The brothers approached the cafeteria, where the line snaked around the corner.
But they didn't bother joining the end. Max and Emily waved from their table, saving spots.
"Hey, guys! Over here!" Emily called.
As they headed over, Alex still fuming from earlier stuck his leg out, aiming to trip them.
But Thane saw it. In one fluid motion, he stepped aside, hooked Alex's ankle with his own, and... _thump_.
Alex screamed as he face-planted.
The crowd barely blinked. "Dumb move, Alex."
The brothers sat down, unfazed. Max chuckled. "Nice save, Thane"
Thane nodded, "Thanks, Em."
Emily recapped the morning's drama – Alex's outburst, Julius's smirk, the whole nine.
Emily: "So... have you guys seen Julius?"
Thane's expression darkened.
Emily: "What happened?"
Kryros filled her in on Julius's antics.
Max burst out laughing.
Emily's eyes widened. "Wait, really? "
Max laughed harder, nearly choking on his food. "Julius is so extra "
Emily shook her head, grinning. "Poor guy, he doesn't know what he's messing with."
Kael smirked. "He's just bored. And a little entitled."
Thane shrugged. "He'll learn."
The group dug into their food, chatting about Elysium Academy's latest drama.
Suddenly, a tray clipped their table.
Julius plopped down beside Kryros. "Mind if I join?
Julius grinned, unfazed by the lack of response. "So, what's the vibe? "
The brothers exchanged looks.
Kryros: "Lunch."
Julius: "Awesome, I'm starving."
Max pushed his food around. "We were discussing... theories."
Julius leaned in. "Ooh, like what?"
Thane raised an eyebrow. "You wouldn't understand."
Julius chuckled. "Try me."Julius's smile widened. "I'm full of surprises."
Kael leaned back. "Alright, Thane's theory about the Elysium Academy's hidden history. Go ahead, Thane."
Thane shrugged. "Just speculation. I think there's more to the academy's founding than they're telling us."
Julius's eyes lit up. "Like what?"
Emily jumped in. "Thane thinks there are secrets hidden in the school's architecture."
Julius leaned in, intrigued. "Like secret passages? "
The brothers exchanged looks.
Kryros: "Something like that."
Julius's grin grew. "Sounds like we're solving a mystery. "
Thane raised an eyebrow. "Not 'we'."
Julius chuckled. "Aww, come on. I'm in. Count me in."
Kael leaned in. "You don't even know what you're getting into."
Julius winked. "That's what makes it fun."
The group fell into a debate about Elysium's secrets.
Suddenly, the cafeteria's lights flickered.
The chatter died.
Headmaster's voice echoed through the speakers. "Attention, students. An... incident... in the east wing... proceed calmly..."