps closer to getting in.
When it landed, she gathered her belongings, and stepped out, her anxiety spiking as she made her way to the tram.
She headed to her department first to retrieve the photocopies of the needed documents, and then boarded again to the military academy to submit her application.
Her eyes scanned the unfamiliar surroundings, watching as cadets marched about in admiration.
For so long, her path had been determined by her grandfather and the thoughts of the public. She thought about all the things she had never been allowed to do, all the experiences she had never got to know. Her seat at the council was a huge part of her dream, and now he wanted her to denounce it because she was weak.
She would become strong. Just like her cousin brother.
As she stepped into the imposing building of the academy, a sense of determination swelled within her. As long as she got in, she would join the ranks of the elite.
The assessment process was grueling, pushing her to her limits.
She faced physical fitness tests, written exams, and intense interview with the academy's staff.
Her eyes burned with ambition as she demonstrated her skills and qualifications, refusing to give up.
The hours ticked by, each one a challenge to be overcome. She remained focused, her heart pounding with trepidation and nerves while she tried to follow all the instructions to the best of her ability.
Despite her expertise with arrows, she was basically no good on the field.
After what seemed like an eternity, she completed the assessment, and submitted her application documents.
As she walked out of the building, the night stars greeted her. She felt a sense of pride and accomplishment, she wasn't the worst, and she had done great for a novice like herself.
This was almost the last step to her getting into the academy, now all she had to do was wait.