Project 7 the First: The Hero's Great Come Back

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Lance was still soaring high in the air with his face mysteriously covered. He was looking for the perfect area to hunt, then, he saw a girl struggling. He had a flower headband around her forehead. She had long hair that was braided at the side. She had a flower-like top and a thin cloth that is hanging around her waist like a skirt. She had a pair of sandals with ribbons around her ankle area.
She was fighting with a Shōhisha that looked like a bear with three eyes. It had beige fur. It's teeth were so sharp that it could pierce through anything. It's claws were long, too.

The girl was trying to wrap the beast in gigantic flowers, but it always break free. Then, she summoned vines to wrap him. Suddenly, the bear-like creature broke free and approached its opponent slowly. The girl froze in terror as the beast approached her. She didn't know what to do next.

Lance looked from above and started landing in that area. As he was heading there, he observed the girl and her abilities. Then, he realized that it was Nicolle.
He swoop down in front of the beast and kicked it hard that it glided across the area. He looked at his shoulder and said, "Are you okay?"
Nicolle was still traumatized but she was able to reply.
"Yeah," she said trying to catch her breath. She was glad to see someone to attend to her aid.
"Let me take it from here," said Lance as he quickly glided across the area where the bear-like creature was. He found the beast lying on the ground feeling hurt.
The beast stood and roared with irateness. Its roar was so loud that it could be heard in the entire forest. Then, it raised its claw and started to slash Lance, but he dodged it by flying high in to the sky. The bear looked up and fired laser beams from his three eyes. It was like a laser gun blasting infinite rays. Lance dodged them, and he pointed his staff at the creature and blasted a thick, blue ray of light that froze the beast in thick ice. He landed on the ground and broke the ice with the end of his staff. Then, it broke to pieces along with the creature.

Nicolle was running across the forest to find the guy who helped her. When she found him, she saw him standing there looking at the broken ice.
"Thank you for the help," she said, interupting the moment.
He looked at his side and noticed Nicolle behind him. Oh, it's just you, he thought.
"No sweat," he said in an emo voice. "Where's your partner?"
"I bet she's coming right now," she replied. "So, your an ice magician, huh?"
"I'm not a magician. I'm a frost mage."
"What's the difference?" she said as she folded her arms. "Anyways, you do ice magic."
"That's right," he said, "Anything related to ice, snow, or even frost. Anything I freeze don't melt that easily. And, when the ice breaks, so does the thing that I freeze. And, yes, I can even freeze human being."
She was startled to hear that part.

"You must be the 'Blue Assassin' that everybody's been talking about," she said as she came to her senses.
"I like that name. Who started that?"
"Cut the crap and-" she paused all of a sudden because she heard Shelly's voice calling.
When Shelly was there, she stopped and felt suspicious.
Lance felt nervous and said, "Oh, I need to get going. I still have stuff to do."
"Wait," she said, "Who are you?"
"It's none of your business to know." He summoned his wings and flew.
Then, Shelly tried to chase him by teleporting. She used her duplication spell to block Lance. Lance, then, froze each dummy that was surrounding him. The real Shelly appeared and threw kunai knives at him. He blocked them with the back of his cape, but it striked him. He fell on the ground feeling the pain. He tried to crawl away, but Shelly suddenly appeared in front of him.
"Now, reveal yourself, 'Blue Assassin'," she said.
He laughed weakly and said, "Never thought you could be quick, Shelly."
She was confused. Then, she took of the hood and the bandana and saw Lance's face.
"Lance? You're the 'Blue Assassin'?" She said as she felt mixed emotions.
"W-well," he said, struggling from the pain, "yeah. Please, don't tell anyone. The three of you should keep it a secret."
"Three? There are only two of us," said Nicolle.
"Yeah, but I came to this hunt with my partner," he said as he sat beside a tree.
"Why? Why won't you tell them?" asked Shelly.
"I want to hide it. I want to keep my identity as the powerless student. I need to hide it."
"That's stupid," she said as she took off each kunai knife behind him.
"Just...please... Please don't tell anyone," said Lance as he felt bleeding.
"Well... Okay," she finally decided.

Lance took off his coat.
"P-pagos, the healing please," he begged.
"Yes."
Then, blue aura glowed around him, and he closed his eyes and had a short nap.
"This might take a while," said Pagos.
Shelly started to sob. Tears running down her cheek. She felt worried and said, "This is all my fault."
"It's not your fault, Shelly. It was just an accident," Pagos clarified.
"But... Seeing him like this..." she sobbed, hugging him tightly.
Nicolle giggled. She laughed at her for being so dramatic.
"What are you laughing at?"
"You're such a drama queen," said Nicolle.
She was still sobbing as she looked at Nicolle.
"You know what," said Nicolle, "I'll just leave you two for a moment."
Nicolle left to give them some privacy.

"Lance," she sobbed, "I'm so sorry."
Lance suddenly woke up as his healing was done. Shelly hadn't realized that he already woke up. She continued to hug him tightly. Then, he blushed a bit and slowly placed his hand behind her back. She suddenly moved away when she felt him touching her.
"Oh, I'm sorry," she said as she tried to hide her tears and felt embarrassed, "I must've disturbed your nap."
"Oh, it's okay," he said calmly, reached for his coat and placed it around her.
"Thank you," she said as she blushed and tried to escape his eyes.
He touched her cheek with his hand. Shelly, suddenly surprised, met his eyes again. And, their lips reached slowly, and they kissed.

While they were having their moment, Nicolle suddenly came in and was shocked to see what happened. She smiled at them and said, "Okay. That's enough, love birds."
They were surprised to hear her voice, so they quickly stopped and said, "I-it's not what you think!"
"Yeah, whatever."
It was awkward at first. Then, Lance stood and said, "Well, I guess I'll be going now."
He grabbed his staff that was lying at the ground.
"Here's your coat," Shelly said as she handed it to him.
"Thanks."
He put back his bandana and his hood. Then, he summoned his wings and said, "See you at school tomorrow."
"Bye," she said as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
Lance jumped high and flew away. Shelly looked at him as he did.
"You're in love with him," Nicolle interupted.
She blushed and said as she felt annoyed, "N-no, I'm not!"
"Stop denying and spill it," said Nicolle as she giggled.
"Yes, indeed," interupted Vivian.
"Not you, too, Vivian!" She felt so annoyed as she stomped away. She sighed and said, "Whatever. I'm leaving."
"Hey, wait up!"

Lance landed on another area where he was alone. He took off his bandana and hood and leaned on a tree.
"Stupid," he said as he slapped his head. "What was I thinking back there?"
"It doesn't matter right now," said Pagos. "You have feelings for her, right?"
"Well... I guess," said Lance.
Then, Pagos sensed an unusual presence.
"Wait," he suddenly said, "Something's coming."
Lance prepared his stance. He looked around him. It was silent at first. Then, pack of wolves suddenly came out. They surrounded him. They were violet with pointy ears. Their eyes were shining like the moon as they growled. They all looked at him with fierce.
"These are Tei Heijūn-kas, right?" Lance asked.
"Indeed."
Lance wasn't moving at first. He waited for a sudden movement to happen. Then, they all jumped with their claws sharpened. Quickly, Lance pounded the ground with his staff, and a snow storm pushed the wolves away.
More wolves came, and they attacked him at the same time. Lance froze them one-by-one, but they just kept coming. He swung his staff and hitted more wolves with it.
"They're too many," said Lance.
More wolves surrounded him. Lance was starting to give up. Suddenly freeze rays cane from the sky and shot the wolves. Lance looked above him and saw a white phoenix with icy blue feathers. It swooped down and targeted the wolves with its wings. The wolves ran away and didn't bother them anymore. The phoenix landed on the ground and screeched. It didn't have any purpose.
Lance was terrified at first. He was nervous on what the phoenix might do to him. Then, it started making worrying sounds. Lance realized that it was just Averugius.
"How did you find me?" asked Lance as he patted his head. "Bad boy. I told you not to leave the house, didn't I? And, how did you get so big?"
"Wait, Lance. I think I know what Averugius could be," said Pagos.
"Oh, really? What is he?"
"He's a Hyouha, which explains his blue feathers. They are really good in hiding their true identities," explained Pagos.

Then, his bracelet started glowing.
"Wild Fang to White Frost. Come in," said Justin, trying to reach Lance.
"I'm here. What's up?"
"I really need your help right now," said Justin, sounding like his struggling.
"Okay, I'm on my way."
They lost connection.
"We're going to the city," said Lance.
"I just sensed an attack in the city," said Pagos. "Whatever it is, we need to hurry."
"You heard that, boy? We're flying to the city," said Lance.
Then, Averugius spread his wings, trying to tell them to sit on his back. Lance sat begind his wide back as they flew upward.
His next hunt is in the city. It's up to Lance to finish the situation.

***End of Chapter 12***