'ZACK!' Terra screamed as the group made their way through the forest towards Galbadia Garden. Everyone was searching amongst the trees and behind bushes in a hope that Zack was only playing a silly little game, but Hayden already knew what had happened. He knew that the Galbadians had taken Zack, just as they had taken Loz in Dollet. This was their plan. To take Terra's friends into captivity one by one in the hope of making her fall cleanly into their hands, but he wouldn't let them take her. His emotions had risen to breaking point from the moment he had first saw her in Dollet to now, only 4 days later. When was the right time to ask her? Definitely not now. She was too wound up and distressed, what with two of her friends now going missing. 'Where is he?' Terra said as she collapsed onto the ground. 'It's all my fault isn't it?' she asked, tears filling her eyes. Kai and Mikota both sat down beside her trying to comfort her. Hayden just stood and watched.
'It isn't your fault at all.' He said suddenly. Terra looked up at him.
'But they want me don't they?' she muttered. 'They're taking the ones who are close to me in an attempt to get to me.' Hayden was surprised that she had figured it out so soon but he said nothing.
'That may be true but we can't give up now.' He said, crouching down in front of her. He placed an arm around her. Terra felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up as he touched her and she liked it. She felt comfortable.
'You're right,' she said wiping her face. She looked into Hayden's eyes and she saw them glow as a grin spread across his face. Hayden held out a hand and helped her to her feet. Kai and Mikota stayed seated. They smiled at eachother before turning away to look at Terra, who was now smiling. 'Come on then!' she called to them whilst running off along the path. 'We have a mission to do and it just got even more serious!' Hayden quickly sped after her. It was better that she wasn't left on her own after all. Kai and Mikota soon followed but the group was stopped suddenly as Terra fell to the floor behind a bush, dragging Hayden down with her.
'Everyone get down!' she called behind her. Kai and Mikota fell down beside them and focused their attention on what had attracted Terra's. Ahead of them, a Galbadian car was parked in the middle of the path. Terra peered through the leaves of the bush. There were two men, dressed in Galbadian uniform, one of which was holding a long chain. Terra's eyes scanned the length of the chain until it reached a bundle of clothes on the floor. She tried to look closer but that was impossible without revealing herself. Suddenly, Mikota called out.
'Oh my God! It's Zack!' Mikota was holding a pair of binoculars to her eyes and staring in the same direction as Terra had been previously. Terra looked back at the pile of clothes and noticed it move. Suddenly, a mass of spiky, black hair appeared from behind it. Zack was unconscious but still moving. Mikota made as if to charge out of the bushes but Kai held her back. She looked at him and he shook his head and placed his finger to his lips to say 'keep quiet'. She nodded and continued to watch as the Galbadians began piling things into the back of the car. Terra took her chance. Calling magic from inside her, she cast stop on both the Galbadian soldiers and Zack, who immediately stopped moving. Hayden acknowledged what she had done and leapt up. He ran towards the Galbadians and knocked them over, breaking through the chain that held Zack down with his claw. Sparks flew everywhere and the links snapped into pieces. Hayden picked up Zack in his arms and carried him gently into the back of the car. He then looked around him and signalled that it was all clear. Kai moved first, keeping a look out to make sure that no-one was watching then pulled up Mikota, who ran straight into the back seat of the car. Kai then pulled up Terra and ran with her over to the car. Terra quickly sat in the front passenger seat whilst Kai sat in the back with Mikota and Hayden took the wheel. The engine started with a jolt as Hayden turned the key and they began driving down the path, leaving behind the two Galbadian soldiers, still frozen, lying on the ground in the most obscene positions. The group laughed as they drove away from the pair.
'Almost forgot.' Terra giggled as she cast haste on Zack to bring him back to normal speed and cure to bring him back round. Zack immediately sat up and rubbed his head.
'Ouch' he said and then he realised where he was. 'shit guys, that was quick! Thanks.'
'Thank Terra' said Mikota. 'She's the one who found you and cast the magic needed to get you out of there.'
'By the way, Terra,' Hayden suddenly asked. 'How did you manage to cast that magic without any stored?'