《Husk》 Chapter One Beep...Beep...Beep Unwillingly I turn over fumbling at the alarm clock, I can¡¯t manage to find the snooze button while still underneath the soft embrace of my blanket. The infuriating machine continues to assault my ears until with great effort I heave off the blanket and recoil as the sun robs me of sight. Being attacked from both sides I have little chance of winning the battle, so I need to act quickly. I decide to sacrifice my vision to the harsh rays of the sun as I hone in on my target, the snooze button. At some point in the night, my alarm must have fallen off of my nightstand because it has now moved to the floor once again holding the advantage over me. It sits there blaring taunts just out of reach of my hand as I feebly try and bring it closer with my outstretched fingers. I shift my body over the edge of the bed a hair too far and tumble onto the floor with a racket. The alarm clock didn¡¯t withstand my impromptu bombing as half my body lay on the snooze button silencing it. ¡°Honey, are you all right?¡± A worried voice cuts off the victory celebration. "Yes, mom fine, I¡¯m just getting up.¡±I quickly give her an answer to appease the concern she shows. Getting up off of the carpeted floor I look at the time on my slain foe. 10:06 A.M shows that I was quick in waking up this morning. ¡°Still not a new record, but I¡¯ll shave off a few minutes when it comes time for college classes to start again.¡± nodding in a knowing fashion. That line of thought fills me with remorse, unwilling to come to terms that Summer break has ended and I have to return to University today. I take a look around the room, which is pretty clean by my standards, no sock babies in sight. The desk is even cleaned off save for my laptop which I hastily put into the bag hanging on the back of my well-worn chair. Luckily I busted my ass packing up most of the things I am taking with me into my car last night. Diligent planning leaves just enough room for me to squeeze into the driver''s seat If I really try. Slipping my phone on the desk into a pocket I undo the lock and swing the door open, heading down the hall with a spring in my step to start the old morning routine, only to be barred entry from my sacred duty. The white panel door refuses to budge, sounds of the sink running and off-tune singing the only hints as to what lurks within. I am forced to wait out the minutes in awkward silence until the door slowly swings open, a shit-eating grin behind it. ¡°Hey, bro good to see you finally up, I thought that I would have to drag you out myself.¡± My sister continues to stand in the doorway a final obstacle to the sacred solace of the bathroom. ¡°Mia, just let me through,¡± I say, as she refuses to budge. ¡°Oh, come on bro you had to have a big night, with all those noises coming from your room. You really do love those videos, Isn''t that right Onii-Chan~?.¡± She says dropping her voice to a sultry tone. My face glowing red I move to push past her, only for her to deftly step aside while placing me in a headlock. ¡°Goddammit, Mia!¡± I scream, only for my protests and struggles go unnoticed as she continues. ¡°Quick tip little bro, walls are thin so keep it down, and if you want anything real you won¡¯t find it in your room or on your computer. The world isn¡¯t that scary, It won''t kill you to step outside.¡± She teases as she drops me from the headlock and walks down the hall all too proud of her life advice. "Love you, little bro! See you at breakfast¡±, she heads down the stairs while I rub my throat in agitation. Slowly regaining breath I see that the struggle for the bathroom has concluded. Shutting the door behind me for a few well earned minutes of peace and quiet I sit on the porcelain throne. With my business concluded I wash my hands and brush my teeth regrettably humming the opening of the Goblin Killer anime that refuses to leave my head. I then head down the stairs into the kitchen, where mom is there to greet me.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. ¡°Morning Sweetie,¡± she says with a cheery tone, cup of coffee still held in her hand. ¡°Your father left a note for you.¡± ¡°Morning Mom,¡± I reply already seeing that Dad¡¯s seat is as empty as usual. Getting cereal and milk I pour myself a bowl before asking mom how work was. ¡°Oh I¡¯m doing well dear, tired, but that¡¯s the price of being on call,¡± she responds taking a long sip of coffee. ¡°Mom, you still look great even if you pulled an all-nighter,¡± I say pulling her into a hug. ¡°Thanks, dear¡± she responds amused, returning it. Sitting down to eat my cereal mom once again reminds me to look at the letter that dad left before shuffling into the living room where my sister is watching the sports highlights. Sighing, I nod to her before filling my mouth with a spoon full of the cereal. Reaching over with my other hand to grab the letter and look it over unsurprised that he gave me the same speech as always. ¡°Jaxon, you''re heading off to college today, I expect to see that your grades improve and that you work hard to make your family proud.¡± Is all that is written on the note in immaculate penmanship. ¡°Wow, thanks for the vote of confidence dad.¡± I think to myself, ¡°No good luck or stay safe, just do better son, always do better.¡± A quick throw later the letter lands in the trash can, as I and continue to munch on cereal, a somber mood settling in. I can hear my sister cheering from the living room, her fantasy team doing well. I¡¯m glad she is having some luck, while I just sit here and shove more food into my mouth to console the ruined mood. It¡¯s useless though, even the cereal tastes bland now. Leave it to dad to kill the joy out of eating sugary bliss in a bowl. Visibly deflating, I finish breakfast, cleaning the rest of the morning dishes that have piled up. The menial task helping to push thoughts of Dad out of my mind as boredom takes over. Drying the last bowl I put the dish towel away and take a seat back at the table to whip out my phone praying for better news. I eagerly check to see if I have any matches on my dating profile, which turns out to be still barren as it was yesterday. ¡°Maybe Mia is right¡± I mumble to myself ¡°The only date I¡¯ve been on so far is with righty.¡± An awkward chill runs through my brain as I depressingly come to terms that I have started to personify my hand. Inwardly cringing I shake off the feelings of failure and slap my cheeks to psyche myself up for the rest of the day, squishing my face into a shape that must look devilishly handsome. ¡°New day, new me!¡± I begin to chant to myself. With renewed vigor, I turn around to head into the living room only for an old rival to head me off once again. Mia saunters into my path tossing an apple between her hands with another grin plastered onto her face. S????????????y??????????????????????????s?????????t?????????????????e?????????????????m?????? ?????????????????????????????E???????r??????????r????????????????????o???????????r????????????????????????:????????????????????????? ?????????????????????????H?????????????????????o???????????s???????????????????t????????????? ??????????????????????F???????????????a??????????i???????????????l??????????????u???????????????????????r?????????e???????????????????? Sooner than she can get out the news that''s almost bubbling out of her a shrill, garbled screech rips out into the air, sending both of us to the ground clawing at our ears. It continues to increase grinding on my mind as I realize that it isn¡¯t coming from the outside, the shriek is grinding inside my skull. Seeing Mia in as much pain I try to reach out to my sister. She looks up terrified and starts fading away before my eyes. Panic takes over as I scramble towards her ignoring the throbbing in my brain. I fail to make it in time as I pass right through where she was mere moments ago. I frantically look around unable to process what is going on around me, powerless to do anything as cracks begin to spread out through reality the world fading out like a dream. All that''s left is a white void and the searing pain in my head that continues to grow with each passing moment. I try to clutch at my head but nothing moves, only fear and pain exist now everything else drowned out. I swear text rushes through my mind as my awareness slips. The the last to fade as lose myself to terror, reveling in the numbing bliss of insanity before the darkness takes me. System Failure Detected: Initiating Rapture Protocol Chapter Two Shadows move around me in the void. I don¡¯t know who or what I am anymore, but at least I can still feel, and what I feel is hunger. The hunger is a familiar companion, it permeates my existence. The constant reminder of it hurts me, there is nowhere to go, nothing to satiate me with, everything is darkness. One thing I do know is that darkness isn''t something tangible, but what you get when you take everything else away. That describes my existence all too well, I understand that. I have to be wrong somehow, I¡¯m broken, lacking something ¡­ crucial. The hunger tells me that. The shadows move around fleetingly. I can¡¯t see them, but I know they are there all the same, always just out of reach. Just as I can''t escape my hunger, they can''t help but look down. I''m the unpleasent reminder of what happens if they fail, how much they have left to lose. That''s fine, they can despise me, I don¡¯t care. I''ll still be here in the dark, waiting for them to fall. -------------------- Waking with a start I jolt upright, only to be held down. I feel pressure on my chest and limbs keeping me firmly in place. Muscles tense against cold bonds, flexing for freedom. I can feel them giving way to my strength, I can feel *smack * a firm hand placed on my head. Looking up slender blue fingers give way to a blue hand, my eyes widen as I see who the hand belongs to. At my bedside sits a small scholarly woman, her faced pursed in concentration as she waves through floating panels with her other hand. Closing the screen, she brushes flowing amber hair over a blue pointed ear. ¡°Sir, Your body has just stabilized, please stay still for the time being,¡± she says giving me a gentle smile. I let out a small gasp in response, ¡°Holy shit !¡± I mutter, my voice cracking, ¡°I¡¯ve gone insane.¡± Tearing my eyes away from the beautiful hallucination I search around the room. I''m greeted by off-white walls, with a high ceiling inlaid with soft lighting, there is one oak desk in the corner, and intricately carved details cover the walls with plants and nature in Greco Roman style. At least my lost marbles have a taste in decoration. A small chuckle brings my eyes back onto the dainty blue figure in front of me. Golden eyes meet my gaze, looking at me expectantly, as she waits for me to speak. Trying to clear my throat I manage to croak, ¡°where am I?¡± Excitement evident in her voice she responds, ¡°Now that is the right question. We are in Gaia Memorial Sir, the finest hospital on Tera.¡± Without giving me time to ask what the hell that even means she continues. ¡°While I¡¯m not the most qualified to explain this, I will try my best." She says bouncing gleefully in place. "To put it simply, you aren¡¯t on the planet Earth anymore, or even in your original Universe. You are on Tera now, the founding planet of the Human Empire, and you are home, sir!¡± Trying to reason out what she just told me I come to the only realistic conclusion. ¡°I haven¡¯t gone insane, I¡¯m simply dreaming. It all makes so much sense now. Beautiful, exotic women greet me at my bedside and tell me I¡¯m the chosen one, whisked away to fulfill the prophecy. I¡¯ve been watching too many Isekai anime lately, these dreams keep happening.¡± Thinking about the situation in my head, my excitement grows. Nodding, I grin to her, ¡°Okay, so I¡¯m on Tera, summoned to fulfill the prophecy, and become the hero of legend. Point me towards the Demon King and I¡¯ll slay him for you, oh fine maiden!¡± Confusion evident in her face, she goes back to check on the floating screens ¡°Sir...¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry¡±, I cut her off, ¡°I''ve done this plenty of times. Though usually...¡± I nod towards my restraints. ¡°The play time starts after I¡¯ve become the hero¡±. Shimmying suggestively in my metallic bonds, I wink at her. In a motion she dismisses the screens, trying to piece out my display, a dawning horror comes to her as she looks at me. Her face turns a pale blue as she evacuates my bedside, towards the door with blinding speed. Taking one last look back she scurries out into the hall slamming the door behind her, leaving me bound and alone.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. ¡°Come back!¡± I try to call out. Receiving no response, I¡¯m left to reflect on the failure of my seductive dance routine. ¡°Okay, I laid it on a little thick, but this is my dream goddammit!¡± I cry out to my dreamscape. Silence, depression, and some awkward squirming later, I hear the door creak open again. The same cool beauty peeks into the room brows furrowed. She steps into the room daintily, followed by a much larger figure that looms over me. Standing at three meters or more above me, an imposing bronze-skinned man dressed in a form-fitting robe that ripples with muscles steps into the room. Two sharp, red horns extend from his forehead, almost scraping the ceiling he takes his post in the corner of the room. Glaring at me with disgust, I feel an indescribable pressure weigh down on me. Resisting the urge to wet myself I try and sink into the bed, as far away as possible from the giant. "Sir, I believe you are suffering from a grade three delusion. Luckily for you, I have received approval for immediate treatment.¡±, she says with a cold voice. Too focused on the behemoth in the corner I fail to notice the woman point her hand at me, threatening arcs of electricity dancing between her fingers. The voltage discharges from her in an instant and enters my body, racking it with pain and convulsions as I seize against my bonds. Pausing the electrical onslaught to give me a moment of reprieve she tells me what I''ve already painfully realized. ¡°This ¡­ is ¡­ real.¡± Intoning her words with conviction she delivers another bolt straight to my leg, leading to another painful spasm. By the fourth time, I manage to scream out that I understand. With sparks playfully jumping between her fingers, she looks pleased with her "treatment". Several minutes pass as I regain my thoughts, and let the fear subside. The mass of muscle is still standing in the corner, but he looks more amused at my pain than disgusted now, so I can probably cross out further ¡°treatment¡± from him. Bubbly demeanor returning the gorgeous blue sadist speaks. ¡°I¡¯m glad that you were able to come to your senses sir, now let¡¯s continue the introduction." "As you see Tera is a very real place, but not only that, it is the seat of power for humanity. You and your peers from Earth have been brought out of the Tempering Cycle early due to the passing of Lady Gaia, may she find peace. The world where your souls resided was the last miracle of Lady Gaia, letting your souls be tempered in accelerated time before you are finally brought into the arms of the Empire. This is the true reality, while the universe you knew was closer to a simulation than anything else.¡± Just dropping the mother of all bombs into my brain, she and muscles give me time to wrap my head around the fact that apparently everything we knew was a lie. The afterlife and religion that we fought wars over meant nothing, the afterlife is well ¡­ just life now. Existential terror aside, I think I understand. This line of thought brings me to another equally chilling idea. What happened to my family? The last time I saw Mia she ... Oh God. Trembling, before I fall into a panic I look to the woman. ¡°What happened to my family, my mother and sister?¡± I plead. Her eyes soften at my question. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about them, they all exited the Rapture: Protocol just fine. They have been made aware of your admittance into Gaia Memorial, and I¡¯m sure that they will be notified that you are safe and recovered now.¡± She tells me, a hint of compassion in her voice. Relief flowing over me, I thank her repeatedly and even give muscles a nod of thanks that he doesn¡¯t return. ¡°You should be more worried about yourself, why do you think you''re in this hospital? You have been unconscious for three weeks, it took your body that long for us to mend and stabilize. You didn¡¯t even enter the empire in the usual spot, when we did find you your soul and what was left of your body was in severe misalignment. In fact, your soul was dangerously close to rejecting your body entirely.¡± ¡°What do you mean by rejecting?¡± I ask nervously. ¡°I mean that your soul was going to exit your body and disappear into the ether. A weak soul like yours can¡¯t survive without a body for any real length of time.¡± Okay, so that was a horrifying picture I didn¡¯t need. ¡°But I¡¯m fine now right?¡± I hesitantly address the small woman, now concerned that I might just float away at any moment. ¡°Yes, I told you that your body stabilized first, remember?¡± she reassures me. "Once you entered Gaia Memorial you are as good as cured!" she says with fervent determination. Finding relief once again, it gives way to guilt as I look at the woman trying her best to help me. As I realize just what a scumbag I have been. ¡°I enter a new world, and the first thing I do is sexually harass my nurse. Way to go Jaxon.¡± I think, scolding my previous actions. Sweeping the guilt and embarrassment under my mental rug, I introduce myself. ¡°I¡¯m Jaxon Ward, by the way, so please no more of this sir stuff, I don¡¯t deserve that.¡± Not missing a beat she smiles. ¡°Pleasure to meet you, Jaxon Ward, I am Tarain Muse, your assigned nurse, and he...¡± she says pointing to muscles ¡°is Gaz Oni, one of our esteemed hospital¡¯s security guards.¡± Gaz gives a curt nod towards me and smiles widely at Tarain, pearly white fangs gleaming at the mention of his name. ¡°Glad to meet you both I say, beaming a smile of my own. But Before we continue, I have a favor to ask Ms. Muse¡± ¡°Yes, what can we do for you?¡± Tarin replies ¡°Are you feeling okay? I didn¡¯t shock you to hard did I?¡± she says anxiously. ¡°No I¡¯m fine, really I deserved that. More importantly, could we undo these restraints? I ask fidgeting. ¡°I really have to use the bathroom.¡± Chapter Three ¡°Really now, you just wake up and you insist on going by yourself!¡± Tarain chastises, as she all but drags me down the hall back to my room. ¡°I told you I¡¯m fine¡±, I groan in frustration. Gaz opens the door allowing us inside, squeezing his formidable bulk into the room after us. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, just a lot to process¡± I try to explain to her. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.I¡¯m left staring at the floor, jolting back to reality as I hear the snap and twisting of wood, the branches retreating from the walls to recede into the woman¡¯s back as she turns to face us. Chapter Four Mustering up my courage I give her a half bow, ¡°Thank you for saving me.¡± Arching her eyebrow, she gives me a small nod, ¡°Tarain, Gaz you can leave us now.¡± A loud clunk nearly scares my robes off as I whip around out of fear, only to realize that Gaz and Tarain have disappeared from the room. Other than the door, they didn''t make any noise, are the ninjas? Also How the hell did someone like Gaz manage that? Turning back to meet my benefactor I see that Lady Raven has visibly relaxed, no longer carrying the air of judgment and nobility, the look of curiosity still remains. The noise of cracking wood then fills my ears as branches unfurl from her back in a fluid motion, startling me as I fall backward. They lift her up into the air with practiced ease and settle under her, acting as a seat. The branches then flow outward forming a rough-hewn table and booth made out of overlapping wood and vines. Giggling, she beckons me forward, ¡°Please, come and sit.¡± Getting to my feet I brush myself off, a cold sweat pouring down my back. Before I sit I gently touch the wooden table. The wood that makes it up thrums to an unseen beat as I run my hand along it. Lady Raven beams with pride at my awestruck appearance ¡°Isn''t it so cool!¡±. ¡°Yeah, it is!¡±, I unconsciously reply before realizing who I am talking to. Panic sets in as I quickly apologize, only to look up to see Lady Raven looking at me with smug satisfaction. ¡°You can drop any formality Jaxon, it¡¯s just you and me here, no prying eyes to judge your actions, just call me Raven,¡± she says, holding out a hand. Slowly nodding my head I take a seat before hesitantly shaking her hand, ¡°I¡¯m Jaxon¡±, I reply while noticing her hand carries the same, almost unnatural warmth that Tarrain¡¯s did, something that must be normal for residents around here. ¡°It¡¯s good to see you finally up, you had us all scared¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t mind, what exactly happened to me¡±? I ask, flinching at the reminder of my near death experience. ¡°What happened, is that you materialized three hundred kilometers outside the city, near the edge of my families¡¯ territory. Your entrance then ripped a hole through most of a hill and several meters of bedrock¡± Pausing she sighs, ¡°And to answer your next questions, no I have no clue how that happened, or how you even survived. Almost all recorded cases of The Guardians of Gaia have materialized inside of the Recovery Zone. Out of the roughly one trillion Guardian¡¯s of Gaia that have been sent out, only a few hundred thousand have been cases where they materialized out of the zone.¡± Sitting back in the wooden booth I fail to imagine myself shooting out of the sky. ¡°Okay so that¡¯s strange, but okay I''ll buy it. What I really mean is why was my body ¡­ and my soul ¡­ so damaged when you found me ?¡± Raven lets out a small laugh, ¡°Damaged is an interesting term, Is that what you were told ?¡± I nod, ¡°That¡¯s how Tarain put it, that it took time to heal my body and stabilize it.¡± Raven just rubs her temples at my explanation, ¡°I swear, I love the woman, but Tarain is an airhead at the best of times.¡± Flicking her finger a small screen floats in front of my face before opening up to reveal an all too detailed cross-section of my body. Symbols detailing my vitals outline the image, except for one small orb at the center of my body, below where my heart is, no data about the object is shown as I piece through the rest. ¡°Your body is fine, it¡¯s your soul that caused the issue.¡± She says a small branch growing out of the table to point at the orb. ¡°When the investigation team found you, your soul wasn¡¯t just rejecting your body, it was rejecting the mana itself.¡± ¡°Mana as we understand it is an ambient force that permeates our Universe¡±, Raven lifts up her finger, a small green flame igniting on the tip. ¡°While it isn¡¯t the only force that we humans cultivate, it is still fundamental to how we grow¡± The flame then absorbs back into her finger before a small flower blooms in its place. ¡°You, Jaxon are a rare example of a person who possesses a unique soul. It doesn''t guarantee you unparalleled talent or power, but the potential could be there if you are lucky. From what data I have been able to gather so far, your soul naturally rejects ambient mana, aura, and even the energy of other souls that surround it.¡± ¡°This is a problem because when a Guardian of Gaia materializes, Saint Gaia forges the human body out of the mana in the air as the soul exits her realm.¡± ¡°Your body was crafted normally, but your soul rejected the body all the same. It was only when the investigation team cast a healing spell on your body that your soul took root.¡± Another screen pops up next to mine, showing a different person, it looks mostly the same except for the colors and energy coursing through them. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.¡°Do you see the difference here now¡±, she says her tone growing heated. Without noticing my hesitation she continues. ¡° No mana, no aura, and only the faintest traces of a soul. Your entire existence is a mystery begging to be studied.¡± her cheeks flush with each word. Growing nervous, I sense red flags galore as she rambles on. ¡°Jaxon, I¡¯ll be straight with you, I¡¯m a researcher at heart. I''ve spent the majority of my life looking into how Gaia managed the miracle that made her a canonized Saint to the empire. I''ve made progress here and there but nothing substantial." "Yet finally after all these years of study here you are, a unique case I haven''t seen gets dropped onto my doorstep. Jaxon I want to study you!¡± Hands pressed onto the table she looks at me with fervor, the curiosity I saw earlier flaring dangerously. After several seconds of my mind bouncing around my skull, I make the hardest choice of my young life. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but no.¡± Rejecting a beautiful woman who wanted me. For several moments she stands there staring at me blankly before she clears her throat and sits back down. The desire in her eyes still simmers as she looks at me, but her face gives off disapproval, and something else I can''t quite make out. Gathering herself, she speaks, ¡°I¡¯ll try it this way then, I¡¯m prepared to give concessions if you will accept being studied¡± ¡°Ooh?¡± now she has my attention, ¡°concessions¡± are always a golden word. ¡°If you allow me to study you I will take you as my ward in training, this will mean that you will not see military service until I deem your training complete, giving you far more preparation than the average soldier.¡± My throat grows dry ¡­. ¡°Military Service ?¡± ¡°Every Guardian of Gaia is conscripted into the military, didn¡¯t Tarain mention that?¡±, her thin lips spread into a devilish grin. ¡°As my ward, that military service would be postponed, and you would be given a higher rank upon completing training under my house¡¯s name. While you train for a decade or two, you would also get the highest facilities and resources I can offer.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t hide you away from the realities of this world, but I can help you prepare for them." The abrupt change in tone catches me off guard, as she leans closer to me. ¡°I know more about you than you think Jaxon. I know for example, that you are a coward at heart.¡± As she sets her hooks one by one, I almost feel the tension in my skin. ¡°I know how you run away from your responsibility.¡± My grip on the wooden table tightens. ¡°I know how much you pity yourself, hiding alone, away from the world.¡± My teeth grind against each other as I look away from her, I don''t need this, not now. Leaning in to whisper exactly what I didn''t want to hear she continues, ¡°I know that how you failed them Jaxon, all those drugs to try and keep your problems down didn''t work did they?¡± Branches coil around me forcing my head up, my eyes lock onto her with equal parts rage and fear. "You turned your back on them, Jackson, don''t fool yourself, you''re weak." The branches tighten around me, cutting off my breath, along with a string of curses. ¡°With everything I know, what saddens me the most is that you weren''t always this pathetic Jaxon, that once upon a time you had the strength to push forward.¡± Releasing my body, the branches unravel all at once, dropping me to the ground. The wind knocked out of me I lay on the floor of the lab, anger muted by the sudden pain flowing out with each ragged breath. Time passes, her words keep crashing into me, it¡¯s the truth. Deep down I know it is but, I just didn''t want to face it. Instead I got angry because she told me what I can''t say myself. How many times on Earth did I tell myself I would change? It was always an empty promise to make myself feel better. In reality, I because I was too weak to make the effort. I was too weak to ask my family for help, too weak to stop using the drugs. When my father covered for me when the college found out about the drugs I hated him, blaming him for problems he never caused. I took all my rage out on him because I couldn''t accept responsibility, and finally when my family was ripped away I couldn¡¯t help them ... because you guessed it, I was weak! Taking a deep breath I come back to my senses to see Raven standing over me. My first instinct is to turn away, to cower, but this time I refuse and meet her head on. Gazing into her eyes I expect to see hatred and ridicule, but instead I am greeted with a look of hopeful determination. Chapter Five ¡°How did you know about my past? Who I was on Earth?¡± I say defeated. ¡°Is mind reading a form of magic here too?¡± ¡°Some people have that talent, but its an exceedingly rare and dangerous ability, I don¡¯t have anyone in my employ who can do it.¡± ¡°Then how?¡± ¡°Simple Jaxon, I got the details I needed from your sister. We¡¯ve been talking a lot for the last two weeks. She warned me that you could be difficult.¡± she says smirking. ¡° ¡­ Bitch.¡±, a hollow laugh escapes me. Raven covers her mouth in faked surprise, ¡°You should know that your sister could be very influential in the future, I wouldn''t let those words slip in public.¡± ¡°What¡­?¡±, my laughter drops out. ¡°She took the preliminary exam for the Guardian¡¯s of Gaia by storm, and was even admitted to Lord Michael¡¯s Angel Corps, she is a rarely seen talent.¡± The news is shocking, but at this point, I don¡¯t have the energy left to doubt, ¡°Does she know that you wanted to recruit me ?¡± ¡°Of course, she insisted that I take you in¡± ... ¡°She worries about you Jaxon, this world isn¡¯t kind to the weak.¡± ¡°Can I talk to them at least, my family?¡±, I wanted to confirm that they were safe, that all of this wasn¡¯t a cruel joke before I commit myself to this path. Raven shakes her head, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, your mother and father are in training of their own for noncombat roles. Your sister is even harder to get a hold of now that she has been formally admitted to the Angel Corps. You woke up at the worst time Jaxon, enough time for the selection process to be over and real training to begin.¡± ¡°How long until I can see them then?¡± I plead. ¡°That¡¯s hard to say, your sister is still on Tera, but your mother and father have been transferred off planet, there is no telling when they would be able to see you. I do have a message from your sister though if you¡¯d like to hear it?¡± Head shaking enthusiastically I wait as Raven brings up another floating screen crackling with noise that rings out through the room. ¡° Brother! This is your darling older sister Mia! If you''re getting this message, you finally woke up! Leave it to you to sleep late through the end of the world, my silly younger brother.¡± Tears form in my eyes. ¡°Now here is where you have to listen, your sister is getting serious¡­ I stayed quiet back on Earth with how down and out you were, but that won¡¯t cut it anymore bro. This new world, the reality we were always destined for is amazing, It''s really is all our dreams rolled into one, but it doesn¡¯t come free." ¡°Jaxon you know that I planned to join the military right? I only mentioned it to you about a thousand times. The last day on Earth I received my acceptance into Officers Candidate School, I was so excited, ya know, I wanted you to be the first I told. That idea went down the drain with Earth, but that doesn''t mean its the end. So many more possibilities opened up for me here in the short time we''ve all been waiting for you to wake up. Our new home, the Empire of Humanity, needs people like me, those who are willing to protect what we have. I¡¯m going to answer that call, and give it my best shot during selections to make sure that happens. My plans aside, I still know that I can¡¯t protect you, mom, and dad ... alone. I bawl, unable to stop myself. ¡°I¡¯m not saying that you have to fight on the front lines Jaxon, but when I said that all our dreams were rolled into this place that means the nightmares came with. You need to become stronger Jaxon, it''s how this world works. Take Lady Raven¡¯s offer, you need her as a foothold in this place, and for some unholy reason, she decided you have potential. You may have woke up late brother, but you didn¡¯t start with a bad hand, take the offer and get the most out of it. Don¡¯t just do it to be better like dad says, or to help others like mom tries to do. Baby bro you need to do this for yourself, you need to stay safe.¡± "No matter what happens, I love you! Mia out." Tears streaming down my face in joy that she is actually safe, I take a few minutes to regain my composure. My sister has always meddled with my shit, she¡¯s always been a pain in my ass, but right now I wouldn''t change that for the world. If You¡¯ve already helped set everything up, I¡¯ll listen this time Mia, but don¡¯t think that I¡¯ll stay still forever while you bust your ass out there. Rubbing my face ungraciously with my robe I turn to face Raven again, her face still calm despite my waterworks. So many questions pop up, and I haven''t gotten any real answers. I''ve just been strung along, and it¡¯s time to change that. Taking a seat from one of the tables, Raven offers to set up the booth again, but I declined. I¡¯m not risking getting planted back into the ground if she has another speech lined up. ¡°I¡¯ve been out of the loop long enough so its time to get moving. Since I¡¯m your ward now that means you¡¯re my teacher or master right? Well, your ward really needs answers now, a rundown of what''s going on if you could.¡± Growing out a seat for herself Raven sits, contemplating my question. ¡°Formally I am your Master now yes, but before we do this, do you trust me.¡± ¡°Yes I do, I¡¯m already in this far, so please lay out all the cards on the table.¡± Raven begins with a sigh, ¡°Okay then, normally I wouldn''t gloss over so much history, but if you insist. First how much do you think you know?¡± Leaning back in my seat I reply, ¡°This one I¡¯m prepared for. I already got the fact that magic exists, and from the names, and no offense by how Gaz looks, I¡¯m pretty sure that the races, gods, and magic from our myths on Earth are all more or less true. My old world actually was a miracle made by Gaia, that helped raise souls to fight for humanity right?¡± I say with a tired smile. Raven, doesn¡¯t correct me so I guess that means my theory holds enough water. ¡°I also know, maybe even better than my sister, what twisted shit could be lurking out there. She confirmed that the empire needs people, and you said yourself that all the Guardian¡¯s of Gaia are drafted to military service.¡± ¡°What I want to understand is how much danger are we facing?¡± Seconds pass and I started to grow nervous, Raven sits there pondering my question like she was judging how much I could handle. After the uncomfortable silence, she finally responds, ¡°In my best calculations we have twenty-five to thirty years left.¡± ¡°Thirty years before what?¡±, I prod her on. ¡° We have that much time left until our grace period is over until The Jade Emperor''s Embrace leaves us completely.¡± ¡°Who or what is the Jade Emperor¡¯s Embrace?¡± ¡°The Jade Emperor, may he live forever, is both our ancestor and master. He taught us how to wield the forces of the world, and lead us to conquer this system from Tera. For our service he gave us one final gift before he ascended, that gift is the Jade Emperor''s Embrace. It has kept our people and borders safe, a shield that covers the whole of the system.¡± You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.Raven narrows her eyes. ¡°He also gave a final decree, that when his embrace eventually fades that Humanity must stand on its own among the stars, grow stronger, and then join him in ascension. That is the danger we face Jaxon, our neighbors outside our borders have had their own time to prepare, war looms on the horizon.¡± I let out a breath I didn¡¯t realize I was holding, all-out war is not something I want on my bucket list, even thirty years down the line. ¡°You honestly think that working with, and studying me, will help humanity in this war?¡± Hunger and desire for knowledge flash in her eyes, ¡°Any unique soul carries potential, I¡¯ve studied others, but none have your traits. I''ve never seen a soul actually reject the body that Gaia made for them. You hold secrets Jaxon, that I need to unravel.¡± I let out a small sigh, ¡°Okay Okay, if I can help you, and you can help me, then Master Raven please teach me well.¡± I say with a bow. She gives a small smile in return before we move on to discuss what my new life will look like. A thick brown paste sits in a bowl, one large bubble struggles to the top popping with a squelch. My eyes dart between the suspicious goo and Tarain. The self-proclaimed nurse, maid, and all around caretaker sits at the other end of the table pushing me to eat breakfast, ruining the quiet in my new apartment on floor B86. Tarain woke me up out of a dead sleep. Rolling me out onto the floor, insisting that I start off each day properly with breakfast and time to go over my daily schedule. Said breakfast was still sitting untouched, bubbling, as I gave her a judging look. ¡°As Lady Raven¡¯s Ward, you are given the best that we can offer. This is military ration paste, top of the line in nutrition for developing a strong body,¡± she explains, puffing out her small chest in pride. ¡°Okay... but would it kill them to make it look like food?¡± Wagging her finger at me Tarain stares me down as I take my first spoonful of soldier slop. Smooth, slow flowing paste slithers down my throat. The texture is closer to honey than anything else, and it tastes like cheap protein powder, an attempt at chocolate that falls somewhere in between. To get my mind off of the ¡°high quality¡± goop that serves as my breakfast I ask Tarain to go over the schedule that Raven worked out for me yesterday. ¡°Right now it¡¯s breakfast which will last until 6:15, after I will prepare you for the day, and we will head down to training courtyard nine on floor B80. Lady Raven has reserved this courtyard just for your physical and combat training, so be sure to thank her next time you see Lady Raven.¡± I give the over-enthused woman a half-hearted smile. Satisfied she continues, ¡° Physical and Combat training will last from 7:00 until 11:30 when you will break for lunch. After that Lady Raven will teach you, and have her assist her in the lab from 12:30 until 6:00. From there you can choose to have dinner and use the remainder of your time until curfew at 9:00. I will be here ensure that you are not late for any of them, and I will come looking if you do not arrive at your room by 9:00, Sir Jaxon. I roll my eyes at the last part, curfew I can deal with since this place is like the fanciest military academy I will ever see. Tarain¡¯s obsession with calling me ¡°Sir¡± after I accepted Raven is what really annoys me. ¡°Tarain, you really don¡¯t have to call me Sir Jaxon, it doesn¡¯t really suit me.¡± Taking away the finished bowl she fixes me with a glare. ¡°It would be disgraceful to Lady Raven if I did not show proper respect to her ward.¡± The same canned answer that I got the first three times I tried to convince her rolls off her tongue with added venom. I feel that this is a battle that I won¡¯t be able to win, Tarain is downright Zelous when it comes to Raven¡¯s honor. Throwing my hands in surrender I back away from the table into my bedroom, making sure to close the door behind me to prevent the nosey maid from following me in. This time I¡¯m prepared for the shape-changing clothes and put them on without squealing like a stuck pig. My outfit for today is another black robe, that apparently, is a theme since most of my wardrobe carries black clothes, except for several ¡°Formal¡± designs that actually add color. Ready for the day I step out of my room, only for Tarain to try and float a comb through my hair with magic. She claims my hair is a mess, even though it¡¯s barely more than a buzzcut. I fight off the floating comb as we head out to the elevator. Tarain finally gives up in a huff when I open the elevator door, a trick I remember from watching Gaz yesterday. After a quick elevator ride, my first reaction stepping out into the courtyard is that I¡¯m swept away by how big it is. Easily the size of two football fields, various equipment, and weapons line the walls. The floor is open, with plenty of room to move, only broken up by faintly glowing lines on the floor. A stern man with arms crossed stands at the center of the courtyard. He has sharp features, blonde shoulder length hair, and a blue robe trimmed with gold. His figure is smaller than Gaz but radiates a different sense of power, something more focused and dangerous, he measures me up with keen eyes as we approach. Tarain moves to introduce me, but the man waves her off and she retreats away without protest, head lowered. ¡°I am Lugh of house Fomor, Captain of the guard, and Honorbound to tutor you in combat by Lady Raven¡¯s request." My stomach flips around in a panic for a few seconds before I remember I am supposed to reply. ¡° I-I am Jaxon of house Ward, Lady Raven¡¯s well ward.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t stutter boy, it doesn¡¯t fit your position.¡± Lugh belts out making me flinch. ¡°I am going to be teaching you the art of combat, normally I would have lines far beyond the horizon if I said I was accepting a student, but for Lady Raven, I am putting my standards aside.¡± Well, that makes me feel great about myself... "Today will be a testing period so I can gauge who you are, and how best to teach you. To start I want to see if you can form up into a fighting stance, show me!¡± Scrambling to attention at the sudden start to training, I fall into a clumsy version of an MMA stance that my sister once tried to drill into me. Spreading my feet, I lead with my left leg, dropping my weight into my stance as I raise my fists. Lugh moves around me, correcting my stance with small nudges before giving a nod of approval. ¡°Not as bad as I thought you¡¯d be runt, now then let''s see if you can hold it.¡± A fist then cracks into my ribs dropping me to the ground, gasping for precious air. Lugh stands above me fist outstretched. ¡°I said that I put my standards aside to accept you, but doesn¡¯t mean that I won¡¯t hold you to them since your here." Pushing myself upward, I kneel still gasping. "Prepare yourself boy, because of your luck, or your misfortune, you now stand in front of me." Chapter Six: Awakening The stern man doesn¡¯t offer any praise but is be quick to point out flaws, as he continues to beat on me. A low throbbing pain cycles through my limbs as I stand again for the umpteenth time, each of the hits feels warm in comparison to the deadened cold of my limbs. I may not exactly respect the man, but I grudgingly admit that he is a professional, needling my defenses and managing to break them, without breaking me in the process. Doubled over heaving, I raise a hand to halt the onslaught while I try to catch my breath, that doesn''t happen. What I do catch is a hook to the gut and another trip to the floor. Raising his own hand Lugh inspects it letting out a low whistle. ¡°Well Boy I¡¯m impressed, you can certainly take a beating.¡± Teeth clenched my fist slams against the ground as get up again. ¡°Thank you for noticing sir, my sister thinks so too.¡±, frustration slipping out with every word. Lugh lets out a hearty laugh at my pitiful attempt at banter. ¡°I saw replays of your sister''s debut Boy. If you''re a natural at taking punishment then she is a genius at giving it.¡± ¡°Was she that good?¡±, the mentioning of Mia piquing my interest, I forget my frustration, ¡°Would it be possible to see those replays?¡± Cupping a hand to his chin Lugh pauses in thought, ¡°Maybe I¡¯ll go over them later in your training, but it won¡¯t help you much. As far as I can see you two won¡¯t be compatible fighting.¡± ¡°And why¡¯s that?¡± Seeing a chance here to catch my breath and satisfy my curiosity, way too good to pass up! ¡°Your sister has a good amount of mana and overflows with a steady aura for her age. You, on the other hand, have nothing to show.¡± ¡°Lady Raven told me the same thing before, but wouldn¡¯t go further into detail, what does that mean for me, not having mana or aura ?¡± ¡°Those are really questions for your Master boy, I¡¯m focusing on teaching you the basics first before we go into any of that.¡± Lugh shakes his head at my question. ¡°Could I at least get an intro? All I''ve been told is that mana is the energy of the universe, that isn¡¯t very much to go on¡­¡± Lugh shrugs his shoulders, ¡°If it will sate your curiosity boy, then I¡¯ll give you a quick explanation so listen well.¡± ¡° We don''t really know what mana is, it''s all a matter for debate. It fills our universe and most of us use it as the base to cultivate our power. Beyond that, it¡¯s physical properties and uses change depending on the will of the user. It¡¯s hard to study something with so many changing variables Boy, back in my youth I studied how it might change, but never came up with any real breakthrough.¡± The last detail caught me off guard, ¡°You did research on mana ?¡± ¡°Boy, your honor-bound mentor is none other than Lugh Fomor, Warrior, Scholar, Poet, Musician, and Craftsman.¡± His accusing glare locks onto me, sending a shiver up my spine. ¡°I¡¯ll forgive your slight this once due to ignorance, but next time I¡¯ll change the lesson to a full overview of my Imperial Titles to better educate you.¡± Blistering heat pours over my body for a split second as he finishes his threat, did I just imagine that? Or did he just get so pissed I could feel it from here... Either way a quick reminder to my future self, never question his past again. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean any offense I swear, I really am interested in how all of this works that¡¯s all. I¡¯ve always dreamed about being able to use magic.¡± I scurry to make an apology before he uses my face as a doormat. Settling down Lugh sighs, ¡°Magic is just the basics Boy, forging mana into a predetermined spell pattern is useful for starters, but increases in difficulty the bigger an effect you are trying to pull off. In battle, most don¡¯t have time for a lengthy ritual, and the pay off isn¡¯t worth in my opinion. You could use that time spent learning magic to cultivate your soul instead.¡± Happy he''s indulging me I ask my next questions. ¡°What does ¡®cultivating your soul¡¯ mean then, and where does aura fit into this !?¡±, My excitement growing with each word. His large hand pats my shoulder, ¡°Easy boy, one thing at a time. I can tell your eager but your soul is unique remember, I¡¯m not going to give you any ideas that might mess up your progress. Let¡¯s just say it¡¯s how we humans were taught to gain power by his highness The Jade Emperor, it''s our ancestry and pride.¡± I from how he teaches now I get the feeling that Lugh really is a gentle guy when he isn¡¯t in training mode. Lugh ruffles my hair with a small laugh. ¡°Aura though is a far more simple thing to explain. It¡¯s the life energy of the body attuned with your soul, focused to enhance your body in its most basic form. As with any discipline you can do far more with Aura, but that¡¯s all you need to know for now about it.¡± Accepting his words most things line up with the common idea of aura back on Earth. Gaia, did you do that on purpose, to prepare us for this new world? But new information aside, this doesn¡¯t change that I don¡¯t have any aura or mana within me, so what do I have to work with? ¡°Sir Lugh, can I not use magic or anything like that?¡± ¡°Honestly, I don¡¯t know Boy, your situation is strange, even for a unique soul. Most awaken to their abilities and the energies of the soul with some level of instinctual awareness, like how a spider knows to spin a web. I appreciate your enthusiasm though and I''ll put in a word to Lady Raven to focus on your fundamentals over her experiments. "To get back on topic, you don¡¯t have any energy that we can sense and I¡¯m pretty sure you''re not hiding any abilities on purpose." "No sorry, nothing to hide here. If I had anything up my sleeve, I would have used it to avoid getting beaten up.¡± With raging laughter, he pats my shoulder again, ¡°As any warrior should boy. On that subject, I do have an idea about where we might start to understand what you can do. When I mentioned that your body is good at taking a beating before I was serious Boy.¡± ¡°What does that mean exactly?¡¯ Bewilderment covering my face. Please tell me he doesn¡¯t think that my only power is being a masochist¡­ Sensing my anticipation he grows serious. ¡° What I mean Boy is that you''ve been taking hits that should have broken a powerless body for some time now. The last couple of times I even infused a tiny bit of aura into my blows, and here you are still standing.¡± Looking down at my limbs I can barely feel them past the throbbing, but it¡¯s true that I¡¯m still going. ¡°I thought that you were pulling your punches not to hurt me. Is my body really that strange?" ¡°Sorry Boy but I don''t go easy in my training. Me or Miss Muse can already heal you up if you break a few bones, I''ve just been ramping up slowly to test your body, and I''m sure now that you''re resistant to aura.¡± ¡°Now that you know why I''ve been going slow, I want to really test out what your body can take. That is if you agree to Boy.¡± Lugh says cracking his knuckles. A shiver runs down my Spine. Just what the fuck have I signed myself up for? ¡°Okay, then what do I need to do,¡± I say, voice shaking despite my inner pep talk. ¡°Good good, it takes courage to put yourself on the line boy. Come over and stand by me for now. Miss Muse, could you activate the nearest barrier formation to us ?¡± Tarain lets out a squeak when her name is called, flicking the screen in front of her away she brings up another typing away at it quickly. Around me and Lugh a bright blue wall springs up around us in a large square, separating us from the courtyard with a makeshift room. ¡°W-what''s this f-for?¡± I stammer out. ¡°Calm down Boy, this barrier is for everyone¡¯s safety. I don¡¯t know what will happen when I really test you. It''s better to be safe now than sorry later right. Given what your sister is capable of I''m eager to see if you live up to her. Miss Muse make sure to record this for Lady Raven¡¯s research. I look to Tarain whose lost for words, worry plain to see in her eyes. Hating that look on her beautiful face I try to give a sheepish smile to reassure her, but she only shows more worry when I try. Okay, then time for plan B. ¡°Tarain!¡± I call out, snapping her back to reality. ¡°I¡¯m counting on you to put me back together if anything happens. You said that once someone enters Gaia Memorial they are always healed right? Well, I¡¯m trusting that promise now Tarain, don¡¯t let me down!¡± Her eyes widen for a moment in shock, but that¡¯s soon replaced with resolve as she nods back to me. I¡¯m glad to see she has the courage to face this because it¡¯s my turn now. I slap my face to psyche myself up as I face down Lugh, who moved to the other end of the barrier during my rousing speech doing light stretches. He gives me a cocky grin in return. ¡°Okay boy, I know you''re afraid, that¡¯s natural, but don¡¯t let it consume you, use it to grow stronger and to learn,¡± Lugh says as he finishes up his stretching. I let his words sink in. Part of me knows that he¡¯s right, but another part of me is screaming to call this off, the part of me I hate the most. I¡¯m still quivering in fear as Lugh gets himself into position, He gives me one last look to make sure I¡¯m ready. I tense my muscles and give him the okay... The world then erupts into fury. Tucking in my hands on reflex I narrowly block a jab to my chest. The fist retreats faster than I can, and the next second two hands are between my arms wrenching my guard apart. Fire from his grip feels like it¡¯s ripping across my arms. Screaming in anguish, I can¡¯t even start to fight against his strength, and my arms are thrown open. Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.Pain bursts through my chest a moment later followed by a torrent of roiling heat that grills my insides. I¡¯m sent flying, skittering across the ground my back hits the barrier with a crack, bringing me to a stop in an instant. I lay there, upright against the wall gasping, no breath coming into my aching lungs. My test is over just like that. Mouth opening and closing like a dying fish, my eyes bulge with each passing second that my body screams for air. I convulse as the burning spreads to my limbs, falling the ground my body is splayed out spasming. Eyes roll to the back of my head, catching blurry glimpses of Lugh and Tarain rushing towards me. My arms rake against the ground, failing to push me upright, I try to show them I¡¯m okay, that I can keep going. A deep chill creeps out of the back of my mind along with my frenzied thoughts, smothering the flames as it flows into my body. The corners of my vision dim while I continue to strain against the fire melting into my bones. I urge the chilling energy to settle into my chest and outward, pushing at the cage of my collapsed ribs where the fire still rages. I continue to plead with it to work faster, to consume the flames as my consciousness fades. My last thought is how pleasant it feels to be engulfed in the frigid, but strangely comforting embrace. Lugh Fomor¡¯s Point of View. I pushed him too far, my regret comes late, just as my knee caves in his chest. While I only put a tiny amount of aura into my blow, it¡¯s only small by my standards. The aura carves a bloody path through his chest and body, and fear grips the pit of my stomach. The boy is sent flying against the barrier, sending a spiderweb of cracks up the construct. His sister would have been able to block that simple attack with a little effort. For a fledgling, she shows massive potential. So when Lady Raven asked me to teach Mia Ward''s brother, I was overjoyed with the possibility to mentor someone with the equal potential to her. I hoped that against all odds that he would prove me right. The boy is not his sister though, that¡¯s clear now. Because of my own excitement, I got caught up in my expectations and put the boy at to much risk. This is my own shame to bear, so I need to take responsibility now to heal and train him properly, regardless of his talent. Tarain Muse shrieks when the boy slams into the barrier the little confidence he gave her shatters. When she sees him begin convulsing and bleeding out on the floor she breaks down sobbing. I arrive first by the boy¡¯s side, his arms flailing uselessly against the ground while he mutters incoherent gibberish. Rolling him onto his the back I take in the damage I caused him. Bones and viscera lay pulped inside his collapsed chest that struggles pumping blood out, his heart looks to be intact at least. Tarain cries out again at the sight annoying me. The maid is a competent healer, but far too soft for her own good. Focusing my will I disperse the aura rampaging in his body, most of it leaves him but several pools of aura still remain, resisting me. Puzzled I turn my senses to the inside of his body only to stare in shock. The noises of splintering resound in the air as I jump back from the boy''s body warily. Bulging and squirming unnaturally, the boy''s chest is the source of the noise. Tarain backs away from the barrier in hysterics as the boy¡¯s chest lets out a piercing hiss, followed by an explosion. Multiple smoky tendrils that for lack of a better term were feasting on my aura just moments ago, eject themselves from his chest cavity. Skittering frantically to find purchase on the ground they take shaky steps as the boy¡¯s body lifts itself up, his torso hanging limply from the various appendages. Glassed over eyes peer at me, a dull choking noise comes from his mouth and nose in unison as it crouches down to pounce. I ready myself for a fight, putting the absurdity of what¡¯s in front of me aside I still need to heal the boy and bring him out safely. It''s a shame the creature doesn¡¯t agree with me and launches itself at my body tendrils slashing. Crashing against my aura shroud rasping tendrils clasp around my body looking for holes in my defenses. The tips bore into my hardened aura with a clatter. In the mess, a glint in the tendril catches my eye and I grab hold of it eliciting a screech from the trapped creature. It struggles helplessly, unfurling the tendrils that were wrapped around my shroud and digging them into the ground as it tries to free itself. Inspecting the tip of the tendril I have in my hand I catch a better view of what I saw before and let go of it in disgust. Plunging to the ground with an unnatural gait it quickly straightens up ready for round two. Gnarled sharpened rib bones tip each tendril, the clattering that I have been hearing all this time hits me, and the thought sickens me. The abhorrent creature itself paces around me lashing out with an occasional swipe to test my shroud. I fire off with a volley of punches at about the same speed and power of when I was testing the Boys stance before, not wanting to hurt him further. Weaving out of my way unnervingly it dodges each of the blows trading it¡¯s own against my aura. Somewhere in the brawl, I find myself smiling at this twisted creature. To think that the boy really was hiding something this big. Turns out my instincts were right after all, not that it eases my guilt from putting the boy in danger. Looking at it, this awakening? I guess I would call it, is far from stable with the boy unconscious. What could he do if he was fully in control? Unsatisfied with the pace and wanting to see a little more, I take it up a notch to what I used just before the boy awakened. "Bear with me just a little longer boy, and once again I''m sorry for my selfishness." Launching into a low kick, the creature lifts up the tendril I aimed at right before it hits, before assaulting me from behind with the others. I humor the beast by spinning in place and delivering a small aura blade with the chop of my hand. To my surprise, the tendrils squirm and bundle together into a flanged claw ripping through and dispersing my aura blade. Backstepping the blow it ricochets off the floor into the barrier sending more cracks up its walls. Impressed with that show of force I decide I¡¯ve had my fill of testing the creature. It¡¯s repulsive to see the boy continue to hang there unconscious, and I have a duty towards him for making this mistake. Tapping into my aura, I form a simple hand shaped construct and shoot it at the boy''s body. The creature strangely seems to notice the barrier moments before it materializes and tries to jump out of the way. I move my hand down, changing the angle and infusing the barrier with more power. It then crashes down onto the boy''s body, leaving the tendrils squirming helplessly in the air when I lift him up. Walking up to the boy I form a proper aura blade and slice off a tendril, the cut portion dissipates into that strange gas and the boy lets out a groan of pain. The other tendrils try and lash out at me, but with a quick chop, I remove several more before they retreat into the boy¡¯s chest with a hissing squeal. Taking a breath to calm down I examine the boy¡¯s wounds. It¡¯s noticeably better than when all of this started. Flesh is melded together with bone in a patchwork of scar tissue keeping his body together. ¡°Crude but effective¡± I muse to myself. Recalling the proper arrangement of a standard humanoid chest, I call upon my mana stores and chant a lengthy healing spell in my head, slowly knitting and regrowing the boy''s flesh to how it should be. The body resists my mana naturally as it did my aura, and I use considerably more than would take to heal most people. The scarred over areas resist me even more, the grey gas burning away as I replace his warped flesh with healthy tissue. Finally done healing him after fifteen minutes or more, the boy¡¯s breathing returns to a slow rhythmic pace. Just to make sure I turn my senses inward again, seeing that the boy¡¯s body has returned to its usual albeit strange state. Nestling the boy in my shroud to protect him, I punch the room¡¯s barrier, shattering the blue construct into pieces. I¡¯m sure that Lady Raven will have me pay the expense for that barrier generation rune, but I don''t care at this point. I find Tarain curled up, whimpering in the corner of the courtyard. Reaching down to tap her on the shoulder I scare her enough that she flails her arms, shooting lightning helplessly against my shroud. Tired with her antics I bellow my order to go and deliver the footage and news to Lady Raven. The timid maid scurries away soon after, Lady Raven is pampering Tarain, she lacks discipline, even if they were childhood friends a maid is still a maid. Gently as possible, I lay the boy down onto the ground. Looking back at the courtyard several gnarled ribs litter the ground where I cut the tendrils. I would say he has been through more than enough for his first day of training. Regardless of what I put him through, I can¡¯t help but grin to myself. I have absolutely no clue if that was the boy¡¯s version of an awakening. I don¡¯t even know what those grotesque tendrils and grey gas were, I''ve never felt something like it before. The one thing that I do know is that if he can do this much at his age, then with proper cultivation and instruction, he could be a force to be reckoned with. "It¡¯s true that you aren''t your sister boy, but you''ll find your own path, I''m sure of it." Chapter Seven Barely contained whimpering crackles in on the various sound runes I have embedded in my lab. Weaving the controls to lower the volume, her reaction leaves me with wishing she had a stronger stomach for these things. ¡°Okay, Tarain I will see that I do. Go rest, you''re barely holding yourself together. Don¡¯t hold this against Jaxon, not everyone can awaken cleanly.¡± ¡°My lady¡­¡± ¡°Yes Tarain, I was watching the training, so I know what happened. Please go rest now, I¡¯ll have Semele prepare a room for Jaxon to recover in. ¡°Yes, my lady.¡± ¡°Thank you Tarain¡­ and once again it¡¯s not Jaxon¡¯s fault. I need you to watch over him, this isn¡¯t just an order as your master, but a request from me as your friend.¡± ¡°... O-Okay.¡±, The small voice drops off as the connection is canceled. I pray that she can get past this, I need her now more than ever. Moving back to the monitor in front of me, my elated grin returns. ¡°Ahh, look at how he moves YEEEE! SO COOL!¡± ¡°The way he combines those tentacles to block Uncle Lugh¡¯s aura blade FUUUUULL POWER SMAAAAAASH!¡± Takakaka~. Takakaka~. I can¡¯t help but skitter around on my branches, pretending to be my spirited ward, sparing with Uncle Lugh. I even make my own little, branched mace to swing around, the rush of battle filling me! Just the pace of the fight, Jaxon¡¯s erratic, but captivating display of his awakening drowning my thoughts. ¡°Noooo, not again!¡± Head spinning in shame I rescind my branches. I can¡¯t believe I let my shard do that embarrassing stuff! Don''t get caught up like a battle junky. You''re not a noobie fresh to the Colosseum, bad Raven, bad. Deep breaths, deep breaths, no one can see you here. Several minutes rowling around in embarrassment later, I still can¡¯t stop myself from being impressed with Jaxon. He took a hit from what about amounts to a grade C warrior and still kept struggling on before he even awakened. Seeing him strain to get up after being knocked into the barrier was heartwarming, I didn''t think he would try to keep going after that. I was already satisfied that he could block Uncle Lugh¡¯s first hit, but then bam! He awakened at the brink! Just like a movie. My little Jaxon has so much fortitude to keep fighting, blood loss and broken bones be damned! If His body really resists conventional damage, aura, and magic to boot I can¡¯t wait to get him into the lab for real testing. Emperor above, That energy too! The closest thing I can think of would be death energy, but that doesn¡¯t quite fit. I want to, no, need to study him so bad now. Wake up soon Jaxon! The last thought trails off ominously like I''m forgetting something. "Hmm what was it again..." Oh shit¡­ Jaxon is still down in the courtyard with Uncle Lugh! How long have I left them down there waiting!? Okay, no more time to daydream, Raven, you need to call Semele and send a few guards to escort them back up to recovery. Deep breaths Raven time to switch over now, Mistress Mode go! Branch reaching out I dial up Seleme on the calling formation. ¡°Hello Semele, I need you to set up a room in recovery wing C, just the basics please.¡± ¡°Of course, my lady. Will you need anything else?¡± The smooth and sultry tone of Semele, my faun maid answers my call, prompt and professional as always. ¡°No Semele that will be all.¡±, I click off the rune and configure it to the standing guard detail. ¡°I need a few guards to escort Sir Lugh and my ward to recovery wing C. They are in training courtyard nine, on floor B80.¡± Good all taken care of, I''m really the best! Now I just need to get myself dressed to go see Uncle Lugh, but first... Looking back over I feel the draw of the monitor luring me in. It wouldn¡¯t hurt to review the footage a bit more. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ¡°Gaz, watch the door please.¡± ¡°...¡± My silent guardian gives me a nod in return. I''ve heard him speak before I¡¯m sure of it, I just can¡¯t remember when it last was. Hesitating briefly I force my hand to knock on the door before heading in. ¡°Greetings Princess¡± The warm greeting lightens my heart before I even step through the door. ¡° Uncle Lugh, I told you not to call me that, even if we¡¯re alone. I¡¯m almost 400 years old. I¡¯m not a little kid anymore. Ignoring my grouchy disposition Uncle Lugh moves in to give me a big hug. Mumbling small protests I return it letting his calming presence wash over me. ¡°You''ve found yourself quite the handful with the boy,¡± he says, pointing back at Jaxon. Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.Sleeping with a peaceful expression on the bed, I almost can¡¯t believe he was rampaging a few hours ago. I see that the fabric slimes that make up his shirt and robe have already recovered too. I need to remember to order more styles of the amazing little creatures later. ¡°Did you think I would choose my ward carelessly? I knew he had potential from the moment I heard the reports.¡± ¡°No, no dear I didn¡¯t doubt you. You¡¯ve always had your mother¡¯s sense for these kinds of things.¡± Tears at the corners of my eyes, I can''t stop from hurting when I hear her mentioned. Lugh notices the teary eyes and curses himself, giving me another hug, I don¡¯t bother to fight back. I just nod quietly, listening to his voice. We stay like that for a minute or two. Patting my back he lets go and takes a seat, I do the same just happy that Uncle Lugh is still here for me after all this time. ¡°We have other things to discuss. About the boy, what do you think of his awakening?¡± ¡°I can only shake my head. ¡°I don¡¯t know, I sent some people to collect the rib samples back at the courtyard. That might give me some idea, but whatever energy his soul is naturally attuned to seems to be unique to him alone. It doesn¡¯t give off any signature that I can detect. Did you catch anything while you tested him?¡± ¡°No¡­ I could see it moving my aura out of the way and eating it, but I couldn''t sense whatever he uses. It¡¯s plain to see when out in the open but could be deadly if he becomes good at stealth.¡± ¡°Whoa, back up a minute Uncle Lugh. Did you say he ate your aura?¡± ¡°Yeah, only in very small amounts but the boy definitely absorbed it somehow.¡± Hold yourself together Raven, don¡¯t scream that would be so unladylike. Natural resistances and he can absorb aura on top of that. What else are you hiding Jaxon, you little box of delectable surprises? ¡°Ahem¡­¡± Looking up, I feel Uncle Lugh judging me his expression unsure before he settles on a smile that catches me off guard. ¡°I can tell your excited about the boy dear, you don¡¯t need to hide it from me. You know, I can hear your heart racing the more you learn about the boy.¡± Hiding my face in my sleeves I look away as Uncle Lugh let¡¯s out a hearty laugh. ¡°Don¡¯t be ashamed, I have a little interest in the boy too. In fact, I plan on accepting him as a formal disciple.¡± Head shooting up, I try to figure out if Uncle is playing a prank on me. ¡°Really Uncle, are you serious!? You haven¡¯t taken a formal disciple since Big Sis Sc¨¢thach, and that was over 300 years ago." ¡°Oh so you don¡¯t count as one of my disciples then,¡± he accuses sarcastically. ¡°That isn¡¯t what I mean Uncle, you''ve always been there for me, but you could have taken on someone else officially at any time why now?¡± Shrugging he replies, ¡°There isn¡¯t any big reason behind it. The boy shows enough potential, you''ve shown a liking to him, and you''ve already formed your first soul shard. I¡¯ll always be here for you dear, but it¡¯s the truth that you aren¡¯t a fledgling anymore. I find myself bored recently and the boy shows enough promise. I accepted to train the boy as both your Guardian and the captain of your guard, so I might as well make it official.¡± I nod my head, his explanation makes sense, but despite his words, how he looks at Jaxon during all of it makes it clear he¡¯s as excited as me, if not more. Uncle Lugh is almost as bad at hiding his emotions as I am. ¡°Either way, I¡¯ll stay with the boy until he wakes up, to help him through the rest of his awakening. As for you It''s getting late, and your Uncle would appreciate it if you get some rest before sunrise, ¡± I respond with the most epic eye roll I can muster. ¡°I know Uncle, I know. Shouldn''t you be on watch though, everything aside you''re still the Captain of my guard.¡± I tease him back. ¡° I¡¯m always on watch, and my squads can handle the floor duty. Honestly, I doubt it makes much difference I wouldn''t even sense anything wrong before that old buzzard Thoth does anyway. This place is his pride and joy after all.¡± He says with a soft chuckle. ¡°True Uncle, Lord Thoth is paranoid enough, it wouldn¡¯t surprise me if he never sleeps.¡± laughing with my uncle. ¡°Before you go can your Uncle ask a favor of his favorite little princess?¡± ¡°You know that you always can Uncle¡± I pout. ¡°If you can I want you to put in an order for some Fae-steel blades. I¡¯ll cover the cost don¡¯t worry.¡± ¡°Uncle why would you need Fae-steel?¡± I ask puzzled. Uncle Lugh shakes his head, ¡°I don¡¯t need it dear, but the boy could use a few. I can¡¯t have him ripping out his own ribs every time he needs to stab something can I.¡± The realization has me smacking my head, of course for it''s for Jackson. ¡°Of course Uncle, I¡¯ll find the very best,¡± I assure him before exiting the room, Gaz on my heels. I¡¯ll make sure Jackson gets his blades... and maybe watch a few more replays for good measure before I head to sleep.