{"id":39,"date":"2021-07-05T20:40:42","date_gmt":"2021-07-06T00:40:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/?page_id=39"},"modified":"2021-09-13T12:20:44","modified_gmt":"2021-09-13T16:20:44","slug":"chapter-1","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/chapter-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 001: New Girl"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"290\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Etherno_logo-sm.jpg\" alt=\"Etherno\" class=\"wp-image-52\" srcset=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Etherno_logo-sm.jpg 768w, https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Etherno_logo-sm-300x113.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size wp-block-heading\"><strong>Chapter 1: New Girl<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"591\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Onin_sm.jpg\" alt=\"Onin\" class=\"wp-image-49\" srcset=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Onin_sm.jpg 400w, https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Onin_sm-203x300.jpg 203w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin set his test down and smiled at it. <em>And they said college would be harder than high school<\/em>. He started to scan back down the paper to double-check his work when he heard a huffing sound behind him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cUh-oh.\u201d His muscles tensed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">He turned in time to see Zinako close her eyes, scrunch up her nose, and draw her head back. Students around her scrambled to get out of the way. <em>Oh, not again!<\/em> Onin started to lift his arm to generate a servitor, but he was too late.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAh-Choo!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The sneeze erupted from Zinako\u2019s tiny frame and flung her backward diagonally, over two rows of tables, and through the middle window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI\u2019ve got her!\u201d Onin yelled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">He raised his hand, palm out, and generated a ball of crackling white light twice as large as his head. It separated from his palm and flew out through the broken window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">At the front of the room, Professor Jekao stood, crossed in front of the digital display board, and trudged over to the opposite wall. He stopped in front of a large paper with the number \u201c29\u201d on it. Underneath, it read \u201c&#8230; days without a student Gifting incident.\u201d He sighed and pulled the paper off the wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">A low groan came from behind Onin. He turned around and stared at his roommate, Tannin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThere goes our free doughnuts,\u201d Tannin muttered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThat\u2019s what you\u2019re concerned about?\u201d Onin waved at the hole in the window. \u201cWhat about Zinako?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cEh, she\u2019ll be fine. Your\u2014\u201d he waggled his hand \u201c\u2014thingy will get her.\u201d\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI\u2019ve told you before, it\u2019s called a servitor, and that\u2019s not the point!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">A hum filled the room and the ball of white light rose into view through the hole. Energy tendrils dangled from it wrapped around Zinako\u2019s arms and waist, suspending her. The ball floated into the room, set the girl down, and dispersed into a thousand pinpricks of light with a slight pop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSee, she\u2019s fine,\u201d Tannin said. \u201cYour what-do-you-call\u2019em\u2019s even healed her scrapes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin slapped his forehead with the palm of his right hand. As usual, Tannin missed the point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAll right everyone, excitement\u2019s over.\u201d Professor Jekao sighed and plopped down into his chair. \u201cBack to your tests.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"75\" height=\"50\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/dragon.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin walked out of his last class and slumped against the wall. The halls were busy this time of day. Onin leaned his head back against the wall and waited for foot traffic to die down a little. The hallway was painted white like most of the building, with the same beige industrial tile covered the floor. The opposite wall was solid glass with a few interspersing stainless steel supports. Onin stared out into the courtyard. It was a beautiful spring day. Maybe he\u2019d study underneath one of the trees in the courtyard instead of heading straight back to his dorm room. Onin closed his eyes and mentally reviewed what he had to go over before his next class tomorrow. Six months into his first year on campus, and he still wasn\u2019t sure if a full load was harder than being dual-enrolled in high school and college like he had been last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHey, Onin, did you hear about the party tonight?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin cracked an eyelid at the sound of Tannin\u2019s voice. \u201cYou know I have to work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cBah, you scholarship kids!\u201d Tannin batted a strand of blonde hair out of his eyes and leaned up against the wall next to Onin. \u201cAlways worrying about your grades. And what\u2019s this \u2018money\u2019 thing you\u2019re always going on about?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin never seemed to study. He was tall, athletically built, and his blonde hair stood out amongst the more common brown and black. He was always either going to a party, or talking about a different girl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin raised an eyebrow. \u201cDon\u2019t you have student loans?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah, the bank pays me to go here. Great, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYou do know that\u2019s not how it works, right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin shook his head, pushed off the wall, and headed to the doorway. Same old Tannin. The kid would get a massive shock when those loans came due. Well, knowing Tannin, he\u2019d probably just ignore the bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">His friend\u2019s footsteps sounded behind him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSo, are you going to the party or not?\u201d Tannin asked again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cDon\u2019t you have to work, too?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The footsteps stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh, yeah. Maybe I can call in sick&#8230;\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin kept walking. \u201cI\u2019m not making any more excuses for you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAw, man!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin shook his head and kept walking. Three hallways and two flights of stairs later, they arrived at the loading docks. Tannin had somehow kept quiet the entire way there. That was the longest Onin had heard him go without saying anything. Great. Since Tannin would miss his party, he\u2019d be brooding for the rest of the night. He seemed convinced that everyone else needed to relax in the same way he did. It was irritating, but Tannin did care for people\u2026 in his own way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The narrow locker room was empty. Onin pulled his phone out and checked the time. Ah. They were a few minutes early. He changed into his work shirt and stuffed the backpack into his locker. He didn\u2019t wait for Tannin. He\u2019d done that his first day on the job and had been late clocking in by the time his friend had finished changing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin stepped out of the locker room and waved to his boss who sat in the office across the hall. \u201cHey, Sam.\u201d He swiped his ID into the time clock that hung on the wall just outside of the entrance to the office. \u201cWhat do we have tonight?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Sam, the short, broad-shouldered second-shift dock manager, looked up from where he sat behind his desk. One corner of his mouth pulled up in grin that reminded Onin of an anime villain. \u201cNew countertops for the cafeteria.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAw, come on!\u201d Tannin\u2019s voice echoed from the changing room. He entered the office with his shirt still unbuttoned. \u201cYou know what that means. We get to load the old countertops tomorrow!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cQuit whining and get to work.\u201d Sam jerked a thumb over his shoulder. \u201cThe hover truck is already here and waiting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">He led the way through the double doors out to the loading bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh, we\u2019ve got more help, too,\u201d he called over his shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin was still whining about something. Onin ignored him and pushed his way through the doors. Curious. Despite the decent pay, most people didn\u2019t want to work on the docks. He\u2019d better get a quick look at the new guy. Onin rolled his eyes. Tannin would probably want to bet on how long he\u2019d last.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin stopped short. A steady stream of packages floated out of the truck and into the bay. Presumably via telekinesis, as there wasn\u2019t a hover jack in sight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">A well-endowed girl in jean shorts and a black tank top sat in a metal folding chair a few feet from the truck. Her brown hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and her nose was buried in a book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin gaped at her for a moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWait\u2014\u201d Onin glanced from the girl to the packages and back. \u201cWe can use our gifts to move cargo?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Sam chuckled, and Onin thought he saw the girl grin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAs long as it doesn\u2019t wear you out.\u201d Sam shrugged. \u201cIt\u2019s not like it\u2019s illegal or something.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah.\u201d Onin rubbed the back of his neck. \u201cI keep forgetting that. Giftlings aren\u2019t as common out in the country. Sometimes it almost feels illegal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The girl looked up and her eyes widened. \u201cYou\u2019re not from the city?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Her voice had an almost lyrical quality. She had an oval face and the most beautiful green eyes Onin had ever seen, and a nicely curved figure. Onin felt his face flush, and he focused on her eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">He opened his mouth to say something. At that same instant, Tannin burst into the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHey, what\u2019s a girl doing out here?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin reached back and slapped his friend upside the head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOutworking both of you slackers.\u201d Sam grabbed a clipboard off the wall and headed over to check in the already unloaded cargo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh, yeah,\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Well, since he could use his gift\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">He raised both hands above his head and concentrated. White spheres of crackling energy grew out of his palms and rose a few feet in the air. They drifted around in front of him and hovered there for a moment. Onin sent a silent mental command for them to take the crates out of the truck. Both spheres suddenly shot out and into the back of the hover truck. They emerged a few moments later, each with a crate hanging from energy tendrils.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHey!\u201d Tannin stopped next to Onin and punched him in the arm. \u201cThat\u2019s cheating!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin rolled his eyes and turned to the new girl. \u201cHe\u2019s just jealous. Anyway, that\u2019s Tannin, and I\u2019m Onin.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">She glanced up at him. \u201cKasai.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">She raised her book again. Onin stuffed his hands in his pockets. Was she the unsociable, loner type, or just shy? Or maybe she just didn\u2019t like him. He shrugged and concentrated on unloading the hover truck.<\/p>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"75\" height=\"50\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/dragon.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">An hour later, they had everything unloaded. In another two hours the crates were unboxed and ready for the construction crew to pick up and install.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cGood work, people.\u201d Sam lifted his arm in a lazy wave. \u201cSee you here tomorrow night.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWoo! Freedom!\u201d Tannin yelled. \u201cI\u2019m gonna go see if that party\u2019s still going on. Wanna come?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNope.\u201d Onin changed out of his work shirt and grabbed his backpack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThat\u2019s what you always say. Why not?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYou know I hate parties\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah, yeah, too loud,\u201d Tannin make air-quotes as he said \u2018loud\u2019 \u201c\u2014as if there\u2019s such a thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAnd I have to study, and I have a morning class tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhatever. See \u2018ya.\u201d Tannin waved. Then he turned, leaned in, and winked at Kasai. \u201cSee you tomorrow, too, cutie.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cEw.\u201d She shuddered. \u201cDid he just try to come on to me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cEh, ignore him.\u201d Onin grabbed his jacket and headed for the door. \u201cHe\u2019s an idiot. But he\u2019s a good guy, deep down. Somewhere. He just runs his mouth all the time without thinking.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai pulled her mouth back into a disgusted expression and wrapped her arms more tightly around her waist. They left the building and walked down the street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cUm, you don\u2019t really have to walk me home,\u201d Kasai said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHmm?\u201d Onin turned his head to look at her. \u201cOh, I didn\u2019t mean to&#8230; I uh, my dorm\u2019s down this way. King\u2019s Hall.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh.\u201d Kasai blushed and looked down. \u201cI guess I\u2019m right across the street from you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">They walked in silence for the next several yards. Around the corner, the wind picked up. Onin pulled his jacket around himself. He glanced over at Kasai who was a half-pace behind him. She still wore the black tank top and shorts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAren\u2019t you cold?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">She shrugged. A few steps later she spoke again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNot really. I\u2019m never cold.\u201d She was silent for a few more steps. \u201cThey tell me I have a latent fire talent.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin stopped. \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">No one had more than one talent. Sure, some of them you could use in more than one way, but that was it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThat\u2019s what I said, isn\u2019t it?\u201d Kasai stomped on ahead of him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d Man, she was touchy. Onin ran to catch up with her. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean&#8230; anything. Forgive me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai stopped and turned to stare at him. It was the first time the whole night she\u2019d actually looked at him. For that matter, it was the first time she\u2019d really looked anyone in the eye the whole night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI\u2019m sorry, it\u2019s just that&#8230;\u201d Kasai\u2019s voice trailed off, and she turned and started walking again. Onin matched her pace. \u201cI grew up in the country.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">She stated it like it was all the explanation needed. For city dwellers, the statement would just be confusing. But Onin got it. In the country there were fewer giftlings. He was all too familiar with the suspicious looks and the distrust. Being ostracized out of fear and jealousy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI did too,\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">She didn\u2019t say anything, but she shot him a half-smile over her shoulder. Onin felt his face flush. She had the most beautiful smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Something crashed into him before he could think of anything else to say. Onin landed hard on the concrete and rolled up into a crouch. A fist swung into his field of vision with someone looming behind it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin shoved his palm out toward the person and pushed out with his gift. A ball of white light formed and slammed into his assailant. The thug hit the ground and rolled away. Onin blinked in the light cast off by the servitor. Four black-garbed men stood in a loose circle around him. Kasai was nowhere in sight. Onin held out his hands and generated two more, larger servitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cFind Kasai,\u201d he snapped to the one on his right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The ball of light condensed to twenty percent of its former volume, turned blue, and zipped off. The larger of the two remaining servitors arced a lance of energy over to the other, which grew to the same size. The two of them started to orbit around Onin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">All four of the thugs drew energy weapons and started to fire at Onin. The servitors zipped around to intercept each shot. Onin took a step backward. His heart pounded in his chest. Where had these guys come from, and why where they shooting at him?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The thugs spread out and laid down a complicated firing pattern. Onin dropped to a crouch to minimize his profile, took a few shaky breaths, and darted around, dodging shots. His servitors spun around him in an erratic orbit, intercepting the blasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">These guys weren\u2019t ordinary thugs. Some of them were targeting his core, and others his limbs, forcing the servitors to spread out to shield him. They were trying to sneak a shot past the glowing balls. This had to be more than just a mugging. Regular muggers would\u2019ve just run away from an armed victim. Onin racked his brain trying to think a single good reason for this attack. Maybe it wasn\u2019t him they were after. But who?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">One of the energy beams skimmed past a servitor and hit Onin on his left forearm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOw!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">A blueish-white healing beam arced out of the closest servitor and washed over his arm. Onin pointed his finger, and lightning erupted from both servitors, melting the thugs\u2019 energy weapons. Onin growled in frustration and waved the farthest servitor forward to capture the thugs. A blast of orange fire as large as a bus came out of nowhere and slammed into one of the thugs before the servitor could reach him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhat the\u2014\u201d Onin jumped back and looked around. Off to his right stood a girl with flaming red-orange hair, and the gem-like scaled wings and tail of a white dragon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin took a deep breath and tried to keep his hands from shaking. Was she here to help him or just attack everyone?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWho are you?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cShut up pretty-boy, or I\u2019ll barbecue you when I\u2019m done with this scum.\u201d She didn\u2019t even look at him as she spoke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIt\u2019s her! Fire!\u201d one of the thugs said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">They turned as one, drew more weapons, and fired on the new girl. She jumped up and wrapped blue flames around herself. The flames flared and soaked up the energy beams from the weapons. It was like adding gas to&#8230; well, a fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Something moved in his peripheral vision. Onin glanced toward it. As he turned, the thug who\u2019d been hit by the first fire blast rose to his feet. He wasn\u2019t burned, and his clothing wasn\u2019t even singed. Fire-proof clothing. They knew this flame giftling would be here. What was he getting involved in? And where had Kasai gone? The first servitor should have found her by now. He shook his head. Deal with these thugs first, then worry about all that later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The flame giftling was all over the place, jumping, rolling, and flying. Onin had seen a few flame giftlings at school, but none of them with this girl\u2019s power. She was soaking up energy blasts and shooting fire everywhere. One of the thugs pulled out another weapon and aimed at the girl. Onin jerked his hand forward, and one of the two servitors orbiting him shot out toward the thug, but he pulled the trigger first. A loud bang sounded. The flame gifting jerked her head up and white light exploded out of her. The heatwave radiated and knocked Onin to the ground. The thugs dropped their weapons and ran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin coughed and winced. Must be a flash burn from the heat wave. He sent a thought out to the closer servitor and felt a healing beam from it wash over him. He stood, blinked his eyes, and looked around. The thugs were gone. The flame gifting was lowering herself out of the sky to stand on the rim of a glowing red crater in the pavement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAre you okay?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">She dropped to the ground and smirked. \u201cWhat, you\u2019re not going to run away from me, too?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin shook his head. \u201cNope. Looks to me like they were giftling hunters. If you were a criminal, they would have identified themselves to me and asked for my assistance. More importantly, I have to find out what happened to the girl that was here before they attacked.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">She walked nearer and looked Onin over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYou\u2019re cute. I like you.\u201d She smiled. \u201cMy name\u2019s Onryo. Don\u2019t worry, Kasai\u2019s fine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">She came even closer. Onin swallowed. Beautiful women didn\u2019t get this close to him, and this one had just taken out a squad of trained hit men. Onin clasped his hands in front of him and looked her in the eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cBe her friend. She needs one.\u201d Onryo leaned in and whispered in his ear. \u201cBut if you ever hurt her, I\u2019ll burn you to ash.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">She kissed his cheek and stepped away. \u201cBye. See you around, cutie.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">A curtain of smoke blew out from around her and obscured the street. One of the servitors sent out a thousand tendrils of light and absorbed the smoke. The flame gifting was gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The blue seeker servitor zipped around the corner and stopped inches from his face. It flashed on and off, signaling that it had found something, then drifted back around the corner. Onin skirted the crater and ran after it. A familiar looking set of arms and legs dangled over the edges of a broken crate. A mixture and fear and relief washed through Onin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cKasai?\u201d Onin ran over to the crate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHere,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai lay on her back. Onin grasped her hand and helped her upright. \u201cAre you okay?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai looked down and brushed dirt and sawdust flakes off her shirt. Onin kept his attention away from her chest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cUm, I think so\u2026\u201d Kasai\u2019s voice trailed off and she looked herself over. \u201cWhat happened? We were talking, and then something slammed into me, and I woke up in a crate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin waved. A servitor ran a healing beam over Kasai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWell, you\u2019re not injured,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIt can do more than carry stuff?\u201d Kasai raised her eyebrows and pointed to the servitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah. They can do a number of limited tasks that involve energy manipulation. It actually took a while to figure out how to get them to physically carry things.\u201d Onin looked around. \u201cAs to what happened, a flame gifting named Onryo showed up and wasted the guys who attacked us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai froze and carefully avoided looking at Onin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI need to go home. I\u2019m really tired.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOkay.\u201d Onin peered at Kasai. \u201cDo you know something about this Onryo or those thugs?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI\u2019ve never seen her.\u201d Kasai pulled a lock of hair down over her eyes and twirled it around her finger. \u201cI need to get to bed. Thanks for caring.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai gave him a stiff wave, and a smile that was stiffer yet. Then she walked off, still avoiding eye contact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin frowned. He had a gut feeling that something else was going on here. Kasai obviously didn\u2019t want to talk about it, and just as obviously knew more about what had happened than she let on. Maybe giftling hunters had been after her for a while? That would explain the attack. If that was the case though, she should tell someone. That kind of thing was illegal even out in the country; but depending on where exactly she was from, it might still be fairly common. If so, she\u2019d need time to get to know who on campus she could trust.<\/p>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/table-of-contents\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"34\">Contents<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/chapter-2\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"61\">Next Chapter &gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.ko-fi.com\/cdn\/widget\/Widget_2.js\"><\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\">kofiwidget2.init('Buy me a cup of tea', '#29abe0', 'V7V05ASUY');kofiwidget2.draw();<\/script>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chapter 1: New Girl Onin set his test down and smiled at it. And they said college would be harder than high school. He started&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-39","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/39","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/39\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":309,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/39\/revisions\/309"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}