**Appling | Circus of Wonder**

Yahtzee showed panic on his face, turning toward the tent entrance. There was urgency in his voice. *"Come on! Let's go find Wil!"*

Cora rolled her eyes. “You’re embarrassing me. I’m sure he’s f-” But Yahtzee wouldn’t hear it, already heading out. She stared apologetically at his teacher. She noted how he seemed to be ‘in on the secret’. She would have need to speak with him later. “Um. We’ll be right back.”

She joined Yahtzee outside, and together they circled the plaza. Occasionally they called out Will’s name, but to no avail. He was no where to be seen. At this point Cora still wasn’t too worried, certain he was in a tent somewhere enjoying the many sights of the circus. 

“Don't fret so much, Yahtzee. I’m sure he’s enjoying popcorn and scantily dressed ladies.” She said sarcastically, trying to get him to at least smile. Those weren’t Will’s tastes at all, but it would be funny if they caught him with the circus mistresses.

“Let’s search again later. For now, we need to regroup with Phil and the others and plan what the hell we’re doing next. M’kay?” Cora said, pulling at the loose threads of her dirty hoodie. “Maybe they have clothes they’d be willing to donate…”

~~~

**Atlantis | Director’s Laboratory**

Will’s screams grated The Director’s sensitive ears. He growled, closing the distance between him and the Elemental. He grabbed the crystal around Will’s neck with a lithe grip, making it glow again. Not enough to send Will under comatose again, but it would exhaust Will to a point his eyes would beg to be rested. For a time, this would pacify the firey Elemental.

“I’m ashamed.” His metallic voice whispered maliciously. “You act nothing of Kyra’s final warriors. You give no respect to the element you were born with. Honestly, Fire might have suited you better, given your temper.” 

Vrail stared him dead in the eye, moving a couple paces from the tilted metal bed. “Although, I understand where your rage is coming from. I did have your friends killed, after all...” He smiled cruelly. “Correction: Tortured then killed. Their screams were delightfully *hopeless*.”

He chuckled before leveling a dark stare at Will. The weight of his alien eyes were almost tangible, having a naturally frightening effect. He spoke slowly, bearing the full force of his authority as Ruler of the Decaying Worlds.

“Do you even know whom it is you speak to, Lifer?”