The duo of Rheba and Gwyn found themselves in a park in the east section of Nun. After getting off the train, the duo wandered the city section for a short while; they traveled through streets, roads, and even a fountain square, but nothing worth interest showed to them. In the end, the search led to taking a rest in an extended field of grass.

Rheba let out a heavy sigh.

“What’s wrong?” Gwyn asked.

“I wish we had been the team to go to central nun. I have a feeling that Harlan is one-upping me somehow.”

“I think you’re just imagining it,” Gwyn assured.

“You’re probably right,” she replied as she tried to shake off the feeling.

Rheba stood up from the grass and brushed off her legs. She turned to offer a hand to help Gwyn up when a shout echoed across the field.

“Hey there, look out!”

Rheba turned around; a ball was flying to her head. She quickly snatched it out of the air.

“Sorry about that!” a voice rang as two figures came over on what was best compared to a bike. They were made with pedals in the same manner but had hover devices in place of wheels.

The person who spoke was a Zenotote with orange scales. He stood as tall as Gwyn and had very wide arms and legs. His face was medium-sized, not being as flat as Harlan’s and not being as long as some other Zenototes. He wore a sleeveless coat that hid his tail underneath.

“My name is Ripple,” the Zenotote said as his black eyes darted between Gwyn and Rheba, “This big guy is Thorir.”

The orange Zenotote referenced his companion—a large and bulky Netzian with voltage yellow hair and electric blue eyes. He was dressed in a suit but wasn’t breaking a sweat.

“Why are you wearing a suit when biking?” Gwyn quickly asked as he stood up from the ground.

“I like it,” Thorir answered in a gruff voice. Ripple chuckled.

“Please excuse his manners; he’s rough around the edges.”

“It is alright; here is your ball,” Rheba handed back the sphere that had been thrown. It was a small ball used for sports. She couldn’t help but notice that the duo had come on bikes and lacked the proper equipment typically used in such sporting events. “What is it you were doing?” she added.

Ripple clapped his hands together.

“Oh, we are just enjoying a little sport of ours. You see, we toss the ball back and forth while riding. It added a level of complexity which is quite rewarding.”

“Seems like a good way to cause a crash,” Gwyn said.

“Or hit someone with a ball,” Rheba added as she tossed the ball to Ripple.

The orange Zenotote caught it and chuckled.

“I suppose we ought to have been more careful. There is a great restaurant in one of the squares up ahead; why don’t we treat you to a meal as a token of our apology.” Ripple bowed as he spoke.

“A free meal! Sure!” Gwyn eagerly replied.

“I like your enthusiasm!” Ripple jumped forward and grabbed Gwyn’s hand. “What’s your name?” he asked while shaking Gwyn’s hand.

“Gwyn, the Nonpareil.”

“Ah, what a title to have! No wonder you have a Needaimus on your arm. you must be amazing!”

“Well, I don’t know about that… but I did defeat an evil bandit leader and shoot the eye out of a sea monster!” Gwyn replied with a goofy grin. Rheba shook her head. She glanced at Thorir but didn’t stare too long as he looked intensely in her direction.

“Ah, feats you should be proud of!” Ripple replied.

Ripple and Gwyn happily walked forward while the Nonpareil recounted his exploits on Resh. After every feat, Ripple would respond with how incredible Gwyn was.

Rheba followed closely behind the duo. She sensed no malice from Ripple, but Thorir was another story. He followed several paces behind the rest with his eyes trained on the Bentulousian warrior.

As they left the park, it appeared that Ripple was leading them to a crowded place. She figured they would not try anything where the crowd was too thick. As they entered the busy crowd, she rubbed the purple Needaimus bonded to her arm as if to ensure it was still there.

In no time at all, she found how the crowd could be used against them. Gwyn and Ripple quickly got further along in the group than her or Thorir. She could see him somewhat due to her large height and his golden-red hair being bright enough to focus on. At the same time, she knew the Nonpareil would be lost in a moment if the busy crowd didn’t dissipate. Rheba looked up to a rather tall building.

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“I will jump to the roof of that building,” she said in as quiet a voice allowed for her ability to activate. Thorir still heard the words, but Rheba had already gone into the air. Many of the crowd cheered and hollered for what they figured was a street performer. Gwyn himself turned to see Rheba fly through the air.

Partner Rheba is calling. Mem said before connecting them.

Gwyn, Rheba’s voice echoed in his head; something’s not right, get out of there and let’s meet up by the fountain we saw earlier.

Gwyn turned to Ripple, only to see an angry look as the Zenotote watched Rheba land on the rooftop.

“Sorry if we’re just misunderstanding,” Gwyn quickly said before sprinting through the crowd.

Ripple gritted his sharp teeth as the Nonpareil was lost in the crowd the Zenotote had hoped to take advantage of.

Gwyn kept running and pushing past all the different species. Many shouted, and others cursed, but the Nonpareil kept going until he broke through. The street was open enough, and Gwyn began his sprint away, trusting that Rheba was right.

I think the Zenotote is following. He looks a little angry. Mem informed Gwyn. Ripple had quickly broken from the crowd and was angrily pursuing the Nonpareil.

“And here I thought I made a friend!” Gwyn replied.

He was just complimenting and flattering you, hardly a friend.

“Do you remember how to get to the fountain?”

I’ll put up directions.

In an instant, Gwyn could see what looked like a glowing line that bent around turns.

It’s just like a GPS, but in my head!” he laughed.

I hope that was a compliment.

“Uh… so is Ripple still chasing us?” Gwyn switched the subject.

Yes, he’s catching up too. Mem replied. The Nonpareil looked back to see the orange Zenotote chasing after with two long swords in his hands.

“Oh, damn, where did he get those? Why didn’t you tell me?” Gwyn shouted as he rounded another bend.

I didn’t think it was vital unless he catches us. Mem replied.

Gwyn made his way around another turn into a straight, long section which emptied out on the street. Gwyn chuckled as he knew it was his element. He quickly picked up the pace and increased the distance between him and his pursuer. He had run in track for many years and was glad it still had use later in life.

As Gwyn reached the end of the alleyway, he became hopeful about his escape. The hope was dashed when one of Ripple’s swords sailed past the Nonpareil’s head.

Gwyn ducked slightly as the sword flew past his periphery, but his sprint did not slow.

“Flying swords again! Didn’t I tell you that bandit leader tried that already!” The Nonpareil shouted back to his pursuer.

A second later and he found himself running out of the alleyway. The thrown swords had gotten lodged into a wall opposite the alley’s exit, and a crowd gathered around it to take pictures.

Gwyn wasted no time to turn and run down the street. Ripple followed while hot on his heels.

He’s still there,” informed Mem to keep Gwyn facing forward.

“He just won’t give up!”

You seem to think villains are pushovers; you really should change that mindset. Mem cautioned.

“Fair enough,” Gwyn replied.

Another sword flew past Gwyn’s head. He jumped to the side in shock and almost ran into a random passerby but kept up his pace. Gwyn looked back to see what Ripple would do next without swords. To his surprise, the Zenotote had two swords in his hands, as if he had never thrown them. From under his clothes, a Needaimus-covered tail had emerged.

Gwyn stopped and spun on his heel. He was done running and would face his opponent head-on. At that moment, an arrow sailed past his head and struck the ground in front of Ripple. The Zenotote grunted and took a step back.

Gwyn checked where the arrow had come from, but he second-guessed himself almost immediately. An elf girl with long blond hair stood in the Nun streets with her bow at the ready. She was precisely like Gwyn had seen only a couple of days prior—on the cover of K.A. Natos’ book.

Next to the elf was a dwarf and a Netzian with a blue Needaimus bonded to his arm. Each stood tall and ready for battle as they faced Ripple. Kako nonchalantly strode up next to the trio of characters from her novel.

“Hi, Gwyn! You sure know how to get in trouble, don’t you?” she asked in a cutesy tone. At the same time, she turned so that Ripple could see the Needaimus that rode on her shoulder. As it wasn’t bonded, it was the equivalent of showing a holstered gun.

Ripple gritted his sharp teeth as four unknowns entered the fray. He smiled and slid the swords to his sides like he was putting them in sheathes. They dissolved into nothing starting from the tip as if disappearing into the invisible holder.

“I suppose the element of surprise is lost, but don’t think allies will always come to save you,” Ripple shouted before retreating back into the crowd.

“What was that about pushovers?” Gwyn asked.

There’s a difference between being a pushover and being cautious about a fight against many odd opponents. Mem replied.

“If you say so,” Gwyn said before turning to Kako. He nervously looked at the trio of characters previously confined to a book cover. He pointed to them and gave Kako a confused look. She chuckled.

“Oh, that. Don’t worry.” With a wave of her hand, the dwarf began to disappear in purple sparkles. His legs were the first to dissolve and quickly moved up to his head. He made a huff before entirely vanishing. “My focus of magical discipline allows me to create bodies for my characters to inhabit!”

Kako waved another hand, and the Netzian began to disappear. He bowed to her.

“Thank you for letting me see Resh once again,” the character said before vanishing.

Gwyn didn’t know what to say, but his mouth hung open.

“Pretty cool, huh? Oh, but don’t go telling everyone. This style of magic is a little advanced for most.”

“I guess,” Gwyn replied. His mind was running in circles with thoughts. Kako went to wave her hand again but stopped before making the elf disappear. She got a sly smile.

“Say, Gwyn, if you want, I could let Mina here stay a while. I’m sure you wouldn’t mind having a pretty elf keep you company. Until I deactivate my spell, she is as material as you or me, after all.” Kako said in a teasing tone.

The elf looked at the ground in a manner that would be easy to mistake for shyness.

Gwyn shook his head but didn’t know how to respond. Kako sighed, and in a flash, Mina disappeared.

“Well, let’s walk a while then. You’re heading to the fountain, right?” Kako asked.

“I am.”

The two began their walk to the fountain, where Gwyn would meet up with Rheba. Unknown to them, Ripple watched from the shadows. He grunted and pulled out a small device hidden under his clothes. A message was sent for backup.