by Liandra Jake
Israphel expertly pulled the pins with one hand, flicking it to the next to throw. Kyrel replied with a tall wave of earth that made Israphel abandon throwing his last grenade. A series of multi-colored explosions scattered the chuck of earth Kyrel raised, a few bits flying into the large shields protecting the audience.
"You're getting expensive." Israphel said as he pulled out a long crystalline rod with a circle at its middle.
"Not my problem!" Kyrel replied flatly.
"True. And I shouldn't throw them whichever way either." Israphel said as the long rod gained edges of air and fire, giving it the appearance of an "S" with a hole at the center.
Kyrel was impressed. "I want one of those."
Israphel whipped his arm around, sending the bizarrely shaped shuriken on its way. Kyrel didn't doge it, instead grabbing it from the air. The Air and Fire disappeared together. Kyrel spun it in his hand a few times, letting the ring glide on his fingers. Both ends of the rod now had curved blades of rock.
Kyrel let the circle settle in a hook made of two fingers. A flat piece of rock protruded from each end of the two blades. Israphel frowned until the blades began to spin in a blur created by Kyrel's Air. A low whining filled the air as a pocket of Vacuum formed behind each of the blade's "wings." Israphel only had time to create a rudimentary shield of Metal and Earth. The first blade caught in the shield, but the second still twisted, warping the stone and locking Israphel's head against his own shield. His arms were trapped up against his chest and Kyrel knocked him forward with a twist of the earth beneath him.
"The winner is Kyrel!" The announcer called, throwing up his hands. He applauded once he sat back down. "A commendable display of Orenth control on both parts, though Kyrel's jerry-rigging of Vacuum to nullify Israphel's Fire was astounding." Kyrel walked over to Israphel, breaking the stone to free him from the trap. They shook hands.
"I won't be so foolish next time. And next time it will be for Aero Fìra." Israphel said as a ref removed his tournament equipment.
A second returned Aero Fìra to Kyrel. Kyrel suddenly found the barrel of a gun at the back of his head. The refs were on the ground, bleeding out. A group of ten people wearing various Monster masks had Kyrel and Israphel surrounded.
"Put the bow on the ground or-"
He was cut off as a yellow Orenth cloaked Arend twisted his arm around and drove his face into the ground with enough force to break his nose and dislocate his arm. Kyrel shuddered as the gust of wind Arend created washed over him.
"This little trick," Aenfel said with a hint of pride. "Is called Swift."
The nine remaining masked people were now very apprehensive. "Did you really forget I was here?" Arend asked.
Another three were taken out by Corenden, who dual wielded his sword and case of money for two of them, and finishing the third with a head-butt. "Six." Arend called out.
Israphel surprised two with a pair of miniature metal bats. "Four!" Corenden called out, mocking playing golf. The masked men moved to retreat, but Chen and Manuel took out one each.
"Two!" Kyrel said, pointing at either one with a hand.
He blinked when one was taken out by a well-aimed pitched beer can from the crowd. The poor bastard stumbled and twisted his ankle as the can bounced off, falling face first onto a large rock.
"…One?" The announcer said. The last guy just threw up his hand and fell to his knees. Arend shared a shrug with the rest of those on the field.
A small team from Silver Napalm cleaned the field of the men and asked a few questions. The refs were treated and would be fine in a few weeks in a hospital. Corenden, Kyrel, and Arend left the stadium for Dragon's Den, all combining powers to jump from roof to roof rapidly. Kyrel gave Corenden a boost with his Air powers as they both clung to Arend, who jumped from roof to roof with the combination of Slick, Stick, and Swift.
"Strangest. Thing. I've. Ever. Done." Arend later told Kronth in person, now free for the rest of the day to bug her.
"And probably the strangest thing some people saw all day." Kronth replied as she verified a stack of Rent Certificates.
"I'm sure I could top that." Arend replied.
"Please don't." Kronth said sincerely.
"You almost done?" Arend asked.
"Yes, I've only got to sign them now." Kronth replied as she picked up a pen.
Arend fidgeted impatiently as Kronth quickly signed the papers. "Is this what you do all day?"
"Yes. And it's more stressful than just paperwork." She replied, poking him with the pen. "And thanks to you, that stress isn't about to go away."
Arend crossed his arms. "It's not like I try to make trouble."
"Judging by the High-Sour tournament, I'd have to disagree." Iode replied as he approached their table. Rose was chasing after 'Ro and Mar behind him. Mysh's head popped up over Iode's shoulder.
"What's up!?" Arend asked, popping up out of his chair. Kronth slid the signed papers into a portfolio. Her secretary grabbed it as he left with great enthusiasm.
"We've got a favor to ask of the two of you." Iode replied. "You see, Ros e and I were hoping to take Erasur up on his invitation to a dinner party, but we don't have anyone to watch the kids." Arend nodded slowly. "I know it's a lot to ask, but-" Iode began.
"Sure." Kronth cut in. Mysh hopped from Iode's to Arend, sitting on his shoulders like Corenden did because he had grown too large for just one.
"But?" Arend started, glancing at Kronth.
She leaned over to whisper something. "Consider it a test."
Arend opened his mouth but stopped short, puzzled. Iode gave Kronth a short list. "They're picky eaters, and I'm not sure how they'll behave for you."
Arend ran off to help corral 'Ro and Mar. They stopped struggling as Arend hefted them up like they weighed nothing.
Kronth stood up. "What time should we expect you?"
"Late." Rose replied as Arend marched outside.
"I trust you two can handle them?" Iode asked.
Kronth smiled and nodded. "If I can handle Arend, I can handle a few extra fluff balls." Kronth gave them a wave as she poked her head out of Dragon's Den's back door.
Arend was running around in the winter with 'Ro and Mar chasing him. Mysh was holding tight to Arend' head. Kronth couldn't help but laugh when Mar managed to tackle Arend.
He stood triumphantly on Arend' back. "Ha ha!"
'Ro shoved him off, straddling Arend with a handful of his jacket. "Onwards!" She cried, kicking Arend with her heel.
Kronth lifted her off Arend. "He's not a horse 'Ro."
Mysh hopped off Arend as he sat up. "You're no fun…" 'Ro grumbled.
Mar tackled Arend again. Arend resisted with Stick, but not enough for Mar to hurt himself. This they found interesting. "What was that!?" 'Ro exclaimed, hurrying over to Arend.
Arend collected a small amount of Stick in his right hand. "It's Pendragon Orenth. This is called Stick." He put out his left, covered in Slick. "And this is Slick."
'Ro poked his right palm. "But it doesn't stick…"
"It doesn't work like that." Kronth said, taking her hand. She drew it across Arend' hand. "It's friction, not glue."
Mysh tried to grab Arend' left hand, but it slipped in his fingers. Mar laughed. "Can't you do anything?"
Mar reached for Arend hand, but like Mysh, he couldn't get a grip. "Slick reduces the friction exponentially." Arend explained with a smirk. He rubbed Mar's head with the Slick, managing only to irritate him.
"Behave you two." Kronth said sternly.
"There's a third one!" Arend said, standing up.
Arend picked up three rocks from the ground. He held his forearm out in front of him and laid the three rocks in a line. In a flash of yellow, Arend dropped his arm and replaced it with the other. Kronth was more shocked than surprised. The three children gazed in wonder as Arend repeated the feat.
"This is called Swift." Arend explained, now keeping the rocks level by flashing his hands under them.
When King came down with great curiosity, Arend let them fall. "Courtesy of Aenfel?" He asked. He frowned when he say the three gasping Pog-children.
"We're babysitting." Arend explained as Mar and 'Ro slowly approached King. Mysh pushed past them and stared up at King.
"So this is the one you saved?" King asked, sniffing Mysh. Mysh jumped onto his nose and hugged him. Arend covered his mouth as a short chuckle escaped. Kronth pulled Mysh off as King's eyes watered.
"How long until their parents come back?" King asked.
"A while!" Kronth replied as she leaned against him, Mysh still in her hands. "Care to stay a while?"
He laid down, letting Kronth slide down and curling his body to protect against the wind. Mysh wiggled free from Kronth, running over to Arend. "Do you have any toys?" Mysh asked him. Arend began digging in his bag.
"I bet you a warm bath that he's got one in there." King said, nudging Kronth.
Kronth laughed. "I don't think so. I don't want whatever it is you'd give me."
Mar had climbed up onto King, sitting between his ears. 'Ro cuddled up to Kronth, uncomfortable in the wind. Arend shook his head at his bag. "You'd think I would have something!"
"It's okay!" Mysh said, patting Arend' leg. His face brightened almost immediately. "Maybe you can help me to fly!"
Mat laughed. "Good luck! He can't use his wings right!"
King's ears twitched. "You're a little rude you know."
Mar patted King's head. "It's true enough!"
King extended his own wings, poking the startled Mar with a tendril of Orenth. "Everyone's a little different. And we're happier when we accept that. I didn't know I could fly until I was two hundred."
"Mom says Mysh's wings were un-under-underdeveloped." 'Ro whispered to Kronth, struggling with the long word. "He may have to stay on the ground forever." Kronth watched Arend crouch down at look at Mysh's wings with a saddened sigh. 'Ro hugged her. "It's okay though! I'm happy I have a second brother."
Kronth laughed, rubbing 'Ro's head. "I know."
Arend grew more interested in Mysh's wings the longer he looked at them. Aenfel whispered something so quietly Arend only knew what he said from how his lips moved. All Arend caught was three words.
"Try the Orenth."
Arend flicked his hands, coating them with stick. "Don't- Don't move." Arend told Mysh as he gently held the base of his wings.
Mysh stood stock still as Arend slowly built up Stick to coat his wings. Arend let the Orenth fade as nothing happened. "What you'd do?" Mysh asked, trying to look at back his wings.
"Nothing. I-" Arend stopped as he noticed a flash of blue on his wings when Mysh tried to fly.
"Sonic Arend. It will allow him to fly, but don't think what you just did have a significant effect. You gave him all of my powers. Stick, Slick, Swift, Sonic, and Salve when you chose to save him. It will take time for him to learn to use and understand you gift. For now, have fun with him. He's as much part of us as his blood parents."
Mysh tilted his head as he watched Arend say a long string of words he couldn't hear. "Arend?" He asked worriedly, tugging his pants leg.
Arend crouched down. "Sorry 'bout that! My head's a little complicated."
Mysh simply blinked. "Does it have to do with this?" He asked, poking the handprint on his torso. Arend gently placed his hand on it, the red fur now expanded well past Arend' fingertips. Mysh hugged his hand.
"I know how important what you did is. My mom and dad won't tell me, but I know I should be dead. I can fell a part of you deep inside me every time we get close like this. It scares me." Mysh trembled; clutching Arend' hand like his life depended on it. "But…" He continued softly. "It also fills me with untold thrill when I think of what it could mean."
"Holy shit Mysh." Mysh glanced up, bringing his hands in and backing away. Arend placed a comforting hand on his small shoulder. "You'll barely more than four months old and you're talking about ideas that adults struggle to grasp."
"Well, I read whenever 'Ro and Mar fight…"
Arend picked Mysh up with a laugh, hugging him. "You've definitely got a bit of Myshcell in you." He walked back over to Kronth, who was talking up a storm with Kronth. King was lecturing a very attentive Mar.
[X]
"I can hardly believe these kids are only four months old." Kronth said as they dined on the dinner Arend had made and brought out.
All he could get King was a handful of Korvan. Mysh, 'Ro, and Mar were too busy enjoying Arend' tarts to pay attention to them. "Their minds grew with their bodies. They've slowed down significantly, but they are a very intelligent bunch. Rose and Iode really have their hands full, but at least with the BluZephs, their potential has every chance of being achieved." King replied. Arend simply nibbled his tart.
Arend was the first to yawn, the eventful day making him tired. Kronth and Arend were considering moving them inside out of the cold, but the Pog-children didn't want to leave King alone all night. They relocated to the left side of Dragon's Den, out of the wind, and found a few thick blankets and fluffy pillows. King barely started a story when the realized everyone had fallen asleep. He curled as tight as he could around them before sleeping himself.
[X]
Rose and Iode arrived at Dragon's Den near two in the morning. They eyed the sleeping King curiously, thinking to ask him about their kids. They were surprised to see Arend and Kronth tightly curled around the three, all comfortably sleeping. They gently nudged the group, waking all save for King.
"C'mon…" Iode said softly, reaching out to pull out Mar and 'Ro.
Kronth fell back asleep almost instantly. Arend caught Rose' hand before he went back to sleep. "My room's open. Spare key's in the shop under my desk. Iode should have a key to the shop…" Rose rolled him onto his back to get to her son.
"Do I have to?" Mysh asked quietly.
Rose frowned. "No, but why do you want to stay?"
Mysh laid his head on Arend' chest. "His heartbeat, it sounds so pretty."
Rose glanced at Iode, who was using his wings to protect his children. He nodded slowly. "We can leave him with Arend. If Mysh wants to stay, let him."
Rose nodded, giving Mysh a kiss on the forehead before rolling Arend back onto him. She tucked the blanket around Kronth, Arend and her son. "Sleep well, my child." She whispered before leaving with Iode.
[X]
King woke up to a face that filled him with dread. A banana-yellow Pendragon with faded emerald eyes had been watching him sleep. She had what looked like a large headset hooked up over her left ear with the microphone just behind the end of her mouth.
"Good morning King." She said cheerfully.
"Hello Gliese." King grumbled in reply.
Arend sat up, glancing around with half shut eyes. Gliese glanced back at him with a curious look. Arend yawned, scratching his head and nudged Kronth. "Hey. You gotta get up now." Mysh sat up as well, climbing onto Arend' lap as he fell back asleep. Arend scooped him up and use d King to help him stand. Kronth groaned as she stood up.
"What's with the little sleep over?" Gliese asked King as Arend walked around him with Kronth huddling next to him with one of the blankets.
King grunted and stood up. Gliese stood up as well. Arend noted how she was a bit taller and thicker than King was. He also noticed a brace on her right foreleg. Gliese was a little irritated at King's less-than-adequate responses. She quickly jumped on top of him and pinned him with his legs splayed out awkwardly.
Arend whistled. "Swift huh?" Mysh wiggled in his arms, disturbed briefly by the whistle.
She glanced over at him. "You could tell?"
"He can do more than 'tell'" Aenfel replied.
Gliese stumbled back, startled. King popped to his feet and took a position behind Arend. "…Aenfel?" Gliese whispered softly.
Arend' face twitched. "Yes, and he's kind of a pain in the ass…"
She glanced at King. "So this is what happened to your brother? He's been combined with thi
s boy?"
"Man." Arend corrected politely. "And my father is the one who's guilty."
"And he's dead as they come. Along with Ace." Aenfel added.
Gliese was now eye-to-eye with Arend, her mouth now dangerously close to his. Kronth pulled him back a few steps. "So you're the Myshcell that Seing's been talking about. I always imagined you…bigger."
Arend shrugged. "I can still send you flying with a kick." Mysh rolled over in his arms.
"What's with the Pog?" She asked. "You two adopting?"