"Kid, you came! Are you okay?" Grandpa asked Sasha as she arrived wearing her party dress from last night with Lurvi in her arms. Seeing Grandpa, Lurvi flew to him and asked for the tea he was drinking.
With low energy, she said, "Good morning, Grandpa. How was the hunt? Were you injured?" Sasha asked concernedly despite feeling bad herself.
Grandpa, while drinking tea and giving some to Lurvi at his courtyard, felt the wind and said, "Worry about yourself, you little lass. And where is that boy?" He asked her with angry concern.
"He'll be back soon," she said as she looked at the horizon. "Wait, Grandpa, I will cook something for you after I freshen up."
"No need, lass. I'm fine. Just rest," he suggested, seeing her in low energy.
Pouting in anger, Sasha said, "Shh! If I said I will make something, then I will make something!" She went without hearing anything back, tucking her hand to her chest and feeling the locket Zack gave her. She didn't want to rest now—her head and everything in her body felt sluggish. She took a bath, cooked something, then all three of them sat together, chatted, and laughed.
.
.
"Give me the usual."
"Me too."
"Give me the normal one."
The trio came to an edge of the 3rd rock and told the shopkeeper, who, seeing them, said, "Tsk, the weird people came."
"Here's your extra-weighted mountain climbing gear, and you, big guy—here are your shoes with extra weight and sticky grip for the rock stairs, plus your heavy ball for you to carry." He gave the big guy and Zack everything while looking at both of them with weird eyes, then turned sideways. He looked at the smiling, handsome one. "Good, good, a normal one. Here it is."
The trio then went down the rock via a wire attached strongly to the rock, not slightly disturbed by the wind. They saw many people climbing the rock as high-speed wind hit their backs. This was the front side of the 3rd rock, where in the morning, people come to climb the rock in the name of exercise. Wind cutting from the 1st and 2nd rock hit here with more force than other places, making it the best place to have fun. Oliver saw the far-away rock floating with chains surrounding it and felt the awe of this place once more.
They got down, reaching a platform carved out of rock, and started strapping themselves with many ropes and straps of leather. Zack had an extra rectangular box object strapped around him on his waist, clearly one more tool to increase his weight. Oliver, a normal one with some hardship, tied himself the same way, clearly not used to this. Big guy then waved at them silently as he went to the start of the stairs, took out the big ball, and touched a button which made it very big—a giant ball with lots of weight, slowly expanding like air getting into it. After waiting, he lifted it and placed it on his shoulder, making him look like a giant carrying a planet.
People around, seeing it, just sighed and started climbing their own way, clearly used to the weird kid carrying big balls. The big guy stepped on the first step of the stairs, walking slowly upward as wind hit his body and the big ball. Slowly, with each step, he moved forward. As he kept getting higher and higher, he could see some mountain climbers resting along the side of the stairs, ignoring him. The stairs were carved big enough for three people to walk side by side. Of course, the big guy with his big ball took two people's space. As the wind increased, his shoes with every step started fixing into the ground like a toothed monster, giving him all the grip needed. Of course, that was not all—a strong chain string attached to his hip was in turn attached to a hidden small rectangular hole in the wall, which was present from start to finish in these stairs. It was used to help the people walking here get a safety net. It moved forward with the person as its strong chains kept the people in place, not letting people blown away with the wind.
The stairs were created to check on big chains that hold the Big Floating Rocks, as well as the back door of shops on the back side of the rock from where people enter the shop, just another way for entry. Oliver and Zack climbed up slowly. No one said anything until now among them—they just kept climbing and climbing. For a lot of time, they just climbed, finally reaching the top from where they could see chains nearby.
Huff! Huuugggh! Huuuggghh! They breathed in tiredness with loud breaths, everyone clearly tired. The trio sat on the edge of the stairs and breathed in and out, looking at the beautiful floating giant rocks in the far-away distance and feeling the wind, they calmed down a lot.
"So, let's bet what Natalia will say," Oliver suddenly said.
"I am sorry for the trouble I have caused!" the big guy said in a simple, relaxed manner.
"I am sorry because of me you guys were hurt!" Zack said with a small smile.
"I am sorry, everyone—because of me and my sister, everyone was put in danger!" Oliver said with a serious face.
Then, after a brief pause, "Hahahaha!" everyone started laughing.
"Big sister will surely make a sad face, right?" the big guy said.
"Yes, she will. Maybe a few tears," Zack shook his head.
"And don't forget the bowing," Oliver added.
"Hahaha!" They laughed and slowly calmed down.
"So, let's talk about your power, Zack. How were you able to stay awake?" Oliver asked with seriousness.
"Hmm, I don't know. I felt like I absorbed those gases or maybe the energy within them," he said in confusion.
"But you can only absorb extra Greynet unstable energy like you did for my sister, right?" the big guy said.
"Was that guy in a completely mad state, like a hungry beast or something?" Oliver asked in confusion, clearly thinking that was not the case.
"He was crazy for sure, but not an uncontrollable beast or something." As he thought of that crazy face, his face started changing again. He calmed himself down and continued, "I could feel some energies around—like some kind of energy coming from this box," as he pointed at the rectangular box on his hip and that ball in the big guy's hand. "But the energy from him was very different. I never felt those weird energies ever before. Even I am shocked why my power absorbed some of it." He brought his hand out, and slowly a small globe of grey rotating air came in his palms. Everyone saw it in mesmerisation for a while.
"What about you controlling the animals?" the big guy asked, thinking how fast Tyra was controlled.
"Hmm, in animal case I felt the same energy from them if they get overdose like Fia's overdose energy, maybe when I subconsciously absorb their energy they get attach to me, I have had many such animals gotten close to me over the period of years" Zack said while thinking.
" But don't you need to stay close to people before you could absorb properly in a manner that could really cure them from that state ? Then how does it work on animals ? Big guy slowly asked while scratching his head.
" Hmm, I think they are more sensitive to the EIRNET energies making them more prone to get mad that's why we see more animals get mad then people. And regarding them getting close to me, it's probably some animals just sense that I could somehow absorb those overdose energies so they got close to me when they were still stable, like for Tyra example, he was slightly more mad than a normal animal would but soon he got cozy with me, probably I absorb a little of its overdose making him acting cute then slowly I probably absorbed everything without me realizing" Zack said while thinking and taking some pauses.
" Hmm " Big guy simply nodded
"Regarding that man power, maybe it could be a different type of Crown power that could be absorbed but feel different, or maybe a completely different thing all together." Oliver messed his hair while thinking. "Ah! And are you sure I can take advantage of your power?" Oliver said while sighing.
"Hm, sure. Just make sure not to bring too many and startle them, okay?" Zack said while smiling.
"Yes, don't worry!" Oliver patted his chest, then changed the topic, saying, "Your power is really different from others. Usually, us normal folks get similar kind of power but your power is like Crown power, completely different and unique. Maybe you are a secret child of a Crown who was born in an affair and was sent away in secret to keep your life safe." Oliver said jokingly.
"Maybe Brother Zack is reborn after battling many villains, and those powers came with him in this life," the big guy fantasized.
"Maybe I have a spirit of a stronger entity inside me which will wake up and devour me," Zack said while nodding.
"Ahahahaha!" Everyone laughed. "But still, only Crowns have these weird powers." Oliver sighed
Aren't you technically a Crown? Zack asked smirking
Hahahah only in name, only people like Princess and Queen mother can be considered True Crown! Oliver said while laughing
"Hmm, why do only those people have these weird powers?" the big guy asked as he looked at the ball tool in his hand, clearly made with the help of Crown power.
"It's bloodline, of course," Oliver said with his proud face. "Like if I was born into your family, then I would have an easier time making a body like yours. Of course, that's possible but not a given thing."
"I know what bloodline is, Brother Zack," the big guy said while tilting his head.
"Then maybe Brother Zack really is a long, lost Crown son?" the big guy said with slight discomfort, thinking because Crowns were far-reaching people. They were close to the Queen Mother because this place was comparatively small population-wise, but in other places, that was not the case.
"Don't tell Sasha, though. She will bite your head off," Oliver reminded the big guy, who nodded clearly in understanding.
Thinking about his real parents, which he never gave any thought, nor would he give any now. His family and friends were all here—he was happy and content. Thinking this, he said, "Don't say nonsense things, and let's focus on finding that representative's info and other unauthorized people's info." He reminded them of their talk before. "That dreadful guy will not come until the ceremony or close to the ceremony."
"Are you sure? Why are you believing him?" Oliver added.
"Hmm, I'm not, but he will clearly be watching, so if anything happens, he will come. I am not believing him but getting ready for any day he will come."
Regarding the ceremony, isn't your power also similar to machine power? only difference is you can't do on multiple people and need lot of time to familiarize your power to others for any effective absorption, maybe some Crown used similar power as yours as base and made that Machine! Oliver said while putting his hand on his chin.
Maybe, who knows, Zack not thinking too much about this
You have to be careful Zack if someone notices your power then you can be taken away by Crown people, it has happened in past in some places, where people suddenly get weird power then their respective Crown people came and take them away, Oliver reminded while Big nodded heavily.
Thanks for your concerns guys, but I will be fine, Zack reassured them.
They talked a lot together as the sun kept rising, making the wind hotter.
SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!
Suddenly, lots of flying boards sound came with people on them, they landed on the stairs and saw the trio.
"Hey, you bastards! What are you doing here so happily chatting? What were you thinking by not telling us about such dangerous people coming and nearly taking the life of Natalia? Were you acting a hero or what? Huh? Say something, you bastards!" Maren in madness shouted as her tied yellow long hair tried to flutter in the air with her previous night gold fitted outfit shimmering in morning sun.
The trio faced her at the same time, looking toward her in a comical way, blinking together, then turning toward Princess Natalia at the same time, waiting for something. Her black tights and short helm skirt were bound by her outer layer coat with gold chains, her slight brownish-blackish short hair dancing in the wind, her head down, hands clenching. She bowed deeply and said loudly, "I am sorry, everyone—because of me and my sister, you guys were hurt!"
"Hahahaha!" Suddenly she heard her friends laughing.
"Hey, hey, it was a close match, Zack!" Oliver said while laughing. "I had a greater number of words that matched, so I won, okay!" Oliver declared himself the winner.
"Yes, yes, you win, my friend!" Zack patted Oliver, who in turn showed his handsome smile, fixing his messy hair.
"Oy! You bastard, why are you laughing when Natalia is clearly apologizing properly? See, I told you these boys are no good!" Maren, in anger, stomped her feet while Natalia's face was clearly in confusion about what was happening.
Seeing this, Oliver got up and started walking towards Maid Emmy, who was standing a little bit away and looking toward the horizon. He patted Natalia and, bypassing her, said, "It's okay, Natalia. No one blames you. We are happy you girls are alright. No one will ever blame you." Finishing this, he moved past Maren, giving her a pity look.
"Hey, hey! What are you giving me that look for, you bastard?" As she was about to run and kick him, the big guy's hand came straight down, holding her at one place like a little kid. He turned sideways and said, "Big sister Natalia, it's okay," he said simply while trying to calm down Maren.
Listening to this, Natalia smiled and walked toward Zack, who was still sitting and enjoying the view. She came and sat down beside him, both dangling their legs in the air, with sunshine on their faces, strong winds blowing through their hair, crops shimmering, making this scene lovely and beautiful. They sat down quietly for a while when Natalia said, "What? Will you not say to me 'it's okay, I forgive you,' or anything?" She turned around, smiling.
"Hmm, do I have to, even though you know my answer?" Zack questioned in return.
"Yes, it's a formality!" she pouted in disappointment.
"Then if you do something for me, then I will forgive you. What do you think?" Zack said while thinking about something.
"Oooh, sure, sure! Tell me what to do!" Natalia was excited by the sudden challenge.
"Where are we?" Zack asked.
"At the 3rd rock front lower side. Why?" Natalia asked in confusion.
"What are people doing here?" Zack asked.
"They are climbing the mountains as training" She tilted her head, then slowly came to a realization.
Zack smiled and said, "Then you have to do the same."
"NOOOOO!" Natalia grabbed Zack's arm like a kid, bringing her legs up. She cutely brought her face to him with teary eyes and said, "I am scared! I can't do it! Please tell me something else!" Natalia pleaded with cuteness.
Not working on Zack, he patted her head, saying, "It will be okay. I will be there with you," as he stood up with Natalia, who kept hugging his arm, letting her breasts touch his body.
Zack, not minding her, called out loudly, "Excuse me, Queen guards! Can any one of you go and bring mountain climbing gear for the Princess from above?" Zack said while raising his hand, indicating to the guards who were standing far below. One of them nodded and went to bring it. Natalia kept pestering Zack, hoping to save herself.
On the side, Maren was still angry, shouting, "Leave me, big guy! Today I will bring his guts out and play tug of war with it! LEEAAAVE MEEE!" as the big guy kept holding onto her shoulder.
"Big sister, calm down. You will fall like that. Big said calmly
You're using your body weight as an advantage. If I was as big as you, then I would throw you like a rag," Maren looked up in dissatisfaction.
"Hmm, you want to become big? I know a way, big sister," the big guy scratched his chin while glancing at Zack.
"What, what? Tell me!" Maren was excited, thinking how she could thrash all the boys, which made her happy.
"Here, you will have to carry it." He gave the ball to Maren as he started pulling her down the stairs, smiling, thinking someone had become his partner in training he was happy. While being held and dragged, Maren's mind was silent for a while, then shouted, "Wait, wait, waaaait! Big guy, I caaaaan't! Aaahh! Nooooo!" She was going for a hell practice now.
"Geez, so loud. I like your silence better, Miss Emmy," Oliver came with his handsome face sticking close to her face as Maid Emmy didn't bother to look at him and kept petting Tyra in her arms.
"But you can still talk, you know." Oliver brushed his hair upwards, making his sweat shine in the morning sun. Seeing this, Emmy's eyes burned with brightness, her mind going nuts. Shampoo bastardddd! Keep your filthy hair out of my face, you deep-shit guyyy! Thinking about the morning and how he looked, she smiled a little and said, "You are doing better now," she said with a low voice.
"Hmm, yes, thanks to everyone. Well, I do hope next time I can do something rather than just sitting on my hands." He smiled handsomely while looking at her eyes.
"Hmph, then good luck!" Maid Emmy said with a cold voice.
The guards brought a pair for the Princess, which Zack started to put on her.
"Zack, let's talk a little, shall we? Why not we recon—Kyaaa!" Zack's hand came to her thighs and tightly strapped her leg. She was surprised and couldn't say anything because Zack, in speed, was touching her everywhere while tying all the ropes and everything necessary things.
"It's done. Let's go." They both got into position to go down the line, which he had already set up. With her in front, he hugged her from behind, touching her abdomen. She shrieked. "Umm, let's thi—Aaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!" Zack professionally did a short roping, bringing her down a level, then placed her on the stairwell.
Her legs trembling like a newborn fawn, she held Zack's shoulder and said with a teary voice, "I hate you, Zack."
"Heheh, then hate me more," as he turned her around and started instructing her. Slowly he taught her to climb. With extreme fear, she did it slowly. She fell down many times, which gave her a chance to hug Zack. Slowly she got better as time passed, and they reached the top again.
But suddenly her safety rope slipped, letting her fall. "Aah!" Realizing this, Zack caught her by one hand and pulled her up in a hurry, then put his safety lock on her. But doing all this, his hand slipped.
"ZAAACKKK!" Natalia shouted as Zack was falling. Everyone present there saw it and didn't think much. Oliver was still focused on Emmy putting his beside her face and trying to charm her.
"At least pretend to care, you guys!" Natalia shouted as she held the edge of the stairs with her life, fearing she would also fall.
Zack, while falling, saw upwards toward the clouds, thinking of recent events. He didn't know how he would face that dreadful man. He didn't know how to do become stronger—he kept thinking, but no answer came. He clenched his hand as he kept falling with his back toward the ground.
The big guy saw this while coming up. "Huh? Is that—huff—Zack?" a tired voice, out of breath, sounded from Maren, who with her whole life was lifting that big ball.
"Hmm, why he—uggh—isn't he opening his—huff, huff—gliding parachute?" she asked.
"Hmm, he is thinking," the big guy replied casually.
"Oh, thinking. That's good. Huff." Maren was just about to focus on herself when she turned her head in shock. "Huuh? What do you mean, thinking? Ouch, ouch, my shoulder!" Maren felt her life getting drained.
How can I become stronger? How? Hoooow? Zack was shouting in his mind when suddenly, with the corner of his eye, he saw something—a shadow in the clouds far away on the horizon.
WHOOOOSH! A flap tearing the winds as it vanished in a second.
Zack opened his parachute and glided upwards; his eyes focused on that place. He felt something like a calling—he could feel it. This is it. If I could control one of them, then it's possible, he thought, laughing in madness since he knew how dangerous it could be. But thinking of his sister and his friends, he made his resolve. But I still need to prepare lots of tools. I need to work more and earn some money.
Down below, seeing Zack's sexy style, Natalia covered her eyes with one hand. "Uwaahhh!" Still trying to peek from the corner. This time Zack had more covering, with his big shoulder cloth now covering half of his chest, but the lower side was the same. His party dress was much better in covering his body during sexy style. He glided to where they were and came while landing perfectly. He walked toward Natalia, who was still hanging on, and lowered his hand. She looked at him with glaring eyes, held his hand, and came up.
END OF CHAPTER