‘You could actually do that with water manipulation?’

Aqua had learned of Kia’s abilities these last few days. Her first ability was water manipulation. Her power worked differently than the one he had, her control over her powers was way better and gave him insights on how to use water manipulation. She could also convert her body to water and heal wounds with it.

Aqua marveled at Kia's water manipulation abilities, realizing the vast potential they held and the intricate ways she harnessed them. Her mastery over water seemed to be an art form, combining fluidity and strategy in a dance that manipulated not only the water but also the very actions of her opponents.

He watched as she deftly weaved threads of water around her adversaries, turning their attacks against them with subtle shifts in their trajectories. It was like watching a puppeteer controlling marionettes, but in this case, the strings were made of liquid. Kia's clever tactics exploited her foes' own movements, leaving them vulnerable and disoriented.

As Kia created water fields to freeze the ground beneath her opponents, Aqua couldn't help but be impressed by the strategic thinking behind her actions. It was as if she anticipated their every move and used her abilities to set up traps that her foes unknowingly walked into. Her movements were synchronized with the flow of the water, a harmonious synergy between her body and her power.

Her fluid movements and deceptive strategies reminded Aqua of the jungle itself—beautiful, mesmerizing, and deadly in its unpredictability. He admired her approach, recognizing that her cunning tactics were just as effective as brute force. It was a reminder that power came not just from raw strength, but from the intelligence and creativity to wield it effectively.

He couldn't help but feel a mixture of excitement and apprehension as he considered their partnership. With Kia's water manipulation and his shapeshifting abilities, they could complement each other in ways that transcended their individual strengths.
 

“Aqua I know I’m beautiful, but could you stop staring and help me here?” 

Aqua's gaze shifted from Kia's face to the battle at hand, and he couldn't help but chuckle at her playful reprimand. "My apologies, I got lost in thought for a moment." He raised an eyebrow, his tone a mixture of amusement and self-mockery.

As the monkeys closed in, Aqua's focus shifted from his idle observation to swift action. With a confident flick of his wrist, he conjured his water harpoon once again, this time with a purpose. The water harpoon flew through the air, its trajectory precise and deadly. The tip of the harpoon found its mark, impaling one of the charging monkeys, causing it to crumple to the ground with a piercing cry.

Kia gave him an approving nod, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "See? Not just a pretty face, huh?"

Aqua couldn't suppress a smirk, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Well, I do try to be more than just a pretty face."

As the battle raged on, Kia's water manipulation combined with Aqua's precision and shapeshifting abilities created a formidable duo. Waves of water and ice met the monkeys' onslaught, turning the tide of battle in their favor. Kia's cunning tactics and Aqua's strategic strikes wove together seamlessly, like a symphony of elements working in harmony.

With each adversary that fell, Aqua's respect for Kia's skills grew. Her water manipulation was more than just raw power—it was a finesse, an art form that she wielded with grace and ingenuity. He marveled at the way she adapted her techniques to exploit her enemies' weaknesses, turning their own attacks against them and leaving them vulnerable to counterattacks.

As the last one of the monkeys was defeated, Kia's breaths came in measured heaves, a satisfied glint in her eyes. Aqua leaned on his water harpoon, a grin on his face. "Not bad, partner. Looks like we make a pretty good team."

Kia wiped a bead of sweat from her brow, her lips curving into a genuine smile. "Yeah, I have to admit, you're not as useless as you look."

Aqua's laughter echoed through the jungle, the camaraderie between them growing stronger with each battle they faced together. As they caught their breath and surveyed the aftermath of their victory, Aqua couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement for the challenges that lay ahead. 
 

As Kia looked at the retreating sun she said: “I think we should start camping.”

“Okay, I’ll skin the monkeys while you prepare the fire to cook the meat.” 

They had found a hole the size of a little cave in a tree and decided to camp there.

As the meat began to cook, they sat around the fire in silence.

“I haven’t told you yet, but I have a non-identical twin brother who has also entered the First Dive” Aqua said in a bid to tell her something about himself and to learn a bit about her.

Kia looked at him for a second and then at the fire once again. It seemed as if she had something to say and the words got stuck in her throat.

Almost unnoticed a tear fell to the ground. “Oh, I see, that’s gr-great, I hope we find him.”

‘Where did that come from?’

“I’d be glad to find him before we reach the landmark, but even if we don’t, I’m sure he’ll be fine.”

“You’d like him, he’s just great” Aqua said while smiling and looking at the almost fully cooked meat in front of him. His gaze full of longing.

‘Sometimes she’s so happy and cunning, while sometimes she seems to be so tired of everything. I just don’t get her.’ 

Kia didn’t seem to like to talk about her past and when he asked, he was always met with a short answer or silence.

‘Maybe someday she’ll open up, I’ll give her time.’ Aqua didn’t know why he was feeling so sad, it just stung to see like this. 

“So what’s your brother like, is he much more handsome than you?” She seemed to regain her usual joviality. Aqua felt deep sorrow in her gaze, she didn’t show it, but he was certain that her emotions weren’t the ones he was showing right now.

Even so, he kept the conversation going as if he hadn’t noticed anything.

“FYI, I’m the handsome one, but I guess he’s not too bad!” his tone full of arrogance and glee.

“You’re so full of yourself” she said while she playfully threw a water punch at his shoulder.

“Hey that hurts, first a lance and now a punch?”

Aqua lamented to himself as he thought ‘Shio you are not missing anything, girls are mean’.

“Don’t be a crybaby I didn’t even hit you so hard, and the lance-throw was well deserved, who goes around the forest and approaches you waving a giant water hand?”

“It seemed the safest way to approach, I didn’t think you’d be that crazy”

They continued bickering about their first encounter until the dinner was ready.

“Good night Aqua, don’t even think about doing anything funny”

“Good night, the same goes for you.” Neither one of them could fully trust the other, but somehow both slept soundly that night.