Loch paused, uncertainty clear on his face. "What?"

  "Let's try something different this time."

  That uncertainty was replaced with suspicion. "Different how?"

  "Let's set a time limit."

  Confusion took its place. "A time limit? Why?"

  "Hmm." Lorel let his hands fall as he stepped towards the other boy. Ripples of dappled light spread out from his feet in near-perfect circles with each one he took. "If I've figured it out, I'm sure you have, too."

  And now suspicion. "Figured what out?"

  "We're ill-prepared for war," Lorel said seriously. "The facility teaches us control, but not much else." And that was very much on purpose. Each and every one of them was capable of killing an adult with a mere thought. That logic was ultimately the reason behind the facilities themselves. They couldn't let such power remain untamed. "We need something new. Something more powerful."

  And, finally, resignation. "And you think something like this will really be of any help?"

  He shrugged. "Might as well try. There is another reason, though. Two, actually."

  "Those being?"

  Lorel glanced back towards the floating city. He could still make out Aria's silhoutte, her pink hair bright against the shore's dull grey. "If war is coming, then I want to spend as much time with my sister as possible."

  Loch closed his eyes and nodded once. "Fair enough. And the second reason?" He asked, opening them again.

  Lorel stayed silent until he was within arm's reach of his friend. "You're thinking of something again," he said quietly, reaching out and placing one hand on Loch's shoulder. And I think-"

  Without warning, he pushed firmly against the other boy's shoulder, willing the water underneath his feet to kick forward as he did so.

  Loch, likely having expected some sort of trickery, fell backwards without a sound. Despite that, he remained perfectly still as Lorel caught the front of his shirt, kicking up a spray of water as he collided with the ocean's surface.

  "I know what it is," Lorel finished, staring down into his friend's unwavering blue eyes. He caught each and every droplet as they fell, making it look as if the space around them was frozen in time.

  "... You're mad at me, aren't you?" Loch asked quietly.

  "If it's what I'm thinking? Yeah, a little." Lorel paused "Actualy, scratch that. More than a little."

  Loch sighed. "Now I'm sure you do. But why? What's so wrong about that?"

  "Only one of us gets to heroically sacrifice ourselves. And I've already claimed that role. Find another one."

  Someting new sparked in his eyes.

  Anger.

  The water surrounding Loch's form erupted, moving so quickly that Lorel's eyes nearly missed it.

  It slammed into him all at once, rushing over his body and pushing him back a few paces. Lorel landed on his feet, staggering unsteadily for a moment before catching his balance.

  "Always with the jokes," Loch said, that same anger now spilling into his voice as he righted himself. The individual water drops, previously still, fell back to the ocean around him, sounding something like a drumbeat.

  "Always," Lorel laughed. "Although I'll have you know that I'm being perfectly serious."

  "So?" The blue eyed boy practically spat the one-word question out. "You made me promise the same thing."

  "No I didn't. And, besides, even if I did, I did it for the right reason. I'm pretty sure you're doing it for the wrong one."

  "Why do you get to decide what's right or wrong?"

  "I don't," Lorel answered plainly. "But I know how you think. So I'm telling this as your friend- as your best friend- stop. Don't think that way."

  "And what way am I thinking?"

  "That if I have to choose between the two of us, I should choose myself. Right?"

  "Again. What's so wrong with that?"

  "I'll tell you after this."

  "Why not now?"

  "Because I need to beat some sense into you first."

  "Right." Loch sighed. "What sort of time limit do have in mind?"

  "Honestly? I don't."

  "Then-"

  "I just needed an excuse to do this." Without warning, Lorel stepped forward- and struck the other boy square in the jaw. Not too hard- he wasn't that angry- but with enough strength to elicit a dull smack. The expression of shock on his friend's face was enough to make him laugh. "I told you. I'm going to beat some sense into you."

  And then the same anger as before replaced it.

  Before Lorel could react, Loch seized his wrist with both hands, pulling his arm back. In the same instant, he twisted his hips, driving his foot into Lorel's ribcage.

  Hard.

  Thrown off balance, Lorel toppled awkwardly towards the water below. Rather than catch his fall, he let himself fall throug. Bubbles swirled around him-

  And then abruptly vanished as Loch pulled him back up, solidifying the ocean's surface and planting one foot on his shoulder.

  Lorel twisted around, catching Loch's hand in his own and pulling his friend down. He tore away at the other boys influence, letting himself fall under the surface for another brief moment.

  He willed a current into existence-

  And then their positions were reversed. Loch's skin was wet; and his black hair slick, but despite that, his blue eyes were as calm as always. A number of waterdrops rolled down his face to rejoin the source down below; a handful more fell from Lorel's hair as he gripped his friend's shirt.

  "Feeling better now?"

  "No," he answered flatly.

  "Good." Lorel released one hand, balling it into a fist once more.

  Loch blocked the strike with a single hand, catching it in the palm of his hand. "Why are you so angry?" He asked, voice quiet but sincere.

  "Because." Lorel let a note of real anger slip into his voice as he tore it free, drawing his fist back for a second time. "You're being a fucking idiot."

  The water wreathing Loch's form quivered and undulated as he struggled against Lorel's influence. It was like playing a formless game of tug of war; an evenly matched one- until Loch wrested away control entirely, causing the water around them to erupt.

  It enveloped them both. One moment, they were resting on the ocean's surface, and the next, they were midair, falling amidst a countless number of droplets. Each shimmered with a soft hue, turned iridescent by the Coral trapped within.

  It took Lorel's eyes a moment to adjust, and then another to find his friend; just within arm's reach.

  Loch's body swung in a half-arc as he grabbed hold of a descending stream, awkwardly halting his fall.

  Lorel opted for something more drastic. Rather than focus on a just a single drop, he stretched his will outwards. As one, the countless bodies of water froze in place- and then shivered before coalescing into a sphere, swallowing them both.

  Simple as it was, it was the single largest thing he had ever created. Nearly twice the size of his sister's craft, he could see it surface undulate and ripple from within as he struggled to keep its shape.

  Though Loch's blue eyes were as calm as always, the surprise on his face was clear.

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  That single moment of hesitation was all Lorel needed. Seizing hold of Loch's shirt again, he drew his fist back yet again, this time wrapping a collection of currents around his arm and fist- and brought it all crashing down on his friend's torso.

  There was the distinct sensation of something in his arm tearing as pain bloomed from his knuckles, lancing up past his elbow and into his shoulder.

  Loch, on the other hand, barely brought his arms up in time. Not that it mattered- neither of them had ever made a mistake. At least, not a serious one. The potential consequences were much too high for that.

  He shot out of the sphere's bottom, kicking up another spray of water as he struck the ocean's surface.

  Lorel let joined him a moment later, letting the sphere dissolve. He landed upright- and then immediately fell onto his back. He closed his eyes, savoring the comforting embrace of his homeworld.

  Not just physically, but mentally.

  Lani's words echoed through his ears again. Lack of experience, huh?

  "Hey." Loch's voice cut through the din.

  Lorel opened his eyes, only to find Loch's own staring down at him.

  His black hair, now completely soaked, dangled downwards, framing his features in a dark wreath. "Did you have to hit me that hard?"

  Lorel laughed. "Have to? No. But I wanted to."

  Loch rolled his eyes- and then unceremoniously collapsed, his head coming to a rest just an arm's length away from Lorel's. "I give up."

  "Already?"

  "After what you just did? Yes. My arms hurt."

  "... I didn't break anything, did I?"

  He shook his head. "No."

  "That's good."

  "So? Why are you mad at me?"

  Lorel closed his eyes for another moment, letting all the accumulated fatigue seep into him. "Sometimes I hate the way you think," he answered, voice hoarse.

  "What's that supposed to mean?"

  He considered his answer before responding, this time. "What you were thinking earlier. If it comes down between choosing myself or you, you want me to choose myself- right?"

  "Yes." Loch answered almost immedaitely. "What's so wrong about that?"

  "There's nothing intrinsically wrong with that. I'd make the same choice."

  "Then-"

  "It's the way you arrived at that conclusion that makes me mad," Lorel interrupted.

  "That being...?"

  "I have more people that would miss me," he said quietly. "Aria. Dad. Mom. Arel and Sela, too. And you..."

  "Just have my dad," Loch answered. "And Arel and Sela."

  "So I'm right?"

  "... Yeah," he admitted, his own voice now hoarse. "Maybe not those exact words, but... Yeah." hr let out a long, shaky breath. "And? What's the problem with thinking that way?"

  "The problem," Lorel stressed, groaning as he pushed himself into a sitting position, "is that you're my best friend. You mean more to me than that. You want to sacrifice yourself for me, if it comes down to it? Fine. I can live with that. Like I said, I would make the same decision. Just... Don't think of it like that." He let a note of desperation creep into his voice. "Please."

  Loch turned ever so slightly to meet his eyes. "Then how should I think of it?"

  "Do it because you want to. Not for any other reason."

  "... You do realize that's hardly any different? Why does it matter?"

  "It matters to me," Lorel answered simply. "I don't want you to sacrifice yourself for some stupid reason like that."

  Loch closed his dark blue eyes for a moment. "Because I want to? Hm..." He trailed off, then shook his head again, causing a small cascade of scattered ripples. "Okay. Then... What are we supposed to do?"

  "What do you mean?"

  His voice dropped to a whisper. "How do we decide who lives?"

  "Again with the needlessly morbid wording."

  "I think needlessly morbid sums up our future pretty well."

  Lorel snorted, then laughed. "Fair enough."

  "So? How do we decide?"

  "... I don't think we need to." He stood, groaning as his arm ached in protest. "I'd give my life for yours. You'd give yours for mine." Lorel ignored it, reaching down to offer Loch that same hand. "That's all that really matters, right? So- if it comes down to it- just choose. And no hard feelings afterwards."

  Loch opened his eyes to stare at the outstretched hand. "Are you suicidal?"

  Lorel tilted his head. "No. Where did that come from?"

  "The way you talk about this, the way you made me promise... It's like you expect not to make it through this whole thing."

  "It's not that. It's just-"

  "It is not just you being prudent," Loch interejected, somewhat angrily. "There's more to it than that."

  "You're right," he admitted. "There is more to it than that. But no, I'm not suicidal."

  "Then what is it?"

  "I'm not sure how-"

  "Then try."

  Lorel lowered his hand with a sigh. "I... I've just. Always thought that I should be the first one through the door."

  The other boy frowned. "Why?"

  He laughed. "Despite what I said earlier, it's not like I have some death wish. And I don't fancy myself as some sacrificial hero."

  The frown deepened. "Then why?"

  Lorel shrugged. "I just think it's better that way. Because," he continued quickly, keeping Loch from repeating his question for the third time. "It makes sense. You adapt quickly, sure, but you need to see it once. I'm better at reacting to something new. And I'm more decisive."

  "So it's fine if you think like that, but not me?"

  "Don't make me hit you again."

  That answer- finally- elicited a laugh from his friend. "Believe me, once was enough." Loch opened his eyes, then reached up and clasped Lorel's hand. "Thanks," he said quietly.

  Lorel arched one eyebrow as he pulled the other boy to his feet. "Don't tell me you're a masochist."

  "Not even remotely."

  "Good. Had enough, then?"

  "For now? Yes."

  "... Sorry for hitting you."

  "Since when do you apologize?"

  Lorel shrugged. "I realize I kinda sucker punched you."

  "In other words, you're sorry not sorry for hitting me. You're just sorry for doing it without warning. "

  "You got it!"

  Loch rolled his eyes. "Right." Then turned his attention back towards the floating city. "So? What's the plan now?"

  "Go home. Wait for the broadcast. Go to sleep and hope everything is just a bad dream."

  "It's not," he said, somewhat brusquely.

  "I know. I'm trying to stave off the impending horror and disappointment."

  "If you say so."

  "I do say so. By the way..." Lorel trailed off.

  "Yes?"

  "The civilian reserve. Any idea what's happening with it?"

  "... I don't know all the specifics. But..." Loch lapsed into a brief silence of his own.

  "But?" Lorel asked, nudging him with his right shoulder.

  "... Nothing's been decided yet," the other boy admitted. "At least, nothing concrete. But... People are in the reserve for a reason. Dad wants to respect that. Or... At least try to."

  "So that means we're not being drafted?"

  "No, at least not yet." Loch paused, "I don't really think it matters, though," he continued quietly. "It's like you always say. Whatever happens, it-"

  "-Happens to the whole planet."

  He nodded. "Yeah."

  "So what's changed, exactly? I thought the ICC were at least somewhat neutral."

  A shake of the head, this time. "They are. And that's the problem."

  "I don't follow."

  Aria was seated on the shore's edge, her bare legs dangling off into the bottomless sea below. She stood as they approached. "Are you okay?" She asked Loch, concern clear on her face. "It looked like he hit you pretty hard."

  "Hey. What about me?" Lorel asked, voice filled with mock outrage. "He also hit me pretty hard."

  "It looked like you hit him a lot harder," She responded dryly, leaning in to inspect them as they approached. "And from what I could see, you punched him. Without warning. What was that about?"

  "Nothing you need to worry about," Lorel said, waving her question away with one hand. "So?" He asked, turning back to his friend. "The ICC. What's going on with them?"

  "You're right," Loch answered, nodding once. "They're neutral. Mostly, at least. But in some ways, that's even worse."

  "How so?"

  Aria was the one to answer, this time. "It means there's something else going on in the background."

  "Such as...?"

  She shrugged. "There's a lot of factions out there. The ICC is on good terms with some of them, and not so good terms with others." Her voice dampened. "Coral is an important resource. To everyone. And it looks like they're establishing a foothold here- that means they expect conflict. Serious conflict."

  Lorel looked towards her, one eyebrow raised. "I didn't realize you spent so much time thinking about this."

  Another shrug. "I'm more involved with the military than you are. I hear things. The rest of it isn't too hard to work out."

  "Are you calling me dumb, sister dearest?"

  "No." Aria rolled her eyes. "So? What's the plan now?"

  "In terms of?"

  "What... What are we supposed to do now?"

  "The only thing we can. Sit around and wait."

  She sighed. "Lovely. Time to sit around on my hands. That's exactly what I needed."

  "If you think spending time at the lab will soothe your mind-"

  Aria cut him off with a shake of the head. "No," she said, her voic firmer than before. "I promised. Besides. Whatever good it would do me, spending time with the two of you would be better."

  "And your projects?"

  She visibly hesitated before responding. "I already forwarded the information that Svyke gave me. They can figure out the rest. Also- do you still have the cells he gave you?"

  "Yeah. They're just sitting in my room. Why?"

  "If you're willing to part with one, I'd like to try tinkering around with one."

  "Another one of your ideas?"

  A nod. "It'll be helpful. I promise. And I'll figure out how to recreate them before I start making any modifications."

  Lorel shrugged. "Good enough for me. I haven't had the chance to empty them yet, though."

  "That's fine. It might work out better for me, actually."

  "Alright." Just as he was about to say something more, his holo-watch vibrated once. Looking down, he saw a message. His heart skipped a beat as he saw the sender- their father.

  I'm guessing you've already squeezed everything out of Loch. Tell Aria if you wish, but no one else. And be in uniform tomorrow. I'll be there tomorrow. Late afternoon. Be ready to leave.

  Lorel looked up. Neither Aria nor Loch seemed to have received a message of their own. "Did dad send you a message too?"

  His sister frowned. "No. He sent you one?"

  "Yes. Telling me to be in uniform tomorrow."

  Loch took on a similar expression at that. "Uniform? Why?"

  Lorel looked at him. "And there goes my other idea. I guess it's got nothing to do with the military, then."

  "Are you going to do as he asks?"

  He nodded "Yes." That was an easy answer. His father rarely did anything without purpose. "Maybe he just wants to officially reprimand me."

  "I don't think so," his friend responded, a thoughtful look on his face. "He purposefully scrubbed every bit of identifying information."

  "That's true."

  "So? What do you think?"

  "I try not to think too hard, thank you very much."

  His calm gaze turned into a glare.

  "I have no clue," Lorel said, raising both his hands. "But whatever it is, it's not until tomorrow afternoon. That means we can still go see Lani in the morning. I'll worry about it after all that. You said there was supposed to be a broadcast today. When?"

  Loch shook his head. "There's still a few more hours."

  "Excellent!" Lorel clapped his hands together once, startling them both. "That means there's still time."

  "Time for what?" Aria asked suspiciously.

  "Time for us to be lazy. I'm tired."

  Suspicion replaced her disbelief as she looked towards Loch. "He's serious, isn't he?"

  "I'm afraid so," he answered dryly.

  "Hey. I'm right here."

  She didn't so much as acknowledge him this time. "Even impending war isn't enough to make him act seriously."

  "Now you know how I feel."