chapter 4 : The answer and it's consequences

"Do not get eaten by your shadow ..."

Sig awoke suddenly, not really like last time with his heart pounding but he was already fully awake and feel alert. The phrase from the voice of the Entremonde echoed in him, he felt that the warning could be much more serious than it appeared to be. He saw through the window that day was breaking away. The bed was certainly not as comfortable as the one back home, but at least he was rested and less severe pain. He rose quietly and put his two magic bracelets. His clothes loaned by the villagers were waiting on a chair, but a doubt rose in his heart : where were the clothes in which he had arrived in this world? Just thinking that made the bracelets shone and a mist enveloped him. When it cleared he saw his clothes on him. Again, the spheres showed the extent of their powers.

"So it was a part of the bracelets too, he thought. Good to know that, I'll say it to Nero when he's awake. "

He left the house and felt the light breeze, it was sunny and the sky was cloudless. The sun was beginning to warm his body. He then wanted to learn a little village by itself. With one leap he jumped on the roof of their shelter, trying to forget about his wounds again, and looked around: the village was at the foot of a small rocky peak, the landscape around was amazing, full of valleys and hills. In the distance he saw the giant trees of the forest where they had landed.

" What did they do with the body of the beast anyway ? " He wondered.

The village consisted of about twenty houses of relatively similar size. A little further he saw a slightly encrusted house in the rocky peak from which emerged a larger cloud of smoke. A movement in the village caught his attention and he then saw the first awakening movements of the inhabitants, he also saw Lucie getting out of the headchief's house overlooking the rest of the village. He went down and returned inside. He removed his clothes and lay back to sleep quickly. A few knocks on the door awoke the sleepy cousins but before they had time to say anything Lucie entered with Krista.

"- I'm bringing you something to eat, hurry up and join us at the head's house, she said without ceremony by placing a tray with a jug of milk, a loaf of bread and various selection of jars.

The ladies came out and the men got up, Sig conjured his outfit almost by reflex even if it the second time he did it, arousing the curiosity of his cousin.

- Ah yes the clothes are among the stuff that our wristbands can materialize "said Sig seeing Nero's look. Think of your outfit and it just comes like weapons.

- Everythink sounds simple when you say it ... he said smiling before trying.

The instant he had the image in mind, his dark outfit was stuck to him.

- Wow nice these bracelets anyway, but wouldn't we arouse their suspicions with these brand new clean clothes?

- Ah missteps.

They changed back an ate their breakfast quietly, savoring the delicious jam with the bread they were grilling over hot coals of the fireplace. Once the meal ends, Sig heated some water for them to clean up a bit by dipping a cloth in it.

- I'd like to shower anyway, said Nero while cleansing his face.

- In case you haven't notice yet we're in a new less developed world, forget the shower, the girls are waiting.

- You're condescending you know. Their toilet finished, Sig walked to the door that flew to meet his nose.

- Mmoooh fwuck! Bmy dnoze !

- What are you doing ? We're waiting for you ! And what are you doing on the floor Sig ? ". Between two crazy laughter Nero explained why he was on the floor.

- Bon't laubh bastard it hurd ! Sig said, holding his nose.

- You're coming ?

So they went together to the chief's house. They were joined by the children on the road that wanted to accompanied them. Lucie eventually drive them when they arrived at the door where Krista was waiting, she and Sig stared a moment at eachother. Both of them weren't aware of the electric feeling coming out of them. Again Nero thought they were dangerously similar, two wild and deadly mercenarys... but even he did not really realize what he exuded himself. Together they moved to the central fireplace, the village chief presiding their interview from his large seat.

"Well I'd like to hear your answer gentlemen.

- Right to the matter huh... " sighed Sig. Well we concerted and we decided that we would benefit the village.

- We therefore accept to defend the village.

- But we also need your help, our story is a little strange but it's true we really have no information on this world.

- Without your help we would be lost in an unknown world. The relationship will be mutually beneficial, says Nero.

- Well I think we agree, there is still some thing to discuss but in the meantime : gentlemen, welcome to the village of Cristo. We will introduce you to the rest of the village.

- Wait I have a point to clear before, said Sig, interrupting the old man, the main problem of the village lay in the presence of traptors in the forest that sometimes attacked the village and farm animals. But now that the eliminated how do we help the village ? ". It was Krista, who replied:

"- There are stranges phenomenas happening around the world , there is a resurgence of monsters attacks but also bandits, pirates and we hear rumors of wars preparing. So there are many reasons that you protect the village, but there are also tasks for which you might be useful. " The cousins looked at each other and shrugged and Sig continue asking:

"- Ok, but now what about our story ? Don't you care about it ? Aren't you afraid of us being dangerous ? We freakin' kill something that shouldn't possibly be killed by just the two of us, your words.

The two girls and the old man look at eachother and the chief spoke :

- We know we're making a bet, just like you by telling us your story. You'll be monitored by Krista until she said she can trust you...

- And I'm not going soon... she added.

Then they followed the three outside. Lucie tinkled three times a small bell hanging on a wall of the house and then they went down to the village center where villagers gathered. The chief then presented the two men the rest of the village, although everybody were familiar with them since the children told their story. He also told them the new function that the cousins would have from today: they were now responsible for the defense of the town with Krista, but they could also help all those in need of physical strength. After the presentations the old man took them to the house embedded in the peak. Approaching they heard swearing.

"- I wanted to show you our forge and our blacksmith, explained their leader.

- A forge !? " Said the cousins with bright eyes.

- Yes, but do not be too excited, our blacksmith is a bit temperamental." his sentence was hardly over that a hammer burst from the window, Sig caught it just before it hit Krista.

"- Where's my stupid hammer you freakin' fool!

- In my hands ! yelled the young man.

- What but what? Who is here?

- It's me old fool " quipped Chief when he saw his old friend. The man that appeared was small and stunted, the face weathered because of the time spend at the forge and his terribly powerful arm demonstrated its daily handling of the hammer that Sig held.

- What are ya doin' here and who are these two greenhorns, gime back ma hammer ya ! " He said while snatching the hammer.

"- They are our new defenders.

- But we can also help to forge ! Nero said together and Sig.

- I starting to think that we took children for defenders here ... Krista whispered Lucia.

- No way I'll let ya touch it! Back off lil' twat!

- Anyway you're still recovering, said Krista.

- I just stopped a hammer from crashing down on you!

- Yes, yes, I want you to come with me to practice now.

- Well I let them into your good hands, good day. " And the old man left, leaving the four young together.

Krista and Lucie brought their two new defenders on the edge of a lake where were installed wooden dummy and targets.

"- Well let's see what you're worth in a fight ".

She handed Nero and Sig two wooden swords and took one herself.

"- Come !"

They look at eachother then Sig smiled before rushing at her. He attacked Krista on her side, but she easily blocked. The attack strength forced her to retreat but he charged harder. She dodged gracefully and made a pass with her weapon, taking him off balance. His strength didn't allow him to make up the difference between their techniques. She continued to make blows rain upon him, forcing him to maintain a haphazard defense to avoid receiving a flurry of blows. After a last series she snatched the sword off his hand. When she struck him him to the he reflexively conjured two tonfas to parry.

"- Crap, the idiot " thought his cousin, shaking his head.

The surprise apparation put a stop to the fight.

- But what is this ? asked Krista watching the forearm of his opponent.

- Wooden tonfas with steel plates, the person said while shrugging his shoulders.

- This is not what I meant!

- You made them appeared using magic on your forearm, said Lucy grabbing his wrist. I felt a slight magic exude from you, what did you do ?

Nero sighed again:

- good job for the discretion, well no need to keep that a secret either i guess... With our bracelets we can invoke weapons and clothes as we wish ", and the two of them changed to their respective outfits.

- But Lucie you say that you" felt " magic?

- Yes, I can feel it .... and... no, nothing.

- Tell them Lucia, they told us two of their secret so I think you can say this tiny thing, it won't change much anyway.

-... Ok... " she then stood in front of one target and placed her palms facing each other and focused. Then they saw a flame appear at the center of her palms. She sent it over a target that start to burn. Again the cousins opened their eyes wide, an equally large smile on his lips.

- Fire magic ! They cried. Teach us !

Lucie startled by their reaction laughed suddenly.

"- Ok ok we'll see if you can " she explained to them how to do so by holding the hands of Nero.

- Focuses upon your palms, imagine flame springing from the center of your hand from your chest "

He followed Lucie's instructions to the letter, felt the energy flow but nothing happened.

"- Haha can't produce anything ? The women will be disappointed " Sig said sarcastically before getting hit by three other.

"- Give it a try you ! " Lucy told him. The young man began in a meditation posture, hands facing each other and imagined a flow of energy leaving his solar plexus and invading him entirely, passing through his arms and ...

"- Dude you're shining !

- Raah let me concentrate "... and let energy become flame in his hands.

"- Dude seriously open your eyes ! " Sig huffed and opened his eyes ... to see a huge flame in each hand.

"- Oops ... um Lucie what do I do here ?

- I uh I dunno, stuttered her, try to ... throw them in the lake !"

Both arms on fire, he advanced toward the lake and threw his hands toward the water, two ball of flames left and crashed one onto the other in the middle of the water creating a large explosion. The four felt the heat wave reached them, the lake was now agitated with waves and steam was rising again where it had hit eachother. When calm returned Nero watched his cousin.

- Damn... You know you produced high heat even before these two huge freaking stuff on your arms appeared ?

- Not in the least, I was focused on producing... well that ... It came without noticing.

- And to me it took me weeks of training and mastery to get to produce a flame as earlier ... " murmured Lucie a little upset by the result of the beginner.

- Wait it might be a fluke, said Krista reassuringly.

- Sig redo it, smaller this time if possible.

- Ok I'll try, but considering the previous result I'll directly put myself in the water " .

He did not shut his eyes but just imagined his energy leave his plexus and go to his hands in the form of flames, and its members quickly caught fire. He focused a bit and made them converge on his palms, those latter obeyed his silent order and two small balls of flames appeared instead of all his flaming hand.

"- It just comes, they automatically react to my thoughts ...

- It's a bit annoying you know " answered the three together.

- Try again Nero " said Krista. The mestizo tried again but although he manages to perceive energy therethrough, the flames did not emerge again.

"- He may not be compatible ..." said Lucy thoughtfully. " Do not imagine flames this time just focus on the energy, kneaded out into your hand. "

The person did as he advised the young woman and after two minutes of Sig concentration suddenly said:

"- Hey put your hands in the water !" Nero looked a little surprised and then give it a shot.

"- When I put myself in the water just now it waved around my feet before I produce the two fireballs. " Then they saw the water waving around the hands of the mestizo.

"- Get your hands out now but keep the energy you produce !"

According to the instructions he took his hands from the water ... at least it was supposed to but water followed his hands. His members were surrounded by water balls that seemed magnetized to him, the three spectators looking surprised and smiling.

"- Do something with it !"

He twirled the water in his hands, simple figures at first then he increase the complexity...

"- Hey dude ! " Sig called out his cousin, a fireball in his hand and a mischievous smile, Nero understood and replied with the same smile ... before projecting on each other their respective elements. The contact of two opposing elements gave a steam explosion, which marked the beginning of the fight between the two. Sig boxed in the air. Each of his shots resulted in a flame or explosion while Nero countered it with water jets and water barriers. Their struggle lasted for several minutes when suddenly they charged at each other, shrouded with their elements. When they shot their fists toward each other Sig found himself nose to the ground and Nero felt himself make a somesault and crash on the back.

"- Enough you two now "

Krista was holding their arms : she had jumped along with them and did an armlock to control them.

"- Look around a bit ! "

They found out their little warm out almost reduced by a third the lake, and all around them was burnt.

"- You are two public dangers when you let yourself go. You really need to train seriously it looks like, I'll take care of your mastery of weapons and Lucie will do the magic.

- I think you're right we do not control very well, we kind of abused there " said Nero before collapsing, asleep.

- Shit not again .. it's been how many times since we got here " said Sig falling in turn.

They were awakened several hours later by a painful hunger as it was violent.

"- Wow hard the backlash of our bullshit, Nero got up holding his stomach screaming.

- I still have pain everywhere, complained his cousin, rubbing his shoulders. We really must learn to control themselves, he sighed.

- I want meat.

- Me too now... bastard ... well we will hunt i guess?

- ... I agree, but we never hunted.

- With our talents that will be ok I think " and he walked to the door ... which once again came to meet his nose.

"- Bfuuuuck abain !

- Why are you still on the ground rolling over you ? And why are you laughing Nero?

- Lucie seriously Haha haha you're really the best pffpffahahah.

- Shut up Bero !

- Well I guess you must be hungry " said the newcomer. Their stomachs confirmed loudly.

"- That's what I thought. Come, our hunters were finally able to return to the forest and brought meat. Moreover they saw the corpse of the raptodrome.

- They haven't brought it back ? Nero asked.

- No, the small carnivores were here and they had their catches so they wanted to go back fast and share with the village our first piece of meat in a long time.

- We can take care of raptors if necessary, Nero proposed.

- And bring the body of the alpha if it can be used.

- I would speak about it with Krista, come eat with us in the meantime " she said, dragging Sig and Nero by the ears unresponsive to their complaints and petitions. She dragged them down the house where his grandfather was waiting with Krista, a sweet aroma of grilled meat escaping from the house that made them salivate and awakened their appetites.

"- Oh my young friends welcome! Come come, take the meat and some alcohol with me mwahahaha!

- Grand father you still drunk! Krista why did you not stop ? Krista ? ". The complainant approached Lucie staggering, the other two were already eating big portions of meat with the chef.

"- Krista why don't you answer and advance like that to me ?" Lucie was worried, " and you stop eating three anyhow!

- Luuuciiiiie .... " murmured Krista advancing towards her while doddling from right to left.

"- You're scaring me there *kyaa* " Krista collapsed on Lucie, her face reddened by alcohol.

- Luciiiie your grandfather made me driiiiiink ..." said a whining Krista.

"- Mwahahaha come come girls come and join us! The meat is juicy and alcohol warms the body haha, look at the boys they enjoy themself ! " he said pointing at the two hungry men chucking on meat.

- Luciiie don't leaaaave meee..."

Finally Lucie knocked them all and it was calm, the cousins ate normally, the headchief pouted because she had confiscated alcohol and Krista sobber up while whinning. Once the meal ended and all returned to normal, Krista was just shamefully hidden in a corner.

"- Krista, they offered to hunt the rest of the band of raptors and bring back the body of their leader.

- Leave me alone...

- No use, their threat is not significant enough to commit this kind of stalking, practice quietly and avoid to deprive us of our lake.

- Um we weren't paying attention and were too excited, replied Nero, lowering his head.

- You almost burned us and made the lake evaporate without the intervention of Krista you idiots !

- We're sorry ... we find everything so incredible and sometimes it's a little too ... stimulating.

- You have to control yourself, eventually add Krista as she walked toward the door, still reeling a bit.

- Tomorrow we'll wake you at dawn, said she does before going out, throwing a last look at them, blushing when she met their eyes.

- Well, gentlemen, I ask you to go home and take a rest " said the head with a terribly serious look, probably because of the alcohol Nero thought.

- Do your best tomorrow and remember to keep you in check "

They went out and returned in silence, once at home they took away their clothes to put something more comfortable to sleep and then went to bed.

"- Another erratic day... magic ... do you realize ? Said Sig.

- And yet we eventually collapse like morons. We better sleep, I feel that Krista and Lucie will not miss us tomorrow" , said his cousin very pragmatic. Sig sighed.

"- Raaahaaa I already want to run away into the forest there thinking about it.

- Do not leave me alone in this mess if you please, the fact you not want to retry the blow to the blacksmith? I want to see the forge closer ...

- You know me, of course I want to try again, I also want to see it and even forge something " replied Sig smiling before falling asleep.

Author's note : "Sig sighed" ... I swear i didn't intended that... on another note i really didn't imagine all the work translating my story would give me... respect to all the writers out there and the translaters