~Chapter 6- Cmar & Nout~
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Chief Cmar and Nout were amazed by the children's strength and skill. Where had they come from? Cmar wanted to introduce the children to the rest of his tribe, and insisted that they have a feast to celebrate the day. After what the boys had done, surely the ape wouldn't bother them again. The children were hungry and weren't the sort to turn down a good meal.
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Cmar led the children through the Bog woods. Nout walked with Jirro. He was shorter than Jirro, but stood shoulder to shoulder with Corri.
"Thanks again for saving me back there," Nout said with a smile concealed by his trunk, still wrapped around him like a scarf.
Jirro smiled, "No problem. You'd do the same for me."
Nout stammered, "N-No I couldn't do that."
"Why not?"
"I'm not brave and strong like you."
Jirro laughed, "No one's born brave and strong! But anyone can be."
"I'm not so sure..."
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Chief Cmar overheard Jirro speaking with Nout. While Aero and Corri walked at his side, he asked, "How did you boys get as strong as you are?"
Aero responded earnestly, "Mainly our dads. They trained all of us. My sister is really strong too!"
Cmar felt inadequate. His son wasn't as powerful as these boys. Cmar spoke quietly so Nout wouldn't hear him, "I'm sure you can tell, my son Nout is still a timid boy. I'm wondering... perhaps you could teach him some of what you know?"
"We're actually looking for our dads right now. But after we find them, I'd love to!"
Cmar smiled, "I'd be happy to help you find your parents."
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Cmar led them to his village, and introduced the children to his people. Everyone was happy to hear that the ape wouldn't be bothering them any longer. The children enjoyed their time with the tribe, staying through to the night. A bonfire was lit at the center of the village which everyone crowded around.
Cmar noticed his son seemed to be getting along well with the boy Jirro. Nout didn't talk much with the other kids his age, so it was nice to see him making a friend.
"What are your father's names?" Cmar asked them around the bonfire.
The red-haired Ralosian girl, Corri, answered, "Our father's name is Razan. Jirro's dad's name is Lucar."
"My dad is way stronger!" Jirro chirped.
"Nah, our dad is stronger!" Aero barked back.
Cmar expected the names of some famous warriors, perhaps someone with relation to the Fighting Academy. It would explain why the children were so skilled. But those names were unfamiliar to him.
"Where did you last see them?"
"Back at our home on Platt Mountain. But our house was destroyed when we were there last," Jirro explained. He continued on to explain their situation with the bandits, the old woman Modi and her student, Emil.
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Modi and Emil had been scoping out the area in search of the children when they saw a light coming from the Bog Woods, and they headed inside. As they traveled towards it, an ape found them.
It growled and snarled at them. The ape threw a giant fist down at Modi, but she blocked the blow with her tiny yet immensely powerful arms. She jumped up and delivered a single light punch to the Ape's face and it fell back, rendered unconscious by the old woman.
Or perhaps she killed it? She didn't care either way. Modi and Emil continued towards the source of the light. It appeared to be a small celebration held by a Phantine tribe. But among them were Aero, Jirro, and Corri.
The festivities of the Phantine people were suddenly halted as Modi and Emil strolled into their village. The three children stood promptly, ready to defend themselves. But against Modi, they must've known they didn't stand a chance.
Modi walked past the Phantine people towards the kids, until a large Phantine stood in her way. Most likely their chief.
"Stand aside," Modi said, her overly polite facade had fallen away to a much colder personality.
"What brings you to my village?" The Phantine chief asked, feigning cordiality. He didn't move an inch.
"I am here for those children," Modi pointed a skinny finger at the three, "I will take them and be on my way. Stand aside."
"These children are my guests. You will not be taking them."
Modi furrowed her brow, "You think you can stop me?"
Modi and the chief stared into each other's eyes, neither wavering. Emil tapped on Modi's shoulder and brought her attention to their surroundings. The entire Phantine tribe surrounded them, some of them had grabbed wooden spears and were prepared to intervene.
Modi considered her options. She wasn't certain she could handle all of them. She probably could, but didn't want to test her limits. She certainly didn't want a bounty put on her head for attacking these people. She was already in enough trouble with the academy.
Modi exhaled, "Very well. They are yours. Come along Emil," Modi turned her back, and the two left the way they came without any fuss. The children didn't drop their guard until she was well out of sight.
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Modi watched the village from a distance, waiting until the bonfire had dimmed entirely and the village was asleep. She waited a few more hours to ensure she would maintain the element of surprise. She drew black metal handcuffs from her robes, the sort used only on the most powerful of criminals. They were meant for someone else, but they could prove handy now.
She snuck into the village, undetected, crouching through the underbrush. She peeked into each of the homes until she found the children in one of them.
She didn't need all of them, one would do. They would serve as bait for their fathers. She looked at the black-haired one sleeping on his stomach, she believed his name was Aero. He would do.
She cuffed his hands behind his back. When he started to wake, Modi delivered a quick strike to the back of his head. Hard enough to knock him out, but not to seriously hurt him. She threw Aero over her shoulders and hurried away with him. 402Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnOZczMAdT
