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"Look over here please." Tana snapped to grab the attention of the violet eyes staring at her sister and friend narrowly avoiding the heavy claws of a massive grey leopard. Ice spikes ripped from the ground tow— "You have been ignoring your studies too much, Luna. I know how much you all want to get stronger, but fighting is not the only way to help others. Starting at 14 when everyone finishes around that age must feel annoying, but we all believe in you."
"And it actually does help with fighting too. Paying attention and staying back can show you something that everyone would have missed. The more you know, the easier it can be to see when things aren't right." Ace flashed a couple feet away from them. Luna emitted a low growl at his words, continuing the sound while staring at her required reading.
"Think she will bite?" Tana's mumbles was met with a shrug from Ace. "You know you could have just walked over here. How was King?"
"It would have taken at least 5 seconds to walk from there to here, and that is 5 less seconds I could have spent with you."
"Stop it, you just wanted to get out of the snow." Tana stuck out her tongue.
Ace took a seat next to her. "He is getting better at controlling his power, but I am not sure training him is right. He isn't really showing an ambition towards fighting."
"Sounds like your son indeed."
Ace released a sigh. "That might lead to more problems that he realises."
The breeze teamed with the cold to chill everyone and everything. It raised pores, numbed noses, and even tried to steal the teacher's papers before she halted their escape with a pinning slap. Tenny created a shed to escape the snowfall, but a table, and few seats came at Tana's behest. After the command and aiding in King's training, the Mystical creature retreated to a nap on Luna's lap.
"I think that was really cool, the way you can whip around and change directions! And-and the way Stella threw the magic sword, and you were there to catch it! That was my favourite part!" King's red face was aimed at Jack while moving towards cover. It was easier to see his face since Ace gave him a haircut. Now, only two clusters of white hair draped the side, shaping his chalk white face. Another portion was tied into a tail with anything below a certain point free to swing in the wind. Jack remembers how excited he looked when he got it, face glowing red like there was meaning behind the haircut, or just excited to be getting one. Looking back on the past two months, King's face was as much red as it wasn't.
"We are still far from your power." Jack sighed.
"My power isn't special. I can't even control..." King's face drooped, returning to chalk. "I couldn't even help with the leopard. It would have killed me, or I would have..."
"That isn't true! You get to fight Ace all the time now, and you even got a hit on him!" Stella's clenched hand waved in the air. Jack noticed the team's dramatics were rubbing off on her slowly.
"How is the overall progress?" Jack asked.
"I have been able to separate into 5...gates Ace calls them, but I can't stay at the lower gates without all my mana rushing forward." King's voice was almost a mumble, returning to how it was before he warmed up to them.
"He is getting there." Ace placed canteens on the table for them to be snatched up. Luna shifted the sleeping creature to rush to her sister, and Tana reluctantly packed everything away. "I have faith he will fight you guys soon."
"I am not ready!" King's exclamation barely passed the volume of Ace's normal speech. "They will see me like that again...I don't want it."
"King—" Jack and Tana started together.
"Stop It!" Stella stole the crowd with a knuckle into King's stomach. "You are one of us! We have made friends from a bunch of places, but the ones here will be here for you no matter what. You are who you are, and it is okay to be like that around us."
King receded behind Jack, his gaze meeting Stella's and then the ground. The day they all saw King transform for a split second, he had slumped over with tears in his eyes while looking at the hands. They had rushed over only for his blurred eyes to meet theirs and his mouth miming the word, Ira.
"Stella...he isn't—" Jack began.
"I know..." Stella growled. "King, I am sorry, I just...ugh."
"No, Stella! Please, don't be angry, I am sorry. It is me...I—" King became red again.
"No, damnit!" Stella plopped on a chair. "Forget it, I know you are making progress, I-I just...speaking of progress, what's the plan boss?"
"We are getting stronger." Jack pat King on the head. "I think we should keep camping here and training. Ace can make supply runs, Tenny said Tellacules is nearby."
"Do you hear yourself Jack?" Stella's tone mimicked her nickname. "It is nearby. How much longer are we going to wait?"
"What are you rushing for?" Jack's increase of volume drew Tana's eyes. Her heart stuttered.
"Now now—" She tried.
"We are getting stronger! We don't need to go there right now! We don't need Null Metal while training against animals!"
"We are barely doing that! You pulled us from the caves that everyone wanted to explore! We rarely get fights in! I am all for physical exercise, but this is too much."
"Too Much? How can it be too much? We have seen how scary it can be! Being too strong can't be a problem. Why are you making it a problem?" Jack yelled. King took refuge behind Ace now, while Luna's eyes were mysterious compared to their normal vacancy. Dangerous?
"Do you think I forgot the lesson? Do you think any of us forgot? Have faith in us Jack. We know the stakes, we know to be careful, but how many push ups do you have to do before we go and meet people again? How many miles do you have to run before we can make a difference again?"
"I...don't have faith in myself...I don't have much faith in anything right now."
"Jack..." Tana placed her hand on his shoulder.
Stella's eyes were fierce. "Much faith? We have all been through it! You aren't alone!"
"I am the leader! It falls on me...It was my decision!"
"We know! Everyone can see it, but why can't you see that we all made it happen! Who put you on this pedestal that won't let you see around you! Ace! What do you think?"
Tana twisted to see an expression that plagued her friend often for the past two months. His mouth open but nothing said. His grey eyes lost between all attentive faces. Jack didn't need to turn, as the split second of silence was enough reason to steal back their focus.
"Why are you asking Ace? It is my decision. We agreed that I am the leader! If I say we are staying, then we are!"
"Ace is our teacher. TEACHER. That means we ask him things when we don't agree. SO, Ace, what do you say?"
"Ace, I am sorry for dragging you in this, but clearly Stella doesn't plan to listen. Can you just tell her that she is wrong?" Jack turned to face his mentor. The first time in this argument that his sight fell on the beaten down expression on his friend's face.
"I don't...I don't know..." Ace mumbled.
"Come on guys," Tana said.
Jack turned to face Stella with sharp eyes. His teeth jammed together before raising his voice. "You know he still blames himself. We all blame ourselves in our own ways! Look how you dragged him down again with your selfish impatience!"
"We finally agree. We all blame ourselves, but why are we doing that alone? What is the point of a team if we grieve by ourselves?" A tear gathered in Stella's eye. It surprised everyone but more so the one produced the droplet. The slight crack in her voice when her sight fell to her boots made Ace do the same. "We are a team...you all made it seem like being a team was important. Why does it feel like it's only important to me?"
Tana reached over and ran her hand through Stella's hair. A soft voice escaped her, "You are right Stella."
Stella inhaled a deep breath, raised her head and looked at her teacher with dry eyes. "I as you again teacher. What do we do?"
"Stella, I agree with you, but..." Tana obstructed her vision. "We shouldn't pressure Ace like—"
"Stop it Tana!" Ace barked. Every gaze fell on him. His eyes still averted but his fingers digging into his palm. Jack felt his heart stutter and his breath choke him. Frustration. His cool was now frustration. Something they never seen to this extent, a name he never calls her by. "You always defend me...I don't deserve it. I asked for all this. I thought I could do it. I thought I could protect everyone. This isn't war. No one had to die but I am the selfish one. You all want to help the world that I wanted to show you and I refused to lift a hand. I let him die and I am afraid I let everyone down again. I deserve the blame...I need the blame. Hate me...stop protecting me...tell me I need to..."
Everyone still frozen as he finally looked up. His mouth was probably dried by the heated words that escaped him. Jack could see fear in his eyes.
"Kyouko..." he said.
A single tear fell from her left eye, passing the dot closest to her ear before being caught by a swift hand clearly trying to ease any guilt. "I am sorry. It's nothing...I know what you are saying. Don't worry I know there isn't any hostility. I don't know where this came from."
"Kyouko...I am really so—"
Tana rushed into his chest pressing her forehead against it. Her arms tightened his ribs. The quick motion had caused them to turn sideways before Ace's hesitant arms fell gently on her back.
"Don't say it. You are allowed to feel. You are allowed to get frustrated. Don't say it. We know. And we will figure it out, like Stella says, together." Tana's fingers held onto Ace's jacket.
Everyone silenced in the moment. A range of emotions between them all, none staying for long before another feeling washed over them. King red, Jack relaxed...saddened truthfully, Stella regretful...until Tana turned towards them. Face still embedded in Ace's chest, and grip still tight, the corner of her mouth curled upwards, and her brow pushed ever so slightly onto her eyes. Stella burst out laughing when she witnessed the wickedest smile Tana ever wore. Jack couldn't help but chuckle.
"What? What is it?" Ace inquired. Tana gripped tighter and pulled herself in more. "Why are you guys laughing? Is it something I did?"
"They just probably cheered up. Don't worry about it too much. You just stay right here." Tana's eyes shut again as she held on for a couple more seconds.
Stella's eyes opened after her laugh. Her hand fell from her stomach before inhaling a deep breath that finished with a sigh. "Jack, I am sorry. I respect you as leader, but right now you aren't the leader we followed before. You were someone that chased your own justice and cared about everything. Adventurous and kind. It changed."
Jack took a turn at a sigh. His voice held exhaustion in it. "I know, but I have to change. We have to change otherwise the same things can happen."
"I get it." Stella walked up to him and tapped his headband with the back of her hand. The motion caused Tiger to dance off to the side. "We need to change, but why are you moving away from the person you want to be. Change for your goals."
Jack remained still, his gaze only on the distant landscape. His fingers gave slight twitches, and jaw only unclenched enough that they noticed through visible breaths. Stella made her stride over to Ace. A familiar smile on his face, but still strained. She moved into her mentor with a quick embrace and a muttered apology. It suddenly replaced by a jab into the ribs and a kick into his shin with some choice words to remind Ace not to do that again. Jack was saved from his thoughts by a girl with silver hair driving her fist into his stomach. Her hand reached up and tapped his headband. Now his only thought was the tendency the Ursa sisters had to greet others with violence.
"King!" Jack called from the same position. The dragon's son startled.
"Y-Yes?"
"King!" Jack turned to face him this time. "I want to be your friend. Do you want to be my friend?"
"O-of course. I thought we were friends already."
"Almost. I just realised that I wasn't myself for the past two months. King, I want to be your friend as the real me, and the real me gets people into trouble. I bite off more than I can chew, and I will probably get you frustrated, probably put you in danger. Is that okay?"
"I think s-so." King swallowed the dry air in his mouth. "I mean, of course. I want you to count on me too."
"Good, and thanks. King! I am sorry it took so long, but I am glad to be your friend, and I promise to look after you, to be there for you as much as I can. We are glad to have you...all of you, any side of you. Everyone else, I am sorry. Tomorrow we will head to Tellacules bright and early. Tonight, we relax. Ace! You said there was a place like this in your world. Tonight is story night and plans for the arena. Stella! You, Luna and King go get some ingredients. Everyone understand?"
"Boss!" The team tried to synchronise.
***
Jack rubbed his eyes, but a second passed before he questioned his sight again. He rubbed them again. A third time...no one concerned by his actions only a chuckle from Ace, and no reaction from Luna asleep on his back. Everyone else was stolen away by the same view that caused Jack to reset his vision three times.
It was in the distance that a massive structure of grey stone sat inside of many smaller specs of buildings. Some of the buildings fought to make an impression themselves through their size, but none could match the curving carved mountain building in the centre. It sported four arms from half the forearm to the tips of the fingers carved into side like four equally spaced posts. Each of the arms had the palms facing the sky with orbs placed into them.
Past the massive structure was a competitive attraction hidden away in illogical reality that stumped Jack thoroughly. The city was never ending. Buildings that were visible at this distance must be massive, the sheer amount caused a swirl in Jack's stomach reminiscent of a green spell. It stretched the entire horizon. The entire horizon. How is it possible? As far as Jack could see, there were buildings plotted, blending in with the sky the further he looked. The few tiny villages surrounding the landscape developed for farming reinforced that what he was looking at was something amazing.
"It never ends does it?" Jack muttered.
"It has to...logically," Stella answered with hesitation in her voice.
"Not even the capital looks that big," King said.
"He did it didn't he, King." Ace ruffled the white hair. "Let's go!"
***
Snow crunched under their boots as they walked towards the walls of their destination. It was clear now that their amazement was increasing with the scale of the buildings to them. The opening in the wall looked to be void of doors and a few guards lined the walls, all in their own world. Some smoking, some simply talking, but none giving them the time of day.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
Jack's uneasiness climbed with his amazement. How could it not, when there was an unexplainable warm air touching his face. Stepping into the town revealed stone roads, grey or yellow stone buildings, and more stone in decorative features lining the paths, all cleaned of the falling. No, there was no snow falling in here. How? Jack could feel the warmth around him. Gentle dry winds all carrying heat swirled between them causing each to take off their outer layers. How?
"Welcome to Tells! We have the finest metal accessories that can make you the talk of the town! You know we are the best because we get to be close to the gates! Come check us out once you get your tokens," a voice called from the side. The first clear signs of normality came in the wooden stall the voice came from. Behind it, returned to the strange, as the man, wearing an extremely heartwarming smile, gestured to metal works.
"We have the finest fabrics in Tells. Come check us out!"
"Breakfast! Get yer breakfast! I know ya hungry."
"Tyr, what do we do?" Jack turned to the moustache with worry.
"Ha, now you ask him." Stella scoffed.
"Shut it. This is a lot, and you know it."
"Speak for yourself country boy."
"Fine, what do we do?"
The long pause stretched a little too long as the violet eyes scanned anywhere for a clue. Countless people handing things to others at a stall. Each collecting something in return. Others just passing by locked in their own conversation, some with tears in their eyes. Some looked to be the happiest anyone could be, and some just wearing the face of hopelessness. Chaos. Any hope of finding a sign of the general consensus was met with complete chaos.
"We fight in the arena!" Stella shook her head to confirm it to herself.
"I like your guts." Tenny laughed.
"Okay, but how do we get to fight. I am sure they have rules." Jack's tone finding more and more chunks of condescending flavour with each sentence.
"We just go over there and fight everyone."
"I definitely like your guts!" Tenny moved over to the top of her skull.
"I will just go ask someone." Tana chuckled awkwardly. A slight worry for what Stella might do. She hopped off to a nearby stall.
"This may sound dumb, but all this stone makes it feel like it isn't going anywhere, is it?" Jack said.
"What do you mean?" King asked.
"My village, most things are made of wood. Only in Kofka did we really find a stone building. But after seeing this, it feels like those villages can be blown away...burned away, but not here. I never thought about how simply grand that can make it feel. I also just realised that there is no way to possibly know everyone here."
"Yea that last one does sound like a country boy statement." Stella chuckled.
Tana joined the group with gifts in hand. She passed them to each before taking a bite into an orangish brown shape attached to a stick. "They say that we have to go into the building over there and trade our ledgers in for tokens. Ledgers don't work in Tells. This is yummy! The nice woman gave us free samples. It is a sausage dipped in some flour mixture and fried."
Ace's face glowed, his eyes sparkled, and moustache curled. "This is amazing! I have to go talk to them!"
"We will, we will, let's all go get sorted out." Tana dragged the Moustache away.
***
They spent over an hour, in a line that stretched out the door, in order to collect a value of 5000 tokens when they handed in their ledger. The clerk filed it away and explained that it can be collected when they return their loan when leaving. Nothing more and nothing less, but no exceptions.
Their first step out of the building was greeted by three different individuals selling token pouches made from different materials. All at the same price of 3 tokens, with bigger and stronger ones starting at 10. They opted for the lower price from different vendors and were presented the identical strings woven into different materials. Some porous, and some soft enough that water looked like it's enemy. Jack tried to question them about the textile, but each guarded their secret with the variation of, 'finest for the price'.
Jack ran his thumb over the smooth pouch, pressing his nail in it until his heart hesitated. A smile stretched and stars formed in his eyes that no one had seen for the past two, maybe three months. He turned to them and cleared his throat. He squinted slightly, as if to try and dim the sparkle.
"What should we do now?" a sonorous tone spoke his words.
"Jac...urm Ed, I am sure you can go explore." Tana chuckled, after waiting for a confirmation from the rest of the team. "We can meet back here...probably sunset?"
"Sounds like a plan. Should we go in teams?" Jack asked. "I want to see as much as I can, so who is with me?"
"I am going to try as much food as I can." Ace made his case.
"Food," Tenny.
"Food," Tana.
"I'll go with Jack," Stella.
"Ace," King turned red again.
"It's Tyr, but you don't even eat much, Ren. You sure you don't want to come with us?" Jack asked.
"I feel nervous. Maybe next time?"
Luna walked over and took Stella's sleeve. Everyone gasped. Stella's eyes gathered water as she raised her chin in an attempt to keep the tears from escaping. "You are choosing me over food?"
"No fight," Luna answered. She pointed to The Hummingbird. Everyone laughed at the brave reapers sacrifice in the name of peace. Her bottom lip reaching for her nose expressed her hurt their laughs bestowed.
"We will save you some Luna. Thank you for going with them," Tana said to then be embraced with a hug.
"It's Lana...never mind." Jack extended his hand. "Right here...sunset."
"Sunset." Ace met his knuckles.
Tana watched the excitement as their leader practically skipped away. If it wasn't for Luna's hesitation at her decision, she was sure that green would be carting him through the streets. Maybe roofs.
"Okay, team Lunar Eat-chips, let's go!" Ace threw his hand in the air. Similar responses from the rest, and a shy hand raise from the yellow eyed member.
They followed a smell, a familiar smell of starches dipped in scorching oil. They were delighted to have lost the scent in a mixture of different aromas when they arrived down a stretch of busy food stands. It was just after 10 a.m. and the street was filled with people pushing their way to various vendors. Tana couldn't see what most of them were selling behind the rabble of hungries. Only echoes of the stall's spokesperson announcing the specials and prices gave her a target direction when making her way through.
She just had to start at a point. One stall at a time. She cracked her knuckles and shook her coin pouch. She wasn't too accustomed to the feeling, but it was like water ran down her skin on her legs, then ankles, then heels. The muscles tightened up and as she felt the same water rise from the floor again into her core and then slowly filled her hands.
For the few months she spent with the team, she took to practising what she could, and felt her mana grow greatly. Nowhere combat ready her teachers explained, but just the new sensation was thrilling to her. Everyone had mana and she used it before, but it was borderline automatic and never felt anything like this. It always felt like a little extra blood would rush to her muscles when she had to lift or push anything past her capabilities. Now it was water, the way it washed inside her when she needed it, with her teachers explaining how she felt better than she could. The idea of letting it flow down and then fill up helped her a lot. It is much easier to picture water behaving as it would in nature in the beginning. This was the first time she was going to use it against enemies. She grit her teeth while inhaling. Go.
A step forward with her hands in front of her, she parted the first two. Her foot leaped into the gap and ducked to avoid an elbow. Twisting her heel, she spun by the owner of the dangerous elbow and the woman in front of him. She was quite the opponent. Just before Tana pushed forward the lady was in a spin of her own, brushing against Tana's shoulder just enough to make her balance on one leg. This was the beginning of the end. Shoulders crashed into her, and parting hands guided her backwards away from the smell she was inching towards. The crowd's musk becoming the scent in her nose. She bumped into a back, into a belly, there might have been a knee that caught her on her butt. She no longer knew the direction she was standing in, almost falling forward but there wasn't even space to hit the ground, only more backs and bellies. She cursed her genetics as she looked up, only seeing the sky and chins, so many chins. One grabbed her wrist, she twisted away but the hand didn't let go, it was on purpose. She looked back to see a heroic moustache pinned between a woman and the armpit of a man holding his tokens in the air. He managed to slip backwards while pulling her through every gap his body made until she could taste fresh air again.
"You oka—" Ace started.
"This is madness. This is war! It is war! It is a battlefield in here! Madness I say, madness!" Tana's silver eyes bounced around before falling on her palms. She was sure there would be blood on them.
"Tana." Ace held onto her shoulders.
"We aren't using our names?" Tana asked.
"Jack isn't here, and no one can hear us, but that doesn't matter and this too, we can come back when it is less busy, or look for other spots. This is getting dangerous."
"No Ace. I will not run. This is my battle, and I will fight until the end. Lunar Eat-chips will sample everything, or my name isn't The Divine Gem."
"I thought she hated that name," Ace said.
"Me too," Tenny said.
"I am going in again. I am going to find out what they have here, so give me just enough tokens to get in. I can't have it slowing me down. We will reload at the next stall. I will win, I will make sure we win!"
The three onlookers clapped their hands at the fire burning inside their friend. She wiped the sweat from her brow and readied her stance.
"Good Luck!" Tenny called.
"Be c-careful," King mumbled.
"Tana, a fight isn't only about power. It is also tactics, so use your natural weapons as well." Ace reminded her. Tana twisted her head in confusion. Adrenaline seemed to be the only thing in her ears.
"What are you talking about?"
"Your charm!" Tenny Called.
"Your kindness," King mumbled.
Her mouth fell slightly open. They were right. Those weren't compliments, it was a battle strategy. She took the responsibility, and the commander gave her a mission and a plan. She had to move. Water flowed down her skin and back up. She felt it just under her chin, and her heart was beating a bit quieter. She talked to a mob member and gathered enough tokens.
"Hi. Excuse me. We just want a little taste. Nice dress. Oh, wow that is neat. Can I get a little pass. I am a first timer. I just want to try it. I'm sorry ma'am, you can hold my hand as we go through. Come on man, there is an old lady here!"
Tana returned with 3 sandwiches containing bacon, egg, avocado and cheese, a small bruise above her eyebrow and an old woman already well into her own meal.
"I did it! I survived," Tana muttered between breaths.
"That was crazy." Ace pat her on the back. The old lady rubbed her shoulder and walked away, still chewing.
"Let's keep going." Tana exhaled.
They tasted the sandwich with Ace and Tenny sharing theirs and King leaving half to take to Luna soon. Tana offered to share hers, but they all agreed that she deserved it all. She still put some aside well aware the amount of eating they planned for. They agreed on the taste and excitement for the rest was sparked.
The crowd eased up as the cheers down the streets could be heard. A Syng Amp sounded muffled in the distance, but the information was passed through the town in a wave. Each collective cheer causing Tana to look back anxious, but quickly back into her mission. Nachos, Churros, Cookies, Apples dipped in caramel, and anything and everything that can be fried was tried.
"I am so full." Tana placed her hand in front of her mouth to catch a burp. "Oh, that could have been much worse."
King laughed out loud. Everyone else remained quiet, admiring King enjoying his chuckle with a few words escaping in between. "I feel like I can't eat any more either."
"Can't eat anymore?" a man with dark red hair called from behind his stand, "I see you all sampling everything. You haven't finished if you haven't had Soyu's famous sandwiches. Give me a minute and you can have them fresh off the grill."
"What do you say?" Ace looked at them.
"Can't I just share?" Tana released a long sigh.
"I can eat," Tenny said flatly.
"I knew you could. Ren?" Ace asked.
"I'll just have a bite too if t-that's okay."
"Give me 2 please Soyu," Ace called.
"Coming right up," The man bellowed as a boy appearing to be in his teens began dropping cuts of meat onto the grill. "And the name is Soji. That over there is my son, Yuki. Be ready to have your mind blown Moustache."
Soji was a thicker build with spiky hair, faded down on the sides. A scar ran down his cheek through the scanty facial hair and made its way to his chin. His son carried the same colour hair but tied into a long ponytail. His features were soft making him look really young, but his height, probably accentuated by his thin frame, made it hard to believe he would be younger than Luna.
They were in sync, and Ace looked mesmerised. The only words used would be to indicate where someone is if they shift from their station, and when something is done. Tana thought the second use of their voice might not have been needed, as their hands fell into place the moment the meal made its way to another station. And in a couple of minutes, two steaming long sandwiches stuff with cheesy steak strips, and an orange-yellow sauce freckled with vegetables dripping onto the disposable box but coating some wonderful smelling, perfectly cooked, golden fries on their way down, was presented to them.
Soji was nice enough to split the sandwiches into a large section and a bit more than a bite for those who claimed to be stuffed. Their fingers pressed into the bread, releasing a warming steam. Sauces made an escape before their teeth sunk into the end, tearing off a chunk before they quickly brought in fresh air to cool the freshly made sandwich. Soji crossed his hands and waited for praise. The first portion came when Tana tried to grab more from Ace. He twisted slightly away before most of it disappeared under his moustache. Tenny finished his before King had a chance to savour his bite.
"One more please." Tana took 6 tokens from her pouch. "Luna would love this, and I kind of want a bit more."
"You have to tell me about this!" Ace locked eyes. "It is spectacular."
"I know it is!" Soji chuckled. "I told you that your tasting wasn't over, and what a way to finish am I right?"
"Anymore right and it would be a circle." Ace laughed. "Come on, don't be shy. Tell me how you made it."
"No can do. What were you going around and tasting for anyway? Going to open up a shop."
"Is that possible? How does someone do it?" Ace looked to Tana, but her eyes were fixed on Yuki's hands assembling her sandwich.
"It is possible with enough tokens, but you shouldn't waste your time like that. I have the market cornered." Soji's confident laugh softened to a normal tone. "It really isn't that great of an idea."
"Oh, but I have been told that I am quite a cook." Ace grinned.
"The best!" Tenny called.
"Really great," King mumbled.
"You two have really been in sync with your responses, tone and everything." Tana looked in amazement, until her sandwich arrived.
"Yea, Ace said something about threes and rules." King scratched his head.
"Well!" Soji took all of their glances. "Next time I shall give you a sandwich on the house. I feel pity for someone who has been lied to his entire life."
"Dad," Yuki called. "I am sorry for my dad. He gets ahead of himself."
"Relax, son. They could be spies and it's all in good fun. Even if he was quite the cook, he would still be no match for me." The laugh was harder this time. Eyes of street peered at the man with the hearty voice.
"That sounds like a challenge old man." Ace leaned on the stand.
"I can't seem to imagine it being difficult enough to call it a challenge."
"Oh, let's do it."
"Tyr, are you sure? I think you are just causing trouble." King gathered all his courage to step in.
"Come on dad. You are taking this too far," Yuki called.
"I feel like I have seen this before," Tana said in between bites.
"You really plan to stick to it, Moustache?" Soji eyes were sharp. Strong. Intimidating.
"Damn right!"
"Tyr!" King pushed in. "What about the arena? We are going to be busy with that."
Yuki's ears perked up and his eyes glanced. Ace looked at the white-haired boy. "You guys will be fine. Ren, there are just some things you have to prove to yourself. Somethings you do to make yourself a better person. Fights we must fight."
"You said it Moustache. Yuki, go with them to the office. Tell them what they will need," Soji called.
Yuki leaned into his dad's ear. "Are you sure dad? Why are you doing this, I never thought I would see this from you."
"I like the look in his eyes. He also came with a talking creature. We have been here for 6 years, and we have never seen something like that. I want to see where it goes."
Yuki walked from behind stall and tossed his apron to his old man. "Let's do this."
"Normally I would like to avoid work, but this sounds like it could be fun. This time we are on the same team Ace. I am really excited." Tana giggled. "I am going to take this stuff to Luna, and I will meet you in the office."
"I wish I had more time to digest." Tenny sighed before disappearing from King's head. Soji and Yuki widened their eyes, but it was only the father's face that twisted into a smile.
***
Tyr and Yuki made their way through less crowded streets, but vendors were all busy. Yuki explained the evening rush that happens when the arena's empty. He was well versed in the trades of Tells for a teen and happily shared his knowledge with Tyr, but his mind in wait to ask something interesting. He made sure and explain the initial fee of 20,000 tokens to open and register and the monthly taxes and the cost they have to acquire ingredients. Tyr's expression notified Yuki that there were many ideas flying behind his grey eyes. Yuki still patient, waiting to ask.
"You said you got here today. Do you have enough tokens to open the stall?"
"This morning they explained the pawning system." Tyr gripped the necklace tapping his chest. "I got my lucky black pearl to get me through it."
"That looks expensive. Are you sure it is worth it?" Yuki's eyes held genuine concern. He knew the risk of making a bet like that in Tells.
"Yea, it is worth it. I really want to make memories with those special to me. It will be awesome. The person who gave me this would have wanted me to anyway. Plus, I will get it back, so it's no harm."
"You guys are interesting."
"We have been told."
"Tyr..." Yuki finally started.
"Yea?"
"The white haired one..."
"Ren."
"Yea, Ren was talking about the arena. Are you guys adventurers that plan to fight?" Yuki signalled to make a right into a slightly busier street. Occasional muffles escaping the arena and cheers interrupted their conversation.
"We are. We heard there is a chance that we can win Null Metal by fighting there. Two or maybe three more from my team are entering for a chance at it."
"If it is Null Metal, then you will be entering the tournament?" Yuki looked down at Tyr.
"I have no idea. We just got here today, and my normal information broker had to leave us for a while. It is a tournament?"
"Yea, it is just a tournament to get placed in a bigger tournament for actual Null Metal. I am entering it too, but you guys might not be able to because registration closed yesterday."
"Damn. Probably the next tournament then."
"That would be the following week. Um...my dad doesn't know, and I know I shouldn't tell anyone, but I need advice. I loved the arena since we got here. It is full of spirit and the atmosphere is magical. I wanted to fight in a match for ages, but we have to try out for normal matches and pay a fee or be sponsored. The tournament is for anyone though, once you register in time, but only a few do it because of how competitive it is. I don't care to win, but I do want to try. I want to give it my all and earn a place in the regular battles."
"Can you fight?" Tyr asked.
"I trained with my dad. He fought in the arena before but ended up on a losing streak. Tells isn't kind to losers of any kind." Yuki paused to lock eyes with Tyr. He felt like he could explain more. "Dad worked in The Power Banks for a bit and then borrowed tokens to open the stall. That is what happens to a lot that lose their tokens here. The Power Banks or they work under contractors that take jobs in and out of the village." Yuki looked to the pearl. "After, we started doing great, and we can send resources for my mom and sister in the North Villages. They told us the entire village counts on us, but we are secretly hoping to make enough to go home and retire. I think fighting in the arena can help."
"You are a good kid. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your help so...does the tournament allow weapons?"
"Yea, blunt ones since there is no killing. Shields, staffs, clubs are all popular," Yuki said standing in front of the building. "The line for new opens isn't long because people rarely spend that much tokens."
"Thanks, and good. For helping me out, I'll provide a weapon and shield for you tomorrow. It should prove useful. Thank you again for the help, I'll see you later."
"Tyr..."
"Yea?"
"Can I help you until it's done. I want to keep talking if it is okay. I am nervous about tomorrow."
"Thanks for the company." Tyr chuckled. "Tell me more about the tournament. I will see if we can come up with something."
"Thank you! I feel like your friends are missing out." Yuki smiled while holding the door open for his new ally.
***
"Is that even possible?" Jack asked.
"Please, please please. I will die." A young boy wiped the snot from his face. His younger sister next to him in full tears.
"Okay, okay, I will try." Jack gave a soft smile. Stella's mouth opened to input but a voice from over her shoulder arrived first.
"Leave it to me, young man," a tall man with deep blue flowing spikes for hair, piercing blue eyes and a white scarf covering his mouth and forehead, replied, "I am better suited for the job."
It was a split second, but Jack was being dragged away without going further from this man. The ground felt like it didn't want to be under him. His heart banged against his chest and sweat collected on the top of his head. He looked to Stella, but she was calm. No reaction. What was going on?