I spoke excitedly with Astos, Fable, and Til. Turns out, they also came from Earth.
"So what you're saying, everyone on Earth has powers?" [Solace]
"You didn't know that? What country are you from?" [Fable]
"America." [Solace]
The heroes party glanced at each other.
"What?" [Solace]
"You mean the United States?" [Fable]
"...Yeah?" [Solace]
They made unsettled faces.
"You're not supposed to exist anymore." [Astos]
"Astos!" [Til]
She nudged him.
"What?! I'm not being rude!" [Astos]
"I don't mind. Just… elaborate?" [Solace]
Fable put his hands together with an anxious expression.
"The United States of America fell around… a thousand or two years ago." [Fable]
"What?" [Solace]
"Matter of fact, the entire world went into chaos. Monsters called |Voidlings| invaded and killed people left and right." [Fable]
"...Invaded? Like, aliens came?" [Solace]
Fable nodded.
"They can tear through space. All countries fell. It took a very VERY long time for humans to make a comeback." [Fable]
I was unsure of what to say.
"There is only one question I have. How?" [Solace]
"If you'd like an explanation, |Voidlings| like to eat people." [Fable]
"And?" [Solace]
"And they're impenetrable to bullets. To be honest, only people with powers can kill them." [Fable]
Now that made a lot of sense.
"What about nuclear missiles?" [Solace]
"It made them stronger." [Fable]
"Yikes." [Solace]
Radiation truly is a double edged blade.
"So you're telling me that I'm speaking to my future?" [Solace]
"I think it's you telling us we're talking to the past." [Astos]
That puts things into perspective.
"Well, it doesn't really matter anyway. It's not like I live on Earth anymore." [Solace]
"...You got over that fast." [Astos]
"The trick in life is to not care too much. Then everything gets better." [Solace]
Astos nodded in agreement.
"Words to live by." [Astos]
"Astos, you only think that because you don't have the capacity to care." [Fable]
"Guys, please take it down a notch." [Til]
I don't know why, but just sitting here with them felt relaxing. Perhaps it made me feel like I've known them forever.
"Putting that aside, do you want to continue our spar?" [Astos]
I somewhat was willing to do so, but I felt that I should make a change.
"Can I spar with Fable?" [Solace]
Fable smiled.
"Good choice." [Fable]
"Aw man… No more fun for me I guess." [Astos]
Fable stood up and motioned for me to come.
"Let's go." [Fable]
I followed him back to where Astos and I fought.
"Do you want any handicaps?" [Fable]
"Don't treat me like a child. Matter of fact, I'm technically your elder." [Solace]
"That was over a thousand years ago. On Earth, in fact. We're not on Earth right now though." [Fable]
"Same thing." [Solace]
We bickered for a bit before starting.
"I'll start." [Solace]
Unlike before, I engaged using magic.
"|Liquid Barrage|." [Solace]
Numerous droplets of water flung themselves at Fable. Unfortunately, they appeared to bounce off without even reaching him.
"...Wow." [Solace]
Fable shrugged.
"What can I say? I'm stronger than Astos." [Fable]
"He's lying!" [Astos]
He yelled from afar.
"It's debatable." [Fable]
He then aimed a hand at me.
("That doesn't look good.") [Solace]
"|Hidden Grasp|" [Fable]
As he closed his hand, I felt something grab my leg as I tried to dive to the left.
"Gotcha." [Fable]
He swung his arm, throwing him through the air.
"Jokes on you, I'm used to getting tossed around!" [Solace]
I felt his grasp on my leg vanish, allowing me to right myself and land safely.
"...That's a sad thing to get used to." [Fable]
"Well, beggars can't be choosers." [Solace]
"Somehow… I feel like you used that wrong." [Fable]
"Whatever. Let's continue." [Solace]