Morris Injures One Of The Camp guards

“Fresh blood as in teenage. The blood of a teenager is like the fountain of youth for Rival. And this means he’s healed and is ready. And this is not good, as Vonruil is not ready, he still hasn’t healed.”

“Xiander, can you simplify what you said?” Peter says in a worried tone, “We kind of understand, but what do you mean by the blood thing?”

“Boys, if Rival is looking for teenage blood, means he is fit. If he’s not, he cannot drink teenage blood.” Xiander explains, “Like when you are sick, the doctor says to eat lite. Blood is heavy for Rival.”

Trembling, Xane says, “If that’s the case, then this time none of us will survive. Vonruil is the only one who can face him. Vonruil is the only one he fears, now his health.”

“Xane, don’t worry about that. I’ll get brother back on his feet. That’s my promise.” Sam says in a stern tone. Curious Sam asks “Are your and brother’s skills different?”

“Different? Of course they are different. He’s the only angel with 22 stones. Even the king has only 20.” Xiander says in a frank tone.

“Is brother king's son?” Probably the previous kings never thought about this.” Peter asks, confused.

“Peter, I think you didn’t listen to what I said before, we are created. We don’t have parents or what you call here on earth a family. When we are created at the age of six we are like babies. The only thing we do is grow.

Once we go to the grounds, we train, and from there we are assigned our designations. Duke is not a designation.” Xiander says, trying to clarify the point.

“Yes, till the age of ten, we live only playing, eating, and sleeping. After the age of ten, we begin to train, and by fifteen, we get our designations, and partners.” Xane says excitedly.

“Partner? What partner?” Morris asks in a curious tone.

“Our partner, the one with whom we will be eternal. In your terms, a couple.” Xiander says explaining.

“Wait, if that’s the case, then Xane why are you pushing Sam, and Xiander so much. Xiander is above twenty, he has a partner, then why?” Peter asks in a confused, and a little angry tone.

“Peter calm down.” Xiander says trying to clarify what Xane said, “I don’t have a partner.”

Xane says in a sad tone, “Because of me. Me and Xiander are the only twin angels in Artmitis. Xiander can’t leave me because unless I level up, I can’t have a partner, so.”

“Xane, how many times have i told you, You are not the reason.” Xiander says in a frank tone, “Everyone is scared of me. No one dares stand in front of me.”

Jumping Xane says, “See, that’s the reason I want Sam to be his partner. Sam is the first who actually scolded him.”

“So, if Xane levels up, then.” Sam asks in a curious tone.

“Yes, if he levels up, he will be able to fend for himself. And, he will have a partner, one who will be with him forever.” Xiander makes his point.

“Xiander, don’t worry Xane will learn soon and level up as well. Then you won’t have to worry about him. He’ll be able to take care of himself.”

Just then Peter screams ouch, and Morris says, “Sam, he’s cut his finger again with the big knife. I told him not to use it, but he just doesn’t listen.”

“Xiander, don’t leave any fruit, eat all of them, OK.” As Sam comes over to Peter, he sees Peter’s finger has bled alot, so he says, “Peter, look how badly you’ve cut yourself.”

Peter starts to cry, and says “I know, look how the blood is flowing out. Sam, do you think I’ll survive, look I lost so much blood.”

As always, Sam is amazed Peter is a young man, and says, “Don’t worry. You know our blood groups match. I’ll give it to you if needed. Now stay still so I can apply the medicine.”

As Sam applies the medicine Peter screams in pain and starts crying. Sam blows softly on Peter’s finger, and says, “OK, it’s not that big. One band-aid is all you need.”

Seeing Sam taking care of everyone, for the first time, Xiander wanted Sam to be his partner. For the first time, he realized he had different feelings for him, then everyone else.

Sam packs his first aid-kit, and asks Peter if anything else needs cutting. So, Peter says, onions, and tomatoes are left.

Entering the kitchen area, Morris says, “It’s ok, I’ll cut them.” Then he asks, “Peter, slices or dices?”

Sniffling Peter says “Slices, and can you fry them also, the heat will hurt my finger.”

Smiling Morris says “Sure, no problem.”

Suddenly Xane falls down, and Sam goes running over to pick him up and says “Xane, balance is utmost important in any fight. If you lose your balance or stance, the entire tactic can backfire you.

Rather than taking down whom you are fighting, you’ll be the one down. And if you fall, it will give your opponent the chance to take you on, so you have to learn to control your balance. Even if someone is pushing or pulling you, maintain your balance.”

“Sam, you’re doing it again. Take some rest. Your fever hasn’t gone down yet.” Xiander says worrying.

Smiling Sam says “Don’t worry. I’ve taken my medicine. And, I’ll take a nap in a while.”

Seeing Xane yawning, Morris says “Xane, why not sleep for a while. You’ve been training for a long time.”

“Not till my master tells me…” Cutting Xane’s sentence midway Morris says “Xiander, please tell….”

Intervening Xane says “Hey, now Sam is my master. He has to grant me sleep leave, only then I will sleep.”

Smiling Sam says “OK, I grant you sleep leave, now go on. Lunch will be ready soon. Peter, make something light for us, training on a full stomach is not good.”

“Ok, I’ll change the menu. Give me ten minutes.”

Then Sam sees Xiander is pressing his arm so he comes over and says “Xiander, your arms are aching, here let me.”

Sitting beside Xiander, Sam begins to rub Xiander’s arm. Seeing him Xiander says “Sam, today was only the beginning and I still don’t know why he came. There’s no new enemy we made, so making an unexpected trip like that is totally out of the cause. We need to train the boys soon. Self defenses won’t be helpful. Whoever it was, we can't underestimate them.”

“Xiander, tonight brother will begin with them, and Xane is improving. I’m sure Xane will pick up soon. And me, four elements are left. We can do a crash course on them.”

“Sam, haste is waste. There are some things that should be done with ease. It’s not like I can’t give you a crash course, but you won’t be able to control your elements when you will be stressed or when someone important will be on the line.

Therefore, it’s best to take it step by step and don’t worry, me, and Vonruil are here. Oh, (suddenly remembering) and that thing, what’s it called…yeah phone, get Vonruil one so we can call him if it’s urgent. I tired using telepathy but I couldn’t connect with him.”

“Oh, you can use telepathy to connect with each other, that’s great but what happened then?” Morris is first amazed but then he gets confused

Replying, Xiander says “I don’t know. It never happened back home or in the other dimensions we went to. It’s the first time I couldn't connect with him.”

“Did you tell Vonruil about it, maybe there’s something he stopped doing.” Morris says in a curious tone.

“No, it’s not like there’s a button that we can turn on or off. It has to be cause of Satan. If Satan has captured his emotions, then I won’t be able to connect as the connection relies on emotions. When I’m worried, happy or sad, it’s the emotions that connect and as he cares for me, he will sense and connect naturally.

But now that he doesn’t have emotions even though he does worry for us, he won’t sense I’m connecting with him. So, there’s really no use in asking. It will only make him uncomfortable.”

“Don’t worry Xiander, we will get a new phone for brother first thing tomorrow morning.” Morris says in a stern tone.

“Sam, since we have come I’ve noticed you don’t go out much.” Xiander asks curiously, “Has Vonruil put a ban on you going out?”

Smiling, Sam says, “Not a ban, but it’s better. You see, everyone here knows I’m a doctor but since I don’t have a degree, no one comes to me. But if anyone finds out I’m treating brother, it will be dangerous for him. So, I’m keeping a low profile. I only go if it’s utmost important.”

Getting up Peter says “Morris take the card and let’s go. Brother is about to come home. We still have time.

You know he doesn’t like our being out late, but the phone is important. Let’s go before he comes back.”

In the market, the boys go from shop to shop. At first it looks like they won’t be able to get a phone that comes in their budget but finally they find a shop that’s selling phones at really low rates.

As Morris and Peter were on their way back, Peter notices a man is following them. Peter whispers, and says, “Morris, someone is following us. We need to shake him off. He can’t know where we live or else brother will be in danger.”

Morris has always been the fast thinker among the boys. “OK, listen. You take the third left turn, and I’ll keep going straight. Both of us will meet at the bridge. Remember to shake him off before reaching the bridge. In case he’s still following then go to the old school. The one who doesn’t come to the bridge, means he’s at the school so the other one will go there, OK.”

“OK,” Morris takes the third turn as told. Along the way, he notices the man is following him. Sighing he says, “Thanks god he came behind me. Now I know Peter is safe. OK, if you want to play tough, you’ll get it tough.”

Morris goes through different lanes and streets, but the man doesn’t leave his trail. On the other side, Peter reaches the bridge, and starts waiting for Morris.

Getting frustrated Morris says, “OK, I’m getting tired of running around, around. Time to end this game.”

Morris takes the man into a closed alley.

As he enters the alley, the man follows him as well. On seeing the man, Morris realizes he’s one of the guards of the camp that they were taken to.

The man looks up, and says, “Long time no see. I knew it was you two from the three boys that escaped. When I take you back, Ethor will give me a generous gift.”

Smiling, Morris says “Yeah, I know that, but that’s if you can take me back.”

Smiling wickedly the man says, “That day also if it wasn’t for that man, you three wouldn't have escaped.”

Getting angry Morrie says, “That you shouldn’t have reminded me. That man was my father, and today I’ll make you pay for killing him with your life.”

Soon the man attacks but Morris dodges the attack and attacks back making the man fall onto his back. Then Morris goes over and lifts the man up and starts beating him up. Then Morris gives him a big punch, making him fall onto his back.

As the man falls on his back, his arm hits on a boulder, and the sound of bone cracking can be heard.

The man gets up holding his arm, and says, “I’ll be back.” And vanishes into thin air.

Morris looks around to see if he’s hiding anywhere, but when he’s certain the man is gone, Morris quickly runs to the bridge hoping Peter is still there.

Seeing Peter, Morris takes a breath of relief, and says, “Thank God you’re still here. I was worried you might have left for school.”

“I was going to leave. What happened, your hands are bruised?” Peter asks worriedly as he takes Morris’s hands in his hands.

Panting Morris says “The man, he was one of the guards at Ethor’s camp. He recognized us and planned to take us back to Ethor and get a grand gift in return. Initially my intention was to only beat him so I could run from there, but when he took dad’s name, I couldn’t resist and ended up beating him.”

“What?” Peter says shocked, “Are you OK?”