AFIRE: fight for the Earth begins✓

26.1 ZE

The story so far:  

---- Aija Zuri, and Ze, are three friends, who were working at the Pristine School at Innermost. Aija gets involved with the Ytai first, leading Zuri and Ze to them as well. Aija and Ze are captured by Thieron, of H'eon, when they were at the Hospital - Aija was at the Hospital with Kuna of R'ies and Zuri to stop a Harvest; Ze was there to visit his sick student Xan. Xan, a student at the Pristine School, after giving up his soul to Thieron is released by Aija. He then settles into the body of a kitten that Aija found at the Hospital, and is taken to where Thieron resides. Aija wills Xan to talk, he can speak now with his own voice. Thieron has bound Aija to himself, and Nala has bound Ze to herself. 

---- Thieron takes them to a Harvest where Aija meets Etrie of R'ies, who refuses to take Aija and Ze home, because of the bond. Ze is surprised that they aren't escaping. 

---- Though Aija wasn't able to stop the Harvest, she releases the soul, infuriating Thieron.

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****26.1 - Ze****

He finished a hundred push-ups and sat on the bed, wiping the sweat off. 

It was frustrating not being able to run or do anything much. Also, being confined to the room was annoying. The three aliens never allowed him to go upstairs to talk to Aija. They let him roam about the lower half of the house, but never let him go to her. 

So, he spent most of his time exercising or practicing his powers. He often practiced moving things late at night, so the three aliens wouldn't really pay attention to him. 

Ze found that he was often confused with the idea of aliens. The three of them looked so human. Of course, there were minute differences like their height; they were all very tall. Their eye colors were different too, it was strange to have pink as an eye-color. And their hair – the colors seemed natural. It didn't appear as though they dyed their hair in such colors. Their hair seemed to naturally grow in such vibrant colors. For instance, Nala's pink and silver-blonde hair or the deep plum shades in Luka's light brown hair. Ze didn't think they had enough time to keep dying their hair as it grew. 

Aija had explained most things to him. He found it impossible at first. But, he was bonded to an alien, and he had spent time observing them. Their grace, their speed, and the language they spoke – it all seemed unearthly. 

Aija had recounted to him about how she had gotten involved with the Ytai. And had told him that it was one of them who'd hit him on the head all those months ago when Rez had gone missing. Ze had thought he had passed out because he was drunk. He felt relieved that it wasn't the case. He had been embarrassed. 

And, now he remembered that Aija had been missing a whole day. He and Zuri had been terrified when they had heard of Rez's kidnapping (now he knew it had been a Harvest) thinking she had been in trouble too. Now, it felt like all that had happened years ago. And, he had suspected that Aija was dating someone in secret - it was weird to think of it now. She had apparently been out with Etrie and Kuna. 

Aija had come looking for him, and instead, she'd got caught up in something so dangerous. She had been caught by aliens and had been forced to work with them. And, Ze had gone after her to save her, and now he had been captured by the aliens too. 

Ze had led Aija to them, and now she had led him to them. Strange were the ways of the world. 

From what he had assessed, Ze had come to the conclusion that he'd be dead by now, if not for his powers. How had that alien man seen his powers? Ze didn't remember ever using it. But, it was the sole reason he was still breathing. What about Aija? Why had they kept her? He was glad she was alive, but if they were keeping her, then they must have a strong reason for it. Did she have powers like him?