《The Quantum Games》 Chapter One Chapter One "When the world changes, you can either stay who you are or become who you were meant to be." System Headquarters ¡°In three days, the System will spring to life within the Galaxy known as the Milky Way. Reports suggest that the management is nearly if not entirely, assembled, guaranteeing the strategic positioning of the tournament¡¯s most promising contenders,¡± Shukar conveyed to Viggo Platard, the Head Director of this cycle¡¯s Quantum Games. ¡°Good,¡± the director replied. ¡°I am glad we finally stabilized after a few early mishaps. Do we suspect those will affect the contestants this year?¡± ¡°No, Sir. Blips were managed effectively. While we did have a few more powerful ones this year compared to previous years, these are always expected. The barriers across the civilized planets are designed to shut down in waves until the go-live date.¡± ¡°Shukar, thank you for your steadfast support over the past half-century. Let¡¯s ensure our fans experience a tournament they¡¯ll never forget.¡± *** Earth Emy & James The athletic director was livid. ¡°She¡¯s done! She¡¯s off the team. That was unacceptable,¡± he exclaimed. Coach Williams defended Emy, ¡°She went for the ball, Steve. It was a clean play.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not what the referee said or, mind you, the other teams¡¯ parents. This can¡¯t keep happening. I¡¯ve had more calls about your girls¡¯ club this year than all my other programs combined. Make this right, or I will.¡± Emy replayed the conversation she had overheard while sitting outside the athletic director¡¯s office the previous day. She knew she had made a clean play. Could they kick her off the team for that? Anxious, nervous, and distraught, she rapidly tapped her #2 pencil on her desk. It wasn¡¯t until she felt the stares of her classmates that she looked up and saw the entire class, plus a glaring teacher, looking back at her. Her vibrant red hair had often drawn attention, but this felt unusually intense. Then, she became aware of the disruptive noise her pencil was creating. ¡°Sorry,¡± Emy sighed as the class turned back around, and James nudged her slightly. ¡°You good?¡± Emy nodded, took another deep breath, and forced herself to focus on the things she could control. Regardless of the outcome, she might as well not flunk this mid-term chemistry exam. When solid sodium metal reacts with chlorine gas, what compound is produced? Write the balanced chemical equation for this combination reaction. Smiling to herself, Emy immersed herself in the question. She envisioned Sodium (Na) and Chlorine (Cl?) melding together. It wasn¡¯t a conscious effort; she enjoyed it, and the answer materialized as the elements fused in her mind. Her teachers had always emphasized the Lewis Dot structure of molecules, but her brain had its way of visualizing it even before those lessons. After years of studying chemistry, her mind adopted this traditional view. Refocusing on the test at hand, Emy confidently wrote the equation and answer of NaCl, commonly known as Sodium Chloride or table salt. Emy walked to the front of the class as she finished the test, passing other students still engrossed in their questions. ¡°See you at practice today,¡± Professor ¡°Coach¡± Williams gestured with a smirk as Emy set down her test. Filled with newfound hope, she slung her backpack over her shoulder. The white letters spelling ¡°Mighty Eagles¡± were embroidered across the back of her bag. She then stepped into the hallway of the education building¡¯s second floor. Leaning over the railing, she watched the students in the foyer below while waiting for James. Quill Creek College wasn¡¯t her first choice for soccer programs, but it wasn¡¯t her last. Nestled in the charming town of Quincy, California, it quietly existed along State Highway 70, a local community college with minimal fanfare¡ªexcept for a few discreet signs scattered around the town. Emy had found solace while at the Junior College, but an insistent feeling tugged at her¡ªa yearning for something more. She was a standout athlete in high school, earning the prestigious 5A State first-team all-league title as a soccer goalkeeper. Soccer became her refuge when she first laced her cleats and slipped on her gloves during a local Reno AYSO program. On the field, the chaos of life settled, and Emy could immerse herself in the game¡ªprotecting the goal, leading her defense, and supporting her teammates with unwavering focus. Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. When the referee''s whistle blew, the world shifted once more. Doctors, teachers, and even her parents attributed it to ADHD and various other diagnoses, but Emy felt there was more to it. She could concentrate when needed and even achieve hyper-focus when she chose. However, when her mind wandered, reality would blur, shapes would dance, and people seemed less tangible. Imagine English and Math, where words and numbers perpetually swirl around you. In response, Emy devised a short-term plan for after high school: start at a junior college, improve her grades, and then move on to a more extensive four-year program, all while in search of herself. Soccer was her passion, enriching her life, but it wasn''t her entire existence. Now, a nagging question haunted her: What would she become without soccer? ¡°Dude, what¡¯s up with you today?¡± James¡¯s sudden appearance made Emy jump, the classroom door closing behind him. ¡°What? Bitter about being the runner-up once more?¡± she teased, making light of the situation that James had just been bumped from his starting position on the football team. ¡°Too soon,¡± James murmured. ¡°No, seriously, you¡¯ve been in a different world lately. Even for you, this is strange.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry. My head is just¡­ I don¡¯t know,¡± Emy hesitated. ¡°I¡¯m still waiting for the Athletic Director¡¯s verdict on my future as a Mighty Eagle,¡± she replied, attempting to shift the conversation with a touch of sarcasm. "You¡¯re good at everything¡ªeven if you¡¯re now the backup quarterback. I can¡¯t imagine a future where you¡¯re not successful. ¡°You know that wound is still fresh, right?¡± James protested with a tinge of sadness in his voice. ¡°I was just demoted last practice. I¡¯m still attempting to accept that I am a second-choice junior college athlete.¡± Emy responded bluntly, ¡°You could fail and drop out tomorrow, and nothing would change. Your parents can send you to any four-year school nationwide, give you the choice of any degree, and help you move on with your life. I should start calling you Dr. Gray now.¡± James¡¯s frustration bubbled over. ¡°Why is that always everyone¡¯s argument? You think I can just get out and move on?¡± ¡°Ahh, let¡¯s just go,¡± he added, exasperated. Each Tuesday, Emy and James adhered to their unwritten rule: grab lunch after Chemistry. It was the only class they shared this semester. After a 90-minute lecture, they would head to Norma¡¯s Thunder Caf¨¦, nestled near downtown Quincy. The cozy spot was just a beat away from campus. Emy and James, friends since elementary school, had jointly chosen to enroll at Quill Creek. Growing up, Emy often visited James¡¯s house after school, drawn by the perks of a big house with a pool and a distinct lack of adults. Friends came and went, but their bond remained strong. Since middle school, they¡¯d had an unspoken pact: stick together whenever possible. This led many to speculate about James, the handsome, toned star athlete with striking silver hair, and Emy, the equally captivating high school soccer standout. Despite the rumors, their friendship remained constant throughout the years. ¡°What are you going to do?¡± James asked Emy, grabbing the fresh sandwiches from Norma, the owner, and settling into a seat. ¡°I don¡¯t think there¡¯s anything I can do now. I just have to go and face the music. You saw the play. What did you think?¡± ¡°Yeah, me and everyone else in the stands. That play was nuts. It looked like a fifty-fifty ball in the box, but when you two collided, the girl went flying. Shoot, Emy. After that play, all the football players stood and roared at the sudden action. You were a hero.¡± James¡¯s recollection triggered her memory to come back. It was a Sunday afternoon in the fall, the sixth soccer game of the year. Her team was playing against the Lassen ¡°Mighty¡± Cougars. James and Emy joked that 50% of the Junior Colleges had a ¡°Mighty¡± mascot. Fast forward to the game''s final ten minutes: Emy was pitching a shutout as the goalie, and the score was 1-0. The game had been close, with only a few shots on goal. But a lucky steal and a long strike by a midfielder sent the soccer ball over her defense¡¯s head, landing just short of the box. Courtney Weaver, Lassen¡¯s star striker, lunged for the ball, ready to take her shot. Unbeknownst to her, Emy surged forward, intercepting the ball precisely when Courtney did. It felt as if the world had shifted off balance in that fleeting moment. The next thing Emy became aware of was the unified stare of everyone around her, and their attention riveted on Courtney. She was now lying flat on her back, blood tracing a network of lines down her face along with her hair marred with grass stains. Emy stepped back, bewildered by the feeling that just came over her and the abrupt hush that enveloped the crowd. She gazed at Courtney sprawled before her on the turf, a mix of concern and confusion in her eyes. The referee¡¯s whistle pierced the air, and he sprinted toward the scene, brandishing a red card. Emy stood frozen, too stunned to react, while the stands erupted in a cacophony of cheers and gasps from the football athletes. "Fury, Fury, Fury, Fury." As for the cheer squad, their relentless ¡°Fury¡± chants didn¡¯t exactly enhance Emy¡¯s image during that memorable soccer match. She glanced at James across the table. ¡°I appreciate the support, but could you ask the guys to ease up on the ¡®Fury¡¯ chants? Courtney¡¯s mom didn¡¯t seem thrilled with the yelling for the rest of the match in those tiny stands,¡± Emy requested, feeling a bit embarrassed. James chuckled. ¡°Sure, Fury. But getting Will to listen? Now that¡¯s a challenge. Will must have been having a party after the game, as he even managed to stir up excitement in Tuck about the game. The three-hundred-pounder practically ripped his shirt in two, screaming for you.¡± Emy laughed, picturing the scene. ¡°Maybe he was just excited to divert attention from himself. I hear Tuck¡¯s been racking up penalties on the football field. Is he suspended for this weekend¡¯s game?¡± "Yeah, he¡¯s a gentle giant but channels his anger on the field. Two personal fouls in the last game got him ejected, earning him a one-game suspension. At least he has a good story for not playing this weekend." "That reminds me, who¡¯s this new guy that stole my best friend''s starting spot?" Emy returned with a question. James let out a weary breath. ¡°His name¡¯s Trent,¡± he said, ¡°and he turned up this weekend. He was at Will¡¯s usual weekend bash, but I can¡¯t fault the coach. Our team is on fire, and this impressive start has caught some attention. He was at USC last year and got into some undisclosed trouble. The guy¡¯s got an arm like a cannon and might be the fastest player on the team.¡± James didn¡¯t voice it, but the team was more than good. Their 4-0 start was the best in the school¡¯s history. James was no stranger to winning; having led his high school team to a state title, winning was his norm. However, junior college football presented a different dynamic. Here, individual numbers and statistical success often outshone team achievements. The more talent a school had, the better the scouts it attracted. After just two years, this led to a higher turnover to more extensive four-year programs. This turnover rate, in turn, attracted more talent, perpetuating the cycle. ¡°I haven¡¯t met a player on the team who doesn¡¯t love you, James. Those guys would force the coach to take a different path if you weren¡¯t so damn noble in your actions. You and I know they are better off with you, even if you don¡¯t have a great nickname to back you up.¡± Emy smiled, attempting to take some pressure off the conversation. ¡°Let¡¯s get going; I still have some homework to do before practice,¡± Emy said as she got up, pausing and blinking. Something wasn¡¯t right. The room vibrated as a short burst of energy washed into the caf¨¦. Objects shook, and the table Emy held felt like it sank into itself as if its density suddenly changed. Before she knew it, the room stabilized, and the energy seemed to fade. Chapter Two Chapter Two "Whether driven by life, luck, or fate, some heroes seem to be chosen by the gods themselves." ¨C Fan. The Previous Saturday Tuck ¡°GO EAGLES!¡± roared multiple voices as a car sped toward the street, leaving the parking lots closest to the football fields. ¡°We better see you at Will¡¯s place, Tuck!¡± the voices continued to yell as the car disappeared. Tuck reached his ''97 Bronco in the parking lot, glancing back at the dimming lights over the football fields. He knew he was gradually losing his chance at a promising future. This marked his second year in the program, and while he had garnered decent attention from several D1 schools, they all fell silent after a series of incidents this year. What is wrong with me? Tuck wondered as he packed up his gear, tossing it into the back of the truck. His uniform landed atop several other unwashed practice jerseys. The mingling scents of body odor, grass, and blood stains forced his thoughts back to the allure of playing at the D1 level¡ªthe promise of laundry services and the potential for a brighter path. This marked the third time within four games this year that Tuck hadn¡¯t completed a match. Throughout his life, Tuck had been known for giving his all. His dedication extended beyond the field, evident in the furious workouts that shaped his physique. He never missed a practice, and no coach or teacher had to ask him twice about anything. It was how he¡¯d been raised by his mom in the small town of Dayton, just outside Carson City, Nevada. With his father having been incarcerated since he was just eight, Tuck¡¯s life story could easily lead one to make assumptions. Yet, his clean-cut appearance and composed demeanor would quickly dispel any notions that his father was serving time in the local prison. ¡®Don¡¯t shame your family any more than your father has already done,¡¯ Tuck¡¯s mom would say. Amidst a few more honks and cheers, Tuck climbed up the side rail as the truck shifted and accepted his weight. He might as well celebrate with the team; they all knew he wouldn¡¯t have many more chances after this year. The party was at the same place every week: Will¡¯s house. With limited bars and plenty of underage drinking, house parties became a nightly ritual for most kids in school. After the initial weeks of parties, the neighbors¡ªthough more spread out than typical suburban areas¡ªrealized they were in a losing battle this year. Mostly ranch hands and older folks, they didn¡¯t mind the parties as long as they didn¡¯t venture too far into their properties. Tuck took the keys out of the ignition, breathing deeply as he attempted to push the night¡¯s events and subsequent thoughts to the back of his mind. Shutting the door, he stepped out onto the sidewalk. ¡°Damn, Tuck, we know the neighbors don¡¯t care too much about us partying, but do you have to slam your door before the party even starts?¡± Will, the resident home renter and fellow Eagles football player, chided. "Oops, sorry, Will. I guess these old doors make more noise than you think." Tuck glanced back at the old Bronco, which had a few dents in the door frame. Did he slam it without thinking? ¡°It¡¯s all right. It¡¯s becoming a sign that the party is about to start when Big Tuck shows up.¡± Tuck gave a slight smile. ¡°Great game tonight, Brick. I¡¯m bummed for missing your 4th down shutdown over Nick Reese. I heard you locked him up and closed the game for us.¡± Will played cornerback for the Eagles because he couldn¡¯t catch a ball tossed underhanded and headed straight for his face. He was always assigned to guard the top wide receiver on the opposing team. Tonight, he locked onto Reese, a D1 top recruit in Nevada, holding him to just two catches and only 15 yards. Due to his talent as a lockdown corner, combined with the catching ability of a 3-year-old, Will quickly earned the nickname ¡°Brick.¡± While Will took it to reference the wall he built in front of the wideout he was guarding, the rest of the team had different interpretations. ¡°Thanks, Tuck. We¡¯ve got to fix that temper of yours. The team missed you out there. But none of that tonight; it looks like the start of a fun one. The usuals are inside, and our star QB decided to show up.¡± Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. ¡°James made it out?¡± ¡°Nah, Silver Hair didn¡¯t make it, but his replacement did and seems to have his eyes locked on Nadia tonight.¡± Will passed by Tuck, giving him a friendly shoulder bump, and grabbed the 18-pack from the back of his truck to bring inside. Ripping the top off, he tossed one over his shoulder toward Tuck with a side wink. "Thanks, Will." Tuck cracked open a beer, took a quick sip, and headed inside. As always, he walked into the house to blaring music and a chorus of cheers from his friends. The house had a living room¡ªor, in this case, a dance area¡ªin the front, with couches around it, opening up to a kitchen at the back. Not being much of a dancer, Tuck made a beeline for the kitchen. ¡°Yo, Tuck, right? Hell of a hit out there tonight. You messed up that kid nicely.¡± Tuck glanced toward the couches and saw the new replacement QB lounging lazily with a hand draped over Nadia, who sat beside him. Both held mixed drinks in hand, and the familiar earthy scent was hanging in the air. Tuck glanced at Nadia, then looked back at Trent. ¡°Not my finest hour, but I¡¯m happy the team pulled it out. How¡¯s your first weekend in Quincy?¡± Trent took another long drink from his glass and looked over at Nadia. ¡°Just living the dream, friend.¡± Taking it as a sign to exit and wanting to leave the room, Tuck nodded and headed into the kitchen. ¡°Heyyyyyy, Tuck! The keg is ready for you!¡± fellow lineman Frank shouted, mouth still full of the sandwich he had been eating. ¡°Hey, Frank. I should have known you would be here, stuffing your face as always. Do you ever leave this house?¡± ¡°Will ought to realize by now that leaving bread out is practically an invitation for me to eat it. With the school workshop closed and football finished for the evening, the only activity left¡­ is drinking.¡± Frank Arhest, with his short blond mullet and soft eyes, had a down-to-earth charm that was hard to ignore. He and Tuck had formed a solid friendship since their first day of practice last year. Both were sophomores at the school, but their paths diverged beyond that point. While Tuck dedicated himself to football, Frank pursued a different passion. He enrolled in the college¡¯s renowned welding program, playing football merely to pass the time and make some friends. Despite their contrasting pursuits, Frank¡¯s dedication, unpretentious persona, sturdy build, and skills on the field made him a valuable football asset for the school, much like his friend Tuck. Laughter and banter continued as Tuck fulfilled his party duty and caught up with the other people around the house. Say one thing about Quill Creek: there might not be much to do, but with enough alcohol and loud music, anyone could have a good time. As the night progressed, Tuck started to feel like himself again. Regardless of the drinks, laughter, and jokes, good friends always did the trick. With a jolt of music from the door to the living room opening again, Trent strode into the kitchen with two empty drinks. He poured generously into one of the glasses, then looked back at the guys around the room. ¡°You boys ready to see a real QB in action this week?¡± With a few glances exchanged and an attempt to keep the fun night going, Frank made the first comment. ¡°We¡¯ve been hearing some good things from Coach about you. Excited to have you on the team.¡± ¡°That makes one of us,¡± Trent said, lifting his glass. ¡°Here¡¯s to getting out of this place.¡± He took a quick drink and headed back into the living room. ¡°Seems a little early for that type of talk,¡± Frank commented as Trent left the kitchen, irritated. ¡°Let¡¯s just give him the benefit of the doubt. We all know how hard it was to come in here the first week,¡± Tuck stated, taking another sip and walking toward the exit. ¡°I think I am going to get some air. I¡¯ll be back.¡± With that, he opened the door to the blare of music and stepped away from the crowd. It wasn¡¯t the first time he¡¯d seen Trent pouring drinks tonight, and he had to check on a few things in the other room. Moving to the side, Tuck leaned against the wall and took another drink, his gaze drifting towards a particular figure. Nadia and Trent had moved couches at some point, and Tuck watched as Trent gave the drink to the more petite girl. Nadia, a paradox of beauty and subtlety, was frequently present at these parties. Her stunning features were consistently downplayed by her casual attire and low-key demeanor, making her blend seamlessly into the crowd. Yet, her quiet, reserved nature and the ever-present drink or joint in her hand made her stand out to those who knew where to look. He didn¡¯t know much about her other than the half smile they always exchanged in passing, a smile that held a mysterious charm. Holding the drink, Nadia took a whiff of it, shrugged off the arm draped over her shoulders, and made her way upstairs to the restroom. Girls were known to venture upstairs to the bathroom, as the one on the bottom floor of the place occasionally had a slug or two coming out of the floors. Having your flats get engulfed by the floor was not the best experience. Tuck didn¡¯t mind too much because, hey, what do you expect when the floor is covered with cheap beer and piss marks? Left alone on the couch, Trent put down his drink, smiled at a few people dancing, and proceeded upstairs to follow Nadia. Tuck sighed. Having frequented enough parties, he knew a red flag when he saw one. Frustrated that this would be the start of their relationship after tonight, he put down his drink and headed up the stairs to follow Trent. ¡°Hey, Trent, what are you looking for up here?¡± Tuck caught Trent as he headed down the hallway toward the bathroom. ¡°Huh?¡± Trent seemed caught off guard. ¡°Oh, uh, just looking for the bathroom. Bit new here and wasn¡¯t sure where to go.¡± Even having seen Trent regularly use the downstairs bathroom, Tuck gave him an out. ¡°Ah, we usually use the downstairs one. This one is typically reserved for the girls. They called dibs once they saw the floor in the other one.¡± ¡°Got it, got it. Let me head back down and look for that one then.¡± As Trent descended the stairs, Tuck waited and knocked on the bathroom door. With no answer and no lock, Tuck opened the door to an empty room. Tuck proceeded to check the remaining open rooms and once again found nobody. Shaking his head, he headed back downstairs to the party. What the heck? Chapter Three Chapter Three ¡°The best part about the games is the players'' candidness. These people are just thrust out of normal lives and into a new world. It makes them so human!¡± ¨C Fan. Nadia This wasn¡¯t Nadia¡¯s first time making a hasty retreat from a party through a second-floor exit, but she hoped it would be her last. Dusting off her jeans and nursing a soon-to-be bruise on her thigh from the fall, she realized her descent from the gutter might have been louder than she had intended. Midway down the house, she crashed into the lawn¡ªor, more accurately, the weeds and dirt¡ªbefitting the status of a mere college rental property. After cleaning herself up a bit, Nadia took a quick breath and reflected on how awkward the night had become. She attended these parties to feel something, even if she always projected a ¡°leave me alone¡± vibe. Letting the music and festivities wash over her, she sought out the most inebriated individuals to avoid lengthy conversations. Yes, she had to admit she was attractive, but her minimal makeup, loose jeans, covered top, and black jacket left much to the imagination. Still, it seemed Trent had a vivid imagination of his own. To avoid confrontation, Nadia allowed the boy to sit beside her multiple times during the night. While she didn¡¯t appreciate it when he put his arm around her, leading to her having to shift seats to move away from him continuously, he brought her drinks and mostly chatted with the people around her instead of with her. He didn¡¯t seem to care much about what she had to say, and that was fine. When that last drink arrived, she knew where he was trying to take this. While Nadia could probably handle that much alcohol and more, Trent didn¡¯t know that and was trying to push things in his favor. Rather than deal with the drama of rejecting him, she chose the path of a hurting thigh and an Irish exit, which was a new goodbye strategy for her. Coming from a Filipino background, goodbyes were always an hour-long process at parties. When her mom led her to believe they were leaving, she knew she only then had the fun of talking to every single auntie at the party before she left. ¡°So quick to leave?¡± ¡°Shit.¡± To her relief, it was just Will. He had also left the party and come around to the backyard. "I am starting to think you may enjoy this, Nadia. You know you could just leave through the front door? You do realize you have some actual friends at the party, right? Heck, even Tuck seemed to notice your interactions with Trent, and he was in the kitchen for most of the night. Once Will saw Nadia abruptly get up and head upstairs, he knew what she would do. He even went so far as to make sure the window out of the bathroom was unlocked for her this time. Will saw Nadia as a friend, while Nadia would probably consider him an acquaintance. Since their first class together during the first week of school and a random pairing for a homework assignment, the two had become¡ªwell, to use Nadia¡¯s perspective¡ªcomfortable with each other. ¡°Tuck?¡± she uttered, pausing briefly as she pretended not to know who Tuck was before proceeding. ¡°You and I both know that if you didn¡¯t want the night to end on a sour note at your house, my only choice was to make that exit.¡± Nadia turned and started to head back to the dorms for the night. She didn¡¯t mind Will, but she was unwilling to wait and see if Trent showed up. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. ¡°Let me walk with you?¡± Looking out over the cow farms and the dark walk back to the dorms closer to the school, Nadia nodded. Much like Trent, Will was a good talker, but to Will¡¯s credit, you could also tell he cared about what she said. He was charismatic, and while he was usually the center of the party due to being the host, she didn¡¯t think that would change based on the location. He had a way with words, was quick with humor, and knew how to navigate a tough conversation. Due to his friendly ways and the offer to accompany her, she finally gave in. "Not enjoying your party?¡± With a quick smile, Will jogged up to join Nadia. ¡°I host three parties a week, so I think I can allow myself to miss an hour. Did you go to the game today?¡± ¡°No, but I heard that you were the star of the show. Well done¡­ Brick? That¡¯s what everyone calls you, right?¡± Nadia secretly watched the game but didn¡¯t want to reveal that information to Will or anyone else. Surprisingly, she enjoyed sports, even though she hadn¡¯t played much while growing up. According to the Dela Cruz family tradition, she needed to prioritize education to become a nurse. Despite not participating, she often daydreamed about being on a team with others. The camaraderie, action-oriented play, and shared goal of getting a ball across some form of boundary fascinated her. Her dorm room window faced the sports fields, providing a decent view of the games. While ¡°studying,¡± she particularly enjoyed watching soccer matches and football games. The flow of the players on the field conveyed the action, even if she couldn¡¯t always see the ball. Baseball, on the other hand, proved more challenging to follow, and those games were easier to ignore. ¡°You know, for someone who doesn¡¯t watch the games, you are always quick to ask me about them. But yes, the game ended well. It was a much closer match than any of us expected, and Tuck¡¯s departure from the game left us with a significant gap to fill, quite literally.¡± Will and Nadia continued to walk down the dirt path, cutting through the fields. "Are you ready for the Chemistry exam on Tuesday?" Will enjoyed football and the camaraderie that came with being on a team. He was good, too. With his grades and talent, aside from Tuck, he was the most likely to get picked up by a D1 program after finishing his two years at the school. Will was a freshman from an even smaller high school in Southern Nevada on the outskirts of Vegas. Although he was well-known in high school as a star player, his school only played in a 2A program, which limited his visibility for D1 colleges right out of school. Despite setting records at his school, he faced doubts from recruits about the level of talent he played against. Colleges considered it too risky to offer him a scholarship. Fortunately, various weekend camps in Vegas allowed him to showcase his abilities to a few scouts within the Junior College community. ¡°And you say I deflect, huh?¡± Nadia gently accused Will. ¡°Yes, I think so. That is one of the few classes I enjoy right now. Professor Williams has a way of bringing life to the material. It¡¯s not hard to pay attention, even if some of the topics are pretty basic. How about you? We¡¯ve studied together long enough to know you can brute force your way through those exams.¡± "Brute force?¡± Will laughed. ¡°I guess that¡¯s one way to put it. If that¡¯s what last-minute studying and acing exams gets called, then sure. I¡¯ll take that." With a few more chuckles and smiles, Will let the conversation slip into easy silence. One thing about Will: he knew people, and he also knew that Nadia only had so much conversation within her. He didn¡¯t mind and enjoyed the night air and stars as they continued down the path. The walk continued until Will felt a tremor sweep through his body. It was like a sudden jolt. As fleeting as it was abrupt, Will observed sweat forming all over his body as though a sudden shower had drenched him. ¡°Whoa. Did you feel something just then?¡± Nadia had stopped walking as well. ¡°I thought it was just me! I¡¯ve been feeling quite a few small tremors lately. They seem to be getting worse.¡± Checking herself out, Nadia felt strange for a second, but the only real difference was that the nerves must have made her sober up more than she already was, like what a shot of caffeine or a cold shower would typically do. ¡°Let¡¯s head back to the dorms. I might take an Uber home tonight,¡± Will suggested as they resumed their walk. Allowing for one more thought, Will wondered if the one resident Uber driver, Bill, was working tonight. Being in a small town, Uber wasn¡¯t quite as easy to use out here due to the lack of willing drivers. Chapter Four Chapter Four ¡°It is widely acknowledged among those intimately connected to the tournament that while fate undeniably exerts influence over the games, many individuals actively seize control of their destinies.¡± ¨C Tournament Director. Emy & James ¡°Please don¡¯t tell me that was just me?¡± Emy exclaimed, rising from her chair. James stood up beside her, his expression equally puzzled. ¡°I felt this strange pressure, and then the table started vibrating,¡± James said, eyes wide. ¡°Do you think it was an earthquake?¡± Emy shook her head. ¡°That would be the oddest earthquake I¡¯ve ever experienced. It was like my ADHD went into overdrive for a split second. I¡¯ve felt a few tremors in the past weeks, but this one was the worst.¡± Emy and James glanced over at Patti, who sat behind the counter as usual. ¡°Did you feel it too, Patti?¡± they asked in unison. Patti looked up, her brow furrowing. ¡°Hmm? I thought it was just me. Got a bit lightheaded there for a second. Must have been a tremor; this area gets them now and then.¡± Confused and still somewhat dazed by the event and Patti¡¯s lack of reaction, Emy and James decided to play it off as nerves. They continued their lunch, attempting to move forward with their conversations. After catching up, Emy and James gathered their things. James had another class, and Emy had a prep period before soccer practice, during which she hung out in her dorm and studied. They hugged and went their separate ways. *** Emy Struggling to convince herself that this wouldn¡¯t be her final practice, Emy gazed blankly at her Chemistry book. Despite her usual enjoyment of studying, she remained fixated on the same page for half an hour until a sudden noise from her dormmate jolted her out of her trance. Emy¡¯s dormmate was Patricia, or ¡°Trish,¡± as she preferred. Trish was a striking figure, her curly hair constantly adorned with hair ties and her headsets perpetually on. She was also on the soccer team, though not a star player. She held the position of backup midfielder, with a solid understanding of the game and a decent leg. Emy soon realized why: Trish spent her late nights absorbed in the new FIFA game on her console, her quirky personality shining through her gaming habits. Her witty, supportive nature was a constant, even if her love for nightly Doritos and Mountain Dew sessions didn¡¯t align with Emy¡¯s preferences. Emy tried to connect with her, playing matches together, but their perspectives on life were as different as night and day. ¡°Trish, you about ready to head to practice?¡± Emy asked, looking back at her dormmate. This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. Trish pushed aside her headset, looking up from her game. ¡°Oh hey, Emy! How was your test? And yep, I¡¯m just finishing up a campaign raid with my party. This boss turned out to be way more underpowered than we expected.¡± Emy raised an eyebrow. Trish was deeply immersed in a Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game or MMORPG that Emy had never quite gotten the hang of. She wondered how Trish managed to keep her grades up, but it seemed like academic success came effortlessly to her. Even with minimal study, Trish consistently earned the best grades on the team. ¡°Good, I think? I¡¯m more nervous about practice than anything else. I¡¯m still waiting for Coach¡¯s verdict after yesterday¡¯s match,¡± Emy confessed, her hand instinctively rubbing her face in a telltale sign of her anxiety. ¡°By the way, did you feel that earthquake this afternoon? James and I had a rather unsettling experience during lunch.¡± Trish nodded in agreement. ¡°Oh, you too? Honestly, it didn¡¯t feel much like an earthquake to me. I heard a rumble and felt more like a jolt, and then my game started glitching out of nowhere. But then, as suddenly as it started, everything returned to normal. Super strange! And yeah, I figured you¡¯d be worried about practice, but I didn¡¯t want to add to your stress. You were clearly already overthinking it¡­ Ready to head out? We might as well face whatever comes our way.¡± *** The practice began as expected¡ªdrills, stretching, and Coach Williams observing from a distance. The second-year players took charge, guiding the teams through the exercises when a voice called out from the sidelines. ¡°Ms. Fury, let¡¯s have a chat! Come on over, please.¡± ¡°Good luck,¡± Trish whispered, suddenly beside her. Emy felt herself gulp but attempted to hold her head high and jogged over to Coach Williams. It couldn¡¯t be good if Coach were now using her nickname instead of her last name, Brandt, which he had called her all year. Coach Williams, a middle-aged man still in the early half of his life, embodied the image of a traditional track coach. He was always seen with a golf polo, slightly shorter-than-expected running shorts, and sneakers. His calves hinted at a former life when he might have been somewhat heavier-set, but now he had a thin, well-toned body and a defined face. A large brown mustache adorned his upper lip, always looking a touch out of place, yet Coach proudly wore it¡ªever since he had shown up at Emy¡¯s house during a recruitment cycle. With multiple roles at Quill Creek, Coach Williams wore many hats. First and foremost, he considered himself a teacher¡ªand a darn good one, according to most students who took his class. Second, he served as the Women¡¯s Head Soccer coach and the lead athlete recruiter across all sports divisions for the school. Coach Williams discovered and nurtured many of the top talents within the school. His influence seemed to extend beyond even that of the Athletic Director. As Emy stood there, she channeled optimism, hoping that this conversation held a glimmer of hope. ¡°You¡¯re out. The NJCAA has placed a mandatory two-game suspension against you. This came from the top. You must have somehow pissed off the wrong mom,¡± Coach Williams delivered the message in a flat tone, but Emy wasn¡¯t sure if she caught a sly smile at the end. Deflated, Emy gave the only response she could think of at the moment: ¡°That can¡¯t be fair. We have to be able to protest in some way. What¡­ what am I going to do? Those two games span across a full week of soccer!¡± ¡°Sorry, Emy, this one is final. With Tuck last weekend and you this week, the Association is having a meltdown over this school.¡± The coach let the words linger, a prolonged silence underscoring their significance, before trying to embrace the saddened girl. ¡°You will get through this and end up stronger because of it. You can count on that,¡± he assured her. ¡°Thanks, Coach,¡± Emy returned the gesture. But then, the man¡¯s demeanor shifted, suddenly portraying excitement over another matter. ¡°But¡­ We do have an opportunity for you and several others you know. Please plan to stay after class this Thursday for a meeting with me and a few others in the school. Bring James and Trish.¡± Emy and Coach Williams exchanged a few more words, and the players watching the conversation saw a departing Emy with a look of confusion on her face. ¡°What¡¯s the verdict?¡± Trish blurted out as Emy joined the group. ¡°Bad. I¡¯m out, everyone. Two games.¡± ¡°Wait, why the look of confusion?¡± Trish pressed on, not sure if she was reading her dormmate accurately. ¡°Oh. Um. I think he wants me, err, US, to join a Chemistry Tournament?¡± Chapter Five Chapter Five ¡°The opening questions startle even the most willing of contestants. Unknown risk for unknown rewards. Only the brave take that first step.¡± ¨C Tournament Director. Wednesday Afternoon Frank, James, Tuck & Will Tuck slammed through the football dummies as Frank and James stood on the sidelines during practice. ¡°I¡¯d hate to be one of those dummies,¡± Frank commented, munching on his energy gummies. He noted their impact on his energy for practice, but everyone knew it was because they were fruit punch flavored. ¡°Frank, you¡¯re a lineman. Don¡¯t you have to face that every day?¡± James asked, referring to Tuck, a defensive lineman, while Frank was an offensive blocker for the football team. ¡°Yeah, but I feel like Tuck takes it easier on friends. I like him, but the biggest benefit of our friendship is not having to face¡­ that,¡± Frank responded as Tuck pivoted toward the metal sled, forcefully colliding with the typically two-person training device. Perched on top, Coach Sprout was expectedly propelled back ten yards rapidly. ¡°There you go, Tuck!¡± the smaller coach yelled, catching himself from falling off the massive sled as Tuck stopped his movement. ¡°Way to show the others how it¡¯s done.¡± ¡°Shit,¡± Will said as he walked up to Frank and James on the sidelines. ¡°Tuck seems extra pissed today. Glad I¡¯m on defense with him.¡± ¡°Amen,¡± Frank spoke again, earning a questionable look from both James and Will. ¡°Frank, aren¡¯t you¡­¡± Will started but was cut off by James. ¡°Frank has a different perspective on things.¡± James smiled at Will and glanced at Frank, who was still knocking back the gummies. ¡°Will, did I hear you¡¯re heading to Professor Williams¡¯ class tomorrow too?¡± James redirected. ¡°Wait, you too?¡± Will spoke. ¡°Williams talked to Nadia and me about a Chemistry team. I told him no thank you, but he didn¡¯t take no for an answer. He just kept talking like I didn¡¯t have a choice.¡± James chuckled. ¡°Same here, but only because it was Emy who demanded it. She wrangled Trish, her dormmate, into it too.¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t mess with Fury either,¡± Will added, eliciting a light chuckle from James. ¡°You know she hates that nickname, right?¡± ¡°And that makes it even better,¡± Will quickly answered as Frank cut in. ¡°You guys were talking about Professor Williams?¡± Frank spoke, now catching the conversation. ¡°He reached out to me too. I¡¯m going to be a chem champ. I told him only if we get matching uniforms.¡± ¡°And he said yes?¡± Will asked incredulously. ¡°Yeah, he said yes almost instantly. It was like that was already going to happen. I guess Chemistry contests are cool?¡± ¡°Cool enough to get all three of us to go, I guess,¡± James responded as Coach Sprout blew his whistle, and everyone hustled back to continue the practice. *** Thursday Afternoon Full Team If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Curiosity and confusion swirled in Emy¡¯s mind as Chemistry class neared its end. The past two days were particularly challenging. Practice was now the only thing pushing her to survive a mental breakdown with her ADHD flaring up. Emy immediately shared her conversation with Coach Williams with James after practice, and he later mentioned that Will had received similar feedback from the coach. While Emy genuinely enjoyed Chemistry, she wondered if joining a Chem club was the right move at this moment. As the bell rang, students filed out of the classroom, as Emy and James remained in their seats, exchanging nods with friends. Waiting a little longer with Professor Williams as he gathered his things, they sensed a more significant presence entering the room behind them. ¡°Tuck? What are you doing here?¡± James exclaimed, excitement lighting up his face. ¡°Professor Williams pulled me aside after football practice yesterday and asked me to come here. I¡¯m part of his second-year program on Wednesdays, and he recruited me for football a few years back. I owe that man a lot,¡± Tuck explained. With another nod and a smile directed at her, Emy observed Tuck settling into a seat in the back as more people trickled in¡ªthis time, it was Trish and Frank. Frank exchanged a fist bump with James while Trish quietly entered the room with headphones over her ears. They both chose to sit next to Tuck in the back. ¡°Is this the room for the pizza party?¡± Will called out as he and a reserved Nadia walked in, eliciting a small chuckle from only Frank in the back. ¡°Tough crowd,¡± Will remarked, sitting beside James while Nadia sat beside him. As Emy observed the newcomers, she noticed that Nadia deliberately avoided all eye contact as she made her way to her seat. They might have shared an English class, but Emy was unsure. Judging by appearances, Will and Tuck seemed the most welcoming toward Nadia. Having another girl around amidst a group of football players was always a positive sign. ¡°Looks like we have just about everyone here. Thank you for joining¡­¡± Professor Williams began his introduction, but the door opened again, revealing Trent, a surprise addition to the group. ¡°Ah, Trent. Glad to see you made it. Welcome, welcome. Please sit down with the others; I was just beginning.¡± Trent glided into the classroom, offering a few smirks to those present. His gaze lingered a little longer when he spotted Nadia, who remained focused on Professor Williams. ¡°As I was saying, thank you for joining me, everyone! It is my pleasure to assemble all my most exceptional and brilliant students in this room for the first time.¡± Professor Williams¡¯s enthusiasm appeared slightly over the top. ¡°While I¡¯ve known many of you for years, some are mere acquaintances. But remember that familiarity is only in person. I¡¯ve been observing each of you, and I can discern talent when I see it¡ªor rather when I feel it.¡± He winked directly to Trish in the back and gave a bright smile. While maintaining a beaming smile, he glanced down at his watch as if timing something. Locking eyes with the class, he declared, ¡°Your lives are on the cusp of a remarkable transformation. In just a few moments, we will begin training for the Quantum Games.¡± Emy felt a new emotion creeping in as she listened to her teacher. Better our lives? She wondered, glancing around the room. This situation was becoming increasingly peculiar, and she couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something extraordinary was about to unfold. ¡°What the heck do you mean, Professor? I apologize, but while the chemistry games seem somewhat enjoyable, but transformative?¡± Will looked around the room as he voiced his question, reinforcing his bewilderment. ¡°And that¡¯s precisely why you¡¯re going to be an excellent teammate, Mr. Weiss! Questioning the norm. Voicing your thoughts and collaborating,¡± Professor Williams replied to Will, evading the question. ¡°Now, I know many of you have questions, and rest assured they will soon be answered in one way or another. Know that I will be here for you every step of the way,¡± Professor Williams said and then paused, raising his hands with a broad smile. ¡°Are you ready for glory?¡± Professor Williams''s question hung in the air, sparking a sense of anticipation and excitement among the students. Silence followed for an unmeasurable amount of time as Williams remained still, his smile fixed. This was a side of the Coach that none in the room had seen before; it was almost as if he was attempting to oversell something to the team. As Will was about to speak again, the room started to shake violently, and a massive shockwave overtook it, knocking over chairs and books. The air vibrated with energy, and the room seemed to distort and warp. As the surroundings shifted, Professor Williams stood still. Emy stared at her hands as the tremors continued, witnessing her bones, blood flow, and muscles change as she clenched her fists. She felt a surge of power and energy coursing through her, and her senses sharpened. Gasps echoed behind her as patterns blurred and objects moved like dynamic entities rather than their typical static forms. Emy tried to stand up, unable to speak, but darkness and silence enveloped her, broken only by a voice cutting through the blackness. Greetings, Earthlings. From this moment forward, Earth has been incorporated into the recognized Cosmos, enabling the Milky Way Galaxy to become a part of the Celestial Nexus Collective, now known as the CNC. This monumental event presents an opportunity for all participants to engage in the 1,200th Quantum Games! The Quantum Games are a universal event shared with sentient beings across the cosmos. They consist of skill, strategy, and teamwork tests. Do you have the courage to face the unknown? Will you rise above the competition to become Earth¡¯s champion? Can you achieve the legendary glory that countless predecessors have sought? Are you ready to make history and leave your mark on the Cosmos? ¡­The choice rests with you! A prompt materialized in her still-dark vision: Would you like to compete in the 1,200th Quantum Games? (Y/N) Chapter Six Chapter Six ¡°Bonds make or break a champion¡¯s success in the Quantum Games. Connections with friends, coaches, and¡ªyes¡ªeven their AI play a pivotal role.¡± ¨C Tournament Director. Emy Emy stared at the question before her, puzzled, confused, and maybe excited? Imagining that others might find this situation eerie or unsettling, she found herself feeling¡­ calm. This was the first time she could remember that her brain had been fully tuned out from the world around her¡ªdarkness, void, quiet, and a question that could change her life forever. Is this just happening to me? she thought. But no, she had heard the gasps and realized that couldn¡¯t be true. Was this just happening in the classroom? Her second thought held more weight and settled her a tiny bit. There were strange things in the world, but this? This might just be too strange. Thinking back to the feelings and jolts she¡¯d experienced over the last few weeks, they all felt similar to the one she felt right before everything darkened. There had to be a connection. But if it was connected, did that mean it was bigger than just a classroom? Glancing back at the question: Would you like to compete in the 1,200th Quantum Games? (Y/N) "What are the Quantum Games?" Emy spoke out loud. The Quantum Games consist of physical and mental tests, trials, and a framework designed to identify and train the next heroes of the Cosmos. If you choose ¡®yes,¡¯ you¡¯ll be immersed in the games, where you can either become a future hero or support a potential hero from your world. "Whoa," Emy spoke again as she took in the details. There was only one correct answer; she knew this. She knew it immediately, but her reasonable mind told her to think first before rushing. Coach Williams was someone she trusted, or at least used to trust. Why would he go through all that effort if he thought this was not a good path for her and her classmates? Granted, he had acted like a door-to-door salesman just a moment ago, but their shared history fostered her trust. Pushing her reasonable mind to the back after giving it a touch of logic, Emy said aloud: ¡°Yes.¡± Reacting to her voice or intention, the question vanished, and a new prompt appeared: Would you like to join a team or participate in the games by yourself? (Team / Solo) This was not a question she was immediately expecting. Was she able to be on a team? With whom? Were there perks of either path? The same voice as earlier spoke from the ether: Playing as either a team or solo comes with unique perks. Rising through the levels as a team brings about more dynamic challenges, while going solo limits the experiences you will face, at least initially. Being on a team allows you to depend on one another, but running solo accelerates your chances for stardom. Okay, freaky, thought Emy. Having not stated anything to trigger that response, simple logic says this ¡°thing¡± must be listening to her thoughts directly. Attempting to move on, her feelings went to her best friend. Could I play in the game with James? Would James want to do this with me? Emy¡¯s mind wandered back to the classroom she had just left. Williams had explicitly used ¡°teammate¡± while responding to Will¡¯s question. How much did the professor know? What secrets had he been concealing all this while? Emy¡¯s thoughts returned to the previous question to which she had already responded affirmatively. Her ¡°yes¡± was rooted in trust, but now she felt slightly unsettled about how much her professor was withholding. Emy drew a deep breath, once again striving to prioritize her most rational thoughts. She had already agreed to the previous question, so backing out now wasn¡¯t an option, right? Being on a Team had always been her preference over being Solo, which immediately propelled her forward. Why would she want to be alone? This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. As a team member, would you like to participate as a Champion or Artisan? (Champion / Artisan) Oh wow. More choices. This sudden twist altered her perspective. What even is an Artisan? Once more, the silence was shattered by a voice: This role resembles that of crafters, tradespeople, or even blacksmiths. Their expertise lies in supporting the Champions, offering indispensable services. While initial training is available at orientation, an Artisan requires a discerning eye for their chosen trade and a delicate equilibrium between skill and intuition. Am I good at anything? Emy wondered. Soccer and chemistry were her strong suits, but how would they serve her here? Her thoughts drifted to Trish, the night owl playing in these types of games. She was always mentioning alchemy. Her chemistry knowledge could fuel an alchemical path, but would that be fun, and was that even an option? The role of a crafter is unique as many assume a broader role across the Cosmos, not just as an alchemist. We provide training programs on chemicals both within your world and across the Cosmos. New chemicals from beyond our world? No, stay focused, Emy¡­ Emy internally questioned and promptly redirected her attention to the matter at hand. She could utilize her chemistry skills, but was that her preferred choice? Did chemistry bring her joy or just a sense of stability? The self-interrogation hit her hard. Was she genuinely choosing what would make her happy? Should she opt for a more practical choice to ensure success? Could this tournament cost her life? What role was she destined for? Would she require a weapon? The surreal nature of her situation overwhelmed her¡ªjust moments ago, she was in a classroom; now, she was wrestling with life-or-death decisions. Emy took a deep breath, allowing her intuition to guide her again. Despite the fear accompanying each question, being fun still played a significant role in this choice. With determination, she voiced her final decision. ¡°Champion.¡± You¡¯ve entered the Quantum Games, a realm of infinite potential! ¡­¡­ Currently assigning teams based on proximity. ¡­¡­ Cohort 13 is your new home - Grouping - Earth - United States - Quill Creek. ¡­¡­ Body scans complete. ¡­.. Talent: Generalist - Level 3. ¡­.. Prepare to step onto the tutorial floor. ¡­.. Emy¡¯s mind raced as the cryptic text flashed before her eyes, leaving no room for contemplation. Abruptly, she found herself in a pristine white chamber, its sterile walls enclosing two rectangular pillars resting in the center. This is not the classroom anymore, she mused. But where was she? And what did being a Generalist entail? Emy lacked fluency in gaming or RPG-style classes, yet the term ¡°Generalist¡± didn¡¯t usually bode well. Shouldn¡¯t she be a Warrior, a Mage, or perhaps even an Archer if this were a tournament involving combat? True, she knew nothing about those roles, but at least they¡¯d come with weapons or powers from the get-go, right? Before she could unravel her thoughts, a familiar voice resounded through the void. ¡°Hello, Emy. I don¡¯t believe you need to worry about your soccer matches anymore.¡± In the room¡¯s center, a vivid projection of Coach Williams materialized. Thin air birthed him, showcasing an identical mustache, clothing, and whistle dangling from his neck¡ªit had to be a digital image. Emy then realized she probably also needed to curb her assumptions for a while. ¡°Coach Williams?¡± she ventured. ¡°Are you here? You look like a projection. What¡¯s happening?¡± His response was matter-of-fact. ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s me¡ªbut a digital copy. My presence here is limited, but you should still consider me your ¡®coach.¡¯¡± ¡°Before you ask any more questions,¡± Coach Williams interjected, ¡°let me introduce you to your new companion. Meet your NexaBot, affectionately known as ¡®Nex.¡¯¡± Inside Emy¡¯s mind, Nex¡¯s voice resonated¡ªsilent yet startling. "Pleased to meet you, Emy! I¡¯ve been waiting a long, long time for this!" Emy¡¯s alarm surged. ¡°Are you inside my mind? How did you even get in there?¡± Panic clenched her chest. ¡°Oh no,¡± Nex soothed. A gentle energy enveloped Emy, akin to the chill of ice crunching between teeth. ¡°That¡¯s a bit better. And yes, I¡¯ve been with you since high school.¡± Emy¡¯s disbelief flared, ¡°No, that most certainly does NOT help,¡± she retorted. ¡°How have I not known this?¡± Before Nex could respond, Coach Williams¡ªDigital Williams¡ªstepped in, ¡°Nex was bestowed upon all promising young talents who shared your ''symptoms,¡¯¡± he explained. ¡°Technology beyond your world differs vastly. Something as subtle as drinking a water droplet can consume Nex''s presence.¡± Emy¡¯s attention snagged on a peculiar choice of words: Your World? What did that imply? He moved closer. ¡°Don¡¯t perceive this as a hindrance. All members of the CNC receive an AI node like Nex. By galactic law, Nex is you, and you are Nex. Integrated, Nex shields you from far worse AI intrusions.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right! You and I are one,¡± Nex added. Coach Williams continued as if nobody was talking, prompting Emy to wonder if Nex had spoken only to her. ¡°Yes - I did,¡± Nex spoke again directly to her as Coach¡¯s words reached her. ¡°Nex is your companion,¡± Coach Williams continued, ¡°and your guide, advisor, and battle communication specialist. As you grow, so will Nex. Learn to work together. They will help keep you alive.¡± ¡°Shall we continue your training?¡± Coach Williams then asked. Chapter Seven Chapter Seven ¡°In the initial phases of the game, champions must quickly grasp how to navigate and integrate with the user interface. Unfortunately, sluggish adoption correlates with the highest termination rates in these games.¡± ¨C Games Division Data Scientist. Emy ¡°Before we venture further into the depths of your training in this tutorial,¡± Coach Williams initiated, his voice soft, ¡°I think it¡¯s crucial to shed light on the transformations that have transpired throughout your Galaxy.¡± ¡°Your world and many others, much like Earth¡ªforgive the lack of a better term¡ª'' Popped.¡¯ Before this integration, new worlds such as Earth undergo gradual development and settlement. Organisms evolve, and life flourishes. The Cosmos maintains checks and balances to nurture these unique and intelligent life forms. This growth also fosters diversity and varying cultural norms, igniting inherent passion and loyalty across your world.¡± Professor Williams continued, taking Emy¡¯s blank stare and silence as a sign to continue. ¡°This ¡®bubble¡¯ around your world, close to what you might call the Ozone layer, once held your reality in a locked state of atomic-level change and manipulation. But once it ¡®popped,¡¯ Earth joined the ranks of every other world beyond your Galaxy¡ªa malleable mass of quantum transformation. Earth remains stable. Yet now, you¡¯ll react to it in new and profound ways.¡± The connection to her previous life events triggered newfound courage in Emy, prompting her to form words. She hesitantly asked, ¡°Could some people feel these effects earlier?¡± Digital Williams responded with conviction, ¡°Yes, Emy. I¡¯ve always known that you possess immense potential in this new world. Let¡¯s call it a talent of mine, and it¡¯s one of the many reasons I recruited you for the team. Everyone has the opportunity to shift, mold, and build within this environment, but not all can do so effectively. We call this process ¡®building,¡¯ akin to strengthening a muscle. As you grow, your abilities will expand.¡± ¡°In developed worlds, those under the age of 13 typically struggle to grasp the subtle intricacies of the world that allow for ¡®building.¡¯ Even after that point, growth and development are necessary to achieve true talent. These critical growth periods shape future champions, which is why older individuals often lack the foundational skillsets required to participate in the games. Those aged 18 to 30 fit the archetype of typical champions, which is precisely why I¡¯ve chosen to reside near a local college teeming with talent.¡± Emy questioned, ¡°But if we need time to develop these abilities, why would we be selected as potential participants?¡± Coach Williams smiled as he answered, ¡°While you may not have actively trained, your subconscious mind has been at work. The protective bubble that once enveloped your world was never infallible; it harbored gaps that gradually widened over time. Perhaps you¡¯ve even noticed your symptoms worsening over the years. When the System chose you, it recognized your latent potential within the vast expanse of the Cosmos.¡± Nex¡¯s voice then beamed positively, ¡°I think now is an opportune moment to show you that potential within our new interface! You just need to focus on the mental command of ¡®Status¡¯ to pull it up!¡± The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. Emy followed the instructions, and pockets of text scattered around her vision. Her excitement bubbled: ¡°Holy VR, it feels like I¡¯m playing a game!¡± She abruptly realized that her assessment wasn¡¯t far off. To her, it was akin to augmented reality¡ªdetails subtly revealed at the periphery, with text coming into focus when directly observed¡ªeverything seems to show up based on intent. At the top of the screen, the following information was displayed: Location: Milky Way > Earth > United States > Quill Creek Precise Location: Tutorial On the left side: Emy: Generalist, Level 3, 100% Health, 20% Shield On the right side: Weapons: None Gear: Earth Base Clothing - No Modifications At the bottom: Augments: None Emy also noticed two additional items in the top right corner of her view: Total Points: 0 Active Views: 0 Nex added, ¡°Nifty, huh? All the essential information is conveniently accessible in one central viewing console. Remember that you¡¯ll see a slightly modified team-style format during battles or team formations.¡± Nex continued, ¡°If you want to adjust or remove any features from your field of view, simply give a mental command, and I¡¯ll make the adjustments for you.¡± Emy nodded, glancing over at the silent Coach Williams. ¡°Oh yes, he can hear me too via his communication AI. TLDR - Too Long Didn¡¯t Read: I can interpret conversations and questions meant for the larger group or private ones with extreme precision¡ªno need to ever worry about that!¡± Suddenly confused, Emy asked, "Nex¡­ How am I a level 3 already?" Coach Williams elaborated, ¡°Your level corresponds with your comprehension of the world and your abilities. In our interconnected society, beginners usually fall within levels 1 to 3. As you sharpen your ¡®builder¡¯ skills, your level will rise. Picture yourself wrapped in a protective energy sphere known in the System as the ¡®Shield.¡¯ This energy sphere is your main line of defense, strengthened by your tactical gear and equipment. When your shield drains to zero or is hit by an overpowering force, your physical body becomes exposed to harm. It¡¯s similar to a boxer wearing headgear. Sufficient blows and the headgear may come off, but even the most forceful blow to the head with the headgear on can still cause damage.¡± "Right¡­ so how do I obtain new Augments or Gear?¡± Nex answered this question: ¡°During battles, gear, weapons, and certain augments frequently drop. If fortune favors you, you might acquire something that will serve you for a lifetime! There are alternative methods to acquire new equipment through your team, although these will unfold gradually. Remember that all your status sections allow you to delve deeper for more detailed information.¡± Emy interpreted this as a request and zeroed in on the word ¡°Gear.¡± Suddenly, new text materialized before her eyes. Gear: Earth Base Clothing - No Modifications Full Body: None Head: None Upper Body: College Letterman¡¯s Jacket - No Modifications Lower Body: Jeans - No Modifications Feet: Sneakers - No Modifications Accessories: None Emy nodded, absorbing the information. ¡°That makes sense, but what about points and views? Those don¡¯t sound like typical mechanics.¡± Nex, eager to chime in, exclaimed, ¡°Ah, my favorite topic! In the games, every action you take earns you points. The more impressive the action, the higher the points! And here¡¯s the fun part: captivating your audience leads to growing views. Active and total views contribute to your popularity and can even generate special rewards.¡± Emy raised an eyebrow. ¡°Fans? Why would I want to build a fan base?¡± Nex grinned. ¡°Think big! Fans across the entire Cosmos! And accumulating points not only boosts your status but also reduces the chances of being dropped by¡ª¡± Coach Williams interrupted, ¡°Let¡¯s focus on survival, Nex. Just know that views and points matter, so pay attention to what people and the System appreciate.¡± ¡°Now, I think it¡¯s time to teach you how to build.¡± Chapter Eight Chapter Eight ¡°It isn¡¯t until that first hit that realization settles, and you suddenly understand that you are in a new world.¡± ¨C The Reckoner, Former Champion. Tutorial Emy Emy stood back in the white tutorial room as the two full pillars transformed into half-pillars rising from the center, each cradling a substance on its flat top. Across the room, Coach Williams met her gaze with a firm look. ¡°Let¡¯s start small,¡± Coach began, gesturing toward the leftmost pillar. ¡°Do you see the Sodium placed there?¡± Emy nodded in response. ¡°Okay, now the real question: Can you sense it?¡± Emy¡¯s attention shifted to the pillar, holding silvery-white metallic shards. She extended her hand as if about to touch the object and focused her mind on one of the shards. To her surprise, the atoms responded, reaching out to her. She wasn¡¯t moving the entire shard; instead, she directed individual molecules toward herself, manipulating them through the air. ¡°Good, good! Now, the tougher part,¡± Coach continued. ¡°While focusing on the sodium particles, do the same with the second pillar substance. You wouldn¡¯t happen to remember your first question from the mid-term, would you?¡± ¡°Sodium Chloride,¡± Emy recollected after a brief pause, glancing at the second pillar. Looking closely, it held another substance¡ªpale yellow-green crystals of solid chlorine. Emy replicated the same draw she had done with the sodium, channeling chlorine elements. ¡°Now comes the fun part. Elements naturally want to combine, which both simplifies and complicates merging. But as builders, it¡¯s our role to guide them. Imagine the creation you desire at the molecular level. What structure do you want to build?¡± Emy focused on the two elemental flows on each side of her, feeling their distinct energies. With a concentrated mental effort, she envisioned pushing the flows together, guiding their interactions at the molecular level. She imagined the creation she desired, the structure she wanted to build. The sodium and chlorine elements began to merge, their formations intertwining as a white powder materialized. It fell softly to the ground, landing in the center of her connection. She had done it. She had created salt. Her gaze held steady, her mind instantly questioning the event unfolding. In her perception, she had brought together barely visible elements and abruptly created this new compound, but how? She hadn¡¯t moved anything into a puzzle-like formation; was this just a result of force? ¡°A natural talent,¡± Williams commended, his digital projection glowing with pride as if the real professor was present. ¡°Not quite what you anticipated?¡± ¡°I suppose I was expecting it to be more challenging?¡± Emy thought out loud, wondering why she desired more difficulty. ¡°It will be, but only when you merge or force unnatural elements. In this instance, the atoms desired to unite; you merely served as the catalyst to facilitate that union.¡± ¡°So, I can do this with¡­ anything?¡± Emy then questioned. ¡°Anything you set your mind to. As a generalist, you can create and adapt to the needs at hand. Consider all the chemical reactions: Compression, Merges, Reactions, Acceleration, Transformation. The world is founded on atomic reactions. Understanding your energy and harnessing creativity allows for growth. Fascinating, isn¡¯t it?¡± Emy felt as if she were in another lecture, but this time, her body was filled with anticipation. There were infinite possibilities, not to mention the otherworldly elements that existed. "Incredibly fascinating," was all she could utter, her mind whirling. ¡°What¡¯s next?¡± Emy directed a look of eagerness towards Williams. Emy and the Professor spent hours delving deeper into Emy¡¯s abilities. Salt was straightforward, but Emy quickly encountered her limitations for now. The more she uncovered, the more she realized she needed to learn and practice. The hammer and nail strategy worked on many solutions, but Emy discovered that mindset was crucial when controlling energies. ¡°I¡¯m afraid we¡¯ve reached our boundaries in this tutorial,¡± Digital Williams announced as Emy again attempted another merge scenario they had been practicing. ¡°What¡¯s next?¡± Emy questioned, realizing how quickly time had passed, yet she still had minimal knowledge about the actual games. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I cannot say. You will be taken from this tutorial and tested. To what extent, I¡¯m never certain and not allowed to discuss the matter too much. The element of reaction is a primary training tool for the System.¡± Emy, uncertain of what to ask given Williams¡¯ perceived limitations, added one more question, ¡°Professor, who are you?¡± ¡°Make it through this first level, and you¡¯ll find out,¡± Williams said as he winked, and a white light engulfed the tutorial. *** Level One - Post Tutorial Full Team The Quantum Games have commenced¡ªbest of luck to our future Champions. The white light shifted, and Emy again found herself in the familiar classroom. The sharp scent of ammonia tickled her nose, just as it had before. But this time, something was different. She waited for her usual perception and vision issues to return, but they remained absent. As she glanced around, a newfound awareness enveloped her. The molecules, elements, and compounds seemed to pulse and weave within the room, similar to the elements brought into the tutorial. They fused, creating the very fabric of reality. Though still solid and stable, the tables and chairs now possessed a fluidity that beckoned her to interact with them. This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. Emy stood there, caught between the mundane and the extraordinary, sensing the intricate dance of matter¡ªthe unseen forces that held everything together. At this moment, the classroom was no longer just a room; it was a symphony of atoms waiting for her to play her part. Startled and blinking, Emy noticed most of her friends were once again occupying their usual spots throughout the classroom. She then glanced at James, their eyes locked, sharing an unspoken dialogue. Meanwhile, Will and Nadia sat a row behind, their demeanor contrasting¡ªNadia¡¯s quiet reserve juxtaposed with Will¡¯s usual vibrancy. As the students exchanged glances, their attention was suddenly drawn to a movement at the back of the room. Standing there was Tuck, or rather, a transformed version of him. The boy they once knew had metamorphosed into a towering figure, his muscles rippling beneath his skin. It was as if electric currents were coursing through him, animating his very being. *** Prior Tutorial Tuck When the light of the tutorial room hit Tuck, he quickly realized he wasn¡¯t just dreaming. He had just answered the strangest questions of his life about participating in a game, and yet, it all felt so real. Tuck didn¡¯t question or hesitate; the answers came naturally as if he were playing a video game. Yes, he wanted to compete. Yes, he wanted to be on a team. And yes, he obviously wanted to be a champion over building things. If this was a dream, he might as well continue with his choices. But as he progressed and didn¡¯t wake up, realization started to dawn on him. Looking at the digital version of Coach Williams was a bit trippy, but everything was so real that it didn¡¯t much matter until his former Coach took an unusual tone. ¡°I didn¡¯t think you would make it to this stage,¡± Coach Williams started with unusual disgust in his tone. ¡°What do you mean? What is this place?¡± Tuck responded, attempting to discern the intent of the comment. ¡°I just wasn¡¯t sure if you wanted to be a Champion. The others tend to stick it out, but it seems like you take the easy way out.¡± ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s just move on. Do you want to know what this place is?¡± Williams¡¯s demeanor remained as he turned his back to Tuck and walked away from his former student. ¡°No,¡± Tuck called out, aggression in his voice showing. ¡°Tell me what you mean?¡± Tuck tried his best to hold back the rage, as his former teacher and mentor, whom he trusted, turned back around and started to walk towards him. ¡°How many football games did you finish this year, Tuck? Or better yet, how many games did you let your team down by getting yourself tossed out?¡± The professor kept his glare as he walked towards Tuck. ¡°That wasn¡¯t¡­.¡± ¡°Your intent? You knew exactly what you were doing when you used extreme force against those other players.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t¡­¡± Tuck again attempted to defend himself, holding his rage to simmer at the man now striding towards him. ¡°You didn¡¯t what? You didn¡¯t mean to?¡± Williams now stood right before Tuck, looking directly into his eyes. ¡°Bullshit.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t¡­¡± ¡°Save that for when you quit on your team again,¡± Williams said as he held eye contact with Tuck, allowing his words to sink into the young man¡¯s core. Then, suddenly, two hands flashed forward towards Tuck and slammed into his chest, propelling him backward as he quickly attempted to catch himself from falling. Looking back at his former professor, he saw the man anew, as the professor held both hands outward with a now mocking look. The simmering rage within Tuck exploded. Staring directly at the man who pushed him, who betrayed him, Tuck couldn¡¯t help but feel his body convert, as if all the hairs on his body stood up as a wave of emotion took over. His entire body felt weightless as he gathered his grip on the floor and stepped forward to stand straight up. It was then that he saw the face of his former professor turn again to one of happiness as Tuck questioned what was happening. Raising his hands to his face, he then noticed electric currents shifting and churning within his arms as if he were charged. He then heard his teacher''s voice. ¡°You didn¡¯t¡­ have control,¡± Professor Williams said as Tuck glanced at his body. ¡°You are an accelerator, and your talent is triggered by emotion...¡± *** Level One Full Team ¡°Holy. Shit,¡± Will exclaimed, finally emerging from his exhilaration. ¡°Tuck, what¡­what are you?¡± The question hung in the air, echoing the shock reverberating through the room. Tuck: Accelerator, Level 4, 100% Health, 30% Shield Emy examined her friend as Tuck began to explain. ¡°Coach Williams labeled me an Accelerator,¡± Tuck confessed. ¡°Given your collective expressions, I¡¯m guessing my body chemistry shifted. I possess an affinity for electromagnetic fields, which tend to manifest with considerable force.¡± His tone conveyed remorse as he reevaluated how this enigmatic gift had shaped his life. Catching onto the somber undertone, James stepped in. ¡°Tuck,¡± he said, his voice steady, ¡°I refuse to believe any of those incidents were your fault.¡± James was one of the few people who knew fragments of Tuck¡¯s past before football. Tuck had endured a challenging upbringing with his father, which left him grappling with temper issues throughout his life. He had once held a coveted D1 scholarship in high school, but that was before an incident took it away from him. James¡¯ statement stood as a creaking sound came from the slowly opened classroom door, revealing a creature that resembled a gremlin. Standing two and a half feet tall, its brown and white hairy skin contrasted oddly with its oversized ears, which jutted out from both sides of its head. At first glance, it almost seemed cute. Emy¡¯s quick scan provided a brief assessment: Grimbletooth: Level 1 This diminutive warrior class emerged unexpectedly in the vast expanse of the Aetherium Spiral Galaxy. Initially perceived as an insignificant breach within the planetary stronghold of Nexus, these subterranean beings carved out an underground dominion, ultimately claiming the entire planet as their own. The group stood dazed, frozen in thought, staring at the creature. But the cuteness quickly dissipated. The gremlin¡¯s face twisted into a scowl, showcasing a single sharp tooth and fangs emerging from its paws. Without hesitation, it ran and lunged at Nadia, single claw swiping at her face. The first blow landed, triggering a loud scream from Nadia as it poised for another attack. Yet, in a blur of motion, a mighty hand eclipsed the gremlin¡¯s head, its ears sticking out comically through the gaps in Tuck''s large fingers. Tuck hurtled the creature across the room with a resounding grunt, crashing into the brick classroom wall. The impact reverberated, leaving everyone wide-eyed and breathless. SPPPPLLLLATTTTT! 3 Points! Nex¡¯s exclamation reverberated as the monster disintegrated into nothing. Emy¡¯s internal communication with her AI was immediate: ¡°What the heck was that, Nex?¡± ¡°Oh yeah, sorry,¡± Nex replied. ¡°Those are all preprogrammed by the head game masters for viewers. Would you like me to turn those down a bit?¡± ¡°Err, yea?¡± answered Emy. ¡°At your request, Ms. Fury. Combat Commentary set to 40%,¡± Nex confirmed. Glancing at her interface, Emy noticed that the ¡°Active Viewers¡± count had briefly spiked to 2 and then dropped to zero. "Wait, what did you just call me?" Emy questioned, the realization of Nex¡¯s response hitting her. Nex hesitated, his tone calm, ¡°Uh, Fury?¡± ¡°Nexy, turn up combat commentary to 150%! That was awesome!¡± the group heard Will¡¯s enthusiastic exclamation in the background. Unable to hold back, James addressed Will, ¡°Firstly, there¡¯s no need to yell for Nex to hear you. And second, did you seriously nickname Nex as Nexy?¡± If Will felt any embarrassment, he masked it well. He retorted to James, ¡°Yeah, why not? It has a nice ring to it. Plus, I¡¯ve even set up a sultry lady voice.¡± Ignoring the comments, Tuck returned to Nadia, his eyes fixed on her bloodied face, now marred by a large horizontal gash stretching from her left eye to her opposite cheekbone. The rest of the group quickly followed, realizing their teammate had been clawed during the fight. ¡°Thanks, Tuck,¡± Nadia said solemnly. ¡°I just froze.¡± ¡°We all froze, well, everyone minus Tuck,¡± Emy added, glancing at Nadia¡¯s status display. Nadia: Cellulator, Level 2, 93% Health, 0% Shield Will spoke quietly, ¡°I guess we now know the answer to the question we¡¯ve been avoiding.¡± James turned, curious. ¡°And what is that?¡± Emy responded, this time on Will¡¯s behalf, her eyes tracing the blood trickling down Nadia¡¯s cheek. ¡°That this is not just a game.¡± Chapter Nine Chapter Nine "Everyone possesses a unique natural gift, an innate talent that sets them apart. It¡¯s like a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Identifying this gift is just the beginning; nurturing and honing it is where true mastery lies." ¨C Coach Williams. Prior Tutorial Nadia Amidst the Tutorial, Champion candidates were suspended in stasis¡ªin a realm beyond time, governed by the enigmatic System. Time itself warped and twisted, causing all future heroes to emerge simultaneously. Within the Tutorial, there was a time limit for the future Champion to hone their talent, but this limit didn¡¯t account for the moments before their encounter with their future coach. During this initial phase, candidates had the chance to question the System. Most barely scratched the surface, asking about their choices. But not Nadia. She fired off 48 questions while suspended in darkness, challenging every answer and pushing the intel she received to the very breaking point of the System before eventually propelling her forward. Her diligence left her uniquely prepared for what lay ahead, making her subsequent conversation with Coach Williams remarkably direct. ¡°Nadia, do you have any idea what your talent might be?¡± Digital Williams asked from within the tutorial''s pristine walls. ¡°I have a few ideas, but none of them really map to that of a normal talent.¡± Nadia countered, still questioning the reality of the situation as a projection of her Chemistry teacher stood before her. ¡°Good that you have ideas. Signs show up in many ways¡ªthink about your life, your tendencies, maybe your needs or wants. Think about feelings you may have encountered over the last few weeks when your world started having jolts.¡± ¡°Oh¡­¡± Nadia responded, thinking about the last few months at Junior College. Soon, memories of searching for happiness, anything that could make her feel something, surfaced. She decided to voice her thoughts as the feeling in the pit of her stomach churned for her to let it out. ¡°I think it has to do with my body, but that¡¯s just a guess¡­ I sort of have a high tolerance for¡­ things.¡± Williams¡¯ digital eyes shifted slightly as he heard Nadia¡¯s response. ¡°I had my suspicions, and while that¡¯s on the mark, other signs have shown across your profile.¡± ¡°Profile?¡± ¡°Disregard that. Nadia, have you ever felt your body process things or physically felt your body heal itself?¡± ¡°Sort of¡­ Can¡¯t everyone?¡± ¡°No. Most people process and heal without giving it a second thought unless their body works harder, whether from a bad meal or a deeper bruise from falling out a window.¡± Williams winked and continued. ¡°I have an idea, but I need you to trust me for this next part.¡± ¡°Of course¡­¡± Nadia said, quickly followed by a squeak as a knife blade pierced her skin and slid from her elbow to wrist. ¡°Sorry¡­ It needed to happen,¡± Williams responded as Nadia quickly went from recognizing pain to complete confusion about how a digital projection could physically touch her. ¡°Save that question for another day as well,¡± Williams said as Nadia opened her mouth to catch up with her previous thought. ¡°I want you to search within yourself and identify the unnatural incision on your arm. Find it and attempt to highlight it in your mind.¡± Choosing to hold off on more questions, Nadia followed his instructions. Looking inward, she felt¡­ different. In the past, through meditation or boredom, she could usually let her mind wander internally, creating a mental image of herself¡ªskin, bones, muscles, and even organs¡ªfeeling her body¡¯s natural rhythms working in harmony. Now, she could hardly describe what she was feeling. It was as if every cell within her body had its own heartbeat. Vivid details emerged from subtle shifts in her blood flow, heart palpitations, and even the air pushing through her systems. Every vein, every muscle, every nuance was identified until she found the outlier¡ªdamaged cells. Shifting her senses, she scanned her arm and felt every incision point, every blood flow stoppage, and every split cell as her body yearned to be whole again. ¡°Good. Stay there, Nadia, but now I want you to accelerate your body¡¯s natural urges to heal. Feel what your body is trying to tell you and support those cravings.¡± Nadia did just that. Focusing on the cut, she felt her body¡¯s natural healing process kick in. She mentally urged the platelets to clot the wound faster, and they responded. She then sensed her immune cells cleaning the area and encouraged them to work more efficiently. Finally, she pushed her healthy cells to multiply quickly, speeding up the healing process. As she progressed and finished her internal recovery, she paid no heed to the now unblemished arm where a cut once existed as Coach Williams¡¯ excited eyes stared intently at hers. ¡°Just as I suspected¡­ the healer of the group.¡± *** Level One Full Team ¡°It¡¯s all right, I¡¯m fine,¡± Nadia reassured, met with a mix of stares and confusion. ¡°Honestly, it¡¯s probably best that it happened to me.¡± < Skill Identified ¨C Nadia ¨C Vitalize > A new prompt was shown on everyone''s interface as Nex collectively announced the new skill. A collective silence remained within the group, awaiting Nadia¡¯s continued reasoning from her earlier statement. She hesitated and continued, ¡°During the tutorial, I discovered something unexpected¡ªI have healing powers¡­ Coach called it a ¡®Cellulator¡¯ talent and showed me that my body naturally accelerates processes like healing.¡± Will and the team directed their Nexabots to the new prompt as a more detailed status appeared: Skill: Vitalize Enables the user to amplify the innate healing processes within themselves or others through touch. (T) Will immediately questioned Nadia, ¡°So that¡¯s how you drank so much? You were cheating this whole time?¡± Nadia¡¯s head shook slowly, not quite expecting that as a first question. ¡°It¡¯s not something I was even aware of. I honestly felt like I was cursed. But now I¡¯m discovering it¡¯s a gift, a surprise¡­¡± Emy¡¯s eyes widened, hearing the talent that may eventually save them. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ that¡¯s amazing, Nadia,¡± she stammered. ¡°But that said, we all have some things to share from our tutorial experiences.¡± She quickly looked at her team status, noticing the new talents listed after each name.
Talent Level Health Shield
Emy Generalist Level 3 100% 20%
Tuck Accelerator Level 4 100% 30% This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Nadia Cellulator Level 2 100% 0%
Will Condenser Level 2 100% 10%
James Catalyst Level 2 100% 0%
¡°Wait, where are Trish, Frank, and Trent?¡± James was the first to notice their absence after checking the team¡¯s status. ¡°Aren¡¯t they supposed to be with us?¡± ¡°Maybe they started in a different place?¡± Emy proposed, as she quickly recognized that they should probably better understand each other''s abilities if they soon faced more Grimbletooth. ¡°What do we all think about sharing our¡­¡± Emy¡¯s sentence was abruptly cut off as footsteps echoed from the hallway. ¡°Quick, shut the door!¡± Tuck, once again first to react, sprang toward the door, looking out as he slammed it shut behind him. ¡°I see five of them coming¡ªall level 2s¡ªand it looks like their hands are on fire!¡± ¡°Sheesh, Tuck, did you have to slam the door?¡± Will¡¯s voice called out as the others hastily rearranged desks to form an impromptu barrier. BOOM! Before Tuck could respond, the door reverberated and splintered, with flickers of firelight seeping through the crevices between the frame and the door as everyone looked at each other. The lack of movement in the team spurred James into action. ¡°I don¡¯t think we have long. Tuck, I have a talent that can make you more powerful. Our best option here is to disrupt¡ªI think we could use a fullback right about now. Blast play?¡± Tuck nodded in understanding. James extended his hand, and an energy flow passed over to Tuck. *** Prior Tutorial James Like Emy, James had limited questions directed toward the System, letting his gut guide him down the right path. Becoming a Champion and joining a team were absolute no-brainers for the athlete in him. James wondered why anyone would choose differently. When faced with Professor Williams''s digital version, James quickly adjusted and adapted to the environment around him. ¡°You know, James, if I didn¡¯t know you well before the games, I would be worried about your lack of reaction and questions regarding the environment you¡¯re now in. But it seems adapting may be in your blood.¡± The Professor was right. James had always enjoyed change; change led to growth and new learning. Yes, this was the strangest thing to ever happen to him, but he was excited to learn. ¡°Yes, I have questions¡­ lots of them, but my gut is telling me to take advantage of our time and learn as much as possible. I hope the answers will come soon enough.¡± ¡°I think your gut is leading you in the right direction. Let¡¯s begin. James, I think it¡¯s safe to say that others perform well around you. Do you happen to know why?¡± James attempted to continue adapting and responded as honestly as possible. ¡°Supporting others has always come naturally to me. Everyone has talent, and everyone has strengths. I just feel like I can get the most out of people.¡± ¡°How?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure. I feel like everyone has something that¡¯s holding them back, something preventing them from being the best versions of themselves¡­ I guess I have a knack for finding that and helping them through it.¡± ¡°Ah yes, well done. In this new world, this talent is called a Catalyst. Are you familiar with the term from my class?¡± ¡°Sort of. I always thought about it as process efficiency, but just within reactants. A Catalyst can speed up the rate at which reactions happen.¡± ¡°Exactly. My best description would be playing cards by first shuffling the deck. Yes, you could play cards with the deck spread out across the table, but it would create dysfunction and chaos. However, you would still be able to play. Think of your talent as shuffling; you set others up for success by having the talent to accelerate the potential in others. This was done without thinking in your former life, but now, it¡¯s a bit more dynamic. Want to give it a try?¡± The professor guided James to the dual pillars in the center of the room. ¡°Now, for this first scenario, I will use raw chemicals. Think of this as a testing ground for future potential. You may remember this example from class where I used a potato. I want you to be the potato,¡± Williams said with a sly smile. ¡°This is hydrogen peroxide or H?O?. This solution naturally wants to break down into its core elements of water and oxygen, but the process takes time. You can find and speed up these natural reactions through a catalyst.¡± ¡°How?¡± ¡°Focus on the mixture before you and push your energy towards it. Feel it and let your natural willpower learn the makeup of the chemical solution.¡± James did as told and, through a bit of trial and error, felt his body push a force into the substance on the pillar. Once the energy covered the solution, James felt it slowly integrate with his energy. As his energy learned the solution, he, in turn, learned. He was his energy, and the energy was him. Pushing further, he felt the natural breakdown Coach had spoken of¡ªthe minute decomposition of the solution into simpler elements. Using his energy to intermingle with the chemicals, he pushed to break down those same elements, holding his energy as a process driver. As his energy spread across more of the solution, bubbles and foam started to form. ¡°Excellent!¡± Coach Williams clapped his hands together quickly, pulling James out of his concentration. ¡°Now, that was the first trial! Let¡¯s see if we can get you to more living examples.¡± *** Level One Full Team As James placed his hand on Tuck¡¯s, their energies intertwined. James sensed a chaotic stream of energy coursing through Tuck¡¯s body, struggling to break free. Embracing the turbulent flows, James channeled the chaotic energy into focused streams, enabling Tuck to harness his talent more effectively. < Skill Identified ¨C James ¨C Empower > < Tuck is now boosted by 20% > Body boosted, Tuck glanced at the others on the team to confirm there were no other ideas before he ran full blast into the door, bursting it off the hinges and sending the five beasts flying. < Skill Identified ¨C Tuck ¨C Electron Surge > Tuck stumbled to his feet, now outside the door. The closest Grimbletooth had already risen and was charging towards Tuck. Just feet away, a chemistry book rushed past and slammed into the creature''s face. NERDED!!! 5 Points! < Four combatants remaining > ¡°Tuck, get back in here!¡± James yelled after launching the book. Tuck scrambled to his feet and threw a kick to the chest of the next closest Grimbletooth, sending it flying over the railing and down to the foyer below. Rushing back inside, Tuck stood beside the others. As the remaining creatures bolted towards the door, Tuck prepared to charge again. But James interrupted, ¡°Wait! They¡¯re holding something!¡± As if on signal, three bottles ablaze with fire were launched through the air towards the team. ¡°Bombs! Quick, move!¡± urged James. The team leaped to the sides of the room and behind their makeshift desk barriers¡ªeveryone except Will, who stood calm. He held his arms wide and swiftly brought them back together. A wave of pressure persisted, and a mist enveloped the room, extinguishing the fire and dousing the bottles before they could hit the ground. *** Prior Tutorial Will ¡°What do you mean I am a Condenser? Like condensed soup?¡± Will asked skeptically, looking at digital Coach Williams after the Professor had guided him on his new talent in the tutorial room. Williams shook his head, but then his demeanor shifted. ¡°You know what, let¡¯s go with it.¡± Williams gathered his thoughts, attempting to shift his originally planned explanation of what a Condenser was to Will. ¡°Condensed soup is what? It¡¯s just soup without its full water source. The idea with this soup is to add water to make it whole again, expanding the components and mixing into an edible version.¡± ¡°Professor, it was a joke. We don¡¯t have to use this as an example,¡± Will quickly commented, but the professor waved him off. ¡°Think of the final version of the soup as the room around you. Oxygen, nitrogen, water vapor, and other minute chemicals encircle the room, symbolizing the components of the soup. However, when a force like dehydration is applied to the contents, it changes into something else.¡± Williams continued, ¡°Now, back to the room you are in. Will, your energy differs from others in the fact that it is spread out. You may not notice at this point in your development, but your energy is in every corner of this room surrounding us. As you develop in talent, this capacity will only expand. Yes, most of your energy is still within your core.¡± Williams pointed to his chest. ¡°But, you are connected with the room around you, continuously passing information back and forth. Why do you think you were so good with people in your former life?¡± Will contemplated this new information as his eyes widened, attempting to consume these latest revelations. ¡°Because I can read the room?¡± ¡°Yes, exactly! That phrase now means more than ever before. You are connected to everything and everyone in the room, continuously passing signals to your brain. Reactions, body language, heart rates, eye contact¡ªyour energy gave you insights all along.¡± ¡°While this connection was one-way in the past, you should now be able to interact with the area around you. Please do me a favor and attempt to visualize your energy. Reach out to every corner of it and have it condense in on itself, bringing the chemicals within the room with it.¡± Will attempted first with his mind but found that using his hands helped. As he slowly widened his hands, he felt a sensation within the room. The more he opened them, the more the sensation expanded until his hands were fully extended, and the sensation no longer seemed to grow. Now feeling the entirety of the room, he began to bring his hands back together, representing condensation in his mind. As he did, his body instinctively applied a force between his hands as if the space between them represented the area around him. The closer together they became, the greater the pressure until Will worked up a layer of water across his body. ¡°Ah, looks like we may have an affinity with water types. Well done, Will. Let¡¯s see if we can mix things up more now.¡± *** Level One Full Team The team watched as Will stood in the middle of the room, now covered in beads of water, while glass shattered around them. Thanks to Will¡¯s new skill, the flames that had triggered the bombs were extinguished, leaving only the remnants of broken glass behind. < Skill Identified ¨C Will ¨C Condense > Confused and now angry, the Grimbletooth creatures looked ready to charge once more. ¡°James, quick, boost on me!¡± Emy¡¯s voice commanded from behind Will. < Emy is now boosted by 20% > < Tuck is no longer boosted > Emy¡¯s concentration deepened as she recalled her final training session with Williams, which revealed a new, destructive combination. She intertwined her innate warmth with the surrounding air, accelerating oxygen atoms to a frantic pace. The doorway became her canvas¡ªa focal point for devastation. With precision, she urged oxygen molecules to collide, their bonds quivering under the strain. Then, like a conductor of chaos, she infused her body heat into the mix. The oxygen atoms, now supercharged, danced with newfound energy. Bonds snapped, releasing a torrent of heat and light. A chain reaction surged through the Grimbletooth huddle, their forms disintegrating in an infernal blaze. The doorframe ignited, its wood curling and blackening. GRIM-ALIZED! 15 Points! < Skill Identified ¨C Emy ¨C Targeted Fusion > Book Two: Chapter One Chapter One "To rise as the guardian the Cosmos requires, you must venture to do what hasn¡¯t been done." -System Games Headquarters- The Quantum Games were in full swing, with the Galaxy Champions taking a breather after the fourth stage. At this level, numerous Champions battled adversaries on their home planets, while others engaged in augmented reality scenarios influenced by the heroes¡¯ circumstances and the System¡¯s choices. As the rounds progressed, the CNC, especially the games division headed by Viggo Platard, consistently reviewed game mechanics, fan engagement, and risk management on the most famous planets. The team prided themselves on their readiness for any disasters during the events. Despite the games¡¯ grim past and the ongoing horrifying events in the new galaxies, the Games division was adept at casting a positive light on the games¡¯ inevitability. While not a publicly recognized corporate motto, the leadership team was fully aware of their fundamental business strategy: Embrace the Inevitable; Profit from the Predictable. ¡°Sir, our continuous analysis has revealed a higher-than-normal event ratio between planet-based incursions and augmented reality scenarios in the fourth level. Examining the ratio has led us to identify more unprecedented energy anomalies in the Milky Way Galaxy.¡± Viggo, the Games Director, turned to his top employee, Shakur, who shared another divergence from the previous games. ¡°Unprecedented energy levels?¡± Viggo inquired, ¡°Is this due to the System?¡± Shakur returned, ¡°Interestingly, the System seems to be adjusting the games to account for this anomaly, as the readings are coming from our void scanners. The games look to be becoming more complex to counterbalance the growth in surges.¡± Viggo, looking puzzled, pondered how he would relay these galactic shifts to his senior leadership team. ¡°So, if I¡¯m understanding correctly, we¡¯re picking up signals of an unidentified disturbance in the void. The same void that establishes the foundation for all Cosmic travel?¡± ¡°Exactly, sir,¡± Shakur responded, his voice filled with astonishment as he tried to comprehend what his data science team had informed him earlier. ¡°The void remains the most significant enigma, even to our most advanced AI systems. Scientists have spent their entire lives trying to decipher it, but progress has been slow.¡± ¡°Please assure me that the primary connections established by our Cosmic heroes remain unaffected.¡± ¡°No, everything is still operational. We are just noticing surges in the energy readings from our connections to those established portals.¡± ¡°Surges?¡± ¡°Yes, more like spikes in energy signatures. These spikes seem to align with the game projections created by the system,¡± Shakur attempted to explain the computational readings. ¡°So, essentially, the same anomalies that are causing larger void breaks across this new galaxy and are also leading to more challenging levels for our future heroes.¡± ¡°That¡¯s correct.¡± ¡°And am I also correct in understanding that this type of reading has never been discovered before in the Games Division?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Shakur confirmed, but this time, he added, ¡°but there have always been discrepancies in the void. These phenomena have resulted in the void breaks we¡¯ve grown accustomed to. We just have never seen a growth shift of this nature before, especially in a newly integrated universe.¡± ¡°And these incidents are only occurring within the new galaxy?¡± Viggo sought confirmation once more. ¡°Yes,¡± Shakur responded softly, ¡°So far.¡± -The Hangar- The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. "Holy shit! You guys saved our city!" Frank exclaimed as the team returned to the Hangar from Reno, having successfully dealt with the vine singularity. ¡°It¡¯s a relief to see you all return,¡± Williams added, his voice gentler than usual. Having been just transported, the team remained oblivious to the previous level''s profound impact on the Coach. He had watched it unfold with Frank and Trish, a level that had tragically taken a former friend of his years ago. ¡°Appreciate it, Coach,¡± Will said, the first to regain his composure. He immediately registered the emotions of the man who had been their pillar of support. ¡°Absolutely, you guys are incredible, and I¡¯m equally thrilled¡­ but we have a new member! James, show me that egg!¡± Trish couldn¡¯t contain her excitement as James handed her the egg he had been holding. ¡°Oh yes, this thing has certainly imprinted its energy on you,¡± Trish observed, studying the egg''s energy patterns as it started to spasm. ¡°That¡¯s still not as bad as when I held it,¡± Emy added, recalling the strong urge for the egg to distance itself from her when she initially held it. ¡°It must be sensing my babies at home.¡± ¡°Babies?¡± Will was taken aback. ¡°You¡¯re a mother?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Trish confirmed, ¡°I miss my little ones at home. My parents are looking after them now.¡± Trish paused, hoping that was still the case, but pushed on: ¡°I have 11 babies: 3 Canaries, 2 Lovebirds, 3 Conures, 2 Finches, and 2 Quaker Parrots.¡± ¡°Ah, I always thought the crazy cat lady vibe was a bit off,¡± Will joked, ¡°Now it makes sense. You¡¯re a crazy bird lady.¡± ¡°On the topic of crazy,¡± Frank quickly changed the subject as Trish shot Will with a playful glare. ¡°Did you see the active view numbers for that first kiss?¡± ¡°19.3B active views!¡± Nex quickly added, ¡°And that doesn¡¯t even include the total replays and recap shows across the Cosmos!¡± ¡°What¡­¡± Will¡¯s face turned pale for the first time. ¡°Kiss?¡± Nadia immediately questioned. ¡°Mr. Weiss, do you have a girlfriend?¡± ¡°What, are we not good enough for you?¡± Emy quickly added, eager to join in on the fun. ¡°Yeah! How dare you not ask for our approval first?¡± Frank joined in, his tone matching Nadia and Emy¡¯s. Everyone burst into laughter, leaving Frank puzzled about what he said to cause such a reaction. ¡°Come on, Brick,¡± James said as the laughter subsided. ¡°Surely you¡¯re one to kiss and tell!¡± Catching his breath, Will tried to regain his confidence, ¡°I won¡¯t be telling. But¡­¡± Will tried to move on, but Trish quickly interjected before he could finish, ¡°But, why tell when we can rewatch it?¡± She paused momentarily to allow Will to catch up to her intentions. ¡°Nex?¡± ¡°Pulling it up now!¡± Nex quickly responded. ¡°No, no, no. Nobody needs to see this. Nexy, please restrict that viewing for the team,¡± Will spoke urgently, trying to stop everything. ¡°Honey, that¡¯s not something we can do¡­¡± Nexy spoke to Will internally and quickly continued, ¡°See, it¡¯s blocked for everyone. Let¡¯s move on.¡± Will tried to maintain a stern face, knowing full well that everyone knew he was lying. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Will. I had Frank stop watching after the 7th replay,¡± Trish reassured him. ¡°Frank isn¡¯t the only one! Tuck¡¯s bonding with his Dad plus that egg; you guys are better than the best soap opera I¡¯ve seen on TV,¡± Nex added, addressing the group. Hearing that, Nadia quickly glanced at Tuck standing beside her and gave a soft shoulder bump with a smirk, only for Tuck to promptly change the subject. ¡°Nex, how do you even know what a soap opera is?¡± ¡°Of course, I know what they are! I caught up with all the latest soap operas on TV! How else would I keep up with all the new slang you kids use?¡± ¡°Why would you watch daytime television for that? You know what¡­ never mind,¡± Will cut himself off, realizing that Nex was only helping shift the focus off him. The group continued to jest with each other for a bit longer, the stress of the level quickly fading away. Everyone was acutely aware that this last level could have ended very differently than it did. Whether it was skill, luck, or teamwork, they didn¡¯t care. They had done it, and their interactions were their reward. Well, that and a badass eagle egg. ¡°So, Trish,¡± James spoke up after a while, ¡°what do you know about my little buddy here?¡± ¡°I¡¯d wager she knows a lot,¡± Frank interjected. ¡°Ever since that egg showed up, she¡¯s been deep in research about that thing.¡± ¡°That thing?¡± Trish teased Frank. ¡°That thing is the greatest gift we¡¯ve all received, and yes, I¡¯m including Emy¡¯s Gateway.¡± Trish continued, despite the shocked expressions on everyone¡¯s faces except for James. ¡°This creature is a sentient being capable of growing to levels rivaling any of us. With the right care and upbringing, this little guy or girl will become someone we can trust to protect our team.¡± Upon hearing this, James subconsciously stroked the egg as he lifted it to his eyes. ¡°Is that so? I look forward to meeting you soon, little one,¡± James spoke to the egg in a hushed voice, feeling a quick outward pulse of energy from the egg in response to his words. Pulling his eyes back to Trish, he asked, ¡°Do we know when it will hatch?¡± ¡°From everything I¡¯ve read, it could happen at any point. We need to try a few things to establish a firm connection across your energies. We may need the Professor¡¯s support, but you and I are slated to meet our new friend soon, hopefully.¡± ¡°I''m happy to help,¡± Williams responded, seemingly able to time his entrances and exits impeccably. ¡°We have quite a few things to discuss during this intermission, but all that can wait. Enjoy each other¡¯s company. I believe you all have a few celebrations in order.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Frank beamed. ¡°Cake party!¡± Book Two: Chapter Two Chapter Two "Perception of yourself is only half the story." - Coach Williams ¡°Thank goodness for this cookless kitchen, or this party could have been a disaster,¡± Emy said, carrying four cakes from the counter to the cafeteria table. ¡°Not much of a cook, huh?¡± Nadia teased, smiling as an Oreo Ice Cream cake was placed before her. The cake was black with streaks of red, resembling her Crimson Cascade mixed with a touch of her Affliction Surge Skill. James opened his mouth to speak, but Trish beat him to it, ¡°Emy? No way. Her primary meal in the dorms was a cup of noodles with crunched-up Doritos on top.¡± ¡°Wait a second,¡± Emy tried to respond, but James spoke louder. ¡°Seriously. She thinks I hung out with her after Chemistry class just for fun, but I was making sure she ate something besides sodium and carbs. My parents made me maintain a balanced diet for training in high school, and this girl lived off chips and mini cookies while still maintaining her physique.¡± ¡°Okay, okay, I get it. Eat your cake, mighty ascenders,¡± Emy said, placing a domed cake with multiple layers in front of James, simulating his Energy Blocking Field. ¡°Wait, no speech this time? Frank?¡± Trish asked the group and then looked at Frank, who had given the last speech on Emy¡¯s ascension into D-Class. ¡°Nope. Frank is done with speeches,¡± Tuck interjected, glancing at his blue cake adorned with a yellow lightning strike. ¡°No? I think that means it¡¯s up to you, big guy,¡± Will said, catching Tuck off guard. As Tuck was about to disagree, Frank let out a low rumble, ¡°SPEEEEEEEECH!¡± He banged the table. ¡°Speech. Speech. Speech!¡± With no way out, Tuck began to speak. ¡°I, uh.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Tuck, but you need to stand up when giving a speech,¡± James added, earning a sharp turn and stare from the large man as his smile widened, matching everyone at the table. Reluctantly, Tuck stood up from the bench, causing the table to lurch back and everyone¡¯s plates to shift. Tuck¡¯s knees jammed into the sides, making it clear he wasn¡¯t trying to be delicate. Tuck started, his face irritated. ¡°Look, I¡¯m obviously not prepared for this¡­¡± He sighed, ¡°But, I am proud.¡± Everyone at the table shifted as Tuck¡¯s tone changed. ¡°I''m proud to be here, proud to be on this team, and proud to have you all as friends¡­ That last level was¡­ tough for me. Seeing my Dad brought up a mix of emotions, some buried deep inside me and some I didn¡¯t know I was capable of. My Dad was non-existent in my young adulthood because he was like¡­ me.¡± Silence hung as the group looked at Tuck with compassion. None of them had expected this, especially in front of everyone. ¡°I now choose to believe that my Dad ended up where he was because he lacked the support I had¡­ Coaches¡± Tuck looked at Williams. ¡°Teammates¡­¡± He shifted to Frank, Will, and James. ¡°And friends¡­¡± He finished by looking at Nadia and Emy. ¡°My Dad lacked the support I have with everyone here. Friends that support, push, and motivate each other to be their best version. Reno confirmed what I already knew. Together, we can push beyond our limits and become champions. This bond is our ultimate promise.¡± Tuck stood for a moment longer and then sat back down, causing the table to jolt once again with his weight. Everyone was shocked by what had just occurred. Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. ¡°Where the heck¡­¡± Will started, but Nadia quickly cut in. ¡°Will, don¡¯t ruin the moment.¡± ¡°All I¡¯m saying is, how can I eat an ice cream cake after that speech?¡± Will stared down at his comically large personalized reddish-brown cake with white lines across it, resembling a brick, as the group returned to quiet chatter and catching up. *** ¡°New plan for this level¡¯s review,¡± Coach Williams announced as the team looked on from their seats in the Strategy room. "Each of you will share your vision of your teammates as they are now and who they could become. This feedback from everyone except yourself will help you see things you might not recognize in yourself. ¡°The best way to start is just to begin. Mr. Weiss, let¡¯s start with you.¡± ¡°So, just to confirm, you want us to describe how we see Will now and in the future?¡± James asked. ¡°Correct. Sometimes it takes an external perspective to reveal your potential. Please begin.¡± ¡°Well, Will is our social butterfly and probably the most humorous on the team. I see those qualities in who he represents as a hero,¡± James began, glancing at Williams for confirmation. With a nod from the coach, he continued, ¡°Will has the potential to change the dynamic of any situation. His uncanny social skills, combined with his Flow Perception and energy reading, allow him to understand and control the underlying dynamics of a room.¡± James paused, looking around at the others, when Nadia stepped in to continue, ¡°Will can manipulate the room''s environment around him through his Condense skill. Combine that with how he can modify the energy flows, and everything in the room is under his control, both people and environment.¡± ¡°Good. Keep going, but add opportunities for Will to progress his skills,¡± Williams noted as they continued. ¡°Honestly, dude, you are a beast with your ice. Your full form with your Permafrost is incredible, and your usage of ice as blades is fierce, but I see a few risks. Your ice has a moderate breaking point, and yes, it¡¯s sharp as nails, but how do we beef you up to take on something with a thicker hide?¡± Frank commented to Will as the team shifted its focus to opportunities. ¡°And I hate to be the one who says this, but what happens to your primary skill without Water Vapor in the air? I have to think that with Emy¡¯s Quantum Gateway, we may need to prep for scenarios with different environmental chemicals,¡± Trish said, giving Will a concerned look. ¡°I¡­ honestly hadn¡¯t even thought about that,¡± Will admitted, looking worried. ¡°Coach, how does Earth¡¯s chemical makeup compare to those on other planets¡­ or in other galaxies?¡± ¡°And now, we get to the fun part,¡± Williams answered with a smile. ¡°The Champions you all need to become will be ones who can adapt to any environment and immediately understand and draw on what is available to them. Most inhabited planets have some form of water source, albeit some are considerably less vast than what you¡¯re used to here on Earth. But where you see a lack of water vapor, you might find Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Ammonia, or Nitrogen. But to take it one step further, what would happen if you found yourself in the vacuum of space? How would you protect yourself there?¡± Williams let his words sink in before continuing. ¡°Everyone needs to think bigger. We need to plan and account for all permutations of the environments you may soon be in. Yes, you can figure it out as you go, but you must also have backup plans. I believe Frank here has some options to review with you. Take this feedback and explore the options we¡¯ve set out for you. This will be your primary goal for this intermission session.¡± Frank gave Will a nudge and a big smile as the pairing was discussed. ¡°All right, let¡¯s move on to James.¡± ¡°Oh, my turn now!¡± Will exclaimed, a pronounced grin spreading across his face. James felt a pang of worry about what was coming next. ¡°James lacks social awareness and bad-ass ice skills¡­¡± ¡°Mr. Weiss¡­¡± the Professor interjected, but Will was already continuing. ¡°But he more than makes up for it with his leadership, support, and kindness with all of us.¡± James¡¯s grimace slowly faded into one of mild shock as Will continued. ¡°James doesn¡¯t realize how valuable he is to our team. I see him as a commander in our battles, with skills that can Empower and Restrict enemies, allowing him to play the ultimate chess game with our lives and win. As for growth, I don¡¯t see James standing at the front of battle with the likes of Tuck over here, though we know he would if asked. His true value lies in maximizing every bit of talent in all of us.¡± Trish picked up where Will left off: ¡°James, I see you managing all aspects of the battle, and with that little friend over there.¡± Trish pointed directly at the egg still clutched in his hands. ¡°We can only make you a better field general for your team. The real question is how we push your limited skills to a larger scale and see if that egg can be your eyes in battle.¡± Nods of agreement followed as Coach also chimed in with feedback. ¡°James, you¡¯ve always been a great team leader, taking pride in others over yourself. Know that to keep that perspective going forward, you must embrace your growth. Your world is only getting smaller, and your team must spread out.¡± Book Two: Chapter Three Chapter Three ¡°Advancing your power and potential comes from persistent effort; those who cease to push forward or accept their current level will become stagnant.¡± ¨C Beacon, Former Champion ¡°Tuck, you are the tank. But I think you are slowly becoming more than that,¡± Frank said, continuing the discussion in the strategy room. ¡°You and Bertha¡ª¡± ¡°No,¡± Tuck interrupted. ¡°You and¡­ well, dang it dude, give it a name if you don¡¯t like Bertha! Saying Warhammer is just boring,¡± Frank added, then continued. ¡°The team could throw you and your Warhammer into the middle of a field with thousands of trolls, and you could probably fight your way out. With your Repulse skill paired with Electron Surge, few could get close. And with your AOE attacks of Ion Storm and direct targeting of the Lightning Bolt, you¡¯d be a tough match for anyone.¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Coach Williams guided Frank with a smile. ¡°But,¡± Frank adjusted in his seat. ¡°I¡¯d worry about getting you out of that same field with your lack of speed, especially against a shiftier opponent,¡± Frank concluded, referencing the Mist creatures in the 3rd Level within the Trials. ¡°Frank is right. Tuck, in the upper echelon of heroes across the Cosmos, the role of a true ¡®Tank¡¯ is sparse. Yes, there are scenarios that might benefit from those qualities, but you need to prepare for foes that could drop you with a single blow. Many heroes have skills similar to my own energy readings. Planning for a fight, knowing your opponent¡¯s limited adaptability, can turn a battle into a swift and decisive victory. Tuck sat stoically in his chair, hearing the feedback. Feedback is a gift; it hurts, but it challenges you to get better, and that is the best gift of all. Nodding back to the professor, he absorbed and moved on. ¡°All right, next is Nadia. Who would like to go first? Emy, you¡¯ve been a bit quiet. Care to start?¡± ¡°Nadia is¡­ Nadia.¡± ¡°Emy?¡± Williams questioned. ¡°Just like everyone else on this team, Nadia is unique. Just like Will, James, and Tuck, we need Nadia as much as each of you.¡± Emy stated as she looked around, reflecting on the conversations so far. ¡°Nadia, you are incredibly brave, passionate, and just as stubborn as each and every one of us.¡± Emy smirked, using a familiar word Coach had once written on the board as a weakness. ¡°And I think that stubbornness makes us¡­ stronger.¡± Emy smiled and continued, realizing what she now wanted to say. ¡°Nadia, your determination to fight that singularity head-on was stubborn, but that is also what makes you unique. Nobody else on the team could have fought that thing like you did. Your ability to both manipulate your body and, in partnership with your Vitalize and Affliction Surge skills, makes you a force within battle capable of a diverse range of options. Yes, don¡¯t get me wrong, healing is by far your greatest value, but your range against living entities is unmatched.¡± This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. ¡°She¡¯s right,¡± Will added. ¡°While my talent may be that of reading and influencing others, yours goes deeper. I seriously can¡¯t imagine what your Body Manipulation skill will be able to do in the future.¡± ¡°Try,¡± Williams added. ¡°Well,¡± Will said, ¡°If you can make blades out of bone and literally transform your energies into another living being, I¡¯d have to imagine you could probably be or well become¡­ anything you want?¡± ¡°Nice try, Will,¡± Williams laughed and took over. ¡°Nadia, your weakness right now is your body, and yet your body is your greatest strength. Quite the conundrum, but an extremely large opportunity. Think about those weaknesses. Implant yourself into any scenario and find ways to maximize your adaptability, survival, or¡ª" ¡°Thrive by turning your environment into a strength,¡± Emy finished for the Coach. ¡°Yes, excellent close, Emy,¡± Williams said. ¡°And now for you, Emy.¡± The room was a bit quiet for once in these conversations. Unsure of how to describe Emy, Tuck was the first to acknowledge, speaking in a low tone. ¡°Emy, I am not sure how to tell you this, but your power scares the heck out of me.¡± Tuck closed, and Emy gave a chuckle, only to notice that nobody else in the room found humor in his statement. ¡°The fire manipulation through your Targeted Fusion and Pyroform is one thing, but your ability to turn something into nothingness is deeply disturbing.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t get us wrong. Disturbing is awesome, but what I think Tuck is saying is that of all the skills we can now understand and influence, creating¡­ nothing makes the least amount of sense,¡± Will added after Tuck, with nods around the room. ¡°Speaking as someone tolerant to many skills,¡± James started, ¡°dispersing into an unknown void may be one of the worst ways to die.¡± ¡°Professor¡­ what happens when the void consumes something?¡± Trish asked. ¡°That is one of the unknown questions of the Cosmos. Ask Emy, and she might tell you that the void talks to her, urges her, or pushes her in a direction,¡± The Professor started, only to look at Emy, who responded with a nod. ¡°For everyone else, it transposes in unique ways. Think of those vine creatures fighting the very inverse of themselves. I once met a wind user who encountered a void such as Emy¡¯s and described it as the calmest disturbance she had ever faced, a place where all motion stopped. To lose to the void is to lose in a battle of willpower of what and who you are. Yes, the voids allow for travel across the known Cosmos, but recognize that it is based on the energy signature of what you are trying to reach.¡± ¡°Now, Emy. With that said, you must learn to maximize that very object that defies all known thought. Wield it with command and know that its power can lead to great devastation.¡± Williams paused, looking at Emy. ¡°Know that the void is the very extreme of what your power can do. Understand that, but understand that the void is the end, and there are many stops between.¡± ¡°What?¡± Will spoke up. ¡°That doesn¡¯t make any sense.¡± Williams paid no heed to Will and continued his view on Emy. ¡°That is something for Emy to find out.¡± Continuing their discussions, the Professor delved into each hero¡¯s role and opportunity within the team. However, discussion was only a small part of the challenge. Achieving belief in oneself to thrive and learn was paramount. It was soon time to work. ¡°You all now know your assignments. Trish and James, let¡¯s see if we can hatch another hero before break. Will and Frank, I think a surprise is in order, right Frank?" Williams glanced at a beaming Frank. "Emy and Nadia, focus on reflection and adaptation. Lastly, Tuck and I will delve deeper into his path.¡± ¡°Any last questions?¡± Williams asked. ¡°Coach, did you know about Penny?¡± Will asked. ¡°What do you know about her talent?¡± ¡°Ah,¡± Williams smiled. ¡°Ms. Duplaine. Yes, I am aware of her talent, but you should have an idea by now of what she can do.¡± ¡°Yes, well, sort of. I think it has to do with learning? Her energy¡­ it felt as though it was intertwining with mine to replicate my skills. Is she also a Condenser, but with a different affinity?¡± ¡°Close. Penny has a remarkable talent that I initially considered. However, it has its limits. Based on the amount of energy Penny possesses, she can achieve a perfect energy signature match to another¡¯s skills with a talent known as a Replicator. While it limits her to a finite number of skills at any one time, it also allows her to add and replace skills whenever she wants, making her invaluable for training others.¡± Book Two: Chapter Four Chapter Four ¡°Everyone has a purpose; it¡¯s up to each individual to discover it.¡± E.B. Earth ¨C Reno, Nevada Penny ¡°Where do you want this, boss?¡± A large man asked as he dropped off a box filled with wires, remotes, and what looked like battery packs. ¡°Boss?¡± Penny¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. ¡°Yes?¡± The man furrowed his brows in confusion. ¡°Aren¡¯t you the one setting all this up?¡± He glanced back at the entryway, searching for a nametag or reference point to ensure he was in the right room. ¡°Well, yes¡­¡± Penny adjusted her glasses, still processing the situation. ¡°And aren¡¯t you also the one whose voice projects over the radio daily?¡± ¡°Yes?¡± Penny, now wearing a dusty top, blue jogging pants, and an Eagles band shirt that looked like it was made in the ''70s, replied again. ¡°I believe that makes you the boss¡­¡± The man continued to hold the heavier box but grew tired of just standing there, staring at Penny, who seemed lost in thought. ¡°Look, I¡¯m just going to put this down here¡­¡± ¡°Wait. Sorry. That¡¯s Tech¡¯s stuff. Can you deliver that to the, uh, tech room?¡± The man grunted as he stopped lowering the box to his feet and slowly brought it back up. Penny noticed a weave of energy flowing around the man¡¯s hands and the box as her energy pushed outward, examining the man further. ¡°What room?¡± the man asked after standing straight. ¡°Oh, just put it in the old Brew Brothers bar and grill. Tech has set up shop there. We do the broadcasting on the stage.¡± ¡°Roger that, boss.¡± The man smiled and winked, now having received proper guidance. ¡°Penny.¡± She returned a smile. ¡°My name is Penny¡­¡± ¡°Of course. Name¡¯s Gerald, but everyone calls me Ger.¡± ¡°Nice to meet you, Ger. Make sure you show up to the training later; it looks like you have a bit of talent.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Ger responded. ¡°Yes, really, and seems to be fairly strong. Level 2, at least. What did you do before you headed to the Silver Legacy?¡± ¡°Level 2?" Ger wiped the sweat off below the brim of his cap as he stood now looking puzzled but chose just to answer Penny. "I ain¡¯t from around here. I run a local moving company and don¡¯t have much family. I was in the middle of a large move for a rich family coming in from California. Things sort of went haywire, and I¡¯ve been living in my truck. There''s nothing to go back to in California, so I guess you could say it was a calling when your voice came over the radio. Drove straight here and just wanted to help out.¡± Penny looked closer at Ger, who appeared to be in his early 30s but worn down with time more than others that age. He wore a faded black Giants cap with an SF orange logo. His battered white shirt, beer belly, and blue jeans initially hid the tree-trunk arms and large muscular legs. ¡°We¡¯re glad to have you, Ger. Make your way to one of the rooms and freshen up. I think we should have some food around here. The training starts at 5 p.m. in the Grand Exposition Hall.¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t miss it!¡± Ger¡¯s face lit up, seeming to take some of the years off his face. ¡°And that¡¯s very kind. I will do that, but first, I want to continue helping downstairs. Lots of rubble and junk to clear out. Wouldn¡¯t feel right leaving right now.¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Penny responded. ¡°Thank you.¡± As the man left, Penny stood there, transfixed by the moment. Three days ago, she assisted Will and the team remove the Organism from the city. Now, she found herself in her makeshift ¡°office¡± in a side room of one of the upstairs restaurants. Once Will and his team had disappeared from downtown Reno, Penny, Mr. Reynold, Luck, and Tech immediately set off to find a base. Initially, they considered the Silver Legacy a suitable location, but the need to broadcast led them to a nearby radio station. Tech mentioned he could rig the Silver Legacy for future use, but it would take time, so after the broadcast, the four returned to the casino to explore and establish a base. Over the course of three days, Luck and Mr. Reynold managed most of the moving and clearing of the casino floor. While Luck handled the heavy lifting, Mr. Reynold worked hard, often panting and chastising his endurance. Fortunately, the broadcast quickly spread, and soon, people began to emerge through the front doors, drawn by a makeshift sign near the Reno Arch indicating the team¡¯s location. Eager to help, they cleaned, brought food, and tended to the wounded, with a doctor and a few nurses showing up. Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. Without a sterile environment, the larger party was fortunate that Will had passed a mental energy projection of Nadia¡¯s Vitalize skill to Penny at the end of the 4th Level. While she left most bruises and cuts to heal on their own, she supported those with more severe injuries. Word of a healer on site spread, and soon, they had gathered as many as 50 people in the building, all trying to help in any way they could. As the party expanded, Tech forged his own path. Initially, he scouted and established the new broadcasting center. The final location was conveniently close to one of the Organism¡¯s original hubs, nestled between the Silver Legacy and Eldorado. Once a restaurant but renowned in the community as the best late-night live music bar, the venue swiftly transformed into the new broadcasting space. With existing microphones and cables from local bands, Tech only needed to connect and set up a broadcasting radio unit. Although the task was straightforward, it required parts that teams of people diligently searched for. Soon, Tech shifted his focus, unnoticed by anyone except perhaps Luck, who likely didn¡¯t grasp the significance. The quiet man discovered the central power hub for the two merged casinos and tinkered away day and night. Lastly, Penny took on a role in management, planning, and intense personal training. Within the first hour of investigating the casino, she discovered a downtown blueprint from the early 2000s, displayed as an art piece in one of the restaurants. She took it down and placed it on a table, designating the space as the head boss¡¯s office. Over the next three days, the area became cluttered with other maps, notes on new arrivals, and various trinkets. Despite her efforts to help and support everyone, Penny maintained a strict regimen for learning, attempting to replicate every flow Will had shared with her. Although her talent made the skill less impactful, she still accurately mimicked everything Will had taught her, except for Nadia¡¯s Body Manipulation skill and most of Emy¡¯s abilities¡ªthough she could manage the fireball, which proved helpful. Everyone had to start somewhere, and Penny was in her element when she was learning. Based on the intel from those now residing in the large casino, the world outside was one of chaos and fear. Many smaller void breaks had erupted throughout the city. Although none were as close as the ones the heroes needed to support, hordes of smaller creatures soon scattered around the area, driving fear and anxiety into anyone who dared to leave their homes. Many communities were starting to create bases, but most lacked any protection beyond a single household firearm and the occasional resident with a military background. Sad stories abounded, tales of lost loved ones and those stuck in hiding, unable to help. These tales weighed heavily on Luck and Penny, who had promised to protect those close to the team. They knew they needed to secure what they had saved before venturing out. The worst-case scenario was bringing loved ones back to a place of unsafety and unrest. ¡°I think you may have found your place in this world, boss,¡± Luck said. ¡°That man was absolutely beaming as he walked out of here.¡± Luck still wore his orange jumper and black socks, though the top was now tied around his waist, revealing a white tank top soaked in sweat. ¡°He has talent. And from the looks of it, some sort of density transmutation. It was almost as if he was using the weight of the box to his advantage.¡± ¡°Good. We need more talent. I think our count is up to 11, but we just got two new additions downstairs who claim to know Emy and Will. They¡¯re helping now, but I told them to come talk to you later.¡± ¡°Are they from the school?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think so. Well, maybe? They seemed athletic but didn¡¯t mention the school, and Mr. Reynold didn¡¯t recognize them. ¡°See, I told you that Eagles shirt would fit!¡± Mr. Reynolds approached and commented on the random Eagles band t-shirt he happened to have in his quickly assembled luggage in his car. ¡°It sure does smell like it¡¯s forty years old,¡± Penny said, smirking into a smile. ¡°Enough of that. It¡¯s only like ten years old. It¡¯s retro and my favorite logo!¡± ¡°A retro version of a retro shirt just may be a bit too retro for me. You know what, never mind. Thank you. Are you bringing the updated report of our, uh, community?¡± ¡°The Crow¡¯s Nest. Come on, Penny, these people need to believe in us¡­¡± Mr. Reynold said with a goofy smile. ¡°As for the numbers, we have one doctor, two nurses, and three cooks¡ªthough one claims he¡¯s only good at making burritos.¡± Mr. Reynold chuckled but continued, ¡°Fortunately, we have several people from the casino¡¯s hospitality department to assist us. We also have a handful of muscle guys, including Ger, whom you just met, and a couple of police officers¡ªone of whom recognized me from the bridge,¡± he added, smirking at Penny due to their earlier run-in with the police. He then glanced at Luck¡¯s jumpsuit and said, ¡°That reminds me, Luck, we might need to forget about your past for a bit. Just a little white lie¡­¡± He turned back and continued, ¡°Lastly, we have the two newbies Luck mentioned and the surprising addition of a charming man named Kepler. He¡¯s quite the morale booster and knows his way around metals.¡± ¡°Great start, but we still need more. Many more. More protection and more trades. We need to make this place a sanctuary, and right now, it looks like a bomb shelter,¡± Penny said. ¡°Well, I hate to break this to you, but it sort of is¡­ The world is worse than we once thought. It¡¯s just a matter of time before the creatures hit us. I expect those Singularity void breaks in the city''s center bought us some time, but I don¡¯t think it will last.¡± ¡°Well, it¡¯s only up from here,¡± Luck tried to inject some optimism, but his voice betrayed him. He kept a strong face, but the three of them had quickly grown tight over the last three days, and they all knew that Tuck¡¯s mom¡¯s safety was weighing heavily on him. ¡°So, what type of talents are you seeing in everyone?¡± Mr. Reynold asked, looking at their new leader. ¡°Outside of Ger, whom I was fairly impressed by, we have some promising talents. I need to truly assess and watch them ¡®build¡¯ to get a grasp, but I think it¡¯s fair to say that those who excel at their profession may have always had a little extra support,¡± Penny said, smiling at the implication that could mean to the broader community, or what was left of it. ¡°Sort of makes you think¡­ Does our internal energy guide us more than we have ever realized?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll let you scholars figure that out. I just know that I can punch harder,¡± Luck joked. ¡°But, sensei, are you ready for your first training?¡± Book Two: Chapter Five Chapter Five ¡°The strength of your convictions amplifies the power of your results. Intent and purpose: the foundational building blocks of the Cosmos.¡± ¨C Coach Williams The Hangar James & Trish ¡°Have you chosen a name yet?¡± Trish asked as she and James walked to the lab next to the team¡¯s strategy room. This lab, equipped with energy-based analysis devices, had always been Trish¡¯s favorite. Although the team now relied on the Energy Signature Implants from the trials, these machines still played a vital role in tracking and deciphering patterns. ¡°I haven¡¯t thought about it much. Naming someone before meeting them has always seemed odd to me. How can you decide to call your baby ¡®Frank¡¯ without even knowing him? Are you just assuming he¡¯ll have the personality of a Frank?¡± James replied. ¡°Ha. I guess that makes sense, but have you ever met a Frankier Frank than our Frank?¡± Trish laughed. ¡°There is no greater Frank, well, to me anyway. But, did Frank become a ¡®Frank¡¯ by choice, or did our perceptions of a ¡®Frank¡¯ change to match him?¡± ¡°You know, we can always ask this little one. From everything I¡¯ve learned, one¡¯s energy is as much a part of you as your brain. Why don¡¯t we use that as a first test?¡± ¡°We can do that?¡± James asked optimistically. ¡°Of course! It¡¯s no different than the egg choosing you as its Partner.¡± Without waiting for a response from James, Trish powered up the center console and gently took the egg from James, placing it on the center of a white podium. Green light barriers immediately resonated from all four sides of the square platform, rotating up and then scanning inward, quickly tracing the outside of the egg. As the scan completed, a holographic projection of the egg appeared above it, floating in mid-air. The projection displayed a translucent, glimmering white visualization of the egg, with intricate patterns and energy readings swirling around it. ¡°Wait, how are you doing that?¡± James asked in amazement as the holographic projection overhead immediately started tracking the energy readouts of the egg and setting up a model of ¡°reaction types.¡± ¡°Ah, this?¡± Trish smiled as she waved at the projection, and a wave emanated from the hologram as if the machine had suddenly stopped its integrations and acknowledged him in the room. ¡°Yes?¡± James asked in amazement as the projection and readings quickly returned to normal. ¡°Hmm. How do I explain¡­ Frank and I made a few discoveries during that last level. As you¡¯re aware, my Talent is that of a Manipulator, but originally, I believed that to be my interactions with objects, weapons, gear, and that type of stuff. I was able to weave affinities and change or modify the genetic makeup of the objects.¡± ¡°Uh yeah?¡± James stared at Trish, attempting to understand her response. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. ¡°Well, it turns out that I can manipulate anything¡­ including devices like Chip here.¡± ¡°Chip?¡± ¡°Ha, yeah, Chip! Think of Chip as the Nexabot for the energy analysis device. They are quite friendly! It''s one of my favorites, but don¡¯t tell the others. Chip here can integrate and alter its coding to satisfy my needs. Think of my energy weaved into the device, allowing for real-time interaction. This device is running with its AI, but now it has my energy to integrate with as well, allowing for more impactful analysis and modifications.¡± ¡°How is that different than using Nex to interact with the machine?¡± "Oh, James. You may not have realized that my primary Talent takes a LOT of time. The skill that I use is called Weave. Here, take a peek." Skill: Weave Allows the user to interact with foreign objects and manipulate their genetic core. It enhances bonding applications, enabling powerful affinity bonds and seamless integration. ¡°It¡¯s cool, right?¡± Trish prompted as James read the description. ¡°But what it doesn¡¯t mention is the time it takes. Imagine: a paper clip has 10 billion trillion atoms that must resonate harmoniously. I can work in clusters, but it¡¯s still incredibly tedious. Each atom must align with the object¡¯s overall strategy to avoid obstructions or incomplete alignment for the end user. So now, instead of weaving directly into the objects I¡¯m modifying, I¡¯ve started using devices that can harness my energy to do the Weaving for me!¡± ¡°That¡¯s cool,¡± James responded less enthusiastically than Trish expected. Trish waved her hands excitedly to emphasize her point. ¡°James! This is a groundbreaking discovery in my craft! Humans can only see so many layers of an object¡¯s genetic makeup, which leads to impurities we never knew existed. But Chip here? This AI supercomputer can do so much more,¡± Trish exclaimed. ¡°The application amazed the Professor; he thinks my affinity for Technology is the key to this breakthrough.¡± ¡°I get it!¡± James held the girl¡¯s shoulders. ¡°Trish, you are amazing,¡± he finished with an enormous smile. Trish took a deep breath, realizing she might have gotten a bit carried away. ¡°The potential applications of this discovery are immense, but I need more time to explore them fully¡­¡± she said, adjusting her posture and refocusing on the original topic. ¡°So, back to names. Any suggestions?¡± ¡°Maybe we just start and see where it goes?¡± James asked, getting a nod from Trish. ¡°What about Talon?¡± As James said the name, they immediately looked at the holographic projection above the egg¡ªthe energy displayed as a translucent, glimmering white visualization circling the object. Quickly, the energy began to shift colors, transitioning to a red hue. ¡°That¡¯s the readout of the change of energy. Red means anger, and blue dictates happiness. Maybe try a rapid-fire and see if we can target a direction of names.¡± Trish said with a nod from James. ¡°All right. Here we go. Ember¡­ Starflight¡­ Orion¡­ Valkyrie¡­ Aurora¡­ Punisher¡­ Nimbus¡­ Sadie¡­ Mindy¡­¡± James looked over at Trish. ¡°Well, we may have a girl on our hands. Early favorites are Valkyrie, Aurora, and Sadie; however, neither moved too far into the blue. Keep going.¡± ¡°Girl names huh? All right, little one¡­ Luna¡­ Vega¡­ Dawn¡­ Solara¡­ Seera¡­¡± ¡°Wait¡­ close.¡± Trish stopped James. ¡°She seemed to like Seera. We are getting close.¡± ¡°Girl names and sight-related, huh?¡± James mused, turning to the egg as a nostalgic memory surfaced. ¡°You may not understand me, but I hope you can sense my feelings. When I was a child, my parents would take me to resorts in the mountains of Tahoe. Each peak was breathtaking, but one in particular holds a special place in my heart. I remember being five years old, and for the first time, my parents let me join them on the highest ski lift. Before that, they would drop me off at the kids¡¯ programs while they trained, but that day was different. I sat between them, and as we reached the top, we glided towards the back of the mountain. My parents hugged me as we overlooked what seemed like the entire world. It was just Reno and the valleys, but it¡¯s a feeling I carry with me always.¡± James paused, his eyes softening. ¡°That moment was pure magic. The crisp air, the endless view, and the warmth of my parents¡¯ embrace are memories that have stayed with me all these years. It¡¯s a feeling of safety, wonder, and love all wrapped together.¡± He looked back at the egg with a gentle smile. ¡°The name of that mountain has always stayed with me. So what do you think, little one? How about the name¡­ Rose?¡± Trish looked taken aback by the story but quickly looked at the projection and then back towards James. Soon, a broad smile crept across her face. Book Two: Chapter Six Chapter Six ¡°Artisans must understand their heroes¡¯ weaknesses better than the heroes themselves. While the hero must remain confident in any situation, it¡¯s the artisans¡¯ responsibility to shield them from unforeseen dangers.¡± - Coach Williams. Frank & Will ¡°When are you going to tell her you love her?¡± Frank¡¯s eyes bore into Will, devoid of any humor. ¡°Who? What?¡± Will stammered, trying to grasp Frank¡¯s intent. ¡°Dude,¡± Frank said as they halted outside the Smithy. ¡°You¡¯re clearly in love with Penny.¡± Will rubbed his face with his hands. ¡°Frank, I have a skill that lets me read people better, and you still surprised me.¡± Frank remained unfazed, waiting for an honest answer. Will chuckled, ¡°I am not.¡± But he couldn¡¯t shake Frank¡¯s determined gaze. ¡°Okay, I really like her. Happy now? That doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m ready to confess my love. We¡¯ve probably had about two hours of interaction in total.¡± ¡°When it¡¯s right, it¡¯s right,¡± Frank said, smiling. ¡°That¡¯s what my Dad used to say about him and my Mom.¡± ¡°What do you think he¡¯s up to right now?¡± Will asked, noticing the shift in Frank¡¯s emotions. ¡°Honestly, I¡¯m not sure. I¡¯ve lost track of time, but I think it¡¯s around Sunday in Earth hours. He would¡¯ve been at my game yesterday. He doesn¡¯t know much about football but never misses a game. Always sat in the front row with a foam finger,¡± Frank chuckled, his voice thickening with emotion. ¡°It tears me up inside knowing I couldn¡¯t be there to tell him I¡¯m okay and helping you all. He¡¯d be proud.¡± ¡°A foam finger? We had those for purchase?¡± Will mused. ¡°That was my Dad. He probably looked up ¡®Football Fan¡¯ online and saw a picture of a fan with a foam finger. I told him they weren¡¯t popular anymore, but he insisted. I think he customized it himself.¡± ¡°He sounds pretty cool, Frank.¡± ¡°The coolest¡­ but yeah, he probably went to the school after your run-in with Weavers and got there after Penny and Mr. Reynold had left. Honestly, I don¡¯t know if anyone else knows what happened to me, and even those two wouldn¡¯t have known at that point. I wish I could send a message. Everyone loves him, but he never had close friends. My mom and I were his best friends. After she passed, all he had was me.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Frank. While I haven¡¯t lost a parent, I understand what it¡¯s like to care for a single parent. Do you mind if I ask about your mom?¡± ¡°Oh, it¡¯s fine. She passed away from cancer a few years back. We caught it at stage 3 and never got a handle on it. I¡¯m just happy she didn¡¯t suffer,¡± Frank said, wiping his face with his letterman¡¯s jacket. ¡°I can¡¯t help but think Nadia could have saved her if she had survived a few more years. I know I can¡¯t dwell on that, but it motivates me. My mom was amazing, but you all have the talent to save many more.¡± ¡°Thanks to you and Trish. And Coach Williams, too, but he¡¯s different¡­ We¡¯ll make sure Penny and Luck get in contact with your dad next time we¡¯re back on Earth.¡± ¡°I know¡­¡± Frank said, his voice trailing off. He took a deep breath and then shifted gears. ¡°Alright, on a lighter note, I talked to Tuck about his love interest last time before I showed him his new weapon.¡± ¡°His new weapon? Meaning, I have a new weapon?¡± Will¡¯s eyes beamed, then quickly refocused. ¡°Wait, Tuck¡¯s love interest? You know about that?¡± ¡°Dude, it doesn¡¯t take a mind reader to know he has the hots for Nadia,¡± Frank said with a smile. The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°Okay, this is too much to process. First, tell me what Tuck said, then show me this weapon.¡± ¡°Ah, lackluster. That man is a vault of emotions,¡± Frank replied, noting Will¡¯s unsurprised expression. Their faces then lit up with glee and excitement, both knowing the next topic. ¡°All right, you know this is a Trish AND Frank build. I was planning on letting her unveil it to you since I got the opportunity with Tuck, but she moved on once that egg showed up. But! That wasn¡¯t due to the awesomeness of this weapon,¡± Frank said with a wry smile. Frank and Will moved to the Smithy¡¯s entryway. Frank placed his hand on the door. ¡°Alright, yada yada, you need something denser than ice that meshes with your affinities and skills. Also, we know you might lose access to a water source. So, think of this item as our solution for that¡­¡± Frank pushed the door open slowly. ¡°Witness! The next great weapon to honor our legendary team.¡± As the door fully opened, Frank closed his right fist and covered it with his left hand, bowing as Will¡¯s eyes found the new creation hovering and rotating on the podium. The object glimmered in the light, dual blades extending from a longer central handle, almost like two katanas attached at the center. They weren¡¯t dense like Tuck¡¯s Warhammer but looked hollow like metal twisted out from the center to form the blade outlines. Moving closer, Will saw a blue gem centered in the handle of the weapon. ¡°Go on, inspect it!¡± Frank almost shouted. Dual-Bladed Katana Mid D-Class This weapon boasts two katana-like blades extending from a central handle, exuding an aura of lethal elegance. The hollow blades are edged with Celestium, a rare and mystical metal renowned for its energy consumption and affinity weaving potential. This extraordinary metal is molded into extremely sharp, twisting tips that gleam with a deadly allure. The handle is adorned with a deep blue gem that serves as a void storage, allowing the wielder to draw water from a pocket dimension and freeze it within the blades, enhancing their lethality with a chilling effect. Additionally, the handle can disconnect, transforming the weapon into two separate blades for versatile two-handed combat, making it a formidable choice for any warrior. (UPGRADEABLE) ¡°I¡¯ve got to name it, right?¡± Will said, admiring the weapon. ¡°YES, please! I didn¡¯t want to bring it up since Tuck is so slow to the punch with his Warhammer, but yeah. Can we not call this thing the Dual-Bladed Katana? It¡¯s way more awesome than that.¡± ¡°Do you have any names in mind?¡± Will asked. ¡°Let me first tell you the specs, or at least how they apply to you. This mighty weapon is made out of the same stuff as Tuck¡¯s Warhammer, but Trish and I were able to manipulate the Celestium into thin pieces. They¡¯re extremely durable, but the idea is to allow you to use the void gem with the water supply and ¡®fill¡¯ the inside with your ice. It won¡¯t do much for durability, but it will allow you to manipulate your ice while maintaining the sword¡¯s sharp edges. This source also allows you to pull water no matter what type of environment you¡¯re in. While you¡¯ll still need to train with other sources, you won¡¯t immediately be at major risk in a new area or environment. And lastly, which I think is the coolest part but is not highlighted in the system description¡­¡± ¡°Wait, why wouldn¡¯t something be in the description?¡± ¡°Oh. When you custom-make something, the AI rendering the product scans the creation and builds out a blurb with some fluff on the most important elements of the item, but it¡¯s not all-encompassing. Sometimes, it misses little elements that may not be important for some but are highly needed for others¡­ Here, go grab the weapon.¡± As Will walked up to grasp the weapon, he immediately felt a pulse of the weapon¡¯s energies merge with his. Celestium metals could absorb a charge and run with latent energies. ¡°Now, what you felt was Trish¡¯s latent energy merging with yours, and your energy now powering up the weapon. Do me a favor and try to pull all your energy out of the sword,¡± Frank requested, watching Will move the weapon around like he was holding a delicate baby. Will did as requested and isolated the energy within the Katana, immediately withdrawing his presence. As he did this, he heard the sound of metal compacting as both blades retracted into the handle. ¡°YOU GOT ME A LIGHTSABER?¡± Will looked at Frank with unbridled joy. ¡°Ha! Yes and no. This way, you won¡¯t cut someone¡¯s arm off if you swing those things around, allowing you to transport the weapon easily. We also purchased backstraps for the blades so you can tuck the handles behind your shoulders for easy access.¡± ¡°Okay, so now I am a Jedi-Leonardo? Could this day get any better?¡± ¡°Exactly! He¡¯s the blue one too! Anyways¡­ so my idea of a name¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t let me down, Frank. I¡¯m all ears on this one.¡± ¡°So hear me out. My first thought was to name it ¡®Blice,¡¯ like a blue ice slice of pizza.¡± ¡°Frank¡­¡± ¡°Wait, wait¡­ I went away from that quickly as there weren¡¯t too many pizza-themed names that I thought were cool. Then I went back to the lightsabers¡­ and, what are your thoughts on¡­ Kenobi?¡± Will looked at his blade, zoning out Frank, who continued to talk about how Ken was Japanese for sword. Tuck was right; Bertha was a terrible name for the Warhammer, but Kenobi? Well, it was¡­ perfect. As Will pushed his energy into the sword once more, the blades sprang to life, and as quickly as the blades locked into place, a wave of water flushed out of the gem and immediately compressed into ice. The blades extended out to both sides of Will as he held onto the handle with both hands. ¡°DUDE¡­¡± Frank mused in wonder at Will¡¯s now-activated weapon as Will made the necessary changes with his Nexy. New Weapon Detected - Kenobi (D-Class, Mid) Book Two: Chapter Seven Chapter Seven ¡°Diversity of thought is the spark that ignites innovation.¡± - Coach Williams. Emy & Nadia ¡°Okay, time for the truth. Did you know I was in your English class before the Games?¡± Nadia confronted Emy with a smile as they made their way to the mini-arena in the center of the Hangar. ¡°Did you have any idea I was on the soccer team?¡± Emy shot back with a grin. ¡°Yes. I watched every game and every practice. You played goalie, and Trish was a midfielder. You took practice very seriously, while Trish, well, not so much. I admired that even as a goalkeeper, which some might find boring due to the lack of action, you were always engaged. You were always moving, always in the right position, always trying to predict the next move or pass. Trish, on the other hand, seemed to stay in the same spot.¡± ¡°Oh,¡± Emy quickly retracted her sarcastic humor, realizing Nadia knew more about her than she knew about Nadia. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Nadia¡­¡± ¡°No, no, don¡¯t be sorry. I was just joking.¡± Nadia deflated a bit. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare take that back; you clearly won. I¡¯m just a bit embarrassed, that¡¯s all. You mean so much to me now, and I knew nothing about you.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay, I¡­¡± Nadia started, but Emy cut her off again. ¡°You know, I can remember every play of every game my senior year of high school? Every pass, every play, every player on the opposing team. Even in my first year of college, it¡¯s easy to picture the players¡¯ faces, reactions, and skills. It¡¯s like when I was playing sports, my mind just locked in. We were playing a game, I had a goal, and everything just clicked¡­¡± ¡°That¡¯s quite incredible¡­¡± Nadia responded. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, that wasn¡¯t meant to be a brag. I guess I¡¯m trying to say that I wish I had played against you or seen you in that light before¡­ School, class, really anything outside of sports, and hanging with James at his parents¡¯ house was a struggle for me.¡± ¡°I get that¡­ I don¡¯t think you would have liked me either,¡± Nadia admitted. ¡°Oh?¡± ¡°I shut people out. I think you¡¯ve heard my nursing story by now or at least have an idea of what happened, but what you don¡¯t know is who I became after that incident.¡± Nadia paused, questioning why she had been opening up so much lately, but she pushed that aside. ¡°I went into a dark place.¡± Emy stared silently at Nadia, recognizing that this might be the first time they had directly talked about something other than hero stuff. ¡°I disconnected from friends, pushed away the remnants of my family that still supported me, and sought ways to cope¡­ Fun was hard to come by. The further I separated myself from the things I loved, the further I moved away from the things that made me feel something¡­ Besides a few teachers, Will was the only one who challenged me and pushed me to talk. Trust me, I shut the door and tried my best to separate myself from him, but he had a way of finding his way back into my life. Anyways, I get it. Having your safe space, moving forward with what you know, and just trying to survive.¡± The two stood in silence for a bit before they entered the arena. Emy started to smile. ¡°Come to think of it, I¡¯m glad we didn¡¯t meet back then.¡± Emy laughed, confusing Nadia beside her. ¡°We were kind of a mess. We would have hated each other.¡± Emy finished with a giant smile, and Nadia immediately joined in with a laugh and a small snort. ¡°Well, that was new!¡± Emy looked at Nadia. ¡°Did you just snort?¡± ¡°No.¡± Nadia covered her face. ¡°I don¡¯t snort.¡± ¡°Yeah, and Will doesn¡¯t like talking¡­ My ass, you didn¡¯t.¡± Emy joked as they both went inside the arena, filling the area with laughter. As the translucent walls were erected around them, Nadia started the conversation again. ¡°I actually have a few ideas this time if you don¡¯t mind talking through them with me.¡± Emy was taken aback and a bit proud of Nadia¡¯s newfound openness. ¡°Always¡­ I have a few ideas myself, but it¡¯s all theory at this point. It would be good to hash it out.¡± ¡°Do you think all Skills are interconnected?¡± Nadia asked, pausing to gather her thoughts. ¡°I mean, you¡¯re a Generalist, right? In my head, you have precise control over how your energy interacts with the environment. For others like me, we need specific capabilities to adapt and modify, but they all stem from fundamental reactions. Everything we do is based on manipulating the atomic and quantum mechanics around us. I guess I¡¯m asking if you¡¯re starting to see the relationships between your Skills and how they influence each other?¡± Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. Emy noted the question, ¡°It¡¯s hard to say¡­ Based on the Professor¡¯s guidance on our Talents and teaching, he intends for us to have open-ended skillsets, never crossing the line and letting us dictate how we manipulate and grow our talents. I¡¯ve always considered that to allow for us to make our ceilings. Which makes sense in a way¡­ if we hear about others only doing certain things, we might believe that to be the limit¡­¡± Emy said as she stepped back from Nadia and attempted to feel her latent energy around her. ¡°I think our energy naturally behaves differently, similar to our genetic makeup, meaning some people are better at certain things, but that isn¡¯t to say that growth and development aren¡¯t finite. It¡¯s just that two users with the same amount of practice, but one with a greater starting energy stream, will naturally be better. But with that said, I think we all have the same potential with Willpower.¡± ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s kind of what I was getting at¡­ Our energies are naturally different, but our Willpower guides them in similar ways. The main difference is how effectively our Willpower can mold and shape our energies,¡± Nadia said, then shifted topics slightly. ¡°I¡¯ve seen you alter the chemical makeup of things, disintegrating physical matter on the spot and even going a step further to dissolve it into, well, nothingness.¡± Nadia laughed as Emy smiled. ¡°You know what I mean¡­ you can create mini voids out of thin air. So, it got me thinking: yes, your Energy is different from mine, but what if I could develop the same type of Willpower or Skill within my energy? Could I remove or disperse matter within myself or others? Can others change the environment within their energy¡¯s control to make it more suitable for them?¡± ¡°Have you tried?¡± Emy asked, unsure if it was a possibility or not. ¡°Well, when I use my Body Manipulation skill, I can move, manipulate, and modify everything inside my body, but what if I attempt to remove things with my energy based on the environment around me? Could I then add it back?¡± Nadia sighed. ¡°Honestly, I¡¯m not even sure of the applications of this for me, but I have to imagine there¡¯s something to it.¡± ¡°No, no. I get it. You¡¯re saying that if your energy is applied in a way that aligns with your natural Talent, it can achieve the same effects as other Skills.¡± ¡°Yeah. So, please also tell me that you have an idea of where I¡¯m going with your skills,¡± Nadia said, changing the subject and taking Emy by surprise. ¡°Wait, what? No?¡± ¡°Not even a little bit of an idea?¡± ¡°Well, small ideas, but nothing too groundbreaking yet. You heard the professor, and I need to ¡®do less¡¯ with my void skills, whatever that means.¡± ¡°Emy, you are seriously the most incredible person on our team, but I swear, others can see further into your future than you.¡± ¡°Yeah. I get that¡­¡± Emy started to talk again, but Nadia abruptly cut her off. ¡°Emy, I think you can fly.¡± *** Williams and Tuck ¡°Any idea why I chose to pair up with you this time, Tuck?¡± Professor Williams asked, glancing across the strategy room table where Tuck remained seated after everyone else had left. ¡°You wanted another go at me like in the Tutorial?¡± Tuck grinned. Williams chuckled. ¡°I don¡¯t think I could manage that kind of push anymore,¡± he said, recalling their initial meeting where he had to provoke Tuck to activate his powers. ¡°Besides, that was digital Williams, so it doesn¡¯t count,¡± he added before returning to his original question. ¡°But seriously, any thoughts?¡± ¡°I think you¡¯ve made it clear that you¡¯ll guide our journey and offer direction, but you won¡¯t teach us directly. So, I assume I need to reflect on my Talent.¡± ¡°Strong and wise! You¡¯re right. Tuck, you were the main reason for the earlier exercise to start this intermission. From the beginning of the Games, you took on the role of a tank, from grabbing the Grimbletooth attacking Nadia in the opening moments to bulldozing the door down and now wielding a massive Warhammer against your enemies. It¡¯s been all about maximizing your range and damage,¡± the Professor noted, pausing to let Tuck reflect. ¡°Now, don¡¯t get me wrong. The team needed a tank, and you stepped up. You filled the role, but I won¡¯t let that be your only purpose. Yes, you¡¯re big and strong, but if I¡¯m not mistaken, you played one of the most agile roles in football as a defensive lineman. A role that requires power, finesse, adaptation, and strategy to be successful.¡± ¡°Is this like your comment about my Electron Surge skill being as good as those Mistblades one day?¡± Tuck asked. ¡°Yes, but it¡¯s more than that. Your perception of yourself plays a huge role in your energy manipulation. If you believe yourself to be big and slow, your energy will become big and slow. So, why would you want to be big and slow when you can be big and quick?¡± Williams smiled as he posed the question. ¡°I¡¯ll take that as a rhetorical question,¡± Tuck chuckled. ¡°Are you saying I should focus on other skills?¡± ¡°No, not at all. Quite the opposite. Think about your primary skills, Electron Surge and Repulse. Identify the fundamental change or action driving those skills, then make a list!¡± ¡°A list?¡± ¡°Yes, why not? List the skills and capabilities you think someone with high agility would have. How do they move? How do they react? How do they think? Use that list to find ways to connect them to your existing skills. Sometimes, a list is all you need to trigger a new mindset.¡± Tuck stared at Williams, still a bit bewildered by the question, so the Professor continued, ¡°Look, a list is purely a way to connect two diverse thoughts in your brain, aiming to find commonality. If you have another method, use it. It¡¯s all about adapting skills in new and unique ways. Take time to think about it, and maybe collaborate with Emy and Nadia over the next few days to identify new capabilities.¡± Tuck grasped the Professor¡¯s point but left the office still somewhat confused. How am I going to get a pen and paper? He wondered when a prominent voice spoke up in his mind, sounding almost offended by Tuck¡¯s thought. ¡°What is this, the Stone Age? I can visualize Einstein¡¯s theory of general relativity right in front of you¡­ I think I can handle making a list for you.¡± Book Two: Chapter Eight Chapter Eight ¡°In the relentless pursuit of power, one must tread the fine line between ambition and destruction.¡± ¨C E.B. Full Team ¡°Will, do you need to bring that thing to the kitchen every time? I think this is a relatively safe space,¡± James questioned as Will placed Kenobi next to him, leaning against the table as the team convened for dinner on the second night of the intermission cycle. ¡°Firstly, it¡¯s Kenobi,¡± Will started, only to have Frank¡¯s voice second his comment. ¡°Damn right, it is.¡± ¡°Thanks, Frank.¡± Will looked over with amusement as the boy continued his ritual of sloppily eating his BBQ bacon burger freshly created by the cook-less kitchen. ¡°But as I was saying, IT has a name. All great swords do, and per my guidance from various training tutorials our team has spent our precious points on, that I, for one, do not want to waste; I am supposed to treat this sword as if it were an extension of me. Now, I ask you, would an extension of me not want to get invited to dinner?¡± ¡°Okay, but I draw the line at you using the sword like a fork this time.¡± Trish smiled. ¡°That was a test, and it was more of a knife reference than a fork. Don¡¯t you dare call my sweet Kenobi to a fork. I just had to see how efficiently it could cut my chicken.¡± Outside of meals, the team had been diligently working on bettering themselves through either their energy control, skill modification, or, in Will¡¯s case, bladed battle combat. This was a relatively new concept for him. Unlike Tuck¡¯s unique background in track as a hammer thrower, Will had no prior history of wielding a blade or weapon. Luckily for him, the system had a detailed analysis of combat strategies, footwork, movement guidance, and level-based battle scenarios to practice those new learnings. On the ten-level path to system competency, Will completed a level 6 scenario facing a digital titan with limited penetration points due to thick armor covering it. ¡°You know what we should be commenting on?¡± Will said, attempting to change the subject. ¡°How the heck am I able to eat chicken while Frank is over there downing a burger, and we are nowhere near any other life forms.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Trish questioned Will with a skeptical look on her face. ¡°Yes, really. Does nobody else question that?¡± ¡°So you question how you are eating ¡®chicken,¡¯¡± Trish used her fingers to quote saying chicken, ¡°but you can easily believe that it makes perfect sense that we can all manipulate the world around us via molecular and quantum interactions?¡± ¡°Yes?¡± Will¡¯s voice started to hesitate. ¡°Oh, so you don¡¯t find it hard to believe that the broader Cosmos that is potentially trillions of years ahead of us in technology and advancement in powers similar to ours hasn¡¯t mastered something as simple as molecular engineering of taste and substances?¡± ¡°I think I see where you are going with this one, and I don¡¯t think I will be able to stop you.¡± ¡°Yes, because, of course, this isn¡¯t real chicken. Seriously, it¡¯s like I live with a bunch of brilliant idiots,¡± Trish commented as Frank¡¯s hands dropped towards the table with his burger still in hand. ¡°Wait, this isn¡¯t a real burger?¡± Frank questioned, looking around the table. ¡°Ugh. Frank, I am glad you and I are on the same page, but I am starting to think having you on my side may hurt my credibility¡­¡± Will remorsed but caught the sight of James¡¯ egg at the table, ¡°Wait a second, why isn¡¯t anyone complaining about the egg at the table?¡± Frank suddenly jumped out of his seat. ¡°Her name is Rose! And she is as much a part of the team as anyone else!¡± ¡°Whoa, Frank, all right, it was a bad joke. I am sorry.¡± ¡°Trish and I were hoping Rose would have joined us for this meal, but it seems she is still a bit shy,¡± James offered to the table as he rubbed the eagle egg. ¡°Any more progress on the energy alignment?¡± Emy asked both James and Trish. ¡°Safe to say that James and I are a bit stuck right now. Even with the Professor giving us additional guidance. Rose seems fully bonded to James and on the verge of hatching any moment. I am starting to worry that I may miss the little girl¡¯s entrance into our world once you guys get taken into the Fifth Level,¡± Trish commented, ending with a bit of sadness in her voice. ¡°You still have a chance, right?¡± Tuck questioned, eager to meet the new teammate as the team looked toward Trish and James. "Well, yeah. I mean, it could happen right now¡­¡± Trish paused, her eyes locking onto the egg. As if on cue, the egg gave a sudden rattle, causing everyone to jump and stare at it in anticipation. But just as quickly, it settled, and the energy around it calmed. ¡°Just like that, I think she is just trying to play with our hearts now.¡± ¡°She will join us when she is ready,¡± James said, smiling. ¡°Anyone else able to make any last-minute breakthroughs?¡± Tuck, Nadia, and Emy all looked at each other and smiled. "Wait, what was that look about? Did you guys make a breakthrough?" Trish noticed the interaction between the three and blurted out. "We may want to take a group trip to the Arena," Emy answered with a knowing smile. *** The whole group, including Williams, now stood inside the arena near the outer wall, their eyes fixed on a mini-mountain that reached towards the very peak of the Hangar. Frank had set up the arena simulator to generate a natural mountain for the team to showcase their new capabilities. The sides of the feature were composed of thick rock faces, presenting a challenging and rugged surface for those who might attempt to climb. Despite being a newly created simulation, it appeared as if natural wear and erosion had taken their toll on the mountain, with numerous cracks running vertically down the sides. Looking upward, ledges encircled the entire formation, creating a series of natural shelves every 10 meters as they ascended. ¡°Coach, want to take part in some bets?¡± Will jested towards Williams. ¡°I am assuming these three will try and climb this thing.¡± ¡°Oh no, no. I don¡¯t think that would be wise for anyone here. I think these three already know who is going to win.¡± ¡°What? What¡¯s the fun in that?¡± Will said, deflating a bit. ¡°We can still bet if you want?¡± Tuck said with a smirk as he looked towards Will. ¡°No¡­ I¡¯ll watch with Kenobi over here. I guess you guys just go and be awesome,¡± Will finished with an exaggerated sigh. ¡°Nadia, care to take honors?¡± Emy suggested as Nadia nodded and stepped in front of the mini-mountain. Nadia turned to face the group and kicked off her GhostWalkers. ¡°You all know that I¡¯ve been working on my Regenium and Body Manipulation, but I¡¯ve also been attempting to take a step forward in adapting to the environment around me to make me more¡­ adaptable.¡± Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Nadia then looked inward and isolated the Regenium kept in her core. Once just a mini ball of metal, it was now a spreading mass of liquid metal weaving in and out of internal organs, muscles, and veins. With command of her internal energy, she pushed herself to further connect with the mass as it started to spread outward towards her hands and feet. Nadia was a vision of focus as she highlighted in her mind the vision of what she requested and the movement necessary to get the newfound metal into position. Metal blended with blood, blood integrated with her skin, and the metal quickly spread all across her skin, forming mini shards across her hands and feet. The group watched in astonishment as small black blades emerged from Nadia¡¯s bare hands and feet. The shards resembled a rose vine, with thorn-like protrusions curving downward across her palms. Each finger was adorned with numerous spikes, and her palms were scattered with black metal jutting out from her skin. Her fingertips, once capped with nails, were now replaced by black liquid metal that extended into exaggerated tips, resembling the claws of a gecko. The transformation continued down to her feet, where long spikes replaced her toenails, and multiple claw-like shards extended downward, gripping the ground firmly. ¡°Please don¡¯t tell me you''re going to transform your entire body into a lizard?¡± Will remarked, but his face was still shocked by the transformation as Nadia rolled her eyes and faced the rock wall. Approaching the wall, Nadia looked up at the steep incline and placed her now-clawed palms on the surface as rock and debris fell. She was expected to need a powerful punch to penetrate the wall. However, the metal composition of her claws, combined with their razor-sharp edges, allowed them to sink into the rock easily. Hand over hand, Nadia climbed up the mountain, pulling herself onto the first ledge and looking back at the group staring at her. ¡°Do I need to climb the mountain to prove my new skill?¡± Nadia questioned the group from her perch. As the group stayed silent, Williams decided to put on his coaching hat. ¡°No, but you probably need the practice. Get up there, Ms. Dela Cruz,¡± he said with a broad smile as Nadia shrugged and went back to climbing. ¡°Who¡¯s next?¡± Coach Williams asked. ¡°Well, this isn¡¯t as much fun with Coach here,¡± Will stated. ¡°No bets and additional practice?¡± ¡°What was that, Mr. Weiss?¡± Williams glared at Will. ¡°Nothing, Coach,¡± Will said, standing straight and offering a light-hearted salute. ¡°I think it¡¯s my turn,¡± Tuck said as he took a smaller step towards the cliff and paused. Noticing Tuck¡¯s sudden halt, Emy and Williams stepped back towards the arena wall. Will, James, Trish, and Frank exchanged glances, shrugged, and followed suit, moving away from the large man who seemed to be preparing for something. Tuck stood transfixed, his eyes locked on the cliffs before him. He focused his mind, channeling his intent and leveraging his energy. Unlike the others, Tuck had an instinctual relationship with his powers. From his conversations with Emy and Nadia, he knew that Nadia viewed energy as a visual reference, almost becoming her energy through sight, sound, and projections. At the same time, Emy tactically manipulated the world around her as if she were a lead orchestrator. Tuck¡¯s talent, however, was driven by instinct, desire, and his internal response mechanism. When Tuck¡¯s rage flared, he could achieve incredible feats, but if he lost control, his willpower lacked any targeted direction, triggering a mass release in all directions. To channel his energy, Tuck worked with his teammates on precise manipulations of energy targeting. The closest analogy Tuck could find was stubbing your pinky toe on the side of a table¡ªrage existed, but it was focused on a single point in the universe. Returning to his task, Tuck¡¯s focus shifted to the ground beneath him. Every bump, every rock, every crack seemed to conspire against him, each one a personal affront. The lack of support from his shoes only added to his mounting irritation. Why did he even have to wear shoes at all? His feet ached with every movement, each discomfort stoking the fire of his anger. The ground seemed to mock him, each uneven surface a deliberate obstacle. His frustration grew with every passing second, his anger simmering just below the surface, ready to explode. Tuck¡¯s fists clenched, his jaw tightened, and his breath quickened. He could feel the rage building, a storm ready to break. It was then that Tuck took action. Taking a large step forward, he pushed down and exploded with a jump as the ground seemed to repel from beneath him. A gust of wind pushed the crumbled rock to the side as dust spread around the area, and Tuck rose through the air. Quickly losing his direction mid-flight, Tuck¡¯s hands and arms flailed as he attempted to steady himself, reaching a pinnacle before descending into the cliffside. BOOM! The rocks quaked as Tuck landed and took a stumbling fall, grasping the next wall as he sought to catch his balance. ¡°Graceful landing, big guy!¡± Will yelled out from the arena floor but quickly mumbled to James next to him, ¡°Did he just jump 10 meters in the air?¡± ¡°I think it was more like 12,¡± James answered in a hushed tone, his head tilted upwards at Tuck and a still-climbing Nadia, who was now on the fourth ledge and looking down at Tuck with a smile. ¡°Tuck! That was badass, dude!¡± Frank roared from the side. ¡°Seriously¡­ we figured you might be able to do something like that, but that was impressive¡­¡± Trish added, clapping. ¡°All right, Emy, what are you going to do now? Fly?¡± Will asked in a mocking tone after seeing the incredible feats of his peers. But instead of a rebuttal or response from anyone in the group, Will looked around, puzzled. ¡°Wait. You aren¡¯t actually going to fly, are you?¡± ¡°I think you may just want to watch, Mr. Weiss,¡± Williams commented, not taking his eyes off Emy, who stood before him. He then directed a message directly to Emy via his Nex. ¡°Willpower and intent. Focus on the outcome and remove all other factors. You can do it, Fury.¡± Emy was surprised to hear Williams as her head turned to the directed communication. Nodding, Emy took in the professor¡¯s feedback. Williams had not been practicing with her, Tuck, and Nadia, but he knew. Emy had not done something as extreme as this. Yes, she could hover, but this was a different achievement altogether. Emy turned back to the mountain and focused on her task at hand. Feeling for her energy, Emy pushed it outward, enabling a bubble-like formation to surround her as she maintained a stable stance on the ground. Once the energy formed, Emy began manipulating the air within the space around her, isolating the oxygen and nitrogen molecules within her energy bubble. Instead of eliminating them, she expanded and weakened the atomic bonds, causing the air to spread out and become less dense. As the air around her became lighter than the surrounding atmosphere, Emy started to feel moments of weightlessness, her body jolting and moving with the sudden changes. Stabilizing herself, Emy again formed a solid stance with the ground, took a deep breath, and jumped. Will, Trish, and Frank looked on in amazement as Emy slowly ascended. To the natural eye, it appeared as if she was floating in the sky. Still, through their understanding of energy, the team knew Emy was manipulating the air surrounding her, maintaining and modifying both the atmosphere within her bubble and that around her. As Emy ascended, she transitioned from the natural force of her jump to shifting the energies above, below, and around her bubble, navigating towards the first cliff. Approaching a smiling Tuck, Emy attempted to apply another outward force to the environment around her. However, the environment shifted unpredictably, and she found herself off balance. Her body lurched as she began to descend uncontrollably. Panic set in as she activated her Disintegration and Targeted Fusion again, desperately seeking to weaken the bonds around her. But instead of stabilizing, her movement became erratic. She started to accelerate upwards, rocketing past the first ledge with Tuck. The sudden, uncontrolled ascent sent a wave of fear through her as she realized she was losing control. Within moments, Emy fought desperately to regain control, but her energy continued disintegrating the air and atmosphere around her. Now 30 meters above the ground, she felt the terrifying realization that she was losing control. Her vision began to darken as the air pressure inside her body greatly overpowered the external space, causing her fluids to heat up dangerously. She struggled to stabilize her surroundings, but the more she tried, the more chaotic the energy became. Panic surged through her as darkness closed in, her body convulsing with the effort to maintain consciousness. The once stable energy bubble around her now felt like a chaotic storm, threatening to tear her apart. She could feel her strength waning, her control slipping away with every passing second. The ground below seemed to rush towards her, a grim reminder of the impending impact. ¡°What¡¯s happening? Nex, what is going on up there?¡± Will shouted. ¡°Internal readings are not good. I suggest we intervene!¡± Nex responded urgently as Emy tumbled towards the ground. ¡°We need to get to her!¡± James exclaimed, realizing he was too late as Emy free-fell towards the ground, just meters from impact. ¡°Emy!¡± James caught the last sight of Emy as a figure in the distance moved at blurring speed towards the falling girl. Professor Williams had departed the team and was now underneath, cradling Emy before she hit the ground. ¡°Nadia, training is over. We need you. Now!¡± Williams commanded urgently. He had caught Emy and was now placing his hand over her heart, his energy enveloping hers, guiding it to function again in her absence. BOOM! The ground rumbled as if struck by a sonic boom, cracking the floor and rattling the entire arena. Nadia immediately appeared beside Emy, her Vitalize skill penetrating deep within Emy¡¯s body. ¡°Tuck!¡± Trish called out as the large man stumbled, his knees and legs buckling from the shared impact. ¡°Nadia, Tuck needs you too!¡± she urged. ¡°No¡­ Help Emy¡­¡± Tuck wheezed, blood trailing from his mouth and pooling on the ground. Having seen Emy drop, Tuck had catapulted to the upper levels and grabbed a descending Nadia. Without hesitation, he had dropped 30 meters to the concrete ground, protecting Nadia as he absorbed the impact with his body. ¡°Emy, breathe!¡± James cried out as his best friend¡¯s body fought to regain control, with Williams still holding her head and Nadia unmoving from her side. It was then that Emy¡¯s body convulsed, and a large gust of air fought to enter her lungs as she awoke from the brink of death. Within moments, Nadia leaped to Tuck¡¯s side, placing her hands on his body while Frank and Will attempted to cradle the large man as he fought to remain conscious, his legs shattered from the impact. A collective breath left the group as Tuck¡¯s grimacing face relaxed. ¡°We need to rebuild those bones, but you should be okay now.¡± ¡°Wha¡­ what happened?¡± Emy¡¯s head rose from the professor¡¯s lap as she looked around, horror in her eyes at her friends now surrounding her. Book Two: Chapter Nine Chapter Nine ¡°The deeper you progress in the Games, the more you lose touch with who you once were.¡± - The Reckoner, Former Champion. ¡°It happens¡­ When you push yourself relentlessly, trouble is inevitable in the quest for power.¡± Williams surveyed the battered group in the strategy room just an hour before the 48-hour window of the 4th intermission cycle closed and Level Five began. ¡°Yes, Emy fell, and yes, Tuck got hurt too. This isn¡¯t how I wanted to spend my last hour before the next level, but here we are, and we need to make the most of it.¡± Since the incident, Nadia had diligently worked to heal Emy and Tuck. Emy was relatively easy to handle once she regained consciousness, but Tuck was a different story. Piecing together shattered legs and hips on someone Tuck¡¯s size required immense concentration and time. Not to mention, Tuck kept squirming as Nadia worked, isolating ligaments, tendons, and other natural formations in both legs. ¡°Emy, what went wrong?¡± Williams asked. ¡°I lost control.¡± ¡°More, please,¡± Williams prompted. ¡°I let a shift throw off my balance. I overcorrected, causing my talent and skills to remove the atmosphere around me. My body and power went out of sync,¡± Emy said, frustration evident in her voice. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, everyone.¡± ¡°There¡¯s nothing to be sorry about,¡± Coach Williams said, continuing, ¡°We train to prepare for real events, but what happened is preventable.¡± As his words hung in the air, a collective sigh escaped the group, bracing themselves for another lecture on risk management. ¡°But not in the way everyone is thinking. Upper-echelon heroes can create their own ecosystems. Take the bubble you formed earlier today, for example. You created a natural barrier that separated two distinct spaces¡ªinside and outside. The challenge was that everything you did inside the bubble also affected you. The lack of air and the pressure were like stepping outside a spaceship. Your natural energy shield can protect you from some harm, but without the proper training and willpower, your body was soon overwhelmed by the atmosphere¡ªor the lack thereof.¡± ¡°A second bubble¡­¡± Emy mused from across the table. ¡°Exactly. Your body is your most precious commodity, aside from your energy. A, B, and C-Class Heroes can create a functioning ecosystem to survive any external atmospheric threat. But take it a step further¡ªwhat happens when you puncture a lung or take a strike to the heart? Can you still push air and blood through your body? Can you isolate the impacted area and use your energy to facilitate lost bodily functions until you find a healer, or your body naturally repairs itself? Nadia might be on the verge of this already, but for the rest of you, it will be a challenge, especially for those like Tuck, who emotionally influence their energy.¡± ¡°Is that what you did to Emy earlier?¡± James asked. ¡°I saw your energy merge into hers while she was unconscious.¡± ¡°Good observation, James. I was pushing my energy into Emy¡¯s to kickstart her natural processes. It¡¯s similar to Nadia¡¯s method, but mine isn¡¯t corrective. I was stimulating Emy¡¯s blood flow and organs to reestablish their functions, allowing her body to regain functionality across other core areas.¡± Williams sighed and shifted his stance, his eyes scanning the room. ¡°But remember, this is merely a teaching moment. I don¡¯t expect you all to master this immediately. However, that doesn¡¯t mean you shouldn¡¯t try. Every attempt brings you closer to understanding and control.¡± He paused, offering a reassuring smile as he changed topics. ¡°We are minutes away from the next level, and I need you all to approach this with an open mindset. You could be thrown into another event on Earth¡­ There¡¯s no limit to how many times you¡¯ll be pressed to defend your home. But also know that you could be sent¡­ elsewhere.¡± Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. Williams¡¯ tone grew more serious. ¡°The System is designed to test you in ways you can¡¯t predict. It¡¯s not just about defending your home. It¡¯s about adaptability, resilience, and thinking on your feet. You might face scenarios that challenge your very understanding of reality. But remember, each challenge is an opportunity to grow stronger, learn, and prove your worth as heroes.¡± ¡°Outside of the first level, you¡¯ve all faced real events on Earth requiring your intervention. This isn¡¯t the case for all heroes. Statistically, most heroes are tested in other ways¡ªsimulators, competitions, dungeons, and even other worlds. The System places the team in the best scenario to test them, so don¡¯t limit what it can do.¡± ¡°Why? If the System is preparing us to defend our Galaxy, why would it take us away from it?¡± Will asked, his usual joking manner absent. ¡°It¡¯s all about opportunities. Your world has hundreds, maybe thousands of void breaks happening right now. Let¡¯s round it to 5 trillion scenarios in your universe. Add the known Cosmos and areas on the brink of integration; the opportunities are almost limitless. Risk is the only factor that increases the chance of staying in your world. Heroes push themselves harder in scenarios affecting their homes, families, and places they love. Don¡¯t doubt for a second that love and intrinsic interest aren¡¯t factors the System considers in placement.¡± Williams¡¯ tone softened as he addressed the team. ¡°Now, Will, address your team, but I''ll leave you with this. Do your best, thrive, adapt, and protect one another. I¡¯ll be here when you get back. Good luck.¡± Will stood and moved to the side of the room, his demeanor lacking the usual heroism seen when they first started Nex''s ¡°nesting¡± before a big event. ¡°Hands in, everyone,¡± Will called out as the team, along with Williams, placed their hands on the wrist of the person next to them. ¡°I know I¡¯m not the only one still trying to wrap my head around everything that¡¯s happened today. Grimbletooth, Weavers, a giant snake, and that massive vine creature¡ªwe¡¯ve faced a lot and adapted. These moments in the Hangar bring me back to life, but even these quieter times are starting to push us to our limits. I can¡¯t imagine this getting easier, and I¡¯m sure our growth expectations aren¡¯t lowering from a System perspective. That means we have to get stronger. Stronger in our power and stronger in maintaining our sense of self. I promise always to be me, and I want you all to promise the same. Don¡¯t change who you are and what you represent. We are united. We are friends. And we are about to kick the bloody shit out of whatever the System throws our way.¡± ¡°Fly as One.¡± ¡°Succeed as One.¡± *** Earth - Secret Bunker ¡°Everyone, it¡¯s been my honor to serve alongside you all. Whatever happens next, should we fall, we must believe that Earth will still thrive,¡± the President of the United States said, his voice steady despite the chaos around him. He took a moment to look into each and every eye around him¡ªeyes filled with sadness, despair, and a lack of hope¡ªfeelings he himself shared but knew would be futile after his death. Minutes had passed since those protecting the exterior of the secret bunker had been eliminated. The once steady stream of updates had gone silent, leaving them in a void of uncertainty. All communication with the outside world was lost, and all that stood between them and the alien robotic invaders was a thick metal block locked from the inside. The door rattled and dented, losing stability with each passing moment, the sound echoing like a death knell in the confined space. ¡°The honor is ours, sir. I believe our world will endure through the growth of these newfound heroes. Once the radio dead zone lifts, our final message will rally people to unite under these local heroes. We must stand undivided in the face of pressure. Our survivors will adapt. We will win this war,¡± the Vice President said, her voice filled with a determined resolve. The President nodded, giving the Vice President a soft, candid smile. ¡°Those who wish to pray, do so now,¡± he said, his last words barely audible over the ear-rattling pounding on the door. Everyone in the room huddled together, the last defense of what remained of the capital. With guns in hand, they knew survival was limited as even the peak of military training failed to defend the area. BOOM! The latest rattle shook the door as a hinge burst, rocking the large sealed entryway, folding it in on itself in one corner. The metallic groan of the door echoed through the bunker, a grim reminder of their impending fate. BOOM! Another corner gave way to the relentless impact on the other side, the door barely holding on. As the final projected thrust to the door arrived, the President and his cabinet braced for the unknown. Moments passed, each second stretching into an eternity, but the last impact didn¡¯t come. Instead, voices were heard on the other side¡ªhuman voices, filled with urgency and command. THUD! The door rattled once more, but this time, it was the sound of something or someone hitting it with purpose. The door then folded and bent in on itself, and through the gap, a group of citizens emerged, their faces determined and resolute. Hope had arrived. Book Two: INTERMISSION UPDATE #4 INTERMISSION HERO UPDATES #4 ¡°Time to check out our newly updated heroes! But no worries if you want to skip ahead.¡± ¨C Nex. Mighty Eagles (Cohort 13) Total Team Points: 2478 Points Total Points Spent: 2168 Points Total Points Remaining: 310 Points Total Max Active Views: 27.3B Earth Rank: 34 of 14,876 99.8th Percentile ¡­¡­ Stellar Ascendancy - Earth - 7th Place - 7 / 99% / 0:53 Stellar Ascendancy - Milky Way - No Rank *** Fury (Emy) Generalist Level 11 D-Class Fire & Void Affinity Primary Skill: Targeted Fusion (R) (Level 10) Secondary Skills: Disintegration (T & R) (Level 9); Pyroform (SELF) (Level 8); Umbral Void Blaze (AOE) (Level 5); Void Control (R) (Level 3) Health: 100% Health + Natural Recovery Rate 11% each minute. Shield: 110%: 100% Power based + 10% Gear based Weapons: None Augments: Level 5 Combat Training Module; Map Extension (Rare) Gear: Full Body: QuantumWeave (Uncommon) - 5% Shield Coverage Head: None. Upper Body: Mighty Eagles Letterman¡¯s Jacket (Unique) - 5% Shield Coverage Lower Body: Jeans - No Modifications Feet: Sneakers - No Modifications Accessories: Engraved Fanny Pack (Uncommon); Soulpulse (x2) (Rare); Quantum Gateway (Legendary); Revive Pills (200) (Common) *** Surge (Tuck) Accelerator Level 10Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. D-Class Electron Affinity Primary Skill: Electron Surge (T) (Level 9) Secondary Skills: Ion Storm (AOE) (Level 8); Lightning Bolt (R + Metal) (Level 7); Repulse (SELF) (Level 5) Health: 100% Health + Natural Recovery Rate 10% each minute Shield: 100%: 90% Power based + 10% Gear based Weapons: Two-Handed Weapon: Celestium Spiked Warhammer (D-Class, Low) (Upgradeable) Augments: Level 5 Combat Training Module; Level 5 Combat Weapons Training; Map Extension (Rare) Gear: Full Body: QuantumWeave (Uncommon) - 5% Shield Coverage Head: None Upper Body: Mighty Eagles Letterman¡¯s Jersey (Unique) - 5% Shield Coverage Lower Body: Jeans - No Modifications Feet: Sneakers - No Modifications Accessories: Revive Pills (200) (Common) *** Grace (James) Catalyst Level 10 D-Class No Affinity Primary Skill: Empower (R, AOE) (Level 9) Secondary Skills: Restrict (R, AOE) (Level 6); Energy Blocking Field (T & R) (Level 9) (Resistance - Cold (M), Heat (M), Electric (M), Blunt (M), Piercing (M), Toxic (L) Duration - 2:30 Mins, Reactivation - 5 Min) Health: 100% Health + Natural Recovery Rate 10% each minute Shield: 60%: 50% Power based + 10% Gear based Weapons: Bow: Novaflight (E-Class, High) Arrows: Back Quiver with Statis Alchemarrows (E-Class, High) (¡Þ) (Fireball, Neurofluxine, Crimson Cascade, Piercing, Ice, Fire) Augments: Level 5 Combat Training Module; Map Extension (Rare) Gear: Full Body: QuantumWeave (Uncommon) - 5% Shield Coverage Head: None Upper Body: Mighty Eagles Letterman¡¯s Jacket (Unique) - 5% Shield Coverage Hands: Stonebreaker Gloves (Epic) Lower Body: Jeans - No Modifications Feet: Sneakers - No Modifications Accessories: Revive Pills (200) (Common); Neurablocker (21) (Uncommon); Skyward Whistle (Rare); Energy Trigger (19) (Rare); Rootbound Seedling (20) (Uncommon); Cosmic Glue (Common); Sonic Conduit (Uncommon); Tactical Sling (Uncommon) Other: Eagle Egg (Rose) *** Kama (Nadia) Cellulator Level 10 D-Class Physiology Affinity Primary Skill: Vitalize (T, AOE) (Level 10) 30% Recovery Rate each minute (I); 18% Recovery Rate each minute (G) Secondary Skills: Affliction Surge (T, AOE) (Level 8); Body Manipulation (SELF) (Level 5) Health: 99% Health + Natural Recovery Rate 30% each minute Minor Inflictions: Neurofluxine (0.5%); Crimson Cascade (0.5%) Body Chemistry: Regenium Metal (Epic) - 2452 ml Shield: 50%: 40% Power based + 10% Gear based Weapons: None Augments: Level 5 Combat Training Module; Map Extension (Rare) Gear: Full Body: QuantumWeave (Uncommon) - 5% Shield Coverage Head: None Upper Body: Mighty Eagles Letterman¡¯s Jacket (Unique) - 5% Shield Coverage Lower Body: Jeans - No Modifications Feet: Ghostwalkers (Rare) - Flight (20 ft.), Duration 2 mins, 3x per day Accessories: Phantom Veil (Rare); Revive Pills (200) (Common) *** Brick (Will) Condenser Level 10 D-Class Water Affinity Primary Skill: Condense (T & R) (Level 10) Secondary Skills: Cryostrike (R) (Level 9); Flow Perception (T) (Level 8); Permafrost (SELF) (Level 8) Health: 100% Health + Natural Recovery Rate 8% each minute Shield: 100%: 90% Power based + 10% Gear based Weapons: Kenobi - Dual Bladed Katana (D-Class, Mid) (Upgradeable) Augments: Level 5 Combat Training Module; Level 10 Bladed Combat Training Module; Map Extension (Rare) Gear: Full Body: QuantumWeave (Uncommon) - 5% Shield Coverage Head: None Upper Body: Mighty Eagles Letterman¡¯s Jacket (Unique) - 5% Shield Coverage Lower Body: Jeans - No Modifications Feet: Sneakers - No Modifications Accessories: Revive Pills (200) (Common) Legend: (T) = Touching, (R) = Ranged, (AOE) = Area of Effect (L) = Low Skill, (M) = Moderate Skill, (H) = High Skill *** Trish Manipulator Level 9 E-Class Technology Affinity *** Frank Creator Level 9 E-Class Metallurgy Affinity Book Two: Chapter Ten Chapter Ten ¡°Never presume to know what the system has planned for you.¡± - Codex, Former Champion. Level Five Would you like to continue to Level Four of the Quantum Games? "Yes" As the grey haze lifted from the heroes¡¯ vision, a vast grassy plain unfurled before them, stretching endlessly under a scarlet sky. The gentle rustling of the tall grass was accompanied by the distant murmur of rushing water behind them, creating a serene yet mysterious ambiance. A northern wind, carrying a peculiar warmth, swept across the field as if the cool air had been stirred awake by the breath of boiling water. In the distance to the north, a majestic mountain loomed, its snow-capped peak piercing the heavens and casting a long shadow over the land. The mountain stood as a silent sentinel, its presence both awe-inspiring and foreboding. To the southeast, a range of smaller mountains framed the horizon, their rugged silhouettes adding to the landscape¡¯s grandeur and hinting at the untamed wilderness beyond. A riverfront divided the grassy field, its crystal-clear waters flowing with a gentle yet persistent current towards a large lakebed behind them. The lake¡¯s surface shimmered like a giant mirror, reflecting the sky and the surrounding scenery in perfect clarity. The air was thick with the scent of wildflowers and sagebrush, carrying the early smells of spring as the heroes took in this new unknown land''s breathtaking beauty and mystery. ¡°Are we in Wyoming?¡± Will asked the broader group, their eyes wide with wonder at the unexpected sights. ¡°Well, this sure as heck isn¡¯t the Hangar,¡± a familiar voice said from behind the heroes, prompting the team to jump and turn immediately. ¡°Frank?¡± James was the first to realize, turning around. ¡°And Trish? What are you both doing here?¡± The two stared at the group of five original heroes with blank expressions, their bodies frozen as if afraid to make any unwelcome movements. ¡°You think we know?¡± Trish spoke, unable to keep the shock off her face. ¡°I planned on returning to my studying when I just appeared here.¡± ¡°There are two things I know for sure right now,¡± Frank said, building on Trish¡¯s comments. ¡°First, this is definitely not the Hangar; second, this is not Wyoming. The Teton Mountains are beautiful, but that thing out there is definitely not one of them.¡± ¡°Frank¡¯s right,¡± James added. ¡°I¡¯ve been to most ski resorts in Wyoming, and I don¡¯t think any of these mountains look familiar.¡± ¡°Frank, Trish, check your Nex. Can you see a Mission log in your status?¡± Emy asked the two newcomers. Frank and Trish paused, navigating to the proposed section in communication with their Nexabot devices. ¡°You mean, this one?¡± Trish said, her voice hushed as she recognized the implications. Level Five Mission: Choose Your Allegiance. Shape the Fate. You find yourself in uncharted lands, a world shattered by the absence of a true Champion. A realm frozen in time, trapped by its stagnation. Objective: Neutralize the Intruders OR Eradicate the Fallen Primordials. Timeframe: 180 Days Note: Both paths offer unique opportunities for advancement. ¡°I could be wrong, but I think Earth is fully charted,¡± Will joked, though his usual upbeat demeanor was missing. ¡°Another world?¡± James murmured as a powerful gust of wind swept over him, causing a resounding rattle and an energy burst in his Tactical Sling.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. ¡°Rose!¡± he called out, frantically reaching into his bag to retrieve the large egg from one of the void slots. Holding it close, he felt the energy surge, pushing outward as a large crack spread across the egg¡¯s surface. The entire group edged closer, their eyes wide with anticipation, as the egg continued to crack, releasing waves of almost invisible energy that enveloped the team and kept growing. ¡°Put it down, James!¡± Trish urged, her voice tinged with urgency, as the egg rattled in his hands. James gently placed it on a flat rock in the middle of the green valley, and the team circled the marvelous sight. The energy expanded, surpassing even Will¡¯s vast essence and power. The egg rattled again, and a large crack split open, revealing a white head with a golden beak. The creature¡¯s eyes, dark and filled with a hint of fear, quickly scanned those around it. ¡°Rose,¡± James called out. The eagle turned her head sharply, sensing him as a secondary burst of energy erupted from her. ¡°SQUAWK!¡± Rose cried, her wings thrusting through the remnants of the ruptured egg. Within moments, she leaped and spread her young wings, each spanning about a meter. A powerful gust of wind surged from her wings as Rose launched into the air. Navigating the sky with ease, the young eagle stayed within sight of the group yet soared to the edges of her original boundaries. As she explored the open environment, the team continued to hear more chirping sounds in the distance. ¡°She¡¯s beautiful, James,¡± Trish said as they watched Rose stretch and fly. Trish was right. Rose resembled a traditional bald eagle with a white head, golden beak, and brown body, but her feathers shimmered almost ethereal, as if infused with energy. ¡°Should we feed her? I¡¯ve brought some bird feed just in case,¡± James mentioned, holding out the food. The eagle glanced down at James, bypassed the team, and soared to the lake. She dove into the water in a fierce downward plunge and re-emerged seconds later with a long snake in her beak. With a flap of her wings, she landed on James¡¯s shoulder, chomping down on her new catch. ¡°Rose, that¡¯s disgusting... We don¡¯t even know what those are,¡± Will said to the young bird, who responded with a huff, lifted her head, and swallowed the snake in one gulp. James smiled at the interaction and gently stroked the top of Rose¡¯s head. ¡°Glad you finally decided to show up,¡± he said with a soft chuckle. ¡°Welcome to the team.¡± *** The Hangar Coach Williams Coach Williams stood alone in the Hangar, the vast space echoing with silence. Trish and Frank were nowhere to be seen. He had heard of this happening before but never with a team he had coached. The System plays by its own rules. If it deems even the Artisan classes could benefit from a level, or better yet, help the Champions, the standard ¡°rules¡± wouldn¡¯t apply. Williams sighed, realizing that his often tension-filled recaps with the team might now be filled with even more assumptions about him not sharing everything. He considered once again bringing up the vast number of permutations that could happen in the Games, but his new team never seemed to buy into that statement. This group was good¡ªfilled with raw strength, compassion, teamwork, friendship, and stubbornness. ¡°Nex, bets on who you think I will hear it from the most when they get back? Emy or Trish?¡± Williams directed a thought to his trusted companion. Instead of the normal upbeat voice that most Champions heard through their Nexabots, Williams had directed his Nex¡¯s presence to be that of a wise older man. He wasn¡¯t sure if all the years had slowly pushed his connection to lead that way or if, one day, it just changed. All he knew was that after so many years, a bright and peppy Nex voice just never quite felt right, especially with everything they had seen over the years. ¡°Ah, now there¡¯s the betting man I know. Quite the moment of control to not play into Will¡¯s bets earlier. That said, I think Frank is the one to watch out for. It¡¯s the joyful ones you need to watch out for; they are the ones you least expect a bad outcome from,¡± Nex spoke. ¡°Well, Nex, we have some time to kill. Any suggestions on spending it before diving back into training?¡± It was then that multiple figures formed in the room behind Williams. He turned slowly, his face a knowing smile. ¡°I was wondering if you¡¯d show up,¡± Williams said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. ¡°Impeccable timing. I appreciate that.¡± ¡°Excuse me?¡± The taller of the two shorter men, each a little over a meter tall, spoke as if caught by surprise. Both humanoid figures wore their formal military blues of the CNC Games Division, traditionally used only in the presence of foreign leadership of newly integrated worlds. ¡°Thalorian, right? I think that means you easily heard me,¡± Williams answered the indirect question. In addition to their greenish-hued skin, almond-shaped eyes, and elongated ears, typically covered in silver hair, which showcased the traditionalist population of the race, Thalorians had delicate membranes in their ears capable of hearing frequencies beyond that of most species. ¡°Well, yes, of course I did. I was merely asking how you would think to know we were coming,¡± the leader of the two continued to speak. ¡°I¡¯d imagine the Games Division would be interested in the coach of the top Earthian team, especially with the impending conflict with the royalty of the Astral Dominion. Not to mention elements of my past and the rather interesting shifts in the void as of late,¡± the now professor couldn¡¯t help but smile as the reaction of the two standing before him told him all he needed to know. Morgrax was royalty, and they had searched his profile. Most importantly, his calculations were correct. ¡°I won¡¯t go into details.¡± The man straightened up. ¡°Yes, as you know, the Astral Dominion has integrated with Earth. The Stellar Ascendancy showcased that to everyone. This is also why we need to bring you in for questioning.¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t mind, Shakur here is going to¡­¡± The man looked back at his companion and grunted, prompting the other man to quickly reach inside his jacket. ¡°Provide you a wristband for travel and, well, security purposes.¡± The second Thalorian, dressed in the same formal attire despite an outstretched pocket in his right vest from pulling out the device, strode towards Williams with a grimacing smile. ¡°Do I get to at least know the name of the person capturing me?¡± Williams asked, his tone edged with curiosity. ¡°Oh no, Mr. Williams, we are not taking you prisoner. We are merely having a conversation,¡± the taller Thalorian replied with a reassuring smile. ¡°But you should know that my name is Viggo. I work for the CNC and am the Director of the Quantum Games Division.¡± Book Two: Chapter Eleven Chapter Eleven ¡°By uplifting those around you, you¡¯ll lay the groundwork for your success.¡± ¨C Beacon, Former Champion. ¡°James, unfortunately, I have some bad news.¡± Will¡¯s announcement drew everyone¡¯s attention as the team gathered around Rose, comfortably perched on James¡¯ shoulder. ¡°I think we need a plan.¡± ¡°How is that bad news?¡± Nadia quipped. ¡°Oh, come on, we¡¯ve all been part of James¡¯s plans. Do I need to explain this one?¡± Will grinned as the rest of the group caught on. They were in unknown lands, surrounded by mountains, water, open sky, and lush greenery. ¡°While I disagree with Will¡¯s first comment, I do agree with his second,¡± Trish began. ¡°This mission text is cryptic at best. That mountain is giving me murder vibes, and Frank and I are clueless about what¡¯s going on.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure if it¡¯s the mountain or the rogue energy flowing across the lands. Is anyone else sensing an odd energy fluctuation coming in with the wind?¡± Emy asked. ¡°Yeah, I am too,¡± Tuck replied as a few nods emerged from the group. ¡°Each gust triggers my emotions, like suppressed anger without reason.¡± ¡°All right, I may be overstepping here, James¡­ but as you think out this plan, I might suggest we start away from the evil mountain,¡± Will proposed. ¡°I think you may be on to something,¡± James said with a smile. ¡°Nex is showing the mountain as the northern point, so I suggest we start making our way southeast, following the river but moving away from the rogue energy source, also known as the evil mountain.¡± James smiled at Trish and then looked at his shoulder. ¡°Rose, up for some recon? Can you take a lookout around the area? Don¡¯t stray too far; circle back if you see anything.¡± The eagle screeched as if accepting the guidance and fluttered her wings, taking off into the air. Frank stood in silence as the rest of the group started to head toward the river, then blurted out from behind, ¡°Okay, you all know that I am number one on the Rose hype train, or maybe it¡¯s the hype plane, never mind, but are we just going to accept that James just talked to a bird that was born literally two minutes ago, and she understood?¡± Nadia chuckled and circled back towards Frank, grabbing his hand and shuffling along. ¡°Oh, Frank, sometimes you just have to go with the flow. Come on! I¡¯d hate to see you get lost out here in the first minutes of the mission.¡± As the group made their way through the grassy plains, they noted how the energies surrounding them seemed to permeate from the ground. Back on Earth, there was a sense of energy everywhere, but it all seemed mixed and inauthentic. The concrete, imported stone, human-made elements, and unnatural formations constantly surrounding them. Here, it looked as if everything was connected¡ªno start and no end, just flowing connections of matter creating something beautiful. Several minutes later, James spoke up in response to Frank¡¯s earlier comment. ¡°I am not sure how to answer your question, Frank. The best way to describe it is the intent of my request. Each time Rose chirps, I can decipher a reaction¡ªgood, bad, or disgust, like when Will mocked her for eating that snake.¡± Trish added excitedly, ¡°I¡¯ve read that the longer and stronger the bond, the more precise the communication transfer between the two. This works for all of us, but James will naturally be her strongest connection. Now that she is hatched, we can see that she is a level 3 Spectral, which sounds pretty sweet, but I think we will be learning as we go.¡± ¡°Spectral Talent?¡± James noted as he looked at his Companion¡¯s stats.
Talent Level Health Shield
Fury (Emy): Generalist Level 11 100% 110%
Grace (James): Catalyst Level 10 100% 60%
Kama (Nadia): Cellulator Level 10 99% 50%This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.
Brick (Will): Condenser Level 10 100% 100%
Surge (Tuck): Accelerator Level 10 100% 100%
Frank Creator Level 9 100% 20%
Trish Manipulator Level 9 100% 20%
Rose Spectral Level 3 100% 20%
James noted the growing levels of each person within the group, realizing the list was getting long. ¡°Team, we may need to use our hero names for this level.¡± ¡°I¡¯m in!¡± Will shouted, then paused. ¡°But why?¡± ¡°I could be wrong, but we all understand why superheroes use aliases. Why should we be any different? We don¡¯t know what we¡¯re dealing with here, and the last thing we need is to drag Earth into this mess. The less these primordials know, the better.¡± ¡°Deal!¡± Will agreed, not needing much convincing. ¡°I have to agree,¡± Emy said, though more subdued. ¡°James is right. We need to separate our lives from who we are becoming.¡± A chorus of nods followed as Will¡¯s energy continued to thrive. ¡°Okay, but that leads us to two more questions. Frank and Trish, we need some new names!¡± Will beamed. ¡°I¡¯ll go by Forge,¡± Frank said without hesitation. ¡°What? Come on, will we really have to say Forge forged something?¡± Will exclaimed as Trish spoke up. ¡°And I¡¯ll go by Glitch.¡± ¡°Wait, what?¡± Will pleaded for everyone to slow down. ¡°That settles it. Rose¡¯s name can remain until we get to know her better. Her life started moments ago, so there¡¯s not as much risk there.¡± Rose squealed and circled the group as if on cue, landing on James¡¯ shoulder once more. ¡°We have company,¡± James announced, interpreting the eagle¡¯s energy signals. *** Earth ¨C Reno, Nevada Luck In the back corner of the Grand Exposition Hall, Luck leaned against the wall, watching as Penny took the stage. The audience of twelve stared intently at the visibly nervous girl, her hands trembling slightly as she rubbed them together. ¡°You got this, Penny,¡± Luck whispered, trying to infuse his confidence into her through sheer will. ¡°hmmph,¡± Tech announced his presence beside Luck, holding a metal transponder. ¡°What? I¡¯ve seen you watch her. You and I both know you feel the same about Penny¡­ Unbridled hope,¡± Luck said, his gaze shifting to the young girl on stage. ¡°Uh huh,¡± Tech mumbled. ¡°I know, I know. Unbridled hope, with¡­ well, confidence issues,¡± Luck concluded, catching Penny¡¯s eye. He flashed her his most confident smile. Penny straightened up on stage and began. ¡°Welcome, everyone! I will start this first training session by thanking all of you for your support over the past few days. I know it hasn¡¯t been easy. Things have changed. We all have lost loved ones¡­ yet we are here, working towards a better future. I can¡¯t tell you I know what exists out there,¡± Penny said, pointing towards the doors, ¡°But what I do know is that what you learn here will prepare you to face the unknown.¡± ¡°From now on, this room will be known as the Aviary. The Aviary is a space for shared learning and self-improvement. We cannot face this new world alone, so by joining this training; you commit to two rules: Protect those who cannot protect themselves, and teach our craft to anyone eager to learn and willing to follow these same principles.¡± ¡°If anyone in this room cannot stand by these simple two rules, I must ask that you leave now,¡± Penny concluded. The twelve attendees glanced around at each other, but no one moved. Luck nudged Tech¡¯s shoulder. ¡°See, what did I tell you?¡± Luck smiled at the shorter man, who continued to fiddle with his equipment, avoiding eye contact. ¡°You may also be wondering what gives me the right to stand here at this moment,¡± Penny started, but a gentleman in the back raised his hand, interrupting her. ¡°Yes? Kepler, right?¡± ¡°Oh yes, yes. I am terribly sorry, Penny. But this needed to be said. I may not have the capabilities or potential of those in this room, but Miss, there is not a single person here thinking that right now.¡± ¡°What?¡± Penny was startled by the comment, trying to understand. The older gentleman continued. ¡°Penny, we are here because of you. Well, you and maybe a few other guys trying to hide in the back.¡± Kepler gave a half wave in Luck and Tech¡¯s direction. ¡°Know that we wouldn¡¯t be here without you¡­ now, please get back to your wonderful speech.¡± ¡°Oh,¡± Penny¡¯s face turned red, but she took a deep breath. ¡°Thank you, Kepler. I guess I¡¯m trying to say that I have a special talent that works well with teaching and learning through others¡­ I, um¡­ I¡¯m not great at speeches. Could someone come up here to demonstrate with me?¡± ¡°I¡¯d like to go, if everyone else would allow it?¡± A new boy spoke from the front of the room, looking around to gauge the room¡¯s opinion. ¡°Let¡¯s see it, Nick!¡± Ger clapped the boy on the shoulder, causing him to jump forward a few feet. He looked back with a half-smile and grimace at the forceful pat from the former moving specialist. ¡°Oh, Nick! You are the new one here, right? Come on up!¡± Penny joined Ger in his enthusiasm. Nick placed his hands on the stage and lifted himself. ¡°Yes, Courtney and I made it in earlier today. We, uh, were on the same team.¡± ¡°Team?¡± Penny questioned. ¡°Yeah, we both played at Lasson. Actually, we faced Will and Emy in a few matches right before the shift¡­¡± Nick glanced at Courtney, who gave a soft nod of approval. ¡°We were also teamed up in the Games but dropped out.¡± Nick¡¯s expression turned somber. ¡°We struggled. We have talents but barely made it out of the first level. We didn¡¯t think we could survive another round, so we exited and found ourselves back at our empty campus as if nothing had happened. We¡¯ve been searching for a path forward ever since.¡± Penny absorbed the new information, locking eyes with the boy. ¡°I have to believe the System gave me an option. My lack of memory on that decision tells me I chose not to compete in the Games. I chose to give up before I even started¡­¡± Penny¡¯s voice grew firmer. ¡°We all make choices, but those choices change, and I have to believe there is a reason for it. We are glad to have you. Both of you.¡± Penny finished, smiling down at a quiet Courtney. ¡°Now, can you trigger your Talent or at least some form of it?¡± Penny asked Nick, who looked on with newfound belief, taken aback by her words. ¡°Yes! I can!¡± Nick started, then quickly tried to calm himself. ¡°I can trigger it, but it doesn¡¯t activate on my command.¡± A surge of mixed energy surged to the edges of Nick¡¯s body as Penny¡¯s energy intertwined with his. Penny remained silent, attuning to her energies, observing and learning, trying to understand the intent of the power as it wove through Nick. Yet, the power continued to shift and move, unable to lock into place. A minute passed as the crowd watched Penny and Nick, unable to see the energy but feeling the change in their environment. ¡°There.¡± Penny¡¯s energy flowed back into her, replicating the movement she once shared with Nick. As the energy settled into her palm, it suddenly locked into place, causing a shift¡­ SNAP! A metal object soared across the room and smacked into Penny¡¯s hand. Luck, amused by the change, looked over at his friend. Tech stood next to him, mouth agape, staring intently at the girl on the stage, his hands now empty. ¡°Polarization,¡± Penny said. ¡°We just need to find the right balance in your combinations.¡± Book Two: Chapter Twelve Chapter Twelve ¡°Don¡¯t let the pride of what once was prevent you from building towards what shall be.¡± E.B. Level Five Full Team As Rose relayed the information to the team, James detected an urgency in the eagle¡¯s tone. Something was near, and that was all the team needed to act. ¡°Quick, get behind the hills near the tree line,¡± James commanded. The team hustled to the high grass overlooking the area. Nadia was already activating her Phantom Veil, maneuvering closer to the open space. ¡°Frank! Move it!¡± Trish hissed as the heavier boy lagged, struggling to keep up. He finally plopped to the ground, panting heavily. James nodded to Nadia, who descended the hill towards the area Rose had highlighted. Moments later, Nadia reported, ¡°I see a young boy. He looks humanoid.¡± She paused, weaving through the tree line. ¡°He¡¯s shouting, but I can¡¯t make sense of it¡­ Nex, is the translation working?¡± ¡°Dialect detection is active. He might just be making noises,¡± Nex confirmed. ¡°Why would he be shouting?¡± Will asked, but Nadia cut him off. ¡°Wait, I hear growling¡­¡± Nadia relayed. ¡°Something¡¯s in the tree line with me.¡± ¡°Nadia, stay put, we¡¯re sending someone in¡ª¡± James cut in. ¡°No time!¡± Nadia shouted, rushing towards the small boy. She made contact with whatever was circling him just as it moved in. Tainted Vul''Raxx: Level 8. Emerging from the depths of the night, a formidable black wolf-like creature prowls with an eerie, predatory grace. Its thick, jet-black coat absorbs the light, rendering it nearly invisible in the darkness. Elongated hind legs and a muscular frame give it an unnaturally swift and silent gait, allowing it to close in on its targets with terrifying speed¡ªsharp claws and fierce fangs dripping with a sinister lust, hinting at its corrupted nature. Once a noble predator of the wild, Vul¡¯Raxx now hunts those who dare to stand in its path to power, driven by an insatiable hunger for dominance. Without thinking, Nadia instinctively matched the gait of the wolf-like creature. Her Regenuium-spiked claws dug into the ground, propelling her toward the intersection point of the Tainted Vul¡¯Raxx. With a final leap, she pounced on the creature, which only sensed the new surge of energy at the last moment. The young boy stood proud but winced as the predator neared, only to see it swiftly knocked off course and tumbling to the ground. He soon spotted Nadia, her form emerging from the cloak as her metal-clawed fingers sank into the creature¡¯s neck, eliciting a shrill howl. Without waiting for a counterattack, Nadia doubled down with repeated blows until the beast lay still. Assassin vs Assassin! 16 Points! As Nex¡¯s commentary rang out, Nadia winced, reminded that she was still in the Games. The announcement momentarily pulled her out of her primal state. She had been following her instincts to help the boy, but the reality of the situation came crashing back. < Level up! Nadia is now a Level 11 Cellulator > ¡°Who¡­ who are you?¡± a startled voice came from behind her. Nadia turned to get a closer look at the boy. His mouth was agape, quivering as he tried to discern who this new figure was. Nadia noted his darker complexion and thick, almost horse-like hair resembling an Earthen mullet, growing from his neck rather than flowing down. He had two pointed ears, with a black mane flowing in and out. His form was clothed in simple brown garments, seemingly made from the earth and animals around the plain. His legs were positioned further back than an average human¡¯s, giving him a goat-like appearance. His oversized golden eyes finally caught Nadia, which took the words from her mouth. Kael¡¯Ryn of the Zar¡¯Keth - Level 2 Young son of the Zar¡¯Keth Chieftain. As a member of the Primordial Race of Terra¡¯Primis, he has a strong connection to the earth. Known for his deep golden eyes and innate ability to sense the earth¡¯s energy, Kael¡¯Ryn is seen as a future leader. He is closely bonded with his family and often accompanies his father on tribal duties.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Nadia took a moment to gather herself after reading the young boy¡¯s description. Retracting her claws, she slowly backed away from the downed bloody wolf creature. ¡°Umm. Hi.¡± Nadia gave a shy wave. ¡°My name is Kama. I¡¯m not from around here. Are you familiar with something called the System?¡± she asked, trying to find a simple way to explain her presence. ¡°The System?¡± the boy responded, seeming not to understand. ¡°Yeah¡­ well, what about something called the Cosmic Integration or the Quantum Games?¡± ¡°No?¡± The boy shook his head but wanted to give some detail to this new deadly presence before him. ¡°We have the time known as the Dawn of Skyfire, but that is only shown in early lessons for how the great tribes came together.¡± ¡°Hmm,¡± Nadia questioned how she would continue when a voice came through her Nex communication. ¡°Ah, Hem!¡± Will was becoming impatient. ¡°Kael¡¯Ryn, do you¡­¡± ¡°You can call me Kael!¡± the boy babbled, still trying to get on Nadia¡¯s good side. Nadia smiled. ¡°Kael, I have some friends with me¡­ They are eager to meet you as well. I promise they will not hurt you, but do you mind if they come out?¡± ¡°Friends?¡± Kael questioned. ¡°No¡­ I snuck out,¡± Kael admitted with a sigh. ¡°I was hunting for my tribe. I didn¡¯t expect to see a Vul¡¯Raxx so far from the mountains, let alone past the Divide.¡± ¡°Is your tribe nearby?¡± Trish probed. ¡°And how old are you, Kael?¡± ¡°I¡¯m old enough to hunt!¡± Kael replied defensively. ¡°Others my age hunt¡­¡± He sighed again, then added, ¡°They¡¯re a few clicks south of here.¡± He paused, contemplating. ¡°Would you like me to take you there, or are you headed somewhere else?¡± Trish looked back at the group. The seven of them, plus an eagle, exchanged glances and shrugged, not having any better ideas than to follow the boy. He seemed to process the presence of another alien race talking to him fairly quickly. ¡°Kael, we¡¯re from far away. We were brought here by technology that surpasses our knowledge, and we¡¯re trying to find a way back home,¡± Trish explained, trying not to startle him again. The boy appeared to be processing the information but seemed to grasp the situation. Trish decided to proceed with the earlier request. ¡°But we¡¯d love to go with you and see your village if you don¡¯t mind us asking you a few more questions on the way?¡± Trish smiled as the boy turned and began leading the team toward his tribe. As the team followed the boy, they decided having a single speaker interact with him was best. Will was initially frustrated that he wasn¡¯t the one talking, but even he soon realized that Trish had a natural talent for engaging with the boy and stopped complaining. ¡°All right, Kael, first tough question¡­ Did you make your outfit?¡± Trish asked with a warm smile, though she wasn¡¯t sure if the boy even knew what a smile was. She aimed to ease his nerves, conscious of the six strangers trailing behind them, one nearly towering over the rest. It seemed to work, either thanks to Trish''s kindness or Kael¡¯s openness to strangers. ¡°Oh no, I want to! We have crafters in the village who create our clothing. This is just a tunic for streetwear, but our warriors get their leather garments once they are accepted into the academy. While we know everyone in the tribe, our clothing signifies the trade of the person.¡± ¡°Warriors, huh?¡± Trish questioned, then asked, ¡°Is your dad part of that group?¡± ¡°He was! But once he became our Chieftain and, well¡­ after my sister was taken, he focused more on the good of the tribe rather than fighting. That¡¯s why he is pushing me away from joining the warrior training academy and towards safer trades.¡± ¡°That¡¯s pretty cool that your dad is the chief. It must mean you have some big shoes to fill. How large is the tribe?¡± ¡°Yeah, I can do it!¡± The boy hit his chest in a prideful bump but then sighed, ¡°Well¡­ I want to do it. I just hope my dad will finally let me train soon. The tribe was once in the thousands! But the Taint and the loss of tribe members have taken their toll over the years. Our last count was around 800 residing in the main village.¡± Nadia quickly flashed a message to Trish after hearing the boy¡¯s response, redirecting Trish¡¯s next question. ¡°The Taint? Is that why the Vul¡¯Raxx attacked you?¡± ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s gotten worse over the years. My dad talks about the times of peace and prosperity, but I am starting to think that is a lie. The Taint takes all the living. The further north you go, the worse it is. The Divide is the furthest anyone can go, but even that area is unsafe now. The mountain grows hungry,¡± Kael finished with a weary tone. ¡°The Divide? And do you mean that northern mountain? How can it be hungry?¡± Trish attempted to parse the young boy¡¯s words. ¡°Oh, the Divide is just the river north of here. It divides the lands north and south. None who cross the Divide return, and those who do return follow the will of the mountain.¡± ¡°I still don¡¯t get it. It¡¯s creepy, but what¡¯s up with the mountain?¡± ¡°A creature stirs. A monstrous one. Those who fall to the Taint provide it with metals in its slumber. We mine the outward mountains to keep the peace, but the mountains are running dry, and the Taint is only growing stronger.¡± ¡°Do you know what type of monster it is?¡± ¡°No. My father likely knows, but it¡¯s not something they teach us. The cycle is what keeps us safe¡ªwe take what we need from the earth and share with the mountain for peace.¡± ¡°Ah, we¡¯re almost there!¡± Kael announced into the new silence as Trish and the team processed the information. He was looking towards the horizon, where the group saw a village encircled by thick rock. It wasn¡¯t built from brick and mortar but from rock that seemed to mold into a natural wall. Individual stones were shaped and spread, with smaller watchtowers on the sides and a large bulging wall at the center, extending from the main village. ¡°Welcome to my home!¡± Book Two: Chapter Thirteen Chapter Thirteen "When you trust a stranger, you open a door to the unknown. It¡¯s a gamble, where the reward is connection and the risk is betrayal." ¨C Prowler, Former Champion. Level Five Zar''Keth Village Full Team "So, Kael¡­ How will the tribe react to¡­ us?" Trish asked, flashing a smile she hoped Kael would understand. Kael looked at Trish, then back at the group. They all smiled back, though Tuck and Emy looked like they were in an 80s action movie, their exaggerated grins more fitting for a cheesy blockbuster. "I speak for the tribe!" Kael declared, trying to sound confident, though it didn¡¯t fully convince the group. "You are fierce warriors, and we need support. That should be enough." "I can''t be the only one thinking this next encounter may be risky," James said through Nex communications. "Be ready for anything, team. Trish and¡­ Will. You two take the lead. Will, play nice, please." "One sarcastic comment and I''m in the hot seat?" Will grumbled. "Can someone tell Tuck and Emy to chill out? They look like they''re about to crack with those forced smiles." "We are strangers, and we understand if your tribe has doubts about us, but we trust your judgment," Trish reassured Kael. As they approached the stone walls and the wooden gate structure, they noticed movement on top of the walls but heard no reaction to their presence. The whole structure seemed to hum with energy, the stone appearing to amplify and reinforce itself. Kael stepped forward and slammed his fist against his chest. Standing tall, he said, "Kael of House Ryn requests entrance for myself and my new warrior friends!" Silence followed, though there was some activity atop the walls. After 30 seconds, Will commented through the group communications, "I think this answers your question, James. The kid doesn¡¯t have as much influence as he thinks." Just then, a booming voice came from behind the gates. "Kael?" "Yes, fath-" Kael began but was quickly cut off. "Kael, get your ass back inside the walls! Leave your friends for now!" The voice commanded. Kael winced, then took a breath. "It will be okay. I just need to explain. Do you mind waiting here?" "Of course," Trish replied, her voice slightly timid. The group stood in silence as Kael jogged to the stone walls. The gate shifted backward, revealing a sealed entryway that slid open just enough for Kael to slip through. The gate then closed back into place, locking securely. "I never thought I''d get a flashback to my childhood here," Will said. "Any chance Rose can eavesdrop on a boy getting yelled at by his dad?" "Good idea, but Rose''s talents are more suited for visual scouting. I also don¡¯t want her too close to the walls until we know more about this tribe," James answered. "Yeah, I agree. And those walls look to be reinforced by interlocking energy weave funneling from the ground. Once the gate shut, the weave locked in place. I haven''t seen that kind of energy usage before in all my studying," Trish added. "Both paths offer unique opportunities¡­" Tuck muttered the mission objective, drawing the group''s attention to the large man who had been mostly silent until now. "He''s right. These people must know things that we can learn from. Which means this Taint could also bring its lessons," Emy mused, quickly catching on to Tuck''s train of thought. "Do you think they have a Smithy?" Frank asked, almost in prayer, hoping for a positive answer. "I have to imagine there''s a reason we are all here," Emy replied as the booming voice erupted once more over the area. "Friends of Kael, let me be the first to thank you for saving my son. Stupidity and carelessness brought him to need your help," There was a pause, and the team sensed the man was directing his eye to the young Kael. "Nonetheless, that does not revoke your help. I am Elric''Ryn, father of Kael and Chieftain of this village. With the limited knowledge my son has given me about you seven and your bird, I must rely on trust. On this trust, you, Unrooted, may be allowed to enter my gate." The voice paused as the group exchanged surprised glances. "What do you know, the little rugrat did it¡­" Will began but was cut off as the voice continued.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. "However!" Elric''s voice rose, "Entrance into our village is a privilege that can be revoked at any moment. Should you defy my words or those of the Tribes, you will be displaced, cuffed, and sent to the Dark Lands to fend for yourselves. Mark these words and move to my gate for further scans." Will''s tone turned serious, "The response was reasonable, and I detected no ill will or energy stemming from his words. Regardless of our path, we need to take a risk." Everyone seemed to agree with Will''s assessment. His energy sensitivity had picked up no hints of deceit or influence. With a quiet consensus, Will took the lead as the team followed to the gate, stopping ten meters from the door. "Please move at least half a meter away from each other while I perform the primary scan," a new, shrill, older voice instructed as the team separated. A flash of light burst forth, and an energy pulse probed through the entire group. The light was gone within moments, and Elric''s voice spoke again. "Thank you. Our scans show no traces of the Taint; you may enter." The large gateway pushed back as if unlocking, then slid to the side. Despite the size and potential weight of the gates, the team was mesmerized by the mechanics as the gate slid effortlessly past. Familiar with James''s Stonebreaker Gloves, they knew these mechanics were possible but were still amazed. As the gates opened, the team saw Kael and his father standing side by side behind the gate. The area showcased a secondary stone wall about 20 meters from the gates, housing three primary stone buildings. One was nearest the front gates, with two perched to the sides and what seemed to be a secondary gate in the middle of the stone wall, similar to what they had just passed through. "Welcome to Zar''Keth Village," the man, assumed to be Elric, spoke beside Kael. He had a black mane and glowing golden eyes similar to Kael''s. His pointed ears pierced through his hair, taller and more narrow than Kael''s, with silver traces hinting at his age. Unlike Kael''s simple brown tunic, Elric wore leather strips crossing his chest, reinforced with energy, connecting to simple cloth across the rest of his body, suggesting combat prowess with a diplomatic touch. His worn face, akin to a human on Earth, bore several scars across his nose and an extensive line down his cheek to his neck and chest. Elric put his fist against his chest and spoke, "My name is Elric''Ryn, and this is my troublesome son. As you can see, we are a simple village. This area is known as the Guardian''s Hold. Closest to me is the Armory, and the two buildings accompanying it are the Weavers Den and the Smithy." "Please tell us we can see inside those buildings!" Frank blurted, but Will quickly cut him off. "Excuse us, Chieftain Elric. We are amazed by what we''ve seen and can only imagine what the village holds. Please know we are new on the path of enlightenment but eager to learn and help the tribe," Will said. "Enlightenment? Laying it on thick there, Will," Tuck commented via Nex. "It was the best I could come up with. Just hush and let me do my part," Will quickly replied. "Ah, yes. In due time. Kael will be the best guide around the village. He knows everyone, but remember, the masters of each section hold the real power to share their knowledge and creations," Elric said. "Yes! You''ll love it here!" Kael exclaimed. "Come on, let me show you around!" "Just make sure they have a place to settle for the night,¡± Elric added, turning to the newcomers. ¡°Once you''re situated, have your leader come see me." Elric placed his fist over his chest, then turned and headed towards the armory. "Let''s move! There''s a lot to see before nightfall," Kael called out, leading the way to the Weaver''s Den. *** Earth Level 5 Trent "I thought this System was supposed to test us. These beasts have been nothing more than a nuisance to me," Trent said to his new companions, Kann and Vorg. "They''re probably more of a test for the weaklings of this planet, not the might of the Astral Dominion, Young Prince," Kann replied. The bulky man known as Kann was twice the size of Trent, who stood 6''2 on Earth. Kann was an imposing figure with muscle-ridden arms, a buzzed silver mohawk, a black biker jacket with torn sleeves, and tattoos down both arms depicting bloody scenes of old gladiators. "Enough of that. There must be another reason for this challenge. The System always has a reason," Trent mused as he walked down a narrow corridor that pulsed as if someone was hammering metal. "And what is that annoying sound," he hissed as they discovered another metal computer-based creature. With a wave of his hand, the part-creature, part-robot folded in on itself and slammed into the cave wall. "We have to assume this side mission is part of that reason," Vorg reasoned. "My scans show this path leads to a primary target of the intruders. Their primary memory cores show a deep-seated investment in finding these people." Vorg, more reserved than the other two, stood in the stone hallway. With a buzz cut, prescription glasses serving as a secondary scanning device, a bow tie, pressed pants, and freshly shined shoes, Vorg could be mistaken for a fresh military academy graduate, which wasn''t far from the truth. While Kann had joined a local biker gang on Earth, Vorg had submitted a pristine record to West Point Academy, located on the western bank of the Hudson River, just north of New York City. Both had been in environments with larger team-based cohorts due to their military and gang affiliations but chose the Astral Dominion path, joining the Games as Solo Champions. After the Stellar Ascendency, they merged their Nex¡¯s and formed an alliance with Morgrax, now united due to the locational merge of the three competitors. "Leaders, huh?" Trent said. "No rulers here; they must be political in nature." "Not for long," Kann laughed. The three continued towards the final noise as one last mechanical bot struck the remains of a bulky metal barrier. Morgrax made quick work of the creature, squeezing his hand into a fist, causing the metal beast to compact and burst into sparks. He then pushed aside the remaining door and stepped into a larger room with black screens and a sizeable oval-shaped table out of place in the debris-strewn corridor they had just walked through. A group of humans huddled together, trembling beside the table. A woman looked up first. "You''re human?" she asked, taking a breath. "Are you¡­ heroes?" "My name is Trent, and these two go by their hero names, Kann and Vorg. We are the Astral Dominion. You¡¯re safe now," Trent said as a smile grew on his face, recognizing the faces in the room. "Trent, friends, America thanks you. You¡¯ve just saved the President of the United States," she said, prompting the President to stand firm. "America is forever in your debt. How did you manage to get to us?" the President asked on behalf of the group. "Mr. President, we heard you needed saving, so we came as soon as possible. It is our honor," Trent concluded, his smile now firmly fixed. Book Two: Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fourteen ¡°Repetition is the grindstone upon which mastery is honed.¡± ¨C E.B. Level Five Zar''Keth Village Full Team "Why are you all just standing there?" Kael asked, then noticed the awe-struck looks on the team''s faces as they took in the surrounding village. "Cool, huh? As my father mentioned, this area is called the Guardian''s Hold. I think there''s some deeper meaning, but really, it supports the primary entrance." Kael pointed at the buildings. ¡°Those two huts build and energize the weapons, and the one right by us holds the weapons. This is where we do weapon transfers and facilitate meetings with outside tradesfolk." "Nex, how is this boy able to use the word ''cool'' in a sentence?" James asked over comms. "Oh, just think of it as me providing translation services for you. Once this world was integrated into the known Cosmos eons ago, their local language was transcribed. While Kael may not have used the word ''cool,'' he used some form of slang with the same meaning," Nex explained to the group. Will then spoke out loud to Kael. "Okay, Kael, first, I apologize for my earlier comments. I¡¯m unsure if sarcasm is known here, but I should have watched my words during our initial meeting. Second, I like to talk, so if you don''t mind, I¡¯m going to tag team with Glitch on the questions." Kael stood, only mildly confused, so Will continued. "My first question as a changed man is, what the heck does ''Unrooted'' mean? Was that some kind of insult towards us?" "Oh no, that wasn''t my father''s intent. He can be callous and maybe a bit mean, especially to me, but he wouldn¡¯t want to offend our guests without reason. Know that I am also ''Unrooted.'' This term is used for those who haven¡¯t bonded with our Earth, establishing a connection or understanding with the lands. This usually happens to those in the later E-Class or even as late as D-Class." "Are you familiar with affinities? They sound similar," Trish added after Kael''s response. "While bonding doesn¡¯t necessarily mean affinity, they often go hand in hand. Those of our earth typically fall within four categories: Earth, Wind, Water, and lastly¡­ Fire," Kael said, pausing before continuing. "Within our tribe, most fall within the Earth category, but we support all who wish to reside under our banner. These four connections align easily with the affinity concept we learn about in school. Bonding happens when the earth below and around you grows your core," Kael said, looking around at puzzled eyes. "You really aren¡¯t from here, huh? I¡¯m not a teacher, but let me give an example. Think of a tree versus a rock. Say you try to pick up both from the ground, and they¡¯re the same size. You might think the rock would be harder to lift due to its size and constitution, but you don¡¯t see all the connection points under the tree¡ªall the roots and foundation add to what we see. Take it a step further. When separated from the earth, a rock can only build on what it is, not what it will become. It can only do what it can do on its own. But think about the tree. Water pulled from the earth helps it grow, the sun heats it to create the air we breathe, and the wind shapes its branches into a stable position." "Are you saying none of us use the earth as a stable energy source? Meaning the ''Unrooted'' haven¡¯t tapped into their full energy potential?" Trish questioned. "Yes?" Kael answered hesitantly. "It¡¯s not an all-or-nothing change. Even I can sense you all are using the energies around you, but your primary source has been the latent energy once removed from its foundation."You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. "Dude, how old are you?" William challenged, hearing Kael speak about energy. "I am two cycles away from adulthood. Students my age usually start their energy and combat training, but my dad has always focused my path on knowledge," Kael said, sighing. "Don''t take your knowledge for granted," Will was the first to speak. "Be proud of who you are and what you know. Plus, keep teaching us, and those two back there," Will pointed at Tuck and Emy, "might be willing to teach you some combat skills." Kael''s eyes widened. "Wait, really?" "Well, only¡ª" Trish started as Emy and Tuck exchanged glances, but Will cut her off. "Yes, really. We¡¯re all willing to help, but you must make it okay with your dad and the tribe. Even if your dad says no, what he doesn¡¯t know might not hurt him." Will winked, then cringed, realizing Nexy couldn¡¯t translate a wink to Kael. "He gets it, hunny," Nexy purred. "Social interactions leap from one planet to the next. Reactions and interactions stem from the same source emotions." Will let out a relieved sigh. "Does Kael even have a Nexabot?" he asked. "Due to the primitive nature of this planet during integration, many recipients were granted a more basic version of Nexabot. But it allows for more synergistic integrations with the user. Think of you and me as one, intermingled and unable to tell each other apart," Nexy added in a sultry voice before continuing, "It''s a base layer of code that funnels and adds information to the user without the UI, monologue, and customization or flexibility of our versions." As the team processed the information, they asked Kael a few more questions before the more extensive village tour began. Due to the timing and position of the sun, Kael determined they couldn¡¯t stay too long in each place but was more than willing to give more in-depth tours later. Within Guardian''s Hold, their first stop was the Armory. The large stone building stood as a fortress of craftsmanship, its towering walls a testament to the village tribe''s skill, lending an air of formality to the structure. Inside, the vast space was filled with an overwhelming number of items, yet there was a distinct lack of variety. Rows upon rows of identical garments and weapons lined the shelves as if the armory had been tasked with endlessly replicating the same designs. Amidst the uniformity, a solitary figure named Lorin''Mar moved methodically through the room. He barely spoke, focusing entirely on counting, labeling, and tracking each item, showing little interest in the new group entering his domain. The Weaver''s Den stood in contrast to the Armory. Although similar in stature, it lacked the formality of its counterpart and instead pulsated with energy, seemingly in harmony with the stone walls of the village. As the team entered, they were greeted by a dismissive huff from a teacher who paid them no mind, rocking in a wooden chair while fiddling with stones. Two younger apprentices busied themselves over a long table, not wasting a second to glance at the new visitors, moving back and forth between weapons similar to those showcased in the Armory. "That looked like a sweat shop," Will commented after the team exited, but Trish quickly added, "Is the Teacher always like that?" "Oh, um, yeah? That¡¯s Uma. She no longer has a family name, but don¡¯t mind her temper; she always has a long list of students wanting to apprentice with her." "A long list to do¡­ that?" Trish looked disgusted at how her Talent was used in this village. Kael just shrugged. "It¡¯s not my path, but I can see why it would interest others." He then proceeded to head towards the last building in the area. As the team moved towards the Smithy, Frank was giddy with excitement in anticipation of seeing the space. The building, matching the stone architecture of the Armory and Weaver''s Den, resonated with the loud, rhythmic drumming of metal as they entered. The room was cluttered with rough iron and unknown metals, tossed aside haphazardly. The inner workings resembled a factory floor, with workers stationed along a production line, each repetitively engaged in various smithing tasks¡ªhammering, shaping, cooling, and inspecting weapons and tools. The repetitive nature of their work created a mesmerizing, albeit monotonous, atmosphere. Frank¡¯s eyes sparkled at the sight of the tools, his enthusiasm barely contained. Yet, he couldn¡¯t help but wonder aloud, questioning the lack of diversity in their tasks. As they exited, he looked at Trish, who felt the same way after leaving the Weaver''s Den. "It¡¯s almost as if they¡¯ve lost all creativity. Yes, I want to get back to pounding some metal, but those two places just looked¡­ painful." Not hearing Frank''s comments to Trish, Kael kept moving with the village tour, closing the Guardian''s Hold tour and heading toward the second gate. "And now, you get to see our true village." The secondary gates opened much like the primary ones, sliding smoothly across the floor. As they opened, the team felt a gush of wind pushing through a vast ecosystem of trees, plants, and huts intermingled together, creating a social ecosystem. The tribe moved about casually but deliberately, most glancing at the newcomers before returning to their tasks. "Let''s find you all some huts for the night, and I¡¯ll take you to the market for food and one last tour of the surrounding area," Kael said. "Food?" Frank''s demeanor from the Smithy shifted as the team funneled through the trees and into the village proper. Book Two: Chapter Fifteen Chapter Fifteen "Worlds, universes¡ªthey blend over time, stitched by the primal threads of eating, protecting, and sleeping. The rest? That¡¯s just chaos in motion." ¨C Radan, Former Champion. Earth - Reno Penny and Luck "I understand why you''re going, but I still think I should come with you," Penny urged Luck as they sat on the escalator-turned-stairs in the Silver Legacy Casino, once the battleground against Morgrax and now the primary headquarters of the Crow''s Nest. "I need to. I¡¯m bringing Mr. Reynold for company, but I don¡¯t anticipate seeing much that requires you to leave here. These people need you. We¡¯ll have our chance to explore together in due time," Luck said softly, nudging Penny with his shoulder. "And who am I supposed to talk to with you and Mr. Reynold gone?" Penny joked. "What? Tech will still be here," Luck replied, and they both chuckled. "Tech has a job, and you have a job. Both are critical for what we want to become here, but I can''t be at my best until I find her." "I know. Every moment without going out there and finding Will''s family feels like repeated punches to the gut." "I know you may not like this next part, but only half your mission is helping and growing these people... the other half is making friends¡­" Luck smiled wryly, making Penny snort in amusement. "When I come back, we¡¯re going to find our families. All our families and I need you there with me. That means we need trustworthy people to look after the Crow''s Nest." "Yes, yes. But speaking of friends, are you sure you can handle Mr. Reynold for the whole trip? I can tell he gets on your nerves a bit. You might want to learn to control your emotional tells. You sparkle when you¡¯re annoyed." Penny winked. ¡°It¡¯s a good thing Mr. Reynold''s energy connection is nearly nonexistent.¡± "Oh, he''s growing on me. Just don¡¯t tell him that. He¡¯s a big goofball¡ªand a goofball who sticks with family. I can get behind that. I may not have been around too many like him during my last posting. I mean, look, my best friend is Tech." "Well, I¡¯m pretty sure Mr. Reynold is packing his toiletry bag right now. Might be good to learn a bit from him." "Oh, wonderful," Luck smiled, appreciating Penny as she showed her true personality. *** Level Five Zar''Keth Village Full Team Frank looked down at his empty plate as the team gathered their things to continue the tour with Kael. "Well, that tasted like kale," Frank chuckled. "Wait, does Kael just like kale?" Frank stayed within comms to avoid upsetting the boy, who had been vibrant throughout dinner. "I think kale is the only thing on the menu," James commented. "Well, that and some orange food I saw someone carrying. Think they have carrots here?" "Whatever it is, expect it to be earth-based. Do you think people called the ''Rooted'' have a factory for processing food chemicals?" Emy joined the jesting as Frank''s mouth slowly dropped. "We aren''t sure they are called the ''Rooted,'' but you¡¯re not wrong about what we¡¯ll eat for the next six months. I''m guessing Kael highlighted the best food this village has to offer," Trish added with a smile, changing Frank''s demeanor completely. The group had been taken to a spot on the village''s western side, between the residential huts and what was known as the Market. There, makeshift wooden tables and a cloth sun tarp provided shade for those enjoying a meal. The market wasn¡¯t big but housed many makeshift "food trucks," as Will called them, each offering a scribbled menu on the side of a broader hut with a window for communication with the cooks inside. There were only about ten stations, but for the size of the village, Kael assured them it provided plenty of options. The team was amazed to see no bartering or exchange of money. Kael ordered their food, and when asked about it, he explained that the village was built on community hard work¡ªdo your share, and you¡¯ll be supported. Slack off, and your rations might dwindle. It was almost like a gossip channel with good behavior as currency.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. After leaving the eating area, they headed to the local school, which was currently out of session. Kael explained that attending school was seen as hard work. Going to school, learning a craft, and educating oneself on supporting the village were considered as essential as cooking meals or tidying up. Despite this, most students had secondary hobbies to assist their families after school hours. It wasn¡¯t all work and no play; kids were still kids, and at that moment, most were either watching the warriors training or playing games on the outskirts near the farming areas. "The school has three cycles: Primary, History, and Rooting. The youngest students attend primary courses with some history¡ªlanguage skills, reading, writing, problem-solving, and basics of the tribe, like farming and tribal rules. History covers our tribe, local animals and plants, and the way of our people. Rooting-based classes are for those who can feel and shift energy, teaching the core fundamentals of the four primary bonding elements and how they use their Talent and hopefully become one of the ¡®Rooted.¡¯ It¡¯s my second cycle in this course, but my sister taught me things on the side until she left¡­" Emy gave Trish a subtle wink, acknowledging her correct guess about the names of those bound to the earth. Trish quickly shifted her focus, eager to gather more information. "Can we ask what happened?" she inquired softly. "Yeah, it''s no secret. Kalil''Ryn, now just Kalil, was the first fire-bonded user in our family. My dad saw it as a great step in integrating fire-based wielders into the tribes. They often leave for the Dark Lands due to the Taint''s stronger call on them. She, well¡­ ended up like the rest and joined the Dark Lands. My father says he sees her, but I haven''t been allowed to witness those exchanges." "What exchanges?" Trish pressed on. "You would have found out eventually. Pretend to be surprised if my Dad tells you," Kael said. "Peace is kept through sacrifice. The mountain requires tidings, and the Dark Land tribes collect on its behalf. A quota is maintained to keep our village peaceful." "What does your village give?" Emy asked, irritation barely masked. "Weapons, precious metals, and food. The food is believed to be eaten by the Northern Tribes." "And everyone is just okay with that?" Emy responded. "I''m not!" Kael tried to sound heroic but then lowered his voice. "That stance isn¡¯t widely shared. Spreading rumors of fighting these demands risks our peace. Only a few participate in the exchanges¡ªHigher-ups in the Warrior¡¯s guild and leaders¡ªbut the conversations grow more hostile daily, no matter how hard my Dad tries to hide it." The team didn''t press Kael further, sensing his reluctance. They knew the status quo would need to change for their mission to succeed. Kael then led them to the farming patches, passing kids engaged in a soccer-like game with a makeshift fur-covered ball. The farming fields behind them were dense but orderly, resembling the neat rows of vegetation you''d see driving along the interstate. The team passed by the Infirmary next. Their visit was brief, as the local healer Lysa was busy tending to a deep cut on one of the villager''s forearms. Nadia held back from helping, even though it pained her to see the man struggling, vowing to return soon to assist. They first needed to understand the tribe''s dynamics before revealing their unique Talents. Once they exited, the team heard a muted roar from a crowd of younger boys and girls, their heads peeking over a tall fence in a poor attempt to stay hidden. Kael pointed out that the primary training ground for warriors lay behind the wall. As the group drew closer, two young kids tumbled off the fence line just as two warriors soared into the sky. The ¡°ting¡± of metal echoed as the group cautiously approached, witnessing something extraordinary: the warriors seemed to be flying and fighting simultaneously. A faint left, a step in the air, rising upwards only to bring the blade down, the other warrior sidestepping across the sky to narrowly avoid the strike. It was a graceful dance in the air, and the team watched in amazement. Within moments, the team quickly realized that the fighters weren¡¯t flying but were shifting the air density with each step, creating makeshift foot platforms, allowing for multi-level combat that didn¡¯t match typical fighting events. This ability to rise and fall on command increased striking options and dodging capabilities. The group stayed fixed on the battle, watching it end as one warrior landed a light blow to the stomach of the other. Bowing in the sky, the two descended with ease. "Do you want to train to do that?" Will asked Kael, his eyes wider than those of the rest of the team, fixated on the movements he had just watched. "Maybe! But those two were both Wind users. We have a fair amount of those who can fight like that, but it depends on how I connect with the earth when my time comes." "I may need you to introduce me soon," Will said, still staring at the fence, clearly lost in thought about the potential he saw within those warriors. "I know, and I can, but I won¡¯t be allowed to stay for long¡­ Anyway, it¡¯s getting dark, and I should show you to your huts so you can set them up before night fully falls." "Wait, what about that last building over there?" Nadia motioned to another large, circular building, simple in stature. "Oh, that¡¯s just the local junk storage. Items found across the lands are delivered there. None of them work, but I guess we keep them for show. All working devices or objects get sent immediately to the Northern Tribes. Most people, including my father, consider the building a trash heap, but I sometimes like exploring there. Imagining some of the tech might work. The pile has stayed relatively the same size over the years, but occasionally, those mining in the mountains find something and drop it off to old lady Sutt, who watches over the remains." "Tech?" Trish¡¯s ears perked up. "For lack of a better word. Things unnatural to this earth. Created things. Things we do not understand nor wish to understand." Trish''s heart raced as she heard Kael talk about the trash heap. She fought to remain calm, intent on exploring the area immediately. Keeping his word, Kael finally brought the team to a smaller space within the center of the village, where trees and huts wove together to create miniature houses for the residents. The space given to the team was an empty plot between a canopy of trees; however, only tarps lay on the ground. "Please don¡¯t tell me this is our house?" Will said over comms as Kael spread his arms. "Welcome to your new home!" Book Two: Chapter Sixteen Chapter Sixteen ¡°Step into your role, and thrive.¡± ¨C Coach Williams Level Five Zar¡¯Keth Village Full Team "No, no, no. It needs to be tighter, Emy! We¡¯re not trying to recreate a sailboat here; we need it to stay up, not set sail!" Frank shouted, expectedly taking the lead as they set up camp¡ªhis area of expertise. "Come on, fellow Eagle Scout, check those knots. I¡¯ve taught you better. We may be here for six months, but that thing won¡¯t last a week." "Will, what are you even doing? Tuck is eight feet tall; it needs to be tied higher. Are you even looking at what you¡¯re doing?" "Tuck, sheesh, dude, all those muscles, and you''re worried about a little bleeding? Just think about Nadia healing them later and keep digging!" "Trish!..." Frank looked over at her, setting up makeshift blankets in the new tent. She shot him a glare. Frank let out a cough. "Uh, good work. Keep it up!" Night settled over the village as Frank added the last finishing touches. Despite their earlier annoyance with his directives, they all took in the new area and quickly dispelled any lingering frustration¡ªFrank had done well. Three tent formations, blending traditional camp and teepee styles, stood firm with large trees as base joints. A primary rope stretched across the treetops, connecting the three spaces and elevating the tents just enough for Tuck to walk without crouching, though it was still a bit snug. The two outer tents were filled with makeshift beds for sleeping quarters, mirroring their dorm setup in the Hangar, while the middle tent was designated for communal activities. It was currently empty but will soon be figured out. Though the task was complete and they should have been heading to bed, they weren''t tired. Night had fallen, and the primary residences were quieting, but the team still heard noises surrounding the camp. This mixed tribe had different power sets and sleep needs but shared the principle that dark meant quiet. "Is anyone else as unsettled as me, knowing these stars probably aren¡¯t our stars?" Nadia asked as they sat on logs and leftover tarp outside the center tent, around a small fire, mimicking a traditional campground without the lounge chairs and beverages of choice. Nearby, Rose perched in a tree, overlooking the camp and keeping a silent vigil. "Yeah, but it also makes me feel more at home. Nothing quite like the feeling of being a speck in the Universe," James added.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. "Yeah, that, and we have 32 billion active viewers watching us right now," Will smirked as everyone squirmed uncomfortably. He looked up at the sky. "Go watch something else!" He shook a fist in mock anger. "You know what, Nexy, can you hide that statistic, please? I¡¯m creeped out." He looked up again. "Ya''ll are creepy!" He couldn¡¯t help but notice the live viewers dropped to 28 billion before Nexy removed the stat from view. Emy smiled at Will''s mock disgust. She knew he was secretly beaming from the attention, but the continuous number of active viewers was outrageous. Were the viewers going to keep watch for the entire six months? Nex explained that most viewers watched multiple streams or tuned in and out rather than just staring directly at them. That made her feel a bit better. She decided to move on to the topic that irked her. "So, to summarize, this village continuously builds weapons and armor, mines in the mountains for metals and precious stones, and spends every day making the same repetitive food only to give it to this ''Mountain'' and the Northern Tribes who support it? I can''t be the only one pissed off by these people''s willingness just to fold over?" "We don''t know if they do," James replied. "Those warriors are clearly skilled fighters. There has to be something else. Maybe the Northern Warriors are just that good?" Will remembered the earlier fight they had witnessed. "They''d have to be pretty fierce. The integration levels of those two we saw fighting were quite the sight. Their movements and footwork blended perfectly with the environment around them." "I think it just goes back to what Kael said," Nadia said. "Status quo¡­" She paused, noting the eyes on her. "Think about it. They have peace. People work hard, but at least the kids are happy, even playing. At what point is it worth it? It''s no different than taxes." "I think it''s a bit different than taxes," Will snorted. "No, it''s not. We paid a portion of our income back to the government for peace and regulation. Yeah, these outside tribes and the Mountain might not protect the village, but they protect the status quo," Nadia said. "I think it''s more like regulated bullying," Tuck mumbled but agreed with Nadia''s words. "Regardless of what we think it is, we need to find out more," James said, shifting into planning mode. "For once, we have time: time to learn and time to invest in ourselves. I saw everyone''s reactions to the buildings earlier. This place has areas we should all investigate. Stay together if you can, but I see no risk in separating as long as we provide our updates via Nex. If nobody minds me taking this leadership role described by Elric, I think I''ll use the time to visit him. He doesn¡¯t seem like the type to get early shut-eye." "Ah man, I totally wanted to go have a lively and exciting conversation with grumpy Elric instead of going back to the Training area," Will smiled in an exaggerated tone. "I''ll join you," Tuck added, ignoring the sarcastic comment and noting his intention to head to the training area. "I think I''ll head back to the Smithy and see if it¡¯s more than meets the eye. Trish, you heading to the Weaver''s Den?" Frank asked Trish, who agreed but fought her internal struggle to go straight to the Junk house, thinking she probably needed to prioritize her primary skill in Weaving. "I''ll head to the Infirmary to see if the healer needs help. What''s the verdict on showing our Talents?" Nadia asked. "I think we''ll need to show them eventually, but my opinion is that we start slow. Everyone good with that?" James asked, receiving nods in return. "Emy, where are you heading?" "I''m not sure. I may just explore a bit; nothing is catching my attention yet. I''m sure I''ll find something," Emy said as James gave her a skeptical look but moved on as the group got up from the campsite. "Let''s return here two hours before dawn for rest and re-grouping. We all need to stay on the same page," James finished as Will shot a small Cyrostrike at the remaining embers still burning at the campsite. Will smiled and blew out his finger gun again as everyone else rolled their eyes and headed in different directions. Book Two: Chapter Seventeen Chapter Seventeen "Shared enemies make allies out of strangers.¡± ¨C Quist, Former Champion. The Milky Way Galaxy - Unknown Space Coach Williams "Not exactly the ship I''d expect from the leaders of the Games Division," Coach Williams remarked, surveying the metal cargo hull and noting it looked like a standard freight shuttle for the CNC. Moments after the wristbands were placed on the Coaches'' hands, a mini void hole was created for transport between nearby entities. This particular jump was simple¡ªbetween the ships carrying goods to the newly integrated worlds, a regular occurrence in the new galaxies. Integration naturally led to trade and barter, and while most goods were intended to stabilize these worlds, the discovery of new items for the market always brought unexpected opportunities. "Another probing comment, huh?" Viggo smirked, then continued, "I think you already understand our situation here." "Situation?" Williams smiled. "Do tell." "Let''s skip the games. You and I already play too many of those," Viggo sighed. "We have strong evidence suggesting you''re not a supporter of the Astral Dominion. This implies you also understand the lengths the AD will go to expand their territories, especially with a young AD prince poised to prove himself and showcase their power." "Strong words," Williams replied, still wary of the CNC leader''s true intentions. "Strong words, trusted only in the back of a freight ship cruising four light-years from the nearest planet. Let my opinion be known: that scum has no right to infiltrate these newly developed worlds. These people have enough to worry about without facing a hostile takeover after surviving the Games. That''s why I''m here with my closest advisor¡ªto get more information. We want to help but to do that, we need to understand you and how you''ve managed to maintain your presence as a coach despite your troubled past, shall we say." Williams ignored the man''s last words. Trust and candor only go so far in the Cosmos, where intelligence, empathy, and friendship vary across races. Since leaving his home planet, his trust had never extended beyond the teams he led, valued only for the contributions he made on their behalf. If he ever lost that value, many teams would have turned on him to improve their standing. "Disdain for the Dominion is widespread across the Cosmos. One only needs to witness the true destruction of the planets they inhabit to form an opinion." "But would that same person risk speaking of this belief in the middle of a newly integrated galaxy with the system''s eyes all around us?" Viggo countered. "And you believe the System cares about¡­ us?" Williams responded, raising his hands to the sides. "You currently stand as the Coach of a team with the greatest potential we have seen in our recent integrations."If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. "Ever," Shukar interjected, receiving a quick look from Viggo. "Sir," he finished. "I stand corrected. The team''s growth potential is the greatest¡­ ever. With the right coaching and motivations," Viggo paused. "And that''s not even singling out the young void user, whose actions have sent our reporting teams into a frenzy and attracted the attention of our top advisors in the Interstellar and Void Travel divisions of the CNC." Viggo shook his head, causing his ears to wobble. "Ah, disregard that. Those are my problems. Let me just say that galaxies beyond Earth showcase talents equal to those on Earth, but I don''t believe in chance. There''s a reason for everything. The System is testing everyone on Earth, both the natives and the newcomers. The System is driving, pushing those to power for reasons beyond mere home defense. If you don¡¯t think I''m putting myself at enough risk by pulling you from the Intermission Layer of those Heroes'' quarters, you''re not as smart as I think." Williams let the silence wash over the three. The steady hum of the cooling unit grew louder as he and Viggo stared at one another. Williams had to admit that his barriers of trust were slowly fading. He knew the risk of this conversation all too well but didn''t know how far Viggo would go to incriminate himself with the System and his company. To say that the Astral Dominion had no ties to those in power within the CNC would be false. While he didn''t expect to hear those words from the newcomer''s mouth, Viggo had said enough. "Tell me, Viggo. These fluctuations¡ªhow bad are they?" Viggo remained quiet but nodded and glanced at his companion, who spoke up, "Bad is an understatement. The broader Cosmos remains unaffected for now, but should the trepidation we see in the Milky Way expand, the impact would cripple our infrastructure and halt all transit." "Not to mention trust. Trust is knowing that stepping through a void won''t send you inside a supergiant star," Viggo added. "We took a risk using our short-range hoppers for this conversation. That risk calculation considered the value the System places on you and the advancement of its Champions." "That explains the growth in adversaries and Artisans getting integrated," Williams mused. This was new information. Williams''s Talent could sense those around him and his environment. He knew something was off, but the extent was a new calculation in his plan. "The Artisans are involved?" Shukar asked, stunned by the revelation. "Did you not find me alone?" "Unprecedented," Shukar murmured, clearly calculating in his head. "So, I again request. Tell us what we need to know about you, and in return, we will try to help," Viggo sighed. Williams looked at Viggo. Despite his skepticism, the wristbands were wise, and Viggo had said the right things to warrant more information. But one could only be so safe. "We both know you can''t help or interfere in the games. How do you plan on helping?" "You and I both know help comes in different flavors." Williams knew the heroes didn¡¯t need help¡ªthey had opportunities to seize. They needed to focus on their mission. "Their families. All of them. Find them and share them with the man named Tech. He should have the means to intercept in some form or fashion." "Done. Shukar, do what you can," Viggo said as Shukar''s eyes widened, and he moved to interface via his Nexabot. "Now, it''s your turn." Williams smiled. "Wristbands first." "No." Viggo attempted to speak, but Williams abruptly cut him off. "I''m afraid that may be all for now. You both may want to brace yourselves." Williams was the first to act, swiftly moving towards the front of the hull near a bay entrance. Though still skeptical, Viggo and Shakur followed quickly. Moments after grabbing onto the vent line protruding from the wall, the entire ship halted¡ªhalted like a roller coaster screeching to a sudden stop halfway down its primary descent, jarring everything in its path. Viggo''s hands screamed as he dug his nails into the vent line, his feet lifting off the ground before slamming back into the wall. Shakur, on the other hand, immediately lost his grip, only to be caught by a hand on his jacket. The relief was short-lived as his whole body slammed into the primary wall, quickly losing consciousness. Alarms blared as the metal crates violently tossed around the large hull, now haphazardly piled on the opposite side of the room. Viggo and Williams exchanged glances as the lights abruptly went out, plunging them into darkness. "That had to be an energy pulse of some kind, and a large one at that," Viggo said, his breath heavy. "Attack?" Williams asked. "Who would be reckless enough to target a random CNC vessel on the edge of a newly integrated galaxy?" Viggo muttered. Neither answered, their wide eyes meeting in the dim emergency lighting that flickered to life. "I think you may want to take these wristbands off.¡± Book Two: Chapter Eighteen Chapter Eighteen ¡°A path of growth is not linear.¡± ¨C Coach Williams Level Five Zar¡¯Keth Village Frank "Did you also catch that fire users were basically outcasts?" Frank commented toward a distracted Trish as they headed north toward the Guardians'' hold. "What?" Trish shook her head, struggling to keep her thoughts together. "Oh yeah, I did. I think James picked up on it, too. That''s probably why he wanted to talk to Elric tonight." "You know what?" Trish halted mid-step before they reached the inner gate and looked towards the east. "Frank, go on without me. I need to check something out." "Do you want me to come?" Frank asked, confused by his friend¡¯s sudden turn of direction. "No. No, I''ll head to the Weaver''s Den soon, but I need to check out this junkyard first." Trish glanced back at Frank, who seemed ready to ignore her request. "It''s just an itch I need to scratch. Go on. I''ll send you updates over Nex. Go check out the Smithy; I know you''re eager." Frank stood confused as he watched Trish head towards the dilapidated building. It took him a few seconds to reconcile what had just happened, but he knew Trish could be eccentric at best. Figuring he''d let her follow her gut, he remembered he had a date with a sledgehammer. With an awkward wave toward the inner gate, it started to move. As Frank began to wonder if he''d just used a skill he wasn''t aware of or if it was like the automatic doors at a grocery store, a Zar''Keth tribesman appeared as the door quietly slid open. "Where to?" the man asked Frank as he realized he must have been watching for residents coming and going. "Hi, uh, name''s Forge," he said, giving another awkward wave as the man made no move to return the gesture. Frank rubbed his hands together nervously, the structured environment bringing out his timid teenage self. "I''ll admit, I don¡¯t know how things work around here, but I was hoping to see if I could help at the Smithy?" The man nodded curtly, his stern expression unchanged. Frank took it as approval and continued on his way. The next scene played out no differently than before, albeit with fewer tribesmen around the area¡ªthe same rhythmic drumming of metal clanged through the yard, growing louder as he approached. The building, no larger than a few big high school classrooms, was lined with stone and metal fixtures. Opening the door, he breathed in his favorite smell in the world. The hot air pressed against his face, carrying the comforting tang of charcoal, leather, and steel. Instantly, he felt his natural perspiration kick in, his body ready to shed its outer layer of water and get into working mode. Much as before, five workers were spread out across the area. One hovered over a wall of unrefined metals, looking for the next piece to pass to the forging station, where a hefty woman stood, hammer in hand, working the forge. She pulled what looked like a sword out of the fire and struck it, sending sparks flying. Closest to the forge, a man drenched another object in water before striking it again with a smaller tool. The final two were on the far side of the room at grinding and polishing stations, not bothering to look up. None of the crafters seemed to take a commanding role within the group. Frank attempted to contain his excitement, not wanting to start on the wrong foot with the crew as they worked diligently. The trouble was, with nobody noticing him, he wasn¡¯t sure who to approach. Finally deciding, Frank took a deep breath and approached the woman at the forge. He chose her because forging was his favorite part of the process, and he had to admit, he was pretty good at it¡ªat least back on Earth. "That''s a new color for me," Frank half-stated, half-introducing himself, catching a glimpse of the inside of the forge. The colors almost shimmered in a rainbow pattern, darting back and forth as the metal was pulled out, the natural orange and yellow reemerging within the dull blade. The woman, who had noticed Frank earlier, didn¡¯t shift or budge at the new voice directed at her. She stayed focused on her work. "This isn''t a school. We have deadlines. Move back to the side."Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. Frank frowned; it had been years since he hadn''t been the lead worker in a forge, much less someone who might hold a team back. Even in college, he was a partner to the smithing professor, often exchanging guidance. Yet Frank understood his current position: an untested stranger observing unfamiliar practices. He stepped back towards the wall, awestruck as he watched the crew churn out sword after sword. The metal, unknown to him, and many of the materials in the Smithing room within the Hangar were foreign. However, the hulking woman leading by the forge was the most baffling aspect. Her strikes were precise, yet each piece was uniquely shaped, though a longsword in type, with some hardly resembling a longsword at all. Every strike was molded and formed, and unwanted pieces were precisely broken off. Frank noticed that even the man handling the secondary forming and quenching process didn''t bat an eye at what could seem like sloppy forge work. It had to be intentional. If he were continuously crafting weapons for the outer tribes and the mountain, he''d likely do the same. Frank remained transfixed at the team and the sheer volume of weapons they produced since he started watching. "Frank, heads up. Thirty minutes until your team is expected back at camp," Nex announced. Frank jolted out of his trance, questioning if Nex was playing a prank. Nex answered his unspoken questions, "No prank. You''ve been watching these workers for six hours. Based on sunrise, we have just half an hour left." Frank stepped forward, almost losing his balance as his blood and muscles reawakened after being stagnant for hours. He sighed and turned to leave, but a voice called out. "One question," the female forge worker said, still focused on her task. Frank, caught off guard, quickly adjusted as the question he had been wrestling with came to the forefront. "Your strikes are perfect, yet you choose to," Frank paused to ensure he framed the question correctly, "create diversity in your creations¡­ Why?" "Do you believe that every piece of the earth wants to be formed the same way?" she responded. Frank wanted to ask more but thought better of it. "Thank you for allowing me one question," he said, trying to sound like Will. With no reply, he stepped out into the fresh night air as the rhythmic hammering continued. *** Trish Trish questioned herself. The Weaver''s den offered the greatest potential to learn. The System wanted her and Frank to hone their primary crafts, and now she was already diverging from what she knew was the right path. Yet, she resented it. How could a Talent become something its user starts to hate? It was in her DNA, her personality, and her very upbringing. Talents weren''t gifts to be avoided, yet here she was, heading towards a so-called dump instead of the place where she could build on her Weave skill. She reasoned that she had to check this other building out first, then return to the right path soon enough. Trish found herself standing in front of the building closest to their camp. Dusty and starting to rust, it seemed the tribe didn''t spend much time here. Still, when Trish pushed the door handle, it slid open easily, releasing a gust of dust and faint smells of oil, metal, and maybe plastic. The inside of the building resembled an open circus tent, with piles of machines and scraps scattered in mounds. Someone had attempted to sort the room, yet items toppled over and lay haphazardly on each other. Every device or its remains looked tarnished by time and neglect. As the yellow light of the stars shone through the few windows, shadows formed, casting eerie pictures on the outer walls. "Who''s here?" A familiar shrill voice called out as a shadow near an outer wall started to move, growing in height with a slight moan. "You kids better not be trying to play around in here again!" "Uh. No¡­ My name''s Glitch," Trish replied uneasily, her eyes on the growing shadow. "Glitch? That''s a strange name." "It''s, uh, from another world. My friends and I are new here," Trish admitted honestly. "Yeah, so? It''s still a silly name. Why would someone want to glitch?" The voice responded as the shadow descended, and a cloaked figure emerged from behind a mound of devices. "Well, what''s your name?" Trish was now irritated. She was proud of her hero name based on her gamer tags; it was always high in the online forums, especially when she topped many top game scores. "Sutt." "And you think my name is bad?" Trish said, quickly covering her mouth, but the words had already slipped out. "Oh, feisty, I see. You aren''t from around here. I like you." The shrill voice now had a playful tone as the cloaked figure stood directly before Trish. Thin arms extended from the cloak, and long fingers pulled the hood over a lengthy braided mane of dark and silver hair, which remained tucked beneath the back of the cloak but looked voluminous enough to reach the older woman''s legs. Her eyes shone with a playful white glint, and her nose pointed downward. Trish almost mistook her for an evil witch from childhood princess movies. "I''m¡­ sorry." "Oh, stop," Sutt said. "I don¡¯t have time for apologies. Tell me, what brings you to the junkyard?" She smiled wide, seemingly pleased to call her domain a standard dump. "I''m not sure," Trish hesitated, the complexity of her reasoning challenging to articulate, but she was quickly cut off. "Glitch, huh? It''s starting to make some sense. A bit of communication issues, I see¡­ Don''t make me repeat it. I am old. I don¡¯t care for pleasantries, and I sure don¡¯t care about your moral compass. Now, be straight with me or leave." "It''s a calling. I don''t know how to explain. I need to be here." "Here? In my lovely forgotten realm?" "Yes," Trish sighed, still unsure of how to explain. "Tell me, Glitch. Do you come from a world ruled by the System?" Trish''s eyes widened in shock. Kael¡¯s initial response made her believe no one knew about the System. "How do you know of the System?" she asked incredulously. "Oh, you might find it a calling¡­" Sutt heckled and laughed heartily, reinforcing Trish''s impression of her as an evil witch. She continued, "These devices tell the stories my people have chosen to forget. Stories that challenge the very way we live." Book Two: Chapter Nineteen Chapter Nineteen ¡°Friendship is rooted by shared experiences.¡± ¨C Beacon, Former Champion Level Five Zar¡¯Keth Village Will and Tuck "You chose to hang out with me instead of Nadia, huh?" Will continued to bombard Tuck with questions as they approached the same fenced field they had visited earlier with Kael. The two quickly settled into their unspoken routine as Will tried a more personal approach. "Yep," Tuck replied curtly, avoiding eye contact with Will. Will circled halfway around the larger Tuck as if searching for a way to break through Tuck''s icy demeanor. "Oh yeah? I could always devise a plan to get you two to hang out more. Maybe you both could start a food truck business?" "Uh-huh." "Maybe something romantic. Do you think these people would be interested in pasta? You could be the meathead to Nadia''s pasta." This time, Tuck grunted in response, clearly unwilling to take the bait. Will decided to try a different tactic. "So Tuck..." Will kept his eyes on Tuck as they continued walking. "Do you think these people have anything to teach you? Rooted and grounded are based on the same principles, and we both know grounding isn''t the best for electric talents... Like you..." He paused for effect. Tuck suddenly stopped, halting all momentum as a big smile began to form on Will''s face. "Resorting to your skills to win, huh?" "Shit." "Maybe next time try a comment rooted in truth," Tuck said quietly as he approached the walled area''s main gate, attempting to hide his smile. Will stood perplexed at Tuck''s comment, then caught up and gave Tuck a slight push before they both stopped to look at the gates. "Do you hear anything going on in there?" Tuck asked. "No, well, not fighting. I do sense people in there, though far fewer than before. The real question is if we just knock?" The gate within the fencing appeared to lead to a larger entry space or housing structure covered with a mix of tarps and wood. The area was designed to mirror the larger community layout, featuring a primary and secondary wall leading into the training area. "We can hear your huffing from in here. Just push the door and come in already." A forceful voice shouted from within the structure as Tuck and Will exchanged looks, immediately questioning how loudly they were breathing. As Will pushed the door open, they entered an open area that resembled a massive, haphazardly built treehouse fort, scaled up twenty times. It was filled with wooden chairs, tables, and walls adorned with weapons and shields. Towards the back of the room, the confident voice called again, "Over here." "A group of five crowded around a table, appearing to gamble and drink. The table was strewn with totems resembling chess pieces, makeshift cards, and a hexagonal map etched with knife cuts." "Care to join?" the leader asked. "Nah, we were just curious about your¡ª" Tuck started. "Hush, Tuck. Sure, we will play. What¡¯s this game?" Will interrupted. The man smiled at the others as he spoke, "This? Well, this is called Blitz." "Go on," Will said, snagging the nearest chair and ignoring Tuck''s sigh beside him. Settling beside the leader, Will observed him closely. The man had a thick, brown, braided mane cascading down his back, and at first glance, he appeared no older than Will. His youthful complexion, with barely any grey in his hair, contrasted with his square jawline adorned with small scars, suggesting a life rich with experiences. One eye had a striking blood-drop-like mark, while both eyes twinkled like those of all the Zar''Keth tribe members. Yet, his gaze was more intense, as if he was meticulously analyzing Will''s every reaction. He locked eyes with Will as he explained the game. "Each troop consists of nine members, each assigned a talent card, with three additional bonus cards for the commander." He slammed the cards onto the table, attempting to shuffle them. "All cards are based on the elements¡ªEarth, Wind, Air, and Fire. Strategize to create the most effective path to defeat your enemies. The last player standing wins." Will listened carefully as the man explained the game rules further. "Blitz," as it was called, combined the strategic depth of Risk, the tactical planning of chess, and the resource management of Catan. Each turn was a potential combination of moves: one calculated movement, one decisive action, and potentially one reactive counter¡ªmuch like a Dungeons & Dragons encounter. The primary talent cards, representing Earth, Wind, Air, and Fire, were the backbone of each troop''s strategy. But the real twist came from the bonus cards¡ªwildcards that could instantly tilt the balance of power. These bonus cards, potent and single-use, could turn a defensive maneuver into an all-out assault or save a critical troop from impending defeat. The game demanded careful planning and the ability to adapt on the fly. "Let''s do this," Will said, motioning to the nearest bottle of what he assumed to be something fermented. "Does this game come with sharing?" "Will¡­" Tuck began but was cut off by the leader of the table. "Of course, we share at this table," the man said with a sly smile. "It seems the rumors about the new off-worlders joining our ranks are true." He nodded toward another man near a vase. "Igor, pour our guests a drink. But remember, no stakes, no game."Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Without looking back, Will sent a communication to Tuck. "This is a test. Show weakness, and we won''t be accepted anytime soon. The question is, what do we bet in a world without money?" Tuck internally kicked himself for not trusting Will. He thought for a moment, then had an idea. "Stick with macho. First strike?" Will allowed a smile to creep onto his face as he held the leader''s gaze. "Rumors, huh? It''s fascinating how quickly information travels about us. Hopefully, it''s all good." He paused, trying to gauge the man''s reaction. "Let''s make things interesting¡­ The first one out gets to take the best strike from everyone else at the table. Non-lethal, of course." The man joined Will in his smile, and Will noticed the rest of the table''s gazes falter for a split second before realigning with their leader. "Knowledge is power. Is it better to be the subject of rumors or to be ignored entirely? We''ve seen many people walk our lands, but none quite like you." The man swirled his glass before taking a drink. "Sounds like a good bet. Looks like we might have some fun tonight after all." "Brick," Will introduced himself with a nod, then glanced over his shoulder at Tuck. "And this is Surge." The leader raised an eyebrow. "Steel," he said, offering a head nod in return. "Let''s play." *** Nadia As Nadia approached the infirmary, she began to notice more intricate details of the building itself. Though constructed with a blend of stone and wood from the surrounding trees, this building seemed to merge organically with a colossal tree. Its massive trunk formed the primary back wall, while branches, both thick and slender, intertwined lovingly around the entire structure. It was as if the tree had reached out with its limbs, wrapping the infirmary in a hug. The branches wove through the walls and roof, creating a natural latticework that seemed to pulse with life, making the building feel less like a manufactured structure and more like an extension of the tree¡¯s body. The effect was so seamless that if she didn¡¯t know better, Nadia might have believed the tree had willingly engulfed the building, pulling it into its nurturing grasp. Stepping inside, Nadia''s initial impression of the empty building began to change. What she had first assumed were beds with cloth coverings revealed themselves to be large roots emerging from the ground, forming flat, natural beds. The stone flooring, a mosaic of stone, dirt, and roots, intertwined seamlessly throughout the space, creating an earthy, organic feel. It was then that a shadow moved at the back of the room, catching her attention. A swinging door opened, revealing the face of the healer named Lysa. Behind her, Nadia glimpsed a backroom filled with more beds, likely intended for overnight stays. "Are you hurt?" Lysa asked in a quiet but firm voice. "No, no," Nadia replied, shaking her head, realizing now might not have been the best time to show up unannounced. "I, um, I came here to help." "Help?" Lysa questioned. "With what?" Nadia then noticed the age of the young girl. While tall, at least compared to Nadia''s brief interactions with the tribespeople, Lysa had the same soft features as Kael, although she seemed slightly older. Lysa''s soft features were complemented by a light brunette mane covered with braids and what looked like flower stems, tucking her hair close to her body. It seemed like she also had streaks of green throughout her hair, but Nadia couldn¡¯t be sure. She wore a soft white cloth that mimicked a 1950s nightgown, though she was barefoot and not wearing slippers. "Sorry. I mean, I take care of my team. You could say I am their healer. My name is Kama." "Healer? That¡¯s quite a surprise. Few grow into the healing talent, and those who do get... well, never mind. There''s not much need for help right now. Elisa is in the backroom getting some sleep. She is still bound, so there is no need for another healer." Nadia looked confused. "I''m sorry. Bound?" "Yes? Are you not an Earth Talent?" "I''m afraid I¡¯m still what you would call ''Unrooted,''" Nadia responded, trying not to sound too naive. "Could you show me?" Lysa shrugged. "Sure." She turned around with a touch of hesitation as if weighing her decision. "I guess it couldn¡¯t hurt with Elisa being asleep," she finally said, resolving to proceed as she pushed the swinging door open and held it for Nadia. It was then that Nadia saw Elisa resting on a bed of roots, her arm showing a closing bloody wound that looked like a deep slice across her forearm. But what caught her eye first was the root itself. Emerging from the sides of the bed, new growth, vines, leaves, and small branches encircled the girl''s arm as Nadia could see waves of energy glowing from the flora. Nadia was struck by the warmth of the process, having just fought a vine creature of a different kind. However, after searching the root''s core, Nadia found that this connection seemed non-sentient. The earth and this tree provided a stable flow of energy and circulation to the targeted area. "Wow," Nadia couldn''t help but mutter. "How are you a healer but have never seen a bounding before?" Lysa continued, puzzled by Nadia''s questions. Nadia hesitated, unsure how much she should share at this first meeting. "My talent comes from within. I can accelerate the body''s natural healing potential." Lysa tsked, as Nadia got the feeling that Lysa assumed power without rooting was pointless. Nadia played towards that assumption. "Do you teach others?" "No. Well, my mother taught me, but I have no one else to teach, at least not yet. Luckily, bounding is no different than calling on the earth for its energies, so I was able to quickly learn my skill from our school training and early on from my mom." Nadia resisted the urge to question Lysa about her mom, knowing that family was sacred to some and not shared openly. Instead, she questioned Lysa on her talents and skills and the nature of her healing. Questions led to more questions, and soon Nadia was questioning even her talents as Lysa spoke of the gifts granted by the earth. "Lysa! I''m afraid I have another late-night visitor for you," a voice spoke from the other room as Lysa and Nadia hurried back to see the source of the voice. An arm pushed through the door, and a larger man held onto a draped body dangling from the ground. "Wi-Brick!" Nadia screeched, catching herself at the last second to avoid calling Will''s name, only to see soon that another familiar form was holding Will''s other side. "Surge!" Nadia shouted again. "What happened?" She hurried over as Tuck cast a sidelong glance at the other man holding Tuck up. "Steel! What did you do this time? He is our guest," Lysa was the one to speak this time. "And our guest lost a bet," Steel said with a slight smile to Nadia and a nod to Tuck, who remained silent. Nadia reached for Will as she began to channel her energy, only to find a hand raise and grab her own as a communication reached out through her Nex. "No. Don''t," Will sent, eyes still closed and draped over, blood spilling from his face. "On the bed. Hurry up already!" Lysa shouted as Steel and Tuck carried Will to the bed, placing him down with a thud. "Surge, it''s been fun. Tell Brick to come back soon if he is still willing," Steel commented with what was most likely a smirk or wink as he shuffled to the door, looking to avoid any more words with Lysa. "What did my brother do?" Lysa then looked toward Tuck, who felt the weight of both girls now staring him down. "Brick was... Brick, and it sounds like Steel was... Steel," Tuck said slowly, unsure how to handle the situation. Lysa waved off Tuck''s terrible answer and placed her hand along the side of the bed, feeling the bark and communicating with the tree to share its energies with Will, who was still lying prone on the bed. Both Nadia and Tuck looked dumbstruck as waves of small branches jolted out from both sides of the bed, searching along Will''s body, entwining across his chest, sides, and face, weaving to create a cocoon-like shape while still allowing for Will to make subtle movements. Lysa took her hand off the bedside and looked back at Tuck and Nadia. "He should be fine by morning. Give him some rest and return then." "Do we just leave him?" Nadia asked Tuck via Nex, who was standing next to her. "Absolutely," Tuck responded as Nadia gave him a side-long glance. She was understanding that there was more to this story. "Thank you, Lysa. We will return the favor. We promise." As Tuck and Nadia left towards the door, Tuck received one more direct Nex communication from Will, who was still silent, with blood and saliva openly leaving his mouth behind them. "I told you I would find a way for you two to hang out more." Book Two: Chapter Twenty Chapter Twenty "A leader separates want from need. This choice, where the risk to take must be chosen, shapes the destiny of all." - E.B. James James watched as the others departed from the camp, leaving only himself and Emy behind. "You are welcome to join me in visiting Elric," he offered. "As tempting as that sounds, I think I''ll pass. You''ve probably noticed too, but it seems like Fire types aren''t very popular around here," Emy replied, letting tiny sparks dance around her as she shrugged, trying to hide her discomfort. "Yeah, it''s odd. I''ve been thinking about it ever since Frank was giving orders. Remember what Coach said before we arrived? Infinite possibilities, and yet the System chose us to be here. Why?" James wondered aloud, not really expecting an answer. "SQUAWK!" Rose chirped from the trees, trying to join the conversation. Emy looked up at Rose and then back to James. "Thanks, both of you, but I''m not worried about it. If anything, the System is giving us time. Maybe it just wants me to learn how to use that Quantum Gateway. Something I''m nowhere near understanding." Emy glanced at James, who seemed to be searching for words of encouragement, so she decided to give him an easy out. "Enough about me. I''m fine. Sheesh. It''ll work out. Besides, we need to find out more about this place. You need to go play Mr. Diplomat." James half-smiled, realizing that Emy was giving him an out and accepting it. He would help find a way for her. They had to stay together. The last thing they needed was for someone to feel left out. He hugged her and headed toward the Guardian''s Hold, glancing back and feeling a bit relieved to see that Emy had also left. Like Frank''s route to the Armory, James was surprised when the gate opened automatically but quickly understood when the Zar''Keth man appeared. "I am looking for Elric''Ryn. He wanted to speak with someone from my, uh, company," James said confidently but faltered at not knowing what to call his team. The thought made him wonder if it would be stranger to call themselves Cohort 13 or the Mighty Eagles. "He has been expecting you. Come this way," the man said and moved towards a doorway near the western side of the inner gate. James followed but paused to look at Rose, now perched on a rock formation near the gate. "She is welcome to join, but know this is a safe area to explore. It is not uncommon for visitors to have companions. Though yours is a bit larger than the ones we see near the village." Hearing this, Rose puffed her chest out as James noted her back straightening. She gave a slight shift of her head in disinterest. "We''ll take your word for it. Rose is going to explore a bit." James smiled at Rose as she then took off towards the sky. As she left, he attempted to give a mental nudge of safety, unsure if it would work, only to get a quick flash of disgust in return. It seemed Rose was already rebelling. James caught up with the man as he entered the doorway. "I didn¡¯t realize this area existed on the initial pass through the town." The tribesman stayed silent momentarily, as if deciding whether to respond, but eventually relented. "You''d be amazed at what our builders can accomplish." "My name is Grace," James said, picking up on the slight note of kindness and hoping to expand on it. "We have been amazed more than once today, that''s for sure. Are you part of the leadership here?" "Gill, and no. I open gates," Gill answered, but James couldn¡¯t help but notice a slight smirk on the man''s lips as he turned back and headed up a staircase or stone ramp that protruded from the wall. If you faced the wall directly, you wouldn¡¯t notice the stones shifting inward. James followed up the stone staircase and observed the stone shift, turning into an overhead column for the hallways below, but now a bridge and a second floor upstairs. The pathway circled back towards the gateway as an open door led into a rectangular room, surprising James with the sheer size of an area he hadn''t noticed.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. "This is the Command Room," Gill said and returned to the stairs. "Thank you, Gill," a familiar voice spoke from inside the room. "Come on in, Grace." James entered the room and saw Elric with his back to the door, looking at what resembled a chalkboard fixed into the stone wall. The room had a large table in the center with 12 stone chairs surrounding it, all fixed into the ground. Each side had a window, one facing the village and one looking over Guardian''s Hold and past the mountain. James also noticed another stone staircase fixed into the wall closest to the tribe, leading to an upper door that must be a lookout above. Everything flowed seamlessly as if it had grown organically from the earth. ¡°We are simple people,¡± Elric noted, observing James''s awe of the room. ¡°We live in harmony with the earth; in return, it takes care of us.¡± James hesitated, searching for the right words, but stuttered. Elric turned to face him and continued, ¡°My son may do some foolish things, but he is no fool. Trusting your group after a single act of kindness shows his lack of real-world experience.¡± Elric sighed, ¡°So I must ask, who are you, and why are you in my village?¡± James, not the wisest of men, understood the gravity of trust. He knew this question was inevitable, though Elric was known for his stubbornness. Nonetheless, he needed to speak the truth, or at least enough of it, to build a foundation of trust. ¡°If it helps, I¡¯d argue the boy has some of the best instincts in the tribe,¡± James said, smirking and watching for a reaction from the stoic man. ¡°If there''s one thing you take from what I say, know that we are not your enemy. We had the choice to be your enemy before we met your son, and he didn''t give us much choice.¡± Elric tilted his head, considering James¡¯s words, but allowed him to continue. ¡°You see, we are not from this world, as we are actually fighting to save our own. Just as you battle the Taint, our world faces its own¡­ challenges,¡± James said, shaking his head at the absurdity, but Elric¡¯s gaze didn¡¯t falter. ¡°We chose to fight for our world and, as a result, received help from something called the System. I won¡¯t go into detail unless requested, but it brought us here to get stronger. I imagine your tribe has much to teach us, and in turn, we can help protect your tribe.¡± Elric¡¯s expression softened into a slight chuckle. ¡°Should we need your help, huh?¡± James inwardly cringed at his poor choice of words but maintained a composed outward demeanor. Silence hung in the air as Elric placed his hands on the large table in the middle of the room. James noticed the markings and stone cutouts that depicted a map of the area, with a river cutting through the lands and clusters of rock icons below the larger mountain. ¡°Do not take my laughter as humor. Should you support our people in any way, our people will support you, but know it may be more of a challenge than your company is accustomed to.¡± Elric rubbed his cheek in contemplation. ¡°Regarding your comments about other worlds, we do not believe we are all that exists in this great beyond. Only an ignorant man would discard all we have found scattered across the lands and kept in that junkyard.¡± Elric laughed again, still deep in thought. ¡°Well, my son may tell you differently.¡± ¡°No,¡± said the Chieftain, composing himself again. ¡°I am not ignorant, but I am stubborn. Stubborn in protecting our people''s way of life. Grace¡­ my father died a happy man. He lived his life keeping peace and allowing this village to prosper. Prosper with riches? No, but with a community that protected each other and maintained our peaceful way of life.¡± ¡°Do we train to fight? Yes. Do we master our crafts? Yes. But do we challenge that which has led to our peace? No.¡± James seized the moment to gather more information. ¡°Kael held his tongue about the mountain, but it was noted something was threatening your people.¡± ¡°It is not new. The mountain craves, and the mountain takes. Our families have allowed it for generations. I will entrust you with some truth, but if you abuse this knowledge, even with my son, you will know what it means to go against the village,¡± Elric said, his eyes betraying a flicker of unrest as he realized time was not on his side. James, sensing the gravity of the situation, nodded in agreement. ¡°You hear of it as the Taint, and it grows stronger. It preys on some more than others but changes you if you let it. Stray too far to the North, and the air will take hold. It will push your body to strengths and powers, stretching your very existence¡­¡± Elric paused. ¡°But it will also plant a seed inside your body. Call it a curse to listen to the mountain, to abide by its will and toxins¡­¡± James looked back at the map on the table, glancing at the carved shapes below the mountain. ¡°Do those represent those that have¡­¡± James began, but Elric finished for him, ¡°Those that have fallen to the Taint. Some from our tribe, most from smaller surrounding villages. Earth, wind, water, and¡­ fire. All types have built their communities within the Taint. Lawlessness, evils, and yet powers that cannot be matched.¡± ¡°Every two cycles, we supply an offering to the mountain, and in turn, we keep peace with their lands. I ask that you do not interfere despite what you may think of this. The price for peace is far higher than the price for mere offerings.¡± Elric turned to James, his voice hardening to stone. ¡°Should you or your people ever break this truce, know this: you will unleash our people''s full fury and unyielding might. Cross this line, and it will be the end of you.¡± Book Two: Chapter Twenty-One Chapter Twenty-One ¡°The saying stands: one step forward and two steps back. It''s only when you look back that you realize those steps forward were actually giant leaps in the grand scheme of things.¡± ¨C Boost, Former Champion. Emy As James departed and made his way towards Guardians Hold, Emy took a deep breath and gazed up at the stars. Though it wasn''t her sky, it brought her a sense of calm. Her entire team seemed exhilarated by the opportunities this place offered. Apart from James, the village held truths about their paths. But for her? Nothing ignited her passion. This tribe was kind and intriguing enough in an unknown world, but her world needed her, and this felt like a delay in her mission. Yet, she knew she didn''t want to lose her momentum. The stars have a way of making anyone feel insignificant. Yes, she was far from home, but these stars revealed the same truths as her own. Her problems had grown larger than they were weeks, months ago¡ªshe questioned how long it had been since the integration. Regardless, her problems, or even Earth''s problems, were merely fragments of what existed across the cosmos. Control what she can and progress as much as she can¡ªthat¡¯s all anyone can do. Emy set off towards the farming fields where she had seen the village kids playing earlier. She felt a strong urge to venture further beyond the walls, but she knew James would be alarmed if he found out she had gone alone. She agreed with the logic of staying within the boundaries¡ªshe couldn''t do that to her team for now. She had to admit, these fields, much like the stars, brought her a sense of calm. Her thoughts drifted back to cherished holiday memories of getting lost in corn mazes with her parents¡ªsweaters, cocoa, autumn nights, and taking turns in the lead position until those following gave up and forged their own paths with laughter. Her relationship with her parents had always been tenuous, but she couldn''t fault them for trying to share those moments with her. Now calm and settled, Emy reached out to Nex: "Alright, Nex, give me everything you can on how this Quantum Gateway interacts with the void." "By now, you know that the void de-voids even the best AIs'' willpower," Nex paused, internally pleased with their pun. Emy sent a pulse of approval¡ªit was the least she could do. "The best way I can describe it is that the void is a medium. It¡¯s a transportation layer across the Cosmos, connecting all space. Each space, like the one you''re standing in now, has a unique code or genetic makeup. Imagine a sphere around you with a 5-meter radius. Now, consider everything within that sphere: earth, soil, grass, air, oxygen, gravity¡ªall elements connecting you to this precise point in the Cosmos. Now, move five paces to the right and try to differentiate the two areas. That is the level of precision you need." "How am I supposed to remember all that detail?" Emy questioned. "Ah, that''s the benefit of the gateway. When you lock on a space, the gateway can ''save'' the record as a pre-recorded space. You open your space into the void and program an exit vector using the gateway. That interaction is something I can maintain for you." "So, to make this skill useful, I have to pre-program every jump I''ll ever make?" "Yes and no. There are stories of those navigating the Cosmos without needing the device, but I think it''s more rumor than reality. Theoretically, you don''t need to have been somewhere to go there¡ªyou just need the right code. There are many reset codes across the Cosmos established by former void users that your Gateway can interact with. We''ll need to obtain them." "So, I just make a snapshot of the entire elemental construct of everything around me, up to a 5-meter radius?" "Yep, easy-peasy." "No, Nex." Nex seemed to grunt but let the conversation slip internally. Emy then sat on the soil below her, mimicking a meditation pose. Closing her eyes, she let her energy expand, concentrating on building a sphere of influence around her. She focused on isolating her mind, removing everything else in the world. Once she accomplished her task, Emy focused on interacting with the energy around her, trying to distinguish every element. This was a new goal for her, as even her Disintegration ability sought to continuously break down elements, interact, mold, and influence. Doing this would change her space. She realized she had to push a mental command to her energy, holding it within the sphere while allowing everything within to exist without influence from her or her willpower. She then considered all aspects of her energy and what she felt.Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. As Emy sat among the vegetation, she attuned her senses to the molecular level. She could feel the complex dance of atoms and molecules within the plants around her. The tall and green corn stalks were bustling with life, their cells working tirelessly to convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis. She sensed the carbon dioxide in the air being absorbed by the leaves, the hydrogen and oxygen molecules forming water within the plant''s vascular system, and the intricate network of sugars and starches that fueled their growth. The soil beneath her was a rich tapestry of elements¡ªnitrogen, phosphorus, potassium¡ªall essential nutrients for the thriving crops. She could sense the mycorrhizal fungi intertwining with the plant roots, forming symbiotic relationships facilitating nutrient exchange. The air around her was a mixture of nitrogen, oxygen, and trace gases like argon and carbon dioxide, each molecule vibrating with energy and purpose. The humidity in the air carried tiny droplets of water, forming a delicate balance with the temperature and pressure. As she concentrated for an indeterminate amount of time, Emy began to perceive the minute electrical charges and magnetic fields generated by the interactions of the surrounding elements. It was a symphony of life and energy, playing out at the molecular level, filling her with a profound sense of connection to the universe. At that moment, she sent a pulse to Nex to lock in this projection and received a mental ping, signaling its completion. She then allowed herself to exit the trance. "How is that?" Emy mentally questioned Nex. "That was perfect!" Nex promptly responded. "But, remember, I have no knowledge of void dimensions..." "Thanks?" Emy replied, slightly puzzled by her enthusiastic AI friend''s caveat but quickly accepting it. "So, now what?" Emy asked. "This part I can help with. First, let''s move a bit away, and then I need you to open up the void." Emy walked away from the village, closer to the distant stone wall that barricaded the community. Hoping she was now out of sight, Emy triggered her new void control skill. She tore a slice of the air away from itself, pushing further until the slice formed a darkness that slowly spread into an ethereal hole, displacing the vegetation around her. "Great! Let me just¡­ there!" Nex spoke as he activated the Quantum Gateway against the void. The device seemed to materialize from nowhere, grabbing the edges of the void and expanding it into the makings of a small doorway. "All set! And now you just¡­" Nex began, but Emy cut him off. "Walk into eternal darkness and hope not to kill myself?" she said, taking a deep breath and preparing herself. "Yep!" Nex confirmed. Emy approached the gateway, hesitated momentarily, then stepped into the unknown. What met her was a familiar laugh and an explosion of fire. *** Nadia & Tuck ¡°So, will you tell me what happened tonight?¡± Nadia looked up at the significant figure of Tuck walking beside her. They were heading back from the infirmary where they had left Will to recover under Lysa''s care. ¡°What happens in fight club stays in fight club?¡± Tuck tentatively asked. ¡°No.¡± ¡°Alright. But you know we''ve both been in the backseat of Will''s talents.¡± ¡°Go on.¡± ¡°Can you at least be excited when Will boasts about the story later?¡± ¡°Deal,¡± Nadia said, smiling, which Tuck quickly mirrored. Tuck then recounted the story about a group of guys led by Lysa''s brother, Steel. He spoke of ¡°Blitz¡± and how Will needed to break into the group through a bet. ¡°Will stood firm, taking the strikes from the table, lowering his energy barrier to let the punches count. This wasn¡¯t discussed,¡± Tuck paused and chuckled. ¡°What is it?¡± Nadia urged him on. ¡°Will did it on purpose. The look on those guys¡¯ faces was priceless. We train for combat¡ªwhen someone fights back, for taking and giving blows with energy. But this group flinched. They hit hard, but regret was written on their faces after each impact. Only Steel, who took the last strike, didn¡¯t react, but even he helped lead Will to the infirmary.¡± Tuck smiled. ¡°That¡¯s not even the funny part¡­ Will had his chance to win the game. His Wildcard was unused, and he tucked it under the stack after losing. He got his ass kicked and still came out on top.¡± ¡°So, you¡¯re telling me you went with Will, didn¡¯t join the game, didn¡¯t help him win with Nex, and just watched as a group of strangers beat the crap out of him?¡± ¡°Nadia, let me be clear¡­ It was one of the best nights of my life.¡± Tuck''s mouth curled into a large smile as he broke into laughter. Nadia tried to keep a serious face but quickly faltered. ¡°Gosh dang it, I¡¯m only irritated because I wasn¡¯t there to witness your new boys¡¯ club.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure if it''s something I will continue doing with Will.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± ¡°These people, their strikes are all about finesse and speed. I¡¯ll go at first, but I think I¡¯d rather be with you.¡± Nadia stopped in her tracks, causing Tuck to panic. ¡°To train! You? Me. We could train together,¡± Tuck stumbled over his words. ¡°Now you don¡¯t want to hang out with me?¡± Nadia quipped. ¡°No! I mean, yeah, I would love that. To, you know... I just think our Talents could grow more if we train together. Will could learn more with the boys'' club.¡± ¡°I¡¯d love to join you, Tuck.¡± Nadia still stopped, giving a jesting smile at Tuck¡¯s red face ahead of her. ¡°But if you ever want to take me on a date, you better ask in a better way.¡± Tuck froze as a voice spoke through his Nex. ¡°What the heck is going on out there? I can feel your emotions from this stump I¡¯m on. Is everything okay?¡± Will asked, and Tuck vowed to give him another punch tomorrow. ¡°Get some sleep, creeper,¡± Nadia replied through Nex. ¡°We¡¯re fine, right, Tuck?¡± "Better than fine." Tuck composed himself, unaware that, far away from them, Will smiled and closed his eyes for the first time, feeling his friends'' success. Nadia caught up with Tuck, and they continued their walk back to camp, talking about Nadia¡¯s time with Lysa and her Talents, when a bird call echoed. ¡°Rose?¡± Nadia questioned, looking up at the sky. Their companion whistled, crossing the sky and heading southward toward¡­ ¡°Smoke!¡± Book Two: Chapter Twenty-Two Chapter Twenty-Two ¡°Deceit is most insidious when it hides behind the eyes of a Champion.¡± ¨C Beacon, Former Champion. The Milky Way Galaxy - Unknown Space Coach Williams Coach Williams rubbed his left hand over his wrist after Viggo decided to uncuff him. The two and the still-unconscious Shakur found themselves in a precarious situation. Alarms blared throughout the cargo vessel, and the three men were confined in a large hangar cluttered with metal crates near the back of the ship. They only had two potential exits: the steel door in front of them and the docking bay at the back, which led to open space¡ªan option that could result in catastrophe if opened mid-flight. "SYSTEM ALERT - WE HAVE BEEN BREACHED AND BOARDED; PLEASE EXIT VIA THE NEAREST ESCAPE POD." "Why would anyone want to board a harmless cargo vessel?" Viggo said, looking puzzled. Williams chose not to answer. Instead, he froze, his gaze becoming distant as he closed his eyes. Viggo watched in confusion and mounting anxiety, unwilling to believe that the man was surrendering to despair. Then, with a sudden burst of energy, Williams'' eyes snapped open, brimming with determination. He swiftly took command of the situation, his demeanor shifting from silent resignation to resolute leadership. "We have limited options here, but we need to move. Do you or your sleepy friend have anything to help in this situation?" Viggo looked down at Shakur, feeling hopeless without his resourceful friend, who had been knocked out by the abrupt halt of the ship. "Afraid not, but he might if he wakes up." "He isn''t very much help right now. Does usefulness just stop once you get into management?" Williams quipped, then added, "Disregard. No time. Let''s move." Williams grabbed the small green man lying on the floor and tossed him over his shoulder without looking at Viggo. He took off towards the area with the largest containers stacked in piles in a far corner. BOOM! An echo sounded as the door they had just been near was kicked in, and multiple presences walked into the large area. Williams immediately grabbed Viggo, covering his mouth with his hand as energy surrounded the three. Williams let his hand slip from Viggo''s mouth and put a finger on his lips. Despite the situation, Viggo felt a sense of calm flow through his body. "I told you! It''s nothing but a cargo container. These things contain nothing but worthless junk the conglomerates try to sell to newly integrated planets," a gruff voice said. "Hush! I told you already. There was a ping from this ship, near this area," a second voice spoke. "A ping? We are on a moving spaceship. Why would that be a big deal?" "A ping to Earth, you idiot. The boss said they found coordinates in the encrypted message." "And?" "Earth and the other planets are untouchable right now! That means someone is trying to influence those on Earth. You know what, never mind, just be quiet and search!" The two men who had breached the ship split up and began sifting through containers, throwing or collapsing metal crates haphazardly. The movement allowed Williams to get a good look at one of the intruders. Dressed in all-black shifting armor, an emblem on his shoulder showed a silver "X," indicating a military insignia. This told Williams all he needed to know: Astral Dominion. Williams sent a silent communication to Viggo through Nex, sharing his findings. "They won''t be able to sense our energy, but one of them is a ranking officer of the Dominion Military. The X on his armor tells of a warrior surviving the games. Stay silent." Time seemed to stop as the intruders sorted through the crates, effortlessly tossing the multi-ton weighing containers with their metal affinity. "There is nothing here. This is a waste of time," one of them grumbled. "Keep looking!"If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. "Didn''t you say the boss already sent some surprise to those locations anyway?" "Yes. But that doesn''t mean we don''t have to follow orders." With his energy, the man grabbed the largest metal container against the far wall and sent it flying upward. It struck the ceiling forcefully, landing with a burst against three other crates. "There," the officer spoke, finally looking around. "That''s enough. I sense nothing but metal and junk in this cargo hold. It must have been a ruse to get us looking in the wrong place. Let''s get back." The second man let out a grunt, confirming his original assumption. They both tapped their keypads, and a void hole opened up, allowing them to step through before it promptly closed in on itself. "What did I miss?" It was Shakur who spoke first, still lying on the floor. "Shakur, how did you share the family locations with Tech?" "I sent an encrypted ping to the radio broadcast center. It may take him some time, but Tech should be able to figure it out," Shakur answered confidently, noticing the shaken looks on Williams and Viggo''s faces. "Wait, what''s wrong?" *** Earth Somewhere between Reno and Dayton, Nevada Luck and Mr. Reynold "Who would have thought we''d have the opportunity for a guys'' road trip in the middle of all this?" Mr. Reynold broke the silence after several miles as he and Luck made their way to Tuck''s hometown of Dayton, hoping to find Tuck''s mom and Luck''s former wife. "I don¡¯t think this counts as a road trip," Luck responded tersely. He knew Mr. Reynold was trying to make conversation, but this trip had been gnawing at him for the past month, not to mention the years leading up to the integration when he was behind bars. Still, Luck was better than that. Despite Mr. Reynold''s flippant demeanor and casual nature in the face of a system apocalypse, he had done nothing but help. "Sorry, Steve. I have quite a bit on my mind. I need to know she is safe. She and Tuck are my world. A world I need to rebuild, but that doesn¡¯t take anything away from it." "I get it," Mr. Reynold said quietly, understanding Luck''s position. "I''m trying to stay out of my mind." Luck sighed. He had forgotten what he heard about Will''s mom and little brother. He was also fighting to go towards them, but they lived a bit further away, towards the southern part of the state. Out of reach, at least until they bided for more time. "I promised, and I will hold onto that promise. We will also make it to Will''s family," Luck said, then chose to change the tone of the conversation. "You know what, this is a road trip. Let''s listen to some music. I told Tech to set up some radio on a few alternate stations before we left." Mr. Reynold searched, and soon they were listening to 80s hits together, allowing for a comfortable silence. The team had found numerous cars parked inside a few untouched parking garages. Luck settled on an F-150 as it reminded him of his first truck, and it had some power and off-road capabilities if the path demanded it. Tech had no trouble hotwiring and setting up alternate keys for the car. The trip should have only taken 60 minutes, but due to crashes, shut-down interstates, and roadblocks, they were now two hours in and only halfway there. A distortion came over the radio station. Luck and Mr. Reynold exchanged a glance before Luck turned up the volume.
My fellow Americans and those of our allies listening across the globe. This is the President of the United States speaking. Our world has been integrated, many lives have been lost, and I understand that there is fear in everyone''s hearts. It should be noted that I was almost a number within a large pool of casualties across our civilizations. Let me first apologize to you all. This chaos uprooted our lives and resulted in a lack of direction and support, which should typically be my role. That was taken away from me until now. Now, I am saying that there is hope. Hope for our people and hope for our world. You may have now become familiar with a set of local heroes known as Earth''s champions. These heroes are thriving under this new beginning and setting a new expectation of what it takes to lead and defend our great nations and this new world. Let this be a statement of hope and concern. The peak of these humans saved me... these Champions. Three of them are known as the Astral Dominion. They put their lives on the line to protect this planet, but you should not trust all who walk our Earth as Champions. I am told that another set of Champions exists who, if successful, would seek to crucify and condemn our great nations. One of these so-called teams is now known as the Mighty Eagles. These ''Eagles'' are not who they claim to be. They prey upon the trust of our great people. Trust which should not be misplaced. I do not concern myself with these people, as I have complete faith in our true Champions. I speak only to guide what you should believe, as your safety has always been our top priority. Starting with the capital, we will be rebuilding¡ªrebuilding our great nation and rebuilding our people. Champions need those they can trust, grow, and learn with, and one day stand beside them as equals in power¡ªpower that allows for partnership with our sovereign leadership and power to protect ourselves from the great beyond. Should you need support, should you seek power, make your way to the capital. We will fight.
The broadcast became static as Luck and Mr. Reynold stared in stunned silence at the road ahead. They could not comprehend what had just transpired over the radio, the weight of the unexpected communication settling heavily upon them. Before either could find their voice, Tech broke the silence, speaking directly to Luck over their Nexabots. "Luck, we have some news." Luck spoke out loud so that Mr. Reynold could hear. "Mr. Reynold and I both heard the broadcast over the radio. How is Penny handling it?" There was a pause on the other end before Tech spoke again. "No. I intercepted a frequency over our communication channels. A frequency depicting locations." "Locations?" Luck questioned. "Luck, one of them is pointing to a community building in Dayton, Nevada." Luck froze in understanding. "Our families." Book Two: Chapter Twenty-Three Chapter Twenty-Three "Conflicts don''t arise solely from enemies." ¨C Coach Williams Level Five Zar¡¯Keth Village Full Team "The first night, and you already started a fire within the village?" James panted, arriving last at the team''s campsite just before the agreed time. "Relax, James. She didn¡¯t mean to," Tuck said, glancing at Emy. Nadia chimed in, "Plus, no one saw her. Rose spotted it before it could get too bad, and Tuck and I were the first on the scene." James took a deep breath, shifting his demeanor. "Are you okay, Emy?" "She''s doing better than Will, that''s for sure," Tuck grumbled. "Wait, where¡¯s Will?" James asked, concern evident in his voice. "Infirmary," Nadia replied. "What?" James''s face contorted with anger. "Okay, this is the most flustered we have seen you, James. What''s going on?" Trish interjected, trying to calm the team. James looked at Trish and attempted to gather himself. "We just can''t..." He started, then sighed deeply. "I''m sorry. I just finished with Elric, who told me we were one bad gesture away from getting kicked out of the village." "Kicked out? Not yet!" Frank butted in from the side. "No, not yet, Frank," James said, glancing at Frank, who seemed almost in a trance. "The gist is that Elric is willing to welcome our team into his village, but there''s a lot of unease. Any false moves or changes to the ''quota'' will get us kicked out. Starting a fire and having someone in the infirmary isn''t the impression I want to set on the first night." James redirected, "More importantly, is Will okay? Should we go there? Why aren''t you with him, Nadia?" "He''s okay. Mostly deep bruising and some organ damage. I didn¡¯t want to reveal my skill set just yet. These people... they are..." Nadia began but was cut off by Frank. "Extraordinary." "Yes, that, and well, Will needs..." Nadia continued, but Tuck interrupted. "To learn a lesson." "Why do I feel like I already know the story before you even tell us?" James chuckled. ¡°Do I need to ask?¡± "Oh no, not me. Not again. Nadia already reamed me. Will gets to tell his own story this time," Tuck said as smiles spread across the team¡¯s faces. James decided to move on. "What about you, Emy? What caused the fire?" "I''m not sure," Emy replied, feeling disheartened. "I was attempting a small void jump using the new Quantum Gateway, and, well, it failed." "Nex wasn¡¯t able to help?" Trish asked, sensing Emy''s response. "Nex is... awesome. But AI can''t teach this type of thing. The voids, my affinity, are more chaos-based versus processing speeds and databases."This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. "As much as I want to help, she is right," Nex said, speaking to everyone through their connections. "You will figure it out," James reassured her, his voice full of confidence. "We should have someone watching over you next time you attempt a jump." "A babysitter?" Emy questioned with a hint of disgust, surprising James. "So, uh, what else did we learn tonight?" Trish quickly changed the subject, giving Emy some space while James remained silent. "I met the most incredible woman," Frank said with a sigh, catching everyone off-guard. They all turned towards him. "A lady? Already?" Trish asked, then quickly said, "What''s her name?" "Oh. I don¡¯t know." "You don''t know her name? What did you talk about?" Trish pressed. "Uh. We didn¡¯t really talk." "Frank, did you stalk someone?" Tuck asked with a grin, actually missing Will''s usual antics. "Tuck." Nadia now spoke up. "Frank, could you fill us in a little bit?" "Oh yeah. Sorry. Long night. She was working the primary forge at the Smithy. I''ve never seen someone work metal quite like that." Tuck felt Will''s absence keenly as Frank continued, "At first, I thought they were breaking or spoiling the weapons somehow to mess with the offerings, but then I realized I was wrong. Each strike was dead on. Each modification was as if it was fulfilling a purpose... a destiny." Frank then went silent, leaving the team waiting for more. "Thanks for all the details, Frank," Trish said with a gesture, but Frank paid no attention. "Anyway, I visited the dump." "I thought you were going to the Weaver''s Den?" James asked. "I was... but I just couldn¡¯t resist. Turns out my instinct was right. This place has some history. The dump is not quite a dump. It is confirmed that this world was once integrated. The items discarded are things ages beyond Earth, yet these people live primitive lives." "Meaning things like computers?" Emy rejoined the conversation. "Think AI tech, energy emitters, mini-processors, large-scale augmented reality... I barely even scratched the surface. All of it is in piles, collecting dust." "Maintaining the status quo," James mused. "I don¡¯t know if everyone is afraid of it or unwilling to learn," Trish added. "Probably both," Emy responded. "Yeah, well, Uma, the head of the dump, is a bit on the strange side, but I like that. We''ll get along just fine." "So, wait, you aren''t going to the Weaver''s Den?" Frank remarked. "I don¡¯t know. Maybe?" Trish hesitated. "Based on your findings so far, I think your gut is one for one. I vote that you continue to follow it," Emy advised, receiving mixed reactions but a smile from Trish. "I''m not sure if I agree with them being unwilling to learn, but maybe tech-averse?" Nadia pondered, drawing everyone''s attention. "Lysa was a healer with an Earth affinity. Everything she did was similar to my healing, but yet so different. It was beautiful..." She paused, attempting to describe what she saw. "We have always viewed our energies as pulling and pushing what surrounds us, modifying and changing things that exist. She pulled from the trees, the soil, and the earth itself. She willed it to heal, and the tree listened." "While I didn¡¯t get much from the warriors due to Will''s shenanigans, I felt the same energies, but not earth... within the air as if the wind was flowing with them. The strikes on Will were not just skills; the wind aided their punches." "So clearly, Will ran his mouth, lost at something, and was beat up. Did I summarize it for you?" Emy questioned. "Yep," Nadia answered for Tuck. "Settled. He can stay in the infirmary. James, I think you''re up last. How was..." Emy began but was abruptly cut off by a screech from above. "Rose! I''m sorry!" Emy quickly corrected herself, internally cringing at the thought that this bird already disliked her. "I believe she is telling you not to let it happen again," James remarked as more screeches echoed from the bird. "She circled the camp and noticed a few worn trails leading to the lake we arrived by and a smaller mountain southeast of the camp. It appears the tribes frequently travel to both." "Fish and ore," Frank said instantly. "I figured they might have treks somewhere with all the metals they are forging. Maybe helping there will earn me some goodwill with the Smithy." "That connects to my conversation with Elric. Many of our predictions were right. There is an offering. It happens twice a year, but they note it as every two cycles." "Seasons?" Trish questioned. "Yeah, that was my thought as well. We should see at least two offerings while we''re here. I think it''s worth investigating, but the taint empowers and corrupts. And not just fire types. Elric spoke of four distinct villages below the mountains, each representing a different affinity. With the team''s agreement, I may travel with Rose to gather more intelligence. If the taint empowers, I''d love to examine it." "Would you like someone to watch you?" Emy jested but couldn¡¯t hide the previous tension. "Rose and I should be able to support each other, but I''m happy for others to join me," James said, questioning internally about Emy. He continued, "It''s clear the system requires us to spread out a bit on this level, but we need to stick together. We should meet here every night to discuss and join each other when possible. Let''s start with how we can help the village tomorrow, and then we can pursue our distinct opportunities." "We can''t even eat together?" Frank challenged. "Okay, campsite for a recap and breakfast together in the morning for those who can join?" James adjusted. "In!" Frank said with amusement as the rest nodded their heads with a bit less enthusiasm. Book Two: Chapter Twenty-Four Chapter Twenty-Four "The hardest part was seeing my friends change, lose themselves, and drift away. The Games change people." ¨C The Reckoner, Former Champion. Full Team "It still feels odd heading to breakfast without him," Frank mentioned to the team as they walked toward the market to see the variety of foods the villagers had for the morning. "He needs to rest and recover," Nadia concurred. "Lysa is good; I''m confident she''s taking excellent care of him." "Let''s find something delicious and bring it to him later?" Trish suggested to the group as they continued to move toward the caf¨¦ they had visited the previous night. "Let''s split up and see what''s good, then meet back here at our¡­" James started but paused before finishing, "Table." The rest of the group stopped behind James, looking up to see what had caught his attention. Will and Kael were sitting at the table with a generous spread of food in front of them. "Brick?¡± "Well, good morning, friends! It''s about time you woke up to start your day. What is it, like 5 A.M.?" "5 A.M.?" Kael asked, puzzled. "Kael, don¡¯t ruin my jokes. I was just starting to like you," Will said, playfully nudging Kael''s shoulder. "It just means these lovely people decided to sleep late. Come on, enjoy the spread!" After Lysa healed Will remarkably quickly, it also seemed to have resulted in him having one of the best nights of sleep since everything started. Awake and full of energy, Will initially intended to grab some food to go but found himself drawn to the vibrant atmosphere of the caf¨¦. With his flow perception skill and knack for conversation, Will quickly bonded with Big Ed, the head chef and caretaker of the chicken farm. Will offered to help with dishes in exchange for some eggs. However, when Kael joined them and mentioned Will''s recent stay in the infirmary, Big Ed refused to let Will do any work. Instead, he asked Will to share local recipes from his home tribe.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. Realizing that Will''s culinary skills were limited to scrambled eggs, Big Ed humorously sent them out of the kitchen, but not before sending them off with a generous serving of eggs, meats, and a vegetarian hash. "I told him I had a friend I could best describe as a ''Hungry Hippo,'' but that didn¡¯t translate well. Anyway, with Kael joining in and mentioning my infirmary stay, we got¡­ well¡­ this!" Will gestured to the food. "Will, hunny, you know I tried my best. Try translating Earth slang from a 1970s kid''s game in a picosecond," Nexy defended, though Will quickly sent an internal pulse to signal he was joking. Frank couldn''t help but salivate over the mouth-watering egg dishes, exclaiming, "This may just be my favorite mealtime for the next six months!" Thanks to Kael, the group fell into laughter and lighthearted conversation. The cheerful atmosphere made it easier for Will to catch up on what had happened the night before, with Nex filling in the gaps and Kael listening. "Kael, any ideas on how we can help out this morning? We want to contribute," Nadia asked after finishing, feeling like they shouldn¡¯t all rely on Will''s efforts. "People usually find a role by asking around. I can find some things for you all, but meeting some locals is probably the best path. Word spreads quickly here. If someone needs help, the villagers will know. I''d suggest going where you feel most helpful," Kael advised. "How often do people go into the eastern mountains?" Frank inquired, hoping to make friends with the smithy crew. "Daily! Shipping crews go back and forth daily¡ªmany miners camp near the mountains rather than commuting every day. You should see some people near the Eastern gate behind the junk house," Kael replied. "Kael, do you know how interesting some of that junk is?" Trish couldn''t help asking. Kael made a puzzled face, "Interesting?" Trish quickly consulted Nex internally and answered, "Yeah, um, you know, fun and interesting?" "Oh, I know what interesting is¡­" Kael chuckled, "Just wasn''t sure if you did." "Knucks, dude!" Will roared as he and Kael bumped fists and mimicked an explosion. "Kael here is a quick learner." "Well, I think I''ll help out there," Trish said with a slight huff. "I''m heading back to Lysa to see if she needs any help at the infirmary," Nadia added. "I may need to demonstrate some of my talents." "It might come to that for all of us. Maybe we can agree not to show everything yet?" James suggested, and everyone nodded in agreement to showcase talents as needed. "Big Ed mentioned some warriors help with the crops before training," Will added. "I think I''ll help there. You joining again, Surge?" Tuck looked a bit conflicted but eventually nodded. "I think Rose and I will scout the area," James continued. "Talk to Gill. His crew manages the village walls. I''m sure they''d appreciate some help," Kael recommended. "Want to join, Fury?" James asked his friend. Emy had been distant with James the night before and knew it. She felt her talents were better used elsewhere. "I might head back to where we first arrived. I can''t stop thinking about what went wrong yesterday; I need to try again." "Do you want me¡­" James began. "No," Emy interrupted. "But I''ll stay in touch," she smiled slightly. The team fell into more conversation as James restrained himself from following Emy. He knew it wouldn¡¯t lead anywhere productive, at least not now. As everyone dispersed, the next few days and weeks seemed to blur together. Book Two: Chapter Twenty-Five Chapter Twenty-Five ¡°Determination and perseverance make a warrior.¡± ¨C Coach Williams Will Ever since witnessing the first sparring session while walking through the village, Will understood why the system had chosen this planet for their mission. The warriors'' prowess and the intensity of their training sessions left an indelible impression on him. It was clear to him now. Days of sword training in a battle simulator were insignificant compared to mastering the blade. The fluidity and precision of their movements were something that could only be achieved through years of dedicated practice. Few knew that besides football, Will also had a passion for reading. He often scoured school libraries for fantasy books¡ªanything involving training, fighting, and cheering for a hero or a team of heroes. After the events of his childhood surrounding his dad, Will found it hard to sleep. Television and video games were too noisy, but hiding a light under his bedsheets and reading transported him to another world. These stories were filled with tales of valor, determination, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. If he thought about it, he could attribute his reading to the insights he gained into this new world. The hero constantly adapts. The hero is always the one who trains the hardest. This is why he knew he needed more than just a little training when wielding Kenobi. Heroes in great novels dedicate their lives to their weapons, often considering them part of themselves. He remembered the countless hours he spent reading about characters who, despite overwhelming odds, honed their skills to perfection, turning their weaknesses into strengths. While this was Will''s goal, he knew he needed to be more realistic about his ambitions. Six months was a fair amount of time, but not enough considering how long it takes to become an expert in something, especially when they might have to fight something in the mountains and deal with the spreading taint across the lands. Will knew he had to improve, but he also needed to progress in his primary talent. He aspired to become something like the "sword mages" he read about in his books, envisioning the fighting he saw in the gated training fields. The combination of magic and martial skill epitomized his goal¡ªa balance of strength, agility, and strategic thinking. The first night was just a test. Will admitted he got lucky that the so-called leader of the warriors, Steel, was in the barracks that night. But that was all Will needed to make his move. Games, strategy, emotions, and guilt played into Will''s plan to integrate with the crew. Taking a few punches was nothing. His dad had done more damage when he was younger. The pain was temporary, but having the chance to learn and move like the fighters of this tribe was a gift from the System. After their first breakfast, the morning sun was already casting long shadows across the village as Will and Tuck made their way to the fields for the second phase of Will''s plan. Will knew that Tuck would only stick around for a while. It was easy to see that the big guy wasn''t as thrilled with the warriors'' movements as Will was. Will couldn''t blame him. Tuck''s talent lay in power and dominance, not necessarily in the tactical flow of combat. However, Tuck had something to learn, and Will intended to bring him along whenever he wanted. He trusted that Tuck would push himself just as much as he did. It was Tuck''s decision on the best path to get there. Heading to the fields, Will approached the surrounding helpers and noticed Steel holding what looked like a large butcher''s knife. The leader''s movements were fluid and precise as he effortlessly chopped what appeared to be mangoes or papayas off a large cluster of trees. The fruits glistened under the morning sunlight, their vibrant colors reflecting the rich, fertile soil of the land. It was a sight to behold, a testament to the harmony between the villagers and their environment. "It looks like I should be happy we chose fists last night," Will remarked, standing next to Tuck, causing the leader to look over and smile. "Maybe, but my sister could probably heal a strike from one of these things, too. Now, four of them? I''m not so sure," Steel responded lightheartedly, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I don¡¯t doubt it. Even after sleeping on a log, I''ve never felt more refreshed. That''s the reason we are here. We''ve heard repeatedly that the kindness of the village has its limits. We were hoping you could use a few extra pairs of hands. Surge could probably help by bringing down a few trees if necessary." "I wouldn¡¯t quite do that, but you do learn quickly, I know that¡­ Large weapons aren''t permitted out here. Take a harvest knife over there and give me a hand. Let''s see if I should keep you or pass you both to the rice paddies; they always need workers," Steel replied, nodding towards a pile of smaller, more manageable knives. Will and Tuck, confident in their abilities, picked up the harvest knives and headed to the most densely fruited trees. They glanced at each other, sharing a silent determination, and began hacking at the tree. They continued until they had cut down a considerable amount of fruit, tossing it into a central bin. Only then did they notice the entire workforce stopped to look at them, expressions of disapproval evident on their faces. "I had a feeling," Steel said, shaking his head slightly. "Look at your feet and then look around at everyone else." Will glanced down, noticing branches and leaves littering the ground, with even an entire branch beneath Tuck''s feet. Looking to his sides, he saw that the ground was bare, with little foliage in sight.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. "I would call what you two just did like amputating a leg when someone has a slight cut on their toe," Steel continued, causing Will and Tuck to try to hide their embarrassment. "These trees provide us with food. They harness the same energies you and I have, yet they use it to create something good for the world. It is not our place to punish them for their creation. No, we seek to cut with the minimal strike needed to do the job, nothing more." "You have one more attempt before I send you off. Maisy over there won''t like me holding favorites when it comes to the trees she''s been nurturing for a century." Steel smiled and waved to a woman caught with a large frown, staring at Tuck and Will. Tuck and Will turned back to their trees, attempting to shake off the eyes on them. Will noted that billions of viewers watching him did little to prepare him for Maisy''s glares. Looking at the knife in his hand, Will noticed the dull blade and questioned himself for not grabbing a better one. He then looked at the fruit nestled within a bunch of leaves and branches, staring for a long moment to see if any path with a blade could land without a secondary hit. Thinking he had found one, he took a breath and struck upward this time, slicing the fruit off the vine and freezing his blade millimeters before the branch behind it. Picking up the fruit from the ground, he saw Tuck staring at the tree beside him. Moments later, Tuck dropped his blade, grabbing the nearest branch and plucking the fruit off the stem. Will chuckled internally but soon felt several eyes shift away from them both. "I guess that''s another way," Steel laughed, his voice hinting amusement. "Call this next tip a favor for last night," Steel smiled and turned back to his tree but kept talking, "Every strike is a calculated risk¡ªa risk in which you predict the damage to your opponent versus the damage thrown back your way. Or maybe, in this case, Maisy''s glare¡­ Always note the strike of least resistance and greatest impact. Look deep into where your blade is headed. Find the inconsistencies in the branches, the natural ledges, and the tree''s defects. Use those to your advantage. For when you find them..." Steel slashed his blade in a lightning-quick motion, dropping the fruit into his other hand. "You should have the confidence in your attack and the willpower to handle whatever is next." Steel didn''t bother to turn back, instead moving seamlessly from his tree to the next. Meanwhile, Will and Tuck meticulously tended to their trees, each motion deliberate and careful. Despite their efforts largely unnoticed by most, Will sensed a subtle appreciation from the villagers as the hour progressed. Just as Will allowed himself a moment of satisfaction, the familiar voice echoed from behind once more. "Until tomorrow. That''s it for the day over here. Care to join us for today''s real training?" *** Will stood at the edge of the training arena, eyes fixed on Steel, who wore a self-satisfied smirk. Steel stood at the opposite end, waiting for Will to make his move. When Steel had casually asked if Will wanted to join a training session, Will hadn''t realized how serious the invitation was. The short walk to the barracks had been uneventful, only a few nods exchanged with Igor and several other warriors lounging around the tables and chairs. But once they arrived, Steel had made an unexpected announcement: he intended to test Will¡¯s combat skills. Will had anticipated a straightforward hand-to-hand combat test and had quickly agreed. He was taken aback, however, when Steel indicated that he should keep his blade unsheathed. "No. I need to understand all your skills. Including that," Steel had said, pointing directly at Will''s dual-bladed katana, Kenobi. Steel then outlined the rules of engagement, stressing that only strikes of opportunity were allowed¡ªno fully powered blows that could inflict serious harm or maim. As Will activated the latent power within Kenobi, ice began to form from the blue gem in the katana''s center, creating a core and a sheen of frost over the edges of the Celestium blade. Internally, Will wrestled with how much of his powers to reveal. Deciding to showcase just enough to demonstrate his proficiency without exposing his full range of abilities, he partially activated his Permafrost full-body skill. This created a solid layer of ice over his vital organs, akin to the coverage a leather armor would generally provide for a warrior. The ice, though functional, carried the faint, reflective sheen of frost. ¡°Shiny. Let¡¯s see it, ice boy,¡± Steel taunted, drawing a few chuckles from the warriors watching from the barracks. Will chose to remain silent. Instead, he dashed toward Steel, aiming a swift strike with Kenobi. The blade met Steel¡¯s weapon with a resonating clang, and the smirk on Steel''s face persisted. Ignoring the taunt, Will pivoted and attacked with the other edge of his katana, only to be met with the same metallic clash. Utilizing the momentum from the block, Will redirected his strikes across Steel''s body, aiming to mislead and distract him. However, when he swept his blade toward Steel''s feet, he found them absent from their expected position. Looking up, Will realized Steel was hovering off the ground, almost at knee level. ¡°Did you think I would let you keep swinging at me?¡± Steel asked, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. Will''s original plan dissipated. He concentrated on condensing the air around him, forming an ice platform at Steel''s level. Flashing upward, Will sought an opening, his blade clashing repeatedly with Steel¡¯s. Yet, he lost sight of his opponent once more. ¡°Falling for the same tricks?¡± Steel mocked. Determined, Will created several ice ledges, catching up to Steel as they neared the height of the arena''s fencing. Instead of striking, Will used his talents to hover above Steel, eyeing him for any openings. Steel moved horizontally, circling Will with energies forming beneath his feet, moving with an almost ethereal grace. Will tracked his movements until Steel rushed toward him with a leap. Will raised his blades to parry the strike, but Steel vanished. A sudden slash of metal tore through Will''s calf, spraying blood. Steel had dropped from the sky, landing beneath Will¡¯s footing, slashing at his leg, and reappearing on the same elevation behind him. ¡°That one was new. Dare to keep going?¡± Steel challenged. Will pressed on, accelerating his talents until the entire arena was enveloped in a mist, allowing him to adapt more quickly to Steel''s movements. ¡°Impressive,¡± Steel admitted as they circled each other, their strikes now less frequent and more calculated. Steel seemed to blend with the air and water, maneuvering through the mist as Will left sheets of ice in his wake. As Will edged closer, Steel prepared to speak again. But before he could, Will dashed forward, blade drawn, ready to strike. He met only open air as Steel''s blade sliced into his back, dragging upward. Will felt his strength fading as he plummeted from the sky, landing hard on the dirt below. His vision blurred, and darkness swiftly consumed him. Book Two: Chapter Twenty-Six Chapter Twenty-Six "Relentless effort, devoid of strategy, crumbles easily." ¨C Coach Williams Frank From the moment he left the smithy, Frank''s imagination ran wild. He had honed his craft for ten years, mastering the art of smithing. He had always been able to replicate the creations he saw on TV shows, watching smithing contests with his dad and revisiting every build and creation the contestants made. Through trial and error, he perfected his skills, learning and practicing the same cuts and molds repeatedly. Each creation was a variation of another, and Frank saw this as the beauty of smithing: mastering foundational skills allowed for endless applications. But what he witnessed now was unlike anything he had ever seen. The woman was an artist, using similar motions but working with metals in a completely different way. Each blade she forged was a new creation of strength, almost pulsating with power as if the metal had been freed from its constraints. These new insights led Frank to seek ways to merge his skills with those working in the smithy, recognizing that understanding the source of the metal might be his best method to contribute meaningfully. After breakfast with the team, Kael mentioned a crew planning to head toward the southeastern mountains at dawn. Frank gulped down every last bite before making his way to the smaller eastern gate behind what Trish had named the "tech hut." The sight of the hut reminded Frank of Trish and how she chose to spend her time, steering clear of the opportunity to further her talent as a weaver. While Frank respected Trish''s enthusiasm for this junkyard, he felt she was veering off the path the system was trying to guide her. He shook his head and continued to his destination. It wasn¡¯t his place to say anything, at least for now. Frank arrived at the eastern gate, letting out a breath as he saw people gathered around several large carts. These carts resembled oversized wheelbarrows but were crafted from sturdy wood reinforced with iron bands. Each cart had a single, substantial wooden wheel at the front, rimmed with iron for added durability. Two long, polished handles extended from the back, designed to be gripped by both hands. Realizing he was in the right place, Frank took a moment to admire the nearly hidden passage through the wall, marked only by a thin outline and a stone ledge that likely served as the opening mechanism. "Could you use an extra hand today?" Frank asked, addressing the group of nine villagers. They wore loose-fitting clothes and head coverings to protect against the sun, with only their braids visible. As the nine tribesmen and women exchanged puzzled glances, a voice called out from behind, "Don''t slow us down, and don''t ruin my product." Frank turned to the familiar voice, struggling to suppress a smile. It was her¡ªthe same woman from the Smithy. The tall figure strode past Frank, nodding at the others, and retrieved a metal rod from her pocket. She inserted it into the wall, causing a lever to protrude. With a determined push, she nudged the door open just enough before using her hands to open it further, allowing the group and their carts to pass through. Frank realized he was still gawking as the woman left the village, allowing the door to start closing behind her. He sprang into action, jumping towards the door and turning to his side to slide out just before the stone door locked with a final thud. As he glanced back one last time, he noticed the door had seamlessly merged with the surrounding stone. Still catching his breath from the sudden burst of energy, Frank looked around for the crew and saw they were already nearly 400 meters away. "Shit, shit, shit," he mumbled to himself as he took off in pursuit. The path to the mountains took over an hour, much of which Frank had to maintain a brisk jog to keep up. Despite not taking a turn pushing the larger carts, Frank struggled to keep pace, his breaths coming hard and fast. He tried to keep his mind off the distance they had traveled, only for Nex to put up a tracker in his view. "7.2 Kilometers!" Nex''s voice announced the distance in a cheery voice as the group stopped just before the tree line surrounding the mountains. Frank chose to send grumpy thoughts towards Nex as he glanced around the area. The sun was still lower on the horizon, barely hovering over the lowest of trees, creating a silhouette of shapes and shade over a path that looked to take you to the mountain''s base. "Ten minutes," the woman softly ordered as the group members departed from the carts and headed out in different directions. Another shock hit Frank''s eyes as he attempted to discover what he was supposed to be doing, only to discover that the group had made their way to several huts and makeshift tents within the tree lines. He noticed several new faces now emerging from the enclosures. "Relax," the woman then commented towards Frank, still not choosing to look at him before continuing, "Many choose to stay here in support of the mines. Allow a moment for those to greet their loved ones before we enter for the day." "Sounds like a good choice to skip that trip," Frank huffed, attempting to joke with the woman but falling silent. He took a moment to catch his breath and sat on the root of a tree branching out from the ground. The silence continued to linger between the two as he rested. Not wanting to endure any more awkward moments, Frank tried again, "Do you stay out here too?" "No." Frank held his tongue as his body twitched. He allowed himself to count to 15 seconds in his mind to prevent himself from filling the gap in silence. "I am needed back at the village. The night is for work within the Smithy," she concluded as Frank had gotten to 13 seconds within his count.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. "Do you do that¡­" Frank started questioning the woman''s work ethic only to catch himself and ask a more important question, "Can I ask what your name is?" Silence. 15 seconds. "How long..." Frank started again, only to be interrupted. "Ten minutes is up! Let''s head in," The women announced loudly as many of those from the earlier trip were already returning to the two of them. Frank decided to set aside his attempts at befriending the stoic woman and take in his surroundings. As the team of eleven, including Frank, made their way towards the looming peak, the tall trees¡ªresembling pines¡ªswayed in the quiet breeze, growing denser as they progressed along the path. The imposing height of the mountain grew more formidable with each step, and the trail gradually turned rockier, with crushed pebbles scattered along the main path, allowing the larger carts'' wheels to continue their journey into the elevation. Now, just 100 meters from the foot of the imposing formation, Frank stood in awe at the enormity of the rocks. What had appeared to be a smaller set of mountains from the village now revealed itself as colossal pillars of stone and clay, towering upwards of 50 meters at the base. The rocky face of the side of the highlands was a flat rock wall with a gigantic crack running down its side. What seemed like a natural formation over time had created a narrow opening at the top, leading into the darkness of the mines. Frank and company entered the archway without time for further examination. Each step diminished the sunlight, and the team seemed unconcerned about losing visibility in mere moments. As the sunlight faded, a blue glow took its place. Frank''s eyes quickly adjusted, revealing thick, lightning-like veins trailing along the walls, pulsing with energy and illuminating both the path ahead and the depths of the canal they had now descended into. "It''s glorious..." Frank couldn''t help but express his awe. Looking forward at his party, he thought he saw a smirk on the leader''s face before she returned to the path and led the team further. Minutes passed as the group descended deeper into the mountain''s core. The blue veins spread further, illuminating the cavity stretching miles within the rock wall. Unwilling to ask Nex how far they had traveled, Frank started to hear voices and the sounds of axes echoing through the cavities. The reverberating sounds made it difficult for Frank to discern which way the path led as the voices surrounded him. As they rounded another turn, more blue light pulsed as the group entered a massive cavern with rock walls resembling the size of his college football stadium. Teams of villagers were dispersed across various levels of rock, each navigating around major veins within the walls. "Same line, group up," the woman directed the team as they moved towards a pulsing vein near the furthest wall within the open area. The site appeared to be focused around the central vein erupting from the floor, with deep holes carved into the mountain for extracting stone and blue ore. "Smitha, I need to connect with a few others. Do you mind showing, um..." She paused, glancing at Frank, "Frank?" Frank nodded with a smile. "Showing Frank how we work down here?" With a confirming nod from Smitha, the woman left the team to their work. "I appreciate you taking the time to show me. It is an honor to work with you," Frank began, attempting his best impression of Will. "Save that for someone who cares. Let''s get going," Smitha huffed as she grabbed a pickaxe from a nearby bucket and headed for an open wall. Just as Frank went to grab an axe, Smitha stopped him, "Just wait on that, hotshot. Let''s first teach you how not to break the rules." Smitha approached the central blue vein protruding from the ground, resembling a base tree shooting up into branches. "See this?" she motioned to the thick blue vein, "If you touch this, consider your hands gone and see yourself evicted from the tribe." She took a few steps to the side and pointed to a larger branch of the blue vein. "Touch this? You lose a finger and also see yourself evicted from the tribe." She pointed to smaller twig-like veins from the larger branch, "Maybe one day. But today, an axe to the kneecaps and removal from the mines." Moving further away from the central vein, she pointed to a smaller offshoot. "Now this, this is where you start. We call these third cousins to the main branch¡ªconnected only by proximity to the major lines of the mountain''s energy. Some are strong, yet even a simple mind can see the lack of connection to the primary energy source. Avoid cutting into the blue ore and extract the energy leeches from the rock walls." "That''s it?" Frank half-joked, slightly worried about losing a body part. "That''s it," she smiled. "Also, avoid generating a crack that could bring down the stone around us and damage the primary line¡­ that would cost you both arms." She winked at Frank, her amusement evident. Smitha passed the pickaxe to Frank. He stared at the small vein, then looked back at her for another nod. Taking a half swing at the side of the vein, a bit of rock crumbled to his feet. After ten swings, he finally made a small indent in the rock. Sweat poured down his face as he glanced back at Smitha, who cackled. "Yes, it''s tough. Get to work, boy." Smitha grabbed an axe and joined the group in striking the wall. Hours passed, yet Frank maintained a steady rhythm of strikes against his ore vein, silently pleading for Nex to numb the pain in his throbbing shoulders. He knew he was probably only a third of the way through extracting his ore while those around him were already working on their second or third veins. Determined to prove himself, Frank reminded himself that the others on the team were risking their lives for the future of Earth. There was no way he would quit when it came to manual labor, especially not when it involved swinging something heavy. Breath by breath, he pushed on, each swing bringing him closer to his goal. "Cutting through rock is no different than forging," a voice from behind startled Frank. He chose to keep striking as the voice continued. History had shown that nothing he could say would outshine hard work and dedication in this woman''s eyes. "You strike the wall as if you''re wielding a sledgehammer. Do you make the same strike with every hit when you''re forging a weapon?" she continued, causing Frank to hesitate on his next swing. "Metal, stone, rock, and ore¡ªit doesn''t matter. The intent behind your swings challenges the state of what you''re hitting. Swing with reason, swing with a goal. Know that everything in this world is built upon connections. Connections that you may want to strengthen, or in this case, connections that might be easier to break." Frank stopped his strikes, anger welling inside him for hours of what now seemed like a useless effort. How had he not thought of this before? He berated himself for a moment before focusing on her last words. Energy, reactions, bonds¡ªhe had been training to support his team in this topic, yet he hadn''t considered applying his knowledge. Letting his mind connect with the wall, Frank felt for the faintest pulses of energy, the minute reactions within the rock and stone. He realized several of his previous strikes had hit stone bound by the strongest of bonds with little will to move. Shifting his focus to the ends of those bonds, he found his target: a faint crease in the stone, signaling a breakdown of atoms. Whether by reaction or the passage of time, this gap had formed between two sources. Raising his axe, Frank slammed the pick into the gap, shattering the rock to the floor. A single strike had done more damage than ten minutes of continuous effort. Frank stepped back and looked over his shoulder to thank the woman for her advice, only to see she had already departed. Looking to his left, he caught a sidelong glance and a grunt from Smitha as she pulled her second ore vein from the stone. It was time for Frank to catch up. Book Two: Chapter Twenty-Seven Chapter Twenty-Seven "Cosmic gifts come in many forms. Don''t limit energy talents to just fighting and battling." ¨C Coach Williams Earth ¨C Dayton, Nevada Zola Zola frowned as she looked up at the sky. It had been a good day, but now, standing outside the local YMCA and waiting for others from the community to arrive, the gathering clouds signaled that rain was on the way. She gathered a few remaining blankets, pillows, and the pail of granola bars they had set out on a table in front of the building and turned to head inside as a gust of wind and the sound of thunder spurred her on even more. Zola refused to stay in her home while others suffered in her community. Though she was alone, she believed in the power of community and helping others. Soon after the local news broadcasts ceased and she lost touch with her family and friends, she decided to take action. Going door to door in her neighborhood near Dayton High School, she tried to rally her community. Many ignored her, but gradually, she gained support. Little by little, she began to create a network of volunteers and services dedicated to helping those in need. She distributed walkie-talkies and relied on word of mouth to share information and support those who needed it most. The initial wave of panic-stricken news triggered an exodus of families and community members from the small town. They hurriedly departed, either to search for their loved ones or in a desperate bid to find a safe place. Tales of monsters and unexplained disappearances blanketed the town in fear. Zola, however, had yet to see any such monsters and remained skeptical of their existence, but this did little to quell the chaos. Something was undeniably happening worldwide, but Zola was certain of one thing: people needed help. She initially tried to create a sense of community within the nearby high school, but the limited resources¡ªbeds, food, and medicine¡ªquickly required the search for a new home base. While many residents returned home before nightfall, an overwhelming sense of insecurity persisted, leaving individuals like Zola, who had no one to depend on, feeling especially vulnerable. The power outages made getting a good night''s sleep nearly impossible. For the past 30 years, Zola had relied on the gentle hum of a white noise fan to lull her to sleep, but now she was surrounded by unsettling sounds¡ªcreaking floors and the occasional slamming of car doors outside. This was why she and about 50 others had gathered at the local YMCA. The facility was well-stocked with supplies that the high school lacked, including cots, tables, and essential medical provisions. These supplies were gradually accumulated through several IOUs exchanged with local pharmacies and shopping centers, which no longer had staff available to collect money. Amid the disorder, the YMCA had become a true refuge. Despite the lingering glances and whispers she had experienced over the past decade, Zola felt a sense of relief seeing the smiling and relieved faces around her. Genuine care for her community and its people motivated her actions. In these uncertain times, the feeling of togetherness provided a much-needed sense of normalcy. "Let me help you with that, Zola," a calming voice came from behind just as she felt the pail lift from her fingers, another hand taking its weight. "These clouds aren''t looking too normal. Let''s get you inside." It was just Oscar, the former gym coach and one of the earliest supporters of setting up this refuge. "You know I can handle those on my own," Zola started, but she suppressed her frustration, realizing Oscar was just being kind. "But, thank you." She passed over the other pillows and blankets before reaching down to unclip the large foldable table. Flipping it to the ground, she heaved it to her side and began to carry it inside, earning a bemused look from Oscar as they approached the primary doors. Just as they reached the entrance, a sudden gust of wind rushed in, slamming the door against the back of the table. Zola reeled into Oscar, landing on top of him as granola bars scattered across the floor. The roomful of people looked on in surprise. Zora awkwardly straddled Oscar, who lay beneath her with a bemused grin. "Talk about some holy wind," he remarked, a smirk on his lips. Flushed crimson with embarrassment, Zora scrambled to disentangle herself from the mess of pillows and blankets. Just as she reached to help Oscar to his feet, the air was shattered by a blood-curdling scream echoing from outside the doors, freezing them both in their tracks. Panic and noise quickly overtook the room. More screams echoed, and the building doors rocked and shook in the wind, mingling with the sounds of pellets and rocks slamming against the walls. Zola looked at Oscar with fearful eyes. She had just been outside, and no one had been nearby. The quiet neighbors surrounding the building hadn''t shown their faces for hours. What on earth was happening? Oscar, glancing back quickly to warn the others to move away from the doors, was the first to act. He approached the front doors and cautiously opened them with a few other men. The sight that greeted him was unlike anything he''d ever seen: a dense fog had descended almost instantly, and a sudden, fierce gust of wind roared down the street. Two running figures were caught in its fury, tumbling like ragdolls. They landed hard, their cries barely audible over the howling wind. Hearing the commotion, Zola rushed to the doors, her heart racing as she watched the chaotic scene unfold. Her eyes were drawn to the source of the gusts, where a dark, shifting figure seemed to emerge from the hovering darkened clouds. The creature was tall and shrouded in shadow, its eyes glowing white like holes within the clouds. It didn''t just control the wind¡ªit was a part of it. As Zola tore her gaze from the creature, her heart lurched once more. At the end of the block, the atmosphere darkened further, and from the shadows, hundreds of similar dark creatures began to pour out, blending seamlessly with the fog and dispersing toward the nearby houses. Their numbers swelled with each passing second. "We need to move!" Zola shouted, her voice barely reaching the back of the building. Panic surged through the room as people scrambled to gather their belongings. Oscar hesitated for a moment, his gaze fixed on a figure lying in the street. Without a second thought, he dashed toward her, leaving Zola to handle the frenzied crowd. The wind howled around him as he approached the fallen person¡ªa teenage girl¡ªher terrified eyes locked onto his. "Come on, we have to get you inside!" Oscar urged, helping her to her feet. But as they began to move, one of the dark creatures turned its attention towards them, its glowing eyes locking onto its new target. Zola watched with a mix of fear and determination as Oscar and the young girl raced back, the creature closing in on them. "Back doors, NOW!" she shouted, louder this time, urging everyone to hurry as the monstrous threat loomed ever closer. She stood by the doors, encouraging Oscar and the girl to move faster as the creature bore down on them. Losing hope, Zola''s eye contact with Oscar transformed into one of fear and panic. He seemed to silently urge her to leave him and shut the doors. Just as she was about to give in, a new sound cut through the chaos¡ªa distant, growing rumble from a powerful engine. The air crackled with electric intensity as the horn of a Ford F-150 blared, its headlights piercing the fog and casting eerie shadows around them. The truck roared into view, glimmering with arcs of electricity that danced across its metal surface. Sparks flew as the massive vehicle barreled into the creature, sending the mist swirling in its wake. The impact bought Oscar and the girl precious time to reach the doors. Just before Zola slammed the door shut behind them, she saw the truck skid to a stop. Its tires spun as it peeled away toward the street, heading straight into the darkest part of the storm, disappearing into the ominous gloom. Just before it vanished, Zola could have sworn she heard the faint strains of "Somebody''s gonna hurt someone, before the night is through" from the Eagles'' song blasting inside the cab. She shook her head, questioning whether her mind was playing tricks on her. Looking again toward the inside of the building, her determination to get them out of there was now firmly resolved.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. *** Luck and Mr. Reynold "Do you think we can even hit those things?" Mr. Reynolds shouted, straining to be heard over the deafening music and the truck''s roaring engine. The vehicle surged forward, racing toward the monstrous cloud figures that loomed around the frightened people stranded in the street. "I''m not waiting to find out! Can you turn that damn music down!" Luck roared back. The truck hit a bump, slamming Mr. Reynolds backward into his seat. The entire vehicle seemed to hum with electric energy, glowing ominously as Luck gripped the steering wheel, electricity crackling off his fingers. BOOM! The front fender smashed into a creature emerging from the storm, sending it hurtling into the distance. Mr. Reynold was violently thrown against the truck''s center console as the truck screeched and swerved onto the main street. "Are we really going in there?" he shouted, his voice filled with desperation. "Where else would we go?" Luck barked angrily. "Get ready to take the wheel!" The truck sped down the street, and without warning, Luck unlatched his seatbelt, flung open his door, and leaped out, the vehicle still moving as he tumbled to the ground, quickly regaining his footing in the middle of the street. "Get to the community center! I''ll find you!" Luck''s words lingered in the air as Mr. Reynolds scrambled over the center console, shaking off the shock. He slammed the door shut and floored the gas pedal, crashing through a nearby fence. Spinning the car around, he glanced in the rearview mirror just in time to see Luck strolling casually down the middle of the street, now encircled by menacing creatures. Mr. Reynolds couldn''t bear to look any longer. He had to trust that Luck knew what he was doing. He had a mission¡ªone just as vital as Luck¡¯s own. He had to find Tuck¡¯s mom. He had to find Zola. Keeping his foot down on the gas, Mr. Reynolds'' mind raced. His first instinct was to take the truck to the community center to find Zola, but if she was anything like her son or former husband, she would not easily leave on her own. Instead, Mr. Reynolds had a better idea. Swerving sharply, he directed the truck towards the high school, searching for another way to ensure their safety. With music blaring, Mr. Reynold''s eyes gleamed as he spotted his destination, only to find it securely locked and bolted. He honked the horn a few times, ensuring anyone nearby would take notice. Taking a deep breath, he slammed the gas pedal, steering his truck directly into the gates. The bolted metal barriers snapped open as the truck roared forward into a sea of yellow and black. Fields of gleaming school buses stretched out before him, their bright colors vivid under the fading sunlight. Thanks to his crisis management background, Mr. Reynold knew how to handle this situation with precision. The market for stolen school buses was nearly nonexistent, and the urgent need for transport vehicles meant they had plenty of options. These options included a fleet of refueled school buses, ready for immediate use. Leaping out of the truck, Mr. Reynold darted into one of the front buses. Offering a silent prayer for good luck, he began his frantic search for the keys. As moments passed, his chest tightened with growing anxiety. In a desperate move, he kicked the closed glove box, and to his relief, a set of keys tumbled out, dangling within reach. Igniting the engine, Mr. Reynold sped off toward the community center. *** Luck As Luck grew older and took on the roles of husband and father, he discovered that fear never truly goes away. Creating a family and surrounding yourself with love doesn¡¯t reduce fear; it merely compels you to hide it deeper within. Fear can take a back seat when it comes to protecting those you love. Standing in the middle of the street, Luck embodied a beacon of strength. He needed Mr. Reynold to understand that he could face this challenge alone, and once he succeeded in that, he would then just have to figure things out. As the engine roared to life and the Truck flew off, Luck took a deep breath. Part one was accomplished. Now, he just had to weather the impending monster storm¡ªsimple. Shadow Gale: Level 7 Born of storms, these creatures seamlessly blend with the tempests they create, shrouded in dense fog. Their presence heralds fierce winds, bending nature to their will. Cloaked in darkness, they command the elements with an eerie, almost ghostly precision. Biding his time, Luck let the creatures approach. Their hesitancy showed in their indecision to attack, each second allowing more time for the people of this town. Luck let his talent flare, sparks of lightning flaring from his body as the fog seemed to disperse from the light. Luck couldn¡¯t help but feel his lip curl upon seeing this development. "You may bring the fog, but know that lightning will always have a home within the darkness," Luck declared calmly, even as an eruption of piercing winds signaled the creature''s attacks. As the fog condensed around him, Luck swiftly dashed backward, skillfully dodging the initial gusts of wind. Seeking a better vantage point, he harnessed the air around him, forming a protective barrier between himself and the howling gusts. Electrical currents surged through his core, his body now glowing with an ethereal white light. Luck''s fists connected with multiple shadowy figures, delivering powerful blows to their midsections. The impacts seemed to compress the very air within the creatures, sending them shrieking backward. Yet, they quickly regrouped and returned to the fray, attacking him with relentless ferocity. The creatures continued to swarm, their movements synchronized with the gusts of wind. Luck dodged their strikes with nimble agility, countering with his own. His glowing fists connected with the shadowy forms, dispersing and pushing back waves of creatures as the winds tore into him. Despite the impacts he was making, Luck quickly realized his attacks lacked any long-term damage, and as the battle wore on, his strikes began to lose more of their effectiveness. With his energy internal fading, his final blows seemed to merely punch through the air with gradually decreasing strength. SLAM! A powerful gust-fueled fist collided with Luck''s head, followed by a vicious strike to his gut. Disoriented and gasping for breath, Luck was hurled into a nearby garage door, denting its frame as he crashed onto the cement. Luck gathered himself, recognizing he needed to buy more time. A part of him selfishly longed to make his last stand, propelled by the realization that the battle was slipping from his grasp and victory seemed increasingly out of reach. The thought of falling without taking any creatures with him gnawed at his mind, but he pushed it aside. He had to change. It wasn¡¯t just about him anymore¡ªhis death now would mean the death of others, including his wife. He needed to prolong this fight for his son. His son needed a mother, and Luck was determined not to be the reason that was taken from him. Blood streaked across his face as Luck contemplated the battle. The dynamic was evident in the diminishing force of his strikes. These fluid creatures thrived without any secondary force restricting them to the laws of this earth. As his fist struck the cement, Luck pushed himself up, energy humming within him. He looked to his son for inspiration and his friends for lessons learned. Internal power could only take him so far. Why not share? Share his power with his family and influence the dynamics around him. It dawned on Luck that his strength didn''t need to be confined within himself. For too long, he had carried the weight of his abilities alone, but now he saw a different path. He wasn''t alone, and his power didn''t have to be either. With a newfound realization, he understood that his energy could be a beacon for others, a force that connected rather than isolated. Focusing his energy, Luck found his core, pushing his focus inward. He flooded the inner workings of his talent, envisioning a balloon expanding. He let his energy bubble, allowing the concentration to diminish but surrounding himself with energy that stretched out two meters around his body. The power no longer felt like a burden; it was a shared force, amplified by the love and support of those around him. Disregarding Nex¡¯s internal comment about leveling up, Luck re-approached the figures now surrounding the driveway. With each step, he infused more of his energy into the encroaching fog of entities. Gradually, the creatures began to solidify, their once nebulous forms twisting into tangible, menacing shapes¡ªshapes that could be punched¡­ SMASH! Luck unleashed a strike, but this time, instead of compacting or shifting the shapeless creatures, his fist met a dense form. The creature flew back as Luck once had, its body folding and breaking away. The sight provided him with a renewed sense of determination. Luck charged forward, his glowing fists now meeting the solid forms of his adversaries with each strike. The creatures, now vulnerable to his attacks, began to falter under his relentless assault. Time seemed to stretch as wave after wave of creatures descended upon him. Each strike grew heavier, each movement more arduous, as Luck fought with unwavering determination. His energy waned, yet he refused to yield. The fog thickened, and the swarm of entities seemed endless, their relentless attacks testing the limits of his endurance. Luck fought determinedly, but the swarms of creatures began to overpower him as his energy once again dimmed. His strikes, once powerful and decisive, now grew weaker, barely holding the advancing horde at bay. His vision blurred, and fatigue set in, but he pressed on, driven by the need to protect those he loved. As the battle raged on, Luck spotted a glimmer of hope¡ªa light on the horizon. Desperation fueled his movements as he dashed again to create distance between himself and the creatures. It was time. He had nothing left. He focused on igniting his inner core, pulsing an electric wave of energy outward. The wave surged through the dense fog, momentarily pushing back the encroaching darkness. Just as the surge of power left his body, a massive force appeared to plow through the fog, scattering the creatures like leaves before a storm. Its immense presence rocked Luck backward. Time felt suspended as he lay there, the world around him fading into darkness. Book Two: Chapter Twenty-Eight Chapter Twenty-Eight "Even the strongest bonds can break." - The Reckoner, Former Champion. Level Five Zar¡¯Keth Village Full Team "And then she let me help push one of the ore carts back to the village. The whole 7.2 kilometers!" Frank exclaimed with extra emphasis as he and the team gathered for breakfast with Kael. "Two weeks of the same thing every day. Dawn until dusk mining ore, followed by weapon and armor building in the Smithy until the early hours. These people don¡¯t stop!" "Wait, so they let you help with forging?" Trish asked with a mischievous glint in her eye, already knowing the answer. Frank had told some version of this story every day since the second day at camp. "No. But¡ª" "Do you know her name yet?" Trish interjected before Frank could finish. "No. Not yet¡ª" "But she is just the most perfect being in the entire world?" Will cut in with a mocking tone, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, not perfect, but¡ª" "But she is the greatest artist and innovator you have ever seen?" Trish continued, barely containing her laughter. "Yea..." Frank looked around, deflated, realizing he might be oversharing again. "Oh, Forge, we get it. We can tell you''ve been working hard," James chimed in, now accustomed to using their hero names as they sat with Kael, surrounded by Tribesmen. He tried to shift the tone to support their friend. "That Eagles jacket looks a bit loose on you in the midsection." "Seriously. I can''t believe that with all the worlds, eons, and eons of choices, the System picked a place that made you lose your baby fat," Will joked, adding a dramatic flourish to his words. "Baby fat? But I''m 19?" Frank looked genuinely confused. Will leaned in close to his friend, "Forge, there''s absolutely no way these chubby cheeks have changed since birth. The fat cells in your face must be devastated to lose their lifelong friends," he continued, reaching up to pinch Frank''s cheek with a grin. "You are looking good, Forge," Nadia joined in as Frank slapped Will''s hand away. "Both inside and out," she finished with a wink. Frank''s face flushed. "Yeah, uh, well, Surge is looking good too!" he stammered, almost blurting out the last line. Tuck was also roped into the embarrassment, swearing that Nadia was doing this to Frank on purpose. "You guys need to stop fighting over Kama," Trish interjected. "She only has room in her life for one man." "Uh, speak for your¡ª" Nadia began but was cut off as Frank''s voice exploded with intensity. "I''M NOT, I WOULD NEVER!" Frank shouted, causing a few other tables to glance over¡ªNadia feigned sadness, placing a hand over her chest. "NO, I MEAN, I DON''T. SURGE AND I ARE JUST¡ª" "Jesus, Forge. Stop. Please. For both of us," Tuck cut off Frank, putting his hands on his forehead and choosing not to look at anyone else at the table. Laughter erupted at the table at the expense of the two boys¡ªa sight and experience that had been dwindling over the last few weeks as not everyone shared Frank''s enthusiasm for their training. "Well, that is a sight to see. It''s good to see you smile again, Fury," James took a moment to embrace his friend, understanding that her presence and personality had been shifting over the past few weeks. "Good to smile?" Emy said, giving a sharp look back toward James. "Yeah, it''s just good to see you enjoying yourself, that''s all." "That''s what you care about?" Emy''s voice caught. "Is that why you have been spying on me the past few weeks?" Her voice turned to anger as the mood shifted. "No? No. Rose and I have just been working on training. You know I wouldn¡¯t do that." Emy looked ready to respond again, but Trish spoke first: "Okay, okay. Easy. Both of you. I think you guys may need to talk this out later." "There''s no need to talk. Mind your own damn business," Emy responded with a matter-of-fact tone, prompting James to avoid any response. His face twisted in sadness and confusion, hurt by her words. ¡­ Silence endured at the table, and from that moment forward, only small talk was communicated. The team was aware of everyone''s progress. Despite her constant baiting of Frank, Trish also often overstated her new learnings or finds within the heaps of old tech. She spent full days sitting on top of rubble, tweaking and conversing with Sutt, quickly becoming fast friends in what became known as "nerd-ness." Trish often shared that it was her first time being out-nerded by an old lady. She frequently brought trinkets to the table to show off, leaving the team struggling to comment on their lack of understanding. This, however, didn¡¯t stop the twinkle in Trish''s eyes as she returned to the same place day after day.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Nadia continued in the infirmary with Lysa, slowly learning the ways of life and healing within the village. She discovered a new path of energy balance, sharing energy through life forms such as soil and trees. Passing her energy through these new mediums, she strengthened and returned it to her patients. These guests could probably be counted on a single hand, with Will entering the infirmary almost every night. Will and Tuck continued to work the fields in the morning and joined the warriors in the training arena. Just weeks in, both started to see significant changes in their fighting, learning how the fighters fought with strategy and simplicity, creating meaningful movements. However, Tuck''s progression slowed as he branched away from the guild to practice his movements¡ªsomething Steel agreed required self-learning and reflection, as everyone has their path. James spent his days exploring the wider area with Rose and spending time with Elric. This allowed James to work on his range with his bow, often talking in kilometers when referring to targets he had started hitting, even using Rose to help identify markers as his vision faltered. James also continued to develop the talents he had learned in previous training with Frank, such as tracking, hunting, and marking the environment around him. During breakfast, he often asked Frank questions for his "Boy Scout" guidance, where Nex''s bookish knowledge lacked. For the moment, he stayed following only those within the tribe, but internally, he fought the urge to venture north to witness those below the mountain. Unfortunately, James''s training also brought him to witness Emy''s training more than once, often seeing her frustration from a distance. Emy''s enthusiasm for sharing her learning and training dwindled over the two weeks as constant failures riddled her conversations. Once beaming with optimism like Frank, her experiences had turned into tales of disaster and lack of progress, often dampening the team''s mood. The hope for Emy''s achievements never wavered among her friends, but she internally struggled to see the purpose of coming to this village. She spent days practicing her skills, meditating, and attempting to master her Quantum Gateway, only to face failure after failure. The team knew something had to change; she needed to talk to someone. But with their Coach back at the Hangar, who could that be? *** Emy She had to do it. She didn¡¯t have a choice, no matter the look on his face. She replayed the conversation and reimagined James''s face as she disregarded his friendship. James had been a constant ally her entire life, and his support throughout the years allowed her to maintain some semblance of sanity. She hated herself for what she had done but knew it needed to happen. "I''ll admit, Emy, I am not fully sure what is going on in your brain, but I know that James will understand eventually. Shoot, even I hope to understand what is going on. It''s almost like I have been missing pieces of your life for the last few weeks," Nex stated in a tone of soft hope. He attempted to support Emy as her mind raced, but he constantly challenged himself, revisiting Emy''s life to piece together what had led to the conversation at breakfast. "Don''t overthink it, Nex. I promise it will make sense," Emy assured Nex, sharing a mental nudge with her friend. "Alright, Nex, let''s give this Gateway another go. I can feel we are close." Emy wasted no time after breakfast, heading to her usual spot by the lake where the team had arrived. It was the same place local fishermen frequented, just off the local trail departing from the western wall of the village. She attempted to help the fishers occasionally but sensed they could tell she was a fire type. They simply ignored or diverted their eyes when Emy tried to ask about their work. Giving up, she returned to her training. She had been an outcast all her life; why would she bother caring about being liked on a planet millions, maybe even billions, of light years away? She had to admit, she was beyond frustrated. This Quantum Gateway was mind-numbingly complex¡ªcomplex in design, complex in skillset, and complex in not having someone to help her, well, at least mostly... Sitting in her usual location, surrounded by burnt grass, dirt, and a ring of destruction, she again closed her eyes. Sensing the space around her, she expanded her perception. Trial and error had led her to believe she was creating a snapshot¡ªnot just of what existed around her. She had already perfected imagining the entirety of the space, down to each grain of sand. Nex helped her freeze a moment in time, creating a projection of the space she could float around in, maneuvering her perspective in all directions, zooming into every fragmented piece of earth, its genetic makeup, its atoms, and connections, forming the vision she was imagining. In and out, navigating the areas, she mentally asked Nex to freeze smaller portions of the space into the broader data stream documenting it. It was painstaking, yet as she moved to gather more and more details into the complex navigation of the Quantum Gateway, she began to see less and less destruction around her. She was on track. She would soon have it. Happy with her details, she proceeded to lock it down with Nex and integrate it within her Gateway; standing up from the ground now, she moved to walk away from the spot she had painstakingly detailed for two weeks. Now, a good enough distance away, she ripped a hole into the void and created a gateway. Staring into the black, she took a deep breath. "See you on the other side, Nex." "Yes. Instantaneously!" Nex chimed in, having experienced zero lag time between the leap of faith and abrupt chaos. Emy stepped once more, and darkness consumed her vision. *** UNKNOWN Emy "Well, hello again, my little wanderer. Nearly perfect this time," the voice of the void spoke, its resonance like the low hum of the cosmos. ¡°When you return, you shall need to extinguish only a trivial bit of flames. I''d give you another week before you achieve perfection." The voice was now familiar to Emy as if the very fabric of space had recognized her presence. "Give me two more days," Emy replied, her confidence growing around this entity of darkness. The being still hungered, an endless desire for energies¡ªthe true inverse of all life. Yet, time and time again, she faced this intangible force and returned. The darkness started to comfort her, not in a way that would lull someone to sleep, but like the exhilarating rush a skydiver feels before returning to the ground¡ªan intoxicating high of helplessness. Emy''s body floated, but she couldn¡¯t compare it to water. Nothing touched her except the nothingness and wisps of dark energies that held her within the space. She''d come to understand these energies were the essence of this being¡ªendless and vast, yet lost and helpless. "As the Cosmos demands it, so shall it be done. I should have known my limitless troublemaker would continue to push the boundaries of what was and what will be," the words resounded within her mind, each syllable echoing like distant thunder. "Your mind is cloudy. I see you''ve made a choice." "The strongest path seldom follows the smoothest trail," Emy responded, attempting to muster what could only sound like a Buddhist verse. "A sacrifice. One made to further the inevitable. Dare I see you trying to mimic me?" it responded with a challenge in an amused and menacing tone. "To mimic is to admire. I think I heard that in a lecture once," Emy returned to her normal voice. "Advice was given; I just chose to accept it," she said, maintaining the conversation style that had yielded the highest success in learning from this creature¡ªa blend of Professor Williams''s teachings and a touch of flattery. "This is only the first of many. Prepare yourself to be strong enough to break the chains that may bind you, for without distance, there is no growth," the entity spoke again, and a force pressed on Emy''s body as light dawned again. "Good luck, little one." Book Two: Chapter Twenty-Nine Chapter Twenty-Nine "Celebrate your uniqueness, talent, and affinity. There''s no one else in the cosmos like you." ¨C Coach Williams Trish "Shouldn''t you be teaching me wise old people things by now?" Trish asked Sutt as they both lay flat on their backs, tinkering with gadgets found earlier that day. Trish held a metal bracer while Sutt examined a metal band, looking for a way to strap it around her head. "In these RPG games you often talk about, is it more fun to learn by listening about them before you play? Or do you play to learn?" Sutt asked. "Well, some people actually like watching others play the games." "I''m talking about most people¡ª" Sutt attempted to clarify, but Trish''s voice cut in again. "Heck, some people even like reading about others playing games." "Wait, you''re telling me people like to read about me fidgeting with this headpiece?" Sutt stopped, alarmed by the backward customs of the planet known as Earth. "Yeah, I never quite understood those people, but I only hear good things¡ªit could be fun. But yeah, you''re right. Still, any ideas what this thing does?" Trish finished, holding up her wristband. "Didn¡¯t you say you had some affinity with tech?" Sutt questioned before answering, "Looks like a third-gen device. Those typically worked with an energy connection and some sort of trig¡ª" A soft beep and light flashed from the device. "Found it." Trish watched as the gadget self-tightened around her wrist. "Tech isn''t tech unless it''s turned on or empowered. Before that, it''s just metal." "That one might still just be metal. That¡¯s about as far as I got with it last time. Quite the mystery to me." Sutt commented on Trish''s device before grunting as the metal band, which was worn like a tiara around her head, expanded, a translucent film soon covering her head. "That''s neat! Think it''s just cosmetic? Or do you have some weapons we can test on it?" Trish asked, smirking. "Oh no, no, no. This is as far as my interest goes. I''ll happily bop you with some metal lying around, though." "I''d gladly take that off your hands if you want," Trish said as Sutt deactivated the face shield and removed the tiara. "It''s yours," Sutt said, tossing the shield to Trish. "Thanks. You know, I think I understand why this device isn¡¯t quite working. It feels like it''s connected to a network of nodes scattered around the area. It¡¯s a weak signal, almost as if it''s waiting for a command to link up with them. Should I even be messing with this?" "Oh, child. What fun would that be if we didn¡¯t? Can that Nex thing help out in any way?" "What do you say, Nex? Any integration points here?" Trish asked inwardly. "Happy to oblige!" Nex spoke enthusiastically as Trish felt their presence touch her energy already within the metal bracer. A bolt of light soon escaped and flashed across the dark walls. "You were right in your hypothesis! This device connects to multiple relay nodes and tech beacons scattered around the village. These sources appear to be high-quality radar nodes, providing a sophisticated network. I should be able to project these data points within your view, and I noticed that your bracer also has a light projection feature." "It allows us to see around the camp. Can you show us, Nex?" "Pulling up E1 designation on the rendering!" More light erupted from the device, creating a 3D projection. Within the imagery, Trish and Sutt stared at what looked like the eastern stone wall, closed without anyone around, and rustling bushes blowing from the mild wind. "Pull another view, Nex!" Trish stammered with excitement as a red light flashed on her new device. "Wait, what is that?" "Looks like a proximity alarm of some sort. Pulling up connection N7 now," Nex stated with a bit of urgency as a new scene unfolded with the light. The view showed the river north of the village and what looked like people crossing, the vision zooming out as more people joined the view. As if on cue, James''s voice transmitted through Nex: "Team, we have company. It looks like the northern tribes are coming for their offerings." "Wicked!" Trish said out loud, now staring at the device as Sutt grunted and moved back to the piles of tech. *** This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Earlier James ¡°Not much further, Rose. I''m not quite ready to pass the river line. We aren¡¯t sure how this Taint will impact you,¡± James whispered. He stood at the village''s northern outskirts, on the tree line''s eastern edge. This forest stretched from the Southeastern mining mountains to the river. James had been honing his communication with Rose. While complex information was best spoken aloud, their mental connection allowed for the seamless transmission of direct guidance, simple commands, and emotions like praise. Rose chirped in the skies, seemingly reproaching James for his reluctance to take risks. He could sense her growing restlessness through their bond. Their connection had grown stronger, an evolution James attributed to the investigation by their resident mind reader, Will. Despite enduring a few jokes at their expense, they discovered that James and Rose¡¯s mental energies had begun to integrate, encircling both of their minds. This connection wasn¡¯t about control but shared understanding, instincts, and, through exercises, shared pain and emotions. This bond became even more evident after James and Emy¡¯s fallout a few mornings ago, which Rose mirrored in her reactions. The bird began imitating James, becoming aloof, disconnected, and challenging the status quo in an effort to fix things. This development led Rose to yearn to push beyond James¡¯s side and scan past the river known to the villagers as the ¡°Divide.¡± The Divide was a natural landmark and a boundary where the Taint tended to disperse and dissolve. The Taint was never truly eliminated; it was merely diluted and diminished in potency to control or shift minds. Only those susceptible to the Taint truly felt its connection beyond the water. Elric had warned that fire-wielders were the most affected by the Taint. As James delved deeper into his relationship, he uncovered more about Elric''s daughter''s disappearance to the base of the northern mountain. This revelation sparked James and Rose''s curiosity about the northern lands. Emy''s strange behavior had to be connected, and they knew they had to fix it. They couldn¡¯t afford to lose their friend; staying united was their only option. A rogue thought crossed James''s mind. He and Rose were united in feelings and emotions, fundamental to the brain¡¯s control over the body, but the brain had other roles. Pain was a shared sense; communication and conversation hinted at a connection to hearing. Why couldn¡¯t he push these mental waves to encompass other senses like smell, taste, and¡­ sight? ¡°Rose, get ready. I¡¯m going to try something,¡± James said, preparing his eager companion, who chirped excitedly. He attempted to replicate a skill that Will had shared with the team. Though not as adept as Will, Nadia, or probably even Emy, James closed his eyes and concentrated on isolating the energy stream flowing through his brain. He visualized the intricate network of neural connections, focusing on the pathways from his eyes to the visual cortex at the back of his brain. Concentrating on where the nerves partially crossed to ensure both hemispheres received signals from each eye, James imagined gathering and channeling all this energy, concentrating and barricading it in the visual cortex, where images were processed and interpreted. James then opened his eyes. Yet, his vision remained unchanged, facing the same tree lines over the meadow. How could it not have worked? He was confident that he had aligned the energies correctly, tapping into the essence of how vision was connected within his brain. Then Rose let out an alarmed squeal, causing James to remove the blockade and let the energy flow normally. ¡°You okay, Rose?¡± James asked, only to get an enthusiastic response, almost as if Rose had stated she had seen him. ¡°Wait, you saw me?¡± ¡°I was YOU!¡± Rose¡¯s emotions burst into James''s mind. ¡°Uh,¡± James stumbled, then came to the realization. ¡°Of course! How did I not realize?¡± He then gathered himself. ¡°Rose, our connection can be controlled. Try to push your energies to the points connecting to your eyes, near the back of your brain.¡± James struggled to explain more. Energy manipulation was as much about feelings and reactions as intelligence and insights. He felt Rose shifting their connections, soon feeling like he was free-falling from the sky. Then it happened. James¡¯s eyes went white as his surroundings changed. He still saw the forest but now had a secondary vision stream. Shifting his connections again, his vision was taken over. He was flying. Notifications from Nex consumed his vision. Skill: Eagle Eye Enables the merging of sight between two beings, channeling a seamless, shared vision across the fabric of their connection. This extraordinary skill can only be activated by the mutual will of both participants, unlocking a realm of unified perception. < Level Up! James is now a Level 11 Catalyst > < Level Up! Rose is now a Level 5 Spectral > James¡¯s body seemed to shift as he tried to separate sight from his instincts. ¡°It¡¯s like I am flying without moving,¡± he communicated. ¡°Rose, this is amazing!¡± ¡°Further?¡± Rose attempted to push their boundaries with James''s new skill. ¡°Go!¡± James declared. Rose soared through the tree lines, flying low over the river, her eyes shifting to fish floating within the streams. As Rose looked downward again, scanning the river below, James¡¯s admiration was abruptly interrupted. He noticed movement¡ªpeople¡ªheading south along the river. Alarmed, James focused intently, trying to understand the situation. His heart raced as the realization struck him: they had company. ¡°Rose! Get out of sight. Lower! We need to see what¡¯s going on,¡± James communicated. Rose dove east, staying out of sight of the northern tribe. She circled, keeping a downward sight on the movement, approaching slowly and ready to move in an instant. James contacted the team, ¡°Team, we have company. Looks like the northern tribes are coming for their offering.¡± He continued, ¡°We see about 15 people, led by a girl. Fire type¡­¡± Speculation had surrounded breakfast chatter, with Kael adding details about the Chieftain¡¯s daughter, a fire type who had joined the northern tribe¡ªKael¡¯s sister. She was still known among the villagers, leading the team to believe they saw her occasionally. ¡°Fire type?¡± Will remarked, not expecting a response. ¡°Looks like our assumption was correct¡ªleadership runs in the family. The daughter returns... We''re being called to Guardian¡¯s Hold. I¡¯m with Steel and his men; I should be able to watch the exchange,¡± Will concluded. ¡°Tuck and I are closer to the western tree line. We will head back now. Any expectations, James?¡± Nadia asked. ¡°No, stay sparse. Only join if evoked. The chief was adamant about that. Stay close, but don¡¯t show yourselves. We can expect another exchange. Trish and Tuck, you both safe?¡± ¡°Roger!¡± Both responded in unison, but Trish added, ¡°Frank looks to still be in the mines, and I am with Sutt. I will stay and await further details.¡± ¡°Good. Emy, where are you?¡± James asked, looking to confirm the full team. ¡­ ¡°Emy?¡± Book Two: Chapter Thirty Chapter Thirty ¡°The Games flourish on the fuel of raw emotion. Fans dedicate days to watching and learning about these new heroes. Courage, lust, and betrayal are all magnified by the intimacy of the events." ¨C Tournament Games Director. Earlier Nadia and Tuck "So wait, you''re telling me you just close your eyes and bam, you can block out the world?" Tuck asked Nadia, a hint of jealousy in his voice. After their daily activities supporting the village, Tuck and Nadia chose a scenic hillside west of the village to set up camp for their training. Will''s regular infirmary visits post-training often left Tuck and Nadia alone, leading to more one-on-one interactions. These encounters gradually developed into frequent joint training sessions during the day, eventually becoming a routine of daily companionship. "Don''t you remember the professor''s words? You are as much your energy as your energy is you. How else would you expect to really understand its dynamics without turning your mind inward?" Tuck thought on his response, before returning, "Professor Williams has always been more of a coach than a professor. My whole life and even more so within the Games, it¡¯s been about taming or enhancing my emotions. Waiting for the right moments to unleash my abilities or holding down my feelings until I can get to a safer environment. Meditating just hasn¡¯t really been my thing¡­ I mean, come on, Coach''s first lesson for me was pushing me to the ground to trigger my talent." "I think you are more than that," Nadia spoke softly, her eyes locked on Tuck''s. Tuck and Nadia had grown closer over time. Their daily training sessions, free from the social pressures of Frank or Will, allowed them to bond. Both had begun to feel that their respective environments¡ªthe infirmary for Nadia and the warriors'' "clique" for Tuck¡ªwere no longer benefiting them as much. Nadia had to conceal much of her talent, while Tuck''s unique fighting style clashed with the tribesmen''s. To keep up with them, he would resort to hitting harder or enhancing his offensive strength. However, this approach was discouraged as it could cause more damage than what healers could remedy overnight. Agile movements were just not part of his skill set. "And I appreciate that. Believe me, I do. It''s just hard to believe that my biggest area of improvement should be meditation and finding myself after all these years. Yet, my gut tells me you¡¯re right." "What''s your plan? I feel like you''re only helping me with all this. It feels a bit one-sided." "Oh," Nadia blushed, knowing her response. "While I''m unsure if there''s much to gain by meditating together, I do know that I don''t want to be alone," she said matter-of-factly, surprising herself with her bluntness. She continued, "I''ve been at this for quite some time now, and although meditation and body sculpting remain my main focus, spending hours in darkness only to open your eyes and find yourself alone with no one to share your successes with isn''t the best experience." This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. "I think I can help with that," Tuck said softly and then smiled. "But I get that. Trust me, I¡¯m more than happy to hang out without talking. Just ask Will. He hates it." With smiles at each other, they both found dry spots on the hill overlooking the village, just out of sight, and sat down. Closing their eyes, they searched within. Nadia quickly entered her mental trance while Tuck tried his best. It took effort to resist adjusting his seating position every thirty seconds as discomfort settled in. Still, Tuck pushed himself, staying committed not just for himself but also for Nadia. Hours passed before Tuck relaxed his mind enough to venture inward. Moments later, a communication over comms made their eyes snap open. It was James. Hearing the news from James, Nadia and Tuck raced towards the nearest vantage point to witness the fire type and alliance of northerners crossing the river Divide. They stayed silent from their elevated position with a full view of the village as they watched the group approach the main gate with carts similar to those Frank used for ore runs. Warriors now lined the walls, and as the gate opened, the leader and most of the visiting party entered. The gate remained open, with several northerners standing guard. "This is crazy," Will updated from inside. "It''s clearly the chief''s daughter. Just reduce his height and replace his grey hair bits with some red streaks, and I''m not sure if I could tell them apart." "Will, stay focused," James directed. "This is important," Will replied, continuing to provide details on the exchange. "There was some arguing over the timing of this exchange. Elric believed it was too soon, while his daughter insisted that the mountain grows hungrier. Outside of the opening exchange, the chief conceded. No one is talking now, just staring at the Smithy folks loading the carts with weapons and armor. I''m fuming just watching this, and I know I''m not alone." "Not yet, Will. No moves," James reiterated the team''s objective. After providing more details on the volume and quantity, Will noted that they were now leaving. "Sansa. His daughter''s name is Sansa. He called to her as she turned her back to the gate, but she ignored him. They are moving," Will finished. Tuck and Nadia watched as the gates closed, with warriors still watching from the tops of the walls. "Tuck, Nadia, stay on them. We need to gather as much intel as possible," James instructed. Tuck and Nadia ran unseen through the forest, stopping at a higher vantage point before ducking behind the final ridge. "We have eyes on them," Nadia stated. "They appear to be a mix of types, not just fire. They look like they are preparing a water type to make an opening through the Divide... Wait, what''s that?" "Nadia?" James quickly followed, concern in his voice. Nadia and Tuck''s voices caught as a void opened before the northerners. The void expanded until it resembled a doorway, no different from the three entrances to the Trials on the 3rd level. However, this one soon stabilized, and a figure walked out. A girl. "Emy?" Nadia''s voice let out the words as her voice confused. "What''s going on over there?" James struggled to keep his tone down. "FURY! NO!" Tuck shouted, pushing himself over the hillside as a blaze of fire roared through the air. He scrambled to avoid the blast, which narrowly missed him but grazed Nadia, who had been fixated on the scene for too long. Nadia quickly rolled to extinguish the burns and flames on her legs, then looked up to see Tuck surging forward toward his friend. Despite the blast, Tuck''s movement didn''t slow; he tumbled but caught himself as he sprinted down the hill, with Nadia now struggling to catch up. Book Two: Chapter Thirty-One Chapter Thirty-One "The pursuit of power leaves a trail of blood in its wake." ¨C Titan, Former Champion. Unknown Emy ¡°My little wanderer, you were right. A perfect match to your destination, and in only two days...¡± The eyes within the void spoke a rough outline of darkness, now showing as an ever-moving entity. ¡°That means it¡¯s time,¡± Emy said with a mix of nervousness and worry. ¡°It¡¯s too late for cold feet. You stand before me, caught in the void, an entity of immeasurable power, and yet you worry about contact with this perceived enemy?¡± Emy processed that information. This creature could read her feelings but not her mind. This was clear, though she didn¡¯t understand why it existed or connected with her. ¡°I worry about my friends and the risks they will take to get to me.¡± ¡°Give them a challenge,¡± the entity spoke with amusement. ¡°How?¡± ¡°Oh, child, you have much to learn. Yes, this System is vast and controls your path to greatness, but it is not ever-present. Do you think the System is the only source capable of pushing you?¡± ¡°No?¡± Emy spoke softly, unsure of her answer. ¡°The greatest developments come from exposure. Push them to grow, to seize opportunities. Do not let them think the moment is right for ambition.¡± ¡°But how?¡± ¡°Ha!¡± The entity laughed forcefully. ¡°Here I am, telling you how to motivate your companions to grow, and you expect to be spoon-fed?¡± ¡°Fine,¡± Emy responded flatly, taking a moment to redirect. ¡°At least tell me who you are, then?¡± ¡°Now that is a question of value,¡± the ominous voice answered, then paused. ¡°You can think of me as the void. Nothing more, nothing less.¡± ¡°But¡ª" Emy began. ¡°But nothing. Your mind is not ready to comprehend what is and isn¡¯t. What I state is merely fact,¡± the voice spoke again, then dismissed Emy with a wave of energy. ¡°I¡¯ll grant you moments before re-entry. Prepare yourself and think about what needs to happen with your friends.¡± *** Level Five Zar¡¯Keth Village Full Team Emy listened to her team before tearing open the void and testing her latest connection. She launched her plan once she heard Sansa''s name and knew her team was away. She was fortunate that the party was passing through her predetermined location, or at least the charred remains of it. She kept this fact to herself. Emy also knew Tuck and Nadia were the closest to intercept; having seen them numerous times, she had a good idea of where they would be. James was the wild card. He was the first to identify the incoming northerners, so he had to be nearby, or at least Rose would be. She still had to take the risk. Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. Emy took one last breath and steadied herself as the pull of light grabbed her. She stepped forward, calmed her eyes, and approached the leader. As she neared Sansa, Emy held out her hand, letting fire rise from her palm. After observing a slight reaction, she closed her fist and moved closer. Sansa extended her hand as the rest of the party began to converge on Emy, triggering a motion to stop and allowing Emy to stand directly in front of her. In a soft yet powerful whisper, Emy spoke, "Support my exit, and the power of the void is in your hands." Sansa remained calm, glancing down at her palm once covered in fire. Emy confirmed Sansa¡¯s unspoken question, "Yes, we face the same¡­ challenges." Then, Emy heard Nadia''s voice, followed by a mighty roar from Tuck. Keeping her voice low and eyes on Sansa, Emy spoke again, "I have friends coming. Do them no harm and allow me to prove myself worthy." Emy saw Sansa give a slight nod of understanding as she turned and triggered her Targeted Fusion skill, sending a fireball soaring toward the yell. Emy was grateful the blast served its purpose, separating Nadia and Tuck without causing substantial damage¡ªjust as she had expected. As Tuck charged down the hill, the air began to hum with electricity. Now fifty meters from the group, equipped with his Warhammer, Tuck saw Emy separate herself from the group and face him head-on. Staring directly at Tuck, she forced herself to mask the raw emotions threatening to explode from her body. She stood still, transfixed, as she watched Tuck¡¯s eyes shift from anger to confusion. Now, seeing Emy leading the group, Tuck slowed his pace. Unsure of her intentions, he halted and saw Emy raise her hands toward him. Once humming with electricity, the area around him now felt empty of sound, as if all noise was being distorted and dispersed. Soon, light followed as holes of darkness were spread by fire. Betrayal, anger, and confusion filled Tuck''s mind as Emy targeted him with her Umbral Void Blaze, something he had only seen from standing next to her but was now moments away from consuming him. Tuck heard Nadia''s disconnected voice behind him as the void''s holes spread. Staring at his Warhammer in shock, his eyes filled with dread as the void consumed his weapon. Tuck retracted the remains of the Warhammer as Nadia grabbed his hand. "We need to go!" Nadia urged. "There''s nothing we can do now." Nadia triggered her Vitalize skill, creating an energy dome around herself and Tuck. The void pockets were not dispersed but combated as vitalization energy clashed with nothingness. Nadia''s urgency worked, but Tuck was still shell-shocked as they attempted to leave the scene. The ever-expanding void caught Tuck''s bicep, causing extreme pain to distort his mind. Nadia''s vitalization combated the pain as they moved out of the attack zone and back towards the hillside. Hearing no movement behind her except the loud cawing of an eagle, Nadia''s hand fixated on Tuck''s bicep. Blood began to erupt from his pale arm, the void seemingly having severed the connection to his body as if his life force had been evicted from the wound. Using her Body Manipulation in conjunction with her Vitalize skill, Nadia employed the same strategy she had used on Will''s once-severed arm. However, this time was different. Tuck''s arm wasn¡¯t responding as expected. Instead of following a predetermined path, she had to attempt to recreate what once was by mimicking his other arm. Only time would tell if this would be enough. Tuck sat up as James and the rest of the team urged Nadia and him to explain what had happened. Tuck flexed his arm, feeling almost disconnected from himself. Glancing to his side, he saw his Warhammer, and his stomach sank further. The large weapon still had its shaft, but the hammer had been disintegrated, leaving only a tiny amount of metal and an intact spike on the opposite side. Seeing Tuck stare at his broken weapon, Nadia responded to the team, "Emy was taken. But not by force; she joined the northerners and struck at Tuck with her void blaze. Tuck''s weapon is damaged and took some impact from the void, but we are now safe." "Emy?" Trish gasped as the group absorbed the information. "What do we do? We have to go after her!" "And face her directly?" Will questioned, his mind filled with mixed emotions. "We can''t do anything if she doesn¡¯t want to be helped; that¡¯s a losing battle." "That''s not Emy," James defended, searching for answers. "James..." Nadia responded in a softer voice. "No¡ªIt was Emy, but she is not herself. She wouldn¡¯t do that. It has to be the will of the mountain. It has to be related to the Taint. I need to talk with the Chief. I need to understand everything he knows." The group remained silent, reeling from the turn of events as a text crossed their interface. < Alliance Severed ¨C Emy ¨C Limited communications are no longer available > Book Two: Chapter Thirty-Two Chapter Thirty-Two "Choosing who to save only perpetuates the problem." ¨C Coach Williams TRIARA CLUSTER - SECOND MOON OF PLANET DELTA LEVEL FIVE Nea Nea stood at the pinnacle of Tridis, gazing over an expanse of darkness and awe. This terraformed city on the moon was a beacon of industry and innovation, a central hub for manufacturing and mining ventures within the heart of the second moon of Planet Delta. The relentless manufacturing had persisted since the moon was terraformed eons ago. Corporations, towering monuments to power and ambition, showcased their dominance with a flair for salesmanship. These typically crooked entities thrived under the ostensibly strict yet manipulable regulations of the moons supporting the planets united under the Ring of Radiance. The mining ventures on this distant moon were nothing short of extraordinary. Deep within its core, specialized teams of miners and engineers utilized advanced technologies to extract rare and valuable minerals. These operations went beyond mere excavation; they involved intricate processes to refine and manufacture essential materials. Massive subterranean factories churned out components for interstellar ships, advanced electronics, and even bioengineered elements critical for sustaining life in space. With its wealth of resources, this moon became the epicenter of the most extensive void break across the Triara Cluster. This phenomenon was a direct consequence of the unique subset of talented individuals within the city, combined with the integration of vast quantities of chemicals disposed of during manufacturing. The moon''s transformation into a manufacturing and mining powerhouse had far-reaching implications, influencing economies and politics across the cluster. When Nea, Cass, and Kip were transported to the city, they were already superstars in the eyes of the citizens they were trying to protect. Unlike Earth, which was caught off guard and found itself without viable military options against the immediate void breaks, the governments and military forces within the Ring of Radiance managed to keep the attacks under control with advanced military weapons and technology that matched the capabilities of all small void breaks. Due to this, the acknowledgment of the Quantum Games brought stardom and celebrity to all the heroes within the united planets. Television agencies were connected to the games divisions of the tournament, broadcasting on every imaginable circuit. The citizens began to see other networks and media across the vast cosmos, promoting the idea that their planets could thrive with new learnings and insights from more advanced and capable civilizations. However, should their Champions fail, only those in positions of power or those still directly competing in the games truly understood the dangers that would soon plague their planets. This led Nea and her team to feel almost disgusted by the level of stardom they had achieved. In a moment of spontaneity, they had chosen "Halo" as their team name, a term the commoners of the worlds often used to refer to the planets. This name only catapulted them to even greater fame and adoration. It also led everyone to believe they were the saviors, champions of those of lower status, fighting for the underprivileged across Halo. They were the highest-ranking team within their planets and the top-ranking team across the Milky Way Galaxy. To the citizens, the "Halo" team was invincible, their success a foregone conclusion. The championship was theirs to lose, but how could they fail when, in the eyes of the public, they were already the best in the galaxy? The unwavering belief of the citizens in their heroes'' infallibility only heightened the pressure on Nea and her team. They were burdened by the weight of expectations, knowing that their perceived invincibility could crumble in an instant, leaving the very planets they swore to protect vulnerable to the encroaching darkness. Despite their efforts, death still loomed over the planets, but the media and those in power twisted the narrative into one of glory and heroism. In the eyes of the team, there was little to do at this point but to keep striving and trying to save their people, as ignorance and folly seemed to prevail. This is why Nea now stood at the peak of a tower crane on the tallest building of the most corrupt conglomerate. Multiple cameras were trained on her, with screens embedded across the city highlighting that the galaxy''s heroes were present, even as terror gripped the streets below. The eyes of countless citizens were fixed on Nea, all waiting for her to make some heroic proclamation. The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. ¡°Ya¡¯ll need to piss off and go find somewhere to hide. Can¡¯t you see what¡¯s happening?¡± Nea spoke with anger and disgust, her voice carrying over the commotion even as the broadcasts seemed to mute her. "I¡¯m in position. Cass and Kip, report," Nea then called over her Nexabot. "Worth a try, Nea, but I don¡¯t think anyone got your message. The plan is still in play. The creatures are moving towards the tower, leaving a trail of destruction with their slime. I see no reason not to blow this city up after this; it''s almost as if they summoned these monstrosities," Cass replied, breathless and exasperated, as she lured the creatures using Kip''s makeshift energy grenades. With his knack for mechanics, Kip distributed the grenades to the team earlier to create distractions and commotion rather than causing damage¡ªanother perk of having so many civilians still running around. "It¡¯s like these damn people don¡¯t realize these things will kill them," Kip added. "In other news, these creatures are merging and absorbing into each other. My energy blasts aren''t doing much anymore. It''s like trying to fight jello. We need this to work, Nea." The creatures had flourished in the planet''s sewers before emerging into the city''s streets. The only signs of their growth were failing sewer lines, a foul stench, and crumbling infrastructure¡ªthings that went unnoticed in the so-called "picturesque" city of Tridis until it was too late. These green, acidic blobs operated individually, gaining collective mass and intelligence once merged. Fortunately, they required the union of all the city''s creatures to form a substantial mind. "I know. Trust me, I know. Save who you can. I don¡¯t think we can change these people, but we might as well give them the show they are waiting for," Nea said, then added. "It¡¯s either that or, you know, we all die?" "Shit. Well then, I guess my vote is for the show," Cass said, sarcasm lacing her voice. Kip grunted. "Ditto. Do it, Nea. Light these pricks up." Nea smiled and immediately moved back to battle plans. "Nex is telling me we have 15 seconds until first light. Move now." "Roger," both echoed over comms before the line went silent. Nea took a deep breath, replacing irritation with calmness. Dawn was coming, and she needed to be the light. Despite her growth in her Prismatic talent, she still struggled to fully grasp the skills she utilized. Bending light was as much intelligence as instinct. As she shifted her stance, she fought every creeping fear of heights that threatened to unnerve her. The tower crane swayed slightly beneath her feet, a constant reminder of the dizzying drop below. She focused, channeling her energy into her reflective cape, which spread around her like wings. Directing the light in precise angles, she knew this moment demanded perfection. Any mistake could cost lives, and the weight of that responsibility settled on her shoulders like the cape itself. Light soon crested the horizon, scattering beams across the city. As the light settled, Nea¡¯s presence grew, and with that growth, pockets of darkness spread where the light was diverted. As the dual suns of the moon lifted over the horizon, their light battled for dominance. Nea became a beacon, so bright that the city''s inhabitants had to avert their eyes as if staring into the suns themselves. The light within Nea intensified, reflecting and merging into the streets below, creating new powerful illuminations. Cass moved with the reflections, gracefully carving a path through the streets and around the primary skyscraper. She wielded her blades with precision, slicing through beams of light to illuminate and devastate the areas concealed by the towering structures. Each reflection from Nea sent crippling light blades into the creatures, causing them to hiss and sizzle as their acidic forms violently reacted to the intense light. As the suns rose higher, Nea''s presence grew more potent, and Cass felt the power of the light intensify as it struck her blades, enhancing her movements and fortifying her resolve. Kip wasn''t about to let Cass have all the fun. As the light honed in on the creatures, Kip expanded his presence, absorbing the energy. A smile spread across his face as he felt the pure destructive force emanating from Nea. The perks of Nea''s power granted Kip an infinite energy source, allowing him to unleash targeted blasts of power from his chest. The reflective rays recharged him almost instantly, enabling him to send out blasts that tore through stone walls and scattered vehicles several blocks away. He took a particular joy in watching the civilization only now begin to comprehend the chaos. Nea''s eyes merged with the light of the suns as warmth spread through her chest, feeling like a long-awaited homecoming. Despite the continuous reflection, her body craved more light, and she welcomed it. Guided by instinct, she transformed, absorbing powerful rays until a tiny ball of light energy formed within her. This core spread warmth throughout her entire being, fueling the eruption of reflected light around her, striking the streets, and surging into the creatures below. It was now only a matter of time before the city could return to its corrupted ways¡­ Book Two: Chapter Thirty-Three Chapter Thirty-Three "The deepest constraints are those your mind places on itself." ¨C E.B. Earth Level Five Morgrax < Warning - You have 12 hours to complete the mission before failure > Morgrax saw the notification flash onto his screen and mentally dismissed it. He was well aware of the mission constraints and the limits he and his party were pushing. "A natural leader," the President remarked, looking at Trent sitting in the presidential chair within the Oval Office. "It''s almost as if you have a calling for command. Are you sure you don¡¯t see democracy in your future? I feel we may need a Champion sitting in this office one day soon." Trent smirked. "No, sir. I have other ambitions." He let out a small chuckle. "I just want what''s best for the world. Leadership, yes. Presidency? I''m not so sure that would work out." "Based on everything you and your team are doing with recruiting and training, I see a title in your near future. Heck, you''re already playing a role close to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff with the forces you''re building." "Now that could be a path forward," Trent said with a smile. He then shifted the subject, "I''m afraid our time is limited, and I need to go check back with my team before the System pulls us away." "We knew the day would come. The two months have flown by. I guess that¡¯s what nearly losing your life will do. But go, go! You can trust in us and the people you have recruited. Trust in America," the President said as he said his goodbyes. "I know. We will. But please remember my words. There are those within the Games who are not who they claim to be. This new world enables talents that stretch and shift minds. Those Weavers we discussed were weakened, distant invaders. Beings now exist that morph the very existence of those creatures. Let those we''ve trained ensure Earth''s future is safe. Trust no one." The President saluted as Trent departed toward a hole centered within the office. "As I command, so shall it be. Thank you. On behalf of the United States and as a representative of Earth, may you continue to grow in strength for the sake of our people." Trent returned the salute and took flight, using minute metal fragments swirling around his feet to provide airflow to his updraft as he lifted from the room into the sky. "Vorg, Kann. Shut down operations. Meet back at our rendezvous point in 20 minutes," Trent''s voice shifted back to Morgrax''s. Two months had passed since Morgrax and his team found the President and his advisors within the bunker. The unique and perfect scenario almost made Morgrax question why the System had supported such a level for his team. The Astral Dominion had integrated within the Games under the watchful eyes of the System, but he did not doubt that even after the first level, his ties remained unknown. No, the System always has a reason, often giving only the most essential missions to those discovered to be AD or other foreign entities. It was no matter. The AD had trained for these events since early childhood, and the awakening of the planets turned those of his people into a playground of effortless champions. This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Once Morgrax and the two other AD Champions joined forces with the President and his closest advisors, the plan swiftly began to take shape. Throughout the history of the Games, the Dominion had learned straightforward strategies for taking over another planet. While some strategies relied on hostile takeovers, most involved influencing those at the top of power in new worlds. Almost all planets followed a similar pattern, having leadership willing to partner with top Champions. Power begets power, but it¡¯s much easier to assume authority under an existing umbrella. Uprisings would undoubtedly arise, but controlling the militaries might simplify things and enable the extraction of more viable resources to other AD planets. For this reason, each group of integrated Champions ensured the presence of some form of Talent focused on influence. Vorg had been recognized as an "influence" talent from a young age. While Metal affinities and Morphist Talents held core leadership roles, the Dominion also nurtured and developed supportive positions. Although his Talent had not yet awakened due to his age, Vorg was educated early on about military strategy, energy composition, and reaction dynamics involving every known Talent throughout the Cosmos. Once his Talent and affinities began to manifest, his learning path shifted toward developing his newly discovered and coveted Cerebral Talent. This rare Talent endowed him with an exceptional understanding of the inner workings of systems and devices and the intricate dynamics of intelligences throughout the Cosmos. He possessed a unique ability to influence and accelerate beliefs. Learning without fully awakened power was a challenging journey, but Vorg could soon discuss the complexities of the human brain with experts who had dedicated their lives to understanding intelligence. His Talent did not operate like those accelerating emotions or taking over neural systems. Instead, Vorg''s Cerebral Talent worked by embedding interconnected topics and opinions, aligning thoughts while eliminating divergences. On Earth, Vorg quickly identified individuals such as "Flat-Earthers" and found amusement in the current influencers among Earth''s populations. By exploiting groupthink and hidden biases, he established a network of embedded leaders without secondary influences, yet undetectable through energy manipulation or corrective measures. Vorg''s profound understanding of cognitive processes enabled him to subtly influence and guide collective thought, fostering unwavering loyalty while preserving the illusion of free thought. Rapidly ascending within his support class, Vorg was partnered with the young prince of the Dominion, ensuring the swift success of their mission. Alongside other strength and military power in Kann, Morgrax and Vorg collaborated to form a society where Dominion leadership could flourish. "Report," Morgrax said as the three stood at Manassas, a discreet park 30 miles west of the Capital. "Five primary Warlords have been established and tested, each surpassing level four," Vorg began, noting Morgrax''s nodding head as a cue to continue. "There are ten Battle Commanders who have each cleared Level 3, and now we have 200 Captain positions filled by those who have passed the first two levels." "Good, and the lowest?" "2103, my Prince. Warriors who either departed or passed Level One in the Games. Kann has been overseeing this group with his¡­ tactics." ¡°Kann, report.¡± ¡°The Warriors'' count now stands at 1,433,¡± Kann started with a grunt but received no reaction from Morgrax. He continued, ¡°There''s no point in training cowards. Surviving warriors are seeing accelerated gains through Nexabot intelligence transfers, combat trials, and survival empowerment. I see no more than 50 advancing to Captain roles, but that rate is expected. We are limited by the uniqueness of Talents on this planet, with many possessing non-combat-oriented skillsets adjusted for battle.¡± ¡°As expected. Life without predators leads to a more unique distribution of Talent," Morgrax said, seeming to process the information. ¡°What about influencing those in charge?" Morgrax asked, turning to Vorg. ¡°All leadership roles have undergone integration and commitment dialogues. Given the time constraints, my top priority has been ensuring loyalty and punishing those who diverge.¡± ¡°As it should be. Any challenges?¡± Vorg and Kann exchanged glances before Kann spoke, ¡°Most individuals on this planet fit our modeling criteria, but there is a significant portion with relentless perseverance. While I trust those integrated with Vorg, our broader efforts face risks due to the many natural leaders among these populations.¡± ¡°I concur with Kann. These humans may rely on the thoughts of others, but their unyielding determination to cling to original ideas could pose a challenge.¡± "I¡¯ve seen." Morgrax let out a morbid chuckle. "Make sure our leaders keep fostering the growth we have started¡ªgrowth in their strength and in others. Let those within the Government incite internal conflict, but be the dagger that sees it through." ¡°It will be done, my Prince,¡± Kann and Vorg affirmed in unison. ¡°You have two hours, after which I will finish our mission and eliminate that final pathetic invader. Excel in the Level 6 trials, and you will continue to reap rewards. Let this Galaxy witness the unique strength and power of the Astral Dominion.¡± Book Two: Chapter Thirty-Four Chapter Thirty-Four "Comfort breeds stagnation." ¨C E.B. Level Five Zar''Keth Village James Weeks passed, and nothing remained the same. Despite the continued expectation for the full team to join at breakfast every day, only James remained constant¡ªtrying desperately to hold what was left of the team together. Emy was gone. Departing without a word. No communication, no explanation, no direction, but James still held on to hope. Rumors placed her somewhere in the northern mountains, with multiple fishing ventures claiming to have seen her and the chief¡¯s daughter together¡ªgathering resources, practicing combat, and developing skills. James had tried to extract more information from Elric, but since Emy had left with his daughter, Elric avoided the subject entirely. Any mention of the connection seemed to hit a nerve, one buried beneath layers of stoic silence, brusque deflections, and pretense of other village matters. Yet, James couldn¡¯t miss the pain in the man¡¯s eyes. Eventually, James gave up seeking the village¡¯s support. His team had goals and individual progressions to focus on if they were to leave this place with their mission complete. But James knew they wouldn¡¯t succeed without Emy. No, success without her wasn¡¯t something he wanted. He was a leader, and a leader didn¡¯t leave their own behind. He needed to become stronger, to learn more about the taint, and to figure out how to save his friend. With resolve hardening, James revisited the mission screen, scanning its contents again to ensure he hadn¡¯t missed any crucial detail. Level Five Mission: Choose Your Allegiance. Shape the Fate. You find yourself in uncharted lands, a world shattered by the absence of a true Champion. A realm frozen in time, trapped by its stagnation. Objective: Neutralize the Intruders OR Eradicate the Fallen Primordials. Timeframe: 115 Days remaining Note: Both paths offer unique opportunities for advancement. Time continued to slip away, but the mission details remained unaltered. Only one thing had shifted: Emy had aligned herself with the opposing side. A faction bound to clash with the rest of the team in less than four months. "We saw it, Rose¡ªit was her..." James murmured, his voice heavy with guilt and confusion. "She struck Tuck and Nadia. Tuck twice¡ªwith the void. How did I not see it? How did I not realize it had gotten so bad?" The words tumbled out in a continuous loop, one he¡¯d shared with Rose countless times. She had become his source of counseling. Rose didn¡¯t mind. She shared James¡¯s emotions toward Emy and understood the weight of her absence on their minds. Now, larger than any traditional Earthian eagle since Emy¡¯s departure, Rose¡¯s massive wings cast shadows on the ground below as she soared high above. Neither James nor Rose knew how much bigger she would grow as her power developed, but her transformation was undeniable. The bond between them had grown stronger as well, with their connected vision through Symbiosense pushing to greater distances than ever before. James wielded the Stonebreaker Gloves to shift massive boulders that had once tumbled from the eastern mountains, clearing a sheltered space where he could merge his vision and presence with Rose, hidden from prying eyes. Seated cross-legged near the entrance of a small cave at the mountain¡¯s base, he entered a meditative state while Rose soared once more toward the great divide. This time, her path took her eastward, her movements careful and deliberate to avoid detection by those who dwelled beneath the mountains. As Rose continued to grow in power, her evolution brought new challenges. Her immense size and strength established her as an apex predator of the skies but also rendered her a more prominent, vulnerable target to those on the ground. Balancing this newfound dominance with the dangers it invited was no small feat. If they were to keep their reconnaissance efforts on the northern lands uninterrupted, they would need to devise a new strategy¡ªand soon. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. Though Rose possessed a spectral talent, her abilities had yet to fully manifest. James and Rose struggled to understand how to nurture what felt more like instinct than skill. They resorted to rigorous training and pushing boundaries, hoping inspiration would strike as Rose soared farther north. James relied heavily on his time with Coach Williams to guide his progression, and while Trish provided some insight, her knowledge was far removed from the bond James and Rose shared. Even Trish agreed that time and persistence were their best tools. Now, Rose glided over the great divide, her sharp vision spotting what the maps had detailed as the Wind and Air users¡¯ domain. The northern tribes had distinct elemental alignments: Earth users clustered at the mountain¡¯s base, Water users near the southern streams of the divide, Fire users in the western reaches, and Wind users to the east. It made sense¡ªstrong winds flowed unobstructed from the vast waters bordering the lands to the east, unlike the mountains that deflected airflow elsewhere. As Rose approached the eastern border, soaring over a meadow kilometers from the nearest tribe, the unexpected struck. A powerful gust of wind slammed into her with unnatural force, spiraling her into a chaotic tumble. James¡¯s connection to Rose was immediately flooded with her panic, jolting him upright. This was no ordinary wind, no familiar force from the eastern seas. "Rose! What¡¯s happening?" he called out, his voice sharp with alarm. Her disoriented emotions surged through their bond, and his shared sight spun wildly across vast horizons. Furious, the air lashed against her, coiling into a vortex that ensnared her in a relentless cyclone. Through Rose¡¯s eyes, James caught glimpses below¡ªfigures laughing, pointing... wind users. Their delight at her struggle was undeniable. "Rose, calm yourself. Focus on what you can control," James urged, his voice steady despite the pain that radiated through their connection. Condensed wind streaks struck her body like solid stone, pelting her wings and chest, driving agony into them both. Rose¡¯s instincts screamed to fight harder, and her wings beat ferociously against the assault¡ªbut the winds tightened their grip, her body trapped as an exposed, unmoving target for the figures below. Pain engulfed her, a tidal wave that crashed relentlessly through her body. Blood spattered from her beak, a sign of the internal wounds tearing her apart, scattering devastation through her form. As her senses dimmed beneath the unrelenting torment, a faint but unshakable presence stirred deep within her. A voice¡ªnot a command, but a quiet, certain truth whispered from the essence of her being. Let go. It urged her forward, not with force but with unshakable clarity¡ªa hidden guide leading her to the answer. Her resolve trembling but intact, Rose surrendered. Her wings stopped their frantic struggle, her muscles loosening as she relinquished herself to the tempest. The shift was immediate and profound¡ªher energy realigned, transforming her connection to the winds that bound her. She let the air flood through her, weaving within and around her. Her form glimmered as it turned spectral, translucent, and untouchable, her movements fluid and ghostly. The winds that once battered her now cradled her, no longer her enemy but an extension of her will. Realization swept through her like wildfire, replacing panic with fierce determination. She was no one¡¯s prey¡ªshe was the predator. The wind users below had made a fatal mistake, one she would not let stand. Her connection to James surged, igniting her focus as instinct took full command. Rose dive-bombed the group with razor precision, her talons flashing like spectral blades, visible only a heartbeat before they tore through her targets. Their cries of pain and fury rang out as she scattered them, swift and devastating, before pulling away with lethal elegance. "Rose! Forget them!" James called out, his voice breaking with relief as her gaze shifted from the tribespeople to the treeline¡ªback toward him. < Skill Identified ¨C Rose ¨C Radiant Phase > < Level Up! Rose is now a Level 6 Spectral > Rose soared high into the skies, each beat of her mighty wings a testament to her resilience despite the wounds carved into her. Her body bore the marks of the struggle¡ªblood still trailing from her mouth, the aftermath of wind blasts that had ravaged her from within, leaving her dangerously close to the edge of death. Yet, she circled with a defiance that transcended pain, her newfound strength coursing through her. When she descended, her landing was deliberate and graceful, a display of control that belied the raw exhaustion weighing on her. Her massive wings folded as she settled near James, her breathing labored but steady, the storm within her subsiding. Pride radiated from her even now, its blaze undimmed by her injuries, and James felt it wash over him through their bond. James rested a hand gently on her head, his smile faint but filled with understanding. In their shared silence, they acknowledged the thin edge she¡¯d danced upon and the transformation born from it. Skill: Radiant Phase Grants the user the power to transcend physical limits, melding effortlessly with surrounding energies to assume a spectral form. In this state, the user can phase through forces like wind, light, and other elements, becoming nearly invisible and impervious to harm as energy flows through them without resistance. The skill¡¯s potency is fueled by the user''s elemental affinities, with specific energies heightening their mastery and unleashing even greater potential during the phase. James took in the details of the skill Rose had awakened, a smile spreading across his face. "Rose," he said, his voice filled with anticipation, "I think this means we can explore a bit further north." Book Two: Chapter Thirty-Five Chapter Thirty-Five "Embrace your doubts, but let your passion guide the way." ¨C Professor Williams Trish Within the tech-laden trash compound, Trish often lost all sense of time. Surrounded by remnants of power and ingenuity, she stood amidst a history of technology¡ªsome older than the concept of time on Earth, yet still eons beyond anything humanity had ever dreamed of. Sutt often spoke of these marvels, emphasizing that technology was neither "old" nor "new," but markers of history itself. Civilizations rose, thrived, and fell. Technologies were created, merged, and eventually lost. The most extraordinary inventions faded into obscurity, forgotten across the passage of eons. Databases and Cosmos-wide mapping shared many advancements, but these were usually technologies that could be sold or traded. The true treasures¡ªthe creations that could save lives or unlock unparalleled potential¡ªwere closely guarded. Why would anyone freely share technology that merged with their affinities and elevated their skills? Such secrets were power. Sharing them could equip rivals with the tools of your success. This secrecy left a legacy of lost knowledge, with breakthroughs becoming artifacts of generations long past. The oldest equipment, from a time known as the "First Generation," dated back to the emergence of the earliest galaxies. None who lived during that time were believed to exist anymore, though fragments of their technology occasionally resurfaced. According to Sutt, many had succumbed to time, while others were claimed by "the Unbinding"¡ªa phenomenon Trish noted to ask Williams more about during their next meeting. Sutt contended that those who surpassed A-Class talents were forcibly expelled from existence. The scale of these revelations left Trish reeling. Sutt explained that each generation spanned tens of billions of years, placing them in the 17th Generation. The sheer magnitude of time made her head spin, and she shelved her questions about the System''s age for another day. Generations adhered to recurring themes¡ªcycles Trish had started to understand. The first cycle marked the creation of energy-reliant tools to complement existing skills and talents. These foundational devices became instrumental in empowering individuals. The second cycle built upon this, with tools evolving into integral components of progress. Heroes of this era pushed the boundaries, unlocking new potential through innovation. The third cycle took reliance further. Technology enhanced energy and began dictating its flow, subtly shifting control from user to tool. By the fourth cycle, dependency peaked. Talents withered, and the art of energy building was forgotten, leaving civilizations stagnant. The cycle then resets, beginning anew with rediscovery and rebuilding. For many planets, these patterns explained their rejection of advanced technology. The Zar¡¯Keth tribes, for example, were tech-averse, rooted in the earliest phase of the first cycle. They chose preservation over progress, valuing mastery of innate abilities over fleeting technological power. Trish clung to hope, knowing her bracelet originated from a third cycle, an era where the harmony of power and technology had reached its zenith. As dawn approached, she continued tinkering with the device she had discovered earlier. By embedding Nex within her bracelet, they revealed a vast network of nodes waiting to connect. After Emy departed with the Northerners, Trish set out to locate one such node. An hour passed before inspiration struck¡ªto send a ping through the device. Moments later, Nex illuminated a faint signal buried in the grass. Digging carefully, Trish unearthed a spherical metal object no wider than a blade of grass. As she brought it closer to her bracelet, the sphere seemed to disintegrate, reshaping itself into the device with no visible seams. Guided by Nex and channeling her Will, Trish worked backward through its structure, effortlessly reconstructing the metal ball and catching the newly formed object in her palm. As Trish brought the ball closer to her chest for a better look, her hand accidentally nudged the metal against her leather jacket. To her astonishment, the ball appeared to melt once more, this time subtly fusing with one of the jacket¡¯s front buttons. She stared in bewilderment, questioning why it would bond with something as mundane as clothing¡ªuntil Nex spoke. "Whoa!" Nex¡¯s voice rang sharply in Trish¡¯s mind, his tone laced with surprise. ¡°What just happened?¡± Trish asked aloud, her confusion mirrored in her thoughts. "Did it do something? Is something wrong?" "If by ''wrong'' you mean highly irregular, then yes," Nex replied, his voice calm but focused, as though preoccupied with calculations. "This tech is anything but ordinary." "So¡­ that¡¯s a good thing?" Trish pressed, her patience thinning. "Nex, I know the others roast you for being cryptic, but seriously, stop dodging. What¡¯s going on?" "Alright, alright! My bad," Nex said, his tone lighter now, though still tinged with an almost mechanical excitement. "This device¡ªit¡¯s like a direct upgrade to my system. I¡¯m learning to integrate with it on the fly¡­ recalibrating¡­ almost there¡­ NOW!" He paused for a moment, then his voice returned, this time with a curious edge. "Trish, how would you like to see the genetic makeup of this jacket?" "The what now?" she muttered, confused, as her vision was suddenly flooded with a glowing interface. Details cascaded into view, flowing like a data stream being directly downloaded into her consciousness. Nex had projected a vivid mental image of the object into her mind, rendering every aspect with crystalline clarity. Moments later, new text materialized across her vision, pulling her further into the revelation. Item: Modified Letterman¡¯s Jacket Analysis Notes: "The node is pulling all this detail for you?" Trish asked, amazement in her voice. "Yes, well, I had to modify my neural network architecture to better interpret and integrate the feedback from the node. This involved applying algorithmic improvements to enable it to join and render within a user interface that we can understand." This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. "So that''s why this thing was just thrown out? Nex, without you, this thing might as well be a proximity scanner," Trish mused. "So wait, can you analyze one of the materials further?¡± Trish asked, still processing the information. ¡°Right-o, will do!" Nex exclaimed with enthusiasm. Item: Modified Letterman¡¯s Jacket ¨C Leather Components ¡°Holy¡­ shit,¡± Trish muttered. ¡°All this... for a letterman¡¯s jacket?¡± ¡°Well, I think this may be related to your tech affinity¡ªreading and processing some of those inputs. I am not even sure you need this text, based on how your mind reacted and consumed this new detail. But yes,¡± Nex replied. ¡°Your jacket now holds a supercomputer woven into its components.¡± ¡°You¡¯re telling me I have access to read/write this thing? Like, connect to any non-tech items?¡± she asked. ¡°Read/Write? That¡¯s such silly 21st-century jargon. You have build capabilities super enhanced by a molecular analyzer,¡± Nex quipped. From that moment, Trish was utterly consumed, embedding her bracelet nodes into every object she encountered. Experimentation became her obsession¡ªrelentlessly testing, tweaking, and unraveling their core mechanics. Meals went untouched; friendships faded into the background. Her thirst for truth was now uncontained, driving her beyond all limits. This bracelet was her key, her path. New Item Detected - OmniBand This bracelet is a fusion of advanced computer nodes and adaptive technology, capable of bonding seamlessly with any object¡ªbe it mechanical, organic, or something in between. Once embedded, it unlocks the item''s genetic blueprint, enabling atomic-level manipulation to mold and reshape matter to the user¡¯s will. Acting as an extension of its wearer, the bracelet harmonizes with their unique talents and abilities, transforming inputs into precision-driven outcomes. *** Frank, James, Nadia & Tuck "It¡¯s probably a good thing we haven¡¯t officially named her Bertha yet," Frank remarked at the breakfast table, addressing Tuck, whose Warhammer, battered and void-stricken, rested beside the bench where a smaller group of the team had gathered to start the day. The group was sparse due to Trish and Will¡¯s absence. Trish had spent the night at the Junkyard but revealed few details, while Will chose to attend an early morning training session with Steel. During a previous breakfast, Will had announced his participation in the night watch program¡ªa rotation of warrior guild members who patrolled the city walls and sometimes ventured into the surrounding forest. Although he continued to work in the fields with Tuck most mornings, his new role required him to be away twice a week, leading him to engage in post-watch sparring sessions to release the tension from prolonged vigilance with little action. "I still don¡¯t think she¡¯ll ever be called Bertha. Why are you assuming my weapon is a ¡®she,¡¯ anyway?" Tuck asked, arching a brow. "Do you doubt my expertise in the ways of the Smithy? That thing practically radiates feminine power," Frank quipped, his tone laced with humor, yet his voice carried absolute conviction. Tuck, choosing not to delve deeper into the odd turn of the conversation, shifted the focus. "Do you think she has a path forward...to be rebuilt?" he asked, a hint of optimism creeping into his voice. Yet, in truth, he was already wrestling with the challenge of letting the weapon go. "Surge," Frank replied, his tone turning smug. It was the voice he reserved for discussions of weaponry or scouting with James. "That beauty has only shown a fraction of her potential. I was just giving you time to grieve before offering to work on her again. Trust me¡ªthe team at the Smithy and I will breathe new life into this baby." "Wait, are you officially working at the Smithy now?" Nadia asked, her voice filled with hope. "Well...no," Frank admitted, only for James to interject. "Forge, you need to¡ª" James started, but Frank interrupted. "I know! I can already sense the head girl¡¯s opinion of me shifting. Just last night, she turned slightly to the side, giving me a better view from the entryway." "Forge¡ª" James tried again. "And Smitha at the mines? Oh, she¡¯s been returning my thumbs-ups lately," Frank continued without pause. "Granted, she¡¯s using a different finger, but hey, progress is progress. I doubt customs like that vary much across galaxies!" "That doesn¡¯t¡ª" "AND once I have something of our own to work on, I think I¡¯ll integrate better with the team!" Frank finished triumphantly. James sighed, contemplating whether Elric¡¯s intervention was necessary. Frank had been trying to integrate for months, but results were...debatable. "I think it¡¯s a great plan, Forge," Nadia chimed in. "THANK YOU, Kama," Frank replied, shooting a pointed look at James before turning back to Tuck for a response. "Forge¡­ You and Glitch created her¡ªI just hope we can restore her to her original form," Tuck said, handing the weapon over. Frank cradled the metal reverently, his eyes fixated on the Celestium. "Oh, she¡¯ll be back," Frank murmured, his gaze steady. The rest of the group watched him in silence. "Is he going to be okay?" Kael asked, breaking the quiet as the group realized their smallest member was still present. "Forge gets...eccentric when it comes to weapons. Weapons and food," James said with a grin. "Forge, you¡¯re a little weird," Kael added, "but I¡¯m on your side¡ªand Kama¡¯s¡ªregarding the Smithy team. Word is, they¡¯re starting to take notice of you." Frank¡¯s eyes lit up. "YES!" he roared, punching the air in triumph. "Kael, do you know this head Smithy¡¯s name? It¡¯s driving me nuts, calling her ¡®head girl,¡¯" Nadia asked. "Well, yeah, it¡¯s¡ª" "NO!" Frank shouted, abruptly cutting Kael off. His outburst of yeses and nos had drawn several stares. "Uh, sorry. I might¡¯ve gotten a bit loud." "Might¡¯ve?" Tuck teased, smirking. "I have to earn her name. I can¡¯t find out like this," Frank insisted. "Can¡¯t you just pretend not to know?" Tuck questioned. "Well, yes, but no..." Frank faltered, firmly concluding, "No, I can¡¯t pretend. It wouldn¡¯t work." "I¡¯m with Forge on this. He¡¯s like a human lie detector¡ªhis energy makes it obvious," Nadia said with a smile before pivoting to a more complex subject. "Grace, have you had any luck tracking down Fury?" "Oh... well, I think we¡¯ve made some progress,¡± James replied, returning her smile as a bird-like figure glided overhead, its screech piercing the air. "SPILL!" Frank demanded as James filled the group in on Rose¡¯s new Radiant Phase ability. "That¡¯s incredible, Rose!" Nadia exclaimed, glancing skyward, only to hear a sharp screech nearby. "Kreeeee!" Rose perched on James¡¯ shoulder, puffing her chest out proudly. James tried not to flinch at the bird¡¯s impressive weight. "Hello to you, too!" Nadia said with a laugh. "It¡¯s amazing¡ªI only sensed her presence moments before she landed." "And the energy trail is subtle," James added proudly. "You¡¯d have to watch the area directly to notice anything while she uses the skill." As the team admired Rose¡¯s growth, a softer, uncertain voice broke through the moment. "Grace, would you..." Kael began, his words faltering as if caught on the weight of what he was about to ask. He took a shaky breath before continuing, "Would you also help look for my sister, Sansa?" "Of course," James responded without hesitation, his tone steady yet gentle. He allowed Kael the space to gather himself before speaking again. "Have you heard anything from her?" "No..." Kael replied, his voice subdued, barely above a whisper. "My father keeps me tied to the village for any exchanges with the Northerners. He restricts me¡ªbut I¡¯ve found ways to hear things, even if they¡¯re only scraps," he admitted, his shoulders tense. "Before she left..." His voice broke slightly as he paused, searching for the right words, as though the memory carried too much pain. "Kael, anything you can share will help us find her and bring her back," James said, his voice firm with encouragement. Kael nodded, though his gaze remained fixed on the ground. "My sister..." He hesitated again, his words laden with guilt. "The night before she left, she said goodbye to me. She told me she had to find a place where her talents would be valued. A place that sought the possibilities this world could offer. We drove her away. Her people turned their backs on her while terror consumed the North. We did nothing," he confessed, his voice breaking with emotion. "Please, find her. Tell her...tell her that her brother finally understands why she left. That she still has family here. She¡¯ll always have family here." The group sat in heavy silence, Kael¡¯s words hanging in the air like a solemn vow. James finally spoke, his tone resolute but softened by compassion. "She will soon find a friend in Fury¡ªand in time, she¡¯ll find friends in all of us. I promise you that." Book Two: Chapter Thirty-Six Chapter Thirty-Six "The games bring insights from countless civilizations, unveiling worlds unknown to the vast majority. Yet amidst the spectacle, neglect, abuse, and exploitation become commonplace¡ªsacrificed on the altar of the hero¡¯s relentless pursuit of glory." ¨C Beacon, Former Champion. Level Five The Northern Tribes Emy Emy let herself absorb the unnerving sensations coursing through her body. Since arriving at the northern fire camp, she had begun noticing subtle yet undeniable physical and mental changes. It wasn¡¯t like the energetic imprint of the Weavers embedding into her consciousness. No, this was something entirely different. It felt akin to stepping from a dry climate into suffocating humidity, an intangible heaviness pressing against every pore. Every breath she took seemed to draw more of the "Taint" into her being, rooting itself deeper. Her body instinctively fought it as though rejecting a foreign invader, yet a strange temptation tugged at her¡ªa whisper to surrender, to embrace its effects. And the effects, maddeningly enough, were positive. Warmth radiated through her, not unpleasant but deeply unsettling, as though the substance sought out her very core. That warmth soon coiled around her skull, tingling as it pooled at the base of her mind. It wasn¡¯t painful, but it was invasive, almost¡­ familiar, as if the substance knew precisely where it belonged. The sensation sharpened, invisible tendrils threading into her neural pathways. Emy could feel them probing, syncing with her brain, coiling tighter around her thoughts. Her senses flared. Her vision sharpened to impossible clarity, each color more vivid, every detail striking. Even the faintest sounds resonated in her mind, layered with textures she had never noticed. The world seemed alive in ways she had never experienced. But then came the recognition¡ªit wasn¡¯t just amplifying her senses. It was rewriting her. A flicker of heat stirred her emotions¡ªa simmering frustration she knew wasn¡¯t hers. Her pulse quickened as an alien hunger bloomed in her mind, urging her to act, take, and dominate. The whispers were quiet, subtle suggestions that tickled the edges of her consciousness. ¡°What are you looking at, dreg?¡± A sharp voice jarred her, snapping her out of her reverie. Emy turned her head toward the source, but the voice wasn¡¯t meant for her. A man pushing the cart loaded with weapons from earlier froze under the gaze of a group of onlookers. Emy felt a ripple of energy shift, directed at the unfortunate man she had accompanied moments ago. ¡°N-nothing, Alberth. I-I was just¡­ just moving these items th-through the camp f-for the offboarding team,¡± the man stammered, his voice faltering under the weight of Alberth¡¯s glare. "Do I look like I care what you¡¯re doing?" Alberth, the gang leader, sneered, his lanky frame towering over the others. Emy felt a brisk energy radiating from him, a palpable force pushing against his target before his gaze suddenly snapped toward her, locking onto her presence for the first time. Seizing the moment, the man with the cart hurriedly stumbled away, eager to escape the confrontation. "And who might you be?" Alberth asked, his voice full of curiosity as he strode toward her. His tall, wiry frame appeared to shift under his loose clothing while the onlookers around him rose as well, flanking him like shadows. ¡°She¡¯s a void user, Alberth. Void and fire,¡± one of the men offered, his voice trembling as he forced the words out. The man had been part of a crew heading south and seemed uncertain of his statement. "A void girl, huh?" Alberth grinned, his gaze flicking between Emy and the others. "And new, too." His eyes shifted briefly to Sansa, who watched nearby, before returning to Emy. "You¡¯d do well to choose your allies wisely around here. You never know when you might need a helping¡ª" ¡°Fury,¡± Emy interrupted, her dry tone cutting through his words. She ensured her voice carried, her name reverberating across the gathering. She actively worked to quell the anger bubbling within her, triggered by the situation and the Taint gnawing at her mind. It wasn¡¯t the time. Not yet. Alberth tilted his head, his expression tightening as his narrowed eyes calculated her presence. He stopped in his approach, but his energy lashed out like a current aimed directly at her. "It would be wise not to do that, newcomer." Before Emy could react to the shift in energy or reply to his veiled threat, warmth flooded her senses. Sansa had stepped between them. "Why don¡¯t we give her time to acclimate before we further needle in her mind?" Sansa¡¯s voice carried an even weight. "We¡¯ve lost too many lately. Shouldn¡¯t we take this as a sign to ease up?" Alberth glared, clearly wanting to press the matter, but he relented. "You¡¯re right, Sansa. We should let the weak adjust¡­ before violence inevitably happens." Emy clenched her jaw, her throat tightening as a surge of rage flickered within her. Anger blazing in her mind, she stepped forward, but Sansa¡¯s hand landed lightly on her wrist. Warmth radiated from her touch, instantly dissipating the fury. Sansa didn¡¯t glance back at her, maintaining control of the situation. "Then let us go meet the others in the area," Sansa said, nodding toward Alberth as she gently tightened her grip on Emy¡¯s arm. She released her moments later, motioning for her to follow. Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! Emy looked at Alberth, who remained unmoving, his smirk etched across his face. His companions chuckled at the exchange, their mocking laughter echoing in her ears as she walked away. For now, she followed Sansa, but the simmering embers of fury within her told her the encounter was far from over. "Who was that asshole?" Emy asked, her tone dry and laced with irritation as she walked alongside Sansa. They had put a reasonable distance between themselves and the earlier confrontation, but Emy still felt the weight of it pressing on her. Sansa shook her head, the movement sharp, almost as if trying to shake off lingering nerves. "That would be Alberth," she replied, her voice tense. "The evil twat who makes fire types like us look bad. Gives the rest of the world plenty of reasons to hate us." "He''s a fire type?" Emy asked, her skepticism evident. The idea of someone like Alberth sharing any semblance of kinship with her power was unsettling. Sansa gave her an incredulous look, her gaze momentarily flicking to Emy¡¯s fiery hair. "You¡¯re clearly not from Kar''keth, yet you think just like they do," she said, her tone flat. "Let me make one thing clear: Fire types are not all the same." "No? Sure, we have different talents, but fire is¡­ fire, right?" Emy ventured, her uncertainty bubbling beneath her composed tone. She inwardly cringed, hoping she wasn¡¯t completely bungling her first real conversation with someone here¡ªsomeone other than Alberth, anyway. "Yes, fire is fire," Sansa replied, hinting mock patience. "But that¡¯s not what makes a fire type." Emy¡¯s eyes widened in confusion, and Sansa couldn¡¯t help but laugh softly. She was amused by this newcomer who could easily conjure a void but seemed clueless about basic energy principles. "Please tell me you at least understand reactions? The basic building blocks of anything and everything in our world¡ªwell, worlds?" "Yes, I understand that much," Emy responded dryly, choosing not to elaborate about her world. She didn¡¯t want to shift the focus onto herself¡ªat least not yet. "And what creates fire?" Sansa pressed. "Uh¡­ energizing atoms?" Emy ventured hesitantly. "No. Well, yes, technically," Sansa admitted, shaking her head. "But that¡¯s not the point. It¡¯s about ignition. Combustion excites the atoms of matter, but his fire¡­ Alberth¡¯s fire¡­ it excites the atoms of emotion. The difference is only in what burns." "So he¡¯s targeting neurons," Emy said slowly, piecing together what Sansa had just explained. "Exactly," Sansa replied, her tone matter-of-fact. "And I hate to say it, but he¡¯s damn good at it. That burst he threw at you? I¡¯m going to be adjusting for days because of the residue. It¡¯s no small thing." "Thank you," Emy said genuinely, feeling grateful. "I had no idea." "Yeah, no shit you didn¡¯t," Sansa muttered, softening the barb with a smirk. "The thing about Alberth is, he doesn¡¯t just mess with emotions. He¡¯s a real talent¡ªcan summon an actual combustion worth fearing. That¡¯s bad enough on its own, but here? This mountain cranks him up, makes him even more dangerous." Emy opened her mouth to respond, but Sansa cut her off with a pointed gesture. "Come on. Let me show you around. And try not to start any more fights." "I just said my name," Emy protested, her voice clipped. "It¡¯s how you said your name," Sansa shot back, a brief smile flickering. It faded quickly, replaced by her usual neutral tone. The camp sprawled ahead of them, simple yet bustling with life. Around two hundred people were scattered across the area, devoid of trees and marked by the blackened fire scars. Burn marks and ash left trails across the ground, the faint smell of smoke clinging to the air. Makeshift canopies covered stations where goods and food were being prepared, while a crude well stood at the camp¡¯s center. Smaller clusters of people gathered in seating areas, their voices low but energetic. What caught Emy¡¯s eye, however, was the towering rock face at the heart of the camp. It was covered with markings¡ªchalk-like scrawls that seemed organized chaotically. A crowd surrounded it, some studying the inscriptions while others added to the ever-growing text. "What¡¯s that?" Emy asked, her curiosity overriding the silence between her and Sansa. "That¡¯s what makes us different," Sansa said, her voice thoughtful. "Like every other camp in these parts, we rely on goodwill, trade, and a bit of forced cooperation¡ª" she paused, catching herself, "¡ªor, empowering other northern tribes to make things for us. But what you¡¯re seeing there? That¡¯s our Northern promise. Is what makes this place meaningful." Emy tilted her head, intrigued. "A chalkboard?" "We teach. That board lists every known skill and lesson in our area. You want to avoid grunt work? Learn something new, teach someone else, and you¡¯ve earned your place here. Simple as that." "You teach each other?" Emy asked, a hint of incredulity in her voice. "Most of us, yeah," Sansa said. "Why should the same teachers teach the same standard lessons over and over? Everyone¡¯s unique. That¡¯s what sets us apart." Emy nodded, letting out a soft grunt. It was simple, but it worked. The system drove people to learn and grow, allowing them to earn their place and carve out their roles. "And where does our friend Alberth fit into all of this?" Emy asked, her sarcasm evident. "Friend?" Sansa snorted, then glanced at Emy¡¯s smile. "Oh." She hesitated, her expression tightening. "Our society isn¡¯t perfect¡ªAlberth¡¯s just one example of its flaws. The camp is divided in power but united by the Taint. Some people play nice. Some don¡¯t. Disagree, and you¡¯d better be ready for the consequences." "So¡­ you¡¯re the leader of the good guys?" Emy pressed. "No," Sansa said curtly, cutting off the conversation. Emy fell silent, though she knew there was more to Sansa¡¯s story. The camp wasn¡¯t as harmonious as it appeared. She realized power was tied to principles¡ªand not everyone followed the same ones. Eyes followed them as they moved through the camp, some filled with admiration, others with jealousy. Sansa was a key figure, and Emy let the silence linger as they approached a series of hilly structures on the camp¡¯s edge. The ground looked as if it had been violently pushed upward, forming caves of dirt and stone. They were crude, but inside, each was filled with blankets and cots¡ªmakeshift sleeping quarters. "Like I said, we¡­ partner with the other tribes for survival. They help us build structures like this, our well, and other essentials. In return, we share fire and other creations with their camps." Sansa pointed to one of the caves, its single cot contrasting with the overcrowded spaces around it. "You can stay in my burrow for now. At least until you make some friends." "You don¡¯t have to¡ª" "Don¡¯t," Sansa interrupted, her tone firm. "While you seem decent, I¡¯m doing this for my reasons. Leave it at that." Emy frowned but let the matter drop. "Eat, sleep, teach, train. That¡¯s it?" "Mostly. And a bit of competition," Sansa said, her tone challenging. "Problem with that?" "Not at all," Emy replied, smiling. But before she could say anything more, a sudden wave of force hit her. She dropped to her knees alongside Sansa, her hands pressing against the ground as an icy heat coursed through her body. It was as though her emotions were erupting in a chaotic frenzy, her mind roaring with a single word: MOOOOOORRREEEE. And then it was gone. Emy, still trembling, caught Sansa¡¯s gaze as a bead of sweat traced its way down her face. "The mountain calls," Sansa whispered, her voice tight. "Krexul grows hungry." Book Two: Chapter Thirty-Seven Chapter Thirty-Seven "Step into the storm, and you¡¯ll find others braving it beside you." ¨C Radan, Former Champion. Earth ¨C Reno, Nevada Penny "Tech wanted me to let you know he¡¯s only detecting two potential heavy surges near the earlier coordinates," Gerard said, his voice tinged with concern. He shifted uneasily, the brim of his Giants cap casting a faint shadow over his face. "What¡¯s the plan, boss?" "You got words out of Tech?" Penny tore her gaze away from the window, her expression softening slightly as she turned to look at Gerard. He still wore the same getup she''d seen him in when they first met¡ªGiants cap tilted at just the right angle, a worn white shirt with a stain that had long outlasted its origin, and a beer belly that stubbornly endured despite Gerard¡¯s reputation as the hardest worker in their growing Reno team. "Grunting is an art form, ma¡¯am," Gerard replied, his trademark candid grin lighting up his face. "There¡¯s a whole language in looks, grunts, and finger-pointing. Tech and I? We¡¯re fluent¡ªsame wavelength." "Right." Penny let the humor settle for a beat, but her mind was already miles ahead. She crossed her arms tightly and leaned against the window frame. ¡°I hate to ask, but¡­ any departers since the last presidential update?¡± Her voice, steady as it was, betrayed a faint edge of weariness. She needed clarity. The Presidential radio broadcast had cut deeper than she¡¯d anticipated¡ªit wasn¡¯t every day one was branded an enemy of not just the United States, but the world. To have the leader of the free world publicly label them alien traitors? It was a staggering blow, the kind of gut punch that reverberated long after the initial strike. Confidence, always a precarious balancing act for Penny, now wavered under the weight of her new reality as the de facto leader of a fledgling, fragile community. ¡°Just a few,¡± Gerard answered casually, ¡°but if you don¡¯t mind me saying, they were the types who brought extra umbrellas to the desert. Not exactly team players. No great loss.¡± ¡°And recruitment?¡± Penny asked, pushing for a fuller picture. ¡°It¡¯s slowed,¡± Gerard admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "But I¡¯d say that¡¯s a sign of the stability we¡¯ve managed to build here. People don¡¯t want to leave when they feel safe. Not until supplies run low, at least. Gives us breathing room to prepare.¡± Penny knew he wasn¡¯t giving her the whole story. It''s not that he was lying¡ªit''s more like he was smoothing the rough edges to keep morale intact. She nodded, though, taking the feedback at face value. For now, she¡¯d let it stand. She shifted the topic back to his original question. ¡°The plan is¡­ flexible," she said, tilting her head thoughtfully. Her eyes flicked back to the window, where sunlight gleamed harshly against the scattered debris lining the street. "Luck and Reynold made it back, but their intel is frustratingly vague. Same rehearsed lines¡ª¡®cavalry incoming,¡¯ reinforcements on the way¡ªbut nothing concrete. Am I right in assuming the other hot spot is at the state''s southern edge?¡± Gerard straightened slightly. "Yeah, that¡¯s the latest. About a forty-mile gap exists between the break zone and the nearest coordinates. Not swarming yet, but they¡¯re creeping toward the closest town. Nick¡¯s monitoring the radio traffic there, keeping the locals on high alert." ¡°Good," Penny said, exhaling some of the tension from her chest. "Tell Nick I appreciate his initiative¡ªI¡¯ll skip any more radio updates for now. Did Tech give any guesses on the kind of swarm heading our way?¡± Gerard hesitated. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ tricky. Maybe hive-minded? The movement patterns fit. They¡¯re spreading out, small groups fanning out from a central point.¡± ¡°Great,¡± Penny muttered dryly. ¡°More good news. Let¡¯s roll with it¡ªit gives us at least some sense of what we¡¯re dealing with.¡± She sighed, letting the matter settle before her attention snapped to the street outside. Her breath caught. A yellow school bus was rounding the corner onto Virginia Street, its front bumper scraping loudly against the asphalt. Penny grabbed Gerard¡¯s arm, her tone sharp and urgent. "Look there! Signal the team!" As Penny shouted, another bus followed close behind the first, this one in slightly better shape, though its wear and tear still betrayed the journey it had endured. Soon, the street began to fill with the low rumble of engines and the distant hum of approaching wheels. One by one, an entire convoy of buses began merging onto the road, like a lifeline threading its way into the heart of their haven. The sight was both overwhelming and galvanizing. "They brought company!" Penny yelled, her voice cutting through the growing noise as Gerard sprinted toward the Casino to spread the word. She turned without hesitation, weaving through the chaos toward the shuttle entryway. It was the only path wide enough to accommodate the incoming brigade, and the sheer number of vehicles made her heart race¡ªnot with fear, but with the weight of responsibility. She barely opened the heavy double doors before the first battered bus pulled in. It groaned under its weight, the front bumper hanging precariously, its once-vivid yellow paint dulled and scorched, now closer to burnt orange. A single tire wobbled on the verge of giving out, the rim scraping the asphalt with a grating metallic screech. Finally, the bus shuddered to a stop. Penny caught her breath just as the door creaked open. Reynold leaned out from the driver¡¯s seat, his grin wide and triumphant, as though he had just conquered the unthinkable. Dirt streaked his face, but his confidence radiated nonetheless, filling the space like a beacon. "First-class delivery, right on time!" he declared, giving her a mock salute. If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Before she could react, a figure stepped off the bus with measured grace. Penny¡¯s focus shifted to the woman, her curly black hair framing a face filled with warmth that was almost disarming. Her presence was magnetic, her smile radiating a kindness that felt like an anchor in the chaos. Without warning, she pulled Penny into a firm yet comforting hug. "You must be Penny," the woman said, her voice carrying a soothing strength that seemed to settle Penny¡¯s frayed nerves. The hug was so unexpected and genuine that Penny didn¡¯t resist; instead, she sank into it for a fleeting moment, letting the feeling of safety wash over her. "Ease up, Zola," came Luck¡¯s familiar voice as he climbed off the bus behind her, each movement betraying the pain of his injuries. His black eye had darkened further, and the dried blood still clinging to his temple added to his already battered appearance. "She¡¯s shy," he said with a faint smirk, his tone teasing despite his obvious discomfort. "And since when do you decide what I can and can¡¯t do?" Zola shot back, her gaze sharp but playful as she kept her hold on Penny a moment longer. Leaning closer, her voice dropped to a whisper meant for Penny alone. "Thank you¡ªfor standing with my son. For being the hope we needed. You¡¯ve done more than I can ever repay." Penny blinked, caught off guard, but before she could respond, Zola stepped back, her expression composed once more. "Penny," she continued, gesturing toward the bus. "This is my friend Oscar¡ªhe¡¯s been my rock through all this. You can trust him with anything. And as for the rest of them," she waved toward the busload of people still shuffling forward, "they¡¯re from the YMCA shelter we managed. We¡¯ve got more buses coming¡ªcity residents with nowhere else to go. I know it¡¯s a lot, but we¡¯re counting on you to make room." Penny nodded, her mind spinning through the logistics¡ªbut as overwhelming as it felt, she did not hesitate in her response. "We¡¯ll figure it out," she said, her voice quiet but resolute. ¡°Yes, we will.¡± Her voice lingered on the "we". ¡°And don¡¯t worry about hospitality; my friends and I will take care of that." Zola seemed to sense Penny¡¯s reaction. ¡°Leave it to us. You focus on other things.¡± Penny breathed for a moment, her shoulders easing as her gaze settled on Luck and Mr. Reynold again. The concern etched in her expression softened. "How are you both holding up?" she asked. "We¡¯ve got nurses inside¡ªthey¡¯ve honed some minor healing abilities. Nothing advanced yet, but with more time and Nadia¡¯s help, I¡¯m optimistic. A limp and a black eye? Those should be easy fixes." Mr. Reynold''s grin widened, the mischievous smile that usually meant trouble. "Oh, the black eye? That wasn¡¯t courtesy of the Shadow Gale," he began, barely suppressing his laughter. "Steve," Luck growled in warning, his voice low but threatening. But Mr. Reynold wasn¡¯t about to let the moment slip away. "Miss Zola here," he continued, his words tumbling out between chuckles, "gave him a follow-up knockout punch in the van¡ªafter he came to!" Mr. Reynold¡¯s eyes gleamed with delight as he delivered the literal punchline, his laughter infectious, though Luck¡¯s scowl made it clear he wasn¡¯t sharing in the humor. Standing nearby, Zola gave a faux smile that teetered on the edge of playful and unapologetic. "He had it coming," she said lightly before her expression softened into the warmth that seemed to radiate naturally from her. She returned to the stream of people still stepping off the bus, greeting each new face with genuine care. Eager to steer the conversation away from his less-than-graceful moments, Luck cleared his throat. "We¡¯ve got one more surprise," he announced, his voice regaining its steady authority. His gaze lingered briefly on Zola before shifting toward the final figures emerging from the bus. "Tech¡¯s coordinates flagged a point near the 395 north on-ramp. Following that lead, we found a couple of familiar faces." The gathering crowd parted slightly as a middle-aged couple stepped off the bus. Their fatigue was evident in their movements, but their eyes carried a quiet strength. The man¡¯s shoulders straightened as he took in the scene, his posture almost defiant against the weariness clinging to him. Luck raised his voice, addressing the group. "Penny, everyone¡ªthis is Ben and Melissa Brandt. Emy¡¯s parents. Their daughter is the reason we¡¯re all still in this fight." Ben scanned the crowd before his gaze settled on Penny. His expression wasn¡¯t one of shock but of a man who had decided to rise to match his daughter''s strength¡ªstrength he had witnessed firsthand when she had stood against the void snake, her resolve unyielding in the face of the arena¡¯s chaos. The memory of the off-world fans cheering, of the President condemning her and her team, lingered in his mind, but he wouldn¡¯t let it diminish the moment. Instead, he spoke with quiet conviction. "No, she¡¯s not the only one. Not by a long shot. But it seems she¡¯s found the right people at the right time. Thank you for taking us in." A softer voice called from the crowd as Ben finished speaking. "Melissa?" The woman turned, her tired face brightening slightly as recognition flickered in her eyes. "It¡¯s me," Courtney said, stepping forward hesitantly. Her emotions were laid bare¡ªrelief, guilt, and a hesitant hope mingled in her expression. The last time she¡¯d seen Melissa had been during a petty D3 soccer feud, a memory that felt trivial and distant in light of everything that had happened since. "I¡¯m sorry I couldn¡¯t do more to help Emy," she said, her voice breaking as tears rose. Melissa¡¯s brow furrowed as she studied the young woman. The face was familiar, though it took a moment for the memory to surface. Their interaction had been brief and unremarkable at the time, but now, it carried a weight neither could have anticipated. Melissa stepped forward and cupped Courtney¡¯s face gently. "You have nothing to be sorry for," she said, her voice warm and steady. "You¡¯re here. We¡¯re alive." Courtney shook her head, the guilt still evident in her voice. "I should¡¯ve done more," she choked out. Melissa placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, her grip firm but comforting. "And you will," she said simply, her words carrying the quiet strength of someone who had endured more than most. "We all will." "Alright, let¡¯s get these people inside!" Reynold¡¯s voice rang out, snapping the moment back to the present. He was already directing the growing crowd, gesturing for the newcomers to make way as another bus rumbled into the vicinity. Luck watched the organized chaos unfold with a measured gaze before returning to Penny. "What¡¯s the plan?" he asked, his tone steady but carrying an undertone of urgency. Penny¡¯s expression changed, the warmth from their earlier exchanges giving way to the weight of command. "The swarm heading for Will¡¯s family¡¯s coordinates is massive," she said. "But we¡¯ve got some time¡ªat least we hope we do." Her voice lowered slightly as she signaled to Gerard, who jogged back toward her. "Ger, gather a team and get Kepler on board. I need three buses set up for offense. Fully stocked, fully armed. Think battering ram." Gerard nodded, his movements brisk as he took off again toward the Casino. Penny turned back to Luck and Reynold. "Luck, you, me, Nick, and Courtney will organize teams for each van¡ªsmall units prepped to clear out anyone left in the town. We roll out in three hours." Luck¡¯s lips twitched into a faint smile, revealing in Penny¡¯s confidence. "Deal," he said, his gaze flicking to Mr. Reynold. "But Steve¡¯s with me." Mr. Reynold gave a solemn nod, his expression losing some of its usual humor. Penny¡¯s lips curved into a brief, amused smile. "Well, look at you two¡ªbesties now." Then, with a sharp clap of her hands, her voice rang out over the murmuring crowd. "Let¡¯s move, people! Time¡¯s not on our side." Book Two: Chapter Thirty-Eight Chapter Thirty-Eight "Few things capture attention like the potent mix of young love and violence." ¨C Chief Marketing Officer at the CNC. Level Five Zar¡¯Keth Village Nadia & Tuck "Every day, I think I¡¯ll get more used to not having it," Tuck admitted, his voice carrying a weight he hadn¡¯t quite shaken. He and Nadia were nearing their usual training and meditation grounds, the familiar path crunching under their shoes. "I feel like it was more of a safety blanket than I ever realized." "I think it¡¯s good for you to be without that Warhammer," Nadia replied, her tone light but pointed. She caught the immediate eye roll and shake of Tuck¡¯s head, which only made her smirk. "What did Williams always tell us about adversity and challenging ourselves? What better way to adapt than not having your big club to ¡®Green Smash¡¯ everything in sight?" "It¡¯s Hulk Smash," Tuck corrected with a chuckle, though his smile didn¡¯t quite reach his eyes. "I understand and believe you, but I don¡¯t know. Look at me¡ªI¡¯m what, close to 400 pounds now? How am I supposed to finesse anyone?" "I¡¯m not saying you need to fight like Will," Nadia countered, her voice softening but firm. "I¡¯m saying you need to face your weaknesses head-on. Even Coach Williams tried to get you to shift during the last Intermission. And seriously, what other 400-pound guy can jump up a cliffside? That¡¯s agility, Tuck. Do you really want him to be disappointed in you for not pushing yourself further?" Tuck shot her a wry smile. "What¡¯s one more person?" he teased, though there was a flicker of something deeper in his eyes. "Seriously, you¡¯ve got to realize I break meditation at least twenty times during your single sessions. Energy control just isn¡¯t my thing. I trigger my skills with emotion. How is absolute calm supposed to teach me anything?" "Are you saying you don¡¯t want to join me anymore?" Nadia asked, her tone deceptively casual. "No. Not that," Tuck said, his voice softening as he glanced away. "So, what are you saying?" Nadia pressed, her gaze narrowing. Tuck hesitated, his shoulders sagging slightly. "I just need something¡­ something different. I¡¯m sorry. I shouldn¡¯t have brought it up," he muttered, trying to steer the conversation away. "Let¡¯s just get back to meditation." "No," Nadia said firmly, her voice calm but resolute. "No?" Tuck echoed, blinking at her. "Yeah, no." Nadia folded her arms, her stance unyielding. "You act like all emotion is triggered by anger. How can you be so dense sometimes?" "Dense?" Tuck repeated, his brow furrowing. "Stand there and close your eyes," Nadia instructed, her tone brooking no argument. "If I see even a twitch, I¡¯m leaving, and we¡¯re ending these sessions." "Okay¡ª" "No. No talking," Nadia cut him off sharply. "Listen and react. Nothing more." Tuck sighed but obeyed, closing his eyes as instructed. Nadia took a deep breath, letting her frustration ebb away as she centered herself. She placed her hand flat against Tuck¡¯s chest, her energy flowing into him in a steady, deliberate stream. His body tensed at first, but the familiar warmth of her healing energy quickly calmed him. "Feel my hand on your chest," Nadia began, her voice low and steady. Tuck instinctively started to lift his hand to touch hers, but she stopped him. "No. Don¡¯t move." "Calm your mind," she continued, "and focus on the heat of my hand. Feel the push of my energy behind the wall of your chest." Under her palm, she felt the subtle shift in Tuck¡¯s energy, his heartbeat quickening as heat and energy tension built within his core. Nadia moved her hand lower, just beneath his heart. "Follow my hand," she instructed, "but keep the energy around your heart contained. Isolate it. Create a bridge of energy connecting the two points." Tuck¡¯s breath hitched as her hand slid to his left side, just under his ribcage. "Keep following," she urged, her voice unwavering. She traced her fingers back up the right side of his chest, then onto his shoulder, guiding the energy with precision. Tuck¡¯s body trembled as the energy surged through him, his core and arm now alive with raw power. Nadia didn¡¯t stop. Her hand moved back across his chest and down his other arm, the energy building into a frenzy. She stepped closer, her hands trailing down both legs, triggering a downward energy funnel that left Tuck shaking with intensity. Finally, Nadia straightened, her Ghostwalkers activating as she rose to be level with Tuck. Her breath brushed against his skin as she leaned in, her voice a challenge. "Feel it?" she asked, daring him to acknowledge the storm within him. Tuck stood frozen, his body pulsating with raw energy. Nadia leaned in further, her face mere inches from his, before closing the gap entirely. Her lips met his in a brief but electrifying moment, the connection igniting the energy within him. "Now," she whispered, pulling back just enough to meet his gaze. "Release." The command hit like a spark to a powder keg. Tuck¡¯s energy erupted, slamming him backward with a force that sent him flying into the forest. He crashed into the ground five meters away, the impact knocking the wind out of him. His head spun as he stared at the sky, his body still buzzing with residual energy. A shadow loomed over him, and Nadia¡¯s concerned face appeared. "Are you okay?" she asked, her energy flowing back into his channels to stabilize him. "I hope you didn¡¯t mind¡ª" "No," Tuck interrupted, his voice dazed but filled with awe. "That was¡­ incredible." < Level Up! Tuck is now a Level 11 Accelerator > *** Will Will stood puzzled as he noticed the active views across the team spiking. ¡°That¡¯s right, 42.3B Active Views right now¡ªmy man is popular,¡± Nexy said internally, their voice brimming with smug amusement. Curiosity tugged at Will, wondering what the rest of his team could be up to, but he quickly refocused and turned his attention back to Steel. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. ¡°Mission today is to contain our perimeter on the eastern front. The path spans from just south of the river bend to the eastern mountain mining entry points,¡± Steel commanded, his voice firm as he addressed the group of ten Warriors. These routine sweeps had become a grim necessity of late, their frequency increasing weekly. ¡°I¡¯ll take Alpha squad north to the riverfront. Brick, you¡¯ll command Delta squad to the south,¡± he continued, pointing out the trail. ¡°The path rises to the second rock wall along the mountain. You¡¯ll see a cleared line giving you a vantage toward the western tree line.¡± Will nodded as Steel¡¯s gaze lingered on him. He could feel a few sidelong glances from the others as Steel added, ¡°The Chief won¡¯t tell you this, but I damn well will¡ªbe alert. These perimeter checks aren¡¯t nature walks anymore. Keep your eyes sharp, follow your leader¡¯s command, and don¡¯t hesitate to blow your whistle at the first sign of trouble.¡± The groups split, leaving Will to lead his newly appointed Delta squad uphill along the rugged trail. ¡°Congrats, Commander¡­¡± Todor teased, his grin as wide as his energy signature was bright. ¡°Seriously, it¡¯s about time the prick made it official,¡± Gabby chimed in, her tone as sharp as ever. ¡°Wait, what?¡± Will asked, caught off guard for once, his brow furrowing. ¡°Oh, don¡¯t play dumb,¡± Gabby replied, her civility laced with sarcasm. ¡°You¡¯ve been his second-hand boyfriend for months now. Steel pushes you twice as hard as the rest of us¡ªyou goddamned earned it weeks ago. Outside of Steel, nobody can touch you.¡± ¡°It¡¯s like he¡¯s trying to set you up to marry his sister or something,¡± Todor added, his voice mixed with mischief. ¡°Yeah, you lucky bastard,¡± Gabby said, smirking. ¡°Lysa¡¯s a gem. If it weren¡¯t for Steel knocking you around and sending you her way, I¡¯d reckon you were already smitten.¡± The conversation struck a chord, and Will finally grasped the nuance. His deliveries to the infirmary had indeed decreased, with only Steel¡¯s relentless attacks forcing him to seek Lysa¡¯s care. Even after gaining just a single level, he had grown stronger; there was no doubt about it. ¡°As much as I¡¯m enjoying this little circle of compliments, I think I¡¯m hearing a touch of jealousy in your voices,¡± Will fired back, his confidence snapping into place. ¡°Lysa¡¯s clearly out of your league, but maybe Sutt¡¯s looking for a few new companions.¡± ¡°Oh, come off it. She¡¯s older than my grandmother,¡± Todor said, mock disgust etched on his face. ¡°Hey now, I like Sutt. She and Uma don¡¯t give a damn about leadership¡ªthey just do their thing,¡± Gabby retorted. ¡°I see what you aspire to be when you get older,¡± Will countered with a smirk. ¡°You know what? You¡¯re right,¡± Gabby admitted, nudging him with a playful fist bump. Todor and the others followed suit, their camaraderie solidified. ¡°So, what¡¯s the call¡­ Commander?¡± Will¡¯s focus returned as he surveyed the cliffside trail ahead. Despite the banter, he had been spreading his energy outward to catch any signs of unrest, though the rugged terrain made it harder to maintain. The path split into two drop-off points, one higher and one lower, separated by about ten meters, with the cliffs dropping over eighty meters in some spots. Their task was to survey these cliffs while observing the lower lands, all leading to the mining entry point¡ªan emergence spot due to ancient rockfalls creating tunnels below. ¡°I¡¯ll take the upper path through the first zone. Todor, keep track of my progress on the lower channel,¡± Will instructed, his tone sharp and measured. ¡°Gabby, secure the communication point on the upper path behind me. Virog, you¡¯re with me in zone three, and Serah, take the lower path in zone two. Maintain communication with the zones closest to you and blow your whistle at any sign of trouble.¡± Will¡¯s strategy was clear: He placed himself in the riskiest position on the upper path, where threats from above were most likely. Todor¡¯s role was equally crucial but not as dangerous; his position offered visibility toward the Western lands. Gabby¡¯s role as the communication hub ensured the team stayed connected. ¡°Primitive,¡± Nexy¡¯s sultry voice chimed in Will¡¯s mind, her tone tinged with disdain. ¡°Millennia of evolution, and you¡¯re relying on whistles?¡± ¡°Not everyone has a companion as ¡®wise¡¯ as you,¡± Will replied with a mental smirk. ¡°Darling, don¡¯t I know it,¡± Nexy quipped, full of mock disgust. The squad maintained a steady pace up the cliffside. Hours passed without incident, but as they climbed, the wind began to rise, the air growing colder. Rain fell intermittently, stinging Will¡¯s skin as it hit. The wind howled, asserting its dominance over the team, a natural warning of the dangers ahead. ¡°Todor, Gabby¡ªreport!¡± Will called, raising his voice against the growing gale. ¡°Clear!¡± Gabby shouted back, the wind swallowing any further detail. ¡°Clear¡ªwait,¡± Todor¡¯s voice crackled through the air. ¡°I see movement.¡± ¡°People?¡± Will asked, straining to hear. ¡°No¡­ creatures,¡± Todor¡¯s voice carried through the howling wind, fragile and fleeting. ¡°Getting a better¡ª¡± The rest of his words were ripped away, swallowed entirely by the storm¡¯s fury. Before Will could react, a powerful gust slammed into him, pushing him back. He dug his heels in, stabilizing himself against the assault. His senses sharpened, tension coursing through him as he awaited Todor¡¯s response. ¡°Todor?¡± he called out again. ¡­. ¡°Gabby, report on Todor!¡± Will¡¯s voice edged with urgency as his eyes scanned for a path down to the lower trail. ¡°No contact,¡± Gabby¡¯s voice returned, hollow and tense. Will was already in motion, focusing on the lower ledge ten meters below. One step, two steps, and then a mighty leap carried him through the air. For a brief moment, his foot caught on the wind as if finding an invisible step, slowing his descent but sending him into an unsteady tumble. He hit the rocky surface hard, jagged stones scraping his legs and arms as he rolled to a stop. Catching his breath, he steadied himself and looked down toward the forest floor, where he spotted a prone figure encircled by the predatory shadows of Vul¡¯Raxx. Without hesitation, he raised his whistle to his lips, the sharp sound piercing the howling wind. He steadied himself, glancing down from the cliffside before taking another step and then another leap. As Will plunged downward, the wind howled in a feral rage, tearing at him, but he summoned his energy, pushing it outward with focused intensity. The chaos stilled, the air forming a fleeting calm as his Permafrost skill activated. Crystalline platforms of ice shimmered into existence beneath his feet, catching his momentum and guiding him forward. With seamless precision, he glided through the storm, his steps weaving a rhythmic dance across the glistening pathways of air and ice, every movement pulling him closer to the encroaching danger below. BOOM! Kenobi struck true, cleaving through the nearest Vul¡¯Raxx as he landed with a resounding crack. The ice beneath him absorbed the impact, stabilizing his stance. Two Cryostrikes followed, streaking towards two other Vul¡¯Raxx as he stared down the pack leader. Nightshade Vul''Raxx: Level 12. A towering alpha predator cloaked in a void-black coat absorbs all light, vanishing seamlessly into the shadows. Leading its pack with relentless precision, its piercing violet eyes and crystalline claws radiate raw, corrupted energy, while bioluminescent streaks pulse along its spine, marking its chaotic essence. Rain fell in sheets, streaking Kenobi with blood-soaked water as he faced the creature. He moved like a phantom, his steps curving upward as icy platforms spiraled beneath his feet. The beast lunged with deadly speed, claws slashing through the air. Will twisted mid-jump, his blade slicing deep into its flank. The creature roared, whipping around with a twisting strike that grazed his shoulder. Will retaliated, hurling Cryostrikes that shattered against the Vul¡¯Raxx¡¯s crystalline claws, shards of ice scattering like stars across the battlefield. The brief distraction gave him enough time to leap higher, rain and wind shimmering faintly beneath his feet. As the creature unleashed an energy blast from its core, Will twisted sharply mid-air, planting his foot on a hastily conjured ice step. The stable platform redirected his momentum, sending him into a precise descent as his katana arced downward, slicing through the beast¡¯s eyes with deadly precision. The creature¡¯s hollow gaze was its last as its massive form crumbled. MAY THE ICE BE WITH YOU! < Level up! Will is now a Level 12 Condenser > Corruptive energy tore through Will¡¯s body, the corruption burning his veins like acid. Instinctively, Will isolated Permafrost on the eroding energy, encasing the damage in ice to hold it at bay. Voices now reached him, blurred and distant. ¡°Grab them!¡± a sharp yet distant voice shouted, cutting through the fog in his mind. ¡°We need to get him back to Lysa¡­again,¡± another voice, rough with urgency, rang out faintly, laced with strained humor. ¡°Did you see him in the air?¡± someone else exclaimed, their voice trembling with awe. ¡°That was at least a 100-meter drop!¡± ¡°He¡¯s connected¡­ rooted with the earth.¡± The last voice was softer, reverent. "Get Kama¡­" Will¡¯s voice barely rose above a whisper as his eyes fluttered closed, the relentless tide of pain surging through his body. Focusing with every ounce of his will, he channeled his energy, redirecting every fragment of life within him to hold the corrosive acid at bay. Book Two: Chapter Thirty-Nine Chapter Thirty-Nine "Help comes to those willing to reach out for it."- Coach Williams. James, Nadia, Trish, Tuck & Will ¡°Something needs to change,¡± Steel growled, his voice cutting through the tense atmosphere of the infirmary. He paced with barely restrained fury, his gaze flickering between Tuck, James, and Trish. Everyone else had been sent away¡ªSteel had no patience for tiptoeing around his words or filtering his thoughts in front of an audience. Across the room, Lysa maintained her healing aura over Will¡¯s infection with quiet focus while Nadia worked intently to unravel the mysterious, eroding energy afflicting him. Will sat upright, his face tight with concentration. Through their Nex¡¯s, he and Nadia discussed the risks of trying to suppress this energy too aggressively. Doing so might erase critical insights they¡¯d need if someone else in the tribe fell victim to the same affliction. But Steel¡¯s agitation wasn¡¯t helping. ¡°This is it,¡± Steel snapped, breaking the tense silence. ¡°He can¡¯t just pretend like nothing is happening.¡± ¡°We still know next to nothing,¡± James countered, his tone firm despite his restrained anger. ¡°How would this change his mind?¡± It was a rhetorical question, but the frustration behind it mirrored Steel¡¯s own. After seeing the team drag Will into the village, Chief Elric''s lack of action still sat like a stone in everyone¡¯s stomach. ¡°You think this is nothing?¡± Steel rounded on him. ¡°A month ago, these creatures wouldn¡¯t even come near us. Now, they¡¯re attacking with what looks like murderous intent!¡± ¡°It¡¯s something,¡± James conceded, his tone careful and deliberate. ¡°But if we push Elric, you know how he¡¯ll respond. Do you really think this will make him alter his course after all these years? And what do we really know about the source? Our people lie between us and that mountain.¡± Steel¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Are they still our people anymore?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± James shot back, his tone flaring to match Steel¡¯s aggression. The two locked eyes for a long, tense moment before Steel forced himself to back off, exhaling sharply through his nose. ¡°This energy,¡± Nadia interjected, breaking through the heated exchange. Her back was turned to the group, her focus still on Will¡¯s abdomen. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ similar to the Taint. But more concentrated.¡± ¡°It¡¯s the energy of the mountain,¡± Trish said quietly, standing off to the side. ¡°Is the Taint just diluted energy?¡± Nadia shook her head, a frown forming as she pieced her thoughts together. ¡°I don¡¯t think so. This energy feels entangled to the creature Brick was fighting. Almost like it mutated¡ªa chemical reaction caused by the Taint the creature had ingested.¡± ¡°So, the Taint isn¡¯t just some energy that causes erosion and madness,¡± Trish mused, her brow furrowing. ¡°It¡¯s a reaction agent?¡± Nadia nodded slowly. ¡°I think that¡¯s a closer answer. Maybe as close as we¡¯ll get without observing more reactions.¡± She turned fully to Will now, her tone sharpening with determination. ¡°This energy inside you, Brick¡ªit¡¯s fighting to merge with you. Your resistance, combined with its sheer volume, is creating a reaction. I don¡¯t want to wait anymore. Follow my Vitalize pattern and reciprocate your energy. I¡¯m putting this into overdrive to flush your system.¡± Will nodded, bracing himself. Nadia placed her hands firmly on his chest, vines from the roots of the infirmary snapping to life and wrapping around her legs. The air around her shimmered as her skill flared, isolating the hostile energy. Will groaned as the agent compressed in his core, shrinking under Nadia¡¯s control until it finally dispersed into the air with a faint hiss. No sooner had the corruption left Will¡¯s body than the infirmary door slammed open. Everyone whipped around to see Frank, hands on his knees, gasping for breath. ¡°Brick,¡± he wheezed. ¡°I¡­ came¡­ as quick¡­ as I¡­¡± He coughed violently. ¡°¡­could. Are you okay?¡± ¡°Jesus, man, I¡¯m good,¡± Will said, half-exasperated. ¡°But maybe check on that door¡ªyou nearly ripped it off its hinges.¡± ¡°Oh¡­¡± Frank coughed again, clearing his throat as he turned his head to the side. ¡°Thank goodness. I sprinted here from the mines when I heard.¡± Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. A stunned silence settled over the room before Tuck broke it. ¡°Forge¡­ you sprinted from the mines?¡± ¡°That¡¯s almost¡ª¡± Tuck started. ¡°7.2 kilometers,¡± Trish, Will, James, and Nadia chimed in unison, finishing his sentence. ¡°What is even happening right now?¡± Steel muttered, rubbing his temples as if surrendering to the absurdity of it all. ¡°It¡¯s called camaraderie, brother. You¡¯d know if you had some friends,¡± Lysa quipped from her station without missing a beat. ¡°Hey now,¡± Steel shot back, glancing at Will. ¡°Brick¡¯s my friend.¡± Will, still recovering, managed a weak thumbs up. Lysa frowned. ¡°Brick¡¯s more my friend. I see him nearly every night in here.¡± ¡°Sounds like forced friendship,¡± Frank added with a shrug, earning him a sharp look from Trish. ¡°All right,¡± James interjected, clapping his hands to regain focus. ¡°Let¡¯s regroup. We need more information about what¡¯s happening in the north. And second, we need a way to combat this Taint. We can¡¯t reach the north without withstanding its influence.¡± ¡°And we need to refortify the village,¡± Steel added firmly. ¡°I can help,¡± Trish said unexpectedly, drawing surprised looks from the group. Seeing their reactions, she crossed her arms. ¡°What? You think I¡¯ve been doing nothing all this time?¡± ¡°Well¡­ maybe,¡± Frank replied sheepishly, half-flinching as if bracing for a verbal smack. None came. Trish sighed, her confidence faltering slightly. ¡°I¡¯ve¡­ found something.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± Nadia asked. Instead of responding immediately, Trish raised her wrist, revealing what appeared to be a bracelet. ¡°It¡¯s a bracelet?¡± Frank said, baffled. Realizing his mistake under Trish¡¯s glare, he quickly amended, ¡°I mean, it¡¯s a very pretty bracelet!¡± ¡°No.¡± Trish¡¯s tone was sharp. ¡°It¡¯s a modular computation system that embeds directly into any object or device. It allows me to influence the genetic makeup of anything.¡± The group stared at her, dumbfounded. Steel was the first to recover. ¡°Have you shown that to Uma?¡± ¡°No,¡± Trish admitted. ¡°You do know who Uma is, right?¡± Steel pressed. ¡°Yes,¡± she mumbled. ¡°I just¡­ haven¡¯t been back there since that first day.¡± Frank finally erupted, ¡°You haven¡¯t even been there? It¡¯s literally your primary talent!¡± ¡°I was going to go,¡± Trish said defensively, ¡°but I got distracted. And¡­ those people in there, they just don¡¯t seem like they¡¯d teach me anything new.¡± Lysa and Steel exchanged a glance. Without another word, Steel turned to Trish. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± ¡°What? Where?¡± Trish asked, startled. ¡°To meet my great aunt. Well¡­ our aunt,¡± Steel clarified, as Lysa nodded. ¡°And apparently, you can tell me how that bracelet will help protect the village on the way.¡± Trish hesitated but ultimately followed Steel out the door. As the two departed, Frank voiced what everyone was thinking. ¡°Am I the only one confused by that tangent?¡± ¡°Nope. Same here,¡± Tuck noted. ¡°Lysa, dear new friend, could you kindly fill us in?¡± Will chimed in, tilting his head toward her, his voice exaggeratedly polite. ¡°Nope¡­¡± Lysa replied without looking up, her mind shifting to look for something in the back of the room. ¡°Oh, perfect. Thank you, Lysa,¡± Will quipped, leaning back with a sarcastic smile. ¡°I think we can just wait for Glitch at this point,¡± Nadia said with a shrug, her tone light but edged with quiet frustration. ¡°Okay,¡± James began, his voice calm and steady as he shifted the conversation back on track. ¡°Rose and I have the ability to venture north, but Kama¡­ I¡¯m worried about the impact on Rose if she goes too far. Can you help me with a solution?¡± ¡°I can,¡± Nadia started, her brow furrowing as she weighed her words carefully. ¡°I¡¯m just not sure what will maintain¡ª¡± She stopped mid-sentence, interrupted by an unexpected voice. ¡°Why not use a branch from the Katuwa tree?¡± Lysa asked abruptly from the back of the infirmary. The group turned toward her, a ripple of surprise washing over them. Will raised an eyebrow, smirking. ¡°Ah, Lysa, I¡¯m afraid only us friends know about this miraculous solution. Would you mind enlightening everyone else? Except for me, of course.¡± Lysa¡¯s lips curled into a small, unexpected smile as she reemerged from the back of the room with a pair of clippers. With purposeful steps, she approached the infirmary''s wall, where the Katuwa tree''s base stood rooted like a silent sentinel, its ancient presence intertwined with the building¡¯s foundation. Placing her hands gently on the trunk, she bowed her head and whispered. The air shifted in response, a faint hum resonating as a vine began to sprout, unfurling delicately from the tree¡¯s bark. She whispered another quiet thanks before delicately clipping the vine free. She twisted it into a bracelet with practiced ease and walked back, placing it in James¡¯s outstretched hand. New Item: Katuwa''s Embrace Forged from the sacred Katuwa tree, this bracelet is a rare artifact of profound beauty and resilience. Worn as a second shield, it forms an unseen barrier that safeguards its bearer from physical harm and mental intrusion, grounding their spirit with unshakable resolve. Imbued with ancient energy, the bracelet fortifies the wearer¡¯s body and mind, granting the strength to withstand even the most relentless adversaries and insidious forces. ¡°This won¡¯t block out all impurities,¡± Lysa explained, her voice steady and confident. ¡°But it will fortify the wearer¡¯s mind enough to withstand the Taint¡ªat least for shorter periods.¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± James said softly, studying the bracelet. He turned to Nadia, who gave a subtle motion toward the tree behind Lysa. Realizing her intent, James bowed and placed his hand against one of the roots embedded in the floor¡ªa faint warmth spread through his fingers¡ªa gentle acknowledgment from the Katuwa tree itself. ¡°Thank you, Katuwa,¡± he murmured with quiet reverence. ¡°So, uh, what about the rest of us?¡± Frank asked, breaking the moment as he looked around at the group. ¡°Well, Frank,¡± James said with a faint sigh, ¡°I think it¡¯s time for all of us to prepare for the inevitable.¡± Frank¡¯s face twisted in confusion. Will, catching on, leaned in with a grin. ¡°Frank, he means we¡¯re all going to be fighting soon, so you better figure out your girlfriend''s name.¡± Book Two: Chapter Forty Chapter Forty "A mind stretched by new perspectives will never return to its original shape¡ªit¡¯s in this stretching that wisdom takes root." ¨C Professor Williams. Level Five The Northern Tribes Emy "Willpower and intent are more than just tools to command the elements; they define the scale of your influence," Sansa stated, her voice concise and commanding in the cool mountain air. She stood on a rocky cliffside overlooking a group of seven individuals scattered among the natural stone, the uneven terrain creating a makeshift amphitheater. "Touch is often the simplest way to shape the world around us¡ªdirect contact with an object allows for immediate influence, tangible interference. You can feel it, control it, change it. The same principles apply to skills and ranged powers. The farther they extend from your body, the more unstable and diluted they become. But why should it be that way?" She paused, letting her words hang in the air before continuing. "Think of your skills as existing in a three-dimensional sphere around you¡ªan invisible coordinate system. The stronger your willpower, the greater your capacity to extend this sphere of influence, engaging with the world as though it were within your very reach." Her gaze swept across the attentive faces below. "Fury, do me a favor. Stand up and join me for a demonstration." Emy, seated on a smooth boulder, hesitated for a moment before complying. She rose, brushing her hands on her leggings as she stepped forward, now about five meters away from Sansa. "Your talent involves creating flames, doesn¡¯t it?" Sansa inquired, tilting her head slightly. "Would you mind forming one in each of your palms?" Emy nodded, her expression focused as she extended her hands, palms upward. With a subtle breath of concentration, she utilized a partial Pyroform skill and conjured a pair of embers that flickered to life, glowing faintly against the twilight. Sansa gave an approving nod, her own hands beginning to shine as she summoned flames of her own. But unlike Emy¡¯s fiery reds, Sansa¡¯s flames burned in an eerie, mesmerizing shade of blue. "What¡¯s the point of hurling my skills at you from this distance?" Sansa questioned rhetorically, her tone sharpening. "You¡¯d simply dodge or deflect the attack. Instead, why not ignite my ability exactly where I want it to manifest?" With a flick of her wrist, the blue fire in her left hand abruptly vanished. Emy gasped, her left palm suddenly enveloped in a gentle warmth as her ember snuffed out. Her eyes darted up to Sansa, wide with astonishment. Before she could fully process what had happened, the second blue flame in Sansa¡¯s right hand dissipated, and another wave of warmth extinguished the ember in Emy¡¯s other palm. The gathered students erupted in gasps and murmurs, some clapping in startled admiration. Emy stared at her empty palms, baffled. "How?" she stammered, incredulity lacing her tone. Emy had always used ranged attacks like Umbral Void Blaze¡ªa technique with extensive power but lacking precision and focused targeting. "How do you conjure flames in your palms?" Sansa countered, her expression calm and expectant. "Uh¡­" Emy faltered, the simplicity of the question catching her off guard. "I channel my energy into the desired area and let it interact with the surroundings directly." "Then why must the origin point always be your palms?" Sansa pressed. "Because¡ª" "Because you''ve conditioned yourself to associate control with what you can physically feel," Sansa interjected with a knowing smirk. She turned her attention back to the others seated on the craggy rocks. "Your energies are not confined to your body. If you want to advance, you must learn to extend your sense of origin beyond the physical realm and into the metaphysical. Your reach is only limited by the boundaries of your will." *** Emy lingered near the rocky ledge, overlooking the stars that stretched across the vast expanse of sky and the towering northern mountains outlined in the moonlight. The last murmurs of conversation faded into the stillness of the night, leaving only the distant rustling of the wind. She waited for the group to disperse before approaching Sansa, who remained standing at the edge of the makeshift class site. ¡°Headed back?¡± Sansa was the first to break the silence, turning to see Emy hesitating nearby. ¡°Yeah... I¡¯ll be honest, though. I¡¯m still figuring out where to go and what to do around here,¡± Emy admitted with a slight shrug, her voice carrying a tinge of uncertainty. Sansa smirked faintly. ¡°The downside of limited responsibilities,¡± she quipped, her tone teasing but not unkind. She leaned back slightly, giving Emy the space to steer the conversation. ¡°Is¡­ is your talent truly fire?¡± Emy blurted out, deciding there was no point in dancing around the question. ¡°Straight to the point,¡± Sansa replied with an arched brow, her smirk lingering. ¡°Sorry, I just¡ª¡± Emy started to backpedal. ¡°Don¡¯t be,¡± Sansa interjected, her tone effortlessly calm. ¡°But no, not in a literal sense. Blue flames and a touch of warmth? It certainly paints the picture. Back in Zar¡¯Keth, that kind of association was a one-way ticket to becoming an outcast,¡± she added with a dry chuckle. Emy tilted her head, curiosity unabated. ¡°So, what is it? Your talent, I mean?¡± Sansa¡¯s expression softened into something almost coy. ¡°You know, you¡¯re the first person to ask me that since I got here.¡± ¡°If it helps, I¡¯ve been tagged as a generalist. I¡¯ve just got affinities with Fire and Void,¡± Emy offered, feeling the need to share something of herself first. ¡°I figured I should start with my cards on the table.¡± ¡°Oh, so what you¡¯re saying is not all fire users are the same?¡± Sansa teased, her tone mockingly inquisitive. ¡°See, there you go again with the ¡®fire users,¡¯¡± Emy shot back, laughing. ¡°Just so you¡¯re aware, I¡¯m proud to be a fire girl. But right now, it¡¯s kind of... a side hobby.¡± ¡°Hobby?¡± Sansa asked, her brow furrowing slightly. If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡°Oh, never mind,¡± Emy muttered quickly, realizing the phrase probably didn¡¯t translate well. ¡°Outworlder reference?¡± Sansa asked, her tone more intrigued now. ¡°Yeah,¡± Emy sighed. ¡°Why does no one care about that?¡± ¡°To question is to challenge existence,¡± Sansa said, her voice taking on a contemplative note. ¡°Our culture values unquestioning acceptance. You¡¯re not the first outworlder, and you won¡¯t be the last.¡± ¡°So you¡¯re not curious about where I¡¯m from?¡± Emy asked cautiously. ¡°I¡¯m not saying that. But I¡¯m also not as bullish as you are with questions,¡± Sansa replied with a mischievous smile. ¡°Still, while I don¡¯t have a flashy name for my abilities like you seem so confident in, I¡¯ve always thought of them as... nullifying.¡± ¡°Would you like me to name it for you?¡± Emy offered the idea that had sparked in her mind. ¡°Name it?¡± Sansa tilted her head, her curiosity evident. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°What your talent would be called,¡± Emy clarified. Sansa¡¯s expression shifted, her intrigue now undeniable. ¡°Wait... what? How? Yes, absolutely.¡± ¡°Trust circle?¡± Emy asked, folding her arms with exaggerated seriousness. Then, with a smirk, she added, ¡°And do I get to ask you something in return?¡± ¡°There¡¯s literally just two of us here,¡± Sansa pointed out dryly. ¡°Fine, trust line,¡± Emy amended with a grin. ¡°Alright, I¡¯m in,¡± Sansa replied, humor glinting in her eyes. ¡°Go on.¡± ¡°Dampener,¡± Emy declared confidently. ¡°That¡¯s our best guess. Quite powerful, from what Nex has observed.¡± ¡°Our?...Nex?¡± Sansa¡¯s eyes widened, her curiosity spiking. ¡°Excuse me, that¡¯s your second and third question,¡± Emy said with mock sternness. ¡°It¡¯s my turn first.¡± Sansa rolled her eyes but relented. ¡°Fine. Let¡¯s hear it.¡± ¡°Who is Krexul?¡± Emy asked, her tone shifting to something more serious. Sansa¡¯s gaze flickered for a moment as though weighing her response. Finally, she nodded. ¡°I figured you¡¯d ask that. It¡¯s better shown than told. Come on.¡± *** James & Rose ¡°Alright, Rose, just because it¡¯s working so far doesn¡¯t mean it¡¯ll always work. This is the furthest we¡¯ve been toward the mountain,¡± James cautioned, his thoughts intertwining with hers as she soared through the dusky sky, Radiant Phase skill active and the newly equipped Katuwa¡¯s Embrace secured tightly to her ankle. Rose let out a groan¡ªa sound James could only interpret as the equivalent of teenage sass¡ªas she adjusted her flight path. ¡°I know, you¡¯re right,¡± James affirmed, despite her unspoken protest. ¡°We need to see this, but keep your distance. Maintain sight and stay directly behind Emy and Sansa.¡± Rose acknowledged the plan, her focus sharpening as she locked onto Emy and Sansa below. The stars shimmered against the twilight sky as a faint glow emerged from the northern mountain¡¯s base¡ªa haunting light that rose like a signal to the unknown. Emy and Sansa moved steadily, leaving the familiar lecture hall atmosphere behind as tension mounted. James felt the strain radiating through Rose¡¯s connection to him; her body fought the invading toxins in the air, her anklet and internal energy struggling to hold steady. As the pair approached the mountain trail, two figures emerged from the shadows. Emy hesitated, her steps faltering, while Sansa pressed forward, taking the lead without hesitation. The figures, guardians of the mountain pass, eyed Emy warily but withdrew at the sight of Sansa. A pile of discarded weapons lay scattered¡ªa grim offering stolen from the Kar¡¯keth tribe. ¡°She¡¯s with me,¡± Sansa declared with calm authority. ¡°Didn¡¯t realize we were up for replacements yet,¡± the leader grunted, his tone edged with force, while the other man remained indifferent. ¡°Replace?¡± Sansa echoed, her voice sharp with defiance. ¡°Nah, that¡¯s why I teach. I¡¯m just here to show Emy our way of life.¡± ¡°Did you warn her?¡± the leader asked his words carrying a subtle weight. Sansa smirked, her gaze flicking toward Emy. ¡°What¡¯s the fun in that?¡± ¡°Just don¡¯t do anything stupid¡­¡± the leader muttered dryly, dismissing them. Sansa paused briefly, glancing at the second man. ¡°See you in class tomorrow, Tarza?¡± The leader shot him a tight look, but Tarza nodded slowly in reply. As Emy and Sansa continued their path, Rose caught the lingering exchange behind her¡ªCalid challenging Tarza, who defended Sansa¡¯s teaching. ¡°What, she¡¯s a good teacher!¡± Tarza retorted. ¡°Calid is one of Alberth¡¯s men, but Tarza¡ªhe¡¯s a good kid,¡± Sansa remarked as Rose tracked the pair ahead. ¡°Tarza looks older than you,¡± Emy scoffed, skepticism lining her voice. ¡°Not in maturity,¡± Sansa countered, her face stern though her eyes glinted with humor. As their journey progressed, Sansa began explaining, ¡°We rotate in pairs to oversee the offerings. Krexul senses metals, gems, and energy signatures, but it hasn¡¯t objected to the bursts we deliver¡ªevery half day, another offering. The cravings never seem to diminish.¡± ¡°So you steal from the tribes, bundle it at the base of the mountain, and slowly feed¡­ it?¡± ¡°Steal? Sure. However, be aware that everyone plays a role in this endless cycle. Alberth crew doesn¡¯t need much to justify the practice, but I choose to believe it as a necessary evil,¡± Sansa replied, her tone guarded and her expression momentarily faltering. Rose circled high above, her sharp gaze fixed on the pair below. Emy''s expression remained calm, but the faintest flicker of suspicion crossed her face. Without warning, Emy''s head jerked slightly, her keen eyes darting toward Rose¡¯s position in the darkening sky. Rose froze mid-flight, her feathers shifting delicately, allowing her to further harmonize with the elements around her. Emy¡¯s intense gaze lingered for a moment longer, scanning the shadows where Rose blended seamlessly. Finally, Emy shook her head, dismissing the feeling, her reaction quick and unnoticed by Sansa, who remained lost in thought, her mind clouded by deeper concerns. ¡°Close call,¡± James¡¯s voice wove into Rose¡¯s mind, grounding her as she adjusted her flight path. She kept close enough to catch the conversation below but far enough to evade any further notice. ¡°Just say it.¡± Emy refocused on Sansa¡¯s trepidation of her former tribe. ¡°People just¡­¡± Sansa¡¯s voice cracked slightly. ¡°Let¡¯s just agree that those born within ignorance can remain ignorant for all I care. At least we are using it to get stronger.¡± ¡°But how do you? Where do you¡ª¡± Emy¡¯s voice faltered as she struggled to piece together the question forming in her mind. Sansa cut her off abruptly, her tone firm and final. ¡°No. Not yet. Remember¡­ Seeing is the ultimate truth. Save your questions for later.¡± Emy hesitated but ultimately trusted Sansa¡¯s firm tone, continuing down the trail beside her. Rose maintained a careful distance, following their path as the mountain loomed more significantly with each step. The horizon blurred as the northern lights shimmered faintly over jagged cliffs, their vibrant flux illuminating the rocky terrain in eerie, shifting hues. The air thickened with the Taint, its suffocating presence palpable even from Rose¡¯s vantage point. Steam rose from the hillside like ghostly tendrils, and the ground beneath them pulsed with a low, ominous grumble. Rose felt a shiver ripple through her feathers, shared instinctively with James, who urged caution. Sansa turned back to Emy, placing a finger to her lips¡ªa command for silence that carried weight amidst the growing tension. The terrain shifted suddenly, light cresting from the ground below as Rose realized the illusion of safety. This was no mere hill but a jagged fissure splitting the mountain itself. Glowing light seeped from the earth¡¯s cracks like veins of molten life. Rose''s sharp vision registered Emy¡¯s startled expression, her hand trembling slightly as she fought to steady herself. ¡°Rose. No further!¡± James''s voice flared in her mind, urgent and unyielding. But Rose resisted, her resolve sharpening. It was now or never¡ªthey had to see. Circling higher, Rose¡¯s vantage expanded, allowing her to capture what lay below. The sight was enough to freeze her mid-flight. Emy¡¯s face dropped in bewilderment, and Rose banked downward for a closer look. What she saw was nothing short of monstrous. The mountain was alive¡ªa slumbering colossus embedded deep within its core. The creature''s colossal form sprawled outward, a fusion of rock, soil, and glistening metal that encased its frog-like body. Volcanic rivers of red, blue, and purple ash flowed around its massive legs, feeding into the cracks below like lifeblood. Horns protruded from the base of its skull, twisting backward and embedding themselves grotesquely within the creature¡¯s head. They reminded Rose of a wounded deer whose antlers had turned inward; only this beast was far from broken¡ªit exuded a raw, terrifying power. From every inch of its form, the Taint erupted, a living miasma saturating the mountain. Vraxxalith: Level 24. A colossal, ancient entity entwined with the heart of the mountain, a slumbering behemoth whose form is part organic, part fused with the earth itself. Its semi-metallic body pulses with molten energy, casting an otherworldly glow through the cavern, while jagged protrusions stretch toward the sky like the claws of some ancient force. The creature emanates a mysterious aura¡ªa pervasive influence that saturates the air, subtly altering the bodies and minds of all who dare enter, embracing that of power for themselves. Driven by an insatiable hunger, this enigmatic titan silently grows in power, biding its time amidst the mountain¡¯s depths. James¡¯s confidence wavered. ¡°C-Class?¡± he murmured in disbelief as he grasped the sheer magnitude of the creature. ¡°Rose, get out of there. Now!¡± Book Two: Chapter Forty-One Chapter Forty-One ¡°Compassion is rare in games¡ªnot on the battlefield, but in the vast worlds that lie within. Yet, when it arises, pure and steady, it has the power to soften and transform even the most unyielding of watching eyes.¡± ¨C Quantum Games Media Director. Zar¡¯Keth Village Level Five Trish ¡°Aunt Uma, this is Trish. Trish, meet my Great Aunt Uma,¡± Steel announced as he pushed through the door of the Weavers¡¯ den, his words punctuated by the heavy aroma of sweat, body odor, and metallic residue that permeated the air. He hesitated briefly, adding with a smirk, ¡°She¡¯s also technically my great-great-great aunt, but before I get myself into more trouble, I¡¯ll just stick to Aunt Uma.¡± The room was dimly lit, the faint hum of machinery mixing with the quiet shuffling of apprentices at work. Uma remained seated in her familiar rocking chair, motionless but imposing. Her apprentices bustled nearby, their movements fluid but deliberate, as though their tasks held the weight of generations. Despite the commotion Steel and Trish¡¯s entrance had caused, Uma¡¯s gaze was unyielding, fixed on the newcomers with an expression that betrayed no emotion¡ªnot amusement, not curiosity, not irritation. ¡°Uma, Trish is a friend of mine,¡± Steel continued as he turned to glance at Trish. She muttered faintly, the words barely audible but filled with disbelief. ¡°Friend of yours?¡± she repeated, almost under her breath. Steel chuckled and replied with exaggerated confidence, ¡°Yes. A friend of Will¡¯s is a friend of mine, and a friend of mine is, at the very least, a strong acquaintance to my dear Aunt Uma here.¡± Trish looked around the room, visibly out of place and uneasy, while Steel narrowed his eyes at Uma. ¡°Uma... Somehow, Trish here may have gotten the wrong impression of you when her crew first visited the den.¡± ¡°What? No! We just¡ª¡± Trish stammered, her cheeks flushing, before Steel cut her off with a knowing grin. ¡°Yes, you most certainly did,¡± he interjected, his eyes still locked on Uma, whose stone-faced demeanor hadn¡¯t budged an inch. The apprentices nearby paused their work, drawn to the peculiar exchange, curiosity evident in their expressions. ¡°Steel, it¡¯s okay. I promise,¡± Trish whispered, clearly uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation. Ignoring her attempt to smooth things over, Steel tilted his head slightly, addressing Uma with calculated precision. ¡°Let me make this clear. Trish here has a weaving talent.¡± He paused, the faintest glimmer crossing Uma¡¯s face¡ªa reaction so fleeting it might have been imagined. ¡°But what she¡¯s told me, in so many words, is that she hates it.¡± ¡°Wait, Steel, it¡¯s not that¡ª¡± Trish began to protest, but Steel interrupted with a loud, decisive, ¡°AND! She seems to have ideas about how to make weaving easier for all talented Weavers.¡± His smile widened, a gleam of both mischief and determination shining in his eyes. ¡°Now, Uma, would you like to tell Trish here what you really think about weaving?¡± Steel concluded, stepping back as if to let Uma take center stage. For the first time, Uma shifted in her chair, her eyes now fully fixed on Trish. Her voice was low and gravelly with age yet unwavering in its authority. ¡°I absolutely hate it,¡± she declared. ¡°You¡­ What?¡± Trish stuttered, her eyes widening in disbelief as she tried to process the statement. Steel took a step toward the door, his grin unfaltering. ¡°And with that, I¡¯ll take my leave. Uma, I¡¯ll see you at our weekly dinner?¡± ¡°Of course, darling. Be sure to tell Lysa hello¡ªand next time, make sure she introduces me to her new friends properly,¡± Uma replied, her tone sharp yet oddly affectionate. Steel nodded and exited the den, his mind still reeling from the walk that had led them here. Trish¡¯s endless chatter about automated defense towers, detection units, and scrapyard innovations lingered in his thoughts¡ªtopics he hadn¡¯t expected but now felt urgently needed to be discussed with the Chief. Inside the den, Trish and Uma were left alone. The apprentices resumed their tasks, the rhythmic clatter of their work filling the space once more. Breaking the silence, Trish asked hesitantly, ¡°Kael told me you don¡¯t have a family name. Is that true?¡± Uma¡¯s piercing gaze shifted to her apprentices. ¡°Would you two stop your working?¡± she commanded firmly. ¡°We have one of our own here. No need to fixate on your tasks.¡± The apprentices stood upright, bowing slightly before turning their attention to Trish. ¡°Trish, meet your new friends, Ziad and Melra.¡± ¡°Hello,¡± Trish said softly, receiving small waves in response. Uma leaned forward, her tone heavier now. ¡°Yes, child, I no longer claim my family name. I am old and tired, and things like that no longer matter¡ªespecially when it comes to paths that lack meaning. But don¡¯t mistake my disconnection for indifference. I still love my niece and nephew dearly.¡± If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Her gaze deepened, locking onto Trish with an intensity that felt unshakable. ¡°Now, tell me everything. I know damn well Steel wouldn¡¯t pull what he just did without good reason. Family means something here, and that bond now ties us together. Don¡¯t you ever forget that.¡± *** Frank Frank departed the village at the usual hour, the rhythm of routine anchoring his steps. Today, however, his group was smaller than before¡ªa stark contrast to the bustling camaraderie of the prior runs. The absence of voices around him was almost palpable, though it wasn¡¯t uncommon for some to spend the night under the stars near the mountain¡¯s entrance. Frank gripped the largest of the carts, its well-worn handles now a familiar burden that had grown dear to him. What had once felt heavy and laborious now carried an almost comforting weight, a reminder of the bonds he had forged with the workers around him. He thought of Smitha first¡ªher icy demeanor had softened over the days, broken by shared toil and steady friendship. The bonds in the group had formed through the shared endurance of their work, nurturing a sense of pride and purpose. Their runs to the mountain were often filled with laughter and chatter, the path blurring into a seamless journey. It felt, on some days, as though the mountain itself came to meet them; the effort of reaching it was forgotten in the joy of companionship. Today was different. The mine was different. The air itself seemed charged with an unease that gnawed at the edges of their collective spirit. The energy that usually propelled them forward felt distant¡ªdimmed, perhaps¡ªand the path toward the cavern felt longer, more winding as if the mountain itself was reluctant to let them in. The silence settled over the group like a heavy fog, conversations reduced to murmurs¡ªan intangible wrongness pressed against their senses, growing sharper with each step. Finally, they reached the last turn in the winding trail. The group halted abruptly, their steps faltering as they looked ahead¡ªa large gathering had formed, encircling one of the five nexus veins. Towering and awe-inspiring, the vein rose like a pillar of ancient vitality, its dark blue energy pulsing rhythmically, mimicking the steady beat of a living heart deep within the mountain¡¯s core. The raw power emanating from it was palpable, radiating outward in invisible waves that seemed to tug at the senses. It bore the weight of ages, undiminished and eternal, commanding attention with its ageless presence that dwarfed the remaining four veins scattered across the cavern. It was old¡ªolder than their lifetimes combined¡ªand its sheer magnitude drew every eye toward the luminescent base, where the glow clung to the rock like veins of molten light. As Frank¡¯s gaze swept the circle, his focus landed on Smitha near the back, standing apart from the others. Her face, usually sharp and resolute, now appeared weighed down by the heavy tone of the gathering. She seemed almost diminished, her frame retreating inward, subdued by the ancient energy thrumming around them. Frank stepped closer to her, weaving through the silent workers until his eyes caught the smithing leader standing alone by the wall, a semi-circle of her apprentices gathering solemnly around her. ¡°Smitha, what¡¯s going on?¡± Frank asked, the worry in his tone clear. ¡°It¡¯s a damn shame, Frank. A damn shame,¡± Smitha muttered, her voice losing its usual feistiness as it fell into something softer, heavier. ¡°What? She¡¯s not¡ª¡± Frank began, his voice faltering. ¡°Straight from the top. Demands from the Northerners,¡± Smitha spat bitterly, her usual edge returning briefly but dimming again under her somber demeanor. ¡°Wait, you mean she¡¯s taking one? Giving it away?¡± Frank¡¯s eyes widened as understanding began to dawn. The smithing leader stood firm, gripping her axe tightly as she advanced toward the wall. ¡°Seems the Chief¡¯s daughter is out for vengeance. Word is, she gave no other options during the last exchange,¡± Smitha replied, glancing back at Frank, who was no longer by her side. Without realizing it, Frank¡¯s legs moved instinctively. He strode forward, his pulse racing as though the energy of the vein itself had taken hold of him. He came to a sudden stop, standing between the smithing leader and the nexus vein. The faint flicker of the vein¡¯s energy illuminated the enclosure, its light dancing across the workers¡¯ stunned faces. ¡°Frank?¡± The leader¡¯s voice softened, breaking through her usual commanding tone as she took in the man now standing before her, the vein¡¯s pulsing energy casting him in a flickering glow. ¡°You can¡¯t do it. Not for them,¡± Frank said with a passion that burned in his words, his rage directed not at her but at the idea of surrendering something so vital to those who didn¡¯t deserve it¡ªthieves. The Northerners had no claim to this power, this lifeblood of the mountain. ¡°I have to¡­ We have to. Chief¡¯s orders,¡± she replied, her voice steady but tinged with regret. ¡°No¡­¡± Frank¡¯s words faltered, searching for some thread of reason. ¡°James will talk to Elric. No¡ªSteel! Steel will fix it; he¡¯ll listen to Steel!¡± Frank pleaded desperately, his emotions surging uncontrollably. The leader shook her head, her resolve unwavering. ¡°Steel was there. All the leaders were there. There is no reasoning. The mountain demands and the mountain takes¡­¡± ¡°All of them? Nobody rejected this path?¡± Frank¡¯s voice was sharp with disbelief. ¡°Truth be told,¡± the leader began, gesturing toward the nexus vein, ¡°this spire, this tree, this core¡ªit has been separating itself from its branches for days now, almost as if it knew its time had come. Look at it, Frank. It shows a path¡ªa means to an end and the beginning of something new. Can you feel it?¡± Frank swallowed hard, his throat dry as he turned to face the great nexus pillar for the first time. His hands trembled as he reached out, the energy pulsing outward the moment his fingers touched the rock. It wasn¡¯t something he could see, but something he could feel¡ªa discrepancy, a gap between its form and its connection to the cavern. His mind struggled to comprehend the sensation when he heard the leader¡¯s voice behind him. ¡°I have to believe this is only the beginning,¡± she murmured, her words weaving through the energy-laden air. ¡°When it returns to the earth, it will spread its power across the lands¡­ It¡¯s calling.¡± Frank turned to face her, his breath catching as she leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper meant only for him. ¡°My mother once told me the earth has a pulse¡ªa pulse connected to the Will of life itself. Life for all beings. Wisdom beyond bearing and knowledge unshared. That voice has spoken, and it cannot be ignored. It must be done.¡± She placed her hand gently on his shoulder, nudging him back toward Smitha as her final words lingered in the space between them. ¡°Vix,¡± she said. ¡°A name earned is better than a name learned.¡± Somber silence followed as Frank rejoined the group, his thoughts spinning wildly. All eyes turned to Vix as she raised her axe. Her strikes landed against the wall with unmatched precision, each one purposeful, each one echoing through the cavern as the energy source began to fracture. The nexus vein pulsed one last time before fading, its vibrant light dimming across the branches that once carried its power. The Five Nexus Pillars were now Four, leaving the cavern shrouded in diminished light. Book Two: Chapter Forty-Two Chapter Forty-Two "One wrong decision can alter the course of your entire life." ¨C Coach Williams. James ¡°You¡¯re giving them a nexus vein?¡± Steel''s voice sharpened, disbelief etched into his tone as he glared across the room. ¡°One more word, Steel, and you cross the line,¡± Elric¡¯s reply came with venom. The tension in the air thickened, charged with the weight of the discussion. The command room, situated above the Guardian¡¯s Hold, felt smaller than usual as the council gathered¡ªa small assembly of power and duty. Elric, the Chief, sat at the center of it all, his presence commanding even in the dim light. Steel, head of the guard, stood rigid, his armor catching a faint glimmer from the lantern above. Vix, the smithing leader, leaned against a table strewn with sketches and tools, her hands marked by soot and calluses. Gill, second in command, appeared calm, his gaze steady as he assessed the room. James, the newly appointed outside guard, held his post not only for his skill in surveillance but also due to his connection to the village. Yet, one member was notably absent¡ªUma, the representative of the Weavers¡¯ Den, who seldom attended these meetings despite her nominal position. ¡°Sansa¡¯s spoken of the Taint only growing¡ªthe mountain, it¡¯s ravenous,¡± Elric continued, his voice grave as he addressed the group. ¡°The demand is justified. We need to shift, to rebalance the fragile peace we¡¯ve held here.¡± ¡°Peace?¡± Steel scoffed, the dismissal in his tone barely restrained. ¡°The Vul¡¯Raxx aren¡¯t just growing; they¡¯re evolving¡ªboth in power and in ferocity. If it weren¡¯t for Brick and his people¡ª¡± He stopped, glancing at James before correcting himself, ¡°Sorry, for Grace and his people¡ªwe¡¯d have more blood on our hands. This isn¡¯t peace, Chief. It¡¯s survival at best.¡± ¡°And that¡¯s exactly why we need to break the cycle,¡± Elric countered, his chair scraping against the stone floor as he leaned forward. ¡°Are you suggesting an all-out war with the Northerners and... whatever monstrosity stirs within the mountain over a few monster attacks?¡± ¡°Grace¡¯s intelligence gives us every reason to prepare,¡± Steel argued. ¡°That bloody Vrax¡ªor whatever they call it¡ªis a ticking time bomb. We need to change course. We need to prepare. And what guarantee do we have that this offering will even work? Do we trust that Sansa speaks truthfully?¡± ¡°ENOUGH!¡± Elric¡¯s voice shattered the rising tensions, silencing the room with a forceful command. The air grew still, heavy with unspoken words. ¡°Yes, she is a Northerner. But she is my daughter. You will watch your words.¡± James, stepping carefully into the space left by the Chief¡¯s rebuke, added, ¡°We still should prepare, though. My team and I can bolster our defenses.¡± ¡°To what end?¡± Elric shot back, his tone cooling but laden with conviction. ¡°To strike down those who were once our people? Our kin? Am I truly the only one here who seeks to avoid bloodshed and death?¡± Gill cleared his throat, his voice softer, diplomatic. ¡°Sir, if I may?¡± He waited for Elric¡¯s nod before proceeding. ¡°I believe all of us here are speaking about the future of our people. The question, as always, is the law of numbers. Will our decisions today and tomorrow preserve more lives than our current path?¡± Elric let out a slow breath, the weight of leadership visible in his gaze. ¡°Steel, you have my approval to coordinate with Grace and his team to implement secondary defense measures. However¡ª¡± his tone hardened¡ª¡°everything must be cleared before activation. Our defenses will focus on intercepting intruders, not senseless killing.¡± If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. ¡°Thank you¡ª¡± ¡°I¡¯m not done,¡± Elric interrupted, his authority closing any attempt at dismissal. ¡°Vix, I still expect us to willingly relinquish a nexus vein to challenge the current status quo. You¡¯ve told me before that one vein signals a divide. Am I correct?¡± Vix nodded, her voice flat but resolute. ¡°Yes, Chief. By our calculations, it¡¯s the oldest vein. Over the past months, it¡¯s shifted, pulling away from its connections.¡± ¡°Then it¡¯s a risk we must take,¡± Elric concluded, his voice steady with determination. ¡°Prepare it for the village. We have days before the Northerners return.¡± *** Milky Way Galaxy ¨C Unknown Space Coach Williams ¡°If this shit doesn¡¯t just keep getting worse,¡± Williams muttered under his breath, his frustration barely contained as he assessed the predicament unfolding around him. ¡°Could they have been referencing the Prowler? As in, the 1138th Games Champion?¡± Viggo asked hesitantly, his tone laced with uncertainty. ¡°Do you know another?¡± Williams snapped, his irritation clear as he clenched his jaw to hold back the choice words that threatened to spill. ¡°Tell me, is this the outcome you envisioned when you dragged me away from coaching the team meant to face the single greatest threat to the broader Cosmos?¡± ¡°I think you should know¡ªthis outcome wasn¡¯t our intent¡ª¡± BOOM! The ship rocked violently, throwing the three men off balance as they struggled to regain their footing. ¡°And here we go,¡± Williams muttered, his voice heavy with resentment, steadying himself as the chaos intensified. ¡°Sir, I¡¯m picking up a large energy signature¡ªsurrounding the ship,¡± Shukar interjected, his eyes fixed on the glowing, erratic patterns flashing across his monitor. ¡°You don¡¯t think¡­¡± Viggo began, his voice trailing. ¡°Oh, I absolutely do,¡± Williams replied, his tone sharp as the ship¡¯s front door exploded inward. The hinges splintered as a dense, black mist surged into the room. Darkness and electricity swirled together, forming a storm-like entity that roared to life. The three men stood frozen in place, escape already an impossibility. In an instant, the mist coalesced into a powerful stream, flashing toward them with predatory intent. ¡°W-Williams¡­¡± A low, distorted humming echoed from within the mist, the sound twisting until it grew into a chilling, resonant voice. ¡°I thought I recognized your energy signature¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s good to see you too, Balker.¡± Williams¡¯s tone was unwavering, direct. ¡°Ohhh, that name has long since died.¡± The voice carried an eerie finality. ¡°I go by Prowler now, Mr. Williams.¡± As the words took form, so did the figure¡ªcondensing from the swirling mass of darkness into a humanoid shape. It stood unnaturally tall, its neck unnervingly elongated, with fingers and toes stretched to grotesque proportions. ¡°I take it you¡¯re working for the System now?¡± Williams questioned, his composure unshaken. ¡°Another knowing guess,¡± Prowler replied, his tone dripping with malice. ¡°You should know by now that my task remains open-ended. Death is but one option in achieving my path. What you should be asking is: What options do you have in this engagement? Outside your conveniently restricted area, away from those governing the games you and I both hold dear?¡± ¡°Mr. Prowler,¡± Viggo interjected, stepping forward with a feigned confidence that quickly dissipated. ¡°I speak for the CNC Games¡¯ decision and take full¡ª¡± Before he could finish, a dark tendril shot out from the swirling mass, moving with an unnatural, deadly speed. Before the strike could land, Viggo¡¯s body was abruptly shoved aside, propelled across the room by an unseen force. He crashed painfully into the far wall, his neck twisting awkwardly midair. The tendril snapped back, striking only the empty space where Viggo had stood moments before. ¡°They¡¯re with me,¡± Williams said coolly, his tone measured, though his posture remained unyielding. His hand dropped back to his side as he locked eyes¡ªor rather, darkness¡ªwith the creature before him. ¡°And they should know I don¡¯t waste words on the greedy corporations,¡± Prowler growled. ¡°I answer only to the System.¡± ¡°Then offer me options,¡± Williams replied, his voice steely. ¡°Because if you kill me, I imagine it would create quite a predicament for you.¡± ¡°Oh, Williams¡­ how amusing,¡± Prowler hissed, his elongated frame bending as though he were inspecting Williams with predatory delight. ¡°Fate will not be on your side today.¡± Book Two: Chapter Forty-Three Chapter Forty-Three "There''s no better way to learn than to teach." ¨C Sansa¡¯Ryn. Level Five The Northern Tribes Emy ¡°Do you ever miss them?¡± Emy asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper. She sat beside Sansa in quiet reflection, the two of them perched on a grassy hill in the western province, just north of the Great Divide. The air hung heavy and humid, a clinging reminder of the taint''s lingering presence, a force that subtly altered the northlands from the south. ¡°Every day.¡± Sansa smiled faintly, her gaze fixed on the horizon as if searching for something¡ªor someone¡ªjust out of reach. ¡°My brother was¡­ no, he is my world. My dad, well, he¡¯s a bit hit or miss, but I can¡¯t say I blame him.¡± She chuckled, the sound bittersweet. ¡°Same.¡± Emy returned the smile, though it carried a weight of unspoken regret. ¡°I know I¡¯m where I¡¯m supposed to be, but I can¡¯t shake this feeling of guilt. The nights are the hardest. The cosmos is so vast, yet they still see the same stars I do. I could reach them within hours if I wanted to.¡± Sansa nodded. ¡°It¡¯s the worst part,¡± she admitted. ¡°The second worst? Knowing that my dad and I are locked in the same battle, playing roles that haven¡¯t shifted in generations.¡± ¡°Roles?¡± Emy tilted her head, intrigued. ¡°When I left for the North, I thought I was breaking free of my father¡¯s shadow. I wasn¡¯t going to follow in his footsteps¡ªI was going to defy them. I wouldn¡¯t yield to the Northerners; I¡¯d join them. I thought I was an outcast reborn, but the reality was different. Now, I yield¡ªnot to the northerner, but to the mountain, to Vrax. I¡¯ve grown in strength, yes, and also have a semblance of freedom. But in truth, I¡¯m still just maintaining the balance of power.¡± ¡°Why do you choose to be the one to go down to the village, then?¡± Emy asked curiously. ¡°Who else should it be? Alberth? Or some other version of him in the Northern tribes?¡± Sansa¡¯s tone carried a trace of bitterness. ¡°I play the role of keeping the balance of power intact. The act isn¡¯t entirely fake. The taint¡­ controls us and amplifies our emotions. But it also grows. And with that growth comes more death.¡± Sansa chuckled suddenly, catching Emy off guard. The younger woman shot her a puzzled look as Sansa added, ¡°That, and I get to feel my brother¡¯s presence when I¡¯m near. I¡¯ve only seen him once, but sensing him¡ªit gives me hope. It gives me clarity.¡± Emy laughed softly. ¡°Strangely, I know what you mean. I feel the same way about Grace¡¯s eagle. I swear I can feel her watching over me sometimes.¡± ¡°Eagle?¡± Sansa raised an eyebrow. ¡°Rose,¡± Emy clarified. ¡°She hates me, but I don¡¯t blame her.¡± Sansa gave her a bemused look but chose to let it slide. Instead, she stood and stretched. ¡°Alright, Fury. We came here for a reason. Are you ready for your lesson?¡± Emy nodded as Sansa¡¯s demeanor shifted into her familiar instructor tone. ¡°Our people have a belief,¡± Sansa began. ¡°Talk to the village elders, and they¡¯ll tell you about the ¡®Will of the Earth.¡¯ A connection that binds all atoms across this world and beyond to the very expanse of the cosmos.¡± ¡°Do you believe in it?¡± Emy asked skeptically. Sansa shrugged lightly. ¡°Maybe. But I do believe in a greater connection. If you¡¯ve spent enough time with my brother, you¡¯d know we call it being ¡®Rooted.¡¯ It¡¯s about aligning your will and energy with a deeper plane of existence. This connection is mysterious, sure, but there are paths to reach it¡ªpaths I think I understand better than most. To influence something¡ªwhether to dampen it or dissolve it¡ªyou first have to understand it.¡± Emy¡¯s scientific mind buzzed with questions. The void had taught her there was much she didn¡¯t know about existence, about connection. Atoms bond, react and intertwine. If the void has a presence, wouldn¡¯t the Earth have one too? Sansa seemed to read her thoughts. ¡°Sometimes it¡¯s not about challenging what something is, but what it can do. Am I right in assuming you have a full form?¡± ¡°You want me to light on fire?¡± Emy asked, incredulous. ¡°Here?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Sansa smirked, patting on the hillside. ¡°This is where the ¡®don¡¯t challenge¡¯ part comes in.¡± Emy rolled her eyes but complied, lying down on the grass. ¡°You¡¯re sure about this?¡± ¡°Just do it,¡± Sansa said with a grin. ¡°I¡¯ll keep the whole hill from going up in flames.¡± With a sigh, Emy activated her Pyroform skill. Flames erupted from her body in a blaze of heat and light, a stark contrast against the green hillside. Closing her eyes, she let the fire flow through her. ¡°Fire is one of Earth¡¯s core connections,¡± Sansa began, her voice unwavering yet calm. ¡°It¡¯s different from the rest. It embodies light, heat, and transformation. Feel the sun¡¯s energy coursing through the land¡ªthe way it dries the earth, setting the stage for your fire. Your embers blaze through what was once hydrated, igniting the now-flammable earth.¡± Emy surrendered to the words and the sensations that followed. She allowed the sun¡¯s warmth to anchor her as she reached out with her fire, sensing its interplay with the earth beneath her. For the first time, she could feel it¡ªthe embers seeping into the soil, merging, transforming it into fertile ground. Sansa¡¯s steady voice pulled her deeper into focus. ¡°Now, shift your awareness. Let your fire go further. Feel its energy traveling into the depths of the Earth, reaching the molten heart of the planet¡ªthe magma core. It¡¯s there that fire and earth become one, shaping the foundation of this world.¡± Emy followed the guidance, her mind stretching downward, her flames intertwining with the immense heat far beneath the surface. She felt the planet¡¯s pulse, a rhythmic warmth that reverberated through her fire like a heartbeat. Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. ¡°Now,¡± Sansa continued, ¡°let the breeze touch your flames. Feel how it breathes life into them, pushing, pulling, expanding. Wind is fire¡¯s ally, fueling its energy, making it brighter, fiercer, hotter. Let it shape your fire¡ªallow it to flow freely, to grow.¡± The wind curled around her form, brushing against her flames with subtle grace. Instead of the usual restless surge, Emy¡¯s fire responded with fluidity, dancing to the rhythm of the breeze. She felt the transformation¡ªher flames expanding, not with force, but with a sense of cooperation. ¡°And finally,¡± Sansa said, her voice soft yet commanding, ¡°acknowledge what restrains you. Water¡ªthe unseen boundary. But don¡¯t view it as a limitation. See it as guidance, a channel for control. Fire may be your essence, but mastery lies in understanding its boundaries. Let the water shape your fire, refining its power.¡± Emy felt the presence of water as a quiet force¡ªa gentle outline framing her fire, giving it structure without stifling its energy. It was no longer something to resist; it was something to embrace. And in that moment, the balance clicked. Her flames, shaped by earth, guided by wind, and tempered by water, reached a level of harmony she had never experienced before. As Sansa¡¯s words settled, Emy¡¯s awareness exploded, and she felt the profound connection¡ªa bond where each element fueled and enhanced the other. A rush of clarity and strength filled her as she began to grasp the full scope of her potential¡ªnot as fire alone, but as part of an intricate, elemental cycle. "Fire fuels the Earth¡¯s renewal, dances with the Wind¡¯s breath, and is tempered by Water¡¯s embrace," Sansa continued, her voice steady yet inviting. "Feel the cycles within your fire¡ªthe rhythm, the pulse. Let them guide you. Let me empower you. Embrace your connection to this Earth and beyond it." Emy remained lying on the grassy hillside, her breaths slowing as she let Sansa¡¯s words sink in. Her fire, once a restless flicker that danced unevenly across her form, began to change. The chaotic embers softened, their jagged energy giving way to a steady, rhythmic glow. It started as a faint shimmer and grew, spreading across her body like molten gold flowing beneath her skin. The flames no longer lashed out wildly; instead, they coalesced into a radiant, golden aura. A surge of warmth flooded through her¡ªnot the sharp, consuming heat she was accustomed to, but something softer, more profound. For the first time, Emy felt grounded, as though her fire wasn¡¯t just a force of destruction but a source of life intertwined with the world around her. She could feel it: the embers sinking into the soil, transforming it, nourishing it. She could sense the warmth of the Earth¡¯s core deep below, its molten power calling to her fire in a resonant harmony. The breeze around her shifted, catching at the edges of her glow and fanning the flames gently, allowing them to stretch and breathe. < Level up! Emy is now a level 12 Generalist > Her flames gradually receded, shimmering softly before fading entirely. Emy hesitated before opening her eyes, bracing herself for what she might see¡ªscorched earth, charred grass, destruction as far as her power had reached. But to her surprise, when she sat up, all she found was a faint brown outline of her body etched into the ground beneath her. Around it, the grass remained lush and green, untouched by the intensity of her flames. She turned to find Sansa sitting nearby, her gaze fixed on the plains that stretched out toward the village where she had once lived. The woman¡¯s expression was calm and thoughtful. Emy got to her feet and walked over to sit beside her. For a moment, they both simply stared out across the rolling landscape. ¡°I think it might be time to try and teach you for once,¡± Emy said at last, her tone light but sincere. She glanced at Sansa and gave her a small smile. ¡°I¡¯m not sure how this whole teacher thing will go, but I owe you. Thank you.¡± Sansa¡¯s lips curved into a faint smile, though her eyes remained fixed on the horizon. Without turning to face her, she posed a question that carried an air of quiet curiosity. ¡°Tell me about the Void.¡± The question caught Emy off guard for a brief moment, but she quickly realized it shouldn¡¯t have. Of course Sansa would want to know¡ªit made sense. The Void was the greatest of all dampeners, the inverse of existence itself. ¡°You know,¡± Emy began, her voice betraying a flicker of hesitation, ¡°it¡¯s funny¡­ you¡¯re the first person I¡¯m willing to tell this to.¡± She chose to ignore the view counter flickering in her view¡ªbillions across the cosmos watching her as she glanced at her active viewer count via Nex. Sansa deserved this truth. If sharing her experience gave Sansa a path to grow stronger, it was something she had to do. Sansa remained silent, her presence steady, giving Emy the space to collect her thoughts. When she finally spoke, her voice carried the weight of reflection. ¡°The first skill I ever mastered was something called Targeted Fusion. At first, it seemed straightforward¡ªorganizing atoms and elements into new groupings, pure creation. It felt like a discovery as if I were shaping something entirely new. But over time, I began to wonder: if creation is possible, what about its opposite? What about separation? ¡°My thoughts shifted, pulling me toward the edges of existence itself. How far can you push before everything unravels? It wasn¡¯t just about creating anymore¡ªit was about revealing what lies beneath, peeling back the layers of what is.¡± Emy¡¯s tone softened as she added, ¡°And my energy answered. It pierced deeper, cutting through until it reached something raw and primal¡ªthe very fabric of existence itself. There, I made a crack¡ªa sliver so small it felt like almost nothing...¡± She paused, exhaling slowly. ¡°That sliver wasn¡¯t just separation; it was a glimpse of what lies beyond¡ªwhat isn¡¯t. It taught me that even in creation, there¡¯s a shadow, a counterpart that completes the cycle. At that moment, I didn¡¯t just separate atoms. I separated existence itself.¡± She paused, her gaze turning inward, her voice carrying a weight of introspection. ¡°I know that¡¯s not what you asked, but it¡¯s part of the path that led me to your answer. To me, the Void feels like the end of an endless road. A place of constant yearning¡ªa gnawing sense that you should do more, but you can¡¯t. It embodies my unrelenting desire to influence, change, and shape the world around me while confronting the truth that I am powerless within. The Void and whatever is inside is nothing. And for someone like me, who craves to feel everything, it¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s maddening.¡± Emy¡¯s gaze turned to Sansa, her face puzzled yet determined. Behind her thoughts, she noticed her view count had doubled in moments¡ªan indicator of the impact her words carried across the expanse of the cosmos. ¡°Two hundred and fifteen billion viewers and growing,¡± Nex whispered, ¡°Be careful with this topic.¡± She waved Nex¡¯s warning away mentally, focusing instead on Sansa, who had turned to her now. ¡°Whatever resides in the Void?¡± Sansa asked, a subtle chill creeping down her spine. ¡°There¡¯s something in it?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Emy said, her voice filled with quiet gravity. ¡°Or rather, someone.¡± ¡°Who?¡± Sansa¡¯s expression shifted, her eyes wide and searching. The surprise etched across her face was unlike anything Emy had seen before. ¡°I can¡¯t tell you that because I am not sure.¡± Emy¡¯s answer was thoughtful yet uncertain. ¡°I don¡¯t know exactly; it could just be my mind trying to make sense of things. However, you speak of the connectedness of this Earth and the cosmos, of a belief in a great force that binds everything together. If there¡¯s something that connects all existence, why wouldn¡¯t there be something that guides all¡­ nonexistence?¡± ¡°1.2 trillion viewers and climbing!¡± Nex¡¯s voice rang out urgently in Emy¡¯s mind. Sansa¡¯s voice faltered. ¡°Emy, that¡¯s¡­ that¡¯s¡ª¡± ¡°Crazy,¡± Emy finished for her, flashing a knowing smile. ¡°Trust me, crazy is something I¡¯m familiar with.¡± She tried to move forward, though Sansa¡¯s expression remained frozen in shock. ¡°The Void is the inverse, simple as that. Your skill as a dampener lets you cancel out another power set. But what if you could take it one step further? What if you could combat the very mechanism that drives the Void? If you can understand how it works, you can not only weaken it¡ªyou can evolve it. Turn it into something greater.¡± Her words trailed off as realization struck her like a lightning bolt. Her lips barely moved as she murmured to herself, ¡°Don¡¯t resist¡­ evolve and change.¡± Sansa caught her expression, and her voice cut through Emy¡¯s reverie with wry amusement. ¡°Emy, did you just turn this into another lesson for yourself?¡± Emy blinked, her gaze distant as her mind churned. ¡°I need to get a note to someone.¡± Book Two: Chapter Forty-Four Chapter Forty-Four "The finest artisans not only uplift their team but also find fulfillment in achieving unparalleled mastery alongside those they empower." ¨C Coach Williams Trish ¡°Alright, Uma, you promised to keep an open mind today,¡± Trish''s tone was sharp, ignoring Uma''s all-too-familiar lackluster stare as she stepped into the Weavers¡¯ Den. ¡°I said I¡¯d bring a friend.¡± Trish, Uma, and her team had been relentless in their efforts, seamlessly integrating Trish¡¯s innovative OmniBand with the art of Weaving. The results were remarkable¡ªwhat once required days of painstaking work had been condensed into mere hours. Trish¡¯s growing mastery of embedding nodes into tools and weapons had revolutionized the process, enabling a system-driven approach to Weaving that transformed their craft. Uma sighed heavily, waving her hand. ¡°Just bring them in. I don¡¯t make promises¡ªI¡¯m too old for that.¡± Without hesitation, Trish gestured outside, and the door swung open. What followed was chaos. ¡°No. No. Get that old hag out of here!¡± Uma¡¯s sudden outburst resounded through the Den; her face twisted in outrage. ¡°I told you she wouldn¡¯t like it,¡± Sutt¡¯s dry voice countered as she sauntered inside. ¡°Some things never change, huh? Still stuck in the past.¡± ¡°Past my ass, you cheating wench!¡± Uma spat, her rocker creaking ominously as she nearly rose to confront Sutt. ¡°He¡¯s been dead for sixty years, Uma! Get off your high horse¡ªyou¡¯re no angel either. Everyone knows the stories.¡± ¡°Stories are stories, but I caught you, ass-naked! Get her out of my sight!¡± Uma shouted, glaring daggers, while Trish, Ziad, and Melra stood rooted in shock, watching the two elderly women scream at each other as if it were a tribal sport. Trish attempted to find her voice. ¡°Wait¡­ This is over a man?¡± Her disbelief hung thick in the air as Uma¡¯s chair threatened to flip from her heated movements. Uma huffed. ¡°A man? No! It was my¡ª¡± But Sutt cut her off. ¡°Boyfriend. You weren¡¯t married, Uma. Stop trying to play senile.¡± ¡°Regardless! He and I were set to be married. Ask Maisy¡ªshe¡¯ll tell you.¡± ¡°Oh, Maisy doesn¡¯t give a damn! No one does, except you. Your so-called fianc¨¦ was ravaging the town. If anything, I did you a favor!¡± Sutt shot back. Before Uma¡¯s indignation could propel her from her rocker, Trish stepped forward, her voice cutting through the rising storm. ¡°Sixty years? No. Just no. Sixty years is three times my age, and I won¡¯t even guess what percentage of your lifespan that covers. You¡¯re both here now, and nobody¡¯s leaving. If you disagree, I¡¯ll have Ziad step in.¡± She gestured to Ziad, whose wide-eyed expression betrayed his silent plea for her to reconsider. ¡°What¡¯s that weenie supposed to do¡ª¡± Sutt began, but Trish wasn¡¯t done. ¡°The tribe needs both of you. Now shut it and listen, or I¡¯ll stop hanging out with either of you.¡± Trish¡¯s unlikely ultimatum worked, silencing the room. She blinked, surprised by her success. ¡°Wait¡­ You both like me?¡± ¡°Get on with it!¡± Both women barked in unison. ¡°Sorry,¡± Trish muttered, slipping back into her usual tone. ¡°Now, back to business. The OmniBand works. We¡¯ve confirmed it. By connecting nodes to weapons and armor, we can merge Weaving into every crafted object, embedding affinities of our choosing. It¡¯s groundbreaking. But,¡± Trish hesitated, ¡°it still can¡¯t match the quality of Uma¡¯s hands-on craftsmanship.¡± ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we be celebrating?¡± Ziad chimed in, earning four simultaneous glares. ¡°You pick now to talk? Jesus, boy, what¡¯s going on in that head of yours?¡± Uma barked while Sutt hid the flicker of amusement in her eyes. ¡°Celebrate what? Speeding up mediocrity?¡± Uma continued. ¡°Sure, it makes the trash we craft for the Northerners faster, but that¡¯s not progress.¡± Uma then grabbed a knife from the ledge next to her. ¡°Here. Scan this. Project the output again.¡± Trish obeyed, her OmniBand glowing as it produced a detailed projection of the blade¡¯s properties, guided by Nex: Item: Hydro Blade The group examined the scan as Sutt adopted an uncharacteristically academic tone. ¡°Am I correct in assuming this was crafted using your OmniBand?¡± Trish hesitated. ¡°Correct¡­?¡± The optimism in her voice matched the flicker of approval in Sutt¡¯s. ¡°Uma,¡± Sutt said firmly, ¡°stop wasting time with insults. Improve the blade. Use your skill.¡± Melra, after receiving a nod, handed the blade and a block of ice to Uma, who scoffed but nodded in silent agreement. In moments, a mist began to swirl from the ice toward the blade as Uma¡¯s hands worked their skill. Trish watched in awe, silently lamenting her inability to see the intricate Energy Signatures like the others. Uma¡¯s darkened eyes searched the blade¡¯s molecular structure, adjusting flaws at the atomic level, weaving at what only years of practice could obtain. When Uma finally relaxed back into her chair, she spoke curtly. ¡°There. Scan again.¡± This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. Trish projected the updated scan. Affinity Integration: Sutt smirked knowingly, her tone sharp and precise. ¡°Now, Glitch, do you happen to remember my first comment about your OmniBand?¡± Trish hesitated, narrowing her eyes as if sifting through her memory. ¡°Maybe?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t make me explain,¡± Sutt snapped, but Uma couldn¡¯t resist chiming in. ¡°Oh, just say it already. Your words didn¡¯t have the punch you thought they did.¡± Uma leaned back in her rocker, her amusement barely concealed. Sutt¡¯s expression didn¡¯t falter. ¡°This device is third-cycle technology. Judging by the output, I¡¯d wager it¡¯s near the end of that cycle. It¡¯s undeniably specialized¡ªbut energy-inept morons crafted it.¡± Trish raised an eyebrow, but Sutt continued smoothly, her cadence shifting into the calm of an instructor. ¡°The third cycle thrives on technology, leaving its people complacent in the development of internal energy skills. Time and again, this reliance has led to the downfall of technology in subsequent cycles. Growth comes only through learning, exploration, and pushing boundaries. Without a path forward, an objective, or creativity rooted in the things around it, technology becomes stagnant¡ªa hollow shell of its potential.¡± Trish¡¯s eyes lit up with sudden realization, her voice gaining momentum. ¡°Wait¡­ you¡¯re saying it¡¯s that simple?¡± Sutt nodded, her smile balanced between mischief and approval. Her voice softened, though the twinkle in her eyes remained. ¡°Everything can be improved. Halted progress is the greatest threat to survival¡ªnot just for our village, but for all of us.¡± Trish¡¯s enthusiasm surged, igniting the room with her determination. At the exact moment, Uma¡¯s gaze flickered, a silent acknowledgment of her dawning realization. Trish turned sharply to the OmniBand. ¡°NEX! Run a diagnostic comparison between Uma¡¯s weaving and the original weave.¡± ¡°Running!¡± Nex announced, with the projection shifting into a glowing display of a digital image of Nex running, accompanied by progress bars below. Trish¡¯s voice followed, sharper than before. ¡°Then refine the Weaving relationship within the OmniBand, using gap analysis from the diagnostic results.¡± Within moments, Nex replaced the wait screen with the completed analysis. ¡°And¡­ done! Growth vector: 0.2% increase in learning.¡± A profound silence swept over the group. The weight of the revelation settled over them as each person processed the significance of it. Ziad decided to break the quiet with an almost timid question. ¡°Wait¡­ 0.2%? Is that¡­ good?¡± As if coordinated, all four Women in the room turned to glare at him, the sharpness in their stares palpable. Trish took a steadying breath, organizing her thoughts before speaking. ¡°It means Sutt¡¯s right. The potential for learning and growth is limitless¡ªso long as I can train the OmniBand with superior weaves.¡± ¡°And it also means,¡± Uma added, her sly smile breaking the tension, ¡°that you must keep growing your craft, child.¡± Trish sighed, her determination undimmed but her weariness evident. Under her breath, she muttered, ¡°Oh¡­ yeah. That too.¡± *** Frank Frank¡¯s body trembled with a quiet, simmering rage as he lingered near the doorway of the smithy, his usual role that of a silent observer. The Nexus Vein of ore lay surrendered against the wall, its surface faintly pulsating with diminished energy. Wisps of power still radiated, casting dark blue hues that danced along the soot-stained walls of the dimly lit room. The eerie light seemed to bow before the commanding presence of the forge¡¯s furious flames, overshadowed by the rhythmic strike of Vix¡¯s mallet as she worked another piece of metal drawn from the mountain. The quota loomed over them, pressing down like the weight of the ore itself. According to Vix, the Northerners would return within days to claim the vein. They intended to deliver the vein as it was, raw and unshaped¡ªa reality that gnawed at Frank¡¯s very core. The magnificent beauty of the ore, so alive with potential, seemed to cry out for transformation. It was meant to become something of monumental power and historic significance, not to languish in obscurity as fertilizer for the beast beneath the mountain. The thought was an insult, a wound that deepened every time Frank looked at the vein. His mind was consumed by the inner storm of conflicting emotions, so much so that he failed to hear Vix¡¯s voice. ¡°Forge?¡± Her sharp tone cut through the haze. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect to have to ask twice.¡± Frank jolted, his gaze snapping to meet Vix¡¯s piercing stare as the room quieted, all eyes now on the two of them. ¡°Uh, yes?¡± he stammered, his posture stiff as he tried to shake off the whirlwind of his thoughts. ¡°Are you going to stop shaking like a leaf,¡± Vix demanded, her voice laced with authority, ¡°or are you going to channel all that pent-up anger into these metals?¡± Something in Frank shifted. Her words pierced through the fog, igniting a spark within him. For months, he had been relegated to the background, his hands idle while his mind burned with ideas. The chance to prove himself had felt impossibly distant, but now it was here, handed to him like a lifeline. ¡°YES! YES! Thank you!¡± he blurted, his eagerness propelling him forward. Realizing he was rushing, he stumbled to an awkward halt, forcing himself to approach with a semblance of composure. Vix handed him her sledgehammer, a wry smile curling her lips. The entire room had fallen silent, workers pausing their tasks to witness this pivotal moment. ¡°Now, Forge,¡± she said, her voice steady but challenging, ¡°show me if you deserve that name. Prove you¡¯ve learned. Strike true. Mold this metal into what it¡¯s destined to be.¡± Frank¡¯s fingers curled around the hammer¡¯s worn handle, its weight solid and grounding. Before him lay a piece of ore, already glowing faintly from the heat of the forge. Its semi-molten surface shimmered with potential. Frank inhaled deeply, his muscles coiled as he raised the hammer, letting the forge¡¯s heat blur the line between hesitation and determination. STRIKE! The hammer collided with the metal in a burst of force, the sound sharp and commanding. Months of grueling labor in the eastern mountains had transformed Frank¡¯s body, refining his large, sturdy frame into one of undeniable strength. The precision of his strike was honed, guided by countless hours spent observing the art of smithing. WHAM! Again, he brought the hammer down, his movements fluid and instinctive. The ore responded like a living thing, bending to his will as its vibrations and hues revealed its secrets. Frank¡¯s focus deepened, his perception narrowing to the shifting qualities of the metal¡ªthe brittleness to be banished, the subtle glow that hinted at its future form. SLAM! Switching to a smaller hammer, Frank worked meticulously, stretching the metal as he coaxed its essence into alignment. He shattered off imperfections, each piece falling away like shards of discarded doubt. The room filled with the rhythmic sounds of his labor, the pulse of the ore synchronizing with the beating of his heart. BOOM! The final blow resounded like thunder, marking the culmination of Frank¡¯s efforts. The weapon took shape¡ªa hybrid of blade and axe, balanced with a duality that invited versatility. The handle¡¯s modest length allowed for both single-handed and two-handed use, while the blade¡¯s unique design transitioned from a narrow base to an imposing edge that flared outward. At its peak, the metal curved into a razor-sharp spike, embodying power and elegance. ¡°Hmph. It seems you¡¯ve been paying attention,¡± Vix remarked, her voice pulling Frank from the trance-like focus that had gripped him. He stepped back, adrenaline surging as he handed the weapon over for inspection. His confidence wavered as he watched Vix, her critical eye taking in every detail. ¡°Good¡­ good,¡± she muttered, her tone almost conversational as she examined the weapon. ¡°The blade needs sharpening, and the handle could use reinforcement to counterbalance the weight, but the foundation is strong. Size¡ªappropriate. Power¡ªremarkable. Attunement¡­¡± She paused, her expression flickering with intrigue. ¡°Strong.¡± Her gaze shifted to Frank, softened by a hint of approval. ¡°There¡¯s room for improvement, but dare I say¡ªgood work.¡± Frank¡¯s breath caught his chest swelling with pride. ¡°Thank¡­ thank you!¡± he managed, his voice unsteady. < Level Up! Frank is now a Level 10 Creator > < Frank has Ascended to D Class > Vix handed the weapon back, her grip firm yet respectful. ¡°Welcome to the smithy family, Forge. This blade is yours now. Treat it with the same respect you give yourself¡ªit will be your legacy. All that¡¯s left is to name it.¡± Frank stared at his creation, its craftsmanship a reflection of his growth and determination. His lips parted into a grin, wide and unrestrained, as the name burst forth with uncontainable joy. ¡°BERTHA!¡±