Lager slowly cracks his eyes open, the gold pupils peeking out from underneath his eyelids.

"Good morning!" I exclaim from where I stand beside the bed, looking up at the glass ceiling and the sun which is shining down into the room. "Or maybe I should say good afternoon?"

Lager groans, using one arm to push himself upwards into a half-sitting position while rubbing his eye with the other. It's a good thing he has a canopy on his bed, or else he would be in the direct sunlight, which is not a pleasant thing to open your eyes too.

"How long was I out?" He croaks, his voice hoarse from sleep and his sickness.

"All night and about halfway into today. It's one o'clock right now." I respond, before turning around and making my way towards his desk, making sure to stay far away from the borders of the room and where the glass floor is.

I pick up the tray of food on the desk and turn to see Lager trying to climb out of the bed.

"Oh no you don't." I growl, storming to the bed and setting the tray down on the nearby dresser, then using my now free hands to shove him back down onto the mattress.

He grunts, falling back weakly onto the mattress. He doesn't even get a second to think before my hand is back on his forehead, feeling his skin, before yanking my hand away when it starts to burn.

"Just as I suspected. You're still sick. It's not as bad as yesterday, but still pretty bad." I say, while moving to grab the tray and then settling down on the bed with it in my lap by Lager's side.

"I'm well enough to get out of bed." Lager huffs, yet again making a move to raise himself up again, when my icy glare freezes him in his tracks.

"Try getting off this bed again. I dare you."

He doesn't move.

I happily reshuffle the tray on my lap so it's more balanced, before taking a spoon and dipping it into the bowl. I bring it up, my eyes darting to Lager, only to see the expression on his face is anything but pleasant.

"What in Dalton is that mess?" He questions, pointedly staring at the spoon which is holding some of the green mush from the bowl.

"Hmm," I hum, scrunching my eyebrows and staring down at the bowl. "I think it's a mix of kale, bananas, avocado, mangoes, and coconut........at least, that's what I know for sure is in it. There could be some fish....".

"Fish." Lager blanches, starting to look more pale and green the longer he stares at the bowl.

I shrug. "It's basically nutrients in a bowl! Isn't it great?"

"There's no way I'm eating that." Lager responds flatly, making me narrow my eyes.

"You will if you want to get better."

"How did you even make that?" He questions, and I lift a shoulder casually.

"In your near-death state, you forgot to turn the wall and only exit out of here back into a solid, so I just slipped out through it and into the kitchen."

"Did anyone see you?" He asks anxiously.

I think back to earlier this morning, when I had managed to find the kitchen, clear of any Highclere chefs since they were on their breakfast break. I immediately went to work, selecting fruits and foods at random that contained many nutrients. It wasn't hard to find a knife, and in no time I was hacking away at the foods with a vicious ferocity that only seems to consume me when in the kitchen.

My eyes grow wide, as I remember what I had almost forgot.

I was in the middle of violently killing an avocado, when Max had walked in, his eyes hungrily set on the huge pantry across the room. That's when he noticed me.

He took one look at me standing there, covered in juice and pieces of fruit scattered around, a crazed look in my eyes and knife in hand, before he did a one-eighty turn and walked out, whistling like nothing had happened.

"No." I eventually answer Lager, although from the suspicious look in his eyes I can tell he doesn't believe me.

"If you're strong enough to ask questions, you're strong enough to answer them." I finally say, making Lager tense up.

"I'd rather eat the food."

"You'll do both. Every question I ask that you don't answer is a spoonful of this." I smile evilly, waving the spoon around as he makes a face.

"Fine." He finally chokes out.

"What's wrong with Kay, and where is she?"

He smiles, most likely relieved that it's a question he can answer.

"She most likely has the same condition I have, and as for her whereabouts, I have entrusted Cecil to watch over her. She's most likely in his quarters."

I frown at the mention of the adviser, remembering how terrible he'd been to all of us.

"I can tell you didn't have a pleasant first meeting with him," Lager comments while watching my expression, his lip slightly curled up. "Cecil is a complete and utter bastard, but I promise he has his good moments."

"I'll just have to take your word for it until I meet him again."

Which will hopefully be never.

"So what exactly is this condition that you and Kay seem to share?" I ask, going for the golden question of the day.

He grimaces, the opens his mouth slightly, and I stare at him, blinking, until I realize that he's waiting for me to spoon feed him some of the food.

"Seriously?" I burst out in irritation, narrowing my eyes down at him. "This is the question you won't answer? I think I deserve to know the reason why I'm looking after your sorry behind."

He just opens his mouth wider.

Growling, I scoop up as much of the green slop onto the spoon as I can, before shoving it almost roughly into his mouth.

His reaction is instant, and I shield myself with my arms as he starts to gag, praying that he doesn't spit it on me.

When his coughing finally ebbs off I lower my arms to find him glaring murderously at me, his chest rising up and down in quick breaths.

"Are you trying to kill me?" He empathizes, his eyes darting to the bowl as if debating whether to break the glass floor and throw it into the heart of the volcano.

"I don't feel the least sorry for you because all you had to do was answer the question, but it should be edible."

"Should be." He scoffs, rolling his eyes.

"Want another spoonful?" I retort, and he immediately tenses.

"If you were any other person, you would have been fed to a Lyncher by now." He mutters, and I try not to think too deeply into his words, instead focusing on the shivers that wrack up my spine at the mention of the terrifying monsters/guardians of Dalton.

That's when my mind drifts to another mysterious entity, and I know the next thing I want to discuss with Lager.

"During the Harvest Festival..." I start off, watching as Lager's ears nearly perk up as his interest sets in. "When you lead me to End...something strange happened."

There's a long pause before Lager finally responds.

"What happened?"

"He started acting strange and then when he turned around.......his eyes."

"His eyes....?" Lager pushes.

"They were a bright orange. Shortly after I saw them, he ran away. I haven't seen him since."

Lager doesn't respond for a moment, and then, "Sorry, I don't know anything."

"What do you mean by that?" I snap, whipping my head around to look at him. "Should't you know something?"

"And what gives you that idea?"

"I don't know, maybe the fact that you're the Darkling High Commander and therefore should have some clue as to what's going on?"

"End is an enigma." He says thoughtfully. "I have no control over him."

If anyone else had given me that response, I would have pushed for more and claimed that they were lying and withholding information, but the way that Lager said it makes me pause. He doesn't seem to be lying, and my lie radar isn't picking up any hints whatsoever. I guess I could let it go.....for now.

"Are you feeling any better?" I finally ask, my tone softening as I realize that I might have been putting too much stress on him during the interview.

He waves a hand nonchalantly. "I'm fine-", Then he pauses for a few seconds, before abruptly crossing his arms and shivering.

"Actually, now that you've mentioned it, I'm f-feeling so..so c-c-cold."

I raise an eyebrow, standing up and placing the bowl and tray on the nearby dresser, before turning back to him.

"Oh really?"

He nods vigorously, jolting now and then as shivers wrack his body.

"Is there a heater or hidden fire place in here?" I ask, gazing around like one might pop out at any given moment.

"N-no.....but it m-might help if we shared b-body heat."

Body heat?

Confused, I turn around to look at him and that's when it clicks. I want to face palm myself for not seeing it earlier.

I start to march towards him, my eyes narrowed in my resolve, and I reach out a hand. Lager stares at me with wide eyes, not reacting quick enough as I place my hand on his forehead, which is burning to the touch.

"Explain to me, Lager." I say coolly after yanking my hand away. "How you're freezing cold yet burning hot at the same time."

He winces, and says almost questionably, "I'm cold on the inside...?"

"Mhmm." I hum, giving him a flat look, which morphs into an angry one. "Just what were you trying to pull?"

"Nothing." He mutters, but he can think twice if he thinks I'm going to let it go that easily.

"You were trying to get me in the bed with you, weren't you?" I accuse, my face slightly heating up as I realize what I'm implying.

"Yes, well no, I mean...". He answers, struggling for words and I wait. "Yes, that's what I wanted, but not to do the things you were thinking. I'm sick and can barely do any strenuous activity as it is."

My face heats up even more as I think about what that strenuous activity is. I watch as he sits up, so he's only a head shorter than I.

"So you wanted to snuggle?"

Suddenly, before I can move he grabs my hand, pulling my down onto his chest in one swift movement, before letting go. I land with an 'oomph', not failing to notice how he's careful to not touch my skin with his for too long.

I put my hands on his chest, pushing myself up and nearly gasping when I see how close our two faces are. Waves of deja vu crash over me as my mind flashes back to that moment when we almost kissed but then he fell asleep.

"Is it so wrong?" He says softly, his golden eyes latching onto mine. "To want to just lay in a bed with you?"

I open my mouth, but no words come out.

Is he seducing me?

I've never been seduced before, but I'm pretty sure this is it.

He leans a fraction of an inch closer, and my muscles coil up, my body going rigid all over, before relaxing as my head is in a whirl.

What the heck even is seducing?

Suddenly, his eyes shift downwards and I nearly have a heart attack right on the spot.

Is he looking at my chest?!?!

But then his eyebrows narrow in confusion and alarm, and I want to die on the inside.

He must have finally realized how flat chested I am. God, please take me now.

"Ashley?" He asks, making me snap out of my thoughts.

"What?" I croak out hoarsely, preparing myself to hear the harsh words he has to say.

"You're necklace is glowing."

What?

I look down to see surely enough my necklace had slipped out of my shirt, and the crystal teardrop dangling on the end of it was glowing a bright blue.

I push myself of of Lager, hearing him groan, but there are larger concerns on my hands right now than the almost kiss we once again shared.

"Core wants me." I speak out loud, holding the crystal in the palm of my hand.

"Do you know what for?" Lager asks, sitting up and fully awake now.

I remember a while ago explaining everything to him about what I had seen in the Core, and telling him that not only was the Core a place, but also a person. At first he'd been in denial, but eventually he'd come around to believing me. Now his only problem is his dislike for the necklace for whatever reason.

"No." I finally respond, before turning to look at him trying to get off the bed. "I'm going to have to leave soon, but who's going to take care of you?"

He sighs, standing up to his full height and slowly stretching. "I'll summon Cecil, but I really don't want you going off by yourself. Would you let me if I asked to go with you?"

"Absolutely not." I respond automatically, walking over to him and standing next to him in case he collapses or needs support. "You should take it easy. I don't know how long you'll be gone, but I want to leave knowing that at least someone's watching over you."

Even if it is a cruel Adviser.

At that moment I see movement out of the corner of my eye and I turn around to see Adviser Cecil walking into the room, dark green cloak swaying with every step. When he sees me a smile slides onto his face, before he drops into a bow towards Lager.

"You called for me Darkling High Commander?"

I look back and forth at them in confusion. When did Lager call for him? They must have some weird telepathy bond. Just the thought of that sends shivers down my spine.

"Quit the formalities, Cecil." Lager rolls his eyes, before taking a few careful steps towards Cecil, even when I make a low sound of disapproval in my throat. He should not be walking yet. He could collapse at any given moment.

"Ashley has to go on some important business, and therefore, you're on babysitting duty."

Cecil nods once, before turning to me, his gaze scrutinizing.

"Good luck with Core." He speaks after an awkward moment, and my draw nearly hits the floor.

"You know the way there?" Lager turns to me, face set in a grim expression. I can tell he doesn't like this one bit.

"Yes." I say, taking a few steps towards where Cecil entered the room which is also the only exit. "I'll be back soon hopefully, but just in case don't wait around for my return."

"Ashley." Lager calls after me when I'm nearly to the corridor, and I turn to see Cecil next to him, both of them watching me leave. "Be careful." Lager finishes, and I nod, before turning and continuing to walk away, not stopping to think about how that comment warmed my heart for a second.

I get to the white wall and wait a second, giving time for Lager to concentrate, before stepping through.

I'm out on the other side in a second tops, and I pause, looking behind me at the wall almost wistfully, before turning and reluctantly walking down the sloped, winding hallway.

Grasping the tear drop crystal in one hand I make a silent vow to return soon, once whatever bad news or mission the Core has for me is over with.

I exit Highclere, nodding goodbye to the guards who stare at me in confusion, trying with all my might to stay focused on the task at hand.

But no matter how hard I try, I just can't get the image of the near kiss I just experienced out of my head.



Dear Readers, Hey! It's me! Back from the dead! I hope you enjoyed this pretty much fan-service chapter, but don't worry, It's leading up to the huge plot that's finally going to happen. One of my friends/followers recently told me that she saw a person wearing a shirt that said "I heart Lager" on the front and "Experiment Zero" on the back. I don't know who that person is, but if your reading this, that' so cool! Thank you so much! Feel free to comment some theories about some of the questions Ashley asked and what you think the answers really are. Oh, just a little heads up, there's gonna be Zashley in the next chapter. Back to back Lager and Zero chapters, I spoil you guys too much. XD Vote, comment, and throw a boomerang (I personally have never done that and have never seen a person do it so I kind of feel as if they only work in cartoons). Lots of love,

Dangeroustoken