The honeymoon had gone smoothly during the last week of the month. As the new week began, Nick prepared to return to the military camp. The night before his departure, he decided to have a serious conversation with Elizabeth about alternative plans.
"Hey Elizabeth," Nick began. "I just got back from my honeymoon with Tiffy. Everything went well—by luck, I suppose. But I've been thinking... maybe it's time we consider new strategies for locating the gem and the missing pages of the puzzle book. It seemed like we had neutralized the hybrids, but I suspect the human souls or bodies we rescued may have been recaptured and turned back into hybrids. That means their army might still be intact."
"Nick, you really need to rest," Elizabeth responded gently. "Once Jasmine and I join you at the camp, we'll plan more carefully. We've got experience too. Just don't overwork yourself right now. I wish you the best in your marriage—it's a new chapter. Safe travels."
"Thanks, Elizabeth. It's every parents' dream to see their children succeed. I might not be your parent, but I hope I can act as one—or at least as a good friend. I look forward to seeing you at the camp."
"Thanks for your kind words, Nick. All the best in your future. I love you."
"I love you too."
The following day, Nick and his team reconvened at the town center and began their journey back to the military camp.
---
Nearly Two Years Later
Elizabeth and Jasmine eventually joined Nick at the Sultan Military Camp. Jasmine had earned a prestigious MVP scholarship the previous year for her stellar performance in art tournaments, which also came with grants. By this time, Nick was a senior, while Elizabeth and Jasmine were freshmen. Following in Nick's footsteps, they both chose to study philosophy—driven by a shared curiosity about history, evolution, extinction, indigenous creatures, myths, and legends. The idea of Luca the dragon fascinated them. They never imagined such myths could be real.
Their first library encounter with Nick's allied group happened shortly after they arrived.
"Guys," Nick began, "I'd like to introduce two new members to our group—though they're no strangers. This is Elizabeth and Jasmine. You'll remember them from the mission two years ago... the one where we were captured and you all came to our rescue."
The others nodded in recognition.
"Welcome to the camp!" Jenny greeted them warmly. Lama, John, and William followed with their own greetings.
Nick continued, "They joined the camp to help find the gem and the puzzle book. You already know the history from your visit to Madam Jezebel. We need to come up with a Plan B."
"Plan B? You mean sneaking back into that dangerous zone?" Lama asked, his anxiety evident. "You know what could happen if we get caught…"
"We have to act quickly," Jasmine insisted. "The government supports those societies. Recruitment is increasing, and the invasions continue. I think they're trying to gain more control through darker, mysterious methods."
"But what about our studies?" Lama asked. "Let's finish school first, wait for the specialization drafts. Then we'll be free—double graduations, guys!"
Elizabeth interjected. "Think about it. What if the Mansoon Basement Society realized we tried to invade them? They could have moved. Our maps might be outdated. We'd have to get new ones from Madam Jezebel. Nick and I have been lucky so far, but if we wait for everyone to graduate, we'll waste valuable time. That society is not slowing down."
"We're at a crossroads," Jenny mused. "Should we vote on it? Sometimes, divine decisions come through casting lots—they resolve conflict too."
The group murmured among themselves and agreed to a vote.
"Okay," Jenny said, "by a show of hands, who's in favor of this risky, dangerous mission—even if it could mean getting expelled?"
Five hands went up.
"Well, majority rules," Jenny concluded.
"Nick, your step-uncle is influential. You'll have to save us from expulsion—whatever it takes, even if it means repeating classes," Elizabeth said with a teasing tone.
"My uncle doesn't mix business with family—or pleasure. I'm not sure how far he'd go to protect us," Nick admitted.
"Then let's start planning Plan B," Jenny urged.
Nick nodded. "First, we need to visit Madam Jezebel for updated maps. But we also need to figure out how to sneak off campus without being noticed."
"We just got admitted," Elizabeth reminded him. "Let's wait until the end-of-year break."
"And we should consider our families and friends," she added. "If something happens to us—God forbid—they'll worry. We should prepare them."
"We can't please everyone," William said bluntly. "We either commit fully to this mission or not at all."
"He's right," Nick agreed. "Trying to serve two masters will only bring conflict."
"Okay," Elizabeth concluded, "then we'll wait for the winter holidays."
In the meantime, the group focused on their studies. Nick's allies helped Elizabeth and Jasmine adapt quickly. They excelled in class, scoring well on both CATs and RATs. Months passed, and soon, Jenny's pregnancy began to show. The group noticed during a study session.
"Jenny with the baby bump!" Jasmine joked playfully.
"Oh, you've noticed! Thanks," Jenny replied with a grin.
"Are you planning on taking maternity leave?" Elizabeth asked.
"Eventually. My first pregnancy was terminated right after Nick's wedding—I didn't want drama in his marriage. As for this one, I honestly don't know who the father is. I'd have to take a DNA test. Sorry guys, I party a lot, especially on weekends. We seniors sneak out to discos often... Nick, you might not be off the hook."
"Okay, okay—no need to go into detail," Nick interrupted. "I get it... promiscuity. For the record, Tiffy's also expecting, and I'm committed to being a father. If anything else comes up, we'll deal with it maturely. No misogyny intended—I respect women."
"Nick," Elizabeth said sternly, "we thought you were the dependable type—married, faithful. If Tiffy finds out... I don't think she'd take it well."
"Don't worry," Jasmine added. "Your secret's safe with us. But Elizabeth's right—marriage is serious. No one wants to be cheated on. If it happens both ways, it could end badly. Be honest and responsible."
"Maybe you're right," Nick said with a sigh. "Tiffy keeps posting pictures with other basketball players. I'm not even sure if the baby is mine. I'll get a paternity test when the baby's born."
"Let's move on," Elizabeth said, trying to defuse the tension. "It's a sensitive issue. Let's focus on our studies."
The group returned to their routine, including intense training sessions. Elizabeth and Jasmine adapted quickly. Soon, the annual inter-class games arrived, featuring events like tug-of-war, wall climbing, sack races, egg races, football, athletics, and rope walking. Points determined class rankings, and top teams received prizes and medals.
"Let the games begin!" Captain James announced.
Elizabeth and Jasmine stunned everyone by winning the wall climb, sack race, and egg race for their class. Nick, Lama, John, and William dominated their events too. Nick's class came first, while Elizabeth and Jasmine's class placed third—a rare feat for a freshman class.
That evening, the group reunited for dinner.
"I can't believe you two won those races!" Nick praised.
"It was all about team spirit," Jasmine replied. "Just like in high school—we believed in ourselves."
"And you guys were amazing," Elizabeth added. "Was it your mission experience that helped?"
"Definitely," Nick replied. "That and our strong friendships. Even without Jenny competing, she was there cheering us on like a coach."
"We'll need that same teamwork for Plan B," Jasmine said with hope.
"Exactly. Let's keep training. We have a few months left before break. Let's use our free evenings to learn martial arts—quietly, through YouTube, before our night classes," Jenny suggested.
"Are you sure your pregnancy won't interfere?" Elizabeth asked gently.
"I'll be seven months along by then, but I want to be part of this. I can't leave you behind," Jenny said, clearly torn.
"If you go into labor mid-mission, we'll stay with you," Nick assured her. "You're one of us—we've got your back."