I still can't believe Nate went with Syd. I didn't think Nate liked him that much...

"Gazzy? What do you think they're doing right now?"

"My dear, you are far too worried right now. Nate knows how to take care of himself. Let him handle it. Plus, it's for class. I doubt he would do it if it were not for that."

I nodded in agreement. He's right. Nate wouldn't go to Syd's house without good reason. School is normally an okay reason, but I still hate the fact that Syd just dragged him off and glared at us.

You need to calm yourself. I believe your friend knows what he's doing.

Kuro, you've only known Nate for a few days. You can't possibly know what he is thinking. I can!

That's exactly it. Since you know what he's thinking, as do I. That is how this works if you've forgotten.

Ugh... this is aggravating. I really want to just stomp over there and bring Nate back.

Sadly, you do not know the boy's address-

"Gaz! The High Priestess wants to see you. Immediately."

I turned to look at the male student who had run up and then at Gazzy. His back was towards me so I couldn't see his face, but I could tell he was sad or something. He sure as hell wasn't happy about being summoned.

"Do you know why I am being summoned?"

"Nah, she just told me to come to get you and to do it fast."

Gazzy hesitantly nodded before waving and walking off. I managed to call after him but didn't get a response. He was gone. He was completely out of my sight. That guy who had come up was gone by then too. I was left alone in the halls of the school.

You could always follow the boy.

Kuro...

Yes?

That... is a BRILLIANT idea! As Kuro's faint chuckles echoed through my mind, I darted after Gazzy, making sure he did not become aware of my presence. I do feel kind of bad by doing this, but he eavesdrops on other people, I'm going to eavesdrop on him just a bit.

As I approached the room where Gazzy had entered, I heard two voices.

"Clay Gaz, do you know the situation that you are currently in?"

"I do."

"Then why do you not take it seriously? You were assigned to observe and protect Devan Zavier and Nathaniel Edwards, yet, instead, what you do, is enter the Crystal Cave without permission, and risk Mister Zavier's life."

"To be fair, Madam. We did save a life. Sydney Winthrop was inside, somehow Devan heard his calls and the three of us entered. I did not know that Devan would enter the spirit realm."

"You should have. It is common knowledge that people with exceptional magical ability will be chosen to save whoever needs to be saved. I understand why you did it. And I am nothing but grateful to you for saving Mister Winthrop. However, that does not lift your punishment."

"Yes, Ma'am."

"You are of high status, and you waste it with things like that.  You waste your time with other people when you should be worrying about your current predicament."

"With all due respect Ma'am, you allowed me to do as I please as long as I kept an eye out for the two of them."

"I am aware. However, due to the recent... discoveries... Devan Zavier is not to be taken lightly. As the High Priestess, I am able to deduce what magical ability one possesses. For some unknown reason, I was not able to correctly identify the magic ability of Devan Zavier. Hence, it took some time to assemble his schedule."

"Ma'am?"

"The recent event tell us that he was able to hear the spiritual calls of Sydney Winthrop when any other normal person wouldn't have been able to. That explains why only you and he were able to hear the boy. I do not yet understand how this happened. The spirits inside that cave are peaceful creatures. Why does one result to soul stealing?"

"I do not know for sure Ma'am, but I do have a theory."

"That would be?"

"I believe that this spirit that Devan met may have been one that was corrupted by magic when he or she was alive. I-I am not entirely sure as to who it was, but... according to Devan, he was a Lord of some kind in the earlier eras."

"Oh? Did the boy tell what he looked like?"

"No, Ma'am. He said that he didn't get a clear view since it was somewhat dark."

"That's understandable. For now, keep an eye out for the two of them. If you can, spend some time on Mister Winthrop as well. I fear he had seen more than he lets on."

The conversation ceased and I listened as footsteps began to approach me. Shit! Gotta go! I ran back into the main hall and out the doors. I hope he didn't see me.

I do not believe he did. You ran before he came close to the door, did you not?

Well yeah, but still. It worries me.

What does?

The fact that Gazzy is... like a bodyguard for me and Nate. He's been keeping all of this from us. I don't believe that he was doing it for any bad reason, I just... I don't know.

He may have his reason for doing so. For now, you should return to your house and think about it there. Hopefully, you arrive before he does.

Oh right, he's still staying with us, isn't he?

Indeed. Now, get moving.

With that, I ran back home, where I was hoping Nate would be, but alas... he was not. I guess he was still at Syd's house. Ugh...

"I'm taking a nap."

Was the last thing I said before falling onto the couch and going to sleep. I don't know when Gazzy got home, but... he did it quietly and made sure not to wake me up. That's for sure. I'll ask him about it... later... for now... I'm just going to... sleep...