They tried a few more times just to make sure the results were the same. The light from the flame illuminated the mine making both of their eye's shine with excitement. It was clear that Isa's arsenal could grow even more depending on the ore dust that was used. Isa sat in a mediation position doing breathing exercises feeling the weight of their training. She couldn't move much as she rolled her shoulders her eyes tightened from the soreness. Taking in a deep breath and holding it for a bit trying to give herself moment of relief as she exhaled. Isa wasn't going to be moving anytime soon unless Valentina could carry her out of the mine.
Valentina leaned against a nearby cart sliding down to the ground. She winced a bit from the impact running a hand through her hair, down her neck, and across one of her shoulders. If she was given enough time to rest, she would have the strength to get them both back to the settlement. "We need to figure out how to carry the dust onto the battlefield. There is no way you can leave it to chance finding some while fighting. You also need to figure out the other ores that produce different color and temperature flames. I heard something called a kaleidoscope uses pieces of colored glass to make patterns. It would be awesome if we could create that affect with our powers. Of course, it wouldn't be a children's toy and death would be the canvas we use to create." She took in a deep breath trying to relax just a bit. Talking was really the only thing they could do at the moment.
Isa sat there for a moment continuing her breathing exercises thinking about what Valentina said. There wasn't a way that she could think of at the moment to carry that much ore dust safely. She could think of a million different ways to store it, but it was either too big or not protected by her heat and could go off at any time. Isa's eyes flashed open as she looked over at Valentina. "What if we made pouches out of the material my suit is made from? That way I could keep them on me at all times and I could use them directly from my body without anyone noticing until it was too late." A devious smile crept across Isa's face as she played a few scenarios in her head.
A giggle escaped Valentina's lips as she looked over at Isa. "That is a great idea. However, do you even know what your suit is made from or how to craft it? We need that knowledge in order to pull this off. The only other thing I can think of is to have me carry it, but then we wouldn't be able to fight alone for you to be able to use this new ability." There was a way to find this knowledge however they needed to find the main facility where all the tests on them were being stored.
There had to be a way to pull it off. Even though Isa didn't know how to make her suit maybe they could shape pouches on the suit itself. She shook her head not sure if that was even possible. "Maybe there is something in the research we brought back from the walled city or the other facility that was taken down. I will go talk to Amina after all this to see what she has found. If there is a chance it might be found in all the research. I would say for right now we should locate each type of ore dust and do more tests to see what happens." She was going to figure this out no matter what. Isa closed her eyes again resuming her mediation and breathing exercises. Her body was feeling a bit better however she still wasn't able to stand just yet.
Valentina was impressed by Isa's resolve. She was one of the few surviving ability users with a power over a major element. Most of those users were either killed early on, died while using their powers, captured, or were hiding out. There was a rumor of one of them being among the strongest pirate crews however that might just be something to keep the walled cities away from them for the time being. Valentina's power was unheard of which is why the facility she was kept in wasn't even on any maps even those used by top military officials in the walled city government. Of course, it didn't matter now since it was destroyed. Her story was similar to Veronica's the only difference was Veronica actually destroyed the facility she was in while Valentina's facility malfunctioned thanks to researcher error. She shook her head since this wasn't the time to get lost in thought.
"I think we should be able to get a hold of all different types of ore dust from Veronica since she enjoys learning about that sort of thing. However, we should invite her to train with us first before asking about that. I could be wrong, but I think she might be a little jealous since out of all of us Veronica is the best suited for the vanguard." Valentina stretched different parts of her upper body popping sounds echoed throughout the area making both of them giggle a bit. She believed soon they would be able to get up and return to the settlement. Valentina just needed a little more time to rest. She would need to use a bit of her power when carrying Isa on her back just to avoid the heat which radiates off her constantly.
Isa smiled her eyes still closed for the moment. They needed to start working together better as a unit any way. Veronica's power was amazing and if the three of them combined their abilities nothing that the walled cities could throw at them would prevail. "Sure, I would really enjoy that. Of course, let's just remember to respect her privacy and not bug her when we first see her. We should let her come to us first and then ask."
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They both nodded in agreement as Valentina slowly stood up and walked over to Isa. "I think I should be able to carry you back. Are you ready to go or do you want to stay a bit longer?" She extended her hand to Isa waiting for a response.
Taking a deep breath Isa opened her eyes looking up at Valentina. "If you believe that you're ready then let's go. I also gathered up some of the ore dust to take with us. When we get back let's rest first before anything else." Isa took Valentina's hand letting herself be lifted up and placed on Valentina's back. Isa wrapped her legs around Valentina's waist placing her arms underneath Valentina's armpits holding on tight.
A soft giggle escaped both of their lips as Valentina headed for the mine exit making their way back to the settlement. Valentina had already mastered the ability to keep Isa's subconscious flames at bay even while being touched which was an awesome feat. They are going to be a force in this way to come.
Judy slept peacefully after all that hard work on the vault. She was having the most spectacular dream when the sound of raised voices woke her up. The voices were mostly ones she knew including Amina, Lyric, Alexandria, and even Tyra who didn't speak much at all. There was another voice that Judy didn't recognize. Judy shot up shaking her head and rubbing her eyes. Colored blotches blurred her version as she tried to focus. After a few moments she could see clearly tilting her head to the side trying to hear what they were saying. Sadly, she was too far away to make out exactly what was being said.
Her body sank into the bed a bit. She stretched a bit feeling the weight of her tired muscles. Judy wanted nothing more than to get out of bed and figure out who that fifth voice was talking downstairs. However, she remembered Alexandria telling her to rest and not to come down until she felt as light as a feather. Right now, she felt more like a stone then a feather and she didn't want to upset Alexandria especially if she had company over. Of course, she was the vice-captain so shouldn't she be present for a meeting with a visitor? If that was the case Alexandria would've woken her up and had her join in. Judy shook her head clear of the thoughts for the moment.
"This must be something dangerous that would be the only reason Alexandria would let me sleep in like this. I think for the moment I could just wait and once I feel good enough to get up, I will just go downstairs and check things out." A confident smile crossed her face as she sat up fully in the bed looking around the room. It must have been past sunset since only soft moonlight drifted in from the windows. She let out a yawn giving herself another good stretch.
"Do you always talk to yourself when you first get up from a nap?" Lorelei was sitting in the corner of the room just out of reach of the moonlight. She leaned forward just enough so Judy could see her face. A soft smile was painted across it as she let out a playful sigh.
Judy covered her mouth quickly to stifle a scream. Her shoulders moved up and down along with her chest as she hyperventilated. Judy's pupils were wide as saucers as she tried to slow her breathing down removing her hand from her mouth. "Why the hell are you in our room sitting in the corner?!?!" She did her best not to scream that since it wasn't a good idea to let Alexandria know she was awake just yet. It would ruin the meeting going on downstairs and there was no telling how important it was for Crismon Judgement as a whole.
A playful giggle escaped Lorelei's lips as she picked up the chair and quietly moved it closer to the bed. "I'm here to make sure you don't go downstairs and interrupt the meeting. There is someone down there that doesn't need to know you exist just yet. Also, if you must know Alexandria has no idea I'm up here. I'm going to go down to the meeting in a bit after they agree to work with each other."
She had finally gotten her nerves under control. She couldn't believe her mother-in-law was hiding in their room just watching her sleep. Of course, after that simple explanation now she wanted to know exactly who this person was Alexandria was meeting with. "Well, how about you fill me in on the details, so I don't just leave after you have gone downstairs before me."
Lorelei raised an eyebrow wrinkling her nose a bit as she leaned closer to the bed. "I'm not a person to threaten even if you're my daughter in law. If you try again while asking nicely, I will consider telling you. Remember since I'm the leader of the captain's personal guard that means you fall under my protection as well. If I deem an area too dangerous you should heed that command and stay put." Lorelei let out a playful giggle glad to see her daughter in law had a bit of fire in her. "I will however give you a bit of information for the resolve you just showed me. However, in the future chose your words more carefully."
Judy nodded in agreement. "Alright I will stay up here until either you or Alexandria allows me to join in. So, who is that other voice down there?" She took a deep breath shivering a bit from excitement or was that fear?
She stood up from the chair getting closer whispering in Judy's ear. "Fina captain of the Red Eye pirates is downstairs at this very moment. She is one of the fiercest pirates out there right now and one of the few that still attacks ships in walled city territories. So, stay up here for now and allow the rest of us to take care of everything."