Reaching Salvation: Post-Acer Part 2

"I figured you wanted something more sophisticated than that," Heidi grumbled, rolling her eyes.

"Brute force isn't my style anymore, Heidi." Nathan explained.

"Yeah, except for that time you said you'd destroy the whole village if I wasn't welcoming. Or did you forget that? You certainly haven't stopped being a brute."

"Maturity, eh? It's a wonderful thing to grow up, Nathan," Tom replied snarkily.

"Doesn't mean the attack would be uncontrolled and over zealous like my old attacks were." Nathan said with a shrug. "I wouldn't say brute, I prefer cold, calculating and ruthless."

Heidi scowled. "Fine, you and Tombo come up with your little strategy, I'll sit out on this one, since I suck at planning ahead anyway."

"Fair." Nathan commented to Heidi before turning his attention to Tom.

"We've got the standard group dynamic here. Attack, Support, Defence." He began. "Heidi to take point, I'll support her whilst you're in charge of defending and counter attacking."

"I don't know my capabilities," Tom warned. "I haven't fought since the tournament."

"Part of my job as the support unit will be to hold back Shima's influence, you'll be free to experiment." Nathan explained. "Out of the three of us yours is violently powerful flow."

"Any particular reason why I'm on point, 'sides Tom's trigger?" Heidi asked. Wouldn't it make more sense for Nathan, as the strongest to be point? Then again, if he was suppressing the trigger...bah, she didn't know squat about tactics.

"I thought I was at the bottom of the brutal Flow list," Tom replied, wondering how much Shima would affect his ability to battle now. He had done a good enough job before.

"And you'd probably be better off attacking than trying to hold back Shima, and I don't mean that offensively. Just that I can fight fine with him there, as I'm sure you can testify to."

"Whilst I have more than one flow, when it comes to using a single flow you're the most versatile." Nathan explained. "Also when you factor in you're lack of supporting techniques at this point in time, it makes more sense for you to take point. Being the smallest as well will allow you to surprise opponents when you pack more of a punch than is expected."

He turned to Tom and raised an eyebrow. "You've only ever fought properly before the trigger was active and when Shima was in control, it's a whole new kettle of fish now."

"We'll try it out, anywho. I think I'd be best going support, with you focusing on more long-ranged attacks," Tom offered. "Well, I don't think that's best. I just think it's equally viable, not necessarily better."

"Small? I'm not small...!" Heidi muttered to herself, not very happy to have been called that by two different people in one day.

"Interesting..." Nathan mused. "Defensively though I can do far less with my abilities though." Was his reasoning. "Your earth is stronger than my ice. And darkness is purely offensive for me."

"Fair enough. Like I said, we'll try it out. Hopefully not too much, though," Tom said, never particularly looking forward to a fight.

"If things go our way we shouldn't have to fight anyone." Nathan said optimistically.

"Never expect things to go you way though, eh?" Tom replied coolly.

"Considering how much Flow you guys give off, I doubt we'll be able t' stay fight free for long," Heidi shrugged.

"Two very good points." Nathan accepted before getting up off of the chair. "Two questions. Can you two ride horses and are you ready to leave?"

"Yes 'nd yes," Heidi nodded.

"No n' yes," Tom replied simultaneously.

Nathan pondered something before three bright lights imploded and a lion, wolf and bear appeared. They were on all fours and all were attributed to the earth with the bear looking like it was made solely of earth. Each individual animal was tall enough for them to ride on with the wolf for Heidi, the bear for Tom and the lion for Nathan. They all came with saddles.

"Heidi, same principal as a horse and it's completely tame." Nathan said before turning to Tom. "The bear is almost completely made of earth, you'll be able to 'see' every movement as well as track our beasts as well."

"If we don't ride then the journey could take up to two months."

Heidi frowned, looking at the wolf. "Like a dog..." she muttered, letting it smell her hand so it hopefully wouldn't kill her or something.

The wolf knelt on its front legs and nuzzled Heidi's hand. Blue eyes looking loyally at her.