Chapter 7: Acquainted Strangers

After Hero pulled the sword off the floor all he heard were murmurs he couldn't fully make out what most people were saying but at least he did hear a few murmurs from those who were close to him.

"How the hell did he do that?". That was the first murmur he heard.

"I don't know maybe he has some unique unknown power". Another one whispered.

Of course there were a lot more and more murmuring among the crowd, he was so embarassed he didn't even want to look at anybody because he was afraid of what they were going to say about him. Hero has lived his hardships in life and to be honest though he was used to it he wasn't really ready for it.

He could feel the glares and impatient from the crowd all hoping for him to turn around so they can take a good look at him, Hero didn't want to turn around so he just faced the other direction and just held the sword.

"Whoa congratulations kid you just beat us all". Vice claps his hands to ease up the tension.

Before everyone else would join they all looked around to see who was that person who is brave enough to pull a stunt like this clapping hands in this crowd of this many people, at first they didn't know that it was Vice after all because he was standing at the far end of the back so it was kinda hard to point him out. That's until he made his way through the crowd.

"Thanks kid I think it's safe to say because of you now we can finally be able to take the sword and put it in a safe place, where it can never hurt anyone else". Vice approaches Hero.

Vice wasn't all by himself he was accompanied by Johnny the scientist who was by the was scanning the sword and studying while it was still in Hero's hand.

"Now if you don't mind giving it to me, I'll take it off your hands". Johnny tries to talk Hero to giving him the sword.

Hero was hesitate to hand over the sword to Johnny and Vice saw that in him.

"Don't worry you can trust him". Vice gives Hero an assuring smile.

Hero saw the smile that Vice gave him even though he was a guy and not playing for the other team, Hero found himself charmed by this guy's smile. So he gave Johnny the sword.

"Thank you". Johnny takes the sword.

It didn't even pass even a second the sword seemed to be too heavy for Johnny he was busy struggling to find balance with it, the sword just went back to the floor.

"Uh guys". Johnny struggling to pull the sword out.

"What's the matter how Johnny boy?". Vice not paying attention.

"The sword it's stuck and no matter what I do, it just won't come out". Johnny using all the strength he barely even has.

When Vice saw the funny dilemma that Johnny was facing he couldn't help himself but laugh his guts out.

"Step aside". Vice pushed Johnny and tried to pull the sword out himself. But like before the sword didn't budge at.

Vice pulled and pulled the sword but no luck even Johnny assisted him and together they tried to do the impossible pull out the damn sword, but even with a two men team the sword just sat there undisturbed.

"What's the meaning of this?". Vice getting frustrated.

"I tried to tell you, that he is the only one who can lift and carry the sword". The girl in the hospital robe came and joined Hero, Vice and Johnny.

"What? That's impossible". Vice doubtful.

"Let him try and let's see". The girl suggested.

"Hah we'll see who is right, alright kid lift the sword". Vice stepped away from the sword and made way for Hero.

Hero just looked at the girl he'd never seen before he was stunned by how could she ever know that only he could be the only person who could lift the sword, and the girl just looked at him.

"Well?". said the girl.

"Oh right sorry". Hero focused on what he was doing.

Unlike Vice and Johnny, Hero didn't even need to use an inch of his strength sure he wasn't that strong that could be told judging from his physical appearance, he was a little bit skinny average at best. That's when he pulled the sword and it just came out.

"Holy moly". Johnny said in awe.

Everyone else in the crowd gasped what they just witnessed was a very rare and unique moment, a kid they don't even know just pulled out one of the most powerful weapon and dangerous artefact at that.

"See told you". The girl looked at Vice.

Vice didn't even know what to say or do in that exact moment for someone who seemed to have a lot of energy he was quiet for his own good, it was a little bit weird.

"So what now?" Hero not sure what to do now.

The same eyes and attention Hero was trying his best to avoid all went outside the window, he was the centre of everyone's attention he didn't even know if it was either good or bad. All he could tell is that this wasn't what he wanted.

"Put the sword down kid and let's get the hell out of here". Vice pulled Hero away.

Obviously everyone else opened up a path for them to pass it's just the uneasy stares that made Hero uncomfortable even if they didn't say anything with their mouths their eyes were the ones that spoke at that time. He felt it all.

"Cleo, are you coming or what?". Vice called the girl in the hospital robe.

Hero was now safe and sound in a private room this room looked so beautiful, whoever was admitted there was super wealthy Hero assumed. Yes, the room was a hospital room.

It was so beautiful and different from the first room Hero found himself admitted in this one had space big enough for a seance or something like that, it had two beds spaced apart and each bed had it's own food table and even TV, and it was painted in golden-ish pain same colour as the whole freakishly big Egyptian building.

Hero was sitting in his bed watching TV and eating some grapes, next to her was Cleo and she was just lying in bed facing the other direction.

"Sorry to bother you but how did you know that I'm the only one who can lift the sword?". Hero keeps changing the channels.

Cleo ignored him but Hero saw her flinched a bit when he asked her that question. Hero just looked at her.

"Will you stop staring at me it's rude". Cleo could sense Hero's stare.

"Sorry". Hero continues to change the TV channels.

"Thank you". said Cleo.

Cleo was facing the window by the looks of it she wasn't really in the mood to have a talk, she just got up and went to the window opened the curtains and outside was blue beautiful clear skies with the sun's heat reflecting in a good way.

"Hey". Cleo watching the sky.

"What's up?". Hero knew she was talking to him.

"Thank you for saving me". Cleo was embarassed to say that.

"It's okay". Hero replied.

In all honesty Hero really had no slightest idea what Cleo was talking about let alone even know who she was, their conversation was pretty dull and awkward after that. They were silent.

"So where is Vice?". Hero decided to break the ice.

"He didn't say but when he comes it's either a good thing or the worst thing that he could have done". Cleo still maintaining focus on the blue sky.

None of them really knew where Vice disappeared too all they know is that it's been a few hours since he left them together and all they could recall about him.

"Now play nice together and don't do things even married couples do". Hero recalls Vice giving them that advice.

Sometime had pass and Cleo stopped looking at the sun in the sky and she turned around to look at Hero.

"Wow". Hero charmed.

"What? is there something on my face?". Cleo wipes herself.

"Uh no it's just that I didn't expect you to be so beautiful". Hero sounded genuine.

Cleo was embarassed after she heard that compliment she kinda blushed but because of girl pride she chose to face the sun again. Cleo was a beautiful short girl with long black hair, her eyes were blue like the ocean and she had a beautiful smile with dimples.

Hero saw that she blushed a little but when she turned around to face the sun, he was the one now who was smiling on his own.

He turned off the TV as if he knew that someone was going to come in.

"Good news". Vice said we he closed the door behind him.