The Children Of Thalia

Second Meeting

Theo's PoV

"So, what technique did you use?" Will asked by staying focused on controlling Avid. I knew what it meant about my punch that could crush the bear's arm, so I answered straight away.

"That's just a little trick I found after the previous practice. My reflecting power will reflect the energy of any attack I can touch. If at that time of reflection I also attack, the reflected energy will make my punching power increase."

Unnerved, Will's eyes widened. "Whoa, that's great. You could even smash a bear's arm. How much power do you get? Moreover, how did you find that trick?"

I'm laughing a little. If you remember it, it was funny too. "A friend got bounced up because I did this when he did the kick. Simple trick, but good enough to generate power."

"Gt!" He also choked withholding laughter. "Oh, that's amazing. I hope your friend didn't get a broken bone or anything."

"No, but she was obviously bandaged the next day."

"May he recover quickly."

I smiled, saying nothing more. I miss feeling a little for them. It's only been two days. Having Lee not wake me up in the morning, living the morning without hearing Val's satire of my over-independent behavior, I was also worried about Lizzy. Usually, I'm the one who helps her get ready for school.

In the thought of going back in time, Avid took us out of the thick forest. After half an hour of travel, I finally got to see the sun again. A little pulse I felt in the eyes when my face was splashed by the bright rays of the sun that began to lean west. A little I closed my eyes, and then got used to it and could clearly see the horizon. The next village is up ahead, probably about a kilo away. Maybe there I'll ask for another vehicle for myself.

"Hey, is it a little quick no problem?" will asked while gripping the bridle. He also seemed to be impatient, just like me.

"Do it."

"okay!"

He flicked the harness twice, and Avid ran faster. The path passed is not as smooth as the grassland before entering the forest, but at least not as bad as the forest. The path was more rocky and bumpy, making the steps of this horse even rougher.

"Oh, right, I'm also curious," Will glanced back a little before asking. "How do you know that guy's an illusion user?"

"I don't know." Reply spontaneously. "I told you it was just a bet."

"But you're supposed to have a guess?"

"Indeed, but only to guess. The bear was weak to illusions, that was why the prairie elf could defeat him. If the young man was still alive after dealing with such a big bear, then he had a gift that was the weakness of the bear. The rest I just thought."

"What if you think it's wrong?"

"I'll face the bear head on."

Will chuckled, suppressing his shock. "Huh, you're crazy." 

"Crazy and intelligent are one level apart."

"Which one are you?"

"Crazy, of course."

Avid's four-foot metal pace quickly led us to the front of the village archway made of wood. The sculptural art in the gate looks so detailed and beautiful, like old chair carvings.

Unlike the previous village, this village looks more "normal" with villagers who look more like humans. They move; pull cows, fix carts, harvest rice, sell, shop, and so on. I went down first, kind of jumped up and straight stretched my waist. Will followed after.

"Wait here, okay?" will whispered softly to Avid. The horse neighed loudly with a mixture of machine sounds like clashing iron. Helder even added details like this, huh?

"Let's go." I said after seeing Avid calm down.

"Come on!"

Passing through the village gate in fact does feel different. My chest was pounding, thinking and weighing what kind of person I would meet here. Earlier, I was in a panic when a bunch of droids suddenly glared at us with their flat faces. I hope the people here are more normal than ever.

The architecture of the village here is more "friendly" than the early village. All buildings are made of wood. I didn't even see the slightest stone on the foundation pillars of the building. The houses have elaborate sculptures on the ceiling and walls, decorated with rattan wickerwork and bamboo hanging or installed directly on the wall. The residents are quieter, but more indifferent. They seemed not to see us passing by walking, in contrast to Major Thorin in the previous village who immediately approached as soon as we saw the confusion. Although the look of the people in this village looked more like humans, I felt more like I was in a bunch of robots compared to the early village.

"What first?" Will asked after we were in the middle of the village. True too, there were so many things happening in such a short period of time that I forgot what to do at this stop.

"Water, I'm thirsty. After that we'll find another vehicle for me."

I continued walking, looking around looking for a cafe or just a stall.

"You don't like riding horses?" Will asked as he followed.

"My waist hurts."

"How little is it."

"For you." My attention was suddenly provoked by a shop with a wine glass logo on its advertising board. "Hey, there's a bar." I said pointing at the place.

Will turned his head, instantly revealing a face that seemed to be saying seriously?

"Theo, I thought you were a good boy."

"Don't get me wrong, there must be water or regular fruit juice, right?" 

"We're not gonna get the law?"

"I guess," I started walking. "Maybe ask first if there's water or not."

The shop I was referring to was on the other side, about two hundred meters away from me standing. My way was pretty fast, we spent an hour to get to this village. More than this, we may run out of time. Quickly ask for water, borrow a vehicle, then get out of here.

Unfortunately, it turns out that all of it is not as desired.

"SUBDUE!!!!!"

My cry sounded right before a huge bolt of golden-colored lightning invaded us from inside the store. The lightning smashed what was in front, even the shop door was thrown and charred in flames.

"A friendly welcome, right?" chirped me while grinning widely. Quickly I rolled back to get up. It's okay, no need to panic. My right hand is starting to get better. I can control the situation. "Will, pull your arrow."

"I know."

Will immediately stood up, posing like an archer pulling his bow. The wind whirled, condensing into a long arrow at his fingertips.

I took a breath before stepping inside the bar. The golden light had not disappeared, instead revealing a figure standing in the middle of the room. He stood up, strapping with both hands put in his pocket. Her sharp eyes had not changed since we last met.

"Well, somehow we meet again, Miss DiMichelle." Say hello. I think it sounds a bit rude, but he himself had no intention of welcoming us with hospitality. "You looking for water too?"

"Curse you guys." Reply to the girl while lifting her legs. He swung that slender leg quickly, making the golden lightning that enveloped him jump, grabbing quickly straight at me. Suddenly, I jumped to the left, while Will to the right. The attack did not create any fire, but the wooden wall behind was instantly scorched by it.

"Damn it!"

Will's sigh was followed by the powerful pull of the wind arrows on his finger. He pressed the arrow after locking the target, directly towards the girl.

Even with the rapid incision of the wind arrows, the girl's insight seemed to be without a crack.

The sickle kick he did precisely deflected Will's wind arrow, making the attack break the glass on the side. Not stopping yet, the girl set her feet fast, then spun around before lifting her other leg up high. His lightning light turned dark blue. I know what the geraksn was, but I don't know what lightning style he was wearing, but I clearly know who it was directed at.

"WILL!!!!!!"

When the girl swung her legs, I jumped forward. He floated an axe kick, with lightning gliding as his foot retraced. Petie from the trajectory of his kick was like a scythe, bursting out a dazzling light, speeding through the air with a bang that seemed to pierce the ears of anyone who heard. I stretched out my left hand the glowing ribbons expanding like a flower.

I don't really know what's going on. My eyes closed as the lightning drew closer. What I found was that the attack reflected by this gift was so heavy, that I felt a little pushed back before being able to fully reflect the attack. What was heard next was an explosion that also caused me to bounce due to the shockwave. When I opened my eyes, the roof of this bar was destroyed like a hurricane.

The girl's face, I could vaguely catch a glimpse of it when it reflected its lightning strike. It is not an expression of a man without a conscience. He was worried, but maybe because he attacked the participants directly using gifts. He's clearly breaking the rules.

My hands tremble. The light electric shocks still felt like needle sticks. I clenched my hands, trying to suppress the effect. Not very successful, but at least my trembling was not very noticeable.

"You really don't hold back, do you?" I said in a stifled voice as it held the electric shock in my hand.

Although her expression looked panicked and frightened, the girl still tried to be firm.

"I warned you. We meet again, and my lightning bolt will strike immediately."

The lightning at the girl's feet was getting bigger. He may want to use a new style, but still doubt whether it will disqualify him or not.

Now start thinking. Why hasn't he been disqualified? The lightning immediately grabbed me, right?

"Damn it," Will cursed as he hurriedly got up and pulled his bow of wind again. "Retreat, Theo."

However, I immediately put my arm in front of him.

"Swimming, Will. The war here will be useless." I walked a few steps. Jangtung was pounding, breathing was trembling full of adrenaline, hands clenched firmly ready if he attacked, but I tried hard not to show excessive expression. The more calm I am, the more superior I am in this situation. "Hey, lightning girl, before you go rash, I want you to know that we're here just looking for drinking water and vehicles. No more, no less."

DiMichelle's son raised his eyebrows. "And why should I believe?"

Inconveniencing.

"Why not?"

"The user of the illusion is gone. You're protecting her, aren't you?"

"I never said I knew where he was going. He's a stranger, a participant. Why do I have to know where he's running?"

The lightning girl was silent for a moment. He glared, looking at me sharply. I glared back at him with a calmer look. Before long, he stepped closer. Each step made the lightning on his feet extinguish.

"I was curious" said the girl. He stopped six steps from me. "You acted as if you didn't know about this, when you were with the young man when I came, you helped him defeat the bear I had arranged to chase him from the moment he entered the forest. But what you say always has nothing to do with what I mean, as if you, me, and that person were never in the same language. Let me ask you before it gets funny: are you Darvan's man?"

We finally got back to the starting line, as expected.

"What's funny here is that you threatened us from the start without telling us why, miss." Answer me as calmly as possible. "After all, who is Darvan?"

The frown on the girl's forehead has not gone away even though I've been trying to speak. Not satisfying? It's okay, he seems to have started to cool. The lightning went out, there was no feeling there would be a surprise attack. If there is, I'm ready, Will has also pulled his arrow.

After five seconds of complete silence, the girl began to open her mouth again. "You're not boasting, are you?"

"For what?" Reply spontaneously. At a time like this, I have to affirm my faith.

The girl was silent again. His gaze could not be separated from me, but I knew his mind was staring somewhere. Good, think. If you can do it fast, because the back of my own hand starts dripping with sweat. Restless, time is running. The girl sighed as I began to feel like I was going to cut myself into silence.

He raised both hands, then began to speak. "All right, I get it. You may not be involved."

Oh, thank you.

"You finally understand."

"Don't be too arrogant" continued the girl directly after hearing me who said casually. "I don't know if what you're saying is true or not, but whether it's true or not, I advise you to keep your distance. If it turns out that you're lying, my threat from the beginning was real, but if you're really just an ordinary examinee, then I personally apologize for my behavior all along."

The girl lowered her head, bowing politely while apologizing.

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