Beyond The Glowing Whirlpool

Chapter 39: ENCHANTED FRAGRANCE

Almost two weeks have already passed in a blink of an eye since the festival, with Stacie's busy schedule between her Atlantian data translation, studying with professor Torrent and keeping up her archery training with Ivar. She has improved so much within that time, that Ivar thought she was finally ready to start training with the real thing, which he had custom ordered for her back on Sattera, quite some time ago. As per usual, Stacie showed up at the court, dressed accordingly to the much cooler now weather, as the hot summer days were slowly transitioning into fall. Though Asuris planet which harbored Atlantis was more of the tropical condition and has never seen snow, it was still pretty chilly starting late fall and the whole winter period. During which, they got quite a bit of rain and thunderstorms over the ocean and the shore side of the island. And this day was one of such, although, now that they have the forcefield activated, the Atlantis did not have to worry about getting wet. But it didn't prevent it from fresh, chilly air to seep in. Stacie went over to their training corner, where Ivar was already there, waiting for her, and halted with confusion. Their training spot looked very different now. All the usual target stands were replaced by something strange, that looked like several long pole-stands that resembled lamp posts, positioned opposite of each other in two rows. And also, her silver bow along with its gear was gone too.

-What's all this? - Said Stacie, looking around. - And did you take away my bow? - She glanced at the table, which contained one small, metal box instead.

-Yes, I did. - Replied Ivar, readjusting one of the poles.

-Why?

-Because you won't be needing it anymore.

-How come? - Stacie tilted her head at him in confusion. - Didn't you train me so that I could use it for self-defense?

-That bow is just a practice tool. I used it to prepare you for the real weapon. - Replied Ivar coming over to the table.

-A real... Weapon?... - Repeated Stacie feeling a sudden chill from a mere sound of it. 

Ivar opened the box and took out a peculiar object that looked like a short, hand armor made of some sort of shining, platinum-colored metal.

-I had this customized for you, now let's see how it fits. - He approached Stacie and took her right hand.

-What is this thing? - She asked curiously, as he put it on for her.

-It's an energy-bow gauntlet similar to the one you've seen me use. - Replied Ivar. - Only this one is constructed out of much lighter material, and the bow is much shorter than mine, for convenience of use for you. Hmm, it fits perfectly. No need to make any additional adjustments. - He added more to himself. - I was slightly concerned because you have such small hands.

"Wait... He got me the same laser bow as his?"  Wide-eyed, Stacie stared at a little, finger-less gauntlet attached to her wrist and the backside of her hand. "And he actually had this custom made for me?" She admired it stroking its shining surface, which looked like it was assembled by many small pieces with its centerpiece being a small technological device. "Heh, It's quite pretty actually, like a jeweled ornament. Ivar sure has a sense of style..."

-Be very careful with it. - Warned Ivar. - While the previous one was a children's training tool, this one is quite lethal. It has two settings for its energy rays, one is to stun, and the other is to kill.

Stacie's hand suddenly whisked away from the gauntlet's surface with a startle, as she stared at Ivar with a shocked expression.

-Alright, let me show you how to activate it. It's simple, really, all you have to do is...