Chapter 170: 2.50 Xander vs Eris + Growing up
The one thing that kept confusing everyone during the first fight but especially during the second duel was Xander’s time reversal. Because only the Lockheart family could sense it, with a few exceptions, which they were about to find out in addition to Athena, it was rather difficult for most of them to observe at first.
"I’ll let you know when Xander uses his time reversal spell," Sora said calmly to everyone.
"Thank you! I was getting so confused, I’m not going to lie. It seemed vaguely familiar but completely different!" Levi boasted over the telepathic communications.
"It doesn’t look like it’s working this time..." Celeste said with a frown.
"Go ahead Xander, keep rewinding time. It won’t change your outcomes!" Eris playfully taunted.
Xander was getting frustrated. Every opening he thought he created Eris closed in on rather quickly and mitigated with ease.
’I’ve never seen her look more so gold and so green... she’s staying a good person and having fun while kicking my ass? What the hell!’ Xander thought, smiling ear to ear.
Xander continued to use everything he could, his phoenix eyes, his teleports, his wings and nothing seemed to be working... until he saw an opening. It felt too easy.
He swooped in, teleported behind her, used his wings, and propelled himself behind her. As she turned to defend, he teleported underground, popped up in front of her and used Hope’s claw to grab her next.
"Nice job Xander!" Everyone roared.
"Did Xander just get handed a win? He looks pissed!" Dorian asked.
Eris laughed. "Aw, nice job Xander. You were very close."
It was an illusion. Xander fell right into her trap. As soon as he thought he had her around the neck, she walked up to him, tapped him on the forehead and made him go to sleep.
When everyone saw a sleeping Xander, they were confused.
"Sora, Brie, Celeste... anyone?" Julius asked, confused.
"I don’t get it either. It looked like Xander won easily. Why is he sleeping?" Rissa added.
"Ooooooh. I get it!" Emma said.
Everyone was quite curious how a four year old figured it out. Sora and Brie turned to smile to listen to their little one explain it.
"Hey, I get it too!" Emery combated.
"I think you both get it," Brie said lovingly. "Go ahead, explain it together."
"Ok so auntie ris ris wasn’t really ever in trouble. She just made it look like she was in trouble." Emma explained.
"Yes! Then when our brother thought he won, she didn’t disengage her illusions. She simply walked up to him and tapped him on the head and put him to sleep. She’s vewy powerful!" Emery concluded.
"How the hell do your kids always know?!" Sasha laughed while hugging both of them.
"Smart kids. They’re almost right," Eris said while smiling.
"Sora, Brie?" Eris continued.
"They’re only partially right because it wasn’t just illusion magic Eris used. She also manipulated his time magic. I think she can manipulate other people’s magic. So whatever Xander used, she used against him, if that makes sense," Brie explained.
"Yeah, so basically every time Xander reversed time, she knew the outcome, so she let it happen but slightly altered what Xander saw each time. When he saw a win, she saw the opening. I think," Sora said while running his hand through his hair.
"Corrrrrrrrrrrect," Eris said while waking Xander up.
"Nice job buddy. You didn’t know my secrets. Anyway, I can manipulate other people’s magic, that’s what made me so useful to the other side. Every time you cast a time spell or illusion, I manipulated them slightly so the more magic you used, the worse off it ended up being for you. You’re doing great though!" Eris said while giving him a hug.
*****
Everyone talked about the duel for the rest of the day. Athena smiled down from Paradise, glad to know her sister was doing such a great job in the party.
The party was deeply impressed with Eris’ magic. Her aptitude and application of it was off the charts, which made sense, as they found out she was nearly 100,000 years old.
"See, no more jokes about my wife being old!" Ignis teased.
"No one’s ever joked about my age sweetie, you’re kind of busted," Leila laughed.
"You dumbass!" Dorian laughed.
"Left the door wide open for yourself. Classic rookie husband move. No action for you... I mean how is everyone doing? What a fight! Great job Xander and great analysis Emma and Emery," Dorian said and everyone saw his face turn red for the first time.
"My husband actually slipped up. Nice save babe." Camilla said while kissing him on the cheek.
"What does no action for uncle Iggy mean?" Emma said.
"They don’t get to duel later," Xander said while shaking his head.
Sora and Brie glanced at their oldest.
"Oh come on Mom and Dad. I lived with Athena, you know, absolute ruler, goddess or war and strategy and my Grandmother is the friggen goddess of love. I get the whole birds and bees thing or whatever and why you two always sneak off," he said while rolling his eyes.
Everyone burst out in laughter.
"You seriously don’t think I’m old, though?" Eris asked.
"Nope. Time moves differently up there anyway. If you were down here, you’d be significantly younger and what’s up with all these gods and goddesses being super attractive 20-30 somethings?" Shawn asked curiously.
"Seriously, everyone here is super attractive except me and Connor, sorry bro. I call em like I see em."
Kory slapped him. Everyone laughed.
"Don’t say that Shawn! You’re selling yourself short. How are you supposed to meet someone with an attitude like that?" Jonathan asked.
"Seriously dude. Confidence is everything. I’m ugly as hell but my wife’s beautiful and doesn’t complain," Jax said while laughing.
"Your wife is significantly more attractive than you, can’t lie about that. I think that’s the way everyone but Sora feels," Levi teased.
"Mr. sexiest man on Exteria!"
"YOU’RE STILL #1 IT’S BEEN 14 YEARS WHAT THE HELL MAN." Levi jokingly screamed.
"I remember the day they asked Brie to do her photoshoot for the sexiest woman after they got married. She was so pissed at first until Sora told her she better do it or they weren’t getting married," Sasha laughed.
"Hey, I never told her that!" Sora exclaimed.
"I may or may not have insinuated you did. Sorry not sorry!" Sasha said while sticking out her tongue.
"Silly little lovebirds," Jubelle laughed.
"Indeed. I don’t think that joke will ever get old." Xander laughed.
"You’re in trouble kid, just wait." Julius teased.
"I thought I had it bad, Rissa, I mean in a good way, but you remember all those girls at school. They were soooooooo annoying." Julius complained while giving his wife a kiss.
"Not as annoying as you were," She teased.
"I’m kidding. Yes, I remember you complaining all the time. I’m just glad you picked me. Xander, you are doomed," Rissa said while kissing her husband again.
"What do you mean I’m doomed?" Xander asked, confused.
"All the girls and boys at school are gonna like you, duh!" Emma yelled.
"Are you really that stupid?" Emery teased.
"No they won’t..." Xander said shaking his head.
"Oh son, you have so much to learn." Brie said while rubbing his head gently.
"You’re going to be a real lady or male killer. Whichever you choose." she continued.
"Listen, I love Uncle Ox and Uncle Jubelle, but that’s not really my thing." Xander admitted.
:"See, told you he was in trouble," Julius teased.
"What out for the wolves when you start school next week," he added.
"Wait, am I really starting school?!" Xander exclaimed excitedly.
"Yup, we made the decision last night as a party but someone wasn’t supposed to say anything," Sora said while giving Julius a playful nudge.
"You’re starting at the High school because of how ahead you are, so Julius is going to take you Monday. He’s going to be your mentor of sorts. I know the school year only goes on for about another month, but we figured it’d be good for you to at least start. You’ll pick up as a freshman again next year," his dad continued.
Xander sprinted to his mom and dad and gave them a hug. "Thanks guys. I love you both."
He fist bumped Julius and darted to his room to start getting his clothes together. He was excited.
’All the ladies are going to love me... yeah right. I just hope I make my parents proud. Nana Fena was the best teacher I could ever ask for. I’m sorry Nana, I miss you, but I’m really glad to be home. I missed everyone too much. I’m glad Eris is with us. For your honor,’
*****
In Paradise, Athena shed a few golden tears as she heard Xander’s prayer. She then started laughing.
’If that boy thinks he has any chance of staying single long...’
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