Chapter 3
The Great Flame, Part 1
�Welcome class, today I have a very exciting announcement. You see, we have just gotten approval to send the class on a trip to Egypt over fall break!� The teacher announced. The class went into a roar of happiness and pleasure, but Zeo only grunted. He couldn�t really care less. People in the class started remarking with things like.
�Finally!� or �Thank God, they finally let us!� He looked over to see that Jupiter and Mars seemed happy. They were jumping up and down, smiling brightly. It then occurred to him that if they were going, he could go too. It would be the best place for the assassination. An evil grin crossed Zeo�s face as he raised his hand. No one noticed at first, but then the teacher saw and she pointed to him.
�Zach, what is it?� She said with pure shock. Zeo had never spoken in class before. Never. The entire class fell silent as his voice came out, somewhat raspy. He had never really spoken much before.
�What exactly is this trip? How could I go?� He said, his voice finally clearing. The teacher thought for a minute before coughing slightly.
�Well Zach, this trip is where we take most of Junior class to Egypt for study not only for historical purposes, but mythological purposes�� This was followed by coughs from the students. The teacher scowled at a few before continuing, �I guess you could go� problem is that there may be no more slots left open. We already have almost 300 people already going�� She trailed off, hoping not to lose Zeo. He only scowled and leaned back, looking to the wall away from everyone, a look of frustration on his face. �But I could look for you�� Zeo only crossed his arms, his rage growing.
It was only an act though. He was hoping to use the anger factor to get her to get him a slot. He knew very well there were none open. Perhaps human guilt could be his best friend here. It seemed to work, she looked up from her desk.
�Well there are a few slots open� see me after school.�
* * *
Zeo walked out of the room, a grin upon his face. The teacher after, proper, motivation got him a slot. He walked down the hallway of the school, getting even more annoyed at how crowded it was. People would just not get out of the way. He started to shove pushing his way through. People began to get the hint as they cleared somewhat. Shouting profane adverbs after him as he passed through.
As he came out of the hallway he saw them, the 5 scouts walking together. He passed by, trying not to look at them, but he then heard.
�Zach! Hey Zach! Where you going?� One called after him. Venus then walked up to him, she looking into his eyes like a curious cat. Cocking her head from side to side, looking into them. Zeo blushed slightly and turned away, hiding his face.
�Home� where else would I go?� he muttered. Venus sighed as she started to walk away. She shook her head from side to side, muttering something under her breath. The moon queen only giggled, as did most of the others. This made Venus�s face turn hot red as she tried to walk off, the others following, staring at Zeo as he walked onward, not looking back.
* * *
Zeo was walking down the sidewalk, paying no attention to people that passed him by. They all didn�t matter him at all, just pawns in life�s game. As he walked by one man walked up to him, he stood fairly tall, coming up to Zeo�s neck. He wore a brown T-shirt and blue denim jeans. He tapped Zeo on his shoulder and Zeo turned in a sudden movement. The man had a pudgy face, his brown eyes staring at Zeo.
�Hmm� you look like him� but what your wearing� such bad taste.� The man said, looking Zeo over. Zeo started to get annoyed.
�Who are you? I don't have time to deal with you right now�� Zeo said, growling.
�Hey now, don't get mad. My name is Nefi, I�ve been sent by Huyi to help you.� Nefi said to him. Zeo was taken aback, looking the man over wondering why Huyi would send this pudgy man who looked like he couldn�t even hurt an insect. Nefi began to speak again, �You may have met me earlier as Yuugi, I was disguising myself to see if it was really you at the door.�
�But� but how? Your much taller than Yuugi�� Zeo said, trying to figure this out. Nefi just laughed to himself.
�I�m a shape shifter, I can assume any form I want easily. Only one thing though, there are imperfections with my forms� so there is always one feature that wont be on them or quite right.� Nefi replied to the question. Zeo was taken aback for a second, but began to realize that this made more sense if he was.
�Well then if you are, show me what you really look like.� Zeo said. Nefi looked around nervously.
�Well ok� but we have to go somewhere private�� Nefi looked around, trying to find somewhere to go so he won�t be seen. Finally he noticed an alleyway nearby and led Zeo into it. In there he took a deep breath and closed his eyes. The man began to grow a bit taller, his flab over his stomach folding in on itself and his face growing thinner. His clothes began to rip off and Zeo had to hold back his vomit as Nefi�s pants ripped off and his bare waist folding in making it thinner and more muscular instead of flabby. As his clothes ripped off, more new ones grew back over it. He now wore the same general outfit, a silk white formal shirt, with a brown overcoat. He stood now up to Zeo�s eyes instead of his chin. He had mostly just lost a lot of fat and gained more muscle, but the most distinctive feature about him is his ears; they were long and came to a point. Zeo had heard stories of elves and what they looked like, and he looked just like one. His hair was brown and curved around his face, it parted down the middle, splitting it to both sides.
Nefi smirked, seeing Zeo�s reaction. �Impressed?� He asked him. Zeo only nodded, the awe on his face obvious. �Well don�t forget, I�m your guide and I�m here to help you. I�m not much of a fighter, but I can get you information you need and get things done you couldn�t normally do. Now Huyi has sent me earlier than expected, reason being she wanted me to question you: What�s taking you so long?!�
Zeo scoffed, �What do you mean what�s taking me so long? I�ve already killed Darien.� He replied. Nefi shook his head.
�You mean the Rose King?� Nefi asked.
�Yeah.� Zeo replied.
�That doesn�t make sense, he hasn�t disappeared in the future yet.� Nefi said as he pondered. He kept thinking and mumbling to himself. �Well� ok� I guess I can believe you, but you'd better not be lying.� As he said this two ladies walked by the alleyway, Nefi�s head turned like a radar. The two were wearing very provocative outfits and the drool was obvious around Nefi�s mouth. He turned back to Zeo, �Some important business has come to my attention, so I�ll leave it here, but I�ll be watching you. So look for me!� He said this and began to walk away, turning himself into a charming young man as he chased after the girls.
* * *
Zeo walked up the stairs to his apartment. The sun beginning to set behind him as he took the final step up, and as he did he noticed that standing at his doorway was a figure. She stood there, still in her school uniform. Her blonde hair flowing down past her shoulders. Venus saw him coming and waved to him.
�Hey Zach! I�ve been waiting for you. Where have you been?� She called to him. Zeo scoffed to himself as she approached him. She didn�t notice.
�I had something to take care of� what are you doing here?� He asked her. She blushed at hearing this question, taking a step back.
�Well� I� I wanted to see you, and Serena mentioned that you lived close to her� so I thought I�d stop by� and�� She trailed off. Zeo shook his head, thinking to himself that this would be a good time.
�Hey, hey, it�s� uh� fine. Care to� come in?� Zeo said as he motioned her inside his apartment. She followed, a surprised look on her face as she took her first steps inside.
To Be Continued...