As the four lovers are walking through the forest Priya give Hazel a extra cloak apparently Priya brings two extra in case of emergency or for a captain to hide their insect features.
While Rachel had sent her wasps in hope to quickly find some more locusts in the area Priya only sent half of the centipedes in case of another legion attack it was unlikely in Priya's eyes but better safe than sorry.
After a bit of walking Zack also snapped out his daze of being flustered and started asking if there are alliances between different legions.
"There is nothing that's stopping that but it's advised to because it's easier to get back stabbed by the others so unless there is a high reward most legions won't even consider it and if they do it's because they will stab you in the back. Hazel told Zack with annoyed tone.
*It probably happed to her or a older commander* Zack thought after hearing Hazel's tone.
"So any luck in the locusts search or will we have to camp in the woods?" Zack asked curious he has no problem camping but if it could be avoided he would prefer because if the crow lady comes back with more people then it could be a problem for them.
"Depends on if we find locusts quickly or not." Rachel told him with a indifferent tone.
"Wait can't Hazel just send out a energy wave and attract the locusts here why are we searching for them?" Zack asked them confused on why they did not do that.
The tree girls looked at him with wide eyes and collectively face palmed.
"Why did i not think of that?" Hazel sighed and immediately send out a energy wave and sat down after.
The rest followed Hazel's idea of sitting down no need to stand if you can sit and give the legs a rest.
While they were waiting Priya and Rachel called their respective insects back to them and the group just started talking about what ever they could think of until a intresting question was asked.
"I never asked but what is your goal Zack i mean i am curious about it?" This question come from Priya.
This question made Zack think what is his goal he had not thought about it for a long time at first he wanted to become the strongest mercenary from Apex academy but that clearly did not work out and his life was throw upside down after becoming a legion commander and did not think about a goal or maybe even goals.
He knew he should have one but what should it be about he could atleast answer it since there is a universal good answer and that is becoming the strongest legion but that is in everyone's intrest but when he looked deeper in himself he found the desire of just taking on Apex academy to show that he was stronger but he decided that was a stupid idea.
And if he did well it would only bring more attention to him and the girls wich he wanted to protect and the general public would become aware of legions and the other legions would hear the news and come looking for him besides what is to say that he could even defeat Apex academy what would effect does that have in not only him but the world because everyone in that place is ready for a fight the students won't run but fight against him sure he could kill his bullies but when people find out he killed allot of students he would be public enemy number 1 and that would make things harder on him and the girls he did not want to drag them down because he felt selfish.
After a lot of thinking he had his answer coming out of his thoughts he saw the girls look a little concerned at him.
"Is something wrong?" He asked hoping that something bad did not happen.
"Are you alright?" Hazel asked him it was a simple question that he had not heard in a long time and it almost brought him to tears but he would not allow himself to cry infront of the girls or in a forrest where they could be attacked any time.
"Yeah i am fine why do you ask?" Although it was a lie he was wondering why it was asked.
"Well when you were thinking you had multiple expressions in your face wich mostly were a angry or pained expression it was a bit surprising since you have a pretty calm or neutral expression all the time." Rachel explained looking at the girls he could see that everyone bought his lie or so he thought.
Priya while she did not show it she knew Zack lied but decided not to ask about it since it seemed that he was not willing to talk about so she won't press him about for some time she won't forget about it but also thinks that it might be because he does not feel comfortable talking about his feelings.
"Don't worry i am fine really i am besides i have the answer i had to think about it but i guess my goals are to becoming the strongest legion and also protecting you girls dont get me wrong i know your not made of porcelain but nobody likes to see their lover in pain." Zack said it with full conviction and sincerity that all girls could help but simply smile at his answer.
After a couple more minutes of talking about 10 locust started coming in few and the four stood up and when the locust arrived Hazel registered them into the legion.
"Well time to go back to base." Rachel told them but Zack had a different question on his mind.
Looking at the sun wich was just a few more minutes away from Sunset "Are we going to walk through the night again?" He asked hoping to hear no.
"Its for the better we do its faster and other legions will have a hard time seeing us if they dont have good night vision." Rachel told him Zack sighed but he saw it coming.
With everything ready they started moving through the forest until they were at the clearing and the road to go back having the insects in the forest next to them and ordering them to walk in their pace.
On the way back this time there were no bandits wich made the journey have no delays.
On their way Hazel was telling Zack all about the locust faction while also holding hands with him wich was bassicly forced by Hazel but he did not mind the same could not be said for the other girls and they decided to also hold hands but Switch midway so it was fair for the other.
So the first part he held Hazel and Priya's hand and halfway Priya swichted with Rachel.
Once they got close to the city Zack used hivemind to command all insect back to base and they all listened and in the case of the locust he told them where to base was and to follow the centipedes.
Walking into the city with no problem like ussual but the guards looked a bit on edge but the group did not care and immediately walked to the gate they needed and were out and once outside of view started walking in the woods once they got in the base they all realized that it was getting cramped but that was a future them problem and decided to go to sleep wich ofcourse sparked a little problem with the girls who all wanted to hug him but Zack told them that one on each side and then one on top of him would work.
With that the girls decided on rock, paper, scissors to decide who got on top of Zack.
After that Zack layed down for a long sleep and Rachel who won the rock, paper, scissors got in top Zack while Priya and Hazel got on each side of him and after settling in they all fell asleep.