Fate's Worst Children: Destruction

Chapter 17

"Is everything ready, Arete?" Han asked who had just finished writing a book that he would send to the library of each country they were going to.

"Yes. Faier and I have fixed everything that can be fixed." She sat next to Han, "Han."

"Hmm? I'm still working on something."

"Can we find some Paulownia wood?"

"What for?"

"I want to make a musical instrument."

"Interested in learning how to play?"

"Yes. Actually..."

"Dad, what's that on your lap?"

"Oh this? This is a guitar." Her father made a sound out of it, "it's a musical instrument."

She looks closer, "it has six strings!"

"Yes. It can be played by strumming or plucking each string while your finger is pressing against selected strings near the fret so it will create a different note."

"That's amazing! Can you teach me how to play with it?!" She jumps happily.

"Of course. After you finish your homework."

"You're no fun, dad!" She pouts as she goes back to writing.

"So you love music the moment you hear about it?"

"Yes." She smiled longingly, "even though I went to the orphanage and spent my first year as a teenager there, I still love music. It's like whenever I can't say what I feel, by singing, you can feel yourself moving forward knowing people will know it."

"It's a beautiful explanation, Arete." He added his signature at the back of the book he wrote.

"Han..."

"Hmm?"

"Now I learned how to manipulate my spiritual energy... If I can make the instrument I want to use, can I combine half of my spiritual energy inside my musical instrument? Like... It will be my weapon."

"Oh. That's a great choice. What are you going to do? Smack the enemies with that instrument!" He holds his laughter.

"Oh hell. Not that! Like I'll kill them by listening to my music! I'm not good enough at fighting!"

"Here we go again with doubting ourselves." He sighs, "You have a talent. All you need to do is improve."

"... You're feeling sorry."

"I'm not? I'm literally not in the mood to pretend."

"Oh... Okay." She smiles softly and looks down, "thank you, Han."

"We're back — I know you're awake." Lobin slams the door open.

"Lobin! Lily!" Arete stands up and runs up to them, "How are you guys?!"

"Arete, you're awake now?! How did that happen?!" Lily holds the woman's hands, overjoyed seeing her all fine.

"Let's say... A friend of mine helped me get through the comatose stage." She laughs.

"How's Buya's leader?" Han looked sternly at Lobin.

"I killed him and cut him into pieces. Lily underwent as a spy for three days and she's great at it. No one suspects a thing. She also fought against the revenants —"

"HAN! ARETE! DO YOU KNOW THAT LOBIN IS KORYN?!" Lily said with excitement.

Han laughs, "yes. We've been partners since my teenage years."