I had my finger trained on Astos. I came here to spar with him anyway, so why should I change my decision?
"Good choice!" [Astos]
He came forward and glanced around him.
"I think we should open this place a bit." [Astos]
"I'll do it." [Fable]
Opening a hand, he started chanting.
"Everything is within my grasp, |Dianoia|. [Fable]
The ground shook, causing a gap to form. Moments later, tree roots emerged like snakes. They stuck together like glue and twisted together to form a staff with a golden light seeping out of its cracks.
("What is that?") [Solace]
I assumed that it was his spirit turned weapon, but it somehow felt different. Fable then waved his staff, causing all the trees of the forest to move.
"...This guy can command nature?" [Solace]
The tree seemed to walk, stopping only when a large space was made around us.
"There you go. Have fun." [Fable]
He then released his grip on the staff, causing it to shrink back into the ground without a trace.
"Cool. Are you ready, Alt?" [Astos]
"Yep." [Solace]
I raised my fist in preparation.
"...You're not going to use a weapon?" [Astos]
"My body is my weapon." [Solace]
Fable whistled in the background.
"Cold words." [Fable]
"I know, right?! Hey, you're pretty cool." [Astos]
"Thanks man." [Solace]
Copying my stance, Astos put up his hands as well.
"I'm going to use my fists only too." [Astos]
"Suit yourself." [Solace]
I made the first move. I launched myself forward and hit him with |Piercing Blow|.
"Already?!" [Astos]
He threw his arms forward in order to blow, only to feel a blow on his chest.
"Oof!" [Astos]
Usually someone would get sent flying or something by that move, but he stood his ground.
"That hurts!" [Astos]
"What the-?!" [Solace]
Astos punched me in the gut, causing me to reel over.
"Urgh!" [Solace]
That definitely hurt. A touch of nausea and a bucket of pain poured into me.
"|Pressure Cannon|." [Astos]
I felt an immense pressure blast me from his hand. I was sent spiraling upwards, which I am sure looked stupid as I hit the ground.
"Argh!" [Solace]
It hadn't even been a minute before the fight started and I was struggling to stand.
"...Yep! That's a hero alright!" [Solace]
I wobbled my way up to stand, clutching my stomach as Astos waited.
"Are you okay?" [Astos]
"Y-yeah...! Just... Let me get a breather." [Solace]
I took deep breaths. Thankfully, it only took moments before the pain subsided.
"Okay. Let's go again." [Solace]
Astos smiled.
"Sure. Do you want me to go first this time?" [Astos]
"Yeah. Go for it." [Solace]
Astos charged at me with a grin. It appeared that he was up to something.
("I better be careful with this one.") [Solace]
Astos increased his speed, which was weird since he stopped in his tracks mere inches away.
"I'm gonna kick ya." [Astos]
I looked at his feet out of reflex.
"Oops." [Astos]
He punched me.
"Ow?!" [Solace]
Adam laughed.
"C'mon! Put your guard up!" [Astos]
He started throwing wild punches. Normally, I could have dealt with them easily. The problem was that they were so fast that I could barely see them and that he hit harder than a truck.
"Hey, you got something here." [Astos]
He placed a finger on my chest. It was an old trick I knew so I didn't look down. In fact, I stepped back to avoid an uppercut.
"Woah! You evaded that?!" [Astos]
"That was the oldest trick in the book!" [Solace]
Astos made a pouty face.
"Y' could've humored me." [Astos]
"Don't do that. It's not cute." [Solace]
"Worth a try." [Astos]
I really couldn't believe the person standing before me was a hero. The only times it really sank in was when we were in combat.
"Hey, you guys want some water before you continue?" [Fable]
Calling out from the campfire, Fable shook a bottle of water.
"...Wait, is that plastic?" [Solace]
I had thought that this world didn't have the technology to make it.
"Yeah. It's something from our homeworld. ...Wait, you know what plastic is?!" [Fable]
I nodded.
"Where are you from?" [Fable]
"You first." [Solace]
"At the same time?" [Fable]
"Sure." [Solace]
We counted down from three before giving our answer.
"Earth!" [Solace] [Fable]
We stared at each other in disbelief.
"I have a lot of questions." [Solace]
"Same." [Fable]