![\"\"](\"https:\/\/buber.net\/Basque\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/maite-and-kepa-v3b.png\")
When she was done, stairs started materializing in the space in front of them, growing almost organically out of the floor and the ceiling until the two halves met perfectly in the middle. At the same time, a small opening appeared in the ceiling at the top of the stairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While Kepa had seen the nanobots create doors out of nothing before, this was a whole new level. He couldn\u2019t help stare at the stairs in front of him. He ran his hand along the smooth surface. There was no seam or anything where the two halves joined. He would never have been able to tell where they met. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThese nanobots are so amazing,\u201d he said. \u201cI never would have believed something like this could be possible. It\u2019s almost like magic.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Latxe looked at him. \u201cLook,\u201d she began. \u201cYou keep saying things like that, being amazed at things that anyone from here would simply take for granted.\u201d Her eyes almost turned cold as she looked at him. \u201cWho are you? Where are you from, really?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sweat started beading on Kepa\u2019s brow. Latxe was the one friend he had in this bubble, and his one hope of rescuing Maite. He couldn\u2019t afford to alienate her. \u201cThe United States?\u201d he asked more than answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Latxe threw up her hands. \u201cI don\u2019t know what the hell I\u2019m doing here. For all I know, you work for him,\u201d she said as she gestured vaguely to the ceiling above them. \u201cI don\u2019t know what you\u2019ve done to Olatz, what kind of threat you made to her, but I\u2019m done with this.\u201d Latxe turned away from him and began swiping at her tablet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEz!\u201d exclaimed Kepa. \u201cNo!\u201d His shoulders slumped. \u201cI\u2019ll tell you.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Latxe turned back to face him, her fingers paused above the screen, her face expectant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m from the past,\u201d began Kepa as he more fell than sat on the stairs. \u201cMaite is too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe past?\u201d exclaimed Latxe incredulously. \u201cYou expect me to believe in time travel? Of all of the bullshit I\u2019ve heard, this tops it all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSeriously,\u201d replied Kepa. \u201cWe\u2019re from the early twenty-first century. We\u2019re here to retreive a magical artifact\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTime travel and magic?\u201d interrupted Latxe. \u201cWhat next? Are you going to tell me we are all part of some computer game controlled by some kid in his mother\u2019s basement? That none of this is real?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s real,\u201d replied Kepa with a tinge of guilt. \u201cBut so is the magic.\u201d He held out his hand, palm up. His brow furrowed as he focused on his hand. It started to glow, only slightly at first, growing in intensity and brightness until Latxe had to look away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat the hell was that?\u201d she asked as spots danced in her vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMagic,\u201d said Kepa. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Latxe shook her head. \u201cNo, I don\u2019t believe it. It has to be some new nanobot trick. And you keep acting like you don\u2019t know what the nanobots are.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat the hell?\u201d exclaimed a voice from above. \u201cWhere did this hole come from?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The face of a woman peered into the hole. \u201cWho the hell are you two? How did you get in? Central,\u201d she began, \u201cthere are\u2026 ah!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kepa had thrown his hand up and released a flash of light that took the woman by surprise, blinding her. He rushed up the stairs as the woman staggered back, covering her mouth before she could alert her colleagues. Latxe followed him up, and helped him tie the woman up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMagic, huh?\u201d asked Latxe as she pulled on the knot of the gag that covered the woman\u2019s mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kepa nodded sheepishly. \u201cBai.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n