Gift

Chapter 8: Team Z

"Is that a godsdamn scythe!?" Jean cried out. "I didn't sign up for that, Arc! We're leaving!"

"Master Jean, I ask that you calm yourself. A scythe itself is nothing. But the wielder is a different story. I sense he's more dangerous that his demeanor suggests." Arc responded. She thought for a second and jumped down next to Jean. "I might have a solution, however."

Ajal squatted down, resting the scythe on his legs and putting his forearms on his knees. He was looking down at Jean and Arc. "So, are we gonna fight?"

Jean was about to speak, but Arc interrupted him. "First, what letter group are you in?"

Ajal jumped down from the branch to meet them. "Uh, I never checked. Actually, now that I think about it, they never handed me my artifact."

Jean and Arc looked at each other, confused, then back at Ajal.

"Are you serious?" Jean asked. He then snapped his fingers, and the artifact appeared in his hand. "You just request it using the Global Pocket."

"Oooh. The Global Pocket. Right, what is that again?"

Jean pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. "So let me get this straight. You have no idea what a basic concept like Global Pocket is, but you intend to get into Arkphis?"

Ajal laughed. "That's not the worst of it. I didn't know what Teleportation Gates were until recently."

Arc sighed with exasperation, but kept the same blank expression. "Focus on what it is you want and then make a movement that is easy and quick, like snapping."

Ajal took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He then held out his left hand, ready to snap toward the sky. The clouds swirled. The wind picked up, and the temperature dropped as if winter had come early. Then a golden translucent dome rose from the ground and surrounded Ajal, then disappeared as quickly as it came. The clouds went back to normal and in Ajal's hand was the artifact.

"What the hell is going on here? How did you do that?" Jean asked.

Ajal turned his artifact around. "Oh, I'm on team Z."

"No! I'm not letting you ignore what just happened!"

"Oh, that? Yeah, I know, I'm pretty awesome, right?"

Arc looked at Ajal's artifact. "Master Jean, look, it would seem we are on the same team as him."

"Really? Wait, I'm not letting this slide! How did you make that happen!?" Jean yelled.

"My name is Ajal. Nice to meet you partners," Ajal said with a smile.

"Stop ignoring me!"

***

"Professor, did you see that!?"

"Yes, Mei, now calm yourself."

Mei kept staring at the sky in awe. "Sorry, Professor. I just...don't understand."

"Understand what exactly?"

"Why is he so strong!? He's just a kid!"

Lucius licked his paw. "I can't answer that myself, Mei. Any thoughts Minister?"

Sitting next to Mei and Lucius was a man of very large stature who took to standing, as he couldn't fit in any common chair. He easily stood above 9 feet in height. His skin was pale, almost white, save for the black hair covering his head. His facial features were quite wide, and his brows seemed to be furrowed in concentration. He wore an ornate robe, decorated with gold thread and jewel-encrusted designs. His name is Vandel, the Minister of War.