Outsiders

CHAPTER 14 - Our Little Secret

The trio head towards their room and start discussing amongst themselves. Nasa asks, "Hey Mach, since when can you create strong wind currents?" Mach starts to explain, "I learned that and some other tricks when I was trapped at the facility. I was training with the other kids over there, pretty handy right?."

The boys reach the dorm room and sit on the floor while turning on the TV to create a little atmosphere. Mach then turns to Nasa, "And what the hell happened to you while fighting that fish dude? You were moving like a completely different person." Tenbris agrees, "Yeah, we were shocked, also what were these marks that formed around you?" Nasa gets a little nervous trying his best to explain himself, "W-well I don't know what actually got into me, I was just trying to push him back, but those markings, I think they have to do with what happened back at the lake. These marks appeared when I felt the need to do something important, and I'm sure that these marks had something to do with that lady at the lake, she looked somewhat like a spirit. A water spirit." Tenbris comments, "That would make sense, you must've felt the need to fight and your power responded to your feelings or something like that." Mach begins to question, "Oh I see, so that water spirit just gives power to whoever she wants to?" Nasa explains "I don't think that's it, I think it passed down its powers to me... You know, I'm not sure how I'm getting all these ideas, but in a way, I feel like I've always known and had them."

They all think for a moment until Mach and Nasa then turn to Tenbris. Mach begins to talk to Tenbris, "You're good with a sword, but that vast amount of whatever the hell that dark aura was... how did you pull all of that out?" Nasa adds on to Mach's statement, "Yeah, I got some serious chills when your sword was overflowing with that aura of yours, looked sick by the way!" Tenbris doesn't know himself how he managed to even do it but he tries his best to explain, "Professor Zoe already taught me how to put my power into this sword, since then whenever I feel like I need more I just let loose of it." Mach is curious about another thing, "And what about your eye? It was all cracked and purple." Tenbris remembers the figure in his dream and how it too had huge purple eyes and trembles for a moment, but continues, "I got very pumped in my match with Flucht that I didn't hold back, I did feel my face go through something, but didn't think of it as anything, I was too focused with the fight." Nasa comes in saying, "Your powered sword and Flucht's energy, we felt it all the way from the stance, it was something!" Tenbris smiles and takes Nasa's compliment.

Tenbris begins to open up, " Uhh guys? I gotta tell you two something, but you gotta keep it between us, okay?" Mach and Nasa nod and reassure Tenbris that they will keep whatever he is about to say a secret. "Ok listen, remember how I talked about that time I went to the dark alley?" Mach says, "Yeah, I remember that quite clearly." Tenbris keeps going, "So uhh, I kept having dreams of something talking to me, but last night was the clearest dream I've ever had about something related to the orb and this ominous aura." Nasa grows more curious and asks, "What did you see?" Tenbris goes on, "Something was calling me from behind, it was the voice that I kept hearing, when I looked, I saw a huge demonic shadow with violet eyes, it was towering over me, it was pissed that I could access its powers. I think he's a part of the orb, and this power I'm using is his. I asked it questions, but he ignored me... but I think I know what he wants now." Mach asks, "Well, what does this damn thing want from you anyway?" Nasa adds to Mach's question, "Yeah, what is it planning to do with you?" Tenbris continues, "It said that it wants a physical form. Guys, this thing wants to take over my body, to control it."

Mach and Nasa stay silent for a while trying to take in what Tenbris just said. Mach tries to calm the mood, "I-i mean you kept whatever that is at bay till now, you should be good right?" Tenbris looks at him and says, "That's the thing, I don't know, there is still a lot that we don't know about whatever that thing I grabbed was, but I have to admit, its power did prove useful. But you guys should promise to keep this between us ok?" Nasa holds Tenbris's shoulder and says "Of course! It'll be our little secret, right Mach?" Mach agrees "Of course, and whatever that thing is, I'm sure you'll control it."

Tenbris feels at ease knowing that his friends are there to comfort him through his confusion and self-doubts.

Suddenly a knock can be heard from the other side of the door. "Hey, are you guys awake?" A voice that sounded similar to Lotan can be heard from the other side. "Coming!" Says Nasa heading towards the door. He opens the door to find Lotan, Hope, and Vox waiting outside. "Oh, hey guys!" Says Nasa. Lotan returns his greeting "What's up guys? Mind if we come in for a bit?" Nasa holds the door open for them, "Not at all. Come inside."

They all settle down on the couch while Lotan places some snacks he brought on the table. Mach greets them, "Hey guys, what brings you here?" Hope replies "Oh right, we just wanted to see how you guys were doing after all those intense fights we had." Tenbris assures her that they are completely fine then turns to Vox. "So, how are you doing, Vox?" Vox looks at him for a little bit and says, "I'm good, thank you." There is a moment of silence in the room when suddenly Mach asks, "Hey Vox. Do you mind telling me what your ability is? You used it on me back in the forest and it freaked me out." Vox looks at Mach and starts explaining his ability, " I can give small and simple commands against my enemies or allies. But this could have a negative effect on my tongue and throat if I use it too much." Mach thinks to himself, So this guy can say more than two words. He continues to speak with him, "That could be very useful in some situati-" When another knock can be heard from the door.

"Hope? Are you there?" The voice sounded very young and none of the main trio recognized it. Hope gets up, "Oup! Coming, just give me a sec." Hope opens the door to see two young kids that are apparently twins. "Valen and Callen! What brings you two here?" Hope asks the twins, to which the girl twin, Callen, who's wearing a colourful unicorn pyjamas replies, "We wanted to meet the new boys, but my brother Valen was too shy to approach them." The other boy twin was wearing striped pyjamas with a cartoonish porcupine print on his shirt, who appears to be Valen. He grabs his sister's shoulder, "H-hey! That's not the reason, I-i just don't know what to say," Valen says in a quiet voice.

Hope then welcomes the twins inside, "The new kids are inside, come and meet them!" Valen and Callen both walk inside to see the boys sitting around the couches. Mach comes into view and says, "Hey there, who are you two kids?" Valen stutters a bit, but his twin Callen saves the situation, "H-hello. My name is Callen and this is my twin brother Valen." Nasa gives them a welcoming smile, "Nice to meet you, Callen, I'm Nasa and these two are Tenbris and Mach." Valen looks over to Mach and admires his wings. Mach notices him watching and asks him, "Would you like to take a closer look?" Valen looks surprised, but nods and moves closer to Mach's left wing. He sticks out his hand to feel Mach's wing. "Woah... so cool." Mach thinks to himself, Oh my god this is adorable.

Callen approaches Tenbris and Nasa and starts to speak with them. Tenbris asks, "So, what can you and your brother do?" Callen smiles and says, "I can use electricity stored in my body and he can move wind, together we make a great team!" Nasa replies and says, "Woah that's very special Callen." Lotan cuts in, "Ok you kids it's getting late now and these three need to get some rest." Hope and Vox agree. Callen says, "Really? But it's our first time seeing them?" Valen speaks up while still holding some of Mach's feathers. "I-its fine, we d-don't want to bother." Hope speaks up, "Come on, you can always see them later, let's all rest for now." The twins look at each other, "Ok, Valen and I will leave now. Bye everyone!" Nasa and Tenbris wave at the twins. Before Valen leaves he looks at Mach and says, "Y-you have very nice wings, I-i like them." Mach puts his hand on Valen's head and tells him, "Thank you, young fellow. Maybe next time if we get the chance, we'll fly together and see how the world looks from above." Valen's eyes light up and replies excitedly, "Really?" Mach answers, "Of course! I promise you, you'll love it!" Mach says while giving a thumbs up to Valen with a smile. "T-thank you, Mr. Mach!" Mach laughs, "Hey it's only Mach, no need to be so formal." Valen nods and says, "Yes, sorry, g-goodnight!" Valen takes his leave with his sister.

Tenbris and Nasa stare at Mach with a deep look. Mach asks, "What are you two idiots looking at?" Tenbris chuckles, "Mach, I didn't know you had a soft spot for kids?" Nasa laughs and says, "He has been rude to almost everyone, but is so nice to Valen." Mach's face turns a little red, "H-hey! I don't have a soft spot for anything!" Tenbris and Nasa just laugh while Hope says, "Haha, it's kinda adorable to see Mach like that." Mach's face is basically as red as it could be, "Oh screw you guys, I'm going to bed!" Nasa pats Mach's shoulder as he was going and says, "Alright, see you tomorrow, softie." Lotan and Vox giggled at what they were seeing. Lotan goes, "It's been fun you guys, let's all sleep for now and we'll see you guys tomorrow!" Tenbris looks at the group and says, "Thanks for the visit guys, see you tomorrow." Vox smiles, "Goodnight." Hope also joins in, "I look forward to training with you guys soon!" They all walk out of the room. Tenbris goes up to the door and shuts it, to prepare for tomorrow.