Chapter 30- Icy Demeanor

Chapter 30: Chapter 30- Icy Demeanor

Alaric took a bite of a small cinnamon roll, letting the strong flavor coat his tongue. He was tapping a finger against the table while Arthur was digging into a large meal opposite of him. The boys had finished their remaining classes for the day and decided to grab a little snack. Well, at least one of them did anyway... Alaric licked his lips before grabbing his water.

The atmosphere was peaceful, the scent of various different foods wafted through the air alongside the chatter of excited students discussing their next assignments or dungeon run. The white haired boy shifted slightly, tapping his foot. Alaric looked off, "You know, I wonder..."

Arthur looked up from his meal, "What?"

Alaric turned towards him, "What’s so hard about me?"

Arthur blinked, sitting up slightly, tilting his head, a question mark near his head, "What?"

The staff user sighed softly and stretched slightly before continuing, "I mean why don’t I have a mentor yet? It’s been nearly a week since this semester started, and I still don’t have one." He placed his hand against the table as he took another bite of his cinnamon roll, "I just don’t understand it."

Arthur looked down towards his meal, stuffing his face again, "I have no idea." He wiped his mouth on his sleeve, "If I had to give you a mentor..." He swallowed his food down and tapped his crumb filled chin, "Ah, I guess I would give you another staff user? I mean, your abilities are pretty weird." He grabbed a nearby glass of water and downed it, punching his chest. "You know? You don’t do just one thing... you can freeze people in place... enhance your staff with fire! You have a cloud that has its own moveset... I’m sure you can see why finding you a mentor is difficult. I mean, what does any of that have to be with being a Monkey?"

Alaric blinked and looked away, covering his face. He had to admit, Arthur had a point. Nothing about his system was defined. It only made sense somewhat to him because he knows of Wukong. Without knowledge of it, he would seem like the most unpredictable system ever. So he supposes it makes sense why he doesn’t have a mentor just yet... He hopes it’s some time soon though, he feels like he’s missing out on something interesting.

A loud blaring noise cut through his thoughts, the loud noise echoing through the Cafe’s TV. Alaric glanced towards it, as a warning label was blinking on the monitor. He frowned slightly and sat up.

"Attention citizens!" A voice called out from behind the label as it disappeared to reveal a news anchor. "An alien has been spotted in Newhi city. We advise everyone to stay inside until authorities arrive to escort everyone out. Stay inside until professionals arrive at the scene."

Alaric lowered his arm and blinked as he listened to the broadcast. An Alien attack? It was common, not as common as something like a dungeon, but still common enough to have procedures. He had read up on all of these... a beat of sweat fell from his head, but a small smirk formed on his face. Arthur had seemingly forgotten his meal.

But... Alaric stood and shot a look towards Arthur and threw his head towards the door. Arthur blinked, looked around before nodding and following his lead. The two scrambled towards the door as the other students were laser focused on broadcast.

Once outside, Alaric grabbed his shoulder, "Come on. We’re going." He said suddenly, as Skydancer flew in and he climbed onto it.

"Alaric, wait..."

He turned and looked towards Arthur. He looked down, "We need to be careful, especially considering we’re not supposed to be there..." He lowered his hand and stepped closer, "This..." he paused and shook his head, "This isn’t like that time you went inside that dungeon." He placed a hand along Sky’s surface. "This is serious."

Alaric watched him and... nodded, "I know."

Arthur nodded back and the two took off, Alaric flew on Sky as Arthur launched into a full sprint, his momentum increasing his speed beyond belief. Alaric frowned, but his smirk wouldn’t disappear. He knew the risk, the danger, everything. But isn’t that made it better? That excitement was returning ten fold after the bore of his everyday school life. This was different, Arthur wasn’t wrong about that. But... It’s different in the way that there are real stakes besides his own life. It was different because he wasn’t alone this time. Him and Arthur were a team, nothing more nothing less. They would be the strongest, right?

’Then why are you worrying so much, Arthur...?’

....

The two rushed through the air, until chills ran up their bodies. Alaric narrowed his eyes and opened his hand, his staff appearing within his grip. He spun it and tightened his grip. It was dangerous running in without any information on what they’re going against, but that made it more exciting. Just based on the freezing air flowing... the alien must use some form of ice abilities. Shouldn’t be too difficult, he thought. He narrowed his eyes as they glowed a soft orange, using his [Flame Enhancement] skill on his staff. "Get ready!!" He screamed out as he increased his speed, the buildings around him turning into a blur. Up ahead, in the air floating above the buildings was a humanoid figure. But its skin was an icy blue, and long silver hair flowing through the air. Its hand was outstretched, and an icy wind escaped a small hole in its palm. Alaric narrowed his eyes, clearly the source of the panic. He leaned forward and leapt off Sky. He flew through the air and drew his arms back ready for a swing. But despite his speed, the Alien reacted faster. It leaned back, weaving past his swing. He clenched his teeth and turned his body as Skydancer flew behind Alaric. His back pressed into it, and with a burst of force, the boy was sent flying in the opposite direction. He opened his hand and Kanji appeared, and the Alien froze in place.

[Immobilize!]

Veins bulged under Alaric’s hands as a red outline coated his body. [Power Strike].

He swung as hard as he could, and the length of the staff collided with its stomach, sending it flying towards the ground.

Below, Arthur had looked up and noticed its flying body. He clenched his fist and crouched down as he ran. He leapt off the ground, creating a crater underneath his feet. He forced his body to spin, generating momentum as he delivered a devastating kick directly to its chest, sending it crashing into a building.

Alaric landed on Sky and flew after him, while Arthur jumped from building to building to follow after the Alien. Alaric was smiling the whole time.

Once they found it, Alaric shot forward. He twisted his body and aimed the tip of his staff towards it, extending its length directly towards the center of its face. The Alien lifted its hand and grabbed the staff, yanking it towards its body dragging Alaric behind with it. His eyes were wide as he tried to use [Immobilize], but when the outline coated the Alien, it instantly broke out. It lifted its hand and aimed it towards the incoming boy. A shard of ice shot out, zipping directly towards his head. With quick thinking, a translucent barrier erected in front of him, causing the shard to bounce right off. But the force shoved his back, breaking through his own body. Arthur had been right at his side. He jumped and grabbed his arm.

Alaric blinked in surprise, as Arthur gave a weak smile, swinging in the air and launching Alaric back towards the Alien.

Alaric couldn’t help but smile as he zipped towards the Alien. It held up its hand, and that same mist erupted. Alaric narrowed his eyes as he zipped through the mist. It was piercing cold, but nothing he couldn’t handle. He held out his arms and grabbed hold of the Alien’s shoulder, the two of them flying through the air. Alaric looked back, and Sky was on his tail. But, Arthur was rising atop it!

Alaric smirked and opened his hand, his staff appearing, tip to its chest. The staff user extended its length, creating massive distance between them. Alaric fell through the air as his and Arthur’s eyes met. They nodded as Alaric pointed, and Sky increased its speed, gaining a dark gray color. Electricity sparked on its surface for a bolt of lightning shot in an instant towards the Alien. It struck true, and it lit up the sky. Arthur leapt, and in a burst of speed, held out his arms in a flying position. His body shot into the Alien, hitting it as Arthur flew further through the air. Sky met him half way, flying directly to his next location. Arthur turned and his feet planted against Sky. With a little assistance, Arthur pushed off Sky and flew towards him again, slamming into its body again. This kept going until Arthur was basically a blur, pummeling the Alien. Once above, he pushed off Sky one last time and performed a flip, lifting his leg and slamming it down, crashing into the Aliens body. The force and power caused it to crash down, a large shockwave exploding as its body collided with the ground, cracks spiderwebbing along its surface creating a crater.

Nearby, Alaric had recovered and made his way back towards the fight. He landed on a building just above the crater created by the Alien. He smirked as Arthur landed nearby. The two shared a look and did a quick fist bump. They turned their attention back towards the Alien planted in the ground.

It remained there for a moment. But, mist began to escape the holes in the palms of its hands, traveling along the ground, instantly freezing the ground as it touched it. Their eyes widened before sharing another look.

It wasn’t down just yet... And it looked as if it had more up its sleeve than they could ever prepare for!