Chapter 220: Confused

I was hit with a wave of knowledge, and it was like I was learning about something completely new. The way I had been using the power was stupid and wasteful. On top of that, I had been only using the Gates for their power and that was it.

I opened my eyes and looked into Rena's dark brown ones and smiled.

"Did you do it? I can't feel anything; did the Gates not work?" Rena asked, squeezing my hands.

"No, it worked. Come, let me carry you up," I said, standing and pulling Rena up with me.

"But I can't feel anything?"

"Let's just say I haven't been playing with a full deck of cards. I just learned a bunch of important things about my power that I didn't know, like this," I said, scooping Rena up into my arms.

When I did, Rena wrapped her arms around my neck to hold on, but my head was turned to her when she did. I was looking into her eyes, and I almost let my excitement get the best of me, but I looked up instead. The steep climb didn't look so daunting anymore, and I stepped forward and put my foot down.

As I did, I let the power pool in my feet, grabbing me and connecting me to the ground. In the next step, I did the same, and I was able to walk up the steep slope with no problem. I had to lean forward, and once I got the hang of it, I jogged the rest of the way until I reached the open air.

"Hey, look who showed up!"Cable called over as I put Rena down. 

She let go of my neck slowly, holding on until we broke apart. I turned from her and looked directly at Breth, who was doing his damnedest not to look at me or make eye contact. I stalked over to him, while Rena went to go see Buddy and Moshi.

It was already getting dark, and the area we were in was on the very top of the mountain, but there was nothing around. I stalked over to Breth, and he finally looked at me with a big smile.

"So, did you have a good walk? Any good conversations? Hahaha!"

"Listen here fuzzy-wuzzy, you know I have god knows how many wives, and now you're trying to set me up with another one?! I think Rena is smart and amazing, but you know that I hardly have enough time for more women in my life!"

"I know that Hyde, but I wasn't trying to set you up. I was only trying to help a confused girl. Did you tell her that you didn't want to be with her and that you didn't like her like that?" Breth asked curiously.

"No, I didn't."

"Then stop worrying about it! Is there anything you can do right now?" Breth asked.

He was right and I knew he wasn't trying to cause me trouble. As he said, if I didn't care about her I wouldn't have her told those things. Ugh, Breth was also right about me beating myself up about it. 

I took in a deep breath and sighed.

"See?! Just relax, man. No need to get yourself worked up over this. Plus, this is the last challenge, right? You need to get your head in the game!" Breth said, clapping a hand on my shoulder.

"Don't sweat the little things, my brother!" Cable said coming over now that he could see that we had finished. "Women are crazy, my man! No need to work yourself up over them, but I can see why you might be a bit off your rocker. They just fall head over heels for you, but watcha gonna do?"

"Maybe I have to start acting dumb, and then they won't be as fond of me," I said, only half-joking.

"Ha! That would probably just make it worse! You would become a project for them then!" Cable said laughing.

"Okay, jokes aside. Where is this thing that we are supposed to fight?" I asked looking around.

"I think it has something to do with that helmet over there," Buddy said pointing to a faraway spot on the plateau.

He and the girls were coming back over, and I turned back to concentrate on the helmet. I had just caught myself checking her out again. I stared hard at the metal helm, but it didn't move.

Hmm, I felt like I had seen that somewhere before. There were horns on the front of the helmet and the sides, but from this distance, it was hard to tell anything. I turned back to the group.

"So, Rena knows about this, but I haven't been using my power properly. Now, I have a better understanding of how it works. So, do you guys mind if I fight this thing alone so I can get used to it?" I asked, expecting some complaints.

Instead, all five of them began laughing at me as I had just told a funny joke. They went over to the edge to wait, still laughing.

"Oh, boss? You need me to sit this one out? Well, if you're going to twist my rubber arm like that then I really have no choice!" Cable joked.

I rolled my eyes and looked at Rena before turning back to the helmet that was in the far-off distance. Ha ha, yeah I bet they were heartbroken that they don't get to fight. 

Didn't matter, I wanted this fight, and this thing had better be strong! I had an inkling of what it might be, but I wasn't completely sure. There was a massive monster in the game worlds that had a helmet like that, but it was actually just enchanted armor. I could only hope that this was the case.

I walked forward and as I did the helmet began to rise into the air. Massive black blue plate started to appear out of nowhere and slap together. As the monster started to take on its massive shape of a giant black/blue knight, I smiled.

I bent my neck from side to side, stretching it out, and then cracked my knuckles. Oh yeah, now this is what I am talking about! An Iron Giant should be more than a challenge for me!

"LET'S FUCKING GO!"