Chapter XVIII

An unmade confession

Ren and Rosa were making their way through the fair with the plush pug under Rosa's arm. Just a few minutes ago Ginna was accompanying them, but she came up with an excuse to leave them alone.

Ren was keeping a respectable distance, as he would've phrased it, but in reality, he was scared of the potential awkwardness their hands touching would cause. Sometimes Rosa looked at him to confirm he was still by her side and shimmied a bit closer when he didn't notice.

"We've had some time to think about our situation..." Rosa broke the silence. Ren had about a second to anticipate how this sentence would continue and it was the most agonizing second of his life yet. Situation? What is she talking about? Did I do something bad?" He thought to himself ever nervously.

"Gaining these powers... Fighting Mantis, then the help from Hook’s group. It feels so odd to be in the second reality with you guys." She said with a glint of tears in her eyes.

"Yeah, it is unreal. I cannot imagine going through this alone. You must've been lonely." Ren said innocently, but the deep sadness he saw in Rosa's eyes made his heart skip a beat.

"Yes... I felt so alone..." She said with a single tear rolling down her face. Ren stopped walking and looked at her for a second. Rosa was always a soft person but to get this emotional over something that felt trivial confused Ren a bit.

I shouldn't question her feelings. I don't know how it was... Ren took a deep breath, stepped closer to Rosa, and took her into his arms. Here goes nothing.

"But now we are here Rosa! Everything will be alright." Ren talked over her shoulder looking in the distance seriously. His heart almost jumped out of his chest as he held her close.

Rosa was surprised by the comforting touch of Ren, but as that surprise faded, she returned the squeeze and took in the scent of Ren.

Just a few minutes before...

Ken was making his way through a crowd of people pushing men twice his size away. "Get the hell outta my way!" He noticed Luna standing in front of him holding the plushie. "Hey Luna!" Ken approached his friend excitedly. "Guess what I've got for us!" Ken showed her the two tickets he got.

"Tickets to the show?" Luna raised her eyebrows surprised.

"Yes! It's tomorrow afternoon!"

“I cannot come. I'll be needed for the investigation in the forest tomorrow. Watch might have a good power for searching but my eyes could help too." Luna hesitantly declined, but then had a realization. "But this would be a good opportunity to do what we talked about!" She let a cheeky smile creep onto her face.

Ken after realizing what she was talking about blushed surprised. "You think? The circus might not be her thing."

"Just do it man! Ask her out! Don’t be a pushover like Ren!" Luna nudged her friend on the shoulder.

"You're right! I'll look for her and make the first move!" Ken put on an excited smile and left Luna there.

"But don't do anything stupid or reckless! I had enough of chasing you!" She shouted after him, but she quickly had to turn around as she heard approaching footsteps. Iiwa was standing behind her with her arms crossed.

"This would've been a good time to tell him about us." She said to Luna leaning on her.

"I know... but it's not like he's my dad or something, I shouldn't have to announce you to anyone.”

"I like the sound of that! And what was that about asking her out? Who's the girl?" Iiwa looked at her curiously.

"That’s a secret." Luna averted her gaze from Iiwa.

“Come on! Tell me!” Iiwa tried to get her to look into her eyes while Luna tried her hardest to look away.

Meanwhile Ken excitedly ran across the booths thinking about the exact words he would use. "Hey! Me, you, tomorrow's show! Or else!" No that's too rude...

"Hi! Come with me if you want to live!" Still not right... He felt his honest feelings being clouded by the persona he created. He wanted to tell her how she made him feel. How the first time he entered the second reality she helped him. With every step he took he felt closer to her and in the meantime felt calmer than ever before. Ken wanted to tell Rosa that he was in love with her.

"Hey! I know we've known each other for a while, and I hope you think of me the same way as I think about you. You are smart and kind of a wimp, but maybe that's why I feel like I need to protect you. Now I have these two tickets to tomorrow's show and..."

As he practiced, he arrived at the scene. He saw Ren embracing Rosa in a tight hug while Rosa was wiping her tears. Ken froze. The world around him went dark as he focused on the presence of the two of them. He clenched his fist ruining the tickets in his hand. "Well played dipshit..." He turned around, whispering defeated as he threw the tickets in the thrash. His hair went limp, and he walked home.

"Thank you... It seems I needed that more than I thought." Rosa took a step back smiling. This time there was no denying it. No light was around that would deceive Ren. Rosa was blushing.

"No problem. The Ren Sciron Hugging Inc. is always ready to serve." He said averting his gaze in a fit of awkwardness.

"Oh what a lovely site! Two youngsters showing their love for each other!" Dibdin slowly approached the two of them, theatrically wiping a nonexistent tear from his face.

Ren and Rosa took a step away from each other after the word love. They looked at each other for a second waiting for the other one to deny the statement, but neither of them uttered a word.

"It seems I disturbed you two. Let me apologize by giving you these tickets for tomorrow's show. I had them lying around and I'd hate it to go to waste." Dibdin revealed the two tickets Ken threw in the trash.

"Why are they so crumpled?" Rosa asked as she took one.

"They might be a bit worn but believe me they'll work. I am the owner of the place after all! My name is Dibdin! It’s a pleasure to meet you." Dibin shook Ren’s hand and kissed Rosa’s.

"Really?! Nice to meet you sir! What do you think Rosa?" Ren’s initial glee was turned into horror quickly as he realized this would technically count as a date. "D-d-do you want to come?" Ren’s whole being was shaking as he finished his question.

"I...I don’t know. I have to get home by sunset." Rosa said hesitantly, taking her eyes off of Ren.

"Oh... of course." Ren said quietly, letting go of the worry he had. Of course, why would she want to go out with me?

"I'm sorry Ren. But maybe you can go with someone else." She tried to comfort Ren, but before she could even put a hand on her, Ren jumped up in excitement.

"Or, I could give one ticket to Niel and you could give the other to Ginna!" I have to make the best of this situation. If I cannot go on a date, maybe Niel could.

"You're thinking of setting up a date for the two of them?" Rosa looked at him suspiciously.

"Niel will put up a fight, but I can convince him to accept the ticket. Do you think Ginna would be interested in something like that?"

"Hmm. It's hard to get a read on Ginna when it comes to relationships, but as long as there's food and entertainment she'll agree." Rosa rubbed her chin as she envisioned what she would tell Ginna.

"It's decided then! Thank you for the tickets, sir! We'll give it to our friends."

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"It's my honor! As long as I have the pleasure of entertaining someone, I am happy." Dibdin took of his hat and bowed to the kids before disappearing in a puff of smoke.

In the arm-wrestling tent Niel and Taran were going at it.

The table they had started arm-wrestling on has shattered under their power, so Taran had to create a rock column. A crowd had formed around the two kids who had been struggling for minutes. Niel and Taran looked into each other's eyes as sweat pooled on their clothes. They were equal in strength. What made the difference was their level of endurance, and in that regard Niel was stronger. Taran's arm gave in and both of them fell to the ground spent.

"We’ve got a winner!" The announcer said lifting Niels arm. Out of the cheering crowd came Ren who helped his friends stand up.

"Nice one guys!" Ren patted his friend on the back.

"Thanks! We need to drink to my victory!" Niel said panting.

"Better make it quick! Most of the class went home already."

"Really? But we haven't seen anything yet, we've been arm-wrestling the whole time!" Niel moaned disappointed.

“Sad.” Taran contributed to the conversation and left the tent.

"Don’t worry! You'll have plenty of time to sightsee tomorrow!" Ren tried to cheer him up before revealing his plan.

"What do you mean?" Niel asked his friend.

"Rosa and I met the owner of this place, and he gave us two tickets to tomorrow’s show! Rosa is convincing Ginna as we speak! You just need to take this ticket and you'll have a date with the girl of your dreams tomorrow!" Ren announced to his friend with a wide smile.

"What? This is way too fast! Not to mention you had the chance to go on a date with Rosa and you gave it up?" Niel was first flustered by the proposal then was angry at his friend for throwing away an opportunity like that.

"She was the one who declined. But that doesn't matter right now! You need this more than I do!" Ren was clearly saddened by the rejection but tried to make the most of the situation.

“I see…Thanks... Ren. And I'm sorry Rosa said no." Niel put his hand on Ren’s shoulder comforting him.

"I just want you guys to have a great time." Ren whispered with a fake smile.

"I need to find the right clothes! An old torn up shirt won't do!" Niel frantically looked at his clothes as he thought of the implications.

"You have until tomorrow to figure it all out! But I'd advise you to leave out the carnival games. Most of them are rigged."

Rosa slowly entered the tent. The anticipation of the boys was palpable. The next words out of her mouth would make or break this day, but before she could say anything, Ginna followed her inside.

"So, tomorrow?" Ginna asked excitedly while fiddling with her fingers behind her back.

"Yeah...Tomorrow." Niel stuttered, trying to look cool with the widest smile on his face.

"I hope there'll be popcorn! And chocolate! Maybe chocolate popcorn!"

"That sounds, like an interesting combination!" Niel expressed his interest in Ginna's idea.

Ren and Rosa slowly left the two of them alone, sneaking out of the tent.

"Thanks for helping me make this happen." Ren turned to Rosa.

"Of course! I'm sorry I could not be with you... I MEAN go with you. Not that being with you is bad, but you wanted to go with me and because of me you had to give that up and that feels unfair. If you know what I mean." Rosa struggled with her words as her face went pink.

"I think I know what you mean. If we are lucky maybe, we'll have another time to catch up." Ren smiled at her which made Rosa relax.

"Sounds like a plan."

As time passed and slowly everyone went home after a fun relaxing day.

Puppet was in his office when Anvil walked in holding the stump that used to be his hand.

"Sir! I would like to prove my worth again. Please give me a task." Anvil said with a quivering uncertainty in his voice.

Puppet held his hand up to silence his underling. Anvil understood what the signal meant and went stone-faced. "You are an exceptional man, Anvil. You do not need to prove me anything, because I know what you are capable of. What I expect from you is no more failures in the future. Can you promise me that?" He asked in a calm manner sending chills down Anvil’s spine.

"I will not fail again sir!" Anvil straightened his posture and left the room.

"Why are you trying to act like a decent person, Puppet?" Firecracker appeared from the shadows in the corner of the room.

"Few people are as vile as you, miss. I could not compete with you in that regard." Puppet said as he leaned back in his chair.

"You can play the good guy all you want, but you won’t fool me. You like to torture as much as I do, maybe not physically, but emotionally." She leaned on the desk, closing the distance between their bodies.

"What are your expectations, now that you are a part of our team? Are you looking to catch me red-handed as I betray the Ever Family? Are you perhaps here to take over my place?" Puppet inquired from her as he tried to slide his hand over hers, but before he could touch her, she suddenly stepped back.

"You great tacticians are all the same! You assume everyone else is out to get you, because you're terrified of the idea of being outsmarted. But fret not Puppet. I am here for one thing only. When I heard that you killed the supposed 'Fire Without Light', I knew you were scheming something. So I looked into your area, Younen and its past, Atla Sciron the protector of this area, and his family. This place is a barrel of gunpowder ready to blow.” Her grin went from one ear to the other as she explained.

“And are you the spark?” Puppet interviewed.

“I thought I was until I met you.” She stared at him for a second. Looking into his blood red eyes, before continuing. “I've met them before, you know. And I was defeated by him." Her eyes began to glow as she thought of him.

"Atla Sciron? No surprise there. He is the-" Puppet nonchalantly explained but was cut off by Firecracker.

"I wasn't talking about him. I was defeated by his son Lendo Sciron, thirteen years ago." She elaborated. Slience befell the room.

"Lendo Sciron?" Puppet repeated. “He is an overhuman?”

"Yes. I was only thirteen, he took out our whole squad, only leaving me alive."

"So, are you here for revenge?"

"Yes, so to speak. I do not intend on killing him right away. He won't go anywhere, but being close by makes things easier. I can strike when it feels right!"

"That makes things much easier. How about this? I serve you Lendo Sciron on a silver platter, and you be a passive observer from now on." Puppet’s presence went calm as he understood the situation. He found leverage to use to his advantage.

"What makes you think I need your help killing him?" She was offended by the assumption, sanding sparks of fire between her fingers.

"I am sure you are capable of that alone, but as long as Maria Sciron is in the picture, your plan of getting close to her son would be nothing short of suicide. But If you are willing to wait a while, I can promise you Lendo Sciron."

"How long?" She asked quickly.

"About a year."

"Year? You are planning to pull something when the war starts?"

"All I can promise you is Lendo Sciron, and your victory." Puppet smiled devilishly as he made the offer. His smile was disturbed by the delirious cackling of Firecracker.

"What makes you trust me? I could call the HQ right now and get you killed!"

"I enjoy reading faces. I am very good at it, and you have made no effort to deceive me. Every word you have said has been honest. Besides, it's not like I want to hurt the Ever Family, and I did not admit anything like that. I simply have a plan, and keeping my head on my neck is part of it."

"Alright Puppet. You get your peace. But I'll still punish your men whenever they fail to deliver."

"Deal."

"No way I'm shaking your hand Puppet. I cannot read intentions like you, but I know your powers."

Ren was lying in his bed with his phone next to him when it buzzed. He opened the message to see it was from Rosa.

“Look Ren! Something happened to our internet, completely new sites appeared.”

Ren looked confused by the message until he opened a link, she sent to him. The site that appeared was like a news site, but he had never seen this one before. The site’s name was Over Daily. On the side there were a series of articles with more and more interesting titles.

“The country of Kon still in mourning, while the new supreme leader's party continues.”

“After centuries, the borders of Vallhal’Al stopped expanding.”

“Top ten ways you can prank your overhuman parents.”

“Whitestone Orphanage burnt down. The sole survivor still in coma.”

Ren could not pick an article to read first with all this, an endless possibility of new information opened for him. He wrote back to Rosa.

"What is this site?"

"It's not just this one. New video sites, social media sites, maps, articles, dictionaries. The list goes on!"

"When Hook said we were closed off from the rest of the world it wasn't just a physical barrier..."

"Ren... I don't know if it's appropriate for me to tell you this, but you'd find out about it one way or another...." She linked the article about Vallhal'Al to Ren. " Scroll down to the last paragraph.

Ren opened the article. Skimmed over the part about an expanding warzone, millions of deaths throughout the centuries, and got to the last part of the script.

> "After months of anticipation the Cleaner Organization came out with a statement. They found a way to bypass the side effects of Vallhal'Al and sent their best agent to put an end to it once and for all. Atla Sciron of the Ceasefire, Number one of the Ecaton is on the case as we speak. Will he be able to come out victorious as he did in the War of Solam? Or will he meet his end at the hands of an endless army? May the tides keep him safe!"

Ren could not stop himself from reading that paragraph over and over again. He felt his eyes deceived him. But he soon had to come to terms with the fact that he did not know his family. "My dad is an overhuman?"