Between father and daughter

In a breathless tone, young Asha cried out:

"Father! You're in danger!"

But the old man didn't pay the slightest attention. He continued to write on the ground with a material resembling charcoal. Whatever he was writing seemed utterly incomprehensible. Nonetheless, one could say it was some sort of calculations.

Completely lost in his work, the old man barely took the time to lift his eyes slightly. He looked at Asha for long seconds before completely immersing himself back into what he was doing.

- Father, I know how much you value your research, but you must seek shelter or you'll die.

- Hmm…

The old scientist and Asha's father still seemed uninterested in the girl's warnings. Suddenly, he stood up abruptly and said, "I think I've got it! Hmmmm… no, not quite yet." Then he sat back down, hands on his cheeks, looking pensive.

Meanwhile, somewhere not far from the city center,

Atlas and Alpheus were discussing their recent time at the black market:

- Do you really think we could not have taken the map by force?" Alpheus asked his companion.

- Absolutely! Not only is the black market the merchant's stronghold, but also, as I told you earlier, he seems quite powerful. I sensed it the moment I laid eyes on him. So, it's better not to take risks, especially for an object whose authenticity we still doubt.

- It's true, it's wiser not to use force yet.

After these words, Alpheus looked closely at Atlas, then added:

- Hmm… Why do I feel like there is something else?

- Maybe there is. Replied Atlas, casting a quick glance at his new friend.

- The girl, huh?

- Don't tell me I'm the only one who noticed her flinch when the merchant mentioned the old scientist? It was weird… downright bizarre.

- Yeah, I found it odd that she suddenly had something urgent to attend to right after hearing the merchant's instructions.

- Yeah! And that intrigues me. I want to know why.

- What's so special about her that interests you so much?

- Are you serious, man? I didn't think you were that insensitive. Know that such beauty only comes once in a millennium. Atlas said, making a gesture with his finger to emphasize his point.

- Um… chill, you are creepy.

After a few minutes, the two traveling companions arrived at the central square. They too were impressed by the gigantic fountain capturing the attention of many people who seemed to be tourists.

But soon, their attention shifted to the alley, where a young girl could be seen shouting at an old man to get up from the ground and follow her, drawing the attention of the few people passing by the entrance of the alley.

- I think we're good, Atlas.

- Yeah, no chance we got the wrong person. An old man in a white coat, looking like a madman in his dirty clothes and completely disheveled white hair, absorbed in his task of writing gibberish on the ground and above all… oblivious to a young girl who apparently wants to help him.

- That is… a very detailed observation. Alpheus said, looking at Atlas with surprise.

- Alright! No time to waste. Let's start by observing discreetly.

They then both headed towards the rooftops, where they could easily observe without being noticed.

Now in position, they could easily observe the conversation between the young girl and the old man without risking being noticed.

"Listen to me before I lose patience. I know how much you value this research, but if you die, none of this will matter. It's been going on for far too long.

All the sacrifices I've had to make to keep you alive, while you just act like a madman sitting there for who knows how long doing research that never leads anywhere. I probably mean nothing to you as a daughter. But mother… it's… it's all because of you if… if…"

Tears started to well up slightly in Asha's eyes, but she held them back, not wanting to appear weak.

The old scientist stopped writing for a moment after Asha's words. Then, without lifting his head, he glanced at the girl's face. Then, as if nothing happened, he returned to his calculations.

Although the thought crossed her mind, young Asha was determined to stay by her father's side. So, she sat down on the ground, facing her father.

"What's the point of you, damn it?" she asked, looking at the old man with all sorts of negative feelings starting to come to her mind. Frustration, disgust, and so many other feelings contrasting with her strong desire to save her father.

These words, of course, left the old man completely indifferent.

In the face of this scene, Atlas felt like he was watching a play where emotions were running high. Alpheus, on the other hand, listened attentively with his arms crossed and eyes closed, pretending not to be interested in the whole story.

- I think, Alpheus, that it is time to show ourselves and clarify this murder case. Atlas said, standing up and adjusting his cape properly.

- I see no objection to that. Alpheus replied, coming to stand beside his companion.

They then jumped from the rooftop where they had been observing. Each of them landed on one side of Asha and her father.

Asha instinctively reached for the bow on her back and an arrow from a quiver attached to her waist. The archer aimed at Atlas but occasionally pointed her weapon towards Alpheus as well. Frowning, she said:

- I knew it. You are indeed lawless criminals. Not even capable of waiting for the right moment to attack. Take one step and I'll shoot an arrow through both of your skulls.

- Hmmm... a woman of character. I love it. Atlas said, seemingly unfazed by Asha's words.

- You are becoming creepy again, Atlas. Stop it. Alpheus added, also paying little attention to the young girl.

Continuing in his carefree manner, Atlas wanted to move closer to the young elf. But as soon as his foot touched the ground again, a shockwave left him completely frozen, his eyes wide open in astonishment.

In the split second that had just passed, Atlas had instinctively tilted his head slightly to the right, allowing something he hadn't even had time to see to pass by. That something, however, left a nice scratch on his left cheek.

The loud noise and the damage caused by this projectile a few meters behind Atlas had the immediate effect of causing everyone present to flee, turning this tourist spot into a completely deserted place in an instant.

'What was that?!' This thought was the only thing going through Atlas' mind as he remained in disbelief.

Alpheus, on the other hand, tried to hide his emotions as best he could. Filled with astonishment, he asked himself all sorts of questions: 'How is this possible? Does all this power come from her weapon or from herself? She doesn't even have the aura of someone powerful.' Atlas also pondered these questions, but he had less time to think about them as Asha suddenly charged at him.

"Huh!!! An archer charging her opponent head-on?!" he muttered, getting into position to defend himself.

Realizing that her opponent was not an easy target, Asha was ready to fight with all her might. While charging, she grabbed three arrows from her quiver and simultaneously launched them at her opponent. She intentionally aimed for Atlas' lower limbs, forcing him to retreat and leave the alley.

This action was well thought out; Asha needed more space.

Because she was about to do something that would further astonish Atlas and Alpheus.

Magic of Trees :

{DESTRUCTIVE PILLARS}

Four pillars suddenly emerged from the ground, encircling Atlas. Each of them measured 5 meters in height and was covered in thorns. Atlas had barely noticed them when numerous spikes began to emerge, all heading towards him, aiming to impale him.

'She's not holding back. Does she really intend to kill me? I understand her. I would do the same if someone threatened my father... hmmm... actually, no, I think I would enjoy seeing that,' Atlas thought as his life was in danger.

To counter Asha's attack, he grabbed his sword to cut through everything. But the moment he touched it, his mana began to be rapidly drained, as if his katana had an insatiable thirst for blood.

"What are you doing, Muramasa? Tsss... you're annoying me with your constant thirst for blood," he said, addressing his sword.

He immediately let go of it. Then he opened his arms, palms facing the spikes, and bent his legs.

Intermediate-level Telekinesis: {REPULSION}

The wooden spikes from Asha's technique were completely pulverized by Atlas' telekinesis, leaving her speechless.

- You're doing very well, but I can't afford the luxury of dying just yet. Atlas said, starting to walk towards the young elf.

- Don't come any closer! she shouted, extending her hands to use the four remaining pillars to launch a new attack.

But her pillars immediately caught fire. Perplexed, she turned around to see the source of the flames, finding Alpheus with his hands in his pockets, looking disinterested.

- Listen, hmm... Asha. We mean no harm to your father. Atlas added, reassuring the young girl.

- So you've had all this time to spy on my father and me.

- Hmm?

- Otherwise, how would you know that he is my father? And if you really mean him no harm, why would you take the time to observe us?

- ...I don't have much to say to that. But believe me, if we wanted to kill him, he would already be dead. (Oops, maybe I shouldn't have said that.)

Asha began to clench her fists, feeling offended by Atlas' words. A wave of thoughts crossed her mind: what would she do if these two men attacked her father to kill him, could she defend him, was she powerful enough to fight the one who wanted her father dead, would she lose another person she loved?

Lost in her thoughts, she startled at the sound of her father's voice, which she hadn't heard in a long time.

- I trust them. Let's find a hiding place before we draw attention. The old man said, getting up and taking the time to erase everything he had written on the ground.

- Father...

- No time for emotions now, we're being watched. He hurriedly said, starting to make his way.

Atlas and Alpheus followed him, even though they barely understood the situation. Asha also started following him after a sigh, saying, "I had forgotten how polite you were, father."

Just as they had moved, a man wearing a black cape, hood pulled over his head, turned around and continued on the opposite path.

****

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patreon.com/Death_Side

There you will find exclusively, images of your favorite characters, information about them and also about the world of the book, without forgetting the possibility of chatting with me.

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