Chapter 11

Morning arrives with the brothers barely awake.

Norkai: “What a peaceful day. I'm so glad the tournament is over.”

Nireh: “Will you compete again in the future?”

Norkai: “I don't know. We'll see.”

Nireh: “The audience really liked you.”

Norkai: “Yeah... what about you? Roy said you are going in a mission with him.”

Nireh: “I'm actually excited for that. To see how his missions are.”

Norkai: “Well... I guess I'll do missions just with Draviel. How long will you be gone?”

Nireh: “I don't know. But it might take a while.”

Norkai: “Alright. Just take care of yourself.”

Nireh: “I will. And you be careful to not exhaust yourself with so much training.”

Norkai: “Haha. Got it. Actually... I'm meeting Draviel in an hour. Do you wanna join?”

Nireh: “I'm fine. You guys need to talk about the fight. I'll just be in your way.”

Norkai: “Okay. I'm leaving then. I need to grab some food on the way. See you later.”

After Norkai's departure, Nireh went outside for a walk. It was a sunny, pleasant day with lots of people outside. Most of them were tired, with half-closed eyes, since they partied all night after the tournament.

Nireh: *Is that Elira?*

Nireh: “Elira... wait up.”

Elira: “Nireh, I've heard about your brother's win. You need to tell me how the fight went?”

Nireh: “It was actually close. His opponent had the Increased Adaptability power. Norkai had to end the fight quickly.”

Elira: “I see. Did he get him with his finisher?”

Nireh: “Yeah. It was pretty cool.”

Elira: “That's nice. Next time I'll definitely be there to see him as well.”

Nireh: “I know he'd like that.”

Elira: “You know... I wanted to ask you something. But not here. Can we meet at the old watchtower in one hour? I need to take care of something first.”

Nireh: “Sure. I'll see you there.”

Nireh: *I wonder what she wants to know.*

Elira: “Thanks, Nireh. See you later.”

Around one hour later, Nireh was waiting for her.

Nireh: *Now that I think about it... Elira and I were always cool with each other. I wonder if

I should ask her out.*

Elira: “Sorry for being late.”

Nireh: “It's fine. I've only been here for a few minutes.”

Elira: “Okay. What I wanted to ask you is... did Astero say anything about me?”

Elira: *This is so embarrassing.*

Nireh: “Like what? He usually hangs out with Norkai not me.”

Elira: “I see. The thing is... I like him. And I wanted to know if he feels the same.”

Nireh: “I really don't know. You should ask Norkai.”

Nireh: *This is a little bit awkward.*

Elira: “It's fine. Just... forget I said anything.”

Elira: *I'm never doing this again.*

Nireh: “No problem. Is that all you wanted?”

Elira: “Yeah... sorry for wasting your time. I'll just go.”

Nireh: “It's okay. Don't worry about it.”

Elira: “Thanks, Nireh. See you later.”

Nireh: “Bye, Elira.”

Nireh: *I guess I'm not asking her out anytime soon.*

The next day.

Roy: “Do you have your things ready? I got a mission.”

Nireh: “Yes. I'm ready to go.”

Roy: “Very well. Let's get moving.”

They said goodbye to Norkai and left the house shortly.

Nireh: *My first mission with Roy. This is gonna be interesting.*

Nireh: “What's the mission about?”

Roy: “The mission is simple. We have this package and we need to deliver it. However... things rarely go smoothly.”

Nireh: “What is in the package?”

Roy: “I don't know.”

Nireh: “They didn't tell you?”

Roy: “No. It's better like that.”

Nireh: “Hmm... I don't like it.”

Roy: “I know... but if we don't know what's inside, and something happens, then everyone can play the innocent card.”

Nireh: “I see. Where are we going?”

Roy: “Averon.”

Nireh: “What? In another country? Isn't Averon in mixed relations with Yllera?”

Roy: “Correct. Things might get weird if we are not being careful.”

Nireh: “I hope everything goes well.”

The rest of the day was spent on the road towards the border. It was a pleasant walk, with the boys enjoying the natural scenery. Roy was acting like a guide for Nireh, since that part of the country was new to him.

Nireh: “The night is coming soon.”

Roy: “I know. In a couple of minutes you will see a cave. We're setting camp there.”

Nireh: “Okay. Is that your usual spot?”

Roy: “Yes. However... many other people use it as well. It's big and has a nice temperature.”

When they arrived at the cave, a group of two people was already there.

Rena: “Roy? How many times do we need to meet here?”

Roy: “Hey, Rena. Taking your dad to Velen again?”

Rena: “Yes. Who's your cute friend?”

Rena's dad: “Hello, Roy. It's nice to see you again.”

Roy: “That's my brother, Nireh.”

Nireh: “Nice to meet you.”

Nireh: *Wait... did she say I'm cute?*

Rena: “Likewise. You know... Roy never talks about personal stuff. Since school, he didn't say a thing about you or your brother.”

Nireh: “It's the same with us. We barely know anything about him.”

Rena: “Is that true Roy? Why are you so closed?”

Roy: “Can we not do this today?”

Nireh: “So you two were in the same class?”

Rena: “Yeah. I bet he didn't say anything about his school time. Did you know he punched a teacher for making him do something too risky?”

Nireh: “You're kidding. No... he never mentioned that. Roy?”

Roy: “It was not that big of a deal. That teacher was an ass.”

Rena: “Yeah right... you almost got into a fight with him.”

Nireh: “Hahaha. I thought he was very shy at that age.”

Rena: “Sometimes he was. Until you got him angry. Haha.”

Nireh: “That's interesting. Now you barely get a reaction from him.”

Rena: “Yeah... he is like a control freak.”

Roy: “Guys... can we please talk about something else?”

Rena: “Fine. What do you wanna talk about? Nireh do you have a girlfriend?”

Nireh: “No... I do not. Why do you ask?”

Rena: “Just curious.”

Roy: “I think we should get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a long day.”

Rena: “Alright then. See you guys in the morning.”

Nireh: “Good night, Rena.”

Roy: “Good night.”

In the morning, after eating, everyone went their way.

Nireh: “Rena seemed nice.”

Roy: “Yeah... she is fun to be around.”

Nireh: “Does she live in Velen now?”

Roy: “No. Only her dad. She's just making sure he gets home safely.”

Nireh: “I see.”

Roy: “Look... on top of that mountain. Do you see those old ruins? They have been there since the Old War.”

Nireh: “Old War? But that was hundreds of years ago.”

Roy: “I know. And they are still there. Isn't that fascinating?”

Nireh: “I guess. I never really thought about it.”

Roy: “I am curious. What do you enjoy thinking of?”

Nireh: “Just stuff... nothing special.”

Roy: “Do you have any hobbies?”

Nireh: “Not really. Why are you asking?”

Roy: “Just curious. It seems to me... that you're a little indecisive.”

Nireh: “That's not entirely true.”

Nireh: *What is he trying to say?*

Roy: “When was the last time you did something you really wanted to do?”

Nireh: “Aaam... I don't know.”

Roy: “Interesting. Well... take it from me. The more you postpone some decisions... the harder it will be for you.”

Nireh: “What is that supposed to mean?”

Roy: “You'll understand it later.”

Nireh: “Okay... that is not confusing at all.”

Roy: “Haha. You'll be fine. At your age... things are meant to be confusing.”

Nireh: “Was it the same for you too?”

Roy: “Yeah... but don't worry. Time will give you the answers you need.”

Nireh: “I hope so.”

Nireh: *Is he just messing with me? Or am I missing something?*

As Nireh was reminiscing the previous discussion, they heard someone screaming for help.

Nireh: “Did you hear that? I think it's coming from that abandoned house. Let's hurry.”

Roy: “Wait.”

Nireh: “Why? Someone might be hurt.”

Roy: “Nobody has lived in that house since forever. And now someone screams for help?”

Nireh: “You think it's a bait?”

Roy: “It might be.”

Masked thug: “You saw right through it. Should I be impressed?”

Behind the trees, three masked thugs appear.

Roy: “What do you want?”

Masked thug: “The package. Hand it over.”

Roy: “Why do you need it?”

Masked thug: “It is not your concern.”

Roy: “I'm afraid I can't give it to you then.”

Masked thug: “It's fine. We'll take it. Get them, boys.”

The fight instantly splits in two. Roy is facing two of them, and Nireh is facing the remaining one. Wanting to help his brother, Nireh immediately uses his Enhanced Instinct and understands the opponent's rhythm in seconds. His opponent is completely countered and can't keep up with him. Having Enhanced Vision as layer 2 meant he was a team fighter or fit for border patrol. Without using his affinities too much, Nireh finds an opening when the thug tries to hit him with a fireball. Nireh simply evades it, then uses his Cyclone Disperse to lift him up in the air and finishes him with Crescent Rush.

Nireh: “You need help?”

Roy: “Done already?”

He smiles at him.

Nireh: “Yeah. Let's finish them too.”

Masked thug: “You won't finish anything kid. Show them no mercy.”

Masked thug 2: “Understood.”

The thugs become more aggressive and begin to attack as a team. Nireh is their target. However, Roy, being experienced with team fights, immediately counters by splitting them with his signature move, Water's Incision, a water knife made from specially modified water with a severe explosion on impact. His attack is fatal and extremely precise, revealing his layer 2 power, Increased Precision. Distracted by seeing his partner fall, Nireh immediately seizes the opportunity and lands a direct punch to the remaining thug, leaving him unconscious.

Roy: “It seems you're much stronger now.”

Nireh: “I had a good teacher.”

Roy: “Yeah... Draviel knows what he's doing.”

Nireh: “I am confused though... how did they know we had the package?”

Roy: “Someone tipped them off.”

Nireh: “But who? We didn't talk to anyone about the mission.”

Roy: “Things like these always happen. It's best not to question them too much.”

Nireh: “Fine. What about these? What are we going to do with them?”

Roy: “We're gonna kill them... and bury their bodies.”

Nireh: “I was afraid you'd say that.”

Roy: “We have no choice. They saw our faces.”

Nireh: “I get it. Let's get this over with.”

In one hour the bodies were buried and the brothers were back on the road.

Roy: “I'm sorry you had to witness that.”

Nireh: “It's part of our job, right? I'll be fine.”

Roy: “I suggest you don't think too much about it.”

Nireh: “I will try.”

Roy: “There's a village close to us. Wanna check out the local inn?”

Nireh: “That sounds like a great idea.”

After drinking their sorrow with some beverages, the boys continued their mission. Back on the road, in short time they could see a bridge in the distance.

Roy: “Quick. Take cover.”

Nireh: “What's happening?”

He asked while hiding behind some trees.

Roy: “You see that bridge? It's being watched.”

Nireh: “How do you know that? I see nobody.”

Roy: “The tracks on the ground.”

Nireh: “But I see no tracks.”

Roy: “Exactly. Ten minutes ago there were plenty... and now they are gone?”

Nireh: “I didn't even notice. You must know every trick in the book.”

Nireh: *He must be the worst type of enemy to have.*

Roy: “I would hope so.”

Nireh: “What are we going to do now?”

Roy: “Wait for the night. Sneak silently and take them out. Then we cross the bridge.”

Nireh: “Nice plan. But who are they?”

Roy: “I don't know. But I suspect they might be in the same team as the guys who ambushed us earlier.”

Nireh: “They are searching for their men?”

Roy: “Most likely. We need to be careful.”

When night arrived, the plan was set in motion. Every single one of the guards got knocked out, one by one, and they crossed the bridge without worries. Within one hour they reached the border. Slowly the scenery was starting to change. Lots of mountain areas and rough roads were waiting for them. Even the abandoned houses had a different style. Averon was famous for its beautiful landscapes, wild vegetation and unique creatures. 
After a few more hours, they arrived at a huge lake.

Nireh: “Wow... this place is gorgeous.”

Roy: “I know. I also said that, when I saw it the first time.”

Nireh: “Can you imagine living here?”

Roy: “Yeah... while you enjoy the scenery, I will check those cabins.”

Nireh: “Okay. I'll wait here.”

Nireh: *This lake, the mountains... and the peace. I can see myself retiring in a place like this.*

Roy: “We can go now.”

Nireh: “Found anything?”

Roy: “No. Let's keep going northeast.”

Nireh: “Is the rest of the country as beautiful as this place?”

Roy: “Yeah. In some places even better.”

Nireh: “Thanks for making me even more curious.”

Roy: “You will see them someday. I'm sure of it.”

As they were traveling at a relaxed pace, they arrived at an open hill area.

Nireh: “That mountain, to the west, must be the biggest mountain I've ever seen.”

Roy: “It's not easy climbing one of those.”

Nireh: “How many mountains have you climbed?”

Roy: “I lost count.”

In a few seconds they found themselves surrounded by nearly twenty people.

Masked thug: “You have something we need.”

Roy: “You see the package? I will destroy it before you get to me.”

Nireh: “What are you doing?”

He whispered to him as he was mildly panicking.

Roy: “Just calm down... and let me handle this.”

Masked thug: “You're bluffing. We'll torture you to death if you do that.”

Roy: “Torture us all you want... but then you'll have to explain to your boss why you don't have the package.”

Masked thug: “You bastard. You think you're so smart?”

Masked thug 2: “Boss... why do we care about them? Let's just take the package and get paid.”

Masked thug: “Silence!”

Roy: “Listen to your man. We can end this quickly, with no blood spilled.”

Masked thug: “Sure. Just give us the package... and we'll let you walk away.”

Roy: “Come on... we weren't born yesterday. Let us get some distance and we'll put the package on the ground. Then you can do whatever you want with it.”

Masked thug: “Just do it already, before I change my mind. If you run... we will chase you to the ends of the earth.”

Roy: “Alright. No tricks.”

The brothers back away a couple of meters, then put the package on the ground and immediately start running.

Nireh: “What are we going to do now?”

Roy: “We go home. The mission is complete.”

Nireh: “What do you mean? We just lost the package.”

Roy: “We lost 'a package', not 'the package'.”

Nireh: “I don't understand.”

Roy: “Remember the cabins? I left the package there for another team to pick it up.”

Nireh: “Why didn't you tell me?”

Roy: “I was trying to protect you. So you don't panic... in case something happens.”

Nireh: “Basically you don't trust me?”

Roy: “I didn't say that. Why are you upset? The mission is complete.”

Nireh: “Forget it. Let's just go home.”

The road back was quiet, without any surprises. After they reached home village, Roy went to give the report about the mission, while Nireh went straight home.

Norkai: “Hey. You're back. How was it?”

Nireh: “You don't wanna know.”

Norkai: “Roy doing Roy things?”

Nireh: “Yeah.”

Norkai: “Tell me everything.”

For the next few hours, the boys gossiped about their brother's behavior. Around them, he was unapologetically predictable.