[Author note : New KoSP chapter. I've also finished posting on P A T R E O N everything I'd written on AoH (Age of Heroes) if you guys are interested. And if you're just curious you can also find the synopsis there.
If you're interested in my stories or want to encourage me, please check out my Patréon : https://www.patréon.com/user?u=66371596 (replace the é by a normal e) or look for Cathbel on their website
KoSP : 2 advanced chapters
The Squib who became Iron Lad... In DC : 3 advanced chapters
AoH : Prologue + 6 chapters (exclusive)
Enjoy and please tell me what you think of it !]
After the two bond-mates left the palace's capital to run eastward, the group of 'JL-Wannabes' as Simon dubbed them in his head, all turned as one (minus one, currently clutched in her arms) towards the crystal woman :
« Are you absolutely sure, Penelope ? » The soldier asked, visibly tensed after the information she psionically communicated to the rest of the team through their symbiotic snakes.
Letting go of Toru, the now named Penelope seriously nodded her head :
« The robot… Isn't a robot. It's like me. » As she said those words, her partners could feel the deep sorrow and melancholy in her voice. They knew why, of course. Penelope, like many people on this team knew the circumstances of others. Like they all knew why Toru had such animosity towards Simon : The Terran Empire had bloodily annexed his home world, turning most of its population into slaves… The survivors, at least.
« And you chose not to approach him… Why ? » The Blood Mage asked.
Penelope turned to the man and arched one of her crystalline eyebrow in disbelief :
« You know, why ! You were there with me 400 years ago when I did the mistake of approaching one of mine. You also know who they went on to become. »
With a set jaw, the red-faced man nodded seriously. Indeed he knew. The reason he asked was to point out her mistake of the past, in case she didn't remember. But it seemed they were on the same page on this.
« I will observe them for a while before I make my move… I wondered if maybe they could be introduced into the team. »
« Ah~ ? » Toru exclaimed loudly. « No way ! No. Fucking. Way ! I don't want this bloody Terran on the team ! Besides, it's not like we know if he's strong or not. And even if he was, he's too much of a threat ! »
The female soldier turned toward the hybrid to admonish him :
« You have to stop with your racist comments and preconceptions. So what if he's Terran ? Gus and I are Terran. And before she died and rose from the dead, I'm pretty sure Nath was Terran too. »
« Yes, but you're all from this world. You don't belong to their Empire. You don't know… »
« We know. » The soothing voice of Penelope came from behind as her cold hand rested gently on his shoulders. « But you've heard Representative. When he was capture, the child didn't display any animosity or belligerence beyond their initial interaction. And he hasn't killed the Preacher, when he easily could have. It speaks of both his character and power. »
Suddenly, silence fell upon the group as the snakes each members had coiled on a part of their body transmitted a telepathic communication :
'Indeed ! The child is bursting with power, though he doesn't seem to know much in the way to use it. It might be both a blessing and a curse.'
The person who spoke was code-named the Seer, because of his talent and experience in divination magic. Not only could he predict events to come, he could gauge the personality of someone, as well as their capabilities without even meeting them. For the team, he was a wealth of information and an irreplaceable tactician. So, when he next issued his orders, no one questioned them. Not even Toru, despite his deep frown.
'Penny : observe him from afar. If you stay too close, they might feel observed or worse, spied on. Not to mention, the robot could understand his connection to you… It's not time for that, yet. Toru : come back. Your presence here would only put everyone in danger. Gus and Dana : I suggest you gather intel on the situation in the country as well as the child's involvement in the current conflict. The Assembled Countries are already in an uproar but some evidence into the horrors the army did could tip the balance in our favor. Take Asenath with you. Her affinity with death might prove handy. As for you, Zrynn, you'll back up Penny. Just in case. Your powers will help keep you both out of the two bonded's sights.'
In silence, the members of the team started moving.
* * * * *
Zrynn, the Skiderath with the power to bend reality to his will using his ink, observed his partner of the day. The millennia old Penelope, often compared to a Goddess in the past, looked forlorn as she, herself, watched their targets from afar. Zrynn knew why she looked so sad. However, knowing and understanding, much less empathizing, were very different things. And so, he didn't think it bad when he asked :
« Do you miss him ? Your 'bond-mate' ? » The term felt foreign on his tongue. Then again, most term in this language felt foreign… However, this was something they seldom used, phenomenon so rare as to be compared to miracles. Penelope never really offered an explanation as to how it happened, though Zrynn believed that Gustave, or Gus, their resident Hematomancer, knew… Or had an inkling at the very least.
Penelope, Gus and Asenath (or Nath), were the oldest people on the team. In fact, they long passed the record of longevity from any of their races. Except maybe for Penelope : her race was a complete mystery. And since Asenath was technically (un)dead, perhaps his thoughts were incorrect. In any case, with their age came a certain complicity they didn't share with the rest of the team. The fact that they were founding members of the team and it wouldn't exist without those three (probably), added another layer of distance between them and the rest.
Not that Zrynn minded much : he preferred to be alone and in silence. It helped with the creative process of his paintings. But, sometimes, curiosity nagged at the back, and front of his mind, and he couldn't help blurting out questions. Like this one !
« Always ! Our time together was short but she… She gave me life. She gave me her memories and thoughts. She was my sister, my mate, my other half. It's difficult to explain and put into words. I guess if you've never experienced it, it's pretty much impossible. » She sighed : « To be honest, I kind of envy them. They're oblivious as to how blessed they truly are. »
At first, before Penelope started answering his question, she looked at him with such a burning gaze that it made him pause and question his choices in life. And then, when she talked, he could almost feel the raw emotions in her voice. It was… powerful !
Unfortunately, they were interrupted by Dana who sent her thoughts to them :
'You'll never believe who was here, guys !'
It seemed, they finally found cause for them to involve themselves in this matter…