Chapter 2

They made it outside where the pools and activities were at.

It was quite a fun place to be at, although it was quite rare to ever have time to do so.

"Hopefully, we don't get in trouble," Micah worried.

Peter scoffed vigorously.

"Please, it's not like they're going to hang us on the wall and keep us there for three hours," he said.

Micah found himself a bit disgusted by his very disturbing assumption.

"Well, I'd say that's a bit exaggerated."

"Look, all I'm trying to say is that we're fine. They should understand. Plus, we're only thirty minutes late."

As they went towards the breakfast place, they stopped.

It was for some reason nerve-racking, but eventually they opened as they saw upfront all four of their team members.

The man on the right was Asiris. He was the general of generals for the Heather Army, and has been considered to rarely lose a battle.

If he were to lose, there would be little casualties and mostly they would be able to come back with a big army and defeat them easily.

It was just a specialty.

He always wore his white robe, which his scabbard also had the same color, but had little gold lines, which amazed everyone due to its very good design.

He also was Micah's trainer, which is where Micah got his skill of awareness.

Next to him was Caville, who trained every soldier.

She also trained Peter which was also how he learned to be so quick with his moves, although she was a lot better.

Everyone knew there were very romantic things going between them, but immediately she denies it.

It was traditional.

Her black hair curved and was cut short to the side, and she always wore a black silk jacket, a black shirt, black pants, and black boots.

Everyone could easily tell she really liked the color black. In fact, a lot of people called her "The Heather Ike", although that was only when they weren't at war with Ikeland.

Then, there was Xavier—the guy who always likes fights and action.

He was considered a brave soldier, but he was only doing it for a very personal cause.

He wasn't in terms with Micah, but was more forgiving towards Peter.

Xavier almost tried to stab Micah when Micah was defending Peter, which was considered as an attempt for murdering royalty.

If you were under 18, that would mean two weeks in jail, and double taxes for the rest of their life.

But that wasn't even the worst.

It was the fact that respect would be ruined, and all through your life, you'd be known as a criminal, a shameful murderer, although he never killed him yet.

Xavier usually wore a black jacket that was usually tied in the middle, with a scabbard that was on his left hip.

Then by him was his girlfriend Vienne, which she mostly wore a warrior's robe, and mostly was fond of Peter.

Peter was afraid this may be a love triangle, except it was twisted in many types of ways.

"You're late," Asiris said montonely.

This usually meant he was annoyed or tired.

Peter and Micah were hoping he was tired, but they sat as his eyes brightened up again.

He wasn't tired.

But in this case, there shouldn't be a time to be sleepy.

Due to the fact that departure was in the next 15 hours, which luckily everyone packed up for.

"So, what's the big plan?" Xavier asked dramatically.

Asiris chuckled. "Well, what we're going to do is fly into Russia. Now they have created a base already where we can camp. We expect this to be a three-week mission, hunters will need to hunt."

"Okay."

"So, we are going to get a drone over the Passageway to get in hold of the scientist there, when we do—we'll ask him to disband the monsters, then we'll walk through and get the Heather Eye, then the war will end."

Everyone seemed in touch with the plan, except Xavier.

"I don't understand anything you said."

Asiris sighed vexedly. "We're going to—"

"Practically we're going to end the war with this mission," Caville said.

"So that means big battles!"

"Well, that's what we're trying to avoid," Asiris said.

"Huh?" everyone asked, confused.

If there were going to be no battles, then how were they going to win the war if no battles were fought? It wasn't the fact they wanted war, it was more of the fact there needed to be war.

"Listen, that major battle three months ago was brutal. Over five thousand men—on the Hemorrians side—died."

There was suddenly a moment of silence in the area.

"Listen, we'll try the best we can to take down the Ikes, but we can't risk sending more letters to more men's families."

Everyone sighed, all except Xavier—which he in this case—complained.

"Ah, I can't believe the two strongest factions will have the weakest war in the entire world."

Asiris sighed, and this time—he was fed up.

"Listen! That last battle is only going to raise up, now we're going to get the eye and defeat the Ikes, then you and your girlfriend, and everyone here will be at peace. Do you want to risk losing everyone you care about in this three-year war?"

Everyone shook their heads, and this time Xavier followed too.

"Okay, finish up your meals," he said. "We'll be leaving in fifteen hours."

"Yes, sir."

So everyone did manage to start eating, but the feeling felt a bit dry.

Since the last three months, they have been laughing about what has happened between this campaign.

But now, they were going to face the danger again, and deal with more Ikes and trouble.

In this case, everyone had something to lose if they died.

Caville wouldn't be able to continue her duties as a trainer, meaning she couldn't teach the soldiers anymore.

Asiris would be replaced with another general, and the army would be unprepared.

Peter would lose his brother and friends, and Micah wouldn't be able to hold the Heather Eye, or lead the kingdom after his father.

These thoughts ran through their heads, they didn't even finish their meals, and they just exited the room. Micah barged through the door right after Caville passed through, which startled Peter exasperatedly.

"Hey, what was that for?" Peter asked, very concerned about his heart's fast rate.

"Aren't you scared?"

"Well, yes."

"Then you probably feel the same way!"

Micah stormed off again, but Peter quickly catched up to him again.

"Okay, listen. I know you're scared, but we'll be fine!" he exclaimed. "Trust me."

Micah nodded, but suddenly as he looked up, he saw a girl with blond hair and blush cheeks with full lips that quickly got his attention.

It was almost as if the world was slowly breaking away from him, as he stared upon this beautiful crystal.

His sense was completely lost, and in due time Peter noticed that.

"Micah!"

That quickly rushed the sense into him, as Micah looked at Peter confused.

"You didn't listen to a single thing I said did you?" Peter asked.

He couldn't lie, he didn't—so Micah shook his head and gave a little shrug which was an act of embarrassment.

But it wasn't his fault, but then it was at the same time. Nonetheless, they soon needed to go to the training center.