âBut still I-â Arthur tried to retort. His shivering stopped after hearing Valerioâs consolation, but his mind still refused to accept he had taken a life.
âArthur, without you they wouldn't have survived and we wouldn't have gotten out of the mirror world without any lossesâ Jayden said calmly.
âWeâre out?â Arthur asked. He could already guess they were out since Uncle Val was here.
âYeah we didâ Jayden smiled.
âThank Godâ Arthur sighed in relief as he tried to get up from the bed.
âAhhâ Arthur shouted in main. His whole body was screaming in pain , especially his eyes.
âYou need to rest Arthurâ Valerio sighed as he slowly pushed Arthur back into the bed. Arthur didn't argue and kept his mouth shut.
Jayden and Valerio left Arthur to rest as they closed the door and left. Valerio looked at his right hand which he used to disperse Arthur's Nova.
There was a small scratch in his arm. The bleeding stopped and the scratch slowly healed itself.
In Valerioâs left hand was Arthurâs Nova crystallised into a diamond.
âInterestingâ Valerio muttered to himself as they reached the training area. Lyra was also standing there with Mathew and Kael. Some previous complexion returned to her face as she was somewhat better.
âDidn't I tell you to rest?â Valerio asked with a sigh.
âIt's okay Uncle Val, I'm all better since I was in the healing roomâ Lyra replied with a smile. Rather she was more concerned about Arthur, since Kael got her caught up on the things she missed.
âSo, did he wake up?â Kael asked hopefully.
âYeah, he did. But it looks like he couldn't remember much about what happenedâ Jayden replied with a sigh.
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âIs he alright though?â Lyra asked in concern.
âYeah, but the recoil on his body is too great, he couldn't even move an inchâ Jayden explained.
âAhh, that usually happens after the awakening as the body is not adapted to handle the powerâ Mathew said as everyone nodded. They too have experienced the unbearable pain that comes after the awakening.
Everyone just stood there silently for a while when Lyra suddenly looked at Valerio weirdly.
âUncle Val, are you ok? You seem a little offâ Lyra asked with a frown.
âHaha, nothing. Just thinking about somethingsâ Valerio laughed with a shrug.
âOhâ Lyra replied without much thought.
âOkay guys it's getting late. I'm gonna head home and clean 5 years worth of dustâ Jayden said with a sigh.
âIs my house even intact now?â Jayden thought in amazement. If his house was destroyed, he would probably be homeless.
âDo you need any help Jayden?â Mathew asked.
âHaha thanks, but I can at least do that much on my ownâ Jayden laughed waving his hands. He said goodbye to everyone and left the underground facility.
Now only Mathew, Valerio, Kael and Lyra remained with Arthur resting.
âYou guys should also get some rest. Take a few days off if you wantâ Valerio said to the remaining people. They nodded without saying much.
â¦
The next day Valerio was helpless to find that the twins and Mathew didn't take the day off like he suggested and instead came to work.
âSigh, why don't you guys take a few days off?â Valerio asked helplessly.
âHaha, it's ok uncle. Look, we are as energetic as alwaysâ Kael exclaimed, punching his chest. Lyra and Mathew, who was behind Kael, also laughed.
âYou guys aren't going to listen to me anywayâ Valerio shook his head as they got ready to open the shop.
The twins were setting up tables and cleaning the windows when the twins smelled something burning.
âKael, did you leave the stove on?â Lyra asked doubtfully.
âNah sis, I didn't even go thereâ Kael replied with a frown. He also smelled something burnt.
They both looked at Mathew who had a terrified expression like he saw the devil.
âUmâ¦turn around you twoâ Mathew said with an awkward tone.
âHuh, is there something behind us-â Before Kael could complete, Kael and Lyra both received a smack on the back.
âHoww dare you guyss leave me all alone and go for a vacationâ came an angry and tired voice.
âUhmm, Rubyâ Lyra tried to cook up an explanation as the twins turned around awkwardly.
âDo you know how much I worked in your absence??â Ruby asked, anger still visible in her face.
âEhâ¦Ruby hi, it's been sometimesâ Lyra laughed nervously.
âRuby, that hurtâ Kael said pitifully as he rubbed his back.
âWhat do you mean Ruby?â Lyra asked with the same nervous laughter.
âDon't act too smart, Uncle Val told me everythingâ Ruby replied with a sneer. These guys thought they could still fool her.
âDid Uncle Val tell you we went on a vacation?â Kael asked.
âYeahâ Ruby nodded.
âDamn. Uncle Val put us in a difficult positionâ Kael thought, trying to think of some other reason in a hurry.
âNo no Ruby, we went toâ¦uhâ Lyra replied, her voice trailing off as she was also rapidly trying to think of something.
âAhh yeah, we went to some universities for admissionâ Kael exclaimed loudly. He had a smug expression for coming up with a believable lie.
âHaha yeah, that's where we wentâ Lyra laughed, showing a thumbs up to Kael.
âUniversity?? Admission? You expect me to believe that?â Ruby asked in anger. These guys were still playing her for a fool.
âIf you don't believe us, ask the Managerâ Kael laughed awkwardly.
âIsn't it right Manager?â Lyra asked as she turned around to look at Mathew.
âManager?â Lyra called out in panic.
Mathew who was sitting there before was nowhere to be seen.
âAre you trying to drag him into this and escape? Keep on dreamingâ Ruby said as she cracked her knuckles with an evil smile.
Sounds of whacking were heard throughout the shop.
âUNCLE VALLLL!!â came two pitiful voices.
â¦
The door to the undergro
und facility opened as Mathew entered with a relieved expression.
âPhew, good thing I made it outâ he sighed in relief.