While everyone else was looking at the empty hall and the people, Owen was looking at his messages.
[5 AP granted. View Abilities Tab for additional information.]
As Uncle Midas and his mother began walking toward the back, he did as his system told him. He found the tab labeled Abilities. There were two at the top that were selectable: Telekinesis and earth.
There was a list below those two other abilities that were greyed out. He couldn't help but think, 'what is the source of all these abilities?'
[Every ability the host has touched throughout his life, including relatives, has been included in this system. If the host encounters abilities not on the list, they will be added at a later time.]
When Owen and his family reached about halfway across the room, the men with wings including the one who escorted them reached the table. A man turned around and looked at them. Minx and Midas stopped so Owen decided to investigate his system further at a later time.
The man slowly approached them. He appeared to search their faces then looked at their companions, eyes searching for something or someone. At last, a few feet from them, his eyes drifted back to the twins. At their sides hung the swords his beloved created.
Overcome with grief, he fell to his knees. Tears streamed from his eyes. She had been sent away to make sure she survived. It had been for naught.
"My darling Cybil!" he wailed.
The men from the table surrounded him. Midas and Minx looked at each other then approached, kneeling at his side.
"Father?" they said together.
He reached up and enveloped them both in a hug. After a minute or so, his tears slowed.
"Tell me. How did she die?" he asked in a mournful tone.
Minx shook her head, "we weren't there. We never even knew her. We found the lab she built, and she told us you were still alive via a recording. We had her files and a friend helped me figure things out so we could return. This is my son, Owen."
She then introduced the rest as her father picked himself up from the floor, suddenly embarrassed at his emotional collapse. He shook the hand of everyone as they were introduced. Caser observed and offered a tentacle.
Introductions over, "what's the situation with the beasts?" Minx asked.
Her father looked at her, "you kids aren't….." He sighed. "Come to the table."
The table had two very different terrains. It was similar to her own planet except hers was a rainforest surrounded by desert. This was forest and plains surrounded by desert.
Their father began the explanation. "About 50 years ago, all of this was healthy forest and plains. These beasts came from the sky. No one has been able to kill them except your mother with that sword. They attacked her together and overwhelmed her. That was the day after you were born. The portal had already been developed but we didn't know if it would help or not. After she was injured, we felt we had no choice."
Another man at the table, hearing the sadness in his voice continued, "King Cyrus sent the three of you that very night in hopes you could bring back help."
Minx nodded, "I brought many strong people back with me. Why is there desert? Did the beasts do that?"
The man nodded, "I'm Zaltan, by the way. I'm King Cyrus' military advisor."
She nodded, "I'm…"
"Minx, I know. I can see your mother in you. Young Midas looks just like the king when he was younger. Owen has your eyes. Does he take after his father?
She smiled and nodded with a heavy heart, "he does. I hope this doesn't take too long so we can return to him."
The others at the table all nodded, wishing for a quick end as well.
"When will the rest of your forces get here?" Cyrus asked.
"This is it. These are my strongest warriors. The others would have died if I brought them along."
While the adults talked, Owen decided to investigate that Ability tab just a bit more.
[Telekinesis Level 1 – Move objects up to five pounds using hand gestures. One AP per minute.]
[Earth Level 1 – The ability to manipulate dirt and potentially rock. Host must touch dirt with at least one hand to shape it for one AP per minute. Limited to small items only, includes simple weapons.]
He saw a rock on the floor nearby, no doubt remnants of an attack that had not been cleaned up yet. He thought the words "Activate telekinesis" and he put his hand out toward the rock. It lifted slowly in the air. Elated, he threw it toward the door then turned his attention to the adults as though nothing happened.
Two men looked up,l, one in the direction of the noise, the other at Owen. The boy gulped and pretended to be interested in the conversation.
The man smirked then resumed paying attention. They had been discussing patrols and how there were too few men for them to be effective. They lost more men each day.
Minx nodded. "What are you using for weapons?"
They held up low quality swords.
"That's the best you have? But mom made both of these swords!"
Her father nodded, "and their power only works with her and her bloodline. Young Owen here could use it but none of us can."
Minx blinked as if trying to comprehend what she just heard. "Where is her shop. Let me see if I can make any sense out of it."
Her father cleared his throat, "how about we eat dinner then the three of us sit in the study and you can tell me all about your experiences so far? Your friends can join us if you wish but I've just got you back! You are all that is left of your mother."
Minx, in her eagerness to return to her husband, didn't even think about the familial connection. She paused, smiled and agreed readily.
They enjoyed a meager dinner though the word "enjoy" was more for the company than the food. She decided once they got done discussing the past, she was going to fix the dreary dishes problem. This was unacceptable for a growing boy!
"What do your furry friends eat?" Zaltan asked.
Minx smirked, "beasts."
"So, they'll starve if we don't succeed?" Zaltan asked
She gave him the stink-eye, "they are going to eat very well here from what I've seen so far."
She turned to Midas, "what tier was that crab?"
"The crystal was demi-god tier."
She nodded, "and we know the swords can go against demon-tier."
The others at the table were looking at each other.
Minx explained, "where we come from beasts come in eight tiers or levels. The easiest to kill are basic tier but even with the weapons you have, that would be impossible. Our kind can't use the type of weapon the others use as well. The full list is Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, King, Emperor, Legendary, Demi-god, and Demon-tier."
"I have killed demon-tier with this sword," Minx explained.
Cyrus responded, "but your mother was terribly injured when she was overwhelmed."
Minx nodded, "which is why I want access. I want to see if I can take the DNA requirement out and make some weapons. Also, history has shown that a strong weapon can injure a beast then others can attack the same wound and achieve victory."
"Is this so?" a surprised Cyrus asked.