by Liandra Jake
"Do you really believe all that about Arend?" Vladd asked Nem some time later.
"Of course." Nem replied. "He's firsthand what a Myshcell can create. But this time, Arend has much, much, more than what his father had. The real question is what he's going to create."
[X]
The two groups met a day apart at a train station outside Sareville. Duke called Pockle and the four boarded the train bound for the Nest. They got a more than a few stares, but no one said anything.
When they arrived at Jacob's shack, Duke called out. "Hey Pockle! Where are you!?"
She walked slowly out from behind the shed with a grim look that made Nem shiver. "What's with that look?" Vladd asked.
His question was answered by who stepped after her with crossed arms. Kronth and Arend stood shoulder to shoulder with an irritated smile of their face.
"Ooooh shit…" Kyrel groaned.
"Sooo… Care to explain why the four legendary weapons up and disappeared for almost three weeks?" Kronth asked.
"Didn't she-" Nem began.
"I think I can tell when one of my employees is lying. Now answer the question." Arend said. Kyrel tossed him the multi-colored Korvan. "What is-" He started angrily. His tone immediately changed as he repeated himself. "What is..." Kronth looked over to Arend with a frown. Arend slowly looked up to Kyrel. "How did you make this?"
"The combination of five types of Orenth." Kyrel replied, holding out his hand like before. This time, a larger Korvan formed on his palm. "Earth, Air-"
"Electricity, Fire, and Ice." Arend finished. "How did you learn to control five types?"
"Termas." Pockle replied.
Arend caught his breath. "So they're real then."
"Care to explain?" Kronth asked.
Duke spoke out clearly. "The Termas were the first documents written by Liefel Schell, later known as the first Myshcell. Liefel was exposed to a high concentration of Orenth and was the first human to attempt Orenth Alchemy, simultaneously being the first to succeed. While the books he wrote were unfortunately destroyed, the Termas somehow survived."
Duke was reading out from the book the old Serephs had given him. "It says that he entrusted the Termas to the Pendragons two thousand and six years ago. Those seventeen he taught how to alter the Orenth to gain powerful techniques, making them the guardians of the Termas: Pencores."
Pockle and Arend glanced at each other. "You need to call Gliese." Arend said as Duke shut the book.
Arend tapped her foot as she thought. Pockle borrowed Arend' phone to make a call. Kronth let out a sigh. "How are we going to explain your absences?" She grumbled.
Someone called out to them. "Heeey!" Jacob called, waving as he came running. "Where have you guys been? These two have been bugging me about it nonstop." He said with a jerk of his head to Arend and Kronth.
"They were training." Arend said simply.
"What for? This place is open enough." Jacob asked.
Arend raised an eyebrow. "Do you want them to bring the ceiling down?" Arend asked.
Jacob went to glance up, but stopped himself. "So it's something dangerous? Why didn't they call or leave a message before heading out?"
"Turns out the location they picked blocks cell phone signals." Arend replied.
Jacob simply shrugged, returning to his shack. Pockle tugged on Arend' pants leg to get his attention. She returned his cell phone. "She's on her way. And knows King is here." Arend nodded. "I also added her-" She stopped as Arend jumped, his phone ringing in his hand.
"Hello?" Arend asked.
"Hey Arend, it's Rusty. I could use some help with Guan Blau." Rusty replied. Arend gave Kronth a brief kiss goodbye. "I'm on my way. Use the middle garage." Kronth gave him a wave as he hurried for Shifted Tilt.
[X]
Arend found Rusty bending over his dual Drive engine. Rusty's head popped up as Arend walked in. His face was covered by a well maintained scruff of hair. Arend couldn't help but laugh when he saw it. Rusty half smiled. "Yeah, I know. It's been easier to trim it than shave every night."
Arend dropped his hat and bag on the desk across from Guan Blau. "I can't blame you though. I'd look like an old man if I left mine grow out like that." Arend replied as he joined Rusty by the engine.
Arend whistled. "That's impressive alright. Has it been running funny?" Rusty shook his head.
"It runs fine. I left more than a few rubber streaks on the tracks I've raced the past three months. I've been on a tour and only got back a few days ago."
"So you haven't talked with much of anyone about what's been going on?" Arend asked as he poked around.
"Long enough to know what you did for your friend." Rusty replied.
"We." Arend corrected quietly.
"You can start with how Hunter's now running around with a Sereph." Rusty said, catching Arend' attention.
Arend smiled slightly. "That was a little more than a month ago."
Rusty gave him a short glare before walking around to his door. "It's nothing to joke about Arend. I've never seen him act like that."
Arend couldn't help but chuckle. "Calm down. I'll explain from the very beginning." As Arend spoke, he delved into the intricacies of the engine.
"The day after the Barbecue, Hunter and I left on a request. He explained what went through his head to me later, but he discovered that he had feelings for me on the way back."
Rusty bumped his head as he tried to rush out. "Hold on!" Arend exclaimed. "There's still a lot more to explain. As I dealt with Shifted Tilt and Ros, Hunter tried to approach me to talk about it, but I was too distracted at the time as well as cheer me up.
"Flake showed up and distracted him long enough for me to leave, asking Hunter out on a date. I think I was the one who planted that little seed; nudging Flake his way during the barbecue. Hunter confessed his feelings, with Noir overhearing and eventually leading to Kronth, who said he had to get Starlik to talk to Hunter before Hunter could me. Aaanyway, after a talk, Hunter agreed to Flake's date." Rusty was no longer working, listening intently to Arend' words.
"During the chain of eavesdropping that happened, Isaac learned of it and messed with Kronth. I solved that issue rather quickly." Rusty noted the dark look that flashed on Arend' face when he was talking about Isaac, but said nothing. "A After that debacle, Hunter took me to the clock tower to try and calm me down. That's when he ended up explaining it to me and we came to an understanding. I left and he went to his date. I helped Nem with Duke while Hunter and Flake had a great time.
"After helping Rose cook for her and Iode, I tracked down Kronth. When I went in to work the next day, Rose had been taken to the hospital and a bunch of us, including Kyrel's father, went there to show our support. Kronth and Berry helped Janese with the triplets, but Mysh was crushed by his brother and sister. And that's about when the weird stuff happened."
"'Weird stuff' he says." Aenfel said with a laugh.
"What?" Rusty said as Arend' voice had suddenly changed without warning.
"Stop that already." Arend grumbled.
"Arend? Rusty asked cautiously.
"You know how I'm part Pendragon?" Arend asked. Rusty nodded.
"Well,"
"I woke up." Aenfel cut in.
"I said stop it!" Arend exclaimed. Rusty slowly raised an eyebrow. Arend stamped over to his bag and tossed an issue of Guild Ruled at Rusty. "Since he apparently doesn't want to quiet down…"
Rusty read it front to back as Arend finished tuning Guang Blau. Arend slid the unusually thick magazine back into his bag. "Are you sure publicizing all of that is a good idea?" Rusty asked.
"I have no reason to hide it. And it would become a hassle to explain it as something else." Arend replied.
"And I make Arend sound insane when I have anything to say." Aenfel added.
"I thought you were supposed to be the wise, silent type." Arend growled.
"Please stop that." Rusty said. "It's very disturbing."
Arend shoulder twitc
hed in a half shrug, and Rusty couldn't tell exactly who had shrugged. "So…" Rusty glanced at Guang Blau.
"She'll run better than ever." Arend said, pulling on his hat.
As Arend turned to leave, Rusty caught his shoulder. "Hey! What about your little buddy? How's Corenden?"
Arend shrugged. "I can't say. I haven't seen him in a while."
[X]
Arend dreamed of the Dragon Valley. He stood alone beneath the large tree as the grass at his feet bowed with the wind. The leaves filled the air with chaos as the wind picked up and pushed against Arend. He woke as Kronth pushed him again.
"You stayed up late again didn't you?" She asked as she sat next to him once he swung his legs off the bed. Arend nodded slowly, rubbing his eyes. "It's a good thing I woke you though. I have about an hour of free time before I have to return to work." At that, Arend leaned over and pulled her in. She laughed and pushed him away when he nibbled her ear. "Stop that!" Arend smiled. She leaned over and kissed him. "We need to spend more time together. I got bored when you were in that coma."
Kronth and Arend squeezed as much as they could out of the hour they had together. Faulken almost had to drag her out of Arend' room when she didn't answer her phone. As Arend cleaned up the mess from the hastily made breakfast, he held his phone to his ear with his shoulder.
Corenden answered on the forth ring. "Hey Arend… How'd you get this number? I only got a phone a week ago."
"Kronth." Arend replied. "You're required to give her all contact information remember?" From the pause, Arend got the impression Corenden had nodded. "I just thought it's been a while since we hung out. Especially considering the three months I was completely out of it."
"I caught that article by Michael. He sent me one of the first issues."
Arend could her Berry beside him. "You two should hang out! You've been working yourself too hard. You deserve a day off!"
"She has a point." Arend added.
There was a second pause. "What's wrong?" Berry asked Corenden.
"I think it's on speaker or something." Arend rolled his eyes and waited for Corenden to put the phone back to his ear.
"Part Pendragon~!" Arend sung as he put up his dried pan.
Corenden sighed. "Have you shopped for New Years yet?"
"Nope!" Arend replied. "But I have the funds to get everyone some great stuff."
"I'll meet you out in front of Dragon's Den." Corenden said with a sigh.
"Don't be so grumpy!" Arend and Berry exclaimed at the same time. Corenden promptly hung up.
Arend was outside the front door in less than a minute. Corenden showed up twenty-something minutes later. Arend failed to suppress the wave of laughter that caught him off guard. Corenden's fur had grown out anther inch, making him puffy and pudgy. "Yeah yeah," Corenden grumbled. "I'm from the North. It always happens this time of year."
"The North? So you're not a native?" Arend asked as he bit his cheek.
"Yeah… You didn't know that? My family moved down here when I was ten." Corenden replied.
Arend shook his head. "I guess there are still a few things we don't know about each other" They started down the street. Corenden floated alongside Arend, barely drifting in the wind.
"So what's been up with you?" Corenden asked with a smirk. Arend glanced sideways at him. "I've heard you've been kissing everyone."
"Want to be the next in that everyone?" Arend asked with a twitch.
Corenden couldn't help but laugh as he knew Arend would do it just to spite him. "Jeeze, sensitive subject?"
"I've gotten enough crap about it already." Arend replied.
Corenden nodded as a group of girls giggled across the street, pointing at Arend. "Well, there's no need to ask. I've been going on requests and now rank High D."
"I take it the other Syndicates didn't want to approve your promotions from the war?"
"Chh…" Corenden tutted. "They're pissed off at you guys already. I don't think promotion for a Pog is high on the list is it?"
"Are you pushing for more recognition? Or you just need money?"
"Money." Corenden replied. "Berry and I live a fair life for two Monsters, but we'll need a bigger place for when we have kids."
"So Iode and Rose have gotten you two thinking?" Arend asked.
Corenden nodded. "I've got seven years on him, but he's already got three kids. One of which defies nature." Arend laughed.
"And In a way, he's my kid to." Arend replied.
A light snow began to fall. Arend laughed to himself as he imagined each snowflake having Flake's face. Corenden whistled softly to himself. "Do you know what you'll get her?" Arend asked.
Corenden let the final note hang before replying. "No. Though she is one for antiques."
"There should be a shop a few streets over. My uncle knows the owner." Arend suggested. The traffic picked up the farther into the city they went. They made a point to avoid Arend and Corenden.
"Do you think they know who we are?" Arend asked.
"They know who you are." Corenden replied.
"Fair enough." Arend shrugged as they rounded a corner. "It's up at the end of the street." Arend said pointing at a corner shop at the other side of the road. Corenden simply flew over everyone to get there. He turned to laugh in Arend' direction, but Arend was calmly walking a few feet behind him on a thick layer of Stick.
"What?" Arend asked. "How do you think King flies?"
Corenden frowned. "I wasn't expecting you to do that." Arend glanced down at the stagnate masses staring up at him. "You know I don't care what they think. And with Michael's article, everyone already knows my power."
The crowd cleared in front of the antiques shop as Arend stepped back onto the concrete. "That doesn't mean you should show it off." Corenden pushed open the door to the surprisingly empty shop.
An old couple were the only other people in the antiques shop. They ignored Arend and Corenden. "Welcome!" The graying man at the counter exclaimed. "Let me know if you need-"
He was interrupted by who Arend guessed was his daughter and son. She had highlights in her chestnut hair and he had the same grey-blue shade as his father. "We need money." They said flatly.
"Not now!" He hissed, well below a normal person's hearing. The two siblings didn't much care to talk in low voices.
"It's not like anyone's going to buy anything!" His son exclaimed.
"Do you really think you'll get money talking to him like that?" Arend asked as the approached the counter.
"Why don't you…" The boy trailed off.
"Arend!" The store owner exclaimed, reaching out for a firm handshake.
"Nice to see you again Tom!" Arend replied.
"Tom!?" Tom's children exclaimed, glancing at their father.
"This is Mr. Prickett's nephew." Tom explained.
"How has he been? I'm afraid I haven't kept in touch." Arend asked.
"He's vacationing in Chewek. You know how he hates the cold." Tom replied
"Dad!" Tom's son exclaimed. "How the hell do you know this freak!?"
"This 'freak' helped us when your mother died. I guess you two were too preoccupied to notice." Tom replied with a hint of malice.
Arend waved a hand. "I did it because my uncle asked. I didn't know you well enough at the time to really consider you a friend." Tom's son pulled his sister after him when he realized their father was in no mood to give out money.
As Arend and Tom continued to talk, Corenden looked around at the various knickknacks spread out in the store. He found himself in front of children's books when the old couple left with a few old records. "Take care!" Tom called after them.
"So… Who's your fluffy friend?" He asked Arend.
"A fellow Guild member; he's out here because his wife thinks he's working himself too hard." Arend replied
"Any kids?" Tom asked, noting where Corenden was looking.
"Not yet." Arend replied quietly.
Tom nodded. "But what about you? I'm sure you've got
a sweetheart or two."
Arend laughed. "Only one. And we're taking it slow. As far as I can tell, it's been going rather well." Corenden waddled over to the counter with a book in his hand.
"Is that all?" Tom asked, flipping through the book. Corenden nodded. "Two and seventy-five."
As Corenden placed the money on the counter, Tom typed up a receipt. "Still into Kruxsetting?" Tom asked as he placed the money in the register.