There is a beginning to everything

Elise comes back to us resting her weapon with the others while I think I see stars shining in Hirion's eyes.

-Bravo Elise! You fought like a leader. I said to her.

-Thank you Myo. She answers me with a smile.

-You're too strong! But where did you learn to fight like that? exclaimed Hirion.

-I used to do kendo before I came here, but for more than two years I've been trained by Commander Verd. And it has to be said that his training was very hard but it finally paid off.

-You can say that again. You moved with the blade with such ease, it was just incredible.

-Thank you Hirion, but you know there's nothing incredible about it. You have to give it your all and follow the teachings of someone you trust deeply and you will be capable of the same prowess. She says to him.

-I don't want to contradict you, but it would surprise me if one day I could compete with you. Hirion replied.

-I would be interested in learning with you how to handle the sword because you have a real gift. Said Wistom who had said nothing until then.

-It will be a pleasure. This afternoon I don't have anything planned if you want.

-I would be delighted. Where do we start?

-With the basics. First of all, you have to hold yourself like this if you want to be strong on your feet and not be unbalanced .

So Wistom stands in front of Elise and starts training under the amazed eyes of Hirion who doesn't lose a crumb. At the same time, I notice Lyra who has just entered the gym.

-Didn't you want to rest? I ask her.

-Basically, yes. But I told myself that if I left you alone for more than ten minutes, you would risk being noticed. she says jokingly.

-You're not so wrong. I said to her, giving her back her smile.

-What have you done now? asks Lyra.

-Hirion and I did nothing, but Wistom fought a duel with a non-commissioned officer.

-What?! she shouts.

-Don't worry, Wistom lost, but Elise gave that arrogant bastard a maid. Says Hirion, mimicking the fight.

-Uh... Who is this Elise? asks Lyra.

-That's the girl right there who trains Wistom. Said Hirion, pointing at her.

-Ah, I see. Where do you know her from? she asks us.

-We just met her. More exactly Hirion met her while he was reading in the library. I said to her.

-Yes, it's funny, we were looking for the same book and she is very interested in aquatic plants, which is rare. And then she offered to follow her during her training so we followed her here. Continue Hirion.

-I think I understand the situation. I guess the fact that she is rather cute has nothing to do with it my dear Hirion. she says, putting on her mischievous little face.

-Ah! I am not the only one to think in this way, thank you Lyra. I said to her.

-But you are really talking nonsense! It seems that you were going to annoy me. Grumpy Hirion.

-But no, but no Hirion. Sorry Lyra.

-We're just teasing you a little, that's all. I confess to her.

-In the end, she's still strangely forticulate, look at the two of them. Said Hirion with her eyes fixed on Wistom's training.

It's true that she is impressive, she only parries Wistom's strokes but nevertheless, she does it with such ease and class that it amazes me. Wistom tries as best she can to find a loophole, but nothing can be done, she dodges or parries her blows. Finally, he drops his gun and slams it to the ground shouting: Gotcha! At last!

-It's not what I expected, but it's not bad at all. Elise is having fun.

-No, but what a brute, that one. Criticism Hirion.

-Don't worry. She must have seen others. I tell him to reassure him.

-Yes, but all the same. Throwing herself at a lady like that. He's the only one who can do it. Go on, Hirion.

-That's true. Laughs Lyra.

For a little more than half an hour, we enjoy the show given to us by Wistom and Elise, but also by all the others who train hard. After all this time, they both decide to take a little break for a drink and sit down next to us.

-You're doing really well Wistom. I wish that after the break you would use your power in combat to see what the combination of the two can do. Suggest Elise.

-Can we use our power in the middle of everyone? I ask her.

-No, no. We'll go to a room next door. On the central field, it is strictly forbidden to use one's powers, this avoids collateral damage. It's already happened, so it's forbidden now. She answers us.

-Can we come and see? asks Lyra.

-Yes of course, if you want. Answers Elise.

-Let me give the guys a break anyway. Wistom exclaims, dripping all over the place.

-Don't worry. Take your break and we'll pick up again when you're ready. Says Elise.

-Does a week seem like a reasonable length of break? Ask Wistom, all bowed up.

-Aahahahahah. It does seem reasonable indeed. Elise is having fun.

-You're giving up bro!? That's not like you. I say to her.

-I'm not giving up. I'm putting off my revenge until later and I'd like to see you hold on to it. Wistom answers me.

-That's a good idea. Bid Hirion.

-It would be interesting to see you at work. Bid Lyra.

-Uh... no. The last time I held a sword, must have been when we were fighting the pirate and the navy with Wistom when you were about ten years old. So I think I can say that the outcome of the fight seems a bit inevitable. I say.

-He who tries nothing has nothing. Hirion answers me.

-Come on Myo, don't be a sissy.

-... Well, I'm going, but I've warned you. Is it OK if I replace Wistom for the second round? I ask Elise.

-Not at all. It's up to you to choose the weapon you want to train with and we'll go.

So I get up and go to the weapons cache. There are several pieces of furniture where many wooden and real weapons are on display. Most of them have names that are totally unknown to me. So I look through this exhibition to find some that I feel comfortable with. I can't believe the way I analyse the weapons, the sharpness, the lightness, the handling, I try to take all this into account to make up my mind. Finally, my gaze stops on a rather amazing weapon. It looks like a one-handed scythe to which a chain has been attached with a metal ball at the end.

-What is the name of this weapon? I ask Elise.

-It's a Kusarigama. But I advise you not to use it for a first fight because it is excessively difficult to handle. I myself would have difficulty using it. Elise admits to me.

-Nevertheless, this weapon fascinates me. I'll risk it.

-As you wish. Do you want us both to fight with it?

-No, no. Take whatever gun you want and we'll see.

-That's fine. I'll take a Tachi. Normally, your weapon has an advantage over a weapon like mine. That should spice things up a bit.

-We'll see.

-Can we go?

-Yep, I'm all set.

-We'll follow you. Said Hirion.

And with these words, we follow Elise. We approach a sort of small house and Elise slides the two doors to let us into a huge arena tiled from floor to ceiling with a grey stone. This room is easily the size of a cricket pitch whereas the house seemed to be only the size of my bedroom. But after everything we saw, it doesn't even surprise us anymore.

-Here we will have room to move around. Since this is the first time you are fighting, I will allow you to use your power.

I smile and answer him: It's funny because you won't even see my power at work.

-So I will try to be careful to observe it. Elise answers me by getting into position.

The others on their side move away a little and encourage me.

-Go ahead Myo and show no mercy because she's a girl! Shouts Hirion.

-Give it all you've got! Shout Lyra.

-Don't let your brother impress you and show him what a man of your calibre is capable of. Wistom outbid.

I'm getting into a fighting position myself. The right foot forward, the weapon in my right hand and the chain wrapped around my left hand. She unlocks and tightens her hands against the handle of her weapon before saying: Hajime!

As usual, she remains very concentrated and moves slowly in my direction with the blade in the clear. You have to think about a strategy. It's all very well to choose a weapon because we find it has an interesting look and it seems to be very technical and to be able to offer several attack systems. If I am not able to implement them it will be useless. First of all, she is an excellent swordsman and she moves with great agility. It also seems that she is able to anticipate attacks and she proved it during training against Wistom and against Yangebe. The only way to surprise her is with my watch. If I can find an opening where I can hit in two different places, the trick is won. But that's easier said than done.

-So you don't want to fight? This is not a chess game. You have to analyse and fight fast. Exclaims Elise.

-Maybe, but this is about checkingmate without me knowing how to fight, so excuse me for taking my time. I answer her.

-I'll give you five seconds. After that I'll attack!

-Thank you for this delay.

She's pressuring me like crazy. If I don't find a parry soon, I'm cooked.

-5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Over.

And she rushes at me. Her first shot is easily parable, she just hit it straight up. But things get tough, she pulls out her blade and tries to hit again. I decide to throw myself to the ground at the last moment to dodge without really thinking and her blow passes right over me. She doesn't let go and I don't even have time to get up as she strikes again but this time with a razor sharp blow that comes right between my legs. I throw my chain down her leg so she can wrap herself around it but before she even finishes her run she does a wheel on the side and the chain hits the ground. I stand up and face her again. She keeps her weapon in both hands and prepares her next shot.

I don't wait and I try again to throw the chain at her arm this time. When he reaches it, I pull back to squeeze the chain against his arm to make him drop his weapon, but his left hand drops the sword and grabs the chain.

-Be very careful that your weapon doesn't turn against you. My advice to Elise as she pulls on the chain to bring me towards her.

I hold her well and she starts to lose her footing. At that moment she rolls forward and goes to give me a sword blow in my legs. I could have reacted if I had seen the blow coming. But then I couldn't. She strikes without putting too much force on my calf. Nevertheless, the blow is violent enough to make me fall to the ground.

-And it's lost. Sorry, I was expecting something better from you. She said, holding out her hand.

-Don't worry, I'm just warming up. I tell him while I press my watch.

I find myself pulling it towards me again. -Be careful that your gun doesn't turn against you. Elise advises me as she pulls on the chain to bring me towards her.

Quickly, I take my support and prepare to dodge her at the last moment. She rolls over and I duck to the right side to hit her with the dummy blade of my weapon, but she throws herself forward so that my shot only hits the wind. She comes up on her elbows and she turns around half way, staring at me.

-I've never had that done to me before. she says.

-What are you trying to say? I ask her.

As she stood up and put her hair back on she said.

-You hadn't planned any dodging and suddenly you saw my move coming and prepared an offensive. Are you a clever tactician or...

-Where?

-Or the truth lies behind your power.

-Couldn't we say both? I answer him with a smile.

-Only time will tell.

This time she takes her gun upside down and she has this amazing pose again, as if she was too drunk.

-Watch out Myo, it's called the drunken man technique. It's a technique to prevent the enemy from foreseeing the blows that are coming. Shouts Wistom.

-Thanks for the info.

She seems to be getting serious this time. But I'd have to hold on for a minute to try and surprise her again. Might as well say an eternity in this situation. The only way is to keep her away from me by twirling my ball attached to my chain around. It's the only way to save a little time. So that's what I do, I make big arcs of circles with my weapon to create an area where it can't enter.

Unfortunately, this doesn't stop her and she rushes towards me. She jumps under the sphere and starts rolling to get closer. I try to bring the sphere towards me so that she can reach Elise, but she stops the attack with her sword when the blow came from behind her back. No more choice, I am forced to risk attacking her in hand-to-hand combat.

We exchange several attacks and the blows come in all directions. Thanks to some miracle, I managed to parry her little by little, but many of these blows came very close to me. Elise, on her side, twirls and attacks as if she were in trance. Sometimes she closes her eyes for a few seconds before reopening them to get into the gaps in my defence. I try to hit her in the face again but she parries the blow with the flat of her blade and supports it with her left hand. Raw strength is the only thing that still allows me to hold her. I disengage and look at my watch.

Only twelve seconds left to go... I felt like I was fighting for several minutes. This situation is simply hellish. I'm getting tired while it's going like a charm. But twelve seconds isn't a lot of time. All I have to do is hold on a little longer and I'll be within the interval of my watch.

Her strength is her agility, but when she hits me, I manage to stand up to her blows. You just can't let her gain momentum, otherwise her blows have time to gain momentum and she also gains speed because of that.

But there is no time to think that it is coming back. This time I throw her the part with the blade and hold it by the chain and the ball. She wasn't expecting it, but she easily dodges my shot and comes into contact. I rush to her legs and pull the chain towards me. I slide at her feet and the blade comes back towards her and hits her in the ribs. There is no way she can dodge. She is from behind, the blow comes on her right side in her blind spot and her blade is in front of her even though she missed.

A second before the blade reaches the goal, she rolls to the side and my kusarigama goes just above her hair. Slim. Missed again. She turns around

quietly and she starts to chain the wheels forward to go straight towards me. I decide to run towards her to take the lead. While running I throw the sphere forward to stop her in her run. She stops her wheel to hit the ball with her blade while it is still in the air. With the counter, I take support on the ground and I make the sphere turn around me horizontally for one turn and I try my luck again. She dodges again, but this time she decides to jump over it and rightly so. I thought I had her by sending her at the last moment at her knees. Elise dives forward with her blade splitting the wind towards my belly. I can't afford to make a mistake on this one. Otherwise I can say goodbye to victory. I stop moving and she hits me right in the stomach. The pain makes me fall to the ground and I am breathless.

-Myo! Lyra screams.

I can hear my friends running towards me as I hold my stomach thinking it is going to explode.

-Don't worry. I hit the fat. Laughs Elise.

-You almost impaled it. exclaims Hirion.

-You shouldn't exaggerate either. Go on Wistom.

-It's going to be all right, folks. The pain is temporary, I'm going to win the fight anyway.

-I think the blow turned your brain. Worries Lyra.

-You've lost Myo. Says Hirion.

-In this reality, yes. But not in mine. I immediately turn my dial and find myself at the very moment when the sphere arrives on Elise's side.

At the last moment, I lift it up and she takes it in her ribs. This stops her dead in her tracks and she goes off to the right side and slides badly on the ground.

-And boom! One Shot! Wistom screams.

I rush towards her and I see that she holds her ribs before she lets out a little laugh that is softened by a few coughs that she drops. The others also arrive to see how she is, while I help her up and she tells me.

-It was spectacular. I was sure your shot was aimed at my legs but at the last moment you lifted her up into the air. I sinned out of pride. I should have kept your gun at a safe distance.

-Stop it. It's just a fluke. You've been on top the whole fight. All I did was suffer during the duel.

-It was huge! You were both spectacular! Wistom marvels.

-Myo you did it! And Elise, you're simply out of the ordinary. We congratulate Lyra.

-For a nerd, you did really well Myo. Even if I think that Elise went a bit easy on you sometimes. Said Hirion.

-One thing's for sure, this gun won't be mine. At first I thought that I was going to hurt myself with this wooden sphere. And I hope I didn't break anything, Elise. I said to her.

-No, no, you didn't. Don't worry about that. I'll get a nice bruise, but nothing more. Thank you for the lesson today. Elsie answers me

-No, it is I who thank you. It's very nice of you to take the time to train us and I'm very sorry. I said to him.

-But not at all. It's the game. If we don't take hits here, then we risk being injured on the field or worse.

-By the way Elise. Sorry to ask you after a fight like that. But I was wondering if you could give us some guidance as to what equipment we need to take with us on a mission because we are leaving tomorrow and we don't know what we need to take with us. Ask for Hirion.

-It's a good question, surprisingly Hirion. You surprise me sometimes. Lyra laughs gently.

-Gnagnagna... he answers.

-Ahhahahhah. Don't worry. Someone will prepare your equipment for the missions. The only thing you have to carry with you for the departure is your outfit according to where you are going and also your weapon and personal belongings if you have any.

-As far as weapons are concerned, we really don't know anything about them. So it's almost impossible to choose. Lyra exclaims.

-Normally, it's the squad leader who helps his new recruits to choose, but I'll go with you to the armoury if you want. Just to have a first look.

-It would be a great pleasure. Answer Lyra.

-We follow you. Said Wistom.

She finally drops me to walk by herself and we follow her out of the training room and we come face to face with Captain Okata.

-Please excuse me. But I have just remembered that I have not yet given you a tour of the armoury so that you can equip yourself. Said the captain, scratching the back of his head a little embarrassed.

-That's good because we were also going there with Elise. Answers Hirion.

-Nice to finally meet you Captain Okata. I have often heard about you in the stiff navy. Said Elise, humbly greeting the captain.

-Oh don't be so formal. I'm just getting old is all. You'll see, in a few years' time there will also be stories told about you. Answer Okata.

-We'll have stories about us too? Has fun asking for Hirion like a child.

-We'll start by fulfilling our first mission tomorrow and we'll see the rest later. Ironizes the captain.

The captain then turns around and we follow him to the armoury. It is on level 0. It's a sort of portcullis that acts as a gateway. It opens, however, by going down into the floor and not into the ceiling. The place is darker than the hall and the walls are made of a rather austere black stone. On the way there are many exposed armours which are placed like statues, some of them posing as if they were going to fight against us.

-I present you the armoury of our base that we call the heart of the magma. It is held by Captain Chansu. He makes sure that our orders are delivered on time, sometimes a little crazy, and he designs almost all the equipment you can see here. Says Captain Okata.

-All of it. Said a voice from the ceiling.

So we look above our heads and see a man standing with his feet to the ceiling watching us with his arms behind his back.

-I design the totality of what you can see here. And it happens to me in exceptional cases, when I don't want to tire myself out for trifles that I let one of my apprentices draw two, three things. Underlines the man.

His outfit is as astonishing as his appearance. He wears a sort of half mask, entirely black. He is slender and very neat, with impeccable outfit with a grey lavaliere of the most beautiful effect.

-We would like to make some purchases if you don't mind. Ask for Captain Okata.

-Of course not. In fact, I've finished making your two weapons. I would like you to try them out before you leave. Answer Chansu.

So he comes down, walking quietly against the walls to the mainland to greet Captain Okata.

-Is this your new team? asks Chansu.

-Yes, indeed. Captain Okata answers him.

-It's curious... I was sure I heard that you refused to leave with a new team after what happened at B-Frost.

-That is indeed what I told Colonel Berrin.

-But he didn't listen to you, and he dumped you with new kids to babysit.

-It's all right, we're not kids anyway. Answer Wistom.

-BANG!

Suddenly a detonation sounded throughout the cave. Captain Chansu turned around at breakneck speed and shot Wistom right in the middle of his hair. Captain Okata turns slowly towards us as if nothing had happened but we don't dare to move.

of an eyelash. Captain Chansu takes a few steps towards Wistom and puts his pistol on his shoulder and says :

-You're just kids. With just one gun and three bullets, I can get rid of your whole group without having even a crease in my jacket. When you have at least half a quarter of our luggage. You will be allowed to talk. For now, just follow orders. Unless you want the ball lower next time. Is that understood?

-Yes, sir. Let's all answer tremblingly.

-I pity you, Okata. Says Captain Chansu as he takes the walk again.

I rub Wistom's back to bring him back among us while Hirion is hiding half behind me to avoid another incident. So we start walking again as if nothing had happened while going down a sloping path.

-Why this Chansu? asks Captain Okata.

-I can't bear to be stuck with the incompetent and have to watch their every move so that they don't sabotage the mission through their incompetence.

-You are too hard on them. They are not yet trained, that's why they don't yet obey the rules well and they are not yet capable of doing everything that will be asked of them in the field.

-You are too soft on them. Just like you are with everyone else. Be careful with that because it will get you lost.

-Until then, I intend to lead my men and women as I wish.

-Of course you will. I was just making a comment, nothing more.

The way Chansu talks to Okata is quite confusing. Sometimes neat and fine and sometimes aggressive and dry. I have the impression that he doesn't carry it so much in his heart but at the same time he fears it which makes him respect it all the same.

-Do you know about your twin brother?

-What about him?

-That he was given a Sekaï yesterday morning. It seems that the kid is promising and so is the girl who accompanies him.

-I saw him take his band but I didn't know which one was a Sekaï.

-It's good news for us. We're going to be able to get our guys on the field faster.

-Yes, and we'll probably get more liaison points too. This will avoid walking for hours to get back to the base. Do you have any other news otherwise?

-Except that Commander Uzaku is bringing Suzy and Moonfleet in but you must know more about that than I do.

-Yes. We had a meeting after lunch. They want to discuss the growth of some mob organizations and a new problem called Kyojin.

-Kyojin... a peculiar name. Underlines Chansu.

-For guys who seem to be just as singular. There have been several incidents and always serious. That's also why they want to get together. To put everything on the table and circulate information.

-And Commander Sherry will unfortunately not be there because she is currently in charge of the security of her majesty who is on her way to Flogg territory right now to sign a historic commercial and military treaty. Chansu sighs.

- Ah, I forgot your fascination for this woman.

-It's not fascination, it's esteem. I esteem her enormously for her way of calming things down with the Squal and Cyonn.

-It's true that she did a good job. Let's hope that the status quo is maintained for a long time to come.

-Yes, let's hope so... Here you are in my studio. The Heart of Magma. Don't touch anything until I come back. Said Manchu as he left for his counter.

The decor is crazy. We are in the very heart of a volcano. On our right, we see a real waterfall of lava flowing down and spreading abundantly like a river. There are some stalagmites and stalactites decorating the floor and the ceiling. In front of us, behind an ebony counter, there is a huge wooden cupboard full of weapons and armour. The counter is overflowing with papers, notes and sketches that flood what appears to be a desk.

-You still haven't cleaned up, I see. Captain Okata amuses himself.

-I haven't, but then there's plenty of time for that sort of thing. Every project I'm asked to do brings another one.

-At least you don't have time to get bored.

-You mean dying. Even when I'm sick I have to come here to look after my apprentices, otherwise they'll do anything. And given the price of certain materials, we would go straight into bankruptcy. I can't wait to retire, I tell you.

-Oh stop it Chansu. You're not even thirty-five years old and you're complaining. Look at me, I'm forty-two...

-Yes, I know the song well, but you don't have to think, calculate, measure all the time. It's an ordeal to have to think so much. Ah! It's OK, I put them there. Chansu says, putting two blocks of stone on the table, it seems.

We approach with our captain and we observe these two weapons tools while Okata grabs them with both hands. They are spouts of American fists in the shape of a U. The two bands of the U run along the forearm and end in a bump. The captain makes a few movements and even takes the weapon in the other direction so that we have the impression that he is fighting with a white stone magnet. This breaks with his totally black and purple outfit.

-You did a good job again. They are even lighter than last time.

-And no less solid. I invite you to knock into one of the stalagmites and you will see for yourself.

The captain takes a few steps on himself and then lands. His legs are spread apart, his right hand in front of him and he takes a long breath. Then he makes a first gesture towards the stalagmite, slowly as if to take his bearings. Finally, he takes another long breath and he takes a violent blow towards the stalagmites. However, at the last moment, he stops his blow a few centimetres away from the structure. And it shatters. We can't believe our eyes. He stopped his blow, but the stalagmite still exploded. Even though he didn't touch it. Everyone spreads their eyes wide open and even rubs them, so fantastic is the scene.

-It's perfect. I'll take them from you. How much do I owe you? Ask Captain Okata.

-Fifteen rubies.

What's that? But it's a fortune. It's the equivalent of one thousand five hundred gold coins. A real fortune.

-So your prices will never go down. But if your equipment is as reliable as ever, then I'll take it.

-That's fine. Do you need anything else?

-Yes, I need weapons for these young men.

-Ah... Do they know what they want?

-Well, that's just it... Start Wistom before they get interrupted.

-I wasn't talking to you. Said Chansu Dryly.

-Not yet. I'd like you to take me out of your collection, so we can make up our minds. Ask for Captain Okata.

-Um, I see. Listen, if it's only that, look at what's on the first and second shelves. For my part, I'll go back to my workshops. Just leave ten pieces of brass for each weapon you take. Answer Chansu as his counter turns ninety degrees to let us approach. Once the counter is in position, he picks up some documents and greets Captain Okata before going into a tunnel next to the cabinet.

-Um, there is a bit of choice, but it's not bad. Captain Okata says, taking a shield from the first shelf.

-If you allow me a suggestion captain. Say Elise.

-Yes, soldier? Answer the captain.

-Far be it from me to command you, but I have trained with Wistom and I think he would be perfect in the role of Citadel. Go after Elise.

-Um... it could indeed be. Think Okata.

-What do you mean by Citadel? I'm asking.

-Often when we talk about battle formations, we use certain names so that everyone understands the same thing. There are a lot of terms, but only seven are really essential.

First of all, the king. He is the squad leader, it is imperative to follow him and defend him. Sometimes he may be the only one who has the information to finish the mission for security reasons. It is therefore necessary to follow him and make sure that he does not fall into enemy hands.

The second is the horseman. He is the one who must be able to engage the fight first. He has the speed and the effect of surprise, but he must avoid prolonged fighting, otherwise he risks losing the advantage of his initiative.

In third place, we have the citadel. Its primary role is to agglomerate the enemies around it as much as possible and to contain them. It is often the one with the strongest armour and weapons geared towards defence, such as bulwarks, shields and scutums.

Then there is the scout. He is there to advance into enemy lines, get information and return to his squad without being seen. It's a very risky job, but he is the keystone to accomplish any mission outside.

Then there is the mortar. Its role is simple, to destroy enemies from a distance before they come into contact with its allies. It remains in support and only goes to the body to the body if it has been ordered to do so.

In sixth grade, it is a very complicated role that few squads have because it requires a real innate talent. It's the actor. His job is to infiltrate the opposing camp and wait for the king to give him the green light to act. It is often thieves or assassins who carry out these missions.

Finally, there is the priest. He is the healer of the group. Each squad must have a person dedicated to this task. Otherwise, the losses would be much greater in the field.

So much for your education.

-And we're each going to have one of our roles? Ask Hirion.

-Yes, we will. Answer Captain Okata.

-That means that some of us will have several, because you mentioned seven and there are five of us if we count you with us. Underlines Lyra.

-All her roles are important, but at this stage we're going to settle for one role per person and for my part I'll remain in the role of the king. Answer Okata.

-So if I understand well, I'm going to be in the melee in a titanic armour. Wistom roars.

-That's almost right. Except that for the moment your armour won't be titanic. Having fun answering Okata by giving Wistom his shield and sword.

-What about us? asks Lyra.

-You... first of all, Hirion will make a perfect scout with his power and for that, you will take these two scimitars. They are light but very sharp blades so take care. On your side, Lyra you will be the priestess. You will fight with all of us but we will make sure that nothing happens to you. So that you can heal us. I have checked, as you help your mother from time to time in her clinic, so you won't be afraid of the wounds at least. Said the captain, giving Lyra a sword and a dagger.

-Have you investigated us? Lyra exclaims with surprise.

-Just a little, but I didn't have fun looking for much, don't worry. At last for you Myo... You're going to take this gun. It has a blade under the barrel to allow you to fight hand-to-hand and you're also going to take this dagger just in case. Captain Haka told me that you know how to use a firearm so it's perfect.

-Correction. He fired several times and by a miracle it hit. Captain, I'm sorry but I don't feel like a warrior's soul. Admit Lyra.

-I understand how you feel. I've experienced it too. I understand that you don't want to fight and you just want to go back to your old life. But that's impossible because outside there are abject people who only want one thing, to see the world at their feet. And we are here to protect honest people, simple people to live happily and not in fear of their coming. Tomorrow, I will not ask you to fight for yourself. But for them, for all those who have not been fortunate enough to have the power to fight and protect their families.

This speech gives us balm in our hearts. Only a few seconds ago I was thinking like Lyra. But the captain is right. We can't pretend that nothing happened and keep our power to ourselves and go home as if nothing had happened. We have to help the people outside, as best we can, even if it means fighting. Because if we don't, no one else will do it for us. Besides, I want to learn more about the Cloud of Rey.

The captain now puts the copper coins on the counter and turns around to face us.

-I know that you are worried about leaving on a mission tomorrow so we are going to train in a special room. Direction the ivory tower. You will see, this room is perfect for training and evolving in record time. We said Captain Okata as we set off on our steps.

So we follow him to get out of this cave where the heat was really starting to be stifling.

-Why have a workshop in such a place? He could work in better conditions. asks Hirion.

-Indeed. At first glance, the place does not make you dream, but to cast metal and melt certain materials at more than one thousand two hundred degrees, nothing beats a good old volcano. Don't you think so? Answer the captain.

-Ah, yes, I do. It's not stupid, in fact. Reply Hirion.

-But how can a place like this exist? I mean the whole building is quite surreal and titanic. Where are we really? Ask Lyra.

-I can't really tell you. The only thing I can answer is that you are not here in a place forged by men. This is not against you, but it makes the place even safer because nobody except the senior officers know where we are at the moment. This secrecy allows us to keep ourselves safe from possible assaults or infiltration. Explains Captain Okata.

-What is so special about this room you are taking us to? I'm asking her that question.

-This room is the only one of its kind here. Time is slowed down considerably. In fact, to be exact, it is so close that when we get there we can train for hours when it will only be a few minutes for the others that we have left.

-What? Exclaims Wistom who did not understand the explanations.

-It's a room where time flows more slowly. Isn't that right? I ask him.

-Sort of. Just tell yourself that we'll take the time to train and you can still rest tonight and be ready to go tomorrow morning. Answer Captain Okata.

-All I dream about is a good pillow. Hirion sighs.

-It will come, Hirion, but before that you will show me what you have in your stomach. Smile captain.