DIVINE CHAMPIONS 6: A FINAL CONFLICT

SUN: WHERE THINGS BEGAN

Getting out of Vespasa was no big deal. Yes, they had all blocked their way for an Ishaan song. Apparently Kira had tipped Anaya that Ishaan had a good voice, and she demanded he sing a song. Anaya seemed very enthusiastic about music. She was very unknown to Indian music, but she said that she would love to learn. Ishaan, perhaps, sang the most iconic Bollywood song ever, about giving a hug, and Rick hooted at the start of it. Even Mikael clapped. He knew the song too.

Kira had a car apparently, and she was driving them to Salta. "The Queen would have come too, but you know, I hate the fact that we might be under attack."

"I've no idea why Berg is so quiet." Rick said, scratching his chin, as he laid back on the soft seat, "Dope car, Kira."

"Gracias." She said, "Anaya bought me this after I graduated and returned home. The night I returned, she handed me the keys and said, 'I bought you an Impala.' We know, we Peruvians, we have a thing for vintage cars."

"Anaya is very Peruvian." Mik said, riding shotgun, "With respect to as much as I have known Peru. She seems built for the mountains, rocks that tunic, has habits that suits Peru."

"Barring the slangs she uses while speaking Spanish, Anaya is very Peruvian." Kira said, "We've grown up here, and met people here, and have become Argentine. Anaya holds on to her true roots. She loves it."

The drive was mostly uneventful, except for a few shadowy moments, indicating that Hati would be following the Crystals until all of them were dispatched. This was a problem, given Berg would know where they would be secured. Rick needed to find a way to make it very tough, or if he could, impossible, to get his hands on the Crystals. Ishaan was nervous though. Inside, he was feeling like he could do with a time travel, skip the war scene, and go ahead. But those were cowardly thoughts, as Rishi would say. So, Ishaan was bracing himself. He was figuring out different things. He had been having dreams during the flight, something he hadn't let anyone know. He had seen Berg. There was some connection he had with Jotunheim. He had seen Berg sit on his throne, listening to what his servants were telling him. Hati was, of course, one of them. Thing was that he hadn't caught a vision of Berg's army yet. And he dreaded that in one dream, he would do that and it wouldn't bring good news.

The car drove through the meadows that they had crossed, but with the evening having fallen, the road was getting darker. "You shouldn't have come with us." Ishaan said to Kira, "It is getting darker."

"Yes." Kira replied, "When we'll reach Salta, it'll be night."

"Then?" Rick asked, "How'll you go back?"

"Chill, guys. This road is protected by Inti's magic. Nothing will harm me. Plus, I love long drives."

"And yet, that guy lost his life."

"I have no answer to that."

"I suggest you spend the night at Salta." Ishaan said, "Drive back tomorrow."

"And what if Berg attacks at midnight? Shouldn't I be back at Vespasa to handle that?"

"Point."

"Don't worry. I'll be fine. You guys are the sweetest."

It was at least nine o'clock, Argentine time, when Kira's car reached Salta. Fifteen minutes later, they were in the airport. The boys bid the Royal Advisor of Vespasa goodbye, before running through the airport, and reaching their flight. Meili's stone had been working a treat. As soon as they were settled, Lejet's cabin crew readied to take off. When asked where, Rick told them, "Reykjavik."

"But that'll take one and a half days, Sir."

"Then, lets be quick to start, right?"

"Yes, Sir."