Never attempt to win by force what can be won by deception.
In the diner Zane had said that their first location to search for the relic would be the Cameron forest.
But he took the route opposite to the forest.
Naturally, everyone panicked and instead of themselves, they made Xavier ask about the matter.
Upon continuous questions, Zane finally revealed the truth.
"I never went to Cameron forest in my whole life."
Brows shot up.
Xavier opened his mouth but Zane raised his hand.
He turned around to look at the people following him.
"I know you all wanted to ask me but you forced Xavier for that. I don't like it. You all have no reason to be afraid of me. Say whatever you want to me in front of my face. Alright?"
The gutterborns looked left and right and then nodded.
"Yes. Sorry for that."
Zane returned the nod and again focused on Xavier.
"We are going to your house for now. To discuss the real plan. We will talk there."
Xavier frowned.
"My house? Why? What is going on here?"
Zane sighed.
"I will not explain everything here. We don't have time. Just do what I say. Or do you have some problem inviting us to your house?"
Xavier shook his head.
"No. You all are welcome. But I am not sure if everyone will fit in."
"We will manage."
Xavier shrugged.
"Sure."
Zane nodded.
He raised his leg to move forward but stopped.
It hit him.
He made a blunder.
He held his forehead.
"Now what?" Xavier asked.
Zane didn't reply and turned around.
"I left the diner in a hurry. The citadel too. I forgot to do some things. Can anyone do them for me as fast as possible? I will go with them."
Hands were raised instantly.
Most of them were gutterborns.
Zane roamed his eyes at them.
"Who can run the fastest amongst you?"
Some hands were dropped.
But more than a hundred hands were still raised.
"By running faster. I mean very fast. Fast enough to reach the Citadel in a few seconds or minutes. Almost like super speed."
Hands went down.
All of them.
None of them had what Zane wanted.
He sighed.
I shouldn't have forgotten about it.
"Well then, I guess I have to visit it again—"
Zane paused.
He didn't finish his words as another hand was raised.
And this time, the hand gave him hope.
But partially.
Because the hand wasn't raised on its own.
Someone else raised the hand of someone else's.
It was Draxus.
Draxus' hand was raised and it was held by none other than Hena.
The girl raised the hand of her bodyguard.
Zane didn't know what he should feel about this.
But before he could ask…
"What are you doing?" Draxus barked, dropping his hand.
Hena raised it again.
"You can run very fast. Say it."
"I don't want to. I have no intention of leaving your side."
"I will be fine. Help him."
"I have sworn to protect you all the time. I can't let it die."
"You also swore to obey my commands. Do it."
Everyone watched their quarrel.
Zane remained silent as it was his first time seeing Hena talking this much.
She opens up with someone she trusts. Naturally.
Zane made a judgement on Hena and waited for them to sort it out.
If Draxus didn't want to, then Zane wouldn't ask him. Or force the man.
Zane also wouldn't like it if someone forced him to do something he didn't want to.
"Yes. I will obey your orders. But the correct ones. The one that makes sense." Draxus argued.
Hena glared at him.
"You are calling me stupid?"
"What? No! Why do you want me to help someone you have only met today at the cost of leaving you?"
"You know why. Now go. End of discussion."
Hena stopped talking.
Draxus clenched his jaw.
He gritted his teeth.
He clutched his hair.
After all that, he jerked his head at Zane.
"Let's go, bitch."
Zane gulped.
"You won't kill me on the way, right?"
"Just go! I don't have all day."
"It's fine if you don't want to—"
Zane shut his mouth.
Draxus' glare pierced his chest and it was better just to agree with him and finish the work.
Zane put Milo on the ground and told her to not move.
Milo nodded and went to Tesla.
Tesla held her in his arms, just like Zane carried her and whispered something in her ears.
Milo burst out laughing.
Zane's brows twitch.
What does he even tell her? Elephant and ants jokes?
Zane would not rest before knowing that. But that was for when he would return from his work.
After leaving Milo, Zane eyed his followers.
"I will come back in a few minutes. Till then keep walking slowly towards Xavier's house. Alright?"
"Yes."
"Don't worry I got them." Xavier said.
Jammy nodded. "I am here as well."
I can leave it in their hands. I hope.
"Don't make me wait!" Draxus yelled.
Zane rolled his eyes and stood beside the bodyguard.
"Give me your hand." Draxus said.
"Which one?" Zane asked.
Draxus glared. "The pink one."
Zane's brows quivered.
"I don't have a hand like tha—oh. Sorry. You are being sarcastic."
Zane stopped talking and gave his right hand.
Draxus held it.
"Hold tight." He said.
Zane nodded and just as he got a grip…
WHOOSH!
Zane saw moving images.
Blurred images.
His eyes dangled left and right, his brain trembled inside his head and just as the vomit piled up to his throat…
"We are here."
They arrived.
"Where? Heaven?"
Zane's legs wobbled.
If not for Draxus holding his hand, Zane would be lying on the ground.
"Do your work! I have to return."
Draxus shook Zane, slapped him. Everything to make Zane come back to the present.
And it worked.
Zane finally felt himself again.
He rapidly shook his head, jumped on his spot.
"Alright. I have to go behind the Cathedral. The Emberlord's office. I will be fast, don't worry."
"The Emberlord's office? It's not close. Ahngh. You will take time. Screw this."
Zane's eyes widened.
He didn't like Draxus' words.
"If you are thinking of running again then I ref—"
Draxus held Zane's shirt and…
"Too late for that."
WHOOSH!
Zane again booked the ticket to heaven.
