CHAPTER 9: MI CASA E SU CASA

Tim sat cross-legged on the cold stone floor, drumming his fingers as if the motion could wear through the reinforced barrier surrounding them. Yep they have been sent back to detention for breaking out the first time. After their last breakout, the academy had clearly doubled down on security. The energy field hummed around them, stronger and brighter than before, and even Tim was beginning to feel its weight. He glanced at Brandon, who stood off to the side, observing the barrier with a focused intensity.

"Well, this sucks," Tim muttered, his voice a blend of sarcasm and irritation.

Anika rolled her eyes, shifting against the wall. "For once, I actually agree."

Just as Tim was about to complain about their predicament again, Brandon broke the silence. "I think I know a weak spot in the barrier." His gaze shifted to the right corner of the energy field where the glow was faint, almost flickering.

Anika raised an eyebrow. "You think we can actually get through this time? We've tried multiple times already."

Brandon nodded, his expression serious. "If we coordinate our efforts, yes. But we have to be precise."

The group gathered close, whispering their plan. Tim would use his air abilities to disrupt the energy flow at that weak point, while Quincy and Anika would reinforce the impact with their powers. The idea was to create a split-second opening big enough for all of them to slip through.

"So let me get this straight, our escape is rested on me using my powers?" Tim asked to clarify 

"You can do this, just believe in yourself." Anika reassured

"Oh I know I can, I just wanted to be sure you guys knew the importance of my powers." Tim said grinning 

As the countdown began, everyone tensed, focused on Brandon's lead. He held up his hand, signaling for them to start. Tim exhaled, pushing his power forward, directing the rush of air against the barrier. Anika added a subtle psychic wave, blending her force into Tim's.

The barrier sparked, then flickered, just as Brandon had predicted. In the momentary gap, the group rushed forward, slipping through to the other side, adrenaline pounding through their veins as they left detention behind.

They quickly made their way to the edge of the academy grounds, ducking into a grove of trees for cover.

"We're not just going to sneak back here tomorrow, are we?" Tim asked, leaning against a tree trunk with a smirk. "Since that plan worked so well the first time."

Brandon shook his head. "We need to do more than just escape detention. We need to get ahead of the academy and the council—find out what's really going on and go into the human realm for the amulet."

Anika glanced at Brandon. "And how do you suggest we do that?"

Brandon hesitated, as if debating how much to reveal. "There's a place that might hold the answers we're looking for. Somewhere only a few people know about."

Brayden caught on to his brother's suggestion and nodded. "The palace."

Tim's eyebrows shot up, and he let out a short laugh. "You're suggesting we sneak into the royal palace?"

Brandon shrugged, his expression unreadable. "If we want to find the Travel Tree's location, that's the best place to start. There are maps, relics—things they keep out of sight from the academy."

The group exchanged glances, weighing the risk. The palace was heavily guarded, and none of them had ever attempted something on that scale. Even Tim seemed uncertain, though he tried to cover it up with a casual shrug.

"Alright," Tim said, breaking the silence. "If we're doing this, let's do it right."

---

They made their way through the shadows, guided by Brandon's knowledge of the palace grounds. The royal building loomed ahead, a sprawling structure of high stone walls, glowing faintly in the moonlight. Brandon motioned for them to stay low as they approached.

"Security is tighter than I remember," he muttered.

Brayden shot him a look. "You do realize they've increased security in every corner of the realm because of the evil organization?"

Tim grinned. "Nice to know they're doing us a favor, then."

Brandon led them to a side entrance, a narrow door half-hidden by vines and shrubbery. He pressed his palm to a concealed rune on the wall, and after a brief glow, the door clicked open. They filed inside, moving through narrow hallways lit by dim, enchanted lanterns. Tim's eyes scanned their surroundings, taking in every detail with a mix of curiosity and nerves.

Finally, they reached the royal wing, a large room lined with ornate tapestries and shelves brimming with scrolls and ancient tomes. The air felt heavier here, almost reverent.

Anika's eyes widened as she took in the space. "I can't believe we're actually here."

Brandon pointed to a wall covered in maps and diagrams. "Look for anything marked with the Travel Tree."

Tim and Quincy moved to the maps while Anika and Brayden scoured the shelves for anything useful. As they searched, a soft sound echoed from the hall outside—a faint shuffling, like footsteps. Quincy tensed, instinctively reaching for Tim's arm.

"Someone's coming," she whispered.

Anika quickly murmured an incantation, creating a light illusion around them, blending their forms into the shadows. The footsteps grew closer, pausing just outside the door, before finally retreating down the hall. The group stayed frozen, barely daring to breathe until they were certain the danger had passed.

When they turned back to the maps, Brandon's face lit up as he pointed to a parchment pinned to the wall.

"Here," he said, voice barely above a whisper. "The Travel Tree's location."

The group leaned closer, absorbing the details of the ancient map. The Travel Tree was marked in a remote section of the supernatural realm, near the boundary that separated it from the human world.

Anika frowned. "How are we supposed to get there? It's guarded, isn't it?"

Brandon nodded. "Not just guarded—heavily reinforced. We'll need more than just stealth to reach it."

---

They left the palace as quietly as they had entered, and once they were safely out of sight, they gathered in a clearing outside the academy.

"We need to approach the Travel Tree with caution," Brayden said, studying the map. "It's not going to be as easy as sneaking through a palace door."

Tim smirked. "Well, if we're being realistic, it's a 'get past heavily armed guards and multiple barriers' kind of task."

Brandon clenched his fists, frustration evident. "This might be a lot harder than we thought. We need somewhere to regroup where we won't be found by the academy or council."

Anika nodded in agreement. "There's an old cabin on the outskirts of the realm. It's abandoned, but it could work as a temporary hideout."

"Oh my God, okay who else has something amazing to say. And here I was thinking you all were boring, Damn!" Tim said letting out a short laugh.

As they discussed their options, Quincy quietly slipped away, moving a few paces away from the group. She found a secluded spot, she said a short incantation, creating a small spark on a small wood, took a deep breath, and reached out with her mind, astrally projecting to her contact within the evil organization.

Her vision swirled as she made the connection, a shadowy figure appearing before her. She relayed the information they had uncovered, sharing the Travel Tree's location and the group's plan. The figure listened in silence before nodding, satisfaction flickering in their gaze.

"Good work, Quincy," the figure said, their voice echoing in the darkness. "But remain with them. Let them lead us to the amulet."

With her mission clear, Quincy broke the connection and returned to the group, forcing herself to act as though nothing had happened. Anika looked up as Quincy rejoined them, an unspoken question in her eyes.

"Everything okay?" Anika asked.

Quincy nodded. "Yeah, just needed a moment."

---

They traveled through the night, following the map's directions and relying on their combined skills to navigate. As dawn approached, they arrived at the abandoned cabin Anika had mentioned, nestled deep within the woods. The place was quiet, cloaked in mist, and eerily still.

Tim took in their new base with a satisfied grin. "Home sweet home, huh?"

Brandon rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress a smirk. "Don't get too comfortable. This is temporary."

The group settled inside, setting up a small perimeter to keep watch. They poured over the map again, discussing strategies to approach the Travel Tree. Each plan seemed more impossible than the last, and tensions ran high as the reality of the challenge set in.

"It's going to take all of us working together," Anika said finally, her gaze moving from one face to the next. "If we're not united, we don't stand a chance."

They all nodded, even Tim, who for once seemed subdued. The task ahead of them loomed like a shadow, but as they prepared to face it, an unspoken bond grew among them—a shared determination to see this mission through, no matter the cost.

---

The chapter closes with the group resting in their new hideout, knowing they're closer to the Travel Tree but still

far from reaching it. For now, they have each other—and the fragile hope that, together, they can overcome the impossible.