Another guy wearing a T-shirt with the words ‘Live High!’. His weapon was also a sword.

“Good, now, everyone attack together.”

An aircraft carrier.

The puppetmaster, I’m guessing, is the sniper.

I clashed with the sword user.

He’s good, better than the other two.

I separated and leaned backwards, a bullet passed, this was from the cowboy. Then I rolled to the side and dodge the bullet from the bayonet hoodie guy. He picked up his gun during the time I was distracted.

What should I do?

I can probably beat them if I tried, the problem is I still don’t know the consequences of harming them. These bunch are just crafts, the real angel is the sniper user up there.

The alternative is escaping.

What would Cain advise me to do? Run, I think.

I want to stay and ask a few questions.

Moreover, all this fighting is making me thirsty for more.

“If I disarm everyone can I ask a few questions?”

The reply I got was another bullet fired at me, which I intercepted with the machete.

I should probably stop doing that. There’s a chance the blade might crack.

Whatever. They have no choice but to answer me if I defeat them.

I targeted the two snipers first.

“Oww?!”

“Sorry.”

The bayonet guy was shot in the arm, my aim was off. As for the sniper, he ducked under the glass in the nick of time.

The swordsman and swordswoman took the chance when I took the shots to close in. I shifted my grip, naturally and stepped aside.

If two people attack at once, problems will occur unless they have enough practice coordinating with one another.

The swordsman slid to my flank, I prevented the flow of the blade from connecting with his earlier attack. On the other side, I blocked the reckless downward swing from the girl.

I kicked the girl away, sorry, and with the free machete, fired the gun.

The swordsman intercepted the bullet. With that gap, I attempted a powerful diagonal down, his grip was shaken from the impact.

I came to his flank and gave him a good kick.

That was a mistake, his sword came into contact with me and I felt a searing pain across my flank. It wasn’t a deep wound, nevertheless, I was hit.

While the swordsman was pulling himself together. I pointed the machete to the cowboy sniper and shot twice. The first one caused an explosion in the air.

The second one..

“Crap.”

It was a headshot.

The angel went limp and fell to his knees.

===

“You should’ve paid more attention to where you’re walking.”

“Sorry.”

I had to get another ice cream because I dropped mine. Couldn’t help it, I was tossed out of the astral space.

The mine was attached to the craft carrier, even though the craft carrier himself wasn’t the submarine that planted the mine? I have no idea what happened. Good thing I’m still alive.

There’s a lot I still don’t know about this whole battle ordeal. Does time stop, or slow? What is the relationship between injuries on the astral body and the real world?

I wasn’t able to learn them from that encounter. If anything, I’ll bring it up the next time I see Cain.

All the while, a robot came at once to vacuum the ice cream, a spinning mop was used and in seconds, the floor was now sparkling clean.

As my father and I made our way back to the car, I noticed the girl, Caitlyn and the guy with the pink hood. The girl looked like she was limping, holding her stomach. The hooded guy kept rubbing his hands.

We came to a cross road.

“Sorry.”

Father and I walked past them without turning back.

Neither did they.

===

“Which should I open first?”

“What is what?”

It was past our bedtime, I was in my room with Lia. We’d be snoring away by now if not for one more important thing I had to attend to before we close the day.

“One is a love letter, the other one is unknown.”

“What in the.. how many girls did you even woo?!”

“None.”

[He’s not lying.]

[Apparently so.]

Even Randell and Innis attested to my words.

Lia looked at me grimly.

“This one.”

Xe pointed at the right one.

I picked it up and carefully tore the flap. Randell, Innis and Lia were like cats peeking over my shoulders.

I took out the paper.

Meet me at the park, Friday on XX, October. I have a confession to make.

“The one we visited often in the past? Near our house?”

“I think so. We saw hir there last time, didn’t we?”

“Who?!”

“Pu’er.”

“That’s the name of the elf who sent you this?”

“Yeah.”

[Highly suspicious.]

[I agree.]

[I’ll incite Ui to give you permission.]

Ui was aether’s AI.

[What’s in the other letter?]

“Let’s see, let’s see,” Lia kept tugging at my shoulder.

“Calm down.”

I picked up the other letter and tore it open. I unfolded the paper.

It was empty.

“A fake letter. The person who did this must have had a lot of time on their hand,” Lia erred.

I narrowed my eyes.

The paper was blank for sure.

But..

I somehow just know that there’s something here.

I flipped the paper front and back. Nothing.

There’s something.

I just don’t know what it is.

“I don’t know what it’s implying.”

“You’re overthinking things big bro. It’s definitely a prank. Alright, times up, good night. I’m sleepy.”

Lia jumped onto the bed and wrapped hirself into a potato.

“Yeah.”

I tucked the papers back into their respective envelopes and hid them inside the drawer.

“Turn off the lights when we tuck in for sleep Randell, Innis, good night.”

[Good night Avner.]

[Good night.]

I placed my glasses down on the wireless charging port and laid in bed.

Xe was taking too much of the blanket. I tugged it back to my side.

“Good night Lia.”

“Good night big bro. Don’t bite me.”

===

dotturndot: To be honest, not even I know all the types of system commands and regulations to this angel-demon war. I’m sure they’re some holes I’m leaving open. I’m making things up as I go. Anyhow, anyone shipping Lia and Shin(Avner)? No? No incest? Oh well..