It took them several days to return back to Atar, about five days. After they got back, supposedly failing the mission completely, after all they were supposed to capture and not exterminate, but then again, the mission was never carried out in that light. Kazi was curious how this was going to be reported, but his concerns were confirmed as soon as they entered the town.
"You kids go back to your houses an rest up, you only have one day of break until we meet up again at the 98th training ground." Daru said as he walked away from his team of children. He and the other team they had met up with continued on, probably to give the mission report as that was the next step after they returned.
Kazi quickly understood that they had no need to be present for this, at least because of the nature of the mission, so he agreed silently. His and Linx eyes met briefly, both of them understanding the situation. The others however, seemed to be confused about all that was happening, even Koro had not understood everything exactly. As for Ann, she was more of a sheep following whatever Lanira said, so Kazi didn't expect her to have any particular opinion. Maybe it was all an act, who can tell, so Kazi didn't write her off just yet.
Seeing that there was no need to explain anything, Kazi bided the team farewell and left for his house. Linx did the same, and left the remaining three together.
"They always act so mysterious as if they are better than us, especially that Linx... Hmph, who do they think they are anyway?" Lanira was furious internally within herself, after all she was more like a sheep in the herd during this mission, her presence was barely noticeable and so were her contributions, maybe even worse there.
"Come on, I don't think they're like that, after all, we haven't known each other for a long time, I'm sure they open up in time." Koro being a peacemaker kind of person tried to soften the situation.
"Hmph, whatever, I'm going home. I'm tired from all the running around." Lanira also left, leaving behind Koro and Ann who then discussed about going to a restaurant to grab a bite, but Ann declined and also headed home.
"Well, I guess it's just me, Jina's HotPot it is then." Koro faced towards the direction of the restaurant and left.
. . .
It was already towards evening, though still very early and just late into the afternoon when Kazi returned home. His mother was most worried, she looked to be. Kazi wasn't surprised to meet her like that though.
"Mum, you shouldn't have worried so much, it was really just a simple mission, it was a long journey was all." Kazi explained with a smile on his face.
Daru had asked them to report a different story than what happened after all, but not the way Kazi did. Even Daru would be certain that someone like Linx and Lanira who were from top clans wouldn't cause any troubles giving the exact details. Linx in particular would have done no harm in giving the details, after all his clan was one of the highest ranked ones and would already know of such plans, the possibility was very present.
"Are you sure? I didn't know you would be gone for so long, I was worried something had happened."
'Neither did I.' "Even I didn't expect it, it just came up on that day, but its alright now, look, I even brought you a souvenir." Kazi created some time to visit a village on the way to get something for his mother who he already suspected would be worried about him.
"What is that?"
"Look, i think it'll be useful for when you..."
They spoke for a while before Kazi went to his room. First he would take his bath before coming down for dinner.
Throughout this mission, he had only taken his bath twice, and even then it wasn't even a proper bath. It felt just like camping all over again, it kind of sucks, but I'm sure I'll soon get used to it.
As he stepped into the bathroom, a thought came to his head. 'News of our performance should have reached the higher-ups, it's not the best, but it's crucial for my plan of making a name for myself.
. . .
While everything went on, in the Rakasa clan, things were quite different. The roads throughout the clan looked bare as clansmen could be hardly found. Linx himself didn't even walk home, rather he used a movement technique to get to his destination.
The house Linx walked towards looked a bit old as one could tell from the design, but that was nearly all old about it as it still looked pretty solid. Also, the house itself was big and the compound spacious, it was nothing like the house Kazi lived in, and there was no story building, all ground floors.
He walked into the door directly facing the gate, and the first person he saw was a middle aged lady who was walking through the room. Seeing Linx enter, she immediately curtsied to him lightly, "welcome back young master Linx."
Linx gave her a nod and then asked straight forward, "do you know where my father is at the moment?"
"He is in the study."
"Carry on."
After walking to the study, Linx could see his father's silhouette through the curtain on the door, this seem to be the normal position.
"Father, I'm back from my first mission." Linx reported to this father while sitting in a vajrasana position.
"How was it?" His father's heavy voice carried through to his ears.
"It was..."
Linx went on to explain the entire mission to his father in a summary, exactly the way it went down. Daru had expected this, but it was no problem.
"I see, our clan is yet to know of any such plans... Seems I'll have to visit the clan head today."
"Also, your new teammate, Divara Kazi, keep an eye on him."
"Yes father."
"Go find your mother, she has been worried." His father said, to which Linx answered and left.
'I suspected as much, after all Rakan didn't tell me anything about any such plans.' I think he should also be on a mission." Linx thought about his brother while walking towards where his mother was said to be.