Myers took a moment to go over what he had put down. This first lethal skill had a high potential like the bone manipulation he recorded earlier. Any skill that grows the more you use it before unlocking the next branch in the Tree is like a drug. They could be managed in the past with training and some control inputs. Now, the numbers had become unmanageable, so many unlocked they didn't have the resources to control them all.

“Man's zoned to the sky!” Hector laughed while stomping his feet.

“I am just going over what I have so far. If you would be more cooperative this would go faster for you. I can understand you are confused and upset. If you would allow me, can I tell you some of what we know so far?” Snapped from his thoughts Myers replied.

“Finally say something useful. Thank You! Go on, what do y’all know?” Hector said, very clearly frustrated.

“For a long time, the government has been aware that after intense near-death situations, some individuals unlocked a skill tree within themselves. These abilities often had a relationship to the situation that unlocked the Tree. So far those of you who have unlocked from this celestial event have no correlation to the event. The only trend found so far is starting your skill tree with three skills but not a Mind Stability passive skill.” Myers watched Hector's face for his response before continuing.

“ That's how you have these cuffs already makes sense. So I'll bite, what's the stability passive thing?” Hector had calmed down some but was still on edge.

“The Mind Stability passive is a skill that does not require activation and prevents you from suffering trauma of the mind. It heals the brain after any damage both physically and emotionally. It keeps you calm in the face of extreme situations.

So far we have not found any from this event that have this passive. Without the skill you may suffer from some mental stability issues.” Myers finished

“So that's why you sound like that? I lucked out then, man. I don't need that in my life. They robbed you of your emotions for your skills. I was already pretty screwed up, but I feel a lot less stuffy than I used to. So you have two skills and a set passive skill?” Hector asked.

“At the beginning I did. Most skills advance the Tree with use. Each person has an understanding of how their skills work. The information takes time to process. Over the next few weeks, you will begin to know more. Once your mind has acclimated to this we will know more. You may be held in isolation just in case before release. I will let you think about things as I finish the paperwork.” Myers said.

The rest of Hector's skill tree had resolved.

—-------

Hector found himself in a stairwell at his dream mall. These stairs could lead him to anywhere in the mall. A kind of shortcut he had thought of when he used to lucid dream. Hector hadn't had dreams in a long time, only nightmares for the last 5 years.

Walking up a level in the stairwell he passed through one of the doors. Out at the food court area, Hector looked around, not finding the well-dressed man. He closed his eyes and shifted location.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

Opening his eyes, Hector was outside a very expensive-looking clothing store. He had never gone inside in the waking world so he never went in while dreaming. Most of the time he couldn't go inside places he hadn't been because the dream wouldn't hold.

“You in here? Look, this knocking me out has got to stop.” Hector said, looking around the store.

“Made some expansion, it's stable so no worries. I just don't like your taste in sports apparel. Luckily, a contract holder had been in this store, so I stole his memory, and now it's stable. Simple you could do the same, honestly.

I pulled you in here because I'll be walking around in a moment to save your life. Some wildlife is adjusting to the effects of old Rqxeal borrowing your moon. They don't do subtle things very well. I will give you a choice: I simply release you from restraints or I get you to a safe location.” The man said matter-of-factly.

“Old who? The wildlife is adjusting. What does that mean before I answer?” Hector replied.

“The old monster that peered through the moon. They affected not just humanity but also a percentage of local wildlife as well. I find it faster to already be in the driver's seat before asking for safety.

It is hard to say how many and what creatures have gained a skill tree, as they have called it. Those that have will be driven by instinct to grow these new skills. The next few days will be chaotic in the waking world. Many will perish before it is over. So choose I will protect you as I can either way but some don't like witnessing the nasty truths.” The man answered.

“Take the cuffs off then I'll stay on my toes and hunker down somewhere,” Hector said.

He didn't trust this entity. He could end up stuck riding in the backseat forever if he was not careful.

“Good choice. It is best to walk on one's own. I will be dealing with the questioner. They are a threat to me and must go.” The well-dressed man smiled and faded from sight.

—------

[ Healing Aura - Death ] Tier 3 lethality

At the instant of the subject's critical injury, a wave of death energy envelopes a thirty-foot radius. The energy then absorbs a portion of all hostile targets' lives to heal the subject. Up to three targets can be made immune to death energy by the subject.

[ Slap Dash ] Tier 1 movement

The Subject's speed is doubled after throwing an object. The duration of the speed increase depends on the weight of the objects thrown.

Myers had written down three skills yet he could still feel a fourth skill resolving in his mind. He identified two lethal skills and a movement skill the scanner showed a third lethal. He was already concerned about the death energy. The only consolation was it didn't grow with advancement.

A noise made Myers look up as Hector stood up. A sickening popping rang in the silence. Hector had that empty look in his eyes. A second round of sounds as thumbs got forced back in place. Slowly twirling the cuffs Hector smiled at Myers.

“I wouldn't bother writing down the fourth one. Someone's a nasty sneak looking where they shouldn't. Did you know you don't need much pressure to force a person's body to move how you want?” Hector said.

An explosion of pain washed across Myers body and he sprung up on his feet. Only while standing head facing the roof of the tent, hands forced at this side did the pain stop.

“See, it's so simple. This skill is handy with some limitations you see. I couldn't just crush your lungs. Something about your throat stops the air out here from being the same as in there.” the man in Hector said playing with his target.

The cuffs got tossed to the floor as Hector burst forward poking Myers in the chest with his finger. The force made Myers gasp for air.

“ Now it's the same space, let's just see where this goes.” He said in a cold voice.

—----------------------

When Hector opened his eyes he was standing in a nightmare. The tent was covered and splashed with blood. The librarian-looking woman was standing in the doorway, shivering, blood splashed across her face. The man that had been Myers was now split in half like a banana. Hector vomited.

“We got to go!” the librarian yelled to Hector.

He stumbled out of the tent with her into the night. The noises he had been blocking out crashed on him, yelling and high-pitched screeching. He could see fire in the distance. They were in a maze of tents, some already trampled down bloody lumps hidden in the collapsed fabric.

“What is happening? Who are you, and did I do that to the guy? In any order you like please.” Hector shouted to the running woman.

“My name is Aber. Yes, you did tear that man apart. What's happening is birds have begun attacking people. You said you marked me for safety among other things. Then you passed out and woke up. Now we are running for our lives.” Aber said while slowing down to match Hector.

Hector could tell she was in better shape than him. Mostly that he was huffing and she seemed fine.

“How are you so fast?” Hector huffed.

“I'm sharing the effort by lifting my bones as I run. Not much effort is needed and it seems to level up the skill or whatever.” She said bouncing like spring yet landing lightly.

Hector tried using his Solid Air to create a layer under his feet to increase his speed. The thin layer of air was like ice with no traction launching Hector into the hard ground. A wet snap made Aber flinch when she saw the impact.

A pulse of concentric circles made of black mist spread from Hector's motionless body.