At Sultan military camp, inside the 60th class hall, upbeat electronic music rang out:
"Glorious dreams are made of this, who am I to disagree? … Others want to use you, others want to abuse you … moving on …"
The soldiers, along with their leaders, danced joyously in celebration after accomplishing their mission at Nissani Forest. They had successfully transferred all the maimed victims and surviving villagers to the camp after a smooth collaboration. Later, the maimed were transferred to various hospitals, where they received treatment under government incentives.
A few days later, Nick received a call from Tiffy. She had heard about their successful mission through the media:
"Hello, Nick! How are you doing? I really missed you. It's been so long since we had a proper face-to-face conversation!"
"I'm doing fine, Tiffy. Thanks for checking on me! We just got back from a sudden mission. As a beginner, I was utterly confused and almost became a victim myself. But thank goodness, we managed to rescue the villagers and neutralize the hybrids. Everyone, including the neutralized hybrids, was transported safely to the camp. The maimed and unconscious were rushed to hospitals countywide. The government also plans to provide permanent, safer settlements for them after their stay in the tented camps."
"Oh! I was going to call you about that! I wanted to know how you were faring. I got worried, but I have no choice now but to congratulate you on your successful debut mission. I'm glad there were no fatalities! How's everything at the camp? Your studies, your interactions?"
"Thanks, I'm sure you heard the news from the media. As for here, my studies are going well. I've made a couple of close friends, but don't worry, I'm careful not to start any romantic relationships."
"Alright! I just wanted to check in. Sorry for the delayed chats — I don't know why, but either you or I just suddenly stopped. Those good morning and good night texts kept us connected. I'm studying leadership now, hoping to get into politics someday like my dad. I'm also enjoying my interactions with classmates and everyone around here. I even got accepted into the cheerleading club. Don't worry, my sports interactions will be safe. I still remember the high school oaths!"
"Okay, that's great to hear. We should get back to our daily romantic texts — morning and night! Gotta go, honey! I love you!"
"I love you too, Nick!" The call ended.
Nick moved to join the rest of his group at the school library.
"Sorry guys, I was just talking to my girlfriend, Tiffy! What are you studying today?"
"We're studying principles of philosophy! Nice to have such an influential girlfriend!" Jenny complimented.
"How did you know about Tiffy… the influential part?" Nick asked, leaning forward with curiosity.
"Tiffy has lots of followers on social media. I also heard she won the MVP title at the national high school arts competition. Her dad is a congressman, and she often tags or shares his political views on social media! That makes her really popular!"
"Social media popularity? I rarely use social media. Did she tag me? Or did you find photos of us together?"
Shyly, Jenny looked down before replying, "Sorry Nick! I've been stalking you. I heard Tiffy used to date a basketball captain, so I did some digging and found photos of you two on her social media. I'm one of her followers!"
"Wow, that's quite a discovery. I guess I'll just have to follow her on all platforms. Fame comes with temptations — everyone wants to hang out with a star girl! I'll just try to keep her accountable."
The group then continued their philosophical discussions.
Meanwhile, Shadd, a senior student at Dasheen High School, lived alone since Lawrence had left for college. One day, while chatting with Jasmine in their backyard, she heard about Nick's mission.
"It's been arduous training back at school! By the way, did you hear about Nick's successful mission? I saw Tiffy tagging her boyfriend on social media!" Jasmine said.
"Mission? What mission?" Shadd asked curiously.
"The villain invasions at Nissani Forest! It was reported everywhere. Haven't you been following the news lately?"
"I don't usually watch the news. Most evenings, I extend basketball practice and take late dinners. Watching news during family dinners is rare. I'm focused on following my brother's footsteps in basketball."
"Well, Nick was involved in a national guard mission. I thought you should know!"
"Thanks for the info. I was actually planning to join Nick at Sultan military camp after high school! I want to help stamp out villains nationwide. It's a secret, but before Nick finished high school, we secretly met to discuss the myths during that bonfire at Tiffy's place… and the myths turned out to be true. I have to join Nick and try to recover the source of the problems — the four gems!"
"I'm curious — how will you two start immediately after meeting at the camp?"
"From my dad's stories, there's a puzzle book. If we get that map, it will lead us to secret camps where the four gems are held hostage, manipulated by four secret societies. Hopefully, we can fight their armies and restore order. I know it sounds dangerous, but it's the only way." Shadd said softly.
"But how will you find this puzzle book? You should keep in touch with Nick. He's in a better position to research this!"
"We planned that after enrolling at the camp, we'd specialize in the navy to get closer to the forest. That's where we first encountered those creatures right after mentioning the stories. That's how we connected with Nick."
"How about we just visit the forest one day instead of waiting for the organizations? Nick can research while we explore. We might find clues!"
"Roaming the forest? Are you serious? We don't have neutralizing weapons!"
"At daylight, nocturnal creatures can't attack. We can wear reflective armor… don't you think it's a good idea?"
"You're right. Jasmine, you're a genius!" Shadd hugged her excitedly. "But how do we get reflective armor?"
"Nick is in the military. He can advise us on that. You must talk to him!"
"You're right. Tonight before bed, I'll call Nick!"
"Okay, let's proceed with basketball training!" The two girls continued their practice.
Later, Shadd asked Jasmine during training, "Hey Jasmine, does this mean you'll join us on this mission?"
"Yeah! I want to be there for my best friend! I look forward to joining you at Sultan military camp!"
"Thanks, bestie!"
"You're welcome! Don't forget to call Nick!"
"I won't forget. Thanks for the reminder."
That night, Elizabeth called Nick. The phone rang for a long time without an answer. She tried again with the same result.
"Maybe I'll try another time," she said, then went to sleep under her blanket.
At almost midnight, her phone suddenly rang. "Wow, who's calling me this late?" she wondered, still half-asleep. She rubbed her eyes and picked up.
"Oh, Nick! It's late. I didn't expect your call. I wanted to talk about the puzzle book!"
"Sorry for waking you! I was in class — military colleges have evening and night classes, plus morning and afternoon trainings. About the puzzle book, what exactly did you want to tell me?"
"Jasmine told me about your mission. Congrats, by the way! She said Tiffy tagged you on social media, proud of your mission. Then I remembered our oath to find the puzzle book. Jasmine suggested we roam the nearby forest in reflective knight armor during the day. Maybe you could help us get those armors so we're assured of our safety?"
"Thanks! About the armor — I'll ask my step-uncle and get back to you. It'll be up to your science project with Jasmine to make them!"
"Thanks! Hope to hear from you soon. Goodnight!"
"Goodnight!"
The next morning, before class, Elizabeth told Jasmine, "I talked to Nick last night at midnight! He said he'd talk to his step-uncle and get back to me."
"Was he okay at midnight?"
"He said military schools operate with evening classes and morning and afternoon training."
"Wow! We should prepare for that."
That day, Nick tentatively visited his step-uncle. After several knocks, he was welcomed in.
"Nick, welcome. Have a seat."
"Thanks. Sorry to bother you during training, but I have a question."
"What kind?"
"My friends want to know how to make shiny knight armor. It's a science project, not for anything dangerous."
"A science project, huh? I suggest they visit a nearby metal industry. I have an ally there. I'll connect with him. Just give me their names. They might get the materials. I don't know how to make historical armor, but maybe they can research from there."
"Thanks!" Nick wrote down the names and left gratefully.
That evening, he texted Shadd before class, "I hope this helps!"
Shadd couldn't concentrate that evening. She kept thinking about the puzzle book, Nick's reply, and how to move forward with Jasmine on their journey.