This was boring.

Apparently, because of some stupid boy’s fear of falling, she had been knocked unconscious. (Along with those two girls, but they were fine.) Now, they were behind and she no longer had the benefit of hiding behind a crowd.

To make matters worse, the mysterious girl, Reina, was nowhere in sight. Presumably, she had left early and headed off with the main group.

Lucky gal.

Angel supposed she couldn’t feel angry that Reina hadn’t tried to wake them up. She definitely wouldn’t have. Still, judging from what she’d seen of Reina so far, personality-wise, it would seem she would be the type of person to do that.

Oh well. No use crying over spilled milk.

Angel considered the trudging boy behind her. He was deep in thought, constantly murmuring to himself and exhibiting a depressive aura.

The other boy-his brother, she presumed,-sidled up next to her and tried to strike a conversation.

“So, you look like a smart girl,” he began.

“Smart enough not to want to talk to you,” was her standard reply. The boy laughed as if she’d said the funniest thing in the world. Her lips curled in disgust. Great. He was the kind of person she hated the most, the one that always lied.

“You’re hilarious!”

“And you’re not.”

His face fell. “Geez, why are you so cold. I saw you do the same to Lucifer earlier, you know.”

Ah. Lucifer. So that was the depressed boy’s name.

“Well, he was annoying, and so are you. Not to mention you don’t even know proper manners. Normally, a person begins by introducing themself.”

“Oh, so that’s what this is about! Well, the name’s Brandon. Brandon-“

“I don’t care. That Neptune guy did one thing right and it was installing first thing first in our minds that family influence doesn’t matter. That means I couldn’t care less about your last name.”

He scoffed. “And what if I just want you to know my last name because I’m not a conceited jerk?”

Angel tilted her head in thought. “Then maybe I would consider speaking with you. Luckily for me, you most certainly are a conceited jerk, so I don’t need to trouble myself with that.”

Brandon spluttered. “Seriously, girl! How would you know that?”

For the first time since this conversation began, Angel smiled the tiniest bit. “I have my ways,” she answered mysteriously. Let’s see if he figures it out.

Brandon just shrugged it off. “Well, I personally think you’re wrong, and you should get to know me better before labeling me off like that.”

Angel cocked an eyebrow. “Oh? You sound awfully confident I’ll come to like you.” She sensed a boulder in the way and lightly stepped around it.

“My charm is just so irresisti-oof!” Brandon was too caught up in his tale and hit the rock full force as a consequence. Angel laughed at his misery. What a fool!

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Brandon huffed as he clutched his stomach. He dashed, catching up to her quickly. Not that she was trying to get away, of course.

“You knew it was there,” he exclaimed, a hint of accusation in his voice.

Angel nodded. “Of course.”

“And yet you didn't tell me!”

Angel rolled her eyes. “I didn’t know it was a part of my responsibility to babysit, you brat.”

Brandon gaped. “Okay, how old are you? You barely look 5! You’re basically a midget!”

Angel tensed. Her height was a very sensitive matter for her, and not one she wanted to be touched on. Especially not by some rich snobby brat! What did he know?!

“Well, I’m old enough to pummel you into the ground,” Angel grit out.

Brandon smirked. “So there is a fighting spirit in you after all! Well, why don't you show it to me? Let’s go, one v one! Best out of three?” Brandon got into a boxing stance, shifting his weight back and forth.

Angel merely shoved Brandon out of the way and continued on her way. The mountains had a stairway cut into it, but it was steep and tiring. Brandon jogged up next to her.

“Looks like you're slowing. What, those baby legs of yours can’t handle these?” Brandin gestured at his own, muscle-filled limbs.

Angel made a disgusted face. “I guess all of the growth meant for your brain went to your legs instead.”

“Why don’t you find out, hm?”

Angel felt like gagging. Was he seriously trying to flirt with her? If so, it was horrible and left a bad taste in her mouth.

“This conversation is over,” Angel stated, urging the wind to make her move faster.

Brandon frowned. “Aw, come on-hey!”

Angel had pushed him back slightly with a gust of wind, forcing him to stumble. He quickly righted himself, with a self-righteous rage burning in his eyes.

“That’s how you want to do it?! AARGH!”

Brandon dropped all pretense of flirting and instead charged straight toward her. Angel, with a flick of her hand, sent a stronger gust of wind toward the wayward idiot.

This time, he used his own wind to form a barrier and continued on his way. Narrowing her eyes slightly, Angel increased the output little by little, until Brandon was finally forced to drop his shield and lean against the mountainside.

“Geez, you’re no pushover, little girl!”

Angel wanted to kill this dunce. “I’m warning you, you should shut your mouth before you have to walk back up this mountain, the hard way,” Angel added, wind wrapped around her hand emphasizing the last part.

Brandon gasped, massaging his chest. “You’re so violent!”

Angel scoffed. “You have no ide-“

Angel stopped. Was it possible? No, surely not. Her senses must be affected by the high altitude.

Because for a split second, she could have sworn she sensed an enormous amount of energy, located straight at the top of the mountain.

She hastened her pace, eager to see what had caused that surge. Perhaps she could learn from it?

“Hey hey hey, wait up!” Brandon cried, panting even heavier as he pushed himself to reach her.

Angel didn't plan on stopping, so ecstatic to see what the surge was, but after knowing how hard he was pushing his body, she decided to toss him a bone and stood still.

“Thanks!” Brandon gasped out as he rested against the wall. Angel groaned and went on her way. Brandon gaped. “Wait, you’re not resting?”

Angel shook her head in pity. “I don't understand how you have such a weak body.”

Brandon growled. “Look here!” Angel heard the sound of him unmistakably flexing his muscles and she forced herself to not giggle. She knew he had an impressive body, sure, but it wasn’t helping him much to climb, was it?

“Hey! Hey, come on, look! Oh, I get it, you’re just too scared to look at this gorgeous hunk, am I right?” Brandon shouted, his voice getting higher and higher as Angel neared the top.

Angel opened her mouth to say something, to tell him how much of an idiot he was, but then she found it.

The source of the power.

And it was unbelievable.

A device bigger than a car, fully independently functional. Channeling Art through it like no other. Heat shining so bright she had to dim it down.

And something more.

Something dangerous.

Within the very center, sealed away in a capsule, was something pulsating, fighting to get out. And once it did, it would destroy everything and everyone.

Angel felt herself gravitating toward it. She knew it was wrong, knew it wasn’t safe, but she couldn't help it. She had to get closer. Had to experience it first hand.

“Woah!” A rough hand on her shoulder broke her out of the trance and she looked around.

“What the-?”

“You’re looking a bit distracted there. Perhaps astounded by my beauty?” Brandon smirked, striking a pose.

Angel didn’t reply, opting instead to gaze at the source. It was now too powerful to go near, she knew, and she could always have her guard up around it.

Yet even as she walked into the temple with Brandon babbling next to her, she couldn't help but wonder.

What if somebody could harness that kind of power?