The Game Before the Fall

Chapter 30: Superhuman (Part 1)

Chapter 30: Superhuman

Ardent Friend:

Time passed quickly. With every passing day Erin became more used to living with us and it was as if I had another sister at times. She had not returned to streaming yet but was more active on social media, updating her fans. Her mental state had become much better online but outside, she still couldn't leave the apartment alone. It reminded me of the Aria of the past. Though Erin had not degraded to that point, whenever a stranger spoke to her she would flinch and her mind went blank. Aria however was quick to always help her. The two had become incredibly close in the short time frame they knew each other.

As for how Vanter and I were going, we kept it a secret from our families. Ana had an inkling that something was happening but didn't pry. Our time spent online had been cut much shorter and we spent almost all our time training with Zen. Outside our other responsibilities it was the bulk of our lives. Zen pushed us even harder than before, which definitely was saying something considering what we had already gone through. The difference was her intent. Before, Zen would never hurt us more than we could handle but now her strikes were swift and sharp. Like clay, she was moulding us into stronger fighters.

With close to two weeks passing, Vanter and I had run out of time and had to face the piper. We sat waiting for Zen in the usual back lot of the gym.

Vanter cracked his neck, "I never thought I'd make it this far so soon. Physically, I'm pretty damn close to how I used to be."

"Same," I touched my muscles that had become exceptionally toned. "Though without mana I can't reach the next level of my Aura training and it's not like we have the time to go the natural way."

"I get you," he nodded knowingly. "Living in this world feels like I'm always being pulled down. At least my innate mana is still passable. How do you do it?"

"I'm fine because I haven't pushed too far out of my bounds. That and Endi is a big help. Without her I'd barely be able to do anything."

"You should be careful about that," Vanter eyed me seriously. "She's about at her limit."

"What do you mean?"

"Simply put, she wants to jump you."

I blushed, "Well... I try to limit how much physical contact we make. We've been on a few dates now and things are going well."

"Yeah, I'm not sure that's helping. You don't know this but before you meet, Endi has to 'settle' herself to keep her fervency in check. She knows if she takes things too far she might accidently break your body."

"Maybe I shouldn't have told her anything at all...."

"Ardent, she already had a poster of you before you met. I don't think there was a way around this. Point is, get stronger and quick. Otherwise you really might end up in a hospital."

"I don't think hospitals here can treat mana wounds...."

"All the more to how serious this is." He laughed, "It sounds like a joke though."

"Yeah," I laughed as well.

The door to the back room opened and Zen entered. She was dressed in clothes I had never seen before. On the surface they appeared to be regular exercise wear. Active leggings, a crop top and a light jacket. The light however reflected oddly off the fabric. They had been enchanted but not in a way I knew.