V2: Preperation

Quite peculiar. Peter awoke to a dazzling sun, casting golden and amber hues across the morning sky, filling the room with a comforting light.

Quite peculiar. This day signified the beginning of their adventure to Russia in search of the mysterious Heather Eye. Not to mention that three months had gone by and they were about to enter uncharted territory. Not to mention the world had split into factions, passionately aligning with either the Ikes or the Heathers. Even though a few daring reporters had flown to Hemor in search of answers during the chaos of war. Not to mention Vienne's persistence in getting closer to Xavier, even though she was already in a relationship with him. Surprisingly, his close companion turned out to be his sibling, and their father was the reigning monarch. Not even the looming threat of the world's fate hanging in the balance; a defeat would mean falling under Ikeland's control, a terrifying and grim possibility.

He felt a sense of unease, sweat forming inexplicably, and a strange feeling of shrinking that troubled him. However, he stood up and looked towards Micah's room. He jumped out of bed, driven by the urge to check on Micah's welfare.

He discovered Micah fast asleep, wrapped in serene dreams. However, Peter found himself engulfed in a whirlpool of thoughts within this scene. He vividly remembered the moment Micah mischievously disrupted Peter's daydream as he watched Gwen. He still held onto that memory, a bittersweet reminder of precious times. The idea of losing Micah was truly unsettling, the fear of something happening to his closest friend and newfound brother. Maybe the pressure of the upcoming campaign was weighing heavily on him. Truly, that scenario appeared quite likely, considering the flood of thoughts that had been overwhelming his mind. Yet Micah's voice cut through the chaotic thoughts.

"Excuse me, what on earth are you up to?" Micah asked, his face a portrait of puzzlement.

In a slightly flustered manner, Peter stammered, "Oh, um, just making sure everything's okay." "I'm doing just splendid, thank you." Peter gave a confirming nod. And suddenly, Micah had an epiphany. "Excuse me, do you happen to know the hour?"

"What are you trying to say?"

"We should head to breakfast and strategize."

"Plan?"

Suddenly, understanding dawned on him. Prepare! Peter hurriedly made his way, stumbling, towards his room. Quickly checking the time, he saw it was 8:25.

Breakfast was scheduled for eight. "It's 8:25," Peter said, feeling a bit nervous about Micah's response. His worry was not without reason. Micah let out a loud yelp, falling dramatically from his bed, a reaction Peter thought was a bit over the top.

Nevertheless, he confidently made his way to the bathroom, collecting towels and toiletries for his morning routine. Micah, on the other hand, viewed them as shared belongings.

They had to get ready for the upcoming stage of their mission—the Passageway. According to Dr. Lenz's findings, a captured Ike scientist unveiled this mysterious excerpt hidden in Russia, crafted by a colleague to safeguard the Heather Eye. Yet, a formidable fortress loomed over the area, guarded by a multitude of troops because of the continuous conflict.

Merely a thousand would join them. Facing a daunting task, Peter was banking on a bit of good fortune to avoid any unwanted conflicts. Micah had to use the Heather Eye to stop the Ikes and bring the war to a final conclusion. Both Ikeland and Heatherland possessed great power, so a clash between them would be catastrophic. Families ripped apart, lives lost forever. The first confrontation was fierce, and they aimed to reduce the resulting destruction.

Confronting General Stricker, a formidable Ike general, presented a daunting challenge. He had witnessed the initial confrontation but withdrew when Micah's sudden change caught him off guard. Nevertheless, he would come back—more powerful and determined. Therefore, it was imperative for them to quickly bring this war to an end.

"Are you prepared?" Peter asked as he watched Micah buckle his belt. On their way to the training center, they were dressed in the required uniforms, ready to practice with their weapons. The variety of choices at the training center captivated them, encouraging the boys to explore and uncover their talents. Micah tried to bow, accidentally hitting the central projector, which left him feeling quite embarrassed. Peter chose the dagger for its agility and quickness, yet his strikes often missed their mark.

Ultimately, the sword became their preferred weapon, which they quickly became skilled at using. Recently, Micah and Peter have been playfully competing to see who is the better knight. So far, their competition was still ongoing, with no clear winner in sight. Leaving the chamber, they proceeded down the hall to the left.

They strolled into the elevator room, reminiscent of the grandeur found in a magical kingdom. They weren't planning to train at the center just yet; instead, they had to go for breakfast. The impending revelation of their lateness lingered in the atmosphere, anticipating the inevitable responses that would ensue.