Escape (5)

"Who are you talking about?" Shivan's voice interrupted Chloe's line of thought.

"I'm talking about the ones who are backing these guys. There's a high chance... no, I'm sure they're behind them. It's Cerberus." Chloe revealed her suspicions.

"Cerberus?" Alexia muttered under her breath. "That's troublesome. Even the higher-ups have trouble dealing with them."

Alexia was unusually serious. Her personality was usually more carefree and disinterested. Shivan was a bit surprised with the attitude shift. 

However, a more pressing issue was on his mind. "What is Cerberus?" Shivan asked.

"Cerberus is the most dangerous criminal organisation across the six nations. Their activities span nations and they are incredibly dangerous." Chloe explained.

"It is suspected they have one or more mages equivalent to champion rank. The leaders of each nation are trying their damnest to suppress them and their traces from the public eye, so a given you don't know about them." 

"Well, it doesn't matter to us. We're too low on the totem pole to do anything about it. So, we should get out of here." Alexia returned to her carefree tone. "Chloe you shouldn't come here in a while."

"That's what I plan to do," Chloe responded immediately.

The trio then left the building along with all the stolen loot. As Chloe put it "Well we're already criminals with illegal substances. Who cares if have illegal weapons."

The bag that Chloe had stolen had been relatively undamaged even during explosions, so they made it out with Luminafern, several gun MAWs and a specialised sniper MAW.

While returning to their hideout, Alexia commented, "Well that was exciting. Shivan, you asked a lot of questions didn't you?"

"Well it's not my fault I'm ignorant," Shivan replied sheepishly.

"I guess it isn't." Alexia smiled.

The group barely spoke on the way back, so Shivan became lost in his thoughts. He realised he didn't feel the same way as Alexia about the escape. It was almost disappointing.

He didn't feel anything special. His heart didn't beat with excitement. Though his body went through intense stress, his mind felt the same as before.

'Maybe this feeling will never disappear. Well, I have experienced new things with these girls, so it's not all bad.' Shivan pondered inwardly.

"Hello? Earth to Shivan." His thoughts were quickly broken by Alexia.

"Ah. I'm here." Shivan reacted to Alexia.

"You seemed deep in thought. Whatcha thinking about?" Alexia leaned towards Shivan.

She then ran forward, turned around facing Shivan, and started walking backwards while matching his pace.

"Nothing much. I was just a bit disappointed that I didn't feel anything while in that combat situation." 

"I guess I expected too much from this. You know, one of my goals is to break the shell you keep around you." Alexia disclosed her true feelings.

"Is that why you are so interested in me?"

"Partly. Our thought processes are also similar, so I feel a sense of familiarity with you. Though, it's true I'm deeply interested in your true personality."

Shivan was taken aback by how straightforward Alexia was being. But he did find some comfort in the fact she would help him in his goal.

"Are you sure this isn't my true personality?"

"Nah." Alexia denied Shivan's statement without hesitation.

"Then what happens if my true personality is boring?"

"It won't be," Alexia answered resolutely.

"How can you be sure?"

"Instinct."

"Fine. What if, hypothetically, you found me 'boring'."

"Well, in that case, I'd probably lose interest in you."

"Harsh. No wonder you don't have many friends." Shivan grinned as he joked with Alexia. 

"It's not my fault they're all so boring." Alex responded with a pout. "Their ideals of wanting to be heroes, prove themselves to their families, wanting to be the strongest etc. It's all painfully bland."

"You would get along well with serial killers," Shivan commented.

"I agree. Though I'm personally not a big fan of dying. So I hope I don't meet one." Alexia smirked.

They continued making small talk as they made their way back to Chloe's hideout. They ensured weren't being followed, taking a roundabout route to get to their desired location.

They took down their disguises and hid their weapons. Taking them to school was not an option. Chloe sorted the Luminafern, placing them in a freezer, while Alexia and Shivan's kept the weapons in drawers. 

By the time they finished, it was already nearly dawn. Though the teachers were surely going to be angry about where they were all night, they weren't bothered. After all, the three of them were known to be troublemakers.

Since they couldn't make it back before curfew, they decided to sleep to rest a bit inside the basement. All three of them were completely exhausted from their escape and they needed rest.

***

It was past noon when they arrived back at school. They got a couple of hours of sleep and had lunch at a restaurant.

Needless to say, the teachers were beyond angry. They immediately were sent to the vice-principal where they were immediately suspended. 

The three weren't bothered by it in the slightest. The punishments also included being banned from leaving school premises, banning access to training facilities and more.

They also sent a letter to everyone's parents, which served no purpose. Shivan didn't have any and Chloe's parents didn't bother contacting the school while Alexia's father watched as Alexia sat there unapologetically while being reprimanded. She also received a little scolding after but her behaviour didn't change.

Shivan and Alexia couldn't care less about the punishments, but Chloe was a little butthurt about not being able to leave. Chloe wanted to experiment with new plants she had stolen. Thankfully for her, the restrictions only lasted for a week.

The news of the suspension spread like wildfire and their popularity decreased even further, to the point they were the most hated group in the school.

Fortunately for Arlo, he was able to avoid most of the hate. The students felt bad for him as they realised that he was just unfortunately placed in their group.

Alexia was a primary target of hate from the three due to her looks and personality. Alexia took in stride as she ignored the complaints of those around her.