Chapter 111: Kestrel’s Mother (2)
Kestrel wasn’t sure she wanted her own alpha, but she was happy. The Queen was okay with her going to and from the Polluted Zone and even supported her. With the Queen’s approval, it’d be way easier for her to visit there again.
"I’ve been wondering, which Polluted Zone are you thinking of going to next?" the Queen asked Kestrel before they said goodbye.
"I’m not sure yet," Kestrel answered. Right then, she felt like someone was watching her super closely. It felt like someone was trying to see inside her mind to check if she was lying or not.
She couldn’t act nervous, or whoever was watching would notice. Fortunately, she didn’t have anything to hide; she really hadn’t decided where to go next. She felt honest and brave.
"You’re still thinking about it?" The Queen asked, touching her forehead gently. "Here’s an idea: Why not try Polluted Zone 338? It’s an old one and has many mysteries to discover."
The Queen was basically telling Kestrel what to do. All Kestrel could do was say thanks and agree.
As she left with Luther, he asked, "Ever heard of Polluted Zone 338?"
She shook her head. There were so many Polluted Zones, and she didn’t know all of them.
"It’s called the Eyehole. It’s like a dark city underground, a place with no eyes," said Luther, looking worried. "I wonder why the Queen would send someone like you there."
"The Eyehole," Kestrel whispered to herself. She remembered seeing something about it on the wooden box she found in the shipwreck. The design on it showed an eye symbol connected to a map.
The Eyehole was the same as Polluted Zone 338.
"The Queen always knows what she’s doing," Luther said, tapping his chest as if he was saying a little prayer. "Let’s head to the Royal Guard. We’ll find someone strong to help you out."
Even though Kestrel didn’t want any help, she knew she had to listen to the Queen. And Luther would make sure of it.
They took an elevator down to the floor where the Royal Guard hung out. Luther was going to pick someone strong to go with Kestrel.
"What kind of helper are you thinking of?" he asked.
"What kind?" She thought for a bit. "The strongest one, I guess."
...
The place where the Royal Guard stayed was inside the Tower. It was a whole floor with fancy training stuff and a big area to practice.
Today, lots of people were gathered there. They were all heading in one direction, like something big was going on.
"I think they’re picking someone to guard a beta when she goes to the Polluted Zone," one guy told his friend.
"Why would anyone from the Royal Guard want to babysit a beta?" the other guy said, sounding annoyed.
They both went to the place for signing up, chatting as they looked at the screen where they had to enter their names.
A lot of people were gathered around, trying to see what was happening, but not many were signing up. Word was that the person who needed guarding wasn’t someone important like a royal, but just an average beta. Plus, they’d have to go to the Polluted Zone, which was super dangerous. So, most were just there to watch and gossip.
"Isn’t she that beta everyone’s talking about? The one who figured out something about the Erdtree?"
"I’ve heard of her! Imagine a beta going to the Polluted Zone all the time. She must be really brave."
"Which alpha would team up with such a beta? She’s probably super intimidating."
"She probably looks super scary. Maybe like a big, armored animal or something. I’m not signing up."
While they were chatting, a guy with a cool robot arm walked by them. He took out a small computer from his arm and signed up on the screen.
"Registered. Welcome, Sergeant Rakan," said a robotic voice from the screen.
"Wait, is that Rakan? Didn’t he go missing in the Polluted Zone?"
"Yeah, he was gone for months. Everyone thought he was gone for good. But he got out when there was that big accident in the Polluted Zone."
"And he’s signing up after all that? And he lost an arm! Isn’t he scared, especially since they’re going to the Eyehole?"
Rakan turned around and looked at the two gossipers. "Fear is for the weak," he said with a serious look. "Real strength is when you’re drawn to challenges." He then showed off his robot arm and headed to where they were choosing the guards.
After Rakan, a strong-looking alpha with a big beard signed up.
"I’ve heard stories about Rakan’s robot arm. I want to see how good he really is. I don’t really care about the beta."
Then, another guy, who had been to the Polluted Zone of the Erdtree, signed up. "I’m doing this for Kestrel," he said.
One by one, more alphas started to sign up. Even if there weren’t many, they were all really among the strongest from the Royal Guard.
Some had been on a mission to the Polluted Zone. Many hadn’t even met Kestrel.
A beta who goes to the Polluted Zone is a big deal. Maybe those noble alphas in fancy clothes who always stay safe don’t get it. But those who risk their lives in the Polluted Zone know exactly how brave it is.
They knew that Kestrel was special. She was the kind of beta who could team up with alphas and get in the Polluted Zone without hesitation. Everyone was eager to meet her and see what made her so different.
"Man, I can’t believe so many guys signed up," one of the alphas remarked, giving his friend a playful shove. "She’s fearless, even around those mutants. She hangs out with alphas all the time, and now everyone wants to meet her." When he tried to shove his friend again, he realized his friend had already sneaked up front and signed up.
Coming back down from the higher levels of the Tower, Brandon and Ren saw the crowd on the training ground and got curious.
"Hey, what’s happening?" Brandon stopped a guy who was in a hurry.
"They’re picking the top alpha," he answered, trying to catch his breath. "Luther’s in charge. Everyone’s going to watch."
After getting the gist, Brandon took Ren to see the selection for themselves.
"The Eyehole, huh?" Brandon muttered, remembering something he’d heard recently. "Weird how they’re sending a beta there and Luther has to pick an alpha to be her partner."
The place they were using for the selection looked like the usual training spot for alphas: a big circular field with barriers all around, and seating areas for viewers.
Brandon and Ren found a spot to watch from and saw two alphas going at it in the center.
With so many people there to watch, more and more alphas wanted to take part. That’s when Luther showed up on the opposite side, with a girl walking beside him.
Kestrel was dressed in a crisp white beta uniform. She was fixing her skirt and taking a seat with elegance. From the rumors, people expected her to look tough and muscular, but she looked like any other beta: young, slender, and pretty.
But there was something different about her.
Most betas would have turned bright red and felt super awkward with so many alphas staring at them. But not her. She looked calm and confident.
In this world, alphas from the upper echelons typically chose their partners from the betas who graduated from the academy. As a result, betas were usually the ones waiting, often portrayed as timid and shy, not daring to step forward and certainly not interacting casually with alphas. These were the unwritten rules.
Yet, here was Kestrel, boldly standing with confidence. High up, she leaned casually on a railing, watching as alphas competed for her attention. She looked so at ease, like she was right where she belonged. After all, she was a legendary beta with the unique ability to choose her alpha partner.
She stood tall, her pristine white dress waving gracefully in the gentle breeze. Far from appearing meek or overwhelmed, she radiated strength, authority, and an unmistakable warrior spirit. You couldn’t fake this appearance; it was something earned through countless battles.
Kestrel was no ordinary beta. She’d faced fearsome mutated beasts and had even unlocked the mysteries of the notorious Polluted Zone of the Erdtree. She wasn’t some fragile decoration; she was a battle-hardened warrior.
From his vantage point, Ren observed Kestrel, now the center of everyone’s attention. "She’s got something special," Brandon, standing next to him, remarked. "You’ve met her before, right? Word has it she gave you the key to the portal of the Polluted Zone."
Ren briefly tore his gaze away from Kestrel and made a soft sound of acknowledgment, hinting at a deeper connection or perhaps a shared secret.
Feeling he might be missing a juicy bit of information, Brandon pressed on. Around them, the ambiance was electric, filled with shouts and cheers.
Brandon, always keen on details, nudged Ren, "Thinking of joining the mission? Curious about our queen’s chosen beta?"
Ren, ever the stoic, fixed his eyes on the competing alphas below. "If you, the deputy, think I should, then I’ll do that," he replied, his face giving nothing away. Always the obedient soldier, it seemed he was just waiting for Brandon’s direction.
Down in the field, the alphas’ battle had intensified, with their psychic incarnations in full display.
Brandon paused, deep in thought. He was intrigued by Kestrel and was curious about the queen’s intentions regarding the mysterious Polluted Zone 338. In his mind, Ren was the ideal choice to accompany Kestrel and gather insights.
Yet, as Brandon looked at Ren, he felt as though he was seeing him in a new light, almost envisioning him as an armored knight, shield up, emotions locked away.
Finally, Brandon said, "Join the selection. Do your best, be by Kestrel’s side, and venture into the Polluted Zone together." And with that, Brandon set the course for Ren’s next mission.
