"Geez, that class was boring as heck," Octavia mumbled as she latched onto Ezra's arm, dragging him into the hallway. Cassian followed behind, the same grumpy look on his face as he shot daggers at Ezra. Octavia, unfazed, linked her arms with theirs, and the crowd parted ways for them, avoiding them as they walked.
Soren and Asli walked through the hallways, and this time, as the sunlight filtered through the windows, Ezra noticed more details about Soren. He was tall and broad, shorter than Rowan but somehow even more intimidating. His long, silky hair cascaded down his back, braids woven into the sides, giving him a regal yet dangerous appearance. Unlike most, he didn't wear the standard uniform; instead, he was dressed in a simple grey hoodie and sweatpants as he strolled through . His footsteps quiet as Asli followed .
They slipped by, and the chattering soon resumed around them.
"Fucking weirdos," Octavia muttered, her fists clenching. Ezra glanced over at Cassian and Octavia. Both were staring at the retreating Duskborn duo with very different expressions. Octavia's face was twisted with clear hatred, her jaw clenched tight as if the mere sight of them offended her. On the other hand, Cassian's expression was more complicated—there was a softness in his eyes, a certain sad longing that Ezra couldn't quite place.
Ezra quickly averted his gaze, feeling the heat of Cassian's glare linger a moment longer.
'Yeah, the asshole is back,' Ezra thought to himself, rolling his eyes inwardly as he sighed.
"Anyway, let's go!" Octavia chirped, her voice filled with playful energy as she hopped along beside them, her pigtails bouncing with each step.
Cassian grumbled under his breath but followed suit, clearly not interested in prolonging the exchange.
The days seemed to drag on, each one feeling longer than the last. Ezra stuck to his routine, making the trek to the forest each morning before sunrise to meet his master.
The climb up the mountain was always grueling. The winds howled, biting at his skin, and the narrow path seemed to stretch on endlessly. To make it even more challenging, the professor insisted he carry a large, heavy backpack, its weight pressing down on him with every step.
It was exhausting, but Ezra had no choice but to push through. On his first attempt, he slipped, plummeting downward before managing to grab onto a branch just in time, hauling himself up with every ounce of strength he had left. His bones ached, his body screamed for rest, and he hadn't had any water in hours. Despite the overwhelming fatigue, he pushed himself upward, step by step, forcing his aching limbs to keep moving.
Hours passed before he finally reached the summit. When he dragged his battered body over the edge, he collapsed onto the cold, hard ground. The air here was thinner, biting at his lungs, and the temperature was frigid, making him shiver uncontrollably.
Ezra gulped in the thin, cold air, his heart pounding in his chest, trying to steady his breathing as exhaustion weighed him down.
He glanced up, blinking through the haze of fatigue, and there—amidst the harsh, rocky terrain—stood some bushes, their branches laden with fruits. They resembled a mix between apples and peaches, gleaming in the harsh sunlight. His body ached as he crawled over, arms shaking, and began shoving the fruits into his backpack. Some rolled out, but he quickly stuffed them back in, desperate to finish the task.
Once the backpack was stuffed, he finally looked around, his eyes catching the sight of a serene blue lake nestled between the cliffs. The shimmering water looked inviting, its surface smooth and untouched. The lake was like a calm oasis in the midst of the rugged landscape, offering a brief moment of peace in the chaos of his exhaustion. He couldn't help but stare at it for a moment, considering the chance to dip his aching body into the cool water. But he didn't have time—he had to finish the task and return to the professor.
He sighed before resuming the track down the mountain .