Chapter 34

Peace returned to the house of Garou.

Much to the relief of Melee. November was a hell of a month. Amai wouldn't stop complaining about not getting his time with Drax, despite the fact that Drax wasn't a serpent for very long, he still wanted his moment to each him all he knew about being a serpent. Since he felt cheated out on his opportunity, he demanded Garou turn him again before the month was over.

"It's not happening. The soothsaying power, I am not trusting anymore!"

"This is unfair! Snek got his time with him, and yet I don't! Do I not matter to him? I am helping to raise this child as well, and yet I don't get the same treatment Snek does." Protested Amai.

"Amai, the last time Garou used the power, you even felt that surge. It's never that strong, what makes you think it's safe to use?" demanded Melee. "You are willing to risk Drax just to spend time with him as a serpent? Are you even listening to yourself?" she demanded.

Despite it being true, Amai held his ground on the subject matter. "I still wanted my time with him…" yet he dropped the subject shortly after.

When Drax became human once more, he spent most of his time with Snek, yet at night, he would spend it with Amai. The two would listen and play music in Sweet Mask's room, it pacified the A Class hero for some time since after all he was able to spend it with Drax. Amai even took charge in training Goliath, the two would spend hours outside working on his method of controlling his new strength and abilities. It didn't take long for Goliath to master them, yet his personality was a little more difficult to control. Every so often a snide comment would escape out of him, Melee would quickly correct it with a slap upside of his head. Since then, he has begun to catch himself before falling into the habits of Amai Mask, speaking without cause or provocation!

When the month ended. Amai and Snek turned back, Sweet Mask complimented Drax on his skills with the guitar and vowed to help him improve upon them. "You have great talent and it's only gotten better, keep it up. Perhaps it's time to upgrade your equipment."

In less than twenty-four hours, a package arrived for Drax, a pristine electric guitar known as a 'Sweet Lick'. The best kind one could possess in all the cities. Not to mention the guitar of choice of Amai Mask.

Drax also took to ensuring the peace between his father and Amai Mask. He didn't want them fighting over him anymore and has made an agreement. He would spend the weekends with Amai, that way Sweet Mask can spend his time with him. Drax would spend the weekdays with his father after school, holidays however he insisted both be there and be part of. Snek didn't like the idea of him losing weekends with his son, Drax however stated it was only fair. "There is one thing I want to mention as well. If either one of you want to come along, the other cannot refuse!" he stated.

"Wait…" protested Amai. "What if I wanted to take you somewhere your father couldn't go, but insisted on coming along?"

"We will have arrangements made, however, I want to be certain should this come up. It's not to occur in order to spite the other… I know both of you are capable of that, right?" said Drax.

Snek hissed. "I don't like this… Why the hell are we conducting this like a business meeting?"

"Since it was the only way to get the two of you to listen. However, I had help thanks to Goliath and Draven. They figured this would be a good balance between the two of you and for me. So, promise me, here and now, no more fighting!"

The two were reluctant to agree, yet Snek promised he would do his best. Amai as well, but his word couldn't be taken all that seriously.

#

As the house settled, Melee couldn't help but feel a chill in the air. Something was wrong in her mind. "Melee?" Garou's hand came gently on her shoulder. She turned to him and sighed aloud.

"You feel it too, don't you?" she whispered.

He merely nodded. "I've been seeing the signs for a while. Something is coming."

"I know we haven't had much run in with the Neo Heroes, but I can feel that they are going to make their move against us and soon. Question is, what do we do?" She didn't feel right about lying to Garou like this, yet in recent months, every time she is in town, the Neo Heroes stalk her. They would follow and speak behind her back stating.

"The moment the Heroes Association falls… you're back on the list! You'll be categorized as a monster which means… we can take you down!"

They always spoke of this, every time they saw her. They would announce how they couldn't wait until their moment comes. She feared it since it would be true. If something happens to the Heroes Association. Melee and her family will be in the cross hairs of the Neo Heroes, the M Class title will have no meaning to them, they will just be monsters in their eyes.

"I think we don't have much to worry about." Garou said. "After all, the Heroes association still stands, doesn't it?"

"For how long? You remember the meeting we had in September, they asked us to take a pay cut! We did so none of the other lower class heroes would get fired! Things are getting serious, and I am starting to worry. What will we do if the association falls? How much are we going to have to fight these guys? How can we if they confront us in the cities? What of the kids? If they come after the children… I can't be responsible for what I do!"

"Melee…" he said gently. Garou turned her around and pressed his forehead to hers, he gave off a calming purr, which settled her down. "We don't have to worry about it. We're still M Class Dragons, we are still part of the heroes Association. If they come at us, we will fight back! They will be foolish to do so…"

She let off a sigh. "I hope you're right…"

Despite his soothing words, Melee could feel the storm coming…