Chapter 3: A New Friend?

Kael, who had been prepared for a fierce battle, blinked in disbelief.

"Did…. Did he just roast it?"

Vael raised an eyebrow, "I've never seen, anything make a creature like that hesitate…. It's almost like it's afraid of him"

The serpent seemed to shrink back, its massive coils tightening nervously, its intimidating posture faltering for the first time.

Astra, still with that mischievous grin on his face, chuckled.

"You know, if you're just going to stand there looking all grumpy, I might as well go grab those grapes. You're clearly not in the mood for a fight."

GROWL. The serpent's stomach growled as he heard about the grapes.

Astra smiled,

"Alright… Alright I will give let you eat those grapes"

The twins exchanged a look, both of them stunned by Astra's ability to turn the situation around with nothing more than words and an unshakable attitude.

"Hey, Kael pass me those grapes!!" astra said, while pointing his finger towards it.

Kael sighed, as he picked up the grapes and shook his head.

"I don't know how you do it, Astra but I think you just saved us all from an S-ranked disaster"

Astra took the grapes from Kael's hands, and grinned;

"I just know how to talk to people or …. things..."

Vael observed everything quietly, his guards still up ready to fight the serpent any moment, it misbehaves.

"Hmmm, so do you want to eat grapes???" Astra said, a playful smile appeared on his face, he looked at serpent with a raised eyebrow.

"You want to be my friend, or should I call in those two lovely twins to deal with you?? just look at that guy" Astra pointed at Vael "He is probably itching for a fight."

Vael looked at serpent with his sharp cold silver eyes.

The serpent flicked its tongue, it gazed back to Vael's cold eyes. The serpent didn't seem to flinch. What made the creature truly nervous was ASTRA.

The twins had no effect on the serpent.

Astra smiled, clearly enjoying the unusual power dynamic.

"I'll give you a choice," he said, the playful tone back in his voice.

"You can either stay hungry and be a giant pain in everybody's butt, or… you can try to be my friend. I'm not that hard to get along with, really. But if you keep being a drama queen, I am eating it by myself"

GROWL. The serpent's stomach again growled.

The serpent knew he lost his battle against Astra. He lowered his head, as if he agreed to what Astra said.

Astra grinned and gave a satisfied nod.

"Good choice, here eat it" he placed the grapes beneath the serpent.

With a swift motion, it extended its long, serpentine tongue and gently licked Astra's face.

Astra froze for a moment, blinking in surprise. The warm, slimy tongue brushed across his cheek, but before he could react.

Vael rushed to attack the serpent.

"WAIT!!'' Kael said, as he pointed his finger towards Astra;

"Look at him"

Astra stared at the serpent. His expression one of genuine surprise. All the bruises from Astra's face disappeared. The serpent's saliva healed him.

"WHOA. that's a new one. Thanks, I guess"

The serpent, its massive eyes gleaming, seemed to give a satisfied flicker of its tail, as if pleased by Astra's reaction. The serpent couldn't hold himself back. It started to eat his meal.

Astra turned to the twins; his expression playful as ever.

"See? I told you I could handle it."

Vael lets his guard down, he looked at Astra with a pleased look;

"Hmm, what should I do with you?" he mumbled to himself.

Kael still stunned about how Astra managed to handle the situation easily… he pinched Astra's cheeks hardly;

"Is this for realll???" Kael said, as he raised his eyebrow, as if he was questioning the reality.

"Lew iw gww" {*let it goo*} Astra said, as he grabbed Kael's wrist.

Kael studied Astra's face for a while;

"KAEL, come here we need to talk'' Vael said, while staring at Kael.

Kael lets go of Astra's cheeks;

"Tch… okay…."

Astra placed his hands on his cheeks;

"Oww… that hurts!! You meanie pants!!" he rubbed his cheeks gently.

Kael walked towards Vael;

"Do you think he has awakened his powers???" Kael said, his face filled with confusion.

Vael noticed the confusion in Kael's expression, he glanced at Astra who was still rubbing his face.

"I don't know…. I guess we have to talk about this to boss" Vael's voice filled with concerned, towards Astra.

"I guess it's just the way he is?"

Kael nodded. Both the twins stared at Astra and the serpent. It got quiet for a moment; tension grew in the air.

Astra noticed the tension in the air, Astra gave a playful wink to both of them.

"Hey guys, you do realize that you both are scarier than the serpent?? Don't tell me you both are scared of that angry noodle??"

Vael chuckled softly, shaking his head in amusement.

"Who? Us? scared of that noodle??"

Kael laughed;

"Demn, he is funny don't you think so??" Kael looked at Vael, who was trying his best to hide his laughter.

"The only thing we are terrified is by you, Astra." Vael said, as he gently touched Astra's cheeks that looked swollen.

"Does it hurt??" Vael said.

"No… its fine" Astra replied, his face turned red as he realised how close Vael was.

"Kael, you are going to pay for this" Vael's voice echoed in Kael mind. {*through telepathy*}

"OHH, COME ON VAEL!!!!" Kael shouted, stunning Astra and the serpent.

For a moment Astra looked at Kael with concerned, who was throwing a tantrum.

Vael glared at Kael;

"KAEL, behave or else you're going to wash the dishes" his voice echoed in Kael's mind. {*through telepathy*}

Kael stopped throwing tantrums and stood in silence.

Astra looked at Vael and whispered in Vael's ear.

"Is Kael, okay???" he looked confused.

Vael smiled,

"Yeah, he is fine… he acts like a kid sometimes don't worry"

Astra stared at Vael's smile that was refreshing to see;

"Vael" Astra said, while starring at Vael.

"Yes???" Vael replied, tilting his head;

"You should smile more… it suits you" Astra said;

"You always look so serious, but when you smile, it feels… different. It feels warmer."

Vael blinked, he stared at Astra, not sure how to respond. He wasn't used to compliments.

Kael smirked;

"Yeah, Vael. Why don't you smile more? Scared you'll look too charming?"

Vael shot him a glare before sighing. He glanced back at Astra, who was still waiting for a response, eyes bright with expectation.

Kael whistled, "Huh, so you won't answer???... Astra come here"

Kael suddenly grabbed Astra's wrist and pulled him closer, causing Astra to stumble slightly.

"H-HEY!! What's with you?" Astra protested; he looked up at Kael in confusion.

Kael ignored Astra; he turned to Vael;

"Vael, look at Astra"

Vael's frowned but as Kael said, his gaze settled on Astra. His cold silver eyes glowed, glowing faintly, almost like they were reacting to something unseen.

Kael smirked, "There it is."

Astra blinked. "Uh… what is happening?"

Vael's breath hitched as realization dawned on him. He turned towards Kael.

"Stop playing around," he muttered.

Kael raised an eyebrow.

"Playing? I'm proving a point." He then tilted his head.

"Now, look at me."

Vael's eyes shifted to Kael, and just like that the glow disappeared. His eyes returned to their usual calm state, normal, unaffected.

Kael clicked his tongue. "See? Your eyes don't react to me"

Vael clenched his fist, looking away.

Astra, completely lost, looked between them.

"Okay, what is going on?"

Kael lets go of Astra and crossed his arms.

"Vael, I think you already know." His tone was teasing but held a hint of seriousness.

"Your eyes don't lie."

Astra, still rubbing his wrist where Kael had grabbed him, pouted.

"Can someone please explain what that was all about?"

Vael didn't answer immediately. Instead, he exhaled, his expression unreadable.

"It's nothing."

Kael smirked knowingly but didn't push further.

** CREAK** {*the sound of the gate opening*}

"ASTRAAAA!!!!"

TO BE CONTINUED….