《Timewalkers [An Apocalyptic Timeloop LitRPG]》


 Chapter 1: Awakened

    How long has it been since that day?


    I look back, and yet, the memory¡¯s a fresh wound.


    Amadeus, Loki¡­ Lillie¡­ I¡¯ve been having the same dream for a while now. Maybe a nightmare.


    They never choose me. And our lives never come together. Is it selfish of me? That I wouldn¡¯t give up all of what happened, just for that?


    .


    .


    .


    A young man stood at the head of a small crowd of pedestrians. A red traffic light shined above, signalling that they were still not yet allowed to pass.


    The man was dark skinned and broad shouldered. He¡¯d long rolled up his sleeves and discarded his coat for the sheer heat in the area. A sideways turn of his head peered at a billboard advertisement, only to have the view blocked by the tall buses that crossed by him.


    The young man¡¯s name was Victor. He was finally off from work just as the sun was turning red over the horizon. The heat was boring into his skin and every little noise heightened his annoyance. The sounds of the car horns, of people on their phones or bickering with each other. And worst of all was how tightly crowded together they were. It was unbearable.


    Quick beeping came from Victor¡¯s side and he moved forward. But that hadn¡¯t been the traffic light.


    Victor looked up to the blaring horns of a vehicle speeding towards him. He paused like a deer in headlights. The car tried to run him down but a yank pulled him backwards. Victor¡¯s breath caught in his throat and he fell on the sidewalk.


    A bland faced man, balding and stern, looked down at him.


    ¡°Crazy kid! Look where you¡¯re going!¡± He growled, yet still offered the young Victor a hand.


    The car had sped by without stopping for a second. A bit tasteless, but better tasteless than unaware like himself.


    ¡°Sorry, sir,¡± Victor replied, force of habit making him sound professional. The old man rubbed at the side of his head.


    ¡°You look tired, son. All alright?¡± he asked him. Victor shook his head.


    ¡°Like you said, just tired.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t get yourself in more trouble,¡± the old man criticized. He¡¯d heard the same thing a million times from his father.


    ¡°I¡¯ll try my best.¡±


    He spared a glance for the distraction that had almost gotten him killed. Some kid playing a game on his smartphone. Victor couldn¡¯t even decipher the thousand colours exploding on the screen of the device. He shook his head aside and ignored it, walking home like any other day.


    He opened the door to his silent apartment. Not a noise to be heard, which is the way he liked it. Spending enough time with some overactive kids was bound to make you want some peace and quiet.


    He hung up his coat and threw his keys into a basket. Victor popped open his fridge and took out a coke.


    He kicked off his dress shoes, jumped onto the couch and hiked his feet up onto a coffee table. That would¡¯ve gotten him a stern talking-to from his mom had it not been his own apartment. Luckily, he¡¯d sweet talked the owner into giving it to him on the cheap.


    What a day¡­. He creaked his neck and popped open the coke. The soda hissed and he took a swig as he turned on the news. He flipped through tens of channels in a second, but they all showed the same thing.


    ¡°What¡¯s with the constant depressing stuff?¡± Victor muttered to himself.


    Everywhere he looked online, there was some news about a country falling or military coups. The man hadn¡¯t the energy to listen to any more awful events.


    ¡°Reporting live from Boston, Shelly, I can¡¯t believe what I¡¯m seeing her- click¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a pillar of light, seemingly appearing out of n- click¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve got our experts getting close to the scene, but it¡¯s far away in the Atlantic- click¡±


    Victor paused. What?


    He went back to one of the channels. A brown-haired announcer with a cleft chin reported in from what looked like a helicopter. The footage was unclean and wind blocked out almost all of the sound.


    ¡°A yellow beam of light has been spotted appearing over the Atlantic Ocean. Now, so far we don¡¯t know what it means, but we¡¯ll be reporting in every second so stay tuned! Charlie, take us closer!¡± the newscaster reported.


    Victor flipped to another channel.


    ¡°We¡¯re bringing some people here to give us a better insight, but so far they tell us it¡¯s not just a simple optical illusion!¡± another reporter chimed in.


    Victor flipped through a hundred more reports like that. All of them gave conflicting information. In his focused state, Victor didn¡¯t feel the tiredness creeping into his mind. Not until it all hit at once.


    The remote fell out of his hands and he clutched his head. It ached like nothing else. A throbbing in his skull that hit rhythmically. Victor stood up and turned the TV off for himself.


    Too much¡­ I¡¯ll check it out later, he reassured himself, before strutting off towards his bed with his head in his hand.


    ****


    The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    An explosion. That was what jolted awake Victor. He snapped his eyes open and took heavy breaths. Sweat beaded on his forehead and he looked outside of his darkened bedroom window.


    He swallowed a gulp. More sounds came from outside. The beating of wings and a thousand car horns that drowned out worse noises. Victor jumped out of his bed and pulled aside his curtain to hell on earth.


    There were things in the sky that flapped their insectile wings a million beats per second. People were on the ground running from them. Adrenaline pumped through Victor¡¯s body as he saw one of the winged things stop in the middle of the air. And then slowly turn to face him.


    A second later, he was bursting out of his front door to the sight of a devoured corpse. He was buttoning up his shirt when he saw it. Victor backed up, but he heard the sound of shattering glass behind him. Shit!


    The elevator had been out of commission since morning. He headed towards the stairwell instead. A monster burst out of his apartment room and ran for him. Spotty and green-shelled, it was a giant grasshopper with human limbs and a dangerous look about it. Victor slammed the stairwell door and jumped down.


    He landed hard on his legs, lunging forward to continue in a sprint. He pushed aside the double doors of his apartment building in his run. Victor spared no thought for the carnage around him. Cars were rushing forward, men and women were screaming left and right and he could hear the cries of children.


    He rushed for his Mustang, only for an explosion to rock him backwards.


    Everything after for a few moments was a shock of white. Victor hit his back against a wall and felt the breath leave his lungs. He looked up in time to see the burning remains of the muscle car. He wanted to curse and scream but the defiance died in his lungs. Eyes quivering, he peeled himself off of the floor and ran once more, this time aimless.


    The thoughts of the sweet baker who lived down the street, the laundromat where they let him wash his clothes for free, the poor old retired couple that lived down the hall from him and a million other people filled the man with tears. He wiped them away on his jacket and focused his mind on something concrete. Where was he going? What did he need?


    Beating wings stopped the thought in its tracks. He looked behind himself to see another one of those disgusting bug creatures in the air. It spat out bile from its mouth as it chased him down.


    Victor let his legs carry him through. He turned to streets with more carnage and screams in the dim hope of losing the monster. But it kept pace with him the entire time through.


    He realized he couldn¡¯t outrun it, so Victor instead stopped in front of a fire hydrant. He pulled off his jacket and held it like a bullfighter.


    ¡°Over here! Didn¡¯t you want a piece of me!?¡± he said with a manic tinge to his voice. The bug seemed to buy the bait, swooping down towards him.


    Victor threw the jacket onto its face and stepped aside. The bug went crashing into the fire hydrant and knocked it out of its hold, spraying water high into the air. Victor took a deep breath and fished his green stained jacket out from under the bug, before running forwards once more.


    He ran and ran, but no direction took him. What am I doing? He cursed himself. Was he just going to trick himself out of every fight he encountered in the future? And how would that work out for him?


    He needed weapons. And the only place to get them¡­


    Victor looked around for a gun store. He found one at the edge of the street, calling to him like a siren. And it wasn¡¯t the only thing he heard. There were more beating wings behind him and so, he ran for the store with what little strength remained.


    Victor cracked the doors open and jumped over the counter. With no other noises, his breathing felt like he was screaming out his location. he placed a hand over his mouth. A second later he heard a swarm of bugs pass him by. In their wake they left the sound of more car horns, but nothing more.


    Victor stayed in there, silent as a doll, for as long as he could. He dared a look over the counter, hoping against hope he was alone. But there was something still remaining outside. Another of the bugs, so horrid against the backdrop of flaming buildings. Its beady black eyes swerved to meet Victor¡¯s, antennae twitching.


    Victor ducked under the counter once more. Please, please¡­ you¡¯ve already given me one miracle. Please don¡¯t let him inside¡­ he said with clasped hands. The prayers fell on deaf ears, and the bell above the door rang as the monster entered the shop.


    Victor bit his lips and got on his knees. No. Not like this. Not in a gun shop in godforsaken Oakland. He grabbed a knife off one of the lower hanging shelves. He didn¡¯t know rifles or shotguns, so instead he took some pistols off instead.


    Victor crawled as far away from the skittering bug as he could. He shoved himself to the side when the monster jumped the counter over to the shelves. Victor dared another look as he loaded his pistols. The monster was hunched over a piles of the rifles, chomping down on AR-15s like they were fries.


    Victor didn¡¯t understand the disgusting creature. Was this what they all ate? Instead, he brandished the pistols akimbo and rose off the ground.


    The bug twisted its head to meet him. Victor filled him with as much lead as was in his pistols. Half the shots missed and they hurt like hell against his arms, but some hit their mark true.


    The bug screamed in defiance and pain, green blood oozing from its surfaces. It ripped through the counter like it wasn¡¯t there, tackling Victor into the air. The bug started to chomp through his clothing and Victor slammed the butt of the guns down onto him.


    That only managed to mildly annoy it. Victor then kicked it, forcing the monster to let go. It stumbled on its grotesque legs and put its hands up to a bleeding wound. Like a human through a twisted lens, it touched its wounds and beheld the green ooze that wept from it.


    ¡°You¡­. hit¡­ meeeeee¡­¡± the bug screeched out in an alien voice.


    ¡°You can talk?¡± Victor asked, baffled. He almost loosened his grip on his pistol.


    ¡°I ammmm¡­. The heirrrrrr¡­. Of Ssssstolk-¡° But he didn¡¯t get to finish the sentence.


    Victor unloaded the full magazine into the monster¡¯s face. It screeched and blocked with its hands. and to Victor¡¯s shock, that shell of his absorbed most of the hits. His pistols ran out and Victor tossed them aside and pulled out new ones from behind himself.


    The bug slashed at him some more, but it only cut him down the arm shallowly. Victor grunted as he shot more holes into the bug. It, or rather, he, was bleeding from its one eye as it extended its pincers at Victor.


    The pincers poked a hole between Victor¡¯s neck and shoulder, and he fired another round into bug. But the round bounced off. The pincer pinned Victor to the back wall of the shop. Victor grunted, feeling his grip on his pistol lighten.


    The pincer twisted further and Victor let out a scream; dropping one of the guns. Instead, he grasped the remaining and steadied himself. Victor shakily raised it and aimed it straight at the bug¡¯s bleeding eye. If he had eyes, he should have brains. Victor let through one last round.


    It hit the bug in the eye, carving its way through its sclera and hitting the grey matter. Instantly, Victor felt its pincer go slack. No scream came from the beast.


    Victor dropped to the floor and ripped out the remaining bits, all the while the monster in front of him twitched and writhed. he heaved a breath and placed an arm against his wound.


    His other arm held the pistol. It stayed that way until the body fell limp enough for Victor to be sure. His arm strained to hold the gun only for Victor to drop it in a moment. Something was materializing from the body of the monster.


    It popped out in a flash of light that blinded Victor for a moment. The light coalesced into the form of a silver beating heart.


    What¡­. He wondered, but something about the thing called to him. It kept beating at a steady rhythm, urging him forward to grab it. And so he did.


    Victor plucked it off of the body of the monster and held it up to the sky. This close he could hear something that sounded like an engine or a gun firing from the inside. It stuck to his skin and seemed to want to go deeper, only stopped by something immaterial in between the both of them.


    The world bled away around Victor as he examined that small beating heart. The only thing stopping him from taking it was his own will. A locked door against whatever power was inside the arcane creation.


    Victor unlocked that door, and Awakened.


    [Seed Integrated: Weaponsmith Heart]


    [Ability Unlocked: Unlock Structural Sense]


    [Ability Unlocked: Basic Strengthening]


    [Ability Unlocked: Ammo Counter]

 Chapter 2: Turning Red

    The world burned around Victor and he stood confused. There were screens floating up in the air, a parody of the kind of games he played in his childhood. They were of a deep red glow that didn¡¯t shine on anything around him. He ran his hand through the air, but it was like they weren¡¯t even there. Victor clutched his chest and felt his heart, rubbed his eyes and tried to slap himself awake.


    Nothing out of the ordinary. So then what was he seeing?


    The screens awaited his confirmation. Slowly, Victor moved his hand towards the OK button. They disappeared and something else took its place.


    [


    NAME: Victor Amadi


    AGE: 26


    SEEDS: [[         ]]


    [[Weaponsmith Heart]]


    [[          ]]


    [[          ]]


    [[          ]]


    STATS:


    STRENGTH: 20


    SPEED: 15


    SENSES: 12


    RECOVERY: 20


    STRUCTURAL SENSE: 15


    AMMO:


    ABILITIES:


    (Weaponsmith Heart): [Unlock Structural Sense] [Basic Strengthening] [Ammo Counter]


    ]


    It was a stat screen. He might¡¯ve thought it a dream for a moment had the pain in his shoulder not felt so real. And the sense of something inside his chest. When he focused on that feeling, he could almost hear a faint sound of an engine firing off.


    There were several options displayed on the screen. He could check his current condition, change some settings and look at a bestiary along with an item compendium. He took the obvious first step and searched for a quit button.


    But no such luck greeted him. Damned thing¡­


    Out of the picture for him, He pressed on his status screen instead and pressed on the stats. That turned out to be a mistake. A simple strength score unfolded into a million different parameters. Muscle density, length, bone thickness and on and on until he felt like a physician taking a particularly thorough examination. He closed that sub-tab and looked elsewhere for clues. A part of him feared that more of the bug creatures would return, so he took shelter behind the remains of the counter as he did.


    Victor found himself attracted towards the Weaponsmith Heart and the abilities it granted him. He pressed a button towards the first of them, and a description opened up.


    [[Unlock Structural Sense]: (Requirement: None) You gain an innate sense for the structure of various creations, including weapons and larger buildings. At higher levels, you can also sense magical properties within items. I find myself envious of how you¡¯ve created them, all without a hint of my powers.]


    What was that at the end of the description? The power itself was esoteric, but the text at the end pointed towards it being written by a person. He supposed that was all text in video games as well. But if this was a game, who was the developer? And how had Victor gotten himself trapped inside here?


    He tried a simple test of the powers and looked towards the weapons racked up in the shop. Even squinting his eyes, nothing changed. He knew the most basic parts of the guns, such as their magazine size and what kind of bullets they used, but nothing more. That¡¯s a bust.


    He moved over to the next ability in the row, shoving those thoughts into the back of his mind.


    [[Basic Strengthening]: (Requirement: None) You can touch an object and permanently strengthen its abilities by a minor amount e.g. stronger, faster, harder etc. This ability requires 10 minutes to perform. It isn¡¯t a major power, but any advantage is beneficial, Wielder.]


    Wielder, huh? But the ability seemed more immediately useful. Victor decided to try it out, pulling one of the larger rifles out of their hooks.


    [[AR-15 Semi-Automatic Rifle]:         STRENGTH: 115          AMMO: 5.56


    A rough weapon that many of the Vintarics prefer. I hear they¡¯re quite popular in your world, and not too dangerous to acquire as well.]


    ¡°Who are you?¡± Victor asked to the box. No reply came, but he felt menace from the screen.


    ¡°Hello? Is anyone in there?¡± Victor asked again. And again, he was left with no reply.


    He sighed in resignation and placed the rifle in his lap instead. He wasn¡¯t going to play whatever game was in store for him. He was glad for the automatic identification however, as even he didn¡¯t know what model the gun was.


    He placed his palms on that rifle and relaxed his muscles. Victor could feel the Weaponsmith Heart inside of him, still beating in its rhythm. Only now he could understand what it was for. It was an engine of war, used for better waging it. He only needed to call upon the specific power that he had unlocked from it.


    Immediately, he felt a warmth leave his body. A wave of tiredness overcame the young Wielder as the warmth spread along the side of the rifle. Once he felt it going no more, Victor examined the rifle once more.


    [ STRENGTH: 120 ]


    Minor indeed. But at least the weapon was permanently stronger. Victor hoisted the rifle over his shoulder and went to work looking at the rest of the weapons in the shop. He touched the various kinds of ammo, only for them to disappear and a prompt to pop up in his peripheral vision.


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    [ 9mm cartridge catalogued]


    [5.56 cartridge catalogued]


    A woman¡¯s voice followed each update, one that felt off to Victor. But he hadn¡¯t the time to consider it. It¡¯d already taken him too long to mess around with his newfound abilities.


    Another ring came from the door and Victor raised his empty pistol. His mind went to the cartridge and it materialized out into the air in front of him. He needn¡¯t have bothered, however, as the people in front of him weren¡¯t bugs.


    ¡°Woah, hey! W-we¡¯re not here for a fight!¡± the man in front said. He was blonde with a gap between his teeth. There were suspenders over him and fluffy costumed pants that hung from them. The woman behind him was dressed in a floral patterned green and white shirt and looked similarly distressed.


    Victor and the man stared each other down for a moment, before he heard the noise of more wings zipping by.


    ¡°Get in, quick!¡± Victor ordered them.


    They jumped over the counter and hid in the same spot as him until the swarm passed.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Victor asked them. And why are you dressed like a clown? Was the follow-up that he kept to himself.


    ¡°Same reason you are. Weapons,¡± the man replied, gesturing towards the shelves. Victor knew he could use this.


    ¡°We¡¯ll haul more if we¡¯re together. What¡¯re your names?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m Amadeus,¡± the gap-toothed blonde replied.


    ¡°I-isabelle,¡± the woman said shakily.


    ¡°I¡¯m Victor Amadi,¡± he nodded and turned back towards the door.


    Victor materialized another of the magazines that he¡¯d stored up in his Seed, loading the gun with it.


    Agh, wait! He turned to Amadeus, who looked not in the least surprised.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got one of those too, then. That¡¯s good,¡± Amadeus noted with a smile.


    ¡°You have one too?¡± Another Weaponsmith Heart?


    ¡°Sure do.¡±


    ¡°Then we should work on these weapons here. Make them better,¡± Victor replied.


    ¡°Ah, mine¡­ doesn¡¯t work that way,¡± Amadeus replied.


    ¡°What¡¯s your power then?¡± Victor asked, intrigued. Amadeus held out two of his fingers, and a spark of lightning travelled up the digits.


    ¡°Can barely pull off an attack with these. But hey, least I don¡¯t have to worry about finding a phone charger anymore?¡± Amadeus smiled and Victor sighed.


    No, no, he could help¡­


    ¡°I think we¡¯re in the clear,¡± Victor said, ¡°Amadeus, keep watch outside. Isabelle, you¡¯re with me. We¡¯re stripping the place for the smallest guns and the easiest to carry ammo. Either of you can handle a gun?¡±


    ¡°Never held one,¡± Amadeus said with his eyes turned towards the streets. Fires were still burning out there, and Victor could feel the heat all the way from the back of the shop.


    ¡°Me neither,¡± Isabelle added.


    ¡°Then let me pick first.¡±


    Victor crouched down and inspected each of the pieces, reading the little boxes that popped up to tell him the ammo type. When he¡¯d figured them all out, he laid them together and filled up his ammo with the ones he could.


    The three of them came out of the shop running, armed to the teeth with guns, combat knives and some general equipment that could come in handy. They ran down the street, passing by more fires and a swarm of bugs that flew overhead.


    They were about to enter a junction when a grasshopper the size of a single story building hopped into the way.


    ¡°Into the Starbucks!¡± Victor shouted at Amadeus and Isabelle. They ducked into the abandoned coffee shop and turned over some tables. The Grasshopper let out an insectile and slimy scream but hopped away soon after. In its wake, however, remained a group of the same kind of monsters Victor had killed. They took notice of the crouched figures in the shop and began to move towards them.


    Victor held up his enhanced rifle and took aim at the monsters. The kick from the rifle hurt his aching shoulder but the results were undeniable. In a single hit one of the monsters was down and out. Victor smiled at the results.


    The other bugs around the fallen screamed and took to the air, whereupon Amadeus and Isabelle fired at them. Victor moved quickly between the enemies and emptied a whole magazine with half the shots missing. It didn¡¯t take long for the bodies to fall, leaving one remaining that refused.


    That bug careened straight for the coffee shop. It shattered the glass and tried to ram at Victor, but he rolled under it. The monster crashed into the reception and skittered around on the ground. Victor was about to pull out his rifle once more but Amadeus beat him to it. He fired wildly at the monster until only twitching remained. Green blood leaked from the wounds of the creature and Victor looked away from the sight.


    Amadeus breathed heavily after the encounter. He looked shocked at what he¡¯d done, but recovered quickly. Victor went similarly still for a moment.


    ¡°You got a car? Mine¡¯s out of commission,¡± Victor asked Amadeus to break the silence.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ yeah, it¡¯s parked a block over. I¡­ I¡¯ll take you to it,¡± Amadeus told him.


    ¡°Then let¡¯s go. Isabelle?¡± Victor paused, looking over at the girl. She puked on the floor after taking a look at the monster and Amadeus shuffled over to her.


    ¡°It¡¯s alright, it¡¯s alright¡­ just keep it together for a bit longer, Izzy,¡± he consoled her.


    She nodded while covering her mouth, and the three of them moved out. Smoke had been rising up into the skies, and the night darkened the streets enough that Victor and his crew could easily make their way across and towards Amadeus¡¯ car.


    ¡°Couldn¡¯t have gotten a muscle car instead?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with a Volkswagen?¡± Amadeus replied.


    ¡°It¡¯s a Beetle, man.¡±


    ¡°Plenty of space, even for you! Now get in!¡±


    Victor opened the passenger side door of the blue Beetle and threw the guns into the back. It was a cramped affair and Isabelle looked on edge, but he managed to fit them all in.


    ¡°Victor, there¡¯s more coming!¡± Isabelle shouted.


    He turned around immediately and faced the giant horde that was gunning for their car from the distance. Another magazine materialized at his command.


    ¡°Start the car! We¡¯ll hold them off!¡± Victor shouted.


    Amadeus tried to run the engine but it wouldn¡¯t turn on quick enough. He twisted the key around all the while more of the bugs rained down around him. Isabelle opened the side door once more to bring out some of the guns while Victor shot down the horde one at a time.


    She held an assault rifle with one hand and lost control as soon as her fingers hit the trigger. The gun shot randomly in her arms until she managed to grip it with her other hand. Victor wasn¡¯t much better, never having ever aimed with a gun before.


    The best the both of them could do was hold off the attackers. One of them tried to pick him up by the scruff of his shirt, but Isabelle shot the bug down. Victor fell with the monster atop him and quickly shoved its corpse aside.


    He gagged but managed to aim once more at an approaching bug. He pulled out his enhanced rifle and shot it square in the chest. The bug leaked green and keeled over, and Victor got another surprise.


    [Ability Unlocked: Recovery Boost]


    That same monotone female voice called out to him. He was glad there wasn¡¯t a screen to fill up his view, less so that the ability didn¡¯t seem to do anything immediately visible. He and Isabelle kept their shooting up until they heard the roar of an engine behind them.


    Another body dropped in front of Isabelle and something popped out in front of it. Victor recognized the phenomena.


    ¡°Grab that and get in the car!¡± Victor shouted at her.


    She snatched the glowing little thing and jumped into the Beetle. Another bug approached Victor and he pressed the trigger, only to be met with an empty click. Thankfully, the Beetle rammed straight into it and sent it flying backwards. There was a song playing on the radio but Victor hadn¡¯t the time to listen to the lyrics.


    Isabelle opened the door for him and Victor hopped inside. He materialized another cartridge from his Weaponsmith Heart and loaded the pistol again.


    ¡°Hit it!¡± he shouted, providing fire as the group took off from the city. They zoomed down cluttered streets that were piled high with cars. Amadeus was a demon behind the wheel, swerving and turning to avoid the monsters at every turn.


    Victor let himself relax only when they lost the bugs. But that didn¡¯t mean he could ignore the rest of what was happening around him. All around Oakland, bodies were piled up highs, shops and sights he¡¯d seen a million times were drowned in fire and ash.


    He could see the moon glistening off of a red spot of sea in the middle of the city. Lake Merritt should¡¯ve been a clear blue, but it was instead turning red. And things not unlike those they had fought floated in the waters of the lake, infesting and feeding upon whatever remained alive in the city.


    ? And soon my friend, you¡¯ll come to see


    That nothing in life, comes for free ?


    It was such a depressing sight Victor almost lost his grip on his pistol. But he couldn¡¯t let it go fully. Charlie and Vivian, not to mention his parents were still out there. He needed to find them and get them out. And his new Heart would help him do just that.


    ¡°Where do we go from here?...¡± Amadeus asked once they finally left the outskirts of the city.


    Victor sat back in his seat and let out a breath. His shoulder still ached, but somehow, not as much as it should have.


    ¡°Charleston.¡±

 Chapter 3: Ruin Everywhere

    In the middle of the uninhabited countryside, there were roads piled high with forgotten cars. Some of them had run out of fuel and abandoned, while others were still fresh with the bodies of victims. Not one of the vehicles remained untouched by the outside, or what roamed through it these days.


    A single Beetle car manoeuvred around the others parked on the road, determined to reach its destination. The moon was still high in the air and Victor looked out into the countryside to distract himself. In the distance were more of those pillars of lights that Victor had seen on the news. He fiddled with the pistol in his hand when he thought upon it.


    Couldn¡¯t be a coincidence. They¡¯re coming out of there, aren¡¯t they? He wondered. He felt a bump as Amadeus took the Beetle off-road. He hit several more rocks and Victor pulled his head inside.


    ¡°Your car can¡¯t handle the terrain, Amadeus!¡± he criticized.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have any other choice,¡± Amadeus replied.


    Victor tried to take his mind off the annoyance. He thought of his status screen and it appeared in the air in front of him. Neither of the other two passengers seemed to care, except when Amadeus did a quick turn of his head towards Victor.


    And in his eyes Victor couldn¡¯t find the reflection of the status screen. He ignored it and instead turned back to the screen. That was when he found out what his new ability even did.


    [ RECOVERY: 25 ]


    Victor stretched his arms but they didn¡¯t feel any different. But then again, he didn¡¯t feel tired either. He observed the Recovery stat closer and it unfolded into a number of different statistics. From what he could gather from a glance, it was how fast he recovered from exertion.


    And that included exertion with his powers.


    ¡°Isabelle, did you take that thing off of the bug¡¯s body?¡± Victor asked, dismissing the screens.


    ¡°Y-yeah?¡± she replied as they crossed over another bump.


    ¡°Did you¡­ absorb it?¡±


    ¡°Do you mean like, eat it? No? it looks gross.¡±


    ¡°Like how I did it, Izzy!¡±


    ¡°You ate that?¡±


    ¡°Kind of?¡± Amadeus replied with a shrug.


    ¡°No one is eating anything!¡± Victor shouted to stop them. ¡°Just take it out,¡± he asked her, exasperated.


    She did as he commanded and picked it out of her pockets. The light from the Seed immediately brightened the inside of the car even before it was fully uncovered. And when it was, It revealed itself to be a glowing strip of cloth that changed patterns every second.


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ calling to me,¡± Isabelle said as if in a trance. The other two were transfixed with the sight as well, but Victor made sure to turn Amadeus¡¯ head ahead instead.


    ¡°Let it in,¡± Victor urged her.


    She closed her eyes and the cloth seemed to submerge itself into her skin.


    ¡°Do you see a screen in front of you?¡± Victor asked.


    Isabelle shook her head.


    ¡°No, but I feel different,¡± she said, flexing her fingers and looking at her hands.


    ¡°Really? Nothing in your vision at all?¡± That confused him to no end. Why wasn¡¯t it appearing? Had she done it wrong somehow?


    ¡°Victor, what are you talking about?¡± Amadeus asked him.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you get a screen when you took one of those Seeds?¡±


    ¡°No? And how do you know what they¡¯re called?¡±


    ¡°It said so! On the menu! And how did you figure out what you could do, then?¡± Victor asked, ignoring her question.


    ¡°I just¡­ knew,¡± Amadeus shrugged.


    ¡°You too, Isabelle?¡± Victor asked her.


    Instead of replying, she held her hand up and snapped her fingers. The buttons on Victor¡¯s shirt undid themselves, and he grabbed it with both his hands.


    ¡°Huh, neat,¡± Isabelle muttered to herself.


    The next few moments consisted of the woman fiddling around with all three of their clothes. Folding collars and sleeves and moving them with just a simple gesture. The clothes obeyed her command until she grew lethargic from the use of her powers. But no matter how much he pried, neither her nor Amadeus could see a status screen.


    ¡°Maybe you got a Seed that gave you videogame powers?¡± Amadeus suggested, but Victor disagreed.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s all about weapons for me. I can enhance them. I wonder why neither of you got one,¡± Victor said.


    ¡°Maybe you got lucky. Hey, can you see what my stats are? I bet charisma¡¯s up in the hundreds!¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t. If I could, All I¡¯d find is an intelligence stat in the negatives,¡± Victor replied.


    ¡°Prick,¡± Amadeus chuckled.


    ¡°What about my Seed, could you see that?¡± Isabelle asked him. that would¡¯ve been a great idea! Victor cursed himself for not taking the opportunity before the girl had absorbed it.


    ¡°I¡­ didn¡¯t think of it.¡±


    ¡°Looks like I¡¯m not the only one with a negative stat,¡± Amadeus sniped back.


    ¡°Shut it and drive the car,¡± Victor said. They laughed a while afterwards, immersed in their own little conversations about the screens and poking fun at Victor for them.


    In the lull of it all, he finally let his hand off of the pistol he¡¯d been holding onto. He placed it down on the dashboard and looked outside.


    ¡°This far out at night, you could almost believe it was a dream,¡± Victor spoke idly.


    ¡°Do you think it only happened in California?¡± Amadeus asked.


    ¡°Maybe the bugs weren¡¯t huge fans of the new Fast and the Furious movie,¡± Victor joked. Amadeus let out a chuckle that turned into a sigh.


    ¡°Where are you driving us, Amadeus?¡± Victor asked him. When he looked down at the wheel, he could see that Amadeus had a white-knuckled grip on it.


    ¡°I need to go back to Washington.¡±


    ¡°You have family there?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Yeah, family. I need to make sure they¡¯re okay,¡± Amadeus told him.


    ¡°Have you called?¡± Victor asked him.


    ¡°I¡­. they didn¡¯t pick up.¡±


    Victor paused for a moment.


    ¡°Neither are my mom and dad,¡± he told Amadeus.


    ¡°Where do they live?¡±


    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°Charleston.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re from Charleston of all places?¡± Amadeus asked.


    ¡°Oh yeah,¡± Victor said annoyedly.


    ¡°You ever went to one of those Spoleto festivals?¡±


    ¡°Every single one since I was 6. Mom and dad didn¡¯t want to miss them,¡± Victor said with some mirth, ¡°I¡¯m just¡­ praying they¡¯re still alive.¡±


    And then it was his turn to sigh. Recovery be damned, he still felt tired.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we play some music?¡± Amadeus said suddenly. He turned on the radio and tuned to a random station that he could find. To Victor¡¯s surprise, someone had been playing Smash Mouth.


    ¡°They¡¯re one of my favourites,¡± Victor said. Amadeus only nodded, biting his lip and keeping his eyes on the road.


    Isabelle had fallen asleep in the back of the car. The both of them rode in silence as Victor took another look outside. He could see the shadow of mountains far away in the horizon. The peaks were illuminated by another of those light beams. He only hoped it was far enough not to cause him any more trouble.


    But then something moved around in the mountains, startling Victor. He rubbed his eyes and thought it a trick of his tired mind. Only it wasn¡¯t, as something moved in the distance again. There was a creature there.


    A shadow of a many-legged beast rose out of the horizon and trampled onto the hill in front of it.


    ¡°Amadeus¡­¡± Victor said in a defeated tone.


    The size of the beast stole the breath from his mouth. It looked like a mountain that was moving randomly. Each step of the monster felt like an hour. Even Amadeus, who had been so focused on the road, gaped in awe at the sheer size of the eldritch creature.


    Eyes opened on the beast¡¯s face, red and glowing with an inner light. Those beady bleeding eyes were massive on their own, but were accentuated by the many tendrils and folds of the monster. Victor could feel a deep fear welling up in his body. Something like this shouldn¡¯t exist in the world, and yet it did.


    ¡°We might as well be walkin¡¯ on the sun, huh?¡± Amadeus said in a defeated tone. How was he not utterly terrified?


    ¡°D-drive. Don¡¯t stop,¡± Victor ordered Amadeus. The other man sped up the car as fast as he could.


    Isabelle was knocked awake from her slumber and rubbed her eyes as the Beetle continued to gain speed.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± she asked confusedly but neither of the men were willing to give a reply.


    The creature atop the mountains screamed a scream that kicked up dirt in the desert all around it. The Beetle was far enough that it didn¡¯t shatter their ears, but the sound did seem to quiet Isabelle¡¯s questions.


    The car sped away from the sight of the eldritch beast as fast as it could. Neither Victor nor the others cared for the bumpy ride ahead of them as long as they could get clear of the monster. Victor looked down at his hands and found them shaking as they grasped the handle of his pistol.


    How¡­How the hell are we supposed to beat that? He asked himself as sweat ran down his face. Fear and Excitement didn¡¯t leave the three of them until hours had passed, and the sun had risen above them to coat the desert.


    None of them dared a look back at the monster, for fear of finding it on the horizon or leaping at the stars itself to consume them. Something that impossibly big shouldn¡¯t have been allowed to live, and yet it did without care for the world around it.


    ****


    A journey of five hours took them five days instead. Amadeus had to drive around the numerous abandoned cars, blockades and monsters that came out to get them. They stopped a few times, for target practice or to stretch their legs, but the journey would always continue south.


    In the process, Victor discovered that his Bestiary had actually been updated. He clicked on the tab and found the first of the entries detailed in front of him.


    [[Vintaric Adolescent]:                       SIZE: M            THREAT: LOW              ABILITIES: NONE


    The simplest of the Vintarics, these are young members eager to prove themselves or those with stunted growth that have achieved the most they could possibly do. Vintaric Hives detest the members of their tribe unproven. These adolescents venture out on their own to amend that, and their scars are the price of entry as true members of the hive.]


    He shared the information with the others, but it didn¡¯t prove immediately useful for the group. What little they saw of the bug-like Vintarics on their journey only made them want to avoid the creatures further.


    Who¡¯s filling out these notes for me? That was the single thought that plagued Victor¡¯s mind. Had someone written these out beforehand, and they were playing an elaborate game in the real world?


    ¡°We¡¯re running out of fuel,¡± Amadeus said without taking his eyes off of the road, knocking Victor out of his train of thought.


    ¡°I know¡­ Couldn¡¯t have grabbed an electric car instead, could you?¡± Victor replied.


    ¡°If I knew what I¡¯d be getting, sure. But hindsight is twenty-twenty, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°Where are we going to find more then?¡± Isabelle asked them. Her shirt had changed to a bright orange, a different exploration of her abilities.


    ¡°We¡¯re almost at Los Angelas, hopefully we¡¯ll find a station there,¡± Amadeus replied.


    ¡°Those Hollywood types always have Teslas, don¡¯t they? Why not just grab one of those instead?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Best I can do is charge a phone, Vic, but sure. I¡¯ll try and see if we can find an electric car,¡± Amadeus said, ¡°else, we¡¯ll have to leg it to the other side of the country.¡±


    If he had to, Victor would¡¯ve taken the option, but he¡¯d rather not be condemned to something like that.


    Amadeus¡¯ beetle crested the hill towards the city and they found themselves slack-jawed at the sight of it. The large Hollywood sign was in shambles, burning and missing letters. From their position, they could see tiny monsters atop the sign chewing on it that looked similar to the Vintarics.


    There was ruin everywhere, cars blocked the streets and buildings lay ruin beside them. it was a dead city, nothing like what they¡¯d all believed it to be. Private pools were overrun with scum or blood, smoke rose into the air and the smell of burnt flesh filled the nostrils of Victor and his allies. And to top it off, there was a large beacon reaching into the sky; not unlike the one Victor had seen dominating the news.


    They¡¯d walked right into a fresh hell waiting to swallow them up. Victor sighed, tired from the repeated sights he was seeing.


    ¡°Keep going, Amadeus. The sooner we leave, the sooner you can find those kids,¡± Victor told him.


    Amadeus let his foot off the pedal and the car sped up down the hill. They entered the city of the dead to find some way to leave it.


    Their search took them up and close to the cars and sights on the streets. The only people they could find were already gone from this world. Amadeus had to hike his car onto the sidewalk to keep it going since the streets themselves were so clogged.


    Isabelle looked away from the window and focused instead on the threads of her clothes. She¡¯d picked up a habit of winding and unwinding the individual threads to let them float in the air, and it looked to Victor like something out of a Spider-man comic.


    She¡¯d wind them back together the next instant, with a new pattern or a new design embroidered within effortlessly. Victor himself hadn¡¯t been idle either. Both his pistols and the weapons the others had were strengthened. But that was all he had done.


    It frustrated him. Even Amadeus was finding new ways to use his powers every day. But Victor himself was still stuck with the same powers he¡¯d started with. For something called the Weaponsmith Heart, it was lacking in versatility.


    Nevertheless, they made it to a gas station soon after. The only issue was that there was already a car in every spot and the hoses were strewn about the place.


    Amadeus parked the Beetle and the three of them got out quickly. Victor examined the hose and pressed on it, only for a single drop of gasoline to come out.


    ¡°It¡¯s dead,¡± Victor sighed.


    ¡°Maybe we can check the cars?¡± Some of them might still have fuel?¡± Amadeus asked.


    ¡°I can help with that!¡± Isabelle perked up.


    They went to the nearest car they could find, a small white Toyota. Victor cracked the windows of the car and sent glass shards onto the driver side seat. He picked out the keys and tried to turn on the car, to no effect.


    ¡°Damn thing doesn¡¯t even have enough to start,¡± Victor muttered. He found a crowbar in the back seat and took that. With it, they pried open the gas lid and unscrewed the cap. Isabelle places a hand in front of the tank and sent a thread reaching inside.


    When it came out, it was as dry as it had been going in.


    ¡°Not even an inch of it left,¡± she said dejectedly.


    ¡°The store. Let¡¯s check inside,¡± Victor said, moving quickly over to the automatic doors.


    He had to pry them open and entered into a dusty convenience shop that was just as empty as the outside. The aisles were bereft of any groceries. The only things that were left were rotten or Mold-covered.


    ¡°Can¡¯t even get a snack, huh?¡± Amadeus said. He and Isabelle spread out into the back parts of the shop while Victor checked the register. He was surprised to find cash in there and almost took a handful, before remembering just where he was.


    Idiot, what¡¯s the point of cash when you can¡¯t use it? He put it back and instead looked under the table. And there, hidden in the back and covered in cobwebs, he found a single can of Coke. The red can was dusty and warm, but Victor brought it out of the back anyway.


    He smiled a little smile and rubbed the dust off of the can before shouting for the others.


    ¡°Something here!¡± Victor told the rest of them.


    It was the first thing they¡¯d had in a long time. The only water and food they had was whatever Amadeus had left around the Beetle, which surprisingly was enough to last them the journey.


    ¡°A single warm can of soda that may or may not be expired?¡± Isabelle asked him.


    ¡°It¡¯s something at least?¡± Victor replied.


    Isabelle sighed and shook her head. ¡°You and Amadeus enjoy it. I¡¯ll go put the rest of the food we found in the car.¡±


    She walked out of the convenience store with a small crinkling bag of chips, biscuits and cookies. It wasn¡¯t the best of meals, but it would last the three of them for the next leg of the journey.


    ¡°So? Pop it open,¡± Amadeus told him impatiently.


    ¡°I¡¯m on it,¡± Victor replied.


    He flicked the tab onto the score and a hiss escaped from the can that they both revelled in. Amadeus took two glasses and cleaned them out with the edge of his shirt. Victor poured them both until the can ran empty. He raised his glass towards Amadeus and spoke.


    ¡°To getting home,¡± he said.


    ¡°To getting home,¡± Amadeus smiled back and clinked his glass with Victor¡¯s. They drank the warm soda that would¡¯ve been intolerable in any other circumstance. But after days of parched throats, it helped more than anything else.


    They both set down their glasses and scrounged the rest of the store for anything else useful. Victor got a feeling for the structure of the building. It was¡­ nothing special. Just a basic construction without any major weaknesses or hidden features. He wondered why he even looked at it that way, but chalked it up to his new Structural Sense.


    Both Victor and Amadeus grabbed whatever they could find inside of the store and crept outside, only to hear the battering of wings that they¡¯d grown all too familiar with. A dread came over him as Victor realized that he¡¯d left his guns inside the car.

 Chapter 4: A Bit of Chocolate

    Isabelle was next to the door of the beetle, trying to pry it open. Victor and Amadeus were running for the vehicle. The Vintarics didn¡¯t give them a chance to even get close.


    The bugs dropped onto the station with a thud. They screeched a horrid scream that made Victor run even faster.


    ¡°Let go of the car, Izzy!¡± Amadeus shouted at her. She peeled away from it as the two of them approached. The bugs were moving slowly, observing the trio as they tried to open the doors of the beetle.


    ¡°Izzy, listen to me¡­¡± Victor whispered to her under the gaze of the Vintarics. ¡°That Seed of yours, it lets you do things that me and Amadeus can¡¯t. Use it,¡± he ordered and the girl frantically nodded.


    The first of the Vintarics lunged at them from the top of the shop. Isabelle¡¯s sleeve pulled open into a dozen threads and grabbed the Vintaric out of the air. The bug-like creature struggled like a wild animal held down, and Isabelle struggled to hold it in place. Victor still had his knife with him and he plunged it deep into the chest of the monster. Fluids covered him but he backed away from the writhing body.


    A second Vintaric, enraged at the death of the first took flight as well. Isabelle screamed and threw the first¡¯s corpse at him, knocking him aside. A third Vintaric lunged as well and Victor tried to shield Isabelle from its assault. He needn¡¯t have bothered, as it was shot out of the sky by a deafening blast of lightning.


    A burn mark appeared over its chest as it crashed into a dumpster.


    ¡°It¡¯s open!¡± Amadeus shouted for them.


    Victor rushed inside and grabbed the first of the weapons that he could find. He burst out into the battle and shot bullets wildly at the enemy. His aim was terrible and the recoil made it only worse so. But he got a few lucky shots off, hitting the enemy and sending them limp.


    Only that seemed to aggravate them further. Another swarm of the creatures appeared on the horizon and dived for their location.


    ¡°Stick close!¡± Victor shouted for them. they formed a threefold barrier around the car. Victor took one side while Amadeus and Isabelle took the other two. Victor was busy enough blasting away the Vintarics, even with his ammo running dangerously low. He cursed as the gun stopped firing and beat the monster in front of him with the butt of his gun. A notification appeared in his periphery afterwards.


    [Ability Unlocked: Structural Sense Boost]


    He ignored the voice of the woman that notification came with and continued beating the Vintarics down. He had to reload several times, and the three of them began to get pushed closer and closer to the vehicle.


    Victor chanced a glance backwards at his allies, and found them worse for wear. Amadeus and Isabelle were breathing heavy and struggling to fight against the enemy. Every blast of lightning, every manipulation of thread ate further away at their stamina until they were sluggish beyond recovery.


    Victor tried to formulate a plan. The car still had enough fuel to at least get them away from here. All they needed to do was get a distraction. But as the bugs came closing in, Victor panicked. He couldn¡¯t grab a single thought except blasting them away. Luckily for him, he didn¡¯t need to.


    A bug tried to rush him down but stopped in its path. Claws appeared from its back before the creature was ripped apart in front of him. Guts spilled down to the concrete floor and Victor looked at the perpetrator. It was a middle-aged man with claws six times the size of a finger. Thick and rock-like, he slashed at the nearest Vintarics with them.


    More people appeared out of the woodworks to assist them and Victor relented. He kept firing his enhanced guns to provide support while the newcomers came and cleaned shop. In but a few minutes the rest of the Vintarics died. Victor breathed a sigh of relief. He chanced a glance at his ammo counter before returning to the group that had saved his life.


    They were cleaning up the green blood of the Vintarics off of their weapons and hands. Isabelle and Amadeus were collapsed on the ground beside the beetle so it fell upon Victor to confront them.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± he asked them first, trying to establish confidence. The twitching of his hands detracted from any intimidation he could¡¯ve mustered in the situation. They¡¯d saved him, so why did he feel so uneasy?


    At the helm of the armed militia was an old woman with stark black hair and the frame of a farmer or other kind of worker. She had a straw hat and loose blouse over her chest. Slight wrinkles covered her face and hands and she gave off the aura of a woman dependable.


    ¡°You¡¯ve taken quite a beating haven¡¯t you, young man? How are the other boy and girl holding up?¡± the old woman spoke with true confidence.


    ¡°They¡¯re tired from¡­¡±


    ¡°From using their Seeds, I suppose,¡± The old woman nodded to herself. She knows what they¡¯re called?


    ¡°But that is neither here nor there. I¡¯m Audrey Wilson. We can continue this back at Angel Heights, unless you want for more of the Vintarics to show up,¡± Audrey told him.


    Victor reluctantly holstered his gun and helped Amadeus up from the floor.


    ¡°My name is Victor Amadi,¡± he stated.


    Audrey helped Isabelle and the group walked while they talked.


    ¡°T¡­the beetle,¡± Amadeus complained.


    ¡°Plenty of cars around the city to take, young man. You needn¡¯t worry about that one,¡± Audrey told him. Amadeus tried to muster up some resistance but fell limp in Victor¡¯s arms.


    ¡°What is Angel Heights?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°You¡¯ll understand once you see it.¡±


    ****


    As it turned out, Angel Heights was a five-floored apartment complex with dingy neon signs outside of it. The signs weren¡¯t lit of course, just like all the other billboards and screens in the city, it had lost power days ago.


    Audrey used a keychain to enter inside of the complex. An old Asian man sat near the reception with a gun in his hand. He nodded towards Audrey and went back to reading the copy of Alice in Wonderland he had between his hands.


    Victor found that strange enough, but across the ground floor of the building there were several walls that had been knocked down. It formed an open area where he saw clothes hung out to dry and washers lined up with water.


    ¡°The clotheslines were my husband¡¯s idea. I think he just hated the smell of us after we came back from a hunt,¡± Audrey chuckled.


    Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    ¡°Huh,¡± Victor took a sniff of his clothes and gagged. Sweat and Vintaric blood mixed into a concoction that he¡¯d rather avoid.


    ¡°Elsa over there will help you with your clothes. We¡¯ve got some rations and some bandages as well, if you need them,¡± Audrey told them. Bandages¡­


    It was then that the ache in his shoulder decided to return. Victor hadn¡¯t thought about it for a while now, not until he¡¯d ripped open the wound again.


    ¡°What about a doctor?¡± Victor asked with a hand on his neck.


    ¡°Third floor,¡± Audrey replied.


    ¡°Amadeus, Isabelle. Go along with her. I¡¯ll catch up in a bit,¡± Victor told them.


    He rushed up the steps of the apartment complex until he entered through into the third floor. The hallways stunk of medicine and alcohol, a sign he took positively.


    ¡°Hello~?¡± Victor sounded out only to get a cacophony of groans in response.


    ¡°In here!¡± Someone shouted back from room 301. Victor slowly approached the room.


    The stench of pus grew stronger. Beds were setup like a medical ward and a single red-haired Irishman in a doctor¡¯s coat was kneeling over one of them. in the bed lay a man with more bandages than skin showing. Blood covered the bandages in so many spots Victor wasn¡¯t sure if there even was skin between underneath them.


    ¡°Hey, doc¡­¡± He tried to call out, but the man didn¡¯t look at him. He cut a piece of the gauze off and wrapped it around the man before sighing.


    ¡°Painkillers. On the right desk. All ¡®is got me manky,¡± the man said in a thick accent that Victor could barely parse. But he brought the drugs all the same, and watched the man feed it to the patient on the bed.


    The doctor hopped up and away from the bed, wiping a sweat from his brow.


    ¡°What¡¯s the craic?¡± he asked Victor.


    ¡°Crack?¡±


    The Irishman groaned.


    ¡°You¡¯re clutchin¡¯ your arm like it¡¯ll fall off. What¡¯s the damage?¡±


    ¡°Oh! One of those Vintarics. They got me in the shoulder.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t be fightin¡¯ ¡®em bare-handed now. C¡¯mere,¡± the Irishman gestured for Victor.


    The young man took off his shirt to reveal the scarred surface of his trapezius. The doctor prodded him with gloved fingers before running off to grab more items.


    He came back with some more bandages and medicine, before putting Victor down on a bed. Then he went to work on Victor¡¯s shoulders.


    ¡°Name¡¯s Dean Wilson. What¡¯s yours, fella?¡± the doctor asked.


    ¡°Victor A-agh!¡± Victor stopped as the doctor fished out something from his wound. He tried to sneak a look but Dean stopped his head from turning.


    ¡°Better ya not look. Now, what you be doing here, Victor?¡±


    ¡°S-stopping for some fuel.¡±


    ¡°Where ya headed?¡±


    ¡°Charleston,¡± Victor replied.


    ¡°Long ways from here. Looking for a Cailin?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know a Cailin?¡± Victor said confusedly.


    ¡°A girl, boy. Lookin¡¯ for a girl,¡± the doctor muttered some curses under his breath but Victor couldn¡¯t focus on them. Another shock of pain went through his body and he clutched the sheets of the bed.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m no- What¡¯re you doing to me?¡±


    ¡°Nothing more. Now we just have to wrap it up. Don¡¯t be lashin¡¯ it around for a while now.¡±


    Victor desisted and let the doctor finish his work. By the time he was done, the ache had dulled and he felt much better.


    ¡°That feels much better. How did you-¡± the question died in his mouth as he saw a green glow fade from Dean¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°You¡¯ll be right soon enough.¡±


    Just like that? The Seed seemed immensely useful to Victor.


    ¡°You can heal anyone just like that? Hella impressive,¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°Not ¡®just like that¡¯, lad. There¡¯s a limit,¡± Dean squeezed his gloved hand over and over. ¡°I¡¯m findin¡¯ that limit to be further than I thought, but it¡¯s there.¡±


    ¡°Still, I¡¯m jealous. My own Seed¡­ it doesn¡¯t seem that useful,¡± Victor thought back to only hours earlier, and sighed outwards.


    ¡°None of that. I¡¯ve seen many of these wee things already, lad, and let me tell you, not a single one was useless. Now, g¡¯wan and meet with Audrey. She¡¯d be at the fifth,¡± were the last words the doctor told him.


    Victor stood up but chose not to put on his slimy and sweat-covered shirt. Instead, he went up the stairs and towards Audrey with only the wrappings around his chest.


    He passed other survivors, some of whom were messing with powers similar to his own. Victor pulled up his own menu and found the only change to be his Structural Sense.


    [ STRUCTURAL SENSE: 20 ]


    He thought back to the first floor. They¡¯d knocked down the non-structural walls only, leaving the ones that held up the upper floors intact. It was still a risky manoeuvre, but at least they had an expert helping them,


    A couple of laughing and screaming kids knocked into him and Victor scowled. They were soon stopped by a guard at the top of the stairs. An angry looking woman who wore a sweater and had a gash across her face. The kids quieted immediately in front of the woman and some of them shuffled around to get further away from her.


    ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± the woman asked them.


    ¡°Ellie found some Hot Wheels in the boxes and we were gonna take them upstairs and we were gonna play with them,¡± one of the children tattled out.


    The woman sighed and held out a hand in front of her. Without prompting, the kids placed their toy cars in there and she took them away.


    ¡°You know why we can¡¯t have you playing with these, don¡¯t you?¡± she asked them, caressing the head of the kid who¡¯d spilled it all. He nodded, but tears were welling up in his eyes.


    ¡°Come on, I¡¯ll get you all a bit of chocolate instead,¡± she promised. That seemed to lift the children¡¯s moods a bit. He thought they might¡¯ve started running down the stairs, but they all kept their steps quiet and slow.


    The sight reminded Victor a bit of his home. Charlie and Vivian would be reprimanded much in the same way. Though being the eldest, sometimes that responsibility came upon him.


    A smile quirked up the side of Victor¡¯s face but he stifled it. He had work to do.


    ****


    ¡°I can scrounge together some fuel for you. but only if you do something for us first,¡± Audrey told the lot of them. they were pushing against each other on the couch, Victor taking up most of the space between the three of them. Amadeus and Isabelle had changed out of their clothes as well, which Victor was glad for. He¡¯d just need to rid himself of the pants he was wearing.


    Beside the matriarch of the apartment complex stood a group of other survivors. A feisty looking man and two women who couldn¡¯t be more different. One of them looked Vietnamese or Filipino, but Victor didn¡¯t know enough of them to tell the difference. The other woman was plain looking and could¡¯ve been related to the man considering their matching black hair and pale complexion.


    ¡°All of you have Seeds from what I can tell. But my people here are lacking in that department. These three are the healthiest and best-suited in my opinion to receive them. Leo and Ashley are siblings. He¡¯s an actor, she¡¯s an eyesore,¡± Audrey told them.


    Ashley glanced at the old woman annoyed for a second before regaining her composure.


    ¡°And the last of them is Lillie Aster. She ran a flower shop before everything, but don¡¯t let that confuse you. She¡¯s a strong young lass,¡± Audrey told him. She stopped herself on saying that final word, like it was distasteful.


    ¡°Sorry, bad habit I¡¯ve picked up,¡± she told the group.


    ¡°Even if we were willing, Mrs. Wilson, how would we even get these three their Seeds?¡± Amadeus asked.


    ¡°The Gates,¡± Audrey pointed outside a window, where a large pillar of light was visible in the horizon. ¡°That¡¯s what we¡¯ve come to call them. They¡¯re where the monsters are coming from.¡±


    ¡°We figured that part out already,¡± Victor replied.


    ¡°Good, then we can skip that. Ever since it opened up a few days ago, some of the crazier kids have gone in and come out with powers.¡±


    ¡°By killing one of the monsters inside?¡± Amadeus asked.


    ¡°Not always. Some have found the Seeds simply lying around. Blooming for lack of a better term,¡± Audrey told him. ¡°You¡¯re to guide these kids on a trip to whatever that place is and bring them back with Seeds of their own. Understood?¡± Audrey asked.


    Victor could see Amadeus was eager to agree, but he stopped the man.


    ¡°How do we know you¡¯ll fulfil your end of the bargain?¡±


    ¡°The world¡¯s already fallen, Victor. A little faith wouldn¡¯t hurt,¡± the old woman smiled at him. ¡°As a bonus, I¡¯ll let you know whatever we¡¯ve figured out about these Seeds on our own. Wouldn¡¯t that be nice?¡±


    He considered for a moment, but really it was no choice at all. The old woman was offering liquid gold in exchange for some Seeds. Maybe one of those could take him home faster than a vehicle, but he doubted it. Seeds was an apt term for the things, since he could feel that there was much more that his own abilities could grow into. And that each started with only a hint of its true power.


    ¡°We¡¯ll need a few days,¡± Victor told her.


    ¡°By all means, stay. Make yourselves comfortable in our spare rooms. But I will need an answer soon, Victor,¡± she told him, before standing up from the wooden box she¡¯d taken as a seat. She walked out of the room leaving only them and the other group together.


    Of the three standing before them, Lillie was the first to move. She offered a hand to Victor specifically.


    ¡°Hi! Mrs. Wilson can be a bit sly but she means well. I hope we can work together,¡± she said with such a sweet smile that Victor had to look away.


    ¡°Yeah. Hope so too,¡± he said.


    ¡°I hear you¡¯ve got lightning powers,¡± The other girl, Ashley, went up to Amadeus and spoke. ¡°How do those work. ¡®Cause if you could make real lightning wouldn¡¯t you have gone deaf already?¡±


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s actually not real lightning, I think¡­¡±


    The six of them broke off into conversation that didn¡¯t seem as hopeless as before. All those days in the Beetle must¡¯ve made him stir-crazy, because a smile even popped onto Victor¡¯s face the more he talked with them.

 Chapter 5: Bioluminescence

    ¡°Ah now, what did you bring me here for?¡± Dean asked Victor.


    They were in a large open room on the fourth floor. It was the only empty space Victor found away from the prying gazes of the children and other residents of Angel Heights. He¡¯d only been here a day or two and they still treated him with a sense of reverence.


    ¡°The kids¡¯ll do that for a while yet, lad. They think we look cool,¡± Dean told him with a slight smile. A door closed shut at the end of the room, where Victor knew they¡¯d been looking from.


    ¡°Now, are you here to give sparrin¡¯ a lash or what?¡± Dean asked him.


    ¡°No, no. I just want to know¡­ if you can see the screens,¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°You dragged me up and away from the clinic for this?¡± Dean said.


    ¡°Come on. Amadeus and Izzy can¡¯t see it like I can. Someone here can, and¡­ you¡¯re the only one with a Seed that I know.¡±


    Dean sighed.


    ¡°Thought it was just seeing things at first. Stress and what not. But I can still see them right as day. Some of the words make me think someone¡¯s on the other side lookin¡¯ in,¡± Dean told him. He looked a bit afraid as he spoke.


    ¡°The entire thing? Status screen, Strength, Speed, Recovery and all that?¡±


    Dean looked at him with a new sense of confusion.


    ¡°No? The yoke shows me other things. Fierce number of numbers on it. Calorie count, Vitamin count, Muscle Atrophy and what have you. Haven¡¯t had to get a checkup since. But I couldn¡¯t really if I wanted to now, I suppose,¡± Dean said with a realization.


    Why all that? Why couldn¡¯t Victor see those things? The only answer that came to Victor was the simplest. Dean was a doctor; he wasn¡¯t. He¡¯d only graduated community college and ended up in a blank job that barely needed his attention.


    ¡°Maybe it looks different for everyone¡­¡± Victor said out loud.


    ¡°Beauty¡¯s in the eye of the beholder, lad.¡±


    ¡°Whatever. It¡¯s hella confusing so tell me about something else. Have you ever fought a Vintaric Adolescent?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°So specific. But I have.¡±


    ¡°Read out the entry to me.¡±


    And Dean did. Victor matched him word for word with the one he had, which confused the doctor the more he continued on.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with ye? Got some precognitive powers you¡¯re flauntin¡¯?¡±


    ¡°Just checking something, Mr. Wilson. It¡¯s the same as mine.¡±


    ¡°Hmm. Must be some siren that¡¯s got us trapped,¡± Dean said nonchalantly.


    Victor and Dean considered a few more tests like that, before the old man had to shuffle off and go tend to his clinical duties. Victor headed to the armoury guarded by the other residents.


    There he identified the ammo for his weapons and stocked up on each kind.


    [ 9mm cartridge catalogued]


    [5.56 cartridge catalogued]


    He shouldn¡¯t have been surprised since the text said so, but he could store a larger amount of the ammo. And good too, since his original amount didn¡¯t really give him much to work with.


    I should keep myself stocked at all times, he told himself. In the same instance, another box popped in his vision.


    [Ability Unlocked: Strength Boost]


    Another increase to his stats, and one that Victor could actually feel. He clenched his hand and could tighten it further than normal. He boxed the air and his swings felt harder, heavier to him. The others looked at him a bit weird but they ushered him out regardless.


    He was ready now, if only he could figure out where the other two were.


    ¡°Hey, Victor, how are you doing?¡± Lillie asked as he exited the armoury.


    She was wearing a tank-top and a baseball hat that had an Angels logo.


    ¡°Stocking up. Have you seen Amadeus around?¡± He asked the girl.


    ¡°Oh, nope. Want to look together?¡± she replied in a sweet tone.


    So of course Victor was unable to resist. He and Lillie searched around the whole complex for Amadeus, but the other man was nowhere to be found.


    A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    ¡°Might be in the building down the street. His powers loud so I sent him there to practice instead,¡± Audrey told the two of them.


    Sure enough, as they approached the dilapidated office, they heard a distant crack of thunder. Victor walked through the front door and found Amadeus breathing heavily. At the tip of his fingers was smoke and away from him were a range of cans he was using as practice.


    ¡°You¡¯ll end up getting chewed by Vintarics if you practice so much,¡± Victor reprimanded him. Amadeus just shot back a gap-toothed smile.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be better ready. Check this out,¡± he held out his hands again in a different formation.


    ¡°What¡¯s with the hand signals?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°They help me focus.¡±


    In a second, two of the metal cans smashed together in the air and fell to the ground.


    ¡°Woah, that was impressive!¡± Lillie told him.


    ¡°You¡¯re turning the cans into magnets?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Think I am?¡± Amadeus replied.


    ¡°And how¡¯d you figure something that hella impressive out anyways?¡± And could he unlock more of his abilities that way too?


    ¡°It just¡­ came to me,¡± Amadeus told him.


    So helpful¡­ Victor thought to himself.


    ¡°Are you done yet?¡± Isabelle asked. She was sat on a rotating chair in one of the office cubicles, bouncing off of the walls bored. The threads on her pants unwound to help her push off. It looked so unconscious that Victor grew a bit jealous.


    ¡°Yeah. You¡¯re up, Izzy. Let me set the cans first,¡± Amadeus offered.


    He brought out more of the targets from a garbage bag he¡¯d dragged in. Once he was done, Isabelle stood up from her chair and stretched her arms. The threads on her shirt unwound and wound themselves into a point in front of her. She pierced the cans through with that point of thread, raising them up in the air for all of them to see.


    Lillie clapped a little at the sight and Isabelle gave a mock bow in return. Afterwards, she wound the threads back but in a simpler way.


    ¡°You two prepare enough for tomorrow?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Plenty ready,¡± Amadeus replied with a thumbs up.


    ¡°What he said,¡± Isabelle added.


    ¡°Yup,¡± Lillie said.


    Victor nodded and prayed a little prayer to himself. With the apocalypse already happening, he didn¡¯t know whether it was even worth sending one, but better to get whatever he could.


    ****


    He checked his guns over once, twice and then again before putting them back down. Backpacks had been prepared for the entire group yet Victor still felt under equipped. While the others wore them with a look of weariness, it felt light to Victor instead.


    Though it was night outside, he could still see the beacon in the middle of Los Angelas bright as day. Yet despite that, there was not a light in any window in the city. How quickly had the people left?


    No, not left. Victor thought back to Lake Merritt. Many of them probably hadn¡¯t the chance to leave. He gripped his pistol tighter and wrapped his rifle around his chest.


    ¡°There¡¯re enough rations for a few days in there. Come back safely, you six,¡± Audrey told them. she was saying a prayer of her own, but it didn¡¯t sound like English to him.


    Victor moved to the various guns placed on the tables in front of him. He¡¯d had one last precaution to take care of before leaving.


    ¡°Are you sure the enhancement will last?¡± Audrey asked him after finishing her own private moment.


    ¡°It should.¡±


    He ran a hand over one of the pistols specifically.


    [[GLOCK 17]: STRENGTH: 52 AMMO: 9 mm


    I saw many use this on the first day. It was an impressive tool, but no match until the end. At least it will make a nice trinket for the victors.]


    The text still unnerved him, but Victor ignored it for now. He was just happy the enhancement had stuck.


    ¡°It isn¡¯t much of a help, but it should get the job done,¡± Victor told her.


    ¡°Should I even ask how it works?¡±


    ¡°Sorry, Mrs. Wilson, even I don¡¯t know. It just¡­ hurts more, I suppose?¡±


    Whether it was through a quicker shot, a heavier bullet or some other mechanism he couldn¡¯t understand, Victor couldn¡¯t explain it. But he¡¯d learned enough as an office worker that if a black box works, best not to question it too much.


    ¡°Lillie, can you guide them to the Gate?¡± Audrey asked of the girl.


    ¡°Will do, Mrs. Wilson!¡± she replied. How could she be so cheery after the end of the world?


    The six of them left the apartment complex under the cover of the early morning shadow. They strutted across the quiet streets; stopping at every little sound that came from the stores or surroundings.


    Thankfully, the Vintarics must¡¯ve left, because they found it easy enough to reach the Gate. From up close it was even more of an eyesore. It burst out of the ground and cracked the pavement around it. An aura of light pulsed out rhythmically from the Gate, while the pillar of light reached far into the sky.


    And it looked like they weren¡¯t the only ones who were going to go on a pilgrimage through it. Many other small groups of survivors cluttered around with their own supplies.


    ¡°Lillie, you¡¯re going on one of these?¡± one of the other girls gathered there asked.


    ¡°Yeah. Need to make myself useful to the others,¡± Lillie replied curtly. She looked towards the large pillar with a straight look.


    ¡°What¡¯s waiting for us inside?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s hard to explain. I¡¯ve only heard the stories myself. Major sprawling cave systems. Only person I heard about reaching above ground went mad with what he saw. Came back and curled up singing prayers,¡± she explained.


    ¡°And you still want to go in there?¡± Amadeus said, baffled. She dropped her gaze low.


    ¡°It¡¯s not getting any better. We¡¯ve not heard anything from outside, from the government or the military. I¡¯ve seen what those Seeds can do. We need more of them,¡± the girl told them.


    Not even the military? Guess President Jeffords was all talk, Victor scoffed.


    ¡°What about contact with the other states?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Phone lines are down. I haven¡¯t been able to dial my uncle either, and he works for the government,¡± she said. The more he heard, the bleaker it sounded.


    ¡°Never mind that, when are you going in?¡± she asked them.


    ¡°Right now,¡± Victor announced.


    ¡°Bold. Godspeed, to all of you,¡± the girl said before returning to sharpening a knife.


    Victor waited for the others to ready themselves. They raised their pistols together and flashlights and took the first footfall through the gate. The feeling of it was warm but disorienting. Like doing a flip from a mountain peak into a desert without any movement.


    The second he entered the other world, Victor realized he didn¡¯t need the light at all. They were in a large cave with pathways leading up and down, twisting around each other like the strands of a cloth. Each and everywhere he could see bioluminescence shining through from plants and even some animals.


    ¡°What are those?¡± Amadeus was the first to break out of the stunned silence.


    It was a whole ecosystem down here that begged to be explored, but they hadn¡¯t the time. Figures of clay launched themselves down from the ceiling and fell upon them like animals, letting out a scream that scared away everything else.


    Victor materialized ammo out of thin air and ground his teeth. Not even a moment of peace after the Fall, was there?

 Chapter 6: Blue Flame

    Victor blinked and it felt like the entire team had been separated. Leo and Ashley were atop a mess of rocks and poking the clay monsters with sticks. Amadeus was petrifying them with his lightning blasts and Isabelle was cutting through them with her threads.


    Victor shot at a hand of clay that tried to grab Lillie. The bullet passed through the monster¡¯s body, leaving only a quickly closing hole in its wake.


    ¡°Damnit! Bullets won¡¯t work on them!¡± Victor shouted to the others as he threw his pack at one of the monsters. The claymen must¡¯ve understood him because some of them turned their malformed heads towards the man. One of them blasted out with its hand but Victor jumped backwards. He put more strength than he intended into the leap, soaring a few feet above the ground.


    He landed back and crouched to sure the fall, realizing something in its wake. My hands! Another of the claymen rushed him. The ends of its hands sharpened into a blade and swiped horizontally. Victor was quicker¡ª however¡ª and he ducked under the slash. He punched into the face of the clayman and splashed it all over the walls. The clayman shuffled backwards and tried to reform its head, but Victor was quick on the uptake.


    He picked apart the clayman with his bare hands. Surprisingly, the monster fell apart easier than Victor would¡¯ve thought. And once it was lying in enough bits it ceased moving entirely. Another one tried to grab at Leo so Victor jumped him. He splattered the clayman over the rocks and landed on the pile.


    Another of them tried to claw at him. Victor rolled away and the clayman left gashes in the stony hill. Leo and Ashley fell upon the monster and left Victor time to breathe.


    A sharp crack of lightning shook Victor¡¯s head and he saw a cloud of dust ahead of him. Amadeus flew out of it and Victor lunged in his direction. He caught the man¡¯s flying body, but they both rolled around on the ground.


    Victor¡¯s body groaned under his bruises but he steadied his mind enough to get a look at Amadeus. One of his hands were bloody and he wasn¡¯t moving. Panic spread through Victor and he pressed a finger to Amadeus¡¯ body.


    Then he sighed. It¡¯s faint but it¡¯s there.


    ¡°Victor, we need help!¡± Isabelle shouted at him.


    She had her threads extending into a cloud of smoke. He heard heavy stomps before he saw the large figure of the monster. It was the same as the other clayman, a mess of brown and greys but this time with a rough texture and crystals strewn about its frame.


    Victor heaved a breath and noticed that he¡¯d received a new notification. When he clicked upon it, it only gave him useless information [1</a>]. But at least he knew what the monsters were called now.


    He ran over to the Metamorph and struck him with his hands. A shock reverberated through his arms and Victor¡¯s hands shook with pain. He looked up to find the Metamorph unharmed. The giant clay monster backhanded Victor and sent him flying.


    He landed back in a gathering of more glowing mushrooms. Victor had no time to rub the stains from his clothes. He placed his hands on the ground to raise himself up. That was when he noticed the split and bleeding knuckles.


    Lillie was there right beside him in that instant. She was eyeing the monster with an intense focus yet helped him up all the same.


    ¡°Bullets won¡¯t work¡­¡± she said with disappointment. Victor spat saliva to his side.


    ¡°Not even from my rifle?¡±


    ¡°No¡­ we need something stronger,¡± Lillie told him.


    As they talked, Amadeus sent another bolt of lightning towards the monster. It distracted the Metamorph long enough, but Victor knew it wouldn¡¯t last. Amadeus looked faint and unsteady and had a hand pressed to his side.


    ¡°There, in its back!¡± Lillie pointed towards its back. Victor saw what looked like a sword stuck in the middle of its spine. The blade was stowed up to the hilt, leaving only it exposed for the rest to see. But Amadeus¡¯ attacks had broken through the monster¡¯s skin and revealed a glowing red edge.


    ¡°Lillie. Grab this and distract the monster!¡± Victor ordered as he threw aside his weapon. He only hoped she knew how to operate it.


    Victor started running towards the beast. One of its large shifting hands tried to close around Amadeus but was restrained by Isabelle¡¯s threads. The lightning Wielder raised his hands at the opportunity and sent one more bolt into the clayman¡¯s chest before collapsing on the ground.


    The Metamorph¡¯s shape shook in anger and Victor took the opportunity to lunge at its back. He grabbed on with both hands onto the dagger and jumped off. He¡¯d done it, stolen the blade right from under the monster¡¯s nose.


    And witnessing it in his hands filled the young man with a renewed sense of confidence. Nordic runes ran down the length of the red-hot dagger; giving off an aura of power. The monster noticed the theft immediately.


    It rushed Victor and tried to take his sword hand, but the man wouldn¡¯t allow it. He swerved around the move and slashed at its arms. The blade cut through easily and scorched the area it left.


    The clayman¡¯s wounds instantly hardened under the heat of the numerous slashes that followed. With every strike Victor landed, he grew a bit closer to the enemy. Until he finally reached the end of its limbs and towards its chest.


    Victor screamed as he tried to plunge the blade deep within the monster¡¯s hardened chest, only to find no purchase. He was stunned to find the wounded area hardening moments before he¡¯d had landed his blow.


    Victor had no time to dodge as the monster grabbed him by the limbs. Tendrils of clay speckled with gems rose him up into the air of the cavern. He tried to resist but the monster spread his limbs apart and displayed him to the rest of the world. He let the dagger clang to the ground and struggled as his limbs were being torn apart.


    Fear filled Victor¡¯s chest. He didn¡¯t want to die. Not here, not now. Not until Charlie and Vivian, not until his mom and dad, not until his friends were safe! He went wild within the monster¡¯s grasp trying to leave.


    If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    And then the tendrils loosened. Victor opened his eyes to find bullets pelting the monster from the side. Isabelle, Lillie, Leo and Ashley were throwing whatever they could at the monster. Leo chucked a grenade at its feet. A second later the grenade exploded and Victor finally dropped to the ground.


    He would¡¯ve stuck there but realized that the monster hadn¡¯t gone down. It was forming itself once again from chunks. Victor scrambled to pick up the dagger he¡¯d lost and scurried behind one of the rocks.


    Though he hoped against it, he knew that the others would not be able to beat the monster. That was why, even with the sounds of gunshots firing around him, Victor put his hands on the blade and started the process of his Basic Strengthening.


    Nothing in the ability said he had to wait for it, however. Even with his strength being sapped by the weapon, Victor jumped over the rocks and joined the fray.


    What followed were the longest ten minutes of his life. Victor dodged blasts of rock and clay, slashed where he could find purchase and guided the others away from the Metamorph. All while he grew lethargic by the minute.


    When will the damn thing stop?! He thought between gasps of air. Hadn¡¯t the time already passed? Or was it taking longer because of him? Thoughts of stopping and turning tail left Victor in the heat of battle. He couldn¡¯t spare the time to think when he had to dodge between blasts of earth and rock that came for him.


    He felt dirt in his mouth and spat it out in a moment of peace. But he also felt something else. Down by his arm, where he¡¯d been swinging the dagger like a club. His strength had stopped feeding into it, and he was now free of the ache.


    But that wasn¡¯t all that he felt, as that woman¡¯s voice rang in his ears once more.


    [Ability Unlocked: Infuse Attack]


    He felt the Weaponsmith Heart beating quicker than it ever had. Sweat fell from his face and a typhoon of clay and shouts circled Victor. And despite the cacophony of senses, he felt at peace.


    The Metamorph grabbed Isabelle off the ground and forced her to scream.


    ¡°Izzy¡­?¡± Amadeus said weakly from beside him. He looked up just in time to see Victor rush past him.


    The man brandished his blade one last time as an aura of blue flame encompassed it. The centre of the blade turned purple and Victor plunged it straight into the chest of the monster. He tore through skin, dirt, rocks and even the gem that served as the monster¡¯s core.


    The blast of power turned the Metamorph into nothing more than clay. Victor stood there unchanged, feeling something crack deep within his being. The blue flames extinguished themselves and he let the weapon drop.


    He clutched his heart and searched deep for the Weaponsmith Heart. No¡­ no, did I destroy it? He wondered. But a moment later he could still hear the beating of it. The engine of war that had helped him all this time. it was a fainter noise than usual but he was glad that it had remained.


    ¡°Victor!¡± Amadeus rushed for him. he ignored the ruby-like core of the monster and instead embraced his friend with a bloody smile.


    ¡°Your heart, are you¡­?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, Amadeus. Just¡­ thought I¡¯d lost something,¡± Victor told his friend. The rest of the group came trickling back near them.


    Leo grabbed the fire dagger off the ground and found a sheathe hidden deeper within the monster¡¯s corpse. And Isabelle patched Lillie¡¯s wounds up with a thread that she ran through the petite girl¡¯s skin.


    ¡°You¡¯ll be fine, I just need a few more stitches, okay?¡± she asked the girl before cleaning the wound with a bit more water.


    ¡°It¡¯s all over then? We don¡¯t have to fight any more of those, do we?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°No, we¡ª ugh, don¡¯t,¡± Lillie replied with a wince.


    ¡°Unless a sandbox happens to make its way to us, yeah,¡± Amadeus told him.


    Victor took a look around himself after the fight. They¡¯d gotten so far away from the Gate that he couldn¡¯t even see it then. That kept him worried, as he didn¡¯t know what other dangers lurked in the corners of the realm.


    But what worried him more was the sheer power of the enemy he¡¯d faced. He saw that his bestiary had updated once more, and this time he could actually take a closer look at what it showed him.


    [[Metamorph Brute]:             SIZE: M            THREAT: GREAT                      ABILITIES: Shapechanging, Thick Armour


    Metamorph Brutes are a larger variant of the original creatures. They are stronger yet slower and have a thicker armour. They develop a central gem that acts as the power source for their hardening powers which they use to defend against blows. Unlike their more basic counterparts, the Metamorph Brute is also less varied in its shapechanging abilities.


    They usually form from ingesting the various gems and minerals in their area. The longer a Brute has lived, the denser this core will be and it will be all the more dangerous for it.]


    A threat level of GREAT didn¡¯t spark confidence but when Victor clicked on it, it seemed a bit easier to grasp. It was twice above the other enemies he¡¯d faced, the normal Metamorph and Vintarics included.


    ¡°Hey! I found something else in this pile of rocks!¡± Leo shouted from where he was harvesting whatever he could find. He¡¯d made a little pile of the rubies, amethysts and other gems for reasons none of them could understand.


    ¡°The jewels are mine,¡± he said blankly as the others stared at his pile.


    ¡°They¡¯re no use to me, so that¡¯s fine,¡± Victor said. Isabelle and Amadeus agreed but Lillie looked a bit disappointed. Leo must have noticed because he sighed in response.


    ¡°You can have one. But that¡¯s besides the point. Look at what I found!¡± He said, holding out the core of the monster towards them. There in the centre he saw a glow that attracted him towards the beast.


    That was it, what they¡¯d come here for all along. In the scramble afterwards, Victor had almost forgotten. With the five of their help, they managed to pry the Seed out of the core of the beast. Surprisingly, it looked like a small gem by itself, glistening from numerous facets. It spoke of earth and hardness, which made Victor want to take it right then and there. But there were better things for him to be doing.


    ¡°You take it, Leo. We¡¯ll rest for a bit and try to find some more for Ashley and Lillie,¡± Victor told him.


    Almost immediately did the young Leo absorb the Seed. He didn¡¯t dart his eyes all over, so Victor guessed he couldn¡¯t see the screens either.


    He knew he¡¯d have to explore further, but rest came first for them. they¡¯d need it all for what was to come the next day. Before that, however, Victor let himself indulge in a little interest of his own. He looked at the dagger he¡¯d used and identified it, along with the new ability he¡¯d gotten.


    [[Nordic Ignistone Dagger]:   STRENGTH: 90            ABILITIES: Enflamed


    A dagger made of pure Ignistone and magic. It shines with a reddish glow and is engraved with runes of its originating nation. Anything the blade touches is burnt on contact, all except those that wield it from the handle.


    Though the Nordic pantheon isn¡¯t much worshipped, Odin yet roams the lands. A trickster though he is, he¡¯s much diminished now than he was before. He could¡¯ve become one of the Nine had he reigned in his worser habits.]


    Setting aside what that gibberish really meant, Victor examined the damage of the dagger closer. When he did, he realized it was split further between something called slashing and fire damage. He grunted in annoyance. He¡¯d never admit it to Amadeus, but maybe he had gotten a videogame Seed.


    But if he had then it¡¯d picked the wrong person for the job. Moving on from that he took a closer look at his new ability, the thing he was really excited for. It was located below his Basic Strengthening on some sort of tree of abilities.


    [[Infuse Attack]: (Requirement: Use Basic Strengthening 20 times) You can infuse your next attack with a weapon with additional power with a touch. The strength of this additional power depends on your Strength stat. A single strike is often what makes the difference between life and death for humans. I like that about you people. You don¡¯t drag out the fun part.]


    He''d used it almost instinctively the first time, much like how Amadeus and Isabelle did theirs. But he was glad for it. It would let him more easily use his newfound gains from the boosts he¡¯d been accruing.


    Setting those two factors aside, he and the others began to build their camp for the night. Amadeus found a location underneath a giant deep magenta mushroom where they could rest for the night. There were plenty of places to run if they needed it and Leo kept guard for the first watch.


    Better for it too since he was restless after absorbing his first Seed. Victor took to the bed and closed his eyes, succumbing to sleep before he even knew it.

 Chapter 7: Avalanche

    The next day found the group trudging through more of the same environment. The cave formations seemed to open up into large areas with twisting paths of stone. They expanded in a pattern that Victor recognized, but couldn¡¯t put his finger on.


    ¡°It¡¯s like a highway,¡± Leo finally said. Ever since gaining his powers, he¡¯d been touching every new piece of stone and debris he came across.


    ¡°That another of your powers?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Leo replied, letting a handful of dirt slip through his fingers.


    ¡°It¡¯s fitting. He always loved rocky road ice cream the most,¡± Ashley chimed in.


    ¡°Dad never finished his scoops when he got them, so I had to.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Amadeus said.


    ¡°No, he just knew you wanted more after you finished your own. You¡¯d keep your eyes locked onto his cone so hard everyone would notice,¡± Ashley revealed.


    ¡°Really?¡± Leo said with surprise.


    ¡°Really.¡±


    ¡°Your father sounds like a kind man,¡± Lillie chimed in. Victor felt it a misstep. She shouldn¡¯t have said that.


    ¡°He was¡­¡± Leo smiled with a sorrowful look. He stood up and looked towards a hole at the other side of the large cavern they were in.


    ¡°We should go there. There¡¯s a big opening on the other side,¡± he told the rest of them.


    The path was impossible unless they jumped atop the bioluminescent mushrooms in the biome. Which is why they didn¡¯t hesitate to drop down atop them. The Wielders excluding Leo went first.


    Though Victor felt some pain, the fall wasn¡¯t damaging, even with the extra equipment he was carrying. He looked up and spread his hands for Lillie.


    ¡°Ready!¡± Victor shouted to them as the rest took the plunge. They landed in the wielders¡¯ arms, with Lillie in his.


    ¡°You could¡¯ve been a bit softer,¡± Ashley complained to Isabelle.


    ¡°You too, Amadeus,¡± Leo added.


    ¡°What about you, Lillie? Didn¡¯t hurt you, did I?¡± Victor asked. She smiled in his arms.


    ¡°Not at all, Vic.¡±


    ¡°They really are brother and sister then¡­¡± Amadeus told Victor.


    The group continued their trek across the tops of the shrooms, finding little creatures scuttling out of sight as they passed. Victor even saw structures from his location. Homes and hovels carved into the walls of the caves. But when he approached them he saw no one inside, despite the decorations that were there. He wanted to explore them some more but Ashley seemed to be growing more impatient by the second.


    ¡°Can we just get to the Seeds already?¡± she said to him. Victor could tell the reason for her impatience. He¡¯d be jealous if he was unpowered as well.


    He stuffed the knowledge of the hovels in the back of his mind and continued towards the hole in the cave. It was dark inside but thankfully Amadeus had charged the flashlights. They illuminated centipedes that crawled into holes and moths that fluttered around in the sky.


    The group walked over the mossy ground and through the rest of the hole. In the middle of the trek, Victor took a step but felt nothing beneath his feet.


    ¡°W-woah!¡± he thought he would fall but Amadeus grabbed him from behind.


    ¡°Not so fast, Vic,¡± Amadeus said.


    He flashed the light down into the moss, where there was a hole present and waiting.


    ¡°How deep is that?¡± Victor asked. He¡¯d come across small divots but nothing of this level.


    Leo placed a hand against the wall and closed his eyes. A moment later he let the wall go.


    ¡°The moss is obscuring it. It¡¯s deep. Very deep. And wide too. We¡¯ll have to find a way across it,¡± Leo told them.


    Victor looked around and felt something off near the sides of the hole. There was a gathering of rocks there that looked just loose enough to fall. And they would¡¯ve too, if a single small piece wasn¡¯t holding the entire avalanche back.


    Why, he could probably even fill in the entire hole if he just removed that one little piece.


    ¡°Stay back,¡± Victor urged the others as he brought his pistol out and aimed it squarely at the critical point holding the rocks.


    He looked around for confirmation from the rest of them and found Leo¡¯s eyes still closed.


    ¡°Leo?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s something else¡­ further ahead. Something moving.¡±


    And that was all the confirmation Victor needed. He stowed the pistol and decided to find another way across. If someone had set up the moss-covered hole as a trap, why put their efforts to waste, after all?


    Thankfully the group found a small ledge obscured by more moss over the opposite side of the hole from the stones and boulders.


    ¡°Leave your bags on the other side,¡± Victor told the rest. They obeyed although with a few confused looks mixed within.


    The group walked across the gap carefully and while sucking in their breath. Only the barest weaponry was on them, which helped to quiet some of the fear of the experience.


    Once they¡¯d made it, it was all the more easier for them to listen in on the noise coming from the other end of the cave. It was a splotchy noise, like mud being splattered. Victor raised a pistol that was soon engulfed in blue flames.


    Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    He shuffled around the cave with that pistol in hand as it spread its luminescence around the walls. And sure enough, around the corner he found another group of Metamorphs. The misshapen monsters flooded the area. They were breaking and consuming rocks, crystals and whatever else they could find.


    Is that how they turn into the big ones? If it was, he had a more pressing matter at hand. He was going to have to get rid of them before any more of the Brutes popped. A task failed immediately when he spotted one in the middle of the group.


    To Victor, it almost looked like the monster was almost leading the others. It gave crude directions for digging and the Basics obeyed in turn. They turned arms and legs into drills to dig into the soft loamy dirt on the ground at its behest. But what they were digging for was completely out of the man¡¯s sight.


    Something like a perception stat would¡¯ve been useful in times like these, Victor thought ruefully.


    He walked back to his allies, dismissing the infusion on his pistol¡¯s next burst.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got trouble ahead. A bigger group of the Metamorphs than we fought before,¡± he told them.


    ¡°We¡¯re better prepared this time,¡± Amadeus said, fingers crackling with lightning. But Victor¡¯s eye were elsewhere. Squarely on the little trap already set for them.


    ¡°There¡¯s way more¡­ Actually, might have a better idea. All of you, get to the other side. Leo, can you shape the ledge that led us here?¡± he asked the man.


    ¡°Shape like how?¡±


    ¡°Make it wider. Enough so I can run across it,¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Maybe?¡±


    ¡°And then collapse it,¡± Victor added.


    ¡°Uh¡­ that¡¯s a big ask, but I could-¡±


    ¡°Good enough for me.¡±


    ¡°Wait, that wasn¡¯t!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll figure it out as we go. Now push it so the rest of the guys can cross,¡± he told them while stuffing his gun back in his pockets. Victor stretched his legs while Leo focused on the ground.


    With a bead of sweat running down his face, Leo was able to widen the platform enough for the group. He¡¯d thought it would¡¯ve been much simpler, but just placing it haphazardly would result in a number of structural instabilities. He¡¯d had to carve the stone in a somewhat natural formation, something that gave him a deeper understanding of all minerals, he supposed.


    Victor trusted it after barely a glance at it.


    ¡°Seems fine enough,¡± he said. Leo thought it madness still but he followed Victor. The man had basically made himself leader of the operation anyhow.


    Once on the other side. He focused on the metaphorical pin of the plan. The little blockade that stopped an avalanche of rocks from filling the deep trench. And then he waited.


    Victor stepped forward into full view of the Metamorphs and screamed at the top of his lungs.


    ¡°Hey, clayface! What¡¯re you searching for there?¡± he taunted. Victor didn¡¯t know how smart they were but it worked.


    Immediately, mud shot out for him. But Victor dodged to the side. He pulled out his pistol and charged it with Infuse Attack. The hammer hitting the bullet echoed with an arcane twang. It ripped through the first of the monsters cleanly. Though the ability took a lot from him, Victor felt a resurgence of strength at the sight.


    Then he turned tail and ran. To their credit, the Metamorphs slid across the ground faster than him. But the distance was too great to overcome. Victor stomped down Leo¡¯s ledge as if it were stable and worn.


    He crossed the entire length of it even as more mud flings came raining down. The others had their own troubles keeping the Metamorphs at bay until Victor crossed.


    ¡°Now, Leo!¡± he shouted.


    With a single movement the platform came falling apart. A second moved removed the blockade and started the avalanche. The entire cave shook with the sounds of rolling stones. Some of the Metamorphs took flight in response to the shaking but only a few made it to the skies.


    The Brute was not among one of them. It instead fell under the avalanche and was buried in the hole. For a second Victor thought it wouldn¡¯t be the case, so he took precaution with another Infused shot.


    The other Metamorphs stuck to the skies. But their mud wings only carried them so far. They were easy pickings and in no time, the group was safe once more.


    They stowed their weaponry and picked up their bags off of the floors.


    ¡°That does it for them,¡± Victor said. He dusted off his hands just as a new notification greeted him.


    [Ability Unlocked: Trap Ward]


    Though it was a boon, Victor was beginning to grow a bit annoyed with getting things just after he would¡¯ve needed them. That wouldn¡¯t stop him from sating his curiosity about its function, however.


    [[Trap Ward]: (Requirement: Successfully set a trap) You can touch a surface and rig it to explode whenever something touches it. It lasts this way for 24 hours. This process requires 5 minutes. The strength of the explosion depends on your Structural Sense stat. Tricks for the lowly, but if it helps them realize their full potential, I suppose there¡¯s nothing wrong with it.]


    Another tool in the box for him. Victor spotted Leo stepping from foot to foot as if the ground would swallow him up.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± he asked.


    ¡°They¡¯re still down there, you know? Squirming¡­ it¡¯s nasty.¡±


    ¡°As long as they¡¯re not squirming over us, it should be fine,¡± Amadeus said.


    ¡°In all that rubble can you find a Seed, Leo?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Not a Seed detector, Victor. Just rocks,¡± Leo chimed back, though he did a cursory look.


    ¡°Maybe if we bring you closer?¡± Amadeus said.


    He then walked over and picked Leo up like a stick, pointing him towards the filled trench.


    ¡°Beep¡­ Beep¡­¡± he made obnoxious noises with his mouth all the while Leo looked down at the dirt. To his surprise, no one else there found it very much funny.


    ¡°¡­Can you please put me down?¡± Leo asked, his face inches away from a turned over worm.


    ¡°Alright, alright. Was just trying to lighten the mood a little¡­¡±


    ¡°Point to be noted, Amadeus. I¡¯m the funny one,¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°Funny? Only jokes you¡¯ve told have made the monsters target you!¡±


    ¡°See? They¡¯re running over themselves to hear it,¡± Victor replied. It got a chuckle out of Lillie somehow.


    ¡°That¡¯s one,¡± Amadeus grumbled before moving ahead. The group climbed over the newly formed pile and made it once again to the other side. Once they reached the open area the Metamorphs had been working in, they found a sign.


    Victor wiped the dust off of it, but found only an alien tongue hidden behind.


    He looked at his settings menu for something resembling a language setting. He did find one, although the options were between English, Hausa and a few others he knew a smattering of words in.


    Tsk, worthless. He instead joined the others in their search. There were several holes dug around the opening, and an area to the side where ores were stacked up. Tents littered the area and the walls reached high.


    Some of the ores glowed with an angelic light that Victor had to hold his hands up against.


    ¡°Who would have a whole mining operation down here?¡± Victor thought out loud as he bumped into Ashley.


    ¡°Ouch. You¡¯re solid as a brick wall, you know that?¡± she shot at him.


    ¡°Not my fault. Blame the Seed,¡± he said, pointing to his heart. That¡¯s where he felt the roar of the Weaponsmith Heart the greatest.


    ¡°Hmph, wish I had one,¡± she said with a look of longing.


    ¡°That¡¯s what we¡¯re here for, aren¡¯t we?¡±


    ¡°Me and mine, sure. But what does your crew intend to do once this job¡¯s over? From the looks of it, you didn¡¯t seem keen on sticking around,¡± Ashley pointed out.


    He¡¯d almost forgotten why they were here at all. Even though it¡¯d been a few days at most, he¡¯d grown comfortable beside these people. That was the trap, wasn¡¯t it?


    ¡°Moving towards Washington. Have some family me and Amadeus need to meet,¡± Victor replied curtly.


    ¡°We¡¯re still going there?¡± Isabelle piped up.


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I thought¡­ never mind, we¡¯ll talk about it later,¡± she said, resorting back to digging through the ore with her cloth threads.


    Victor also resumed his search, but he didn¡¯t have to for long.


    ¡°Hey guys! In here!¡± Lillie shouted from inside one of the tents. It was a circular looking one with supported in the side and a ring of black in the middle of its white cloth. The others gathered before its entrance before turning the flap and entering inside. Once there, it looked remarkably human, almost to an unnerving degree.


    But the point of interest was the case placed on the carpeted flooring of the home. Lillie struggled with the locks on the thing for only a moment before flinging it open. And laying there cushioned so perfectly were two more glowing Seeds.

 Chapter 8: Angels Flew

    Victor and Isabelle scouted over a large bluff. It was the only one leading out of the cave they¡¯d been in. They were slowly but surely retracing their steps. Lillie knew them the best, having marked the path they¡¯d taken along the way.


    ¡°And this is where we slept for the night. The Gate shouldn¡¯t be far from here, I think?¡± she said.


    ¡°You think?¡± Ashley said in a disbelieving tone. A flicker of fire rose into the air with her annoyance. It startled Lillie and forced Ashley to flinch.


    ¡°Sorry, Lil, I didn¡¯t mean to!¡±


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s fine, haha!¡± the girl replied nervously.


    ¡°Get those powers under control, Ash. We don¡¯t want to burn down the forest around us,¡± Victor said from atop another of the mushroom trees. He stepped down from it with a weird sense of foreignness.


    This was the path they had taken, right? So then why didn¡¯t he recognize a bit of it?


    ¡°Leo, does the place look the same to you?¡± he asked on a hunch.


    ¡°Can¡¯t tell, Victor. I haven¡¯t got the best memory,¡± Leo shook his head after a cursory effort.


    ¡°I do! And over there should be¡­¡± Lillie stopped leading the group ahead once they reached a wall.


    ¡°It¡¯s supposed to be here,¡± she said with confusion. She scratched her head and tried to prod the wall, all to no avail.


    ¡°Sure you didn¡¯t get the directions wrong?¡± Amadeus asked.


    ¡°No!¡± Lillie said in an angered tone.


    ¡°I-I was just suggesting¡­¡± Amadeus said. He slowly shuffled over and behind Victor as he did.


    ¡°No use to it. We¡¯ll have to find another way back. Do you remember the general area, Lillie?¡± he asked her.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ I should,¡± she looked shaken, but it would have to do. He¡¯d have to rely on Leo¡¯s help to jog her memory if the need came up.


    They climbed the wall ahead of them and took to the nearest tunnel. Leo said it should lead back, but it filtered through another open area. More of the same settlements and houses showed up. They sidetracked for a while, looking through those camps. There was a broken jar inside one of the rooms. On the floor of the tent were a group of jewel-like caterpillars.


    They scurried around the place before Victor picked one of them. Nothing he could identify at a glance. So, he crushed it instead. It was a cruel act, yes, but Victor was in a cruel realm. They¡¯d invaded his world, killed his people. He had no sympathy for them.


    A notification played just as it was supposed to, and Victor glimpsed it.


    [[Angelo Larvae]:                    SIZE: S             THREAT: NONE           ABILITIES: Hallowed Iron Consumption


    A larva of what could become an Angelo. It feeds off a steady diet of Hallowed Iron before pupating into the form that many are familiar with. This pupation is a long and hard process, which is why not many make it to adulthood. Many of these Larvae are based on angels of humanity, or those who they hold in a similar regard. Some have experimented with them, and even one of the Nine claims it as their origin.]


    So, it turned out worthless. Victor rubbed his hand of the caterpillar before turning to the group.


    ¡°We¡¯re not going to get anything more out of this. Let¡¯s go,¡± Victor said before removing himself from the room.


    Lillie seemed to give him a sideways glance but turned away once he caught on. They continued through the holes in the ground, that were seeming less and less natural the further Victor went. But if that were true, he hated to know what was making them.


    He still had the Ignistone dagger attached to his belt, just in case of such an event. They would¡¯ve continued down that path had they not heard a sound coming from the wall beside them.


    ¡°Leo?¡± Victor asked. Without a word the man scanned the ground around him.


    ¡°It¡¯s hollow behind that. Like another tunnel,¡± Leo replied.


    Victor started moving towards it.


    ¡°Victor, the path back is down here? I¡¯m sure of it!¡± Lillie told him. She seemed antsy to get out.


    ¡°But where does this lead?¡± he wondered. He pressed an ear to the wall. There was definitely something on the other side. Something that sounded like¡­ a city? With the traffic lights, speakers and car noises that came along with it, except they all had an edge to it. Something he¡¯d almost describe as cartoonishly overdone.


    The car horns sounded like something out of a Looney Tunes cartoon entirely.


    ¡°Victor?¡± Lillie asked one more time.


    ¡°Hold up. Let¡¯s check it out,¡± he proposed.


    ¡°We¡¯ve already been all over the place, Vic! Who knows if the Gate can move or not,¡± Amadeus said.


    Damnit, that¡¯s a good point. But his curiosity was overpowering.


    ¡°Just a quick look, I swear.¡±


    He had to know. What did the Angelo Larva¡¯s description mean? Would he find the full grown versions outside, flitting about in the sky? Or was this a trap to lure him to what he wanted to see.


    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    A city that was still standing.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you know what¡¯s on the other side already?¡± Lillie asked.


    ¡°Huh? How?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s probably just more of the Metamorphs! Maybe something even worse!¡± Lillie said.


    ¡°Actually, I don¡¯t feel anything moving close by,¡± Leo chimed in.


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°I swear, Lillie, just a look,¡± Victor said. He nudged his head towards Leo, who pulled the wall apart in pieces. The effort was more tiring now that he¡¯d spent the entire day walking, but Leo did it without complaint.


    The path ahead led up. Up and up until Victor and the others saw light. No, not light. Lights. It bolstered their confidence right up until they reached the cave mouth. There, all illusions of a standing city disappeared.


    Angels flew in the skies above men. That was the best he could describe the creatures he was seeing. And they weren¡¯t short either, despite how small they looked beside the enormous buildings. They were at least the size of a small apartment complex themselves. It reminded Victor in many ways of the giant monster he saw behind the mountains. Just the thought of it sent shivers through his skin again.


    ¡°What¡­ what are they?¡± Amadeus asked.


    ¡°What those caterpillars turn into¡­¡± Leo realized.


    He knew he should¡¯ve crushed the lot of them. One of the angels dropped down not too far from their little hidden cave mouth. Surrounding it were a number of its peers. Each of them raised a blade themselves, before bringing it down on the angel. The angel was pierced in so many places it turned into a fountain of blood.


    At the same time, across the city, a building seemed to collapse in upon itself and fall to the ground. And then the angels rose up into the air as if nothing untoward had happened.


    ¡°We have to get out of here¡­¡± Ashley told them.


    She ushered the group back inside. Leo quickly patched up the hole he¡¯d made and none of them spoke again.


    Victor knew just how powerful his enemies were. But something plagued his mind despite that. If those were the Angelos, then why hadn¡¯t they invaded themselves? He¡¯d only seen the one giant monster. All the other people had fought only weak monsters. Dangerous for them, yes, but nothing so overwhelmingly strong like the Angelos.


    Were they biding their time? If so, then for what? Those thoughts wouldn¡¯t receive an answer when they made it back to the Gate. It looked innocent as always and yet Victor was a bit apprehensive about going through it.


    There were still things he didn¡¯t understand about the underground. What was Hallowed Iron? Who lived in the houses that they¡¯d passed?


    ¡°Vic, are you coming?¡± Amadeus asked him.


    Those thoughts could wait another day. He supposed it was finally time to head back to Angel Heights.


    Stepping back through the tunnel wasn¡¯t any more pleasant than the first time. And the other side looked much more downtrodden than before. Buildings were more dilapidated than before, falling off of their supports like meat stripped from a bone.


    And much worse was the absence of anyone around the Gate. It was like most had gone into hiding.


    ¡°Let¡¯s pray Angel Heights is still standing,¡± Ashley stated, though Victor could tell she was worried. It showed in the little ticks she did on the way back.


    That was the first of the things that made Victor apprehensive. The second was the swarm of Vintarics that dropped down towards them.


    ****


    It was over before he even knew it. In only a few minutes tens of bodies were lying around Victor and his crew. Blue flames danced on his Ignistone dagger and blood evaporated off of the blade.


    Only a few days ago had he been struggling to fight them and now he was here. It was¡­ rewarding to think about. He stuffed the dagger inside and took a head count, making sure everyone was okay. Fires winked out around Ashley and a polygonal cracked shield of glowing energy floated in front of Lillie.


    If nothing else this was good practice for the three newly formed Wielders that Audrey wanted. They scrounged around the Vintarics corpses only to find nothing of note.


    The rest of the trip back to the Heights was simple. No Vintarics crossed their path as they made it there. They ended up in front of the building once more and waited. Lillie went ahead of him and knocked on the door in a specific manner.


    ¡°It¡¯s me!¡± She said.


    A moment later he heard footsteps approaching. They stopped in front of the door and peeped through the spyhole.


    ¡°Lillie!¡± the man on the other side said. He opened and revealed a beard that went down to his chest.


    ¡°Come in, all of you! We were so worried!¡± the man said. Victor felt touched. They¡¯d been worried for him too?


    The group shuffled in quickly and the energy of the place changed. For a moment it felt much more foreboding, but with their arrival a spark had been ignited. Children ran and crowded around them, asking a million questions to everyone.


    ¡°Where were you!¡±


    ¡°Why are you so warm!¡±


    ¡°Woah, Leo, you look so cool!¡±


    ¡°Hey, did you get me anything?¡±


    They asked and begged until the noise started rising in the room. That same woman that Victor had seen before came running down the stairs in a sprint. She grabbed the little tykes and started pulling them away piece by piece.


    ¡°What did I say about the noise! You¡¯ll give me a heart attack!¡± she said in a whispered scream. It was kind of comical to watch her drag the entire group off.


    The bearded guard looked at them and chuckled.


    ¡°They think you boys and girls heroes. Don¡¯t let them down, okay?¡± he said before resuming his post near the door.


    ¡°Shame. I was kind of enjoying the praise,¡± Amadeus said.


    ¡°You¡¯ll get plenty more when we report back to Audrey, Amadeus,¡± Lillie said, patting him on the back.


    ¡°Which we should really do,¡± Victor said.


    He stretched his legs and dropped his weaponry to the floor, all except that same Ignistone dagger. The stairs took them to the top, where they found Audrey talking with Dean in a corner.


    ¡°You six¡­¡± Audrey stopped in amazement.


    Lillie was the first to move afterwards. Audrey wrapped her in a hug and then caressed her cheek. Dean looked glad too, though he didn¡¯t show it in much the same way. Victor chalked it up to older people and their eccentricities.


    ¡°Oh my, you must all be hungry. Dean, be a dear and go fetch some of the rations!¡± she told him.


    Without another word the man took off and Audrey ushered them inside. She treated them in a motherly fashion, blasting them with questions while making sure they enjoyed the utmost comfort. Well, at least the most they could at the end of the world.


    ¡°Metamorphs?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s what the name I get from them. There not what you need to worry about though,¡± Victor informed her.


    ¡°Those Angelos sound disastrous if they ever found their way here,¡± Audrey said. For all intents and purposes the old woman was holding up well. Victor just hoped her blood pressure wouldn¡¯t spike from the revelation.


    ¡°They shouldn¡¯t be able to cross the Gate if its still in the caves¡­¡± there was a ¡®but¡¯ there but Victor didn¡¯t voice it. Being so close to the enemy just didn¡¯t sit right with him.


    ¡°Thank you for the information, Victor. You¡¯ve done more for us than I can ever repay. But I¡¯ll try to, regardless,¡± Audrey told him.


    ¡°We¡¯re getting the fuel, then?¡± Amadeus asked.


    ¡°It will take a few days to procure. You three are free to stick around. I won¡¯t ask anything more of you,¡± she said with a inviting and homely tone.


    ¡°Aww, shucks¡­¡± Amadeus blushed. He seemed to be taking the success in stride.


    ¡°I¡¯ll make some tea. Help ease the tiredness,¡± Lillie told them.


    ¡°I¡¯d fall asleep right here and now if you got me some soothing tea,¡± Amadeus chuckled.


    ¡°You¡¯re free to. Me and Leo want to see what we can do, so we¡¯ll talk later,¡± Ashley told the group. And just like that they began to disperse once more.


    Regardless of everything he¡¯d been through, Victor did feel content with the outcome. A new weapon by his side, new powers that he could use and he would get the fuel that he so desired. He would finally get to his family, find out if they were safe, and hopefully keep them that way.

 Chapter 9: Monday

    The next day was a Monday. Typically a day that Victor would despise but he no longer had any responsibility to it. He did miss some coworkers though. Had even tried to call them up once he was on his way with Amadeus, but no cigar.


    It was on this day that he laid out all the weaponry of Angel Heights, which amounted to some twenty guns. They were placed without their bullets. Victor wouldn¡¯t be needing those for what came next.


    He placed his finger on the first of the weapons and felt the drain once more. But it was lessened. Like the river of stamina that he bled was reduced in width. Some day he¡¯d hoped to turn it into a trickle, but for now the power only provided moderate results.


    ¡°How long is it going to take you for all of them?¡± Lillie asked from the side. She was sitting on a plastic chair and enjoying a romantic novel. Or at least what she called one. Victor had read a few pages while she was away and it seemed a bit¡­ steamier than your typical romcom. But if it passed the time, who was he to judge?


    ¡°A few hours. And that¡¯s if I can hold out,¡± Victor said.


    ¡°Is it¡­ draining?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Not as much as it was before. I think that¡¯s a good sign,¡± he flexed his fingers. A part of him told him that it wouldn¡¯t be enough, that the growth was too slow. He supposed it was the same part of him that had accepted the end of the world long ago.


    So, he made sure to stifle it whenever it came up. It¡¯ll have to be enough. He finished with the first gun faster than he would¡¯ve thought, but then again he had been locked in a conversation with Lillie.


    ¡°It¡¯s romantasy,¡± she snapped.


    ¡°He¡¯s stark naked!¡± Victor complained. He almost let his hand off of the pistol. It was good the armoury was deeper in the building, or else their bickering would¡¯ve brough the Vintarics upon them.


    ¡°Then don¡¯t read it! Why were you even looking!¡±


    ¡°You want a have a go at this? Because boy, is it fun!¡± Victor replied sarcastically. ¡°I saw, I read, I hated.¡±


    ¡°Then pick another book!¡± She said, stuffing her face in between the pages again.


    ¡°There aren¡¯t any other books! I asked! The shelves are packed with this stuff!¡±


    He¡¯d had one of the kids bring him one of the books. Big mistake. The further he got, the more his face drooped.


    ¡°Then I guess I¡¯ll just read somewhere else,¡± she said with a huff.


    ¡°Wait, Lillie!¡± he said just as she reached the door.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Can you bring back a capri sun? Feels like I¡¯m donating blood, but slower,¡± Victor told her.


    She huffed again before slamming the door of the armoury in his face. Despite her grievances with his behaviour, however, she still brought him the goods. Then she promptly sat back down on her chair and continued reading.


    It was an awkward few hours where Victor wished that his Basic Strengthening would work better. By the time he was done, he felt like a man free from prison. And one that got out with a shiny new trinket.


    [Ability Unlocked: Structural Sense Boost]


    ¡°All done here,¡± Victor told her.


    ¡°You enhanced all of them?¡± Lillie asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s not much, but it should give you an edge,¡± Victor said as he tried to hide a deep breath. He was exhausted and soaked through in his shirt with sweat. He didn¡¯t show that to Lillie, however, just turned to wipe the rest off his forehead.


    ¡°Want to go grab a bite?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Really? You¡¯d give little old me a chance after all that?¡±


    ¡°Mother Teresa wasn¡¯t as giving as me, buster,¡± she said as she flicked his nose.


    Lillie led him out of the room. The two of them made it to the rations, just in time to watch Ashley and her brother arrive. They looked beaten up and bruised, and Leo looked especially to be in a bad mood. Dirt covered their jackets and Leo was holding his side.


    ¡°Where were you two?¡± Lillie asked.


    ¡°Looking for some more food. We found some seeds, now we just need a farmer,¡± Ashley told them.


    ¡°After all that, Audrey better give me a week-long vacation before putting me to that,¡± Leo grumbled.


    ¡°Ignore him. One visit to the doctor¡¯s and he¡¯ll go back to being chipper,¡± Ashley told them.


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t there any other Wielder she could¡¯ve sent?¡± Victor asked.


    Ashley shook her head. ¡°She wants us to get the experience. Said she might even organize a second venture herself to get some more Seeds for the kids.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ we barely made it out with the six of us. Didn¡¯t you warn her?¡± Victor said, miffed.


    ¡°We did! But we really do need it¡­¡± Leo admitted.


    ¡°More firepower won¡¯t do anything for the building. Why would she want to get it?¡± Lillie added.


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°Not in it for the firepower,¡± Ashley said. And that¡¯s when it clicked for Victor. Amadeus was using his own powers to charge people¡¯s phones around the building. Sure, he could throw around lightning bolts, but a power that could restore infrastructure just like that? That was way more valuable.


    After all, even Victor needed a juice box from time to time.


    ¡°Is she looking for something like a ¡®Plant¡¯ Seed?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Seems to be it. She gets that and we never have to worry about food ever again,¡± Ashley said.


    Smart of her, thought Victor. He probably would¡¯ve done the same, had he not bigger matters to attend to.


    Somewhere in the middle of the conversation, Lillie had separated herself. She was probably grabbing the rations for the both of them.


    ¡°What about you, Vic? Want to join in on the next mission?¡± Leo asked.


    Ashley shot him a dirty look before turning back to Victor.


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to if you don¡¯t want to,¡± she said.


    ¡°Heh, hella tired now, but I¡¯ll take you up on that some other day,¡± Victor told them.


    ¡°I thought you were planning on moving on?¡± Ashley asked.


    ¡°Moving on?¡± Lillie chose that moment to return.


    Life wasn¡¯t playing a prank on him. No, life had chosen to dress Victor up as a clown today without his knowing.


    ¡°What did you get from the rations?¡± he asked a question, hoping to force her to move on.


    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s just- Wait, what was that Ashley said about moving on?¡± Lillie said, ruining his plans entirely.


    ¡°Sorry, Vic, you¡¯re caught,¡± Leo told him.


    Victor sighed. He grabbed the little biscuits and milk that she¡¯d brought out and gestured towards the stairs.


    ¡°Can we at least talk about it somewhere else? If the kids are around, I don¡¯t want them hearing this,¡± Victor told her. Lillie nodded, though it was a sad nod. Almost broke his heart seeing it.


    They made their way to a window with its blinds down. They could see outside just fine, but no one would be looking in. There, they saw the slowly worsening streets of Los Angelas. More fires and bugs flew, and the whole place smelled of smoke.


    ¡°I thought the apartments would smell worse after all that, but it¡¯s actually smelling better,¡± Victor said.


    ¡°That¡¯d be Amadeus¡¯ fault. He helped find some batteries and air fresheners once we realized the problem. It¡¯ll do for now...¡±


    ¡°You were going to say ¡®But after that¡¯, weren¡¯t you?¡± Victor guessed. She nodded.


    ¡°You said you were going after your family?¡± She asked.


    ¡°They¡¯re out there. Both my little brother, sister and parents. If I¡¯m not around, I don¡¯t know what could happen to them,¡± Victor said with a rueful gaze.


    ¡°Victor, how do you know-¡±


    ¡°Stop. Don¡¯t even say it,¡± he said to her. It was the harshest he¡¯d been, but even entertaining the thought was too much for him.


    ¡°Then¡­ could I come along?¡± Lillie asked.


    ¡°What? What about Audrey and the rest? Shouldn¡¯t you stay with them?¡±


    ¡°They can handle it here without me. My Seed isn¡¯t that useful to them. So, why not?¡±


    ¡°Well, first we¡¯d have to convince Audrey to let you go in the first place,¡± Victor replied.


    ¡°Done.¡±


    ¡°Then we¡¯d have to make space in the Beetle for you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m tiny. I¡¯ll fit.¡±


    ¡°Then make sure we¡¯ve got enough fuel and a route to Charleston,¡± Victor said.


    ¡°You live in Charleston?¡±


    ¡°Did. Then I moved to Oakland and¡­ I¡¯ll talk about it some other day,¡± Victor told her.


    Lillie nodded along as Victor listed the next steps of their plan. They shared the rations and she even brought out an Ipod that Amadeus had kindly charged for her. They listened to songs with one bud each with their backs against the wall of the building. At some point Victor had stopped talking and just started listening instead.


    He felt something there that he knew full well what it was. A little beating every time he glanced in Lillie¡¯s direction, and he hoped the same when she glanced in his. That¡¯s how the evening went.


    ****


    ¡°I never took you for a gamer,¡± Amadeus said as he scanned over his flashlight towards the rack of games. A hundred titles were lined up on the display case for the rest of them. But besides the new releases, there were also showcases of old consoles. And for Victor in particular, one of those mattered.


    ¡°Amadeus, over here. the Gameboys,¡± he said.


    He handed one of the SPs to Amadues and waited for him to charge the device. The orange light on the side of the little console lit up, before finally finishing and revealing the menu. It came with a childishly loud chime, but Victor could work around that.


    ¡°We¡¯ll need to grab a few of these. Start loading them up,¡± Victor told him.


    The two of them stuffed a cloth bag with the consoles, along with cartridges and some wires in case they ever found another way to charge it. The boys gathered together whatever else they could find before hauling the cloth bag out of the broken shop.


    ¡°Vintaric patrol,¡± Victor said, placing a hand on Amadeus¡¯ chest.


    They paused as the herd flew overhead. Victor gripped and ungripped his pistol before they all finally passed.


    Out beside the store there was a Maclaren burning, which provided cover for their escape.


    ¡°What about the food sources?¡± Amadeus asked.


    ¡°Audrey just needs a location for the farm. We found more than one. Now the rest is up to her,¡± Victor told him. the two of them ducked into the nearest alley they could find as another patrol went past.


    They would¡¯ve run further than that but some people stood in their way. Silent and with ski masks, they didn¡¯t look the most friendly. And that was before the knives came out.


    ¡°Come on now. We don¡¯t have to do this,¡± Victor told them.


    ¡°Sorry, man. Throw the bag,¡± the man leading them said. He was a rough looking man with tanned skin and blue eyes. The mask hid all features beside those two things.


    ¡°We fight here and they¡¯ll come to eat us up. Do you really want that?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°I wanna eat. Just throw the bag and no one gets hurt,¡± the man replied.


    ¡°It¡¯s not even food,¡± Victor said, showing it out in the open.


    The man looked deeply into it before sighing. He shoved his knife back into his pants and rubbed the bridge of his nose. That¡¯s when Victor noticed just how gaunt he truly was.


    ¡°Just go, then. Can¡¯t believe you ran out here for a stupid game,¡± the man cursed. His boys made their way to the wall where they looked out for more of the patrolling Vintarics.


    Victor would¡¯ve passed right through without trouble, but a thought came to him then.


    ¡°You just wait here for suckers to pass by or what?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Pretty much. You turned out to be the biggest sucker of them all. Going to harvest the thing for parts?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve got a different idea in mind. How have you been avoiding the¡­ monsters?¡±


    ¡°Just running, I guess,¡± the leader replied.


    ¡°No powers?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°No? You have ¡®em?¡±


    Victor nodded.


    ¡°Oh¡­ Glad I didn¡¯t go for it, then. I didn¡¯t mean anything by it, understand?¡± The leader said, taking on a more guarded position.


    ¡°Relax, no one¡¯s going to hurt you,¡± Victor told him, gesturing towards the skies. If they died, Victor and Amadeus died.


    ¡°You sound reasonable enough. We¡¯ve got a few people. I could introduce you to them,¡± Victor offered.


    ¡°What for?¡± The gang leader asked.


    ¡°Better to stick in groups, right? And besides, they could kit you out if you wanted to go and get some powers of your own,¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°We can do that?¡± another of the gang¡¯s members said incredulously.


    ¡°Should we really be telling a bunch of gang members this, Vic?¡± Amadeus asked with a bit of apprehension.


    ¡°I know what I¡¯m doing, Am,¡± he whispered back. And then he spoke in a louder tone.


    ¡°Definitely. You¡¯re quick on your feet. What do you say then? Help them, they help you?¡± Victor said. He hoped the man would agree. Audrey would appreciate any manpower she could get.


    The group leader stayed quiet for a moment before nodding his head.


    ¡°Where¡¯s this base you¡¯re talking about?¡± He asked.


    ¡°Can¡¯t tell you yet. Got to run it through with the big lady herself,¡± Victor told them.


    ¡°Alright. Keep safe¡­¡±


    ¡°Victor.¡±


    ¡°Keep safe, Victor,¡± the leader gave him a nod before slinking down to the ground beside the wall. He even took off his ski mask, seeing as it was getting unbearably hot in the city anyways. The last thing they saw before crossing the corner was him wiping the sweat off of his face with the mask itself.

 Chapter 10: Dagger and Pistol

    Along the way they had to dodge the odd Vintaric or other bird like monster. They did so systematically and perfectly and avoided detection at all turns. It was with this methodical movement that they made it all the way back to Angel Heights and its broken neon sign.


    ¡°Still don¡¯t see the need for the consoles. Don¡¯t you have games on your phone?¡± Amadeus said.


    ¡°They¡¯re not for me, Am,¡± Victor replied.


    Then he walked up to the entrance and quickly put in the knocking pattern.


    ¡°Back from the job. Let me in, Umer!¡± Victor asked the guard. A moment later the same bearded man greeted him.


    ¡°So soon?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Stuff¡¯s getting easier by the day,¡± Victor admitted. He handed over the map but not the bag.


    Umer eyed it suspiciously but shrugged. He moved back into his spot and Victor took the bag upstairs.


    ¡°Going to tell me now or do I have to wait some more?¡± Amadeus asked.


    ¡°Patience, Am,¡± Victor replied before bursting into one of the side rooms. Inside were a flock of awaiting children, all of whom looked proper and behaved. Which is how Amadeus immediately knew something was off.


    ¡°For them, really?¡± Amadeus said.


    ¡°Really.¡±


    Herding the little critters was Elsa, who looked like a giant among them.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been trying to keep them quiet, Mr. Amadi, but they just won¡¯t listen!¡± She complained as the other kids rushed up to Victor and Amadeus. In response, Amadeus snatched away the bag and held it high.


    ¡°Now, wait a second! Stop! None of you are getting this until you make me a promise,¡± Amadeus said. The entire herd paused and nodded at the same time. A chorus of yeses and agreements went out, though he knew it was all in the pursuit of what he had in his hand.


    ¡°These things are loud. And I¡¯m serious about that. I want you to promise that you won¡¯t turn up the noise. Can you guys do that for me?¡± Amadeus asked.


    Slowly but surely they all nodded.


    ¡°And I want you all to behave too. If Elsa or one of the adults says something, you have to listen. Understood?¡±


    Another round of nods.


    ¡°Then, I¡¯ll start handing them out,¡± Amadeus told them. For each of them that he gave away, he charged it and taught them how to use the thing. It was with such practiced precision that Victor didn¡¯t know what to think.


    For someone their age, it should¡¯ve been a gimmick at best. But taking away all other entertainment made them better appreciate what little they could get. Elsa, Victor and Amadeus schooled the children and stopped them from getting too rowdy, but a little allowance was made.


    And it pleased him to see those smiles. The outside wasn¡¯t getting any better, but in here, it was a bubble of pure happiness. Even Elsa, who he¡¯d seen moping around before, had joined in on the fun. He wanted the kids to savour that. Grim though it may be, it was only because Victor knew such moments would be hard to come by in the future.


    Amadeus was tired by the end of his rounds of charging. He sat down beside the door and indulged the kids that jumped around and played with him. Some of the others even learned how to connect their Gameboys together, which Victor hadn¡¯t even accounted for.


    Finally, once a few hours had passed, the small charge on the devices went out. That¡¯s when the grumbling began, and where Victor had to lie a little bit.


    ¡°Amadeus is real tired. But I¡¯ll bring him around later to charge the consoles again. If you don¡¯t let him rest though, he might not be awake enough to do it!¡± he scared them straight.


    Everything he said was a lie. He, Isabelle, Lillie and Amadeus would be leaving tomorrow. The fuel was already here, Victor had just wanted to do a little kindness beforehand. A gift in a certain sense.


    Victor left the room holding a tired and yawning Amadeus. Outside waited Audrey and her husband. They looked a bit conflicted, but happy overall. And beside them was Isabelle.


    Victor sighed. I guess I was wrong.


    ¡°I¡¯ve brought you some supplies as well. If you¡¯re going to the other end of the country, you¡¯ll need them,¡± Audrey told him.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Victor said.


    ¡°Th¡­tha¡­¡± Amadeus tried to pour out but kept stopping to yawn. For Audrey, she just rubbed the boy¡¯s head.


    ¡°Thank you too, Amadeus. You¡¯re a good boy,¡± she told him and he nodded slightly.


    ¡°There¡¯s enough supplies in there for three people. Toothbrushes, soap, new clothes, whatever else you¡¯ll need. I¡¯ve taught Lillie some survival skills, so call on her when you need,¡± Audrey told him. Victor nodded along, reminiscing of the first time he had such a conversation. His mother had been reluctant to let him go so far away from home, so she¡¯d made sure to pack a house¡¯s worth of things just for him.


    ¡°Thank you, Audrey. That¡¯s more than I could¡¯ve asked for,¡± Victor told her.


    ¡°I still think you should stay here, boy.¡±


    ¡°Maybe. But I need to find my family. And Amadeus his.¡±


    He could tell she was holding back words. If it had gotten so bad in just a week, there was no way they could¡¯ve survived, right? But Victor believed. That his family was exceptional. If he could survive this long, so could they.


    ¡°Then I bid you luck, Victor.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll be staying behind then, Isabelle?¡± Victor asked, turning to her. Shyly, she nodded.


    ¡°I like you and Amadeus, I do. It¡¯s just¡­ they need me more,¡± she replied. He could accept that.


    ¡°We¡¯ve put your car in a garage we¡¯ve marked. Here are the keys to it. I suggest you don¡¯t leave till tomorrow though, Victor,¡± Audrey said.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take the advice.¡±


    He moved to take Amadeus to one of the beds, passing by the three of them he¡¯d been talking to.


    ¡°And take care not to bruise yourself, lad,¡± Dean added.


    He nodded as he continued.


    ****


    Tomorrow came faster than he would¡¯ve liked. A second ago his eyes were closed and now he could hear birds. How they¡¯d even survived this long was a mystery to Victor, but they had. On a separate bed, Amadeus lay snoring.


    ¡°Am! Wake up!¡± he told the man, but Amadeus kept snoring. Even after a few more calls he looked to be in deep sleep. Instead of continuing the charade, Victor just threw his pillow at the man.


    Even that didn¡¯t deter the man, which forced Victor up. He shook awake Amadeus himself.


    ¡°Ugh, what are you¡­. Vic, it¡¯s the crack of dawn¡­¡± he said in a whiny tone.


    ¡°The exact time we were supposed to go, don¡¯t you remember?¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°No, I was conked out from charging all those Gameboys. I swear, you people treat me like a living power bank,¡± he grumbled. Victor couldn¡¯t believe it. The powers of electricity went to a man without the energy to even pull himself out of bed in the morning.


    He couldn¡¯t really blame him, per se, but it still annoyed Victor.


    ¡°Fine, stay in. I¡¯ll go get the supplies ready,¡± he told him. Amadeus gave him a lazy thumbs up before collapsing back onto his bed.


    Victor opened the door to the rooms and crept outside to an eerily quiet apartment complex. The only lights he could see were the ones shining down from outside, so he quickly made his way down and out of the place.


    Even outside, he could feel the city quiet. But it didn¡¯t give him any peace, only unease. Victor came towards the garage and made sure to double-check his surroundings before opening it.


    He had to give Audrey credit where it was due, she¡¯d picked a great spot for the vehicle. This was possibly the only street in the entire city not flooded with cars or other obstacles.


    He found the sight of the Beetle nostalgic in a weird way, even though they¡¯d only been apart for a few days. But those days had halted his progress towards what he really wanted.


    Victor popped open the gas cap of the car and started dumping fuel inside until he was sure it was enough. Then he checked the tires and controls. When he turned it on, the fuel read full and that was good enough for him.


    The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    But then a strange noise distracted him. Victor left the Beetle and followed that noise. He could almost recognize it. It was¡­. wings. He ran over and turned the car off before it could attract any of the Vintarics.


    The wings grew closer until they were right over him. Unease gripped his heart but the swarm seemed to pass him by. Victor took a glance outside at the hive of flying bugs. He wouldn¡¯t have given it a second thought until he heard an ear-piercing scream come from them.


    The hive paused in the air far away from Victor, but that didn¡¯t help erase the fear. Because he knew the location they were currently over. He knew Angel Heights was right below them.


    No¡­ It was the middle of the morning. No one was making any noise. What could possibly have attracted them?


    He didn¡¯t have time to think. The Vintarics screamed only once more before diving down. Broken glass was the only thing Victor could hear but it was enough. He ran from the garage at full sprint.


    His enhanced strength carried him far with every leap. He ran and ran without a care for getting caught himself. Knife in one hand and pistol in the other, he popped out in front of the building where the hive swarmed and infused his pistol.


    Wait, think¡­ he couldn¡¯t take them head on. But he did have another way.


    Victor ducked behind one of the more decrepit buildings and touched the ground. He searched deep within his Weaponsmith Heart for the Trap Ward and pushed. Energy left his body but with a feeling foreign to Victor. It¡¯s working!


    Though he knew he had to wait, Victor was impatient. He kept glancing back at the hotel worried for the people inside. Every minute, he¡¯d hear an explosion or something else that worried his mind, but he hoped it would be enough.


    When the Trap Ward finished, a mark was left. Victor jumped and immediately rushed back to Angel Heights. His stopped mid-breath and fired with the same arcane bell ringing. It immobilized one of the Vintarics there but also alerted the others. Good.


    The monsters let out an ear-piercing screech and ran for Victor. Some of them weren¡¯t the grasshopper looking bugs he¡¯d gotten used to, but instead a mantis like enemy with a triangular head.


    They flew towards him in a swarm, following as he ran back. Finally, Victor made it to the mouth of the alley and deftly stepped over the mark left in the dirt there.


    And then he fired another shot onto the approaching swarm. The first of the bugs crashed into the Trap Ward and triggered it. Victor had never been near an explosion but his ears popped at the sound.


    And though it seemed a forceful one, the explosion itself was rather small. He didn¡¯t mind it so much as long as it did its job. And he knew it had when he heard cracks spreading across the two buildings that pressed the alley. Those cracks spread quick as a wildfire and caused a cacophonous crash of brickwork.


    The rest of the hive hadn¡¯t the time to react, being buried under the rubble in but an instant. Victor stepped over their twitching wings and bodies without a word, just as another notification popped up in his view.


    [Ability Unlocked: Structural Sense Boost]


    His bestiary had also been updated [2</a>]. He dismissed both of those and ran towards the door leading into the apartment complex. Smoke was rising from the top of the building and Victor grew even more worried.


    ¡°Umer! Open the damn door!¡± He shouted as he banged on it. But no one answered from the other end.


    ¡°Damnit, someone open this door!¡± He tried again to no avail.


    Screw this, he thought as he looked up. Victor jumped off a windowsill and onto the second floor. He kicked in the window and jumped through the shattered glass to the inside. There, he found a Vintaric eating a corpse and almost vomited.


    It¡¯d been the same scarred woman he¡¯d seen herding the kids. Now she lay before his eyes as nothing but a meal to the disgusting Vintaric. It looked back at him with such innocence, as if the horrid act it was committing was nothing more than a simple meal.


    Blue flames burst open around the dagger in his hand. He ran towards the Vintaric with a scream and stabbed downwards. It might¡¯ve died on the first hit but Victor didn¡¯t realize that. His screams continued with every stab until he finally grew tired enough to stop.


    He was huffing. The corpse before him might¡¯ve not bled as true as a human, but the body was just as mangled as the other. Damnit, how much time did I¡­ He ran out of the room. There wasn¡¯t much to be done for the woman.


    There he found people he could actually help.


    ¡°Victor!¡± Leo shouted for him. His arm was encased in cracking stone and stuck in the jaws of another of the mantis-like Vintarics. He punched it with the other while Ashley put a gun to its head. She clicked and the bug went down.


    ¡°What happened?!¡± he shouted angrily. How could they have let this happen? He hadn¡¯t been gone that long, so how could they possibly ruin it that badly?


    No reply would come, as more people ran up the stairs. Following them were Vintarics and Victor wouldn¡¯t let them have their prey. He shot one on its hide, finding it harder than usual. That Vintaric peeled away from the group and tried to pierce Victor with its piercing claw.


    The man was ready, however, and he ducked under it. He swiped his fire dagger through the piercer and found it cut through smoothly. The Vintaric launched its other piercer and cut into Victor¡¯s skin.


    The man grunted butt held onto it with one hand. with the other, he charged his gun with Infuse Attack and fired once more. The Vintaric¡¯s head was blown clean off and Victor advanced.


    Leo and Ashley were guiding away the other monsters while the civilians cowered. Victor jumped in and help them clean up the whole mess.


    ¡°Thanks¡­ I didn¡¯t think so many of them would make it here¡­¡± Leo said between gasps. It reminded Victor acutely of how tired he was. Already he could feel the malaise drifting into his bones.


    ¡°Where are the others?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Upstairs. There was a big one that Amadeus led away. I don¡¯t think any of us could take that one. Not in here, at least,¡± Leo said. He sounded afraid of the creature.


    Amadeus? No¡­ He thought about running for a moment. It wasn¡¯t as though Victor was the one who¡¯d offered to distract the monster. But that thought was quickly thrown away when he heard a lightning bolt echo down the stairs.


    ¡°It¡¯s not just that¡­.¡±


    ¡°Who else is up there?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°The kids¡­¡±


    Damn it, damn it, damn it!


    He started running. Not away from the top, but towards it. On every floor that he passed he saw more people fighting for their lives. And he was helpless to save them. Some had Seeds while others only their guns. Victor just hoped that Leo and Ashley could help where he could not.


    His eyes and ears were on the top, where the sound of thunder was only growing quicker by the minute. There was a crash not dissimilar to the one he¡¯d caused in the alley moments before Victor arrived.


    And moments after, Victor reached the scene of his nightmares.


    Half of the floor was collapsed, burying the bodies underneath. Only Amadeus and a monster stood atop the wreckage, facing each other down.


    Amadeus looked horrible. A bleeding wound ran from one side of his face to the other, traversing one of his eyes in the process. His arm was mangled and he took ragged breaths against his opponent. The only reason he was alive was because Lillie was by his side. But even she looked stretched to her limits. Her hand was dripping blood onto the concrete and she had a nasty bullet hole in her left leg.


    Their opponent was the biggest Vintaric Victor had seen yet. He thought he was staring at a bipedal rifle at first. The way its insectile face looked like the barrel, with holes over its green mottled body and an abdomen resembling the magazine. It was a living amalgamation of weaponry and reminded Victor of the kind of death machines he¡¯d only seen in sci-fi.


    The bug turned its head methodically towards Victor and the man found himself stuck in its gaze. It could pounce at any moment and have him killed; he knew it. Its black beady eyes bored into his soul but it did not move.


    How could he fight against this thing? And what would he even be fighting for? The kids were¡­


    ¡°Victor, help us!¡± Lillie shouted for him. there were tears in her eyes. The instant she spoke, the bug launched back into action. It jumped quicker than Victor¡¯s eyes could track, right at Lillie.


    Before it could impact, a red lightning hit its shell. The bug recoiled and went sprawling on the rocks, but even then it didn¡¯t cease movement. It twitched and writhed and inspected the three of them coldly.


    ¡°The kids are safe! They¡¯re on the other side!¡± Amadeus shouted for him without taking his eyes off of the monster.


    Victor snapped out of his daze. They were alive! He looked behind himself but the doors were closed. That was for the best. All he needed to do was focus o-


    ¡°Childrennnn¡­.¡± The dark green monster exclaimed. It had a voice like a radio lodged in its throat, thick and gargly.


    ¡°Your childrennnn¡­ will not sssurvive,¡± it chuckled a shrill alien laugh.


    Victor shot it with an infused bullet. The bug recoiled once more and glared in his direction.


    ¡°You¡­ How dare you!¡± he spat at it. ¡°You disgusting monster! Why? Why are you doing this?¡±


    The bug soothed its wounds with one of its thin arms.


    ¡°Forrrrr Nirvannna,¡± was its only reply.


    Victor gripped the pistol so tight he thought he might break it. He and the monster raised each other up at the same time. and then they both ran at each other.


    Victor fired off a few shots before the monster¡¯s shell. Without his enhancement, the bullets just ricocheted off. The Vintaric opened its mouth and a barrel appeared there within.


    Victor tried to dodge but the monster¡¯s head followed. A light came up its throat and he knew what was coming next. But before the blast could hit Victor, a plane of light blocked the bullet. The fist sized hunk of metal was just barely contained by it.


    Victor panned over and Lillie was raising a hand in protest. Her eyes were straining but she nodded towards him. Victor sidestepped the pane and fired off a few more blasts before going in for a stab. Just like before, he dodged the piercers and stabbed at the monsters. But the blade didn¡¯t sink in as deep.


    Victor was about to activate his Infuse Attack when he was knocked sideways. His ribs roared in pain and he went rolling across the building. His body stopped at the edge, where he got a clear view of the city.


    Even a single attack had knocked the breath out of him. Sane people would¡¯ve taken that as a sign and just run. But he was beyond sanity. Monsters had invaded the world, he was holding a flaming dagger and he¡¯d just seen a man shoot lightning out of his finger tips.


    If this turned out to be a bad fever dream, Victor only hoped he¡¯d wake up before dying painfully.


    He put both hands down onto the ground and stood back up. Amadeus had covered for him but wouldn¡¯t last forever. When the next blast of the monster came down, Victor charged his Infuse Attack.


    It hit the roof of the monster¡¯s mouth and made it halt. The bug shook its head as the pain hit it. An idea formed in Victor¡¯s head when he came in again for another stab.


    He infused this one too and felt it sink in more easily. As the blade stopped in the Vintaric¡¯s skin, Victor slammed a palm into the butt of it. That got it a few more inches but forced Victor to step backwards. Another pane of light saved him from a slash across the ribs. The piercers of the monster stabbed into the floating pane and ripped them apart in the air.


    The light disappeared and Victor shot off a few more infused bullets. They cracked the shell of the monster but nothing more. All the while Victor felt like he was being hollowed out from the inside.


    He switched in with Amadeus again, but it was only a temporary reprieve. He watched as the other man sent out waves of lightning towards the beast, growing lethargic with each powerful burst.


    They¡¯d grown in these past few days, further than any time before, but it still seemed to underperform in the face of something so massive, so cruel. Victor knew he had to formulate a plan, but he couldn¡¯t with the weakness eating away at him.


    He tried to push through only to realize he didn¡¯t need to anymore. Lillie pressed a hand to his back, from where a warm and nourishing light spread. Victor felt the weight on himself lighten at least a little. And then again and again until he felt only winded.


    The cost was apparent to him, however. Lillie collapsed to the floor on her knees. He tried to help her


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to die¡­¡± she begged. It twisted his heart to see. She looked up at him with tears in her eyes.


    ¡°I really don¡¯t want to die, Victor. Please don¡¯t leave me¡­¡± She said before even her arms gave way. Victor caught her moments before her head hit the floor.


    ¡°I will,¡± he promised.


    But even he didn¡¯t have the time to be gentle. Amadeus was struggling for them both, and he wouldn¡¯t hold out forever. Victor laid her down as carefully as he could and rushed over to where Amadeus was, brandishing both dagger and pistol.

 Chapter 11: Now Leaving Los Angelas

    Victor ran in and jumped on the bug¡¯s back. The Vintaric noticed and tried to shake him off, but to no avail. He stabbed down over and over, using his Infuse Attack without any care for the consequences. With every blow, its carapace cracked a little more.


    But all good things come to an end. the monster regained enough composure to throw Victor off its back. He went skidding across the rocks again while it charged up another blast. And without Lillie around, he would have to dodge it.


    Victor tried to dodge at the last minute to conserve strength. Even with all his effort, he only barely managed to get out of the path of the tank shell. It hit the wall behind him instead, crushing another room into rubble.


    But that rubble revealed the barrel of something. Victor saw it gleaming underneath, his enhanced AR-15 from the shop. That was his ticket. A single straight shot to the mouth would surely end the Vintaric.


    He tried for it only for another of the Vintarics to drop down in front of him. Where had he come from?


    It tried slashing but Victor had no time. A few bullets later it was down. He materialized another magazine out of the air and reloaded his pistol before continuing running. Behind him, Amadeus was struggling and hoping that he would return.


    Victor landed on the rubble just as Amadeus screamed in pain. He¡¯d had a piercer hit his shoulder and raise him into the air. Victor tried not to look, instead cutting his hand trying to dig the rifle out.


    More screams came out and grew fiercer. Victor finally found the AR-15 and aimed it square at the monster. But the Vintaric saw him well beforehand. He held out Amadeus in front of him. Victor wouldn¡¯t get a clean shot, no matter how much he tried.


    The Vintaric must have known that, the way it so mocked him. he wanted nothing more to rip its head off its shoulders, but he couldn¡¯t. Amadeus raised a rebellious hand and shocked the monster enough for a split-second space.


    Victor aimed and fired an infused shot in that opening. Only for it to miss completely by its head. Victor cursed a million curses in that moment. The Vintaric raised its piercer again and stabbed again.


    Victor shouted in protest. But the claw stopped short of Amadeus¡¯ heart by only inches. A pane of light stopped it. Looking over, Victor saw Lillie raising her hand once more. The Vintaric noticed too, the instant its face turned towards her.


    And then it fired the blast it had been holding in its mouth. One second Lillie was there, and the next only a smear remained on the ground.


    Victor¡¯s mind went blank. Amadeus screamed and ripped the piercer out of his shoulder. He grabbed onto the Vintaric and moved to its back. And then he released the largest shockwave Victor had ever seen.


    Lightning crackled as the bug let out a scream. Its mouth opened wide and Amadeus stared at Victor expectantly.


    A single click. The bullet travelled quick and true. The Vintaric¡¯s scream cut off in an instant. And it fell to the ground limply. The monster was dead and they¡¯d won.


    [Ability Unlocked: Weapon Power Siphon]


    [Ability Unlocked: Strength Boost]


    [Ability Unlocked: Spee-


    They¡¯d won.


    And he¡¯d let Lillie die for it.


    Victor walked slowly towards the body of the Vintaric, mind bereft of thoughts. Amadeus was on the ground crying and shocking the corpse. It twitched with his every move, but showed no signs of coming back.


    Victor looked away from the sight, away from where Lillie had last been. The only place he¡¯d found to look at all were the skies, where more Vintarics waited for them. Had they all been there? Waiting and watching Victor struggle like a child against a lion?


    And were they about to attack him now that their champion had fallen? Victor wouldn¡¯t have it. He aimed into the air and scared them off with a spray of bullets. The cowards dispersed in but a few moments.


    ****


    A restless day had passed and the deaths were tallied up.


    Their losses were numerous. Umer, Dean and a number of other adults had died or been devoured. Audrey looked like she was about to collapse. But either through a sense of duty or numbness, she kept going. For Angel Heights, and the kids that had survived inside it.


    Victor had listened to her word without complaints. He¡¯d moved the kids away and was clearing up the rubble on the top floor. Find anything useful, she said. He¡¯d gathered the rest of his gear, and stripped the bodies of clothes they could use.


    This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    Amadeus picked them up and took them down where they could be buried¡­. No, they wouldn¡¯t be buried, would they?


    Why go through the trouble when the corpses or smoke would only attract others? They¡¯d probably be put thrown somewhere. That was the most reasonable action they could take.


    He crushed a rock at the thought. His new strength had made it somewhat easier for him.


    ¡°Where do we put these?¡± someone asked. Victor looked up to find the same man who¡¯d tried to rob him only days before. He eyed the man quietly, unsure of what to say.


    ¡°Okay¡­?¡± the man replied, turning away and down the stairs.


    Get yourself together, man¡­ he punched himself. The pain wasn¡¯t any lesser or greater than it should¡¯ve been, a balancing mechanism of his stat, he supposed.


    But that also meant it didn¡¯t distract him any. Instead, to get his mind away from things, Victor walked into the room the kids had been hiding in. There, he was witness to a sight that baffled him. the Gameboys he¡¯d gotten them, spread across the room as if someone had been using them recently.


    But they couldn¡¯t have! Amadeus wouldn¡¯t charge them again, he knew it! Victor rushed down and towards the bottom of the floors. Ashley was discussing cremating the bodies while Isabelle helped clean up the clothes with Elsa.


    ¡°Audrey!¡± Victor shouted for her. The old woman came out of a room with red puffy eyes.


    ¡°Where¡¯s your generator?¡± he asked. They had to have one for all the power they were supplying.


    Audrey must¡¯ve noticed the charging cable by his hand, because she asked her own question in response.


    ¡°Did they¡­?¡± she said before shaking her head. ¡°No, I don¡¯t need to know. It¡¯s downstairs, in the basement. Bring up the brooms when you come back.¡±


    She walked away and Victor made his way to the basement door. It had been knocked off its hinges and he was forced to remove it entirely to proceed. Down the stairs he went until he came to a wide, open space. The generator¡¯s hum was loud here, drowning out his own thoughts.


    Victor went to the nearest port and found signs there already of use. But just to confirm, he placed the charger inside along with one of the consoles.


    Orange. It was charging.


    And that¡¯s when the truth of the matter became clear to him. The kids had found the generator room, found the port and knew enough to charge their own devices. They¡¯d played the games loud in the early morning, attracting the Vintarics to them.


    And it¡¯d happened only because Victor had been stupid enough to allow it. He¡¯d been the one to provide the consoles in the first place, in a misguided attempt at cheering them up. And now Dean¡¯s life, Lillie¡¯s life, was his sin to bear.


    With measured steps, Victor walked back up the stairs and out into the open. There were people wincing and suffering. There were talks of another expedition for more Seeds. Amadeus came down and sat down beside a wall. Some of the kids walked around and helped to reorganize. Leo patched up cracks in the walls and considered fixing the top floor entirely, but Audrey shot him down.


    And Victor¡¯s mind screamed at him to leave. Because he didn¡¯t see any of them. He only saw dead men walking, and him the reaper come to take them away.


    ¡°We¡¯re going,¡± Victor said aloud.


    ¡°What? Vic, but with everything going o-¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re leaving, Amadeus. Or don¡¯t you want to see your family again?¡± Victor asked.


    Amadeus looked and felt guilty. He raised himself off of the floor and fell in turn with Victor.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Audrey. But I need to find my family too,¡± Victor told her.


    She didn¡¯t look mad at him at all. He hated that even more. It would¡¯ve been easier had she kicked him out herself.


    ¡°If you¡¯re going to go, you might as well have some extra protection,¡± she told him while placing something in his palms. He didn¡¯t need to see it to know that it was a Seed. Something that felt warm in his hand, almost uncomfortably so.


    ¡°I-I can¡¯t take this, Audrey. Your people need it more,¡± Victor complained. She shook her head once more.


    ¡°We harvested a few from the bugs. This is the most I can spare, so just take it, lad,¡± she told him. Then she reached up and planted a kiss on his forehead.


    ¡°Good luck to you, Victor. And good luck to you, Amadeus. Safe journeys,¡± she told the both of them.


    It seemed that only a moment had passed when the both of them entered the car once more. The soft seats seemed foreign, and they were missing one of the passengers they had come with. The Beetle was loaded with rations, fuel and whatever they could need for the journey ahead. And yet still the two of them checked it over a thousand times before proceeding.


    The garage door was open, so when a silhouette appeared outside, Victor and Amadeus readied their weapons.


    ¡°Relax, it¡¯s just me,¡± Isabelle revealed herself. She tried to smile but gave up halfway.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Victor asked accusingly.


    ¡°Just seeing you two off.¡±


    ¡°Well, you¡¯ve done it. Thank you. You can go back now,¡± Victor said, slamming the trunk of the car. He got to the shotgun side seat and opened the door, but Isabelle was near the other window, looking through.


    ¡°Victor. It¡¯s going to be a tough road ahead. For you and us both. Don¡¯t you think we should walk it together?¡± Isabelle asked.


    ¡°I¡¯ll walk it with my family when I meet them.¡±


    ¡°You have to have considered the obvious, Vic.¡±


    ¡°Well, I haven¡¯t. And I don¡¯t need to hear it from you. Go back, Izzy, before another swarm comes and follows you,¡± he told her.


    ¡°And you¡¯re going to go along with him?¡± she turned her head to Amadeus. He was silent.


    She looked disappointed with the both of them. That was good. How it should be. She walked away silently, without even a goodbye. Amadeus kept his head down the entire time.


    ¡°We¡¯re ready,¡± he said moments after, when they¡¯d double and triple-checked everything they could.


    They took out the car. For Audrey¡¯s sake, they even closed the garage door. Somehow, they found a clear path out of the city easily. The ¡®Now Leaving Los Angelas¡¯ sign passed and Victor took one look back just in case.


    He¡¯d never found her body in the rubble. Not anywhere. In some ways that was more heartbreaking, as he couldn¡¯t even give Lillie a proper burial. Victor sighed, hand still clutching the Seed Audrey had given him.


    He¡¯d need all the strength he could get. To survive and make it through the other end. To find his parents, and feel safe once again.


    The Seed sank into his skin.


    [Seed Integrated: Pyreborne Ember]


    [Ability Unlocked: Flame Vault]


    [Ability Unlocked: Basic Fire Manipulation]


    [Ability Unlocked: Unlock Thermal Sense]

 Chapter 12: Combination Forge

    [Ability Unlocked: Greater Structural Sense Boost]


    [Ability Unlocked: Greater Strength Boost]


    [Ability Unlocked: Count Regenerator]


    [Ability Unlocked: Flame Bullet]


    [Ability Unlocked: Combination Forge]


    .


    .


    .


    Victor and Amadeus quietly wound their way down a street. They hadn¡¯t heard from anyone for days at this point, but it didn¡¯t matter. As long as they had food and water with them, they¡¯d keep on pushing forward.


    There was a marsh surrounding the road that they wound down. If there were monsters down there, they didn¡¯t pose much of a threat to Victor anymore. But still, he kept his hand on his trusty Glock.


    In his hands that weapon was deadlier than a tank cannon at this point. He¡¯d stacked so many enhancements onto it that it had to be. Yet still so compact in his hands. And with every moment that he¡¯d spent on his weapons, his Weaponsmith Heart became more a part of him.


    He couldn¡¯t imagine life without it. Though he wasn¡¯t as attached to his other Seeds. They¡¯d been a use to him and Amadeus, but never felt like integral parts of him like the Weaponsmith Heart did.


    Amadeus had picked up a Seed that could provide them water, while Victor always seemed to miss out on it. He didn¡¯t mind, however. He¡¯d gotten this far with his current powers, and reached heights he couldn¡¯t even imagine.


    [


    NAME: Victor Amadi


    AGE: 36


    SEEDS: [[         ]]


    [[Weaponsmith Heart]]


    [[Pyreborne Ember]]


    [[Holy Fires]]


    [[Pyreborne Ember]]


    STATS:


    STRENGTH: 170


    SPEED: 50


    SENSES: 37


    RECOVERY: 55


    STRUCTURAL SENSE: 215


    THERMAL SENSE: 55


    DEMONIC INTUITION: 45


    FLAME VAULT: 275/275


    AMMO:


    9mm Cartridge x 1260


    5.56 Cartridge x 660


    ABILITIES:


    (Weaponsmith Heart): [Unlock Structural Sense] [Basic Strengthening] [Ammo Counter] [Recovery Boost x 7] [Structural Sense Boost x 15] [Strength Boost x 9] [Infuse Attack] [Trap Ward] [Speed Boost x 6] [Senses Boost x 3] [Greater Structural Sense Boost x 5] [Greater Strength Boost x 4] [Count Regenerator] [Combination Forge]


    (Pyreborne Ember): [Flame Vault] [Basic Fire Manipulation] [Flame Bullet] [Unlock Thermal Sense] [Thermal Sense Boost x 5] [Strength Boost] [Speed Boost]


    (Pyreborne Ember): [Flame Vault] [Basic Fire Manipulation] [Unlock Thermal Sense] [Thermal Sense Boost x 3]


    (Holy Fires): [Firemaker] [Unlock Demonic Intuition] [Demonic Intuition Boost x 6]


    ]


    It had been ten long years for him. And he had the regrets to show for it. A million scars dotted Victor¡¯s frame. Some came from the Vintarics he so despised. Others from the Imperials and their knights, and even some from an Angelo that seared his back. He was thankful that he¡¯d survived that one especially, and taken the Angelo down in the end.


    That was what had netted him his Holy Fires. It was a useful Seed, but Victor had made the mistake of getting too many centred on flame abilities. He¡¯d thought they¡¯d net him new Synergies, but he¡¯d been quickly proven wrong.


    The signs of battle were clear on Victor. And not just on him, but the world around him as well. Victor wasn¡¯t a fool, he knew the Gates were multiplying. Every day it seemed he found a new kind of monster to fight. There were points that Victor thought of giving up, and he and Amadeus stayed for a few months or years near other survivors. But they weren¡¯t living then.


    He could scarcely remember their names. Every day would become a lull before it finally became too much to bear. Then, inevitably, he¡¯d leave, and Amadeus would follow. Back onto the road, towards Washington and Charleston.


    The body of a dead Titan rested beside the road that Victor and Amadeus crossed. It was a testament to the power of a combined force of Wielders. But for every single one they took down, ten more would take its place. It was worsening too, and Victor knew he couldn¡¯t stop it any longer.


    ¡°Take a right here,¡± Victor told Amadeus. The man obeyed silently.


    Victor tried several times to talk to the man, but Amadeus didn¡¯t respond. He was too distraught to. That¡¯s when they finally saw the outline of Washington DC. A breath left Amadeus¡¯ mouth. There wasn¡¯t much of a city left for him.


    But despite that he still put his foot to the gas. Or electricity, Victor supposed, since they¡¯d long abandoned the Beetle. At a certain point Amadeus had grown enough to just start supplying the power himself. Nowadays they barely stretched their feet until needed. And well for it too, since the monsters were the least of their worries.


    Gangs had sprouted up not long after the Fall. They found it easier to rob their fellow man than help in the fight against the invaders. Victor scoffed when he thought of them. Just a bunch of dead men dragging others down.


    He felt no sympathy when he came across their ruined camps, no matter how many crocodile tears they shed for him.


    When their BMW reached the outskirts, Amadeus cut the power entirely. Victor didn¡¯t question it. His enhanced senses gave it away even before he saw the Angelo come out of the back of a building. The giant monster looked menacing in its shining armour and glittering wings. But it was nothing more than a scavenger, looking for easy pickings among the corpses. Perhaps even trying to collect a Seed or two for its own crew considering how weak it itself looked.


    That didn¡¯t stop Victor from taking aim at it.


    ¡°Wait¡­¡± Amadeus warned. ¡°They could still be inside! And fighting with you always leads to collateral.¡±


    ¡°I could take it out in one shot. Just use the Combination Forge,¡± Victor replied.


    ¡°And tell the whole city where we are too,¡± Amadeus countered.


    ¡°Do you think we could collapse a few buildings on it?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Luring it down¡¯s going to be hard,¡± Amadeus told him.


    ¡°Call down lightning. Its wings will lock up.¡±


    ¡°Down to where you¡¯re going to Trap Ward it?¡± Amadeus asked.


    ¡°Exactly.¡±


    Amadeus thought for a moment. Victor looked out over the city and found the most broken buildings. His Structural Sense had improved the most out of anything else. In a way it had become a problem, as he didn¡¯t even know how to turn it off now. But it did help identify weak points in structures.


    It had especially come in handy in destroying a bridge the monsters had been building from the coast to the mainland. He¡¯d been one of the most important players in stopping it. But now, it simply gave him an idea of where to look.


    ¡°There, between those two. I¡¯m going to scout it out. When I give the signal from the balcony, bring the Angelo over,¡± Victor told him.


    Amadeus nodded and Victor slipped out of the car. He ran across the street with a blur. Another thing he¡¯d earned from his Weaponsmith Heart.


    Victor skidded to a stop only when he reached the inside of the buildings. Just as he¡¯d seen from the outside, it was barely holding together. Victor walked around the musty and dark ruins, running his hand along walls and pillars.


    Chittering came from behind and Victor threw his dagger infused with an attack. The monster expired instantly with the dagger coming out the other end. A Vintaric adolescent though was a surprising sight. Usually, he only faced the adults now.


    He walked some more until he finally managed the map the entire floor. Victor identified the key structural components of the building and stood in front of them. Half an hour later they were marked, and he left to finish the process on the other building.


    Once both were done, Victor jumped from floor to floor until he could see the outside. Wasn¡¯t pretty at all, but at least he only had the single Angelo to contend with. Victor flicked the switch on his walkie-talkie when he spotted Amadeus.


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    ¡°Ready on my end, Am.¡±


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be saying over, over?¡± Amadeus asked.


    ¡°Stop being a smart ass and do your job,¡± Victor replied before switching it off. Now all he had to do was wait. But why make it boring?


    Victor dropped down from the tenth floor to the ground. His rifle jerked behind him, but that was the only reaction he had. He sat there in the back and loaded it before pointing it upwards.


    Blue flame encompassed the rifle, and then the red of the Flame Bullet overlayed it. And then he waited. But not for long.


    The second he heard the crack of lightning, he put his finger to the trigger and took aim. A second later he saw Amadeus come running in between the alley. He crossed it and made it to the other side, where Victor stood.


    ¡°It cannot save you, humans. No matter how much you try,¡± the Angelo tried to console them as it entered between the alley. Despite what it said, Victor could see it flying closer to the ground.


    He tuned the monster out and took aim at its giant forehead. The bullet reached but a sword came in between him and his target.


    ¡°Accept your death graciously.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I will,¡± Victor said, before shooting a fireball right into the building. His flame vault emptied a bit but that was of no concern to him. The fireball triggered the trap wards, exploding outwards from both sides of the building.


    The Angelo¡ª who had just a moment before been flying towards them¡ª got pelted from both sides by the debris. Amadeus called down more bolts of lightning at the monster. Victor wasn¡¯t idle either, shooting more and more infused blasts into its body until it finally collapsed to the ground. The final of the trap wards must have gone off too, as they buried the Angelo under a small hill¡¯s worth of concrete.


    The commotion caused a dust cloud to surround the block. Victor and Amadeus didn¡¯t mind it as they walked forward and towards the Angelo¡¯s face. They saw it crushed between the rocks, wings broken and armour chipped.


    It pleased Victor to see it in such a state. It¡¯s what their kind deserved after what they had done to him and his.


    ¡°Do you¡­ do you think this will not cause more pain in the future? Why do you struggle so when you know the end is coming?¡±


    ¡°Because it¡¯s better than laying down and dying,¡± Victor told the monster.


    He hadn¡¯t needed his Combination Forge after all. The monster willingly let Victor take a bullet through its skull. And then the Angelic creature died, leaving behind two Seeds.


    Victor stowed his rifle and picked the both of them up. He knew these ones. Bleeding Stone and Constructor¡¯s Glove. One for healing the wounded and another for building structures. Neither of which were of any use to him.


    ¡°Keep it, Am. We can sell it for supplies later,¡± Victor told him. though by this point almost everyone ought to have a Seed or two, it didn¡¯t mean that they couldn¡¯t use the options.


    Amadeus tucked the two glowing Seeds away in his pouch and rose from the giant corpse of the Angelo before them.


    ¡°Are you ready to see them?¡± Victor asked, dusting himself off.


    ¡°As I¡¯ll ever be.¡±


    They both dropped to the streets and began walking. Walking and walking, until it felt like to Victor that Amadeus was slowing down on purpose.


    ¡°Am, are we close?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Y¡­yeah¡­¡± he said, though his eyes were looking front.


    The building wasn¡¯t even standing any more. There was a discarded sign for an orphanage beside the building. The name on the building was scuffed, but Victor could make it out as ¡°Levine Family Group Home.¡±


    ¡°They might¡¯ve left. You stay here while I look for clues,¡± Victor asked of the man. Amadeus didn¡¯t reply, so Victor took the initiative to run inside and start searching.


    The place was relatively small for a house, by his estimate. He looked around in the rooms and found the beds, which were cramped together all at once. Pictures plastered the walls of children of various tones and sizes.


    At the back of the room was a giant cork board where a single picture stood out amongst the rest. It showed the children of the group home, and Amadeus among them. he looked so happy there with a gap-toothed smile that it hurt to see him now.


    The rest of the place was dark so Victor pulled out his Flame Vault and lit a ball of flame above his hand. It had taken him a long time to get used to some abilities, while others came much more easily to him.


    The fire provided illumination, but revealed nothing to the eye. He walked over to the kitchen and looked through the cupboards but they were empty. So was the fridge and none of the closets had clothes inside of them.


    They must¡¯ve run away. Victor and Amadeus would just need the help of some Wielders but they were bound to be able to track them down, right?


    ¡°AHH!¡±


    Victor turned towards the sound. That had sounded like Amadeus! He rushed over with flame in one hand and a pistol in the other.


    ¡°Am, what¡¯s wrong!¡± he shouted into the room, only to find his friend laid out on the floor.


    He didn¡¯t need to explain the site. Amadeus¡¯ family were all still here.


    ****


    Victor felt that same numbing feeling that had become so common over the years. The one that stopped him from thinking straight. Only, if he were suffering it, Amadeus had it ten times worse.


    The man was basically catatonic at this point. Victor had to drag him out of the building and back into the car after what he¡¯d seen.


    ¡°Ten years¡­ all for that¡­¡± he kept repeating to Victor. Between the both of them they hadn¡¯t the motivation to go much further. It was at times like these that got Victor thinking he should¡¯ve stayed behind with Audrey all those years ago. He didn¡¯t know how it would go but it would¡¯ve been better than this, wouldn¡¯t it?


    Even if it was a false life, where they didn¡¯t know the outcome of his family. He shuddered to think what that meant for him and his family.


    No¡­ No, he couldn¡¯t talk like that. If he started considering it, he¡¯d never stop. And then he didn¡¯t know what he¡¯d do.


    Victor let his foot off of the pedal and watched the car speed up all the way down the hills. They¡¯d taken a winding way towards it, but it was finally time. But when he found the city, it was more alien than any other he¡¯d seen.


    It was almost like a second settlement had been built over the first. Supports jutted out of the ground in the middle of roads and in the middle of shops, holding up buildings that fit no style that Victor had seen on earth.


    Gold and white painted the buildings, in the form of actual metal or marble. Those buildings had balconies and large platforms for landing things that Victor couldn¡¯t see. But he didn¡¯t see any Gate around that justified the giant settlement.


    The only one he could see was the one that had started it all. The main Gate that had started it all. The one most had begun to call the Road to Hell. He hated the fact he could see it so clearly from his own home. There were even bridges extending from the damn thing, leading right towards him.


    Though he hated to see the influence of Imperials in his town, Victor had larger matters to attend to.


    ¡°Can you believe it? Those bastards converted my city into this,¡± Victor complained to Amadeus, who still didn¡¯t respond. He sighed, conceding that he couldn¡¯t force him to talk.


    Victor drove down the foreign roads until he finally found one that seemed familiar. He knew it well even after all these years and the numerous obstacles in his way. This was the path he took back to his house every day.


    Victor drove around the distractions and made it to the front of the house. This was it, where he would find the answers to his questions. A sense of finality filled Victor¡¯s heart, for reasons he couldn¡¯t name at the moment.


    He was afraid, he knew that much. But Amadeus came out with him, and that helped a little.


    ¡°Thanks, Am.¡±


    They both stepped forward and he clutched the door handle. It opened easy enough, and on instinct Victor shouted out.


    ¡°I¡¯m home!¡±


    But no one replied. He stepped forward regardless and looked around his house for the first time in a long while.


    It was a bit funny how little things had changed. Everything was where it was supposed to be. The cookie jar was in the overhead cupboards so Charlie and Vivian couldn¡¯t reach it. There was food in the microwave for when they¡¯d want to eat it. And He could see his dad¡¯s glasses on the counter where he usually forgot them.


    He was looking at his home, but it looked twisted to him. there were years of dust on his father¡¯s glasses. The food in the microwave had gotten rotten and gave off a disgusting smell. And the jars in the cupboards were filled with mold.


    Something was wrong here, and he could feel it in his bones.


    Victor rushed out of the kitchen and back into the main hallway.


    ¡°Mom! Dad!¡± he shouted for them. No reply.


    ¡°Vivian! Charlie!¡± he tried again. No reply.


    ¡°Come out, it¡¯s me! Please!¡±


    He kept his shouting up until they reached the lounge. There was supposed to be a TV there, but the entire room was blocked off by a boulder. A hole in the roof gave away its origin. And underneath it he could see a single decomposed hand, one who¡¯s sleeves were all too familiar to him as a boy.


    One who¡¯s finger had a beautiful ring on it. It was his father¡¯s hand under that boulder, and it wasn¡¯t the only one.


    Around it he could see more skeletons. Those that wore the clothing of his mother, his sister and his brother. What¡­ had they been doing?


    But he knew the answer all too well. They were cheapskates. Probably had only a single AC on in the place to save on the electricity bill. And it had cost them their lives.


    A welp came from Victor¡¯s throat without his knowledge. A tear formed in his eyes afterwards. He tried so hard to keep it in, to not break down, until a hand pressed against his back.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Vic¡­¡±


    ¡°Auug¡­. Aaaa¡­ AAAAAAA-¡±


    His screams devolved into an inhuman voice that he couldn¡¯t recognize. He slammed his fists against the floor and broke it easily. His nails scratched into it and bled at the friction. And he kept screaming and screaming until his throat ran dry.


    Victor didn¡¯t know how long had passed when he looked up. Looked up at the beautiful starry sky that he used to fall asleep to. What the hell was he supposed to do? What was the point of all this power when he couldn¡¯t even save the ones he loved?


    What had they done to deserve the invasion of monsters? Had humanity truly deserved this end? Dying out to a species of monsters who could level cities, destroy buildings and crush mountains? And all they had in return were the pesky abilities they harvested from them?


    It was an unfair game. And he refused to play it any longer.


    He wiped his eyes. A light entered his vision and forced him to squint.


    ¡°What is¡­¡± he said with a shaky voice.


    In his vision, something happened in the ocean. He and Amadeus climbed the boulder and stood to watch over as another Gate opened. One much larger, much wider than the one before. The pillar of light was so bright it made the city light up like it was daytime.


    And from inside it came only a single solitary figure. Something in the shape of a human, but with its features and colours shifting every moment. It looked like a glowing oil reflection that switched between male and female every second. The disorienting sight forced Victor to raise his hand.


    The figure moved forward slowly. Behind it, more monsters popped out from the Gate. Imperials, who looked like gold and white knights. Titans, whose legs extended deep below into the ocean as they let out an eldritch scream. Hives of Vintarics that fluttered in the sky followed by Angelos.


    A million other kinds of monsters also appeared. Everywhere the shifting figure walked, more Gates seemed to pop open and monsters followed. It was the single largest collection of them that Victor had seen in his life.


    Opposite to the Gate came something else. A large tear in the world that opened a city-length wide. It didn¡¯t feel like a Gate to Victor, and those suspicions were confirmed when the first of the humans made their way through it. Some were dressed in armour and wielded guns, others only their powers and fists.


    There were blades alight and a thousand different forms of energy glowing in the air at their arrival, but Victor knew it wouldn¡¯t be enough. The all-consuming army of the monsters was just too big.


    ¡°We have to help them,¡± Amadeus said. Amadeus, who had been too broken to even utter a word before.


    ¡°I mean, what else are we going to do?¡± he added. Victor chuckled.


    ¡°Guess you¡¯re right.¡±


    Victor jumped down towards their BMW. He popped open the truck and took out the cases. There were several inside and he took each one. Then he spread them out to reveal rifles, shotguns, rocket launchers and more. He¡¯d been collecting every variety he could for as long as they¡¯d been travelling.


    The figure of oil approached his location but didn¡¯t notice Victor at all. It was for the best, because what he was about to do required complete concentration.


    Victor focused on the Weaponsmith Heart that had guided him all these years. He breathed in and let it envelop the whole of his being.


    After leaving Los Angeles, Victor had found something peculiar about his abilities. They were ranked in different layers. It started at Layer One, which he called the Base Layer. There were the abilities that his Seed granted him immediately upon integrating it.


    It went through Layers Two to Five, all the way from Initiated to Master. He¡¯d never unlocked a Master ability, but he¡¯d gotten close enough. And that was Layer Four, where the Combination Forge had become available to him.


    He didn¡¯t know the specifics, only that it was his trump card from then on. Victor held his pistol in one hand and the rifle in the other. And he activated the Combination Forge.


    Immediately, the two guns broke apart into pieces. They reforged themselves a moment later, into something impossible and powerful. Victor then went one by one, touching and reforging until he¡¯d melded all of his weaponry together into a single firearm.


    The weapon he¡¯d made had no name. It was the length of a car and thick as a tree trunk. It would¡¯ve been almost impossible to wield had it not been for his strength. Victor hoisted it up to his shoulders and aimed through one of the various scopes on the device, right at the oil figure.


    He infused the weapon, causing blue flames to burst open across the seams. He then let the red aura of Flame Bullet consume it. The weapon charged up and Amadeus stepped forward to hold it as well. Both of their strength fed into it as a single beam of condensed power shot out.


    Victor put his every being into the attack. It would¡¯ve taken out an Angelo by itself had he done it alone. But he kept pushing more power into it, even as his Weaponsmith Heart cracked into pieces, even as it pained him to do so.


    And the beam mauled the figure in an instant. All eyes turned towards the sight of the explosion in the skies. It sent a wave of dust blowing back on the ground. Victor felt his Weaponsmith Heart crack in that instant and break apart, just as the Combination Forge did.


    But that was of no concern to him. He waited for the figure to fall from the skies with bated breath, but it never did. Instead, the figure looked at him with curiosity through the explosion. Not annoyed, not angered, simply¡­ intrigued. The monster grew out long twisting hair and waved slowly through the air.


    The entire assembled human army fell apart from a barrage of attacks that came out of nowhere. Their magic failed and they died pathetically. Victor repeated his question to the world. Where was the fairness in it all?


    The world responded in the form of a glowing blade of light. One that parted the heavens and dropped down into Charleston, ending his life.

 Chapter 13: Goin Mad

    Time stopped in that instant. Inches from his eyes, the blade halted in its path. Victor¡¯s mouth was open, the world around him paused like a show.


    [Your end is not here, Prospect Amadi. Not when the lives of billions depend on you.]


    He wouldn¡¯t hear those words, of course. But they sounded throughout the universe despite that.


    And then a burst of light came from Victor¡¯s eyes. Golden and gleaming, it shot through the air, piercing the skies and reaching into space. It was the only thing moving, the only thing alive in the stopped time. That gleaming beam of light coalesced into the shape of two hand clocks, shortening and condensing into pure power beyond the reaches of this universe.


    The clock hands spun backwards, becoming an unnoticeable shape of light that passed over and through Victor instantly.


    Then it was all gone, and Victor was back home. He had his legs kicked up on his table, a coke in his hand and the news playing on the TV.


    ¡°A yellow beam of light has been spotted appearing over the Atlantic Ocean. Now, so far we don¡¯t know what it means, but we¡¯ll be reporting in every second so stay tuned! Charlie, take us closer!¡± the newscaster reported.


    The first thing Victor felt was the headache coming on. He turned off the news and put his coke back on the table.


    ¡°What¡­ the hell¡­¡±


    [Seed Integrated: Timewalker¡¯s Origin]


    [Ability Unlocked: Unlock Sense of Time]


    [Ability Unlocked: Anchor Placement]


    [Ability Unlocked: Carryover Bestiary]


    [Ability Unlocked: Carryover Item Compendium]


    He never got the chance to think it a nightmare. The screens in front of him were clear as day, and even if he looked away, a woman¡¯s voice alerted him to his new abiltiies. No, it couldn¡¯t be a nightmare, not when it had felt so real. Not when ten whole years of his life had been spent in that hellhole.


    Victor looked back up at the TV, and then outside, where he knew the monsters would be arriving. No, this wasn¡¯t a nightmare, this was a second chance.


    But how he¡¯d received it, and who had given it to him? that he would find out immediately. The Timewalker¡¯s Origin, whatever it was, ticked inside of Victor¡¯s heart. He could close his eyes and find it right there amidst blackness, a mobius strip of clock hands that never stopped. Something about it felt stronger than the Weaponsmith Heart, but Victor couldn¡¯t place the feeling. It was¡­ as if it was pinned deeper into the universe.


    Unconsciously, Victor brought up the item compendium and the Seed he¡¯d gotten within.


    [[Timewalker¡¯s Origin]:


    A Seed that provides its user the ability to move through and manipulate time.]


    That¡¯s it? No, something¡¯s wrong here! Every item, every monster and every ability he¡¯d seen so far sounded like it came from someone¡¯s view. that someone had written it down specifically. This? This was the most cold and clinical description he¡¯d gotten yet.


    And the strangeness didn¡¯t cease there. Victor took a look at his newly unlocked abilities as well.


    [[Carryover Bestiary]: (Requirement: Complete a Single Loop) Information recorded in your Bestiary is carried over between Resets.]


    [[Carryover Item Compendium]: (Requirement: Complete a Single Loop) Information recorded in your Item Compendium is carried over between Resets.]


    A single loop? Did that mean he had to go through all of that again, multiple times? The sheer thought of it made him buckle under his feet. But those thoughts could wait later. He needed to get the full picture.


    [[Unlock Sense of Time]: (Requirement: Complete a Single Loop) Lets you sense the flow of time and changes that happen within the timeline. The more this grows, the more you become aware about the sense of time and other users¡¯ manipulation of it. You can slow down your perception of time or speed it up as well.]


    That explained the new stat as well. But it beggared a question. Were there any others with the same powers?


    He¡¯d seen a fair share of powerful Wielders, those who¡¯d lucked out with Seeds synergistic that rose them to heights above anyone else. Could it have been premonition instead of luck after all? There was only one ability left for Victor to see, and he could feel the importance of it.


    [[Anchor Placement]: (Requirement: None) This is a single-use ability that automatically places an anchor in time when you first receive this Seed. You can reset to this anchor in time upon your death.


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Returning by death can only be done after ten years have been passed in the timeline so as to recharge it.]


    And once again, just a plain explanation. But Victor wasn¡¯t satisfied with just that. He wanted to know more, and so he looked at a feature he¡¯d unlocked long ago.


    The layers of his abilities spread out before him like a tree. Some of them were self-explanatory, such as Slowdown or Speedup, but others like Carryover Spirit and Slice of Time confused him. and worst of all was the fact he couldn¡¯t view them beyond their names. It annoyed him to no end, but he had no time for a tantrum.


    If he could trust the words of the ability, and his own mind to not be playing tricks on him, it was going to be amazing!


    He had started pacing around his house without even knowing why. That meant he was really back to 2028. He could right the wrongs of what happened in Los Angelas. He could get to his parents faster, save Amadeus¡¯ family and prevent any other disasters along the way.


    The way the monsters¡¯ army had looked, he¡¯d need to too.


    The time limit on the ability unnerved him. It meant he couldn¡¯t rest on his laurels just because he could return back. His anchor was moments after the news of the Gate opening had broken through. He¡¯d have to remember that for the future.


    Ten whole years. That¡¯s how long I¡¯ve got¡­ Shit, Amadeus!


    He realized only then that he¡¯d been wasting time. Victor grabbed his jacket, haphazardly packed a bag with clothes and some money, before running out. He grabbed a knife out of his kitchen and tried Basic Strengthening as he ran down the hall. There was only a single other woman there who looked scared as he came running out of his apartment.


    It took a moment for it to set in why he couldn¡¯t use his Strengthening on the blade. Or even Infuse it, or Siphon his own strength into it. Because he no longer had the Weaponsmith Heart.


    The woman stood frozen in front of the elevator and Victor grunted. He threw his knife aside and took the stairs downstairs. That was going to take some getting used to. From taking down Angelos to barely able to take on a Vintaric child again.


    He¡¯d hated the feeling of powerlessness. But in turn, he¡¯d gotten far more power from it than he ever could. Victor ran out of his apartment complex into the streets of Oakland. People danced to music and drank coffee outside in shops. Not a single one of them knew what was to happen.


    Victor felt a responsibility to shout out at them, tell them what was coming, but he knew it was a worthless effort. They¡¯d either think him insane like the woman he¡¯d left scared, or detain him entirely for his ramblings. And Victor couldn¡¯t afford that when he needed to meet with someone.


    He ran around until he reached his car. The second-hand red Mustang was his most prized possession, and two steps in the grave already. He¡¯d stopped himself from taking it to work, promising himself he¡¯d have it checked once he got back. He hadn¡¯t intended to take 10 years to fulfil that.


    Victor jumped into the car and belted himself in before stepping on the gas. He took it to the autoshop and stopped abruptly in front of one of the mechanics. They threw a curse at him and Victor muttered an apology before heading up to the main man.


    ¡°I need the wheels replaced, quick.¡±


    The old man took an annoyingly long swig of his beer.


    ¡°Mustang? Nice choice, kid. It¡¯ll take a few hours though, too busy servicin¡¯ some others,¡± the man replied with a southern twang.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have the time. How much do I need to pay you for a rush order?¡± Victor asked. On a small old-fashioned tv by a table the news was replaying the event of the Gate and repeating back things by the moment.


    ¡°Seem like you¡¯re in a hurry. Eh, tell you what, six hundred dollars for the full install and I¡¯ll get it done in the hour,¡± the man replied with another swig.


    Victor didn¡¯t care, slapping the money down in front of him along with his number. He then ran as quickly as he could to a shop.


    The heat was bad enough, but the movement in his work clothes made Victor work up a sweat.


    ¡°Hella hot day for the end of the world,¡± he muttered to himself as he ran inside of a shop. Victor cursed upon finding out he wasn¡¯t the first, second or even hundredth person there.


    The entire convenience store was crowded with people fighting over groceries and pulling at each other¡¯s hairs. The employees were running all over the place trying to placate the people but it seemed the crisis was only growing.


    Damned as it seemed, Victor rushed over to the tools aisle and found himself five gas canisters that seemed big enough. Feeling a bit bad about the whole thing, he left some money in its place as he came running out of the store.


    Not that it would matter in a few hours. He ran back immediately to the autoshop and threw the canisters inside while the people there worked on it. They looked at him like a madman but he didn¡¯t care for the gazes as he ran back. Though he did glance at the Mustang and found the job a fourth of the way done.


    Then came the hardest part, the gun store. Surprisingly, there wasn¡¯t a big rush there. But that was because the man at the helm of the shop was holding a shotgun menacingly. He was the very picture of a redneck, bald and with a heavy beard speckled with grey. He wore a biker jacket and stared at Victor for a hard moment before speaking.


    ¡°You going to act as crazy as the others or no?¡± the man asked.


    ¡°Just here for a gun, man,¡± Victor replied as he wiped the sweat from his brow.


    ¡°You¡¯re not getting it that fast,¡± the man replied, shaking his head. The hell is he on about?


    ¡°Why not?¡± Victor asked, slamming his hands down on the table. The man moved his shotgun slightly and Victor took them off. What a shame would it be to travel all these years back in time just to meet a gun to the face.


    ¡°People are goin¡¯ mad out there. I like this place and I don¡¯t want to see a shooting on the news with my pieces in the middle of it all,¡± the gun store owner replied.


    ¡°You don¡¯t understand. I really need these. There¡¯s things coming that¡¯ll¡­¡±


    Victor stopped himself. That was only going to make the man more wary of him. He straightened himself and took the mad gleam out of his eye as best as he could.


    ¡°Look, I need a piece to defend myself. Couldn¡¯t you just sell me one? I¡¯ll go through the whole process, whatever it takes,¡± Victor offered.


    ¡°The ¡®entire process¡¯ isn¡¯t something you could do just that quick,¡± the owner replied.


    Victor tried to cozy up to the man, laying a hand lazily on the counter.


    ¡°Look, between you and me, can¡¯t we speed it up? I promise I¡¯ll bring whatever you need later. But I really need this now. And I¡¯m willing to pay you as much as you want,¡± Victor bribed the man.


    The owner quirked an eyebrow at Victor. He smiled, as the owner lowered his shotgun down. And then picked him up to throw him to the curb. The owner looked down at him with disdain, slamming the door right in his face.


    Victor tried struggling of course. But the man had a grip like iron. It was almost funny in how absurd it was. He was a Wielder, and yet he¡¯d lost to a man with no powers at all. He would¡¯ve laughed if he didn¡¯t think tears would follow.

 Chapter 14: White Collar

    He could feel bad and mope around all he wanted some other time. Victor peeled himself off of the floor and took off in a sprint again, cursing the name of the gun store owner. He ran until he finally reached the autoshop again, where the mechanics looked as worn out as him.


    Victor took a glance at their shoddy work and clicked his tongue. A Mustang ought to be treated better in his opinion but he didn¡¯t care. The black tired installed were better than his old ones, and that¡¯s all he needed.


    Victor only offered the barest of byes to the men at the autoshop before taking off towards the pump. Again, many had his ideas and already were taking up the place, but Victor was persistent. He took into line and waited the whole hour in painful suspense. He couldn¡¯t move, couldn¡¯t concede his spot until the time was right.


    And finally it came, he filled up the canisters and drove off quick as ever. The next location was perhaps the most important in his entire trip. Victor parked right in front of the Gilroy Gardens theme park. He walked inside, throwing money wherever he needed to and ran throughout the park searching.


    If he¡¯d played his cards right then¡­


    Victor stopped, as a mascot walked in front of him. It was a walking piece of garlic with sunglasses on. He¡¯d call it overly cheery now but a part of him wondered if that was due to the years of grime he¡¯d suffered.


    ¡°Hey there, fella! What¡¯s the rush!¡± Said the goofy creature. But even with the voice put on, Victor recognized the man underneath.


    ¡°Amadeus!¡± he shouted, hugging the man tightly. He kept that hug going even as people gathered around the place. Victor felt a pat on his back from costumed hands and heard an awkward chuckle.


    ¡°Well I like you too, buddy! But uh¡­ how do you know my name? And who are you?¡± Amadeus asked while waving at the onlookers.


    ¡°We need to talk, Am. Can you get out of that suit first?¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°During work hours? No can do, sir!¡± Amadeus said with a flourish.


    ¡°What if I told you the children were in danger?¡± Victor asked with a straight face. All the exaggeration faded from the man¡¯s movements and he only single word.


    ¡°How?¡±


    Amadeus took his sweet time taking the costume off while Victor waited. Each second was an hour, and the ticking of the Timewalker¡¯s Origin only made it sound longer.


    When Amadeus came out, he was still the gap-toothed idiot Victor remembered. Though he¡¯d forgotten how much they¡¯d grown in the meantime. The Am he knew in the future kept his hair cut short and had smile marks coming in around his face. It made Victor touch his own face inadvertently in response.


    ¡°What did you mean by the kids? And seriously, who are you?¡± Amadeus asked, confused.


    ¡°You need to come with me. Something horrible is about to happen. We know each other, but I don¡¯t have the time t-¡±


    ¡°Horrible like what? And you haven¡¯t told me your name,¡± Amadeus said, more than a little suspicious.


    ¡°I¡¯m Victor. We know each other in the future.¡±


    ¡°The future?¡±


    He stopped himself from shouting. Victor opened his mouth to explain, but a scream cut him off.


    A scream that was followed by the buzzing of wings he knew all too well. No¡­


    The skies filled with Vintarics, ones that Victor knew all too well from his previous life. They blotted out the sun and dived down, and all Victor could do was clutch his hands. No powers, no weapons and nothing on his body to save him.


    Dogs barked at the monsters but were snuffed out quickly. Men and women ran with their children and chaos erupted all across the park.


    ¡°What the¡­¡± Amadeus said in disbelief.


    ¡°Look carefully, Amadeus Levine. This is the ruin I was warning you about. Happy now?¡±


    Amadeus looked shaken by the monsters. His body was frozen like a deer in headlights.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got a car parked outside. We¡¯ll take that!¡± Victor grabbed onto his shoulders, urging him.


    ¡°¡­Isabelle. I need to find her first. And maybe some of the others too, if I can!¡± Amadeus replied.


    Isabelle? It had been years since he¡¯d even thought of the woman. So much so that he¡¯d forgotten her face entirely.


    ¡°Am, we don¡¯t have time! Look around you, does it look like I can save everyone?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°If you really do know me, please help me!¡± Amadeus begged. Victor grunted in anger. Couldn¡¯t it have been simpler? He just wanted his best friend with him before he left. In that moment Victor wanted to leave even Amadeus behind. After all, his was the most important life there.


    He could live out the ten years, come back with a different plan for them both. But something in the pleading of his friend¡¯s voice stopped him. Amadeus had been the only thing to get him through the years of worry he spent in thought of his family.


    Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    He¡¯d stuck by despite everything Victor had ordered him to do. And that meant a debt was owed, unchained by time.


    ¡°Fine. But just Izzy,¡± Victor told him. He and Amadeus grabbed blades and a taser from the lost and found section of the employee offices and ran back out armed to the teeth.


    The first Vintaric that came for them growled with spit in its mouth. It looked emaciated, so Victor ducked under its piercer and stabbed it right in the eye. Powers or no, he still had years of experience fighting the damn things.


    Some of it might¡¯ve been habits he¡¯d have to unlearn before getting his strength back, but other knowledge persisted. A second one came from behind and Amadeus launched the taser. It distracted the Vintaric long enough for Victor to slit open its throat.


    A short bloody path was carved through the park until Victor and Amadeus made it to the other end, where there was a group of survivors barricaded behind a few stands. Security guards stood inside with their guns up, shooting shots at the approaching Vintarics.


    ¡°Izzy¡¯s in there, we have to help them!¡± Amadeus told him.


    Of course she was. Victor looked around for anything he could use against the mindless bug monsters until he finally happened to glance at a speaker. That¡¯ll do.


    ¡°Am, make a park announcement. It should buy us some time to spread the survivors around!¡± Victor told him.


    Amadeus rushed away towards one of the speakers while Victor took to a corpse beside him. Sorry about this. But I¡¯ll need it more than you ever could. He grabbed the gun off of the body and fired off a few shots at an approaching Vintaric. The bug went down but the sound of the bullet attracted more towards him.


    Though the bugs were strong, they weren¡¯t smart. He shot a few of them out of the air while the others landed beside him. He stabbed those before they could rush in. The bugs didn¡¯t expect someone to be so callous, so the moment of panic served as his opening. Victor took more of them down until a small pile formed around him. He clicked his gun at another Vintaric, but found the clip empty.


    He instinctively tried to materialize more ammo, only to come up short. Damn it to hell! He threw the gun in the monster¡¯s face and stabbed his knife into its head. Annoyingly, it didn¡¯t die, only took off into the air in a frenzied flight.


    It left him a moment to breathe, where Victor looked around at the bodies around him and grunted once more. There was only a single Seed materialized on the ground, one that looked like a crystallized lightning bolt. Victor took it and scooped it into his jacket, because he knew who it was for.


    At the same time, Victor heard something over the speaker, garbled and filled with static.


    ¡°Attention everyone! Please evacuate the parks immediately. There are dangerous monsters roaming the park as we speak. Stick to groups, hide inside buildings, and find whatever you can to defend yourselves!¡± Amadeus announced to the group.


    He then got to playing an annoying tune over the speakers, one that pinched his ears. it was a Katy Pery song that took the bug¡¯s attentions away from the park-goers.


    Victor took that opportunity to rush over to the barricaded survivors, climbing over stalls that had suspiciously deep cuts in them. as if someone had taken a large cleaver and slashed into the defences.


    Some of the people on the other side were injured, with gashes deeper than the ones outside. Others cowered and wept. Only a single one among them looked composed. Green blood tainted a white collar shirt and deep maroon tie. The Asian-american man looked up at Victor and glanced back down at the creature below him. Victor saw something glowing sink into the man¡¯s skin for a split second before it disappeared.


    ¡°You, have you come to save us?¡± the man asked in a respectful tone.


    ¡°Y-yeah,¡± Victor replied hesitantly. He scanned over the crowd and winced at the sight he found. Isabelle was laid down on her back, a cut across her neck that had bled out only moments ago. How¡­ it had only been hours into the Fall, so how could he have made it even worse than before?


    ¡°You there,¡± Victor asked the man who had absorbed a Seed.


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve taken in something into your body. Can you feel it?¡± Victor asked. Slowly, the man nodded.


    ¡°Good. Learn how to wield it, and quickly. We¡¯re going to need to guide these people out of here,¡± Victor told him, climbing on top of the barricade.


    ¡°Listen to me! If you stay here, you¡¯ll die, that¡¯s a fact. Come along with me and I¡¯ll take you out, then you can go wherever you please. But if you want to survive getting out of this park, you¡¯ll have to stick close to me, understood?¡± He shouted out over the crowd. Some of the survivors remained catatonic, but they could be assisted. No one raised an objection to Victor, so he jumped down and towards the exit of the park.


    ¡°Good, then! Follow me!¡±


    Steadily, the group began to follow Victor¡¯s lead. The strong were on the outskirts while the weak and unwilling stayed inside the circular formation. They fashioned spears out of the dead Vintarics and their piercers, something Victor approved of.


    When the bugs got close, those with ammo would fire to scare them off. When they¡¯d land, the spears would poke at them till they left. And in the middle of it all, the Asian-american man that Victor had spoken to worked on his abilities. He couldn¡¯t very well except him to get it in the scant few minutes they had, but it was a hope at least.


    At last they made it to the entrance, but there were Vintarics still waiting for them. Even some of the Matricide Hives members were there, with their mantis-like claws and triangular heads.


    They were swarming around a small station beside the entrance, where Amadeus was.


    ¡°Am!¡± Victor shouted for him. the bugs were crushing the glass and squeezing past each other to get inside. But once they heard Victor¡¯s screams, their eyes turned towards him and his group.


    The bugs screamed and took to the air, leaving space between him and Amadeus.


    ¡°Take this!¡± Victor shouted for Amadeus. He threw the Crystallized Lightning right at Am¡¯s face. Amadeus caught it with a confused look, until he grew transfixed with it.


    Victor¡¯s words worked, as he absorbed the Seed a moment later. Victor smiled, but that was quickly left once he realized a Vintaric was gunning for him. Victor raised his arms to brace against the tackle, but he needn¡¯t have bothered.


    He heard the sound of wind cutting and a Vintaric barely missing his body. Victor opened his eyes and looked at the corpse, finding the same slashes down its cracked open head. He glanced backwards, where the Asian-american man was standing panting.


    But he couldn¡¯t savour the victory for long. More of the Vintarics were coming down, and Victor had to do carve a path through them.


    ¡°We can¡¯t leave unless we kill these monsters! If you¡¯re angry, use it! If you¡¯re scared, use it! We will not die here!¡± Victor shouted with a fist to the air. The others beside him followed suit, and Amadeus joined in as well.


    The Vintarics flew down and tried to take people into the skies. Spears poked at them and slashes went flying towards their bodies. A few lightning bolts even fired off from Amadeus¡¯ direction, bolstering the confidence of the people there.


    Men screamed as they mauled the Vintarics, a few Seeds even popping from their corpses. And with every passing moment their victory became more assured.


    When the last Vintaric fled from the scene, it flew away alone. The rest of its comrades were on the ground, dead or dying at the hands of green soaked soldiers. Victor was panting as well, but he was glad, because they¡¯d finally made it out.

 Chapter 15: Weapons in their Trunk

    The group didn¡¯t last a moment longer than it needed to once they were outside. Thankfully, the monsters had left the parking lot unmolested for the time being. Survivors broke apart into their own tiny groups, no bigger than three or four, and ran towards their cars, minivans, buggies and more.


    The only ones who didn¡¯t budge were Victor, a confused Amadeus and the Asian-american man that had helped them.


    ¡°Thank you for leading me out,¡± the man said once they were relatively alone.


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome? Don¡¯t you have some place to be going?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Not particularly.¡±


    And that was that.


    ¡°Vic, where¡¯s Izzy?¡± Amadeus asked with worry in his tone.


    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ sorry, Am, I couldn¡¯t save her.¡±


    Amadeus¡¯ mouth twisted into a frown, then anger as tears welled up inside. Victor placed a hand on his friend¡¯s shoulder and pulled him close for a hug. Amadeus returned the gesture, sniffing as he let tears out.


    ¡°Your family is still out there, Am. We can¡¯t waste even a moment,¡± Victor told him. He opened his Samsung whatever and glanced at the time to find himself late. He needed to get back to the gun store, which was hopefully abandoned at that point.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ yeah, they need me,¡± Amadeus replied. Victor threw him the keys to his mustang as he sized up the other man staying there.


    ¡°You¡¯re not going anywhere, are you?¡± Victor asked. The man just shrugged, unfazed by anything around him.


    ¡°Would you mind if I came along with both of you? Seeing as you might need my help,¡± the man said respectfully.


    ¡°A name would be helpful first,¡± Victor said.


    ¡°Loki.¡±


    ¡°Like the Marvel character?¡±


    ¡°¡­.Yes,¡± the man seemed embarrassed by the origins. Victor decided not to drill him further. He¡¯d seen dumber names, he¡¯d supposed.


    ¡°Victor,¡± he replied with a hand extended. Loki shook it and the both of them waited for Amadeus to pull the car in front of them.


    Gilroy Gardens burnt up in smoke behind them as they drove off. Amadeus was in the shotgun seat while Loki took the back and none among them dared glance back.


    To Victor, this was almost a victory. But then again, his standards for those had fallen massively over the years. Coming out alive with his limbs intact and not a single new scar to show for it was a bonus in his eyes. And the fact they¡¯d accomplished it in time to come back to the store too.


    But he knew those words wouldn¡¯t sate the despair the others felt. They¡¯d need to learn to steel themselves against it, only for so long as it took Victor to find a way out.


    [Ability Unlocked: Sense of Time Boost]


    ****


    The streets of Oakland had crowded up way faster than Victor would¡¯ve thought. But at least the drive back had shown him what exactly had happened to lake Merritt. The bugs were taking bodies away from the streets and throwing them to the waters.


    It was a gruesome sight, seeing so many of them float back towards the surface and just hang there. Victor grabbed the wheel tight while the other two stared out ahead into the desecration.


    ¡°We¡¯ll need whatever weapons we can find, and then leave,¡± Victor said out loud.


    ¡°Your car seems well-stocked already. Couldn¡¯t you have found weaponry as well?¡± Loki asked from the back.


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    ¡°I¡­¡± he almost blurted out the secret. Stupid. ¡°I was a doomsday prepper. Knew something like this would happen sooner or later.¡±


    ¡°That giant bugs would fall from the sky and start eating people?¡± Loki asked. The way he said it made him sound suspicious.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m cracked in the head. Does it really matter now?¡± Victor asked.


    Loki sat back in his chair. Victor looked at him from the rearview. It was drooping, but angled just right enough for him to catch the scowl on Loki¡¯s face.


    As they continued deeper into Oakland, Victor swerved onto the sidewalk. He hadn¡¯t the luxury to park his car like Amadeus did before. There were people running past Victor while he drove, but he had to turn his eyes away from them.


    He was too important. Too important to waste on lives. He told himself that he¡¯d save them later, when he was strong enough, smart enough. It was just enough to drown out the screams.


    Pulling up near the street where the gun store was located, Victor parked his Mustang. Though he didn¡¯t remember the place exactly, he knew it by the name. Tommy¡¯s Guns and Tactical was it¡¯s name, and it had newly cracked windows.


    Victor looked inside of it and saw Vintarics biting down on the weaponry from his car.


    ¡°We¡¯ll need to kill those ones if we want the weapons. Are you both ready?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°A-are you sure we can?¡± Amadeus asked. He looked terrified of the monsters.


    ¡°You¡¯ve killed them before. Just aim and fire your Seed.¡±


    ¡°Only once! What if I miss?¡± Amadeus asked.


    Oh¡­ he¡¯d almost forgotten that he¡¯d had the Seed only for an hour or so.


    ¡°Loki will help, right?¡± Victor eyed the man.


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    ¡°And you?¡± Amadeus spoke once again.


    ¡°I¡¯ll stick behind, I¡­ can¡¯t risk it when I don¡¯t have any Seeds,¡± Victor told him.


    Though Victor could feel the trepidation coming from Amadeus, he still urged the man out of the car. The three of them moved quietly across the pavement until they reached the outskirts of the shop. Victor thought he could almost feel the Weaponsmith Heart inside.


    He felt incomplete without the Seed, like he was missing a limb. Thankfully, that would be rectified in just a bit.


    ¡°Now!¡± Victor whispered.


    Loki and Amadeus both stood up. Lightning crackled across Amadeus¡¯ fingers while invisible cuts sheared the Vintarics apart in an instant. The sound attracted some from the skies, but Victor ordered them inside before they could be spotted.


    They hid behind the counter and Victor got a distinct sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu. Only Isabelle wasn¡¯t around this time. Next time, I¡¯ll get her next time¡­ he told himself. But if he could save his parents this time, would there really be a next time?


    Get out of your own head, idiot.


    ¡°We made a hella lot of noise, so we have to hurry. Grab the AR-15s and Glocks, but leave the shotguns,¡± Victor ordered them. while they scoured the place, he searched around the Vintaric corpses. He turned each and every one of them over only to realize with horror that something was wrong.


    No, wait¡­ He kept flipping them over in the dim hope the Seed was obscured or covered in blood, but nothing. The Weaponsmith Heart simply wasn¡¯t there.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Victor cursed.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Loki asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s not here!¡± Victor said in anger.


    ¡°What isn¡¯t?¡± Loki said.


    ¡°The Seed. It was supposed to be here!¡±


    Loki looked even more suspicious of him then, and Victor decided to stop revealing himself.


    ¡°I saw a bug carrying one into the shop. I thought he¡¯d have one,¡± he lied through his teeth. He knew Amadeus could tell, but the man didn¡¯t speak up.


    ¡°I¡¯ll protect you in its stead, Victor,¡± Loki told him. If he was trying to sound helpful, it wasn¡¯t helping.


    ¡°Just take the weapons and let¡¯s go. We need to get out of here as fast as we can,¡± Victor told them.


    They hauled out of the shop carrying as much ammo as they could. With Victor¡¯s help, they even avoided the spotlight of the patrolling Vintarics and made it all the way to the end of the street where their car was parked.


    Large insect-like monsters hopped between the blocks while they revved the engine, some cross between a Titan and a Vintaric. It made them jump in their seats but Victor finally got the engine started and slammed his legs on the break.


    ¡°Where to now?¡± Amadeus asked.


    ¡°Straight to Charleston.¡±


    ¡°But my kids are in Washington,¡± Amadeus told him.


    ¡°So are my parents,¡± Loki added. Victor perked up for a moment, since that was the first bit of information about himself the man had readily offered.


    ¡°They¡¯re close, so we¡¯ll hit both locations,¡± he said as he swerved around a large insect in his path. It chittered loudly at him and Loki aimed his hand at the beast.


    ¡°Don¡¯t! We don¡¯t have the time,¡± Victor shouted.


    They made it out of the town and got another clear look at the bloody lake that had formed. Victor glanced at the time and realized he¡¯d been faster only by a bit. He also realized what exactly the purpose of the lake had been.


    He could see the large beetle Vintarics jumping over to the coast. A feeder extended from their mouths that sucked in blood from the lake before they returned. It was a grotesque sight for Victor, even though he couldn¡¯t look away. The blood was visibly flowing through their bodies, feeding them and strengthening them in some form.


    Once the Vintarics were done, Victor saw them back away and continue their patrol. And his group too left the premises of the town, weapons in their trunk and another boost to Victor¡¯s stats.


    [Ability Unlocked: Strength Boost]

 Chapter 16: Finger Raised

    What was it deep inside his chest, ticking away by the second? What was it that kept him alive and back in the world. Victor waved his own hand through the air, rolling and unrolling his fingers every second. It was normal. He could feel it.


    He still couldn¡¯t believe the second chance he¡¯d been given, nor how he had gotten it. But kept wondering, because there was nothing else to do in the car at the moment. He¡¯d taken a glance at the reason for his newly acquired boosts. There was always a requirement for the unlocks. But all they¡¯d told him was that he¡¯d hurried up.


    Amadeus was taking the wheel this time. Victor had urged him to go fast, and the man had taken it to heart. They¡¯re destination wouldn¡¯t be far off now, he supposed. Only a few more hours. But those hours were spent restless.


    Loki hadn¡¯t had the troubles he did. The man took to his Seed like a bird to flight. Every hour he¡¯d discover a new way to slash, cut and slice apart cans of soda, wrappers and pieces of wood and rock they¡¯d find along the way. It was curious to Victor. He¡¯d never seen a man progress so fast with his own Seed.


    ¡°How are you doing that?¡± Victor asked him. Loki¡¯s hand was held outside of the window. He kept firing slashes even if they hit nothing. Always experimenting, always trying.


    ¡°I... don¡¯t know,¡± Loki replied.


    ¡°Keep at it then. The better you get, the easier it¡¯ll be for us to get past those Vintarics,¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°You still have not told me how you know their names,¡± Loki said. His prim and proper tone was starting to grate on Victor.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I can see everything like a menu from a videogame. That means the enemies too,¡± Victor replied. A partial lie, but one that was necessary. He didn¡¯t want to explain something he didn¡¯t understand himself.


    Some people saw the menus. Had their powers stratified and given with clear information. While others had to feel around for the powers, like massaging a muscle. He¡¯d met an equal number of both over the years, though Victor could never piece together what made them so different.


    Maybe it was just a simple flip of a coin.


    ¡°Say, you haven¡¯t told us anything about yourself, Loki.¡± Amadeus asked him. He seemed in better spirits now, so Victor let him poke at Loki.


    ¡°What is there to know?¡±


    ¡°What did you do before all this?¡±


    ¡°I was a mechanical engineer.¡±


    ¡°Could you hook up a generator to the car then?¡±


    ¡°You want to charge the car yourself?¡± Loki asked.


    ¡°If Amadeus can charge our phones, I don¡¯t see why he can¡¯t do the same for a car,¡± Victor interjected.


    ¡°Might be a tall order, though,¡± Amadeus replied.


    ¡°Nonsense. You just need practice,¡± Victor said from the back seat. He¡¯d said it offhandedly, lost in thought of how to progress his Timewalker¡¯s Origin.


    The road bumped by and their conversation continued. Amadeus was cheery throughout the entire investigation, to the clear annoyance of Loki.


    ¡°What about a brother?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Sister?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re an only child?¡± Amadeus asked.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°No wonder you¡¯re so gloomy then. When we get to the Group Home, I¡¯ll introduce you to the other kids there, alright?¡±


    ¡°Why would I need to meet a bunch of children?¡± Loki asked.


    Amadeus gasped in mock offense.


    ¡°They¡¯re not just ¡®a bunch of children¡¯! All of my brothers and sisters are amazing kids!¡±


    ¡°Mother and father often said the same, heh,¡± Loki chuckled for once, but it was a mirthless giggle. Victor glanced over for a moment but decided to ignore it. It wasn¡¯t his problem. His were much greater in fact.


    ¡°Jaune can be a bit of a pain, but he¡¯s great at cooking. Never ask for French toast though, he¡¯ll burn it. Though Tiffany enjoys it, so he keeps making them. And Dean¡¯s been trying to kick sugar out of his diet, so he usually lets her have it¡­¡±


    Amadeus kept speaking even as Loki started staring out of the window. He even pulled out his wallet and started showing pictures unprompted. Victor chuckled at Loki¡¯s expense, until they almost hit something on the road.


    ¡°Hehe¡­¡± Amadeus chuckled nervously.


    ¡°Really, Am, there¡¯s enough things out there trying to kill us already,¡± Victor said begrudgingly. His heart had almost leaped out of his chest when they were inches from the truck parked on the road.


    ¡°He really is passionate about them, isn¡¯t he?¡± Loki asked him.


    ¡°More than anything,¡± Amadeus replied. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t know what to do without them,¡± he added as sparks crackled up his arms. Thankfully the wheel was made of leather, and so the sparks did nothing.


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    Victor wanted to open his mouth then. Brace Amadeus for the worst. It¡¯d certainly make it easier if and when he found them¡­ gone again. But would he want someone to do the same for him?


    No¡­ We¡¯ll find them together. Alive and well.


    They arrived back at Los Angelas, and Victor felt a bit of relief. He was here two days earlier, by his estimate. Though the city was still as ragged as ever, those days would be invaluable for getting the fuel they needed right now.


    Now, he only needed to get the attention of someone special.


    ****


    They were done for. That¡¯s what Audrey Wilson thought as she sat bleeding from her hands. they¡¯d slashed her wrists and it was bleeding profusely. Dean sat by her and spoke in accented gibberish trying to console her. The monsters, he called them Vintarics for some reason, were going to come down and end them.


    Umer stood in front of the blockaded little caf¨¦ they were hiding inside. He and the others were fending them off as best as they could, but she knew that sacrifices would need to be made. The gunfire drowned out most noise, but she could still hear daphne beside her.


    ¡°You¡¯re not well, Audrey. Dean, can¡¯t you help her?!¡± she said. Her thick English accent shined through with every word. Audrey chuckled, she used to find it so annoying.


    ¡°It¡¯s a grand situation you put us in, Audrey,¡± Dean scolded her.


    But she could hear the worry in his voice. His hand was pressed over her arms and he was focusing as hard as he could. Green energy flashed in his eyes, but it never stuck for more than a moment.


    Daphne looked deep in thought, teeth grinding against each other. Then finally, she took a rifle, something that looked comical in the aged woman¡¯s hands, and rose up.


    ¡°Dean, take her out the back entrance. Me and the boys¡¯ll try our best to fend off these wretched beasts,¡± she told the both of them.


    And then she ran out. Dean picked Audrey up even at her protest and started hauling her backwards. They made it out and into the alley too. All throughout they heard the sounds of gunfire, until it suddenly stopped.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± Audrey asked, delirious. The loss of blood had really done her in.


    ¡°You can come out now!¡± a voice called out from far away. But it wasn¡¯t anyone she knew. It was young and determined sounding, like a boy might.


    When they didn¡¯t respond, the voice called out again.


    ¡°Audrey! Listen to the boy!¡± Daphne shouted, and that was enough.


    Regrouping on the other side of the building, she saw three new figures meshed in with her group. A young black man, broad shouldered and with amber eyes. A blonde pasty-faced boy and a Korean behind the two of them.


    All of them looked like they were fresh out of college, and had had various levels of success professionally.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry we couldn¡¯t make it sooner, Mrs¡­¡± their leader asked.


    ¡°Wilson. What about you, boy? You don¡¯t look like you¡¯re from around here,¡± Audrey asked.


    ¡°We were going home. Ever since all of¡­ ¡± he waved a finger through the air, ¡°We¡¯ve been driving across the country. We saw you in the middle of it all and well, we had the weapons already, so why not help?¡±


    She could tell something was off about the boy by his looks. He tried to put on a brave face but there was something hidden behind them. The part that annoyed her the most was that despite those signs, she couldn¡¯t ignore help when given.


    ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡±


    ¡°Victor Amadi. This here is Amadeus Levine and Loki smith,¡± the boy pointed towards the rest of his crew.


    ¡°And where exactly are you headed?¡± she asked him.


    ¡°Charleston,¡± he replied without a beat.


    That one didn¡¯t seem like a lie. Which means he¡¯d be out of her hair soon enough.


    ¡°Well, let¡¯s not stay here to talk. We don¡¯t know when those bugs will show up again,¡± Audrey grumbled.


    Victor helped some of the other survivors who were in bad shape. That included the Irina couple, who had made it by the skin of their teeth. Vladimir complained as always, but at least he was alive. His wife fussed over him, hefting a rifle much too big for her.


    Victor helped them without complaint, listening to the man¡¯s ramblings all the way back to Angel Heights.


    ****


    He¡¯d finally gotten in. The new faces were troubling for Victor though. Vladimir and his wife were the only people pale enough to be Elsa¡¯s parents, so he was glad to have gotten them out, so it wasn¡¯t them.


    It was the other woman, Daphne. He¡¯d never heard about the Englishwoman before, but then again he¡¯d been at Angel Heights for a scant few days. There had been enough hustle and bustle that leaving out details wouldn¡¯t be amiss.


    Whatever. Just need to get myself out of here fa- Victor¡¯s train of thought stopped immediately.


    Lillie was walking down the stairwell with a confused expression on her face. Her unblemished face had faded from his mind so long ago. He¡¯d wanted to shove those feelings deep inside. She was the first¡­ the first person he¡¯d ever let die.


    But not the last. He¡¯d failed many more after that. Each time, forgetting what they looked like help. Made it so that they didn¡¯t haunt his nightmares. He¡¯d even had people with specific Seeds excise them from his mind, just so he could sleep at night.


    But seeing her here again, he wanted to run and wrap her in a hug. Victor started to, even, before a finger raised towards him.


    ¡°Who did you bring in, Audrey?¡± she asked with an accusatory tone.


    ¡°Lil¡­.¡± The name died in his mouth. Seems it hadn¡¯t set in for him yet. These people didn¡¯t know him.


    ¡°Victor Amadi. He¡¯s a good lad, so treat him nicely, will you?¡± Audrey asked of her.


    ¡°If you say so,¡± Lillie replied, shrugging. She walked past him and towards the injured without another word, leaving Victor wondering. She was all over me last time. What happened?


    ¡°The cold shoulder, huh? Guess you made a bad impression, Vic,¡± Amadeus told him.


    ¡°Perhaps try again later,¡± Loki said. They both patted him on the back. He shot a look towards the man. Later. If only Loki knew how far Later really was for him.


    Lillie tended to the injured, helping them up to Dean¡¯s medical room. Victor came along and tried to break the ice as the doctor worked.


    ¡°So, how¡¯s it going?¡± he asked.


    She gave him a pointed look.


    ¡°The world¡¯s gone to shit. I can¡¯t say I¡¯m doing good,¡± she said curtly.


    ¡°Ah¡­ yeah. Sorry about that.¡±


    ¡°Not your fault,¡± she replied. They stood a while watching Dean getting used to his Seed. The old man struggled, and Victor couldn¡¯t help but interfere.


    ¡°You¡¯re supposed to feel out the Seed,¡± he said with his hand in Dean¡¯s.


    ¡°Think of it like a warmth. Let it spread across me. It should be easy for you since you can see the screens,¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°Maybe he has to think about medical things to make it work?¡± Lillie added in her own bit of wisdom.


    ¡°No, that¡¯s not usually how it works for a Seeds. It¡¯s more like¡­ using a limb you never knew you had before,¡± Victor replied. Though that was his own experience. Others described it in their own ways, and even the Seed you got could vary the results.


    With his efforts, the old man actually got his powers working. In but a scant few moments he¡¯d even patched up cuts and bruises across many of the other patients. But the old Irishman was tired by the end of it and asked for a nap, leaving both Victor and Lillie to soothe the more heavily injured among them.


    ¡°He¡¯ll be back. He just needs to get some rest. Using a Seed is intensive,¡± Victor explained to them. Lillie eyed him a few times, just like she had before when he¡¯d been explaining how the powers worked.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got one yourself, don¡¯t you?¡± she asked him outright.


    ¡°One what?¡±


    ¡°One of those Seeds.¡±


    ¡°And if I do?¡±


    ¡°¡­Could you get me one?¡± Lillie spoke.


    He smiled.


    ¡°Of course. I¡¯ve got just the idea too,¡± he told her, looking out of the window by the nurse¡¯s office. There shone the light of the Gate, one he¡¯d been itching to get back inside. There is where he¡¯d get a Seed again, and arm himself for the future to come.

 Chapter 17: Echoing from the Halls

    ¡°What are you proposing?¡± Audrey spoke aloud.


    ¡°An excursion. I¡¯ve been inside one of those Gates before, I know my way around them,¡± Victor told her. And it was the truth. Which is why he¡¯d made sure he was alone with Audrey when he¡¯d proposed it.


    He¡¯d rather avoid the headache that would come from having to explain his powers to the others.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got a Seed already. It¡¯s weak though, so I need another one to defend me and my people,¡± Victor told her. ¡°You need the same. So, why shouldn¡¯t we help each other?¡±


    Audrey looked pensive. Lillie and the Englishwoman were beside her, and they whispered amongst themselves on their plush red couch. It was a bit weird being in the same room again, especially since Victor had seen it destroyed last time by a Vintaric.


    ¡°Who do you want to bring with you?¡± Audrey asked.


    ¡°The Butcher twins, Leo and Ashley. And I¡¯m hoping you too, Lillie,¡± Victor told her.


    ¡°Why me?¡± Lillie asked.


    ¡°You¡¯re capable. Look like you can handle yourself,¡± Victor told her.


    ¡°Sorry to disappoint, but I¡¯m terrible with directions,¡± she told him.


    ¡°What? No, you¡¯re not. You¡¯re just underestimating yourself!¡± Victor insisted.


    Audrey raised a hand to silence him.


    ¡°I can¡¯t very well send three unarmed teenagers with you, boy. But I¡¯ll be willing to consider it¡­ if you take Daphne with you,¡± Audrey told him. the Englishwoman perked up and waited for his reply.


    ¡°Her? She¡¯s still wearing a skirt!¡± Victor replied. Not to mention her age. Could she even heft a rifle if it came down to it?


    ¡°I¡¯m plenty spry, young man. You needn¡¯t worry on my account. Simply take care of yourself and yours while we¡¯re out,¡± she told him.


    ¡°Whatever, Mrs. Doubtfire,¡± he replied. The woman gave him a scornful look as he addressed Audrey once more.


    ¡°Are you sure we have to take her, Mrs. Wilson?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t budge on this, Victor. It¡¯s either her or nothing,¡± she replied.


    ¡°Why not Dean?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s a healer. We need him here for the injured.¡±


    ¡°Tsk.¡±


    It really did look like he had no other choice.


    ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll do it. But only on one condition,¡± Victor conceded.


    ¡°Which would be?¡±


    ¡°You get us fuel as well. We¡¯ll need it for the car if we¡¯re going to make it to the other side of the country,¡± Victor replied.


    ¡°Consider it done.¡±


    They hashed out the details a bit further, yet Victor was miffed at bringing a liability along. Who knows what would change in the other world had he need to care for a new member. And it wasn¡¯t as though she was glad either.


    Daphne¡¯s silver locks twisted in the air as she huffed and walked away from the room. And a good evening to you too, lady.


    But despite his annoyance with her, he was glad. He¡¯d need only wait a while before being able to get another Seed. He¡¯d rather have spent that time beforehand strengthening the guns in Angel Heights¡¯ armoury, but that was impossible now for him.


    So, instead, Victor went wandering, right up until he found the Butcher twins playing with Elsa. It was a rare sight to see, as the pale little girl laughed softly while chasing Ashley. The way he remembered them, both of them were much more moody.


    Victor chuckled on seeing it. At least he¡¯d done something right by bringing a smile to the girl¡¯s face. Her parents were outside of the room, working on the control panel for the entire floor. They gave Victor a nod and went back to their work once more, and Victor explored some more.


    ****


    An AR-15 brought comfort to Victor like nothing else. He felt unsure unless he could feel the cold steel in his fingers, protecting him from the bugs and monsters that threatened to overwhelm him.


    Beside him on the road stood six other figures. It was a larger group than he liked, but it was also the only one he could have.


    ¡°Amadeus, grenade,¡± Victor asked with hand outstretched.


    ¡°W-Sure?¡± he said, handing it over to him.


    Victor pulled the pin with a finger and through it right through the Gate. It disappeared through and Victor counted to himself for a few moments. He saw something forming in the light of the Gate, and a splash of mud fell upon the road.


    That¡¯s one of them taken care of, Victor smirked.


    ¡°Come on! And keep your weapons ready!¡± Victor told them.


    The entire group rushed through the Gate altogether. They must¡¯ve felt the lurch in their stomach, but Victor ignored it. To his surprise, Daphne kept her rifle well-handled, as if the weight didn¡¯t impact her at all.


    He brandished his rifle as the blue bioluminescence of the caves flooded in around him.


    Metamorphs surrounded the portal. Their claylike bodies ungulated and sharpened, showing signs of anger towards the group. These ones were little more than animals, hunting humans as their prey.


    The others recoiled at the sight of the monsters, but Victor took aim at the biggest of them. He shot a hail of bullets that ripped it into shreds and screamed.


    ¡°Amadeus, fire!¡± he told the man.


    Amadeus snapped into action, lightning crackling along his fingers as it shot off. It seared and solidified parts of the Metamorph. Leo came in next, smashing apart the solid clay with a sledgehammer.


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    The Metamorphs broke apart. They repeated the pattern a few more times. Loki disarmed their sharp handmade weapons, while Amadeus locked them in place. Leo and Ashley took care smashing them apart, until the entire group was taken care of.


    He was surprised with their efficiency, but more so with the lack of a Metamorph Brute among the enemies.


    Victor looked around at the wreckage after the Metamorphs were defeated. Nothing among the corpses, which annoyed him. He¡¯d been hoping for a Seed, but no cigar.


    ¡°We¡¯re moving on,¡± Victor told them.


    He looked over to his group to find them more than a bit shaken.


    Right, they¡¯re not used to it¡­


    So instead they took a little break. Mostly so they could clean the mud from their clothes.


    ¡°What¡¯s up with Amadi?¡± Ashley asked Loki.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s walkin¡¯ around like it¡¯s a normal Tuesday. Doesn¡¯t that make you a little suspicious?¡± She said.


    ¡°Victor is used to these things, I suppose,¡± Loki replied curtly. He dusted off his clothes and hiked up his backpack.


    ¡°You and him, two peas in a pod alright,¡± she scoffed.


    On the other side of the cave entrance, upon a platform held up by connecting bridges of stone, Daphne and Victor spoke.


    ¡°Those were much too dangerous, Mr. Amadi. We should reconsider the group we¡¯ve brought along for this,¡± she told him.


    ¡°Not a chance. If you want Seeds, those three are your best prospects,¡± Victor countered.


    ¡°And what if they get killed in the process,¡± Daphne asked.


    ¡°I¡¯ll save them.¡±


    ¡°Just bec-¡±


    ¡°End of argument, Daphne. We have to be quick with this mission,¡± Victor told her.


    The old woman didn¡¯t seem pleased with it, but she desisted. She huffed and moved to join the rest of the group, while Victor looked out towards the rest of the cave system. The memory of the old one was foggy in his mind, but he could remember one thing for sure.


    It didn¡¯t look like this. The last time he¡¯d been here, it¡¯d been a cacophony of blue. Now there were different paths leading into the stone, coloured red, green and a rainbow of other colours.


    He stepped down from the platform he was on and instead consulted Lillie.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know? I¡¯ve never been in the caves before,¡± Lillie told him.


    ¡°Couldn¡¯t you¡­ analyze the surroundings? Maybe it¡¯d help us find the more important locations.¡±


    ¡°You want us to run into more of those monsters?¡±


    ¡°Metamorphs,¡± Victor corrected.


    ¡°What about them?¡± Lillie asked.


    ¡°Where they are, is where we¡¯ll find the Seeds. It¡¯s how Amadeus and Loki got theirs.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s right,¡± Loki added very helpfully.


    ¡°If he says it¡¯s where we¡¯ll find ¡®em...¡± Ashley shrugged.


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t solve the main problem. Dear Lillie can¡¯t find them for us,¡± Daphne replied.


    ¡°I guess we¡¯ll have to wander then,¡± Amadeus said.


    ¡°We shall,¡± Daphne added, taking off in a random direction. The others followed behind her, even though Victor had other ideas. He had his AR-15 raised the entire time, yet his finger was off the trigger.


    They came down a winding tunnel covered in scarlet glowing flowers, the sides of which held the same small buildings that they¡¯d passed before. But something felt off about the camps. they weren¡¯t like the ones he¡¯d seen before, that were abandoned for much longer.


    Victor brushed it off, however, as another group of Metamorphs attacked them. His group made quick work of the creatures, even though they were abundant. It worried Victor.


    He¡¯d run into his fair share the previous time. but they seemed much more numerous this time. Just what had happened to the Metamorphs to make them so?


    ¡°You could¡¯ve helped out more back there,¡± Leo scoffed.


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Victor exclaimed.


    ¡°You were cowering behind us all while we did all the work,¡± Leo said, coming straight up to him. Victor knew Leo was an immature sort, but blaming him when he was the only hope for the lot of them? It pricked at his pride.


    ¡°I got us through, didn¡¯t I? Why don¡¯t you stop whining and search around for something we can actually use,¡± Victor reprimanded.


    ¡°And who said I had to follow your orders? Last I checked, Audrey didn¡¯t appoint a leader,¡± Leo replied, giving Victor a push. He would¡¯ve let the comments pass, but that was the last straw.


    Victor decked Leo across the face, sending him sprawling to the ground. The man looked back up with hateful eyes and a cracked lip.


    ¡°Both of you, stop it!¡± Daphne proclaimed.


    ¡°Push me again and I¡¯ll leave your corpse to the Vintarics,¡± Victor told him. Leo spat to the side in defiance, cheek bruised and rage boiling behind his eyes.


    He lunged at Victor, tackling the man to the ground. Victor was about to return a punch when something came over him. What was he doing?


    He was supposed to be the reasonable one among them. the peacemaker. Not some idiot who gives in to a little provoking. So what had¡­


    ¡°We left one alive!¡± he shouted for the rest to hear. That seemed to surprise even Leo, who¡¯s anger faded and fist rested.


    ¡°What are you on about?¡± he asked.


    He pushed Leo off of himself and stood up straight.


    ¡°A slithering bitch of a monster. One that does something worse than kill you,¡± Victor spoke out into the open, his words echoing off every brick and building.


    ¡°I know you¡¯re out there. You¡¯re what turns men against each other. You¡¯re a weak little coward, who¡¯s only power is to influence the minds of humans,¡± Victor spoke.


    He caught breath from behind one of the houses and fired. Something screamed from behind and rushed out. A metamorph mimicking a man, with its monotone colour stretched over every part of its body. It was like a Greek statue made of mauve.


    ¡°How did you know?¡± it asked him. One of the only kinds of Metamorphs he knew that were capable of it in fact. That ability came only at its isolation from others of its kind. [3</a>]


    ¡°I¡¯ve dealt with enough of you for one lifetime,¡± Victor replied.


    The monster screeched and came for him in one last desperate attack.


    ¡°Am.¡±


    Lightning crackled and hit the monster before it could reach Victor. The monster petrified in an instant, halfway between its human form and the sludge that Victor associated with other Metamorphs. Only its head remained intact, which struggled to escape the rest of its body.


    ¡°What were you doing hiding out? And for that matter why are there so many more Metamorphs down here?¡± Victor asked him.


    ¡°More? Were you expecting emptiness, human?¡± the Metamorph Thinker asked him.


    ¡°I¡¯m expecting a straight answer, unless you want a bullet through the head.¡±


    Not like he wasn¡¯t going to do it regardless. But he¡¯d give the Metamorph some hope. However, he¡¯d failed to account for its feverish determination. Victor felt a pulse of something from the Metamorph that dispersed into the air. It echoed around the ruins of the caves and seemed to be going upwards before dissipating.


    ¡°What did you do?¡±


    ¡°I called down a Star,¡± the Metamorph replied, its face turning into the facsmile of a smile.


    ¡°Loki,¡± Victor ground his teeth in anger.


    A second later the Metamorph¡¯s face was dissescted and what remained liquid turned into a harmless puddle. Victor started pacing around the cave floor they were in, muttering to himself madly.


    ¡°Vic, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Amadeus asked him. the man seemed in control so often that seeing him worry had caused the others to follow suit.


    Victor glanced around the little pocket they were in. he lifted his feet, slick with Metamorph flesh and shook his head.


    ¡°We need to get out of here. this isn¡¯t a good spot. Not good at all,¡± Victor proclaimed.


    ¡°Why? What¡¯s coming?¡±


    ¡°A Star, Am. It¡¯s what they call an Angelo. An incredibly strong kind of monster.¡±


    ¡°S-shouldn¡¯t we leave, then?¡± Leo asked.


    ¡°I concur. There¡¯s no point in risking if they¡¯re as terrible as you say,¡± Daphne added.


    ¡°No! No¡­ We can¡¯t just leave empty-handed.¡±


    ¡°You gone mad from greed?¡± Leo asked him.


    In a sense he had. He wanted Seeds, needed them if he was going to feel safe in this loop. Yes, he had some strength now, but nothing could come close to the comfort of actual powers.


    But more than that, he knew something more. The space inside the caves was vast, but unstable. If they were really moving around routes through the caves that often, they either needed to have the meticulous sense of structure the Weaponsmith Heart had given Victor, or the work was shoddy.


    He was banking on that latter probability, and to that end dragged the entire rest of the group outside into an opening.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to need to make a stand. Angelos are as varied as they come. But they¡¯re all winged idiots the size of a 7-Eleven. If we can bring down some rocks on them¡­¡±


    He eyed Amadeus and his hands.


    ¡°How confident are you in your aim?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Not very?¡±


    ¡°Could you hit something over there?¡± Victor pointed towards one of the looser formations of rocks. He¡¯d picked one relatively far from their location, which he hoped would protect them in case of a chain reaction.


    ¡°I¡­ maybe, Vic.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll have to do, then. Collapse that entrance, Amadeus,¡± Victor ordered him as he crouched down.


    He began to scrawl on the dirt floor of the cave with a rock. He placed the positions hastily, hoping that they could improvise on the spot. Those preparations continued well underway until they heard the drop of something massive echoing from the halls of the cave system.

 Chapter 18: Final Words

    Boulders fell from the ceiling and blocked off where Victor and his crew had come from. Though he could still hear something beyond the pile of rocks, something beating heavily.


    ¡°That¡¯s only going to buy us so much time. We need to move, and fast.¡±


    ¡°What about your plan?¡± Daphne asked him.


    ¡°That¡¯s for when we come back. This place is the best we have for this, but that doesn¡¯t mean we have to go in unprepared,¡± Victor told her. ¡°We need to search for Seeds. Even a single one more will improve our chances.¡±


    ¡°And what if we get caught at the end? I think we should make our stand now. When we¡¯ve the time to actually plan,¡± Daphne replied.


    ¡°If we find what we¡¯re looking for, it¡¯ll up our chances more than anything!¡±


    ¡°A gamble, then.¡±


    ¡°It is not-¡± Victor stopped himself. He could tell them now, but that would run into its own problems. No, he couldn¡¯t risk that on his first time back, not when he didn¡¯t have the knowledge of whom to really trust.


    His eyes drifted back over to Amadeus and Lillie, just before he stopped.


    ¡°Trust me on this, please. We can¡¯t take on an Angelo by itself,¡± Victor pleaded.


    The britishwoman¡¯s face was a stone mask before it cracked for a moment with a sigh.


    ¡°Lead the way, then. But I hope you know what you¡¯re doing,¡± she told him.


    Victor gestured to the others and they followed along without wasting a moment. He traced the path up into another hole in the walls. His thinking was sound, least he thought so.


    They wouldn¡¯t shift the path through the rock avalanche. It¡¯d be too difficult to properly shape their tunnels around it without causing them to fall. So they had to be standing still.


    He kept doubling over into different paths, looking inside before stepping back out. He wished Leo had his stone Seed back, so he could sense the path ahead for him. But he wasn¡¯t that lucky.


    Despite that, he did eventually reach a familiar looking hallway. It¡¯d been years, so he only recognized the path when he came upon that familiar pit and Avalanche.


    Without another word, Victor pulled out his gun and aimed at the small pivot holding back the rockslide. The bullet burst apart the stone, and boulders fell to cover the hole almost instantly.


    While the dust cleared, Victor held up his gun in front of himself. He heard figures running around behind the dust clouds, so he kept himself primed. But no one came for him. In fact, he¡¯d only heard them receding further back.


    ¡°There¡¯s some things back there,¡± Amadeus told him. He had one hand on his pistol and another outstretched.


    ¡°Leave it. They¡¯re gone,¡± Victor told him, starting to climb the piled up stones. It was a quick scurry over to the other site, where the mining site presented itself.


    It looked much as it had before, and Victor hoped that wasn¡¯t just on the surface. He rushed into the tents, searching through each of them until he came upon the carpeted room and the case upon it.


    Victor flipped it open and took out the Seeds without another word. As soon as he did, the hunger came back. That sensation of wanting to consume the Seeds himself. But that wasn¡¯t his destiny.


    Instead, he pushed it towards Lillie and Ashley.


    ¡°Take these, learn what you can do on the way back,¡± Victor ordered them and they immediately took the Seeds into their bodies.


    Victor could see Lillie¡¯s eyes darting around in the air while they ran back, which made him wonder. Was she like him? able to see the screens?


    ¡°C-Can we slow down!¡± Ashley shouted from behind him. as she did, sparks flew out of her hair and flames erupted in the air around her.


    ¡°Fire control. Tied to your emotions probably. Put that anger to good use, Ashley, we¡¯ll need it,¡± Victor told her.


    ¡°How do you know all this?¡± Ashley asked.


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you some other time,¡± which would come never hopefully.


    They circled back to an open area where Amadeus had blocked off the Angelo¡¯s pursuit, only to find the blockade missing. The rocks weren¡¯t displaced or anything, simply¡­ gone.


    They stopped right at the lip of the open cave, and Victor felt a chill run up his spine.


    Though there was somewhat quiet in the caves often, you could hear something underpinning the atmosphere. The chittering of legs and buzzing of wings, Even the splotchy movements of the Metamorphs.


    But the dead land ahead of them had none of that.


    ¡°Amadeus, fire!¡± Victor shouted in a panic.


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Amadeus carelessly raised his hands in front of him and shot off several bolts of lighning, just as a boulder appeared out of thin air.


    It was headed for them, but luckily the group split apart just in time. the large rock landed and rolled, blocking off the exit behind them as an angel rose into the air. Resplendent wings shed feathers to the loamy ground beneath them, blood red and silver plate gleaming as the Angelo stood hovering.


    ¡°Humans so bold to seek this realm, I grant you a death befitting, at the hands of Parvos!¡± the monster intoned. Victor fired off several shots at his face. Only a few hit, and they did barely anything to scratch the monster.


    ¡°You will go first.¡±


    ¡°Not a chance. Amadeus, his wings!¡± Victor shouted at him. Bolt of lightning dropped onto the feathered pinions, locking some into place. Parvos flinched at the pain but grabbed onto one of the tall mushrooms for support.


    He snapped it off its shaft and threw it at the group. The size would¡¯ve made it dangerous, but it grew even larger in flight. The group had to split further apart to even escape it, scattering across the caves. Victor rolled across the ground and came up in a crouch, with only his pistol in his hands.


    Parvos attempted flight again, but Victor wouldn¡¯t have it.


    ¡°Loki, you too! His wings, keep him grounded!¡± Victor shouted to him. he dropped his pistol to the side and took his AR-15 into his hands instead. While the Angelo struggled to get out of the middle of the open cave, he circled around the raised edge of the area while firing.


    ¡°You are cooperative, smart. Then why come here at all?¡± Parvos asked him.


    ¡°For your heart, you beast,¡± Victor fired a couple more rounds before ducking under a rock. There, he found Ashley hyperventilating. She grasped every breath like it would be her last.


    When Victor arrived, he placed a solid hand on her shoulder and made her focus on him.


    ¡°Ashley, we need you.¡±


    She shook her head vehemently.


    ¡°Listen, we don¡¯t have time. you¡¯ll survive. That¡¯s assured, okay? Me and the others won¡¯t let it happen any other way. But if you want them to survive too, you¡¯re going to have to help us,¡± Victor assured her.


    He glanced back over the rock to find that Lillie had gotten a hold of her powers. Daphne was beside her, talking into her ear as the girl furiously nodded along. Panes of light, weak though they might be, appeared in the sky to block the Angelo¡¯s ascent.


    ¡°You pick a Seed lost to the ground from conflicts long past. You desecrate my world, and for what reason?¡± Parvos asked her. He picked up a handful of pebbles, but once he threw them they quickly enlarged into a hail of rocks that kicked up a dust storm.


    Victor¡¯s heart leapt in his chest. Did I¡­. please tell me I didn¡¯t fail her again.


    But a light shone through, reigniting Victor¡¯s hope. Lillie was coughing standing behind it, but it was there. Victor turned to Ashley, words in his lungs that he wanted to shout at her, but he knew they wouldn¡¯t do him any good.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been doing great so far, Ashley, this is just another push, okay? Think you can do that for me?¡± Victor asked her.


    Her breathing slowed and Ashley gulped, nodding at him without a word.


    ¡°I need you to attack the Angelo. Just enough to push him under those rocks,¡± Victor pointed towards a net of flora that cradled boulders in its midst. It stuck close to the sky, but with enough damage, it could¡¯ve given way to a deadly shower.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ I can do that, why couldn¡¯t I?¡± Ashley chuckled half-heartedly.


    Victor and her popped out from behind the rock guns blazing. The initial attack got the Angelo¡¯s ire, and he kicked a smattering of dirt and rocks towards them. Victor and Ashley fell backwards but stood their ground.


    Victor kept firing as Ashley screamed. Her face was red with anger, and the air rose a few Celsius around her. Victor stepped away as the rapidly heating air exploded into flames. But they never stuck to Victor or his clothes. Instead, they concentrated to a point in front of Ashley.


    She stood in awe of her own power, her hands shaking to contain the blast.


    ¡°Shoot at him!¡± Victor shouted at her.


    She opened her palms and the blast of fire exploded across the caves. It hit Parvos in his side, exploding into a blaze half his size. His wings caught fire from the explosion and the Angelo tried to contain the blaze even under the barrage of cuts that Amadeus and Loki were throwing. They were positioned on a mushroom close by, so Parvos ripped it out of its roots.


    Amadeus and Loki hopped off while Victor kept firing at his face. The Angelo held the mushroom top like a shield, enlarging it with his powers. Amadeus and Loki rained fire on that mushroom until it collapsed, without the Angelo anywhere to be seen.


    Victor and Leo stayed behind with Lillie¡¯s barriers, while the other three sought to find the Angelo. Every single one of them was on edge, hair raised and primed to fire at the first thing that jumped out at them.


    As their circle closed in around the fallen mushroom top, their fears grew. Nothing popped up, and they had no choice but to go in further. Victor stepped over a single branch and the ground shook. An armor piece exploded in size under the dirt, sending them flying around the cave.


    Victor was sprawled across the ground, amidst a little bundle of flowers and moss, and he looked up to find the Angelo again in the sky, enlarging to his original size. He held Daphne in one hand and blocked Amadeus¡¯ bolt with his left wing.


    ¡°I am sorry. You shall go first,¡± he spoke to her. She tried to escape his grasp, scratching and pulling with her arms, but the Angelo was too strong for her. Instead, she looked almost apologetically at Lillie, whose eyes were wide with despair and whose legs were paralyzed by fear.


    The voice of the Angelo may have been comforting, but the way he snapped her neck was anything but. Victor growled at the monster as he threw Daphne¡¯s lifeless corpse beside Lillie, rising further into the skies. That¡¯s when Victor realized that the monster was growing even larger than it originally was.


    If he let him grow any further, he might be too big to crush under the rocks. So Victor made a dumb decision.


    ¡°Ashley! Hit it with everything you¡¯ve got!¡± Victor shouted with a hoarse voice.


    The woman was smouldering with anger, fire erupting around her like flares. At his command, that fire condensed into a super-dense sphere of flame, like a sun in between her fingers.


    ¡°Loki! Amadeus! Ground him!¡± Victor shouted one more order.


    As he did, he grabbed Leo and ran far away from the site. He kept running until the both of them reached the edge of the cave. Even from there, they could see the glow of Ashley¡¯s flames. She let go of it an instant later, and it seemed to almost teleport towards the Angelo¡¯s face.


    But it didn¡¯t hit him. No, it careened past him and towards the ceiling. The explosion burst apart into flames and the Angelo scoffed.


    ¡°You are talented, bu-¡±


    He never got to finish that sentence. The first of the rocks hit his metal helmet with a clang. He would¡¯ve escaped the next ones if it hadn¡¯t been for Amadeus, who let loose a bolt that seemed more real than his others. It scorched the one of the Angelo¡¯s wings and Loki cut another so far down that bone exposed itself.


    The Angelo even took to it with surprise, dropping to the ground abruptly.


    ¡°No, I cannot! I CAN N-¡±


    Another bullet pinged off of his helmet, stopping his words. Victor looked on hatefully, as a building¡¯s worth of stone crushed the Angelo in an instant. A sound like cracking thunder a thousand times over filled the halls of the cave, silencing all other noise for a few moments.


    And the monster died without ever getting its final words out.

 Chapter 19: Cube Within a Cube

    Stone dust flew away from the ruins that formed in the middle of the cave, blanketing the floor in a thick fog that prevented the group from seeing each other. But even through that, Victor kept moving. He took small steps to not push his beaten body, but it still ached with every moment.


    [Ability Unlocked: Strength Boost]


    [Ability Unlocked: Speed Boost]


    [Ability Unlocked: Recovery Boost]


    ¡°Lillie! Amadeus! Ashley! Everyone alright!?¡± He asked. Not a single bit of attention focused on his new gains. For a few moments he got no response, and he feared that he¡¯d crushed his friends along with his enemies. That he¡¯d have to spend another ten years alone before he could ever see them again.


    ¡°Me and Loki are here!¡± Amadeus shouted back. He coughed as he spoke, but sounded fine besides. Relief flooded out of Victor like a dam bursting, and he wiped a few tears from his eyes.


    ¡°Ashley!¡± Leo shouted for his sister from behind Victor.


    ¡°I¡¯m here, stop shouting!¡± she quipped back.


    ¡°Now, I¡¯m not so sure I should be glad,¡± Leo grunted. But behind the anger, Victor knew he cared.


    ¡°Let¡¯s gather up around the Angelo¡¯s corpse!¡± Victor shouted.


    ¡°Wait, Vic, what about Lillie?¡± Amadeus asked, reminding him of the worst of his fears. He stopped for a moment, hoping that her cries would fill the interim. But an eery silence instead overtook the place.


    ¡°L-Lillie!¡± He shouted. It echoed off the walls without a response. The others joined in too, shouting and moving around. Victor saw them as silhouettes in the dust, and they never stayed too close together. They instead scrounged every inch of the battlefield, searching for her until the dust finally settled.


    Victor was the first to find her. And he did so with a horrible scene. Lillie was sitting on her knees, Daphne¡¯s head in her laps as she cradled the old woman. She looked up from it towards Victor, eyes red from tears.


    And those eyes widened, like she saw something in him that had been absent before. The appearance of a hero, someone to despise, or a stranger, he couldn¡¯t tell.


    She wiped her eyes on her sleeve, but that only put more dirt into them. Lillie sniffled and Victor crouched next to the woman with a cloth in hand.


    ¡°Clean yourself up with this. Are you hurt?¡± he asked.


    ¡°No¡­ not at all, even. The lights¡­ I used them to protect myself,¡± she told him. ¡°I just¡­ couldn¡¯t use them on her.¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t save everyone, Lillie. I¡¯m sorry about that¡­¡± he would¡¯ve offered, in better times, to help with the body. But what was the point of such kindness when it would just slow them down?


    ¡°We need to move, and quickly. Who knows how many more of those they sent down here,¡± Victor said.


    ¡°Would you know?¡± Lillie asked him.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Nothing. Never mind.¡±


    He helped her up and towards the Angelo¡¯s body. The wings were twisted, bones piercing through the feathers with the body red and purple all over. It twitched even after dying, making the others keep their distance.


    Loki even had his hand up to fire another cut, despite how wrung out he looked. Victor would¡¯ve called him pale, but that was probably just his natural colour.


    He left Lillie in Ashley¡¯s hands, and walked over the Angelo¡¯s red and silver armour unceremoniously. It clanked under his heavy footfalls, right up until he came up to a glow in the centre of the chest.


    With Amadeus and Loki¡¯s help, he removed the chest plate and looked inside to find two Seeds for the taking.


    The first of them looked to be a tesseract, a cube within a cube. It was an illusion of a thing, looking like it was stuck in a transition between the two sizes. Though he¡¯d never seen its ilk before, Victor could already tell it to be the source of his size-changing powers.


    Beggars can¡¯t be choosers, I suppose. He picked it up and pocketed it before looking at the next one.


    That one was much more common looking. It was a piece of stone chiselled perfectly and glowing orange along the lines. That one he threw right towards Leo.


    ¡°Absorb it.¡±


    He ordered and Leo obeyed. Victor followed suit, savouring the feeling of power returning to his fingertips.


    [Seed Integrated: Ant-to-Man Tesserract]


    [Ability Unlocked: Unlock Sizing]


    This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    [Ability Unlocked: Enlarge]


    [Ability Unlocked: Shrink]


    A new tree popped into view in front of Victor. The red glow of the notifications was a boon, and he enjoyed seeing another of his Seed slots filled again. The first of his new abilities was self-explanatory.


    Every Seed gave a new avenue of strength. It was like giving a new dimension to a person, with how they went. His Timewalker Seed let him sense changes in the timeline, and his new Sizing stat would tell him how large or small something really was.


    Victor did think it a bit dull, but at least it wasn¡¯t one of the other kinds of stats. He knew some fire Seeds that would turn the person they bonded with into a living furnace, too hot to ever touch the people around them.


    Compared to that, he¡¯d take the ability to measure things. It almost reminded him of his Weaponsmith Heart in a way.


    The next two were of much more interest, and brought with them more questions.


    [[Enlarge]: (Requirement: None) You gain the ability to temporarily enlarge any object that you touch. The reach and duration of this enlargement depends on your Sizing stat. Maybe with enough of it, you could even match the forces rallied against you.]


    If he could grow his own defences and throw things only a catapult should¡¯ve, the ability would prove to be majorly useful. The next was much the same.


    [[Shrink]: (Requirement: None) You gain the ability to temporarily shrink any object that you touch. The reach and duration of the shrinkage depends on your Sizing stat. I have met a fair few who¡¯ve escaped due to their small stature and quick reflexes. One of those was Adam, so fond of his form as he was.]


    Adam? He knew the name. First of mankind, at least according to the Abrahamic religions. And as it turned out, the screen knew of him too. But the text boxes usually only mentioned the monsters from the other world. Was Adam one of those too? And if he was¡­ how long had they been around?


    ¡°We should go now, Vic,¡± Lillie said. It caught Victor off-guard, hearing her say his nickname. She smiled at him sadly, and he clicked his tongue.


    So caught up in his powers he couldn¡¯t even notice that she¡¯d been suffering. Victor cleared his throat and turned to the rest of them.


    ¡°Lillie¡¯s right. Grab whatever you can find of use and let¡¯s head back,¡± Victor told them. though he hoped he knew where ¡®back¡¯ was.


    They gathered up the various guns and bags that had fallen off in the fight, stitching the packs together with knots so they wouldn¡¯t fall apart. While they did so, a sudden sound of skittering legs seemed to grow around them.


    Victor looked up from the centre of the cave, towards the ridges that held holes in them. There were blobby, fleshy creatures there, but that had the shape of balloon animals given human form.


    Beady little yellow eyes stared at them, and Victor watched as they winked open and shut, like they were drawn on their faces.


    ¡°Monsters!¡± one of them shouted from the top. Victor¡¯s eyes drifted over to their leader, a blue-hued one of them that reminded him of the mushrooms in the caves.


    ¡°What¡­?¡±


    He could¡¯ve consulted his bestiary, but that would¡¯ve given him nothing. He¡¯d never seen this type of monster before. They were so harmless, so¡­. Defenceless looking.


    ¡°How could you kill a Star! Why would you?!¡± the main one of them kept screaming.


    ¡°He attacked us first¡­¡± Amadeus said under his breath. His sound was drowned out by the screaming masses of those same balloon-like people, as they came out of the holes of the cave system.


    ¡°Let¡¯s not stick around for the end,¡± Victor told the rest of them. the opinion of an invader had never mattered to him, why should it now? That was the consolation he gave as he started to move.


    But it seemed that the ones in front of him wouldn¡¯t let him go so easily.


    ¡°They¡¯re trying to escape. Don¡¯t let them!¡± One of them said, picking up a rock. Another hefted a pickaxe or some other tool for mining. They started throwing them at the group, and only Lillie kept them at bay. Victor growled in anger.


    ¡°You attacked us first!¡± Victor shouted at them.


    ¡°You invaded our homes! Killed our best! You¡¯re animals!¡± they screamed in response.


    ¡°YOU INVADED OUR HOMES. MY FAMILY IS DEAD BECAUSE OF YOU!¡±


    But the shouting match led to nothing. It only angered him further, and he had to be physically dragged away from the crowds.


    ¡°Nothing worth arguing with them about!¡± Ashley told him as she took him by the arms.


    Amadeus and Loki cleared the path ahead of them and guided them into another tunnel, where they kept proceeding.


    ¡°Down this path. The Gate should be close,¡± Lillie told them. Behind them, Leo was doing his best to shift rocks and keep the monsters at bay. They ran and ran, with Victor smouldering all the way.


    How could they have the gall to talk to him like that, after all their kind had done to him. He stewed in those emotions until the bright beam of light that indicated the portal came into view. They stepped out of it to a sight familiar.


    Victor didn¡¯t take it in. He even managed to gloss over the entire trip back to Angel Heights, and the tearful reunions the others had. The only person who thought to talk to him was Amadeus, placing an arm around his shoulder in the infirmary.


    They were both patched up and waiting for Audrey to return. That left them in the quiet presence of their doctor, who had better matters to tend to, and each other, which made for awkward conversation.


    ¡°Vic, you¡¯ve been quiet the whole way. Something wrong?¡± Amadeus asked him.


    ¡°Nothing¡­. What do you make of those monsters we found?¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t seem much like monsters to me. Goofy, yeah, but more like¡­ bystanders?¡± Amadeus replied. He picked up an orange from a tray Leo had left them, peeling it and offering a slice to Victor.


    The other man didn¡¯t notice the gesture as he was busy staring away at nothing.


    ¡°You should eat something. Ever since we¡¯ve been back you¡¯ve been sitting here scowling,¡± Amadeus spoke up. That got Victor¡¯s attention, and he plucked the orange slice out of his hands.


    Before biting into it though, he decided to try something. He channelled his new Seed. Every one of them felt different, and his newest seemed to expand and retract in his heart whenever he stopped focusing on it for more than a moment.


    Funnelling that energy into the slice in front of him, Victor found it expanding. And not just expanding, the heft of it increased, until it was bigger than an apple.


    ¡°Great. You¡¯ll never go hungry again,¡± Amadeus chuckled. Victor shook his head.


    ¡°Not happening. This thing¡¯s going to get smaller again, and I¡¯m not letting that happen while it¡¯s in my stomach,¡± Victor told him.


    Amadeus popped another slice in his mouth, but that didn¡¯t stop him from speaking.


    ¡°So if you were to get it strong enough, could you send it through your whole body, in and out, without it turning back small again?¡± Amadeus asked.


    ¡°Something tells me-¡±


    ¡°That screen you mentioned?¡±


    ¡°Something,¡± he reiterated, ¡°tells me it would cause some issues. Those nutrients would probably get hella small again, or something in my bones would shrink¡­.. why don¡¯t you give it a try?¡±


    ¡°Nice sales pitch, but no. Want another?¡± Amadeus asked.


    ¡°Think I¡¯ll just hold onto the one for now.¡±


    There was a release of something in the air, and Victor felt a load loosen off of his shoulders. He and Amadeus sat in the infirmary for a bit longer, trading childhood stories and eating rations much better than the ones in the future until Audrey finally arrived.

 Chapter 20: Dragonsilver

    Leo was with her when they began the talks. Audrey took them again to the same meeting room filled with the same red sofas. He stood behind her, stones floating in the air around his hands. he was exploring his powers more, good.


    Given a few years Leo should prove a good asset for the people of Angel Heights. Victor knew a few Seeds with the same name as it. It was the Deepearth Geode, weak but useful in the right hand. if only he had a Lapidarist around to help him¡­


    ¡°What happened to Daphne out there?¡± Audrey questioned him.


    ¡°I¡­. made a mistake while out there. One of their stronger monsters came down to fight us directly,¡± Victor explained.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t his fault, Mrs. Wilson. We wouldn¡¯t have made it out alive without his help!¡± Lillie came to his defence surprisingly. She gave him a sympathetic look and he nodded in her direction.


    ¡°It¡¯s known as an Angelo. It¡¯s a kind of monster with wings. That¡¯s all they have in common though. Their abilities are so varied its hard to narrow down without a fight,¡± Victor explained.


    ¡°Is that what your screen told you?¡± she asked him.


    ¡°That and that they¡¯re attracted to artistic pieces usually,¡± he told her.


    Now that he thought about it, it wasn¡¯t just them, either. Most of the monsters he¡¯d found were single-minded like that.


    ¡°And you thought to engage that instead of running back to the Gate?¡±


    ¡°We needed the Seeds,¡± Victor replied.


    ¡°At the cost of one of mine,¡± Audrey grimaced back at him.


    ¡°Your people will be safer now, Audrey. Leo, Ashley and Lillie, all three of them have abilities that you need to nurture. So yes, if you want to believe I sacrificed your dear friend for them, do it. But don¡¯t be stupid and reject what you¡¯ve gotten out of it,¡± Victor stood up from his seat.


    His throat was tied, and his hands bound. In a way, his Timewalking Seed had cursed him like that. Before he could¡¯ve acted any way he wished and thought himself free. Now that he knew just how much he could do if he could loop back to the start again, his options were much more limited.


    You don¡¯t really know how small the pond is till you see the lake, huh?


    ¡°More monsters are going to start patrolling around here. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve seen them in the skies already. Make sure to keep the noise down, or else they¡¯ll find this base and raze it to the ground,¡± Victor said as he put his hand on the doorknob.


    He opened it wide enough to leave, but was stopped by Audrey.


    ¡°Not flying. Not most of them. They¡¯re roaming the streets instead,¡± Audrey told him.


    What? He gave her an incredulous look before closing the door. Had they brought more land-based Vintarics this time around?


    ****


    The answer to that question turned out to be a solemn ¡®No¡¯. Victor had been observing the streets for a while now, but all he found on them were Metamorphs and those balloon-like monsters that he¡¯d seen before.


    They seemed to work in symbiosis almost, moving around and scouting the streets before returning to the Gate. And even when they went about Los Angeles, they did so much less fervently than the Vintarics had.


    Those bugs crawled over everything, getting into fights with anyone and anything they could. These ones seemed more¡­. Hesitant. They surveyed the area, then would dawdle around before returning back to their Gates.


    Victor sat in an abandoned eastern-style caf¨¦. There was maccha flavoured everything displayed on the menu, and a sickening amount of green covered in dust.


    ¡°What are we doing out here?¡± Ashley asked him. Her and Leo both looked antsy sitting behind an open window.


    Victor raised a finger to his mouth, gesturing for her to stay quiet. A second later, a large Metamorph crossed the streets, with splotching noises accompanying him. he left a streak of his clay behind as he moved forward that was much bigger than the others.


    Either a Brute or some other kind of Metamorph. There were a few thinkers with him as well, which made the group all the more dangerous.


    ¡°Practice. You need it with your Seeds to get better,¡± Victor told them.


    ¡°So why are we here alone?¡± Leo asked.


    ¡°Because the others need to defend Angel Heights in case anything happens. Any more questions?¡± he replied.


    ¡°So, pick one already!¡± Ashley told him. a little flame burst to life around her, but winked out soon after. She recoiled at the sight of it and Victor sighed.


    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    ¡°I know you hate that part of the Seed, Ashley, but it¡¯s strong. You¡¯ll burn yourself and the others around you if you don¡¯t learn to control it. And even though yours isn¡¯t as bad, Leo, you still need the practice. Look at Loki and Amadeus, don¡¯t you two want to be as strong as them?¡± Victor asked.


    Reluctantly the both of them nodded.


    ¡°Good. Now, I think we¡¯ve found our quarry,¡± Victor told them.


    This next group was much easier, comprising of only a few adolescent Metamorphs that were barely a challenge for him at this point. Victor jumped over the window with the others following suit.


    Instead of unholstering his gun, he instead pulled out a knife from the various sheathes around his body. He¡¯d told them their reasons for being there, but the truth was that Victor needed the practice more than anyone.


    He hurled the first knife with precision, but not before giving it a touch of his Enlarge ability. In the air the knife grew fatter and slower, until it was the size of a machete. The force on it was strong, but nothing compared to the Weaponsmith Heart¡¯s abilities.


    It embedded itself into the Metamorph¡¯s chest, and Victor ran over to grab it. He took the oversized handle and twisted it up, cutting the Metamorph through the equivalent of a shoulder. Then he pulled out a pistol and blasted it in the face.


    He would¡¯ve enlarged that too, but the limits of what counted as a single ¡®object¡¯ wouldn¡¯t allow it. Instead, Victor gunned down the monster and clasped his hands afterwards. He chose to Enlarge himself, and felt his body heavy immediately.


    But as his body grew, so did his muscles. He was only about a foot or so taller by now, but it was enough for him to deck the next Metamorph in tow. He kicked a third but was too slow for the next one. That one sharpened its clay into a blade and slashed across his chest. Victor stumbled forward and grabbed a traffic light for support as he faced the monster.


    He pulled out another knife and used Enlarge on it as well, despite the fatigue. It fit better in his own large hands, and he began to slash at the Metamorph. They clanged swords loudly, the Metamorph¡¯s blade chipping away with every hit. Victor wielded the knife more like a club, and when he got the Metamorph on the ground he started beating it on its head over and over until it stopped.


    His face was covered in clay and he took a deep breath before wiping it off. Across the street, Leo hurled stones while Ashley flung fire at the other Metamorphs.


    ¡°Aiming is the most important thing you can learn! Don¡¯t think of it like a gun, because it won¡¯t work that way!¡± Victor lectured.


    They were doing well all things considered, but the Metamorph Leo seemed to be facing was refusing to go down. Victor joined the other man across the street in his fight, and slashed down with his machete-knife just as his enlargement faded. The knife cut through the shoulder, but stopped at something in the monster¡¯s chest.


    Victor peeled away to find that something to be a glowing chest piece. No way¡­


    He slashed at the arms instead, which cut off easily. Then, Victor kicked the Metamorph to the ground, where Leo dropped a large stone on it. As soon as the clay started dispersing, he knew it was done for.


    Victor crouched down low near the corpse of the monster and wiped away the mud. While he was doing so, his knife returned to size too, and he sheathed it to the sound of a new notification.


    [Ability Unlocked: Sizing Boost]


    Underneath the mud was a gleaming plate of armour that Victor could identify from a distance.


    ¡°Now how did someone like you grab this?¡± Victor asked idly.


    ¡°Vic?¡± Leo said in reply.


    ¡°Must¡¯ve been a fluke. Dragons don¡¯t usually leave it lying around. Well, good find either way!¡± Victor smiled as he grabbed the armour off of the body.


    He cleaned it off as much as he could before examining it.


    [[Dragonsilver Plate]: DEFENSE: 80   ABILITIES: Magical Resistance, Physical Resistance


    A plate of pure Dragonsilver. Resistant to magical and physical disturbances both. Only Ancalagon¡¯s own children know how to make this metal still, and they keep that in secret.]


    Right now, it would do him no good. It would need straps put in, and then be fastened to his body. But once it was, he¡¯d be glad to have the extra protection from his enemies.


    ¡°That¡¯s a gleaming piece of metal, isn¡¯t it?¡± Leo asked. When Victor tilted it, the light reflected a rainbow of colours off of the metal surface.


    ¡°It sure is. A real strong one too,¡± Victor replied.


    ¡°Could I use it?¡±


    ¡°If you mean for your Seed, nah. If it gave you anything, I bet it wouldn¡¯t be in this form,¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°Are you two done?¡± Ashley asked from her location. under her were baked and burnt bricks in the form of Metamorphs.


    ¡°You¡¯re getting better at that. Did you find anything on their bodies?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Nothing but a bunch of scraps. But I¡­ feel stronger at least?¡± she told him.


    ¡°that¡¯s good. Means its working. Or not,¡±


    ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°You want me to tell you that it¡¯s all in your head?¡±


    ¡°¡­It¡¯s definitely working, jerk.¡±


    ¡°Call me whatever. Let¡¯s just get out of here before the cavalry arrives,¡± Victor told her.


    They snuck back through the back alleys towards Angel Heights. One of the first things they aw inside of the apartment complex were the extra survivors that they had grabbed. There were so many of them now that the complex was becoming crowded.


    Leo would need to learn to master his abilities soon, because they¡¯d need expansion of the place and quickly. Maybe he should¡¯ve gotten them a Seed that allowed better development too, like the Constructor¡¯s Glove o-


    Victor caught himself thinking too long once again. Leo and Ashley stared at him with a hint of confusion and worry, and Leo even offered a Snickers bar to him.


    ¡°You need to eat to keep your strength up. Here,¡± Leo told him. Victor weakly accepted it and nodded.


    ¡°Me and Leo will go give the report to Audrey. Want anything?¡± Ashley asked him. Victor handed her the armour plate off his pack.


    ¡°Take this to her and ask if anyone knows how to punch a hole in it. Make it good enough to wear,¡± Victor explained.


    ¡°Will do, Vic.¡±


    Victor sighed and sagged down near the wall. The other rescues in the hall looked at him with a mixture of awe and fear, in part due to his powers. A week or two ago they¡¯d not even heard of magic and here he was doing it like he walked.


    At least there was an upside to the entire thing. Angel Heights was more secure than ever. It and its surroundings stayed free of the monsters due to their effort in setting traps. and the number of Wielders was increasing while they were at it.


    In a few years, they might even wrest control from the monsters and stifle the Gates if they were at it. He could easily see the base becoming comparable to some of the other greats in his past life, like Germany or Atlantis, or so he¡¯d heard.


    How many of those will even exist this time around? 10 years was a long time, and the butterfly effect could work in mysterious ways.


    A scientist would kill to be in my position. They could test out a million theories, formulate something that he couldn¡¯t even guess at. Which led to the biggest question of all.


    Of all the people in the world, from across the globe, how had he managed to pick up the Timewalker¡¯s Origin. And how had he forgotten about it until then?

 Chapter 21: Just a Bug

    that it had boggled the minds of the people there.


    Victor watched them through a pair of binoculars someone had stashed in their room. It showed him the monsters walking through the streets, scanning it like they did most other buildings. He¡¯d only hoped they wouldn¡¯t come down this street, or else a fight would have to break out.


    A light shined through a window on the other side of the street and Victor blinked his eyes.


    ¡°It¡¯s for you, they¡¯re trying to tell us something,¡± he told her.


    Audrey grabbed the binoculars right out of his hand and watched. For a few minutes Victor just sat and stared at the old wrinkly woman, as she pieced together the message.


    ¡°Some of the kids started crying. They¡¯re trying to quiet them, but it might alert the Metamorphs,¡± Audrey told him.


    ¡°You should grab a Seed for that. Might be easier to communicate if you didn¡¯t need to rely on morse code,¡± Victor told her.


    ¡°We¡¯ve sent another group into the Gate for that. If the map that Brute you killed was carrying had been right, they should find it in there.¡±


    ¡°Unless someone got to the Seed first.¡±


    ¡°If they did, then the least we get is some new Wielders. Those kids are smart, and they¡¯ve got Loki with them,¡± Audrey ended.


    Victor grunted. It was the one thing she¡¯d gotten over him.


    ¡°Are you still mad about that?¡± Audrey asked.


    ¡°You took one of my members right out from under my nose, Audrey. That¡¯s one less Wielder for my group,¡± Victor told her.


    ¡°And you took a defenceless girl from me,¡± Audrey countered.


    ¡°If Lillie says she wants to go along with me, that¡¯s her right. You¡¯re not her mother.¡±


    Audrey let down the binoculars and glared hard at him.


    ¡°Then why don¡¯t you leave? Your job here is done, isn¡¯t it?¡± Audrey asked him.


    Victor clicked his tongue.


    ¡°If it wasn¡¯t for me, this building would¡¯ve fell a long time ago. You know how aggressive the patrols are getting around here!¡± Victor told her.


    Barely a week had passed, yet they could both notice the difference. Once or twice they¡¯d even see an Angelo for a brief moment. But the large beasts didn¡¯t seem to like Earth, because they left soon after.


    ¡°You did help us set up the second building. It¡¯s great for spreading our forces out. But something¡¯s been bothering me about you, Amadi.¡±


    What? Victor tried to hide his fear but his eyebrows quirked up a little. Audrey took it as a sign to continue.


    ¡°You know what the Seeds are, what the monsters are and most everything new we find. You¡¯ve got that Dragonsilver plate hanging from your chest and Leo only knew how precious it was because of you. So, how much else are you hiding from us?¡± she asked him.


    ¡°I¡¯ve shared everything I can with you, Audrey. Are you still doubting me?¡± he replied.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, lad, but I am. That wasn¡¯t the most damning of evidence, but I can¡¯t trust someone who won¡¯t even look me in the eye and give me the whole truth.¡±


    ¡°The whole truth could put the both of us in danger,¡± Victor told her.


    ¡°Maybe, but does that include the part where you knew I was married?¡± Audrey asked him.


    She stood up to her full height, something that shouldn¡¯t have intimidated Victor at all. She was smaller than him by a lot, but the aura she exuded felt suffocating.


    ¡°I¡­ didn¡¯t know¡­¡±


    Her eyes bored holes into him, and Victor backed up against the wall to compose himself.


    ¡°When we first met in front of that shop, you called me ¡®Mrs.¡¯.¡±


    ¡°I-I assumed an oldbag like you would be married,¡± he countered.


    ¡°Really? Most people nowadays don¡¯t really think to call a woman by her husband¡¯s last name, yet it was the thing you asked for. I thought it a coincidence at the time, but¡­. What do you really know, Amadi?¡± Audrey asked him.


    Victor knew better than to talk. He kept his mouth shut, even as every single cell in his body wanted to blurt the secret out. With it, he could help them much better. Find them better resources, Seeds, maybe even put up a decent fight without having to fight against every decision they made.


    But the cost was too great. And he couldn¡¯t even begin to form the words in his mouth. This was a lone curse he had to bear, and that meant he couldn¡¯t tell a single soul, not Loki, not Lillie, not even Amadeus.


    ¡°You¡¯re not going to say anything?¡± Audrey asked.


    Victor kept looking away. He couldn¡¯t meet her gaze still.


    ¡°That¡¯s disappointing. Your fuel¡¯s ready whenever you are, though if that Amadeus boy grows any stronger I don¡¯t think you¡¯ll need it,¡± she told him.


    Before truly leaving him there in the hallway, Audrey did give him one last bit of advice.


    ¡°A secret can really eat at you if you don¡¯t let it out Amadi. It carves a little hole in your soul and then you can¡¯t bring it out, even if you want to,¡± Audrey told him. ¡°Take care of Lillie. She¡¯s not mine, but she¡¯s been a darling ever since I met her. Would be a shame to see something happen to the poor lass.¡±


    She passed along a little note for her to him, and Victor stuffed it into his pockets. He stood up to leave too, glancing one last time down at the streets to find Loki and his group returning.


    If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ****


    Victor kept enlarging and shrinking the plastic keychain in his hand until his breath turned to gasps.


    [Ability Unlocked: Sizing Boost]


    He let out a sigh and Lillie gave him a glance.


    ¡°Did you get another one of your boosts?¡± She asked.


    ¡°Yeah. And you?¡±


    ¡°Slow coming as always. I feel like I should be doing better¡­ like Loki,¡± she grunted mentioning his name.


    ¡°Not all of us can be as good as him,¡± Victor told her.


    ¡°But the rate he¡¯s getting stronger. Aren¡¯t you a bit annoyed too?¡± Lillie said.


    He shrugged. His mind had been so preoccupied with getting to Charleston that he¡¯d hardly spared the time to think about it. He had just assumed that Loki¡¯s growth would plateau, just like most Wielders.


    ¡°Oh, I got a boost! Aww, it¡¯s Recovery,¡± Lillie said with a bit of annoyance.


    ¡°At least you¡¯re getting something. I¡¯m stuck driving this old hunk of junk,¡± Amadeus criticized.


    ¡°It¡¯s not a hunk of junk! It¡¯s antique,¡± Victor countered.


    ¡°An antique hunk of junk then. The rear-view mirror doesn¡¯t even work!¡±


    ¡°Who do you even need to watch out for?¡± Victor asked him.


    ¡°You¡¯re the one who said to go towards a Gate. An insane idea, but I still did it. Wouldn¡¯t a rear view mirror help?¡±


    ¡°Am, if something is chasing us, I am sure we will hear it before we see it,¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°A calming thought, that,¡± Amadeus grumbled.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let Vic scare you, Amadeus. It¡¯s just the way he is,¡± Lillie told him.


    ¡°The paranoia¡¯s beginning to rub off on me, I think,¡± Amadeus replied.


    ¡°I¡¯m sparing you the more grim possibilities, Am,¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°What a great friend you are.¡±


    They kept to the path till the Mustang reached the desert and the Gate that was smack dab in the middle of it. The only problem that they faced on their journey was the fact that they weren¡¯t alone.


    Victor lamented the sight in front of him. there was only a single assailant they had to beat to cross over the Gate. The only issue was that it was a Vintaric of Hive Matricide, with all the mantis-like qualities that came along with it. Claws like scythes extended from its forearms and it had a green colouring that was common among its hive.


    ¡°She¡¯s fully grown. Her arms are scythes and she can skewer you through with blades she can make all over her body. Be careful, you two,¡± Victor told them as he cocked his gun.


    The AR-15 hung low near his chest, right next to the Dragonsilver. He hefted it up towards the Vintaric, who looked at him with her alien eyes. She was huge, but still fit into the M category of his bestiary¡¯s size stat.


    It was a sobering thought when he¡¯d first met a Huge creature. Compared to them, a Matricide Vintaric really was just a bug.


    The bug chittered and screamed a shrill scream in his direction. It was a pitch higher than the other Vintarics, and more ear piercing because of it. Ironic, considering they were sensitive to sound itself.


    Victor spread out from the car and started to shoot at its face while Amadeus launched bolts of lightning at it.


    The mantis¡¯ attention was split two ways as they scurried over to opposite ends of the monster. It raised its shining claws into the air to defend against Victor¡¯s bullets, which pinged off loudly from it.


    Amadeus scorched its back with another bolt of lightning and the bug screamed. It turned its back to Victor and he saw the damage Amadeus had done. The bug launched itself off from its stick-like legs at an inhuman speed. It landed right in front of Amadeus and Victor felt fear well up.


    Thankfully, Lillie was right behind him to catch the swipe of the claw. A pane of light shined out in the air, and the claw stuck inside. The bug struggled to move its claw, so instead blades exploded from its chest. Those slashed Amadeus and Lillie, cutting them across the cheek, side and arms.


    Victor grunted and fired another burst onto the bug in anger. If he¡¯d any sense to live, he¡¯d honour what Audrey asked of him. He wouldn¡¯t let Lillie die this time around.


    Victor kept running as he loaded more rounds into the monster. Then he picked up the gun by the barrel and enlarged it till it was almost his size. He swung the butt of the rifle right into the monster¡¯s eye, squishing it and causing it to scream again. The monster tried to slash him with its other claw, but Victor brought down the rifle to stop it.


    He was sent skidding back in the dirt and dropped the AR-15 on the ground. Then Victor clasped his hands together and enlarged himself again. With his new boosts to Sizing, he¡¯d gained another foot, and stood as tall as a man with Gigantism.


    He was slow with his new size, however, and his hands did little to block the slashes from the Vintaric. When another passed and left a shallow cut on his chest, Victor jumped onto its back and grabbed the sockets of its arms. He held it back to prevent the Vintaric from slashing, but saw blades growing on its back.


    ¡°Now, Am!¡± he shouted as a pane of light stopped the growth of the blades from piercing his chest.


    Victor looked back to see Lillie raising a single bloody hand up. Amadeus was on the other side, and lightning crackled between his fingertips. The bolts glowed a brilliant white before impacting right through the monster¡¯s chest.


    Victor let go immediately as the bolt hit, and kicked off the body. The shock reverberated through its body visibly, until it finally dissipated and smoke rose from the body.


    Victor would¡¯ve thought that it would do the trick, but the Vintaric was still strong enough to catch him off guard. The only reason he didn¡¯t lose his head was because Lillie tackled him to the ground.


    She was on top of him and raised a hand towards the sky. A domed barrier of light revealed itself around them, just as the monster tried to claw at it. It wrapped its body around the barrier as blades erupted all across it. A thousand small pinpricks started piercing the barrier, leaving no room for light.


    ¡°Lillie, let me,¡± he told her as he got up.


    Victor placed his hands on the walls of the barrier and felt even more energy leave him than normal. With it the barrier grew bigger, until the Vintaric¡¯s body couldn¡¯t fully cover it.


    It looked surprised but tried to coil around them again. Victor pushed again and the barrier grew even bigger. On top of it he and Lillie found their escape. A hole just big enough for them to get out of.


    Before the Matricide bug could cover it, Lillie made them a platform.


    ¡°You first,¡± she told him.


    He stepped up on the platform and a hole opened up in the dome-shaped barrier. He climbed atop it and jumped away from the bug as it slashed at him.


    Lillie wasn¡¯t so lucky, as she had to close it back up before the Vintaric could get her.


    ¡°Vic!¡± Amadeus called for him.


    ¡°Am! Don¡¯t just stand around, shoot her!¡± he asked the man angrily.


    Amadeus recoiled a bit but nodded fervently. He ran towards the monster while Victor scrambled across the desert for his gun. He picked it up and pointed it right at the Vintaric¡¯s face as he adjusted the aim.


    He let loose every bullet in the chamber before reloading and starting again. That would be his last clip, but Victor didn¡¯t care as long as it kept Lillie safe.


    He unloaded the last of his ammo just as Amadeus fired another booming bolt of lightning. That got the monster to shriek again and it uncoiled itself from around the barrier.


    When it came for Victor and Amadeus again, the both of them jumped in opposite directions. Somehow, it was still moving, despite the burn marks that stretched from its beady eyes to its abdomen.


    It looked at him again and ignored Amadeus. Maybe it¡¯d figured something out, but the monster was clearly unwilling to talk about it. Instead it rushed for him with claws raised. When it did, Victor tried his best to dodge and came close again to losing his head.


    That sent a spike through his heart but didn¡¯t stop him. he rolled and grabbed onto one of the legs of the monster. With a hint of will, he let loose all the stamina he had left to shrink the monster down.


    The Vintaric itself stood confused as it happened. It shrunk by good two feet. And that shrinkage came with a loss of strength as well. Two barriers appeared around its neck, putting it in a vice grip.


    It struggled to move out but Lillie kept still. Then, Amadeus hands lit up like the morning sun, and a blast of electricity hit it right in the face.


    The monster¡¯s head exploded, spraying green blood all over the desert and Victor. The body collapsed soon after, with something glowing materializing in the middle of it.


    Victor couldn¡¯t focus on that when there was ooze all over him through.


    ¡°Ugh.¡±


    He tried his best to wipe it on the sand but it just made it clump up. Instead, he resigned himself to using a towel as he shouted for the others.


    ¡°You two alright!?¡± he asked for them.


    ¡°Fine here,¡± Amadeus replied.


    ¡°Doing dandy,¡± Lillie said in a sarcastic tone. The both of them stumbled over to Victor to help him up. He took their hands and got up to his own two feet, despite how tired he felt. After all, the promise of riches made a man much more active.

 Chapter 22: Qeeny

    The Seed nestled within the Matricide Vintaric turned out to be quiet a common one. It was a spiky ball of blades that shined softly in the night. Victor had hoped for something rarer, but the Vintaric hadn¡¯t displayed any interesting powers besides the typical. Guess they can¡¯t all be winners.


    What did catch him off-guard was that no one approached the Seed. He looked towards Amadeus and Lillie, but it seemed they were waiting for him.


    ¡°So¡­ what is it?¡± Amadeus asked him.


    ¡°Bladebody Edge. Turns you into a porcupine. You can create edges all over your body with it,¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°Any downsides?¡± Lillie chimed in.


    ¡°You have to be careful with your nails. Makes them much sharper,¡± Victor looked down towards her hands, ¡°Might be good for you actually.¡±


    But Lillie shook her head.


    ¡°Amadeus can have it,¡± she said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t want it either. Less I think about those things skewering me, the better,¡± Amadeus replied.


    ¡°They¡¯re not going to¡­ It¡¯s a good Seed guys,¡± Victor reasoned.


    ¡°We¡¯ll find other ones. Why don¡¯t you take it?¡± Lillie offered.


    ¡°We¡¯re starved for opportunities here, you understand, right?¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t seem like it to me. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve gone a day without seeing a new one. I can wait another,¡± Amadeus said.


    What kind of stupid- Oh. Now that he thought back to the start, Victor had been leading them to Seeds much more often. That must¡¯ve been why they trusted him with it so much.


    ¡°Ah, fine,¡± Victor conceded. A third Seed wouldn¡¯t hurt him, especially if it¡¯d all go away the next loop through.


    He touched the sharpened Seed, scratching himself a little as he took it into his being. Immediately, he could feel a third source of power inside of him, and he relished the notifications that came along with it.


    [Seed Integrated: Bladebody Edge]


    [Ability Unlocked: Unlock Metallize]


    [Ability Unlocked: Popclaw]


    [Ability Unlocked: Instant Pop]


    He felt the change in his hands. His fingernails sharpened, taking on a sheen not unlike that of iron.


    Without another word, Victor looked up the abilities in his screen¡¯s view.


    [[Popclaw]: (Requirement: None) You gain the ability to temporarily create blades on your body. These blades pop out from wherever you want and their speed, length, sharpness and hardness depends on your metallize stat. You can also retract them at will.


    Matricide Vintarics are the only known sources of this ability, and only so when they finish off their mate. I always found it saddening, that they had to sacrifice so much to gain this strength.]


    Confirming the ability for himself was a relief, since Victor had only heard about the Seed in the past. But there was one other thing that he wanted to check.


    [[Instant Pop]: (Requirement: Timewalker¡¯s Origin) Your Popclaw ability works much quicker, and the blades pop out near instantaneously.]


    And there he found what he¡¯d been seeking. A synergy. Victor smiled beside himself and stowed the notification.


    ¡°Does it work?¡± Lillie asked him.


    As a display, Victor opened his palm and willed the ability into existence. In almost an instant, half a foot long piece of metal elongated from his palm, and Amadeus jerked back.


    ¡°Agh! That could¡¯ve gotten my eye!¡± he complained.


    ¡°Sorry, Am, didn¡¯t expect it to be that fast,¡± Victor said.


    ¡°What gives? It wasn¡¯t like that for the Vintaric,¡± Lillie looked with a concentrated expression, like she was examining him.


    ¡°It said it was a Synergy with my other Seed.¡±


    ¡°The size-changing one?¡± Lillie asked.


    ¡°Yup,¡± Victor lied through his teeth.


    ¡°¡­Guess it makes sense¡­¡± Lillie muttered to herself.


    The three of them departed from the corpse of the Vintaric and returned to their car. Victor felt bad about leaving the Mustang alone in the desert but he didn¡¯t have a choice. The terrain on the other side of the Gate wasn¡¯t made with vehicles in mind, which meant they¡¯d have to take on foot.


    ¡°Did you guys grab everything you need?¡± Victor asked his friends.


    ¡°Just about!¡± Amadeus replied from the trunk. Once he slammed it shut, Victor gave one last pat to the Mustang before taking to the Gate.


    ****


    Popping out of the other side, the first thing Victor heard was exclamations of awe. Amadeus and Lillie¡¯s mouth hung open at the scenery around them, and Victor couldn¡¯t blame them for it.


    The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    A deep red sky extended beyond them into the horizon filled with clouds. Exotic looking birds and other winged creatures flew in patterns around them. There were large purple stalks all around them, much like that of bamboo. Victor had heard a few people try it before, and the taste had been described as bitter and unappealing.


    Beyond the stalks, there was other foliage and the shadow of mountains in the background. It was as damning sight, like something one might see out of a painting or comic.


    ¡°What¡­ is this place,¡± Amadeus asked.


    ¡°Deltani Plains. It may look good, but that doesn¡¯t mean we can stay here. Come on you two, let¡¯s go,¡± Victor urged the two of them.


    They started stepping through the grassy plains yet with their eyes still affixed to the surroundings. The trek through the other world took them a long time, but Victor thought he knew the right direction. The usual markings Wielders in his past life had used hadn¡¯t been made yet,  and ten years made a difference in how the terrain shaped itself.


    But Victor did his best, and surprisingly Lillie came in handy. She could spot the landmarks from further away than he could. After an hour or so on the same trek, Victor was growing more certain that his path was the correct one.


    Just a few more days, and I¡¯ll save you. Please stay safe until then, he hoped in his heart as he dug an elbow into the dirt. They were climbing up a steep hill, and his blades helped him crest it more easily.


    Lillie was below him, using her light barriers to give herself handholds. Over the past few days, she¡¯d grown a lot more proficient with shaping them. It was still a crude design, but better than her last ones.


    Amadeus was the one suffering the most. So much so that Victor had to tie a rope between him and the other man.


    ¡°Pull me up!¡± Amadeus asked, tugging the rope.


    ¡°Come on, Am, don¡¯t you feel any stronger than before?¡± Victor asked him, incredulous. Despite his grumblings, he still gestured over to Lillie, who made some more barriers for him to use as foot stops.


    He placed his feet inside and pulled on the rope, slowly dragging Amadeus through the dirty slope.


    ¡°Wait, you¡¯ve been getting strength boosts?¡± Amadeus asked in reply.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t?¡± Victor said.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t even know those were possible¡­¡± Lillie muttered under her breath as she went past the both of them and climbed atop the hill.


    ¡°Woah¡­¡± Lillie said as she finally reached it.


    ¡°Woah? What did you find?¡± Amadeus asked as he tried to pull himself up faster.


    ¡°Don¡¯t spoil the sight for him,¡± Victor told her as he finally grabbed onto Amadeus¡¯ arms and pulled him up to his position. The two of them separated and reached the top separately.


    ¡°Woah¡­¡± Amadeus repeated.


    The forest had cut off abruptly ahead. The trees thinned to reveal a mountain range with what looked like hundreds of Gates scattered about. It was lower in number than Victor knew in his previous life, but the sight of them were unmistakable.


    Stones ranging from pebbles to large boulders dotted the path up to the mountain range, and cracks ran along the solid ground ahead of them. it was a dry land that greeted them, but no less eye-catching than the ones before.


    ¡°It¡¯s a beautiful sight, isn¡¯t it?... Too bad there¡¯s probably a bunch of monsters waiting beside those Gates to get us.¡± Victor told the rest of them. it soured the mood but Victor didn¡¯t have it in him to bear another sightseeing session.


    ¡°Come on, and faster this time. We don¡¯t want to attract any attention,¡± he told them. Lillie nodded along but Amadeus stayed put with his eyes squinting.


    ¡°Guys, they¡¯re back¡­¡± Amadeus said, pointing to one of the large boulders ahead of them.


    ¡°Whose back?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°The balloons.¡±


    Victor tried to find what Amadeus was seeing, but he couldn¡¯t find a hint of movement. Slowly, he crouched down and picked up one of the rocks. He chucked it while infusing it with enlargement, and it grew to the size of a fist before crumbling against the boulder.


    In reaction, something soft, round and red jumped out from behind the boulder and started quivering on the ground. It shook from head to toe and covered its head with its hands like a scared animal.


    ¡°Wait! Please! Do not attack!¡± the creature begged in a squeaky voice, and Victor sighed. Of all the monsters he could encounter, the one he¡¯d wanted the least was one of the balloons.


    He held up a fist and started walking over to the monster cautiously as a blade popped up over his knuckles.


    ¡°Who are you and where are the rest of your allies?¡± Victor asked the balloon animal.


    The monster looked up at him for half a moment before placing its hands over its head again. A coward, then.


    ¡°I-I¡¯m a harmless Altesian, please! P-put that blade away, would you?!¡± it begged him.


    ¡°Vic, are you sure this is a monster?¡± Lillie asked, coming up to him. ¡°He doesn¡¯t look armed at all.¡±


    ¡°I am not! So if you would ask your brutish friend to stop, I would be grateful!¡± the Altesian begged, and Victor¡¯s urge to run it through increased.


    ¡°You were planning an ambush, weren¡¯t you? I should stab you just for that!¡± Victor said, scraping the blade across the ground.


    ¡°I was hiding! Hiding, I swear! I didn¡¯t know there would be anyone¡ª let alone humans¡ª this way!¡± The Altesian shivered in reply.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think he¡¯s lying,¡± Amadeus admitted. ¡°If he were planning an ambush, we¡¯d have seen them by now.¡±


    ¡°And you believe this thing?¡±


    ¡°Look at the thing, Vic. It¡¯d be like fighting a volleyball,¡± Amadeus said, looking at the quivering mass before him.


    Victor reluctantly let go of the blade and crouched down low towards the Altesian.


    ¡°You said you were hiding from something. What was it?¡± he asked.


    ¡°I-it was those Daughters of Mara! Nasty, nasty group! They came into our village and forced us to work for them!¡± The Altesian told him.


    ¡°That¡¯s awful,¡± Lillie said with a grimace.


    ¡°It is!¡±


    ¡°And where is this village of yours?¡± Victor asked.


    The little Altesian dusted himself off before pointing eastwards. Its little gesture made Amadeus chuckle just a bit.


    ¡°Over there!¡±


    ¡°Alright then.¡±


    Victor stood up and dusted his hands together before taking a turn. Opposite to where the Altesian pointed.


    ¡°Come on, guys, we don¡¯t want to get caught by the Daughters.¡±


    ¡°Wait wait wait!¡± The little Altesian barked at them. ¡°Where are you going?¡±


    ¡°Away. From that.¡±


    ¡°B-but! My village is in danger. Can you not help?¡± the Altesian asked.


    ¡°A monster¡¯s problem is a monster¡¯s, not mine,¡± Victor replied.


    He started taking a few more steps before he realized the others weren¡¯t following suit.


    ¡°Lillie. Amadeus. What are you two thinking?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°The little guy sounds like he needs help, Vic,¡± Amadeus argued.


    ¡°He¡¯s a monster. The less of them in here, the better for us out there!¡± he pointed towards the Gate they¡¯d come out of.


    ¡°Maybe he could give us something in return?¡± Lillie tried sweetening the deal.


    ¡°Yes! We could! Our village dug up many Seeds. You can have them if you save us!¡± The Altesian replied.


    Victor groaned in reply.


    ¡°Are you two sure about this? The monsters who took over his village aren¡¯t the easiest to mess with. They don¡¯t fight with their fists; they fight by tricking your mind.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to fear! We won¡¯t take them on head on, Mr. Vic!¡± the little Altesian said excitedly. ¡°Our village had a good ally. He helped us find those Seeds. If we free him, he can help defend it against the Daughters!¡±


    ¡°And both of you are sure about this?¡± Victor asked them.


    ¡°Free Seeds?¡± Amadeus said. Victor knew that was only second in his mind.


    There was no changing the man¡¯s mind when he set upon something. He was a bleeding heart through and through. Victor knew that. He was more surprised to see Lillie agreeing after her last encounter with the little things.


    ¡°You¡¯re one little persuasive monster, aren¡¯t you?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Fine, we¡¯ll do it. But those Seeds better be worth it.¡±


    The Altesian bounced with happiness at that. Frankly, it was an embarrassing sight.


    ¡°What¡¯s your name anyway, little fella?¡± Lillie asked crouching down next to him. the Altesian puffed up its chest with renewed confidence and spoke it aloud.


    ¡°I am Qeeny of Pepin village!¡±

 Chapter 23: Help Her

    Victor and his group sat at the fringes of a mining outpost that led straight into the mountains. There, he could see numerous Altesians chained up and working, not unlike in a prison he¡¯d see in a movie. Leading them were what looked like humans, but all too perfect.


    They had unblemished skin and beautiful proportions. Men and women of a dozen different tones and sizes watched over the Altesians, looking bored as they forced the balloony monsters to work.


    ¡°Woah¡­¡± Victor couldn¡¯t hear the words, but he could guess that¡¯s what Lillie and Amadeus were thinking by the sight of the faux humans. Qeeny, however, trembled like he was about to watch onto a butcher¡¯s work table.


    Enough time had passed that the day had given way to night time, but that didn¡¯t rid the sky of its red tinge. Instead, it loomed a grand deep purple in the sky, with stars speckled all around it. It helped hide them at least, which was the most Victor could hope for at that point.


    He nudged his allies and started scrawling something onto a piece of paper in front of them.


    Those aren¡¯t humans if you couldn¡¯t tell. Just remember what I told you, when you get the attention of one of them, don¡¯t look away. You won¡¯t be able to focus on anything else if you do.


    Qeeny said something in reply but Victor quickly placed a hand over his mouth. The little Altesian¡¯s squeaky voice was loud enough to hear over a storm, so he wasn¡¯t going to risk it at night.


    Qeeny, where is this friend of yours trapped? Victor wrote down on the paper. He then slowly handed it to the little blob, who wrote down a reply.


    Inside.


    Great, Victor thought to himself. He¡¯d have to get through the lot of them to reach that ally of his.


    What about the Altesians down there? How are we going to free them? Amadeus asked.


    Truth be told, Victor had intended to leave them, if he could. But seeing as there was no other way¡­


    We¡¯re going to incite a rebellion tonight.


    ****


    When one Altesian got out of line, they got beat. The entirety of the camp was kept in check by fear and nothing more.


    Amadeus winced for those poor little creatures.


    ¡°It¡¯s a defence tactic, Am. They want you to think they¡¯re cute so you help them!¡± Victor bellowed at him and Lillie throughout the trip, but he was still helping regardless.


    I guess the saying is true. No one is immune to propaganda. And as long as it helped them in the long run, there was nothing wrong with doing a bit of good, was there?


    Amadeus shuffled over to the stables with Lillie in tow. His powers were too loud, so he¡¯d been forced to pair up with her. Victor and Qeeny had gone the other way around, to drop an enlarged boulder in the middle of the camp and distract them.


    ¡°Am, in here,¡± Lillie helped him up onto a glowing platform she quickly dismissed. They were on top of the stables now, and crouched as they walked over to a hole in the middle. Once they¡¯d realized the Daughter¡¯s weren¡¯t using their abilities, they¡¯d taken their earbuds out.


    Inside they found two figures. One of the handsomer looking men that Amadeus knew to be an Daughter of Mara, and the other was a sickly looking maroon Altesian whose hands were glowing.


    The Daughter admonished the little monster, who shook his head vehemently. But they weren¡¯t sure of it, since wax still coated their ears. Amadeus and Lillie circled around the Daughter from up above, then looked to each other in a nod. Then they brought out their combat knives and jumped down from the hole.


    In an instant, the Daughter was stabbed through the head and neck, and spluttered as he fell to the ground. His appearance changed in an instant, as the illusion of beauty faded. Left in its place was a sickly thin creature with gashes all over its body, blue veins and bloodshot eyes that bled. Its skin looked stretched over its whole body, and the sight made Lillie flinch.


    The little Altesian looked over and backed into the stall of his patient. He tried to squeal but his voice caught in his throat. He darted his eyes between the both of them and the dead corpse beneath.


    Amadeus raised a hand in silence towards the monster, even though it was covered in sickly mauve blood.


    ¡°Shhhh. We¡¯re here to help,¡± Amadeus told it. But the Altesian wouldn¡¯t stop shaking, and the horse behind it was growing agitated.


    ¡°Please. I swear we are,¡± Lillie told him as well. She grabbed a ring of keys off of the dead Daughter and slowly approached.


    Kneeling down, she undid the locks on the Altesian¡¯s body and quieted its squeals.


    ¡°T-thank you.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome. But we¡¯re going to need something in return, okay?¡± Lillie asked in a disarming voice. The Altesian shakily nodded its head to obey, and she gave it a deceptive smile.


    ****


    The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Victor was stuck with the ball of fluff until this operation was over. It would¡¯ve been bearable had the monster stopped fidgeting for even half a second.


    ¡°Keep it down, will you. Someone¡¯s going to notice if you keep moving like that!¡± Victor scolded him. He and the Altesian were hanging off of the rocks on the side of the mountain, scaling it quickly and as quietly as they could.


    As it turned out, Altesians weren¡¯t really the most nimble of species, so Qeeny often had to struggle to make his way up.


    ¡°I-I¡¯ll fall!¡± the monster whimpered.


    ¡°You won¡¯t if you just stop shaking,¡± Victor said.


    But the monster slipped and lost his grip. Before he could fall, Victor popped a large flat blade from the side of his leg to catch the monster. Qeeny stumbled on it but caught himself before he could tumble off even that.


    He looked up at a scowling Victor, and silently grabbed the rocks in front of him.


    Once they made it to the top of the climb, they searched around in the dark for their quarry. Crouched low, Victor could barely see a thing in the darkness. He couldn¡¯t pull out his phone either, if only because the Daughters might spot them up so high.


    ¡°Here! Biggest one here!¡±


    Victor scurried over to an admittedly impressive sized rock. It was positioned just right to fall into the middle of camp, he just needed to make sure it made enough of a commotion.


    He braced his hands against the small boulder and let out energy from his palms, enlarging it. It seemed to break the ground beneath it as Victor heard cracks spreading. Qeeny joined in as well, helping to give the final push through and the rock dropped.


    The heavy boulder was about the size of a man by the time it started jumping down the mountains. It broke the ground wherever it landed, letting out a shockwave of noise that caught the attention of the mining camp.


    Then it finally flung into the air and came crashing down atop a Daughter. In an instant, the man was crushed and the other workers of the camp stood in awe. The next, a light blared onto Victor from below, and screams erupted from the camps as he plugged his earbuds back in.


    Qeeny had done the same thankfully. From below him Victor saw the Daughters start to climb the mountain with haste. Perfect.


    Once they¡¯d made it halfway to him, he pulled out his glock and started firing at them. he didn¡¯t need to be precise, but his shots carried enough weight to drop them to the ground. The Daughter¡¯s weren¡¯t durable, so once they hit the ground their lives left them.


    At the same time, a herd of stampeding horses escaped from the stables and ran amok around the camp. They kicked up dirt that obscured the ground, which made Victor less than happy. But he¡¯d handle the Daughters up here so Amadeus and Lillie could take care of the ones on the ground.


    ****


    It¡¯d happened faster than he¡¯d expected. Amadeus and Lillie waited on the outskirts of the stable, afraid that they¡¯d be caught by another patrolling Daughter. But instead they¡¯d heard the signal Victor had set for them.


    ¡°Now!¡± Lillie shouted to the little Altesian. He let the horses go free from their little pens and sent them running towards the camp immediately. After all of them had been evacuated, Amadeus placed a hand on the monster.


    ¡°Go hide. We¡¯ll tell you when it¡¯s over!¡± he reassured as the Altesian nodded.


    Amadeus kept a gun in one hand and plugged his earbuds back in. he nodded to Lillie and the both of them ran out of stables primed.


    They came after the horses had done their work, leaving them with a mist of dust to cover under. Whenever they¡¯d find a Daughter hiding among the dirt, Amadeus would send lightning flying at the monster. It dropped them scorched black.


    Lillie covered his behind. A ball of fire soared overhead and Lillie¡¯s barrier blocked it. Amadeus tried to aim at its caster and caught her eye. She looked beautiful, but a twisted scowl stretched the skin around her mouth inhumanely.


    ¡°Agh!¡± Lillie yelled as another Daughter tackled her, taking her away into the mist.


    Amadeus broke sight with the caster he¡¯d been facing as a million thoughts flooded his mind. He found himself unable to focus, frozen in the middle of the battlefield. Whenever a thought dared to embed itself in his mind¡¯s eye, it was whisked away with the wind.


    He struggled even to raise a single finger, as a Daughter of Mara came close and grabbed at his face. She spoke with a wicked grin, moving her fingers to grab at his ears. She got out a single earbud and readied her honeyed words.


    No, no, NO!


    He mustered up the will to push her back. The Daughter looked impressed with him, but raised her hand again to fire. It seemed his interest to her had run out.


    But her hand cut off at the elbow before she could even start. A shadowy figure landed right next to her, coat flaring out.


    ¡°Come on, Am. Falling for the first pretty woman that lays eyes on you? What would the kids think?¡± Victor said. A blade extended from his knuckles that frightened the Daughter.


    She opened her mouth to shriek, but a blade her head off. Her disillusioned body fell to the ground while Victor let his sword disperse.


    ¡°They knew I was a hopeless romantic,¡± Amadeus said as he lifted himself up off of the ground.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Lillie?¡± Victor asked him.


    ¡°One of the Daughters grabbed her.¡±


    Victor clicked his tongue in anger and started stomping off into the mists yelling her name.


    Amadeus followed as more of the Daughters came for them. The Daughters tried to ambush them but Victor was always quicker. But the fighting took so long that the dust started to clear.


    Victor stabbed another Daughter through the stomach and raised its body as a shield against an arrow. The arrow expanded into a system of roots that embedded into the corpse. Victor threw it aside and looked at his assailant, a Daughter holding up a single hand.


    He fired another but not before lightning impacted his hand. The arrow flew off into nowhere and the Daughter let out a howl of pain. Then he looked back up and realized he was outnumbered. None of his brothers or sisters were left alive.


    He turned tail to run but he crashed into a barrier of light head-on. A couple of gunshots rang out and riddled his side as the monster fell over onto the ground.


    Lillie popped out from the darkness clutching her bleeding arm with the other. She stumbled a little before putting down her gun beside her.


    ¡°Lillie!¡± Victor ran towards her without abandon.


    ¡°Aaahhhh!¡± Qeeny yelled.


    Victor continued running but Amadeus had stopped for the little Altesian. He waited and jumped into the air, stopping his descent as they both landed peacefully. The monster struggled a bit in his grasp even after that but stopped once he realized he was in good hands.


    ¡°Aha¡­. Thank you, Mr. Amadeus.¡±


    ¡°No problem, little guy,¡± he replied.


    ¡°Can you let me down? I must help Ms. Aster,¡± the Altesian insisted.


    Amadeus and the monster jogged over to her beside the ground. Victor was trying to clean her wounds with gauze as she winced with every swab. He glared at Qeeny as he approached and stopped the little Altesian in his tracks.


    ¡°I¡­I can help her,¡± he offered diminutively. But Victor refused to put away his scowl. It was as if a single touch would expire the young woman. It¡¯s barely been weeks, but does he¡­


    Amadeus shook away the thoughts. He couldn¡¯t know Victor¡¯s thoughts, only guess. Maybe he was just the overprotective type. What was clear to Amadeus¡ª however¡ª was that Lillie needed his help.


    ¡°Vic, you have to let him. If you don¡¯t¡­¡±


    ¡°For them, Am?¡± Victor looked betrayed.


    ¡°H-He¡¯s right¡­ they c-can heal¡­¡± Lillie said weakly, before flinching again.


    Victor took a glance between Qeeny and Lillie one last time.


    ¡°It could be infected¡­¡± he muttered to himself before looking back up to the Altesian.


    ¡°Please, help her.¡±

 Chapter 24: Leaving Unceremoniously

    Qeeny approached with his hands up and closed his painted-on eyes. His hands were shaking with concentration while Victor waited impatiently.


    ¡°Stay awake, Lillie. Don¡¯t fall asleep now!¡± he urged her, shaking her body in his hands.


    He was so utterly transfixed with the sight of her that he didn¡¯t even notice that the other Altesians had started to gather. Amadeus watched as the entire mine came to surround them, quietly observing Qeeny from afar.


    ¡°The girl. May we approach?¡± one of them asked, it was a deep red Altesian who bore wrinkles on his face but no facial hair. Amadeus took a glance back at Qeeny, who was still struggling with the healing, before he nodded.


    Slowly, the Altesians approached the lying girl. Once they were in range, they mimicked the motions Qeeny had used, and at once something sparked in between them. Their hands too started glowing a deep red. Amadeus felt a tingle from being so close to it, and he noticed only then that his cuts were starting to itch.


    Lillie had the most drastic transformation. Purple and red wounds all over her body were fading slowly. Her shoulder was righted into position while her cracked lips sealed right back up. In a minute or two, she looked entirely normal apart from her clothes.


    It was only then that the Altesians stopped and took deep breaths. The effort had tired them out, but it had borne fruit.


    ¡°Vic, is she¡­¡± Amadeus asked.


    Victor shook her awake one last time and this time she stirred. Her voice came out in a slurry before she opened her eyes. And then she sighed.


    ¡°We¡¯re still here? Wake me up when we get home,¡± she said, like it¡¯d all been a dream. Amadeus let out a chuckle and the sea of red Altesians behind him started cheering in response. Victor seemed more annoyed by them, and Lillie most likely, so he just let her down softly on the ground and stood up.


    ¡°She¡¯s going to be fine, but I¡¯m not taking any chances. Am, you stay with her,¡± he told his friend.


    ¡°And where are you going?¡±


    ¡°Yes? Where is your next destination, Mr. Amadi?¡± Qeeny asked him.


    ¡°Our next destination. You¡¯re going to guide me to this ally of yours so we can see who he is once and for all.¡±


    ¡°Oh! Of course!¡±


    Qeeny seemed excited at the prospect and literally started bouncing over to the entrance to the mines. The others gave them room and opened the heavily locked gate that barred entry.


    Victor looked inside of the mines and found it a bit dull with everything considered. He¡¯d thought they¡¯d be mining metals that were specific to their world, but it was just the same as what was available on earth. Just some copper and iron.


    What was peculiar to Victor was what he saw besides the mining equipment. There were jail cells built into the walls of the mine, holding prisoners long dead or dying. The smell that filled the air in that section of the mines infiltrated his senses and forced him to cough.


    ¡°How much further in, Qeeny?¡±


    ¡°This way! Or was it that?¡± Qeeny replied.


    ¡°You¡¯re not even sure yourself?¡± Victor asked, grunting.


    ¡°No, but¡­ they must be keeping him in a super safe place, aren¡¯t they?¡± Qeeny asked in reply.


    Victor walked past the Altesian, ignoring his comment and instead searching out the place himself. His phone light guided him further and further into the mines, until he finally found a door that looked less damaged than the others.


    ¡°Maybe they left their keys ar-¡±


    Victor kicked the door off of its hinges and entered. He shined a light left and right before it settled on a malnourished figure on the ground. He looked Nepalese, but his eyes were sunken and face horrid. He had a stringy beard and loose robes fit for a traveller, with many little pouches in between.


    His hands were in the worst condition, wounds visible from chaffing against their bonds on the wall.


    Qeeny hadn¡¯t entered yet, so Victor leaned down and pulled out his water bottle.


    ¡°Hey, old man, wake up,¡± he shook him gently. When that didn¡¯t work, Victor slapped him slightly across the face until he moved a little.


    ¡°¡­.Huh?¡± he said in a hoarse voice.


    ¡°Don¡¯t talk. Drink up first,¡± Victor told him. But the man recoiled once he opened his eyes a little more.


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    ¡°Flattered, old man, but I¡¯m not good looking enough to be a Daughter of Mara. Now, drink up, we¡¯re here to break you out.¡±


    The man nodded slowly and took the most refreshing drink of water he¡¯d ever have in his life. Once his parched throat was wetted, Qeeny came back in with a ring of keys. The little Altesian tossed the ring to Victor, who undid the locks on the man¡¯s arms.


    The old man fell forward without the strength to help himself. Victor grabbed him mid-fall and realized that it wasn¡¯t just the time in the cell that had done in his appearance. The Nepalese man was old, bald and didn¡¯t look to have the greatest constitution.


    He waved his hands through the air a little and suddenly stopped shaking as much.


    ¡°You can let go, young man. I¡¯m not as frail as I was a moment ago,¡± he coughed into his hand and stood up. To Victor he looked the exact same, but there was a change in his disposition, which is why he let him stand on his own.


    ¡°Ah, you¡¯re Qeeny, aren¡¯t you?¡± the old man said, straightening his beard with one hand.


    ¡°Yes! We came here to rescue you, Mr. Amit!¡± Qeeny beamed at the old man.


    ¡°I thank you for that, little Altesian. Your people have been gracious hosts,¡± the man, Amit replied as he dusted off his marred brown skin.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get you out and met with the others, then,¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°You need to meet the others, Mr. Amit! Need to!¡±


    ¡°No. I need my equipment first,¡± Amit told the Altesian, quieting his cries.


    Without a word the old man left the room and started a trek down the hall. A ball of light appeared over his hand to light the way, signalling to Victor that he was a Wielder.


    When he did that little display of magic, he looked back towards Victor.


    ¡°Pray tell, where are you from, boy?¡± he asked as he continued onwards into the dark.


    ¡°Charleston. And my name¡¯s Victor.¡±


    ¡°Ah, an American. Should¡¯ve expected.¡±


    ¡°And you?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m a foreigner, if the accent wasn¡¯t enough of a tell,¡± Amit said, turning a corner and reaching the end of the caves.


    ¡°It should be around here¡­¡± Amit said idly as he began his search.


    Victor didn¡¯t want to wait around so he joined in and helped find the satchel Amit identified as his. When he looked inside it though, he wasn¡¯t pleased.


    ¡°They took all the Seeds, tsk,¡± he said in annoyance. Sighing, the old man still pulled it over his shoulder and started the trek outside.


    ¡°Daughters of Mara took them! If we fight them, we can get your Seeds back, Mr. Amit!¡± Qeeny told him. The Nepalese man looked at him with a soft grandfatherly expression.


    ¡°Would that I could, Qeeny. But I need to leave this instant.¡±


    ¡°W-what?¡± Qeeny stuttered.


    ¡°I can¡¯t stay here. I have powers, yes, but nothing so grand as to take on the Daughters of Mara. Moreover, I still have a report to make to my superiors.¡±


    ¡°If you haven¡¯t noticed, the world¡¯s ended, old man. I think you can quit your day job now,¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°Not that kind of job, Victor,¡± Amit shook his head.


    ¡°Then what kind of job is it?¡± he asked. For a brief moment Amit looked him up and down, then shook his head.


    ¡°One of great importance.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re deflecting.¡±


    ¡°Because I¡¯m not going to tell you what that importance is. The world may have fallen, but my organization hasn¡¯t. And only so because they don¡¯t know how to target us. Now, if you would excuse me, I need to find the nearest Gate,¡± Amit said.


    ¡°B-but, we need your help! Without you, W-we won¡¯t be able to take back the village!¡± Qeeny cried out for him.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Qeeny. I can¡¯t save every little village when my entire world is in danger,¡± Amit replied.


    ¡°Please! We¡¯ll give you all our Seeds!¡± Qeeny begged, stepping in front of the old man with hands raised. ¡°All you could want, Mr. Amit. You and Mr. Amadi both!¡±


    ¡°My knowledge of what¡¯s happened here is more important, Qeeny. A loss of a few Seeds, no matter how powerful, is nothing in comparison. Now, step aside,¡± he said those last words with such seriousness that Qeeny ended up freezing. Amit swept past him and kept walking, ignoring the sight of the despondent Altesian.


    Victor didn¡¯t know why he stuck around. Maybe he just found Qeeny so depressing that he couldn¡¯t leave the little puffball by himself. The little Altesian¡¯s mission had failed after all, and his one hope was leaving unceremoniously.


    ¡°¡­Your mission is done, Mr. Amadi. There might be a few Seeds around the caves we could pick up to repay you¡­¡± Qeeny said.


    ¡°We¡¯ll accept the payment later.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Qeeny asked.


    Even Victor knew what he was doing was foolish. But; at least he had a few lives to spare, right?


    ¡°I said I¡¯ll take the payment afterwards. When we¡¯re done liberating your town together,¡± Victor offered. The young Altesian piped up instantly.


    ¡°B-but, I thought you only wanted to help rescue Mr. Amit?¡±


    ¡°You saved Lillie. We owe you one for that, and I don¡¯t like leaving a debt unsettled,¡± Victor said as he began to move. ¡°Now, before common sense kicks in, tell me what I¡¯m going to have to deal with out there.¡±


    ****


    Lillie awoke again in the span of an hour or so. She was groggy and sweating by the time she opened her eyes. In front of her stood three figures and a thousand little balloons beside them.


    ¡°Oh, so cute¡­¡± she started idly rubbing one of them, but the texture felt off. Halfway between skin and a smooth balloon.


    ¡°Uh, Mr. Amadi, Ms. Aster is awake!¡± Qeeny said from under her heavy hand. She smiled at him but the Altesian felt embarrassed.


    ¡°Your third is awake. Can I still not interest you with a reward if you escort me to a different mining spot instead?¡± the old man asked of them. Lillie assumed that he was the prisoner they were sent to rescue.


    ¡°No, you can¡¯t,¡± Victor replied.


    ¡°That¡¯s the prisoner?¡± Lillie asked.


    ¡°Yeah. And Amit here doesn¡¯t feel like helping,¡± Amadeus said with a slight frown.


    ¡°That is my choice to reserve. But I still require Seeds, and would be willing to help you acquire som-¡±


    ¡°So, he¡¯s leaving instead? Are you sure we should let him?¡± Lillie asked, ignoring the old man¡¯s words.


    ¡°I can assure you I¡¯m more than capable of keeping myself safe. The escort was just in case of¡­ exceeding circumstances,¡± Amit told her as a small ball of light appeared over his hand.


    ¡°Huh, I didn¡¯t expect you to have powers,¡± she said, before raising herself off of the floor.


    ¡°Many don¡¯t. Now, if you won¡¯t help me, I suppose there¡¯s no more reason for me to stay. With that, goodbye.¡±


    Amit left the camp without another word as Qeeny stared on.


    ¡°Right, change of plans. We¡¯re going to be the ones to free Pepin village,¡± Victor told the gathered crowd.


    ¡°You sure we have the power, Vic? We barely made it out this time?¡± Lillie asked.


    ¡°That¡¯s why I salvaged these two for you guys.¡±


    He opened his hands to reveal two Seeds nestled within. One looked like two roots twisting into each other in a spiral, while the other was an ever-changing flame that didn¡¯t seem to burn Victor¡¯s hands.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to need these. Because the next few days aren¡¯t going to be easy.¡±

 Chapter 25: Ishana

    The next few days were spent with the group trying out their powers to learn how they worked. Amadeus had the easiest of it, considering how intimately familiar Victor was with that particular Seed.


    ¡°Your Flame Vault is your hottest flames. Only take them out when you need to, Am, otherwise you can just make it on your own,¡± Vic told him.


    The man was focusing intently on his hand, trying to conjure the flames bigger and bigger. At present, they were barely the size of his head.


    ¡°You have to condense the flame, keep it that way until it hits something and explodes.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m trying,¡± Amadeus replied, as the flames dispersed. He grunted, shooting off a bolt of lightning into a tree before settling down on the ground.


    ¡°Any luck there, Lil?¡± Amadeus asked as he turned to face her training.


    Pouches were tied around Lillie¡¯s pants, and she brought out a handful at a time. Wherever she threw the seeds, they expanded into a series of roots above ground. Her control of those was growing faster than Amadeus¡¯ own new Seed.


    Surprisingly, despite how hard he was pushing the both of them, Victor never seemed to practice with his own. Am knew there was something going on with him, but he never even brought out his secret powers for a test run. It was itching at Amadeus, annoying him that he didn¡¯t know.


    If it¡¯s so special, why didn¡¯t he bring it out to help Lillie?


    ****


    The truth was that Victor didn¡¯t know how to progress his Seed. The Timewalker¡¯s Origin had great powers, sure, but he didn¡¯t know how to improve upon them, or even unlock new ones.


    He looked once more at the abilities he¡¯d unlocked for it thus far.


    [(Timewalker¡¯s Origin): [Unlock Sense of Time] [Anchor Placement] [Carryover Bestiary] [Carryover Item Compendium] [Sense of Time Boost] [Strength Boost x 2] [Speed Boost] [Recovery Boost]]


    He¡¯d gotten boosts, and when he looked at the requirements for it. It was a variety of things related to quickness. Being quick-acting and quick-thinking would lead him towards even more abilities. And if his hunch was right¡­ those abilities would carry over to the next loop.


    Guess I just got to be faster. He caught Lillie waving at him from across the field they were in. He smiled and gave her a wave back, then turned his attention to his other Seeds.


    The easiest exercise he knew Wielders to do was using their abilities over and over again. It gave them a familiarity with the abilities. Sure, it drove some to strange habits, but it helped. While Amadeus spent his time shooting fire off into the air, Victor instead popped blades all over his hands and upper body. Sometimes even from his feet.


    He¡¯d had to strip down to his pants to make sure he didn¡¯t rip through them. A kick would fly out, with a blade attached to it. Once he retracted his foot, the blade would disappear along with it. Or he¡¯d shoot out his blades from his elbow, and see how far they could extend before Victor could pop them out no more.


    He scratched himself a few times, as his skin wasn¡¯t metallized, but that was an easy price to pay. His experiments paid off for him, as Victor unlocked two more boosts.


    [Ability Unlocked: Recovery Boost]


    [Ability Unlocked: Metallize Boost]


    And just in time too, as he saw a group of Altesians returning with what he¡¯d requested. They hadn¡¯t any weapons, but they did have materials of all kinds in the mines, which the Altesians laid bare for Victor to work with.


    ¡°Thanks. What about the scouts? Have they returned yet?¡± Victor asked as he picked up a piece of bread that the Altesians had brought him. He touched it with a single finger, enlarging it till it was like a small cushion.


    ¡°No news on that, boss,¡± the little monster answered. More time to train, at the very least.


    Then he tried with more fingers, but the rate of change remained the same. He had to fight back the Altesians once they laid eyes on the food, which ate into his training time. Next, he went around and saw the changes that happened when he used his Enlarge and Shrink.


    If it was a bundle of something wound tightly together, he¡¯d enlarge it all at once. When he brought out a single stick of hay, that would enlarge by itself. He could shrink items and they¡¯d lose some of their weight, which could help them carry their belongings once he could maintain the transformation long enough.


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    Even though the training ended with another boost to his Sizing and Strength, Victor felt he was wasting his time.


    It¡¯s all going to get reset at the end of the years anyway. What¡¯s the point?


    Lillie and Amadeus had taken a break as the sun set. They were sitting around a campfire Amadeus had set up himself, albeit with a few hiccups along the way. A soft smile danced along their lips, regardless of what they were going to face in a few days. They looked content almost, an enviable trait in the days to come.


    They¡¯ll be gone by then too, won¡¯t they? And only I¡¯ll remember at the end.


    ¡°Hey, Vic! You going to join us any time soon? We got some meat to roast!¡± Amadeus asked.


    Unless it turns out different this time.


    ¡°What kind of meat?¡± Victor shouted back.


    ¡°Uhhh, looks like rabbit?¡± Amadeus guessed and after a pause, ¡°sure doesn¡¯t smell it though!¡±


    Qeeny grabbed the raw meat off of Amadeus¡¯ hands.


    ¡°You almost burnt us down, Mr. Levine! I¡¯ll handle the cooking!¡± Qeeny said as he stomped off.


    Victor chuckled at the sight. He could enjoy it for a bit, couldn¡¯t he? Those worries of his were only going to slow him down. There wasn¡¯t a point entertaining them.


    ****


    The village of Pepin was usually a simple place, undisturbed by the massive forces that lay around it. Made of stone buildings with a pillar in the middle that rained down water to feed the little Altesians. Or it would have had it not been for the giant Titan that lurked nearby.


    It was a mass of loamy sand atop four thin legs that were thicker than tree trunks. It had an uneven body shape, and a mouth with multiple mandibles that were like plates locking into place. The monster made the city look like a playground with its size and heft, only matched by the large trees surrounding the little village. It was like a small building, if not a bit taller than one in size.


    Atop the Titan was a Daughter of Mara on watch, and who spotted something on the ground near the village. She was Ishana, and she had been entrusted to a sacred mission.


    ¡°Scope,¡± she shouted for the others that were on watch with him. They handed her a spyglass that she used to look down into the thicket of trees and foliage. Standing in the middle of it all was a man with dark skin, but not one of theirs.


    The man looked up at the same time as Ishana spotted him, and waved at her. He was holding a rock in his hand and playing with it in between his hands. Once he¡¯d gotten their attention, he got into a throwing stance and chucked the ball like a baseball player.


    The rock flew and grew in size, impacting the size of the small Titan and letting out a wail.


    ¡°We¡¯re under attack! Go-¡±


    And then the man started to run. Ishana ground her teeth and let out a scream, but that didn¡¯t stop the man¡¯s run. How can he resist?!


    ¡°Follow him! Don¡¯t let him get away!¡± she shouted for the others. The Titan was controlled through an intricate series of ropes and reins that twisted around its body and kept their equipment from falling. When they received the order, the helmsman of the entire Titan set it into motion.


    Though the man¡ª who she thought to be human¡ª was quick, he wasn¡¯t quicker than a Titan¡¯s long strides. Each step accounted for a hundred of his, and took the Titan closer. At the same time, arrows and barrages of magic were let loose on the man. Annoyingly, they always seemed to miss, or would stop in the middle of the air for no reason.


    ¡°We¡¯re getting further away from the village. What if it comes under attack?¡± another Daughter raised the question. Ishana glared his opposition down as he got back to work.


    She picked up a favoured weapon of hers. An Ignistone pistol that imparted flames onto its bullet. It was a treasure given to her directly from their father, the Lord of the Senses.


    She aimed that gun and let loose, setting the surrounding foliage on fire with every hit. But the man seemed to adapt to her strategies, twisting underneath the Titan¡¯s feet and jumping between the trees with blades extended from his forearms.


    Slippery little¡­


    She kept firing, right up until the first snag. The Titan stopped abruptly and she had to brace herself against its back to stop from falling.


    ¡°What happened? Why did you stop?¡± Ishana barked out to the others.


    ¡°We hit a snag!¡±


    ¡°Then get out of it! Back up!¡± she shouted.


    But when they tried, they hit another. Some of the Daughters dropped down to search, but screams went up in the air once they did.


    Ishana had had enough at that point. She¡¯d been led astray by the man. She grabbed the reins of the Titan herself and twisted them. A bellow of indignation came in reply from the Titan, but it listened and started turning slowly in the other direction.


    But she met even more resistance behind. How? Did they-


    Her answer lied in the little monsters scrambling around the Titans feet. Those were the miner Altesians, and they¡¯d escaped from their prison?


    Before she could regain control of the Titan, it stumbled and started a heavy fall to the ground. Ishana went along with it and they both crashed hard.


    The surrounding trees were blown down, leaving a little hole in the forest holding the Titan¡¯s body. The Titan had gone largely unresponsive, and Ishana felt dizzy in the aftermath. She tried adjusting herself as other Daughters around her groaned the same as her. Her form flickered, switching between her beautiful fa?ade and the disgusting skin that lay beneath it.


    Others recovered before Ishana, and stood up to fight the Altesians that were swarming them. They screamed and shouted, but the little monsters wouldn¡¯t get off. they pinned them down and kept them there as they found others.


    Ishana¡¯s jaw was locked shut in fear. She crawled forward, towards a shining light she recognized as her Ignistone pistol. With that, she could survive. Fight back against these horrid little creatures. And she reached it! Grabbed the pistol and aimed right at the crowd of Altesians with a steady grip, before slowly pulling down to fire!


    A bullet wound impacted Ishana¡¯s hands, and she dropped the Ignistone gun from it. It fell onto the ground in front of her along with the blood from her wrists.


    Standing among the trees with blades balancing him was the same dark-skinned man. He held a foreign weapon that she recognized as a human rifle.


    ¡°You¡¯re not very well practiced. Make better on that in your next life,¡± Victor scoffed before he lodged another bullet into her skull.

 Chapter 26: Shark Teeth

    ¡°Sis-¡± the Daughter of Mara tried to say something before Victor killed her. He still had buds in his ear, but he could read her lips well enough before she expired.


    All around him, the Altesians were doing their best to fight off the Daughters, and it seemed they were doing relatively well.


    ¡°Qeeny, I¡¯m leaving the situation here in your hnads,¡± Victor said as he picked up the Ignistone gun and examined it.


    [[Ignistone Pistol]: STRENGTH: 150 ABILITIES: Enflamed


    A gun forged from Ignistone metal. Enchanted in such a way as to endow the bullets with fire on impact. It was made by Wayland, when he got sick of your mundane metals and came back to his own world to forge it. A weak weapon by his standards.]


    Another name I have no idea about. One of these days, I¡¯ll have to ask around who these people are. But for now¡­  Victor started running towards the village. He¡¯d held back against the Titan, but with his stats, he quickly made it to the front, but not before a gunshot landed on the dirt in front of him.


    Victor ducked behind a tree as a second bullet embedded into the other side of the bark.


    Hella fast aim on that one. He peeked out for a moment and saw a vanguard of soldiers standing on the fringes of the village. Leading them was a Daughter of Mara that looked similar to the one he¡¯d just slain. Another Tanha, Victor assumed.


    She held a pistol that mirrored his own, only instead of red, it was coloured a cool blueish white. Frigustone. Who gave them these?


    Siblings, then, and by the look of her, she probably already knows what I did. Any pity he could¡¯ve spared for them was gone. They swiped first, after all.


    He pulled out the Ignistone pistol, giving it a once over. It had ammo still left in the magazine. That¡¯ll have to do. A curious thought passed over him. He couldn¡¯t hear the pistol any more.


    And then the Daughter appeared right in front of him and fired. A blade popped from Victor¡¯s hand to skewer her, but scratched her side. She fired off a blast into his open palm and Victor growled in anger.


    The Daughter jumped back while Victor fired his own gun. The bullets hit only bark, exploding the trees into flames. Crap, forgot how strong these can be.


    He could feel the cold spreading through his hands, painful and quick.


    Shrink.


    With a thought the bullet in his flesh shrunk and he threw it off. The Daughter had disappeared behind the trees, and Victor took out his earbuds.


    ¡°Hiding like a coward, are you? Guess you really were sisters!¡± Victor taunted. It made him feel like a slimy bastard, sure, but he¡¯d be willing to accept that if it meant he won.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare talk about her!¡± She shouted back at him. Her words carried a tinge of her power, but it would have no effect. Her powers worked on groups only, and he wasn¡¯t near any allies at the moment.


    His taunt did the trick, though, as she popped out of cover a moment later to fire at him. This time the bullet didn¡¯t hit, and Victor got an idea of her location.


    He took his chance to close his distance, but the woman popped out again a moment later. Victor and her aimed at each other but both missed. The Daughter of Mara fled again and Victor grunted in annoyance.


    Why is she so slippery? He thought as he once again tried to reach her. This continued until Victor grew tired, and crouched behind a tree for cover. He heaved breaths and waited, hearing an approaching crowd.


    What?


    Victor looked over to his right, watching a crowd of Altesians approaching. They looked mad and seemed to be skirmishing amongst each other. A shrill scream went over the crowd, exacerbating their conditions.


    Shit!


    Before the swarm of Altesians could grab him, Victor jumped onto a tree and hung there. There were Daughters of Mara following the Altesians. Lillie and Amadeus were supposed to keep them in the village. How did they make it out?


    He had no way to know, as another bullet skimmed past him and lodged into the tree. The bark froze and broke while Victor dropped to the ground. Altesians screamed and jumped him, and he struggled to peel them off.


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    ¡°Get away from me! I¡¯m trying to help you!¡± it was a useless endeavour, and Victor had to throw the Altesians away from him. And throughout it all, he heard an incessant shrieking coming from the Daughters of Mara.


    Here he was, risking his life for those little monsters, and this was how they repaid him? They couldn¡¯t have resisted the effects just a bit longer? Who¡¯d even decided among them to let their earbuds go?


    ¡°Mr. Amadi, I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d treat your charges that badly,¡± a familiar voice told him.


    ¡°Shut up!¡± he replied without even looking back.


    Victor flung an Altesian away harsher than necessary, hearing a whimper of pain from it when it fell back down. That pained shout rocked him to his core, and he realized what was happening.


    I¡¯m under the Tanha¡¯s spell.


    He felt a gentle hand atop his shoulder. Victor looked back to see Amit standing there, with a group of little unaffected Altesians with him. They were holding back the crowd while the old man worked his magic.


    A warmth spread through Victor, and he realized what he was experiencing. His mind and body sharpened together, steeling himself against the Tanha¡¯s affect.


    ¡°Amit? When did you¡­¡±


    ¡°I should¡¯ve escaped, yes. I don¡¯t even understand it myself, truth be told,¡± the old Nepalese man replied. He let go of Victor just as another shriek came from the forest.


    ¡°Look out!¡± Victor grabbed the old man and jumped behind a tree as another bullet whizzed past.


    ¡°Where are Lillie and Am?¡±


    ¡°I saw them preoccupied at the other end of the village. Only I was able to make it across, and that due to a few tricks,¡± Amit explained.


    ¡°Then we¡¯re on our own,¡± Victor cursed, slamming a fist down into the leaf-covered dirt.


    ¡°If you can get me close to her, Victor, I may be able to subdue her. A single Daughter of Mara is no more stronger than a man,¡± Amit told him.


    ¡°Not this one. She¡¯s quick. But I think I know a way to counter it.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    ¡°Keep her distracted, but close. Can you do that, old man?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°If I¡¯d a tool, perhaps.¡±


    Victor handed him the pistol and sat his back against the wall. He looked down at his hands and feet, visualizing his form underneath it all.


    Then he began building blades. Not popping them out perpendicular to his skin, but along it. It was akin to a sharp armour, and Victor had to be careful with each blade he conjured. It ate at his vitality to form them, and by the end of the process he¡¯d starting panting.


    He was covered in a rough patch of blades that made up his faux armour. Shining sharp points and edges that covered his entire front besides the chest where his Dragonsilver hung. Victor stepped out from the back of the tree and took his lumbering form to the sounds of battle.


    In the time Victor had took, several trees had toppled over in the forest. Amit had blown them apart with his bare fists in his chase of the Tanha, who seemed to esacpe his grasp at the last moment always. A few shallow bullet holes covered the old man and slowed his chase, but didn¡¯t stop him from giving up fully.


    That was, until he felt the click of a barrel again and had to duck. But he didn¡¯t make it in time, and another bullet hole opened up near his thighs. Amit growled in pain and fell over, barely able to drag himself over to the cover of a large rock.


    He thought the Tanha might escape again but in a twist of fate, he heard footsteps approaching.


    Amit held up his gun one last time. He strengthened the magic within with his own, but that could only help so much. The Tanha popped out of the cover and they both pulled the trigger.


    Two shots rang out in the forest but only a single figure stood. The Tanha was hurting from the pain of the bullet in her arm, but at least she was alive. The man in front of her wasn¡¯t so lucky. His eyes were dilated, as all life had left him. She could finally get her sister¡¯s gun back.


    She thought she could get a moment¡¯s rest from that, but it wasn¡¯t possible. She jumped instinctively backwards as a figure landed in front of her. Despite being covered in blades, she¡¯d recognized him as her sister¡¯s killer.


    ¡°You-¡±


    Victor punched her in the stomach. The blades cut her flesh and she flew backwards into the forest. But her grip on her pistol never loosened. She¡¯d even picked up its sister piece, and wielded them together against the Bladebody menace.


    ¡°You killed him,¡± the man¡¯s lips were covered in blades like shark teeth.


    ¡°You killed Ishana,¡± she spat back. Her pistols were raised against the monster.


    ¡°You enslaved these creatures. I don¡¯t have mercy for monsters like those.¡±


    ¡°As if you haven¡¯t. We¡¯re enslaved from the moment we¡¯re born. I make the best with what I have,¡± the Tanha replied.


    ¡°If this is the best you can do, maybe you shouldn¡¯t have been born,¡± Victor scoffed.


    The Tanha fired both pistols straight ahead of her. The bullets impacted his chest, knocking him back a little but leaving not a scar. He rushed her and raised a hand right before she fired a second time.


    He knocked the gun out of her hand just as she kicked him in the chest. The Tanha jumped off and fired off a few more Ignistone bullets. They hit him in the chest and warmed his armour, singing Victor¡¯s skin.


    When the Tanha tried reloading. Victor took one of the blades on his forearms and enlarged it. It expanded to a blade fit more for an Angelo than a human. But he didn¡¯t care, as it worked as an effective shield.


    He rushed forward low and grabbed the discarded piece off of the ground. More bullets pelted the sword shield and Victor slammed it against the Tanha. She was knocked against the ground. Victor tried to plunge the sword shield downwards but the Tanha kicked against his arm.


    That¡¯s when Victor brought out the Frigustone pistol. He fired wildly. Up that close, the bullets couldn¡¯t miss. They hit their target dead on as ice began to spread across the Tanha¡¯s wounds.


    The Tanha looked up in retaliation. Her hand squeezed around the trigger to fire off one last shot. But then it stilled and froze.


    The illusion faded and Victor let out a sigh. He let the blades disperse. His entire body was covered in cuts from head to toe, his chest ached and burned, and he was exhausted. But he¡¯d won. And for that he¡¯d gotten a reward.


    [Ability Unlocked: Metallize Boost]


    [Ability Unlocked: Metallize Boost]


    [Ability Unlocked: Blade Burst]

 Chapter 27: Two New Pistols

    Victor awoke with a sharp breath. He grabbed onto the collar of the nearest person and pushed them away without even looking at them.


    ¡°Calm down, would you?¡± Amadeus asked with surprise. He pushed Victor¡¯s hand off of himself and looked at him with a frown.


    ¡°S-sorry, Am. I didn¡¯t realize I- What time is it?¡±


    It was night. Or what constituted for night in here. The sky was a purple filled canvas with various stars hanging outside of reach.


    ¡°Long enough. I brought back a few villagers to heal you, but even they were exhausted,¡± Amadeus told him.


    ¡°And Amit?¡±


    ¡°He¡­ didn¡¯t make it, Vic.¡±


    Victor scowled and lowered his head.


    ¡°Don¡¯t have to blame yourself for it, Vic, even you¡¯re not omnipotent,¡± Am consoled him.


    It was a true enough statement. Victor just couldn¡¯t accept it as such. He¡¯d have to go back again, save Amit and the village perfectly. With that came a burden to the young Timewalker. He eyed his notifications and dismissed them one by one.


    His Bladebody Edge was at the front of his mind. Victor spread his nails apart, entertaining a dark thought. No¡­ I have to wait the whole ten years before I can use it again. If I even want to.


    Would he really go back just for a single man? Could he even recreate the events that led him back to that point? Maybe it was just better to accept the world for what it was¡­


    ¡°We ended up checking his body for belongings. Anything that we could bring back to his family. Apart from the supplies he kept, he only had this,¡± Amadeus showed Victor a small pin.


    There was an engraving on it that Victor had to light up with his phone¡¯s flash to even see. It showed a four-armed man with three eyes, and a separate item held in each hand. A book, a spear, a horn and finally, the world.


    ¡°Does it mean something?¡± Victor asked. Amadeus shrugged in reply.


    ¡°Maybe he was a part of some cult or another. Not that it matters at this point.¡±


    But Victor was transfixed with it. He stowed the ring away in his pockets and nodded to Amadeus. The Altesians around him were watching silently the entire time, waiting for their move.


    ¡°Are you feeling alright enough to get up?¡± Amadeus asked him.


    ¡°Never better.¡±


    Amadeus pulled him up by a single arm as they started walking. The Altesians followed, and it was not long after that they¡¯d reached Pepin village.


    ****


    ¡°Brave warriors one and all, I thank you for your aid,¡± the leader of the village, Renalo, said. He was like most of the other Altesians there, but somehow looked older. His balloon-like skin was less shiny, more matted and rubbery looking. He moved slower and the bounce in his step was less pronounced than other Altesians.


    Victor was still haggard from his fight, so he just idly nodded along with the speech the leader gave. He, Amadeus, Lillie and Qeeny were positioned around the fountain that served as the centre of the village. Water flowed in from the top and dropped down, and the leader picked up several scoops with a ladle to bring to them.


    ¡°A drink from this makes you one of us, travellers. Victor Amadi, who slayed two of the Tanhas for us, we would be honoured if you¡¯d accept this water,¡± Renalo told them.


    Before taking a sip, Victor took a look inside the ladle. Far as he could tell, it was just simple water. So, he took it off the hands of the leader and slurped it down. He wiped his face with his sleeve and gave it back to the leader in the same breath.


    ¡°For you who helped us, Victor Amadi, we offer this Seed,¡± Renalo said.


    He produced an actual, literal silver tongue from his back pocket that glowed to Victor. The man took it graciously, though he thought the guns they¡¯d gotten were more than enough payment.


    ¡°We do apologize for not being able to get you anything greater, Victor Amadi, but the other Seeds were already taken away from us. This is the only one they deemed useless enough to keep,¡± Renalo told him.


    [[Whisperer¡¯s Tongue]:


    A Seed that provides its user the ability to communicate with others more easily and send messages along the wind. Borne from the need to understand among people.]


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­. fine,¡± Victor said. But it wasn¡¯t something that would help him grow stronger, which was the main issue. He stowed it away in his pack despite that, hoping to find a user for it somewhere down the line.


    ¡°Ah, and next we have Amadeus Levine, who breached the wretched bulwark keeping our village captive and subjugated,¡± Renalo continued on for Lillie as well, until finally he reached Qeeny.


    ¡°And a customary drink for our very own Qeeny, who brought these wondrous heroes to us in the first place!¡±


    Qeeny puffed out his chest, enjoying the attention given to him by the crowd. Those Altesians bounced and cheered for him loudly, which made Lillie chuckle awkwardly.


    If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ¡°Sucks we didn¡¯t get that kind of reception,¡± she said.


    ¡°He¡¯s a villager, we¡¯re outsiders. They¡¯re going to be hella suspicious of us, even if we helped them,¡± Victor told her.


    ¡°Least we got some rewards out of it,¡± Amadeus said, showing off a shiny ring on his finger.


    ¡°What does that even do?¡±


    ¡°Makes a shield. That¡¯s why the elder called that Daughter I took down the Bulwark.¡±


    ¡°Chin up, both of you, he¡¯s coming back around,¡± Lillie said under her breath as the three straightened.


    ¡°And now, let us get the festivities underway!¡± the elder announced, and the whole village got moving.


    The party that he held lasted for the entire night, while Victor and his crew spent most of it on the sidelines. There were exotic drinks and food aplenty, though most Victor found barely palatable. The Altesians danced to their hearts content, and Qeeny was so immersed in the middle of them that Victor and the rest barely got a glimpse at him.


    Victor and his group had a table to themselves. Sometimes the Altesians would drag one or more of them away from it but they always made their way back to that same table of drinks to relax.


    When all was said and done, and the party had started to wrap up, is when the funeral pyre was brought in. It¡¯d been Amadeus¡¯ idea, and he watched intently as Amit¡¯s body was loaded onto it.


    ¡°We can¡¯t carry bodies, right? Might as well take something back in that case,¡± Amadeus told him sadly.


    Victor watched from the side as the entire event was setup. Spotting him from afar, the village elder came close and stopped beside him.


    ¡°I hope we¡¯re doing your tradition justice,¡± he told him.


    ¡°You¡¯re doing the best you can,¡± Victor replied curtly.


    ¡°Did you enjoy our party?¡±


    ¡°Somewhat.¡±


    ¡°I see you are still somewhat hesitant to mingle with us. Is there a slight we have done against you, Victor Amadi?¡± he asked.


    Victor looked down at the little Altesian. Though the colour was different, he couldn¡¯t separate the image of the Altesian he saw before him to the ones that had pelted him with stones in Los Angeles.


    ¡°I¡¯ve met your kind before. They didn¡¯t really like me as much as you,¡± Victor said.


    ¡°Really? What did they look like?¡±


    ¡°Lots of shades of blue.¡±


    ¡°Ah, our cousins in Angel Falls. They¡¯re not an inviting kind, I will admit,¡± Renalo said. ¡°It comes from their devotion to their Angelos. It is in essence, their one ticket out of those wretched caves and into the illustrious surface of Angel Falls itself.¡±


    ¡°Then they must have hated when I killed one of them.¡±


    ¡°You killed an Angelo?¡± Renalo looked at him with incredulity. He looked startled, viewing the human in a completely different light.


    ¡°More or less. He came for us first, can¡¯t really feel bad about that.¡±


    ¡°I suppose¡­ if you could trick a Titan, an Angelo is not far off¡­¡± the Altesian muttered to himself. Then he looked back up at Victor intently.


    ¡°I would keep that information with yourself, Victor Amadi. Many would not appreciate knowing that you ended one of the Stars.¡±


    ¡°Why is it such a big issue to them, anyways? What¡¯s stopping them from just going to the surface?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Angel Falls is a dangerous place without a Star to support oneself. That is why our cousins spend so long in the mines, searching for Hallowed Iron to feed to Angelo larvae. Once the larvae has had enough, they pupate into a full Angelo that can protect them.¡±


    The larvae? Like the ones he¡¯d seen back in the caves before. That was probably some mining group¡¯s prized possession that he¡¯d destroyed mercilessly.


    ¡°And the fighting of Angelos, it can be brutal to watch. It is no wonder they saw your act as despicable, when they live in constant vigilance of the Stars that rule over them,¡± Renalo finished.


    ¡°They could escape, couldn¡¯t they?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Some could. Others think Angel Falls their only haven. Even we are lucky to have our nourishment of water, for without it we would suffer as the other Altesians around us.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that easy, then, is it?¡±


    ¡°Not at all.¡±


    Victor leaned back against the frame of the table.


    ¡°I¡¯ll ask that you antagonize no more of our cousins.¡±


    ¡°Noted. But I won¡¯t make any promises if they get in my way.¡±


    ¡°I understand that. Thank you, Victor Amadi,¡± Renalo said.


    In the length of their conversation, the flames had engulfed what was left of Amit, leaving nothing but ashes gathered as a reminder of him. The Altesians were kind enough to gather all of them up and put it in an elaborate looking jar, which Amadeus stuffed into his pack.


    ¡°Where are you headed now, Mr. Amadi?¡± Qeeny asked them.


    ¡°We¡¯re going into the mountain range. There¡¯s a specific Gate we have to cross,¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°Ah¡­. Will you be back?¡± Qeeny asked expectantly.


    ¡°I-I don¡¯t know,¡± Victor found himself stuttering. Lillie caught the troubled expression and jumped in.


    ¡°But we¡¯ll try, little guy,¡± she said, rubbing the top of his head. It flustered Qeeny, who escaped her grasp.


    ¡°Thank you guys, for what you¡¯ve done for us. We won¡¯t forget this,¡± Amadeus added, finishing his packing and slumping his bag over his shoulder.


    ¡°And thank you as well. We hope our food lasts you the journey,¡± Renalo finished.


    With nothing more to do, Victor and crew left the village behind. Two new pistols hung from Victor¡¯s sides, opposing elements but of near perfect symmetrical design.


    ****


    [[Frigustone Pistol]:   STRENGTH: 150          ABILITIES: Encolden


    A gun forged from Frigustone metal. Enchanted in such a way as to endow the bullets with ice on impact. Another product of Wayland¡¯s, though whose base materials must have been harder for him to get. This was probably one of his weakest pieces, probably made as a test.]


    ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t want it, Lillie?¡± Victor asked as he climbed a rock. He¡¯d offered the Frigustone pistol to her, but she¡¯d rejected it. Shame too, considering how good the weapon had been in the hands of the Tanha.


    ¡°My aim¡¯s terrible. It¡¯s better off in your hands,¡± Lillie replied. She grabbed another rock and hoisted herself up easily, ¡°and; any more weapons to carry and I¡¯ll get crushed under the weight.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re holding onto your pack better than before though,¡± Victor told her.


    ¡°That would be the boosts I¡¯ve been getting. If it keeps up, I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll ever be tired again,¡± she said, continuing the climb.


    ¡°Don¡¯t count on that. They taper off real quick,¡± Victor said. ¡°Or at least, become a bigger pain to unlock.¡±


    ¡°How do you know that?¡± Lillie asked.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got three Seeds. Experience?¡± he said, unsure of if the gambit would even work. But it seemed to do the trick, as Lillie was too busy getting up to even call him out.


    ¡°Whatever. If I need the gun, I¡¯ll borrow the gun,¡± Lilie finally said.


    They were exhausted by the time they finished their climb. But in the end they¡¯d made it. Victor looked around at the scenery and confirmed the destination of the Gate in front of them. Luckily, there seemed to be no one around at the time, so they snuck inside and out the other end.


    Earth air never smelt so good to Victor and his crew. The sounds of crickets and fireflies were still abundant in the surroundings they¡¯d landed themselves in. the air was humid but not hot, and Amadeus knelt down beside the grass to grab a handful to touch.


    ¡°Oh, it feels good to be home,¡± Amadeus sighed. Victor pulled him back up to his feet and kept him moving.


    ¡°Sorry, Am, we need to keep moving. Gates are a terrible spot to stop,¡± he lectured.


    ¡°And we wouldn¡¯t want you getting eaten by a Vintaric,¡± Lillie added.


    They chuckled a little on the way and Victor could see Amadeus straightening up as he walked. He was going to get home, going to see his family again, and that excited Am like nothing else.


    Victor hoped it¡¯d go differently this time.

 Chapter 28: Jared

    The ruins of Washington weren¡¯t as decrepit as Victor had remembered them. There were many less blockaded roads, and he could actually find a path through. That didn¡¯t mean they could be hasty though.


    They¡¯d parked a Tesla they¡¯d rode all the way to the outskirts of the city. Victor and the rest had changed out their socks and blemished clothing for the road ahead, throwing it away to lose the weight.


    Once inside of Washington proper, they¡¯d stuck to alleys and shops, working across the city until they reached the orphanage. It was in this endeavour that someone finally noticed them.


    It was a simple Metamorph they¡¯d forgotten to account for. It sucked in breath¡ª not to scream¡ª but to create bubbles. Those bubbles would pop louder than a megaphone and alert people to their position.


    Amadeus raised his hand to fire at the Metamorph before it could get it off, but Victor grabbed it Victor pointed his other palm towards the Metamorph and a sword fired off from his skin, impaling the creature. Lillie ran in and encased it in light, crushing it into a cube.


    In but a few moments, they let out a collective sigh and lowered their guard.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t see that one coming, sorry,¡± Lillie said.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. Come on,¡± Amadeus replied, moving past her and closer towards the orphanage.


    Victor stopped him again with a hand on the shoulder.


    ¡°Your lightning is too loud. You should be more careful,¡± Victor advised, a hint of annoyance in his tone.


    ¡°Yeah, whatever. Get off, man,¡± he shrugged, but Victor¡¯s hand stayed on. Amadeus sighed and stood straight in front of him. ¡°What now?¡±


    ¡°Am, if something happens in there, and you don¡¯t find what you¡¯re looking for, can I count on you to keep it together until we get out of the city?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°I¡­ I can¡¯t promise that, Vic.¡±


    ¡°Heh, at least you¡¯re honest,¡± Victor said, then continued along with Amadeus.


    When they reached it, the orphanage yet still stood. But it wouldn¡¯t for much longer. A window broke, and out fell another Metamorph. It relayed a few orders in bubble-speak and turned to run back up the stairs.


    Before it could take the first step, Amadeus calcified its chest. He ran forward and jumped up to the window as Victor followed.


    Lillie created steps for them so they didn¡¯t have to jump as high, reaching into the room to see it filled with chaos. Two young brown children who looked to be twins were hiding behind a pudgy blonde haired teenager. A gauntleted hand held a shortsword while his other hand hung limp beside him.


    Crowding around the three of them was a dozen Metamorphs, all Basic but dangerous in the face of them all.


    ¡°Am!¡± the pudgy boy shouted in relief when he spotted his big brother. The Metamorphs turned their headless bodies towards Am, who was charging up a ball of lightning.


    In an instant, arcs of lightning shot out from the sphere and destroyed the Metamorphs while leaving the children untouched. When all was said and done, Amadeus was the only one standing with a scowl on his face.


    Victor and Lillie had barely even made it up to the window by then.


    Amadeus rushed over to the orphans and wrapped them all in a hug so tight it bordered on suffocation.


    ¡°Jared, Max, Minnie, I¡¯m so glad you¡¯re all alright!¡± Amadeus only stopped the bear hug when he noticed Jared patting him on the back feverishly.


    ¡°Sorry! You guys good?¡± he said, looking them over like a concerned parent. He looked at the cut on Jared¡¯s arm and furrowed his brow.


    ¡°Oh! I¡¯ve got something for that!¡± Lillie offered. She ran over and brought out medical supplies from her bag.


    Victor didn¡¯t know how to introduce himself. He awkwardly shuffled up next to Lillie and stared in amazement at the kids. They were really alive now, right before him. it wasn¡¯t a mirage or an illusion, but the real deal. Or so he hoped. But if Lillie didn¡¯t raise any alarm bells, then that was good enough for him.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve mentioned these three before, have I, Vic? Well they¡¯re-¡±


    ¡°No need. Think I already know.¡±


    And boy did he. Ten years of stories before he could see the real deal. It was a wonder putting a face to those names he¡¯d heard repeated on end.


    ¡°But where are the rest?¡± Victor asked. At that, Jared¡¯s mood darkened and he clenched his gauntleted hand.


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    ¡°T-they took them. Yvette, Jaune, Tiffany, all of them¡­ I hid out in the city, but when I came back to get some things they¡¯d set a trap and I¡­ I fell right into it,¡± Jared replied. He¡¯d begun tearing up a little. Victor thought that the kids would join in loudly, but somehow their quiet whimpers were worse to him.


    Amadeus wrapped him in another hug as Lillie finished her bandaging. She shot a quick smile to the twins and ruffled their hair, but they remained insensate.


    ¡°Where did they take them?¡± Amadeus asked.


    ¡°I¡­into the portal. They just up and vanished. B-but I heard some of the Vintarics say he was going to kill them. I thought I could go in there and¡­ rescue them,¡± he said it as if he was embarrassed by the fact. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Am. I¡¯m sorry,¡± he repeated.


    Amadeus smiled at the little guy. ¡°Nothing wrong with that, Jared. You were brave, you should be proud!¡± He then looked over at Victor.


    ¡°I know what you¡¯re going to ask, Am.¡±


    ¡°I know you¡¯re looking for your own family, Vic. I can¡¯t ask you to choose mine over them,¡± Amadeus replied.


    ¡°You won¡¯t have to, Am. Because I¡¯m not going to let either die,¡± Victor said. ¡°Now let¡¯s go find a safe place for the kids so we can rescue the others,¡± he added.


    ¡°I heard there were others in the city. I-I don¡¯t know where though,¡± Jared said. He dispersed the gauntlet, which disappeared in a puff of light along with the sword.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got a few ways to find them myself,¡± Victor said.


    ****


    Victor perched atop the Washington Monument and looked down over the fields of grass and buildings beyond. His hair was billowing in the wind but he wouldn¡¯t tip over from the spot.


    Amadeus¡¯ probably jealous I got to do this before him. Or maybe he¡¯s too busy with those kids. The view was amazing from his spot. He could see out far and wide, and that let him spot the monsters patrolling the streets. None of them were chasing humans, which meant Victor had to spend even longer.


    He¡¯d gotten bored with the scouting, and pulled out his phone to listen to some music. Regrettably, he hadn¡¯t prepared for the end of the world, so his Samsung only had a single song on it. One that he¡¯d been sent as nothing but a joke.


    ? A wonderful, beautiful life


    Full up with joy, misery and strife


    Doesn¡¯t dull or smudge


    Like the edge of a knife?


    The Things of Life. He hated it. But it was better than the silence punctuated by popping clay bubbles of noise.


    Victor rested atop the monument for a while longer, until he saw movement in the distance. Beside one of the streets he couldn¡¯t name, there was a group running together. One of them turned around and Victor saw a tiny speck of flame leap onto the Metamorph horde chasing them.


    Finally. He tucked away his phone once more and jumped off of the Washington monument. The speed he was falling at would hurt him, so it was good that Victor popped a blade out in response. It dug into the stone and arrested his fall before he could be turned into an Amadi pancake, and the Wielder took off towards the group of survivors.


    He arrived right in the middle of the group, just as they were shuffling together into a Ford Focus at the end of the street. The Metamorphs had grabbed the car by the rear and were holding it back from accelerating away.


    ¡°Go! Go! Go!¡± the woman in the shotgun seat shouted. She must¡¯ve been the leader, but the driver couldn¡¯t help it.


    They must be decently strong if they can do at least that much. But it didn¡¯t matter in the face of his pistols. He fired them off together. Though the Frigustone pistol missed, his Ignistone one enflamed its target immediately. The Metamorph let go and tried to douse the flames that were drying him out.


    Victor fired at the second Metamorph and its hands broke off at the elbows. Below them, the rest of the arms were still and frozen.


    It was a great discovery that the pistols used nothing more than normal bullets. It meant that Victor didn¡¯t need his Weaponsmith Heart to keep a steady stock of ammo.


    Another Metamorph tried to slash at Victor from behind. He shot out a blade from his back, ripping through clothes to cut the Metamorph apart. Then he created a sword arm and cut the Metamorph down to chunks.


    ¡°Hey! Get in! There¡¯s more coming!¡± the woman shouted at him as he kept slashing down. she had a dark complexion and curly hair tied up in a ponytail.


    ¡°You¡¯re not going to outrun them. Better to deal with them here and now!¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t get it! There¡¯s a big one at the end that-¡±


    The popping screams spoke for themselves and Victor turned to face their source. It was a Metamorph Brute with crystals hanging off of its frame. It looked tough, but lesser than the ones Victor had faced in the past.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got powers, right?¡± Victor asked without turning his back to the Brute.


    ¡°Y-yeah? Some of us do,¡± Ponytail replied.


    ¡°Good. Bring them out. Give me some cover fire and take care of the smaller ones. I want to take it out as fast as I can,¡± Victor told her.


    He cracked his neck and strode forward to meet the giant Brute. Though it had no mouth, Victor thought he could see it grinning.


    The monster swung one club-like arm outwards. It swung like a wrecking ball but Victor ducked underneath it. The corner store to his left wasn¡¯t as fortunate, the entrance collapsing upon the impact.


    When the Brute tried to recall its hand, Victor fired his Frigustone pistol right at its chest. The bullet found purchase but the ice was slow to spread. Another swing of the arm and Victor jumped over it. He fired again but missed. When he landed back down on the street, the Brute swung its other arm as well.


    Victor dodged to the side and held out a palm. He popped a sword onto his skin, enlarged it and then fired it with a Blade Burst. The giant sword embedded into the monster¡¯s shoulder and knocked its next swing off-course.


    A Metamorph tried to grab Victor while his attention was away. Thankfully, the survivors seemed to listen to him and shot it down before it could even stain his clothing.


    Victor continued his dance with the Brute even as it broke open new entrances into the buildings around him. His blades did well to slow down the monster and primed it for the coup de grace.


    Victor slid underneath another swing and came within kicking distance of the monster. He pulled up his Frigustone pistol and emptied the magazine into the monster¡¯s chest. The Metamorph recoiled but the clay around its chest refused to react.


    Victor then used his Ignistone pistol to break apart the icy shell to reveal the Brute¡¯s core. He placed a hand inside of its chest and popped enlarged blades in ever direction, turning it into an inside out pin cushion and cracking its core in the process.


    The Brute shook one last time, bubbles popping across its skin in what Victor assumed was a death throe. But eventually, the monster collapsed and Victor stood alone. A Seed shined within the remains of the monster, another Stonewarden Gem like Leo had in his previous loop.


    Victor shoved it into a pocket and turned to face his rescues. They¡¯d done their share it seemed, and much sooner too. Around them lay more puddles of clay, a sight to which Victor nodded.


    ¡°Anyone up for a little exchange of information?¡± Victor asked.

 Chapter 29: Hemostone

    Victor sat on a wooden crate, twinkie in hand as he chewed on the little cake. The laundromat that served as their little stop spot wasn¡¯t the best stocked, but at least it was quiet and boarded up.


    ¡°How did you cross the country so quick?¡± Alex asked him. That was the name of the woman who¡¯d life he¡¯d saved.


    ¡°The Gates. If you know your way around them, you could probably cross the world quicker than eighty days,¡± Victor told them.


    ¡°But¡­ isn¡¯t it dangerous in there?¡±


    ¡°Keep your head down and the danger isn¡¯t as big. Now about what I asked?¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah,¡± Alex waved over another one of the survivors. The little boy looked terrified but handed Victor a marked map.


    Victor unrolled the canvas and looked upon it. There were a few Gates scattered around Washington, but only one of them was marked with a red circle.


    ¡°That¡¯s where the kids are being taken?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Just about. We¡¯re lucky they haven¡¯t caught us. The others weren¡¯t as much.¡±


    ¡°Where are the Metamorphs taking them?¡±


    ¡°No idea. The only scout we sent out came back maimed. Said the whole place was a giant maze filled with monsters. As soon as he was spotted, they ran him off,¡± Alex said.


    ¡°¡­Metamorphs usually aren¡¯t smart enough to keep territory. Were they Brutes or Thinkers?¡± Victor asked.


    Alex shook her head.


    ¡°No. just¡­. Normal ones far as we got. Except one of them. That one looked more alive somehow. Jeremy said he looked veiny, and didn¡¯t even bother moving to catch him,¡± Alex said.


    Victor made a non-committal sound and looked back at the map. A maze of Metamorphs and their leader, who in all likelihood had absorbed a Seed. It stunk of a trap to him, but he¡¯d promised Amadeus he¡¯d get his kids back. And he wasn¡¯t going to start being a liar now.


    ¡°Where¡¯s the rest of your group situated?¡± Victor asked them.


    ¡°Pennsylvania Avenue,¡± Alex said.


    ¡°Can you hold a few more kids?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t even need to ask. If you can take out those Metamorphs, we¡¯d be more than happy to help you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll call over my people, then.¡±


    ****


    The twins stuck onto Amadeus¡¯ legs like shackles. It didn¡¯t hinder his movement as much since he¡¯d progressed his Seed, but the man felt it weigh him down regardless.


    ¡°Come on, you two. You¡¯ll be safe here, I promise!¡± Amadeus said, trying to gently pry them off of his feet.


    Victor stood at the side watching the whole affair with Lillie and Jared.


    ¡°Are those kids ever going to relent?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°T-they will. Max and Minnie are stubborn, but they listen once they listen to Am enough,¡± Jared chimed in.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you stubborn too?¡± Lillie asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m coming. I have to,¡± Jared said without pause.


    ¡°It¡¯s dangerous, you know? You could help better out here instead,¡± Lillie told him.


    ¡°N-no.¡±


    Jared balled his fists up and sneered at the ground in front of him.


    ¡°You heard him, Lil. Best to let the kid do his thing,¡± Victor said, watching Amadeus with a stare as he finally gained the upper hand against the twins.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s just a bit dangerous, Vic?¡± she shot a glare at him. He softened his expression under her gaze.


    ¡°I know. But we don¡¯t have the luxury to not. Jared¡¯s got a Seed; he might as well progress it as much as he can. And this is the safest way.¡±


    ¡°He could be running missions with the other survivors instead,¡± Lillie replied.


    ¡°Don¡¯t trust them yet. Maybe in the future, but the closer he is, the easier we can keep an eye on the kid,¡± Victor said.


    Lillie smiled a coy smile at him.


    ¡°Aww, you¡¯re worried about him, aren¡¯t you? You big softie!¡± Lillie called him out.


    ¡°I can handle myself!¡± Jared interjected suddenly. Lillie chuckled a little and ruffled his hair while the teen blushed.


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    ¡°I¡¯m sure you can, Jared!¡±


    ¡°Aha! I¡¯m free!¡± Amadeus said from across the hall. The kids had finally relented, and Am shed his chains.


    Soon after, they joined with the rest of the Washington survivors and put the twins in their care. The survivors gave them some rations and other necessities that might come in handy in the other world, and escorted them to the enemy¡¯s door.


    ****


    Bullet fire and lightning rained upon the Metamorphs guarding the Gate. They were vaporized without a second to spare, without even having the chance to raise their alarms.


    Victor waited a step after that to check if more would come out. He and his group were atop a building looking down at the Gate, which had opened up in the middle of a junction. There were cars piled up around it to serve as a barricade, but that hadn¡¯t prevented their aerial assault.


    A second turned into a minute before he finally gave the go-ahead.


    ¡°We¡¯re clear as we¡¯ll ever be. Let¡¯s go,¡± Victor said. They climbed down and over the barricaded cars to stand in front of the Gate.


    Jared looked anxious, having covered his arm up to his arm in his gauntleted armour. His grip on his sword was shaky which prompted Am to place a hand over his shoulder.


    ¡°If it¡¯s too scary, I¡¯ll take you back. Don¡¯t worry, Jared, you¡¯ll be fine,¡± Amadeus reassured him. He looked up at Victor for confirmation, who nodded back.


    Then they entered through the Gate to that same lurching feeling as always. The world turned inside out for a fraction of a second before they reached the other end, to a gothic castle that could¡¯ve passed for the set of a Dracula movie.


    Sconces were setup with red flames that danced dangerously bright. Despite that, the stones were dark and uninviting, cracks running along the parts that they could see. And they could only see a little, given that most of the floor was covered in a plush carpet that looked stained and old. The only other source of light came from the large glass window set in the far wall, which cast a purple light down onto the floor.


    Though it was dark and dreary, that didn¡¯t stop the group from attracting the attention of the Metamorph guards. Two Brutes hung at the back and looked up at them with Halberds in hand. They exchanged popping noises with each other before walking menacingly towards the group.


    Amadeus looked behind him. Victor had his guns, Jared his sword and even Lillie had her panes of light. All weapons they could use while he was left bare-handed.


    ¡°Feels like I should¡¯ve brought a whip or something,¡± he muttered to himself.


    ¡°We¡¯ll find you one inside,¡± Victor replied as he moved ahead.


    He fired towards the Brutes, but they hardened their free hands into shields.


    ¡°Jared, stick back for this one. These are too hard for you,¡± Victor intoned as he shot again.


    Amadeus came forward and hit the Brutes with crackling lightning. Their skin popped louder in response as though they were trying to communicate.


    ¡°They¡¯re trying to call more of the others!¡± Lillie told them.


    ¡°Let¡¯s be quick about this!¡± Victor shouted for them. He jumped towards the Brute who was ready to swing his halberd down. His arm caught and the Metamorph found it encased in light.


    Victor shot his joints with his Frigustone pistol, freezing it in place. He popped a large blade from his arm, shooting the enlarged edge at the frozen over shoulder. It impacted and broke off the creature¡¯s arm. Victor fell and ducked under another swing before creating another blade. He enlarged and slashed it upwards, cutting the other arm off.


    The Metamorph shot out a clay limb from its chest and smashed Victor to the walls. Breath left his lungs and the chandelier overhead shook a little. The clay was spreading across his chest, constricting him further, giving him little time to reply.


    Victor jammed both of his guns into the clay and fired. The bullets scorched one half and froze over the other. He slammed the butts of the guns into the clay, breaking it apart and letting him fall.


    The Brute had managed to reattach his other arm in the meanwhile. He swung downwards and Victor was forced to roll sideways. The halberd missed him and a pane of light stuck it in place. Victor took aim at the arm again but reconsidered.


    No. He instead moved it to the centre of the creature and fired there. The Brute tried to raise its shield to block again but stopped halfway. Another pane of light helped give Victor the opening to fire into the Brute¡¯s chest.


    He jumped before the next attack and stowed his guns away. The frost was spreading over the Brute¡¯s chest and he¡¯d slowed considerably. Victor just needed another hit. And why waste the bullets when he had another option.


    ¡°Lillie! I need some stairs!¡± Victor shouted.


    Horizontal panes of light appeared ahead of Victor and he climbed them up to the chandelier. He hoisted himself over and popped a blade along his forearm. The blade cut through the chains and both it and Victor went crashing down.


    The Brute beneath them was splattered in an instant. Its clay spread over Victor and Lillie while the core remained unblemished. Victor fired off his forearm blade at the core and cracked it. The light dulled and Victor turned to the other Metamorph.


    It was encased in light with sparks dancing over its body. Victor raised a hand to fire at the thing but it was unneeded, as a bolt of lightning stripped the flesh of the monster and cracked the core in a single hit. Amadeus fell to one knee after the display, gasping for breath as Jared fussed over him.


    [Ability Unlocked: Sense of Time Boost]


    [Ability Unlocked: Senses Boost]


    That was a bit of a surprise, but not an unwelcome one. His Timewalker¡¯s Origin wasn¡¯t nearly as quick to progress as his other Seeds.


    ¡°Am, you alright?¡± Victor shouted as he searched the corpses.


    ¡°Y-yeah! Just a bit wrung out!¡±


    Victor acknowledged and continued his search. Apart from the halberds, there wasn¡¯t anything of worth on them. Except with his enhanced senses, Victor did find a little bump in the clay that seemed a bit¡­. Crystalline.


    He wiped away the clay to find a blood red stone beneath it. It looked like coagulated blood cut like a diamond. Victor picked it up, putting his oft-forgotten identification to use.


    [[Hemostone]:


    A stone crafted by Hemotep himself. His castle¡¯s a maze, so guests best be prepared with the appropriate Hemostone should they need to visit the Count.]


    ¡°What kind of person lives in a maze?¡± Victor asked aloud.


    ¡°The Count, I guess,¡± Lillie said, bending down to take a closer look at the Hemostone.


    ¡°Somehow, I don¡¯t think that¡¯s an official title,¡± Victor replied. It sounded more like a mockery, like a mime would do to annoy passersby.


    ¡°There¡¯s a pedestal over here!¡± Jared shouted from the end of the hall. Where the Brutes had been guarding. The slot seemed perfect for the Hemostone and so Victor walked towards it while twirling the gem around his finger.


    He slammed it down into the pedestal and the wall ahead of them split apart slowly. Behind it lay another hallway soaked in red light and filled with Metamorph Basics.


    ¡°You¡¯re up, kid,¡± Victor walked inside. Jared didn¡¯t complain, nodding feverishly as he brandished his blade. Victor was happy. The training would go much easier if the kid cooperated.


    He pulled out his dual pistols and took aim as the fight started once more.

 Chapter 30: Count Hemotep

    ¡°Move yourself away from their attack,¡± Victor shouted as he blasted more of the Basics ahead. Jared was busy wiping the mud from his shoulders and arms.


    Amadeus was right beside him, calcifying the rest of the Metamorphs while Lillie provided cover.


    Victor dropped from the little balcony onto the floor beside the teenager.


    ¡°You ready again?¡±


    ¡°Y-yeah,¡± Jared said shakily.


    ¡°Wait a bit if you¡¯re not,¡± Victor advised him.


    The Metamorphs were no issue for them. though one of the monsters did hold another Hemostone in its grasp. It was running behind the enemy lines, towards another pedestal.


    ¡°Am, aim for that one. He¡¯ll bring in more reinforcements if you don¡¯t!¡± Victor ordered him. Amadeus jumped atop their light shield and held out a hand with careful aim. Lightning blasted from his fingers in an arc, small sparks harmlessly brushing the enemies as it passed. Then it impacted the escaping Metamorph,


    But the blast was much too powerful. It not only killed the Metamorph but cracked the Hemostone into tiny little pieces.


    ¡°Am!¡±


    ¡°Sorry! I didn¡¯t think it¡¯d break so easy!¡± Amadeus shouted.


    Victor wanted to say more, but the Metamorphs climbed over the barrier. He popped blade from his forearms. One by one, he cut the monsters into chunks. Slice one horizontally, kick it back into the next one. Slash down at the legs then jump to the next. Explode blades out of hands and catch the next two together.


    Another snuck up behind Victor but he plunged his fist inside it. He used his Shrink and the monster grew smaller. Then he just ripped it apart with his arms.


    Way behind him, Jared was struggling to even fend off a single Metamorph. His gauntlet was covered in clay and his sword was being pulled from him. Victor looked to Lillie for confirmation and she nodded at him.


    He jumped over and behind her, slashing down with another popped blade. It cleaved through the Metamorph¡¯s arms as Jared stumbled backwards. Victor grabbed him by his shirt and grounded him.


    He put an arm over the kid¡¯s shoulder and pointed at the Metamorph.


    ¡°Feet straight, look ahead. It¡¯s dumb so it¡¯s going to just rush at you,¡± Victor said. On cue the monster lunged for Jared.


    ¡°Slash!¡±


    Jared swung his conjured blade that got stuck in the monster. Victor shot twice into its shoulders, freezing it from the arms down.


    ¡°Pull out your sword and try again. This time, put your whole body into it, not just your arms,¡± he guided as Jared stumbled through the steps.


    The Metamorph was barely moving at this point but Jared got out his sword and slashed down. This time the blade went clean through, leaving a gap in the middle of the Metamorph¡¯s body. It broke down to the ground and tried reassembling, but Victor stomped it out.


    ¡°Now keep doing that for the rest of them. If they¡¯re in small enough pieces you won¡¯t have to worry about them getting back up,¡± was the last piece of advice he gave to the kid before returning to the front lines himself.


    Amadeus and Lillie were holding on well enough. The horde was thinning and Victor could see the last of the line of Metamorphs. Victor cleared them out with nothing but his blades and his hands. he was left with shallow breaths by the end but at least they¡¯d been culled.


    He spared a single glance for Jared in all of this. He was holding his arm like it was sore, rubbing the shoulder up and down. His gauntlet had receded but the boy looked down at his hand inquisitively. He called the armour again and Victor smiled a little. There was a new pauldron visible on the boy¡¯s shoulders.


    ¡°Congratulations. That¡¯s the first hint of progress you¡¯ve gotten. Feel any different?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°No¡­.?¡±


    But when the boy moved his arm, it struck out ever so slightly quicker. He dismissed it soon after and yawned into his hands.


    ¡°Need some time to rest?¡± Amadeus asked. Jared shook his head.


    ¡°No. We need to get the others. Then¡­ then I¡¯ll sleep,¡± he replied.


    Victor hoped the boy could keep the journey. He¡¯d brought him here partly as an asset, not as someone to protect.


    ¡°Lil, is the Hemostone functional?¡± Victor asked. She looked at it with piercing eyes, concentrating so much she failed to even respond.


    Then her squint softened and she rubbed her eyes.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t look like it. We¡¯ll have to find another way around.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps I could be of some assistance,¡± A voice came from all around them, putting the group on edge.


    Victor pulled out his dual pistols and pointed them away from himself. Was it a Daughter of Mara? Or some kind of illusionist?


    ¡°Who are you! Show yourself!¡± Victor shouted around him. the others were just as startled. Lillie had placed a giant dome of light around them to defend against any attacks that came.


    ¡°I¡¯m the owner of this fine castle, and your host for the night, though I wasn¡¯t expecting any guests. You may call me Count Hemotep, if you please,¡± the voice replied. It was posh in an infuriating way.


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    ¡°Why are you talking t-¡±


    ¡°Where are the kids!¡± Amadeus interrupted Victor. He looked madder than Victor had seen him before. His hands and voice were shaky while he darted his eyes around the entire room.


    ¡°In my main chambers. But we¡¯ll get to that. You are Amadeus, are you not? Along with Victor, Lillie and sweet little Jared. I would be mad at your escape, Jared, but I don¡¯t think I¡¯m in the position to argue much,¡± the voice mocked them.


    ¡°Hand over the other kids!¡± Amadeus shouted at the voice.


    ¡°Of course. But it won¡¯t be cheap for you. I¡¯ll require your cooperation,¡± Hemotep replied through the invisible speakers around the room.


    ¡°What do you want from us?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°You¡¯re carving your way through my castle and my brethren. Stop that, for one. Secondly, I want reimbursement, and since you so happened to cull my troops, I will be taking that from you,¡± Count Hemotep continued.


    Victor gestured to the others, writing a note onto his phone while the lord of the castle kept prattling on about his rules.


    Keep him talking. I¡¯ll move up to the balcony and find a way forward.


    Lillie dispersed the dome and Victor got back on the balcony he¡¯d fired his shots from.


    ¡°Metamorphs are treated as nothing more than work horses by most others. I am to change this status quo, for the good of our kind. I-¡±


    Victor searched through the drawers in the room and found nothing major of note. There were books in the libraries, but they were mostly tomes from his own world. Even cleaning out the whole room had no effect.


    In frustration, Victor took a swipe at the painting hanging on the far wall of a clayman in regal court robes. Slashing it apart, he found something embedded into the wall. In a small crevice was another Hemostone, seemingly hidden by the painting.


    He¡¯s a clich¨¦ through and through. Monologue, lair, style and all.


    Victor plucked the Hemostone out of the far wall and jumped down from the balcony.


    He nudged his head towards the pedestal before placing the Hemostone inside of it.


    ¡°We can make quite a nice bargain, I think, that will benefit us bo-¡±


    The walls of the castle started to shift and grind against each other.


    ¡°What have you- Where did you find that Hemostone!¡± the Count asked, enraged.


    ¡°Hidden away in the most obvious spot. Try a better hiding space next time, M¡¯lord,¡± Victor mocked.


    ¡°You realize whose lives I hold in my hand? I¡¯ll kill them one by one, slowly enough that you¡¯ll hear their screams rocking through this entire castle.¡±


    Amadeus clamped up, grabbing at Victor¡¯s shoulders. He looked bewildered and scared, but Victor raised a hand in defence. He peeled away from Amadeus¡¯ grasp before addressing the Count once more.


    ¡°You said you want to better the place of Metamorphs in this world? I promise if you go through with what you said, I¡¯ll return your punishment on your subjects a thousand times over. You swipe at my kind and I¡¯ll swipe at yours!¡± Victor shouted back.


    The Count fell silent afterwards. A second later the walls of the castle cracked open once more, revealing the path forwards for the group. Two Metamorph Brutes and a Thinker stood on the other end, flanked by a number of Basic Metamorphs.


    Victor raised his guns again. It was time to give the Count a display of what they could do.


    ****


    No more boosts came to Victor as he stood over the body of the Thinker. He was spitting mud and clay out of his mouth in disgust.


    ¡°Egh, why¡¯d that one explode?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°New trick I learnt,¡± Am replied as he crouched down to search the bodies of the Metamorphs. Jared was behind them, panting and leaning against his blade. Amadeus¡¯ search proved to be a useless endeavour, as the walls of the castle started shifting around them once more. Bricks split apart to reveal pathways hidden, and behind those were a mob of angry monsters waiting to burst through.


    ¡°I think the Count¡¯s onto our tricks now,¡± Lillie said as she raised a pane of light between the expanding seams. ¡°Hurry up the search, Am!¡±


    Clay exploded onto the planes of light and cracked them further. Victor ran up to them and enlarged them with his powers to buy them some more time.


    ¡°Found it!¡± Amadeus shouted at them.


    ¡°I-I found one too!¡± Jared added in quickly afterwards.


    ¡°What?¡± Amadeus looked confused. ¡°Which one do we use?¡± he shouted as a sweat broke out over Lillie¡¯s face.


    ¡°Vic?¡± Amadeus reiterated.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know!¡± he was slowly backing away from the makeshift barrier. Mud and clay were oozing out of the side of the light, forming back into little Metamorphs slowly. Lillie glanced back from the barrier and shouted over Victor and Amadeus¡¯ bickering.


    ¡°The one Jared¡¯s holding. And quickly!¡± she said.


    Victor plucked the Hemostone out of the boy¡¯s hands and struck it down onto the pedestal. The walls rearranged once again just as Lillie¡¯s barrier broke. Behind the newly appearing passage was a set of metallic double doors taller than them five times over.


    She ran for the new opening forming in the walls, urging the others forward ahead of her. When they were done, she picked the Hemostone out of the pedestal and jumped through the rapidly closing passage.


    Her legs reached just in time. the walls closed just as the first Metamorph splattered himself against the wall. Lillie breathed a sigh of relief and dropped the Hemostone beside her. As soon as the walls had rejoined, music began to fill the room. It sounded like funeral rites, a thousand different instruments joined together to produce a single piece. A piece that signalled the end of innocent lives.


    ¡°This looks like the right path,¡± Victor said.


    The new hallway they were in was different from the others. This one had windows that more clearly looked outside. Through it, they could see just how far up they were, and how far the reaches of Castle Hemotep actually extended.


    ¡°We¡¯re still in the plains. But I¡¯ve never even heard of a place like this,¡± Victor muttered.


    ¡°Is he on the other side?¡± Amadeus asked, ¡°doing all of this?¡± he gestured around at the noise.


    Lillie just nodded; her eyes still closed. Amadeus started walking quickly but Victor stopped him.


    ¡°Give her a second. We¡¯ll be better off dealing with him if we¡¯re at our best,¡± Victor told him.


    Amadeus¡¯ eyes darted between his friend and the doors behind him.


    ¡°W-what if he¡¯s doing it right now, Vic. What if we¡¯re too late?¡± Amadeus asked.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go through it all again, then, I promise,¡± Victor told him. Amadeus knew a bit, but Victor hoped he understood the weight of his words.


    Lillie got up quicker than Victor had expected. Her Recovery must have been higher than he gave her credit for. The only one of them still wrung out by it all was Jared, who held his sword in a shaky grip.


    ¡°You sure you¡¯re up for this, kid?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Y-yeah,¡± Jared replied while adjusting his glasses.


    The four of them walked towards the doors as the night cast a purple light over them. there were pieces of twisted artistry all across the halls, the wall and ceiling. It looked like an eccentric¡¯s mansion, but replicated in this twisted world.


    Victor placed his hands on the double doors at the end and pushed with all his might. The doors creaked open slowly, to reveal a large circular room with sacrifices hung about.


    Sleeping children of all ages were hanging from chains all around the perimeter of the room. There was a depression in the middle where dried lines of blood ran. The back of the room was fixed with a pipe organ whose entrails extended from the ceiling over the sacrifices.


    A single man sat there playing the pipes with a number of hands that extended from his chest. As soon as the four of them had stepped through, the man rested his fingers and stopped the symphony.


    He turned back and Victor got a good look at his awful face. Red eyes like no Metamorph he¡¯d ever seen have while his hair was faked by clay. A vested suit with golden bands on the upper arms. A cloak of some kind of animal fur was draped over that. A kilt tied around his waist, under which was a set of dress pants that wouldn¡¯t be amiss at a ball. It was like he¡¯d run to an audition for a Pharaoh right after a business meeting. All he was missing was the nemes.


    The monster looked pleased with himself, sitting casually before them all. Victor put his hand on his gun but stopped when the wannabe Pharaoh put his finger over a single key on the pipe organ.


    ¡°If you try to take a shot at me, everyone here dies,¡± he said matter-of-factly.

 Chapter 31: Thunderstorm

    The Count looked in control of the situation. Victor wanted to blast that smug grin right off of his face, but he couldn¡¯t risk it with children around.


    ¡°What are you playing at?¡± Victor growled out at the monster.


    ¡°You invaded my castle. And dear Jared, you brought him to me too,¡± the Count chuckled as Jared¡¯s hands shook.


    ¡°You took these children. Might be smarter than the average Metamorph, but it seems you¡¯re still an animal,¡± Victor snapped at him. That seemed to annoy the Count more than anything else they¡¯d done.


    ¡°What I¡¯m doing is pragmatism. My own kind are nothing more than slaves to others. I won¡¯t let that stand. Do you even realize the potential we hold?¡± the Count said, standing up from his chair. Clay moulted off of him, leaving an after image in his place on the pipe organ¡¯s seat. The clone was a facsimile of the real Count but could move around unbarred.


    The real Count strode over to the centre of the room and pointed around at the sacrifices around him.


    ¡°I¡¯m not cruel. This is your family, isn¡¯t it, Child of The Pantheon?¡± The Count asked.


    ¡°What?¡± Victor replied.


    ¡°Not you, him,¡± he pointed to Amadeus instead. The gap-toothed blonde was chewing on his lips in anger.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know your circumstances, but you care for them. So why not make a deal with someone who shares your heritage, even if a little?¡± cracks of red lightning flared from the Count¡¯s hands as he spoke. Victor took a look at Lillie, a silent conversation passing between them in an instant.


    ¡°I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about,¡± Amadeus replied curtly. The Count frowned, quirking an eyebrow.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I was under a misinformed assumption because of your powers. Don¡¯t you know what your Seed relates you to?¡± the Count asked.


    ¡°The only people I¡¯m related to are in this room, under your thumb. Let. Them. Go,¡± Amadeus ordered, but the Count brushed off his tone.


    ¡°Sure, but you¡¯ve cost me a lot today. Killed people from my family, as it were. I deserve compensation,¡± the Count demanded.


    ¡°And if we don¡¯t agree?¡± Victor asked.


    The Count pointed up at the centre of the ceiling, where pipes ran down to the various sacrifices.


    ¡°This is an implement made for my Seed. The ritual requires sacrifice to empower others. And it only accepts those with blood. If you take even a breath without my permission, I¡¯ll send the signal to have them all executed at once,¡± the Count told him with a scowl.


    The statement hung in the air for a moment; both parties not moving an inch.


    ¡°To who?¡± Lillie asked.


    ¡°To my cl-¡± the Count turned to find his muddy shadow encased in a prison of light. His expression changed to one of shock and he turned back to quickly raise a shield.


    Quickly, but not quick enough. Victor got off a single shot against the Count¡¯s arm, breaking off the shield. He then emptied the rest of his magazine into the pipe organ, frosting it over. One of those errant shots managed to hit the mud clone and collapsed it into a puddle.


    Victor thought the shrewd Metamorph would try to bargain once again but he clearly wasn¡¯t a coward. He jumped out of the way of the blasts of lightning and sword swings, reaching further back into the room.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let him near the piano!¡± Victor shouted at his allies as he jammed another magazine into his gun. Times like these made him glad that they took normal ammo and not some weird magic metal.


    The Count didn¡¯t stand idly by for him though. Lightning crackled across the man¡¯s skin and exploded outwards.


    ¡°No!¡± Amadeus shouted as it reached the nearest of the sacrifices. The electricity impacted against a newly formed pane of light, cracking it apart under its force.


    ¡°Lil, prioritize the children!¡± Amadeus begged as he ran for the Count.


    ¡°What about you?!¡± she shouted back.


    ¡°If it gets too rough, Lillie, ignore his instructions,¡± Victor said in a quieter tone before rushing into the fray with Amadeus.


    The Count unleashed more lightning onto the both of them. It hit Victor straight in the chest and knocked him back into a table. He toppled over it and ended up on the other side panting. Suddenly his muscles felt weary like he¡¯d run a marathon.


    He was tired? How? Victor looked back up and saw the Count take the brunt of a blow from Amadeus¡¯ lightning before shrugging it off. He clenched his jaw and shouted the warning in his head.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let him hit you or he¡¯ll drain you!¡± Victor shouted as he got back up. He placed his dual pistols on the table to steady his aim but couldn¡¯t find an opening without hitting Amadeus or Jared.


    This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Screw it, have to get my hands dirty. He jumped over the table and picked it up with a single hand. Victor hauled it over and threw it at the Count with a shout.


    ¡°Back away!¡± He ordered Amadeus and Jared.


    Jared was slow to listen so Amadeus grabbed his hand and jumped away. In the air the table enlarged to twice its size. Before it could hit the count, it cracked apart as red lightning burst through the splinters.


    The lightning arced in the air, tumbling down and hitting Jared in his armour. The gauntlet around him did little to help as he jittered and fell to the ground.


    Amadeus was quick to respond. The Count readied another bolt but Amadeus met it with his own. The bolts impacted in the air and sent a shockwave across the room. Papers were overturned and candles went out as the bolts continued their clash.


    The Count and Amadeus both struggled against each other arms raised. Then Hemotep lowered his other hand as more mud clones separated out from his body. They formed into bodies that raised their own hands. Amadeus¡¯ eyes went wide in fear. Lightning crackled across their hands ready to fire.


    Then two blades cut them apart in a second. Victor jumped in and slashed them down to puddled before cutting the Count¡¯s legs. Hemotep buckled on his knees and Amadeus growled out a scream. He put his entire being behind his lightning, feeling a cracking in his Seed as he did. His power consumed the Count¡¯s and sank into his flesh with a sizzle. His flesh bubbled and shook in the air.


    The monster sat paralyzed on the ground as Victor raised his blade.


    ¡°You¡¯re done,¡± Victor grunted as he brought the sword down. But the blade clanged against another.


    The Count¡¯s arm had hardened to a bloody steel and veins exploded across his face. He grabbed Victor with the other hand and threw him. Amadeus caught the man and they both stood alert.


    The Count ripped off his clothing. Underneath it were muscles and veins that stretched from his heart. His eyes bled away their fleshy sclera to reveal instead ones that were shockingly human-like.


    The Count didn¡¯t speak as he stood back up. He glanced at Jared¡¯s fallen body between him and the humans and frowned. Amadeus knew in that moment that something was wrong. And he was proven correct as vials of blood popped out of the Count¡¯s arms.


    Amadeus and Hemotep rushed for Jared at the same time. Victor shot at the Count¡¯s feet and forced him back a few steps. Amadeus chimed in with more bolts.


    ¡°Get the kid back up! I¡¯ll handle the Wannabe Vampire!¡± Victor shouted. He jumped over Amadeus and raised his pistols again.


    Hemotep grimaced further. He jumped around the room to avoid the shots aimed at him. But even still a few landed on his flesh. They scorched and iced wherever they landed, slowing down the monster.


    Victor kept firing until his magazines ran dry. The second he took to reload, Hemotep made his move. The vials popping from his arms drained in an instant. More veins popped around the Count¡¯s body and a red shimmer covered him.


    Victor raised his arms instead of reloading. Like a blur the Count was next to him swinging a fist. The next second Victor was flying across the room again. His arms stung down to the bones.


    When he landed, he rolled. His guns went skidding across the floor beside him. Victor looked back up and saw that Hemotep had already caught up by then. The man was on him again, ready to strike.


    Whether it be by providence or something else, Amadeus managed to fire off a bolt of lightning then. And Jared stabbed his sword right through the Count¡¯s back. Hemotep¡¯s eyes widened as he shifted his flesh around.


    Then he grabbed the front of the blade and ripped it out of his side. He raised the blade up to knock away Jared but the boy proved resilient. He braced his legs against the Count¡¯s arms and ripped his sword out of his arms. Amadeus punctured him with more lightning at the same time. and Jared slashed off a few of Hemotep¡¯s fingers before he jumped off.


    Victor then kicked the monster in the chest and came up onto his feet. He could see the Count growing tired and angrier by the moment. That¡¯s why he knew he needed to end this soon. And he knew just how to.


    ¡°Box!¡± Victor shouted in that moment.


    Panes of light surrounded the Count. Then another. And then once more. The Count seemed to rip through them just as fast, but the momentary distraction was just what Victor needed. He ran around and picked up his guns before Hemotep broke through the last of the boxes.


    Lillie fell to her knees in exhaustion and Victor thanked her silently. Jared, Amadeus and Victor surrounded the monster from all sides, covering him in slashes, burns and ice. The Count countered each and all but grew weaker for a moment. Noticing his opportunity, Victor lunged right into the middle of the monster.


    Hemotep looked surprised. He grabbed at Victor with his flesh and he accepted the embrace with open arms. Arms holding his dual pistols. Victor aimed them right into the monster¡¯s chest, where his heart ought to be. There, he fired off freezing rounds.


    The Count gleamed what he was doing and tried ripping him away to no avail. Amadeus¡¯ lightning and Jared¡¯s sword kept him busy as Victor fired off more rounds. When it was all but frozen over Victor slammed the butt of his gun into the monster¡¯s chest.


    The clay cracked to reveal a glass chamber filled with glowing blood. Victor took aim at the chamber and pulled the triggers.


    Dual bullets pierced through the chamber and covered Victor in its blood.


    ¡°No!¡± Hemotep screamed, finally able to rip Victor away. He threw him aside and went to the floor. The strange blood mixed with glass there.


    Hemotep reached out hands to grab it but they were slashed apart by Jared. He reached for the boy but lightning fell from the skies. Hemotep looked up to find a small thunderstorm building in the room. Amadeus was behind it, channelling the last of his stamina into the blast. And as Hemotep tried one last time to defend himself, the lightning fell in a flash.


    His flesh exploded in jitters, failing to take a form. The lightning was blinding to all around; who could only hear the shrill screams escaping from the mouth of the Metamorph. Thunder roared along with it, electrifying the air around the room as the onslaught continued.


    And then it stopped, just as quickly as it had come. The place where the Metamorph had been was charred and smoking. The blood underneath him had boiled away. Only a corpse stood there now.


    Amadeus wobbled on his feet for a moment, trying to take a steady foothold. He failed in the end, falling to the floor face first.


    ¡°Am!¡± Jared shouted as he dismissed his armour. He ran for Amadeus¡¯s fallen form while Victor kept himself aware for any more tricks.


    When nothing did pop out at him or Lillie, he sighed and let his shoulders down a little. They rose back up once he saw the weak movements coming from the Count¡¯s supposedly dead body, however.


    Victor raised a gun to it, waiting for a second movement. Then he made his way slowly over to the corpse turned it over with a kick.


    Hemotep wasn¡¯t dead. But he would soon be. Most of his front remained uncharred, but it was no closer to helping him survive. The Count¡¯s mouth trembled for a few words that Victor couldn¡¯t hear.


    ¡°I¡­ I just¡­ wanted to f-free them¡­¡±


    Then Hemotep¡¯s one remaining eye collapsed into clay along with the rest of his body. Victor grimaced at the monster¡¯s glowing Seeds. Two of them. He¡¯d put them on the backfoot with only two of them.

 Chapter 32: Friends

    Lillie placed some water over Amadeus¡¯ mouth. He drank it in greedily before collapsing back into sleep. Jared looked annoyed with him as he tried to shake him further.


    ¡°He¡¯s spent,¡± Victor chimed in from the side.


    ¡°I¡­. I just need a minute,¡± Amadeus replied lazily.


    He¡¯d cleaned out the two Seeds and stared at them intently for the moment. One of them looked like a tear of blood that was warm to the touch. The other was something intimately familiar to Victor. It was Amadeus¡¯ Crystallized Lightning.


    That was a conundrum. His bestiary was open before him, along with his item compendium so that Victor could reference the information.


    [[Count Hemotep]: SIZE: M THREAT: GREAT ABILITIES: SEED: Bloody Tear, SEED: Crystallized Lightning, Shapechanging


    Hemotep is one of the stronger Metamorphs I¡¯ve seen. Whereas others at or above his level are mindless creatures that obey an Imperial, Mythic or even a Deity, he was instead a completely independent entity. I always did admire his tenacity. Before being lucky enough to acquire his Seeds, he was only a simple Metamorph Thinker working under some Imperial or other.


    Though he¡¯s had them only for a while, he is adept at using his Seeds. They allow him to multiply and create an ichor-like blood that fuels his stronger abilities, like his devastating lightning. The Pantheon at one time tried to recruit him because of those very abilities, from what I¡¯ve heard.]


    From the description, Victor should¡¯ve pitied the man. In some ways they were similar. They both fought for their people. But despite that, he couldn¡¯t find it in himself to muster up any sympathies, even against the supposed wishes of his bestiary.


    The description also didn¡¯t help him understand what the Bloody Tear could do. He¡¯d even checked the item¡¯s description, but the vagueness of it made it hard to work with. So as always, it was up to him to decide where the Seeds would go.


    Am doesn¡¯t need another Lightning Seed, that¡¯s for sure. Lillie doesn¡¯t have anything resembling offensive abilities, so maybe she should get it instead? But then, what if we need resources?


    ¡°Huh?¡± Victor muttered to himself. He¡¯d come across his fair share of Seeds in the previous loop, but at least then the path had been clear cut. He and Amadeus hadn¡¯t much to their names, so they¡¯d been forced to sell of the scarce few Seeds they found. This time, instead of too little, he had too many choices.


    ¡°Figure something out yet, Vic?¡± Lillie asked him. She was leaning over his crouched form, looking towards the Seeds with gleaming eyes.


    ¡­.She needs protection, Victor decided. He picked up the Crystallized Lightning and tossed it over to her.


    ¡°You should absorb it as soon as you can,¡± Victor told her.


    ¡°Y-you sure? What about you?¡± Lillie asked.


    Victor popped a blade off of his knuckles in response. Then he fired it off towards one of the walls.


    ¡°I¡¯ll manage.¡±


    He then scooped up the Bloody Tear and brought it over to Amadeus. Maybe it was a bit foolish handing something that great over to Amadeus, but he¡¯d already made his choice.


    The truth was, Victor didn¡¯t know how long he¡¯d live. He wanted to keep his options open for the future. And the Seed¡ª albeit powerful¡ª was another option he was locking away for himself in this life.


    ¡°Hey, Am. Take this, would you?¡± Victor curled the man¡¯s hands around the Seed.


    ¡°What? Is this a tooth or something? I don¡¯t want to have teeth magic, Vic,¡± Amadeus mumbled with his eyes closed.


    ¡°Oh really? Think about it, Am, you might become the one thing all ten out of ten doctors recommend,¡± Victor replied sarcastically. Amadeus chuckled, showing a gap-toothed smile.


    ¡°Now come on, absorb it in,¡± Victor said.


    In a moment the Seed sank into Amadeus¡¯ flesh, and he furrowed his brow with eyes still closed.


    ¡°Jared, get me a vial of blood,¡± Victor ordered. the boy managed to scrounge one up from around the room and brought it to Victor.


    ¡°Bottom¡¯s up, buddy,¡± he fed the blood to Amadeus, unsure of how the abilities worked. Though his friend grimaced and stuck out his tongue, a moment later his eyes were open.


    ¡°That was¡­ disgusting,¡± Amadeus said. He spat to his side; spittle mixed with red. He then looked around frantically at the room, and the kids still hanging by the chains. And though their hands were bruised from the chains, not a single one looked harmed beyond it.


    ¡°Now that you¡¯re awake, let¡¯s get your family out of here,¡± Victor told him.


    ****


    It didn¡¯t take the group long to find the keys that unlocked the prisoner¡¯s chains. Slowly but surely, they lowered each of them down, from the toddlers to the adults. And no sooner than they¡¯d started did the kids start waking up.


    The first of them cried when they did wake, but softened their cries once they found Amadeus. He hugged and held them, reassuring them with every passing moment that he wasn¡¯t going anywhere. He and Lillie dressed their wounds as the kids spoke without pause, letting out their fears, sadness and anger.


    Once they were all down and awake, Victor took a good hard look at them. How Amadeus managed such a large family he¡¯d never know. He seemed to remember each and every one of them by name. Dudley, Duke, Samantha, Yvette. It made his head spin, and he was the one who could actually record information in his bestiary.


    ¡°Where were you?!¡± One of the girls, Yvette shouted at him as she grabbed onto his collar. She was a tanned girl with purple hair and bags under her eyes.


    ¡°Stop it! Don¡¯t hurt him!¡± another girl, this time a teenager, stepped in between. She had tears in her eyes which made the older woman stutter.


    ¡°And how are you so buff now?¡± another little girl, Tiffany, asked. She was hanging off of Amadeus¡¯ arm like it was a solid tree branch.


    ¡°Maybe he¡¯s been working out?¡± Dudley replied. If Victor remembered right, he was the one who loved detective novels.


    ¡°But Jared looks the same?¡± Tiffany replied.


    ¡°H-hey! I¡¯ve been working out too!¡± Jared defended himself.


    If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    The entire group kept bombarding Amadeus with questions. He met them all head on with a smile, his arms wrapping around each and every one so tightly it looked like he never wanted to let go. Even Yvette was brought into the giant hug despite her grumbling.


    ¡°It¡¯s a really sweet sight, isn¡¯t it?¡± Lillie said with a sombre smile.


    Victor smiled for Am. He should¡¯ve been happy, he knew, but a thought lingered in the back of his mind. What about his family?


    That part wanted to rush out of there as soon as possible to get to them. Hold his own brother and sister in his arms and smile at them. And with every moment that passed, that reality became a bit more distant.


    ¡°Alright, everybody, calm down!¡± Victor clapped to catch their attention. ¡°The rest of this can wait till we¡¯re out of here. So, let go of the man and stay behind us while we clear a path, alright?¡± Victor finished.


    The kids looked between themselves and murmured in silence. Even Yvette looked at him distrustfully.


    ¡°Victor¡¯s right. We can¡¯t be playing around right now. Can you guys be good for a little bit, at least until we¡¯re out?¡± Amadeus asked, crouching down to their level.


    The kids nodded one by one.


    ¡°Great! Let¡¯s get going, then.¡±


    The group started to walk, Lillie, Victor and Amadeus in front. While they continued, Victor handed Amadeus a bandolier of blood vials he¡¯d found in the room.


    ¡°Wait, I have to drink these every time I want to use the Seed?¡± Amadeus asked.


    ¡°Get used to it. It might be the only way to use it,¡± Victor said.


    ¡°Why not take it yourself?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m saving myself for something special,¡± Victor fired back. ¡°That, and I wanted to know. Am, can you try that red lightning trick Hemotep pulled off?¡±


    Amadeus raised a single hand as they walked. when he focused, only yellow lightning crawled along his arms.


    ¡°Wait a minute. I¡¯ve got this. It¡¯s just like¡­. Rubbing your belly and patting your head at the same time,¡± he said.


    ¡°What?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Ah, you know, like¡­¡± and as Amadeus tried to form a comparison, the first sparks of red mixed with the yellow. He stopped and quieted, concentrating on the feeling once more. Within a few minutes, red lightning sprang from his hands, travelling around like a sharp snake around his arms.


    ¡°There it is!¡± Am said happily before quenching the sparks. The kids in the back quivered a bit at the sights, and Amadeus had to console them before they continued onwards and out of the castle.


    ****


    ¡°There goes my last bullet,¡± Victor complained as he examined the magazine of his pistols.


    The Metamorph Brute faded into a puddle of clay before him. Victor idly slammed his magazine back in the pistol and tucked it away.


    ¡°Way¡¯s clear!¡± he shouted for the kids.


    Lillie approached with the Hemostone in hand and placed it onto the final pedestal. As the walls shifted around them, they glimpsed the beacon of light that led to salvation.


    ¡°Thanks for keeping them safe, Lil,¡± Amadeus chimed in from behind them.


    ¡°It¡¯s no problem. Especially when they¡¯re so gosh darn adorable!¡± Lillie replied, pinching Tiffany¡¯s cheeks.


    ¡°Be careful. That¡¯s how they get you. These kids are demons when they don¡¯t listen,¡± Yvette chimed in.


    ¡°And yet you still take care of them,¡± Amadeus said.


    ¡°Because someone has to when you¡¯re not around.¡±


    ¡°You still handle the house better than me!¡±


    ¡°At least I don¡¯t have to hear you snoring from five rooms over¡­¡± Yvette muttered to herself.


    The walls parted fully for them and the group moved forward. Victor waited for the last of the kids to pass before he did so himself. He took one last glance back at the castle and wondered to himself what would become of it.


    Probably conquered by some other monster once they figure out the whole thing is abandoned.


    He took the Hemostone from the pedestal just in case. The walls closed in behind him and Victor made his way to the front of the group. Towards the Gate.


    ¡°Brace the kids for this. It¡¯s going to be a bit disorienting going through,¡± Victor said.


    ¡°Dudley, Sam, with me,¡± Yvette said. She held onto the two kids and nodded to Victor.


    Victor popped blades over his knuckles before entering the Gate. He didn¡¯t know what could be waiting on the other side, and he didn¡¯t want to risk it.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go in first, just to check.¡±


    Victor took the first step and popped out of the other side. A passing wave of nausea overcame him yet he persisted. The junction leading to the castle was empty, which was surprising to him. Victor looked around for signs of life, Metamorphs or other monsters waiting in ambush, but found nothing.


    He popped back through the portal he addressed the whole group.


    ¡°Way¡¯s clear.¡±


    ****


    The main base of the resistance was alight with motion once Victor and his group had come back. Alex was the first to greet them on their return. Her mouth was agape with the number of people they¡¯d dragged back with themselves.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Ponytail? Thought we¡¯d die out there?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Honestly? Yeah,¡± she replied. ¡°Gray! We¡¯ve got company. Get the kids some blankets and something warm to eat!¡± she waved over one of the others.


    They were in one of the larger buildings on the street, so Victor winced when she raised her voice so loud.


    ¡°You¡¯ll attract the monsters if you keep shouting so loud.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the one who brought children into the building. You think they¡¯re going to be quiet?¡± Alex asked.


    ¡°No, but there¡¯s some things you can do about it,¡± Victor said. He took her to the side and started a long talk about certain Seeds he knew of.


    While he did that, Amadeus, Lillie and Yvette did their best to help the kids. Most all of them fell asleep as soon as they were done wolfing down the canned soup that Gray had brought out. The straight-faced man just nodded to them, leaving the kids under their purview as he grabbed a rifle and went up the stairwell.


    Amadeus made sure each of them was tucked in comfortably among the blankets. He painstakingly helped each of them into the large padded room Gray had directed them towards. The other survivors gave him a glare when they were forced out of it, and all he could do was smile back sheepishly.


    Then he leaned back against one of the desks in the room and breathed out. Finally, they were all safe. A massive weight lifted off of his shoulders, and the smile he¡¯d strained to keep for so long felt effortless once more.


    Thank you, Vic. Truly.


    ¡°What are we going to do now?¡± Yvette asked. Beside her was Jared and finally Lillie.


    ¡°Survive the best we can,¡± Amadeus replied.


    ¡°You¡¯re not leaving?¡±


    ¡°Only for a little bit. I owe Victor that much,¡± Amadeus said.


    ¡°Seems like a reliable guy. Was he your friend or¡­?¡±


    ¡°I think¡­. He thinks so. We have these inside jokes, but truth be told, I don¡¯t remember a single one of them,¡± Amadeus said.


    Yvette raised an eyebrow. ¡°You think he¡¯s all there?¡±


    ¡°I think he¡¯s more grounded than any one else in the world right now.¡±


    ¡°Victor saved you guys. That¡¯s all I need to trust him,¡± Jared said.


    ¡°You too?¡±


    ¡°He helped me with my powers too¡­¡± the teen added.


    ¡°And what about you, Lillie?¡± Yvette asked.


    ¡°I think it¡¯s better if I stick around. For both our sakes,¡± she said with a smile.


    ¡°Whatever. I¡¯m knocking out for the day,¡± Yvette said idly. She took one of the remaining blankets and squeezed herself into the pile of sleeping bodies there. Lillie and Jared left the room too, but Amadeus stuck around. He wanted to keep watch. Not just for their sakes, but for his own.


    He didn¡¯t know how long had passed when someone entered the room behind him. Under the dim light, he almost didn¡¯t notice how tired Victor looked. Even though he looked like he¡¯d been through the ringer, he had a backpack on.


    Amadeus rubbed his own aching eyes and smirked.


    ¡°You should drop that, Vic. No need to haul it everywhere,¡± he said.


    ¡°I¡¯m taking it with me, Am. I got your family safe, now it¡¯s time to find mine,¡± Victor replied.


    ¡°Wait, right now?¡± Amadeus asked.


    ¡°Yeah, quicker the better. Can you tell Lillie for me? Can¡¯t find her anywhere.¡±


    He turned and started to leave the room, but Amadeus stopped him.


    ¡°Wait.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°What¡­ the hell is wrong with you?¡± Amadeus asked.


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°You gave me the power to save my family, helped me reach the other side of the country and then took down the one responsible for kidnapping them. After all that, you think I¡¯d just let you off alone?¡± Amadeus said.


    He had real anger in his eyes, the kind that Victor didn¡¯t often see. In his last life, it was mostly sadness or tension that scoured the man¡¯s face.


    ¡°You helped me, I help you. And I¡¯m not letting you go off alone and tired to Charleston,¡± Amadeus said.


    ¡°They could be in danger, Am. What if-¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re in danger. Of collapsing from exhaustion. You¡¯re out of ammo, do you even have food in your pack?¡± Amadeus asked.


    ¡°I was hoping to pick some up on the way¡­.¡± Victor muttered.


    ¡°Vic, in your condition, even I could beat you.¡±


    Victor had no response. He just¡­ he wanted to see them so bad.


    ¡°Victor, a day or two. That¡¯s all I¡¯m asking. Then you, me and Lillie go together,¡± Amadeus offered. Victor took a sidelong glance at the sleeping children.


    ¡°What about them?¡± he asked.


    ¡°They stay. We won¡¯t be gone long. We¡¯ll find your family, bring them back and live through this nightmare together. That¡¯s what friends do for each other, don¡¯t they?¡± Amadeus asked. He held out a hand for Victor.


    The Timewalker hesitated for a moment, then he clasped it in his own. He pulled Amadeus in for a hug after.


    ¡°Thank you, Am, truly.¡±


    ¡°Heh,¡± Amadeus replied. Funny how that worked out.

 Chapter 33: Paying It Forward

    Just because Victor had to rest didn¡¯t mean he was going to sit by idly the whole day. Instead, he was helping Amadeus improve his Seed¡¯s power.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you try controlling it after you¡¯ve fired it?¡± Victor asked.


    Amadeus let loose another bolt, cracking and breaking apart one of the soda bottles they¡¯d lined up on some boxes.


    ¡°It¡¯s too fast!¡± Amadeus replied. His aim was good, but predictable.


    ¡°Slow it down then,¡± Victor said back. He chewed on a nutri-grain bar.


    While Amadeus lined up his next shot, Lillie fired off one of her own. It hit the back wall of the building instead of any of the actual targets.


    ¡°Am¡¯s right, this is harder than it looks,¡± she said with a grimace. A bottle of water sat beside her, and she took a swig of it.


    ¡°That¡¯s because you¡¯re still thinking of it like real lightning. It¡¯s more than that. You can control it if you try,¡± Victor lectured.


    It was the same lesson Amadeus had told him in his previous life. He was just paying it forward. The next few shots were mildly slower as the two of them got a better hang of their abilities. Victor mostly practiced with his Bladebody Edge, popping swords in and out as quick as he could.


    Jared was the only other combatant there, and he was struggling against Victor despite his arguably better Seed. Victor took a few jabs, popping blades when needed and receding them afterwards. He avoided shooting them out because he didn¡¯t want to hurt Jared. Instead, they kept to the lighter stuff.


    Jared was getting better though, and faster to boot. If he¡¯d have to bet, he was already superhuman by actual swordsman standards. The armour helped in that regard, boosting his stats even more.


    A downward slash was parried. Then Victor twisted Jared¡¯s arm, forcing him to drop the blade. He kicked it up with his feet into his hands. A moment later, it disappeared.


    ¡°Hmm,¡± Victor noted as it came back to Jared¡¯s hands. ¡°At least you can¡¯t be disarmed,¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m tired¡­¡± Jared said, panting.


    ¡°Take five and we¡¯ll come back to this,¡± Victor told the boy.


    ¡°Sweet!¡± Amadeus replied from across the room. He took a break around the same time, almost skipping his way across the room and towards the rations. Seeing how many they were eating up made Victor cringe a little.


    Alex said they can¡¯t take care of everyone. They¡¯re going to need to find a Seed if they want food to grow rapidly.


    He¡¯d given her his suggestions, but even those were hard to find. She¡¯d dispatched a search team through one of the other Gates in search of them, and he hoped they¡¯d return with better news. Even a single Seed related to crops or food could help an entire settlement to survive and start thriving.


    He leaned against the wall near Amadeus.


    ¡°Even when you¡¯re supposed to be resting you won¡¯t take a seat,¡± Amadeus said.


    ¡°I am resting¡­ If I wasn¡¯t, I¡¯d be training against you, not the kid,¡± Victor replied.


    Lillie had chosen not to join them. Instead, she was firing off shots wildly into the targets. Her aim was off, but it was getting better ever so slowly.


    ¡°Do you think more Metamorphs will find us?¡± Amadeus asked.


    ¡°If they do, we¡¯re prepared,¡± Victor said.


    But that was only then. What if he had to loop back again. He¡¯d lose all of his newfound abilities. The only thing he¡¯d retain, his damnable Timewalker Seed, hadn¡¯t even unlocked a useful ability beyond any statistical boosts.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got that moody look about you, Vic. Tell me, what¡¯s on your mind?¡± Amadeus asked him.


    ¡°Just¡­ thinking about Seeds.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d be hard-pressed to find a time when you¡¯re not thinking about them.¡±


    Victor frowned. He wasn¡¯t obsessed or anything.


    ¡°But it¡¯s about one in particular, isn¡¯t it?¡± Amadeus asked with a knowing smile.


    ¡°Maybe I should tell you and the rest about the Timewalker¡¯s Origin,¡± Victor muttered quietly. Jared and Lillie couldn¡¯t hear them amidst their training, so it gave them some privacy.


    ¡°That¡¯s what it¡¯s called? Cool name for something like that,¡± Amadeus replied. ¡°So what? Does it let you see the future? Is that how you know where things are?¡±


    ¡°It lets me live the future, Am.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­. That¡¯s¡­ much stronger. Any reason why you haven¡¯t told the others about it, then?¡±


    ¡°It has a limit. Ten years before I can leap backwards in time. and if I die before that, that¡¯s it,¡± Victor explained. ¡°I thought if I showed it off too much, it¡¯d paint a target on my back. People would hunt me down just to take it for themselves.¡±


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    Amadeus idly fingered a bottle of water.


    ¡°Ten years¡­. Is that how long you¡¯ve known me and Lillie?¡± Amadeus asked.


    ¡°Just you. Lillie¡­ didn¡¯t make it out the last time,¡± Victor said.


    ¡°Wow, so you actually changed it. What about the others? Loki, Ashley?¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t meet Loki that time and don¡¯t know what happened to Ashley. I didn¡¯t even know I had the Timewalker¡¯s Origin the first time around.¡±


    ¡°Maybe you picked it up along the way?¡±


    Victor shook his head. ¡°If that were true, then I¡¯d remember. No, I remember reaching my ten years, dying at the end of the world, then poof! Right back in my apartment, coke in hand as I¡¯m watching news of the Road to Hell opening up.¡±


    ¡°Wait, back up- The world ends?¡± Amadeus asked in shock. A look of worry overcame him.


    Victor didn¡¯t meet his gaze for a long time. he just nodded silently.


    ¡°Then¡­ I guess you¡¯re our only hope, huh?¡± Amadeus said, looking up.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Vic, you¡¯re the only one who knows how it happens. You can fix it.¡±


    ¡°How, Am? I don¡¯t even know what that thing was that even killed us!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll figure it out. Even if it takes you years,¡± Amadeus consoled.


    ¡°I don¡¯t even know how to progress the damn Seed,¡± Victor grunted.


    ¡°You¡¯ll figure that out too.¡±


    ¡°Real helpful, Am. ¡®I¡¯ll figure it out.¡¯ And how long will that take me?¡± Victor asked.


    Amadeus shrugged. ¡°Don¡¯t know. You¡¯re the immortal, you tell me.¡±


    Victor sagged his shoulders a little.


    ¡°Give it time, Vic, you¡¯ve got a surplus. If not this round, then the next,¡± Amadeus patted him on the back.


    ¡°But you¡¯ll forget by then¡­¡±


    Amadeus shrugged. ¡°I can¡¯t control that. And besides, you¡¯ll come back for me.¡±


    Even if Amadeus hadn¡¯t the answers, it felt¡­ nice to let out what Victor had been feeling this whole time. He¡¯d already learned so much more this time. Even found a type of monster that was friendly. But the main goal he had remained unchanged.


    Find his family. If he could do it this time, he could do it every time. If he could save his family, he could surely save the world along with it. But the weight of those words was not something Victor Amadi understood at the time. He just thought he was blessed to have the powers he did.


    ****


    ¡°A Synergy is an ability that uses both of your Seeds,¡± Victor told the three of them. He popped another blade for demonstration. It came out almost instantly from his forearm when he used the Synergy.


    Jared raised a hand as if he were in class.


    ¡°Yes, Jared?¡±


    ¡°Which Seeds is that between?¡± he asked.


    ¡°That¡¯s an interesting one. You can have it between any two or more of the Seeds you possess. Me? This is between my Bladebody Edge and¡­ my Ant-to-Man Tesseract,¡± he said sheepishly. He recalled the blade just as quick as it had popped out.


    ¡°Stuff like Amadeus¡¯ red lightning also counts as a Synergy.¡±


    Amadeus raised a hand like a schoolboy.


    ¡°You can just ask the question, Am,¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°This way¡¯s more fun! Why don¡¯t we just keep taking Seeds that give you the same powers?¡± Amadeus asked.


    It was a simple enough thing. And a mistake that Victor had learned from himself.


    ¡°It could help you shoot out stronger lightning, but you narrow yourself down. If you get Seeds that are related and could give rise to Synergies, often, you reach the same level of power behind your hits and get a new toy to play around with,¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°So, if I took another Crystallized Lightning?¡±


    ¡°No new powers. Same as mixing two of the same colours or flavours together. Synergies only work when you¡¯ve got two separate flavours that complement each other,¡± Victor explained.


    He paused then to sigh a little. Being a teacher was the last thing he¡¯d wanted to do, and yet here he was, droning on and on about magic like it was a university-level course.


    ¡°Now, the next thing I¡¯m about to show you is not a Synergy. It¡¯s just an application of things I already know,¡± Victor said.


    He once again popped a blade from his forearm, then enlarged it till it twice the width and length. He popped the blade out and shot it towards a wall, embedding the blade within. In moments, it returned to its original size and fell out of the hole it had carved.


    ¡°I created a blade using my Bladebody Edge. Then I enlarged it with my Ant-to-Man Tesseract. When it¡¯s inside my enemy¡¯s body, I let the enlargement go, leaving a gaping and bleeding hole.¡±


    Jared nodded at the demonstration. Afterwards they dispersed and Lillie and Amadeus practiced their Seeds in tandem. Victor was hoping for them to unlock some new Synergies that day. They could be a useful tool in a fight.


    And although he tried, he failed to gain any new progress on his own Seeds. The Whisperer¡¯s Tongue lay in his pack waiting to be used, but Victor didn¡¯t dare to take it. Instead, he concluded their session for the day and returned back to the base.


    When he did, he was greeted by Alex, along with a few other survivors behind her.


    ¡°We have to talk,¡± she told him, dragging him off to a side room. When she was out of reach of the others, she whispered to him in a concerned tone.


    ¡°We¡¯re running out of food faster than we thought, Victor. I don¡¯t think we¡¯ll last the month,¡± Alex replied.


    ¡°What about those scouts you sent out?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s only been a day. Won¡¯t be hearing from them for a while.¡±


    Victor considered his options.


    ¡°Some of the Gates around the city lead into the Deltani Plains. Go there and scrounge up whatever berries and animals you can find,¡± he told her.


    ¡°Will those even be safe to eat?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Safe as any animal if you prepare it right. And just wait then. I¡¯ll be only a week with my crew before we come back,¡± he told her.


    ¡°That¡¯s not the only issue¡­¡±


    As they talked about the patrols and untrained Wielders they had in the hideout, Amadeus looked on with Yvette by his side from across the room.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you go for her?¡± he asked her.


    ¡°Alex? Not my type,¡± the girl replied.


    ¡°Really? Your tastes seem to change by the day. Who is your type, then?¡± Amadeus said.


    Yvette thought for a moment before giving her reply.


    ¡°Lillie, I guess.¡±


    ¡°Ough, tough luck. That avenue¡¯s completely closed down,¡± Amadeus told her.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°You ever see the way she and Victor look at each other?¡± Amadeus asked. Yvette groaned in defeat, then glared a hole right into Victor.


    The Timewalker felt like someone was trying to melt him with their gaze, but he couldn¡¯t ignore Alex right in front of him. He stowed the feeling away for the moment, hoping it¡¯d pass with time.


    By the time he was free of her grasp, he found himself tired once again. Lillie had prepared their belongings already, and Amadeus had brought along an electric car on the road.


    He stood with his back to the little EV. The Tesla he brought looked beaten up and needed a wheel replaced, but otherwise was fine. Victor shoved his belongings into the back seat and tried to climb into the driver¡¯s seat, but Amadeus raised a hand.


    ¡°I¡¯m the one charging the thing, I¡¯m the one driving,¡± he stated.


    ¡°You sure you won¡¯t be tired after filling up the battery?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Psh, I can rain down thunder. A battery¡¯s light work.¡±


    They brought it into the vast garage of the survivors¡¯ hideout. There, it took them the rest of the night to replace one of the wheels.


    Victor retired to his room afterwards. He laid his head flat down against the pillow they¡¯d given him, unable to close his eyes. The others had long gone to sleep by then, awaiting the drive and the perils they¡¯d face along the way.


    But not Victor. His heart raced with words he should say. How he should greet his parents. Would he lose all hesitance like Amadeus when he met his own family? Would he become¡­ a liability?


    A single barred window looked out into the night sky. Not a single star to be found there. He wondered how long ago had it been that they¡¯d be visible every night.

 Chapter 34: All The Time in The World

    The night drive to Charleston was tense. Amadeus had taken the first shift but retired to the back of the car once they¡¯d come across the first of the major roadblocks. Victor took over for him and off-roaded the vehicle through the rest of the way.


    That had the effect of not letting Amadeus catch any more sleep. Instead, he lay his head in between the driver and passenger¡¯s seat, looking towards the road they traversed. Victor had a white-knuckled grip on the steering wheel and any attempt at conversation bounced off of the man.


    ¡°We¡¯ll find them alive and well, Vic,¡± Lillie said, grabbing his shoulder and giving it a squeeze. He nodded slightly at her provocation, but his eyes were still plastered to the road in front of him.


    That road ended near the beginning of the port city, and the city began proper. Victor¡¯s mouth was agape seeing it again. The golden structures that had dotted the ruins of Charleston were no more, and the buildings weren¡¯t as dilapidated.


    He couldn¡¯t see his own house from far away, but the sight of it gave him enough confidence to speed up. There was nary a sight in the city apart from a few Vintarics that gave up their chase of their car soon enough. Once they passed into the centre of the town, Victor took a series of sharp turns that threw Amadeus against the sides of the car.


    Lillie clasped her hand around the grab handles and another under the seat she was on. Victor didn¡¯t notice.


    He steered right into the middle of the town and slammed on the brakes so hard the tires screeched.


    There it was again. He jumped out of the car and kicked down the doors.


    ¡°Victor, wait!¡± Amadeus shouted for him, but he was in a trance.


    Victor ran through his apartment all the way to the lounge. And then his legs turned to jelly.


    Bile filled his mouth and terror his heart. Victor felt his strength leave him, like every boost to his powers was nothing more than an illusion. It was a sickeningly familiar sight. The large boulder through the centre of the room. His family crushed underneath. Only this time they still had flesh on their bones and the blood on the carpet looked fresher.


    There was nothing different. He¡¯d come a decade earlier to watch a more vivid image of his family¡¯s corpses. Victor went to his knees. He spat bile onto the floor ahead of him. a hand clasped his back and tried to pull him away but he slapped it aside.


    His entire body shook after each exhalation. What do I do? He asked himself.


    His worst nightmare had come true. He was alone again. There lay the last vestiges of his family. And a sure thought grabbed Victor. Had he come the exact moment it had happened, it still would not have been enough.


    The rooves of the houses outside confirmed it for him. They had similar holes through them, and presumably boulders of their own. As soon as the Road to Hell opened on the cost of the city, his family died.


    H-how do I save them? He searched through his menus, his Seeds and their possible abilities. There was nothing there to help him. Nothing he could immediately see that would ever let him save their lives.


    All the power in the world, and he was powerless to use it in the one way he wanted to.


    ¡°What a joke¡­¡± Victor scratched deep into the floorboards with his metallic nails.


    ¡°Vic¡­¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t even try¡­ I don¡¯t want to hear it.¡±


    ¡°You need to, Vic. You have to get up. It¡¯s not safe here,¡± Amadeus told him.


    ¡°And why? They¡¯re dead, Am. I can¡¯t bring them back.¡±


    ¡°I know¡­¡± Amadeus replied in a rueful tone. ¡°But you can¡¯t give up now. Because what if¡­ what if you can go back even further?¡±


    Victor looked up from his sorrowful state and shook his head. His eyes were red from tears shed.


    ¡°It¡¯s not possible.¡±


    ¡°How do you know? Do you know the extent of your own abilities?¡±


    ¡°No, bu-¡±


    ¡°Then what if you could go back another ten years. Before the first Gate even opened. Warn people beforehand,¡± Amadeus told him.


    ¡°Am¡­ I can¡¯t even figure out how to make the Seed progress. How am I going to double how far back I go?¡±


    ¡°Well, take your time. Same as fixing this whole mess,¡± Amadeus waved a hand all around him.


    It didn¡¯t sink in for him until then. Victor glanced back at the bodies. He¡¯d hoped to find them and eke out an existence in every loop. Then he¡¯d handle the threat of the Gates. But it seemed the world had chosen for him already.


    He wouldn¡¯t be able to save his family until the world was saved beforehand. He¡¯d need to find someone who knew more about his Seed and learn from them. Experiment himself. Survive the Fall till he was powerful enough to prevent this tragedy.


    And that meant he needed time.


    He¡¯s right. I¡¯ve got all the time in the world.


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    [Ability Unlocked: Slowdown]


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°What, did something happen?¡± Amadeus asked.


    Victor wiped the tears off on his sleeves and stood up straight.


    ¡°You¡¯re right, Am. I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t listen before,¡± Victor smiled.


    It was quickly broken when they both heard the chittering of wings outside along with the bang of something that sounded like a cannon.


    Victor and Amadeus both dashed out of the lounge and back outside, where Lillie was holding fast against a small group of Vintarics. A half-dome of light was between the car and the Vintarics, but it was cracked and breaking.


    She shot them a glare and nothing more as she nudged her head towards the enemies.


    ¡°Victor, did you¡­?¡± she asked in a more worried tone when he came out empty-handed.


    ¡°Later, Lil. Let¡¯s handle them first,¡± Victor said.


    He held his guns akimbo and took a deep breath to steady himself. The metals of his pistols took his mind off of what had happened inside.


    At the head of the Stolkatan Vintarics was an Adult who was black-bodied and angry looking. The living weapon cursed him in an unrecognizable tongue before shooting off a blast straight into the air that sounded like an old navy ship¡¯s cannon.


    The Vintaric then took to the air and lunged towards Victor. Lillie opened a hole in her shields and fired lightning through them. the Adolescents were scorched in an instant.


    Victor shot into the Vintaric¡¯s body but it barely even flinched at the attacks. It came down and slashed with its claws. Victor rolled out of the way and fired another blast into its mouth.


    The Vintaric spat out flaming spittle. Red lightning erupted from above Victor¡¯s head, travelling through its entire body. The monster was sapped of strength but still moved quickly. It leapt out of the way of Victor and landed on a low rooftop.


    There it opened its mouth and fired again. The shot landed where Victor had been, cracking the pavement. The Vintaric kept its mouth open and fired more blasts as Victor took off in a run. The monster was quick with its blasts, keeping Victor on the backfoot.


    But Vintarics were his specialty, and he knew their weakness.


    More red lightning paralyzed the Adult Vintaric as Victor fired another shot into its mouth. He used his frigustone pistol that frosted over the monster¡¯s mouth. It tried to close it but failed. Instead it leapt again, this time at Amadeus.


    Victor gave chase to the monster, firing off more blasts on its back. It didn¡¯t even acknowledge Victor as it slashed down at Amadeus. A barrier of light appeared in its path preventing him from hurting the man. then Amadeus pointed upwards, where a thunderstorm gathered and blasted the creature.


    Victor jumped on its back and jammed his guns into the holes along its body. Then he pulled the trigger, burning and freezing him from the inside out on either side. The Vintaric started to jitter like a bug near death¡¯s door. But Victor didn¡¯t leave. He focused on his Timewalker¡¯s Origin and let out a blast of Slowdown.


    The creature¡¯s movements were slower, but only by a bit. Be it the size of the monster or it¡¯s strength, it still had enough power to resist.


    It clawed at its back to get him off but he stayed on. Amadeus grabbed the monster by the head and hiked his legs onto its chest. He let loose a shock that caused the bug to sizzle violently. And just as quickly as it had all started, the Vintaric adult went limp.


    Its gunmetal body fell to the ground shaking. Little motes of movement escaped the corpse after that, but Victor knew the monster was done for.


    Victor hadn¡¯t even broken a sweat. The scratches would be a pain but he would heal. He took a look around the battleground, where Lillie had dealt with the rest of them.


    ¡°Sorry for leaving you out here by yourself, Lil,¡± Amadeus said.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s fine.¡±


    She then turned to Victor as her eyebrows twisted into worry.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t find them, did you?¡±


    ¡°No, not like I wanted to find them.¡±


    ¡°Oh, Vic, I¡¯m so sorry,¡± she offered her sympathies and hugged him.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, Lil. I should¡¯ve known,¡± Victor told her, caressing her hair.


    Lillie let him go and Victor took one last look at his home. I guess there¡¯s nothing more for me to do here¡­


    But then a thought came to him. Where¡¯s everybody else?


    ¡°Let¡¯s explore around a bit, there might be resources around,¡± Victor told them.


    It was an excuse he knew, since Victor wanted to check out some specific places. Ones he hadn¡¯t been able to the last time. Lillie took his house first, better so since he didn¡¯t want to go back inside. Amadeus searched down the street while Victor chose one particular house.


    It belonged to an old friend. Ken was the one who became the centre of the group once Victor left. He just hoped he¡¯d been smart enough to flee at the first sign of trouble.


    Victor entered through the doors without bothering to ring. Not that the bell worked anymore, but they¡¯d been close enough to drop in unannounced. He looked around the rooms, in Ken¡¯s bedroom, only to find it had been converted into a Craft room. There were papers hung by tape filled with children¡¯s drawings.


    Did he¡­ get another little sibling?


    He turned away from the room and left. In the kitchen there were supposed to be canned goods. Ken¡¯s mother stacked those in case of a flood. Instead, the shelves were empty. A good sign.


    He must¡¯ve taken them when he left.


    In his search, Victor remembered something. Ah right, the new ability.


    He¡¯d been so caught up he¡¯d almost forgotten that his TImewalker¡¯s Origin finally bore fruit. Victor looked up the description of the ability immediately.


    [[Slowdown]: (Requirement: Learn how to do things without rushing) By touching a single creature, you change how it moves in time. that creature moves and thinks slower. The degree of this change is dependent on your Sense of Time stat.]


    And the same feeling of unease came over Victor. Again, the description had no fluff to it. What made the Timewalker¡¯s Origin so special, that it was treated with such respect?


    Victor wondered that as he flipped a spoon around in his hands. He held it out and channelled his new power into the spoon until it was full. Then Victor let go of the spoon.


    It fell in slow motion, like it was lighter than it really was. The spoon hit the ground and rebounded still in slow motion. Once it finally went still and Victor¡¯s Slowdown faded, he picked it up again.


    Victor infused it again with Slowdown, this time waving it around in the air. But it felt like a normal spoon, albeit with a bit more resistance. The effect was something he couldn¡¯t explain. He wasn¡¯t some kind of physicist after all.


    Instead, he threw the spoon back onto the counter and continued his search.


    No wonder there aren¡¯t any other Time Seeds. Hella confusing.


    Victor left the room to find the other two hadn¡¯t returned yet.


    ¡°I¡¯m heading a bit further down!¡± he announced to the both of them before turning down the street.


    If he remembered the street right¡­ There! Crossing over the junction led him straight to the cul-de-sac where Reggie had lived. He smiled at the swing set where he¡¯d eaten dirt time and time again and the little sandpit they¡¯d play around in as kids.


    Passing them by led him to Reggie¡¯s house, where he stopped himself from knocking on the door.


    There were sounds coming from the inside. Of metal clinking and things being knocked over. Victor took out one of his pistols and placed his hand on the doorknob gently. He held his breath and twisted the knob, peeking inside at the room.


    Nothing there. The sounds were coming from deeper within. If he¡¯d had to guess, it was the living room.


    Victor moved with slow and quiet steps right up until he reached the precipice of the room. Then he jumped out and pointed his gun at the monster. Or monster it would have been, had he not recognized the curly hair and dark complexion of his old friend.


    ¡°Cory?¡± Victor asked suddenly.


    ¡°Vic?¡±

 Chapter 35: The Match

    Victor lowered his gun immediately.


    ¡°Cory? What are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°I should be asking you that. Last I heard from your dad, you were on the other end of the continent!¡± Cory shot back. ¡°What? Did you grab a boat and start paddling?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I found it near the dock. Shallow waters, something you¡¯d probably drown in if you weren¡¯t careful,¡± Victor said.


    A silence passed between the both of them before they finally chuckled together.


    ¡°No one can fake that wannabe comedian act like you, Cory,¡± Victor told him.


    Cory raised himself to his full height. He was a short guy, but more dextrous than their entire group combined. He strode over and started to open his hands for a hug, before settling for a handshake instead.


    ¡°It¡¯s good to see you back. But why are you?¡± Cory asked.


    ¡°I¡­ wanted to visit my parents.¡±


    ¡°¡­ Oh, god, Vic, I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be. I¡¯ve already seen them. What about you? Where¡¯re Ken and Reggie?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Near the old warehouses. We dug out the place to use as a hideout.¡±


    A light gleamed in Cory¡¯s eyes at that moment.


    ¡°You should come with us! We¡¯ll survive better with you around, Vic,¡± Cory said, grabbing his arm.


    ¡°I¡¯m not alone, you know. There¡¯re a few people I¡¯d like you to meet, actually,¡± Victor told him.


    ****


    Cory was bewildered once he found the rest of them out.


    ¡°That¡¯s what that screeching noise was? Your car around town? Were you looking for trouble?¡± Cory asked, exasperated.


    ¡°Yeah, pretty much,¡± Amadeus said with an awkward chuckle.


    ¡°If I didn¡¯t see the body myself, I wouldn¡¯t have even believed you survived that,¡± Cory replied, kicking the Vintaric Adult¡¯s corpse. ¡°Serves them right. Don¡¯t know how many of our neighbours those bastards ate up,¡± he ended.


    A flash of anger passed him as he did. He looked helpless and depressed all at once, but then shook away the feelings to face the group.


    ¡°But it¡¯s good news. Ken¡¯ll be happy if we have more Wielders with us,¡± he said.


    ¡°Ken?¡± Amadeus asked.


    ¡°Basically the centre of our whole group. At least¡­ once Victor left,¡± Cory grew quiet at the statement, before pumping back up. ¡°Come on, I¡¯ll show you where he is. We¡¯ll do better together,¡± he finished.


    He was about to take off in a run before Victor grabbed his collar.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got a car.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ right.¡±


    ****


    The EV moved slow through the streets. Partly because of the other cars crowding them and partly because Cory needed time to give the directions. They followed him past shops, the local cinema and even the wide open space where the festival was usually held.


    ¡°My legs hurt by the end of those dances,¡± Victor complained.


    ¡°Yeah, mine too. And I had to avoid everyone else trying to crush me,¡± Cory replied.


    They pulled up to the warehouses as Cory jumped out of the car. He knocked in a distinct pattern on one of the giant buildings, and their large doors opened slowly.


    Victor left the car as well and felt apprehension welling up in his heart. It¡¯d been so long since he¡¯d met the others all together. What would they think of him?


    The people who shuffled out of the warehouse were all dirty and dishevelled. They looked like they hadn¡¯t had a clean shower in ages, even though they lived near the ocean.


    It took a while for Victor to spot his friends among them. they¡¯d changed in the time he¡¯d spent away. Ken was still just as large as him, maybe even larger, with short cropped brown hair and a rifle in his hands.


    Reggie was the smallest besides Cory, and kept his hair long and straight. He had a brown-red complexion and a serious-face still.


    ¡°Cory, who are these people?¡± Ken spoke out from the front of the group. Victor guessed he was the leader.


    ¡°Don¡¯t recognize me, Ken?¡± Victor asked with a welcoming smile.


    ¡°You don¡¯t get to call me that, Victor,¡± Kenneth replied.


    ¡°He was in Charleston when I found him. And he¡¯s plenty strong too, Ken. We could use his help,¡± Cory said.


    Kenneth¡¯s expression softened at Cory, but didn¡¯t budge a bit when it came to Victor. He approached with gun in hand but Victor stood his ground. Maybe he wasn¡¯t welcome, but he wouldn¡¯t be bullied either.


    ¡°Took an apocalypse for you to remember we existed, did it?¡± he spat out.


    ¡°I had a job, Ken. I couldn¡¯t come back any time,¡± Victor replied.


    The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    ¡°Kenneth.¡±


    The man looked about ready to sock Victor across the jaw. But instead, he took a deep breath and let go.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry about what happened to your family. That beam of light threw rocks across the whole city. But we¡¯re not in the position to take anyone else with us,¡± Kenneth said.


    ¡°That¡¯s fine, because I¡¯m not here to join you,¡± Victor said.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s your situation looking like?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°That¡¯s something we¡¯d better discuss inside, where the monsters aren¡¯t as plenty¡­¡± Kenneth said.


    ****


    ¡°Monsters surround the city from all sides. We could break out if it was just a few of us, but most of the older folks are frail. They¡¯d get chewed up by them in an instant,¡± Kenneth explained with the use of a whiteboard.


    It was hung on a wall with pins and Kenneth used a marker to draw the area around them. Despite what he said, they did offer some rations to the group that Victor¡¯s whole group ate.


    ¡°So, we¡¯re basically trapped. We¡¯ve survived so far because of the Seeds we¡¯ve found, but the monsters are growing bolder by the day,¡± Kenneth explained.


    ¡°What about any movement Seeds? Teleportation or the like?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know those existed till you mentioned them.¡±


    Damn. The situation seemed more perilous by the moment.


    ¡°We¡¯re planning on sneaking out sometime soon. It¡¯s the best option we have,¡± Kenneth finished.


    ¡°What if you can drive out?¡± Amadeus asked. ¡°There have to be enough electric cars around Charleston for it.¡±


    ¡°And where would we charge them?¡± Kenneth asked. In reply, Amadeus held up a finger and sparks went through them.


    ¡°Can¡¯t do them all at once. But give me a few days and cram in a little and we could get all of you out of here,¡± Amadeus offered.


    ¡°It¡¯s too noisy,¡± Reggie finally decided to speak. His voice was calm and quiet, but somehow pierced through all other sounds.


    ¡°How?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Remember that time you and Kenneth decided to race cars in the middle of the night? You woke up half the city,¡± Reggie told him.


    ¡°And there were those bugs that followed us¡­¡± Lillie added.


    ¡°Those were just a few!¡± Amadeus replied.


    ¡°The others gave up on chasing us, Am.¡±


    ¡°On foot is quieter. We¡¯re not taking cars,¡± Kenneth decided.


    ¡°Hold up, we can still do it,¡± Victor said, standing up.


    Kenneth scowled when he did.


    ¡°Amadeus, me and Lillie can provide the cover for the survivors,¡± he told them.


    ¡°You can¡¯t, Victor. These aren¡¯t the only survivors we have left in town. We¡¯re spread out all over. Our best bet is leaving in small groups protected by wielders,¡± Kenneth replied with a strained voice.


    ¡°We¡¯ll come back, then!¡±


    ¡°Those monsters aren¡¯t dumb, Victor. It¡¯s too noisy,¡± he said, stepping to Victor.


    ¡°Not if you¡¯re quick enough. You think you¡¯ve got the supplies to last till everyone¡¯s out? God forbid, what if one of the adult Vintarics catch you?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Do you think you¡¯re enough?¡± Kenneth asked in reply.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Victor said silently.


    ¡°I mean what happened with Ben.¡±


    Victor punched him.


    He didn¡¯t realize it till it¡¯d already been done. His eyes widened at Kenneth, who stared back in barely contained seething. His red cheek was slowly fading back to its original colour, and he rubbed at his face.


    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ sorry,¡± Victor whimpered.


    And then Kenneth punched him into the wall. Victor fell to his knees afterwards, gasping for breath. Saliva pooled from his mouth onto the floor and he wheezed while looking up.


    ¡°Outside,¡± were the only words Kenneth said as he moved towards the exit.


    ¡°Vic!¡± Amadeus and Lillie shouted at the same time.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Lillie asked him as she grasped his shoulders.


    ¡°Cheap shot¡­¡± he managed to spit out.


    ¡°But you started it, Vic,¡± Reggie told him. It was always hard to tell what Reggie was thinking, but the subtle way he talked and moved gave it away. He was disappointed. Thing was, Victor didn¡¯t know whether it was in him or in Kenneth.


    Regardless, Reggie helped pull him back onto his feet, while Cory gave him some water to drink. Victor steadied his breathing soon after. The pain in his chest didn¡¯t leave for a while, however, and Victor had to bring himself out of the warehouse and to the field proper.


    Kenneth stood there waiting for him with arms crossed. Victor still had a hand on his chest as he moved past the man.


    ¡°Where are you going?¡± Kenneth asked him.


    ¡°My Seed¡¯s too loud. I¡¯m not stupid enough to fight in front of unarmed survivors,¡± Victor shot back.


    So they found someplace else in the city. A wide open expanse of grass and trees that they¡¯d spent their childhood in. There were rocks scattered about the place from small to the size of a man. Above all, there were no Vintarics at the moment. Victor knew that would change by the time he was done, but he didn¡¯t say that to Ken.


    Kenneth stood on the other end. Reggie and Cory had shuffled out to see as well. They stood beside Ken, which hurt Victor a little. But he had Amadeus and Lillie with him at the very least.


    ¡°You win, you get to decide. Simple as,¡± Kenneth told him.


    ¡°That how you usually make your decisions around here, Ken?¡± Victor asked.


    Kenneth glared at him.


    ¡°You deal with irrational idiots every day and you start needing to, Victor,¡± Kenneth replied.


    Victor returned a frown. They both readied themselves as best as they could. Victor didn¡¯t take his pistols off his body, choosing instead to pop a blade from his knuckles. Kenneth didn¡¯t prepare in any way except tightening his fists. Victor knew how devastating those blows could be, so he resolved to keep his distance.


    Kenneth ran in first. His strength didn¡¯t extend to his fists only, as he blasted towards Victor in an instant. The dirt and grass kicked up behind him as he did. He came down with both fists closed.


    They hit the dirt beside Victor, breaking apart the ground. Victor slashed at his shoulder, cutting a thin line.


    What the-


    Kenneth grabbed the blade and broke it off Victor¡¯s knuckles. He tried grabbing Victor with the other hand but Victor punched it away.


    He backed off and brought out his Frigustone pistol. He fired and Kenneth raised his forearms to block. The bullet barely pierced through the skin. The little hole it left looked surface-deep and the frost stopped spreading after an inch.


    Kenneth plunged a fist into the earth as if it were clay. He threw a mound of dirt and rocks at Victor, blinding him. He then grabbed him by the collar and raised him up. Victor placed his feet against Kenneth¡¯s chest and pulled out his other gun.


    He aimed for Kenneth¡¯s chest before hesitating for a moment. Then he lowered the gun to his chest and fired instead. The two bullets had more effect than the first, almost as if Kenneth hadn¡¯t been expecting it.


    Victor then popped a blade from his chest, cutting through his shirt to pierce Kenneth¡¯s hand.


    He dropped Victor and growled, holding his bleeding hand in his other arm.


    ¡°Alright, that¡¯s enough, you two-¡±


    Reggie shouted, only to be interrupted by their continuing fight. Victor fired his gun wildly at Kenneth while he came in for more strikes. Some shots landed while others pinged off like it was nothing. He was gasping for breath by the end of it but he came in for another punch.


    Victor ducked under and stowed his pistols. He popped blades from his knuckles and fired them at Kenneth¡¯s chest. The two blades cut into him but Kenneth pulled them out with ease.


    He kicked Victor while his forearms were raised, sending him flying away to the other side of the arena. Victor got up quickly after that, rubbing his pained arms. Stupid move, since I¡¯m better further away, he told himself.


    But Kenneth had his own ideas. He started picking up rocks around him and throwing them as fast as a bullet. Victor was pelted by pebbles and created blades to block the impact. When Kenneth stopped Victor took aim.


    The both of them stared at each other from far away. Kenneth had a small boulder in hand while Victor had his guns pointed to the man¡¯s head.


    They both fired together, only to be miss. Victor¡¯s gunfire was caught by one of Lillie¡¯s panes of light while Amadeus shot Kenneth¡¯s boulder out of his hands.


    The fighters looked to their gathered group of friends in anger. Victor had been so close to winning, and yet they¡¯d stopped him!


    ¡°What gives!¡±


    ¡°I said, the match is over,¡± Reggie interjected.

 Chapter 36: Farmer鈥檚 Harvest

    Victor lowered his guns slowly. Kenneth grabbed onto his bleeding arm, never taking his gaze off of his opponent.


    Reggie came in between them and hurried on over to Kenneth. A glow spread from his hands, one that reminded Victor of the Altesians. Through that glow, the wounds around Kenneth¡¯s body started being patched up, and he stood a bit straighter.


    ¡°I could¡¯ve gotten him¡­¡± Kenneth complained.


    ¡°He¡¯s stronger than you, Ken, just admit it,¡± Reggie told him. his eyes were squarely on the wounds and nothing else. Ken grunted in response.


    Victor was held by Lillie and Amadeus, who looked him up and down. They avoided talking to him, which made him feel even worse.


    ¡°¡­Thanks for stopping me. I didn¡¯t know far I was going,¡± Victor said.


    ¡°You¡¯re usually level-headed. What¡¯s gotten into you?¡± Lillie asked with a huff. She wasn¡¯t pleased with what he¡¯d done, clearly.


    Kenneth hobbled over with Cory and Reggie in tow. The two disparate groups stood apart from each other, neither one willing to start the conversation.


    Victor felt ashamed of himself. The first thing he did after meeting his friends after all this time, and it¡¯s beating one of them to a pulp? Some of the wounds on Kenneth were still fresh-looking, the healed flesh raw and red.


    ¡°You can stay here,¡± he said without looking at them.


    He wanted them out as quickly as possible. The golden structures he¡¯d seen surrounding Charleston could arrive at any time, and Imperials along with them if he was unlucky enough. The city was basically indefensible and at the forefront of the whole invasion.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got a group of survivors in Washington. Just hold out for a while longer and we¡¯ll bring them back here to grab you guys,¡± he finished.


    Kenneth grunted.


    ¡°Yeah, we¡¯ll do that,¡± Reggie said in his stead.


    ¡°You¡¯re leaving, then?¡± Cory said. ¡°But you just got here.¡±


    ¡°Let him. It¡¯s his choice,¡± Kenneth said.


    Victor looked down. There was nothing more for him to say.


    ¡°We¡¯ll come back down again in a month to check up,¡± Lillie said for him.


    The groups split apart once they reached the warehouses once more. Kenneth went back to ordering around the other survivors and arranging missions while Victor¡¯s group prepared the car to leave.


    Victor debated taking someone with him but he didn¡¯t want to press his luck with Kenneth any further.


    Instead, they took to the EV and rode out of Charleston the same day. Victor didn¡¯t drive any on the way home. He kept his head near the window, watching the sights pass him by. Once the car was out of the city proper, Amadeus piped up.


    ¡°Vic, so I¡¯ve been wondering¡­ Who¡¯s Ben?¡± he asked the Timewalker.


    Lillie elbowed him lightly enough that Victor didn¡¯t notice. Amadeus replied with a silent ¡®what?¡¯ as she gave him a glare.


    ¡°He¡¯s ¡­. Kenneth¡¯s brother,¡± Victor said.


    The rest of the ride was quiet.


    ****


    Reaching Washington wasn¡¯t difficult for the group. A Titan had apparently walked across the roads while they were gone, as there were giant foot holes around the roads the size of trucks.


    When they did reach the hideout, the Levine orphans basically jumped onto Amadeus and refused to let him go.


    ¡°You came back sooner than I expected, what happened?¡± Alex asked him.


    ¡°Nothing,¡± Victor said. He moved towards the window and looked out of it.


    ¡°How many other settlements do you people have around the city?¡± he asked her.


    ¡°A lot. We send runners in between to keep up, but its hard,¡± Alex told him.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to fix that,¡± Victor told her.


    ****


    There was trouble in bringing together a disparate group of survivors. Telecommunication lines had gone down all across the country, and so had the internet. That meant that keeping close was the only way Victor could help them grow stronger.


    He did that by helping move supplies with Amadeus and Lillie. It took them weeks to organize and bring together the supplies from all around Washington to one place. While they did so, trouble grew in the form of Gates and monsters.


    Victor needed to handle those as well. Which led to their next initiative.


    Victor helped organize more expeditions into the Gates. Once inside, they¡¯d find whatever Seeds they could and come back out. This wasn¡¯t the time to be choosy, so he gave them away freely. The next part was harder though.


    Victor could recognize a good number of Seeds up close. If he didn¡¯t, his item compendium helped him remember the ones he¡¯d forgotten, the issue was that most of them were combat-oriented.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with that? Don¡¯t we need more people fighting anyways? And we can hunt down the animals beyond the Gates,¡± Amadeus asked him. Tiffany sat in his lap while Victor examined a group of Seeds displayed on a table. It was their latest haul from a while ago.


    ¡°We have too many mouths to feed. And meat won¡¯t sustain us forever. A Seed that lets you fight will win you the battle, but a Seed that gives you food will win the war,¡± Victor explained.


    He still divvied them up regardless. The increased force helped in organizing even more expeditions, especially once they started advertising the gain of power.


    The people started flooding in. their expeditions grew more numerous and so did their bounty of Seeds, until eventually¡­


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    ¡°Finally got one,¡± Victor breathed out. His blade was covered in the blood of Daughters as he picked up the Seed in one hand. He examined it to make sure his eyes weren¡¯t playing tricks on him.


    [[Farmer¡¯s Harvest]:


    The Farmer¡¯s Harvest allows the user to enhance farming in all aspects. It is amazing for feeding those who need it, which makes it entirely worthless to anyone not of Earth.]


    The cornucopia smelt of dirt and looked perfect. Bringing it back from the depths of the Gates wasn¡¯t a challenge for Victor, especially because of the few boosts he¡¯d gained over the past few weeks.


    He¡¯d worked his Slowdown out on various creatures and items. The slowed monsters made them a lot easier target for his pistol and blades, which let the others get some practice in combat.


    Victor was growing surer of his new force of Wielders. Under his and Amadeus¡¯ guidance, they were growing quicker and better. And while the two of them were preoccupied, Lillie helped to move the other bases closer.


    They had the entirety of Pennsylvania Avenue filled in no time, in part due to the survivors coming in from Charleston.


    Victor waited outside for those newcomers, hoping that Kenneth, Reggie and Cory would be among them. But they never were.


    ¡°They said they¡¯re coming in last, just to make sure everyone¡¯s out,¡± one of the survivors had relayed the message.


    They helped to fortify and soundproof the buildings, something Victor had insisted on from the very beginning. Recording studios were the easiest place to find acoustic foam, so they ripped it right out of the walls for their own use.


    While he handled the tops, Amadeus took the bottoms. The cars they weren¡¯t using were dragged out or stripped for parts. Then they were replaced with EVs that Amadeus charged himself. He got proficient enough to do a dozen in a day before needing to take a rest.


    Those cars would help them drive around, but it wouldn¡¯t ensure their safety on the road. But that was something the survivors could handle after the fact.


    Victor stood in the middle of a basement with concrete flooring. A flashlight pointed down and he ordered some of the miners towards him.


    ¡°Right here, start tearing it out,¡± Victor told them.


    They couldn¡¯t risk growing it in the Gates, nor could they do it outside where their enemies were. So the only solution? Right inside the buildings.


    ¡°They¡¯re not going to get any light here, though,¡± the woman he¡¯d given the farming Seed to told him.


    ¡°You won¡¯t need it. Just keep using your powers on the plants and they should grow.¡±


    ¡°How do you know that?¡± She gave him a lopsided look.


    ¡°Heard it from somewhere,¡± Victor replied, looking away from her.


    The miners got to work soon after. The sound padding helped hide the noise from outside, and they were done a week after.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t going to be enough for everyone, but it¡¯s a good start,¡± Victor said as he watched the first of the seeds being planted. While they worked, electricians wired together artificial lightning for the plants around the room. Amadeus stumbled down through the stairs heaving and gave Victor a glare afterwards.


    ¡°Down here too? You¡¯re going to work me till I¡¯m skin and bones!¡± he complained.


    ¡°Come on, Am, we¡¯ve got a few new Wielders that can take over for you. We¡¯ll just need you for the starting parts?¡± Victor said. Amadeus grumbled and sat down to drink some water from a bottle.


    When he asked for more, one of the other farmers wiped his forehead and told him.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got it bottled, but we¡¯re going to need to find a fresh source soon enough,¡± he told him.


    Amadeus turned to Victor in reply. Victor rolled around his sore arms in their joints. Another thing he¡¯d have to take care of.


    ****


    ¡°Careful now, we don¡¯t want it to notice us too early,¡± Victor told shooting squad with his hand raised. Not a single one of them had an actual weapon besides their Seeds. That would just give away their position.


    Down below them, right off the cusp of Gate was a Vintaric adult that was prodding around the place. It was awfully close to their base, which meant Victor had to take care of it. It was searching for something, most likely weapons to eat, before moving forward.


    As soon as it hopped away from the junction, Victor gave the command.


    ¡°Now!¡±


    A hail of magic blasted the monster in an instant, decimating it. When the smoke cleared, there was a rough hole in the middle of the street and a twitching corpse that spawned a Seed. Victor let out a breath he didn¡¯t know he¡¯d been holding while the other Wielders whooped in accomplishment.


    Good, now we have some proper defences.


    After that day, more Wielders were put on watch all around the base. A few communication Seeds had entered circulation, so it became even easier for them to setup and relay messages. That gave Victor an idea of his own, but he didn¡¯t dare put it into practice until later.


    ****


    Victor stared out at the budding resistance he¡¯d helped form. Lillie toyed with a bottle of water on the edge. She used her panes of light to roll it around in the skies. Amadeus was enjoying some oranges grown by the farmers and spitting out the seeds over the balcony.


    ¡°You¡¯ll hit someone with those,¡± Lillie said.


    ¡°There¡¯s no one around to hit, we¡¯ve secured the whole area,¡± he replied.


    Lillie created a pane of light in Amadeus¡¯ trajectory. The Seed bounced off and back into his face.


    ¡°Point taken,¡± he replied, settling down.


    Victor didn¡¯t take part in their game. It¡¯d been a year since they¡¯d come back to Washington, and he¡¯d been at the forefront of its development. But every time he looked back down at it, all he saw was more work to be done.


    He didn¡¯t know how or when it had happened, but he¡¯d been chosen as one of the leaders of the resistance. Maybe he should¡¯ve left well enough alone, because the responsibilities kept on piling afterwards.


    ¡°What are you thinking about, Vic?¡±


    ¡°The last transport¡¯s coming in sometime in the next few days,¡± Lillie said, guessing at his intentions.


    Oh yeah. That was the one that would be carrying Kenneth and the rest of the Washington group along with them. He¡¯d almost forgotten.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s not that. I just¡­.¡± Victor trailed off.


    He felt like something was missing. Like he wasn¡¯t doing as much as he should¡¯ve. Patrols were going, crop growth was finally yielding some actual food and they were expanding quicker than ever. And the more they expanded, the more survivors came to them.


    He thought the surplus would cause an issue but their sheer number of Wielders had helped them in that regard. They could accommodate, even start thriving due to the Seeds they¡¯d gained. So why was it that he didn¡¯t feel content with it?


    Because we¡¯re still not any closer to understanding the threat. He realized then and there.


    ¡°We need to go back to Los Angeles,¡± Victor told them abruptly.


    ¡°What?¡±


    Victor gave him a look that Amadeus had seen before. It was the one that indicated that Timewalker business was going on. Even though they¡¯d spent the whole year with Lillie, Victor hadn¡¯t felt comfortable telling her about the Seed.


    It hadn¡¯t seemed to matter either way. She¡¯d listen to whatever he suggested either way.


    ¡°I do want to see Mrs. Wilson again,¡± Lillie mused.


    ¡°And they could use our help just as much as these people did,¡± Victor said.


    Maybe that was what he was missing. The more they helped, the stronger humanity would grow against their new threat. And that meant they could stand against the calamity that would come.


    Now, the only problem was breaking that to Alex.


    ****


    ¡°You¡¯re leaving?¡± Alex looked like she¡¯d lost her golden ticket.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got people elsewhere that might need our help. And besides, you¡¯re doing well for yourself here,¡± Victor told her.


    ¡°Yeah, but¡­. You¡¯ve basically been spearheading this whole operation. Without you gone, some of the others might not be as confident,¡± she replied.


    ¡°They¡¯ve got you for that, Alex. Just make sure you don¡¯t run the settlement into the ground,¡± Lillie joked.


    Alex chuckled awkwardly before growing quiet.


    ¡°How about this? Once we get there, we¡¯ll establish some communication between the two settlements. That way we can help people on both coasts!¡± Amadeus offered. That seemed to lighten her mood a bit, and she nodded.


    ¡°Fine. I guess I can¡¯t convince you otherwise. But you¡¯re going to need to take some extra hands with you,¡± Alex said.


    ¡°And us!¡± Yvette burst in through the door. The gaggle of orphans behind her looked distraught and crashed into the room.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you were about to take off again!¡± Yvette pointed a finger to Amadaeus¡¯ chest, pushing him back into the wooden table in the centre of the office.


    ¡°Yvette, the kids¡¯ll be safer here. You know how dangerous its getting out there day by day,¡± Amadeus told her.


    ¡°Oh, I know,¡± Yvette then turned to Alex.


    ¡°How many ¡®extra hands¡¯ are you offering, anyway?¡± she asked the woman in charge.


    ¡°As it turns out¡­¡±


    And so, despite his protesting, the group of survivors that they were to take back to Los Angeles grew bigger. They had some dozen Wielders come along with them. Most were those with family on the west coast that they wanted to see, while others idolized Victor, Amadeus or Lillie.


    The date was set for a few weeks after so that Victor could make sure their business in the city was done. And so he could meet his old friends once more.

 Chapter 37: A Better Chance

    The last transport came in on a Sunday. It carried haggard and weary looking men and women. Alex had prepped a welcoming meal for them out of their newly grown vegetables, which seemed to lighten the mood among them at least a little.


    Victor watched from close by, offering the little prepped meal by hand to the people. It smelt of potatoes and spices with steamed broccoli on the side. They clasped him on the arm and thanked him as they passed by, some sitting right then and there to enjoy the food.


    Kenneth was among them, but he didn¡¯t meet Victor¡¯s gaze. Instead, he just grabbed the meal out of his hands and walked away.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Victor tried to say, but the words stayed in his mouth.


    Reggie and Cory came up next, and they smiled when they met him.


    ¡°Nice, you¡¯re working for a soup kitchen now,¡± Cory jabbed.


    ¡°Least I still have a job,¡± Victor replied.


    ¡°Ouch, point taken.¡±


    Reggie looked at the food and stepped to the side.


    ¡°Where¡¯d you even get the ingredients for these?¡± he asked.


    ¡°A lot of work went into the base here. You can thank the farmers for that,¡± Victor told them.


    ¡°No kidding. I even saw some people driving. Thought it was all back to normal for a second there,¡± Cory said idly. He made his way over to a crate nearby and plopped down. Then he started munching down on the potatoes like he hadn¡¯t had a good meal in a year, which now that Victor had taken a closer look, didn¡¯t seem all that far from the truth.


    It made him feel inadequate. He was supposed to be the one taking care of the guys, and he¡¯d left them hanging for so long.


    ¡°¡­.I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t get you guys out sooner. There was a lot of work done around the place,¡± he said while working. His eyes were looking at the coming survivors, but his focus remained squarely on Reggie and Cory.


    ¡°Still talking like we¡¯re in high school, aren¡¯t you, Vic?¡± Cory said as he wiped his mouth on his sleeve.


    ¡°We¡¯re not kids anymore. Can¡¯t turn back the clock on that,¡± he finished.


    Victor let out a small chuckle, almost a sigh. If only you knew, Cory.


    ¡°The time you could¡¯ve spent helping Ken, it¡¯s passed. We¡¯ve all got better things to do, Vic,¡± Reggie told him.


    Maybe it was time for him to accept the fact. That he¡¯d made his choices, and those choices had led him here. He couldn¡¯t change those, not in this lifetime.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Victor replied.


    Cory then stood up from his spot on the crate and started helping Victor give out the meals. Reggie joined in too and the three of them were done before long. Kenneth never came up to talk to them, but oddly, Victor seemed more content with the fact than before.


    ****


    Most of the training the Wielders went through happened on the other side of the Gates. There was no good substitute for plain experience, and it helped them progress their Seeds quicker. The only time they trained in the real world was when they needed to get a hang of some new powers.


    And new powers were what Victor had in mind. If he was going to head on over to Los Angeles, he¡¯d need to establish communications first. That meant it was finally time for him to put his Whisperer¡¯s Tongue to good use.


    He was in a square shaped room with a high ceiling and no windows. One of the basements of the buildings were big enough that some of the Wielders had coopted it as their training room. They brought in equipment from gyms to populate the place and kept some of the stone Seed Wielders on standby in case something broke.


    All the better for Victor was the fact he was alone in the room that day. Just him and his new Seed.


    He could¡¯ve given it to a number of other people, sure, but he¡¯d been too reluctant to take any other Seed over the past year. Deeming them not fit, he¡¯d probably wasted more time in gaining strength.


    Would it even be enough?


    He could gain all the strength he wanted, but it wouldn¡¯t let him even come close to the display that monster managed at the end of his previous timeline. He¡¯d been wiped so thoroughly that it had seemed like all his powers were an illusion.


    Victor shoved that thought out of his mind. Not making a decision at all would be even worse. Instead, he moved towards his pack and brought out the silver tongue that would give him his new abilities.


    Let¡¯s see what pretty Synergies you unlock, he thought to himself as he let the Seed breach his skin. It melted in and Victor felt a new rush of power.


    [Seed Integrated: Whisperer¡¯s Tongue]


    [Ability Unlocked: Unlock Comprehension]


    [Ability Unlocked: Wind Whisper]


    [Ability Unlocked: Shouts of the Earth]


    The sting of not having another combat Seed were felt by Victor as his second last slot was taken up by the Whisperer¡¯s Tongue inside of his body. He could hear dull sounds and words escaping from it once he focused though the exact meaning always escaped him.


    The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    To distract from its eldritch nature, Victor decided to instead focus on the new suite of abilities the Seed had granted him. first came the new stat, like always.


    [[Unlock Comprehension]: (Requirement: None) You gain an innate sense of understanding of the words of other people, despite not sharing a language. The more this grows, the greater your understanding of other creatures becomes.


    Borne of the human need to understand, this power would¡¯ve let you enjoy a world where the hearts of man and their needs aren¡¯t distorted through the words you speak.]


    An immensely helpful utility tool. There were a lot of settlements that popped up after the Fall, and only a few were in America. If he was going to unite the others, he¡¯d need something that worked still.


    A wondering feeling crept over Victor as he re-examined the words, however. They¡¯d never specifically mentioned only being able to translate human languages. Do the monsters even have a language of their own? They just seem to speak the same as us.


    It wasn¡¯t until then that it struck Victor how odd that really was. Who was out here teaching monsters to speak American English?


    I¡¯m getting off-track. If Comprehension really worked like Victor thought it did, it meant that he could possibly even understand Metamorphs and their weird popping-based tongue.


    The next ability seemed equally as useful, though he¡¯d need to bump up his abilities to use it better.


    [[Wind Whisper]: (Requirement: None) You can send a message along the winds to any person that you know. The message is carried along supernaturally until it finds the target, as long as you have met them before. They are the only ones who can hear these words. The range of this ability and the number of words you can send depends on your Comprehension.


    A bit like a human telephone, isn¡¯t it? Though not nearly as widespread. I suppose that was the benefit you obtained from a lack of access to magic.]


    He gave it a test run and thought of Lillie. Then he pictured the words inside his mind. I¡¯m in the training area. Want to show you something.


    Then let out the power from his Whisperer¡¯s Tongue and let the command go. Wind coalesced around him, despite the fact he was inside without any open windows. They swept past him and spread in every direction.


    Now he just needed to wait. And while he did, he could read the final ability.


    [[Shouts of the Earth]: (Requirement: Timewalker¡¯s Origin) You can view a past conversation by touching the ground near the area you wish to view. How far in the past you can look depends on your Comprehension and Sense of Time.]


    Well, you¡¯re a popular one, aren¡¯t you? Victor addressed his Timewalker¡¯s Origin. It seemed everything he added always had some sort of Synergy with the Seed.


    But the ability itself was something that he¡¯d expected at least a little, but for the future instead of the past. A synergy was a mix of two Seeds, so it made sense that the abilities they granted were something that could only be accomplished with both their powers.


    The Seeds were like waves, and the Synergies were the interference between them. That¡¯s how Victor had heard them described once. He¡¯d just wished the interference between his Timewalker Seed and his Whisperer¡¯s Tongue would let him deliver messages into the past, or hear into the future.


    Instead, he was now the world¡¯s greatest detective. What a shame.


    Nothing to it. At least I should try it out. He tested out the ability on the bench press and watched as echoed words rang out from the equipment.


    ¡°Hgh! Ugh!¡±


    ¡°Dude, do those weights even give you a pump anymore?¡±


    ¡°¡­ No.¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you start lifting cars then?¡±


    ¡°Sure, just bring one down those tiny stairs and I¡¯ll get started.¡±


    The conversation cut out afterwards, and Victor heard someone coming down the stairs.


    ¡°Hey, Vic, what are you doi-¡± Lillie dropped down the stairs and stared at the empty room around her.


    ¡°Huh, thought for sure there were other people down here,¡± she said out loud.


    ¡°Just a new power,¡± Victor replied, taking a closer look at the bench press. He didn¡¯t recognize the voices there, which limited the ability¡¯s usefulness somewhat.


    ¡°You can make grunting noises on command now?¡± Lillie asked.


    ¡°I can replay voices in an area around me. It¡¯s the freakiest ability I¡¯ve gotten yet,¡± Victor said.


    ¡°How so?¡±


    ¡°Imagine you used it on your parent¡¯s bed.¡±


    ¡°Noted. Don¡¯t do that,¡± she replied.


    Victor used Shouts of the Earth on every piece of equipment in the gym, gaining a new boost in the process.


    [Ability Unlocked: Comprehension Boost]


    While he felt out the kinks of his new powers, Lillie did a few shaping exercises with her panes of light. She¡¯d grown so good at using them she¡¯d started doing origami.


    A frog made of sharp panes of light jumped across the ground like it was a videogame character with bad physics. Lillie had a look of concentration on her face as she tried to adjust how the frog was animated.


    ¡°Ugh, it¡¯s impossible,¡± she said at the end.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think paper frogs are going to be our greatest weapon,¡± Victor told her.


    ¡°Live a little, Vic. You¡¯ve got magic powers and all you seem to think about is how to cause a bigger boom,¡± Lillie said.


    ¡°The bigger the boom, the safer we are.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll die of boredom if nothing else,¡± she said as she redoubled her efforts towards her light origami.


    Victor tried out some more Wind Whispers as well, asking for a multitude of things from across the base. He even checked the range on the ability, positioning himself, Amadeus and Lillie on separate buildings afar from each other.


    It came as no surprise that open air was an easier way for the messages to travel, and he could easily deliver them to his friends afterwards. He could even do multiple in succession before getting slightly winded. That was in part to his improved stats, he knew and in part to his experience as a Wielder.


    The last thing on the docket for Victor at the end was checking his status screen. And so he did with a flick of his fingers.


    [


    NAME: Victor Amadi


    AGE: 26


    SEEDS: [[Timewalker¡¯s Origin]]


    [[Ant-to-Man Tesseract]]


    [[Bladebody Edge]]


    [[Whisperer¡¯s Tongue ]]


    [[          ]]


    STATS:


    STRENGTH: 50


    SPEED: 30


    SENSES: 17


    RECOVERY: 35


    SENSE OF TIME: 31


    SIZING: 40


    METALLIZE: 45


    COMPREHENSION: 20


    ABILITIES:


    (Timewalker¡¯s Origin): [Unlock Sense of Time] [Anchor Placement] [Carryover Bestiary] [Carryover Item Compendium] [Sense of Time Boost x 3] [Strength Boost x 3] [Speed Boost] [Recovery Boost] [Senses Boost] [Slowdown]


    (Ant-to-Man Tesseract): [Unlock Sizing] [Enlarge] [Shrink] [Sizing Boost x 5] [Strength Boost x 3] [Speed Boost x 2]


    (Bladebody Edge): [Unlock Metallize] [Popclaw] [Instant Pop] [Recovery Boost x 2] [Metallize Boost x 6] [Blade Burst]


    (Whisperer¡¯s Tongue): [Unlock Comprehension] [Wind Whisper] [Shouts of the Earth] [Comprehension Boost]


    ]


    Better than last time. He was lacking a bit in the stats, but that¡¯s because he didn¡¯t have amazing Seeds like his Weaponsmith Heart.


    Where in the world even are you? he¡¯d have to look for it sooner or later. It was by far the most important Seed he could get anywhere, and Victor would always keep a place open for it.


    He turned back to look at Washington one more time. A feeling of pride came over him while he did. The running cars, the sounds of actual children happily running around without Vintarics to hound them, the working streams and the people helping each other. It all clicked together to form a new sort of harmony in the world. One that could bear the coming tide.


    Maybe things wouldn¡¯t go back to normal for them, but the least Victor could do was make sure their future had a better chance.


    [Ability Unlocked: Sense of Time Boost]


    ¡°Huh? Neat.¡±

 Chapter 38: Dust Storm

    The sun didn¡¯t shine on the day they were to leave Washington. That¡¯s how it would stay for the coming years too, Victor knew, barring a few exceptions here and there. There were some stories he¡¯d heard of groups of Wielders able to part the skies, but he hadn¡¯t seen them himself.


    He¡¯d wondered where those people were on the final day.


    ¡°Chin up, Vic, we¡¯re going,¡± Amadeus slapped him on the back.


    ¡°The kids are all packed up?¡±


    ¡°Just about. I¡¯ve had to wrangle a few of them down, but they listened eventually,¡± Amadeus replied.


    Their group of survivors stood at the edge of the city with raised stone walls surrounding them. Inside of that little cut-out section lay the EVs they¡¯d be taking with them back to Los Angeles. They were lined up in rows, a few dozen of them for everyone and their belongings.


    More than a few people had decided to follow Victor out of the city, and he was glad for the extra help. Those that did were now surrounding their little encampment and warding away the monsters that approached near them.


    Jared and Lillie were among those, while Yvette helped to bring the children inside. In a few moments, the walls would drop and their cars would take off from the city.


    ¡°It¡¯s going to be a long trip through the country,¡± Amadeus remarked.


    ¡°We have some stone Seed Wielders with us. If push comes to shove, we¡¯ll make our own way,¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°Hoping it doesn¡¯t. You¡¯ve got your bullets?¡±


    ¡°As many as I could take,¡± Victor smirked. He was going to make those bullets last a good long while too.


    Victor bade the city one last farewell as he jumped onto one of the cars. His own had Jared and some of the smaller orphans inside while the driver was just another survivor.


    ¡°Should I go slow?¡± she asked him as she looked outside the window.


    ¡°No need! I¡¯ll hold on,¡± Victor told her.


    He needed the freedom of movement to use his abilities, in case anything unsavoury appeared on the road.


    When the rest of them had loaded in, Victor gave the signal through his Wind Whisper.


    The walls fell around the EVs as they sped up. They didn¡¯t make as loud of a noise as normal cars either, which was a boon for him. The cars followed in a procession, Victor leading them from the front. Behind him, he could see Amadeus, Lillie and many of the stronger Wielders on their own cars, protecting them from dormant threats.


    The group travelled along the roads single file, passing through small towns and plains southwards. Plenty of times, Victor and the others would grow sore or hungry, and they stopped besides the road to eat their rations. All around them Gates lit up the far distance, and they saw hulking Titans moving about the land, changing it with every footstep.


    Then they¡¯d take off again, driving once more to reach the other end of the country. And then they had to stop again, because Victor noticed in the distance a Vintaric.


    But it wasn¡¯t from the Stolkatan Hive or the Matricide Hive. No, it was one of the giant monsters that had taken up an entire street back in Oakland when Victor first saw it.


    It was a giant beetle-like creature that had large pincers and was currently feasting a pile of corpses piled on an overpass. It had a glittering shell and looked swollen with energy. It had fed, and festered from the feast.


    ¡°Cover the kids¡¯ eyes!¡± Victor told the driver as she stopped the car. The other vehicles behind him stopped in turn, and the Wielders went to the front.


    ¡°That thing¡¯s going to crush us if we don¡¯t make it move. Let¡¯s drive it away from the road and then take it out,¡± Victor ordered them. they split into two groups then, with Victor leading the Distraction team while Amadeus and Lillie were in the Ambushers.


    ****


    The beast fed on flesh like nothing else around it existed. Victor was slowly creeping up alongside it. When he noticed a smaller Vintaric scrounging around, he popped a blade.


    He beheaded the monster before it could raise an alarm. But again, the giant Vintaric didn¡¯t notice.


    Its abdomen was covered in the chitinous shell, with a slit down the middle that spoke to some abilities that Victor would rather not consider.


    When he found no other Vintarics around, Victor whispered through the wind.


    Raise hell.


    He jumped back as several blasts hit the shell of the Vintaric. It let out a shrill scream and spun around on the overpass. Concrete placements cracked around it as it fixed Victor with its large beady black eyes.


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Victor started running. The Vintaric chased him across the road and knocked over cars in its wake.


    That¡¯s right, just keep following you idiot. And it did, right into the second ambush they¡¯d prepared for the monster.


    Victor jumped over the overpass and landed on a car. Below. The Vintaric wasn¡¯t as dextrous, and when it reached the same spot, the overpass fell under it. It collapsed, raining rubble from the road and columns on the monster.


    Victor jumped away to rejoin the rest of his team. They kept their powers handy to rain on the monster. But before the dust had a chance to clear and they could get a clean shot, something lunged upwards.


    Their eyes darted to the skies, where they saw the Vintaric darting around quicker than possible.


    What the hell? It wasn¡¯t that quick!


    Fire first, Victor Whispered to the Wielders who had access to lightning. Theirs was the quickest attack, and landed on the monster with ease. But as the electricity spread across its skin, it seemed to not react.


    The beast then took even further to the air, leaving Victor to think that it was leaving. But then it stopped, and came back down like a meteor.


    Run! Victor Whispered to the others.


    The Vintaric landed with a deafening crash. Cars flew in the air while others raised their alarms. A crater formed in the middle of the road with the Vintaric at its centre. It looked unblemished, and its wings parted to take flight once more.


    Victor had landed on the dirt beside the road. When he saw the Vintaric rising, he stood up. He pulled out his guns and shouted for anyone who was left alive.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let it take to the skies!¡± he fires his twin pistols on its carapace, only for the bullets to ping off. The only effect it seemed to have on the monster was that it brought Victor to its attention.


    It rose up again into the skies, smaller this time, and came flying down again. Victor ran to avoid, but the shockwave knocked him over. He looked up behind him and saw a car about to land on his face.


    Before it could reach him, a pane of light appeared ahead of him and stopped its assault.


    Lillie was on him in an instant, and Amadeus behind her.


    They both launched normal and red lightning at the creature. The red did some work, sapping the creature of its strength, but not enough to prevent it from taking flight. Lillie moulded a pane of light to cover the hole the Vintaric was climbing out of while Wielders shaped the earth to grab the creature.


    Its legs were entangled in the rocks and it pushed against the pane of light above it to escape. Lillie¡¯s hands wavered, struggling to keep the monster contained.


    ¡°You can do it, Lil! Just keep it down!¡± Victor urged her. It was all he could do while the monster was trapped.


    Another scream escaped the beast and it cracked through the barrier. Lillie grunted in pain and the Vintaric escaped to the skies.


    Victor held up Lillie while the monster continued its assault on the other Wielders. Several more craters appeared around the roads and Victor had to take shelter behind a group of cars.


    ¡°It¡¯s a walking cannonball! How are we supposed to beat it?¡± Amadeus growled, wiping the sweat from his brow.


    Victor considered too. The monster always rose to the skies again and Victor took another look at it. He noticed then that the monster never seemed to look away. It would fly backwards facing them the entire time. It was a bit of wisdom that Victor remembered from some history lessons.


    You shouldn¡¯t show your back to the enemy. And a bug¡¯s weakest point is¡­


    Aim for its back. The abdomen¡¯s the weak point. Hit it there! Victor Whispered through the winds to anyone he could remember. There were a lot of them, so the command took a lot out of him to execute but it worked out.


    The other Wielders started spreading across the area, surrounding the monster from all sides. Victor popped out of hiding with his friends and they ran in different directions. When the Vintaric next landed, he ran towards it.


    Victor popped blades through his forearms and dug them into the dirt. He braced against the shockwave and started running again. The Vintaric was rising from its crater and turned to face him. Victor jumped onto its face.


    He grabbed one of the pincers and pulled himself up. Then he slammed down his fist and pulled all the power he could from his Timewalker¡¯s Origin.


    Slowdown.


    The monster¡¯s wing beats slowed immediately. Its shell opened to reveal a soft interior. The Wielders took aim at it and fired a hundred blasts into it in a moment.


    A deep guttural scream came from the Vintaric, even that slowed by Victor¡¯s powers. It shook its head and Victor jumped off.


    He pulled out his guns and took aim at the monster¡¯s eyes. Firing both of his guns, he blinded the beast and it fell back into the crater.


    Victor¡¯s slowdown ended there, but he didn¡¯t cease. The monster¡¯s limbs went crazy, moving and shaking while it tried to climb out. Whenever it did, more blasts hit it and knocked it back down into the centre.


    Victor emptied an entire magazine into the monster before it finally stopped moving. He lowered his guns and took a deep breath.


    But others didn¡¯t. their hands were ready to start firing if the monster took so much as another step.


    When a Seed popped out of the Vintaric¡¯s back, Victor knew it was finally gone. He regrouped with the others, and they assessed their damages.


    ****


    ¡°A few injured, and Tom lost his legs, but otherwise we¡¯re fine,¡± one of the other survivors told Victor.


    ¡°Get Tom first priority from a healer, see if it can¡¯t be fixed,¡± Victor told him.


    The cars had set up camp around the body of the dead Vintaric. They¡¯d buried it under the road after excavating the Seed from its body. Now they were recuperating from the fight, and waiting to take off further down the road.


    Wonder how many more of those we¡¯re going to encounter¡­


    ¡°Sir!¡± a man ran up to him, gruff and middle-aged.


    ¡°Sir?¡± Victor replied. I guess I am older than him.


    ¡°There¡¯s a dust storm coming in from down the road!¡± the man told him, pointing back where they were supposed to drive.


    Victor ran past him and jumped up onto the unbroken overpass. He took a look at the coming storm, a large wall of dust that seemed unform all around.


    The man had been right, but Victor thought he saw something else inside of it. The storm approached quicker, blanketing the road and preventing any eyes from looking inside. He heard it before he saw it, the roar of a diesel engine that was barely overshadowed by the storm around it.


    And then, something burst out of the middle of the storm, surrounded by cars on all sides. It was a black Ford Interceptor, helming the entire group that travelled down and beside the road.


    What in the¡­


    There were people in cloaks standing on top of the cars around the centre one. They moved their arms, and the sand travelled along with them as they made their way down.


    When they jerked their hands down, the storm stopped immediately. And Victor bore witness to the largest procession of vehicles he¡¯d seen after the Fall.

 Chapter 39: Jeffords

    The vehicles slowed down once they spotted Victor and their encampment. There was no place to hide from their sights, and their cars surrounded them from all sides. Victor ordered the kids to the back, away from the Ford Interceptor that had parked in front of them.


    The other cars around them shut down, and the Wielders on top of them glared at Victor and his group like vultures around a corpse. When the doors of the Ford opened, Victor saw an old man and a Chinese woman walk out.


    The man was wrinkled with age, but had a strong chin and was built like a tank under his suit. He had black hair speckled with white strands and emerald eyes that were hardened from age. The woman, in contrast, looked like she was in her twenties and had high cheekbones. She had glasses on that were immaculately polished.


    As soon as the pair had stepped out, Victor was dumbfounded.


    ¡°Mr. President?¡± he blurted out.


    ¡°Hello there, son,¡± he, said in a thick southern accent, clasping his hands behind his back as he took a look around. President Jeffords walked across the camp as if he owned the place, making Victor cautious of the man. He seemed interested in every nook of the place and every person they had among them.


    ¡°there¡¯re mostly children around, Mr. President, but they do have a lot of Wielders among them,¡± the girl, his secretary most likely, told them.


    ¡°Oh, I must¡¯ve scared the kids then, didn¡¯t I? You have my apologies for that, Mister¡­¡±


    ¡°Amadi. Victor Amadi.¡±


    ¡°Mr. Amadi, then. I didn¡¯t mean to cause a ruckus. We were just passing on through when we noticed your little camp.¡±


    ¡°T-thanks,¡± Amadeus replied with a stutter. The President seemed to find it amusing, and he laughed in reply.


    ¡°And the injured?¡± President Jeffords suddenly asked him.


    ¡°We had to take down a Vintaric,¡± Victor replied.


    The President took a performative glance around the camp.


    ¡°Well¡­. Where is it?¡±


    Victor pointed behind him, to the half-filled hole in the ground. The president and his entourage followed him to the corpse, and Victor¡¯s group came along.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯ll be damned¡­. you all did that?¡± he asked, impressed.


    ¡°Yes, sir,¡± Victor replied curtly.


    ¡°Their cars are electric, sir,¡± his assistant told him as she came close to his ear.


    ¡°¡¯preciate it, Mei. That settles it, then.¡±


    The president turned to address Victor head-on. He was head-to-head with the man and held out his hand towards him.


    ¡°Your injured could use some looking after, and you all don¡¯t seem to be in the best shape yourself. We¡¯ll take you back to our camps and get yourselves looked after. In turn, all I ask is that you spill a couple secrets for me. Deal?¡±


    Victor considered for a moment. He¡¯d known little about President Jeffords¡¯ group back in the previous loop. They were a large coalition, and grew larger by the day, but even they couldn¡¯t stand up to the invading monsters. He¡¯d met a few of their scouts once, and they even did that mission in Miami together,


    ¡°My hand¡¯s gonna grow sore hanging there, son, if I don¡¯t get an answer soon,¡± Jeffords told him.


    Victor needed to unite them. He knew that. And what better banner to do it under than the former President¡¯s? At least then, more people might listen.


    Victor clasped the man¡¯s hands and shook it.


    ¡°Deal.¡±


    ****


    Jeffords ordered his assistant, Mei Li, to move their Wielders throughout the camp. Victor was in awe of the group and their efficiency. They seemed to work as a single unit, finding, patching and taking care of the people who were supposed to be under his care.


    It even made him jealous. He was the one responsible for them, yet Jeffords had done a better job taking care.


    When they were done, they went back to their cars. Amadeus moved among the EVs and charged them, all the while Jeffords looked on in awe.


    ¡°Amazing¡­ Mei Li, we got anyone like this boy here?¡± he patted Amadeus on the back so hard he recoiled.


    ¡°Some new ones, Mr. President, but they¡¯re not on his level,¡± she shook her head.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s some power you got there then, son,¡± Jeffords told Amadeus.


    ¡°Aha, it¡¯s nothing¡­¡±


    They packed up and revved up their engines as well. Victor didn¡¯t bother to stand on his car. there was no need when they were protected on all sides by Jeffords¡¯ men. It seemed the president didn¡¯t intend for any harm to come to his guests.


    This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    When they took off, Victor felt a bit of apprehension. He was sat in the same car as Jeffords, along with Lillie. There wasn¡¯t enough space for Amadeus, however, so he¡¯d ridden in one of the other cars.


    A dust storm kicked up around the group of cars, allowing them to see each other but not let anyone look inside. It covered the entire group, made possible by the many Wielders they had.


    The Interceptor they were in was driven by the president himself. From the look of it, he enjoyed driving by himself, even though his assistant had insisted on otherwise.


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be doing these things yourself, Mr. President,¡± she said. It was a suggestion, but Victor could hear the annoyance behind it. Jeffords understood it as well, laughing it off.


    ¡°Oh come now, Mei. Can¡¯t be having everything fed to me by a silver spoon anymore, can I?¡±


    Mei sighed and turned her gaze back to her tablet. A solar charger was attached to the end of it. Some cute stickers dotted it, and Victor wondered how someone so serious could own something so¡­ adorable.


    ¡°What about you, Victor? Want anything to drink?¡± Jeffords asked.


    ¡°We have coke, sprite, root beer, whiskey-¡±


    Mei listed off a dozen more drinks before Victor stopped her.


    ¡°I-I¡¯m good, thanks.¡±


    ¡°And you, girlie? Mind my manners, but I don¡¯t think I asked for your name yet, did I?¡± Jeffords asked.


    ¡°Oh¡­ I¡¯m just Lillie¡­¡±


    ¡°Pretty name. Would you like anything, Ms. Lillie?¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Mr. President, but no¡­ But I would like to ask a favour.¡±


    Lillie gulped down the lump in her throat and continued.


    ¡°My parents worked for the government. Would you¡­ happen to know anything about what happened to them?¡± she asked.


    Jeffords¡¯ eyes hardened into a stare.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I don¡¯t keep track of every agent. Mei, could you run a check?¡± he asked. Mei nodded and went to work on her tablet. She pulled up a database that showed several names along with faces.


    ¡°Full name?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Lillie Aster. My parents were John and Kim Aster.¡±


    ¡°Got it¡­ Sorry, but we haven¡¯t heard from them,¡± Mei looked up from her tablet. ¡°We¡¯re always on the lookout for any people left over, but they were last seen on a base and¡­¡±


    ¡°Most of the bases were destroyed within the hour.¡± Jeffords finished. ¡°Whatever demons came from those Gates have a real hankerin¡¯ for us. We can¡¯t even contact what¡¯s left of the military through normal means,¡± Jeffords finished.


    He must¡¯ve realized how he sounded, because the President cleared his throat.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, girl, but you should make peace with that. I know I have¡­¡±


    Mei gave him a sad sort of look, and Victor wondered what it meant. He couldn¡¯t ponder it for long though, because Lillie was tearing up beside him.


    She tried her best, but Victor wrapped an arm around her. She grasped it and looked up at him. But the way she stared; it was almost as if she was looking through him.


    ¡°They knew¡­ I need to find them¡­.¡± Lillie spoke softly into his arms.


    Victor kept that way for the rest of the ride, until she fell asleep in his arms. Even he grew drowsy by the end, but kept himself alert for her sake.


    ¡°We¡¯re here,¡± Jeffords spoke like a kindly grandfather, gentle but forceful enough to wake them. Victor blinked his eyes to get the tiredness out and looked out through the window.


    What he saw looked like a military base from the outside. There were searchlights and watchtowers along a large wall made from rough stone surrounded by soldiers. Tanks were placed along the perimeter of the base along with barbed wire and pickets. Finally, a large Gate was visible on the horizon in the distance.


    A road led up to the centre of the wall, but it looked no different from any other area.


    ¡°Where¡¯s the entrance?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°It¡¯ll open up, just you wait,¡± Jeffords answered.


    When they got closer to the base the searchlights focused on them. Jeffords¡¯ car stopped in the middle of the road and he tapped his finger on the steering wheel for a few moments. Even after that the wall didn¡¯t open up, so the President poked his head out of the car window.


    ¡°Just open the damn door!¡± he shouted.


    An awkward pause followed, after which the wall split apart in the middle. It slowly ground against the road and opened enough for five cars to travel side by side.


    Jeffords took his vehicle in. When Victor saw the inside of the base, his jaw dropped open.


    It was bigger than anything he¡¯d done over the previous year. The buildings weren¡¯t as tall, but their sheer numbers dwarfed them. They were spread out so far Victor found it hard to see the other end of the wall.


    And there were so many people! Hundreds upon hundreds that he could see walking through the streets and working odd jobs here and there. When they drove past them, Victor found themselves in another area where they¡¯d somehow made the soil farmable.


    There were Wielders working across the fields. A tree grew from a sprout to a full grown oak in a matter of moments before Victor¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°This is¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s what we¡¯ve tried to preserve of the states,¡± Jeffords told him.


    ¡°Amazing¡­¡± Victor said. And he¡¯d done it without the liberal use of Timewalking that Victor employed.


    ¡°You¡¯ve our scientists to thank for most of it. Education¡¯s a strong tool, son, and made sure that we¡¯re never in the dark about our enemies,¡± Jeffords said.


    Lillie was stirred awake by the commotion and looked outside. She sobered up immediately and her and Victor watched for the rest of the trip.


    ****


    When they stopped, it was in a wide open field manned by soldiers and civilians alike. Many wore the uniform of the army, and bore guns in their hands. Victor had thought the Gate he¡¯d glimpsed to be outside the range of the base, but when he got closer he realized it was smack dab in the middle instead.


    Everyone departed from the cars and Victor stuck around the President. He kept glimpsing the area around him in awe, and wondered how everything worked.


    ¡°Most all is done by the Wielders. We¡¯re lucky we happened to get the best of ¡®em. The water ones help with plumbing and thirst, the farmers get the Seeds best for the field, and so on,¡± Jeffords explained.


    ¡°What about the Gate? Why did you make the base around it?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Not just around, son. Come here.¡±


    Jeffords took him to the front. There were soldiers and tanks placed around The Gate, and a small building surrounded it for visit. Jeffords passed through it and brought Victor along to the other side, where he saw something truly unreal.


    There were soldiers on the other side as well. They¡¯d set up a base here, and the buildings seemed to be in better shape than the ones back on earth.


    ¡°Cut off their point of entry and they¡¯ve got nothing. We protect the Gate twenty-four-seven. Not a single minute is spent without it manned. And as a bonus, it makes for easy pickings for Seeds,¡± Jeffords explained.


    ¡°And you set it all up in a year?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Sure, with a lot of helping hands all around. We¡¯ve got to stick together in times like these, don¡¯t we, son?¡± Jeffords asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m just amazed you could accomplish it at all, Mr. President. You look around the world and everyone¡¯s barely scraping by. You¡¯ve managed to create something instead,¡± Victor said, letting out his real thoughts.


    He looked down to his chest, wondering. Why me?


    Why hadn¡¯t the Timewalker¡¯s Origin picked someone like Jeffords instead? He had the power to change that Victor lacked. The authority to back up his claims and the wisdom to go along with his age. The man seemed well within his mind and healthy enough to lead for the next few years.


    Jeffords patted him on the back a bit hard and smiled.


    ¡°We¡¯re not just gonna stop at this, Victor. The whole country¡¯s in peril, and I¡¯ll need every hand I can get to bring it back together as a whole,¡± Jeffords told him.


    ¡°You, son, are another hand in a link of many. Help me, and we¡¯ll bring America back together.¡±

 Chapter 40: Rule-Breakers

    ¡°I¡¯ll do¡­¡± Victor wanted to agree right then and there. But then he thought back to Lillie.


    ¡°When do you plan on going to Los Angeles?¡± Victor asked the President.


    ¡°After we¡¯re done with the East Coast. That¡¯s where most of our troubles lie, Victor,¡± Jeffords explained.


    ¡°I¡¯ve come from Oakland, sir, and it needs your help just as much.¡±


    ¡°I can agree to that, son, but that doesn¡¯t change the facts. Most of my men are here. If I extend them into the West Coast, I¡¯ll be paying every day to keep it under my control,¡± Jeffords told him.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have to speak to my friends, then, Mr. President. I can¡¯t very well make a decision without them,¡± Victor said.


    Jeffords looked disappointed, but he shrugged.


    ¡°Ah, you¡¯ll come around. Come now, let¡¯s see if I can¡¯t change your mind with a tour,¡± Jeffords said.


    ****


    The base was too big to walk around. Instead, the President had them teleported around. Portals opened up for them to take them from edge to edge, beginning with the giant wall that served as their blockade.


    Victor noted that when the portal opened, it had the same look about it as the one that had shown up in the final battle. He must¡¯ve been there that day. I just didn¡¯t get to see him.


    ¡°The blockade¡¯s the first thing that we made. It¡¯s always expanding, making room for our citizens as we gather more of them,¡± Jeffords explained.


    Thick enough for their entire group to stand on, high enough that Victor could look out over the camp and had a railing to protect them from falling over.


    As Jeffords continued guiding their group, soldiers walked up to him to salute and give information. Every few moments he¡¯d have to stop to issue an order, though a good number of them were tackled by his assistant instead.


    ¡°The soldiers are good men. Trained and given the nastiest Seeds we could find out there for a killer,¡± Jeffords explained.


    He gestured to one of the soldiers, who walked over and saluted.


    ¡°At ease, soldier. Show them a little of what you can do,¡± Jeffords asked.


    The soldier nodded and held his hand out over the wall. A burst of flame twice as tall as a man leapt from his hands, then winked out.


    Jeffords stood in wait for their response, though he didn¡¯t get any.


    ¡°It¡¯s impressive,¡± Amadeus finally said.


    ¡°But not much to someone of your calibre, I understand. I¡¯d like to see what you can do, blondie,¡± Jeffords asked of him.


    ¡°Me?¡±


    ¡°Shoot, I¡¯m not colorblind, am I?¡± Jeffords asked with a chuckle.


    Amadeus walked up reluctantly to the edge of the wall. He held out his hands in the same way the soldier had, but instead of fire, clouds formed in the distance. They circled around an area and Amadeus¡¯s hands began to shake.


    He took a deep breath, and the hair on his skin rose. Then lightning fell in the middle of the plains to blind their whole group. Victor and Lillie both raised a hand against the harsh rays, but Jeffords just smiled in response.


    ¡°Strong for your age, aren¡¯t you?¡± he said.


    ¡°Oh it¡¯s nothing,¡± Amadeus replied bashfully.


    ¡°We could use that, son,¡± He patted him on the shoulder, before continuing the tour.


    He took the three of them around the other parts of the little city as well. New Columbia he called it, since DC had been taken over by the monsters.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got a good resistance going there. You should contact them,¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°As a matter of fact, that was exactly what my men were going to do. I¡¯m glad to hear it was in good hands,¡± Jeffords said.


    They took another portal down to the field, where people walked among them. Many watched in awe of the man and some even cheered as the president walked past.


    An open tent was at the end of their walk, where people were walking to grab their meals. Jeffords nodded to the workers there and ordered them to continue. Some kids walked up and stared at the old man, and he played around with a few while Victor watched.


    ¡°No one pays here?¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t justify an economy under these conditions. No way to maintain it or ensure a monopoly doesn¡¯t start up. So, I deal with the wolves that try to get on top of the common man, and beat ¡®em back down so it¡¯s easier for the rest of us,¡± Jeffords explained.


    This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    After the President was done, they moved onto the next part of their tour. It was a section of the camps far away from each other, fitted with computer equipment that still worked.


    ¡°And these are our top researchers. The Fall¡¯s done plenty to rile up scientific interest, and these folk are here to capitalize it.¡±


    There were people in lab coats running all around the place. Some went into tents with Seeds in their hands while others ran around with papers held under theirs. There was a section of the grounds where a scientist was recording soldiers and their Seeds, all of whom had fire abilities.


    President Jeffords led them to one of the larger tents filled with scientists, who all greeted him with respectful looks and straight posture. All except a single figure at the back of the tent, who was hunched over a desk and observing a pair of Seeds.


    ¡°Our top man on the case is one Professor Cooper,¡± Jeffords introduced him sardonically.


    The man at the back simply waved a hand in the air. He didn¡¯t even bother looking up from his work.


    ¡°The least you could do is look up, Cooper,¡± Jeffords told him.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter, Jeff. Working here,¡± the Professor.


    ¡°Jeff? They¡¯re on a first name basis?¡± Amadeus whispered.


    ¡°Guess so?¡± Victor replied.


    ¡°Greet the kids or I¡¯ll cut your funding,¡± Jeffords said.


    The professor stopped and looked up finally. He had bad posture and wiry brown hair over a thin frame. A lab coat adorned his pant and shirt combo, and he had bags under his eyes from lack of sleep.


    ¡°Can you even? It¡¯s not as if you still pay me,¡± Professor Cooper said as he stretched his arms.


    ¡°True, but I could still have you thrown out of the camp. Now play nice with the guests,¡± Jeffords explained.


    The Professor passed a glare to Jeffords but then turned to meet Victor and his group. He took them in a moment and nodded to himself.


    ¡°You¡¯re Wielders, I assume,¡± Cooper asked.


    ¡°Strong ones too,¡± Jeffords added from a seat beside the table. That seemed to get the professor¡¯s attention, and he paused to examine them from head to toe, without any regards for personal boundaries.


    ¡°What kinds of concepts are they? Or are they Material-Types?¡± Cooper asked them.


    ¡°What?¡± Victor asked as the man took a measure of his arm and looked at his nails.


    ¡°Metal? That is interesting.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll leave you with the good professor for now. Mei Li and I have some work to do before we get back to the tour, so if you¡¯ll excuse me,¡± Jeffords explained.


    They were fully in the hands of the professor after that point, and he made them do a group of tests that seemed esoteric. They used their Seeds on moving targets, displayed their most base abilities and how much they could do, and then how fine their control could get over them.


    ¡°Among the three of you, I¡¯d rank Amadeus as the physically strongest,¡± Cooper explained.


    That pricked at Victor¡¯s pride, and he pulled out his dual pistols for display.


    ¡°With these, I can cause just as much damage as Am can.¡±


    ¡°Do those come from your Seed?¡± Cooper asked.


    ¡°No?¡±


    ¡°Then they don¡¯t count.¡±


    Victor grumbled, and Amadeus tried cheering him up. But despite that, it just made Victor more annoyed with him.


    ¡°Defensively, Lillie is your best bet,¡± Cooper added after seeing the size and thickness of her light panes. He had some soldiers blast it with their Seeds, and she withstood the assault easily.


    ¡°I can pop blades along my hands for the same thing,¡± Victor replied.


    ¡°Yes, but you¡¯re competing against the wrong people here, Victor,¡± Cooper told him. ¡°Tell me the names of your Seeds again.¡±


    ¡°Bladebody Edge, Whisperer¡¯s Tongue and Ant-to-Man Tesseract,¡± Victor said. He left out his Timewalker¡¯s Origin, despite the fact he¡¯d already revealed its synergies to the professor.


    ¡°Each of those Seeds is for a completely different purpose. You¡¯re a generalist. The guns are just a nice bonus,¡± Cooper said. ¡°Why did you pick them out, though?¡± he asked.


    ¡°The Seeds?¡±


    ¡°Those very same. You had much choice back at Washington, I assume. Why not take something more suited to your powers?¡± Cooper asked.


    ¡°¡­ I wanted to see what Synergies would arise,¡± Victor replied. Though he didn¡¯t mention which Seed specifically he hoped to get Synergies with.


    ¡°Well, you succeeded. Some of those abilities you¡¯ve mentioned don¡¯t fit into anything I¡¯ve seen in my time. Are you sure you don¡¯t have an extra Seed you forgot to mention?¡±


    Oh yeah! Silly me, so I have this power to go back in ti-


    ¡°Nope,¡± Victor said in actuality.


    ¡°Shame. I¡¯ll have to study you more later. I think we¡¯re done here, then,¡± Cooper stated. He¡¯d had his fill of fun, it seemed.


    ¡°Wait, what about that thing you mentioned earlier? The Conceptual or Material type?¡± Victor asked. Maybe with it, he could get a hint to his own Seeds origins.


    ¡°Oh, that. That¡¯s just a classification system we came up with. Material types have abilities to manipulate something in the real world, while Conceptual types are based around concepts. Pretty self-explanatory.¡±


    ¡°Do they all come from the same place?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Of course. You find them beyond the Gates, integrate them into your being and then use the abilities. And you only get to have a few or more, depending on the person.¡±


    ¡°All Seeds work like that?¡± Victor asked. ¡°None of them could force their way into your body, or be related to two concepts at the same time?¡±


    Cooper raised an eyebrow.


    ¡°I¡¯ve only ever seen one case of it not being. A Seed that let the user manipulate technology and create portals. We have a special name for them.¡±


    ¡°What are they?¡±


    ¡°Rule-breakers. I thought the one we found was just an outlier for no reason. But if you¡¯ve found a second, that means there¡¯s bound to be a third, and a pattern along with it¡­¡± Professor Cooper said. He moved closer to Victor, seeing him in an entirely new light.


    It was unnerving to the young Timewalker. And it didn¡¯t help that Cooper smelt like he hadn¡¯t showered in a few days.


    ¡°Well, have you?¡± he asked.


    ¡°No?¡± Victor replied. He didn¡¯t break even for a moment while the Professor had his gaze on him.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening here?¡± Jeffords¡¯ voice spoke as he walked into the fray. A portal closed behind him and he clasped his hands behind his back once more.


    Victor watched as Professor Cooper shrunk away from him. He looked diminished in the President¡¯s presence, and he had to wonder why.


    ¡°Just checking the kids. Very interesting Seeds, Jeff,¡± Cooper said. He stuffed his hands into his lab coat¡¯s pockets and walked away from them.


    ¡°Good to see you agree. Help them get more use out of them if you could,¡± Jeffords told the man.


    Cooper nodded lazily and quickly shuffled back into his tent for his research. Victor watched him go, and looked inside to his Timewalker¡¯s Origin.


    The little mobius strip made of clock hands seemed so strange. Rule-breaker was a fitting term for the thing. It did defy the usual laws. It didn¡¯t integrate in the same way as other Seeds, nor did it show the same kinds of descriptions on its abilities.


    ¡°The good professor will be here whenever you need him. Let¡¯s move onto the rest of the tour shall we?¡± Jeffords asked him. Victor nodded, and a portal opened up to take them there.

 Chapter 41: Erased from Time

    The tour took them around more areas of the camp, until finally, Jeffords fell silent and they arrived at their final destination.


    It was a small hill at one end of the wall, where there were not many houses and people. Victor stepped out of the portal onto lush grass and a field of trees that looked ethereal in the middle of the desert.


    There was a small pond beside him and even birds in their little nests. But none of that compared to the sheer number of headstones scattered about.


    A graveyard¡­ Victor noted with a heavy heart.


    ¡°I¡¯d like to have some words with Victor if the rest of you won¡¯t mind?¡± Jeffords asked them.


    Mei and the others agreed, and they took off in another direction. Victor walked past sullen looking men and women who sat around graves and prayed. Some left branches in lieu of flowers, honouring the dead.


    ¡°There are many bodies in this graveyard. And many headstones without one. Most people didn¡¯t have the luxury of finding a corpse of their loved ones,¡± Jeffords spoke.


    He took Victor up the hill and into the little forest he¡¯d carved out. While they walked, Victor wondered just what feat of magic it had taken the President to make this place.


    He followed up until they reached a clearing with four headstones laying side by side. From their names, Victor could already tell who they belonged to.


    ¡°My wife and children. We never found the bodies,¡± Jeffords said.


    He didn¡¯t make a face, but Victor could hear the cracking in his voice and see the shaking in his arms. Jeffords sat down to offer up a prayer and Victor felt obliged to do the same.


    I¡¯ll help you someday. You won¡¯t die a meaningless death like this, he promised.


    ¡°We couldn¡¯t have expected something like this to happen. To break apart the world so easily, son,¡± Jeffords started to speak. While he did, his face was still on the graves.


    ¡°Those monsters don¡¯t care for our lives. They¡¯ll pick us apart and eat us like supper if they get the chance. But together, we don¡¯t need to. We can show a United Front, push them back before they get their greedy claws into us.


    ¡°Tell me, Victor. Haven¡¯t you seen how they keep coming? I¡¯ve ventured beyond the Gates myself, they¡¯re not sending their best men. The Professor says there has to be a reason behind it, and I find myself agreeing. Because if they¡¯d sent their best, you and I wouldn¡¯t have the luxury of being alive anymore.¡±


    A united front¡­


    ¡°Think on it. Even if your friends decide otherwise, we¡¯d be glad to have you at the least,¡± Jeffords told him.


    The two of them left the glade soon after. The rest of the day went as normally as it could. The people of New Columbia were welcoming and helpful, and they spent their time walking around.


    The kids loved every second of it, and of not being cooped up in a car. When they were done wandering around and checking out the sights, they were invited by the President to a feast.


    Lillie and Amadeus enjoyed the meat more than anything. It¡¯d been a while since they had chicken or beef, but somehow New Columbia hadn¡¯t run dry of it.


    Victor watched for Lillie through the whole night. She¡¯d show brief flashes of sadness in between the meal.


    She¡¯s thinking back to her parents.


    Another thing Victor would have to fix once he could figure out his Timewalker¡¯s Origin to go further back.


    Maybe I should reveal it¡­ Professor Cooper was more knowledgeable on Seeds than anyone else Victor had met. If he stuck around, he could just as easily learn how to progress it faster.


    The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    New Columbia also had resources that most other places lacked. Within it, Victor could help aim those resources towards a better future for everyone.


    ¡°Vic?¡± Amadeus asked.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve been staring at your food for a while¡­. You gonna eat that?¡± Amadeus asked.


    ¡°As a matter of fact, I am,¡± Victor replied, snatching the plate away from his hungry friend.


    They finished and were escorted to their beds for the evening. The bunks looked like they were ripped from a military base, which they most likely were. While Yvette and Amadeus set the kids to sleep, Victor lay in his bed staring into the ceiling.


    What do I do? Continue on to Los Angeles or stay here? He wished again that his Timewalker would let him see the future, but it wouldn¡¯t.


    He¡¯d have to make his decisions and his mistakes himself. Why?


    He had so much power yet it was so limiting. What was he supposed to do with it? Was it all a test?


    If so, I must be passing with flying colours, he remarked.


    Amadeus shuffled into the tent with a tired sigh. He plopped himself down into the bunk below Victor¡¯s and rested. Victor thought he might¡¯ve fallen asleep, but then Amadeus stirred.


    ¡°Oh, my head¡¯s killing me,¡± Amadeus complained. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t have eaten so much¡­¡±


    Victor scoffed.


    ¡°That¡¯ll teach you.¡±


    ¡°So, Vic, what do you think of the place?¡± he asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s nice.¡±


    ¡°That all?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s all.¡±


    ¡°No thoughts on the President? Or his cute secretary?¡± Amadeus asked.


    ¡°You¡¯re hopeless, you know that?¡±


    Amadeus shrugged.


    ¡°Maybe.¡±


    ¡°I thought she looked nice,¡± Lillie chimed in. ¡°Though you¡¯ve never called me cute, Am. What¡¯s with that?¡±


    ¡°Oh that¡¯s¡­ reasons,¡± Amadeus replied.


    ¡°Reasons?¡±


    ¡°Someone call me?¡± Victor asked.


    The three of them chuckled into the night, the mirth dying out as cicadas started chirping outside.


    A bit later, when Victor was near sleeping, he heard a kid walk into the tent.


    ¡°Am?¡± he whispered to no reply.


    Victor looked down into the dark and could see Amadeus snoring. Victor groaned and sat up in his bed before dropping down to the floor of the tent.


    ¡°Am¡¯s asleep. Who is it?¡±


    ¡°I feel bad,¡± the little girl said. Victor realized it was Tiffany and shook awake Amadeus. The blonde man rubbed his bleary eyes and took a good look at the little girl.


    ¡°Oh, afraid to sleep alone, Tif?¡± he asked. She shook her head ¡°no.¡±


    ¡°Then let¡¯s go outside and figure it out.¡±


    Victor joined the two since he had nothing better to do. Sleep wouldn¡¯t reach the man and tomorrow was too far away to consider.


    The moon gleamed down onto the three of them while they took a little walk. Amadeus let a pinkie down for Tiffany to grab and she kept pace with the two of them.


    ¡°What was it, then, Tif?¡± Amadeus asked.


    ¡°My brain hurts. People keep talking and I don¡¯t want to hear it,¡± she complained. ¡°It¡¯s better now though.¡±


    ¡°I thought I put them all to sleep? Guess I¡¯ll have to check again,¡± Amadeus replied.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to stay here anymore. Can we leave?¡± Tiffany asked him as she stopped.


    Amadeus crouched down beside her and smiled.


    ¡°Sure, we were going anyways, right, Vic?¡±


    Victor didn¡¯t reply.


    ¡°I...¡±


    ¡°Vic? I thought we were going to Los Angeles?¡± Amadeus asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s better here for the kids, don¡¯t you think, Am? Fresh water, good food, if we go back to Los Angeles, we¡¯d have to deal with the same problems that we had in Washington. Maybe even for longer this time!¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°But Lillie wants to go back. Weren¡¯t you the one who said we had to make it better for the people there?¡± Amadeus asked.


    ¡°I did, but I didn¡¯t think we¡¯d find a place like this!¡± Victor gestured all around them.


    ¡°You wanted to understand the threat, Vic. Learn how to save people.¡±


    ¡°I could do that better from here. Where I know you¡¯re all safe.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll be working for the President. Everyone here has a job, Vic. But you have a job more important than theirs,¡± Amadeus reasoned.


    They both fell silent and Tiffany tugged at Amadeus¡¯ clothes. He lifted her up to his chest and waited for Victor¡¯s reply.


    All the Timewalker could think about was the past then. How Amadeus had stuck by his every decision. And it brought him back to an old memory.


    ¡°You remember that drink we shared?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°The coke in the gas station,¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Vic, I remember a lot from the past year, but not that. Are you sure it was me?¡± Amadeus asked.


    ¡°Of course it wa-¡±


    But it wasn¡¯t, was it? It was a different Amadeus, from a different time.


    A different Amadeus¡­ who didn¡¯t end up saving Tiffany.


    He¡¯d failed in that world and become heartbroken, just like Victor. He¡¯d ended up dying like him too, at the end of the world. Victor had been so focused on preventing the future he hadn¡¯t thought of the past he¡¯d lost.


    ¡°You¡¯re right. I was mistaken, Sorry, guess I¡¯m really tired,¡± Victor told him.


    His head did hurt, he realized. All that fatigue must have gone ignored by Victor through the whole day, only to be let out then.


    ¡°Same. Let¡¯s talk about this tomorrow, with Lillie, alright?¡± Amadeus told him. He walked back to tuck Tiffany in while Victor returned to his bed.


    A different Am¡­ And a different Lillie.


    The full weight of it hit Victor in that instant. All those memories from that forgotten time, they only lay within him. Every meal and joke he shared, every wound he took and person he saved. Every laugh, every tear were all erased from time.


    He was the Timewalker, and it was his burden to keep those memories alive for the numerous years ahead.

 Chapter 42: Moving Blade

    Victor arose early in the morning the next day. His body had little ache to it but something felt off. Like he was a passenger instead of the one running it.


    He got out of bed and realized he was the first to do so. Soon after that, he was invited to breakfast and woke up the others.


    Amadeus and him went to grab the kids while Lillie and Yvette handled their Wielders. They were served a veritable feast once more, yet no one there could enjoy it to the fullest. That disconnected feeling remained with Victor even as he sobered up and ate his food. The sensations felt off, and he rubbed his head to get rid of it.


    Am I sick? He wondered, but it didn¡¯t seem like it.


    When they were done, the kids were herded up to their rooms and told to pack their things. While they did so, Amadeus, Lillie and Victor were called over to the President¡¯s tent to hear out his offer once more.


    ****


    The tent was larger and fuller than the ones around it. From outside Victor could hear the President and Professor Cooper arguing about something, but their words were slurred.


    But that didn¡¯t make sense to Victor. He should¡¯ve been able to hear them clearly.


    He got his answer as soon as he stepped inside. Their words became clearer but the President and Professor stopped bickering. Inside of the tent was a long desk made for meetings and three individuals right beside it. The President, his assistant and the Professor.


    ¡°Good to see you, Victor. Are you ready to talk?¡± Jeffords asked him. the old man was as well-groomed as the day before. If someone had just plucked him out of the previous day and put him right in front of Victor, he would¡¯ve believed it.


    ¡°Good afternoon, Mr. President. I¡­¡± he trailed off once he took a look at Cooper.


    The Professor looked worried, like he¡¯d barely slept the night before or the one before that. Something was off about the way he stood, like he was afraid.


    A single darting of the Professor¡¯s eyes told Victor the source of his fear.


    ¡°Are you alright, son?¡± Jeffords asked.


    Victor couldn¡¯t understand. Cooper darted his eyes again and again, until the President looked back to stare at him. the Professor straightened up after that, and Victor rubbed his head.


    Why did it hurt so much?


    ¡°I¡¯m fine¡­ my head¡¯s just killing me¡­¡±


    His head. His head.


    Victor looked back at Amadeus. He was rubbing the bridge of his nose and squinting his eyebrows.


    Didn¡¯t he¡­ feel the same way? And Tiffany too?


    What was going on?


    ¡°We have some Aspirin in the cupboard. Mei Li, if you would?¡±


    His assistant got up but Victor raised a hand to stop her.


    ¡°Wait.¡±


    Professor Cooper clasped his hands in front of him to stop them from shaking.


    Shouts of the Earth.


    Victor activated it.


    Winds whistled around the man, forming into a conversation that was already etched into the earth.


    ¡°Dissenters won¡¯t be tolerated. Do you know how many people we¡¯re having to juggle here, Cooper?¡± someone echoed in the voice of the President.


    He went wide-eyed in awe and stood there.


    ¡°You can do what you want with the adults. But keep the children out of it,¡± Cooper¡¯s voice long past replied.


    ¡°My Wielders aren¡¯t perfect, Cooper. Better to be safe than sorry when it comes to keeping people calm. If I had them checking every time to see who they were manipulating, we¡¯d have been overthrown ages ago. It¡¯s subtle, the kids¡¯ll barely feel it.¡±


    ¡°If they do feel it, they¡¯ll be brainwashed come the time they¡¯re grown.¡±


    ¡°¡­.That¡¯s a price I¡¯m willing to pay if it means uniting them,¡± The President finished.


    The conversation went by as quickly as it had come, leaving the tent in silence. A thickness took over the air and no one spoke to pierce it.


    The fog in Victor¡¯s mind faded, and he felt in control of his body once more.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been emotionally manipulating the people, haven¡¯t you?¡± Victor accused the President.


    The old man¡¯s gaze didn¡¯t shift, didn¡¯t break. He was a trained politician, and his experience kept his feelings at bay.


    ¡°I have. For the sake of the people, I¡¯ve been manipulating any rampant anger or rage they might feel against us,¡± The President explained. ¡°But you have to understand, Victor. We cannot waste time on speeches to win the people over. You¡¯ve seen how it is outside. Every moment that passes is another child dying at the hands of those monsters.¡±


    ¡°So, you fashion yourself a mindless population?¡± Victor replied.


    ¡°There are thousands of little groups of survivors out there! You expected us to walk up and talk them into the fold? Some of those same people had resources we needed. Resources they refused to share for some damn reason!¡±


    ¡°You take them over by force, then keep them complicit in New Columbia. That¡¯s what a tyrant does,¡± Victor told him.


    He knew the words wouldn¡¯t get to the man. There was a fire in his eyes that refused to stop at that moment.


    ¡°The people need to know,¡± Amadeus added in finally.


    And their fates were sealed right then and there. Victor saw the shift in the man¡¯s expression, the resignation that came with making a hard decision. And then he saw him raise a hand.


    Fire exploded out from the President¡¯s arm. Professor Cooper ran out of the tent and Lillie raised a pane of light to stop the blast.


    ¡°Get back here!¡± The President shouted for Cooper, but he was long gone by then.


    ¡°Get the kids and get out!¡± Victor ordered Amadeus and Lillie.


    ¡°What about you?¡± Lillie asked.


    ¡°There¡¯s no time!¡±


    Amadeus grabbed her by the arm and she ran away. The pane of light fell as Victor rolled out of range of the blast. the fire hit the tent¡¯s flaps and started burning it down around them.


    Before him, the President started walking forwards slowly. Mei Li pulled out a pistol and aimed it at Victor. She never got the chance to fire as Victor shot his own guns.


    The bullet caught Mei Li in the arm and froze it down to the fingers.


    ¡°Get out of here, Mei!¡± The President shouted for her.


    She hesitated for a moment before nodding and running away.


    As more of the tent caught fire, Victor and the President stared each other down.


    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have tested me, son,¡± he told him.


    ¡°You should¡¯ve been buried with your family, old man.¡±


    And they jumped at each other.


    ****


    Amadeus ran through the camp alert. The people around him were confused and scared as he made his way over to the children.


    Am heard Yvette¡¯s cries from way over and began to run faster. He reached orphans and found a soldier holding her by her hair.


    Red lightning scorched the man¡¯s face. He fell and Amadeus grabbed Yvette by the shoulders.


    ¡°Are you alright?¡±


    ¡°I-I think I am,¡± she replied.


    Amadeus heard more children screaming inside and burst into the room. At the far end the kids were cowering behind Jared. The teen was holding back a soldier. His right arm was covered up to the shoulder with armour, and a chest piece hung over his front. His other shoulder was bleeding as he held back the soldier.


    Amadeus fried the man with lightning, cursing that he had to show it to the kids.


    ¡°Am!¡± Jared shouted for him.


    ¡°Jared! You and Yvette help me get the kids out!¡± Amadeus shouted back.


    They left most of their things inside of the tents. The kids fell in line and Amadeus took their front. They got to running, and popped out of the tents out to the sight of more soldiers.


    Damn it.


    ****


    Lillie had a specific job. The kids would listen to Am better, so she had to bring back the Wielders. The only problem was, they were surrounded.


    All around Lillie were bolts of magic flying through the air. She formed panes of light every which where to defend against the attacks that were aiming for them. soldiers surrounded the camps on all sides battering her shields with attacks.


    ¡°Ms. Aster! How do we proceed?!¡± one of the Wielders asked her.


    Lillie bit her lip in consideration. They couldn¡¯t stay here for long if they wanted to leave. Jeffords¡¯ forces would be nearing the cars at any moment, and Amadeus and the kids needed defending.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to charge! Follow my lead!¡± Lillie shouted for them.


    ¡°Ma¡¯am!¡± the Wielders shouted back in unison.


    Lillie thickened her panes as much as she could, then sharpened them to a point in front of her. The soldiers lined up behind her and Lillie charged right into the centre of the opposing force.


    ****


    Victor shot through the air with a dislocated shoulder. He arced over and fell onto a tent which broke his fall. People screamed around Victor¡¯s landing and escaped from the area.


    He groaned standing up. Then put his hand up to his arm and pushed it back into its socket.


    A portal opened up beside him and out walked the President solemnly. Victor aimed and fired at the man, but a magical knight appeared to guard him.


    The knight was nothing but wisps of black smoke and magic come to life. It had the rough outline of something from a fantasy novel, a sword and shield in hand and armour. An inner light shone through, yet Victor knew there was no life behind the helmet.


    ¡°You can still give up, Victor. Promise to become my subordinate, to not raise a hand against me and I¡¯ll let you and your friends escape punishment,¡± Jeffords told him.


    ¡°Spoken like a true politician. All promises, but no follow through,¡± Victor spat to his side. His spit came with blood, and he stood up on shaky legs.


    He raised his pistols even as more magic knights escaped from the portals. Victor shot them down one by one, dispersing their essence into the winds.


    Jeffords was surrounded in an instant by a whirlwind of black. Victor tried to pierce it, but his shots couldn¡¯t reach the man inside.


    ¡°Can¡¯t even fight your own battles, huh?¡± Victor taunted the man in hopes of aggravating him. but it seemed to have no effect on him.


    Whenever he shot down the knights, Jeffords would just summon more. And he never seemed to run out of power.


    When the knights closed in around him, Victor decided to stow his guns. He had limited ammo on him, and couldn¡¯t afford to waste it on them.


    Instead, he popped blades from his knuckles and started swiping at the knights. They came in with spears, maces and swords, but he slashed them apart before they could reach him. A hulking brute of a knight tried to squash him with a Warhammer and Victor jumped backwards.


    He aimed at the knight and fired. His blades exploded in size and skewered the knight against a stone wall. The knight disappeared and Victor turned to the other monsters around him.


    Tsk, too many.


    It seemed the army around him had doubled. And though they were no match for him, the monsters would tire him out sooner or later. But those knights had a key weakness.


    They were slow.


    ¡°Come on, son, give it up already,¡± Jeffords asked him.


    ¡°Not happening,¡± Victor jumped over a knight¡¯s head and started running.


    None of the knights could match his strength, and Jeffords would have to summon portals to stop him.


    Portals opened up beside him and Victor ducked under a sword swing. He kept his momentum and kept running across the camp, startling people as he went by.


    ¡°Come back here!¡± Jeffords shouted for him.


    Victor ignored the shouts and went on his way, only to end up meeting the worst possible people.


    A force of soldiers blockaded the area in front of him. they had rifles in their hands aimed to shoot.


    Victor ducked into an alley just as their volley started. People screamed around Victor, and he pulled out his guns once more.


    When the volley stopped, Victor took a peak outside. He aimed for the boxes they¡¯d piled high and fired his ignistone pistol. Their cover caught fire and the soldiers were forced to retreat.


    Victor popped out of the alley just as another portal opened up behind him. This time Jeffords came through, and grabbed onto Victor¡¯s arms.


    ¡°Stop!¡±


    Victor popped blades from his forearms that sliced into the President¡¯s hands. He let go of Victor and the Timewalker shot him twice in the chest. He then kicked him back into the alley and jumped sideways to avoid the second volley of gunfire.


    ¡°Mr. President!¡± a soldier shouted for Jeffords. Victor could hear the stomping of feet, so he looked behind himself towards some piled crates.


    Good enough.


    By the time the soldiers reached him, Victor had climbed up and away from them. The soldiers tried to look for the President but he was long gone himself.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let Victor Amadi get away! Search for him and bring him in!¡± the squad leader shouted.


    ****


    Victor¡¯s legs began to tire when he reached the edge of the city. He Whispered words into the wind, informing Amadeus and Lillie of his plans.


    You get the kids and the Wielders out. Break through the walls if you have to. I¡¯ll meet you outside near the southern wall.


    When he finished, another portal opened up in front of him. He was surprised to find the President there, looking no worse for wear.


    ¡°How did y-¡±


    Victor tried to say but the President punched him in the face. Victor rolled across the ground until he came to a stop. He tried to push himself off of his arms but the President got to him first. He pulled Victor up by the hair and put him into a chokehold.


    Victor struggled in the man¡¯s iron grip. It was like he was being strangled by a machine rather than a man. His heart quickened and he couldn¡¯t get air no matter what.


    A cloud of storms formed in the distance, and Victor heard cries followed by blasts of blinding lightning.


    Amadeus.


    Am was close to the cars. Victor needed to get out and meet with the man. When he looked around, he saw soldiers approaching from in front of him. Victor panicked, trying to free himself even further.


    ¡°Mr. President, are you alright?¡± the squadron commander shouted.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, son, just¡­¡± he struggled to keep Victor from moving.


    ¡°Let us handle it!¡±


    Victor¡¯s face was turning different shades and he felt himself growing lightheaded. That¡¯s when an idea came to him.


    ¡°H-he¡¯s manipulatin¡­. Everyone!¡± Victor shouted with the last of his breath.


    ¡°What?¡± the squadron commander said.


    Jeffords put a hand over his mouth.


    ¡°Ignore him. Go grab his allies. They¡¯re trying to make a run for it!¡± Jeffords shouted.


    ¡°Are you su-¡±


    ¡°Now!¡± Jeffords reiterated, and the soldiers started running.


    Victor got a finger in his mouth and bit it off. Jeffords screamed in pain and let him go.


    Victor fell to the ground and sucked air like it was his last breath. The bloody finger fell out of his mouth and he looked back to watch the President holding a shaky hand.


    ¡°You bit me!¡± Jeffords growled in pain.


    ¡°Lying¡­ to your own soldiers. I wonder¡­ what would happen¡­ if they found out,¡± Victor said.


    He Whispered into the winds, to every single person he¡¯d met in the camps. Though he couldn¡¯t remember their names, he knew their faces. And that was enough to deliver the message. He Whispered till his Whisperer¡¯s Tongue cracked, and only then did he let it rest.


    While he did, a light enveloped Jeffords and spread across his hand. it regenerated the finger out of nothing, and not for the first time did Victor wonder what kind of Seeds the man possessed.


    He reviewed his mental list, trying to think of any that could fit the powers. Summoning, regeneration¡­ what was it that Jeffords mentioned before? Subordinates?


    Then it hit Victor.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got the Lord¡¯s Domain,¡± he spoke to him.


    ¡°How do you know its name?¡± Jeffords asked accusatorily. ¡°Never mind. You won¡¯t live to tell it.¡±


    Then Jeffords summoned more knights against him. Victor could see his power waning, and he shot two holes in the summoned knights.


    He jumped back from one of their swings, and took cover in a tent from the blast of fire Jeffords summoned.


    A portal opened up next to Victor and he shot his pistols through it. He then ran out of the tent and looked towards the wall.


    I need to get out.


    More knights came from the tent and grabbed onto Victor. He popped blades from inside his clothes, cutting apart the smoky monsters apart. But they rushed out of the tent quicker than ever.


    They tackled Victor into another tent. He popped more blades from his body, but they kept piling on and on. He felt the weight crushing him underneath, and the tent fell around him. The pile grew taller than the tent itself, and Victor saw the sun blotted out before his eyes.


    In the darkness of the knights, Victor could hear nothing, see nothing. It was¡­ oddly peaceful.


    If he just gave up then, what would go wrong? He could leave the world to its own troubles. Free himself of the power. Maybe it would even do others some good. If the Timewalker¡¯s Origin found its way over to someone else, they could probably use it better than him.


    But then faces flooded his mind. People who counted on him. Who, even if they didn¡¯t remember it all, cared for him. He¡¯d be letting them down if he gave up then.


    Victor grabbed onto a knight¡¯s helm with his arm. He steeled his mind and body alike. His metallic nails felt anew, and Victor focused on the sharpening of swords inside his soul. He was the blade itself.


    A thousand knives exploded from Victor¡¯s body. The knights fell all at once, exploding outwards in a blast of black wind.


    The President watched as Victor stood up in the middle of that black, more metal than man at that point. Those blades retreated back into his skin, all except one that extended perpendicular from his arm.


    There were more knights surrounding Victor. They rushed for him in that moment. Victor raised that single blade and it expanded around him. then it spun around in fraction of a second, and cut apart the knights with a single circular swipe.


    [Ability Unlocked: Metallize Boost]


    [Ability Unlocked: Metallize Boost]


    [Ability Unlocked: Moving Blade]


    [Ability Unlocked: Quicker Blades]

 Chapter 43: Conquered

    Amadeus was raining fire on every soldier he could find. He jumped across the tents and boxes, frying them with his lightning. Whenever he ran low on stamina, he sapped it from his enemies and continued guiding the children.


    It should¡¯ve kept him going for the entire way back, but Amadeus could feel his Seeds straining at the edges. The more he spent, the easier it got for the Seed to crack and break apart. His Crystallized Lightning had healed the damage from last time, but Amadeus thought he would rip open the wounds anew if he kept at it.


    A blast of force knocked Amadeus back and onto the ground. Jared was beside him in an instant, a shield in his hand that blocked the hail of bullets.


    Amadeus moved a hand lazily across the sky. The clouds struck down the soldiers and Jared helped him back up. He knew it wouldn¡¯t be enough, as more soldiers approached from all ends.


    Jared stood by him but Amadeus waved him back.


    ¡°Let me handle this.¡±


    He didn¡¯t want to see Jared hurt himself for him. He was the oldest, and that meant he was supposed to protect them. But as the soldiers closed in, that felt harder and harder to accomplish.


    Doubt took his heart for an instant. Amadeus raised a hand and called the storm to himself. The soldiers aimed their guns.


    And a pane of light blocked both partied from each other.


    ¡°Attack!¡± Lillie shouted from somewhere.


    Wielders attacked the soldiers with magic, disarming them, sending them to the ground. Amadeus followed suit, calling lightning from his storm to incapacitate them.


    The tides of the battle changed and the soldiers ran away in fear, leaving Amadeus a moment to breathe.


    ¡°Lillie!¡± He shouted for her.


    As soon as she appeared he grabbed and twirled her around in the air.


    ¡°The reunion can wait, Am!¡± she said, smiling at him.


    ¡°Right,¡± he said, putting her down.


    Lillie pointed ahead of them, where the cars were positioned in an open field.


    ¡°It¡¯s going to be tough breaking through,¡± Lillie aired her worries.


    ¡°Not with all of us here,¡± Amadeus replied. His gap-toothed smile made her chuckle, and they ran for their escape.


    ****


    Jeffords stood in awe of the man¡¯s prowess. Even after extracting all that energy from his subordinates, he couldn¡¯t seem to get through to the man.


    Victor had his eyes squarely on the man. It was then that Jeffords knew, he couldn¡¯t let him get away at any cost.


    More magic knights appeared around Jeffords, and he used up most of his power in creating them. They¡¯d have to do for the next part.


    ¡°Let me leave in peace, Jeffords,¡± Victor told him. ¡°I won¡¯t go against yours, and you against mine.¡±


    ¡°You sure you¡¯re not a politician yourself, son?¡± Jeffords asked.


    Jeffords snapped his fingers, and his knights rushed the boy.


    Victor popped more blades from his arms. They spun around his flesh like helicopter blades, cutting through anything he came into contact with. He parried the slashes from the knights, but couldn¡¯t seem to disperse them with a single hit.


    These ones must be stronger.


    The next knight came in with a large overhead swing. Victor jumped back and raised his bladed arm to the skies. He flew further into the air than he would¡¯ve thought, and got an idea from it.


    The knights chased him again, and Victor planted his foot on the largest one. He popped three blades at separate angles and jumped off of it, taking to the skies. He floated along his blades¡¯ trajectory, right towards the wall.


    His powers weren¡¯t strong enough to keep him afloat though. Eventually Victor came down and continued in a run. Portals opened up to grab him but Victor couldn¡¯t spare the time for them. he was growing more tired by the second, sweat beading around his face and muscles aching.


    When he reached the wall, Victor popped more blades and dug into the stony exterior. More portals popped open beside him, but Victor popped shot blades into them.


    He kept climbing up the divots and footholds until he reached the halfway point. Then Victor looked up and found the President standing up on the edge of the wall.


    Jeffords held his hands towards Victor and flames erupted from his fingers. Victor jumped to avoid the blast, then popped spinning blades to slow his fall.


    ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll just bust right through,¡± Victor decided. He pulled out his frigustone pistol and fired it into the walls until they frosted over. Then he popped a blade on his palm and spun it around like a drill.


    When knights came too close to him, Victor beat them away with his pistols and blades. The battle was growing tiring for him, however, and he could feel himself slowing down.


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    A knight slashed Victor on his arms and left a deep cut. He shot his ignistone pistol into the knight¡¯s helmet and the monster faded.


    Victor held his arms and grunted, making his way back to the wall. There, he finally had enough and activated his Enlarge.


    Victor grew a few feet till he was a hulking giant. He braced his hands against the wall and kicked into the frozen over area, cracking it through. When he returned to normal, Victor was hobbling over to the other end.


    Seeing the open desert had never been more pleasing to the man. He started to run faster and faster, but then a portal appeared and Jeffords along with it.


    ¡°Just leave me alone, already!¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t do that, son.¡±


    Victor fired more bullets at the man. Knights came to defend him once more.


    They then rushed Victor down all at once. The Timewalker slapped one on the back, slowing him down, then jumped over another¡¯s swing. The Brute came down with his Warhammer again and Victor redirected it to another knight. It crunched the other¡¯s shield and Victor fired ignistone bullets into the Brute¡¯s abdomen.


    The fight continued with Victor being overwhelmed at every turn. They blocked off his exits and positioned themselves to aim for him. Victor tried jumping off another of them, but they grabbed his leg and threw him to the ground.


    Jeffords tried to blast him with flames but Victor froze over his arm with a frigustone bullet. He fired more at the man and his knights reconvened around him.


    Victor smiled a bloody grin, standing up. He took a moment to breathe while the President popped the bullets out of his flesh.


    Somehow, his reserves were still high, and Victor was running on fumes.


    ¡°You¡¯re stronger than I imagined, Victor.¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯re more persistent than I thought,¡± Victor fired back.


    ¡°That I am. Now tell me, how much do you know of the Lord¡¯s Domain?¡± Jeffords asked him.


    ¡°Enough to know it makes you a threat.¡±


    ¡°Then do you recognize this?¡±


    Most of the knights spread apart once more. Jeffords made portals that carried them far and wide around the battlefield. A bead of sweat ran down his temple as he did so. The effort was straining him, which meant Victor might have had a chance.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Victor asked, aiming his pistols.


    A wordless command left Jeffords¡¯ mouth, and the knights exploded once more into black smoke.


    He destroyed them? Victor was baffled.


    But the smoke didn¡¯t disperse. Instead, it funnelled into the earth around Victor and Jeffords. Patterns formed in the sand in black, sigils and runes that connected to each other and formed a giant circle around them.


    Victor fired into Jeffords with his guns but his knights moved in an instant. He saw their essence thicken and lengthen, becoming more real and more dangerous.


    Victor Whispered to the winds to contact Am and Lillie. Get me quickly! He sent the message, but something felt wrong. He could feel the magic failing. Like it couldn¡¯t escape the grasp of the earth.


    ¡°What¡­ did you do?¡± Victor asked, horrified.


    ¡°I¡¯ve Conquered this land. Whatever goes inside of it now can only happen through my orders,¡± Jeffords explained. ¡°This is the Masterwork of the Lord¡¯s Domain.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe I ever voted for you,¡± Victor spat.


    ¡°You trusted in the words of my campaign, Victor. Why not trust in the man behind it? There¡¯s no filter between you and I anymore.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re only a step above the monsters, Jeffords. But that doesn¡¯t make you good. Not one bit.¡±


    Jeffords took that personally, his scowl intensifying.


    Victor needed to leave, and quickly. He turned around but there was a portal there. Victor fired into it but it was as if it did nothing. Fire exploded from the bullet hole but was consumed by the shadows around it. The knight that came out slashed at Victor and cut a gash across his forehead.


    Victor jumped back and popped blades. They came slower than normal and he had to fight hard to fend off even a single knight. He pushed it back and avoided a blast of fire from Jeffords.


    A glance showed him that he wasn¡¯t in any better condition than Victor himself. Jeffords was holding his chest and heaving. Maybe, if he could get close to him, Victor could end this wretched ability.


    Victor pulled out his ignistone pistol and reloaded it. He cocked the gun just before another knight came down swinging at him. He fired once into its face and then aimed at Jeffords. The bullet hit the man in the hand and Jeffords screamed.


    But the magic knights didn¡¯t cease. One of them caught Victor across the side with a blow and he felt the air leave his lungs. His ribs cracked but Victor stood tall. He grabbed the club and fired the entire ignistone magazine into the monster¡¯s face.


    Another knight came for him and Victor tried to jump. He couldn¡¯t though, and instead ended up stumbling back onto the dirt.


    The knight swung down his sword towards him. Victor parted his legs and fired a spinning blade into the knight¡¯s face. He turned over and started crawling away, but a portal appeared before him.


    Oh, come on! Victor slid underneath the portal and popped out the other end. it closed behind him and he found himself at the edge of the Conquered land.


    A flash of hope entered Victor¡¯s heart and he started to run. He ran as far as his legs would take him, to the edge of the field. But even he wasn¡¯t as quick as a portal.


    It appeared much quicker than he thought. The Warhammer caught him right in the chest. His dragonsilver plate softened the would-be deathblow.


    Instead, Victor only rolled across the ground in immense pain. It was as if that single hit had taken everything out of the man. He lost his grip on his pistol and dropped it to the ground.


    He started coughing violently, blood mixing in with the phlegm. All the while the knights boxed him in.


    They held their weapons above their heads, ready to swing down at a moment¡¯s notice.


    When Jeffords approached him, Victor stifled the cough and raised himself on his elbows.


    ¡°You fought well, son. But I can¡¯t let you go.¡±


    Jeffords left hand was bleeding and frozen over. He kneeled down and picked up Victor¡¯s ignistone pistol in his right instead. Then he raised it, and took aim at the Timewalker.


    Victor looked at the barrel of the gun, and then behind it, where something was moving in the air. A portal struggled open behind the president, and Cooper pulled him in.


    Victor took his chance and pushed himself off. He jumped through the portal to the other side, landing on smooth sand.


    The portal closed before even a single knight could make it through. Victor would¡¯ve collapsed right then and there.


    He¡¯d made it. Actually made it! But the celebration could wait, because he heard a gunshot right beside him.


    Victor turned around to find Professor Cooper standing above him. He was struggling against Jeffords, who even now was dead set on winning. Across from the both of them was a soldier who was holding a bleeding hole in his shoulder.


    Victor raised himself up and jumped onto Jeffords¡¯ back. He clasped the man by the throat and let out the strongest Slowdown he could muster out of himself. The President slowed in the air, and Professor Cooper¡¯s eyes widened.


    ¡°How did you¡­¡±


    ¡°No time!¡± Victor held out a hand that Professor Cooper clasped in his.


    He took it and Cooper led him to the injured soldier.


    ¡°Take us away, now,¡± Cooper ordered the man. he nodded and another portal opened up.


    Victor took one last glance back at the president. He was still slowed, but tried his best to run at them, grab them, and stop them from leaving. Victor could see that fire still in his eyes, but it had burnt away any reason in Jeffords¡¯ mind.


    All there was left was a ravenous animal who didn¡¯t want his kingdom to collapse. Victor walked through the portal, and it closed to Jeffords¡¯ screams.

 Chapter 44: More Alive than Before

    Victor came out the other end of the portal coughing. It was as if he¡¯d been drained of his power in a single moment.


    His feet slipped and Victor fell forwards. Right into Lillie¡¯s arms.


    ¡°Victor¡­¡± she said sadly.


    ¡°Oh¡­ hhey, Lil, don¡¯ kill the Professa, pleaz?¡± he muttered to her with slurred words.


    She glared up at Cooper but relented.


    ¡°Sure. At least until you explain yourself,¡± she told him.


    Victor was dragged along with her to one of the cars. He was laid down and they left quickly afterwards. And though he knew Jeffords was on his tail, Victor couldn¡¯t help but collapse into sleep at that exact moment.


    ****


    The car jumped. Victor jolted awake when it came back down, and he scrambled up to find the source of the commotion. That¡¯s when he noticed that instead of the red and yellow sands that had surrounded them in New Columbia, they instead had a lush forest surrounding the road.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, sir. Madam Lillie said we have to be quick,¡± the driver told him.


    He pulled out a water bottle and handed it gently over to Victor without taking his eyes off of the road.


    Victor was confused, but more than that he was thirsty. He emptied the bottle before he speaking another word.


    ¡°Quick enough for what?¡± he asked in his half-woken state.


    ¡°To stay ahead of the New Columbians,¡± the driver replied.


    Victor noted then that Lillie and Amadeus weren¡¯t with him. They were on the other cars instead, keeping vigil in case of an attack.


    ¡°They¡¯ll want to know you¡¯re awake. I¡¯ll contact them,¡± the driver said.


    He picked up a walkie-talkie from his chest.


    ¡°No need,¡± Victor replied.


    I¡¯m alive, Victor Whispered into the winds, a message to Lillie, Amadeus and Cooper. The rest would find out once they stopped.


    As soon as the message reached their ears, Victor heard a command come over the walkie-talkie.


    ¡°There¡¯s a forest to our right. Let¡¯s find a clearing and stop there,¡± Lillie spoke with static.


    ¡°Understood,¡± the driver replied.


    Victor watched the cars veer away from the main road and into the forests. When they finally discovered a spot to rest, they stopped their cars and some of the Wielders helped hide their location.


    Victor came out of the car on shaky legs. Guess I¡¯m still not 100%.


    His friends surrounded him in an instant afterwards. They bombarded him with questions left and right, and he could barely parse a word between them.


    ¡°Can I get something to eat first?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Right, sorry, Vic,¡± Amadeus said.


    They brought out some more rations and Victor wolfed them down immediately. Amadeus and Lillie watched him eat but didn¡¯t join in, and in between the both of them Professor Cooper and his friend sat.


    When Victor was done, Lillie spoke up.


    ¡°Now, can you tell us what these two were doing with you?¡± Lillie asked.


    ¡°Bit harsh to speak like that,¡± Cooper said. Lillie gave him an incredulous look. She¡¯d just heard the pot call the kettle black in person.


    ¡°They saved me from Jeffords, Lil. Only I don¡¯t know why,¡± Victor replied.


    ¡°I thought the reason would be quite obvious, since you figured it out yourself. Do tell me, which of your Seeds gives you that ability you demonstrated back at the camps?¡± Cooper asked him. ¡°I don¡¯t think it was one I saw you use before.¡±


    ¡°It was something I unlocked recently. I guess I must¡¯ve forgotten to tell you about it,¡± Victor looked away.


    ¡°Hmmm, quite. Is it a Synergy or something only related to one Seed? Or maybe three, though those are quite a bit rarer th-¡±


    ¡°You can quiz him on the specifics later, Professor,¡± Lillie interrupted his tirade, which annoyed the Professor.


    ¡°Jeffords was manipulating the populace into subservience. And you didn¡¯t agree with him, I guess,¡± Victor repeated.


    ¡°Even I¡¯ve a limit. So I grabbed my personal assistant, Edward, and took off,¡± the professor replied.


    Edward gave a little shake of his hands but didn¡¯t speak.


    ¡°Now Jeffords has another reason to hunt us down,¡± Amadeus said to himself.


    ¡°He¡¯d have done that regardless. I do hope you know what you¡¯re doing, Victor, now that you¡¯ve angered him. He won¡¯t be easy to lose,¡± Cooper told him.


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    ¡°I¡¯ll try my best. And you? what do you plan on doing?¡± Victor asked.


    Victor saw the professor take on an expression that was alien to him. Sadness.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have to catalogue my research from the start again. It¡¯s going to be an arduous process. And finding the equipment will be no easier¡­¡± Professor Cooper explained.


    An opportunity presented itself there to Victor. Something he could use in future loops. After all, if he had someone to research the Fall and its effects, maybe they could even find a systematic solution to preventing it?


    ¡°You were their main researcher on Seeds and everything on the other side of the Gates. Do you think, if provided the materials, you could help close them down?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°I can¡¯t promise anything so grand, Victor. But I can offer my expertise. I want those monsters gone as much as anyone else. And I¡¯m willing to do a lot in that pursuit,¡± Cooper replied. A cold silence fell upon the both of them as Victor considered the man¡¯s words.


    Then he offered his hand to the Professor.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take any help I can get. We¡¯d be welcome to have you, Professor,¡± Victor told the man.


    Cooper took Victor¡¯s hand in his own and shook it awkwardly.


    Afterwards, Victor grilled him on information dating back to the start of the Fall. With it, he¡¯d know where the Professor was and how to get him to join his group. That¡¯d make all his future endeavours much easier.


    Once they were done and the drivers rested, they continued. Their destination hadn¡¯t changed, even if the circumstances had. They needed to get to Los Angeles, and help them however they could.


    ****


    When the broken Hollywood sign appeared on the horizon again, Victor was almost glad to see it. Despite the fact it had dilapidated further in the time he¡¯d been gone.


    Their cars drove only to the outskirts of the city, and stuck there to avoid the Vintarics that would be swarming around. Or would have been swarming around, but Victor could scarcely see a single one.


    What¡¯s going on? Even at the start of the loop, there¡¯d been none. He¡¯d thought they were just slow to roll in this time. Some sort of butterfly effect, but they were just not present.


    In their place were just a variety of Metamorphs. Some small that rolled across the ground while others took to the skies in flight. Victor got out of his car and led his group through the streets in small groups.


    It was better for them if they scouted out separate areas of the city. Victor had taken the direct route to Angel Heights, whereas the other ones would be searching around the city for other disparate groups of survivors and connecting them.


    In Victor¡¯s group stuck the people that he trusted most. That, and the Professor. He prowled through the streets with his pistols in hand, waiting for a Metamorph to jump out at him.


    When the manhole cover ahead of him began to shake and tumble, Victor aimed his guns at it.


    The cover popped like the cork of a wine bottle into the skies, and out of it came flying a giant Metamorph Brute that popped its skin in screams.


    Victor would¡¯ve shot down the beast right then and there had the monster not stopped. It stopped popping its skin, and reverberations went across its half-formed body.


    And then the top half of the Metamorph slid off its bottom. It fell onto the street in clumps, its core cut in half.


    What the¡­


    Victor watched the Metamorph collapse before his eyes. He looked at his teammates, wondering which one of them had been the ones to end the monster. They looked just as surprised as him.


    A figure dropped to the ground ahead of him. Human this time, and with a face Victor recognized.


    ¡°Loki?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Hello there, Victor,¡± the man said in a casual tone. He walked up to the Metamorph¡¯s corpse with quick and measured steps, waiting for a Seed to materialize out of its body.


    ¡°That was you?¡± Victor asked. It¡¯d only been a year. How did the man take out a Metamorph Brute in a single hit. Even he hadn¡¯t been able to do that, not even with his Weaponsmith Heart. Not until he was at the tail end of his life.


    ¡°It is a surprise to see you as well. Audrey had almost given up hope,¡± Loki replied to him.


    He looked different to Victor then. Taller, stronger in some ways and more worldly. There was a dangerous edge to him that he¡¯d lacked before, and a fullness in his eyes. In some ways he seemed more alive than before.


    ¡°Where did you¡­ get that kind of power?¡±, Victor asked. Perhaps it wasn¡¯t the most important thing to ask in the moment, but his curiosity got the better of him.


    In response, more Metamorphs flooded out of the markets around them.


    ¡°It seems they were expecting an ambush,¡± Loki replied. There was nary a hint of worry in his eyes.


    He could take them on and still come out the victor. Something Victor felt jealous of.


    ¡°We¡¯ll talk after this,¡± Victor said, shooting a few Metamorphs ahead of him.


    ¡°Of course,¡± Loki replied. He flicked his hand and an arc of invisible force cleaved the monsters in front of him.


    Show off.


    ****


    The monsters proved no trouble for them at all. The streets were covered in the mud of their bodies as they left the scene.


    They reached Angel Heights soon after. The building looked in better condition. It was boarded up, and Victor could see the surrounding buildings were similarly locked.


    He strode up to the door and tried to remember the sequence of knocks, but Loki put them in for him instead.


    The door opened and Umer answered, the bearded man smiling when he realized Loki had brought along other people.


    ¡°Come on in!¡± he said, and Victor realized he wasn¡¯t holding a gun anymore.


    Victor entered and was pleased to see the inside was in good shape. There were still children running around, but their voices didn¡¯t reach outside.


    They listened. He was glad.


    Audrey herself came down from the steps to greet them, beaming when she saw Lillie. She ran for her first, grabbing her in a hug that squeezed her tight. Lillie and her laughed together for a good while.


    ¡°You can let go now, Mrs. Wilson. I¡¯m fine, I promise!¡± she replied. Audrey replied by grabbing the sides of her face.


    ¡°Are you sure? You look so gaunt!¡± she said.


    Dean came down after her, scratching his head.


    ¡°She just needs some food in her system. Ain¡¯t the lass¡¯ fault she can¡¯t find any,¡± he said.


    ¡°I¡¯m working to amend that, Mr. Wilson,¡± Loki said respectfully. The old Irishmen waved him away.


    ¡°You need your own fill, lad, what with all the running around you do,¡± he said.


    Audrey then turned to Victor and the two guns that hung by his side.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been gone for a good long while. Any reason you came back?¡± she asked him. Her suspicion of him hadn¡¯t faded one bit it seemed, as she scrutinized him with her glare. She also spared a glance for the man in the lab coat and the soldier that hung beside them, but her focus was still mostly on Victor.


    ¡°A good long while means a good long number of things I need to tell you¡­¡±


    Victor and the others were taken to the meeting room they¡¯d used before, with its red couches.


    He explained his entire journey up to that point, from the start to their meeting with the Altesians, what happened in Washington and Charleston, as well as the journey back and their encounter with the former President.


    All through it, Audrey looked at them with a disbelieving expression that only grew more pronounced as their talks went on. She asked for a demonstration of his powers and Victor obliged, followed by Amadeus and Lillie as well.


    When they were done, the old woman had needed a moment, and Victor took his crew with him outside.


    ¡°I will help guide your people back to Angel Heights, though I fear that we won¡¯t have the space. We¡¯ll have to put them in one of the other buildings,¡± Loki told him.


    ¡°That¡¯s fine by me,¡± Victor said.


    He already had a lot of work to do. Nine years of it. And he wasn¡¯t entirely sure they would all go as smoothly as his first.

 Chapter 45: Echo Dolphins

    Victor watched the cars roll into the garage one by one. Loki stood on the other side of the entrance with a bored expression.


    They¡¯d found the building chained up and empty. Loki had broken through the bindings with a single flying slash, letting them store the cars inside.


    ¡°Where are Lillie and Amadeus?¡± Loki asked idly.


    ¡°Lillie¡¯s gone off to coordinate the others and Amadeus is helping fight some of the stronger monsters roaming about.¡±


    ¡°I should¡¯ve gone with him. Amadeus could use my help,¡± Loki replied.


    ¡°He¡¯s grown plenty strong, and you¡¯re needed here. These are the only cars still working right, and we have to make sure we don¡¯t lose them,¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°What of you, Victor? How strong have you grown?¡± Loki asked him.


    ¡°Not enough. Not yet.¡±


    ****


    A thunderstorm boiled overhead. It¡¯d gotten bigger with Amadeus¡¯ progress of his powers. Victor felt jealousy all over again.


    His own powers were progressing, yes, but not at the rate he needed them to. And they were transient at best. What he needed was to advance the Timewalker¡¯s Origin. Yet it seemed the Seed stubbornly refused to follow his pace, and instead kept its own. One that was infuriatingly slow.


    The thunderstorm rained down bolts on the street ahead of them, calcifying the Metamorphs that came to fight them. Amidst them were some Daughters of Mara as well, though those ran off quickly after.


    Amadeus took his time to relax afterwards, leaving the cleanup to Victor. The Timewalker would¡¯ve blasted them with his guns, but he felt it prudent to use his Seeds instead.


    Blades popped from all over his body, carving up Metamorphs and other monsters that dared to come through the Gate through their watch. No more of them would invade under their watch, not as long as he still lived.


    ****


    Much of the same work that was done across Washington happened to Angel Heights. Audrey was a bit apprehensive at letting Victor take charge, but he quickly brought together all the people struggling to survive within the city.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got bases set up along the entire city. That¡¯s a good thing. Means we can commune with each other and make sure we¡¯re not caught off guard,¡± Lillie explained to the people.


    Victor and Loki were busy then. They¡¯d had to bring out one of the EVs and drive away from the city. That way, they could avoid the Gates that led into the city of Angels.


    Amadeus was outside playing with the children, mediating some sort of argument over toys.


    I hope Victor¡¯s doing better than me¡­ she thought as she continued lecturing the gathered leaders of the different settlements.


    ****


    The car ride to the Gate was quiet. Victor and Loki had gone on their own, as it would be quicker. They were both fast from their Seeds, and individually some of the most powerful Wielders of their ranks.


    What worried Victor was that the rank they were at wasn¡¯t the strongest. There were already whispers from travelling Wielders that visited Angel Heights of the Gaunt Knight, or Hero of the Seas that would lead people to Atlantis, or even Weiss Heracles, who was being trained in Germany.


    They were all far and away stronger than Victor.


    For now, he reassured himself.


    They arrived at the Gate and Victor took out his pack. Walking beyond the Gate found them in an unfamiliar part of the other world. Victor could not recognize it, but the floating rocks in the skies and fish made them seem underwater.


    ¡°Shall we go?¡± Loki asked.


    Victor nodded and they strode off.


    ****


    Communication Seeds would come from Thinker Metamorphs. But those were usually surrounded by Brutes and more exotic kinds of other Metamorphs. So their best bet was instead something much easier to hunt.


    ¡°Echo dolphins,¡± Victor sketched out on a pad to show Loki. They looked much like normal dolphins, albeit with larger gills under their necks that could open up much further.


    ¡°They¡¯ll be flying through the air. Catch them by surprise and take them out, and our ears won¡¯t be ringing by the time we¡¯re out,¡± Victor finished.


    Loki nodded in reply and the both of them made their way closer to where the monsters would be found.


    While they did so, Victor found the time to look at the abilities he¡¯d gotten during his brawl with Jeffords. Quicker Blades and Blade Movement¡­


    They weren¡¯t anything special. He¡¯d known how to use them instinctively when he got them, just like with his Weaponsmith Heart¡¯s Infuse Attack. Blade Movement allowed him to move around the blades around his body as he wished, while Quicker Blades just made them faster. Fast enough that Victor was able to pull off a few tricks in the air.


    Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    But the mentality he was in upon unlocking it, that stuck out to Victor. Was there something there he could use to advance his Seeds faster?


    His eyes drifted over to Loki when he thought of that. A dangerous edge. Maybe he was onto something there.


    ****


    Loki and Victor kept watch from some bushes while they waited for the Echo Dolphins to arrive. Loki could feel the man¡¯s eyes on him through the entire day, even as hours passed.


    ¡°Victor, if you must say something, you can say it,¡± He told the man.


    As if a floodgate had been opened, the questions started.


    ¡°How did you progress your Seeds so quickly?¡± Victor blurted out.


    ¡°That was what had been bothering you?¡± Loki asked.


    ¡°I have three Seeds, Loki. And you¡¯re still somehow ahead of me with just one.¡±


    ¡°You should have focused on a single one better, Victor. That way, you could¡¯ve better understood its needs,¡± Loki told him.


    ¡°Its needs? You realize the Seeds aren¡¯t alive, right?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Yes, but you realize their namesake, correct? A Seed needs nourishment to grow, Victor, and each one requires a different kind.¡±


    Loki faced the man as a solitary slash appeared in the air above his hands. it was a half-formed thing that stuck there, barely a white shine.


    ¡°Your professor narrowed down the name of my Seed. It is the Perfect Cut. Its abilities include projecting slashes outwards that can cut through solid objects depending on my level of mastery.


    ¡°What do you think I¡¯ve been doing to help it progress?¡± Loki asked him.


    ¡°Cutting down enemies?¡± Victor asked.


    He was wrong, as Loki shook his head.


    ¡°That is part of the answer, but not the whole. I¡¯ve been cutting down everything. From the softest fabric to the hardest steel. I¡¯ve tried my abilities out on whatever I could find, testing its strength.


    ¡°Sometimes I will make wider slashes. Other times shorter. And I will not only use my Seed, but weapons I can find around the city. I¡¯ve practiced with knives and swords as well, so that I could better understand my own Seed. Pondered on the feeling in my chest as it lays there waiting to be used. And through all that, I¡¯ve moulded my body after the Seed. I aim to be The Perfect Cut, not just try it,¡± Loki finished.


    That¡­ explains a lot, Victor realized.


    All his epiphanies regarding his abilities had helped him. even if he hadn¡¯t gained a new stat boost or ability, he at least got a better understanding of how to use those same abilities, and that would lead to further advancement down the road.


    He¡¯d been so busy focusing on a single aspect of the Seed that he¡¯d ignored what else he could do to supplement his training.


    That understanding brought a new clarity to Victor. He looked inside himself at the Seeds he had.


    The information screens had distracted him from the fact it wasn¡¯t a game. He couldn¡¯t just gain experience and have that do the bulk of the work for him.


    ¡°And that got you this far?¡± Victor asked him.


    ¡°And it will take me further,¡± Loki replied.


    Victor found within himself a new respect for the man. He¡¯d saved him in the heat of the moment, and Loki had paid it back in full.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be sure to look out for you next time, Loki Smith,¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Nothing,¡± Victor chuckled,¡± Let¡¯s just watch out for those dolphins.¡±


    More hours passed in their search, but not without some conversation. They asked about each other¡¯s¡¯ lives before the Fall, and Victor got to know the man¡¯s life.


    ¡°I was named by my mother. She liked Marvel comics a lot,¡± he explained.


    ¡°That¡¯s why you¡¯re named Loki?¡± Victor asked. He almost felt bad for him.


    ¡°It¡¯s the name I¡¯ve grown up with. I¡¯ve gotten used to it.¡±


    ¡°And what about your parents? Where are they now?¡± Victor asked.


    Loki¡¯s face stilled for a moment. He didn¡¯t show much emotion at the best of times, but this was different. It was as if he was deliberately keeping it that way.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Loki replied before changing the subject.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got two little siblings. Brother and a sister. Good kids, though my mom used to sic them on me. I learned quick how to take care of kids, though I¡¯m not as good as Amadeus,¡± Victor explained.


    ¡°Amadeus seems much more at ease now that he has them back,¡± Loki noted.


    ¡°Yeah, he is.¡±


    The shadow of a flying creature passed by in front of them. Victor and Loki both looked up and saw a swarm of dolphins follow.


    ¡°It¡¯s time,¡± Victor said, standing up and pulling out his guns.


    He ran to the edge of the bluff they were on that overlooked the swarm of dolphins. The monsters looked more like exotic animals than real monsters, and they were swimming around in the air on invisible wings.


    ¡°How do we strike?¡± Loki asked as he came out.


    ¡°The one in the centre has the biggest chance of dropping the Seed. Can you hit it from here?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°They¡¯re moving too quickly.¡±


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll just have to disperse them. Get ready, Loki,¡± Victor said.


    He shot his guns into the air and the dolphins took notice. They spread out in every which way to avoid the bullet fire. In their midst was the largest and quickest of the Echo Dolphins, and it rushed downwards.


    Loki let loose a slash that carved into the stone below. It was twice again the size of a man and cut into the Dolphins flippers.


    The monster let out a scream and turned in their direction. Victor knew what was coming once it started breathing inwards.


    He jumped and tackled Loki to the ground as it let loose a sonic scream. The shout pierced their ears and caused ringing, but they weren¡¯t hit directly.


    Victor took that as a win and got off Loki. He ran back to the bluff, and saw the monster was already running away into a forest of reeds.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let it get away!¡± Victor shouted to a confused Loki.


    He jumped down from the bluff onto other outcroppings. His feet came close to the edge as he did. Victor didn¡¯t mind it and kept jumping, until he was at the bottom of the small cliff.


    Loki jumped down beside him and the two of them started running. They followed the bloody trail of the animal and Loki rubbed his ears.


    ¡°That was¡­ loud,¡± Loki complained.


    ¡°You¡¯ll get your payback once we reach it,¡± Victor told him. He jumped over some vines and kept continuing, but Loki seemed to get caught in them.


    ¡°Victor, please take a side!¡± Loki shouted at him and Victor ducked to the left.


    A slash came dangerously close to his right and cleaved down the giant reeds in front of them. The slash continued to cut down reeds until they caught a glimpse of the monster again.


    Victor fired into it and the dolphin screamed in pain. Its tail frosted over and it stumbled to take to the skies.


    ¡°I¡¯ll give you a boost! Finish it off!¡± Victor told Loki.


    He stowed his pistols and jumped ahead of him. Abruptly, Victor turned around and cupped his hands. Loki got the gist and hiked a foot onto it, whereupon Victor launched him into the skies.


    In the skies, Loki spotted the dolphin. He raised a hand towards it and let loose a final slash. projectile flew and cut down more reeds before finally piercing the dolphin.


    It bisected the monster in an instant, and Loki landed in a roll not far from it. Victor came up running to the body in its death throes.


    He looked away, but Loki kept staring. And kept staring until the monster finally perished. Though it didn¡¯t look much a monster, Loki realized. Not much a monster at all.


    ¡°Did we truly need to kill it, Victor?¡± he asked suddenly. A Seed materialize out of its body.


    Victor pocketed it just as quickly as it came.


    ¡°I don¡¯t like it as much as you do, Loki. But we don¡¯t have the luxury to choose right now. And if it¡¯s between us or the monsters, I choose us,¡± he said.


    The two of them weren¡¯t done hunting by the first one, however. Victor took Loki to a few more spots, so that he could harvest the Seeds from their bodies. Only once they¡¯d gotten enough for the major settlements did they leave, and Loki was glad for it.

 Chapter 46: Strings of the Colossus

    Victor returned to Angel Heights and spread the communication Seeds among the rest of the settlements. That helped them to get on the same level, and wherever the Wielders were needed, they went.


    While that went on, Amadeus¡¯ children and the Wielders he¡¯d brought with him set themselves up in an abandoned mall. The building had to be cleared out of monsters first, but they brought part of it back online with Amadeus¡¯ help.


    There, they cleaned up the place and made it a home over the next few months. And so did many other people. As it turned out, the more they helped around the city, the more people came out of hiding. They offered their services and set up little hovels inside of the mall, helping to expand the place and bring it back to life.


    The mall became a hub of activity over the coming months, and the monsters seldom came close. When they did, Wielders were on watch making sure they were eradicated. But those Wielders were limited, and Victor had to find a way to increase their numbers.


    That was compounded by the end of the year, when the first of the angels broke through the Gate and flew through the skies.


    ****


    ¡°Take him down!¡± Victor shouted at his allies. All flavours of magic flew in the air to smite the flying angel. The monster¡¯s armour made it difficult, however, and they were forced to jump to another building.


    A beam of light crashed through the apartment complex they¡¯d been standing on, levelling it instantly. Victor turned to look at the Angelo who caused it, the monster smiling in his face.


    He shot more bullets into those eyes. The Angel flinched at the impact, and then focused solely on him.


    More light beams fell and Victor had to struggle to avoid them. he fired blades and bullets to ail the monster, but it kept up.


    This one was much stronger than the one that had given him his Ant-to-Man Tesseract. Loki let loose a flying slash that clipped the monster¡¯s wings, and it fell a long distance before recovering.


    That was enough for Victor, however, who jumped off with helicoptering blades around his forearm. He landed on the Angelo¡¯s back and doubled his size immediately. Then he popped more blades from his hands and slashed down at the base of the monster¡¯s wings.


    ¡°You insolent-!¡± it screamed at him before the shout slowed and slurred.


    Victor¡¯s slowdown gave Amadeus just enough time to fire up his thunderstorm. The dark clouds gathered over the Angelo¡¯s head, and Victor grabbed his wings. He held them up to the skies where the clouds gathered and thunder fell upon them with vigorous force.


    The monster screamed in defiance, but it was done. It careened towards the street and broke apart the concrete.


    Victor jumped off and the rest of his forces finished off the monster. They only truly stopped when in the remains of its body, three Seeds materialized.


    ****


    ¡°You want to send in miners?¡± Audrey asked him. she was only one head of the coalition they¡¯d built, but the biggest among them.


    ¡°The Altesians were inside mining for Seeds. We¡¯re going to go back and overtake that operation. Bring back those Seeds for our own use,¡± Victor explained.


    ¡°What if more of the angels break through once you¡¯re gone?¡± Audrey asked.


    Victor winced. It was a trade-off he¡¯d have to make. They needed more Wielders, especially as more of the Angelos came through. He just hoped the Seeds they¡¯d get from it would be worth it.


    ¡°I¡¯ll make sure there¡¯re enough here to defend the place,¡± Victor said.


    ¡°You¡¯ll be going into their territory. If they find out the operation, they¡¯ll kill you for it,¡± Audrey told him.


    ¡°Which is why they¡¯re not going to figure it out. You know just as well as me that not enough Seeds are coming through the mines, Audrey. We¡¯re going to need to do something or the monsters are going to overwhelm us.¡±


    By the end of the week the first patrols were sent out. Some went through the Gates laid around Los Angeles to find old mining points the Altesians had used while others made their way further out into the desert, where the Gates would connect to the Deltani Plains.


    ****


    More months passed as the force bolstered. Victor and Lillie were up helping Mrs. Wilson move her things to the mall.


    ¡°It just doesn¡¯t feel homey,¡± she grumbled the entire way.


    Victor placed the old woman¡¯s memorabilia across the tables. Lillie was across from them, re-opening a clinic that had closed down way before the Fall.


    ¡°Home¡¯s where the people are, Mrs. Wilson,¡± Victor replied as he swept an arm around him.


    With the number of people running around, people would be remiss to think it was anything but a normal day at the mall. But when you looked closer, saw the gauntness in the cheeks, the dirt and grime underneath fingernails and food courts, you¡¯d realize it was all a desperate facsimile of the real thing.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    ¡°And the people are here, whether I like it or not,¡± Audrey replied.


    ¡°It¡¯s better defended too,¡± Victor told her.


    ¡°Talk about something, anything else, boy. A single-track mind on survival can¡¯t be good for you,¡± Mrs. Wilson said.


    ¡°¡­What would you want me to talk about?¡± he asked as he hung up clothes in a closet. The old fashion shop made for a good place for the old woman.


    ¡°That lass Lillie, for one. Take her out somewhere,¡± Audrey said.


    ¡°Sure, but help me out here with the choices. The Vintaric-infested cinemas or the waterpark clogged by Metamorph clay?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°A small place in the mall, where you can have a proper dinner,¡± Audrey replied.


    He shrugged. There was no point in either until they were safe. He didn¡¯t have time to dally around and play at dating. It wouldn¡¯t be fair to the people around him.


    He could probably date anyone he wanted. All for the feelings to fade as soon as time itself reset. And then what would the Timewalker have left? Some feelings for a person that no longer exists, and a painful reminder in them for the next loops.


    He liked Lillie. He could admit that. But he couldn¡¯t bring himself to get any closer, knowing that.


    Someone came running down the wide corridor of the mall and skidded to a stop.


    ¡°Mr. Victor!¡± the man shouted. By his gun, Victor could tell he was one of his guards.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°Someone broke into the garages! The cars are all destroyed!¡± he told him.


    Victor glanced over at Audrey, who nodded back to him. He set down the clothes and came running out of the mall.


    ****


    Burnt. Right to a crisp. The building had collapsed in on itself and was swarming with Vintarics afterwards. Victor watched from afar, stood upon a building along with many of his new Wielders.


    ¡°Damned Vintarics¡­¡± one of the soldiers cursed.


    Out of a portal on his side came Professor Cooper, who looked on the scene with vague interest.


    ¡°What do you think, Professor?¡± Victor asked him.


    ¡°Did you keep your guns in there with the cars?¡±


    ¡°No?¡±


    ¡°Then it clearly wasn¡¯t them,¡± Cooper concluded.


    Though when they observed for a while longer, something popped out of the wreckage. One of the Vintarics swept aside a large pile of rocks and grabbed a M-16 out of the rubble. It chomped down on it with glee, like it was the first good meal it had had in years.


    ¡°If you didn¡¯t plant those guns on the cars, then who did?¡± Cooper asked.


    ¡°That¡¯s what I want to know too. The answer doesn¡¯t seem like it¡¯s going to be pleasant,¡± Victor replied.


    ¡°A Thinker Metamorph could accomplish it,¡± Cooper suggested.


    ¡°Most of them have been trying to get us out of the city, Professor. Whoever did this, I think they want to keep us in,¡± Victor concluded.


    Their transports were sacked. Amadeus was the one to despair most, as he¡¯d recently just filled up their batteries for the future. Victor grew more anxious afterwards, and more signs appeared all around him.


    As the months passed and people came to Los Angeles for asylum, he found that the character of some was shifty. Thefts started happening around the mall and associated settlements around the city.


    It was small at first, but as their influence around the city expanded and they retook more and more from the monsters, it increased. What bothered Victor the most, above anything, was that most of them were military.


    That only pointed to one conclusion in his mind, one that was confirmed after a long night.


    ****


    They¡¯d taken back a quarter of the city by that point. It was a huge feat, and they even had a Gate in the middle of it to show their dominance. Walls were set up along the perimeter, though they did little against anything that wasn¡¯t a basic monster.


    Whenever an Angel dared to show its face around the Gate, Wielders would bombard it so heavily with magic the corpse would drop within the second. After a while, they seemed to have learned their lesson, when the people of Los Angeles started sending bodies back with their wings clipped and Seeds harvested.


    That¡¯s when Jeffords arrived.


    His storm came first, and Victor could feel him even through the thick of its dust. He could hear the roars of the engines from his position on the outskirts of the city, see the clash that was going to happen. And he hated it.


    Hated because he knew what he¡¯d have to sacrifice.


    ¡°Move into position!¡± Victor shouted for his soldiers.


    Wielders who he¡¯d trained to fight against all manner of creatures. They fell from the buildings and formed a bulwark against the coming storm. And they fired their magic inside.


    A rainbow of lights impacted the dust storm and the first car in the lead spiked into the ground. It dulled the pursuit of the cars behind it. At that point the dust storm faded, revealing the full might of the army that Jeffords had brought forward to him.


    Victor stood at the helm of his force in wait. He wouldn¡¯t admit it for many years after, but he¡¯d already given up on this loop right then and there.


    Jared stood beside him in full armour then. The boy was much taller than the first time Victor had met him, and wore the armour as it had moulded around him.


    ¡°When do we go?¡± Jared asked as a greatsword materialized in his arms.


    ¡°Now,¡± Victor replied.


    Portals opened up to carry them across the battlefield. Others flew over the terrain entirely to reach the approaching vehicles. Walls rose up for the cars to crash into and the enemy Wielders kicked up a concentrated storm to send their way.


    Victor came for those storm generators. He fired his ignistone and frigustone pistols into their backs, uncaring of whether they saw him. He cut them down without giving them a word in edgewise.


    A moment¡¯s hesitation could¡¯ve cost him his life. He wouldn¡¯t let that happen. He jumped between the cars as they moved, digging into their metal with blades extended from his feet. The drivers died iced over and their cars went awry. Victor would then jump to the next and continue.


    The fighting only grew fiercer the closer they got to the city. Victor wouldn¡¯t let them reach it, not without a fight.


    He kept jumping between cars in search of Jeffords¡¯. Between one of his jumps, he got carried into the air by the dust storm. The cloud of dirt around his waist formed into a hand and a face came out of the storm.


    ¡°Victor Amadi! Stop at once and surrender! You will not be given a second chance!¡± the voice boomed out of the clouds.


    Victor freed an arm from the storm and fired bullets into the centre of the storm. They whizzed right past its incorporeal form, leaving no impact.


    ¡°Blow off,¡± Victor cursed as blades popped out of his forearm. They spun around in a fan and pushed away the dust. Victor Enlarged the blades and it dispersed even further, before the storm finally let him go.


    He fell onto the ground behind the brigade of cars. Victor rolled around on the ground for a while before finally pushing himself onto his feet.


    The cars ran ahead of him, but the storm persisted. Dirt and sand coiled around his legs, moving in in front of him. It coalesced into the form of a large titan from Greek myth, before screaming in his face.


    Its fist came slamming down right in front of him. it shook the ground and made him bounce. But Victor wasn¡¯t paying attention to the monster.


    His eyes were solely on the line of Wielders hidden behind it, the puppet-masters pulling the strings of the colossus.


    He took aim at them, and fired his guns.

 Chapter 47: Slow to Learn

    The last soldier screamed. Victor clicked the trigger instinctively and he was dead within the second.


    He stepped away from the bodies of the Wielders. Seeds had materialized around their bodies as the storm lost control. Victor was afraid that in their last moments, they¡¯d turn it into a hurricane aimed at Los Angeles, but they hadn¡¯t gotten the chance.


    He took a breath for a moment but that moment was enough for the Seeds to be snatched right under him. They caught on the wind and floated up into the skies. Right into the hands of the fleering soldiers.


    Victor was ready for the receding ground troops to go through him but they kept a wide berth instead. They ran with their tails between their legs, taking the remnants of their vehicles with them.


    He was glad to see them go, but knew in his heart that it wouldn¡¯t be the last time he¡¯d meet with the group. They¡¯d come back. Time and time again, until Jeffords finally Conquered the settlement for himself.


    Jared jumped down from a flying Wielder¡¯s arms and landed in front of Victor. His helmet dissipated revealing the same pasty-faced kid Victor had met a few years ago.


    ¡°Vic, are you okay?¡± Jared asked him. there were a few minor wounds but he¡¯d thankfully made it out of the battle mostly unscathed.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, Jared. What about you and the rest of the Wielders?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve got some casualties. I¡¯ll bring them over to Mr. Wilson when we¡¯re done, but we wanted to get to you first,¡± Jared said.


    Victor let the boy take his arm and drape it over his shoulder as he carried him back to the edge of the city.


    ¡°You should keep the helmet down some, Jared, get a tan going. Wouldn¡¯t look as white as a sheet, then,¡± Victor told him as they made their way back. Jared chuckled in reply.


    ¡°The sun¡¯s barely out anymore. I don¡¯t think I¡¯d get a tan,¡± he replied.


    ¡°Alright then, we¡¯ll have to spray paint you. I¡¯m sure the kids would love it.¡±


    Victor felt a little guilty relying on the boy as much as he¡¯d come to. But he was a strong, loyal Wielder, and Victor couldn¡¯t deny the fact that he took a particular interest in his Seed.


    The Knight¡¯s Cavalry was something that he wanted to pick up himself, but he hadn¡¯t uncovered any specific locations for it through his years. Maybe later, maybe later.


    ****


    Victor was quickly patched up and escaped from Dean¡¯s offices. His Seeds would handle the rest of the recovery process. His Recovery stat itself helped loads in that regard, though the old man complained he was forsaking his mental health for it.


    ¡°You¡¯ll drive yourself mad, lad,¡± Dean said as he scratched the stubble around his chin.


    ¡°I¡¯ll think about my head when the monster¡¯s take aim at it,¡± Victor had replied.


    He¡¯d come out and had to walk through a crowd assembled outside of the clinic. There were so many injured and dead that Victor had to reevaluate what kind of Seeds he scavenged for.


    We¡¯re going to need healing more than ever once they come back¡­ He decided to make a note of it for the next expedition. There weren¡¯t many monsters that could drop such Seeds, and those that existed were among the Altesians.


    Victor didn¡¯t feel comfortable taking their lives, especially after what he¡¯d done for Qeeny and the rest. It was filthy, and filth like that stayed with you. It stuck to the mind, not the body, and his mind was the only thing going back every time.


    Murmurs of the attack rang throughout the mall as Victor made his way to the others. Uneasiness spread far and wide, and a fresh wave of despair could be felt throughout.


    ¡°First the monsters, now our own?¡±Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°Is dad going to be fine?¡±


    ¡°¡­What are we supposed to do?¡±


    He steeled himself against the sounds and continued to the conference room hidden in the mall. It was for employees only, and he could still see a few shirts laying about the room along with papers they hadn¡¯t cleaned up yet.


    When he arrived there, he found a dozen or so people that turned to him for guidance. There were old men and young, famous actors and butchers alike. All in all, it was an eclectic group, and one that was in silence at his arrival.


    ¡°The soldiers say they were after you. that you recognize the men that attacked us today. What do you say to that, Mr. Amadi?¡± <> asked.


    He was a heavy-set tanned man who was utterly cutthroat.


    ¡°That I didn¡¯t think our former President would be insane enough to chase me the entire way across the country to get his revenge?¡± Victor replied.


    ¡°But he did, and now we¡¯re all targets in front of him.¡±


    ¡°It isn¡¯t the boy¡¯s fault. He¡¯s trying his best,¡± Audrey chimed in for him.


    ¡°But it is his responsibility,¡± <> replied, ¡°He needs to be kicked out,¡± he decided for the rest of them.


    Arguments broke out across the room.


    ¡°We¡¯re not throwing him out!¡± Audrey challenged, rising up from her seat.


    ¡°You won¡¯t be safe even if you kick me out. Now that he knows how well-defended we area, he¡¯ll want to conquer the city and take it under his wing,¡± Victor told them.


    A shocked silence went through the crowd. One that broke out into whispers soon after.


    ¡°And you didn¡¯t think to tell us about this before?¡± <> asked him.


    ¡°How could I know?¡± Victor bit back.


    ¡°You stayed silent, boy. If we¡¯d just stayed quiet and kept our ears to the ground, he wouldn¡¯t have brought an army to us. But you made us a target through your efforts. Rebuilding this mall, spreading those Wielders among us, capturing the Gates, it was all so you could have a defence against him!¡±


    ¡°If I didn¡¯t do those things, you¡¯d still be huddled up, afraid and starving!¡± Victor shouted at him.


    His blood was boiling, and blades itched to pop out of his forearms. It would be so much simpler. Just like the battle outside. Nothing to talk about, nothing to discuss, just a simple sword through his chest to end the argument.


    But when he looked down at his arm, and saw the blades straining to cut through his clothing, he moved his hand behind himself. The blades receded instantly and Audrey placed a warm hand on his shoulders.


    ¡°We¡¯ll make a decision later. Victor is still injured, as are many of the others,¡± she told them before dragging him away and out of the room.


    ¡°How damn ungrateful can you get?¡± Victor cursed.


    ¡°Ignore them, Victor. You have bigger responsibilities,¡± Audrey advised.


    ¡°What do I need to do now?¡± he asked, exasperated.


    ¡°Get ready for war.¡±


    ****


    Victor watched Amadeus guide a group of soldiers through training drills. Bolts of lightning lit up the night sky and brought attention to them. They¡¯d keep shooting until their hands were dry and they were tired and sweaty.


    They weren¡¯t training Wielders anymore. Not the kinds of people that would take solitary powers and make their own styles through them. what they needed now was uniformity and strength. Victor lamented the loss of their freedom, the fact that they¡¯d been dragged into something stupid, but all he could do was wait.


    And as he waited, he grew more distant with the others. The years were approaching now, and he could feel the Timewalker¡¯s Origin regaining its strength. He¡¯d be able to go back, but he¡¯d leave this world behind once again.


    Time passed and people passed along with it. Audrey was taken by an illness sometime in the middle, and Victor mourned the old woman¡¯s loss like nothing else. Dean went soon after, heartbroken and grieving.


    That left even more up to his shoulders. The other leaders badgered him while he had to protect their sorry hides. He¡¯d have loved nothing more than taking off with Amadeus again, but they both had more responsibilities this time around.


    The children grew into great people, helping around the ever-growing city of Los Angeles. Despite the constant attacks they had to weather from Jeffords and his group, it only hindered their progress slightly. Professor Cooper complained about being trapped in the city but couldn¡¯t very well take off beyond the Gates himself.


    He too was stifled in there, and many other people felt the same. Those that left the city were hounded by New Columbia, and only a scant few made it past them into the greater world. There were equally as little people coming into the city, and that left the well of news dry for Victor.


    That only left him training. And he did grow. With Loki and Professor Cooper¡¯s help, he ascended his Seeds to levels he could¡¯ve only dreamed of beforehand. But it was never enough. There was something in the understanding of the things that he thought he lacked, something Loki had put it best during their sparring sessions.


    ¡°You¡¯re not a very good learner, Victor.¡±


    ¡°Rubbing in your victory?¡± Victor replied.


    ¡°Making an observation for you. You are slow to learn,¡± Loki said. ¡°But at least you do learn. The lessons stick to you forever once they do stick. So, I suppose there is some benefit in your disposition.¡±


    The man replied before exiting the room. Victor had redoubled his efforts after that, but effort only produced so much. And worst of all was his Timewalker¡¯s Origin. He could¡¯ve counted on a single hand the number of boosts it had gotten over the years, and even those were only to his physical abilities.


    He would¡¯ve spent longer on the Seed, trying to crack its secrets, had he not been dragged off to excursions into the other world, fights against New Columbia and meetings through the day. It made him all the more eager to leave, though he couldn¡¯t.


    He was stuck here, he knew. For the rest of his time in this loop.

 Chapter 48: Spears of Ice

    One final battle.


    It was the unconscious agreement between the two groups once war had reached its precipice. It had ravaged both of the settlements and dried the will of its people. Victor had tried to stave off the anger of the people but it had only worked so far.


    The worsening condition of the world had compounded with that, making them all the more eager to accept their fates.


    Jeffords had launched the first of the attacks, coinciding with a suspicious outbreak of Angelos in the city. Victor was already at the field by that time, though he winced looking back at the bastion of survival that he¡¯d raised.


    The buildings of Los Angeles were being destroyed by the Angelos as he spoke. The sooner he could get the fight with Jeffords over with, the sooner he could go back to save the city. Ahead of him rushed the entire might of Jeffords¡¯ army.


    It was a diminished shadow of its former self. There wasn¡¯t a single person on either side with no scars, be they physical or of the mind, to show for it. Cars hummed low ahead of them, some of them amalgamated through magic powers.


    The soldiers wore torn clothing and ragged expressions as they flung magic lightning, fire, water, and other more esoteric elements ahead of them. one of the soldiers fought with glowing fists of steel, caving in chests and punching holes through another man¡¯s chest.


    The light around his hands changed colours and he sped up, landing a square blow on Victor¡¯s arms. A decade ago he¡¯d have broken both those arms and cried out in pain. But now, with his shields and Seeds, it was nothing but a glancing blow that Victor turned aside easily.


    His blades popped from his body and slashed across the man¡¯s body. He cut a million spinning cuts before pulling out his ignistone pistol. With that, Victor took aim and fired into the man¡¯s face, ending him.


    He was hounded immediately after by another soldier. He tried tackling Victor but the Timewalker popped a blade from the side of his chest, impaling him. he pulled back the blade and let the body drop, only for more enemies to come at him.


    Victor knew he was being targeted, and he grew surer when the ground around him began to form glyphs and runes. Ones that he remembered all too well.


    Get everyone out of here! he Whispered the order to a thousand soldiers all across the battlefield.


    Shadow creatures materialized out of nowhere in its darkness. The size of the field was so large it felt as if half the army was caught in its midst. The Wielders on his side were slashed, stabbed and beaten by the knights while their opposition was left alone.


    ¡°Victor!¡± Amadeus shouted for him.


    Lightning fell from a cloud onto the shadow soldiers, dispersing them for a while. Through the smoke ran Amadeus, a scruff on his chin and years in his eyes.


    ¡°It¡¯s the same ability I told you about! We need to find Jeffords!¡± Victor told the man. without a word, Amadeus nodded and started carving a path.


    Lightning fell ahead of them and they ran with their full might. All around them soldiers fell and shadow knights rose to stop them. they were grasping at the two of them, but no single magic knight could match their abilities.


    Victor blasted them away with shots from his guns, then popped blades the width of a corner store that cleaved through dozens of them at once. They fell into dust but formed again a moment later.


    But the path was open, and Victor rushed through before it filled with more enemies. He and Amadeus caught a glimpse of the man at the centre of it all.


    Jeffords¡¯ face was aged, and his Seeds could not hide that fact. His hair was a stark white and more wrinkles covered his face and drooping eyes. But despite that, he still moved as if we he were young and spry. Around him were what seemed like a hundred soldiers, magic knights and humans alike. They shielded him from the faintest breeze that might come his way.


    Mei Li was ahead of him, spears of ice hovering around her in a circular formation. She skewered his soldiers on them before wiping away the blood and continuing.


    When Victor and Jeffords¡¯ eyes met, the world stopped. The increasing screams from outside, the sounds of magic impacting the ground or other Wielders, it all drowned out in between two of them. He had a clear shot, in between the plate armour of his soldiers and the ice witch that guarded him.


    Victor gritted his teeth, aimed his gun and fired. The bullet hit the President in the chest. And pinged off as if it were barely an inconvenience.


    ¡°Form up tighter, Amadi¡¯s here!¡± Mei Li shouted.


    Lightning arced between the closely knit formation. Ice bloomed in between Victor and Am, separating them.


    Mei Li threw her spears at them but Victor grabbed one out of the air. He snapped it over his legs and threw the pieces aside. Then he shot two of the other spears out of the air before they could reach him.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    Mei Li shielded her eyes against the shattering ice while Jeffords soldiers advanced. Amadeus dragged their attention away, but the numbers of their magic tried to overwhelm him.


    ¡°Am, run away!¡± Victor shouted for him. He was quick enough and could manage it.


    But he didn¡¯t. He gave Victor one of those looks that indicated he wasn¡¯t about to listen, and kept batting the enemy forces with his lightning. Whenever one of them split off to catch Victor, he¡¯d scorch them to a crisp.


    Victor tried to run after him, but a knight dashed past him.


    ¡°I¡¯ll save Am. You go for Jeffords!¡± shouted Jared.


    Victor struggled to recognize him sometimes. With his billowing cape and shining armour, he looked like something out of a renaissance fair instead of a Wielder.


    A great bow materialized in front of Jared¡¯s gauntleted hands that he stuck into the ground. He pulled back the ether-like string with ease and launched a spectral arrow into the midst of the crowd.


    The arrow exploded on impact and drew away the attention from the crowd. The soldiers split their attention between Am and Jared, and that gave Victor enough time to face the main threat.


    Ice bloomed under him but he touched it and shrunk it to the size of a fingernail.


    ¡°You¡¯re the reason behind all this madness, Victor,¡± Mei Li told him with a rage-filled expression.


    ¡°If you¡¯d just accepted the President¡¯s offer then, we wouldn¡¯t have wasted so many lives!¡± she shouted.


    ¡°You chased me! Came to my city! Hunted me down!¡± Victor shouted back. A spear formed overhead, long as a street.


    Victor raised an elbow in reply and fired it. The spear launched towards him at the same time. the blade would¡¯ve been knocked aside had it not grown to twenty times its original size by the time it reached Mei Li.


    It shattered against the woman¡¯s spear and rained ice all over the dimmed battlefield, as more magic knights came to surround Victor. He extended blades far around him and cut down the knights with a single spin.


    Ice walls rose from the ground and made a dome around Victor. Then spikes extended from the inside. In response, Victor shielded himself with blades along his body. Not a single one of the spikes could pierce through his armour, no matter how hard Mei Li tried.


    He took an opening in between the assault and fired an enlarging blade into the walls. It carved open a hole before shrinking. Victor took the hole out before it reformed itself.


    Outside, the dome broke apart and pieces flew in his direction. Victor jumped, ducked and dashed around the pieces as they flew around him. He fired ignistone pistols to break apart the larger pieces, only for them to fix themselves a moment lataer.


    Annoyed, he instead took aim at Mei Li. The ignistone bullet melted another ice wall, but didn¡¯t reach Mei Li. She had a look of concentration about her that would not be broken. Not unless Victor came up with some new plan.


    You¡¯re still Jeffords¡¯ lapdog, aren¡¯t you? Victor Whispered to her. She looked confused for a moment but recovered quickly.


    I do as the president wishes. You¡¯ve been a consistent thorn in our sides. If we were to let you live now, you¡¯d come back later to seek revenge against New Columbia, she said, shifting the ice to block Victor¡¯s escape.


    That¡¯s bull, and you know it, Victor replied as he broke apart more of her spears.


    I do as the President commands. I need to, Mei Li told him.


    Does that mean you need to follow him down a suicidal path? We¡¯re barely surviving as it is, and you seem content to worsen it instead of working together, Victor argued.


    How do you know the President¡¯s path isn¡¯t the best? Mei Li asked him.


    He¡¯s a grieving old man with no clue of the damage he¡¯s causing. And you¡¯re going along with it like an obedient slave! Victor shouted as he finally broke apart the last of the cubes. Mei Li would¡¯ve slipped up eventually, and she¡¯d finally left him a path.


    He climbed atop one of the receding ice blocks as it came back towards her. Then he jumped up towards Mei Li. He caught the woman as ice threatened to creep up his arm.


    ¡°If he weren¡¯t so obsessed with you¡­¡± she told him as the ice grew and his fingers numbed.


    Victor popped blades out of his cracking skin to cut apart Mei Li¡¯s hand.


    She shouted in pain and punched him in the chest, but it did nothing. His Dragonsilver plate was still there, and Victor had no intention of letting go. He instead hugged her tightly and let loose his full power.


    A thousand blades pierced out of his skin and into Mei Li¡¯s body. They cut through and turned her into a pin cushion in but a second. And as soon as it had happened, the blades receded and the both of them started falling to the ground.


    Victor landed on his feet with Mei Li still in her arms. Her eyes were unfocused, and her glasses stained with her own blood.


    ¡°He¡­ We could¡¯ve¡­ done¡­ better,¡± were her final words before she expired.


    ¡°Mei!¡± an old voice shouted for her.


    The old man Jeffords looked completely broken once he realized Mei Li was in Victor¡¯s arms. As a show of respect, Victor let her down onto the ground. Jeffords came running and took the young woman into his arms gently.


    He was ready for what was to come next. A fight with the man was inevitable. And he¡¯d seen the large magic knights he could now produce. Victor checked his condition and was glad to know he was still in top shape.


    But Jeffords didn¡¯t move. Didn¡¯t take the first move. His Conquered field around him dispersed slowly, the smoke rising away from the glyphs and disappearing into nothing.


    He was sobbing when he looked up. Nothing like the mad conqueror he had hoped to face. It sickened him.


    ¡°Now you stop?¡± he asked with bitterness in his voice.


    He wanted to face a man he could kill. And yet all he got was a tired, old, senile fool. Jeffords continued to cry for a while but the battle didn¡¯t end around him.


    Victor wanted to move away from the scene. Focus on the people he could still save. And yet even he felt like he couldn¡¯t move.


    ¡°She was¡­ like a daughter to me,¡± Jeffords said.


    Victor would¡¯ve spat on him had he any more anger left for him.


    A boom in the skies caught their attention. Victor looked up and saw a Gate forming right in front of them. One of the thickest he¡¯d seen.


    The fighting stopped in that instant as all bore witness to the being that came out of the light.


    No¡­ No, no no¡­ Victor backed away.


    He finally had a second look at the being that destroyed the world. that shifting form neither male nor female, bearing a thousand colours that boggled the mind. Those patterns on skin made of light that crackled with barely contained energy. The form of the being was different now, but all too familiar to Victor.


    And behind it were nine other figures. Nine other figures whom the people beyond the Gate seldom spoke of. The ones who followed the formless figure, who obeyed its every command. The ones who heralded the destruction of the world.


    ¡°What¡­ is that?¡± Jeffords asked, horrified.


    ¡°The end of the world,¡± Victor replied without taking his eyes off of the being.


    Jeffords looked down at Victor with a new expression.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, kid. I¡¯m¡­ so sorry.¡±


    Victor shook his head.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter anymore. See you later, old man.¡±


    And then came the blinding, scorching light. Blades sprouted to protect him, but Victor died almost immediately.

 Chapter 49: Time Bullet

    Victor jerked back in his sofa. There was a can of coke in his hands and his TV was playing the news.


    Back here again¡­ he sighed. But at least there was one change Victor could look for.


    He opened up the menu like it was second nature to him.


    [


    NAME: Victor Amadi


    AGE: 26


    SEEDS: [[Timewalker¡¯s Origin]]


    [[          ]]


    [[          ]]


    [[          ]]


    [[          ]]


    STATS:


    STRENGTH: 40


    SPEED: 20


    SENSES: 17


    RECOVERY: 25


    SENSE OF TIME: 41


    ABILITIES:


    (Timewalker¡¯s Origin): [Unlock Sense of Time] [Anchor Placement] [Carryover Bestiary] [Carryover Item Compendium] [Sense of Time Boost x 5] [Strength Boost x 4] [Speed Boost] [Recovery Boost] [Senses Boost] [Slowdown]


    ]


    He could already feel the strength from the boosts in his veins. He could outlift anyone on the face of the planet if he pushed himself to it. If only it wouldn¡¯t matter in a few hours.


    Victor thought as he walked. He grabbed all of the non-perishable foods in his pantry and texted Amadeus at the same time.


    It was therapeutic. It was insane he thought of preparing for the apocalypse as such, but it was.


    Victor texted a few people whose numbers he remembered. That would help put them where he needed them. then he fired up his Mustang and ran the same course as before across the city.


    This time he didn¡¯t leave for the park Amadeus worked at. He didn¡¯t need to, when Am would come right to him instead.


    ****


    Victor tapped his fingers on his side as people rushed all around him. A few Vintaric corpses lay around him, remnants of the ones that had tried to eat him up after the Fall. It¡¯d been hard, especially since he only had knives at this point and not the dual pistols he sorely missed from his previous loop.


    I¡¯ll have to figure out where those come from. Grab them every time. The list of things he needed to track kept increasing. That wasn¡¯t a good sign at all.


    He¡¯d cleared the little shop he¡¯d taken refuge in and waited afterwards for the gun store across the street.


    In a few moments, it would be visited by a special kind of Vintaric. One that would bring with it the Weaponsmith Heart.


    He hadn¡¯t missed it as much in his later years as he thought he would, but its presence would still be reassurance to Victor. His bullets were little more than pellets to his enemies at the end of his previous loop. He¡¯d come to rely much more on his blades and shrinking powers to make do instead.


    But I guess I have neither right now¡­ he looked up when shattered glass sprayed across the pavement.


    That¡¯s my cue, Victor thought as he held up the knife he¡¯d used. Maybe he should¡¯ve brought a gun instead, but he¡¯d wanted to keep the shop open in case it affected the Vintaric¡¯s judgement.


    Victor walked in through the door as quietly as he could, but it still noticed him. before it could take an action, Victor touched it and slowed it down. The bug moved sluggishly to attack him and Victor dodged to the side.


    ¡°Hope you¡¯re the right one,¡± Victor said.


    ¡°Iiiiiiiiiii¡­. Ammmmmmmmm¡­.¡±


    Victor plunged the knife into its head.


    ¡°Sounds like what I remember,¡± Victor said idly.


    He then kicked the writhing body into a rack of guns and watched it die. A Seed materialized out of the top of its body and Victor smiled for the first time in ages.


    He plucked the mechanical beating heart away from the Vintaric and took it into himself once more.


    [Seed Integrated: Weaponsmith Heart]


    [Ability Unlocked: Unlock Structural Sense]


    [Ability Unlocked: Basic Strengthening]


    [Ability Unlocked: Ammo Counter]


    The same familiar abilities greeted him like an old friend. But this time, they came with something a little extra.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    [Ability Unlocked: Time Bullet ¨C Slowdown]


    People shouted outside and Victor had to stop himself from running out. It was always a pain forgetting the habits he¡¯d built up. Were it him from the last loop, he could¡¯ve taken on the entire invasion single-handedly.


    Or maybe I¡¯d become another corpse floating in the lake¡­


    He slammed the magazine into his twin pistols. These would have to do for the time being.


    Victor walked out of the store while taking a look at his new ability.


    [[Time Bullet - Slowdown]: (Requirement: Timewalker¡¯s Origin and Slowdown) You can use Slowdown through your weapons, but its effectiveness is reduced by half.]


    A Vintaric swarm was rushing overhead. They chased a poor fool who cradled his cut arm to his chest. Victor stepped to the side to let the man go and faced the crowd behind him. He felt both of his Seeds trigger, and their magic flow right into the pistols.


    The first bullet pierced through the Vintaric¡¯s body. It slowed behind the other Vintarics and Victor smiled. He unloaded the entire magazine into them.


    The monsters slowed significantly, but it only made them change targets. Their eyes fixed on the single human who¡¯d dared to go against them.


    They tried to surround him but he ran. The bugs gave chase easily, and were picked off just as easily.


    Victor¡¯s speed, his training and his abilities let him take care of the bugs with ease. He stabbed into them with knives, blew holes in their heads and crushed them with his fists. By the time he was done, a large pile of corpses lay in the middle of the street.


    Unfortunately for him, that was the end of his revelry. He heard the heavy stomps of a Wetajha Vintaric following soon after. The large beetle-like Vintaric hadn¡¯t spotted him yet, but it wouldn¡¯t be long before he did.


    ****


    Victor¡¯s car pulled up beside a closed park. There was a disappointed blonde sitting on the curb with a harrowed expression his face.


    ¡°Amadeus? Are you alright?¡± Victor asked from his seat.


    ¡°You¡­ you¡¯re the one who called me?¡± Amadeus replied. He had not a hint of recognition on his face. Victor wouldn¡¯t get used to the pain that caused him. But he gave him a slight smile anyways.


    ¡°Yeah. I hope I got there in time,¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°We locked up early after the call. No one trapped inside. But now the place is infested with¡­ them,¡± Amadeus said, pointing behind him.


    ¡°The place was supposed to make people happy, kids and adults alike. They¡¯ve turned it into a wasteland in just a few hours,¡± Amadeus said angrily.


    ¡°Want to change that? Cull them all?¡± Victor asked him as he stepped out of his Mustang.


    ¡°What are you on about? These aren¡¯t just normal bugs I¡¯m talking about, you know?¡±


    ¡°Oh I do. I¡¯ve got a special kind of poison for these ones,¡± Victor said as he pulled out his pistols.


    ¡°Am, get the gate for me,¡± Victor asked.


    Amadeus sighed and stood up from the curb. He had a ring of keys around his belt that he used to unlock the chains around the amusement park.


    There wasn¡¯t any of the turmoil and discarded costumes and toys on the footpath of the park like last time. Instead, it was a cozy kind of infestation, with Vintarics clinging to benches and buildings like bugs usually did. Their antennae twitched in response to Victor¡¯s arrival, but he had accounted for that.


    Amadeus stuck close by behind him, rarely speaking.


    He shot the first of them with his Strengthened pistols. It fell from the wall and the others were alerted to his presence.


    ¡°What are you doing!¡± Amadeus asked, exasperated.


    ¡°Trust me on this.¡±


    Victor fired more bullets into the Vintarics, piercing shells and slowing down others. He handed off one of the AR-15s to Amadeus and showed him how to fire it slowly.


    ¡°You¡¯re a good shot, you just need time to practice,¡± he advised as the blonde youth held the rifle in shaky hands.


    ¡°You¡¯re insane¡­ what am I doing around you¡­¡± Amadeus spoke with widened, shocked eyes.


    As they carved their path deeper into the park, they found it was only the simplest of Vintarics that greeted them. there were a few of the Mariticide Adolescents, but their claws were no match for him.


    They reached the end of the park, where benches were piled on high in a small hill. Atop it lay a single Vintaric, who looked more confident than its peers.


    It didn¡¯t make a grand speech towards him. But Victor knew it was the one when its screams produced sparks in the air.


    ¡°Unload the whole magazine into that one,¡± Victor ordered Amadeus. He was so out of it he obeyed, and Victor had to remind himself to be a bit softer the next go around.


    The bug tried to shoot lightning in their way but Victor slowed it down. He shoved Amadeus behind a stand while he continued unloading his gun. When he was out, he rushed in with his knife and gutted the creature as quickly as he could.


    Green blood sprayed all over him and a Seed materialized just moments after he was done.


    Victor quickly jumped down from the pile and threw it to Amadeus before hurrying back to his car.


    ¡°Use that, come quick. We don¡¯t have all day!¡± Victor shouted for him.


    When Amadeus wouldn¡¯t listen, he dragged the man by his collar and shoved him into the car. they¡¯d have plenty of time to talk on the drive to Los Angeles.


    ****


    Picking up Loki was easy. He was barricaded behind some tables in his office. They threw a fire extinguisher at Victor but he caught it easily enough. He helped the other survivors along to someplace he knew would fill with survivors and took off with Loki.


    ¡°You were that scammer this afternoon?¡± Loki asked him.


    ¡°Am I much of a scammer when what I told you was going to happen, happened?¡± Victor fired back.


    ¡°You could¡¯ve eased me into it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to take this from someone who doesn¡¯t even have a Seed yet,¡± Victor muttered under his breath as he put his foot on the pedal.


    ¡°You should be more careful¡­¡± Isabelle said timidly from the backseat. She had no Seed either, but Victor had felt bad leaving her behind.


    When they drove down the road to Los Angeles, Victor lamented the wasted time. Loki and her were relegated to being innocents he was having to protect since they¡¯d missed out on their Seeds.


    Doesn¡¯t matter. I¡¯ll get them new ones. Hell, maybe even better ones.


    They arrived near the fallen city that hosted Angel Heights and Victor let out a breath of relief. This would be where the bulk of his work would be done. And he wanted to get a head start on it.


    ****


    [Ability Unlocked: Structural Sense Boost]


    [Ability Unlocked: Structural Sense Boost]


    [Ability Unlocked: Strength Boost]


    Victor shot down the Metamorph with prejudice. He was gaining his boosts quicker this time around, and he couldn¡¯t place why. Maybe it was just an old muscle he needed to practice once again to get the gist of the Seed.


    If that were true, that¡¯d mean he could go back to his other Seeds as well, and progress them further too¡­


    ¡°Victor?¡± Isabelle asked him as she traversed the dangerous caves of Angel Falls.


    They were on the first mission again. Daphne was alive and well, and Lillie was keeping her distance as always. Losing Daphne is what made her closer to Victor, so without it, that path was cut off.


    Victor wanted to open it again, but his own motivations warred inside of him. He just had to bear with it for the time being.


    They returned successfully from the mission, with the Half-Light Pane in tow and Seeds for the Butcher twins, Victor made his way back to Angel Heights. There he helped the old woman set up defences against the Vintarics once more.


    And Vintarics there were. There were a few things he¡¯d changed this go around, but Victor knew the main reason the bugs had arrived in the city was because of him. His Weaponsmith Heart must¡¯ve given off a stink so severe the bugs were attracted to it.


    He helped shore up the sound weaknesses around the camp, but that wouldn¡¯t get to the root of the issue. Vintarics were a bigger threat than mere Metamorphs, and that meant Victor had to get rid of them before they could find him and kill him.


    That meant he needed to investigate, and that would go by much quicker if he had a certain professor with him.


    Victor hopped in a stolen EV and sat Amadeus beside him. He¡¯d warmed up a little to Victor over the last few days, and even more so upon the promise that Victor would save his kids.


    Victor just hoped he could deliver that to him. He drove the car as fast as he could, all in the hopes of reaching a better conclusion this go around.

 Chatper 50: Infuse Seed

    ¡°So, Victor, how did you learn to shoot so good?¡±


    ¡°Practice,¡± Victor replied curtly to Amadeus¡¯ question.


    ¡°Cool.¡±


    A thousand thoughts rolled through Victor¡¯s head as he thought of what to do. There was about a month of time before he needed to go to the Levine Family Group Home to rescue the children. In that time, could he really hope to find enough Wielders or train his entire group up once more?


    And what about Peppin Village and Qeeny? He could use their help in mining and healing.


    ¡°Anything else you like doing?¡± Amadeus asked him.


    No sound came from the Timewalker as he kept driving forward.


    ****


    Their car stopped at the precipice of a small town. It was so small in fact that Victor was surprised the professor would even call it home. The ghost town was devoid of any life not from beyond the Gates and looked to be getting worse by the day.


    When Victor knocked on the door of the old Professor¡¯s house, he had expected at least a reply.


    But when nothing came, he kicked the door down. It was a hassle, and Victor saw wood boarding it up from the other side.


    ¡°Professor!¡± Victor shouted as he brandished his gun. Blue flames encompassed the tip of the weapon, glowing onto the surroundings. His Infused Attack would make short work of anything that dared to pop its head up around him.


    Victor had expected that to be the case, but instead he found barricaded windows and cans of food strewn about the place.


    ¡°This professor of yours likes to live healthy, doesn¡¯t he?¡± Amadeus said.


    ¡°Not the Cooper I know,¡± Victor replied.


    A gunshot rang out and Victor backed up against the wall.


    ¡°Don¡¯t come any closer. I¡¯ll shoot!¡± shouted someone from the bedroom. Victor sighed in relief as he recognized the voice.


    ¡°Professor Cooper! It¡¯s fine, we¡¯re not here to hurt you!¡± Victor said as he dispersed the blue flames and stowed his pistol.


    ¡°Then what are you here for?¡± an aged man came out of the bedroom, wearing a robe, wifebeater and slippers. He had wiry hair that looked greasier than normal, and stains and splotches dotting his clothing.


    ¡°To rescue you¡­¡± Victor wanted to explain, but the sight was a surprise to him.


    The Professor he knew was eclectic and neglected his own health often enough, yes, but he wasn¡¯t so bad as to do¡­. This.


    The old man lowered his gun and seemed to shrivel up.


    ¡°don¡¯t need it,¡± he said as he walked past both Victor and Amadeus and sat himself down on his sofa. The old man placed his rifle across his lap and looked out of the door with a sad glint in his eyes.


    ¡°Are you sure this is the guy?¡± Amadeus whispered to him.


    ¡°It should be,¡± Victor replied.


    The Professor hadn¡¯t talked about this part of his past. Granted, Victor hadn¡¯t poked around much himself to avoid the sly scientist¡¯s suspicions, but this was far from what he¡¯d expected.


    ¡°You broke my door,¡± the professor made an observation. Something sad said plainly.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry about that, but you weren¡¯t answering,¡± Victor said.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. Doesn¡¯t matter,¡± the professor said in those same quick tone he loved.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t mind the question, what happened to you?¡± Victor asked as he took a seat beside Amadeus. The Lightning Wielder was a bit nervous as he kept glancing out of the doorway in search of monsters, but they never came.


    ¡°My husband left me. This is¡­ just about all I have left. When those lights opened up, thought it¡¯d only be a matter of time so, boarded up the house,¡± the Professor explained.


    ¡°And you¡¯ve stayed like that this entire time?¡± Victor asked. It¡¯d been a few days since the Fall, and longer still than what had happened to Cooper.


    ¡°Go away, now. Don¡¯t want to talk,¡± the professor said in a defeated tone that wouldn¡¯t really oppose them if they decided to ignore it. Victor couldn¡¯t let that abide, however.


    ¡°There¡¯s a dying world out there, Professor. We could use your help in saving it.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s obvious. What could I do for it?¡± the Professor asked.


    Blue flames ignited along Victor¡¯s gun once more.


    ¡°You could help us figure this out. Real powers, from beyond those lights you saw. We need someone with a keen mind to understand it all, and yours is the keenest of all. We need your help, Professor Cooper, and we need it as soon as possible.¡±This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    The Professor didn¡¯t seem convinced from the effect. Furthermore, Victor¡¯s little session was broken by the sound of chittering wings right outside of the apartment complex.


    ¡°It¡¯s time¡­¡± Cooper said with a resigned sigh.


    ¡°No, you stay here. We¡¯ll take care of the monsters outside,¡± Victor told him with frustration.


    He nudged his head and Amadeus followed him outside. The street outside of the house was covered in Vintarics surrounding the door. At their helm was a Vintaric Adult who waited who was unusually patient with them.


    Amadeus was nervous again. He could see it in the shortness of his breath and the shaking of his hand. By this time, he should¡¯ve gotten over some of it, so why was he still so nervous?


    Victor closed the door and began. An arcane bell rang when he let the Infused Attack launch. The blast cut through adolescents and slowed the ones it didn¡¯t outright kill. The others chittered louder in response and began swarming him.


    They drew the Vintarics away from the door and into the street. Victor fired first at the Adult, slowing him. then he turned his focus to the adolescents. They were flying towards him and shooting piercers. Victor dodged back and fired first into one of their heads.


    He stowed his pistols and pulled out the rifle instead. Blue flames erupted alongside the AR-15 as he filled one side of the swarm with lead. The magazine ran dry and a Vintaric jumped at Victor.


    ¡°Duck!¡±


    Victor obeyed and lightning swept over his head. Victor gave him a nod of appreciation but the Adult jumped in between them.


    Victor Infused another attack despite the creeping fatigue. He shot it into the monster¡¯s chest and left a deep bleeding crack behind.


    ¡°Aim for that!¡± Victor shouted to Amadeus as he provided cover. The Vintaric wasn¡¯t idle and tried to strike at them with its piercers. Victor grabbed one of them and refreshed the Slowdown.


    Amadeus ran for its weak spot and Victor aimed his gun towards him. Amadeus jumped and Victor let the bullets fly into the Vinntarics.


    Amadeus braced his hands against the monster¡¯s chest. Light erupted from his fingers as he plunged his fists inside of the Vintaric adult. He fried the monster from the inside while adolescents fell around him.


    The bugs knew they were outmatched and the last of them took off into the skies. Amadeus pulled his hands out of the Adult¡¯s corpse and gagged at the sight of the blood.


    ¡°You¡¯ll get used to it,¡± Victor said off-handedly, as his sight was towards Cooper¡¯s house.


    The windows were broken. And there were no glass shards inside.


    Victor ran inside shouting.


    ¡°Professor!¡±


    Thankfully what he saw inside wasn¡¯t an old man mauled by a Vintaric. It was instead the Vintaric¡¯s corpse on the ground in front of him, and green blood covering the Professor up to the arms.


    ¡°¡­ This is what we¡¯ve been beholden to?¡± Cooper asked idly.


    His attention was completely on the corpse. He was moving around its organs, ripping it up without a care for how deranged he looked from the outside.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to be sick,¡± Amadeus noted.


    ¡°How does it move so easily? It shouldn¡¯t be possible¡­¡± Professor Cooper continued.


    ¡°Wait till you see the ones the size of a mountain,¡± Victor told him. the Professor quirked an eyebrow.


    ¡°A mountain? But that would collapse under its own weight!¡± he said, baffled by the concept.


    ¡°But it doesn¡¯t. We barely know what makes them up, Professor. And I don¡¯t think we¡¯ll be able to figure it out without your help. I¡¯ll ask you again, will you please come with us?¡±


    The Professor stood up from the monster¡¯s corpse. He looked down at his hands and clenched his fists.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ****


    The ride back to Los Angeles was a quiet one. Loki and Isabelle had found themselves some new Seeds and done some missions for Angel Heights.


    Loki was progressing as quickly as ever, while Isabelle didn¡¯t lag too far behind.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to be responsible for teaching the others,¡± Victor told Loki one day while he was Strengthening their weapons.


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re going to accept it just like that?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve no reason to oppose it,¡± Loki replied. ¡°I do not know if I¡¯ll make a good teacher, though.¡±


    ¡°Trust me, you¡¯ll be good enough. Just guide them along the basics and let them figure out the rest,¡± Victor said to him.


    The next issue was Amadeus¡¯ children. Amadeus was growing more anxious by the day and Victor wanted to keep him calm. He took a different group with him this time to Washington.


    It was him, Ashley, Amadeus and Loki. The rest stayed behind and would look after Angel Heights. He gave them a few directions to where they could find better Seeds, but the rest was up to them.


    Their journey through the other world was quick as possible. They reached Qeeny¡¯s village before the Daughters of Mara had a chance to fully conquer it. For defending Peppin against them and their Titan, Victor got his dual pistols back along with some Seeds for the rest of his crew.


    Victor spent the night Strengthening his pistols, glad to feel the grip back in his hands. The others hadn¡¯t bothered to drag him into the party the village hosted, which he was glad for. He couldn¡¯t spare the time for them this go around.


    While the others slept through the night, Victor consulted elder Renalo and started drafting up a list of Seeds that could help him. Specific kinds of Seeds were chosen, similar to his Weaponsmith in that they could enhance some aspect of items or people.


    Renalo urged him against the course of action when he realized where Victor¡¯s line of query was leading. But Victor had lives to spare, and a single one wouldn¡¯t go to waste.


    ****


    They made good time in Washington. Victor had to hide out at the Levine Family Group Home to wait for Jared, and while Amadeus enjoyed a warm reunion with his kids, he met up with Alex.


    The group infiltrated Hemotep¡¯s castle a few days after training. Victor needed to try out his new Seeds and perfect the abilities they gave him. One of them was of use to him, since it finally revealed a new avenue of power to Victor.


    He¡¯d held more than five Seeds within his hands when Peppin village had been saved. Since they¡¯d come so early, the village had more to offer them.


    [Ability Unlocked: Infuse Seed]


    [Ability Unlocked: Infuse Trap Ward]


    He¡¯d never seen these before when he¡¯d had a Weaponsmith Heart. It made sense once the Timewalker took a look at the requirements.


    [[Infuse Seed]: (Requirement: Obtain 5 Seeds) You can sacrifice a number of related Seeds to permanently imbue their powers into a single previously uninfused item. You can guide the ability that will manifest with your will, and the strength of it will depend on how closely related to the Seeds it is. This requires 1 hour to perform and you must be touching both items.


    You weren¡¯t the first to try this out. There was a little village on a shore far away. It was¡­. so beautiful. Those insectile creatures, the Vintarics they were called, used weapons like a human might an instrument. To create the most beautiful of music.]


    Five Seeds at once? Really?


    Some of the requirements truly annoyed Victor. If he could just find a Seed that analysed requirements for other Seeds, he¡¯d be much happier with his own powers.


    The ability itself was something that he¡¯d wondered for a while. With his Ignistone dagger and guns. How could someone make permanent magical items. He¡¯d assumed it to be some kind of magical engineering, but it seemed to be a much simpler, albeit expensive process.


    Victor had a single Seed with him by that point in Washington, one that everyone else had refused to take. It was a variant of his Bladebody Edge, and Victor had almost wanted to take it in himself. But he¡¯d decided against it for the sake of experimentation.


    And so he set to it, with a single combat knife and Seed on the floor next to him, Victor began to Infuse.

 Chapter 51: Infused Trap Ward

    For the next hour people buzzed in and around Victor but left quickly after realizing the focus he was in. the knife and Seed were both in his hand, and he was guiding the process of creation with his will.


    The Seed and knife both felt like cups in his hand. the power was pouring out of the Seed and going into the cup, passing through Victor in the process. At first he just marvelled at the feeling of it before he realized how formless the power really was.


    He¡¯d forgotten to guide it, and that almost made him lose focus on his Weaponsmith Heart. Victor then thought to the simplest power he could give the knife and settled on expansion. The knife would be able to expand in size and retract back.


    His thoughts melted into his Weaponsmith Heart, which took the Seed and moulded the power within to fit his idea. The power then flowed into the knife. As it filled up, the knife grew sharper and tougher, and the ability was embedded within the steel.


    An hour passed and Victor wiped the sweat from his forehead.


    [Ability Unlocked: Greater Structural Sense Boost]


    [Ability Unlocked: Sense of Time Boost]


    Any boost to his Timewalker Seed was welcome. Victor pulled up the knife again and viewed it through the menu.


    [[Combat Knife (Infused: Extension)]:          STRENGTH: 70            ABILITIES: Extension


    A combat knife infused with the abilities from a Sword Edge Seed. It can extend and retract to its original size. A weapon made by an amateur without full realization of how to guide its creation.]


    ¡°You¡¯ve got something to say about everything, don¡¯t you?¡± Victor said, annoyed.


    But he wasn¡¯t about to go waste his time arguing with the floating screens. He had a new weapon to test.


    He held the blade by the grip and focused his will into its abilities. It was much like his Seed, only external. He channelled its ability out of it, and saw the blade extend before him. But not only the blade, the handle and grip extended too.


    That was when Victor realized his mistake. He had to be more specific with the ability he put into the knife. It extended far beyond where he was able to with his own Bladebody Edge, but it was useless when the grip changed.


    He could place five hands along the grip and still have space for more. Victor sighed at the failure of the weapon and retracted its blade back into its normal form.


    Could¡¯ve warned me earlier¡­ He hated wasting a Seed, especially when someone else could¡¯ve used it.


    The knife went into the sheath near his belt, since he wasn¡¯t one to throw away even failures. Victor then turned his attention to the less costly of his new abilities. That one would require an active zone to test.


    ****


    A group of Metamorphs wandered through the streets. They ambled slowly on the orders of Count Hemotep, unaware of the two Wielders nearby.


    Victor and Amadeus were crouched inside of an old fried chicken place. The Trap Ward¡¯s glyph was plastered to the floor with Victor¡¯s hands touching it. Amadeus was also touching the Trap Ward and had his eyes closed.


    ¡°I can feel¡­ something close to the ground?¡± Amadeus told him.


    ¡°Push your Seed¡¯s power into it, Am,¡± Victor said. Amadeus chuckled.


    ¡°Am? You¡¯ve got a nickname for me now?¡± he said.


    Victor ignored him and guided the magic that came through the ward. Using Infuse Trap Ward, he changed the way the Trap worked, making it instead electrocute an area around it when touched. He could see the physical form of the trap ward glyph shifting, as it took on an appearance that was crackly and sharp at the edges.


    ¡°Like a lightning bolt,¡± Amadeus noted.


    Once they were done, he placed a phone with a timer on the desk and the two of them exited the building.


    Victor waited while chewing on a protein bar. Amadeus didn¡¯t look as easy, and was tapping his foot on the ground ahead of him.


    California Girls started playing in the distance and Victor had to do a double-take.


    ¡°I swear I didn¡¯t know,¡± Amadeus said.


    But the Metamorphs seemed enticed by the song. They ran into the restaurant wildly, and Victor chuckled.


    ¡°Not big fans of Katy Perry, are they?¡± Victor said.


    A moment later, Victor felt the hairs on his hand raise. Lightning exploded out of the shop, drowning out the popping noises of Metamorph speech. Victor shielded his eyes from the explosion of light until it finally faded.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    When they both walked back inside of the restaurant, they found black scorched walls and the calcified bodies of the Metamorphs. They looked like statues then, smoking and still.


    ¡°That¡¯s a helluva power,¡± Amadeus said when he touched one of the statues.


    The Metamorph tipped over and broke on the floor.


    ¡°We¡¯ll have to hope its enough for what comes next,¡± Victor replied.


    ****


    Once the preparations were done, Victor took his group inside of Hemotep¡¯s castle and ran through it quickly. He picked a time he thought the Count would be preoccupied before breaking into his castle.


    They cleared the rooms as quick as they could, along with any of the guards they could find. Once the walls started moving, Hemotep woke up, and spoke to them through his magical speakers.


    ¡°Who are you, and what are you doing in my-¡±


    Victor ignored his cries and slammed the Hemostone back into its pedestal.


    ¡°Ah, here for the children, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    Victor fired an Infused rifle round into a Metamorph Brute¡¯s core. it cracked into a thousand pieces and he swiped the Hemostone out of its body.


    The Count kept trying to talk to them but none of his words got through. Victor had told Amadeus and the others to ignore the voices, and all but Ashley had managed it.


    ¡°Can he shut up?¡± she asked as she cleaned the mud off her clothes.


    ¡°We¡¯ll shut him up on a permanent basis,¡± Victor replied.


    They reached the final room and burst through the large double doors there. Count Hemotep was close by and his eyes widened when he spotted the group gathered before him.


    ¡°Wai-¡±


    They hurled every magic they could at the monster. Clay rose up to block the assault, but it was nothing against their combined might. Victor flanked the wall and fired his Infused Attack right at the Count¡¯s chest, where his supply of blood stayed. The Count hardened clay in response and summoned mud clones to protect himself.


    Those clones died as soon as they came alive. Lightning scorched them through and arced right through the Count¡¯s heart. The glass chamber at the core of his being broke apart as the Count panicked.


    He tried to drink it in but the blood evaporated it. Leo opened the ground underneath the Count, trapping his arms and legs. Ashley covered him in white-hot fire, Victor emptied his magazine into the monster before Jared dropped down with his sword through the monster¡¯s head.


    Hemotep lasted barely two minutes with them.


    Leo buried it under the castle¡¯s foundation after they extracted the Seed from their bodies. Victor plucked it from the corpse and threw it to Amadeus.


    ¡°You take it,¡± he told him.


    The mission had been successful, and a much quicker affair overall. Once they brought the kids back, Victor had some cars arranged and left within a few months.


    That kept him ahead of New Columbia and ensured that they¡¯d never come face to face with them. Victor had his own reservations of leaving Jeffords to rule like a tyrant, but he couldn¡¯t spare the time for him.


    He took the kids back through the wastes. It was a much slower and tumultuous crawl through America, but they made it at last by the end of the year. The kids were safe, Amadeus¡¯ loyalty was earned, which meant the only thing left for Victor to do now was figure out the Vintaric problem.


    ****


    Before Victor could get started on his plans for the coming years, he had to deal with the biggest problem Los Angeles faced. The infestation.


    The Vintarics were a much harder species to get rid of than the Metamorphs. No matter how many Wielders he sent out, the bugs would come back later, and with stronger forces. There was something guiding them, Victor knew. They were coming from the city itself, from a Gate hidden in plain sight.


    He¡¯d known a few of them, ones that tended to either blend into the environment or look completely different from the normal beams of light. He¡¯d have to figure out where it was, and before the worser kinds of Vintaric Hives found Angel Heights alluring.


    Victor stalked their patrols for weeks on end. he couldn¡¯t expand the home until they were out, so his resources were limited. He would have to use his own powers instead. The others were on their own missions, so Victor had to do it on their own.


    A purple-tinged portal opened beside him on the cloudily-lit roof, and Victor sighed.


    ¡°Professor, what are you doing here?¡± he asked.


    He¡¯d regained much of the colour and vigour Victor remembered of the old Professor Cooper, which meant he was back to being an annoying eccentric.


    ¡°The offices you¡¯ve given are insufficient,¡± the old man told him.


    ¡°You¡¯re not going to work on corpses near the kids, Professor,¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°They¡¯ll learn to live with the smell.¡±


    ¡°Not before filling up a swimming pool with their vomit,¡± Victor said.


    After that day, Victor would go out with the Professor every day to scout out the patrols. Sometimes the Professor would ask him to fight the monsters, or bring back something that interested him.


    With some help, they were able to narrow their search patterns to one of the smaller districts in the city. All the patrols stemmed from there, and Victor kept watch with the Professor¡¯s help.


    It was during these searches that the both of them came upon something interesting. Victor had begun losing interest while out. The Professor was talking about some interesting biological feature or another of the Altesians when it happened.


    ¡°Spread out! Do not come back without results!¡± some Vintaric shouted in a human tongue.


    The professor paused and Victor stopped leaning on his elbow. The two of them exchanged a nod before turning their full attention on the Vintaric.


    It was a simple adolescent, with a sheen to its carapace that was different from the others. It was a light brown instead of the green the others displayed, and moved much more humanly.


    ¡°That¡¯s bound to make an interesting specimen,¡± Cooper said.


    Victor glared back at him.


    ¡°After you¡¯re done extracting any information that you¡¯d like from it, of course,¡± the Professor allowed.


    The other Vintarics dispersed from it, leaving only a single Adult to guard it.


    ¡°Pretty heavy security too. Think you can help me out on this one, Professor?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m not the quickest on the pull.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. We just have to knock it out and bring it back. Give me a portal and a moment, and that¡¯s all I¡¯ll need,¡± Victor told him.


    Victor prepped his rifle beforehand. He readied a stone with his Trap Ward and followed the Vintaric and his guard around from atop the rooves. The Professor waited in anticipation for the Timewalker.


    When Victor gave the signal, a portal instantly opened up straight to the front of the Vintaric.


    Victor jumped through to the Adult¡¯s screech. He shoved his Trap Ward rock down its throat and fired into its chest with an Infused ignistone bullet.


    Then he grabbed the light brown Vintaric and used Slowdown. The Adult exploded from the inside while Victor knocked his target out with the butt of his gun.


    He grabbed the unconscious Vintaric and easily hauled it back through the portal within a moment.


    ¡°Another portal, Professor!¡± Victor ordered him.


    The other patrols were alerted soon after, but by that time Victor and the Professor were both gone.

 Chapter 52: Chekhtana

    The giant bug writhed and screeched in the basement of a company office. It was tied up in chains so heavily wrapped around it they threatened to crush it. In front of it was a single table opposite of which stood Victor, Cooper and some of the other Wielders.


    ¡°And you found it just wandering around?¡± Lillie asked him. More than anything, she was annoyed by the time he was wasting in his hunt.


    ¡°You¡¯re complaining, but you came back early from your mission,¡± Victor replied.


    She¡¯d been gone for days at that point with Amadeus. She¡¯d been going on progressively longer and longer expeditions as of late, until Victor thought she might just escape with some Seeds, weapons and resources. But she always came back, and that¡¯s how Victor knew she still cared for Audrey and the rest of Angel Heights.


    ¡°Because it¡¯s an important target, Victor, and someone might come after us to get to it,¡± Lillie scolded him.


    ¡°I agree. You should¡¯ve thought be- cough,¡± Daphne added before she broke into a deep coughing.


    ¡°You should be back at the apartments with Dean, Daphne,¡± Lillie told her.


    The old woman wasn¡¯t holding up well to their current conditions. Victor didn¡¯t want to see the old woman suffer, so he sat her down in one of the other chairs in the vast room.


    ¡°Instead of bickering, let¡¯s interrogate the Vintaric himself,¡± Cooper told them.


    The bug stopped twitching in place and quieted immediately.


    ¡°You can understand what we¡¯re saying, clearly,¡± Cooper said.


    ¡°Are you going to speak or do we have to make you,¡± Victor pulled out his ignistone, ignited with blue flames.


    ¡°Your weapons arrrre good, human, but your threats worthlessss!¡± the bug spat out.


    ¡°If you like the gun so much, why don¡¯t I give you a taste?¡± Victor pressed it against the monster¡¯s skull.


    ¡°I¡¯ll just grab some other Vintaric from your hive and bring him back here instead. You¡¯re weak as any of them, after all,¡± Victor told it.


    The bug laughed a laugh that sounded alien to Victor. It was almost like coughing mixed with chittering, and he only grew angrier at the monster for it.


    ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Our leader will make short work of you. You and otherrr humans,¡± the Vintaric said. ¡°Your new magic is nothing against him. He has been around for decades you cannot comprehend, and it has given him power above all of you.¡±


    ¡°And who is your leader?¡± Daphne asked him.


    ¡°Altar is hisss name. He embodies the weapon more than any other Vintaric from any hive!¡± the bug said frantically, with a fervour that bordered on fanatical.


    They tried a variety of tactics afterwards to get the bug to talk, but they all came up short. Victor pulled away his gun from the monster and it actually seemed annoyed with him.


    ¡°Bring that back here! Give it to me!¡± the monster shouted with its pincers. It tried to move to Victor¡¯s guns and take a bite but couldn¡¯t.


    ¡°Think there¡¯s a better way to convince him?¡± Amadeus asked.


    Victor looked down at his weapons.


    ¡°Yeah, but we¡¯re not going to like it.¡±


    ****


    A few hours later, Professor Cooper came back with some of the weapons they could spare from the hideout. The good Professor had even found it in him to bring different kinds of ammo, calibre and even some of the weapons Victor had Strengthened.


    ¡°You won¡¯t bribe me with that, human,¡± the Vintaric had insisted.


    But after some cajoling, it seemed to weaken, and Victor could feel the hunger building up in its body.


    ¡°We¡¯ll give these to you, and let you go if you want. All we ask in return is a bit of help with our investigation,¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°The Hive will have my head for this,¡± the Vintaric replied.


    ¡°And why should you be loyal to them. Did they ever do anything for you?¡± Victor asked.


    The monster seemed to consider his words, and the sight of the weapons didn¡¯t seem to dull that any. By the end of the day, the Vintaric finally broke, and Professor Cooper got to work.


    ¡°My name isss Chekhtana,¡± it said in the middle of its feast. Victor didn¡¯t bother to remember it.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    He gave the Vintaric a taste of each of the weapons like it was another experiment.


    ¡°Which one of these tastes best?¡± He asked the Vintaric with a checkboard next to him. he was noting down reactions and treating the Vintaric little more than an annoying lab rat.


    ¡°It seems the stronger the weapon, the more he enjoys the treat,¡± Cooper concluded.


    He showed a graph between the taste and strength of the weapons, and it was an upward curve.


    ¡°It strengthens them somehow. No biology can accomplish what the monster is doing. It must be that same magic that we use that allows them to digest and strengthen themselves from the materials they consume,¡± Cooper told Victor while the rest questioned the Vintaric.


    ¡°It¡¯s not unlike that Metamorph Brute you mentioned once. The one in the caves filled with crystals. It must¡¯ve integrated them into their biology.¡±


    ¡°Like we do with the Seeds?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Much the same, but more¡­ natural, I¡¯d assume,¡± Cooper said.


    He turned back to his research a moment later, and Victor was left to deal with their prisoner.


    ¡°There has only ever been one Vintaric who could beat Altar. Scepter was her name, and she has since fled deep inside of Angel Falls to escape him,¡± Chekhtana explained.


    ¡°Do you know where we can find her?¡± Amadeus asked him.


    ¡°All the tunnelssss coalesce the further down you go. But Scepter keeps herrr hideout a secret, and those of the hive that have ventured down there rarely come back up,¡± Chekhtana replied.


    ¡°We¡¯re not going to find her searching blindly,¡± Lillie told him. ¡°I say we leave the Vintarics alone on this. Take all the survivors we can and move somewhere else.¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t,¡± Victor replied.


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    Times like these frustrated Victor with how long the explanation would take. He instead opted for a simpler explanation.


    ¡°It¡¯s safer in cities. The further out we go, the less hiding places we have from the monster. Our best bet is to drive the Vintarics out, not ourselves,¡± Victor explained the best he could.


    Lillie shrugged, but it seemed a good enough explanation for her. The rest of the guys there kept trying to wring out information from Chekhtana, which helped them find the root cause of this whole mess.


    ¡°Grandsssmith Tower. The Gate is in the fountain,¡± Chekhtana said.


    ¡°The building with the inner courtyard?¡± Lillie said in amazement. ¡°I¡¯ve delivered there a few times when I was working my flower shop.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t explain why we haven¡¯t seen them coming out of the building. Vintarics aren¡¯t the stealthiest monsters, after all,¡± Professor Cooper said.


    Chekhtana shook his head in a very human gesture.


    ¡°We carrrved tunnels through the ground. Tunnels through the sewers, forrrtified them,¡± he said, ¡°It is easy to move around and pop out from buildingsss.¡±


    The monster then went right back to chomping down at the weapons below it. While Victor and the rest planned their infiltration of Grandsmith Tower, Cooper was more concerned with the Vintaric¡¯s eating habits.


    ¡°Why do you eat weapons, anyhow?¡± he asked it.


    ¡°Stolkatans love weapons. We can sssniff them out from leagues away. And you, Wielder, are one who we yearrrn to capture,¡± Chekhtana told him.


    ¡°What? Why me?¡± Victor perked up and looked back at the Vintaric.


    Chekhtana looked to his chest, where the Weaponsmith Heart was beating. He didn¡¯t think the Vintaric knew, but he could feel something.


    ¡°You¡¯re after the Seed?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°It is imporrrtant to us. It belonged to the heir of Altar himself. We sent him to prove himself, and you killed him,¡± Chekhtana told him, ¡°The Hive doesn¡¯t know where the Seed is, but we can sense it within the city. They will find you, Wielder, and will stay in the city till it¡¯s carrrved from your chest.¡±


    Victor took a step backwards. The invasion had been related to his Seed after all. That meant that the first loop, the deaths¡­ they were his own fault.


    Victor had taken the Seed from the chest of one Vintaric and it¡¯d cost him all those lives. He glanced back at Lillie and the images came flooding back into his mind. Of her, and of the children that had died in the wake of that disaster.


    If he¡¯d just stayed away¡­. This would never have happened. His mistake, for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The world seemed to love playing pranks like those on Victor, having done it twice now.


    The others also stepped away from Victor at the same moment. They looked at him anew, and some of them refused to meet his gaze.


    ¡°If you left now, Victor, wouldn¡¯t they leave too?¡± Lillie asked.


    Daphne and Leo seemed to agree with her. The others slowly came around, and Victor could tell where the vote was going.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to kick me out?¡± Victor asked, betrayed. He¡¯d known them for years and yet¡­


    Yet they didn¡¯t know him at all. He bit his lip till it bled. Another loop wasted. He was going to have to spend the next nine years out in the wasteland, surviving off of scraps and whatever else he could find.


    A dark thought crossed Victor¡¯s mind. If Daphne were dead¡­ but he recoiled at the disgusting idea. But what else could he think of to ensure Lillie¡¯s loyalty?


    ¡°The Vintarics will not leave so easily,¡± Loki interjected. He¡¯d been quiet all night, but he spoke for the first time then.


    ¡°They¡¯re already too well-established in the city. Even if some of them leave to pursue Victor, many more will stay behind. He is our best hope as of now, and I will not allow you to throw him out,¡± Loki told them.


    ¡°I¡¯m with Loki,¡± Amadeus said. ¡°He¡¯s done too much for us to turn our back on him now. And¡­ if you throw him out, I¡¯m leaving too.¡±


    Some of the tension eased out of Victor¡¯s heart, and Amadeus nodded at him appreciatively.


    Lillie was rubbing her head in concentration, as if considering her options. Victor didn¡¯t know whether she¡¯d tell Audrey or keep it a secret, but he hoped for the latter. After a few moments, she finally came to a decision, and sighed.


    ¡°Fine, but you¡¯ll be responsible for driving out the Vintarics, then,¡± Lillie conceded.


    It was a relief, but Victor felt the lingering pain of betrayal. It wasn¡¯t her fault for not remembering where he did, but it didn¡¯t make it hurt any less.


    They made a plan that very day, to venture beyond the Gates and into the mines. Chekhtana would¡¯ve been killed had he returned to his Hive, so he decided to tag along instead. Ashley also came along, and Victor wondered why when she¡¯d sided with Lillie to kick him out.


    ¡°Think of it as an apology. Wasn¡¯t thinking right,¡± she said as she packed her bag full of the essentials.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Victor told her. The cramped apartment complex made for little room for privacy, so Lillie was in the same room as them, crossing out locations on a map. Victor wondered what they were for, but when she glanced back up at him, he looked away.


    Loki had wanted to go with them, but Victor forbid it. It was best for someone strong to stay behind, and Victor could¡¯ve left the whole city to Loki without losing sleep. The team was him, Leo, Amadeus and Ashley once more, along with Chekhtana.


    The four of them gathered the next day with all of the supplies they could spare, and entered through the Gate in the centre of Los Angeles once more.

 Chapter 53: Scepter

    Victor popped the Metamorphs with bullets. They froze in place and he kicked them into pieces.


    The others were on him right after they dealt with the remaining Metamorphs in the caves. This deep down, he could feel the air starting to get hard to breathe. Professor Cooper had helped them pack some breathing masks for the trip, but it would only do so much for them.


    They stepped into another open space that looked like an abandoned mining spot.


    ¡°Another Haven Point,¡± Chekhtana chimed in unannounced. He jumped onto one of the little shacks there and laid himself against the wood.


    ¡°Haven Points?¡± Victor asked him as he stowed the pistols.


    ¡°The Altessssians use them. Caves may change but the Haven Pointsss do not,¡± Chekhtana replied. He chewed idly on one of the wooden beams covering the top of the shacks.


    ¡°What¡¯s the point of keeping them around? Wouldn¡¯t it be better to tear it down once the work¡¯s done?¡± Victor asked while the others explored around the room.


    ¡°They sserve as landmarks for the Altesians. The layout of the caves is alien to the Stars above, but the Altesianss can alwaysss tell. It is¡­ defensive,¡± Chekhtana told him.


    ¡°You should write that down, Vic. The Professor would love to know all that,¡± Amadeus replied.


    Victor nodded in agreement but didn¡¯t get to it immediately. Instead, he looked around the place in search of Seeds or treasures they could use. The Altesians wouldn¡¯t be there to hound them as long as the Vintarics were in Los Angeles.


    And the bugs weren¡¯t much for navigation, which made it all the easier to avoid them. All apart from Chekhtana, but he was an outlier from the start.


    ¡°How close are we to Scepter¡¯s hideout?¡± Ashley asked the bug while he bit off another piece of the roof.


    ¡°Close¡­¡± Chekhtana replied, but it was tinged with nervousness. Victor chuckled. He could tell a Vintarics emotions by the sound of their voice now.


    I need to get out more, He thought to himself. The claustrophobic tunnels didn¡¯t make it any better. To distract himself, Victor went over to Leo by the edge of one of the holes leading out of the Haven Point.


    ¡°Find anything yet?¡± Victor asked him.


    ¡°Not with the range I¡¯m getting,¡± Leo replied.


    ¡°Want me to hold you up for a better connection?¡± Victor joked.


    ¡°Let me connect to a better Wifi first,¡± Leo quipped back.


    He had a little pouch beside his waist that he reached into. All throughout the trip, he¡¯d been cutting and dislodging little gems from the walls of the caves while they moved around. He¡¯d stuff them into the pouch and keep on moving forward.


    When Leo pulled out a little emerald, Victor realized what it was for. He crushed it in his hands like it was made of sand and the dust wafted away from his hands. Leo then slammed them back down into the ground and let out a deep breath.


    ¡°It¡¯s close by. There¡¯s a massive crystalline structure down there. We just need to follow¡­ that path,¡± Leo said.


    He pointed to one of the holes and started moving.


    Victor rounded up the rest of the group while he did. The hardest was Chekhtana, as the Vintaric didn¡¯t seem keen on leaving its resting place.


    ¡°You¡¯re not leaving until we meet this Scepter,¡± Victor told him as he peeled Chekhtana off of the roof. He jumped down as the bug wriggled in his arms and forced it onto the path.


    ¡°The Professsssor was kinder than you,¡± Chekhtana spat at him.


    ¡°That was a trick. You¡¯re just a lab rat to him. At least I¡¯m honest with the way I treat you,¡± Victor snapped back.


    They continued down the winding path, even when they met with walls in their way. Leo would clear them up quickly for them using his Seed, and they¡¯d continue further down towards their destination.


    Several traps laid in their path as they walked. Pit traps, spikes and boulders that threatened to crush them. but Leo would move a single piece of rock to disable them, or Victor and Amadeus would shoot them till they broke into little pebbles.


    All the while the crystals in the walls grew more abundant. The colours shined even down this deep into the caves, giving no reason for them to use flashlights. Leo wanted to collect as many samples as he could of each crystal they found, but Victor pulled him forward regardless.


    They finally reached a hole at the end of the path that looked different from the others. It was more grandiose, leading into a room that was carved entirely out of glowing crystals. Inside of the room was a throne surrounded by corpses and belongings of a hundred different kinds. They looked like trinkets stolen from above, helmets of Angelos and dried up skeletons of other Vintarics.


    The smell wafting through the cave would¡¯ve been unbearable had it not been for the respirators the group had brought along with them. As it was, they stayed back in fear of an ambush, and made a plan.


    There were a thousand holes swirling in and around the caves they were in, and Victor darted his eyes between each and every one of them. There was nothing in them, not even a single sound echoing off of the walls. But something felt off about them, and Victor couldn¡¯t shake the feeling.


    When he looked closer, he realized it was the fact they were dark. No other place in the caves were as dimly lit as those holes. The Altesians usually made sure there was ample lighting in their paths, or so Chekhtana told them, which meant it couldn¡¯t have been their work.


    ¡°The layout¡¯s changed a little. I¡­ I wasn¡¯t the one who did it,¡± Leo said, fear leaking into his voice.


    ¡°Leo, can you close off the-¡°


    A bullet pierced the air and embedded itself in the wall right next to Ashley¡¯s face.


    ¡°That wasss a warning shot, humanssss. Leave now,¡± a female voice sounded from the whole the bullet had come through. The figure was shrouded in darkness, and when Leo shined a light onto it, it recoiled.


    The Vintaric was large, big as an Adult, and had a shiny blue mottled shell that reflected light like the crystals around them. it was as if she was made of moving sapphires, with her piercers formed into the shape of a sniper rifle.


    ¡°We¡¯re not here to fight,¡± Amadeus pleaded, holding his hands up.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    Though he found it stupid, Victor still took his arm off of his holster and let it down. Worse came to worst; he could hide behind Chekhtana for a few shots.


    ¡°We¡¯ve brought offerrrrings for you, Scepterrr,¡± Chekhtana said meekly.


    Her antennae twitched in response to Chekhtana¡¯s words. Amadeus pulled down his pack and kicked it over to her with his hands still raised. Pistols spilled out of the pack, discarded ones they¡¯d found all over the city. Scepter¡¯s arms unfolded from the sniper rifled and instead formed back into sharp blue claws once more.


    The crystal blue Vintaric immediately jumped out of her hole and down towards the pack in front of them. Victor swallowed, taking in her size up close. She sniffed at the offerings and moved them around with her claws, but Scepter never ate a single one.


    ¡°I do not like thessse,¡± she announced, before pulling her head up to look at them.


    ¡°Tell us what you do like then. I promise, me and my people will¡­ try to procure it for you,¡± Victor said, forcing the words out of his mouth.


    He hated parlaying with someone like her.


    ¡°Even if you brrrring me a whole arrrrmourrry, I will not do it,¡± Scepter told them.


    ¡°What do you want us to do then?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Whateverrr you wisssh. It is none of my concerrrn.¡±


    The crystal blue Vintaric walked past them and into her cave once more, with the group following closely behind her.


    Though she¡¯d said she didn¡¯t like them, Scepter accepted the offerings regardless. When Victor got a close look from behind, he realized it was because she was emaciated. Not as full as the other Vintaric Adults he¡¯d seen.


    Scepter lounged on the large throne in the center of the room, playing with the skulls and trinkets she¡¯d gathered for herself.


    ¡°You said she was the one who defeated Altar. What¡¯s wrong with her?¡± Victor asked Chekhtana angrily.


    ¡°SSShe is not in the rrright state,¡± Chekhtana replied. ¡°Something isss wrong with herr.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s insane,¡± Amadeus added. The giant bug was holding one of the skulls in her claws and nuzzling it.


    ¡°How long have you been down here?¡± Victor asked her. Her antennae twitched, and Scepter turned towards him once more.


    ¡°Yearrrs.¡±


    ¡°You were here even before the Fall?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°The Fall?¡± Scepter asked.


    That was enough of an answer for him.


    ¡°Why did you even come down here? There¡¯s nothing for a Vintaric to eat,¡± Ashley said. She¡¯d been scrounging through one of the many piles in the cave, only to come up with nothing.


    ¡°Altarrr¡­¡± Scepter said with disdain and fear. ¡°He kept sending enemiesss. I had to rrrrunn. But not farrrr. I could only find¡­ the cavessss. I shaped them, hid in them, deeperrr and deeeperrrr until he could not get me.¡±


    ¡°And no one else could either,¡± Victor said.


    ¡°But you did,¡± Scepter told the group. There was a manic look in her eyes that faded quickly after. It was like embers starting to smoulder, only to wink out a second later.


    ¡°Why did you want to kill Altar?¡± Victor asked her.


    ¡°We choose the strongest among usss asss leaders. I thought I was ssstrrongerrr,¡± Scepter said, as if it was a plain fact.


    ¡°And you¡¯ve been running away ever since?¡± Ashley asked her. The young woman walked right up to the Vintaric to stare it in her face.


    ¡°Altarrr is too strrrong now. He has Sseeeds that I cannot match,¡± Scepter said. And then a moment later, ¡°It is hopelessss to fight him.¡±


    ¡°Look all around you! Didn¡¯t you take out all of these monsters?¡± Ashley asked her.


    ¡°Yess¡­¡±


    ¡°You even took down Angelos! What do you mean you¡¯re too weak to fight him?¡± Ashley said with indignation.


    ¡°He will ssend morrre. And if I kill him, morreee will grow afrrraid of me. And then morrree after those. It will neverrr end as long as I have ssstrength,¡± Scepter replied.


    ¡°So, you¡¯ll stay down here and wither away instead? For a legendary figure of the hive, you sure turned out to be a joke,¡± Ashley taunted the Vintaric. Scepter took it as an insult, and Victor realized he should¡¯ve stopped her before.


    The air around Ashley grew hotter, and Victor wanted to place a hand over her mouth before she could say anything else.


    Before he could, however, Scepter rose and screeched at her instead.


    ¡°Damn it, Ashley!¡± Victor said.


    Scepter¡¯s hands formed into a sniper rifle as flames erupted all across her body. Ashley bathed her in fire and only stopped once the Vintaric was fully covered.


    Once the flame vanished, Scepter remained. Parts of her body were singed, but she seemed more annoyed than hurt.


    She aimed the sniper rifle at Ashley. Leo raised stone over the Vintaric¡¯s footing and the shot went wildly off-target. Scepter shrieked once more and Chekhtana took the opportunity to run.


    The bullet Scepter had fired hit the ceiling and let loose some crystals from it. They fell onto the ground where Leo picked them up. He crushed the sapphires in his hand and formed a spike of earth so sharp it cut through Scepter¡¯s carapace.


    The Vintaric formed her other appendages into sniper rifles as well, shooting them at Leo. A single shot was loud enough to get their ears ringing, and Victor knew they had no hope of surviving a single shot.


    Red lightning raced across Scepter¡¯s body while she tried to reload. It sapped her strength and staggered the monster, letting Victor get in close. He placed a hand against the Vintaric¡¯s body and focused.


    Slowdown.


    The Vintaric moved like it was walking through water. The others pelted her with more of their attacks, hurting and charring the Vintaric where they could. But through it all, they didn¡¯t notice the ground coming up to swallow them.


    None of them except Leo.


    ¡°Ash!¡± He shouted for his sister and pushed her away. In her place, his feet were trapped in the ground. Amadeus was trapped too, and the two of them began sinking deeper into the dirt.


    Scepter jumped from the ground to the wall, and hung there while she reloaded.


    ¡°I CANNOT FIGHT HIM! NOT ANY LONGER!¡± Scepter shouted madly as she reloaded her sniper rifles.


    Victor and Ashley were her only targets, having forgotten the others as soon as their arms were entrapped.


    ¡°Why¡¯d you have to taunt the crazy monster?¡± Victor asked her.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got a plan. She just needs a bit more of a push,¡± Ashley told her.


    Scepter took shots at them from across the room while Victor and Ashley dodged. They sent fireballs and bullets towards the Vintaric, but she¡¯d just jump to another spot.


    The ground was torn up from the fight and dirt and dust cluttered the air after every earth-shaking shot from Scepter¡¯s rifle. But that very clutter gave Victor an idea.


    ¡°Ashley, taunt her some more!¡±


    Without waiting for an explanation, Ashley got to it.


    ¡°Was your aim always this bad or did you lose that down here too!?¡± Ashley shouted at the monster.


    Scepter shrieked and fired more frantically into the ground. Shrapnel hit Ashley right in the forearm and she screamed, but no one was around to help.


    She continued darting all over the place, taunting Scepter every free breath she could take. She only hoped it was enough for Victor, because she couldn¡¯t see him anymore in the cloud of dust.


    Across the room, hidden behind the veil of dirt was where the Timewalker stood. He had his dual pistols aimed at Scepter and ready to go. The infused bullets were waiting to be used, and he just needed a single clean shot.


    When the Vintaric cocked her rifle once more, Victor took the shot. Twin bullets of ice and fire streaked through the air and hit Scepter in the abdomen. They weren¡¯t the strongest, but they had his Slowdown built right into them.


    Victor smiled as the Vintaric slowed and he took his next shot.


    Blue flames erupted along Victor¡¯s guns, and flame bullets cocked in the chamber. He fired those doubly enhanced bullets and knocked Scepter right off of the wall.


    The large Vintaric fell right into the cloud of dust, away from Amadeus and Leo. Ashley and Victor popped out of it at the same time, and he gave her the signal.


    Flames bigger than Victor could muster flew around Ashley and snaked into the cloud. An explosion rocketed out from the area and covered the Vintaric from head to toe. The It lit up instantly, reflected across the crystalline walls of the chamber until they blinded the entire group.


    Once those flames cleared, Scepter was left standing, but scarred and with both rifles held up.


    ¡°You¡­. humanssss,¡± Scepter said with a tired look.


    ¡°You can still fight?¡± Ashley asked.


    ¡°Of course!¡± Scepter said defiantly.


    And Ashley smiled despite her wounds.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t sound like you from five minutes ago,¡± Ashley told the giant monster.


    Scepter paused. She looked down at herself and the weapons she wielded. And then back up at Ashley.


    Ashley moved forward despite her wounds. Victor wanted to follow but she waved him down.


    ¡°You¡¯re strong. Really strong. What makes you think you can¡¯t fight Altar now? Look what you did to the four of us,¡± Ashley told the monster.


    ¡°He is¡­.¡± The defiance died in Scepter¡¯s mouth.


    ¡°You can fight. And with our help, you¡¯re not just going to get in a few hits, but win,¡± Ashley said. But the Vintaric still seemed a bit hesitant.


    ¡°And you¡¯ll get control of the Stolkatan Hive as well. Didn¡¯t you want that?¡± Victor asked.


    More of the passion returned to the Vintaric¡¯s voice after that. She offered an extended claw to Ashley, and the woman shook it with glee, despite her bloody teeth and limp arm.


    Chekhtana popped out later once he realized the fighting was done. Victor would¡¯ve thought he¡¯d escape, but it seemed the Vintaric quite liked the food the Professor had been giving him.


    With a new ally in tow, the group left the depths of Scepter¡¯s caves through tunnels she had carved herself. She¡¯d used them to find food to sustain herself from above ground, before retreating backwards.


    Once they were near the Los Angeles Gate, they popped back on through and made a plan.

 Chapter 54: Altar of Weaponry

    When Scepter came to their mall, the children ran. Some of the adults too. And Victor wouldn¡¯t be surprised as to the reason why. He¡¯d brought a demon to their front yard with the promise it would only bite at others of its kind.


    ¡°Why would you bring a Vintaric inside of our base?¡± Audrey looked at him like he was a madman. Which he was, considering what he was thinking of doing.


    ¡°None of us are going to be able to live well with the Hive running around. The Angelos are trouble, but at least they¡¯re small in number,¡± Victor told her. He hoped the reasoning would be enough to stir the old woman¡¯s stalwart heart. It¡¯d been enough in the last loop at least.


    Audrey kept darting her eyes between his group and the giant blue Vintaric that sat so stilly inside of the room. Scepter moved as little as possible, whether it was to not scare away Audrey or for lack of care, Victor didn¡¯t know.


    ¡°We¡¯ve come to an agrrrreement in that regard. When I kill Altar and take hissss place for my own, I will not asssssault your people, and will instead assist you against the Angelossss,¡± she hissed at Audrey in an inhuman voice that sounded like the slithering of snakes.


    The old woman raised a finger towards the giant Vintaric and scowled.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care what you do as long as you stay outside. You¡¯re scaring the children,¡± Audrey told her.


    The other leaders had agreed in that regard, and Scepter was kept on the roof of the mall instead for the next few days while they planned out their assault of Grandsmith. She took her meals there too, which were the only rifles they could scrounge up and spare for the Vintaric.


    Scepter regained some of her meatiness from that, and all the better for it. Victor would need her in her best shape if he had any hope of taking down the hive.


    Chekhtana and her were usually together there, and would have a constant visitor in Professor Cooper. He ran a thousand tests and asked them a thousand more questions about the Fall, yet their answers were unsatisfactory.


    ¡°Do you know what caused the Fall?¡± Professor Cooper asked the both of them.


    ¡°No,¡± the Vintarics replied in unison.


    ¡°Then do you know who was behind it?¡± Cooper followed up.


    ¡°No,¡± once more. It seemed the entire thing was just an opportunity to them. Vintarics weren¡¯t much appreciated at the best of times, so they were left out of grander talks that the other monsters had. At least that was what the Professor had gathered after pelting them for hours with his questions.


    Victor joined in with some of his own, and watching the fray, so did the rest of his friends, despite how annoying it became.


    ¡°Do you guys¡­ poop?¡± Amadeus asked. One of the smaller kids, Tiffany, was in his lap and stroking Chekhtana like he was a dog.


    ¡°No.¡±


    Another time, Victor was trying to draw the map of what lied beyond the Gate in Grandsmith Towers and was stumped. It wasn¡¯t helped by the fact that all of the Levine family orphans were on the roof and hanging around Scepter like she was a playground ride.


    ¡°Alright, one more time, from the top. What does the exterior look like?¡± Victor questioned Chekhtana. And one more time, he came away with a sketch that looked more like children¡¯s drawings.


    He threw it over his shoulders and started on another, only for the paper to come back and hit him on the head.


    ¡°You draw bad,¡± another kid, Samantha told him. she was wearing a frilly little dress and kept staring over at Amadeus from time to time.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see you try any better,¡± Victor scoffed.


    The kid took it as a challenge though, and grabbed the pencils right out of his hand. right in front of him, she drew a caricature of Chekhtana that was eerily accurate to the real thing.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have brown or I would¡¯ve drawn him brown,¡± Samantha complained, before handing the notebook back to Victor.


    With shame, the Timewalker stopped her from leaving.


    ¡°Wait, I could use your help for a bit,¡± He admitted.


    Chekhtana would dictate the location on the other side to her and she¡¯d draw it out. Maps, interesting points and anything else the little Vintaric would name. by the end of it, Victor had a good idea of the layout of the place, though he wasn¡¯t sure of the scale.


    He accepted the drawings in return for a favour he never intended to fulfil.


    Sometimes it pays to have everyone forget in the end, Victor chuckled to himself as he let the little girl leave.


    ****


    ¡°Her iridescent shell truly is amazing, Victor. Do you realize what makes it that way?¡± Professor Cooper asked. It was a rhetorical question of course, as he launched into a tirade without Victor¡¯s prompting.


    ¡°The Seeds she has. Her stone manipulation, the Seed that lets her create her weaponry and some others the Vintaric won¡¯t tell me of. They mutate her body to this form.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the point?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°That I haven¡¯t figured out yet. It¡¯s like¡­ they¡¯re taking on properties of the Seed itself.¡±


    ¡°Taxonomy must be impossible with them, then,¡± Victor noted.


    The Professor nodded. He¡¯d said it as a joke, but he actually got to writing them all down and figuring out a system for identifying and naming the monsters. Victor didn¡¯t see the need for it when the bestiary already existed, but the Professor¡¯s whims were his own.


    He left him to his own devices while he worked with the leaders to come up with a plan.


    ¡°The Vintarics are growing more aggressive by the day. We¡¯ve barely any Wielders to spare for the defences,¡± Audrey told him.


    It was the middle of the night when the Wielders came home battered and tired. Amadeus helped one of them onto his shoulders as he walked to the infirmary where Dean worked.


    When he spotted Victor and Audrey speaking, he looked up with a smile.


    ¡°Hey, Vic, we¡¯re having a little party to cool off tonight. You should come,¡± he offered the invite.


    ¡°Not now, Am. We¡¯ve got planning to do,¡± Victor replied. He was a bit annoyed they could think of celebration when Altar and his Vintarics were still at large, but he didn¡¯t blame Amadeus for it.


    He didn¡¯t know the carnage they¡¯d caused last time. and would cause if he let them roam free.


    ¡°Grandsmith Tower is bigger over there than it is here. But Scepter tells me there¡¯s a weak point in the entire system,¡± Victor told Audrey.


    ¡°That is only a last resort, Wielder,¡± Scepter reminded him from behind.


    ¡°Why so?¡± Audrey asked.


    ¡°Because it¡¯ll bring down the whole tower with it. And we¡¯re using it if Altar¡¯s too powerful to take down by himself,¡± Victor explained.


    Having that foothold in the other world would be a boon not just for the Vintarics but for him as well. He could check on the conditions of the Angelos and prepare for attacks ahead of time. That was if they could actually save it.


    ¡°Tell me about Altar¡¯s powers. What does he have and what can we do to counter him,¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Altar¡¯ssss Seed itself is nothing sssspecial. He developed one that would let him control weaponrrrry around him,¡± Scepter explained.


    ¡°Then what makes him so powerful he made you run away?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°The weaponry itself. His firearrrms come from all over the world, from Wayland the gunsssmith to even ancient Mythics and Dietiessss. Those weaponsss alone let him handle even Titans, but inssside of Grandsmith Towerrrr he has access to the turrrrrets as well. He can direct them towards his enemiessssss and leave them as a ssstain on the earth.¡±


    ¡°And we¡¯re going to be walking right into the middle of it all?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Altar won¡¯t be lured out so eassssily. Not even with that Seed you possesssss,¡± Scepter told him.


    Victor felt at the Weaponsmith Heart one more time.


    ¡°He is cunning. He already hasss something better than the Heart,¡± Scepter said. ¡°the Altar of Weaponry.¡±


    Which meant they needed to be quick and smart if they wanted to take him out. It was looking all the more likely to Victor then that they would have to sacrifice the Hive to truly destroy Altar, but Scepter wouldn¡¯t budge on the matter until and unless their lives were on the line.


    Some part of him wondered if he could get his own Altar of Weaponry, the Seed Altar himself possessed, but Scepter assured him it was impossible. If he just had the resources to find where those Seeds originated, it would¡¯ve made his life much easier.


    Their plans were finished for the night. Victor had his team, with a few of his top soldiers left behind to protect the mall. Loki was again left behind, and the man was more than miffed. Victor wondered what had gone wrong this time to make the man so eager to prove himself?


    ¡°I am one of the best, Victor. I could help you take down this Altar,¡± Loki told him.


    ¡°I¡¯m not doubting that, Loki. I¡¯m just worried what¡¯s going to happen if we all storm at the same time. Who¡¯s going to be left behind to protect the kids, the old people?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°They will not know we are gone. Is that not enough?¡±


    A flash of memory swept past Victor¡¯s mind.


    ¡°No. And that¡¯s final. You¡¯re staying right here,¡± Victor stood up and left.

 Chapter 55: Legacy

    Altar, leader of the Stolkatan Vintarics, sat in silence. He was the tallest of them all, with four thick arms ending in claws and grasping at enchanted firearms. His carapace was black and mottled with grey to intimidate his enemies. His Seeds had moulded his body that way, in accordance with their wants.


    A hundred guns lay in and around him, a sheer display of his wealth and power. These ones were special, and he forbade the others from bringing their mandibles anywhere near the pile.


    Angels flew around outside the perimeter of his tower on their glorious white wings, while he had to hide inside of Grandsmith Towers like it was his prison. They were ostentatious creatures that ignored him. They didn¡¯t even know he was here.


    He hated that fact more than anything else. Try as he might, his Hive was still not strong enough to match the forces of the Angelos outside. That was why they had taken the tower for themselves and used it as their base. Out in the open, they might¡¯ve been smitten by the Angelos any time.


    Altar himself could take a few of them down easy enough, but when the might of the city was against him; he had no chance. So, Altar stayed in his tower, sent out his patrols to grow stronger and fatter on the feasts they found on earth, before coming back to him and readying for his eventual takeover.


    And it would come soon. He had been at it for too long to fail now. It was his legacy now that his heir was gone.


    At least, that¡¯s what the Vintaric had thought, before he heard the shrieking coming from the base of Grandsmith Tower. The centre of the tower was a large open space that Altar could look down and see his Hive working around.


    In the middle of the fountain, where the Gate to earth was located, stood a woman he never thought he¡¯d see again.


    Scepter.


    Altar¡¯s blood began to boil when he laid eyes on her. The scars around his torso throbbing again as if they were fresh. There were humans around Scepter, and they were tearing apart his Hive members while he stood and watched. The only thing stopping the Angelos from hearing them all were the wards he¡¯d had set up around the place.


    She was here to finish the job she¡¯d started. Only she didn¡¯t know how much he¡¯d grown. And this time he¡¯d be the one to take her out.


    His insectile, steel wings broke open on his back and he crashed through the window, spraying shards all over the ground. Altar let out a roar of defiance and went down into the centre of Grandsmith Tower to face his arch-enemy.


    ****


    When Victor had popped out into Altar¡¯s base, he¡¯d expected something similar to what they¡¯d gone through with Hemotep. He¡¯d fight through the various levels of the tower and find the Vintaric at the end after his forces were diminished.


    Only that didn¡¯t seem like the smart thing for the Hive leader to do. So instead, the giant black Vintaric was barrelling towards them from above with barely constrained rage in his eyes. As he flew past the floors downwards, more windows broke around him and guns flew out to follow.


    ¡°That is Altarrr¡­¡± Scepter said with some hesitation. Bravado was great, but now they were face to face with the monster.


    Altar stilled in the air and the guns behind him followed. Their barrels pointed at the ground all at once.


    Lillie raised a barrier of light above the entire group to shield them from the hail of bullets that followed. Altar hung in the air, resplendent and sure of his power as they broke through Lillie¡¯s panes.


    Leo followed after, moving the earth around to form a barrier of stone overhead. While they waited out the hail, Victor, Amadeus, Ashley and Scepter killed the Vintarics that were surrounding the Gate.


    It was only a second or two, but that was enough for them to reconsider. Lillie¡¯s panes and Leo¡¯s stone walls were breaking quicker than they¡¯d hoped.


    ¡°Into the buildings!¡± Victor ordered them as they ran into the ground floor of Grandsmith.


    From this side of the Gate, the tower looked much larger and more fortified. Even inside of the floors, Scepter had enough space to move around by herself and use her abilities. She shot sniper rounds that pierced through five Vintarics at once and continued through the halls that followed.


    Lillie and Leo were bringing up the rear with more defences while they rushed through the floor.


    ¡°Scepter, where are the controls!¡± Victor asked as he exploded a Vintaric Adult¡¯s head. Blue flames winked out from his ignistone pistol. He pointed the other at a Vintaric ready to pounce on Leo. That one was knocked back into the wall and froze against it.


    ¡°It is on the fifth floor!¡± Scepter shouted back. When they reached a hallway adjacent to the windows, they all blew in all at once. Shards cut Victor and his group as they braced against the bullets. Scepter provided them cover, as the rounds just bounced off of her body.


    ¡°Scepter! You have returned! Face me!¡± Altar boomed from outside. He had a strong voice about him and stopped only to reload his weapons.


    Victor could tell the crystal blue Vintaric wanted to fight Altar by herself, but he stopped her.


    ¡°You won¡¯t be able to take him on alone! We have to get rid of his backup!¡± Victor told her.


    The Vintaric warred with herself, her very nature, before desisting and listening. She fired a sniper round into Altar¡¯s wings and knocked him off-course. His floating guns stayed in the air though, and Lillie was forced to throw up more shields against them. at the end of the hall stood two more Vintaric adults, and their mouths contorted into giant cannons.


    Amadeus stepped in front of Victor and shot lightning into the Vintarics. They stuttered in place and their blast came up only to their throats. Victor saw a slight glow escape their mouth before the heads of the Vintarics burst apart gruesomely. Scepter raised a wing to guard against the splash of green blood, and the group went forwards towards the next floor.


    There, Scepter paused ahead of them. A bullet large as a man shot into her a moment later, pinning her against the wall. The bullet turned out to be Altar once more, and he looked none too pleased.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    He had two hands holding Scepter while the other two shot into her abdomen with his guns. Looking at them up close, Victor could see the intricate designs of the pistols and rifles and feel the power coming off of them.


    More Vintarics popped out of the other end of the room and the group had to defend against those while Scepter was pinned. Victor knew they wouldn¡¯t make it far without her, so he shot two rounds right into the back of Altar¡¯s head and caught his attention.


    He faced down the Stolkatan boss with indignance and hatred in his eyes. The bullets had barely done anything to damage him.


    ¡°Why would you humans accompany her?¡± Altar asked.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be sssslurring your words?¡± Victor asked mockingly. To his surprise, Altar chuckled in reply.


    ¡°You¡¯re the Weaponsmith boy. I can smell the scent of it on you,¡± Altar told him.


    Victor hid his guns behind himself but it was of no use. Altar¡¯s focus was squarely on the knife at his belt. The one he¡¯d messed up the infusion on.


    ¡°As I understand it, you killed my heir and took that Seed off of his corpse, didn¡¯t you?¡± Altar said while keeping Scepter contained. He did it like it was barely an inconvenience, but that meant he was left open for surprises.


    Scepter¡¯s rifle was pinned against her chest. But if Victor could help her position it right, she could get a straight shot through his chest. He just needed to buy some time before she got that opportunity.


    ¡°I did. Your people shouldn¡¯t mind that much, considering you only let the strongest rule,¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°Only among our own. You have no idea what you¡¯ve done by taking that Seed from my Hive. I¡¯ll take those Wayland pieces off of your body as compensation,¡± Altar said.


    ¡°But I know what the Seed itself can do,¡± Victor told him.


    Blue flames burst to life around Victor¡¯s guns and he shot the bullets right at Altar¡¯s chest. The giant Vintaric winced as they hit him, and more so when he realized he¡¯d let Scepter get the better of him.


    One of her piercing claws scratched Altar across the chest while she knocked the butt of her sniper rifle against his head. Once freed, she fired a round straight at his chest that took him back. Altar flew into the wall and Scepter spat out blood from her insectile mouth.


    Altar was the first to recover, and aimed his guns at her again. The stone above his head crumbled and blocked his vision, Leo was holding up his arms and bringing an entire side of the building down on the Vintaric.


    Carving out the hole took effort, and exposed them to the outside. Though there were few Angelos in the sky beside them, the commotion got their attention.


    ¡°Come on! They¡¯ll keep him busy for a while!¡± Victor shouted for his group. Most were done with their enemies, and a few well-placed shots took care of the stragglers.


    They all jumped onto Scepter¡¯s back at the Vintaric broke through another window. This one led into the inner courtyard, and Scepter started climbing the walls upwards. She dug her sharp claws into the concrete like dirt while the others hung on for their lives.


    They¡¯d scarcely made it a step before Scepter lurched into the air suddenly. A cannon shot followed right after, crashing into the ground and ruining the courtyard.


    Victor looked up at its source and found a turret hanging from the tops of the building.


    ¡°Crap.¡±


    The others echoed his sentiment and they continued to jump between the inner walls of Grandsmith Tower. The bullets tore up the ground underneath, uncaring for the Vintarics that were trying to escape. More and more turrets joined in on the fire, landing shells on separate floors and breaking the building apart slowly.


    Victor notices that not all of the giant turrets atop the building were aimed squarely at them. Some of them aimed away at far away enemies. Most likely Angelos to silence them before it becomes a big commotion.


    The second those turn towards us is when we¡¯ll know Altar is free.


    Scepter jumped higher and higher until she finally smashed through the window on the fifth floor. More Vintarics waited for them there, and they shot as soon as Scepter stepped inside. Victor and his crew stepped aside as the cannons came whirring past.


    They hit Scepter in the chest and sent her back out the window. That left Victor and his crew to deal with the Adults.


    Victor pulled out his twin pistols and shot them both at the same time.


    The bullets slowed them down, but these ones were made of sterner stuff. They fired despite their wounds and carved a chunk out of the floor.


    Victor took cover behind a wall while he reloaded. Magazines materialized in front of him as more cannon fire crashed against the walls. His cover turned out to be useless, as it barely stopped the fire. The cannon hit Victor in his chest and cracked ribs as it took him out of the building.


    ¡°Victor!¡± Amadeus shouted for him. the others were too busy trying to stay alive. Victor fell like a brick. He would¡¯ve splat across the ground had it not been for the pole sticking out of the building.


    He stopped abruptly and his arm and shoulder screamed in pain. He had no time to rest. The turrets looked down at him with barrels pointed.


    Damn it! Victor pushed himself off of the wall. He fell into the bushes and kept running. Scepter was nowhere to be seen, so he had to run into the building to find shelter.


    He took down more Vintarics there with his rifle. Flaming carcasses were left behind after he shot them through. When an Adult broke through the wall, Victor placed a hand on his face and slowed him down.


    He jumped over the Vintaric and fired into its back. He didn¡¯t wait to be eaten, running away as quickly as possible.


    He had to be fast. Not get caught by Altar and make it back up to the fifth floor by himself. The outside was too dangerous, and he heard the sound of turret fire redouble near the centre of the building.


    If it hadn¡¯t been that, it would¡¯ve been the metallic flutter of wings that would¡¯ve told him Altar was free.


    His giant black wings cut the sides of the wall as he flew into Victor. The Timewalker ducked under the assault and took to the stairwell.


    There was no scream, no shout behind him from the boss. Only the cocking of guns and unloading of rounds.


    Everywhere he stepped was either frozen over, burnt or melted by acid. When he made it to the top, so had Altar. He¡¯d done so with the help of a gun that made portals for him.


    Victor fired his twin pistols into the Vintaric boss¡¯ face to distract him. Half of it frosted over with ice but that didn¡¯t seem to bother him.


    It did give Victor the opportunity to dodge a swing of his claws, however. He jumped over and through the door to his friends.


    Behind him, Altar just shook his head and broke the ice off of his face.


    Victor kept running, but he wasn¡¯t a match for the Vintaric boss. When they reached the hallway with the rest of his friends, Altar took aim. Stone walls and light rose to block his barrage of bullets.


    When the guns finished their magazines, a hole opened up in the middle. Amadeus shot red lightning through the opening while Victor unloaded Slowdown bullets.


    Scepter climbed through the window into the building right after them.


    ¡°Break the wards!¡± Victor commanded her.


    Scepter formed her arms into a crystal blue sniper rifle once more. Altar tried to stop her but another wall rose in her way. He shot into it but the break was too slow.


    A snap in the air and the walls of the security room blew in on themselves. They tore through the delicate work inside, through the wards and more and something changed in the air.


    A rush of noise blasted into Victor¡¯s ears from outside, of the city and the flapping of Angelo wings. The noises were mixing with the bombarding of turret fire, and the vibrations of their impact. every noise, or flash of light or plume of smoke that escaped from the building was now in full focus for the members outside.


    It would look like another building to them now, one that was suspiciously fortified with Vintarics inside.


    Altar shrieked a bug-like scream before blasting away the entire floor with his weaponry. Victor and his friends ducked behind Scepter and raised walls against the onslaught that followed.


    Dust was kicked up and the whole group had to escape the building as it was being brought down.


    When they reached down towards the centre of the building once more, they saw smoke and lights mixing above them. Altar¡¯s rampage continued until he burst out of the floor himself with a manic expression.


    He peered at them and clenched the guns in his arms. But then a feather fell beside him and he was forced to look up. An Angelo was flying past, curious of the new tower and its denizens.


    When he got Altar in his sight, he flew away.


    The Vintaric leader looked back down at them and spat.


    ¡°You¡¯ve cost me my entire legacccccyy,¡± he said. He wasn¡¯t trying to hold back his words anymore. Wasn¡¯t trying to appear as anything more than he was. The only thing left was the monster, and Victor was glad to take another one of them down.

 Chapter 56: A Cold Kind of Fury

    ¡°I was supposed to take over this ccccitty.¡± Altar told them. ¡°First you took my son, and now that conquesssst from my handsss.¡±


    Vintarics ran this way and that, surrounding Altar against Scepter and the humans. Their numbers kept piling up, and Victor was frozen in place.


    He needed to find a way out but whichever way he looked seemed to be barricaded at once. The Vintarics wouldn¡¯t swarm them until Altar gave the order, and he was busy talking.


    ¡°You couldn¡¯t have the Hive, ssso you let it get destroyed? Issss that what you call honourrable, Scepterrrr?¡± Altar asked her.


    He was about to call the Vintarics on them, when a plan came to Victor¡¯s mind.


    ¡°How did you lose against him before?¡± Victor whispered the question to Scepter. The giant Vintaric¡¯s antennae twitched and he had to nudge to get her attention.


    ¡°He called the Hive,¡± Scepter told him. ¡°I could fight him but not with ten of his strongest by his side.¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you send your Hive members against her!?¡± Victor shouted loud enough to hear over the chittering of the grasshoppers.


    ¡°What kind of Hive leader does that?¡± Victor asked. ¡°If you want to fight and prove yourself, do it yourself! After all, you¡¯re stronger than all of us, aren¡¯t you?!¡± Victor told him.


    When the Vintarics turned to await Altar¡¯s orders, Victor knew he was successful. They were a bunch of warmongers at heart. If the strongest among them couldn¡¯t take on Scepter and her human allies, he¡¯d look weak.


    ¡°If you ssseek a fight, it shall be on equal terrrmsss,¡± Altar called forth his most elite members there.


    Six other Vintaric Adults surrounded him. They were made of sterner stuff than most, bigger than the rest of their kind and with different colours to boot. Some of them would have powers beyond what normal Vintarics were capable of, and Victor had to watch for them.


    The large Grandsmith tower was bursting into flames when the battle began. Altar descended from the skies with his allies in tow, while Victor braced against the impact.


    Floors exploded, turrets fell, Angelos invaded and Vintarics ran. And Victor blasted Altar in the face with his Ignistone pistol. The shot was infused and the bullet enflamed, but it simply annoyed the Vintaric. He fired at Victor, narrowly missing the man¡¯s body. Victor jumped over one of his allies instead and shot into his abdomen.


    His stomach frosted over and Victor applied Slowdown. He shot Slowdown bullets at Altar as well, but the Vintaric blocked them with his wings.


    Cannon fire kept raining from the top of the buildings, tearing up the ground further as the battle continued. Victor wasn¡¯t sure how Altar was maintaining control of them while fighting them, but he didn¡¯t have the time to think.


    He was slashed and bit across his body and a bullet hit his left arm, leaving it in pain. He had to jump to dodge around, barely able to make it through because he¡¯d used his Slowdown bullets. The others were teaming up against the Adults, but Victor had to contend with two of them by his own self.


    One of the Adults opened his mouth to breath lightning. Victor heard a single crack before the Vintaric lost control and started spraying it all over the walls.


    He took cover inside of the building but another Adult followed him. Victor shot into his face as he readied a cannon, forcing the Vintaric to swallow it.


    The Adult slashed at his arms and knocked the guns out of his hands instead. Victor rolled under his next slash and placed a hand against the its carapace. He slowed it down but the Vintaric was opening its mouth for another blast.


    Victor grabbed the first thing from his belt and threw it into its mouth. He was glad it was the combat knife he¡¯d infused, as it stretched and pierced right through the Vintaric¡¯s brain.


    The fire died in its throat and its body spasmed. Then it dropped to the ground, giving Victor a bare moment to breathe. He took the knife and his guns and ran back out into the carnage, ready to face his enemies.


    He grit his teeth when he found Leo at the edge of the open area, with Ashley holding him in her arms. Her face was stained with tears and fire was exploding around her.


    Victor hated what he thought next. It wasn¡¯t condolence. He was annoyed she was so still on a battlefield. Without a word he grabbed the woman and hauled her up. It flared her anger and he felt his hand burn from the touch.


    Ashley jerked away from his touch and growled out the next few words.


    ¡°He¡¯s dead, you idiot!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll be too, you idiot!¡± Victor replied.


    Ashley got the message. Another Vintaric was hounding Amadeus and Lillie, the last of them. They were fending it off to the best of their abilities, and lightning coiled around Amadeus¡¯ glowing body, protecting him.


    When they looked up above, they could see Altar and Scepter rolling in the air, bouncing between the walls of the building and knocking floors loose.


    Victor ran to help Amadeus but Ashley beat him to it. A white hot jet of flame went over his head and covered the Vintaric. It skittered about enflamed across the ground, having completely forgotten its prey.


    All eyes turned to the last of the Vintaric Adults then. That one formed guns atop its body not unlike Scepter, and had them fire on the crew.


    Lillie pulled up a pane of light and the group huddled behind it. Ashley shot more flames away from her body, curving around the pane and towards the Vintaric.


    The force of the blast was enough to knock it against the wall. Victor shot it full of Slowdown bullets and watched the effect take hold on the monster. Amadeus let loose lightning that scorched its carapace while Lillie pinned it against the wall.


    To end it all, Ashley fired a burst of flame through into the monster, engulfing Lillie¡¯s pane and the monster both. It was left smouldering as its limbs went limp underneath it.


    When it finally dropped to the ground, the group thought they might rest. But they glimpsed above themselves to see there wouldn¡¯t be a spare breath to be found. The fighting between Scepter and Altar was growing more fierce, and the both of them were jumping around the walls like madmen.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    ¡°Lillie! Platform!¡± Victor asked as she nodded in his direction.


    A horizontal pane appeared ahead of them and the group jumped on. It rose through the floors while Victor and the rest shot down falling debris and furniture.


    Lillie had to jerk it around the cannon fire so she planted her friends¡¯ feet deeper into the pane to compensate. It was still a jarring experience, but at least they would make it up in one piece.


    Once they reached close enough to matter, Altar took notice.


    ¡°And here are the humans! I thought you wanted fairness!¡± Altar taunted as guns floated up beside him.


    ¡°Fairness is overrated,¡± Victor replied.


    Altar glanced down towards the bodies of his allies and his antennae twitched in annoyance. He looked around himself but all of the other Vintarics were too busy to reply. They were locked into combat with Angelos across the city, trying to escape.


    ¡°What¡¯ssss wrong, Altarrr. No way out?¡± Scepter taunted him with her rifle in her hands.


    ¡°Just one. Through you.¡±


    Altar and Scepter fired at the same time. one a wall of bullets, the other a precise shot through. Scepter caught Altar through the wing and tore a chunk out of it. The Hive leader couldn¡¯t sustain his flight and had to hang onto the walls for support.


    Instead of flying around the place, Altar instead started to skitter quickly across those same walls, taking shots and avoiding the rain of magic from the other side.


    Scepter shot into the walls where Altar was, missing and instead tearing holes that reached through to the other end. the shells would be lost somewhere in the middle of the city, but Victor didn¡¯t think Scepter had any need for ammo.


    He tried his best to catch Altar, but the fire from the turrets above made it impossible. His footing wasn¡¯t solid and that threw his aim off. He needed a better vantage point.


    And that¡¯s what he found when he looked above him. a straight piece of flooring was jutting out, providing the perfect space for placing his shot.


    ¡°Lillie, get me some platforms up there!¡± Victor ordered.


    He jumped over the steps quick as he could. Cannon fire destroyed them a second after he passed, but Victor made it to the point without any damage. He kneeled there and thought to take a moment. But he knew it wasn¡¯t the time.


    Altar was still skittering around and he was pelting Scepter with more and more bullets. The flying blue Vintaric was getting worn down from the fight before the Hive leader delivered the final blow.


    Victor aimed with his ignistone pistol. The Flame Bullet worked better with it than it did his other pistol. He layered an Infused Attack atop it, and finished it off with a Slowdown bullet.


    The miasma emanating from the gun made him wary, but Victor still took aim right at the moving Altar. Sometime he would have to slow down, take a turn. He waited as the giant Vintaric went up, down, left right all over the walls over and over.


    The debris gave him some pause and he had to hope his bullet didn¡¯t crash into a piece as it flew.


    Just a bit closer¡­ a bit slower and¡­. There!


    Victor fired. The bullet left the chamber with a distorted twang. The air coiled around it, burning up in its flames before it crashed into Altar¡¯s shell with a crack.


    The Vintaric slowed down right then. Not as much as a Vintaric Adult should, but it was enough. He was just making the opening, the others were the real moneymakers.


    Scepter aimed her huge sniper rifle right in front of Altar. The bug tried to skitter from the wall but Amadeus fired red lightning into its body, sapping its strength. Lillie boxed it in panes of light and Ashley covered it in flames.


    Altar then tried to jump away, expanding his metallic wings in an instant. But immediately he was rocked back into the wall. A hole appeared in his chest, pooling with blood leaking down his chest. Then another. And another.


    Shells fell from Scepter¡¯s rifle as she fired over and over at the Hive leader. The turrets stopped moving and Altar tried to claw away. But it was worthless.


    More bullets, fire and lightning blasted into him until the entire side of the wall was covered in smoke and the sound of gunfire.


    Amadeus had long stopped by that point, but Ashley and Scepter kept their assault up till they heard Altar¡¯s body crash through several floors.


    Victor stood up from his spot and watched as a platform appeared in front of him. He took it down where Scepter was, and saw the poor condition of the Vintaric.


    She was bruised, a thousand little bullet holes littering her carapace. But she was alive, and there was a fire in her eyes that he recognized.


    Victory.


    He had Lillie take her with him to the rubble they¡¯d buried Altar in. The group floated along light panes to reach it, and once they did, they took one final look at the Hive leader.


    his legs were crushed and one of his antennae were broken off. the entire front of his body was covered in his own blood as he tried uselessly to dig himself out of his grave.


    Scepter was the first to speak to him, through heavy breaths.


    ¡°You arrre defeated. I have defeated you. I shall now lead the Hive!¡± Scepter gloated over the body. She looked to Ashley afterwards.


    ¡°W-we can help each otherrrrrr, Scepterrrr,¡± Altar begged with his last breath, but the crystal blue Vintaric wasn¡¯t listening.


    ¡°You have the rrright to kill him for your brrrotherrr,¡± she gave Ashley permission.


    Flames wicked to life around her, but they were different this time. not the white hot flames he usually knew her for. But a blue flame instead, a cold kind of fury.


    They coalesced into a ball of fire ahead of her, glowing as bright as a jet engine. Then she sprayed it all over Altar and watched him scream his life away.


    When the deed was done, Ashley wiped a few tears off of her face. Victor wanted to say some words, but he knew there were better times. He instead harvested the Seed out of Altar¡¯s body and stored them in a pack.


    ¡°We¡¯re done here for now. The Hive is displaced. Scepter¡¯s going to take charge of what¡¯s left. Let¡¯s go back,¡± Victor told the whole group.


    Thankfully, the Gate to earth had stayed intact despite the ruins around them. Victor had wondered if breaking them apart would remove them, but it seemed he was mistaken.


    Guess it wouldn¡¯t be so easy to get rid of them, he wondered as he jumped through.


    On the other side of the Gate lay many more Vintarics. The others readied themselves for a fight, but Victor let Scepter walk on through instead.


    ¡°Stop!¡±


    The Vintarics ceased at once.


    ¡°What have you done? Where is Altarrrr?¡± one of the older Adults asked her, perched atop a bus stop.


    ¡°Altarrrr has been taken down! In fairrr combat, with hissss rules!¡± Scepter told them. ¡°I am your Hive Leaderrrr now. And I will not tolerrrate underrrhanded dissenterrrrs!¡±


    The chittering between them all began in earnest after that. They convened for a while, and Scepter was taken along with the adults to ask a better account. By the time she returned, she had news for them.


    ¡°Thank you, humanssss. And you, Ashley,¡± Scepter said the name with a certain fondness. ¡°I have earrrned the right to lead, becaussse of you all. What do you asssk in returrrrn?¡±


    Victor stepped up.


    ¡°That you leave earth alone and find your food elsewhere,¡± Victor told her. It was the one thing he truly wanted.


    ¡°And nothing elssssee?¡± Scepter asked.


    ¡°Nothing.¡±


    Scepter paused for a moment, thinking over the request.


    ¡°It shall be done,¡± she answered him.


    Victor was glad to see her go, and the other Vintarics with her. They left the city and disappeared into the desert. He stood himself to watch her and her subordinates leave, along with the rest of his friends.


    Ashley seemed the most hesitant of them all to part with the newly made Hive Leader.


    ¡°They could¡¯ve helped us instead, couldn¡¯t they? And we could find them food. Both of us would¡¯ve won that way,¡± Ashley suggested.


    ¡°I could go and bring them back now,¡± she added eagerly.


    ¡°They¡¯re bugs, Ash,¡± Victor replied curtly, ¡°Just because one of them seems nice doesn¡¯t mean they all are. At their core, they¡¯re still hungry monsters ready to rip us apart.¡±


    ¡°But Scepter changed. And she¡¯s keeping her promise. What makes her so different from the rest of them?¡±


    Victor scowled.


    ¡°Nothing. But I don¡¯t want them anywhere near the base. If you¡¯ve got a problem, you can go with them.¡±


    But she didn¡¯t. She knew where her allegiances really were, with the humans who had been affected by the Fall the most. The survivors instead of the aggressors. Ashley kept quiet after that, like she didn¡¯t have the energy to argue.


    Victor had been bothered by her words, however. And he let it keep him awake the rest of the night. None of the others talked to him then. He was alone on the rooftops.


    Even Chekhtana was absent, having been taken by the Professor and kept as something of a pet.


    Victor was cold then. He rolled Altar¡¯s Seed over and over in his hand.


    He just needed to put the whole affair behind him. And the first step would be getting rid of the Seed in his hand.


    Victor let it sink into his skin, letting that all-too familiar feeling course through his veins. He exhaled and swiped away the notifications that followed, heading to sleep.

 Chapter 57: Speedup

    Victor didn¡¯t celebrate after the city had been claimed. He didn¡¯t celebrate even when they could walk through the streets again easily. He hadn¡¯t the time for them.


    Because while everyone else was glad to see some normalcy return to the world, he was working. Securing buildings, fortifying them, training Wielders and doing whatever he could to against the biggest fight of his life.


    He trained day in and day out, working his muscles and his Seeds until he couldn¡¯t push them any further. He trained with Loki too, and the rest of them. but when they¡¯d wipe the sweat off with a towel and invite him out to relax, he¡¯d refuse.


    He knew it alienated them. A few years in most of the others only gave him a nod when they passed by. Amadeus tried to make conversation, but Victor couldn¡¯t find a topic to hold it. There was always something else on his mind, some corner of the city that he¡¯d forgotten to take care of.


    Lillie had completely fallen off his radar. Last he heard of her she was with some guy from New York, if what Amadeus said was true. Ashley was still mourning her brother, but the kids had helped her with that. She¡¯d taken quite a liking to Amadeus too.


    And Amadeus himself was happy in turn. But whenever Victor saw them together, he felt a pain in his chest. If he failed now, he would be ripping away what his friends had. He poured himself into his work to ignore that fact. Ignore the isolation his position brought to him.


    He was the only one who would ever know.


    When it wasn¡¯t food crisis, it was water. When it wasn¡¯t water, it was some clever Angelos who thought they could take over Angel Heights for themselves. But Victor beat them all away, kept his little haven for himself for as long as he could.


    His sole companion through it was Loki. The man didn¡¯t speak much, but neither did Victor these days. They could stay in silence and carry out whatever mission the leaders had assigned for them.


    He gave Loki a cutting Seed he found among Altar¡¯s corpse. It looked strong, and Loki made great use of it afterwards. He returned to the same fighting style Victor remembered him for, if a bit different in some moves. Throwing slashes around seemed to be the man¡¯s forte.


    They¡¯d take the cars outside for weeks at a time to scout out the perimeter. Find any news of especially powerful monsters who would be heading their way. They¡¯d take care of them before they became a threat, before they had a chance to rampage across America and grow stronger.


    Victor tried his best to keep the survivors together but in the end, even he had to admit they couldn¡¯t be bound to one place for too long. Some of the guys went around the world, taking supplies with them to establish their own. Others were curious of what had become, and needed answers Angel Heights couldn¡¯t provide them.


    Professor Cooper had been one of the latter. He promised Victor he¡¯d come back after, and took Chekhtana in tow as they explored the wasteland. But he never did hear back from them.


    It didn¡¯t matter. All that mattered was that they made it past the End. Protected their home and succeeded.


    Victor knew he¡¯d failed when the monsters came early.


    ****


    He was standing atop a building like usual. A Gate had opened up on the horizon, and monsters had started pouring out by the thousands.


    He thought he¡¯d been doing everything right. But they¡¯d come two years too early. Only eight had passed, and Victor¡¯s Anchor had not reset yet.


    As he mowed down hundreds of his foes, Victor was perplexed. There were no Metamorphs, no Imperials, no Titans and certainly no Vintarics. All he found were Daughters of Mara. Every kind that he knew of.


    He was used to dealing with them mixed within other formations, but when they came at him by themselves, he couldn¡¯t fight them back. Some of them had Seeds that rivalled his own powers, and though Victor shouted and warned his Wielders to stay away, they stubbornly refused.


    They fought with their very hearts, only for those hearts to change and turn them against each other. Some froze in space as a million thoughts flooded their minds. Others were lured in by the siren calls of Ragas.


    A disorganized defence broke apart like paper in front of the invading army. Ripe for the picking by stronger monsters. Titans came and stomped down buildings into dust and debris. They levelled the city one pace at a time with barely any opposition.


    Victor took down three or four, aiming floating weaponry and shooting them at the enemies. He infused each with an attack and gasped for breath afterwards, but still it wasn¡¯t enough. More and more came through the Gates, endless and unceasing.


    And behind them was their leader. Or Leaders, if Victor wanted to be accurate.


    Four bodies floated in the air. Without his increased Senses, Victor wouldn¡¯t have been able to discern a single thing about them. There was something about them that felt more solid, more sure than the rest of the invading forces.


    Red-skinned and horned, with fangs jutting upwards from their jaws, they wore matching professional suits with a face emblazoned on the front. All four of them looked the same, like they were quadruplets.


    When one of them waved his hands, Victor felt something lurch from his body.


    His Seeds. Something was tugging on them, trying to free them. All except the Timewalker¡¯s Origin. The longer he stood, the stronger the pull became, and Victor knew that some time soon, they¡¯d escape from his body.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    Fear and panic overtook the young Timewalker and he started to run. Away from the crowd of Wielders, monsters and civilians. He ran and ran until he could find the parking for the cars, hoping to get out of the city as quickly as possible. When he arrived, the vehicles were destroyed.


    Most were cut into pieces, not unlike the work of a certain Seed that Victor had given Loki. A fight was going on atop the rooves near the cars. Parts of the building were cut with perfectly straight lines, sending pieces down into the street.


    Victor rushed to reach the roof, but the fight came to him long before that. Loki rocketed into the street below and crashed into the ground, forming a crater around himself.


    Victor jumped into it and kneeled down next to Loki. he was cut in a hundred spots as well, and Victor feared he¡¯d lost his Seeds to one of the Daughters. But the truth was something stranger.


    A figure dropped down across the street from Victor and Loki. He was made of glass pieces that floated around a central human-like mass. Each of those pieces floated in a different direction, before moving back into place to form a single shape.


    Victor could see straight through the monster, and there was nothing inside. But what scared Victor most was the face.


    It was Loki¡¯s.


    Glassy and transparent as it was, it was his. Victor knew that.


    ¡°Loki, what is that thing? I¡¯ve never seen you get knocked on your ass so hard,¡± he asked.


    ¡°M-me. A me that wants to end me¡­¡± Loki replied miserably.


    Victor¡¯d never seen the conflict on his face. Before he could ask anything else of Loki, the monster sent a flying slash at them.


    Victor and Loki jumped apart as the slash cut through the road. The monster reinforced it with more, tearing up more of the asphalt as it swung around its long piecemeal arms. They stretched further than normal, giving the monster the look of a stretchy toy.


    Victor shot at it with his guns, but the monster cut them out of the air. Loki matched the monsters with slashes of his own, but the monster had wider range. Its cuts came from more directions than the Wielder could deflect with his own.


    Victor stepped back a moment and combined his twin pistols into a Combination Forge. The guns broke into parts and put back together into a red and blue hand cannon that Victor had to hold up with both arms. He aimed the cannon in between Loki and the monster and fired. The resulting blast knocked the road into the air, and provided enough cover for Loki to step away.


    The Wielder greeted Victor with a raise of his enchanted bastard sword, before the both of them hid.


    ¡°Where did it come from, Loki? And why does it have your powers?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°If I knew, I would have told you long ago! It¡¯s as alien to me as it is to you.¡±


    ¡°I wish the professor was here¡­¡± Victor lamented. Out of the alley, the monster had recovered, and was searching for its prey.


    ¡°Whatever. Tell me, can you distract it long enough for me to get a hit in behind?¡±


    Loki nodded before jumping back into the streets. The monster instantly locked eyes with Loki once it saw him again. That gave Victor enough time to jump on the rooves and get around the monster.


    He tried not to look at the approaching carnage and instead readied his Combination Forge once more. When he did, he aimed the bullet right at the monster¡¯s back.


    Another blast shook Victor back in the air. It travelled through and hit the ground where the monster had been standing, exploding along with it. Once the burst of steam and pressure cleared, he saw its glass face cracked shaking.


    The monster briefly turned its attention to Victor and tried to shoot another slash onto the building he was standing in. But before it could get the attack off, Loki came in behind it and slashed it into pieces.


    The monster fell in chunks. The life seemed to drain out of the glass as it did, and Victor saw a notification on his screen, alerting him to a new entry in his bestiary [4</a>]. He dropped down near the street and grouped up with Loki, but the man was staring intently at his own visage reflected in the monster¡¯s body.


    ¡°It spoke to me a little, beforehand,¡± Loki told him.


    ¡°About what?¡± Victor asked, curious.


    ¡°About giving relief,¡± Loki said. His eyebrows were knit together in confusion.


    ¡°Some of the monsters try to get inside of your head. Come on,¡± Victor urged him away from the body, even though Loki glanced back every now and then.


    They ran to one of the more armoured vehicles in their camp. It was one that Victor had personally Infused with a Seed. The Seed had made the car more durable and quicker, less reliant on fuel to get further. It had taken some tinkering beforehand to get it compatible enough, but once he had, the Seed stuck to it like glue.


    He revved it up and started the engine. Loki chose to stand on top of the car in case they ran into any more enemies. When they did, he¡¯d slash them apart and rescue the Wielders they¡¯d been hunting down.


    Victor wanted to stay behind. To try and save the city as best as he could. But by the time they¡¯d been done with the Mirror, half of it had already fallen.


    When the others cried and begged him to stay, Victor left. Because they needed to survive. He needed to survive.


    The city didn¡¯t last the day. When night had fallen, there weren¡¯t many survivors. Victor¡¯s group was among the few. He kept driving and driving, the others¡¯ arguments gone.


    Most of them were non-verbal for the rest of their time there. they did as best as they could to find food, shelter and survive the coming months. Victor among them. he set himself to the work and refused to even hear a word out of their mouths.


    Maybe he¡¯d grunt an agreement or something else, but he¡¯d never engage. That¡¯s how he spent the rest of his time, and it became obvious to the man how much he hated it. All alone in the world, with not a single soul to tell about his worries, not a single person to understand what it was like.


    If Amadeus had survived, Victor hoped he wouldn¡¯t meet him. he¡¯d pushed them away this time around. He¡¯d thought it best, as most of his time was wasted with people and among them. Maybe Victor thought that, without the interference, he¡¯d help build a wall that could stand up to the coming tide.


    But that wall he¡¯d built had become a signal instead. To the monsters out there that he was doing well. That his people were doing well. That must have been why they attacked so early.


    In his previous lives, Victor had known of the Grand Settlements. Chief among them were Germany and Atlantis. They had weathered the Fall better than any other, and survived far longer than most other communities did. But he also knew that before the world ended, even those had been broken down.


    Now he knew why. Those figures he¡¯d seen in the sky were undoubtedly Mara, leading his Daughters to destroy Angel Heights and the city surrounding it.


    Victor chuckled while he drove the car. No one else shared his mirth and some even glared at him as they made their way across the world.


    Maybe he should¡¯ve been glad. They¡¯d saw him as enough of a threat to eliminate him early. That was something to be proud of, right?


    Their little caravan travelled across America for the next two years, unsheltered and starving. Victor had to make terrible decisions during those times, but he did it for the sake of the future.


    He needed to be quicker. Even quicker in establishing bases. Not just in Los Angeles like he¡¯d done this time around, but across the world. He needed to kill Mara. Needed to stay close to his friends. Needed to ask the Professor for a more permanent solution and needed to do it all within the ten years he¡¯d been gifted by his Seed.


    When the anchor finally recharged, Victor awaited the end. He didn¡¯t resist when the ground cracked under his foot and magma burst from it. He just knew he needed to be quicker next time around.


    But oh God, how? Was his last thought as the earth came up to swallow him whole.


    [Ability Unlocked: Speedup]


    [Ability Unlocked: Sense of Time Boost]


    [Ability Unlocked: Carryover Seed Information]

 Interlude: The Fields of Passion

    In the forests of the other world, a being was born. It was neither dragonspawn nor a Metamorph. Not an Altesian or a Titan. Instead, it was a little blob of potential borne of potential itself.


    Because of this weakness, the blob had little chance to survive. All around it were predators and prey, but it fit into neither. Because it could change from one to the other, if it had the chance to grow.


    Its own consciousness was barely aware of its surroundings. The multi-coloured reeds of its birthplace, surrounded by flying sea mammals and rocks. Unlike the peers around it, the monster had no need to consume anything to survive.


    So, it spent the majority of its time on the rocks, in the lake or traversing the giant bones of a sea serpent that hung from the cliff above. All the while the little monster tried to avoid the gaze of other, larger monsters around it.


    It wasn¡¯t as strong as them, that it knew. It had meagre powers of its own. It could enhance its speed a bit, that was it. But that¡¯s all the monster needed at the time. it didn¡¯t even think of gaining more powers, nor did it have a concept of what Seeds were.


    When it wasn¡¯t resting or exploring, the little monster tried chewing on the surroundings. Maybe it didn¡¯t need to, but the taste was an adventure of its own.


    It could speak, that much it knew. But there weren¡¯t people around to speak with. The words came into its mind when it thought them, but no one was around to hear. When it saw other monsters huddling together in hives and schools, it thought that they must like having people around.


    Maybe it should¡¯ve been sad that no one could understand it, but it wasn¡¯t. the world was in front of the little monster, waiting to be explored and taken in. it could do a million things, chase the dragons that crossed the sky or play with the sea serpents that traversed the lake. It felt happy in its circumstance, not constricted.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    As it was that one day the little monster decided to go for a swim. Its stubby little arms carried it into the lake and it swam pretty well, if it were to guess. The little monster had explored every place in the cliffside by that point. The centre of the lake was a personal challenge it had set for itself.


    Once it was done there, it would leave the little haven and set out on another journey. It had spotted a fine emerald dragon stopping by the place often enough. Maybe it could ask for a ride to some other place.


    When the little monster got to the centre of the lake, it looked around itself. It felt like the monster had entered into the centre of a sphere, and the world around it was rising up around it.


    It was, though not for the reasons the monster thought. The water was lowering around it because a sea serpent had been awoken from its slumber. Bluish green scales each bigger than the little monster rose up around it.


    When the monster uncoiled, the level of the entire lake around it had dropped. The little monster knew at once it was face to face with something ancient, because the serpent took its time to open even a single eye.


    A rainbow of colours was in its iris, and the little monster was mesmerized by the sight. It froze there in the lake, where others ran before the might of the giant serpent.


    Something inside of the little monster told it that it would be alright, even if it were to perish right here and now. Maybe it was the beauty of the creature itself.


    The monster focused its sight on the little monster, making it feel very much unprepared for what was coming next. For a long while it did nothing against him, darting its eyes around itself instead.


    Then it opened its large, sharp tooth littered mouth. The little monster wondered what it was for, but when water started gathering in the serpent¡¯s mouth, it knew. A beam of it, pressurized so that it became white as a sheet, sprayed out and annihilated the little monster within an instant.


    The beam continued towards the cliffside and tore a line within it as well, before winking out. The sea serpent spared not a thought for what he¡¯d done afterwards, sinking deep into the lake to continue its slumber once more.

 Chapter 58: Family

    When Victor had been younger, freshly graduated from college, he came back home. It was only for a little while, before he found a job somewhere remote, somewhere far from Charleston.


    He¡¯d outgrown his old bed by that point, but he loved the thing regardless. His room was a haven for him, away from the people outside and even his own family. He spent most of his time back staying in there, or exploring the city at night. Anything to get him away from his friends, who he wouldn¡¯t dare face again.


    The isolation got to Victor sometimes, but it wasn¡¯t for long. Charlie or Vivian would burst into the room to ask about a videogame or for his help driving somewhere. Victor was happy to oblige, because it took his mind off of things.


    Eventually, he found a job opening somewhere in the middle of Oakland. It was on the other end of the country, and so his family vehemently fought against him going there. Even they¡¯d relent in the end though, after seeing the condition their son was in.


    ¡°The distance might do him some good,¡± his dad told his mom. ¡°And the boy can take care of himself. I was the man of the house before I¡¯d turned thirteen.¡±


    Then he¡¯d launch into a story that he and his siblings would have to listen to. Victor tried to ask Charlie about his days, how he was adjusting to high school, but the boy would go silent.


    He knew why, of course. Victor had just come back and now he was leaving again. Charlie wouldn¡¯t even look him in the face afterwards, locking himself in his room. He¡¯d yell at mom and dad and Victor would have to defuse the situation between them.


    He wouldn¡¯t admit it to his brother, but that just made him want to leave more. He couldn¡¯t keep arbitrating between the both of them. As if he were someone they could both respect.


    Vivian was a different story. The girl was only twelve, and she¡¯d been eight when Victor left for college. He¡¯d missed her growing up, and miss even more in the coming days. What¡¯s worse was that she clung to his legs every day, bothered him and kept begging for him to stay.


    He found it hard to peel her off of himself, and every time he did, Victor felt a bit more evil. He was supposed to be guiding her and Charlie both, and yet he wasn¡¯t. if he were a better man then, maybe he would¡¯ve stayed and relented. Maybe even made up with his friends after apologizing.


    Kenneth wouldn¡¯t accept that, which is why Victor had never bothered. His mother and father didn¡¯t ask him about it much, mostly growing quiet around the subject.


    After a few weeks his mother finally listened and let Victor go. Preparations were made and Victor wanted to have a talk with his little brother before he went.


    ¡°Charlie? Open up, man,¡± Victor knocked on the door to his room.


    There wasn¡¯t a single reply.


    ¡°Come on, I know you¡¯re not sleeping in there,¡± Victor reiterated. ¡°I just want to have a little talk.¡±


    Victor stood outside of that room for a long time afterwards, hoping against hope that his brother would relent, but he never did. Victor spent an hour that way, until his father asked him to come along instead.


    When he passed by the kitchen, his mother was talking to a crying Vivian.


    ¡°He has to go work, Vivian,¡± she said in her heavily accented voice. She was speaking more softly than usual, trying to make his sister understand.


    ¡°Come along, Victor,¡± his father told him.


    He hurried up and out of the door. He took Victor on a ride but he didn¡¯t know where. They passed by the usual joints they ate at and instead went to the expensive part of town. The part that had designer clothing and restaurants that would cost an arm and a leg for a meal.


    When his dad stopped in front of one of those restaurants, Demure, he was even more surprised.


    ¡°What are we doing here, dad?¡± Victor asked him.


    ¡°Eating, what else?¡± the man chuckled.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got the cash for it?¡± Victor asked.


    His father was a known miser. Wouldn¡¯t spend a penny where there wasn¡¯t a need for it. So, seeing him so close to a place where the dollars flowed like water made Victor a bit apprehensive.


    ¡°None of your problem. Now come along, we¡¯ve got seats waiting,¡± his father told him.


    The inside of the restaurant was even more impressive than the outside. There was red everywhere he looked, from the carpets and curtains to the sofas and seats. Victor spent half his time gawking at the surroundings and feeling underdressed for the occasion.


    While everyone else there wore suits and dresses and looked to be on dates, his father had shown up in a plain shirt and pants and made Victor do the same. The man didn¡¯t care for formality it seemed, which raised an eyebrow on the receptionist¡¯s face.


    He probably thought they were in the wrong place. When his dad showed the reservations, however, a waiter hurried them to their seat.


    Victor remembered it well even now. It was sat near the window, round cushions surrounding a table. His father let him pick out whatever he wanted out of the menu. Victor hadn¡¯t much of an appetite then, but he still listened and picked a steak.


    His dad picked the same and the two of them waited for their food, handing in the menus. A silence dawned between the both of them while they did so, which told Victor that his father had much to say, or much to ask.


    ¡°Do you need money for the trip there?¡± he asked Victor. He shook his head.


    ¡°No, I¡¯ve got enough.¡±


    ¡°What about a place to live? Do you have friends in Oakland?¡±


    ¡°No, but I¡¯ll find a spot, dad. Don¡¯t worry,¡± Victor placated him.


    He nodded in reply and they sat for a while longer in awkward silence.


    ¡°Tell Charlie I¡¯m sorry when I¡¯m gone, will you?¡± Victor asked suddenly. His dad nodded once again, without a word.


    When the food came in, they started working on it together. His dad rejected the wine the staff offered outright, which wasn¡¯t much of a loss for Victor. He¡¯d snuck sips here and there from his friends, but he never had beer or anything of the like fully.


    He just didn¡¯t feel the need to when he could grab a fresh Coke or Dew anytime he wanted. Luckily, the restaurant had those as well and poured it out for him. While they ate, they barely talked aside from little conversation here and there.


    The meat of the steak was so tender that Victor had barely any need to work his teeth. The sauce that was poured over it was fantastic and he found himself finishing the vegetables on the side not out of need, but because he genuinely enjoyed the taste.


    When it was gone, he felt full and laid back in his seat.


    ¡°Usually you kids take a picture beforehand,¡± his father chuckled as he took another forkful of meat into his mouth.


    Victor frowned. He did forget, didn¡¯t he?


    ¡°Next time around?¡± Victor asked with an awkward smile.


    ¡°If I win the lottery, I¡¯ll take you to this overpriced place again,¡± his father replied.


    They cleaned up and his father left the bills with hesitant hands. Victor smiled at the antics afterwards as they left the restaurant and returned to their car. When they got back inside, his father drove him home. Slowly.


    ¡°You¡¯re a man now, Victor.¡±


    The words came out of nowhere.


    ¡°You have regrets and that is fine. I have them too. But you are a man now and those regrets should not affect what you choose to do,¡± his father told him there. ¡°You¡¯re going to have to take care of yourself from now own. And when you have a family, you have to take care of them too.¡±


    ¡°How will I do that when I can¡¯t even talk to Charlie?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°He will come around. I¡¯ll talk to him,¡± his father replied.


    ¡°And Vivian?¡±


    ¡°Your mother is handling her.¡±


    ¡°Your responsibility is to yourself now, son. You¡¯re in the world now, and we won¡¯t be around to make sure you are fed and clothed well. Understood?¡± his father asked. Victor nodded solemnly.


    ¡°Surround yourself with friends. Find someone you like. And take care of yourself,¡± his dad told him before he finished. For once he didn¡¯t go on one of his tangents, though Victor wish he had.


    ¡°I will,¡± he promised to his father.


    They came home late in the evening. Victor¡¯s bus would be arriving soon, and he hugged his mother and father farewell that night. Vivian had cried herself to sleep so he wasn¡¯t able to say goodbye himself, but he gave her a kiss on the forehead regardless.


    His brother had also fallen asleep at that point, and his room was still locked. Victor slid a simple note under the door and left with his backpack over his shoulder.


    His dad carried most of his belongings downstairs and waited outside with his mother. She looked worried even when Victor came down and smiled at her.


    His mom bombarded him with a million questions afterwards, asking if he¡¯d packed everything minus the house itself. When he answered yes to all, she finally backed off a bit and let him breathe.


    ¡°And call us every day. Don¡¯t forget to brush your teeth. And if you get sick, tell me and I¡¯ll come over,¡± she told him afterwards.


    ¡°It¡¯s across the country, mom, I don¡¯t think you could come that fast,¡± Victor told her.


    ¡°Don¡¯t talk back to me. And eat your meals, you¡¯re looking thinner.¡±


    He didn¡¯t know whether she was just seeing things or whether he was actually thinner, but he didn¡¯t pry. When all was said and done and Victor¡¯s ride arrived, his mother gave him a big hug and a kiss on the cheek.


    His father hugged him as well and shook his hands afterwards, and the both of them waved as he rode off.


    That was his biggest regret in life now. That he had ridden off, and left his family in Charleston. If he¡¯d stayed, they¡¯d still be alive, he knew it.


    Or you would¡¯ve been crushed right beside them.


    And if that were true, maybe that would¡¯ve been better than the crippling loneliness he felt then. He would only have to suffer the pain of death, and not the eternity spent by himself, not having anyone else who knew or understood him.

 Chapter 59: Crystallized Lightning

    Victor woke up once more on the couch, with a coke in his hand and the channel on the TV. Only this time, he felt much more tired than he had before. He dropped the can of coke and stained his couch.


    It wasn¡¯t a weariness in his bones or muscles that had carried over from the previous loop. It was something weighing on his mind, preventing him from even taking a single step.


    With his head in his hands, the young Timewalker wondered what to do next. Usually, the first thing he¡¯d do after getting an ability is check it out, but he couldn¡¯t muster up the effort.


    Victor found himself lacking this time around. He forgot to call up Amadeus and get the park shut down in the evening. That meant he had to go there himself with his Mustang and get him and Loki back.


    That would cut into his time, but Victor didn¡¯t care. What was another wasted loop, or another hundred really? ¡®Be faster next time,¡¯ what a joke.


    He sped way over the speed limit without getting caught just to reach the amusement park Amadeus worked at. While he did, he pulled up another screen with his stats and new ability.


    [


    NAME: Victor Amadi


    AGE: 26


    SEEDS: [[Timewalker¡¯s Origin]]


    [[ ]]


    [[ ]]


    [[ ]]


    [[ ]]


    STATS:


    STRENGTH: 40


    SPEED: 20


    SENSES: 17


    RECOVERY: 25


    SENSE OF TIME: 51


    ABILITIES:


    (Timewalker¡¯s Origin): [Unlock Sense of Time] [Anchor Placement] [Carryover Bestiary] [Carryover Item Compendium] [Sense of Time Boost x 7] [Strength Boost x 4] [Speed Boost] [Recovery Boost] [Senses Boost] [Slowdown] [Speedup]


    ]


    [[Speedup]: (Requirement: Understand quick and clean work) By touching a single creature, you change how it moves in time. that creature moves and thinks faster. The degree of this change is dependent on your Sense of Time.]


    Understand quick and clean work. That was the requirement. Victor clenched the wheel tighter. Maybe he¡¯d have better luck saving the damn world if the screens just gave him the abilities instead of pussyfooting around!


    [[Carryover Seed Information]: (Requirement: Sense of Time above 50) Information recorded about a Seed¡¯s progression requirements and abilities are carried over between Resets.]


    The second ability was just more information for him to keep. Victor grumbled, but at least it was something he could use in the future.


    He turned his attention back to the road and opened the valve that led to his Timewalker¡¯s Origin. The power poured out from it and entered into the car, speeding it up quickly. Victor felt it lurch forward as it rode down the straight and narrow road to Amadeus.


    ****


    When he reached the park, Victor felt a bit tired. He¡¯d used his Timewalker powers too much on the ride there and it drained him. Though the Seed itself didn¡¯t feel like it had cracked or been injured, he still wanted to be careful. It was his one ticket back, and no matter how much he resented it, he couldn¡¯t let it go.


    Amadeus and the rest of the survivors in the park were struggling to scramble and defend the place from the invasion of the Stolkatan Vintarics. Somewhere in those skies was Altar¡¯s heir, and he¡¯d come around to Oakland sometime later.


    Victor ran lazily into the park and took care of the monsters that came his way. His enhanced strength made it an easy task, though he broke a few bats and sticks along the way. Some stands fell over and the survivors cluttered around Victor.


    He lazily gave some orders and set to finding the people he actually cared about. It wasn¡¯t hard to scrounge up Isabelle, Amadeus and Loki after, though he did find it annoying how many questions they asked.


    He ignored them all and just guided them along the way outside while trying to keep them alive. All the while, he searched the park for the Seeds he needed. He found Loki¡¯s easily enough among a Vintaric corpse, but the Crystallized Lightning posed a bit of a challenge.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    ¡°When are we getting out of here!¡± Amadeus asked him from behind. The man was scared out of his wits, but Victor was tired of that act.


    ¡°We¡¯ll get out when we get out!¡±


    As soon as he did find the Seed, Victor flicked it over to Amadeus and told him to absorb it. The Vintarics were getting a bit more aggressive so he set the new Wielder to work immediately with little guidance.


    Amadeus was strong, he knew that. He¡¯d figure the Seed out in no time. Loki and the other survivors were also helping to ward off the Hive. Now, he only needed to leave an-


    A shout from behind turned Victor around immediately. Amadeus was on the ground with a claw through his chest. A Vintaric was over him and stabbed a second right into his ribcage.


    What¡­


    Victor¡¯s mind came back into focus. He truly heard the carnage around him for the first time this loop. Saw the terror and manic expressions of the survivors and even Loki. Saw the¡­ inexperience of Amadeus.


    What have I done. Victor rushed over and kicked the Vintaric off of his friend¡¯s chest.


    ¡°Is anyone here a medic!?¡± Victor shouted but none of the survivors were.


    ¡°U-ugh¡­ It hurts¡­¡± Amadeus said weakly.


    ¡°I-I¡¯ll get you to a doctor. Come on, stay with me!¡± Victor shouted at him.


    He rushed out of the park faster than ever. Avoiding fights, just running until the gate came into sight and Victor knocked it open. He placed Amadeus into the back of his car and Isabelle jumped in from the other side. She placed a hand over Amadeus¡¯ wound and tried to staunch the bleeding to no effect.


    ¡°Do you have anything for bandages?¡± Isabelle shouted at him.


    ¡°No!¡±


    Victor hopped in and Loki took the passenger side of his car. he put the car into reverse and pulled out of the parking quicker than any other person there. he applied Speedup on the Wheel and the whole car seemed to lurch forward as Loki and Isabelle braced themselves.


    ¡°Agh!¡± Amadeus let out a shout and Victor placed his hand on him.


    He applied Slowdown on Amadeus and his screams turned into low and heavy moans instead. Neither of the other two passengers asked him about what he¡¯d done, only that it had helped.


    Victor then drove to the closest hospital he could find. He drove and he drove, taking turns that knocked him into the walls of the car as Isabelle shouted at him to slow down.


    But he couldn¡¯t make himself. Amadeus was the first friend he¡¯d made in the godforsaken loop. He had to get the man help at all costs.


    When they got to the hospital, the windows were blown out and there were monsters crawling all around it. Victor had to fight through the Vintarics without any guns, staining his arms green up to his elbow as he dispatched them. And after he was done, he raided the cabinets for drugs and gauze to patch Amadeus up.


    None of them had any expertise on medicine. So, they had to do the best job they could while Amadeus let out moans of pain. No matter what they did with him though, Amadeus wouldn¡¯t get better.


    Victor spent a long time with him like that before realizing he needed something better than medicine. He needed Dean Wilson.


    ¡°Load him back in with the car,¡± Victor ordered them.


    Loki and Isabelle did as asked and he turned the car around to reach the gun shop back in Oakland. He had an idea in mind for it and that needed the Weaponsmith Heart.


    Once they were there, he harvested the Seed quickly while finding Isabelle one of her own. Then they turned around one last time and made for Los Angeles.


    [Seed Integrated: Weaponsmith Heart]


    ****


    The ride there was quiet apart from Amadeus¡¯ cries of pain. He turned and twisted in a half-sleep that looked horrible to be in.


    At least he won¡¯t remember, a part of him said, before Victor shut it up. He wouldn¡¯t accept that Amadeus was already done for the entire loop.


    Instead, Victor put his foot on the pedal and sped down the desert road that led to Los Angeles.


    The tragedy of it was, that despite how much power Victor wrung from his Seed to save the man, and how quickly they travelled, it wasn¡¯t enough. They¡¯d even stopped along the way to find more supplies to help the man, an effort to save his worsening condition, but even that had proven fruitless.


    A Seed popped up over Amadeus¡¯ lifeless chest when they were hours from the city.


    Victor and Loki got out of the car to carry his body. He wasn¡¯t breathing anymore, and there was no pulse to be checked. Victor had figured it out the moment Isabelle had gone silent. She wasn¡¯t as strong as Ashley in that regard, so he didn¡¯t make her help with the work.


    While the world was ending and he was to hurry, Victor instead spent the time digging a grave for his friend. Loki helped without a word of opposition, something Victor was immensely grateful for.


    They buried him there and Isabelle came out of the car to take one final look. She slowly handed his Crystallized Lightning to Victor, letting him bear the burden of the Seed.


    The Timewalker rolled it over his fingers the entire drive into the city and Angel Heights. While Audrey greeted Loki and Isabelle, he sat quietly, turning it over in his hands.


    Daphne, Lillie and the rest had already gone on their expedition. A few days passed and Daphne had come back injured. She too died not long after. Lots of people visited her before the end, last of all Lillie.


    She came out of the old woman¡¯s room with tears in her eyes. When Victor met them, she stared for a long moment before turning away and heading down the floors.


    One mistake, and look where it got me. Victor scoffed. Amadeus was gone and so was Daphme. That was two he should¡¯ve saved. He¡¯d ruined the loop already, so why not just give up and wait it out?


    Because it¡¯d be an insult. Victor realized. Not just to him, but to the people who¡¯d lost their lives.


    It¡¯d be an insult to everyone who¡¯s been forgotten by time, while you remember it. He¡¯d be letting those bastards from the other world win again, one more time. He remembered the face of Mara, the four-bodied king who¡¯d scoured his base last time.


    He hated the monster. Wanted to see him fall from where he was and die instead. Even if it didn¡¯t mean anything when the world turned back, even if it cost him his very body.


    But I¡¯m nowhere near his strength. It was a power that couldn¡¯t be matched by him alone. But what if I wasn¡¯t alone?


    Victor had seen plenty of Seeds over his years, analysed even more and had a catalogue of them in his item compendium. Maybe he could use that. There was no limit to the number of enhancements a person could get at a time. the only thing holding him back was how long he¡¯d last afterwards.


    It was lucky for Victor that he had a few bodies to spare, then. He just needed to tweak some of his earlier plans and come up with a way to get as many of those enhancements as possible. And he¡¯d need Professor Cooper¡¯s help in doing it.


    The first step of that began right then, Victor decided as he took a look down back at the Crystallized Lightning. Then he let it sink into his skin and let the electricity course through his body.


    [Seed Integrated: Crystallized Lightning]


    [Ability Unlocked: Unlock Electroreception]


    [Ability Unlocked: Charge]


    [Ability Unlocked: Lightning Bolt]


    [Ability Unlocked: Paralyzing Lightning]

 Chapter 60: Electroreception

    Victor spent the next few days training Amadeus¡¯ Seed. He¡¯d already seen the man practice often enough with it, but doing it himself was a new experience.


    [[Unlock Electroreception]: (Requirement: None) You gain a sense for electricity and electric devices around you. This manifests as another one of your senses and lets you observe sources of electricity nearby. This technology of yours is something akin to a magic, though far weaker, obviously.]


    He laid out a bunch of smartphones in front of him and closed his eyes.


    ¡°And what do I have to do?¡± Loki asked.


    ¡°One of those is charged. The others aren¡¯t. just shuffle them around,¡± Victor asked.


    He heard the shuffling happen but kept his eyes shut.


    ¡°I¡¯m done,¡± Loki announced.


    Victor then took a deep breath. For him, the Electroreception manifested as scent. He could smell the static in the air and follow it back to the source. He hovered his hands above the phones and picked up the first. When he took a closer whiff, it felt off, so he placed it back on the ground.


    Then, Victor picked up the phone on the right of the previous one and held it up.


    He opened his eyes and the phone screen came to life in front of him.


    ¡°Impressive,¡± Loki told him.


    They repeated it for a few more rounds afterwards. Victor¡¯s senses grew stronger as he did, and by the end of the day he¡¯d earned himself a boost.


    [Ability Unlocked: Electroreception Boost]


    [[Electroreception Boost]: Stackable. Increases Electroreception permanently by 5. Feel the heart of the city.]


    The next ability he needed to train was simpler than the first. And he was lucky so many people were there to volunteer for it.


    The residents of Angel Heights offered their devices to be charged. Their laptops, phones and tablets were all free for Victor¡¯s training. A little too much, he thought, since they all lined up in the halls of the second floor for him.


    Victor grabbed the first of the tablets and double-checked with his status screen before continuing.


    [[Charge]: (Requirement: None) You gain the ability to charge electronic devices through touch. The strength of this ability depends on your Electroreception. Seeds of this nature didn¡¯t obtain an ability like this until very recently. Another example of the way our destinies are inexplicably linked.]


    Our destinies? Victor just shrugged it off. more things for the Professor to think about. Instead, Victor charged the device till it was done and then handed it back to Umer. That was enough to tire him a bit, and when Victor looked back at the forming line, he knew it¡¯d be a tough day.


    For the first time, he truly felt how tired Amadeus had gotten charging their vehicles and taking them all over the place. He himself couldn¡¯t manage to do even half of the line of devices before getting tired. His enhanced physique helped alleviate some of the strain, but it wasn¡¯t ever fully gone.


    Still, it was what the man had done to get stronger, so Victor considered it a part of the training. And that too gave him a boost.


    [Ability Unlocked: Electroreception Boost]


    The last of his new abilities was the simplest by far. Amadeus¡¯ Lightning bolt.


    [[Lightning Bolt]: (Requirement: None) You gain the ability to shoot lightning bolts from your body and control them. The strength and speed of this ability depends on your Electroreception. Never as quick as real lightning, and not half as strong. But a substitute of magic can accomplish whatever is required.]


    Aiming the bolts was harder than he would¡¯ve thought, but his experience with firearms came in handy. He just had to think of his hand as the pistol itself. Finger guns helped him get in the right mindset, though the others found it weird.


    ¡°Where did you learn to aim like that?¡± Lillie asked him.


    ¡°Practice,¡± Victor replied.


    Vintarics fell in front of him and he wanted to search through their bodies, but something compelled him otherwise. He looked back at Lillie. The girl was in poor condition, and looked like she could use somebody to talk to.


    ¡°What about you? Adjusting to your new Seed well?¡± he asked.


    ¡°They¡¯re a bit hard to control¡­¡± Lillie replied as she moved a pane of light in front of him.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    She¡¯d been lucky enough to find the Half-light Pane again. While she struggled to move around the panes at first, Victor gave her some tips he¡¯d known from the previous time around.


    Even with his help, Lillie was progressing slower than him. Or Loki, for that matter.


    ¡°You¡¯re both prodigies at this. Makes me a bit jealous,¡± she said once while they were on the roof waiting for more Vintarics.


    ¡°You¡¯ll get the hang of it soon enough, Lil. Just give it time,¡± he replied.


    ¡°You¡¯re spending every free second working with your powers. How do you not get tired?¡± Lillie asked.


    Because I¡¯ve had mine for years. But Victor couldn¡¯t tell her that. He wanted to, really, he did, but it just didn¡¯t feel right without Amadeus around. He¡¯d accepted Victor in every loop, without barely any opposition. Lillie wasn¡¯t like that. She¡¯d be an ally sometimes and distant other times.


    He wanted to know why that was, but she kept her own secrets like him.


    ¡°I do. I just can¡¯t afford to let it affect me,¡± Victor told her.


    ****


    Panes of light flew around in the air. Victor shot lightning but the target darted away. Then the pane was cut in half by a flying slash.


    ¡°That¡¯s four to two, Victor,¡± Ashley announced. ¡°I¡¯m up after you.¡±


    ¡°If I lose!¡± Victor announced. Another pane took the place of the last one and Victor shot it again. He was quicker on the draw than Loki but the shot missed once again. But instead of letting it go; Victor wrenched the controls of the bolt and made it turn around. It hit the pane from behind and exploded it into little motes of light.


    ¡°Four to three,¡± Ashley announced from the side.


    ¡°You want to switch out, Lillie?¡± Leo asked from beside her. She wiped the sweat from her face while shaking her head.


    ¡°No, I can handle this round,¡± she announced.


    It was training, and Victor knew it was training, but still he felt something lighter in his heart this time around. The last loop he¡¯d spent alone so long it had gotten to him, so this time around he let himself enjoy the sportsmanship of it all.


    In the end, he still lost against Loki and his mastery of The Perfect Cut, but he put up a good fight.


    ¡°Finally, I get a chance!¡± Ashley announced.


    Her strategy was more spraying fire in the general area of the panes, and she accidently lit a house on fire in the middle of it. Leo had to drop the targets he was controlling and smother the flames with dirt before they continued, and they had a little chuckle about it over Ash¡¯s expense.


    Later on, Victor led a second expedition down into the depths. Ashley had her Seed but Leo didn¡¯t. Maybe Victor should¡¯ve tried for something different, but he liked the versatility Leo provided with his stone manipulation and Ashley¡¯s firepower was always welcome.


    When he thought there were enough Wielders that could defend Angel Heights, and that the guidelines he¡¯d given them would be enough, Victor prepared to leave. Even if Amadeus wasn¡¯t around, his kids were. And they needed defending.


    He¡¯d trained his Charge a bit more and ended up finding an electric car to use. All he lacked afterwards were people to bring along.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go,¡± Isabelle told him. ¡°You¡¯re going to go help the Levine kids, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°¡­Yeah,¡± Victor said.


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Amadeus was an old friend. It¡¯s the least I can do for him,¡± Victor replied.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never heard him talk about you,¡± Isabelle said with a suspicious tone.


    ¡°We¡­ had a falling out. I only got to see him back at the park and¡­¡±


    Isabelle grew quiet alongside Victor. Neither of them wanted to reminisce.


    ¡°I¡¯ll still go,¡± Isabelle told him. she crossed her arms over and waited for some defiance, but Victor hadn¡¯t in him to disagree. He could use the help, and Isabelle had picked up a rather nice Seed.


    Twisting Roots helped the woman to grow plants and manipulate them however she wished. Often, Victor caught her using the same moves she had with her thread Seed in the first loop.


    I should keep an eye on her. That could be helpful.


    The only difference he¡¯d seen between those two Isabelles was the fact she had roots twisting around her fingers this time around. He¡¯d seen a few Wielders of the Seed before, and the stronger she grew, the more those roots would spread across the surface of her whole body.


    It would be a good source of safety for her, and an easy access to plants she could control, but Victor couldn¡¯t help be a bit grossed out with it.


    ¡°It¡¯s going to be a dangerous journey, but fine,¡± he told her.


    After her, Loki and Lillie both showed up to accompany him.


    ¡°I can¡¯t take both of you. Loki, you¡¯ll have to stay behind,¡± Victor said.


    He frowned at the order.


    ¡°Why so?¡±


    ¡°Lillie¡¯s panes make for a good defence. We¡¯re going to need it,¡± he explained.


    ¡°How do you know that? A quicker fight is always preferred,¡± Loki reasoned.


    ¡°And its messier too. We¡¯re going to rescue children, not fight monsters.¡±


    That was the end of the discussion, and they left Angel Heights not long after preparations were done.


    Victor applied Speedup to the car¡¯s handles as he drove it down the barren road. It helped to cut down their travel time in between the cities, though it did put both him and his passengers into an uneasy position.


    Whenever the car ran out of electricity, Victor had to pull over and charge it back up again. Then he¡¯d hop back in and drive tiredly to their next stop.


    ¡°You should hand over the wheel to me,¡± Lillie suggested.


    ¡°I¡­I¡¯m fine,¡± Victor replied as he stifled a yawn.


    His eyes grew heavy on the road, but he had to stay vigilant. There were abandoned vehicles beside him, and swerving around them needed his full concentration.


    The real problems came when the roads were empty. It made him cocky, made him think he could close his eyes for a split second and just¡­. Rest.


    ¡±VICTOR!¡± Lillie jolted him awake.


    Ahead of him and approaching quickly, was a Vintaric adolescent on the road. Victor turned the wheel aside but not in time. the bug crashed into the window.


    Glass shards went flying into Victor and Lillie¡¯s faces, and green blood followed after.


    ¡°Get away!¡± Isabelle shouted as the roots around her arm unravelled. The creature was still alive, if damaged. It tried to swipe at Victor and the man jerked backwards.


    The roots entangled the Vintaric a moment later. Isabelle bound the monster and pushed it out of the window. The Vintaric struggled, but eventually fell by the side of the EV.


    Victor drove for a long time afterwards, only stopping once it was out of sight. He kept his hands on the vehicle, acutely aware of how strong his grip was.


    ¡°We¡­ should probably switch,¡± Victor told Lillie.


    She took over driving the car for the next round. Isabelle took the front seat while Victor was splayed out in the back, asleep. When they reached the next stop on their ride was the point where they finally woke Victor again.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to have to go left from here,¡± he told them, rubbing his eyes.


    ¡°Why? Straight through gets us to Washington faster,¡± Isabelle replied.


    ¡°There¡¯s someone we have to pick up first,¡± the Timewalker told them.


    The girls shrugged and accepted his reasoning, and Lillie took the turn left up to Utah.

 Chapter 61: Imperial

    Lillie and Isabelle waited outside with the parked car while Victor went into the suburban home. He¡¯d brought along a Vintaric corpse with him for some reason, and neither of them wanted to ask the reason.


    ¡°Maybe there¡¯s a monster inside and he¡¯s feeding it?¡± Isabelle guessed.


    Lillie shook her head.


    ¡°If it was a monster it¡¯d be making noises like ¡®Ragh!¡¯ or ¡®Grrrraaaooo!¡¯,¡± Lillie replied.


    ¡°Or like bubblewrap, like the Metamorphs.¡±


    ¡°Those too.¡±


    Victor came out of the house a bit later with a dishevelled looking old man. he was wrinkled and wore an old unwashed lab coat over his body. Green blood stained the edges of the coat, which made Lillie wonder what had gone on in there.


    ¡°This is Professor Cooper Leopald. Professor, these are my allies, Isabelle and Lillie,¡± Victor introduced the both of them. There was some hesitation in the way he called them ¡®allies¡¯ but Lillie ignored it.


    ¡°This is who we came to bring?¡± Lillie asked.


    ¡°Professor Cooper is a brilliant man. He¡¯ll be loads of help to us, I promise,¡± Victor said.


    ¡°You put a bit too much faith in me¡­¡± the Professor said, tugging at his wiry brown hair.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got precedent. Lillie, you¡¯re good with driving the rest of the way to Washington?¡± Victor asked. He threw the keys at her and she nodded.


    They went driving down the road while Victor sat in the back of the car with the Professor. The wind through the cracked window was strong, and she could hear the sound of paper being ruffled in the air.


    Victor was mumbling something about Seeds or monsters that she couldn¡¯t quite grasp over his low voice. The Professor at least seemed to be paying attention, and he was eating up the information with wide, gleaming eyes.


    ****


    Victor explained as best as he could, Cooper¡¯s own research to him. He wasn¡¯t sure what he was forgetting but he blurted out whatever was still in his mind about them.


    ¡°Fascinating. And you¡¯re saying they adapt to the concepts of the Seeds?¡± Cooper asked.


    ¡°Yeah. We had two monsters like the Vintaric I showed you and they looked completely different,¡± Victor explained.


    ¡°And where did you get all this knowledge? I¡¯d love the meet the researcher behind it.¡±


    Look in the mirror, why don¡¯t you?


    ¡°I¡¯ll introduce him someday!¡± was what he actually told the Professor.


    They drove and Victor used Speedup on the car while charging it at the same time. it didn¡¯t really matter where he placed his hand on the EV for it as long as it was touching. That way, they could keep driving continuously without needing to stop for a break.


    Their drive took them to a familiar Gate in the middle of the desert. A Gate that had a Mariticide Vintaric guarding it.


    ¡°Take care of the Professor. I¡¯ll handle the monster,¡± Victor told them.


    He stepped out of the vehicle and pulled his Strengthened Rifle off of his back. Ashley had asked him about it not long after he¡¯d started practicing with the Crystallized Lightning.


    ****


    ¡°What¡¯s the rifle for?¡± she pulled it off the ground and looked down the sights of the M-16.


    ¡°In case things need shooting,¡± Victor replied.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got a Seed for that though. And a gun¡¯s ammo is only going to take you so far,¡± Ashley had told him.


    ¡°The Seed can run out too, you know.¡±


    ¡°It can?¡±


    Did I not explain that already? Maybe he did need a pen and paper after all. Would help with writing down all those little details that slipped his mind between resets.


    ¡°It can, and it might if we get into a long scuffle. So, guns,¡± Victor told her.


    He then went back to strengthening the rest of them, and got back a favourite ability of his.


    ****


    Blue flames erupted along the M-16 while Victor took aim. He shot first before the Vintaric could finish screeching. It caused a bit of damage and the Mariticide Vintaric rushed towards him.


    The Timewalker discarded his gun and waited for the bug to slash downwards. Once she did, he placed a hand against one of the scythe-like blades.


    Slowdown.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    Sppedup.


    the Vintaric slowed down doubly as much as it should. Victor took a glance backwards at his allies and saw them too moving slower. Without missing a beat, Victor jumped up to the Vintaric¡¯s back and grabbed onto its head with both arms. Blades started to pop out of the monster¡¯s body, but he was faster.


    Lightning erupted between his fingers and fried the monster¡¯s brains as it let out a deep scream. The body flailed around wildly afterwards and Victor had to back off.


    He grabbed his M-16 off of the ground and sent several more rounds into the Vintaric. A moment later, it fell to the ground dead and defeated.


    ¡°All clear!¡± Victor shouted for his friends. They left the safety of the car and carefully approached the corpse.


    All except the Professor, who witnessed the formation of a Seed for the first time. He grabbed it off of the body of the Vintaric with a gentle touch, and then receded to inspect the body.


    ¡°Professor, we haven¡¯t the time. You can take a look at them later,¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°Of course, of course. Do tell, though, what is this one¡¯s name?¡± Cooper asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s a Mariticide Vintaric. Different Hive from the others,¡± Victor replied.


    ¡°Mariticde. Interesting name¡­¡±


    The Professor started muttering to himself, and the others continued onwards to the Gate. They had their bags packed and stood in front of it while the Professor followed behind.


    ¡°You should use that Seed, Professor. That, or hand it over,¡± Victor told him.


    As they crossed the Gate, Cooper made his decision. The Bladebody Edge Seed sank into his skin and the Professor¡¯s eyes became alight once more. His previous depression was forgotten as he took in the world around him.


    Titans stalked in the distance, blending into the horizon as birds of a thousand colours flew across the bright red skies.


    The others gasped at the sight of the place, and Victor let them have their moment of awe. The Professor decided a moment wasn¡¯t enough though, and started plucking samples of the dirt, rocks, grass and every other thing he could get his hands on. During the impromptu foraging session, a blade burst from his arms and cut through the Professor¡¯s coat.


    Without missing a step, he then decided to use it to cut down a large orange stalk in front of him.


    Victor had to struggle to get the man away from it all, with the Professor eventually relenting.


    ¡°You¡¯re to bring me back here every month, understood?¡± Cooper told him.


    ¡°Understood, Professor, now come along,¡± Victor told him.


    That manic fervor of his died down slowly but surely, and the group was able to make good time on their way to Washington.


    ¡°There¡¯s another stop here we¡¯ll need to make.¡±


    He might as well, since it was on his way there anyways. Victor¡¯s group climbed up the cliff face and made it to the flat lands ahead, but their leader stopped.


    ¡°You, come out now!¡± Victor shouted, and a red Altesian jumped out of its hiding spot. Victor wondered how long it would take him this time to defeat the Daughters.


    ****


    It was only two days before Victor once again sat atop a Titan with two new pistols in his hands. He was tired from the fight and had taken a bullet or two, but it was nothing compared to what he¡¯d gained.


    ¡°You seem to be, ah, hurt,¡± Amit told him.


    ¡°Worry about yourself, old man. I¡¯ve got the Altesians to heal me,¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°Ought to have better manners,¡± the man replied. He placed a hand over Victor¡¯s shoulders and the wounds started to feel smaller immediately.


    It wasn¡¯t fast by any means, but he appreciated the help regardless.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d stick around,¡± Victor said.


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t planning to. I have a friend coming to pick me up tomorrow,¡± Amit replied.


    ¡°And if you¡¯d died?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Ah, I suppose I did rely on my value too much, didn¡¯t I?¡±


    ¡°Much too much, especially when the Daughters¡¯ first move was throwing you into a cell,¡± Victor told him.


    Lillie was beside the other Altesians, carrying them on large panes to be healed. Isabelle was rooting the trees back into the ground and Professor Cooper simply enjoyed the company of the monsters themselves.


    ¡°That scientist of yours asks too many questions,¡± Amit said.


    ¡°He¡¯s not the only one. Mind telling me what that secret job of yours was?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Hmmm, No.¡±


    And he has the gall to complain about the Professor.


    Victor left Amit there as helped with the cleanup around Pepin village. Later that night, they¡¯d go through the same motions of the ceremony and spend some time eating and resting.


    Victor could see the others were tired, so he let them have their fun while he hung back besides the refreshments. He kept his eyes squarely on Amit the entire time. the old Nepalese man seemed reserved, and though he exchanged some words with the chief, he never did join in fully.


    Eventually, curiosity overtook Victor. When the others had fallen asleep, he stayed awake in his little hammock. When he was sure most all of them were asleep, he jumped out and overlooked the village.


    There, at the edge of it, he found Amit walking out. Silent in the night, he had hoped to keep them in the dark. Well, Victor wouldn¡¯t have that. The Timewalker tailed him through the forest right up until they reached a bluff.


    Victor stuck back in the trees near the rock instead. Amit seemed to wait for a while before someone finally showed up to meet him.


    It was a man fully armoured in gold and gems who stood in front of the Nepalese Wielder. Only, the proportions of his body were all wrong. They were elongated, and his neck was more like a dog or a cat¡¯s rather than a human¡¯s.


    An Imperial?


    They talked for a while amongst themselves and prepared to leave. But before they did, Amit stopped.


    ¡°Ah, I forgot about our visitor. You can come out now, Victor Amadi!¡±  Amit said loud enough to be overheard.


    Victor sighed and dropped down from the branch he was sitting in.


    ¡°You¡¯re working with the Imperials, Amit?¡± Victor asked, defensive. His dual pistols were still holstered beside him, and his fingers itched to get around the trigger.


    ¡°More they¡¯re working with us, Victor.¡±


    Should¡¯ve left him for dead, Victor snarled. He placed a hand over his gun but Amit raised a hand. The Imperial stepped in between them and everyone grew still.


    Victor could blitz past the Imperial with his Speedup, but something held him back.


    ¡°Ah, wait! I think we¡¯ve gotten off on the wrong foot,¡± Amit stated, pushing past the Imperial.


    ¡°Explain quick, Amit, before I put two between the monster¡¯s eyes,¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°He¡¯s on our side, Victor, not theirs,¡± Amit said.


    ¡°Monsters usually don¡¯t play nice with humans,¡± Victor said without taking his eyes off of the monster.


    ¡°Then how do you explain the Altesians? You think they¡¯d stab you in your sleep?¡± Amit asked.


    Victor clicked his tongue in annoyance.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got a point, but¡­. Explain yourself first,¡± Victor said.


    ¡°I cannot.¡±


    ¡°Again with that?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°But I can give something else. The Chrysler Building in New York, the 55<sup>th</sup> floor,¡± Amit said. ¡°If you want to learn more about us, reach there. We¡¯ll explain whatever you want to know, in a safe location.¡±


    ¡°And you won¡¯t be giving me anything else?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Not until I see you there, Victor Amadi. Ah, but I¡¯ll put in a good word for you,¡± Amit promised.


    He and his knight then turned around and stalked off into the night. Victor let them go too, and contemplated their words for a long time. But the sun began to rise, and Victor realized he hadn¡¯t gotten any sleep. He rubbed his eyes and let the words sink into the back of his mind.


    Great, something else I¡¯ll have to remember.

 Chapter 62: Big Brother

    The group reached the other Gate on the next night, after a long and hard day of walking. Even with his enhancements, Victor still felt tired by the end of it, thanks in part to his lack of sleep.


    It also didn¡¯t help that the Professor¡¯s droning made for a real sweet lullaby as they walked. But in the end; they reached the Gate, and Victor stood up a bit straighter. The next part of the journey was going to be more treacherous, and fraught with danger.


    ¡°I think I finally understand it,¡± Professor Cooper said before they entered the glowing beam of light.


    ¡°What are you on about, Professor?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Tell me of that monster you spoke about before the previous day?¡± Professor Cooper asked.


    ¡°The Mirror?¡± Victor guessed.


    ¡°Exactly! You said it mimicked a person¡¯s abilities, didn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°Their Seeds, but yeah.¡±


    ¡°Was the person this ¡®Mirror¡¯ mimicked somewhat gloomy and scatter-brained?¡± Professor Cooper asked.


    Victor couldn¡¯t very well tell them who the Mirror had actually belonged to. It¡¯d cause problems if they ever talked about it near Loki himself.


    ¡°He was gloomy, yeah, but more¡­ aimless than scatter-brained,¡± Victor admitted, keeping the details light.


    ¡°Then the Mirror didn¡¯t just copy his abilities. I hypothesize that he copied the person¡¯s psyche as well.¡±


    ¡°The Mirrors are a person¡¯s reflected personality. This isn¡¯t new, Professor,¡± Victor told him. Though he was growing impatient to get to the city, he let Cooper continue.


    ¡°But that¡¯s just one thing, Victor. Why only this one? So, I thought to apply the same logic to the other monsters we¡¯ve faced. I don¡¯t think a Mirror is the only monster based off of human thought. I think it¡¯s all of them.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Victor struggled to find the words.


    ¡°This can wait until we get the kids,¡± Isabelle intervened.


    ¡°Wait, I want to hear this,¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°Those Vintarics eat weaponry, and they¡¯re a warmongering race from what we¡¯ve seen. What are they, if not just a twisted version of an army and soldiers. Instead of thriving on warfare, they thrive off the weapons used to wage it.


    ¡°A Metamorph is unrealized potential. It can take in materials and form itself into whatever possible, but in its base state it is malleable.


    ¡°If the Daughters of Mara exist, I see no reason for other deities to not as well. They¡¯re our thoughts, concepts and fears manifested, our Vices you may call them,¡± Professor Cooper finished in a huff.


    Victor just stood there absorbing the information. He looked down at his chest, where his Seeds were beating steadily. He should¡¯ve known from the start. If the Seeds could be based off of a single concept, what was stopping the monsters, no, Vices from following suit.


    ¡°These Vices¡­ were made by us?¡± Lillie asked.


    ¡°Maybe¡­ But I see no reason for our allies to be so few then.¡±


    Victor stifled a bitter chuckle.


    ¡°Watch the news any before the Fall, Professor?¡± Victor asked him. ¡°Plenty of reason for the evil ones to win out over the good ones.¡±


    But that didn¡¯t change the fact that the origin of the monsters was humanity itself. Whatever they had a concept for, existed in the world. they¡¯d seen a dragon pass overhead a long time ago as well. Something straight out of Lord of the Rings, and he¡¯d simply chalked it up to the other world¡¯s weirdness.


    Victor took a look around the world once again with the rest of his allies. Was every step he was walking on made of human thought as well? Were the flies and deer and animals that seemed no different from earth the same thing?


    He had seen mostly American animals within the Gate and now he knew why.


    ¡°We have to share this with everyone¡­¡± Lillie said quietly as they stalked through the Gate.


    ¡°I will,¡± Victor promised her.


    Washington came into sight afterwards. Instead of the dark purple sky they¡¯d see in the other world, they could finally stare into the black of a normal night sky. Victor saw a few stars hanging on top of there, and wondered to himself whether the Altesians of Angel Heights were being literal when they named their Angelos as Stars.


    When they did end up in the city, it was just as abandoned as it had been the last time. Victor knew where the base of the survivors was and so this time around, he just waited at the group home for Jared to arrive.


    The kid came gauntleted in his armour. When Victor stood up from the steps of the Group Home, Jared pointed the tip of his sword at him.


    ¡°Put that down, kid. I¡¯m here to help you,¡± Victor claimed.


    ¡°We¡¯re friends of Amadeus,¡± Isabelle added.


    But the teen kept looking upon them with suspicion. Isabelle¡¯s appearance didn¡¯t help a bit, so Victor fired off a few facts instead.


    ¡°Am likes little bunny rabbits, he sleeps deep enough you could fire a cannon and he wouldn¡¯t wake up, and he¡¯s a hopeless romantic,¡± Victor told him. ¡°That enough?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ did he tell you my name, then?¡± the teen asked.


    ¡°Jared. You¡¯re the only one who got away, I¡¯m guessing. They got Yvette, Tiff, Jaune, the twins and the rest of them,¡± Victor said.


    Finally, the boy was convinced, but confused. He let down his blade and dismissed the gauntlets in a puff of magic.


    ¡°If you¡¯re with Am¡­ where is he?¡± he asked hesitantly.


    ¡°He¡¯s-¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll tell you once we rescue the rest. We don¡¯t want to worry him, right?¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°Right.¡±


    Victor placed a hand on Jared¡¯s shoulder and guided him down the street. He glanced back at Isabelle and shook his head. Don¡¯t let him know.


    She grimaced, but followed behind them. Victor took them both to the base of the Washington survivors. There, he met up with Lillie again and they caught up.


    There wasn¡¯t much time to waste, and Victor wanted to get the kids out quickly for what came after. Jared would grow curious about his big brother¡¯s location, and the longer he kept the boy in the dark, the harder it¡¯d be on him once he found out.


    ****


    Hemotep didn¡¯t expect the invasion. And though Victor lacked some manpower this time around, he still made it to the Vice¡¯s chamber¡¯s quicker than him. There, they ambushed him and trapped him within the panes.


    He didn¡¯t have the power to summon storms like Amadeus did. Instead, Victor applied Slowdown and then Speedup to paralyze his enemy in time. He shot through the Count¡¯s heart and drained him of the enhanced ichor before pelting him with thunderbolts and bullets alike.


    The Vice perished quickly. And Victor freed the kids once more. That wasn¡¯t the hard part for him, though, it was what came afterwards back at the camp.


    ****


    ¡°Where is Am?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, where is he?¡±


    ¡°Come on, tell us!¡±Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    The kids crowded around Victor and Isabelle. Their hearts grew heavy from the pleading, and some of the kids were beginning to sob. Even Yvette was scowling, though her lips were quivering with a realization the others hadn¡¯t reached.


    Victor exchanged a look with Isabelle and the both of them nodded.


    ¡°Sit down, kids. We¡¯ve got some news for you,¡± Victor told them.


    Yvette helped them out with placating them. it was hard, and once they were settled, they stared at Victor alone.


    ¡°Sometimes in life¡­ things happen that you¡¯re not prepared for, but you kids already knew that. People leave and they don¡¯t come back for reasons¡­ you know that too,¡± he hated the words even as they left his mouth.


    He wanted to say the truth. That he could walk through time and bring back their big brother. That Amadeus wasn¡¯t truly gone. But instead, he had to lecture a bunch of orphans on loss once more, as if they hadn¡¯t enough in their times.


    ¡°Amadeus told me about you all when we first met. He kept smiling through the worst things and that made me respect him even more, because I couldn¡¯t do that. And I think he could smile so easily because he loved you all, and he always had you in his mind,¡± Victor told them.


    ¡°But¡­ Amadeus passed away. He was attacked as soon as the Fall began. We tried to rush him to a hospital, but there weren¡¯t any, and I failed to save him. I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    The first sobs came from the five-year olds. After that, it spread to the older ones until the room was drowned in shouts and screaming. some of the kids kicked and punched at Victor, and he took the blows regardless.


    Somehow, they still hurt despite his Seeds. He let them blow out their frustration and tried to separate it from his mind. To not think about it.


    They¡¯re not aware of the resets. Their feelings don¡¯t matter. I just need to wait and save him in the next one¡­


    He tried to close his heart to the cries over and over until Alex raced into the room with her curly hair bobbing behind her.


    ¡°What are you doing? Why are they all shouting!?¡± She asked them.


    She had to wade through the crying children to reach the solitary Victor.


    ¡°I had to break some news to them¡­¡± Victor explained without looking at her or the kids.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have the time to deal with this, Victor. Vintarics could be here any moment if they keep going. Get them to shut up!¡± Alex growled at him.


    Victor nodded solemnly and tried to stifle Tiffany¡¯s cries, but the kid wouldn¡¯t listen.


    ¡°Tif, please, I know it hurts but you have to be a bit qui-¡±


    His voice was drowned out by more of her shouts. Victor winced at the volume and grabbed the little girl¡¯s arms. That made her lash out even more, and Victor had to struggle to hold her in place.


    ¡°Let go of her,¡± Yvette told him. her eyes were red and puffy from tears, but she took Tiffany in her arms with a gentle touch.


    Eventually, the little girl stopped crying as much and braced against Yvette instead. She helped the others as well, and eventually the noise died down in the room, replaced by soft sleeping sounds.


    Yvette had a blanket rolled out over them and Victor and Isabelle helped to cover the kids. And then Yvette just watched over them silently, leaning against a table with shaky arms.


    ¡°I should go. If they wake up and see me, they might¡­¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s probably best¡­ Thanks for saving their lives,¡± Yvette told him. She had none of her usual harshness about her then, only vulnerability.


    Victor left the room and heaved a heavy sigh along with Isabelle. She stalked off to another part of the building, and he was left alone for the night.


    ****


    When Victor woke up the next morning, he found the kids sulking by themselves. They refused to eat rations or even talk with Yvette. She tried to coax them into eating but was blown off at every opportunity.


    Walking into the room made it worse for Victor, because some of the kids up and left right then and there. Yvette walked over to him and offered some of the rations to him as well.


    ¡°Don¡¯t mind the kids. They¡¯ll be better soon. Here, have something, you need to eat too,¡± she told him. Victor nodded and took the protein bar from her.


    He knew he needed to take them back to Angel Heights, but the problem came in the how. They wouldn¡¯t follow him back without Amadeus with him. Instead, of pondering the question over in his mind, Victor went out on a mission instead.


    There was a warehouse full of non-perishable food that he and Lillie were tasked with bringing back to the camp.


    During it, they found a crate of candy bars that hadn¡¯t expired. Lillie looked over Victor¡¯s shoulders at the candy and offered him some advice.


    ¡°You should give some of those to the kids. It¡¯d make them happy.¡±


    So he loaded it up on the panes Lillie used to carry the food and took it back. There, he grabbed a few and brought it over to Max and Minnie.


    The two of them were playing with toys but their hearts weren¡¯t in it. When Victor came over, they turned their heads away in a huff.


    ¡°Come on, guys, don¡¯t be like that. I brought you something,¡± Victor said with his hands behind his back.


    He showed the Snickers bars to them and they greedily plucked it out of his hands.


    ¡°I¡¯m still mad at you!¡± Max proclaimed, even as he bit down on the candy.


    ¡°Yeah, we are!¡± Minnie added.


    But the twins were still in his pockets now.


    ¡°I beg your forgiveness, really, I do. Is there any way I can make it up to you?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Well¡­¡±


    ****


    Chasing kids was annoying because of how small they were. Chasing them when they were magically enhanced to be faster was worse.


    ¡°Get back here!¡± Victor shouted as he tried to grab at Max. but the boy was too quick, and slipped right between his arms.


    Sure, Victor wasn¡¯t trying a hundred percent, but it still annoyed him to be outwitted so easily. Max, Minnie and Duke all laughed in high-pitched voices as they ran around the room, under tables, over boxes and across chairs.


    They tired the Timewalker out until their Speedup ran out, and when it did, grabbed and pulled on Victor¡¯s arms.


    ¡°Again! Again!¡± Minnie begged as she put her head under his hand.


    ¡°Come on, I need a break between those, alright?¡± Victor told her.


    ¡°Just one more, come oooon!¡± Max added, and Victor had to relent.


    He felt more tired out by the end of the game of tag than he had after fighting through a horde of Vices. After that, Dudley approached him and nudged a bit to get his attention.


    ¡°I saw you using those super powers. Can you help me with something?¡± the boy asked shyly.


    ¡°Sure,¡± Victor replied with a smile.


    ****


    ¡°Alright, Dudley, here we are,¡± Victor said as he let the boy down off his back.


    They were in a library in the middle of the city, and the boy looked on in amazement at the collection.


    ¡°Thank you, Mr. Amadi!¡± Dudley said as he ran between the shelves. Victor followed slowly behind, a hand on his gun in case an unexpected guest showed up. But none did and the only thing they found between the cases were books.


    Victor helped the boy reach whichever sections of the library he wanted as he gathered together the books.


    ¡°This one has pictures so Duke will like it. This one Yvette can read the babies to put them to sleep¡­¡± He said as he constructed a tower Victor would have to carry.


    ¡°And this one is for Jaune, so he learns some new recipes,¡± Dudley finished.


    He got something for every kid in the group home, but most of all himself. There was about a dozen mystery detective novels, half of them Sherlock Holmes.


    ¡°You can carry all of this, right?¡± Dudley asked him.


    ¡°Sure, I can,¡± Victor lied.


    Victor had to tie together all the books into a cloth bundle and carry it over his shoulder back to the base. When they arrived, the other kids eagerly rushed to grab at comic books, novels and magazines.


    They sat down and started reading, and Victor felt a bit better seeing them in such high spirits.


    ****


    Late at night, Victor and Isabelle were tasked with putting the kids to sleep. Yvette was off in the other world, looking for Seeds of her own so she could be more valuable. Jared and Lillie had gone along with her, and they hoped to bring back something worth the trouble.


    So, Victor was stuck with lullaby duty. Yvette had given him a few tips on the matter, but he still felt awkward taking care of the children.


    ¡°¡­. And the Hornless Unicorn learned that, even though it was different, that didn¡¯t mean it was any worse than the others. The End.¡±


    Victor closed the storybook in front of Tiffany¡¯s eyes. The little girl yawned with her eyes closed and he glanced over at Isabelle. She was soothing Duke and Max, growing tired herself.


    ¡°You know, Mr. Victor, you suck at telling stories,¡± Tiffany said as she snuggled into her blanket.


    ¡°Thanks, kid.¡±


    ¡°Am always told them with sounds. Like ¡®Bow!¡¯ and ¡°Pew!¡¯.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll make some sounds next time,¡± Victor promised.


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to. Am did it because he thought we liked it. He always did things like that.¡±


    The little girl fell asleep there, smiling and comfortable. Victor stayed like that for a while. Always did that, didn¡¯t you, Am?


    ****


    Victor brought the ingredients into the base and placed them on a table near Jaune. The Puerto Rican boy was working on an electric Stove that Victor was helping power with a battery.


    ¡°Thanks for those.¡±


    ¡°Need any help with the preparation?¡± Victor asked him.


    ¡°Uh, could you cut those onions and carrots, please?¡± the boy asked while he salted some water.


    The both of them worked in unison to prepare lunch for the children. It was a treat that Alex had allowed, and Victor promised he¡¯d try to do something similar for the rest of the camp.


    Jaune dumped hard spaghetti into the salted pot of water and slowly let it boil. Victor chopped the vegetables and peeled the cover off of the frozen meat. Eventually, the meal started coming together and their stomachs started growling.


    ¡°Thanks for doing this,¡± Jaune told him before it all ended. Victor smiled at the kid.


    ¡°It¡¯s not a problem.¡±


    ¡°I know why you¡¯re doing it. Because Am did all of this for us too,¡± Jaune said. But it wasn¡¯t out of resentment.


    ¡°He did a lot for you guys. That¡¯s what the other kids tell me,¡± Victor replied.


    ¡°More than a lot. He was the heart of the family¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I couldn¡¯t save him, Jaune¡­ I-¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. It¡¯s not your fault. The others probably know too, now. But I still miss Am,¡± Jaune confessed. There were tears welling up at his eyes and he wiped them away on his sleeve.


    ¡°Am was our big brother. Yvette tells me it was worse before him. No one talked or played with each other. And then Am came along, six years old and he¡¯d lost his parents too. He didn¡¯t have any other family apart from them, so they sent him to the Group Home. He was funny, kind and happy all the time. Yvette says it was annoying but she was smiling.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how he did it all, being so sad. But Am kept a smile, and he made us smile. When he left, we thought we¡¯d never see him again. But he kept calling, kept visiting. He never forgot about us, not our names or how we looked, even if months passed. He deserved better¡­¡± Jaune said.


    There was silence for a moment, then.


    ¡°He did. He deserved so much better,¡± Victor said. ¡°He was¡­¡±


    My best friend. He¡¯d had acquaintances since Charleston, even a few work buddies he hung out with. But Amadeus was the one who had helped Victor through those first loops. If Am wasn¡¯t there, Victor wouldn¡¯t have been able to make it to the end of the first reset and get his Timewalker Seed.


    Not for the first time did Victor feel a deep sadness. He would have to wait years to see the man again.


    ¡°You¡¯ll see him again, Jaune,¡± Victor promised.


    ¡°What? How?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. But I promise, you will see him again,¡± Victor said.


    ¡°¡­Thank you, Mr. Amadi.¡±


    They plated up the food for the kids afterwards. They enjoyed the spaghetti and Yvette returned in time to have it with them. Seeing the kids in such a happy mood, she smiled a silent thanks to Victor.

 Chapter 63: Demigod

    Paralyzing Lightning. A grey bolt fired off from his fingers and hit a Metamorph. It burnt the skin of the Vice, and slowed it down at the same time.


    Victor considered it overkill for such a lowly monster. He pulled out his frigustone pistol and finished it off afterwards, before moving onto the next batch of enemies. He¡¯d been at this for a few days now, and gained some boosts to show for it. But he wasn¡¯t satisfied still. What he needed was enough to power the vehicles they would take back to Los Angeles.


    To help speed it up, he also helped a few Wielders gain more Lightning Seeds. Some of those stayed behind at Washington while the others would come along with Victor back to Angel Heights.


    When he took down the next batch of Metamorphs, he gained the last boost he needed for the day.


    [Ability Unlocked: Electroreception Boost]


    [Ability Unlocked: Strength Boost]


    His Weaponsmith Heart¡¯s progression had fallen by the wayside this time around, seeing as how he favoured his lightning Seed more.


    Going to amend that once I get back. We¡¯ll need a lot of weapons.


    Before Victor left, he gave a Communication Seed over to the Washington survivors and helped send an expedition over to Charleston. He hoped that they could helped each other, since he had his own plans in mind.


    Victor drove the EVs they found across the country and back to Angel Heights, without any interruptions along the way. When he arrived, the kids wanted him to rest, since he¡¯d been working too hard.


    ¡°Yvette says if we don¡¯t rest, we won¡¯t be able to play later!¡± Tiffany told him.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be alright, Tif. And I¡¯ll be able to play plenty tomorrow,¡± he promised.


    Audrey helped take care of them while he took Leo, Loki and Ashley into the other world with him. He had a plan in mind and if it went south, it was better for him to have some back up.


    ****


    ¡°Still can¡¯t feel anything,¡± Leo announced as he stood back up.


    ¡°Are you sure you didn¡¯t feel any earth move from here?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Not a bit. What are we looking for, anyways?¡± Leo asked in reply.


    ¡°A little group of Vices that don¡¯t like being spotted by others,¡± Victor replied.


    ¡°Are they dangerous?¡± Loki interjected.


    ¡°Not at all. They¡¯re afraid of us. Let¡¯s move to a different spot and camp out there,¡± Victor told them.


    The group made their way to an open cave deep inside of Angel Falls and found a spot high above on the walls.


    ¡°There. Leo, can you make some handholds so we can climb up?¡± Victor asked.


    The man acquiesced and they hiked up to a platform that Leo pushed from the wall. They waited there with their packs while Victor kept a watch on the sprawling system below them. Eventually, a wall no different from the others opened up, and Victor saw blue Altesians walking through it.


    They carried all of their belongings on large packs surfing on waves of earth. Their beady little eyes refused to look up, and so they didn¡¯t notice Victor or his allies. Their chief was leading the pack, and has a plus sign on his chest that was a different shade from the rest of his body.


    When the monsters reached the centre of the cave, Victor dropped down in front of them.


    ¡°Run!¡± their chief shouted to them, but Leo raised a wall of dirt. Some of the Altesians countered his magic with their own, and they escaped through the holes.


    ¡°Wait! I¡¯m not here to hurt you!¡± Victor told them, but they kept running.


    Grumbling, he shouted an order to his friends.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let them escape! But don¡¯t hurt them either!¡± Victor shouted. He jumped over the crowd and reached the chief Altesian.


    ¡°Just wait a second! We just want to talk!¡± Victor said, holding a hand out. The chief jumped left and right to avoid him and kept forcing Victor back.


    ¡°We have nothing to offer you!¡± The chief shouted as he ducked under Victor. Annoyed, the Timewalker then placed a hand as gently as he could on the Vice¡¯s back and Slowed him down.


    He repeated the steps with the other Altesians behind him until they were all moving in slow motion. Ashley created walls of flame the others couldn¡¯t cross, forcing them back into the centre while Leo carved deep cuts into the ground to scare them away.


    By the end of the entire affair, the Altesians were all gathered in the middle of the cave, and thoroughly terrified of their kidnappers.


    Their chief stood in front of his people, facing Victor himself.


    ¡°Please! I will do as you ask, but leave my people alone, Vicious Star,¡± The chief pleaded to Victor as if he were an Angelo.


    ¡°I¡¯m not here to force you into anything!¡± Victor said once more.


    ¡°Oh¡­ then why didn¡¯t you tell us that from the start, honourable Star?¡±


    Victor felt his blood boil in anger.


    ¡°It¡¯s a good thing you got that Seed instead of him, Ash,¡± Leo said from behind.


    Victor forced himself to calm down before he addressed the chief once more.


    ¡°I am Victor Amadi, a Wielder. And you are?¡±


    ¡°Aidano, leader of the Tetni group, honoured Star,¡¯ the chief said.


    ¡°And stop with that Star business. I¡¯m not an Angelo,¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°But you have the strength of one, honoured Star.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to smite you if you just call me Victor. Got that, Vic-tor.¡±


    ¡°As you wish, Vic-tor. But what do you want with us?¡± the chief said.


    ¡°There¡¯s Vintarics roaming outside of the Gate. Let¡¯s get somewhere safe first,¡± he told them.


    ¡°We have a Haven Point nearby. Let us lead you to it,¡± Aidano said, though reluctantly.


    ****


    The Haven Point ended up being a small stop. They obviously weren¡¯t going to bring him to their home, if they even had one. But the Altesians did close all possible exits out of the little hole.


    Leo even learned a few tricks from them while Aidano was introduced to the rest of Victor¡¯s group. They served him something that tasted like tea with a more moldy aftertaste. They tasted the food as well, and the Altesians seemed welcoming, despite their paranoia.


    Victor eyed the packs the Altesians left on the ground as they worked across the Haven Point patching and repairing damage. Among them was a glass container that held a caterpillar made of gems. It was about the size of Victor¡¯s forearm, and he couldn¡¯t take his eyes off of it.


    ¡°You¡¯re pupating that larva, right?¡± Victor asked.


    Aidano¡¯s tea pouring grew shakier.


    ¡°Yes, Vic-tor,¡± he admitted.


    ¡°Why? Why not just leave Angel Falls entirely?¡±


    Aidano put the tea cup down and sat on the laid-out carpet with the rest of them.


    ¡°Because the outside isn¡¯t any more inviting. There are other monsters that roam about, that could kill my people within an instant. In here, we have the chance of true security,¡± Aidano told him.


    ¡°But I¡¯ve seen the Angelos above ground. They kill each other on sight. They¡¯re arrogant and strong. Wouldn¡¯t they do the same to you?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°They are only that way if raised wrong. You have to raise the larva with love, Vic-tor, and they shall be grateful once they pupate,¡± Aidano said.


    ¡°How long does that one have left to go?¡± Ashley asked.


    Aidano¡¯s little ears drooped downwards.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ¡°It has¡­ a long while left to go,¡± Aidano admitted.


    Victor remembered Renalo¡¯s words all that time ago. their one ticket out of those wretched caves.


    ¡°Could we help it hatch any faster?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°It requires a surplus of hallowed iron to accomplish. And all of our attempts to procure more have been sabotaged.¡±


    ¡°By who?¡±


    ¡°An Angelo by the name of Cecilian,¡± Aidano admitted. ¡°He has hired out Vintarics and others to hunt us down and steal the hallowed iron from where we find it,¡± Aidano said.


    ¡°Is he using the hallowed iron to bolster his own strength?¡± Loki asked.


    ¡°Once pupated, an Angelo no longer requires the iron. But Cecilian hordes it nonetheless, to raise his own army under his command and pay off his thugs,¡± Aidano told him.


    ¡°So, if we take this Cecilian down, we can use his hallowed iron and pupate your own Angelo?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Take down a star, oh no¡­ no, no, we cannot even think about it!¡± Aidano suddenly said. The little Altesian¡¯s beady yellow eyes shook with fear.


    ¡°Cecilian is an insurmountable Angelo, stronger than almost all else!¡± he reasoned.


    ¡°Victor, he might be right. We don¡¯t know the capabilities of this Aidano. What happens if we run in without a plan?¡± Loki asked.


    ¡°You¡¯re right¡­¡± Victor thought for a moment. This Cecilian might be stronger than Altar was, or he could be weaker. But they wouldn¡¯t know. And if they didn¡¯t know, wasn¡¯t it better to bring as much backup as they could?


    Victor looked down at the ground. There was an ally they hadn¡¯t called for yet, and she would be more than enough for the threat they needed to face. The only problem was that Cecilian could roam around free above Angel Falls, and Scepter would get killed if she was seen.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to help you pupate your larva, Aidano,¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°You would do that for us, Vic-tor?¡± Aidano replied.


    ¡°Only if you promise to help us in return. We could use an Angelo on our side.¡±


    ¡°But how do you expect to find the hallowed iron?¡±


    ¡°With a little bit of acting.¡±


    ****


    The Altesians had little miner hats on while they worked away at the stone. Leo was right beside them, and he searched the ground for the ore.


    ¡°Found one!¡± Leo announced, and the Altesians got to work. They parted the earth, solidified it around a tunnel and dug downwards to where he¡¯d seen it.


    ¡°We found it!¡± one of the mining Altesians replied back.


    It was a small vein only, but that didn¡¯t matter when it had been so long. The ore lacked the rainbow sheen Aidano had told him the metal itself would have, but that would change once they processed it.


    The mining crew got to work carving out the entire vein and loaded it up onto sliding waves of earth back to the Haven Point. Leo helped with waves of his own, getting in practice with the ability.


    When they reached back, Ashley helped melt the ore down. The fumes were guided along ventilation channels to disperse above ground, and Ashley did her best to contain the heat to the forge.


    By the end of the day, they had a whole new set of hallowed iron bars in front of them, and the group celebrated for the day. That celebration caught the eye of a few onlookers though, Metamorph Thinkers who had been spying on the whole process until it was done.


    The Thinker sent his alert back upwards and to the base. They¡¯d dispatched the enforcers immediately upon learning of the cache. And because he knew there were humans among them, the Thinker had asked for stronger reinforcements. It was only a matter of time before they arrived and reaped the metal from the Altesians.


    ****


    A group of human-like creatures stomped through the caves of Angel Falls in their chiton. They had a head full of clouds and glowing yellow eyes, but otherwise were human. When they came down, thunder and lightning boomed around them, a gift from their Father God.


    And they reached the Haven Point where Tetni resided, with the help of a large rotund Metamorph Mover.


    When they arrived, the leader of the enforcers stepped forward. He had cracks along his skin filled with light, and a stronger boon from their Father God than others among them.


    He raised a hand towards the sky and let loose lightning from his fingertips. It arced and spread across the Haven Point, settling tents alight and causing their residents to leave screaming.


    ¡°Bring me your chief this instant!¡± The leader bellowed out in a voice akin to a storm.


    When he did, the Altesians scrambled around and looked for Aidano. He popped out of his tent and prostrated himself before the Pantheon Demigod, as well he should.


    ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry, honoured Star. To what do I owe the visit?¡± Aidano stammered out.


    ¡°You¡¯ve recovered more hallowed iron, and didn¡¯t inform us. Where is it. And where are the humans you¡¯re hiding?¡±


    ¡°T-t-t-the-¡±


    ¡°Spit it out!¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re above you.¡±


    The Demigod turned around and went blind a second later. He clutched his bleeding eyes and could only hear the next words.


    ¡°Now, attack!¡±


    ****


    Victor blasted the arrogant Demigod twice in the chest with his pistols. It bit him in the chest and froze over part of his body as the rest dropped down.


    The other Pantheon children started throwing lightning bolts at him. A stone wall rose in between him and them, and the lightning washed away against it.


    Aidano scrambled away from the ensuing fight as thunder lit up the room. Victor was wearing sunglasses to defend against the bright booms, and cut down his enemies with his guns.


    The Lesser Demigods tried to attack Loki, but he was quick and slashed them into pieces. Ashley baked the Metamorph Mover in flames while her brother defended her from the onslaught.


    He raised walls against the oncoming lightning and renewed it as the bolts kept coming. But then, one of the lightning bolts curved around the wall and hit the man in the chest. Leo started spasming and fell to the ground, losing control of his powers.


    ¡°Leo!¡± Ashley shouted for him and let go of her flames. She raised a wall of her own and stopped the Demigods from targeting her. She picked up her brother and ran and Victor was left to take care of the rest.


    He shot more of the enemies down and when his pistols went dry, he shoved them back in their holsters. Lightning crashed where he was a moment ago, and Victor sped up. He circled around a group of Demigods and let loose grey lightning.


    Some of his enemies tried to wrench control of the ability from Victor, but it wasn¡¯t simply electricity. When the Paralyzing lightning hit them, they grew slower and open for attack.


    ¡°Loki! Cut them apart!¡±


    Loki jumped down beside him and let loose a wide slash that bisected the Demigods in an instant. The bodies fell to the ground and the two of them exchanged a look of gratitude.


    That was short-lived, however. Those were only Lesser Demigods. The blinded one they¡¯d left hadn¡¯t been idle, and his rage was only growing worse. Lightning sparked away from him and covered everything in the area. More of the structures caught fire and even the Metamorph Mover got caught in the impact before it shielded itself.


    One of the lightning bolts headed straight for Victor. When he thought he was about to take a hit, a stone wall rose up in front of Victor. Victor looked over to the side, where Leo and his sister were hiding behind another one of his walls.


    He raised a unsteady thumbs up to Victor, which the Timewalker returned. The Demigod¡¯s tantrum continued for a while longer after that, and Leo had to focus to stop it from reaching them.


    When it ended, something was shining in the centre of the room. Victor risked a look behind and saw the same Demigod standing before him, but unhurt and alive.


    His entire body was made of lightning, his features carved from barely restrained energy. And when he looked at Victor, he saw only hatred.


    Speedup. Victor applied it both on himself and on Loki. The two of them jumped away from the wall before it was blown in by another hit of lightning. Only the lightning was thicker, stronger and came much faster than before.


    Even sped up, the Demigod¡¯s eyes followed Victor. But then they turned towards Leo and Ashley, and Victor saw the Demigod smile.


    No! Victor placed himself in the middle of them. the lightning hit him in the arms and spread across the rest of his body immediately. It knocked him back and into Leo and Ashley, who were too slow to react.


    The Demigod thought it had gotten one over on him. But Victor was right where he needed to be. He placed a hand on Leo and Ashley both, applying another Speedup for each.


    ¡°-ctor!¡± Ashley shouted as she came back into speed.


    ¡°Don¡¯t say I don¡¯t do anything for you. Now, get up!¡± Victor told them both. Leo raised another wall that didn¡¯t last long, but enough for them to detangle from each other.


    As they did, they littered the opening the Demigod had made with lightning. But the Vice flew over the onslaught and zipped right in front of them. Ash spread fire over the monster¡¯s body, eliciting a scream, and the three of them backed away.


    The Demigod threw lightning in their direction and the three were forced apart, scrambling to different parts of the room.


    It caught Ashley with a bolt and made her its target. Leo raised another wall but the Demigod zipped past it. When it was about to launch another bolt, He carried his sister on a wave of earth from the striking spot. Victor got the Vice¡¯s attention with an Infused Attack from his twin pistols and Loki jumped in front of Ash to give her time to recover.


    The Demigod flinched from the pain and Victor saw wisps of light escaping his energy form. It¡¯s like he¡¯s living off of the stuff. Victor realized.


    When the Demigod came up to him, his Speedup chose that time to run out. Victor braced his arms again but the Demigod grabbed onto them.


    Victor knew what was coming next and he tried to free himself. Slowdown.


    The monster¡¯s movements slowed, but not enough. The lightning still hit Victor, and he lost his grip on his pistols. His muscles spasmed and pained and his mind couldn¡¯t focus on a single thing.


    Victor hadn¡¯t ever felt what being struck by lightning was. but hanging there and feeling it course through his veins, he got a deeper understanding of what it truly entailed.


    [Ability Unlocked: Electroreception Boost]


    [Ability Unlocked: Voltaic Form Level 1]


    [Ability Unlocked: Bullet Alter ¨C Lightning Charge]


    Victor called on it by accident. The Lightning that was burning him exploded out of his body. The Demigod dropped him in an instant and Victor punched him in the gut.


    Slowdown. Speedup.


    He grew faster, the Demigod slower. A flurry of punches knocked the Demigod¡¯s head in every direction before Victor planted another fist into its chest.


    Grey lightning, almost white, exploded from the point of impact and sent the Demigod hurtling into back into the cavern wall. The Demigods surroundings cracked and rocks came loose from the ceiling from the point of impact.


    Victor took a moment to breathe then. He was still hurt, but it felt much less than before. He looked down at his hands and saw small sparks rotating around his glowing skin.


    ¡°Viiiiiccccctttoooorrrrr!¡± Loki shouted from beside him. He approached but a spark leaped from Victor to shock him.


    Loki recoiled and Victor glanced at their fallen enemy. The Demigod wasn¡¯t down for the count, and it was slowly getting back to its feet.


    ¡°We¡¯ll talk later,¡± Victor told him before he burst forward in a run.


    The Demigod released a shockwave that shook the room. Victor was hurt by it, but it was nothing compared to the pain before. It barely washed over him this time, and the man closed in on the Demigod.


    The Vice realized it had no effect either, because it resorted to using its fists instead. But with three levels of speed stacked on top of each other, Victor was untouchable. He landed more hits on the Demigod as he swerved around his own punches.


    When the Vice tried to grab him, Victor ducked and circled around him. Victor kicked the Vice in the back of the leg and knocked him down onto his knees.


    He grabbed onto him from behind and put him in a lock with another layer of Slowdown for good measure. The Vice struggled in his grasp but Victor didn¡¯t let go.


    ¡°Now! Hit him with everything you¡¯ve got!¡± Victor shouted to his teammates.


    Fire burnt, Earth rose and Loki readied a slash precise enough to behead the monster.


    The Vice begged from under Victor, but he couldn¡¯t parse his words. Instead, he waited at the last moment as the powers readied in his friends hands, and let go right as they did.


    Victor jumped away from the resulting explosion and took cover behind a hole. The pressure from the blast knocked several of the tents over and caused a noise so loud it pained the ears.


    When it finally cleared, all that was left of the Demigod was its Seed, another Crystallized Lightning. Victor strode over and picked it up, only for his own powers to run out at the same time.


    As they did, a wave of lethargy overtook Victor and he dropped down to the floor. His friends circled around him and even the Altesians came out of hiding, as his mind grew lighter and lighter. Oh¡­ I definitely overdid it, he thought, as he fell into a slumber.

 Update

    Sorry for missing out on the past few days of updating the story, guys, but nearing the end of the semester means I''ve much more work to get through. I promise to get back to the story as soon as I can, which would be around the mid of January, as long as nothing else goes wrong. Wrapping up the first of these books is important to me, as even though they haven''t gained much traction, I''d like to not leave it in the middle without at least finishing a single part. Until then, given below are links to my other, complete stories if you want to read more of my works.


    Hallowed Sabres: A medieval fantasy war story focusing on multiple POVs based around solving the mystery of an ancient weapon two countries seek.


    https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/75724/hallowed-sabres-medieval-military-fantasy-mystery


    Magic Bullets: Prophecy: Kind of a progression fantasy, but focused on the rise of a magical drug lord after a chance encounter with some potent magic plants.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/59976/magic-bullets-prophecy-urban-fantasy-crime-drama


    The Heist at The Grand Spire: A heist story, and also my first written work that I would consider professional. Follows a group of magic-users who plan out a heist to rob a casino on a floating island. I''ve since stubbed this one but the first few chapters are still available to read.


    https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/59077/the-heist-at-the-grand-spire-high-fantasy-heist


    I don''t really have a patreon or other platforms, but if you''d like to support me, then you can buy my books at the links below.


    Magic Bullets: Prophecy: https://kdp.amazon.com/amazon-dp-action/us/dualbookshelf.marketplacelink/B0CNTZ435H</a>


    The Heist at The Grand Spire: https://kdp.amazon.com/amazon-dp-action/us/dualbookshelf.marketplacelink/B0BG64TZY7</a>

 Chapter 64: Saving Your Own

    Victor awoke feeling¡­ better than he should¡¯ve. He rose quickly and quietly, the years having left him no choice but to. When he did, he noticed that the ache in his muscles wasn¡¯t as bad as it should¡¯ve been. When he traced his fingers over the wounds that he took, he found little in their place.


    Right¡­ Altesians. He was in one of their tents after all. The last thing he remembered was defeating a Demigod, and he felt proud of himself for it. Even if the title the monster held was in name only.


    Before anything else, Victor took a look at his status and the abilities he¡¯d unlocked.


    [


    NAME: Victor Amadi


    AGE: 26


    SEEDS: [[Timewalker¡¯s Origin]]


    [[Weaponsmith Heart]]


    [[Crystallized Lightning]]


    [[ ]]


    [[ ]]


    STATS:


    STRENGTH: 50


    SPEED: 30


    SENSES: 17


    RECOVERY: 45


    SENSE OF TIME: 51


    STRUCTURAL SENSE: 30


    ELECTRORECEPTION: 55


    AMMO:


    9mm Round x 160


    5.56 Round x 60


    ABILITIES:


    (Timewalker¡¯s Origin): [Unlock Sense of Time] [Anchor Placement] [Carryover Bestiary] [Carryover Item Compendium] [Sense of Time Boost x 7] [Strength Boost x 4] [Speed Boost] [Recovery Boost] [Senses Boost] [Slowdown] [Speedup] [Carryover Seed Information]


    (Weaponsmith Heart): [Unlock Structural Sense] [Basic Strengthening] [Ammo Count] [Time Bullet - Slowdown] [Time Bullet ¨C Speedup] [Infuse Attack] [Trap Ward] [Structural Sense Boost x 3] [Recovery Boost x 4]


    (Crystallized Lightning): [Unlock Electroreception] [Charge] [Lightning Bolt] [Paralyzing Lightning] [Electroreception Boost x 8] [Strength Boost x 2] [Speed Boost x 2] [Voltaic Form Level 1] [Bullet Alter ¨C Lightning Charge]


    ]


    Voltaic Form? Victor touched the ability and its description expanded before him.


    [[Voltaic Form Level 1]: (Requirement: Electroreception above 50) You become stronger and faster, you gain a resistance to lightning and this Seed¡¯s other abilities become stronger for a limited amount of time at the cost of a massive amount of stamina. the strength, cost and duration of this ability depends on your Electroreception and Strength. Anyone who comes near you will be shocked.


    Zeus himself surrounds his body with lightning at all times. Maybe it¡¯s paranoia, or maybe he thinks himself so above that he wouldn¡¯t let any lowly person touch him.]


    That was what he¡¯d used. He¡¯d barely thought of the thing, but he knew it was something Amadeus eventually got later on in the loops. But what he hadn¡¯t considered was the feeling.


    The energy bursting forth from every pore of his skin had made Victor giddy, and he could scarcely keep himself in a single place after using it. He¡¯d wondered why Amadeus had such a goofy smile on him whenever he used the thing.


    Guess I have an answer to that.


    The next ability was something much more mundane.


    [[Bullet Alter ¨C Lightning Charge]: (Requirement: Crystallized Lightning and Electroreception above 50) You can paralyze your enemies with your bullets. The strength of paralysis depends on your Electroreception and Structural Sense.]


    He picked up the frigustone pistol beside his bed and tested it out. Lightning began to arc from the barrel of the gun as soon as he focused on his Crystallized Lightning and Weaponsmith Heart. The beating of the Seeds formed a harmony that fueled the Synergetic ability. And though it wanted to be unleashed, Victor let the power fade away.


    It was no use now. There were no enemies to fight. He just wished he had more of that and less reason to keep gaining power. Until the day that was possible, he¡¯d keep gaining power. And keep stockpiling it until he could juggle Immeasurable Level Threats like bottles.Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Victor put on his clothes and walked out of the tent a while later, to the glee and amazement of the surrounding Altesians. They surrounded Victor and balked praise and worry in equal measure. It made it hard for the Timewalker to move around, so he chose to jump over their little heads and walk straight over to Aidano instead.


    The chief of the Altesians wasn¡¯t in such a jolly mood. In fact, the little Altesian was shaking with worry so much Victor wondered if his brain hadn¡¯t turned to a slurry yet.


    ¡°You seem hella nervous for someone on the winning side,¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°Vic-tor, we¡¯ve now struck directly against Cecilian himself. I do not think he will be kind to us,¡± Aidano replied.


    ¡°You won¡¯t have to worry about that when we kill him,¡± Victor replied bluntly. That caused the chief to raise a brow.


    ¡°You¡¯re so confident of this, Vic-tor. Tell me, do you have one of the Nine backing you? or perhaps you possess a Seed that lends you your courage?¡± Aidano asked.


    ¡°Something like that. Now, where¡¯s my team?¡± Victor asked.


    When Aidano guided him towards them, he found a group of tied up Vices nearby. They were some of the only Demigods who were able to run away from the group. Loki had a hand at the ready if a single one of them unleashed their lightning, which explained why they hadn¡¯t escaped yet.


    Ashley and Leo were sat near one of the Demigods, and a fire burned in Ashley¡¯s hands before the monster.


    ¡°Just tell us where the iron is and we¡¯ll let you go,¡± Ashley told him. She brought the fire closer to the Vice¡¯s face, but it didn¡¯t budge.


    ¡°Say whatever you want, mortal. We won¡¯t tell,¡± the Demigod said, lightning crackling fiercely in his eyes.


    ¡°Really? Even after what we did to your leader into a pulp?¡± Victor asked, approaching. He didn¡¯t bend down near the Demigod, forcing him to look up at him. When he did, the Vice noticed something about Victor.


    ¡°You killed one of our own to get that Seed, didn¡¯t you?¡± he asked Victor.


    ¡°I killed a Vintaric. But I guess it was a member of your ¡®Pantheon¡¯. You¡¯re both disgusting insects, after all,¡± Victor taunted. The Demigod scowled, but made no move towards him.


    ¡°Tell us where Cecilian is hiding the iron. Now,¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°Never.¡±


    ¡°Loki, kill this one,¡± was what Victor wanted to say to him. He knew Loki would¡¯ve obeyed. Scared the other Demigods, maybe even gotten him the location of the iron. And in doing so, Victor would cross a line. A line he¡¯d known about as soon as he entered the loops.


    He could kill this Demigod right here, show the others he was a threat, and get the information he needed. But even if the blood faded away from his hands, it wouldn¡¯t leave his mind. Victor would¡¯ve killed a prisoner, and tainted himself in a way that would carry over to the next loop.


    His mind went to Amadeus¡¯ kids and what they thought of him. How they looked up to him. and what they¡¯d think if he were to follow through. Victor couldn¡¯t cross that line, because there were too many damn hands holding him back.


    So, he moved onto the next Demigod instead.


    ¡°You seem much more reasonable than your brother over there¡­¡± Victor started.


    ****


    They spent a while interrogating the Demigods and their release. Many of them weren¡¯t cooperative, but enough time in the Altesian camp, a bit of separation from the gaze of their fellow Pantheon members and a few sweet words about what Cecilian would do won one or two over.


    Those few spilled the answers, and Victor made sure to keep quiet of which of them it was. He didn¡¯t want to see them lynched as soon as he set them free. A part of him couldn¡¯t deny the satisfaction he¡¯d get from watching them bicker over it, but that could wait.


    The problem then was getting topside.


    ¡°We¡¯re lucky that the warehouse is off the beaten path of the city. Guessing Cecilian didn¡¯t want people to see his workers coming in and out of the joint,¡± Victor told his group inside of one of the tents. Aidano was there as well, and he fidgeted with his hands.


    ¡°If the Stars above ground spot you, they¡¯ll smite you on the spot, Vic-tor,¡± Aidano told him.


    ¡°We¡¯ll need disguises topside,¡± Victor replied.


    They¡¯d needed to head back to Angel Heights for that. Leo and Loki stayed behind to help while Victor interrogated the Wielders back home for illusionary powers.


    Those could come in a variety of ways. Isabelle¡¯s threads from the first loop could eventually be used to make clothing, given enough material. Others simply materialized clothing out of nothing, which had ended up embarrassing for the few that found the time limit on those abilities.


    Light based illusions were loud in that they stood out. But it was their best bet. Victor found an unwitting and untrained Wielder who had a Seed befitting those powers. With the girl in hand, they fashioned illusions that up close looked more than a little sloppy.


    ¡°I look like a butter-faced kid,¡± Leo complained when the illusion was cast over him.


    ¡°So, just like when we were kids?¡± Ashley replied, much to her brother¡¯s chagrin.


    His hair looked like roughly made clouds to anyone who didn¡¯t look too closely. His eyes also glowed, but somehow the glow didn¡¯t hurt him. the kid they¡¯d dragged along had shrugged. Even she didn¡¯t know; it was all instinct to her.


    ¡°Just don¡¯t let a Vintaric or anyone else get too close. We¡¯ll move in quickly and raid the place, then get out just as quickly,¡± Victor explained. He¡¯d taken on the role of their leader, with his skin cracking in places to reveal golden light.


    ¡°How long did you say these would last?¡± Loki asked him.


    ¡°Just an hour or so. Impressive for the kid, but not enough for us. That¡¯s why we¡¯ll have to haul ass,¡± Victor replied.


    They had sacks tied to their clothing in places hidden by the light-based illusions. Ashley had taken the Wielder back, and she¡¯d wished them luck on their mission. She¡¯d brought back notes from each of the group, but Victor hadn¡¯t bothered to fill in his. If the mission went south, he could spare the few years it would take to reset the world.


    Aidano met them at the lip of the cave where they were to leave. The lights of the giant towers that littered Angel Falls made it sparkle like always. The others stared out into it mesmerized, but Victor knew there was no beauty hidden beneath the buildings.


    Only bloodthirsty Angelos looking to strike down anyone among them they thought weak.


    ¡°Again, I wonder why you do this for us, Vic-tor,¡± he voiced his concerns.


    ¡°What¡¯s there to wonder? You¡¯ll get your protection once your Angelo pupates, and we¡¯ll get an ally,¡± Victor replied.


    ¡°Because when you talk of the Angelos, or the others that roam this land, the ones you call Vices, I see something in your eyes.¡±


    Victor stopped to look at the Altesian.


    ¡°And what is that?¡±


    ¡°Something dark. You would¡¯ve killed those Demigods. Yet you didn¡¯t¡­ Tell me, was it because your friends were around?¡±


    ¡°¡­Partly,¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°That is what I refer to. Answer me this, Vic-tor. If you had the chance to press a button, and end all life on this planet we know it, saving your own in the process, would you take it?¡± Aidano asked him. He had none of the usual nervousness he associated with the Altesian.


    ¡°No?¡±


    Yes.


    ¡°Why would you think that?¡± Victor asked.


    Aidano hummed to himself.


    ¡°I understand. I wish you luck in your mission, Vic-tor,¡± Aidano said, before retreating back into the caves.


    Victor took a look outside once more. If he could grasp the entire city in his arm, crush it down in an instant, would he?


    Absolutely. It was nothing less than they deserved for the years of suffering they¡¯d inflicted on his people. Most all Vices he¡¯d met in his loops were monsters, save a few. And he was sure the Altesians were only kind to him because they were weak.


    So, he¡¯d kill them all if it meant his own world survived. And he¡¯d sleep all the easier for it.

 Chapter 65: Great Thinker

    Topside wasn¡¯t much different up close than it had been when Victor had seen it from the openings of caves. There were crowds of people walking on the ground, following Angelos high above them in the skies.


    Each of them bore a different insignia, a certain style of dressing or some other identifier that marked them as the retinue of an Angelo. When they¡¯d look to him in questioning, his glare would quickly turn them away. It helped that in his disguised form, he didn¡¯t stand out much from the crowd.


    They stopped across an intersection on one of the roads as traffic passed. Wetajha Vices that covered the width of the road crawled on by as Victor readied his hand on his concealed guns. The cold comfort helped, especially when they spotted more of the Demigods on the other side of the road.


    They were coming out of a store with their cloaks billowing behind them. They didn¡¯t have the golden eyes of normal Demigods, but that belied a more threatening realization. They had bloody red eyes and spears carried on their backs proudly.


    ¡°Stop. We need to hide,¡± Victor urged the others. Leo, Loki and Ashley were stunned for a second and didn¡¯t understand.


    ¡°What for?¡± Leo asked.


    But by then, the Ares Blessed had already caught sight of them.


    ¡°Point to note for the future. Those are Ares¡¯ children. And they don¡¯t like anyone else in the Pantheon much at all,¡± Victor told them.


    He needed to think of a way to defuse the situation. The Ares Blessed had begun glowering at them, and they were quickly approaching. The road was still blocked off by then, and Victor decided to gamble on his escape.


    He pulled his Strengthened M-16 off of his back and threw it between his group and the Demigods. When it hit the ground, the Wetajha Vintaric¡¯s eyes locked onto the piece. Its mouth started slobbering and it jumped onto the sidewalk to chew up the machine gun.


    ¡°Run!¡± Victor shouted and the group took off in a sprint.


    ¡°How do you know that¡¯ll hold them?¡± Loki asked.


    ¡°Any enchanted or magical piece of weaponry is like a five-star meal in Vegas to a Vintaric. Those Ares Blessed have spears made from their own souls. Now that I¡¯ve given it an appetizer-¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s getting ready for the main course,¡± Ashley finished. Screams and smoke exploded behind them, but they kept running.


    They dipped in between the buildings, into an alley that the bigger Angelos shouldn¡¯t have been able to get past.


    Victor and the crew waited there for a while as the dust settled. There were Angelos still flying past, but they didn¡¯t seem to be searching for the ones who had caused such a commotion in the city. Loki was sent out for scouting, aided with some boosts that Victor provided.


    He thought to give him Voltaic Form, but the ability wasn¡¯t as broad in application as his Timewalker powers. If Loki didn¡¯t come back, that was a sure sign that the path ahead was even worse than before, and that their best bet was to turn back.


    But he did come back, and without a scratch on him.


    ¡°The warehouses are being closely monitored. Metamorph Thinkers. If we must do this, we should do it quickly, before day breaks,¡± Loki told them.


    Victor applied Speedup again, but this time spreading them among the group. Victor opted out of Voltaic form, if only because it would give away his position to the Thinkers.


    When they arrived in the district, they landed softly atop one of the Warehouses. Victor would¡¯ve preferred to stick to the ground, but it was being patrolled by the Metamorphs.


    ¡°Leo, where¡¯s the Thinker?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°I¡¯d need to get down on the ground,¡± Leo replied.


    Victor grabbed the man and jumped down into an alley below. He pulled out his twin guns and watched for the slithering masses of Metamorphs passing him by. Metamorphs didn¡¯t have great senses at the best of times, but it still put him on edge.


    They popped bubbles on the surfaces of their clay-like skin, talking to each other in a language Victor couldn¡¯t understand. He tried to decipher the meaning, but that proved to be useless.


    After what felt like half an hour, Leo finally opened his eyes.


    ¡°Got it,¡± he said, all too loudly.


    A Metamorph glanced at the alley they were hidden in. It popped to alert its allies, before moving in. By the time it could glance inside, Victor and Leo had already escaped to the top again.


    ¡°Could you be quieter next time?¡± Victor asked, annoyed.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    ¡°Could you stop holding me like I¡¯m an unruly kid?¡± Leo replied, tucked under Victor¡¯s arm.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Leo, it suits you,¡± Ash told him.


    ¡°You can banter later, both of you. Now come on, where is the Thinker?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s inside that office,¡± Leo replied, pointing an impressive distance away at another warehouse.


    ¡°And the hallowed iron is right under its nose,¡± he added.


    Victor nodded.


    ¡°Then here¡¯s what we¡¯ll do. Me and Loki are going to go in and take it out and you and Ashley move the iron away as quickly as you can.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re supposed to float the iron away on the rocks?¡± Leo asked.


    ¡°Just try to be quiet about it. Once the Thinker¡¯s dead, we can carve a way out without alerting every Metamorph in the district,¡± Victor told him.


    Leo still looked skeptical, but he obeyed regardless. They jumped across the rooftops of buildings with closed curtains over windows and cracks running down the sides. Until they reached the end of the road, and the office of the Thinker.


    Leo and Ashley would be at the entrance then, planning their own break-in. Hopefully, they¡¯d just tunnel underneath without a problem.


    ¡°Target¡¯s in sight,¡± Loki told him. Victor¡¯s attention snapped back to the window and the figure walking inside.


    It looked more human than the rest of its compatriots, giving it an eery look with features that Victor would¡¯ve found appealing in a human. Smooth skin, sharp angled nose and thick eyelashes. Something unnerved Victor about that, even as Loki readied a slash to cleave the monster¡¯s head from its body.


    Its eyes were fixed inside on some documents. It didn¡¯t seem to notice them at all. But given how advanced it looked.


    ¡°Wait, Loki-¡±


    The Thinker turned and looked straight at Victor.


    A psychic scream went out all around the monster. Victor felt it invade his mind with noises and compulsions. Loki lost his grip on his Seed and every Metamorph in the vicinity of the Thinker stopped. Then they began to converge on top of it.


    Voltaic Form. Speedup.


    Time slowed around Victor as he fired grey lightning at the Thinker. It raised a hand that calcified upon the bolt¡¯s impact. It wasn¡¯t going to escape.


    Victor braced his leg against the rooftop and blasted towards the window. The ledge exploded behind, and he landed in the room, cracking the floor.


    Before the Thinker could raise its other hand, Victor plunged his twin guns into its chest.


    He fired the bullets, Slowdown and Paralyzing. The Vintaric further slowed and Victor kept firing until he could see the Seeds bursting from its chest. The Thinker hadn¡¯t been a Thinker only. It was a Metamorph Great Thinker, and Victor had been foolish in not considering the possibility.


    He looked back at Loki and shouted a single command.


    ¡°The warehouse! Get to it, fast!¡± Victor ordered him.


    Loki took off and Victor jumped out of the window. There, he was met with Brutes covered in gems and Basics hiding behind them. the Brute ahead of him took a swing, but it was so painfully slow that Victor sidestepped it.


    He fired a round into the Vice¡¯s chest, exposing its crystalline core. Then he fired lightning that fed off of his Voltaic form to destroy it.


    The first Brute fell only for more to take his place. The Basics threw their bodies against Victor, but they were taken care of in a single shot. Victor mowed them down with bullets, lightning and his bare hands, but the more he fought, the more tired he grew.


    And the commotion was bound to cause more Vices to start coming. Victor could see a group of Demigods already at the periphery of his vision. They looked angry when they saw him, but Victor thought he could use that.


    ¡°Cecilian¡¯s betrayed us! Tell the others!¡± Victor shouted for them.


    He was glad there were only lesser Demigods in the group. They believed his every word and came to his aid, firing lightning from their fingers to fry the Metamorphs.


    The fight drew more and more attention to themselves. Victor caught a glimpse of Leo, Ash and Loki from the side, carrying large sacks of hallowed iron on their backs on the rooves.


    He then grabbed the attention of a Metamorph Brute and led him inside another alley. There, his crew blasted the Vice to death. Victor jumped atop the rooves and cleared his throat.


    ¡°They¡¯ll keep fighting for a while yet. Pantheon members are stubborn. Let¡¯s go,¡± Victor told them.


    While the battle continued underneath them, they made their way back into the city through the back alleys. Their disguise fell away halfway through so Victor had to be extra careful with the routes they took.


    A few times, running patrols of other Vices almost caught a glimpse of their face. But they would fall to a slash not even a moment later. Like that, they carefully proceeded until they were out of the city and the gaze of the other Angelos.


    But that wouldn¡¯t be for long. Cecilian would realize someone had stolen from him. they had a scant few days before he sent an entire army down into the depths of the caves to get back what was stolen from him.


    But Victor had a plan for that. Leo opened the path into the caves and dropped the sacks in front of the waiting Altesians. They were afraid at first, but when they saw the glow of the hallowed iron, they crowded around it.


    ¡°You¡­ you actually did it, Vic-tor!¡± Aidano told him, jumping with delight.


    ¡°As if the rest of us were just tagging along,¡± Leo muttered under his breath.


    ¡°Quarrelling over semantics will not help us,¡± Loki told him.


    ¡°Put a bit of emotion into that and I might believe it,¡± Leo replied.


    Loki scoffed at the man and Ashley had to lead her brother away. Victor was left with the chief and he kneeled down to talk to him.


    ¡°The iron¡¯s the good news, Aidano. It¡¯s what it comes with that¡¯s bad for you. A Thinker caught us, and Cecilian¡¯s going to send down his forces any minute.¡±


    Suddenly the delight on Aidano was gone, and he was back to worrying.


    ¡°Incubate your Angelo. As quick as you can. We¡¯ll need its help if we¡¯re going to fight against him.¡±


    ¡°B-but, he cannot come down here himself. The cave pathways are too small.¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t mean he won¡¯t send anyone else. Now ready your people and tell me when the first attack¡¯s coming.¡±


    Aidano bounded away to ready his people. Victor had his own preparations to do, and so he talked to Leo.


    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± he asked Victor.


    ¡°You should go back to Angel Heights,¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°What for? You think I can¡¯t handle myself?¡± Leo argued.


    ¡°No. I know you can. But we¡¯ll need more than four Wielders if we¡¯re going to guard the Altesians,¡± Victor told him. But it seemed Leo had a bone to pick with him today, as he didn¡¯t seem to want to listen.


    ¡°Leo, please, I¡¯m trusting you with this. You can tunnel through the caves quicker than me, Loki or Ash. I need your help if we¡¯re going to survive and get these Altesians on our side,¡± Victor told him as honestly as he could.


    The man¡¯s expression softened for a moment before he glanced at his sister.


    ¡°He¡¯s got a point, Leo.¡±


    Victor was glad for the support.


    ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll do it,¡± Leo said. Victor held out a hand for the man and he shook it.


    ¡°Try to hold out,¡± Leo told him.


    ¡°We will. Godspeed,¡± Victor replied.

 Chapter 66: Yukir

    Victor slammed into the wall with a crash. He fell to the ground and rolled across the ground. Metamorphs and Demigods tried to rush him, but a line of fire separated them.


    ¡°Thanks, Ash!¡± Victor told her.


    She appeared and helped him up. He tossed her one of his guns and held the other in his hand.


    Bullet Alter ¨C Lightning Charge.


    Time Bullet ¨C Slowdown.


    His frigustone pistol glowed with electricity. The ignistone pistol burst into flames in Ash¡¯s hand, but only her sleeve caught fire. And both of them grew blew flames that exuded power.


    A Metamorph Mover appeared before them. it smothered the flames on the ground and rushed towards them. Its skin popped in places and the other Metamorphs followed.


    Victor and Ash fired the twin bullets into the crowd of enemies. An arcane twang rang out from the pistols. They couldn¡¯t escape the onslaught and fell before them. The Mover was blasted to bits of clay and the rest of the Vices fell before them.


    That wave was done for now, and Victor and the Altesians had time to breathe. The Vices could only come so fast, and there were levels of Wielders defending against them. Ashley threw Victor his pistol back and he gave her a confused look.


    ¡°What, didn¡¯t like the feel of it?¡± he asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m a terrible shot, unlike you. If that thing had been anywhere far away, I¡¯d have missed,¡± Ashley told him.


    ¡°You could practice,¡± Victor told her.


    ¡°Maybe when this is over,¡± she smiled at him.


    Victor looked away, flustered. Loki, he needed to focus on him.


    There were about ten Wielders holding the last line of defence for the Altesians. They were some of the strongest that Angel Heights could¡¯ve spared without compromising themselves, and Loki was among them.


    Victor found him resting atop the body of some Brutes. He had some Seeds in his hands that he¡¯d collected from their bodies.


    ¡°Victor. Here,¡± Loki said, offering the Seeds. ¡°You¡¯re good at distribution. Find some Wielders for these.¡±


    ¡°How are you holding up?¡± Victor asked, grabbing the Seeds.


    ¡°Good. But tired. How long will the Angelo¡¯s incubation take?¡± Loki asked.


    ¡°A day more at least,¡± Victor told him.


    Loki scrunched his eyebrows in disappointment.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if I can fight that long,¡± Loki told him.


    ¡°I don¡¯t either. But we¡¯ll have to try, won¡¯t we?¡± Victor asked. Loki looked up, offering one of the only smiles that Victor had ever seen from him.


    ¡°You are a rock, I hope you know.¡±


    ¡°In what way?¡±


    ¡°None of the others would have stayed as long as they have without your leadership. You are good at¡­ giving purpose, I suppose,¡± Loki told him.


    ¡°I think the word you¡¯re looking for is motivation. And I¡¯m low on that myself,¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°Yes, motivation. You don¡¯t show your weakness. I think that helps them to feel stronger. Thank you for that,¡± Loki told him.


    ¡°I appreciate it, Loki.¡±


    Loki stood up, dusting off a sword he¡¯d picked up from one of the Demigods. It fit the man well, and he¡¯d taken to it like a fish to water. He patted Victor once on the shoulder before moving back to the frontlines and waiting.


    Victor distributed the Seeds, as many as he thought would work. It wouldn¡¯t be much for the coming days, but even a few boosts from a new Seed could mean life or death.


    Boosts were the only thing Victor had gotten from the past two days of fighting. Early on, they¡¯d had time between the waves. But as the days went on and Cecilian grew more desperate, the time decreased.


    That meant they¡¯d seen more fighting than ever. Victor had grown closer to the Seeds in his chest, feeling them more intimately than ever. Maybe all that time fighting was driving him insane, but Victor felt the closest to his Crystallized Lightning in those days.


    Thoughts of Amadeus gave him strength. He let the electricity flow through his veins and immersed himself in it. That had given him a number of boosts he hadn¡¯t expected, and in a small time.


    He had theories of course. The Seed grew through understanding. And Voltaic Form put him closer to the core of the Crystallized Lightning. The more time he spent within the form, the more he understood.


    He felt on the cusp of something then, but the fighting stopped himself from contemplating too deeply upon it. When he made it through the Angelo¡¯s incubation, he¡¯d devote his time to it.


    The next wave came and went, and Victor got some time to rest. His clothes were in tatters, covered in sweat, mud, cuts and burns. He stumbled over to one of the only healing Wielders they¡¯d brought along with them and held out his hand.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    Aidano came bounding in after Victor a moment later. The Altesian didn¡¯t look much better himself, but at least he was clean.


    ¡°How goes the incubation?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°The cocoon moves when we touch it, but no response,¡± Aidano replied.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t it be showing more signs by now?¡±


    ¡°It should. I fear we may have fed it too much. It will grow strong, but only if it makes it out,¡± Aidano told him.


    That wasn¡¯t much for good news. But an idea popped into Victor¡¯s head, tired as he was.


    ¡°Where¡¯s the larva? I want to try something,¡± He told Aidano.


    He was taken over to the cocoon at the back of the cave. There, he saw what looked like a large gem-like yam. It had the shadow of an Angelo growing within, but that shadow was faint.


    He could feel the time yet to come, but Victor knew he had to do something. He placed a hand onto the cocoon and focused on his Timewalker¡¯s Origin.


    Speedup.


    The power spread throughout the cocoon. It wouldn¡¯t be much, but Victor hoped it would help. Tiredness creeped into his bones as Victor walked out. Aidano didn¡¯t follow.


    ****


    Victor was running on fumes. Loki was swinging his sword sluggishly and they were down to about half of their original force. The only solace they had was that Cecilian¡¯s forces were similarly diminished.


    Victor took a swig of water greedily while Ashley rested for the few minutes they had. Then they went back at it, slashing at Demigods, Metamorphs and even Vintarics that Cecilian had found somehow.


    He¡¯s contacted the Stolkatan Hive, Victor knew. He was getting just as desperate as them, and that meant they were on the cusp of victory.


    Victor shot another bullet into a Brute before it fell before him.


    [Ability Unlocked: Strength Boost]


    He unloaded the magazine and put his last one in. he emptied that one too and stumbled back into a tent to search for more.


    The last batch of ammo they¡¯d gotten from Angel Heights was there. Victor took it and filled his count back up to maximum. If his count was right¡­


    [Ability Unlocked: Count Regenerator]


    [Ability Unlocked: Structural Sense Boost]


    Finding enough ammo was hard enough as it was. but he¡¯d gotten enough to refill ten times, and now he just needed time to get his ammo back.


    [[Count Regenerator]: (Requirement: Refill Ammo Count to maximum 10 times) You passively and slowly generate ammo for types that you have already catalogued using your Ammo Count ability. The rate of generation depends on the kind of ammo and your Structural Sense stat.


    With this, you may not even need to wait for your precious factories to fabricate your ammo. What¡¯s surprising is that the Seed knows your intentions and will not give you this ability if you just take out and put ammo back into it. Magic is wonderful in that way.]


    Victor hopped back out rejuvenated and ready for the fight ahead. Only for the last wave to make him stutter.


    ****


    Two Demigods. Not the lesser ones, but the ones Victor had fought off before. That one had something special about it, which he hoped wasn¡¯t the norm for the ones staying in Angel Falls.


    The Demigods wasted no time in assaulting the base. They came in through the openings carved by Metamorphs and activated their Voltaic Form. If Victor wanted a chance to match them, he¡¯d have to force open his own.


    But the constant strain on his Seeds was making them sensitive. He instead opted for a Speedup and went to confront one of them.


    The Demigods tried to sweep past the Wielders and to where the cocoon was stored. There was a large gate blocking their path, however, barred from the other side. Victor fired a shot at the Demigod¡¯s feet as it banged on the door.


    The Vice looked to him and fired lightning. Victor fired a bolt of his own. They didn¡¯t fly as fast as true lightning, but the bolts clashed in an explosion of yellow and grey light. When the smoke cleared, Victor fired an infused shot into the Demigod¡¯s chest.


    Ice spread around the bullet hole in its chest and the Demigod unleashed more lightning. Loki appeared from behind and cut off one of the Demigod¡¯s arms. It grabbed him with the other and shocks went through the Wielder¡¯s body.


    The Demigod threw Loki across the ground before turning to Victor. Victor fired more infused bullets into its chest, feeling his Weaponsmith Heart straining. He stowed the pistols once the Demigod was staggered. Instead, Victor brought out a knife and came in low.


    He stabbed into the monster¡¯s thigh and applied Slowdown. The Demigod slowed and Victor plunged a fist into its chest. The monster crumbled to the floor and its Voltaic Form dissipated. The light left its eyes and Victor breathed a sigh of relief.


    Only to catch a bolt on his back. It sent Victor sprawling to the ground. He turned onto his back and pulled out his pistols. He fired Infused shots into the air, cracking his Weaponsmith Heart. The bullets whizzed past the second Demigod, however, and brought down a stalagmite onto a tent.


    The Demigod fired more lightning into Victor from the skies. He ducked behind a boulder but the stone wouldn¡¯t hold for long. Victor clutched his chest. It was painful when his Seeds cracked, in a way that normal pain wasn¡¯t. Like he was being stretched to infinity and couldn¡¯t hold it within.


    But Victor couldn¡¯t dawdle for long. Lightning bolts were blasting into the door. He¡¯d tried his best to Speedup the cocoon¡¯s development. Surprisingly, no matter how many times he¡¯d applied it on the cocoon, his Timewalker¡¯s Origin remained intact. He thanked his lucky stars that was the case, or he¡¯d have broken the Seed ages ago.


    Victor popped out from the covers and fired a Time Bullet into the Demigod. But it missed again and Victor¡¯s frustration grew. The door couldn¡¯t hold for long.


    ¡°Hey, Light and ugly! Why don¡¯t you fight something that can fight back?!¡± Victor shouted at the Demigod. But it seemed the monster didn¡¯t care. He fired at it, but the Demigod was frustratingly fast. Faster than its brother had been.


    It kept the barrage on the doors up until a burst of flame caught its attention. Victor was glad for Ashley¡¯s help, even if she was in bad shape. The Demigod didn¡¯t face Victor, focusing its rage at Ashley instead.


    Victor rushed towards her knife out. The Demigod held her by the throat. He shot into the monster¡¯s back with his frigustone pistol. The Demigod noticed and threw Ash at him.


    Victor caught her with her arms and kneeled down to place her. The Demigod raised its hand to throw lightning once more, but a loud crash stopped it. The doors that made up the giant metal gate flung far into the caves and embedded themselves into the soil.


    Victor turned to see their source. Where the smoke was clearing to reveal a figure. The wings came first, spanning so wide he thought they could hold a dozen or two people on them. Then came the armour, and the face within that looked all too human.


    A fresh Angelo was born, and the entire battlefield knew it. When they looked upon its hallowed form, they balked and began to retreat. Even the Demigod that had been hounding Victor.


    Despite that, Victor didn¡¯t feel at ease. The Angelo was scrutinizing the people who had remained, walking leisurely like it owned the place. Its eyes scanned everyone before settling on Victor, and the woman he was holding.


    Victor¡¯s hands went to his pistol. But the Angelo did not fight. Instead, he approached and asked.


    ¡°Do you require help?¡±


    He was so large and demanding, even newborn, that Victor couldn¡¯t believe the words.


    ¡°Yes,¡± was his response.


    The Angelo lifted Victor and Ashley up in one hand and carefully took them to the Altesians. He lowered them right next to the little buzzing creatures, who healed both their wounds.


    Victor kept his eyes on the Angelo the entire time they did, wondering and waiting for an attack that would never come.


    ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± Victor asked.


    But the Angelo wasn¡¯t the one to respond. It deferred to someone else. Aidano, who was happy to answer the question.


    ¡°His name should be¡­ Yukir,¡± Aidano said, like a proud father.

 Chapter 67: Seed Lost

    The Angelo Cecilian floated above an opening in the grounds.  He wore a pinstripe black and grey suit, held a tommy gun at his side and had smouldering wings so unlike the typical pure white that Angelos bore.


    Those same Angelos ignored the caves and the people living within, sentimental fools that they were. It was their home from the beginning, but it only reminded Cecilian of the ones he¡¯d lost. And of the potential enemies that could rise from within it. He took another drag of his cigar and breathed out smoke.


    Ash fell on the day Cecilian waited. Not from the skies, no, but from his own wings. A by product of his abilities, and one that made the other Vices uneasy. There were a couple hundred of them there, surrounding the entrance they¡¯d been tipped off about.


    His Metamorphs and Pantheon members were well-paid. And he¡¯d picked up a few Vintaric Adults for a steep cost. It didn¡¯t matter really, as soon as he got his business back under control. That started today, with the death of a newly arisen Angelo that Cecilian wanted to make quick work of.


    While he waited, one of the Thinkers probed his mind with a question.


    ¡°Are you sure the other Stars won¡¯t move against us?¡± the Thinker asked.


    ¡°Don¡¯t remember paying you to ask questions,¡± Cecilian replied as he took another drag.


    When he breathed out again, there was way too much smoke than he should¡¯ve gotten from the cigar.


    ¡°If we¡¯re wrong, and they do attack, none of us here will survive,¡± the Thinker told him.


    ¡°Only the caves are holy to them. When they come out, they¡¯re easy pickings. And if not, well, we were never here, were we?¡± Cecilian replied.


    What he was doing was entirely against the rules the Angelos had set. But that was the funny thing about rules. You could break them all you wanted and no one would bat an eye if you¡¯d already carved all theirs out.


    And he¡¯d made sure to get every scrape of eyeball from anyone who¡¯d tell on him tonight.


    Cecilian breathed out another puff of smoke just as he got the signal. His agents inside had done their job, and Cecilian could see the humans the Tetni Altesians had partnered up with. Cecilian lowered himself to the ground and waited for them all to come out.


    After the humans came the Tetni themselves, and finally, the Angelo who was behind them all. He was certainly large for someone only days old, but Cecilian could take him. He had features like Asians from earth, and large white wings that marked him as a typical Angelo.


    There was nothing apart from that to differentiate him, nor any way for Cecilian to judge his powers. He wouldn¡¯t need to, anyways, since they¡¯d fallen right into his trap.


    ****


    Victor came out with a few of the Wielders in tow. The cave entrance was empty, showing less resistance than he had hoped. But he¡¯d thought that a moment too late as a large figure landed in front of him.


    He was a parody of every mafia movie stereotype Victor had seen in his life. large, professional looking, with a grey fedora and pinstripe suit. He smoked a stogie that never seemed to diminish, and glared at their group like they were ants.


    Now, the acting. Leo had given him a few pointers, but the rest was up to Victor himself.


    ¡°You! You¡¯re not supposed to be here!¡± Victor shouted, pointing his ignistone pistol at the Angelo.


    His smouldering wings tucked in behind him in an act of disarmament.


    ¡°You¡¯re the pipsqueak who¡¯s been ruining my business?¡± The Angelo asked.


    A complete stereotype, Victor thought, though he didn¡¯t voice the thoughts. Ashley, Leo and Loki were tense enough as it was, and they¡¯d need to pull this off perfectly to get Cecilian.


    ¡°So? You were hoarding that iron from the Tetni!¡± Victor shouted back.


    ¡°No one wrote a name on the ore, so how do you figure that?¡± Cecilian replied. ¡°Now look at you. Hope you enjoy your Angelo before I bury you alongside it.¡±


    ¡°That won¡¯t be happening. Step aside,¡± Yukir replied. A determined look was set upon his face, that made him look much older than he was. More solid and worldly in a way.


    ¡°Shut it, kid,¡± Cecilian snapped.


    Victor chuckled. It was something so unlike him, yet it grabbed Cecilian¡¯s interest.


    ¡°Something funny you want to let me in on?¡± The Mob boss asked.


    ¡°You¡¯re small time, Cecilian,¡± Victor bellowed. ¡°Why else do you boss around Metamorphs and Pantheon members? Because you can¡¯t get another Angelo under your bootheel.¡±


    ¡°Those idiots aren¡¯t worth my time,¡± Cecilian.


    ¡°Or because you know; that you¡¯re not strong enough to control all of them. that they could gang up on you and depose you. You¡¯re just a coward wearing the mask of a stoic.¡±


    Cecilian bit down so hard his teeth started showing. Smoke escaped his lips and nostrils, and it seemed clear that he didn¡¯t want to talk. That was fine.


    Victor was done too.


    Magic exploded around the perimeter of the cave entrance. Metamorphs and Demigods went flying and bolts of energy cut through Cecilian¡¯s army.


    ¡°What-¡± The mob boss tried to talk before being cut short.


    That Angelo, Yukir, jumped into the air and drove a fist straight into Cecilian¡¯s stomach. The older Angelo choked, but gripped Yukir¡¯s hands with his own.


    Smoke billowed out from his mouth mixed with embers. The blast made Yukir cough, and he punched Cecilian across the face to disengage.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    Down on the ground, Victor was blasting Metamorphs and Demigods with his guns. Infused shots carved through their bodies, dismembering limbs as Victor jumped over swings and ducked beneath lightning blasts.


    He stepped away from a group of Thinkers after filling them with lead, until he was back to back with Ashley again.


    ¡°You think the gamble worked? There¡¯s a ton of them,¡± she asked.


    ¡°They¡¯ll be disoriented. Just take out the Thinkers before they can group up!¡± Victor told her.


    She blasted a row of Lesser Demigods with her flames as Vintarics lunged down towards them. Victor slapped both her and himself with Speedup and took out the Adolescents with a few carefully placed shots.


    He stowed the pistols and brought out his rifle instead. The battlefield passed Victor by in slow motion. Leo was on one side building foritfications while a Vintaric Adult blasted them with its mouth cannon. Loki was cutting apart a horde, surrounded on all sides.


    Victor bit his lip, considering which of them to go towards. Leo¡¯s got the defense advantage. A good hit will put Loki down in an instant, he reasoned before running towards the latter.


    He fired into the crowd, careful not to hit Loki himself. When a Vintaric grabbed onto his gun, Victor fried his brains with a lightning bolt. He held off from using his Weaponsmith Heart too much, if only because the cracks would take time to heal.


    Victor fired more shots and blasted them with even more lightning. In that moment, he admired the quickness of it. Unlike fire or other types of blasts, lightning was quick and got the job done. There wasn¡¯t a need to stick around to see the results.


    Loki took out the remaining Vintarics around him. Then an Stolkatan Adult jumped in between the both of them and hissed. Victor and Loki exchanged a look and Loki fired a slash at its carapace.


    The Vintaric turned to Loki and readied its cannons. Grey lightning hit it from behind and slowed it down, while Loki got underneath. He stabbed his blade into the monster¡¯s soft abdomen while Victor jumped onto its back and fired. The twin assault shredded through the Vintaric and left it standing dead.


    Victor then hopped off and Loki nodded a thanks to him. But then both of them turned towards the battlefield and balked.


    In the time they¡¯d been fighting, a kind of fog had descended. Victor took a single whiff of it and then changed his mind.


    ¡°Smoke¡­¡± Victor voiced.


    ¡°The Angelo is that powerful?¡± Loki asked.


    Then he¡¯s almost as strong as Altar.


    ¡°Loki! Search for Thinkers and dispatch them! We don¡¯t have people to coordinate us through the haze, but they do!¡± Victor shouted.


    Cecilian was giving them time to breathe, and that would be dangerous for Victor¡¯s side. Maybe he could¡¯ve used his Electroreception to sense out the enemies, but that was a futile effort. There were too many Wielders and Vices on the battlefield, his powers weren¡¯t that advanced, and he didn¡¯t think Vices worked like that. There was something else, something more magical controlling their bodies instead.


    Victor and Loki tried their best to traverse the fog. Their eyes watered, they choked on the smell and the temperature in the area was rising. All this was the work of Cecilian, who they could see the shadow of high above. It was entangled with another and they both slashed and clawed at each other fiercely. Parts of Yukir¡¯s armour fell through the smoke to the ground, which gave Victor pause.


    Can Yukir really beat him?


    Victor tried to guide himself by the sounds of battle, but they only led him to small skirmishes. He¡¯d take out a few Vices and run away from the fight and then find another. In each encounter, he saw nothing of the Thinkers, and he thought that on purpose. They were messing with his mind, and he couldn¡¯t figure out how to beat that.


    He needed another plan. Victor ran past more and more fights, towards the sounds of Vintarics in the hopes of finding a certain Wielder. His hunch proved correct, and he found Leo weathering still weathering the assault from the Stolakatan Adults.


    Grey lightning slowed down the Vice and left him open to an assault from the other Wielders. He perished soon after and Victor hiked up to Leo¡¯s makeshift stronghold.


    ¡°Victor?¡± Leo asked.


    He winced internally when he saw Leo¡¯s state. His left eye was shut closed and one of his arms was bloodied and broken.


    ¡°Leo. I need you to take me high up. Right next to the Angelos,¡± Victor asked him.


    ¡°That¡¯s suicide! A single hit from that Vice and you¡¯ll be dead before you know it!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s if he catches me,¡± Victor replied. ¡°Now come on, there¡¯s no time!¡±


    Leo struggled but raised their stone platform with his good hand. They went past the constricting smoke and into the air. Victor took a breath of fresh clean air and felt bad for all the times he¡¯d taken it for granted.


    A breath was all he could spare though, because Yukir looked like he needed his help. His armour was all broken off, there were cuts and his wings had blood marring their white colour.


    His exposed back was covered in a tattoo of a dragon. But not an eastern dragon, like something out of a yakuza film that Victor expected, but more of a lord of the rings type of dragon. It was surreal to see the neck of the dragon coiling around Yukir¡¯s chest and shoulders, like a parody of what it was based off. It glowed brighter as the Angelo fought, but it wasn¡¯t enough.


    ¡°Higher, Leo!¡± Victor shouted. They were brought even closer to the fighting then as Leo struggled to push his powers.


    Finally, they reached so high that Victor could take aim. He brought out his rifle and aimed it at Cecilian. But he and Yukir both moved so quickly Victor couldn¡¯t take a clean shot. He applied Speedup on himself but still they proved too fast.


    Victor braced himself and looked inside. His Crystallized Lightning was being stretched thin as well. But he needed the Seed if he was going to win.


    Voltaic Form Level 1.


    Lightning exploded from Victor. Leo raised a hand against Victor¡¯s glowing form to shield himself. Finally, the Timewalker could perceive Cecilian.


    He took aim as blue flames spread across his rifle. His Weaponsmith Heart strained even further, cracks spreading across the Seed as Victor stretched it. But he couldn¡¯t stop. And after all, he could always try again in another loop. Lightning then encompassed the rifle, and finally, Victor turned his next shot into a Time Bullet. Then he pressed the trigger.


    The bullet fired like a painful arcane bell. His Weaponsmith Heart broke in his soul and Victor grabbed his heart.


    [Seed Lost: Weaponsmith Heart]


    [Ability Unlocked: Sense of Time Boost]


    [Ability Unlocked: Sense of Time Boost]


    Victor fell onto his knees as the pain overtook him. it was more than he¡¯d ever experienced, and it burned through him like an Infused Attack. And when it finally passed, he felt weaker. Lesser than he had been a moment ago.


    A quick glance at his stats showed him the results of his stupid gamble.


    [


    NAME: Victor Amadi


    AGE: 26


    SEEDS: [[Timewalker¡¯s Origin]]


    [[          ]]


    [[Crystallized Lightning]]


    [[          ]]


    [[          ]]


    STATS:


    STRENGTH: 60


    SPEED: 40


    SENSES: 17


    RECOVERY: 25


    SENSE OF TIME: 61


    ELECTRORECEPTION: 80


    ABILITIES:


    (Timewalker¡¯s Origin): [Unlock Sense of Time] [Anchor Placement] [Carryover Bestiary] [Carryover Item Compendium] [Sense of Time Boost x 9] [Strength Boost x 4] [Speed Boost] [Recovery Boost] [Senses Boost] [Slowdown] [Speedup] [Carryover Seed Information]


    (Crystallized Lightning): [Unlock Electroreception] [Charge] [Lightning Bolt] [Paralyzing Lightning] [Electroreception Boost x 13] [Strength Boost x 4] [Speed Boost x 4] [Voltaic Form Level 1]


    ]


    The only thing. The only thing he gained from it was a boost or two. But what it meant unnerved Victor. He was growing more used to gambles and sacrifice plays, throwing his best assets at the wall. All because he knew he¡¯d get them back in the next loop.


    At least the bullet had done its job. Victor looked back at Cecilian and saw a bleeding hole in his back, and how slow he was finally moving. He¡¯d fallen to the ground, and around him the smoke had cleared enough for both him and Yukir to see. Despite the wound, Cecilian wouldn¡¯t go down without a fight.


    Victor stood up, because there was work still for him to do.

 Chapter 68: The Nature of an Angelo

    Yukir was grateful. Even as he floated in the air, bleeding and broken, he was glad for his life.


    ¡°You could always work for me. What can those Tetni even give you anymore now that you¡¯re fully formed?¡± Cecilian asked him.


    He was winded, but not nearly as Yukir. He had experience and power behind him. Yukir was talented, but that couldn¡¯t bridge the gap. Not yet.


    Still, he clenched his fists and faced the other Angelo. He was honourless, a pathetic man who couldn¡¯t stand without crushing others. Anyone like that didn¡¯t deserve to be called a real Angelo.


    ¡°You have to stand by those who supported you,¡± Yukir told him.


    Cecilian scoffed. ¡°You really were formed yesterday.¡±


    Cecilian blasted Yukir with smoke so thick he could feel the pushback. The embers burnt him, and they seemed to want to crawl inside his body and fester.


    The dragon on his back helped. In a way only Yukir understood, it let him push past and punch Cecilian across the face. The other Angelo blew a smokescreen, but Yukir¡¯s wings dispersed it. He landed an axe kick and knocked Cecilian closer to the ground.


    Cecilian blocked with his hands, then grabbed Yukir¡¯s legs. He spun the Angelo around and threw him away. Like that, their battle continued, powers mixed with hand-to-hand combat. Then the bullet hit.


    As the lightning took effect, Yukir felt dirty about the fight. That human, Victor, had helped him. but there was a way to things. And fighting was something you did honourably. Still, he couldn¡¯t refuse the help.


    ****


    Victor stood up and brushed himself off. the Voltaic Form was still on and he needed to make every minute of it count.


    ¡°Leo, blast me towards the ground,¡± Victor asked.


    Leo looked at him like he was a madman. Then he relented. He was learning at least. For this loop, Victor thought.


    He raised a platform of stone and used it to catapult Victor across. He soared through the skies before landing on Cecilian¡¯s back. Lightning coloured light grey scoured the Angelo¡¯s back before he clawed Victor off of him.


    He landed on the ground beside Yukir. Next to him, he looked like the size of a cat.


    ¡°You too?!¡± Cecilian screamed in indignation.


    He blasted smoke across the earth, so strong it carved up stone and earth both. Flames were set alight across the battlefield that warded away intruders. Cecilian tried to skewer Victor with his wings and the Timewalker barely dodged.


    He shot frost bullets into that wing. It sizzled against the heat of Cecilian¡¯s feathers before dissipating. On instinct, Victor tried to Infuse his attacks, only to ache at the Weaponsmith Heart¡¯s absence.


    Still, he fired more bullets as Yukir fought up close. The younger Angelo was losing steam in the battle, taking more hits before being able to retaliate. It didn¡¯t help how bull-headed he was, taking hits on the chin instead of dodging them.


    Victor grumbled but he played his part. His clothes sizzled and burnt, and so he had to take off his jacket in the middle. He fired more bullets into Cecilian, but none pierced him the way his best shot had.


    Still, he kept refreshing the Slowdown by slapping Cecilian on the back or hitting him with more grey lightning. Then, the Mob boss grew more annoyed and slapped away Yukir. He turned to Victor and slashed his wings across the dirt.


    Victor was carried into the sky and he struggled. A blast of smoke formed in Cecilian¡¯s hands before he hit Victor with it.


    Yukir tried to defend him with his wings, but the blast carved a hole through them. Victor was knocked across the ground and fell teary-eyed. He was coughing on the ground while Cecilian fought against Yukir.


    The younger Angelo¡¯s dragon tattoo flickered with power. It was losing steam. Victor had to stand up. He had to go and help.


    But when he tried to move his arms, they didn¡¯t budge. They spasmed wildly, so Victor placed his other arm onto it.


    This is a bad idea. He blasted his own arm with a weak lightning bolt. the muscles on his arm flexed again and again before finally giving him back control.


    [Ability Unlocked: Electroreception Boost]


    [Ability Unlocked: Voltaic Form Level 2]


    [Ability Unlocked: Thunderstorm]


    He should¡¯ve been glad for the new abilities, but his Crystallized Lightning was already cracking. He¡¯d already let his Weaponsmith Heart go, but Victor wasn¡¯t willing to compromise on Amadeus¡¯ Seed. Not on this run.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    Victor stood up pained and cradled that arm for a bit before letting it hang. Yukir was barely hanging on, just like him. It was a grim realization to Victor that he didn¡¯t have much of a choice on whether to use his new powers.


    He reached deep into his Crystallized Lightning. The boost had made it sturdier, but that only went so far when he was using his strongest abilities.


    Victor didn¡¯t bother reading the abilities before he activated them. He¡¯d seen them in action through Amadeus. Clouds formed overhead when Victor activated the thunderstorm, cracking and booming.


    Sparks of light escaped through the clouds and caught Cecilian¡¯s attention. Victor raised a hand to guide the stored potential along. Then he let it fall, right on top of himself.


    A second before the lightning hit Victor, he reached into his Crystallized Lightning once more, praying it wouldn¡¯t crack.


    Voltaic Form Level 2.


    Victor exploded with light once more. Hair-thin lines formed along his skin filled with yellow luminescence and the sight of him made enemies around falter. He looked more like a Demigod then, with an aura of power circling him from every side.


    Cecilian and Yukir stopped only for a moment to observe Victor¡¯s new form. The lightning he¡¯d absorbed from the thunderstorm fed him, empowered him, and in what seemed like the blink of an eye, he zipped towards Cecilian.


    Victor laid a fist into the Vice¡¯s stomach, so strong it punctured through his chest and bloodied his arm. He pulled the fist out and knocked out Cecilian¡¯s jaw in a single hit. Victor kicked, and shattered his kneecaps. He forced the Angelo to the ground with just his fists, and then backed away to let Yukir finish.


    ¡°Let him have it,¡± Victor told the Angelo.


    Yukir stepped up, his tattoo glowing on his back brighter than ever. He clenched his fist tightly, and then punched Cecilian¡¯s face into the dirt. The impact knocked dirt into the air and sent a shockwave around the entire battlefield.


    When Yukir raised his bloodied fist to the sky, Cecilian was no more. Victor¡¯s Voltaic Form ran out then, and he pressed his hand to his chest to examine the Crystallized Lightning.


    He smiled slightly on finding it damaged, and nothing more. When he glanced at Cecilian again, he clicked his tongue in annoyance.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you take him out?¡± Victor asked Yukir.


    ¡°It¡¯s not my place to take his life. He¡¯s subjugated,¡± Yukir replied.


    Stupid way of thinking. He lived by an honour code? When lives were on the line? What had Aidano drilled into him?


    Or was he always like that? Victor wondered.


    Whatever was wrong with the Angelo, Victor didn¡¯t care. The battle dried up soon after Cecilian had falled. Aidano and the rest of the Tetni had taken to healing Victor, and they¡¯d handed Cecilian over to him as a reward.


    Victor didn¡¯t want anything to do with the man, so as soon as he was given the Angelo, he had him executed. Aidano seemed to disapprove of the action, but he didn¡¯t voice his thoughts. Still, the old Altesian invited Victor for a feast that night, along with all of the Wielders that had helped them.


    ****


    Victor scratched under his bandages; despite what the healers had told him. the other Wielders were out enjoying themselves with the Altesians, even Yukir, but Victor stood back. He was glad enough to see Leo, Loki and Ashley enjoying themselves.


    In what seemed like d¨¦j¨¤ vu, Aidano approached him during the party.


    ¡°You have done us a great honour, Vic-tor,¡± Aidano told him.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to keep calling me that?¡±


    ¡°Consider it a pet name,¡± Aidano told him. Victor saw a mirthful look in his eyes and wondered if he was being played with this whole time.


    ¡°You¡¯re welcome,¡± Victor said, taking a drink that he was loathed to admit tasted great, if a bit mossy.


    ¡°We have rewards prepared for you and yours. Once we build ourselves a better home above ground, we will send it to you,¡± Aidano added.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be looking forward to it.¡±


    Victor didn¡¯t feel like making conversation tonight. He was still reeling from the loss of one of his best Seeds.


    ¡°Forgive me for my disbelief, but I am amazed you could take out Cecilian, with all that he had,¡± Aidano told him.


    ¡°Cecilian was a small-time crook who thought he was a bigshot. It doesn¡¯t take much to take out guys like him,¡± Victor replied.


    ¡°Small-time?¡±


    ¡°Pathetic. Weak. Whatever you want to call him. Nothing but a bully hiding his own weakness,¡± Victor elaborated.


    ¡°Hmmm, I am not sure I agree, Vic-tor,¡± Aidano told him.


    ¡°You don¡¯t agree? Aidano, he was the one who kept you under his thumb the whole time,¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°Do you remember what I told you? About nurturing a larva right before it pupates?¡± Aidano asked.


    ¡°Yeah?¡±


    ¡°Cecilian shares a history much the same as ours in that way. He was raised by a good family of Altesians. They tried their best with the larva they had. But¡­ the nature of an Angelo is something that affects them through their entire life,¡± Aidano said.


    He took a pointed look towards Yukir, who was standing stoically besides some of the other Altesians. He was struggling in the enclosed spaces of the caves, and soon enough wouldn¡¯t be able to stand them.


    ¡°Yukir¡¯s nature. We have some influence over it. But an Angelo is something above us. What they mature into is not always in our control,¡± Aidano told him.


    ¡°So what? Cecilian was a bad egg all along?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°He was willing to do unsavoury things for those who raised him. Cecilian began to take on work that landed him in the spotlight of other Angelos. Work that crossed them and their territory. When he came back one day, most of his family had been killed, and a message sent to the survivors to stay away.¡±


    ¡°¡­ What happened after?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°He built up his crime syndicate. Became more cruel in his methods and before long, there wasn¡¯t a single shred of honour left in him. Sometimes, I wonder¡­ if we had ignored the warnings and stayed by his side, would Cecilian still be the kind young Angelo we raised? Or is there no place for one such as that in Angel Falls?¡±


    Aidano looked haunted by those events. He couldn¡¯t go back and change what had happened. Not unlike a Timewalker. Instead, he had to live with the thought he had failed, and all he could do was start over.


    ¡°So, you started over with Yukir after that?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°We tried. But we made the mistake of getting in Cecilian¡¯s gaze again. He didn¡¯t care if I had raised him. He ignored me like he ignored the rest of the Vices, and focused only on expanding his power,¡± Aidano said.


    And Victor had killed him in front of Aidano. He¡¯d basically taken away Aidano¡¯s son, estranged though they were. When he thought of it like that¡­ it didn¡¯t change his feelings on the matter.


    ¡°Cecilian was a monster who killed others for his own gain, Aidano,¡± Victor told him. ¡°I don¡¯t regret taking him out. But¡­¡±


    Victor kneeled down next to the Altesian.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I took your son from you,¡± he admitted. Tears were running down the old chief¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°That¡¯s all I can get at this point, I suppose,¡± the Altesian replied.


    The rest of the night passed by in silence for the both of them. Victor kept the old Altesian company though it all, right up until the fire went out and it was time to sleep.

 Chapter 69: Recon Shell

    They woke up early the next day to return to earth. Victor made sure to gather up all the belongings, Seeds and weapons they¡¯d confiscated from Cecilian and his Vices. He let Aidano take a fair share of the loot too, because he needed his allies to live if they were going to help him.


    Aidano had prepared a parting gift for him as well. Some healing Seeds and a Communication Seed that they had in reserve. Victor hadn¡¯t expected the gift and so he accepted it graciously from the Vice.


    He¡¯d need to take one of them sooner or later, anyways. Now that he was down one of his most powerful Seeds.


    ¡°You are welcome back here any time that you would like, Victor,¡± Aidano told him.


    ¡°You finally got the name right.¡±


    ¡°Oh, did I, Vic-tor?¡±


    ¡°And back to the teasing,¡± the Timewalker chuckled.


    Aidano held out a tiny hand for Victor and waited.


    ¡°You shake hands upon parting, don¡¯t you?¡± he asked.


    Victor took the Altesian¡¯s little pudgy hand and gave it a squeeze. Aidano looked over him one last time for bruises and wounds and nodded with satisfaction. The only ones he had left would heal with time.


    ¡°You should enjoy yourself more, Vic-tor. You were barely around your friends last night,¡± Aidano told him.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got a lot of work to do, chief.¡±


    ¡°A healthy body requires a healthy mind. If you worry all the time, you¡¯ll forget what you even worry for,¡± the chief advised.


    ¡°Ironic, coming from the puffball who wouldn¡¯t stop shaking when I told him I¡¯d take down Cecilian.¡±


    ¡°I was not familiar with your strength. But I am now, and I respect it. But you should respect yourself a little more too. Enough to give yourself a break, Wielder,¡± Aidano told him.


    Victor focused his gaze. There was nothing in the Vice¡¯s movements that seemed insincere. It seemed¡­ like Aidano truly wanted this for him. For him to be able to take a break, appreciate those around him.


    He didn¡¯t know how to feel. A Vice? Wanting good from him? He¡¯d spent the past four loops being an enemy of so many different kinds of Vices, he was amazed that one of them wanted well for him.


    Pepin Village was the only other place he knew, and even they were simply grateful to their saviours. Aidano¡­ Aidano only cared how he was doing.


    Victor realized he¡¯d been staring at the Vice for too long and shook his head.


    ¡°I¡­ I will, thank you,¡± Victor told him.


    They packed up their belongings and left after that, but Victor had the Tetni group in his mind the entire time. Would they make it out? Would they survive living out above ground? Those kinds of questions made him worry, and he resolved himself to a single truth.


    He cared about the Altesians. Both from Pepin and the Tetni group. They were the only good Vices in the world. The only ones who had not tried to kill him on sight. The only time they¡¯d been aggressive was after he¡¯d killed an Angelo. A Star in their eyes and basically doomed them in that loop.


    He would save them too, when the time came. When he found the right decisions, the right words and the right path to protect his world.


    ****


    Lillie was floating on a cloud waiting for them. there was a bejewelled crown sitting atop her forehead that shined with power. The Windswept Crown was a great match for Lillie¡¯s abilities, at least Victor thought so.


    He wouldn¡¯t mention the other part where it really brought out her deep amber eyes, since that was basically irrelevant.


    ¡°Are you hurt?¡± Lillie asked him. ¡°I was worried you wouldn¡¯t come back when you cut communication for a few days.¡±This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    ¡°We¡¯re back. And we¡¯ve got ourselves an ally in an Angelo.¡±


    Lillie scowled when he mentioned the name.


    ¡°Are you sure we can trust it?¡± Lillie asked.


    ¡°The Angelo? No. But the Altesians backing it are trustworthy.¡±


    ¡°How do you know, Vic?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Believe me, they are.¡±


    That was the end of that thread. The other Wielders crowded into the apartment complex, spreading out to the ones around Angel Heights.


    Even doing that, they were crowded. There were so many people coming in and out he couldn¡¯t find a place of privacy.


    You need to expand again.


    It was the easiest solution. Grab the mall and fortify it. But if he did that, the Vices would know where they were, and they¡¯d have a repeat of the last loop. Invaded and destroyed, all because he put a target on their back.


    If he wanted to stay under the radar of the strongest Vices, he needed Seeds. Leo had the right kind, but he needed many more if he was going to make an underground base for the people. Victor needed people to get those Seeds for him, and he knew just where to get that manpower.


    But before that, there was a choice to be made. He¡¯d lost a Seed, and now he needed another. The Bloody Tear from Hemotep rested in his fingers, deep red and thrumming with power. He placed it down onto the table, alongside some others he¡¯d considered for himself.


    Cutting Star. He¡¯d be able to mimic Loki¡¯s flying slashes. But he had a ranged attack in the form of his lightning.


    Holy Fires would let him hurt Vices more than humans.


    Knight¡¯s Cavalry was what Jared had gotten before. Defense would be nice, but the armour might hinder Victor.


    The last Seed on the table was the Cursed Power. It looked like a bunch of gnarled and dried black tentacles bunched together and gave off an air of putrid power. Victor immediately put it out of his mind. He¡¯d known a single user of the power before, and she¡¯d taken her own life after using it.


    He knew it was powerful, but he didn¡¯t want to risk it¡­ for now. He put away that one in a safe location, so no one else would be tempted to take it. Then, he turned to the other four selections and made his own.


    Amadeus used it pretty well. Let¡¯s see if I can remember a few tricks with it.


    When the Seed was integrated, he left the room and distributed the remaining Seeds among the Wielders. A stockpile of lightning Seeds were left behind, and Victor had a plan for those as well.


    The last thing he did was give Lillie one of the new Communication Seeds. He¡¯d need her to establish contact with Washington, but she hadn¡¯t seen the base nor the people there. That was something he¡¯d handle later on too.


    ****


    ¡°You¡¯re leaving on another mission so soon?¡± Audrey asked him. the old crone seemed as worried for him as Aidano had been, which made Victor a little happy.


    ¡°No time to waste, Mrs. Wilson. I¡¯ll be back as quickly as I can. Until then, tell Leo to dig out those tunnels like I ordered him to. We¡¯re going to need the space if we plan on moving people inside,¡± Victor told her.


    Audrey listened and Victor packed up for his next trip. He¡¯d filled up an EV using his Crystallized Lightning and waited to leave. He was bringing Loki along again, just because the man¡¯s strength warranted it.


    Lillie was also there waiting, however, despite the fact Victor hadn¡¯t asked her to.


    ¡°I¡¯m coming along this time,¡± she told him.


    ¡°Wait, no. I need you here for communication,¡± Victor replied.


    ¡°With who? Washington¡¯s on the other side of the country, and the Seed you gave me just does this,¡± Lillie said.


    In her hand materialized a conch shell. it was dotted with little motes of light that made it glitter. She chucked the thing at Victor and he grabbed it out of the air.


    ¡°It¡¯s just like a phone. You turn it on, and then you can send your voice over to someone else across the country,¡± Victor told her.


    ¡°But it doesn¡¯t cover enough distance. I checked. Anyone out of the city won¡¯t be able to get a signal,¡± Lillie replied.


    ¡°For now,¡± Victor amended. ¡°You just need to keep practicing and eventually it¡¯ll be good enough to reach across to Washington.¡±


    ¡°Or, I can come along, and we can hand out the shells instead,¡± Lillie told him. Her idea intrigued Victor, so he asked her to explain.


    ¡°We¡¯ll chain them together. I can make a few a day. On the ride there, we¡¯ll form a stockpile, then spread them out all over the country. That way, we get a communications system running and we don¡¯t have to worry about the distance. All we need is someone in the middle receiving the call, then forwarding it to the next person in the line.¡±


    When she put it like that. Victor had no choice but to agree. It would help Lillie exercise her powers, and eventually they¡¯ll be able to form a greater coalition with the other survivors. He hadn¡¯t used the Recon Shell himself, and that had made him overlook this possibility in the previous loops.


    If we get all those people connected on a single network, how easy would it be to find the Wielders we need?


    The idea itself held an infinite potential for the future. Lillie looked proud of herself for having come up with it, and Victor agreed. He just hoped she would be able to implement it.


    ¡°Any downsides to the shells?¡± he asked her.


    ¡°It¡¯s harder to get a signal through dirt, rocks and other materials. I think I can do it once I grow the Seed, but I¡¯ve got some limits for now,¡± Lillie told him.


    For now. Victor turned the shell around in his hands.


    ¡°Fine, fine, you win. We¡¯ll spread these around any bases we find,¡± Victor said, tossing the shell back to her. Lillie grinned and threw her already-made back in the back of the car.


    ¡°You came knowing you¡¯d win the argument?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°You¡¯re like putty in my fingers, Amadi,¡± she teased with a chuckle.


    Victor let her have that. He threw his own pack in there with her, and waited for Loki before the three of them could finally depart on their journey.

 Chapter 70: Older than Me

    The stops they took on their impromptu trip extended the time far beyond what Victor had wanted. They were gone for three weeks and were nowhere close to reaching their destination. Lillie has asked him to stop at every settlement to spread the Recon Shells.


    The process had tired her out, but she seemed to like it. And it wasn¡¯t a lie to say they helped. The more she made, the more they improved in functionality. There were a limited set that could even send videos now, which amazed Victor. It was almost like having a smartphone back¡­ minus all the apps and distractions.


    Loki and Victor trained as well, letting Victor finally get a handle on his new Seed. The Bloody Tear was an obvious answer, especially since Victor had seen the power Amadeus could unleash with it.


    Red lightning drained his foes of their strength, adding it to his own. If he spilled the blood of other Vices, it empowered him further, and he could shape them into weapons for his own use.


    He hadn¡¯t unlocked its cloning abilities yet and knew they would be far off once he looked at the progression tree for it. If he just knew how to fill those requirements¡­


    ¡°Hey, what¡¯s with this heavy case?¡± Lillie asked from the car. They had some MREs ready and Lillie was the only one who was familiar with how they worked. While she was waiting for them to finish cooking, she¡¯d brought out a briefcase Victor had stored in the trunk.


    ¡°Don¡¯t touch that!¡± Victor shouted. He ended his match with Loki, much to the other Wielder¡¯s disappointment.


    ¡°It¡¯s a gift to someone we¡¯re about to meet,¡± Victor told her.


    ¡°An old friend?¡± Lillie asked.


    ¡°Not entirely¡­¡±


    ****


    Victor hadn¡¯t told her then, but when they arrived, the location spoke for itself. New Columbia¡¯s walls rose up high and sectioned off the city from the rest of the desert. Although, they weren¡¯t as tall nor as fortified as they¡¯d been in Victor¡¯s previous life. that was the benefit to coming so early.


    If negotiations went south, Victor would most likely have an easier time escaping the place. When they parked their car in front of the Gates of New Columbia, a squadron of soldiers came out to greet them, weapons held high.


    Lillie and Loki readied themselves for a fight, but Victor sat still.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let them psyche you out. And try not to let weird thoughts into your head. They¡¯re not exactly keeping the people happy through their welfare programs,¡± Victor told them as he stepped out of the car.


    The soldiers trained their guns on him and their leader barked an order.


    ¡°Identify yourself!¡±


    ¡°Victor Amadi. Resident of Oakland. I¡¯m here to talk to President Jeffords,¡± Victor told them.


    ¡°Take him in,¡± the order wasn¡¯t directed at him.


    Voltaic Form Level 2.


    Before they could cuff him, Victor blitzed past the soldiers there. in a second, they went sprawling to the ground, leaving him and the leader as the only men standing.


    ¡°I¡¯m not here to hurt you, but I¡¯m also not going to let you imprison me. Can I just meet the President? Please?¡±


    If it were a civilian, they would¡¯ve been shaking in fear. It was a testament to his training that the soldier just spoke into a walkie-talkie instead and nodded a few orders to people around him.


    ¡°You can come. But the other two have to stay outside,¡± the soldier told him. his finger wasn¡¯t on the trigger, but Victor could see it twitching.


    ¡°Fine by me.¡±


    Then he was led inside, with the only concession being the briefcase he was allowed to bring with himself.


    ****


    When Victor entered the President¡¯s tent, the memories came rushing back to him. it was the same place he¡¯d started his fight, and near to where he¡¯d almost lost it. Only Professor Cooper had saved his life, and he wasn¡¯t around the camp this time.


    Alexander Jeffords was the same as before, if a bit more shrivelled looking. Mei Li was beside him as always, with an icy glare ready for Victor. If he didn¡¯t know any better, it was like she remembered him.


    He just hoped that wasn¡¯t the case, as he went to greet the former President.


    ¡°Welcome, son. I apologize for the reception. We¡¯re a bit high on security nowadays, what with the Gate and all,¡± Jeffords told him.


    ¡°No issues, Mr. President. I understand completely. You never know who could be a Wielder and what could be a Vice pretending,¡± Victor said as he shook the man¡¯s hand. His grip was weaker than Victor remembered too.


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°Speaking of which, Mr. Amadi. That stunt the boys told me you pulled. How did you manage that?¡± Jeffords asked.


    ¡°Just training, sir. I¡¯m sure you have your own men helping,¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°We do, but one of our best isn¡¯t around. I lost him once this whole fiasco started,¡± Jeffords lamented.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for that, Mr. President. Here, I¡¯ve brought something I think might help alleviate some of that,¡± Victor said as he brought out the case.


    Mei Li stepped in front of Jeffords as soon as Victor did.


    ¡°Open it yourself,¡± she said with a glare.


    ¡°Oh¡­ sorry, yeah.¡±


    Victor placed the case on the ground as Mei Li urged Jeffords backwards. When he was done, the case opened to reveal a set of Seeds that glimmered. Communication, Fire, Lightning and a slew of other miscellaneous Seeds that Victor could spare for the case were stuffed inside, waiting for a Wielder to take them. It wasn¡¯t much of a fortune, but the quality of them should¡¯ve helped Victor with what came next.


    ¡°I¡¯m giving these as a show of good faith, Mr. President. So that we can work together in the future,¡± Victor said, before closing the case and pushing it towards his assistant.


    Mei Li took the case and placed it on the table that took up most of the tent. Jeffords rubbed his chin thoughtfully.


    ¡°That¡¯s awful nice of you, son. But I don¡¯t understand what exactly you¡¯re asking from us here,¡± he told Victor.


    ¡°I¡¯d like to discuss it further, but your assistant¡­¡±


    Mei Li was glaring daggers at him.


    ¡°Mr. President, don¡¯t listen to him. Why does he want to speak to you alone?¡± she asked him.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, Mei Li. I wanna hear this,¡± Jeffords told her.


    He dismissed her and the soldiers around them both. That left just Victor and the President. Despite their isolation, the President wasn¡¯t relaxed. His fists were clenched and he darted his eyes over Victor, as if expecting an attack at any moment.


    ¡°I want you to join me,¡± Victor said.


    ¡°In what?¡±


    ¡°Survivors. You¡¯ve got manpower here that I could use to protect my people better. I¡¯ve even got Professor Cooper, who could help us both find the perfect Seeds to equip each Wielder,¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°How do you know about him?¡± Jeffords asked, seeming to grow a little agitated.


    ¡°I¡¯ve come across him. he helped me pick out the right Seeds, study the other world and the Vices that roamed it.¡±


    ¡°Seems you¡¯re doing plenty well on your own, son. But I¡¯d be happy to have you join under me. It¡¯ll make bringing this country back from the brink much easier,¡± Jeffords told him.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got it wrong. I don¡¯t want my people under yours. This is an alliance, on equal footing.¡±


    ¡°And you want to do that, knowing full well you¡¯d be up against us? Listen to me son. I¡¯ve dealt with disasters; I¡¯ve got experience. Let me handle it instead and we¡¯ll get somewhere,¡± Jeffords told him.


    ¡°And I¡¯d welcome the counsel. But you¡¯re not controlling us,¡± Victor told him. ¡°Not like your own people.¡±


    The President took a step backwards.


    ¡°How do you know about that?¡± he asked.


    Victor knew his next words would decide whether the former President ever came with him. So, he decided on the truth.


    ¡°I¡¯ve lived a life after the Fall over three times, Mr. President. Whatever experience you think you¡¯ve got, I¡¯ve got more. This isn¡¯t the worst of it. Not even close. Every month and every year, it¡¯ll get worse. And none of us will survive unless we work together,¡± Victor explained.


    ¡°From the future, huh?¡± Jeffords said with a scoff. ¡°Nice tall tale. My scientists say its impossible, even with Seeds. You¡¯re bluffing.¡±


    Voltaic Form Level 2. Speedup.


    Victor zipped in front of the president and grabbed him by the collar. He raised the man into the sky.


    ¡°You had a wife, two sons and a daughter. All of them died on a visit to a military base when the Fall happened. You built New Columbia around a Gate to harvest the Seeds and materials from within it. And you wanted Professor Cooper with you because you thought he was a genius who could unravel what Seeds were and how to get yourself a best fit.¡±


    Jeffords struggled in his grasp. He tried to shout, but Victor stopped him from releasing a breath.


    ¡°Is that enough for you, Mr. President. Or do I need to go further?¡±


    Jeffords struggled for only a few more moments before admitting defeat. He collapsed onto the floor of the tent once Victor released him. Then he hacked and coughed. Victor knelt down beside him and felt sorry for the old man.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got two years on you, Jeffords. I¡¯ll have lived forty years by the end of this if I fail again, and then you¡¯ll forget, and I¡¯ll have to come back to have this exact same stupid argument. Stop. Resisting.¡±


    Victor offered him a hand, but Jeffords knocked it away. He stood up by himself, using the table as a brace.


    ¡°Can you¡­ can you get them back?¡± Jeffords asked. He¡¯d forgotten all about his rage and had tears welling up in his eyes.


    ¡°If I could go back further, maybe. But¡­ I¡¯m stuck to coming back the day the Fall happens. And then, in ten years, when the world gets destroyed, I get sent right back to that day,¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°Then it¡¯s pointless¡­¡±


    He slumped down in a chair. All the energy had been sucked right out of him, and he was left an old man like any other.


    ¡°You can still serve your country, Jeffords. Do right by them, the way you couldn¡¯t your family,¡± Victor explained.


    That seemed to stir the man a little.


    ¡°Fine. Have it your way, son. I suppose you are older than me now,¡± Jeffords said.


    Mei Li and the guards came back in later and were appalled at the President¡¯s condition, but he waved away their concerns. He was left with one of the Recon Shells and gave away a part of his standing army to Victor.


    A few days later, Victor was racing back to Angel Heights, with a small retinue of Wielders that he needed to train. Jeffords had decided to tag along, noting that the Recon Shells made it easier for him to issue orders from far away. Mei Li also came along with him, and she seemed to trust Victor even less.


    He¡¯d accept that, as long as he had New Columbia¡¯s resources at their disposal.


    ****


    When they came back to Angel Heights, Victor set to training immediately. Altar was next on his list of Vices to take down, and he needed to be prepared. When he was ready, he ambushed Grandsmith and popped out to take Altar¡¯s life.


    And this time, he didn¡¯t just bring Scepter, but Yukir as well. Altar tried his best to skitter around and protect himself from the fighting, but Yukir knocked him down from the side of the Grandsmith while Scepter riddled him full of holes.


    It was a gruelling battle, but Victor was glad that his group had made it out alive. Leo let the rock shield drop and Victor approached Altar¡¯s twitching form again.


    ¡°Something I still don¡¯t understand. Why attack earth? What do you get out of it?¡±


    The giant bug breathed its last in defiance of Victor.


    ¡°You¡¯re dying. There¡¯s no way around that. You¡¯ve got nothing to lose so, just tell me!¡± Victor ordered.


    ¡°F-for us¡­. Sustenance¡­ power. For Nirvana, your death¡­¡±


    And then Altar faded. His Seeds popped up on his body, and Victor confiscated them. Yukir looked dispassionately on the corpse of the Vintaric, and then at Victor.


    ¡°Don¡¯t make me assist in a killing again.¡±


    ¡°Aidano assured me you¡¯d help,¡± Victor countered.


    ¡°I love him, as I do the rest of the Tetni. But I do not love this,¡± Yukir told him.


    Victor chuckled as he left through the Gate. He¡¯d gotten the only Angelo in the world who didn¡¯t like killing. Just his luck.

 Chapter 71: See the Stars

    ¡°You¡¯ll have to find somewhere else to stay,¡± Victor told Scepter, and the rest of the Stolkatan Vices. She looked at him indignantly before huffing.


    The Vintarics turned to leave. They were no match for Angel Heights anyways, now that they had so much more firepower.


    ¡°Was that really necessary? We could¡¯ve made an alliance with them, just like we did the Tetni,¡± Ashley voiced. Victor didn¡¯t understand her kinship with Scepter, nor did he really want to.


    ¡°Vintarics are dangerous, Ash. A Vintaric is what took Amadeus¡¯ life,¡± he told her.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you know him a total of a single day? Why are you so attached to him?¡± Ash said. She left in a huff before hearing his answer.


    Victor sighed. Of course she couldn¡¯t know. And the others probably thought him insane too, all except the Levine kids.


    ****


    Victor led a company of Wielders through the deserts. They gunned down any Vice in their sights, harvested their Seeds, and then moved onto the next location. They were done clearing out the town in just a few days with that tactic, after which came the hard part.


    They¡¯d need to station Wielders for building there. the survivors of the small town would be grateful, and Victor would get a new outpost to use for their budding communications network.


    Jeffords seemed to approve too, setting wholeheartedly to ventures beyond the Gates. They brought back more Seeds than any other group Victor had, and he was thankful for the help. with it, they were able to arm and train more soldiers, all in preparation.


    Victor had told Jeffords to inform him of any interesting Seeds, and the former president was steadfast in reporting. With his help, Victor was able to amass a sizable record of the various Wielders, and of their numerous Seeds.


    Every week, when he had the time for it, Victor would seclude himself inside of his base and work out the interactions between them. Just so he could find the perfect grouping. He needed a specific set, for helping him punch harder, move faster, last longer and think easier. He needed to be able to fight on land or sky, blind or deaf, and from near and far.


    He needed to be able to do all of those, all without knowing the capabilities of his enemy. The one who came down from the skies, four bodies in one, just to destroy everything he¡¯d worked for in the previous loops.


    Victor did all that and stretched himself thin in other projects. And not just in the matters of the survivors, but in smaller matters as well.


    ****


    ¡°I want my father back, you son of bitch!¡± Inigo Montoya spat, and the Levine kids loved it.


    Most of them were old enough to see the movie now, but still Victor felt a bit hesitant in letting them watch. But Yvette knew better, and so he let her choose for the night. They were all sat together around an old LCD that Victor was powering himself.


    They finished the movie and the kids yawned before Yvette shuffled them off to bed. Some of the older kids stuck around. Victor had already told them some of his plans, even if Yvette disapproved.


    ¡°You can¡¯t be serious.¡±


    ¡°They need to defend themselves, Yvette,¡± Victor told her.


    ¡°Don¡¯t start that with me. They¡¯re safe in here,¡± she told him.


    ¡°And for how long? What happens when they encounter a Vice, and the rest of the Wielders are off on some mission?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°That¡¯s why we¡¯re supposed to protect them!¡± Yvette growled.


    ¡°This is protection. The best I can think of.¡±


    ¡°But!.... But, it¡¯s dangerous,¡± she looked terrified.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be careful in their training, Yvette. Heal them when something goes wrong, make sure they understand how dangerous these powers are.¡±


    ¡°Promise?¡±


    ¡°Promise.¡±


    The next day, he took them down into the caves. There were Wielders carving out further chambers underground. One of the training rooms was done, which meant Victor could finally use it with the kids.


    He brought out all the Lightning Seeds he¡¯d stolen from the Pantheon over the ages, and some he¡¯d collected with Jeffords¡¯ help. then he started with the oldest kids.


    The kids took to it eagerly. Who didn¡¯t want magic powers? Victor just hoped they heeded his warnings.


    ¡°Aim it like that, and fire,¡± Victor told them. Jared and Jaune were the first up on the block. They fired the lightning and missed their targets entirely.


    ¡°That¡¯s fine. You¡¯ll learn,¡± Victor told them. For Jared, he¡¯d also given the Knight¡¯s Cavalry. It felt right to hand it over to the kid. So, the young man had a gauntlet running up his arm that protected him from some of the backfire.


    Jaune and Jared practiced, growing proficient enough that they could hit a standing target at least relatively easily. So, Victor moved onto the rest. By the end of the day, there were almost a dozen kids running around shooting lightning at the walls, ground or other targets.


    Some of the kids took to it easier than the rest. Dudley and Minnie could shoot the flying plates and Lillie¡¯s panes while the rest were stuck to still targets. They tired themselves out using the Seed, and Victor had to caution them against breaking it.


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    Victor called it there for the day and wiped the sweat from his brow. He noticed Yvette standing at one side of the room, looking on quietly. Victor waved and she waved back, so he was at least sure she didn¡¯t hate him.


    Then Tiffany tugged at his shirt, and he looked back to find all the kids lined up together. It was a habit she had since she was young, so he didn¡¯t think much of it. But the silence, that was new.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, you guys?¡± he asked.


    ¡°We wanted to thank you,¡± Jared started.


    ¡°For taking care of us this whole time,¡± Tiffany completed.


    ¡°Really? You guys don¡¯t have to do that. I¡¯d have done it either way,¡± Victor said, patting Tiff on the head.


    She¡¯d grown more annoyed with that as he grew up, but didn¡¯t stop him.


    ¡°But still. You took us in, made sure we had whatever we needed, even if it was novels for me-¡±


    ¡°Or cooking supplies and ingredients for me,¡± Jaune finished for Dudley.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been a great big bro,¡± one of the twins, Minnie, voiced.


    ¡°So, we wanted to do something for you, for all you¡¯ve done for us,¡± Samantha said. She was at the back of the group, and so Victor hadn¡¯t seen what she was holding. When she brought it forwards, Victor¡¯s heart swelled.


    It was a cake. A really, really well-made one at that. Like something you¡¯d find in a high-end confectionery store. There were two wax candles on top, spelling out 30.


    ¡°It¡¯s my birthday?¡± Victor had forgotten. Who¡¯d even told them that?


    ¡°Ms. Lillie told us about it. We had to work quick, since it was so close by,¡± Tiff told him. ¡°Do you like it?¡±


    ¡°I¡­ love it,¡± he said with a quivering voice. It was amazing. He thought the loops had dulled him to anything that could shake his resolve. But a birthday cake had done him in.


    They held it out for Victor and he blew out the candles with a single wish.


    Please, let these kids end up safe.


    He hoped someone out there listened. And if not, he¡¯d do it himself. No matter how many loops it took.


    Then, they dug into the cake, even Yvette, before dragging Victor off for the rest of the day. Victor enjoyed whatever antics they dragged him into, and was glad for the reprieve, especially since he knew what was coming next.


    ****


    Professor Cooper was hunched over in his desk when Victor came to visit. Papers, Seeds and even a Recon shell littered his workspace. To Victor, it looked like the ordinary, just the professor¡¯s desired setup. To others, it might be a disorganized work of madness.


    ¡°Professor? You awake?¡± Victor asked.


    He shook the old man in his seat until he jerked up. There was a wet document stuck to his face, and Cooper refused to open his eyes to see it. Victor had the unruly job of peeling it away, and he did so with a quick flick.


    It seemed to take a few hairs with it too, and the professor finally, fully woke up.


    ¡°We¡¯re moving the lab. Now come on, we have to take all of your research with us,¡± Victor told him.


    ¡°Moving?¡±


    ¡°Underground,¡± Victor said. ¡°We¡¯ll be safer there from the Vices.


    ¡°Now?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s finished, so yeah.¡±


    Cooper grumbled a bit, but the scientist began helping Victor pack the equipment he¡¯d brought along with him. It was going to take the whole day, and Professor Cooper looked like he had things to say. Victor decided to bite, against his better judgement.


    ¡°What were you working at?¡± He asked the professor.


    ¡°A taxonomy for Seeds.¡±


    ¡°The Seeds already have their names. What else do we need?¡±


    ¡°Many things, Victor. Their Strength, power classification, the complexity level of their use and so much more,¡± Cooper explained.


    ¡°And you plan on doing all that?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been trying, but its difficult. There are just too many factors to consider. And I¡¯ve never been able to come up with something that works universally. We had a visitor over from Europe. Did you know they had almost a completely different set of Seeds?¡± Cooper asked. ¡°When will my work ever be done?¡±


    Victor placed one of the boxes in the corner and started on another.


    ¡°Start small, professor. Just the helpful stuff. Then we can think about power levels and whatever else you think we need to measure a Seed,¡± Victor replied.


    ¡°It¡¯d be much easier if we could simply show those statistics ourselves,¡± Professor Cooper grumbled. ¡°I can get a rough estimate of some of those properties from my Seeds, but it seems those are limited just to me.¡±


    ¡°Meaning Wielders like you and me can¡¯t share whatever information we get,¡± Victor prompted.


    ¡°Unless we all have Seeds to do so. I suppose the information doesn¡¯t really matter to other Wielders, but still¡­¡±


    The professor receded back into his thoughts. He¡¯d ask Victor a question or two sometimes but then grow quiet again. Victor didn¡¯t interrupt him while he was in his own world, continuing to push boxes out of the room instead.


    He brought them down into the cave system, which had grown so large he could barely believe it. There were lights hung up for illumination and gems made by some of the Wielders that bolstered their defences. Generators were brought down to power the entire system, and roads and sidewalks were carved right into the caves.


    ¡°I¡¯m very impressed you¡¯ve managed all this,¡± Professor Cooper offered a compliment as he went walking past.


    The city couldn¡¯t see the stars, but at least it was safe and in good hands. that was enough for him. They just needed to keep it that way for a few more years. The underground base project was wrapping up and that meant that Victor was nearing the final stage of his plan.


    ****


    He trained Wielders day in and day out. Professor Cooper and the other scientists helped facilitate their training, assigning them to groups that worked with similar powers. Surrounding them with peers helped to spread ideas and concepts among the Wielders.


    Though it did make them go a little strange sometimes, it wasn¡¯t enough to warrant attention. Fire Wielders always became enamoured with flames, while Lightning Wielders were the same with electricity. Wielders with farming Seeds would always grow closer to the land, but never as much as the Earth Wielders themselves.


    All those little quirks added up to an annoying whole, but at least it made identifying a Wielder easy enough.


    Victor himself trained his Seeds to the brink. He barely slept those days, pushing them further and further while talking with Cooper and Loki. He garnered so many boosts, but they all came from sources other than his Timewalker¡¯s Origin.


    ¡°You should really talk more,¡± Victor spoke while batting away another slash from Loki.


    ¡°Why so?¡± Loki asked as he came in for a frontal assault. He swiped his blade upwards but Victor was already gone.


    ¡°Some of the others think you¡¯re boring. Ash, especially,¡± Victor told him. his new Voltaic Form annoyed Loki. The man grimaced every time he missed landing a hit on him.


    ¡°Let them think that. You¡¯re just distracting me,¡± Loki said, before slashing all around him. Victor had nowhere to go, so he jumped into the air.


    Loki smirked slightly and Victor realized his mistake. Loki fired another slash and this one caught Victor on the arms. it cut a line onto Victor¡¯s skin, and he went crashing to the floor.


    Loki tried to catch him with another, but Victor circled around him and grabbed his sword by the hilt. He kicked Loki in the chest and sent the man sprawling. Then he stuck the sword into the ground and fought him hand to hand.


    Loki was talented, but Victor won out in the end due to his Seeds.


    ¡°So, you don¡¯t care what they say? Seems like an isolated way to live life, Loki,¡± Victor said.


    They were both sitting on the ground, regaining their energy.


    ¡°Do you? I haven¡¯t seen you stop once on the order of someone you didn¡¯t want to,¡± Loki told him.


    ¡°Good point.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s one of your more admirable traits,¡± Loki added.


    ¡°You think I¡¯m admirable?¡±


    ¡°If only slightly,¡± Loki said without looking back at him. He took his sword out of the ground and went to sharpen it, only stopping for a single comment.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t do that again. The blade gets dull,¡± he said, annoyed.


    Victor sat there recuperating for a while longer, staring up at the stony ceiling of the base. He wished that tomorrow didn¡¯t need to come, but it would, regardless of his wishes. Even the Timewalker couldn¡¯t stop it forever.

 Chapter 72: What are you

    Mara, the lord of the Senses, arrived through a tear in space. It floated above near the clouds, watching and analysing the area below it. All four bodies watched a separate part of the city.


    It was sent out to destroy all of mankind¡¯s settlements, to make sure there was no resistance to be met against the eventual fate of earth. But when it looked down upon the ruined Los Angeles, there were no humans to be found. No settlement, no hint of a fight from the survivors.


    Had it already been destroyed? Mara almost turned back, stopped the Imperials from bringing his Daughters through. But then Mara looked deeper, and he found them hiding like mice underneath the floorboards.


    The humans, all of them, were underneath the earth, festering just beneath the surface of the planet. It was a clever ploy, to hide from him underground, but it would¡¯ve mattered not. He could¡¯ve left them down there to be swallowed up once the earth was destroyed, but Mara had been given a mission.


    ¡°Bring them through. All of them.¡±


    Several building sized portals opened up at the edge of the city. Thousands of Mara¡¯s daughters walked out, starting with his eldest and most powerful. As soon as the portals reached their peak, projectiles exploded onto the scene.


    They came from every part of the city. Missiles, bolts and tonnes of stone that flung in Mara¡¯s direction. The Lord of the Senses was too powerful, too quick to get hit by them. but his Daughters were different, and they fell to the magical attacks.


    Mara didn¡¯t understand how the humans could resist their desires even after ten years. The world had been ruined. There was nothing they could do to bring it back from the brink now.


    Why fight and struggle, when they could simply give into their pleasures, their death, instead?


    Mara floated away from another chunk of the rubble, and went down to the ground. Wielders were bursting forth from passages built into the ground, from apartment complexes and restaurant doors as if they¡¯d been waiting in hiding.


    They used whatever powers they had to cut down Mara¡¯s hordes of Daughters, enraging him. There was something different about this set of Wielders though. They had goggles and plugs in their ears, and they never looked directly at Mara¡¯s Daughters when they attacked.


    They knew.


    Mara Klesa landed in front of a group of them. Immediately, the Wielders turned on each other, shouting at their fellow man as if he were a monster. And they would be, because Mara Klesa was the body of his which excelled at it most.


    Mara Mrtyu stopped the Wielders¡¯ assault on his Daughters while Mara Skandha took their Seeds and snatched them away.


    Finally, there was Devaputra. It sent the Wielders into a coma, before they were squashed to death by his Daughters. Some survived, the strongest among them no doubt, but they were forced to leave their dying comrades behind.


    All four of his bodies worked in tandem with each other, while holding off their assaults. Mara¡¯s Daughters advanced forward at the opening slowly, as more Wielders were coming up to face the tide.


    It would be a long day for the Lord of the Senses, and the battle ahead would not be won easily.


    ****


    Lillie placed a barrier around the entire street. The Daughters of Mara were trapped within and they beat against the light wall to get out. Before they could. Loki sent a slash that downed two buildings and buried the Daughters within.


    The two of them were frantically covering the streets, trying to survive against the Vices as best as they could. Loki was quiet as usual, but even then Lillie could see the man panicking beneath his cool fa?ade.


    ¡°Where to next?¡± Loki asked him.


    She was the navigator. He was the sword. They just needed to make it through the day with both of those and they¡¯d be fine.


    ¡°Next street over, another group of Vices are trying to pass through,¡± Lillie told him.


    She let him carry her over in a single leap. When they landed, they didn¡¯t find Daughters waiting for them.


    Instead, it was a gathering of Imperials. Tall and lanky, blue skinned with ears like knives, they wore armour that gleamed with gems. When Loki landed in front of them, they activated their magic.


    One of the Imperials tried to sink them into the earth. Lillie jumped up and landed on a light platform. She made steps for Loki and he cut down the Imperials in front of him. When the Earth Seed Wielding Imperial tried to use his magic, Loki cut his fingers off. He jumped backwards but hit a light barrier instead.


    Then Loki impaled him through the chest and the Imperial fell to the ground. He coughed up blood and spat at Loki.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t over. You can¡¯t stop all of us!¡± the Imperial said before going limp.


    Loki wiped the blood off of his face and looked towards Lillie.


    ¡°What are they doing here? This road does not lead to the settlements, only the centre of the city,¡± Loki told her.


    Lillie had no idea, but she formed constructs of light to search the Imperials. She recognized some of the Seeds they had and had a bad feeling of their goals.


    ¡°V-victor told me about this one. It¡¯s really hard to do so, but it can open Gates,¡± Lillie told him.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never seen a Seed like that?¡± Loki said.


    ¡°It¡¯s rare too. That must be why,¡± she said, walking past the other Wielder.


    ¡°We need to take down any other Imperials we can find. They might be trying to make a new Gate!¡± Lillie told him. all the rest had been slowly closed down by Wielders that they¡¯d worked hard to foster. But that also had meant they had a hard time getting information from the other side as well.


    ¡°If they had an army, why not bring it through with the Daughters?¡± Loki asked.


    ¡°Because those portals can¡¯t last forever. The Gates can,¡± Lillie answered fearfully.


    Near the edge of the city, they could see explosions going up. But no sign of Victor. It was infuriating for Lillie that Victor wasn¡¯t there yet, considering his abilities. But she couldn¡¯t find it in herself to hate him too much.


    After all, he¡¯d turned himself into a monster for their sake.


    ¡°Where is the next squad of Imperials?¡± Loki asked, his blade ready. Lillie nodded and started searching.


    ****


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    When the portals started to close, Ashley thought they¡¯d only have to deal with the Daughters. Those she could pick apar with her flames. But the last thing to come out of them wasn¡¯t a Daughter. It was a Vintaric.


    A Vintaric as tall as a two-story building, like a Godzilla-sized beetle. It had scars and scratches all over its skin, but that didn¡¯t seem to deter it. As soon as it exited the portal and landed on the desert dirt, it took to the air. It had sacs under its wings, glowing bright red that jumped around its body when it moved.


    ¡°Hive Wetajha. Couldn¡¯t have been anything else, could it?¡± Leo said with a sigh. Ash¡¯s brother had grown less and less expressive over the years, a far cry from the wannabe actor she had once known.


    It hurt her to see him like this, but there was nothing she could do. She¡¯d tried to make a theatre work in Angel Heights, but Leo¡¯s heart wasn¡¯t in it. In his spare time, he had instead become one of the strongest Wielders they had.


    With a swipe of his hand, he turned the earth to a jelly and forced the Daughters underneath. They suffocated there, leaving the path open to the Wetajha Vintaric. Then a hand made of earth rose from the streets, dragging stop signs and the sidewalk along with it. The hand reached into the sky and pulled the Wetajha out of the sky.


    A small flame burned in Ashley¡¯s hands. She struggled to contain it, feeding it with her Seed and her heart both. Her emotions came bursting forth to power the flame, and she set the street alight with flames.


    They scorched every surface before hitting the Vintaric. The blue flames turned red, before a blast of wind smothered them. Ash¡¯s jacket billowed in the wind, and she had to take another look at the Wetajha standing there.


    The Vintaric was unharmed. Some of the sacs on its body were drained but otherwise it was fine.


    ¡°This thing¡¯s not just a Vintaric,¡± Leo whispered to her.


    ¡°Strong for Wielders. That¡¯s going to make this harder,¡± the Wetajha said out loud. It didn¡¯t even roll its Rs when it spoke.


    Blood exploded from the sacs on its back and flew towards Ashley and Leo. Ashley burnt away some of the projectiles, but it wasn¡¯t enough. The blood slashed through her side like it was a knife, before forming into a spike on that ground.


    She had to tilt to avoid landing on it, and then Leo carried her away on a floating wave of earth.


    ¡°Bloody Tear? Or some other strong Blood Seed?¡± Leo asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know!¡± Ash said, holding her bleeding side. The wound closed up quickly, thanks to her mastery of her Seeds.


    Then Ash struck again at the Vintaric. Her anger fuelled the fireball that raked across towards the Wetajha Vintaric. But then a single stream of blood pierced through the centre, and exploded the fireball from within.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got potential, kid, but you¡¯re a mess when it comes to tactics,¡± the Wetajha taunted her.


    Another spike of blood came from the earth and stabbed Ashley through the hand. She burned it away and Leo fortified the stone barrier in front of him. he took a handful of rubies and crushed them into dust.


    It reinforced the crumbling barrier, leaving the both of them time to strategize.


    ¡°He¡¯s stronger than any other Wetajha Vintaric we¡¯ve met,¡± Leo told Ash.


    ¡°If he¡¯d just get down from the sky! We could bury him!¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll have to burn his wings off for that. It¡¯d be easier with Loki, but he¡¯s with Lillie,¡± Leo told her.


    ¡°What about the Recon Shell?¡± Ash asked.


    ¡°Already tried it. Lillie said they had to stop a Gate from forming. We¡¯re on our own for this one. None of the other Wielders would last a second,¡± Leo told her.


    Ash grunted. The barrier was breaking apart. The two of them jumped on opposite sides of the street. If they couldn¡¯t take down the Wetajha head on, they¡¯d have to circle around instead.


    ****


    Loki and Lillie took out another group of Imperials. But they¡¯re Gate maker disappeared before Loki could get the killing blow. Portals dragged that Imperial all over the city, while the other Imperials stalled him.


    Lillie saved him with her portals, but he still took hits now and again. Burns and cuts along his body, all the while Daughters of Mara vied for their attention and muddled their minds.


    ¡°Where to next!¡± Loki shouted for her. He was growing aggravated by the assault, heaving as he wiped the Imperial blood from his sword.


    Lillie wasn¡¯t sure he could keep going further. The skies were turning an ominous shade of red, and lightning crackled among clouds. At first, she¡¯d though it Victor, but it seemed the world itself was being torn asunder by their fight.


    ¡°Loki, we¡¯re going to lose if we keep this up!¡± Lillie told him.


    ¡°So? Do we give up instead?¡± Loki shouted accusingly.


    ¡°No! We just need a better plan!¡± Lillie shouted back.


    ¡°Like what?¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ They¡¯ll need time to open the Gate, won¡¯t they?¡± Lillie asked.


    Loki sighed, and the two of them split apart.


    Lillie had the harder job between them. Loki just had to gather up some Wielders. When he came to the front of the battlefield, he balked.


    They were losing. Despite their preparation, Mara was raging through the battlefield and dismantling their forces. He was far away now, but it wouldn¡¯t be long once the Vice took aim at him.


    What staggered him most was the sight of the creature. It had his father¡¯s face somehow. The sight incited more anger in the quiet Wielder.


    Even from here, he could see the four bodies of the monster working their magic. His Seeds wanted to leave his body or struggled to activate. Loki beheaded a Greater Raga and then turned towards this group of Wielders.


    Most of them were scrambling for their Seeds.


    ¡°Which one of you can close a Gate!¡± Loki asked them all at once. Victor or Jeffords would know who and where each one was posted, but Loki didn¡¯t have the luxury.


    He was just a simple and blunt instrument.


    Slowly, one of the Wielders among them raised their hands. She was a woman of forty, hair frizzy and with bags under her eyes when she lowered her goggles.


    ¡°You will do. Come along with me. As well as some of the front-liners,¡± Loki shouted.


    He didn¡¯t have the time to pick, so he just took the strongest. Loki ran over the rooftops and streets carrying the Gate closer on his back. He thought it would be a quick trip, but a Wetajha Vintaric appeared out of nowhere and destroyed his next landing spot.


    Loki landed in a roll in the rubble. Looking up, he could see the beetle Vintaric looking away from him. Opposed to him were the Butcher siblings. Ashley was assaulting him with fire from one side while Leo tried to drag him down with the earth. And neither was succeeding. More blood flew from the Vintaric¡¯s sacs and crashed through buildings and Wielders alike to destroy them.


    Leo went flying while his sister screamed.


    ¡°Take this Shell. Call up Lillie, go where she is,¡± Loki ordered her.


    The other Wielders he¡¯d brought backed her up, leaving Loki only the Vintaric. He was a blunt weapon, and he much preferred this task to the other.


    ****


    Mara was growing tired of the fight. There was nothing the Wielders could do to trap him. they didn¡¯t know his powers well enough, only those of his Daughters. He was making openings for those same Daughters, letting his disgusting horde run through the streets unabated.


    One group of Wielders were retreating backwards. Mara followed with one of his bodies. They weren¡¯t enough of a threat to allocate all of them.


    When he floated towards them on the streets, the Wielders didn¡¯t scream. Mara Skandha was about to separate their Seeds but something slammed into his body. It was a blade with a chain attached to it.


    Several more came out of the building windows to stab Mara Skandha. Though his body was stronger than most, the blades did not care. They glowed with a green energy that seemed to sap Skandha of his strength.


    ¡°Now, fire into the Vice!¡± a voice screamed from above. Skandha glanced disinterestedly at the figure, an old man in a lab coat standing on the roof of an office building.


    Snakes coiled up the chains and bit into Skandha, draining his strength further. His vision began to distort ever so slightly as more Seeds took effect.


    All those failed when the other bodies arrived. Skandha¡¯s chains snapped and Wielders started to rip each other apart. He hadn¡¯t even needed to raise a finger. All the while, the scientist at their helm tried to get the situation under control.


    Once the forces were slaughtered, Mara Skandha met the scientist head on. He looked terrified, his wiry brown hair messing up as the scientist looked for an escape.


    ¡°You thought you could trap me with any combination of Seeds?¡± Skandha asked. He would sound different to all those who heard him.


    He grabbed the scientist by the throat and lifted him up. Anything he tried was useless against Mara.


    ¡°It was stupid to even try. There are so many things you could¡¯ve enjoyed had you not been wasting away trying to find a way to fight us. To kill us. You could¡¯ve lived what life you had in pleasure, before it all came to an end,¡± Skandha told him.


    ¡°This is my pleasure. I love this. There¡¯s a whole avenue of science left unexplored, because you Vices refuse to let us live in peace!¡± the scientist coughed out.


    ¡°Truly? This is what you enjoy? Well, I hope you had your fill, Mr¡­¡± Skandha looked down at the name tag, ¡°Cooper.¡±


    Then he snapped the man¡¯s neck. He threw the body aside with a carless flick of his wrists and started to walk towards the ledge.


    A howl pierced through the sounds of war. So strong that it shattered glass and shook the foundations of the city. It even got the attention of the Lord of the Senses, who looked behind itself.


    A building broke under the weight of something firing into the skies. That same figure became nothing more than a speck before crashing down onto Skandha faster than humanely possible.


    It was a humanoid, but so warped that Mara couldn¡¯t tell whether it was Vice or human. Large, muscular arms were covered in fur and energy of a thousand varieties. Lightning arced around its body and fire spread across the creature¡¯s back. Ice tipped its claws while a large snout sniffed at him. And large glowing balls of amber stared at him in hate.


    when Mara Skandha looked at the creature, it scoffed in confusion.


    ¡°What are you?¡±

 Chapter 73: Nirvana

    [


    NAME: Victor Amadi


    AGE: 36


    SEEDS: [[Timewalker¡¯s Origin]]


    [[Bloody Tear]]


    [[Crystallized Lightning]]


    [[Lycan¡¯s Tooth]]


    [[Burnt Life]]


    STATS:


    STRENGTH: 2674


    SPEED: 1922


    SENSES: 2172


    RECOVERY: 1452


    SENSE OF TIME: 61


    ELECTRORECEPTION: 2463


    LIFE SENSE: 879


    ACTIVE EFFECTS:


    Lycan Form


    Speedup


    Voltaic Form Level 5


    Life-Power Exchange


    Flaming Aura


    Tundra Claws


    Muscle Multiplier


    Perception Booster


    Metal Hide


    Mind Shield


    Super Senses


    Seed Stabilizer


    Seed Overclock


    Power Unlocker


    Ultimate Regeneration-


    Victor stopped reading there. Anyone who¡¯d scrolled that far down his screen could tell he had a lot of power coursing through his veins. He didn¡¯t need to get into the gritty details, especially when his body was falling apart further every second. There was a thousand different abilities applied to him, from a thousand different Wielders. All carefully chosen not to overlap with each other, lest he waste them.


    He was the final point of defence for Angel Heights. Their nuclear option when Mara arrived.


    Victor pressed his foot down further onto the Vice¡¯s chest. The other bodies would arrive soon, and so he had to work quick. He stomped his foot onto the roof and the building burst apart. While they fell, Victor applied Slowdown onto the Vice.


    The ability poured out of his Timewalker¡¯s Origin and into Mara, dulling his reaction speed. Then Victor grabbed him with a single enlarged hand and slammed him further into the concrete.


    Cracks broke apart the entire street around them. Mara¡¯s body spat blood, and Victor smiled, having gone a little mad.


    After all those loops of being weak, having the upper hand felt good.


    But then the body turned its head, and Victor felt his Seeds coming undone. They yearned to be free from his body, the complete opposite of the feeling when he usually touched a Seed. He had to fight to keep his abilities going, all except for his Timewalker powers. That one remained firmly in his soul, not moving a single inch.


    He pulled them back with his force of will, giving his opponent an opportunity. Mara¡¯s shape slithered and changed, flowing like a Metamorphs. The Vice slipped out of his grasp and ended up behind him.


    Victor slashed at where the body formed, but it did little. Mara kicked Victor and he flew backwards into a jewellery store. He went straight through the building and ended up on the opposite street covered in pearls, gems and bangles.


    Mara came through as well, and chuckled when it saw him.


    ¡°What are you laughing at?¡± Victor snarled. His voice was alien even to him.


    ¡°So in need of power you turned yourself into something less than human. I¡¯m just laughing at the irony,¡± Mara said.


    ¡°Shut up, demon,¡± Victor snapped.


    ¡°Oh? I don¡¯t look human to you?¡± Mara asked him.


    ¡°You couldn¡¯t pass for one if you tried,¡± Victor said.


    Victor cut into his own arm. Blood poured out and formed into clones of him beside the original. They were near matches for Victor, except some minor details here and there.


    Every one of them loosened lightning on Mara. the Vice changed its body, forming holes, twisting and shifting around so fast Victor could barely land a few hits.


    ¡°Again, trying so hard in the face of failure. What makes you think you can win?¡± Mara asked him.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got time on my side.¡±


    Victor reapplied Speedup and used more of his own blood to boost his speed. He grew faster and finally caught Mara with a freezing slash. the claws raked through the Vice¡¯s body and froze over his chest.


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    It locked him into that form, and Victor grabbed him with his other hand. He slammed the Lord of the Senses into the ground and started running. They tore up the ground at extreme speeds, before Victor opened his mouth and turned the road to lava.


    Mara lay injured and beaten beneath him. Victor got ready to fire another blast of lightning, but the body disappeared from under him.


    He snapped his eyes around to look where Mara had gone but couldn¡¯t find anything. Then he felt a fist connect with his chin. Victor¡¯s jaw crunched and he was launched into the air.


    Victor spun in the air, gaining his senses back at the last moment. For a few seconds he grew alarmed. There was a new Gate in the middle of the city. Hadn¡¯t he closed them all?


    Not now. Need to survive.


    He landed on the other side of the city in a roll. Running his tongue over his sharp teeth revealed he¡¯d cracked some of them.


    Doesn¡¯t matter. It¡¯ll heal as long as I can beat the Vice.


    ¡°That was a good showing, I¡¯ll admit,¡± Mara told him.


    Victor turned where the voice came from but found nothing.


    ¡°But you won¡¯t get another chance on the stage,¡± Mara continued, from a completely different direction.


    ¡°How would you like to die, then?¡± Mara asked him, again from somewhere Victor couldn¡¯t see.


    He¡¯s not invisible. I could see through that. And he¡¯s the father of those other Vices, so¡­


    Victor¡¯s senses were being messed with. At least some of them. He closed his eyes and ears, searching with his nose instead.


    A sharpened blade struck out from his side. Victor parried with his claws. Then another, trying to distract him. but the Timewalker kept his eyes closed. His Seeds were messing up again, but he still didn¡¯t open his eyes.


    He found four scents nearby. All from the same person, but with some differences among them. Victor sniffed out the one he¡¯d been fighting before. The one that had stopped him from using his Seeds. That body was already injured.


    Without opening his eyes, he lowered himself into a sprint.


    ¡°Running like a dog, are you?¡± Mara taunted.


    He didn¡¯t see Victor jumping into the air and snapping his jaws into the Vice.


    ¡°Aaggh!¡± Mara screamed in pain.


    Victor crunched down harder, sparks of electricity escaping his jaws. Then he let go and ripped apart the body with his claws.


    Shreds of the Vice¡¯s body remained, and the rest of them were stunned into inaction for a few moments.


    ¡°Now. Now, I can finally go all out,¡± Victor snarled, facing the last three Vices, who had made themselves visible. He could see fear emerging on Mara¡¯s faces. That was all the opening Victor needed to win.


    Voltaic Form Level 10.


    ****


    Lillie¡¯s shields were being battered. The Imperials were hurling their magic onto it so hard she could barely resist. But she had to bear the pain. Near her, another Imperial was imprisoned in a shrinking cage of light.


    Lillie had to maintain her grip on both. She was stuck in the middle of a junction trying to survive. The Gate had already been opened, and more Vices were pouring out of it. More Imperials, Daughters and even a Titan or two.


    She was about to fall any second now. Lillie prayed Victor would come for her. But that hope was growing dimmer by the second.


    Suddenly, the ground opened up beneath Lillie. She thought she¡¯d suffocate when it swallowed her up, but it instead began to move her away. Her little fortification crumbled and the Imperial locked inside died.


    Lillie was moved away from the scene of the battle and spat out in an alley nearby.


    ¡°Sorry for the rough travel,¡± Leo told her as he helped her up.


    The dirt barely mattered. She could kiss the man right then and there. But he hadn¡¯t been the one she¡¯d been expecting.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Loki?¡± Lillie asked.


    Her question was answered when a building crashed near the Gate. The black armour of the Wetajha Vintaric was leaking blood everywhere. Loki stood atop the dead creature, shouting at his enemies to approach.


    He began to cut down every Vice nearby. Lillie and Leo joined in, helping to clear out the area near the Gate.


    Loki was badly hurt, so Lillie protected him with her light barriers. She blocked attacks from the Imperials. Leo dragged them to the ground. Ashley arrived soon after like a flaming comet. She burnt away the Vices, paving a path for the other Wielders.


    More came to their assistance every moment. Lillie wondered how if Mara was on the battlefield. A golden pillar of light in the distance was her answer. She smiled.


    Victor.


    The pillar of light renewed the Wielders¡¯ energy. They fought thrice as hard, Victor¡¯s arrival signalling the end of the Vice¡¯s victory.


    They cut down the Imperials where they stood, brought down a skyscraper onto the Titans and reached the centre of the incursion.


    ¡°Where is the Gate closer!¡± Loki shouted over the sounds of battle. Lillie carried the woman forward on panes of light and brought her before the Gate.


    ¡°I-it¡¯s too big! I can¡¯t work on this!¡± She cried.


    ¡°Do your best!¡± Loki told her. And then he dove into the Gate.


    ¡°Loki, wait!¡± Lillie screamed.


    He was already gone inside.


    ¡°He¡¯s insane!¡± Leo said. He raised walls around the Gate, to stop more of the Vices from getting in.


    ¡°Who cares! Just keep fighting!¡± Ashley told her brother.


    The Gate was almost claimed, waiting only for Loki¡¯s Wielder to close it. But Lillie knew it wouldn¡¯t be that simple.


    The Daughters were starting to circle them. some of the strongest among them could hold themselves against the strongest Wielders, and now all of them were surrounding the Gate and junction.


    Lillie pushed her Seed to the extreme and formed barriers around the Gate. Other Wielders joined in to defend against the assault, but Lillie could still feel her Seed beginning to crack.


    Please, just hold on a little longer, just until he wins.


    ****


    Victor¡¯s body shone gold. Pure energy replaced the blood flowing through his veins, and he could¡¯ve lit up a city all by himself.


    Mara opened one of his mouths to respond, but before a single syllable could reach him, a streak of light appeared next to him. He didn¡¯t see what hit him, nor the next ten streets that he was knocked through.


    Mara Devaputra tried to force sleep upon the Wielder¡¯s body, but he was gone before the effect could take place. Pure lightning couldn¡¯t be calmed, couldn¡¯t be put to rest even for a moment. It yearned to move, and the Wielder was eager to obey it.


    Mara was going to lose. It knew that as soon as the Wielder had activated his ability. It was the second time in his life that he was going to be humiliated by someone he hated. The first¡­ the first had been long ago.


    ****


    The Lord of the Senses was born from the stories that were told of it. He was a Mythic, or a Deity, whatever the humans considered it. He was borne with a single thought in mind.


    Pleasure.


    Mara was strong. Strong enough to take whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted it. He enjoyed the pleasures of food, flesh and fire all at once. He visited beautiful sights, and urged others towards the same revelry that it loved.


    Pleasure was all Mara wanted, so when he learned of Nirvana, a rivalry bloomed.


    Nirvana, the ever shifting presence. Nirvana, who Mara could never beat no matter how much it tried.


    For every pleasure that Mara sought for himself and others, Nirvana urged beyond it. For humans and those of the other world. They clashed many a time over this, and Nirvana came out on top every time.


    What infuriated Mara the most was how merciful Nirvana was. It would always spare him, give him advice, and then move on as if nothing had gone wrong with its day.


    Despite what it claimed, Mara knew that Nirvana had to be bluffing. It was enjoying the suffering it inflicted on him, enjoying seeing him try again and again only to fail. How was it that Mara could not beat it?


    There were only a few others in the world as strong as it. So why was it that Nirvana was among them? Something so compassionate and peaceful? Having that kind of power? How?


    Mara tried again over eons, as the world changed and he grew in power. But every time, Mara lost. Even as technology improved and humans began to yearn for more and more, and Mara fed on those desires to grow stronger, it was not enough. Nirvana would win. It would always win.


    ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Hm?¡± Nirvana hummed.


    Mara was tired. He could only use his words against Nirvana now.


    ¡°Why do you stop me every time? What¡¯s wrong with enjoying the pleasures of the world?¡± Mara asked it.


    ¡°And what is wrong with growing beyond those pleasures?¡± Nirvana replied. Its voice was feminine, with a body of constantly changing rainbow colours in the vague shape of a human.


    ¡°You¡¯re denying yourself what makes them human.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m asking them to enlighten themselves beyond their humanity. Some have already done it, why not the rest?¡± Nirvana asked of Mara.


    ¡°You don¡¯t give a beggar food and ask him to suffer starvation instead.¡±


    ¡°And you don¡¯t tell a thief to steal, a murderer to kill, just because it is their want,¡± Nirvana countered.


    Mara huffed in annoyance.


    ¡°Why can¡¯t I beat you?¡± he asked the question nearest to his heart.


    ¡°Because you cannot beat the world itself,¡± Nirvana replied. ¡°It was nice to see you again, Mara,¡± Nirvan told him, before zipping away into a fold of the world.


    The Lord of the Senses let into his rage, and destroyed the mountain they¡¯d been fighting in.


    That wouldn¡¯t be the last time Mara would fight with Nirvana. They¡¯d have many more fights in the future, and at the end of it all, they¡¯d finally come to an agreement.

 Chapter 74: I Will Never Give Up

    Victor fought against three Vices at the same time. all three of them transformed their bodies into exotic shapes to avoid getting done in by his hands. He fired lightning and breathed fire, but that only melted the buildings and tore up the streets.


    Mara was fighting him with his full powers now. Using his skills to change Victor¡¯s perception, force him to miss or hear something behind him that wasn¡¯t there. And it wasn¡¯t how his Daughters did it.


    Those Victor could¡¯ve easily dealt with. But Mara¡¯s powers were on a completely different level, and the Vice was using them exceptionally. Victor got in a few hits on the bodies, before his Seeds would suddenly stop, forcing him to reapply his buffs. Already, they were straining, and he could feel cracks forming in the Crystallized Lightning.


    The Seed Overclock and Power Unlocker had given him the power to boost his Voltaic Form, and he was a living mass of lightning out for revenge. Each hit he landed on Mara brought him closer to the end of the fight, after which he could go close the Gate himself.


    But each hit meant that Mara played safer, ran away quicker and tried his best to distract Victor. It was working. Sooner or later one of them would win, and Victor needed that to be him.


    Victor caught a blow on his chest that shattered his ribs. The shards cut through his lungs and he spat out blood.


    As the other bodies closed in, Victor released a shockwave of lightning. That bought him moments to recover, and Victor searched for the remnants of his goldblood for healing. But the pouch he kept it in was nowhere to be found.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t do well to keep liabilities on yourself at our level,¡± Mara taunted. It had an enchanted bottle in its hand, containing the goldblood Victor had produced through his Bloody Tear. It was the best healing he could get in a battle, and Mara had taken it away from him.


    ¡°You¡¯re quick, I¡¯ll give you that. And you took one of me out. But that mean anything once my army overwhelms your Wielders,¡± Mara told him. He was using that body of his that wore a purple suit patterned with concentric circles. Far as he could tell, it was the one that could put him to sleep. The least useful.


    Victor had to think quick if he wanted the goldblood back. His body was hurting even more now, and the healing effects were the only thing keeping him alive.


    ¡°Though they are putting up quite a good fight,¡± Mara lamented once he saw the state of the Gate.


    It was shrinking, but Victor didn¡¯t think it was fast enough. Many of their Wielders hadn¡¯t even joined the fight, having instead used their abilities on Victor. He was the reason they were having such a tough time.


    Which was exactly why he needed to beat Mara.


    Speedup.


    Victor fired a lightning bolt at the bottle. Mara didn¡¯t expect the attack and flew back into the air. Victor lunged and swallowed up the goldblood before it fell to the ground.


    The healing began immediately. Victor jumped towards Mara and slashed a claw through the air. Ice spread from his hands and created frosted slash marks behind Mara. The Vice jerked at the pain before shifting his form.


    He constricted Victor so tight it could shatter bone. Victor smiled in response and released another shockwave, spreading the second body across the entire city.


    Two down. Two to go. But the last two were the most dangerous. Two figures floated down towards Victor with hatred clear on their faces.


    ¡°Oh, was that yours? Sorry about that,¡± Victor told him. ¡°I¡¯ll have my workers clean up what¡¯s left and send it to you by tomorrow, that alright?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to paint the city with your blood, Wielder.¡±


    ¡°I have a name. And it¡¯s Victor, you disgusting Vice.¡±


    A fleshy tendril extended from Mara to impale, Victor. He jumped from the building just before it collapsed under its impact. Before he landed, the ground beneath him gave way, and suddenly Victor felt like he was miles away from the ground.


    ¡°Your tricks won¡¯t work on me anymore, Mara!¡± Victor shouted. He sniffed out the remaining bodies and lunged towards them. He could feel his heart racing, his rage building at the Vice.


    He slashed at him and let loose lightning at the first body. Mara dodged and stabbed clawed fingers into Victor¡¯s side. He ignored the pain and kept slashing at Mara. but he was growing slower, the fingers creeping further and wrecking Victor¡¯s body from the inside. Victor screamed in rage and his blows became dulled and slow.


    He was trying so hard to hit Mara, and he was failing. Why? He was so close to winning, so why was it not working now?


    And then Victor realized it. His emotions. Mara¡¯s touch had already turned his mind. He was angry, unreasonably so, even for him. the Vice was trying to distract him while he slowly killed Victor.


    He steeled his mind, pulled out Mara¡¯s hands before they could crawl any deeper into his body and threw him to the roads. Mara tried again to muddy his perception, but even dulled, Victor¡¯s sense of smell was too strong. He found Mara on the ground and slammed his fists down onto him.


    The street around him cracked apart and buildings fell as their foundation was laid to waste.


    Victor kept slamming his fists till the body was too broken to reform itself. His teeth glowed white hot and a flame exploded out from them. the flame covered the entire street, rising high into the sky before Victor finally closed his mouth.


    ****


    Lillie had lost an arm. She was lying on the ground holding a bleeding stump. But her will never faltered. Leo and Ashley were at their limits, but they still kept fighting. The Daughters were done away with, a small force left that tried to batter at their defences without fail.


    ¡°Lil, you can stop now¡­¡± Leo told her. But she couldn¡¯t hear him.


    All she knew was her name, and her task. She was to defend the Gate so that it could be closed. She had to defend it till her dying breath, whenever that would be.


    So, when the beacon of light finally shut, that¡¯s when she let go. Her task was done, and she could finally rest.


    ****


    The last body of Mara was standing not too far from him. And though he was leaking blood, breathing through cut lungs and standing on unsteady feet, he felt he could win. The Gate had closed behind Mara, leaving him no escape.


    Mara had only one trick left, and it didn¡¯t work. He tried to pull again at Victor¡¯s Seeds, but they refused to listen. They were firmly under his command. He would not give up.


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    When Mara realized it wouldn¡¯t work, he fled. Victor jumped and landed in front of the Vice with a shockwave. that knocked the last remaining buildings in the city down and knocked Victor back into a small fast food joint.


    The Vice was shaking. There was a fog of dust and debris that clouded Victor and his glowing form had faded. All Mara could see were two globes of amber, almost gold, staring at him through the haze.


    ¡°What are you? And why did you try to kill us?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Will you spare me if I tell you?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Hah,¡± Mara tried to chuckle despite his fear. ¡°Maybe this is what you find pleasurable. Slaughtering us¡­. Vices. That¡¯s what your scientist friend called us, wasn¡¯t it?¡± Mara said.


    ¡°Answer me,¡± Victor commanded, as sparks came to life around his body.


    ¡°I am Mara. If you don¡¯t know what I want, read a book on Buddhism,¡± Mara scolded him.


    Mara could see the wheels turning in the dull Wielder¡¯s brain.


    ¡°You¡¯re¡­ trying to prevent our ascension.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m trying to fulfil your desires. Humanity¡¯s greatest desire. That of death,¡± Mara told him.


    ¡°If we really wanted that, Mara, why would we be fighting?¡±


    ¡°Children resist medicine. It¡¯s the same for you,¡± Mara reasoned.


    ¡°And who¡¯s that rainbow figure leading you?¡± Victor asked.


    ¡°Oh, full of questions, aren¡¯t you? You¡¯re as stubborn as Arthur. No, I won¡¯t tell you that, you¡¯ll see it for yourself soon enough,¡± Mara said.


    ¡°Tell me now. How to stop it, how I can kill it,¡± Victor stepped forward and grabbed the Vice by the collar of his suit.


    ¡°You can¡¯t kill the planet, idiot,¡± Mara replied.


    Victor sighed, dismissing his anger. Instead, he opened his mouth for the final time and lightning built up in the back of his throat. His fur glowed golden, and he assumed the full power of his Voltaic Form.


    Wielders appeared behind Victor, wounded but standing. They raised their hands and power fed into him, making him glow even brighter and stronger. His fur stood on its end, his eyes like shining suns.


    Mara didn¡¯t resist.


    A blast of lightning ripped through his body, out of the restaurant and through the city. Wielders and Vices clutched their ears at the sound of thunder resounding across the entirety of Los Angeles.


    When the blast finally stopped, carnage was left in its wake. Carnage on a level that Victor had only seen Vices do, never himself. The establishment he had been in was no more, and nothing for miles was left standing in front of him.


    He dropped what remained of Mara onto the ground, only for something to trigger in his mind. It was a memory, and not one of his.


    ****


    Mara was winning. At least he thought so. He was beginning to overwhelm Nirvana with his four bodies. Shapeshifting was a hard thing to grasp, but Mara was a master of it. He writhed and crept around Nirvana¡¯s blasts while making sure to get in his own hits.


    He found the perfect opening, struck at Nirvana¡¯s weak spot, and almost had him!


    And then Nirvana popped out of existence. Mara turned around, and in an instant, it had dispatched his other bodies. In total shock, the Lord of the Senses just stared.


    He reformed into his original shape, clenching its fists so tight they shook.


    ¡°Were you¡­ holding back this entire time?¡± Mara asked it.


    Nirvana had grown less talkative over the years. Less able to convince Mara. Until it had finally given up and started fighting silently from then on. He much preferred it to the proselytizing, even if it gave him less chance to distract it.


    ¡°Yes, I was. In hopes to convince you, I suppose. But that was then, and this is now,¡± Nirvana told him.


    ¡°Now, what? Are you finally going to give in and kill me?¡± Mara asked. He did fear death then, but he was sure Nirvana wouldn¡¯t.


    ¡°Maybe.¡±


    That was a change. And a drastic one at that. Something was wrong.


    ¡°You don¡¯t sound very enlightened now,¡± Mara said.


    ¡°I think¡­. Enlightenment was too hard a task for humanity. For anyone but a few,¡± Nirvana floated down onto a mountain peak.


    There were flowers there, and birds flying up high. Nirvana produced seeds from its hand and fed it to the birds before letting them fly away.


    Mara lowered himself next to Nirvana, carefully and slowly.


    ¡°So, you finally came around to my side?¡±


    ¡°I think I did. Humans are going to keep hurting themselves until the end of time. and they won¡¯t die out, never. We¡­ have to save them from that suffering. It¡¯s our duty,¡± Nirvana said. It sounded like it was trying to convince itself just as much as it was trying to convince Mara.


    ¡°It¡¯s their greatest desire. I will help you with this.¡±


    ¡°You will be one of my Nine then, Mara. if that suits you.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t much like being a part of your organization, but fine,¡± Mara conceded.


    Those two threw aside their differences to bring death to humanity. And Victor watched every moment of the memory pass knowing it was one time he could not change.


    ****


    Abruptly, he was kicked back to his own body, where Wielders crowded around him. they healed his wounds, reversing the worst of it before moving onto lesser scratches and cuts.


    Victor didn¡¯t pay attention to them.


    Nirvana, that was the name of his foe. As if the thought had called it, another portal appeared in the skies.


    Eight more opened behind the first, and more figures came out. Chief among them was the rainbow figure that Victor now knew the name of.


    Nirvana, he repeated again. Poison on his tongue, poison to his world. He needed to kill it if he wanted a chance of survival for humanity.


    Nirvana, he committed the name to memory, then glanced at the time remaining on his Time Anchor.


    Minutes. He had minutes left before it reset. That meant he couldn¡¯t lose. That also meant he had to leave the other Wielders behind. They were terrified, turning to Victor to help them against the threat.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorr-¡±


    ¡°Run!¡±


    He was cut off by Ashley.


    ¡°You¡¯re our best hope! So run!¡± she reiterated. The other Wielders backed up her words. The world started to break around Victor.


    He lowered himself into a run once again. As soon as he left the remains of the building, it was blown up by lightning stronger than he could conjure. All around him, chunks of the city were being raised into the air.


    Storms of fire and lightning rained down upon the city, splitting the very ground beneath Victor¡¯s feet.


    Five minutes.


    Half of a mountain dropped in front of Victor. He stabbed through it and came out the other side, only to face Nirvana itself.


    The creature stared sideways into Victor and raised him into the air.


    ¡°You killed him. He was the weakest of the Nine but still, you killed him,¡± Nirvana spoke in a voice that Victor recognized all too well.


    It was the voice of his screens.


    Victor didn¡¯t have the time to think, he activated his Voltaic Form again as the Seed cracked. That was enough to escape the Vice¡¯s embrace, and he started running faster.


    Somehow it kept up with him though and spoke again in that monotone female voice.


    ¡°Please, you don¡¯t need to suffer any longer,¡± Nirvana told him. In anger, Victor slashed at the Vice¡¯s face.


    He was tired of having to run away from it every loop. To hide as Nirvana killed him and all those he loved over and over. Victor fired lightning and tried to run the Vice through with his claws.


    Nirvana moved past it all without a hint of slowing down. Victor fired grey lightning, but it simply bounced off the Vice.


    He tried ice, lightning, clones and more, but nothing seemed to make the Vice even flinch.


    One minute.


    ¡°You can stop now,¡± Nirvana told him once his assault was finally finished.


    ¡°Never.¡±


    ¡°And why is that?¡±


    All those loops. And many more to come. He knew he wouldn¡¯t win in the next one. Nor the one after that. Maybe not even the next hundred. The time wasn¡¯t the worst part. It was the isolation.


    He¡¯d spent so long. So long alone, always the only one who remembered. He¡¯d known the same people for decades, yet every time he came back they wouldn¡¯t recognize him. It hurt so much to be forgotten, to know that the only evidence of the past loops was his memory.


    He wasn¡¯t all-knowing. He couldn¡¯t recall every moment he¡¯d spent with them. His memories would fade with time as well, and then he¡¯d hurt even more.


    But someone had to bear that pain. Carry that weight onto the next world. Victor didn¡¯t know why he¡¯d been chosen for that, but he¡¯d accept that task. He¡¯d accept the isolation, the loss, as long as it meant he could find a way out for all of them.


    Audrey and Dean Wilson, who¡¯d taken him into Angel Heights. Professor Cooper who helped him understand the Vices and the other world better. Aidano, Renalo and Qeeny, who¡¯d shown him there were Vices that could be trusted. Lillie, Loki, Leo and Ashley, who¡¯d been at his side.


    Amadeus, who he¡¯d see again after this was all over. All of his kids, that he¡¯d tried to raise as best as he could. Charlie, Vivian, his mom and dad both. All of them.


    They didn¡¯t deserve the end of the world. No one did. They deserved happiness, for everything they¡¯d done for him.


    ¡°I can¡¯t beat you,¡± Victor announced.


    ¡°I know,¡± Nirvana told him. it accepted his weakness, but Victor didn¡¯t.


    ¡°Not now. But I will, someday,¡± he promised to himself more than the Vice.


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to. You can give up now.¡±


    ¡°No!¡±


    Victor shouted.


    Thirty seconds.


    ¡°I¡¯ll beat you someday. I¡¯ll send you back whichever hell you crawled out of and close it so it can never hurt anyone ever again!¡± Victor spat. He could feel his body failing.


    Nirvana was done with the argument. It raised a single lazy hand that gathered with power stronger than Victor could muster.


    ¡°I¡­ I WILL NEVER GIVE UP.¡±


    ¡°You can rest now.¡±


    Anchor reset.


    The end of the world took Victor once more. And he found himself starting back over again.


    [Ability Unlocked: Carryover Spirit]

 Final Chapter: Got Any Coke?

    [You have done well, Prospect Amadi. For this, you¡¯ll be given a boon. You may not remember these words, but we do this as a kindness, for the suffering you have endured.


    It is a cruel thing we must do. But you are strong, and you can bear the coming trials easier with this power.]


    Victor woke up on a couch with a coke in his hand and the TV running. The news channels kept running and for once, he decided to let himself take a break. After the last loop, he could spare a few hours.


    He took a sip from the coke and turned the channels to some movie instead. When he finished that, he sighed and put the can down onto the table and stood up. He had a job to do.


    Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    But then something curious happened. His doorbell rang. Which hadn¡¯t happened at all in the previous loops.


    Wait, did I just skip this part every time?


    Victor slowly, apprehensively, approached the door to his room. When he pushed down the handle and looked outside, his jaw dropped.


    ¡°Vic¡­ where are we?¡± Amadeus asked him from the other side. ¡°I was outside and everyone was going about like it was normal! And I¡¯ve got these memories that make my head spin lik-¡±


    Victor chuckled.


    ¡°Hey, Am, want a drink?¡±


    Amadeus looked at him like he was crazy. Then he looked around himself, licked his lips and shrugged his shoulders.


    ¡°You got any coke?¡±