When the three friends boarded their car, another person was there waiting. He looked a little older than them – maybe around sixteen – and had pale skin and untamed grey hair that dropped down into his crimson eyes. He looked incredibly impatient, as he sat there, dressed in his Garden uniform.

Leali skipped ahead and took the seat next to this stranger.

Lianne and Alix took the seats opposite, silent in the presence of such a serious-looking individual.

Leali, however, didn't seem fazed by the whole thing. "Hey!" she said, in greeting to the boy.

He looked at her, as if acknowledging her presence, but didn't speak in return.

Lianne watched this with interest. Anti-social, huh? She thought to herself. I can deal with this. She held out a hand for him to shake. "Hi, I'm Lianne. Pleased to meet you!"

He gave her look with his red-coloured eyes that sent a shiver down her spine. Quickly, she withdrew her hand.

"So, you got a name or what?" Alix questioned.

It took a moment, but then the boy said, "Skye. I'm Skye Zephyr."

"Oh, you're our squad leader!" Leali beamed. "Well, hi, Mr Leader. I'm Leali Kinneas!"

Skye nodded, without even looking at her.

"I'm Alix." Alix said simply, watching Skye carefully.

Skye regarded him for a second, then turned away.

Lianne nudged Alix gently and whispered to him, "Yeah, I think this SeeD exam's gonna be even more fun than I first thought…"