" Can I do it?" Cody said with some hesitation.
Julia, Jake and Milo were packing their stuff ready for their next challenge while Cody was ordered to look after sleeping Noah. What Cyra proposed last night was to carry on the task that Noah talked about, first was to explore the cave system and the next was to forge a safe pass down the mountain.
It was to be done in that order but because of the Alpha Canis, they had lost some of their precious time so Cyra came up with a plan to divide their already small team further, Bijan along with Jake and Julia would explore the cave.
It was risky but with Bijan's insistence that they wouldn't be any other predator in the general vicinity of such a terrifying monster, Cyra gave in. Jake and Bijan could act as shield while the smarter one among them, Julia could reel them in from taking any unnecessary risks.
Cyra on the other hand who excelled at agility and nimbleness would act as scout to venture in dangerous forest. She was perfectly suited for this mission as she could weave through difficult terrain without slowing beside, she also had quite a lot of endurance and skills to explore these unknown forest with ease.
Milo decided to volunteer to go along with her, she was the most agile among the kids and was very perceptive with a calm patience that defied his age. Although there were some disagreements, in the end, Milo's resolve wavered, Cyra's exterior after he demonstrated what he could do in the wild.
Noah had given him many gadgets during training and he was best shot among them, he could assist Cyra if they encountered any enemies and promised her that he would follow her every command without question.
" Are you disappointed? If so you can do better in the future. I don't think you are ready yet and someone had to take care of our leader." Julia said bluntly. She wanted him to understand that he was the weakest of their group, only then would he gain some confidence.
A week wasn't enough to train his skinny physique, his shots were wobbly but she also knew that he had a unwavering spirit. He just needed some experience to mature. In the absence of Tang and Noah, she knew she was the temporary leader and had to make decision for their small team. Cyra and Bijan might be helping them but they couldn't fully trust them, not unlike they trusted each other!
" I-i.." Cody wanted to say something but Jake patted his back and said," I know man but you must know that it is dangerous out there. We don't want you to get hurt."
Cody looked at his towering figure, he was envious for a second but then he looked at his warm eyes. Jake might be scary to others because of his stern face and his no nonsense personality but in this moment, he was showing her kindness not pity! Cody would never have thought that he would get to be friends with someone like him as most of them always looked down on him.
Cody nodded but saw Milo approach him next. Cody always felt a little tense around Milo, his gaze was like a penetrating light that looked deep inside his soul. Even during fights, Cody would always hear him give precise instructions like he knew what he was thinking.
" Don't worry. Just do the usual training, we will be back." Milo tapped Cody's shoulder for a second before turning his back to him. Cody was shocked, he never expected to receive such words from him, someone who always kept to himself.
But recent events reeled inside his mind, knowing that the quiet kid that often enjoyed solitary had started to hang around and even talk to someone like him. Since everyone was depending on him, he knew he could let them down.
" Just leave it to me!" Cody said with a shout which even alarmed Cyra and Bijan who were further away packing for their own missions. The siblings smiled seeing the kid's bond.
" Do you think they can handle it?" Bijan asked still skeptical about their abilities. They had not seen them in action yet only hearing about their tales from Noah. They were about the same age when Bijan was first adopted by his master, he clearly remembered that he was nothing but a loud mouth brat who knew nothing but to seek out trouble.
" I believe they can. Just keep them safe and if you find any trouble, turn back. We can bypass the caves and just follow my path if it gets too dangerous." Cyra said sternly knowing her brother was prone to take risks and enjoy the thrill of danger!
" I know, I know. Don't scold me like I am a child, remember I am older!"
" Are you? I think our master is lying to protect your pride. I mean, you are not that taller than me right?" Cyra said with a mischievous grin.
" Thats....that doesn't prove anything! Maybe you are just a freak!"
" Freak? How can you call a girl freak!?" Thus ensued another predictable quarrel. No matter what they are doing, they would often end up fighting in the end!
The kids shook their head thinking that it was a good thing that this mission would separate these two people or else they would garner unwanted attention of the monsters. The team packed whatever supplies they had, it wasn't much since Noah was still asleep but it could last for two days.
Most of their gear was left in the campsite especially Cyra and Milo who had to traverse dense forest didn't need much supplies. Cody was also given direction not to venture too far out of their hidden campsite, just the thought of him being caught by their master was terrifying.
By now the whole village must be buzzing with activities, they should be labelled as deserters or even traitors which meant it was crucial for them to have a successful mission to prove Noah's innocence!