"Was this a fated encounter?"
Muttering under his breath, Abner quietly took the marionette from his shirt pocket and prepared for a fight.
Beside him, Vice Admiral Iceberg picked up an oil lamp. One glance was enough for Abner to recognize the Mystical Item Edwina had bought at the Pirate Gathering for 4,200 pounds: Tranquil Winter.
The lamp could chill any creature caught in its light, stiffening its limbs until it froze completely. Without a way to counter it, even a demigod would be affected.
But to Abner's and Edwina's surprise, the lion in the stream's reflection leaped out into the real world. Warm, sunlike light radiated from its body as it ran on all fours to a spot more than five meters away. Its movements were awkward, but it was by no means slow.
Abner was about to use Simulation to match a Zombie's speed and give chase when the lion suddenly turned and spoke. "Stop! Why do you humans always want to fight and kill? Can't we sit down and talk over a meal?"
Talk over a meal? You've got refined tastes for a lion... The question is whether you'd be eating me, or I'd be eating you...
After making that remark to himself, Abner exchanged a glance with Edwina and started forward again.
This time, though, he showed no hostility. He spread his hands to show he held no weapon.
The lion took a step back anyway. Its hind legs failed to cooperate, and it fell, but that did not stop it from moving away from Abner.
"Stop! Don't come any closer!" the lion cried, wriggling backward on its side.
"Weren't you the one who suggested talking over a meal? How can we do that if I don't come closer?" Abner stopped, looking utterly innocent.
"Kid, either