Three weeks later;
For the past three weeks, Khaos, Zara and their newest ally; Mider, have been looking for more clues that would point them in the right direction. However they had no luck.
It could not be helped though because even if the minds of powerful cultivators could think faster and more efficiently than normal people, there was no official manual about investigating mysteries.
Khaos and Zara were about 3 times smarter than the normal cultivator, however without knowledge, intelligence is useless. The duo had even thought about abandoning the mission, but whenever Zara thought about losing twenty marks, she would start crying.
Due to this, they decided to keep on trying and only give up after six months.
The disappearances had also completely stopped during the first week after their arrival, this concerned our group of investigators since no new crimes meant no new possible leads.
However, luckily for our group, and unluckily for the citizens of Galor, the disappearances started soon after that one week was up. And as if to make up for lost time, four people disappeared each day.
Normally, something like this would cause a city-wide panic, but the mayor and The Shield guards managed the situation to some extent.
News of the incidents were all kept to a need to know basis and the city was so big and so densely populated that 60% of it's citizens still did not know that people were disappearing, especially for cultivators who did not have any loved one taken away.
In a city with a population reaching 100 million, a few hundred missing people were barely a noticeable. The only reason that some citizens even knew this story was how strange the disappearances were, given that people just vanished in broad daylight.
It was only after two weeks of their arrival that Zara came up with a plan, and this plan is what the group has been doing for the past week.
Currently, Khaos and Mider were sitting inside a restaurant in the core district. Rich cultivators with gold to spare liked to live in luxury, and for most on Zylon, good food, or food in general was just a way to pass the time.
"What is this called again?" Khaos asked as he took another sip of the hot beverage in his hands.
Mider chuckled, "It's tea bro, and that was also my reaction when Milly brought me here yesterday so i don't blame you"
"I have to admit, it's quite nice. A little hot, but nice". Khaos said.
"Wait till you taste the thing they call coffee". Mider called for the waiter. "Two cups of coffee please, bill everything to the Mayor's daughter", he said.
"Coffee?, what kind of name is coffee?" Khaos asked.
"I know right?. Apparently that's the name of the plant it's made of. They crush the seeds of this plant and put it in hot water with sugar cane juice."
"So it's tea without the so called tea leaves". Khaos took another sip.
"Yeah you could say that. The coffee is also very bitter, like bad wine, but it doesn't make you drunk". Mider explained.
"So what's it's purpose?"
"For non-cultivators, it gives them energy. For us; nothing". Mider shrugged. Soon their cups of coffee came and they each took a sip at the same time.
"So?, what do you think?" Mider asked.
Khaos put up his finger as he took another sip, then he froze for a couple of seconds, as if contemplating the meaning of life, before opening his mouth to say;
"I fucken hate it".
Mider burst into laughter. "I knew it!. You see that face you have on right now, that's exactly how i felt on my first time", he said.
Khaos could not help but also laugh, he enjoyed finally having another friend. Zara was a complicated individual.
"So....". Mider said after a few seconds of silence, "Are going to talk about it?".
"Fine, you know what, let's talk about it". Khaos said before adding; "But actually there is nothing to talk about, we have the same ex, so what?"
Zara, being Zara, talked about Lyra when Mider was with them. Then after a couple of questions from him and reluctant answers from Khaos, it turned out that Mider had dated Lyra a few decades before.
"No no no", Mider said. "We don't have the same ex, you are dating my ex".
"No i am n.."
"Did you break up with Lyra?" Mider asked and Khaos hesitated to answer.
"There you have it!" Mider clapped his hands once.
"It's complicated okay", Khaos said. "When i left for the Academy, i never thought i would come back here so soon. I did not specifically break up with her because i thought i would never see her again and she would eventually move on".
"Well, now that you are back here, what's your plan?" Mider asked.
"Nothing, i will go back to the Academy and i'll never see her again", Khaos shrugged.
"Yeah sure, until the next time you come back here on another quest". Mider rolled his eyes.
"What do you want me to do Mider?. You know a relationship does not align with my goal at the moment". Khaos said.
"Then tell her that, break her heart. Do you know that two days ago, when you flew away from her, she recognised you?" Mider replied. "She wanted to fly after you but i stopped her".
"Seeing you here gave her hope Khaos, and it's obvious she still loves you. More than she ever loved me anyway". Mider added, "Your goal is to reach supreme power Khaos, to never lose a loved one again because of the portals".
"But you need to have a loved one in order to protect them. What's the use of being powerful if you are alone. Power can't keep you company bro". Mider said.
"I will think about it"
"Think about breaking her heart?, or reassuring her that you are still.....".
"I will think about it Mider". Khaos interrupted.
Mider raised his hands. "Fine, i have said my piece, but there is something else i wanna ask you".
"Zara?" Khaos said.
"How did you know?" Mider asked with an embarrassed chuckle.
"Really?" Khaos arched an eyebrow.
"Okay fine, i like her alright. And before i make my move i want to ask you about it first". Mider said.
"Mider you know that Zara and i are going back to the Black Academy soon right?" Khaos' gaze fell to the table, slowly stirring the cold cup of coffee in his hands.
"So what?. I don't care about that dude. I like her, that's that. If i think about all the things which might stand in the way of my relationships, i would never date, i would live the rest of my life thinking of what could have been". Mider answered.
Khaos' eyes widened as he stared at Mider, but his eyes lacked focus, he was not looking at Mider, but in Mider's direction. A smile soon formed on his lips.
"Thanks bro, i needed to hear that". Khaos said.
"What are you talking...."
Mider's speech was cut short when Khaos suddenly stood up, his chair flung backwards. "Mider it's time!" He said, rushing for the door.
Mider felt his heartbeat quicken as sparks of lightning danced around his fingers and eyes. "Zara, we're coming"