The Second Hand of Time

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

THE ENEMIES ARRIVE (AGAIN)

That night, Laelia had a very, very, very, very, strange dream.

She was standing in pyramid formation as they tried to bring down a blond guy who was holding a swordstick in one hand and a wooden stick on his left hand.

Laelia saw Janus on her back, healing the others in front of them. Beside her was a guy—Laelia was sure she never met this guy, or kid in real life but somehow, she knew his name. His name is Dan Mitten.

Beside Laelia is the tenth seat of the elites: Athena Vanistella. She was throwing balls of magic projectiles at the blond guy, most of which he can parry at an impossible speed.

She recognized the others: Criselda Stevens, Maverick Plain, Drake Saxx, and Robbie Warren and of course, the only guy who told her that her song sucks: LeKradz.

Laelia was sure that she never knew the others but somehow she knew their names. The guy who was wearing a ninja suit is named Tom. The guy who was swinging two swords is Clifford. And of course, the healer at the back was Dan.

The blond guy is strong. Even LeKradz (whom Laelia secretly idolize) cannot withstand the guy's onslaught. They kept on getting shoved away, or slammed with the wooden stick.

Then something went wrong. LeKradz was about to charge the blond guy but he and the dual-wielding guy stopped. The two on their back—Maverick and Robbie continued to charge.

Suddenly, the sword point sprouted cleanly at Robbie's back, passing through his heart.

Strange things happened next, but somehow Laelia ran with Athena Vanistella, the Clifford guy, and LeKradz whom Laelia slapped for being stubborn.

They retreated into the arena. Suddenly, they heard a shout outside the gate. It was Dan. He and Janus entered. They weren't wounded, but fatigue is clearly shown on their faces.

After a few minutes, to Laelia's shock, the arena gate exploded. Out of the smoke, a person appeared.

A guy with a scythe appeared baring his tongue (eew) and eyeing them. Then suddenly, his eyes widened as a blade appeared out of his stomach (yuck). Then she saw LeKradz on the guy's rear. Then Laelia understood. LeKradz stopped time and stabbed his enemy at the back. Very un-chivalric. Then LeKradz sliced the guy in half. Mega-yuck.

Then eight people appeared out of the smoke. They talked with LeKradz for a few seconds offering him a chance to join them. LeKradz said no. Then as they were about to murder LeKradz on the spot, the guy in the middle raised his hand. He gave LeKradz a chance to prove his strength. He could choose among the seven warriors as his opponent. Instead of choosing, LeKradz interrogated the enemy first. Smart move, but useless at the situation.

Then, LeKradz turned to them as if he was saying goodbye. Laelia couldn't help but feel sad. She doesn't understand what LeKradz is thinking but his eyes were stern. Whatever he's planning, it sounds completely dangerous. He told the others goodbye. Then after saying goodbye to everyone he turned to Laelia.

He made a painful expression. The he took a deep breath. He said, "Hey."

"Hey," She replied and raised her eyebrows. "So, you want to say something?"

LeKradz took a deep breath. "Well, since this is goodbye, I have to say this..."

"What?" She demanded. She tried to sound stern, but her voice kind of broke.