Part I: Six Packages, Six Journeys, One Big Wooden Door

64 65 The Chosen: Battle with a Cerberosian Prince The Summit you may find it in you to forgive me in future if I do it again.” “If?” Tumi interrupted. “Yeah, if,” TJ replied, giving a slight grin. “When you do it again, we’ll think about it, mate,” said Ethan. “You just keep that ego in check, and we’ll be good,” Tumi added. “I second that,” said Fang. “Third, fourth,” the rest of the team agreed. “OK, I get it, I get it,” TJ said as they all laughed. “This is actually why I wanted to speak to you guys. We have become more like a team in the past few weeks, and less like a group of strangers forced to be together. Even though we don’t know what awaits us at the top of the mountain, we are working towards a common goal. Whatever happens after the top of the mountain, I hope we maintain a more than cordial interaction. That’s all I wanted to share.” As soon as TJ was done, Ana stuck her arm in the air and bounced excitedly as she waited for someone to acknowledge her. “Yes, Ana,” said Pippa. “Can we play a game?” “A game? Why?” TJ asked. “Because. You were talking about how much closer we are now. It’s just so we get to know each other better.” They were all a little hesitant. “We’re not that close,” Ethan said under his breath. Fang snickered. “Oh, you heard that?” Ethan didn’t know whether to be more surprised about how loud he had said that, or the fact that he had made Fang laugh—really that Fang laughed at all. “What did you have in mind, Ana?” Tumi asked. “Well, we could all go around the circle, asking one question that everyone had to answer. It could be about anything. Something fun, that also helps us know more about each person.” They each took a moment to think about a question. “Ooh, I’ve got one,” Pippa exclaimed. “Name your celebrity crush. No. Name two celebrity crushes. Yes, we have time for two.” “Really?” TJ asked. “Yes, really,” Pippa snapped. “Good question, Pippa,” Ana responded. “Thanks, Ana,” she said as she smiled. “OK, I’ll go first. My celebrity crushes are… Liam Hemsworth, and Zayn. So dreamy!” “Who are they?” TJ asked. “What? You don’t know two of the hottest men on the planet.” “No, I don’t know two of the hottest men on the planet.” “Liam, my future husband, is the younger brother of Chris Hemsworth, who you all probably know as Thor from the Marvel movies.” “Oh, so Thor…” TJ responded. “No, Chris Hemsworth is Thor. Liam Hemsworth is his younger brother.” “Who, Loki?”