"Well?, what is it Zar?" Mider asked as Zara paced around while mumbling to herself. The group was currently relaxing in a meadow outside the city walls, since everything they had been doing to find the missing cultivators seemed fruitless.
"I can get myself captured". Zara said.
"What?, no that's too dangerous". Mider shook his head, "I told you, i can't remember how they took me, and what they did to me. Meaning the same will happen to you and you won't even be able to react".
"I will be fine, i know a couple of tricks so don't worry yourself". Zara replied.
"Khaos a little help here?" Mider said to Khaos, who was just staring at the same spot on a tree for the whole time they were there.
"Khaos!"
"What?" Khaos snapped out of his thoughts.
"What do you think of Zara's plan?" Mider asked.
"What plan?"
Mider furrowed his brows, "Are you okay bro?"
"Yeah i'm fine i was just thinking about something". Khaos waved his hand dismissively. "What were we talking about?"
"Zara said she can act as bait for the kidnappers". Mider said.
"No that's not happening. Think of something else". Khaos did not even have to think about that answer.
Zara chuckled, "It's quite funny that you think you can control me".
"Zara it's too dangerous...."
"That's what i said!" Mider interjected.
"You won't be as lucky as Mider..."
"Again, what i just said!". Khaos gave Mider the talking eye, "Sorry". Mider raised his hands.
"Zara, 20 marks is a big loss but it is not worth your life". Khaos stated, "If the marks are so important to you, i will give you some of mine when we reach the Academy".
"Really, you would do that for me?" Zara asked in surprise.
Khaos hesitated for a bit before answering honestly; "Yes".
"Just so you know Zara". Mider walked from the tree he was leaning on to stand before Zara, "If i knew what marks were, i would give you far more than just twenty of them".
Of course Mider knew nothing of how the Academies worked, and the duo saw no need to explain it to him. He only knew that they gave quests to their students. Almost everything about the Academies was kept a secret from non Academics, even the useless information like the marks system.
Zara could not help but chuckle, "It feels good to have two boys fight over me".
"Zara we are serious here, your plan is too risky. We can't do it". Khaos said.
"We have no other option!" Zara rebuked.
"Of course we do; we just go back to the Academy". At Khaos' words, Mider looked away dejectedly, but no one noticed.
"And what of the families who lost their loved ones?" Zara asked.
"Someone else will probably see this quest and give it a shot". Khaos shrugged.
"I want to be the one that does it Khaos".
"Yes, me too. But not with you as bait". Khaos was adamant.
"You really care for me", Zara smiled.
"Of course i do, you're a good friend...sometimes".
"Then that's good. You caring for me means that you will help me in this plan".
"I already refused Zara".
"I know, but i will do it anyway, and without your help, i will definitely die". Zara said, "Do you want me to die Khaos?"
Khaos narrowed his eyes, glaring at Zara, who did not back down from his stare. Due to their height difference Khaos had to bend his neck downward while Zara did the opposite. Their stalemate lasted for half a minute before another face suddenly appeared between them.
Mider, with his eyes narrowed so much that they were almost closed, stared at Zara for a few seconds before switching his attention to Khaos. The way he moved his head in slow motion, added with the ridiculous look in his eyes, made for quite a comical scene.
Zara could not help but break out into laughter. "What the gods are you doing?" she asked Mider.
"I was feeling left out". Mider shrugged.
This is what it feels like to have friends huh', Khaos thought.
Do not get used to it Khaos, your road will thin until only you fit in the path. It is better for everyone if you always know this', a voice said in Khaos' mind. It sounded strained, as if it was spoken by someone in pain.
I have decided to stop listening to you', Khaos replied in thought. 'Why should i trust a voice which only appears when it wants to and never answers my own questions?'.
.....'
Thought so'.
Khaos then turned to Zara, who was still wiping the tears of laughter off her eyes. "Zara we were attacked that time remember?. Meaning they obviously know you".
Mider nodded before completing Khaos' statement; "They would never take an Academic".
"I will disguise myself". Zara said, happy that the boys seemed to be on board.
"How?" Khaos and Mider asked simultaneously.
"What makes a person?" Zara asked.
".....", the boys stared at her with dumb expressions.
"What makes an identity?" she asked once more.
"Yo bro". Mider nudged Khaos while loudly whispering. "Should we take notes?".
"What notes?" Khaos replied, "This has the makings of a quiz on the first day of class".
"Shit i forgot to study". Mider said, biting his nails nervously.
"Me too, i really hope this quiz will not appear on my report card at the end of the year". Khaos said.
"Oh man, mom is going to kill me if i fail", Mider ran his fingers through his hair.
All while this was happening, Zara's face was becoming redder with each word they said.
"Shh quiet, the teacher looks angry". Khaos gestured at the fuming Zara with his eyes.
"She looks quite cute when she's angry, though". Mider licked his lips, "You think i got a shot?".
"No idea man, but if you manage it. Get her to be lenient on our report cards, okay?" Khaos whispered.
"Deal", the two idiots bumped their fists together with a synchronised nod.
Then at the next moment, Khaos ducked to dodge a slap from Zara, but the slap turned out to be feint as a kick connected to his shoulder, sending him sprawling onto the ground.
Khaos could have easily dodged the kick as well, but when he saw that it was not aimed at his head, he decided not to.
However he soon had to roll out of the way as the body of Mider came crashing on his position.
"Idiots". Zara said before turning towards Khaos, who was rubbing the bruise on his shoulder, "Idiot number 1, how fast can you fly?"