The Hunt for Aquatenite

Chapter - 12 Lucy

So let me sum it up. We reached a very strange planet, we got to know strange people, we saw a strange giant and we are finding out about strange powers manifesting in us. Strange, right?

It had been a while since the Giant Outbreak. We were being given training for what was to come. Every morning, Olivia escorted us to a combat area. She taught Liza sword-fighting skills and moves. She excelled at it. I was still finding out what weapon would work for me. Till now, I had tried an ax (cut off a tree with it), a spear (almost stabbed Olivia), a bow and arrow (hit the bullseye while breaking the board in half. Don't ask how). It had to be a long journey till I find my weapon.

I loved to learn about Aresten's history and culture. The subject was taught by Tyrek. Most of the time, Liza liked to nap in class. Some things never change. From what I'd learned, the planet had five continents. Four of them were named after an element. Every group lived on their respective continents. The continent in the middle was called Havenland. Aten & Fenu, the councilors, and the free creatures lived on this continent. Another class I took interest in was mystery solving. I loved to figure out clues and break codes. Liza mostly suffocated in the mystery rooms.

Riding class was a pleasure. We and our friksens had a great bonding, though sometimes they pushed us off their backs when we said little things about them.

Haven speak wasn't a biggie for me. I was a natural reader. I just had trouble making my own sentences. Once, I'd accidentally called 'We are in danger' to 'My pants are on fire'. Liza? She struggled with it. Aster, our teacher, was looking forward to seeing more in the future. He had a lot of fun looking at our mistakes.

Medical was one subject we didn't suck at. I can't say we excelled at it too. I can just say one thing- We can't be the first choice if someone has a fracture.

Repair class was one where Liza and I could share our misery. I had lost count over how many times I'd stuck a nail in my forefinger. And Liza couldn't hold a hammer without hammering Aren, our repair teacher's head.

One night, Liza and I were talking, our usual before going to bed.

"Lucy," Liza said, suddenly. "That day when you were talking to Oliver. Are you going to tell me about it?"

I stopped breathing for a second. I had been hanging her like that since that day. The words she'd said still bothered me. I recalled the words- If you don't want to tell, don't. I am not pressuring you to do that. Just don't lie. I had to tell her now.

"I'm sorry." I apologized. "I know I should have told you before. But Oliver wanted you to have a little training peacefully before all this."

"What do you mean by 'all this'?"

I started telling her about my conversation with Oliver:

He smiled. "It's about you and Liza."

"Look," He continued. "You already know you and Liza are special. The message said we'd need you to put the giants back."

"Slow down," I interrupted him with his theory of the magical twins vs giants. "Where do you put the giants back? And the doors in the message. What are those?"

"Long ago, the Hexens had created the giants. But they caused a lot of destruction. So, they decided to trap the giants somewhere. In Antarctica, I don't know exactly where in there, the giants were trapped. They were sealed in by the doors. Now, the doors have opened because of the Ozone hole growing. The message said you both are needed to put them back." He paused, looking at me with pleading eyes. "I know the councilors won't do anything about this. I have decided to go there myself. But I can't do it without you and Liza."

"What do you want us to do?"

"First, have proper training. Don't tell Liza about this yet. I know you can handle this but Liza will get stressed. When I think you're ready, we'll escape."

"That's when you came." I finished telling her the story. I looked at Liza to find her lost in her thoughts. She must've had been thinking about the part where he said she'd get stressed.

"So, have you taken a look at the file?" Liza asked when she was done running her thoughts. 

I shook my head. I had been so busy with all the other stuff that I didn't get time. I knew we had to sleep. It was past midnight but if we didn't read it now, then we'll never get the time.

I scrolled through the photos as Liza and I read the paragraphs:

She married Lesin, a mastermind from the water group. As our rules and regulations say- One can not marry a haven from another group. She broke the rule and hid on Earth. We are still searching for her and her children. The twins are nowhere to be found and so is Lirila. The search will be going on.

We started to read the next page:

Father- Lesin

Group- Water

He was a genius. His theories always worked out. We had high expectations for him but our trust was broken when he ran away with Lirila. Whenever we find them, they are going to pay the price.

'Pay the price.' That was harsh. I wondered what would happen if they were ever found. I shuddered at the thought. I looked at Liza, thinking if she was thinking the same thing.

"Let's save the havens as soon as we can." She said. 

I smiled inwardly. I'd expected her to not care about the havens but thank god, she said yes.

We were going on a mission!