"Who's this?" Hops glared, before putting another spoon full of oatmeal in his mouth.
"Um, I'm Sera? Sera Bonnel." she held her position, as Fonda got up.
"Another female! This is so great!" the girl was cheerful as she moved around the adult, observing her carefully. "What's your power."
"My power? Well, it's a bit hard to explain-."
"Jamal, who actually is this person?" Ula looked at him, taking the bowl from Laken, who was playing with it.
"Okay, actually what really is this? I was told that I was assisting in defeating Youden. But clearly, this is some random group of worthless people." Sera hissed, causing everyone to quiet down.
No one said a word, as Sera placed her hand on the hilt of the blade. Looking around, Jamal sighed as he quickly cleared his throat. There weren't really going to have such a conflict early on, would they? Just as he was about to start speaking, he noticed Alice starting to chuckle, before breaking out in absolute laughter.
"Baby, I like her." she looked at Hops, wiping a tear. "She's hilarious."
"I see?" Hops was confused, looking back at the woman.
"Are y'all mad?" Sera hissed, barely revealing the blade from the sheath. "Jamal, this has to be a joke?"
"Nope, this is the team. They just weren't prepared for your arrival." Jamal shrugged off. "You'll adjust."
"You sure? I mean, look again!" Sera looked back at Alice with a glance. "She's not even wearing pants!"
"I mean, maybe I like it that way? I know Hops does." she bit her lips before trying to kiss him.
"Not now, Alice." he pushed her back, "You didn't drink anything, did you?"
This was extremely uncomfortable, Jamal shook his head. Just looking at the woman through the corner of his eyes, Sera had let go of the grip of the sword, before taking a deep breath. Some catch was about to happen, and he hoped it would be worth it.
"Let's make a deal, shall we?" Sera said, noticing a cup of water and going towards it. "If I win, I'll join."
"And if we lose whatever this is?" Brat joined the conversation.
"One of you will die. Simple as that." Sera grabbed the glass, before downing it. "If you're serious about beating Youden, then you'll go all out."
"You're suggesting a fight, aren't you?" Ula concluded, with Leon nodding.
"Why wouldn't I? I mean, if it's what Jamal says, you guys should be quite the challenge." Sera cracked her fingers, as she laid her backpack down. "Who wants to die?"
"This is actually a joke, right?" Jamal attempted to lighten the mood. "I mean, right?"
Sera turned her head towards the man, as if he really knew the answer, before turning back towards the group. Yeah, she was dead serious. A bit hesitant, Jamal could only watch as she looked towards Alice, who was still holding onto Hops.
"You, Alice?" Sera grinned at her. "Why don't you take to the challenge?"
"Like she's going to do something so stupid." Hops tried to joke, although no one laughed, which quickly quieted him.
"I'm down. I could actually clear my head for once." Alice got up, with Hops shocked.
"I don't need you doing this!" Hops cried out, before Alice stared at the man. "You could actually die!"
He was about to really attempt to convince her, before Alice cupped his face with her hands, and kissed him. Everyone in the room just watched in awe, as the moment lasted a few more seconds, before Alice pulled back.
"Shhh, I'll be fine." she just laughed while letting go. "Just enjoy the show. I'm going to change, give me ten minutes."
Hops's mouth was just open and unable to say anything, as the woman began to walk towards the exit. As she started to pass Sera, she temporarily stopped, before muttering something in the woman's ear. Jamal couldn't hear what was said, but could tell that the woman was a bit shocked, as Sera had stepped back before Alice continued towards the stairs.
"Well, alright then." Sera composed herself, "I already saw the courtyard, so I'll be waiting patiently. Get ready."
With that, the woman set the glass down, before leaving for the space outdoors. I guess they really were going to duke it out. I really hope Alice knows what she's doing, Jamal gulped.
.....
Ten minutes had finally passed, and everyone except Alice was waiting outside. Jamal stood against the wall, as he returned a glance towards Ula. He watched as she was playing with Laken in a chair, her stomach slightly larger than usual. He almost thought she was getting fat, until he remembered that he was having another child. Man, was he too focused.
"You're excited, huh?" he could hear someone ask him and turned to see it being Hops.
"For this fight? No. But if it what needs to be done, then so be it." Jamal crossed his arms, the sun starting to beam down on them.
"I didn't mean that, I was speaking about you and Ula. Aren't you guys having another one?" Hops took a breath, with Jamal turning to him.
"Who told you?" Jamal hissed, with Hops laughing.
"You said it aloud in the carr that one time. Don't worry, I'm not leaving this time." Hops scratched his head, before looking towards the door. "Ah, there she is."
Jamal noted that everyone was cheering for someone, as he turned with them. Alice was walking toward the pair of men, with her wearing a somewhat tight outfit, and her book strapped tightly to her leg. I guess the more compact, the better the movement or use of power, Jamal could only assume, as Hops hugged her.
"Please, don't die." Jamal could hear the man whisper to her.
"I'm going to be okay, Ryan. Just know I fight better than you." she giggled, with Hops about to counterargue, before she snuck in a quick kiss, "Love you."
"Love you too." Hops took a nervous breath, as Alice moved back and moved towards the center of the courtyard. "I hope she wins this."
"I'm sure of it." Jamal said, with a fake sense of confidence.
Meanwhile, Sera was expertly twirling the sword around her body, almost making it look like a steel forcefield of some time. Noticing that Alice finally approached her, she quickly stopped it, before laying the weapon across her shoulder.
"You're ready? I have to make sure those here are what they say to be. I know Jamal's and your man's power over there, but everyone else here is something else." Sera grinned with energy, as a light white began to seep from the blade.
"I know my worth, do you?" Alice pulled the book into her hands. "I'm not going to hold back. I haven't shown my true power to anyone here, so you'll be the first."
"Then let's begin this, shall we." Sera put the sword back into the sheath, before going towards the other end.
"Be careful." Ula was concerned, as Laken was starting to look towards the fight that was to occur. "Want to go inside?"
"No!" Laken getting excited.
Jamal could see Hops creating a tight fist, as his woman temporarily looked at him and shot him a smile before returning around. With both women on their respective ends, Heskins stepped in the middle for the countdown. Looks like they agreed for him to start it, as the man finished the counting.
"Go!" he said nervously, before backing away in a scurry.
In an insane blur, Sera was already on the other side and behind Alice, who gasped in shock. Her sword was already out of the sheath, glowing a light white, as the woman flicked something red on the ground. Before anyone could react, a sharp streak of blood was sliced across Alice's stomach with the woman crying out in pain and dropping her book.
"Alice, no!" Hops almost rushed the swordswoman, if Jamal didn't hold him down.
They could do nothing, as Alice's body fell on the ground. In just mere moments, this Sera lady managed to drop her within a second. Except for Leon started to grin, as if this was entertaining. One of their members was killed and this was exciting to him. Unless there was a catch. Jamal could only struggle to hold the furious man, as Sera appeared to feel something.
"I see now." Sera turned back towards the body. "We're just getting started."