The Five Kings: First Step

Hopian 132 - Matching the Emperor?

Last chapter, Prósopsi had a brief meeting with Aora which was interrupted by a call from the known Hopian Army associate, "Mrs. Magic". She informed him about the alliance between Quilline and Metallica's group, and her husband took over the call after Prósopsi accused Mrs. Magic of indirectly causing the alliance.

Afterwards, Prósopsi used one of the Hopian Territory's old teleporters in order to train with Aphrodite on an uninhabited world, where he would not have to worry about holding back.

Prósopsi's P.O.V.

"Whatever- let's go." Aphrodite says unenthusiastically as she raises her finger- instantly causing a piece of stone to slam up into my feet from below- ow!

A little while of training later...

🌌🪐🌌

"Hiya- oop- got you- nope, wow that didn't completely suck!" Aphrodite calls out as she hits me with a barrage of kicks and punches- they're all sloppy but she sure is fast and hits like a superpowered truck.

Worst of all though I've only been able to dodge or block about a tenth of the-

*POW!*

Oh crap! I manage to swing my arm up just in time to block one of her kicks! That makes Aphrodite float backwards and land on the ground.

"Yeah yeah ok- I'll admit that was pretty good, seems like you're not AS much of a clutz anymore." Aphrodite says to me with an eyeroll- guess I was smiling more than I let on.

"Thanks, and then after that- to counterattack I'd grab your leg with my other arm, and throw you probably." I say as I snap my fingers.

"No- incinerating me at point blank would be your best bet, course I'd never let you though. If that was Metallica's kick you just blocked though- yep that would be a good strategy. Or I think so- we know like nothing about him..." Aphrodite says with a sigh.

"You ok?" I ask with a sniffle.

"Eh? Yeah, obviously. Just more worried about that dumb Metallica and all, now that that Quilline girl is with them... she'd be able to teleport you around too. Could give Metallica even more of an edge." Aphrodite says as she brushes some hair out of her face.

"Our plan so far is actually fairly good to stop her. I'd throw the teleporter to this planet down at Metallica from above, then use my fire to create a flamescreen to block Quilline's sight, and finally zoom down through the portal myself to chase after him. Would sure be nice if we could just chuck him through the teleporter and just shut it right away though." I say with a small chuckle at the end- I did make the flame part up on the spot though. But I think it'll work regardless.

"I guess. Your odds may not be super high even just against Metallica though." Aphrodite says as she puts her hands behind her back- which makes me tense up a bit. And rightfully so, a giant piece of stone comes flying up at my face from the sand-

*FWOOSH!*

Dodged it! Mostly- it did scrape my face pretty bad though...

"Not terrible, but that sure wasn't good either. One lesson learned here- almost everyone in Habram's universe has some sort of giveaway that they'll use their powers. Like me with my hands, Ontarus with his gross screeching water, other people who call out their Blessings names- you get the point. Metallica will probably be the same." Aphrodite says which confuses me for a sec. Of course that's obvious... but... hm. Guess it's good to put into perspective.

"Alright- enough pummeling for now. You've been stuck near weak people for so long now, that you've always had to hold your power back. So go on. Test out your full "magical" strength, you're sure gonna need it to come out of this situation alive." Aphrodite says as she puts her hands on her hips and looks into my eyes.