2. H O L Y W A R : Peacekeepers

CHAPTER V

Once their final class (theatre, which Kia reluctantly joined) ended, D'kala and Kia met in front of the principal's office. "Well, this is it," Kia said, glancing at D'kala. "Time to see what Mr. Z wants."

D'kala nodded, hesitated, and then gestured to the door. "Ladies first?" he offered.

Kia gave him a sidelong look.

"I thought you'd say that." D'kala sighed and knocked on the door.

A few moments passed before it opened, revealing Principal Winston. The principal sputtered something, draining mucus into his cup, and then motioned to the inside of the office.

"Uh... thanks...?" Kia said hesitantly, walking past the cuttlefish-headed man. "So creepy," she whispered to D'kala.

Zechariah poked his head out of his office, looking neither upset nor pleased to see them. "Come in," he told them before pulling his head back.

D'kala and Kia shared a glance and headed inside, sitting in front of Zechariah's desk.

Behind them, Zechariah closed the door before padding behind his desk and sitting back on his haunches. "You're both wondering why I called you here today, yes?"

"Obviously. Sir," Kia added quickly.

Zechariah nodded understandingly. "Well, first of all, I wanted to see how you felt about your first day," he began. "Did you enjoy it? Were the classes to your liking?"

"If they weren't, would you change them?" Kia asked jokingly.

Zechariah smiled. "Fair enough."

"Everything went smoothly, Mr. Zechariah," D'kala told the vice principal. "We enjoyed it very much."

"Good. That's good." Zechariah licked a paw and slicked back one of his ears. "Now, for our second subject... we must discuss the imminent Breaking of the Pacts."

The four words—and the way Zechariah said them—sent shivers down the students' spines. "Didn't... didn't we already talk about that?" Kia asked, her voice growing a bit meek.

"Yes. But I was not finished." Zechariah lowered his head, looking extremely troubled. "You see, when one Pact breaks, a chain reaction begins," he told them. "More and more Pacts are broken until our barriers are completely sundered. Then, a massive event of some kind must take place—one involving a Peacekeeper—and both the Pacts and the barrier will be restored."

"Is that what usually happens?" Kia inquired.

Zechariah nodded.

"When was the last time that happened?" D'kala asked.

Zechariah gave him a dark look. "When Safe Haven was first founded.

"There was a great war among the Havenites. Lives were lost, the haven was almost completely obliterated, and the barrier fell. Thankfully, no one intruded—but it was only due to the interference of the original Peacekeepers that the haven was restored.

"Now, as the Breaking of the Pacts looms on the horizon once again, we are in desperate need of another Peacekeeper to bring stability when the next cataclysm takes place—whatever it may be." Zechariah gave the students a pointed look.

D'kala turned slightly gray. "Wait—are you referring to me?" he asked, his voice pitching. "You think I'm the next Peacekeeper?"

"Not just you, D'kala." He looked at Kia and added, "I believe both of you could be. That's why I've been observing you all day." He turned back to D'kala and said, "D'kala, you are a natural leader—attempting to befriend both ally and enemy, defusing tense situations with ease, and earning the trust of nearly everyone in this school in the span of less than 48 hours." Addressing Kia, he went on, "Kia, your fiery spirit matches those of a great multitude of students at this school—students whom you can empathize with and rally with your passion. You are also one of the brightest young women I have ever met." Zechariah lifted his head. "Coupling your traits together creates an indomitable duo—one that I believe can tackle any problem we may face when the Pacts are broken."