***NoTe
When Rev and I first stepped into England it was pure beauty. The way the buildings and houses are designed is amazing. They aren't super technological like places like Japan.
They are more urban and old timey. I asked Rev to describe the colors to me because I can't see them with echolocation. However you can feel the heart of the country in this place. Stitch told us how King Arthur united England a couple hundred years ago.
Supposedly he is in greek pantheon territory right now. So currently Arthur the IV is the king. We can't just go around asking around where the slums is at.
England is supposed to look like a a perfect country where anyone could live. It could be some type of barrier technique. I guess i've been thinking too long because Rev keeps touching stuff. I have to remind him that we don't have any money. So we can't buy anything not even food.
" Hey NoTe have you noticed there isn't anyone here who looks down" says Rev.
"Yes I have. That is to be expected though. There shouldn't be any poor people or homeless in sight." I respond.
"So then why is there an old man limping and dirty in that alleyway?" Rev says.
I turn around and see the old man he's talking about. As soon as I see him though I hear the shadows warn me.
" Dangerous greek god hide now!" I try to grab Rev to take him into the shadows but I can't feel my hands.
Oh they are no longer attached to me. This man feels as dangerous as the four horseman. I can feel the shockwaves through the air from his aura. I see Rev pass out and so do I.
I wake up wrapped in the shadows. They protect me while I sleep. I can hear clanking sounds like a hammer beating against metal. Rev is sitting down watching the old man.
I decide it's safe to get up so I walk to the room they are in. The old man is a blacksmith. Which makes him the greek god Hephaestus.
" My apologies for removing your hands I couldn't risk you revealing my identity" he says.
" Your the the Greek god Hephaestus what would you have to be worried about?" I say back.
" Since you asked I can tell you weren't sent from Greece which is good. I didn't want to have to kill you."
After he said that the air in the room got really cold. He's extremely dangerous.
" Can you lead us to the slums?" Rev asks.
Hephaestus starts laughing. " You two boys think you could go in the slums? Which part?" he says.
" The one the Doom family runs" I say.
Hephaestus gets real serious then says. " Look boys you might be strong in the outside world but the slums is a different place. Now go on back to your parents".
" My father is Erik Doom" Rev says.
" Hey what makes a fat old man like you. Who got kicked out of his daddy's home. Think you can tell us whether or not we are strong enough for the slums." I say angrily.
"I thought you were the calm and collected one but I see now that you have a bad mouth" Hephaestus says.
Rev says " Hey NoTe calm down don't forget he's a god we aren't on his level yet".
" Spar with each other. If I deem you look worthy then i'll send you into the slums." The god says.
Well that's simple for us so me and Rev spar. We are going back and forth for a bit but Rev. has more than me. His strength overpowers mine and his pure mana itself overlaps mine fully.
He edges out against me and for the first time. I lose to Rev in a fight. It annoys me but I don't show it.
" Kid with Red hair what's your name?" Hephaestus asks.
" My name is Rev and my brother is NoTe" Rev responds.
" Well Rev you are definitely strong enough for the slums. Your brother however is not" Hephaestus says.
" What do you mean i'm not strong enough" I say.
" Rev has more overall mana than you like a lot more. His firepower ability is excellent and he is good in hand to hand combat. His shooting ability is the most impressive not once did he miss a shot. Since he comes from the Doom family you'll never beat him." Hephaestus says.
" So what's wrong with me then?" I say back in a pissed off tone.
" Well first the entire time you barely let out any mana. Your letting it all run to your shadows. Which don't even work as well in the light. Yes your hand to hand combat ability is a lot better but he has more advantages than you." Hephaestus says.
"You don't even seem to have a proper mana technique. You'll get annihilated in the slums."
I think to myself. I never realized how much mana really went to my shadows they are draining. " We don't need any mana as long as you live so will we." The shadows say.
Hephaestus continues " You don't even use the shadows right. I couldn't even sense you whenever you went into the shadows, it was like you were in a different dimension. You also need better mana control. If you controlled it better than your mana could be a lot stronger"
" How can you just break down our abilities like that and tell us how to get stronger" I ask.
" I am a blacksmith why wouldn't I be able to tell you how an ability works."
I am kinda annoyed at what he said but he isn't wrong.
" Also why do you wear a blindfold if you aren't blind?" Hephaestus asks.
" What are you talking about? I've been blind for years" I say.
" No, I checked your eyes while you were sleeping and you definitely aren't blind. They did have math designs in them though. Is that your cardinal sin?"
I tell him yes and he sits there and thinks for a bit. Then he tells me my body should be able to handle up to 2 on the scale. He then tells me that if I refine my mana control then i'll get stronger by a lot.
"It still doesn't make sense why you wear a blindfold." Hephaestus says.
" I use echolocation to see. Using echolocation and my actual eyes at the same time Is harmful." I say.
"Hmmm well then you have some control over sound." Hephaestus says.
" Okay I'll give you a mission. Currently my daughter is missing. If you can find her I'll deem you as strong enough for the slums." Hephaestus says.