Consequences

[Sage]

Sage watched as Nox caught his ball and he felt slightly defeated as the other man rolled the ball safely back towards him. At least he was sincere when he said he had no intentions of throwing balls back at them. Sage didn't quite understand the exercise Nox was trying to do.

It wasn't until they really started that Sage started to understand. Once he was ready Nox sliced through the ball with a wave of his hand. Sage couldn't see anything other than the ball pretty much just disappeared. A few more balls formed at his and Elyse's feat and Sage thought he understood - he was taxing whatever his ability was.

What Sage wouldn't give to see what Nox saw - to understand the power that his friend was slinging with ease. He wouldn't make it easy on him. Sage's hand hurt like a mother f.... but he pushed through it. It moved freely, nothing felt broken and soon Sage became numb to it.

30 minutes passed and Nox was sweating, yet he hadn't really done much moving. It was all hand waving and arm gestures when he wasn't dodging or ducking out of the way it was hardly strenuous by any standards. Sage's arm was numb from the pain, his grip was weak and Nox still looked far worse than he felt. Sage had to push away the thoughts that crept into his mind looking at Nox's wet shirt and hair line.

Despite his initial reaction it was actually enjoyable. Another 30 minutes passed. Sage was either getting better - or Nox was getting worse. The other man was out of breath and the sweat soaked his shirt. Sage wound up for another throw when Nox called out he was done. Sage's ball bounced off the man's side where he'd thrown it and Sage felt bad - Nox looked worn out. Sage headed for the stairs to grab two glasses of water on the stairs. He hadn't even noticed Christian slipping downstairs with refreshments.

Sage handed one of the glasses to Nox and held the other out for Elyse. He just then realized that there was no more wall. Sage asked. "So if someone attacked you right now, your power is gone?"