Dodobi hadn't seemed surprised we were looking for information regarding the Jasus's. He looked at us with understanding, saying to me, "I know you feel inclined to know what it is and you want to help with the current situation, but I cannot allow it. It is far too dangerous for the both of you to continue this search."

Of course, I feel inclined to know— Gran was kidnapped because of it.

I don't just want information on it, I want the actual thing.

I know it's dangerous, I've met M.

But that doesn't mean I'm going to stop my search.

He turns to Danial and says, "And I know that you want answers. A cure. But for all we know, the information you seek may not even be in the Jasus."

My mind whirred. What answers? What cure? Did Dodobi know why Danial wanted the Jasus?Danial clenches his jaw, probably at the information Dodobi just revealed bout him. I was also quite upset that he brought up my situation, no matter how vaguely.

Dodobi turns to face us. "You both have good intentions, and you have something worth fighting for. But for the sake of my sanity, leave it alone."

"I would like to", he continues, "congratulate your perseverance. You worked together to get the key, open the door, and attempt to find what you sought".

A comfortable silence falls over the room as we all think about what we've talked about so far until Dodobi speaks up again. "What surprises me the most about this situation", he pauses, "was that you worked together."

He emphasizes the last word, and while I don't completely understand what he meant, it looked like Danial did. He just shrugged and said, "You do what you gotta do."

Dodobi shakes his head. "But you don't go against centuries-old ways of thinking. You worked together, despite being different types. Despite having to hate each other. Despite what you were supposed to do, as per society's expectations. And for that", he leaned back in his chair, "I give you ten points."

Me and Danial look at each other in shock.

Most teams during the game had a maximum of ten points— and for vigorous mental and physical work. We get it for being nice to each other?

"And while I have to put a stop to your search, for the matter of your own safety, I want to invite you to visit the restricted area of the library as much as you want. Who knows", he shrugs, "Maybe you'll find something I haven't."

He reaches his hand onto his desk and pulls out two small objects. "This is the key to the gates, broken into two pieces. I give one to Olivia and one to Danial. If you ever wish to enter, you must both be willing and present. I bind these to you."

We took the keys with wide eyes and astonishment.

We came here to be punished. Scolded. Yelled at.

Instead, Dodobi understood us— even when we hadn't understood ourselves. He didn't tell us to stop exploring our curiosity, he just wanted to protect us while still allowing us to find some answers.

It was getting harder to hate him.

He was fair and just. Calm and gentle. A leader and a follow, yet not in vain. He was commanding and powerful. He was a ruler.

And that confused me even more.

He never would have left Gran if it wasn't the best course of action to take, I think as I play with my half of the key. He must have had a reason. It was unfair of me to blame him. Besides, he knew Gran. He thought of her as a friend, in the least. He wouldn't do something like that to a friend, that I can be sure of.

And yet, I was still planning on taking the book from him.

Dodobi turns to face me and noticed my thoughtful look with a smile. "As for the other matter", he turns serious. "I think your powers are something different Oliva."

He turns to look at Danial, then at me, "Do you still wish for him to be here?"

I understand his skepticism, but I had already made up my mind. Hana said we should trust each other, and I was going to do that. Besides, it's not like they gave me a reason to think they aren't trustworthy. Unreliable, yes. Self-centered, yes. But throw-me-under-the-bus-to-save-themselves? No.

I nodded and said, "I trust him", resolving to tell Hana and Cedrick whatever he said.

Dodobi nods. "I believed your powers were related to that of a seer— and it is to some extent. You are more than that though. Being a seer would enable you to see the future, but not the past."

He looks grim as he says, "I do not know of your powers Olivia. I have never seen or heard of someone gifted with viewing both the past ad future. I haven't even heard of anyone being able to see the past, to be completely honest. In our world, even being a seer is something rare. This is why I would like to ask you, if you deem fit, not to tell anyone about your powers. I don't want this spreading before I can figure out what this is."

I nod but add as an afterthought. "I'm going to tell Hana and Cedrick, but besides them, no one else will know." Danial gives me an approving nod.

Dodobi seems surprised, probably by our willingness to work together. "That is fine, but no one else. Not even a teacher. Not until I can find more information on it."

I left his office feeling reassured and entered the library feeling nervous.

Its time to work as a team, but the only thought in my head was that there was a reoccurring theme in my life. I wasn't just Olivia O'Henry, as Dodobi would say.

I was more.

☆☆☆

There was a tense silence in our group after I've told them what Dodobi said, our lack of noise made up by the loud students around us.

The four of us watch wearily as the Linopias and Ghostilios begin to spew hatred. Spitting at people, glaring and leering, cursing at them. The library was split down the middle, and even we were positioned so that Hana and Danial were sitting along the Linopia line and me and Cedrick were with the Ghstilios. I had accidentally sat down next to Hana when we entered, and some of the Linopia girls came up and started fighting with me for harassing Hana. Danial had to clear up the situation since they refused to listen to me, and our already tense state was becoming more livid.

Hana's chair falls against the floor as she abruptly gets up, all of us following her as we move to clear up a fight between two girls, obviously different types. The librarian had to come to break up the fight and send the girls and the unresponsive bystanders to their dorms.

I sigh heavily as I sit back down.

Hana mumbles quietly as she absentmindedly pets M.O.M, "When will this end?" I realize with a shock that not everyone lives and breathes this feud.

"Do you not hate the other type Hana?" I ask.

She places M.O.M on the table and watches her walk. "Don't get me wrong, I hate you passionately." I roll my eyes as I hear her sigh. "I just don't like what it does to people. The Parax used to be so great. Powerful. And now we're reduced to this", she says venomously. "Hiding who we are. Fighting with ourselves. Losing to humans. It's making us weak! I hate that. I don't hate Linopia or Ghostilios."

Danial drums his fingers on the table as Cedrick huffs his hair out of his face.

A small smile tugs at my lips and Hana scowls upon seeing it, demanding. "What?"

"Nothing", I say, attempting to hide my smile. "It's just, I realized just how incredible we are."

Hana looks at me funny. "I already knew I was incredible. How did you figure it out? And why did it take you so long?"

I shake my head at her words, my smile stretching into a full-blown grin. I look at the guys to notice they're watching mine and Hanas banter with amused expressions.

I face them all saying, "We're going against the normal way of thinking by working together. You still hate us", I say, looking at Hana and Danial, "And we hate you, no offense-"

"-None taken," Danial mutters.

"-I just find it awesome how we are already on the track of getting the Parax to their former glory."

I straighten and say. "I'm assuming the Parax were so glorious in the past because the two types worked together. Fizi Kuhl and Mena Tal brought triumph to our kind by working together, and they were different types."

"So?" Hana says, her confusion mirrored in Cedrick.

"So," Danial cuts in, "The four of us working together will help us. We already benefited. Dodobi gave us ten points for working together." Whoops, I think we forget to tell them that earlier.

"No way," Hana breathed out, her and Cedrick sharing a look of relief.

"We're at negative forty now," Danial says. "And I know that's not the best, but if from now on, we work together, we'll gain points and regain our standing. We will not lose."

I nod at Danial. "He's right. But instead of just worrying about the obstacles, I think we should do some extra work. Something to help not only us but all of the Parax."

"Extra how?" Cedrick asks suspiciously. As he should. Extra work is a student's worst nightmare.

I look them all in their eyes and let them see my determination. "I think we should work on bridging the gap between Linopia and Ghostilios."