Eden waited to see if anyone would speak before she voluntold someone to talk. She didn't want to be rude and not acknowledge that Sylvie was a higher ranking officer than her squad of warriors, but this was her domain. She wasn't going to be okay with just having spies walking within her castle walls without getting checked. She was about to voluntold Oscar since he was more eager to explain their situation during the confrontation, but Sylvie finally spoke. "Our Queen believes it is in the best interest of our kind to assist you in times of conflict. She sent us to form an alliance with you at some point after we observed you for some time. The opportunity to join your workforce arrived, but at the cost of our freedom. That is how strongly our Queen Celeste believes in you." Eden wondered why her, but then again it's probably what Erza could do. Then a question popped in her head that she quickly asked, "what did you mean, when you said, if I released them they are placed in limbo?" Sylvie answered, " We had to sign a contract that qualified us to be able to be hired by monarchs. If we were dismissed, we would be placed in this space called limbo. I read it in the fine print." Kane and Oscar both said, "fuuuuuck" at the same time, because they both just signed it without reading. Lewis, Murphy and Gideon just rolled their eyes at them because they knew those guys were just meat heads half the time. When they read the contract, they saw that the merchant was lying through his teeth, but they had already agreed to follow Sylvie with the plan. It wasn't a surprise to them that Kane and Oscar didn't read it. Eden began to bite her thumb nail as she processed that new information. She was about to ask how the Lycans even got to the realm, but they would be breaking the rules by talking about their past. So she stopped herself from asking. She bit her lip as she began to think of the reason and possibilities of their decision. She could see how they would be entrapped under servitude for the rest of their lives. She mentioned "at the cost of their freedom", so they broke free from something. Eden looked at each one as if scanning them. She then stared at Oscar's neck. Why didn't she notice it before? The tattoos of runes. She focused on them. Everyone's eyes were suddenly on Oscar and he turned slightly red. He felt weird as if he was a specimen about to be dissected for science. Sylvie spoke, "they are runes embedded on us to keep us from teleportation magic or anything that would allow us to leave the realm." Eden then leaned back on her chair, and took in a deep breath. Of course, their freedom meant being unchecked by the elders in the realm. But how? She asked internally. Then Eden asked Sylvie, "Why are you in hiding if you are free to roam the realm?" Silvie froze a little as if Eden hit a nerve. Then Silvie looked at Erza and asked, "how are the elders unable to hear or see your actions without the broadcast?" Eden let out a hmph and thought to herself, I don't fucken know. I didn't even know they could see and hear every action I take. Sounds stalker-like. But wait, why is she deflecting the question? Ah this bitch is sneaky. "Why are you avoiding the question?" Sylvie opened her eyes wider and raised her eyebrows, clearly not expecting Eden to catch on so quickly.
Merlin, who has been silent the entire time answered instead. "Because some of the mystical creatures in this realm sided with the Elders. They report to them and show them what they see through their eyes. In return, they don't experience the same treatment as the ones who resisted. Isn't that the reason you stay hidden from prying eyes?" He looked at Sylvie not expecting her to answer because he knew he was right. Eden frowned her face like a little kid disappointed. She thought, traitors among the mystical creatures as well. Are we all that different in the way we act? Eden let out a long breath of air. This is some fucken bullshit. Around every corner there's eyes. How do I know who's in the elder's pocket and who's not?
Eden said," alright, so we agree that this place is a jail and the Elder's are responsible for entrapping us. Now for some reason we are brought together. How can I trust I will not be betrayed?" All of the Lycan's reacted angrily as if she just offended them in the worst way possible. Merlin, however, remained calm and said, "It is logical she asks this question." With their chests still fuming from the hot air, they tried to relax a little. Murphy said,"We can sign a binding contract with you." Then Lewis added, "we're already under your workforce." Kane said, "though our allegiance is with the Queen, our freedom depends on you." Eden said, "no." right away. Then continued, " I don't need a binding contract, I need something that will just confirm I won't be betrayed." Sylvie rolled her hands into a fist and she furrowed her eyes. She looked down at the ground as she whispered, "forgive me my Queen and King." Her eyes began to get watery and she asked Eden out loud, "Can you prevent Merlin from hearing what I'm about to say?" Eden looked at Sylvie and noticed she was slightly shaking as if she was going to burst. Then Eden looked at Erza who nodded in agreement. Erza raised her hand as her eyes began to glow and the gold liquid Eden once witnessed began to raise from the ground. It encapsulated the Lycans with Eden. Erza then said, "you can hear and see the outside, but it's not the same the other way from this barrier. " Eden had already known how it worked from her encounter with the Elder, but the explanation was for the Lycans. Then Eden awaited Sylvie to speak who was looking as if she was about to commit an unforgivable sin. Sylvie began to speak without looking at the rest, "there are pups in our pack. One's born without runes capable of demonstrating immense magical power. This is our most guarded secret from any outsiders. If the Elder's knew, they would enslave them too and take the embryos before they fully develop." The squad looked shocked. They never expected Sylvie out of anyone, to break the code of silence. She would fiercely punish anyone who spoke of it. It was high treason. Eden remembered the pup she saved back at the cave. She completely missed the mark on that encounter because she had decided not to pursue it. Only for it to catch up to her again. Then Eden came to the realization of what happens to the embryos. "Those mother fuckers!" she blurted out as she recalled the necklace around the elder's neck. The round item holding a bean like thing. Eden was angry and felt sick to her stomach. The rest looked at her as she stared into space while she recalled memories. "If I only had the strength, I'd fuck them up!" Eden said right after. Kane said, "get in line." Then Eden realized she wasn't alone with her thoughts, she's been thinking out loud. Eden tilted her head as she looked at Sylvie who was scolding herself in silence. "You did what you had to do at the expense of being shunned from your pack. Rest assured, I will not abandon you or betray you. Your Queen sounded like someone I could reason with, I will speak to her and vouch for you when the time comes. I hope none of your subordinates treat you differently when I'm not looking or they will take on Erza." Eden looked at all of them and announced, "contracts , physical gifts or pledges wouldn't have made me believe you won't betray me. It was her act of trusting me with your most precious secret that I can feel satisfied with. I will act as if I still don't know anything and I command you as your monarch to keep this silent. If you speak of this or bully her, then I will dismiss you into limbo." They looked at her with a bewildered expression. Oscar thought to himself, Eden just met Sylvie and she's willing to stick her neck out for her. She doesn't even owe her anything. Is this why Gunther feels so strongly indebted to her? Sylvie said, "please don't, It was my decision to break my vow and they are not held responsible. This is how our pack is, and I will bare the shame and accept the consequences alone." Eden just stared at Sylvie thinking, Dang, she's like me in some way. I hope her childhood wasn't as terrible as mine. Then again, we all go through something that inspires some of us to want to save others from the pain and suffering. Eden didn't nod or agree with Sylvie, she left it open for interpretation. Now, how to deal with Merlin, who was still sitting outside the barrier waiting for them.