Sora struggled to his feet as the knocks got louder. He had passed out immediately after taking his shirt off when they returned to the Academy. He felt heavier than usual and dragged his feet from his bed to the door. He opened it to find Z standing akimbo. "Took you long enough." "Sorry." Sora gave way to let Z into his room, he shut the door behind her and grabbed a shirt from his wardrobe before coming back to take a seat, and stretch his limbs. Z walked around the room taking in the view as it was her first time in Sora's room and Sora didn't interrupt, he couldn't even if he wanted to from the way he sprawled across the chair. A nod from Z sent her approval across to him "Decent." "Thanks, I'm glad it's to your liking. It's nothing like your suite but it's functional." Now Z looked at Sora, he looked a mess with the way his hair had dried out and scatte

"My name is Sora." Sora bowed his head slightly and stepped backwards. He looked to Z and gestured for her to take her position again in front of him and although she noticed the awkward silence in the room, she didn't question it.   Dumbfounded, Hork looked to Z, "Tydinn sent you three?"   "I did say he sent the best. Do you have a problem with his choice, your royal grace?"   Hork's face remained expressionless as he gathered the papers on his table to the left side. "If Tydinn sent you then I'll have to see what you have to offer."   "Your confidence in us is heartwarming." Z replied, clapping her hands together with a grin on her face.   "I'm glad." Hork replied completely emotionless.   "So why did you ask us here, Gracious one?" Z gave another curtsy.   "Sit" Hork ordered   Z took the single chair opposite Hork

At the exact moment the sun set the next day, Sora, Kain and Z set out of their quarters walking side by side with Z in the middle fully dressed in their uniforms. Sora had taken the time to cut his hair and restyle it to reveal his scar. Seeing his reflection in the mirror earlier had helped erase the image of himself as a powerless mage and made him feel more worthy of himself.   Now as he walked, he realized his uniform was starting to get a little tight around his torso but he simply straightened himself and made a mental note to get a new set when they got back to the Academy.   Z on the other hand, looked as clean and put together as always. She let her hair down tonight and the wind swept the layers effortlessly over her shoulders, down to her back. They weren't expecting to get into a fight tonight, only to inspect the covens so she decided to let her hair stay down tonight.   Kain walked with his shoulders high

Saq's red energy glowed brighter than before as he drew water from the air. This one move threw the Hunters completely off guard and before they could process their thoughts, his energy hit them again and with no shield up to guard them this time. Sora struck, deflecting his energy but Saq's was stronger, making Sora fall backwards.   Saq sent more strikes with red energy their way and Kain's hard shell deflected the strike but the weapon in his hand wasn't strong enough to take Saq's hit, making it shatter into droplets of water that faded into the air and he fell to the ground covering Z with his body.   Arden who was the least affected by the hits from the angle he stood was quick on his feet and  jumped in the air throwing out a lasso glowing with his energy at Saq but Saq cut his lasso mid air and sent an energy charge at him making him drop to the ground. Arden laid there unable to stand.   "He's strong." Z sa

 “Who” “Zavok.” “He was there?” “Yes. They waited for him to come do the ritual. Only he could do the rituals.” “I didn’t see anyone… We didn’t see anyone. Are we just supposed to take your word for it? AGAIN?” Z demanded. “I am not lying.” Deki glared squarely at Z. “I lied before because I didn’t want you to think I was a follower of Hix and leave me there or worse, kill me.” “I could