War Grounds 47 THE DAY BEFORE THE WAR

"La, la, la, la...", Al Gentrix was sprawled on his bed, which was now cleared of the parts of his disassembled 'Battle Station'. He was humming a cheerful tone while staring at the screen of his phone.

[Analyzing City of Frahim ... 32% Completion ]

The boy was waiting for SARS to return. It has been almost three hours since the bot started its data collection about Dalaran's Skull.

'It's really taking so long.' Al yawned as the loading bar in SARS' interface was not moving even just a half of an inch, after a minute of watching. 'Osho! I've not told him about my wins, yet. Let's see how he'll react if I shared the news that I've joined a workshop!' The boy giggled as he started to type a message on his phone, imagining the reaction of his best friend.

"Hey, loser! I've met Yakouza and Gerd today! You heard it right, now worship me. Beating you since birth, Al Gentrix." Al sent the text message.

"Lies. I'm going to sleep now. Stop disturbing me, dead weight. Your forever carry, Osho", Al's best friend immediately replied.

"Tsk. Ok fine. Sophia came to visit me today. AT HOME. Say whuuut, Single-Forever-Osho? Beating you since birth, Al Gentrix." Al definitely knew his best friend's favourite topics.

"Okay. You have my full attention now. How did it go? Did you kiss her? Damn you! I'm going to meet my true love soon, and you will not be invited to my wedding, you sucker! Your forever carry, Osho."

"You maniac! We've only held hands, but just accidents, nothing major happened. Hehe. Anyway, you won't believe this! Sophia's the person behind 'Gerd'. Beating you since birth, Al Gentrix."

"NO WAY! You're not lying, right? Where's your evidence? Your forever carry, Osho."

"Tssss. When have I ever lied to you, dimwit? She's the little sister of Yakouza! I'm officially a member of their workshop - WisDOOM, and we're joining the Rookie Challenge, two weeks from now!!!! Come with me tomorrow, so you could confirm with your own eyes that I'm telling the truth! Beating you since birth, Al Gentrix."

"Nah. I pity them. You'll surely lose on the first round of elimination. HAHA! But, I wish you the best buddy, sorry though, I won't be there to carry you! HEY!!! We have a long test tomorrow in Economics! Don't tell me that you're cutting class again!!!? Your forever carry, Osho."

"Wow. Thank you for that. I was deeply encouraged. Hahaha! Another news! I'm skipping the whole semester! I'm going full time in War Grounds; mom has already approved. Beating you since birth, Al Gentrix.

"What the...you're getting crazier lately, Al! Get a hold of yourself! Your forever carry, Osho."

"Tell that to Nisha! Beating you since birth, Al Gentrix."

"Seriously, Al? My little brother is a prodigy, dude. Your forever carry, Osho."

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"Whatever! Just tell me if you'll come. It's a bit hard to locate, so we should go there together before 9 AM. Goodnight, loser! Beating you since birth, Al Gentrix."

Al immediately closed his phone, no longer bothering to check if Osho had replied to his last message. The boy's eyes were starting to give up due to fatigue. He had already pushed himself to the limits. 'It's time to sleep'.

...

8:30 AM

The sunlight has already leaked through the curtains of Al's room. 'Uhmm...' He groaned as he was starting to feel the warm temperature in the room. Sweat beads were starting to appear in his forehead.

Knock. Knock.

"Al! Solomon is already waiting for you downstairs. Wake up now!" Marina's voice could be heard behind the room's door, matched with a sudden knock.

"Uhmmm...not yet. It's still too early." Al mumbled, his eyes were still deeply shut.

"Al Gentrix. It's already 8:30 AM. Should I send you back to school, instead?" Marina's tone was enticing.

"Shit! I'm freaking late!" Al suddenly jerked up from his bed. "Coming!"

The boy took a quick visit to his room's CR to brush his teeth and whisk some water to his hair. He's got no time to take a good and long bath anymore. After making sure that he's a little presentable, Al immediately took the big box, where his 'Battle Station' was stuffed and the travelling bag where his clothes were already prepared and rushed out of his room.

"You dead weight! We're almost late!" The unexpected guest, Osho immediately reprimanded his friend, upon seeing Al's descending figure in the stairs. Mr Kagashi was already there waiting by the sofa in a white shirt, denim pants, and brown boots, instead of his school uniform.

Al immediately grinned, upon noticing Osho's get up. "Come! Help me carry this box! Yakouza is waiting for us!" The boy placed the item on his best friend's hands and quickly dragged him out of the house. "Mom, we're leaving! I'll just grab breakfast along the way. I love you!"

Waiting outside of Al's house was a black pick-up truck. Its windows were tinted, so the driver inside could not be identified.

Click.

The window by the driver's side suddenly lowered. Sitting inside was a pretty girl, a red lollipop was popped in her mouth.

"Sophia?" Osho confirmed.

"Hey! You're Osho Kagashi, right?" Sophia took out the candy from her mouth as she smiled. "You're coming with us? Hurry up, then!"

"Hey! Wait! Where's Sol? And why are you not in uniform?" Al was confused.

"He's got some things to deal with. Hurry up, Al! I've decided to join you in skipping this semester, too. Plus, your other friend is already at camp. He's as noisy as you!" Sophia rolled her eyes as she honked the car's horn, three times.

Osho's facial expression was locked in a grin as he kept on exchanging looks between Al and Sophia.

"Come on, guys! Do you really expect me to be the one to put that box on the trunk?" Sophia rolled her eyes once again. "Hurry up!"

"Yeah, right! Osho, what are you waiting for? Move!" Al woke up from his stupor. It was cool to see his crush driving a four-wheel drive.

After making sure that the box for Al's broken 'Battle Station' was safely positioned in the trunk, Osho immediately hopped in the passenger's seat and sat beside Al. The two gentlemen did not dare to occupy the front seat.

Vroom!

With a perfect mix between the clutch and gas pedal, the car speedily shot through the road heading to WisDOOM's hideout.

"Ehem. Hey, Sophia. My friend, Al here claims that you're the user of Gerd. Is that true?" Osho immediately started to grill his best friend.

"Yup." Sophia's answer was short and straightforward. She seemed to be in a hurry.

Al shot a warning look to Osho as the former elbowed the latter. Fortunately, Osho immediately got the message and stopped pestering Sophia, until they've reached the western outskirts of Peace Valley.

"We're here." Sophia perfectly parked the car in front of the dilapidated warehouse.

"Is this the workshop?" Osho whispered in Al's ears.

"Yes. It's not that fancy, yet." Al whispered back.

Osho simply nodded his head as he expressed an 'okay' with his face. He immediately opened the car's door and proceeded to unload the box.

"Sophia, thanks! You're not coming with us inside?" Al dearly asked.

"Nope, Al. I'll drop by, maybe later if time permits. My schedule is a bit busy now. Brother is not also there as of the moment. Jack will be the one to brief you instead, regarding the workshop's house rules and as for what's the plan of the team today. Please tell Osho my apologies for the rush. I'm heading off now if you have no more questions." Sophia smiled; her face seemed to be tired. Dangling in between her lips was an already empty white plastic popsicle stick.

"All good. Thanks, Sophia. Take care." Al was already outside of the car as he waived his goodbye.

"Woah. Is it because of the coming guild war tomorrow in Alistor?" Osho commented, upon sensing the tension in the atmosphere. "Nisha's been acting weird too."

"Maybe. Come, I'll introduce you to everyone. I think that Papa Bear is already inside." Al led the way as he knocked on the roll-up gate.

Chapter end