Chapter 169: 2.49 The Return To Exteria: Duels Inc.
After Xander’s time shenanigans, Sora and Brie had a long discussion with Athena and decided it was time for them to return to Exteria. It’d be 8 years in Paradise, and they missed their party dearly. Athena left a hidden portal in the Lockheart’s bedroom with a passcode in case they ever wanted to return.
After some heartfelt goodbyes, Xander opened a portal to the mansion and they walked through it quickly.
"OH MY GOSH YOU ARE REALLY HOME?!" Sasha screamed in enjoyment when she saw Brie.
The party threw a celebration and Xander stole the show, like he always did. He showed off all the new things he could do with Hope as a 10 year old in a 14 year old’s body. He could sprout wings, fly, use all different types of magic and release her from his body.
Emery and Emma were no slouches either. Despite looking exactly like her mother, Emma’s powers were quite different. She was a supportive type and most of her magic had to deal with creation, healing and buffs, which was a party of her Mother’s elven blessings and own abilities. She was a total daddy’s girl, even if Sora wouldn’t admit it.
Emery was also a supportive type. He could do things in combination with his sister that they couldn’t do alone, which Athena described as "twin magic." Despite being four, their twin magic was through the roof and like their parents, neither of them ever ran out of magical energy.
They were impressed with Shawn, Kory and even Eris’ progress in the three days she had been with the party. She had been pushing the party, including Bishop, non-stop, and the progress was substantial. She was grateful to have her real eyes back.
"We’re going to be able to remain undetected for a while as long as none of the Lockhearts or Eris leave the mansion; although, I’m certain you’ll want Xander and the twins to start school," Celeste asked.
"I’m just glad Xander isn’t 18 before I am. Am I the only one that thought that was going to be super weird?" Julius asked.
"Nope," Rissa laughed. "You’re almost there sweetheart."
Celeste bursted out in laughter. "You should hear these two Brie. They’re just waiting for the day he turns 18 so they can rip each other’s clothes off."
"Too much information!" Brie joked.
"Says the woman I love with three of my children," Sora teased with a kiss on her cheek.
After explaining everything they were up to for the last eight years, an even bigger announcement came from Ignis and Leila.
"Leila’s pregnant!" Ignis shouted as loud as he could.
"Woah, that was quick. Didn’t you both just get married?" Levi teased.
"You know, we’ve had 5 kids now yet Sasha and Levi haven’t had one and are only getting married now in a few weeks. Who would have thought?" Brie said while grabbing a glass of wine.
"I’m not going to lie, I’m really glad to be back. Paradise was amazing and we got to do so many great things as a family, but it was so much different than it was for you. The only people we interacted with were souls that passed on and gods and goddesses. I don’t really blame Xander for what he did, especially since we got to experience everything as we normally would have. I don’t miss having to breastfeed, that’s for sure," she explained as she filled a glass for her and Sora.
Lucious and Sera finally returned when they heard the big news. They traveled the conventional way and as soon as they showed up, Dorian and Camilla were there as well.
"Didn’t I tell you they’d be back early Camilla? I was just telling her last night I had this feeling they’d be back tomorrow. Go on, tell them!" Dorian bragged in his usual manner.
Sora laughed. "Her husband, the 2500 old detective," he whispered to Brie.
"My husband, the 2500 year old is quite the detective. He did tell me last night they’d be returning tomorrow, though. I must defend the man, he’s always right." she said while kissing his cheek.
Sora snapped his fingers. "Damnit. I thought I had it, I guess it’s been that long..."
*****
Emery and Emma were super happy to meet Mindy and they played out back all day and night. Xander went off flying around for a while before realizing he should be training. He never lost the edge inside of him that Athena taught him to have.
’Kill everyone with kindness until you’re ready to shatter their soul. Only shatter their soul if they’re a threat to the people of Exteria, other universes or the people you care about,’ always rang fresh in his mind whenever he trained.
"That kid is unreal," Levi said to Bishop as they observed his training.
"I think he’d kick my ass, fuck it. I’m going for it." Bishop said as he got up.
"Xander, let’s duel." He challenged.
Xander’s face lit up and he grinned wide. "FINALLY. A worthy opponent. Let’s do this!"
A crowd gathered in the dojo as everyone could sense the immense power coming from the large first floor room. Xander loved the audience, so he waited for everyone to get there.
"Do I get to use Hope or do you want me to leave her out?" Xander asked politely.
"Your choice kid." Bishop said while cloning himself into his usual set of 10. He noticed Xander’s eyes scanning, wondering if he was able to make out the real one.
’They all have the same aura but only one has fluctuating thoughts that move that quickly. That one has to be him,’ Xander thought as he used Hope’s vision to help accentuate his sight.
"I’ll go at you with my full strength. It’s the only way." Xander said.
Dorian acted as the match referee and before the match started he said, "This one will be quick folks, Xander in less than 2 minutes."
"Fight!"
Xander teleported so fast and four Bishops were down before Bishop or the crowd could blink. The only people able to track him properly were Sora, Eris, Celeste, Brie, Dorian and Camilla.
Bishop did everything he could to try and gain some type of advantage, but everything he did was teleported by a quick teleport or wings.
Anytime Bishop did gain an advantage, Xander would just rewind time slightly and know what was coming. It was like foresight on steroids. He could live, experience and learn from something simply to just rewind time and the other person wouldn’t know what hit him.
Xander finished the match quickly to a pinned Bishop, who just laughed hysterically, echoing throughout the large dojo in his usual boastful laugh.
"I give up. This kid’s too good. Ok, let’s try it without Hope." Bishop said as he popped up and went on the offensive. It didn’t matter. Xander had been training with Athena, the goddess of war and strategy and absolute ruler of the four universes, for 8 years and everything he learned came to fruition.
Others started jumping in to assist Bishop, but they all fell, one by one, quickly. He could retract himself, elongate himself, speed up time to make himself faster, reverse time to undo any damage anyone would do to him. He seemed invincible.
Everyone clapped and cheered and his brother and sister had some bragging rights... for a moment.
That was until Eris got in the ring.
"Ooooh, this should be really, really good!" Sora said enthusiastically.
"I can’t call this one folks!" Dorian boasted. "This should be a really good match."
"Xander, Ready?" He gave a smirk and a firm nod.
"Eris, Ready?" She smiled even wider and nodded.
"Fight!" Dorian exclaimed.
Xander took to the offensive as soon as Hope joined him. No one in the room really knew what Eris could do. They knew she created and controlled the titans and was a formidable opponent, but other than training them, she kept pretty quiet about her actual powers.
"Try to pay as close attention as you can, everyone. This one is going to be fast moving and might take awhile. I’m not even sure what Eris can do," Celeste said telepathically to everyone in the party.
"I’m in the party, thanks for the heads up kid," Eris teased Celeste.
"This is remarkable. She’s paying attention to Xander’s movements while still consciously picking up what Celeste is saying." Brie said to the group as Sora linked with Celeste for a full discussion.
"Wait, what? You can all hear me now?" Kory asked, confused.
"My dad told you when he made the seal, didn’t he? You act like I’m not listening either, silly adults," Xander said as he teleported in and was kicked away by Eris.
"He did mention it, but I didn’t think everyone would actually be able to talk. Anyway, nice to meet all of you. I’m Kory."
"Hello silly cat," Koda said with a grin.
"Ah!" Kory screamed as Koda pretended to pounce.
"I’m just kidding buddy. We’re teammates, not enemies. Let’s see back and enjoy his match." Koda said as he let out a resounding bark to encourage Xander.
"GET HER KID!" He yelled.
Eris grinned, "Anyone routing for me?"
"I am! Kick my brother’s butt! He’s so cocky," Emma teased.
Brie and Sora smiled and hugged Emma.
"Good girl, Daddy loves you," Sora whispered.
Eris heard what Sora said and felt moved.
’They really are this accepting. What a great group of people."
"We heard that!" Everyone said with an "Awww."
"So you’re a softy, just like Athena said," Brie teased.
"Ask you kid after I kick his ass," Eris laughed.
"No way I’m losing!" Xander screamed as he used his wings to try to find an opening.
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