Breachers – Path of Steel

16

I

Fresh Air

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Day 6

The chill of the hard hospital floor seeped into Marcus, taunting his own weakness. His arms quivered with effort as he pushed himself up into a knee push-up, barely accomplishing just one before collapsing back down. His body screamed in protest because of the strain he had placed on his muscles. “Push through it,” he hissed to himself, concentrating on regulating his breathing. Taking the strain off his arms, he allowed them to rest on the floor, hating the fact that his weak legs were still useless to him.

Despite already feeling tired from his afternoon session with the physical therapist, Marcus wasn’t satisfied. His body protested everything, but mentally, he wanted to do more. Needed to do more even. Yesterday’s events had ignited something within him, leaving him restless. “Just one more,” he mumbled, determined to push his limits even more. Bracing himself, he forced his body back into position and began to push up again, his arms trembling under the strain. In his head, he could almost hear his father and uncle coaching him through the pain and discomfort, reminding why he was doing this and to stick to the plan he had made. He eventually managed to lift himself up, only to collapse back onto the floor a second later, utterly exhausted.

The cold floor provided an unexpected comfort as Marcus lay there, his chest and arms burning from the exertion. Oddly, the pain brought a twisted sense of satisfaction. A goofy smile spread across his face as he realized he had managed five push-ups in the last thirty minutes. ‘Well, I’m not breaking any records anytime soon. Now, how the hell do I get back in bed?’ he thought as he suddenly realized that his legs still weren’t working and how exhausted he actually was. Just as he was about to just close his eyes and doze off, the door creaked open and then closed, accompanied by approaching footsteps. He feared it was a nurse, forcing him to try to come up with a decent lie for why he was on the floor. However, his worry turned to surprise when he saw a pair of familiar red sneakers placed on the ground in front of him. “Aren’t those... Oscars?” he mumbled, turning himself onto his back to look at Felix’s towering dark figure.

“Oh, they better be. I’ve kept ‘em safe for years,” Felix said, as he placed the shoes on top of Marcus’s chest. “He had left them at my place before we went to the expo together. Dunno why I held onto them all this time. Still, I remember you guys having the same shoe size. So... they’re yours now! And don't whine about getting thirteen-year-old sneakers. They're vintage. Pre Great Impact.” Afterwards he plopped down on the floor beside his friend with a cheeky grin. “So, is your family still pissed at me?” Felix asked before sighing as he spotted Marcus’s nod. “I guess I deserve that. Alright, what are we doing here on the ground, beyond freaking out how much your speech has improved in a matter of days?”

”I tripped,” Marcus lied, shooting a quick elbow to his friend's ribs as a signal to go along with it.

“Of course you did. I usually stink of sweat when I take a tumble too,” his friend said, folding his hands on his stomach. “So, I heard you got your rank yesterday. I take it you don’t want to talk about it?”

“Nope.”

“Stubborn piece of shit,” Felix muttered, and a hush settled between the two friends for a little while. “Oscar would’ve known what to say right now. He always was the smart one. Me? I can only rely on my ridiculously good looks and inappropriate jokes.”

“And clearly... suffering from bad... eyesight,” Marcus countered, wincing as he massaged his aching arms. As if on cue, Felix got up to his feet again and slid his arms underneath his friend as he got ready to lift him up, prompting Marcus to respond. “What are you doing?”

“Dragging your lazy ass to a wheelchair. There’s something I want you to see," Felix said with a hint of determination.

“Since when do you have the strength to carry me?” Marcus fired in amusement, only to notice Felix pause for a second, as if remembering something he didn’t want to. Seconds later, his friend’s mischievous grin returned again. Without further ado, Felix lifted Marcus and plopped him unceremoniously onto the bed like a sack of potatoes before leaving the room to fetch a wheelchair.

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After a few minutes, Marcus had settled into a wheelchair, with Felix taking charge, pushing him down the hall at great speed. The wheels rattled over the floor, and Marcus couldn’t help but cling tightly to the armrests as they careened around corners. His friend was clearly enjoying himself, laughing as they narrowly avoided collisions with the walls. “Slow down, you maniac!” Marcus shouted in mock protest, though a grin betrayed his true feelings. Despite the chaos, he felt a surge of exhilaration. For a few seconds he felt like his old self again. Young and without a care in the world. ‘He’s a good friend,’

Felix guided Marcus towards the elevator, pressing the button. They waited for a few moments until the doors slid open, revealing the small compartment inside. With a playful shove, Felix sent the wheelchair rolling into the elevator without any guidance, causing it to bump into the wall. Afterwards he strolled casually inside, his amusement evident as he pressed another button. “Or did you want to take the scenic route? Perhaps the stairs?” Felix teased, earning a response from his friend in the form of a raised trembling middle finger.

After a brief pause, the doors swished open once more and Marcus found himself wheeled onto the rooftop. He blinked in surprise, taking in the sight of several other people scattered around from staff members on a break, to patients enjoying the fresh air.. The rooftop was a cozy relaxation spot, adorned with plants and benches, its edges secured by sturdy fencing. “You’re planning to... push me off?” Marcus said, still struggling with his words.

“I’m loving the suggestions, but not today. I’ll keep it in mind for next time,” Felix said, steering his friend further onto the roof while nodding at the people they passed. “I brought you up here for a gift. Two actually,” he continued, pulling a smartphone out of his pocket and placing it on his friend’s lap. “It’s kinda old, like seven years or so,” he mentioned, observing his friend as he switched the device on. “I already paid for this year’s subscription plan, and I added some of your contacts that I knew. Figured you’d handle an older model better than the newer ones we have nowadays.”

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Marcus tried to make sense of the phone’s touchscreen with clumsy fingers. As he opened the contact list, Felix’s name appeared at the top, along with a selfie of the two of them from the time when he was still in a comatose state. “Dude... what the hell? This is so wrong on so many levels,” Marcus said, unable to contain his laughter as his sides began to ache. All the while, Felix gently steered him toward the edge while explaining he had taken a similar picture every year. As Marcus’s eventually laughter died down, he was drawn to the sight of the city sprawling below them. It was a lively urban hub, with tall buildings clustered together and streets crisscrossing like busy arteries. From up high, he could see cars and buses moving along the streets, like tiny ants going about their daily routines. Inside the city, patches of green parks and scattered trees broke up the monotony of concrete and added a touch of nature to the city’s charm. Amidst the familiar vehicles, Marcus spotted something unusual—a sleek craft hovering like a helicopter, but without visible rotors. “What... is that?” Marcus wondered aloud, his curiosity piqued.

“Hovercars, or floaters as the cool kids call them. They use Mana-tech,” Felix replied, his eyes following the direction of his friend’s gaze. “We lost a lot since the Great Impact, but we’ve also rebuilt much of the world. Sometimes even better than before.” He gestured towards another hovering object that gracefully touched down on a landing pad connected to a skyscraper. “See that? Mana is a potent energy. Apparently, it’s a pain in the ass to work with and maintain safely, but it’s amazing when it eventually does works. If you’ve got the cash, you can do wonders with it.” He then pointed westward, sharing stories about the old major cities—the ones that had been destroyed either by meteors or the monstrous infestations that followed. Marcus learned that Amsterdam had been ravaged, but mostly restored in the last few years and was now home to one the nation's strongest guild.

“What about our homes?” Marcus asked. Both his friends had lived a few minutes away from his parents’ place, just on the outskirts of the city.

With a shrug, Felix replied, “Dunno. Can’t say for sure. They say most of it got hammered by the meteors. I only visited my place years ago, back when we thought it was still safe. A lot of it is still a Dead zone.”

“What’s that?”

“Places that haven't been cleared yet. Possibly littered with Monster-Glass or even actual dormant Orbs. These locations are like breeding grounds for new Spheres, making reclamation slow.” He gave his friend a reassuring pat on the shoulder and pointed into the distance, where a large bluish Sphere loomed. “It’s hard to rebuild on places where things like that can suddenly spawn.”

“Ah,” Marcus said as he gazed at the distant sphere and spotted another one farther away. ‘Just how many of those things are there?’ he wondered, leaning back in his wheelchair. It felt good to see how humanity had rebuilt and was still thriving, but the sight of old scars and learning his old home was now essentially a ticking timebomb was tough to accept. Deciding to lighten the mood, he turned his attention back to his friend. “So, mister Pol, how are you these days?”

“I’m good,” Felix replied, squatting next to his friend, both of them gazing at the city in front of them. “I’m doing better the last few years. Visiting you, though, sometimes stirs up bad memories from the past, you know? You losing your folks, me losing my dad and grandparents.” He ran his hand through his black hair and scratched the back of his head. “Still, I’m really glad you’re back, buddy.” He then held out his fist to the side, and Marcus responded with a double tap.

“Well, I’m glad... to be back,” Marcus said, looking at his ‘new’ smartphone. He was grateful for the device. Despite Felix not making a big deal out of it, the gift was thoughtful and incredibly helpful. ‘He’s matured a lot these last years, huh?’ Marcus thought as he observed his friend, even noticing a few wrinkles in his friend’s dark features. “What do you... even do… for work?” he asked, realizing that the topic hadn’t even come up in the last few days. The conversations had always been about how his recovery went or what had changed in the world.

With a dramatic pause, Felix declared, "Chef."

"You?" Marcus chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. "You couldn't cook for shit before."

Felix held up a hand, pretending to be shocked. “First off, I can still tip you over the ledge,” he said, trying to contain his own amusement. “Secondly, I’ll have you know I’m actually a well-respected chef, running my own restaurant. And, unlike you, I didn’t spend the last few years getting a weekly sponge bath.”

He climbed to his feet and gave his friend's shoulder an encouraging pat before guiding him and his wheelchair to a better vantage point, offering Marcus a broader view of the city. “But seriously, it’s a fun gig, and turns out, I’m pretty good at it,” he said with a hint of pride. He continued steering, passing a few other people along the way. “I have a bunch of Breacher customers and I get to hear some crazy stories. More importantly, they’re usually generous tippers too.”

“Is that so?” Marcus asked, his attention caught by another hovering vehicle that swiftly sped away, deepening his curiosity about the ‘Mana-tech’ his friend had talked about.

“Yeah. It depends on the person and their ranks, I suppose,” Felix replied, pushing the wheelchair along the rooftop’s edge. “Lower-ranked Breachers can earn a decent living, but those ranked Gamma or higher usually make a killing. You know, rockstar level. Apparently, killing monsters pays well. I can’t even fathom how many credits Delta’s might rake in. Millions? And don’t get me started on the bigger guilds.”

“Credits?”

“Yeah,” Felix raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Didn’t anyone fill you in about that? After the Great Impact, when we were all rebuilding and you were sleeping in, a lot of changes happened. Banks were destroyed, financial districts lost, etc. Now most of the world uses a universal digital credit system.” He grabbed his own phone, opened his digital account, and showed it to Marcus. He then explained how to make transfers and how each account was tied to a person’s personal ID.

Marcus checked the app for a moment longer before grabbing his own phone. To his surprise, he found a similar app installed on his device, with a small amount already deposited into his account. “I guess I have you to thank for this?” Marcus asked, observing his friend nod before he stored his phone away.

“Well, now that we’ve established that I’m your best and only friend, and the fact that you owe me, how about you stop being such a broody little idiot and just spill the beans? Tell me about your rank,” Felix said as they reached the end of the rooftop before veering off to the left, making a U-turn.

There was a small pause before Marcus finally muttered, “Alpha...”

“And?” Felix asked, drawing out the word for a few seconds.

“Power rating of one... Happy?”

Felix gave his friend’s shoulder a comforting pat. “Oh, I am. And I’m sure your family feels the same. But I know you... it must be gnawing at some stubborn part of you, right?” When his friend didn’t reply, Felix continued with a grin. “Like I said, I know you. Alright, from your perspective, the low score is probably disappointing. It’s no doubt even more frustrating when I tell you that there’s nothing you can do about it, since a person’s Mark doesn’t get stronger over time. But from your family’s perspective, you’re safe. You don’t have to become an actual Breacher like your sister. And what little Mana there is in your system because of your mark, it at least offers some protection against the effects of Spheres.”

“Whatever,” Marcus grumbled, trying to ignore the annoyance welling up inside him. He couldn’t argue with Felix’s logic. He was alive, making incredible progress in his recovery, and hadn’t lost any limbs or digits. Marcus knew he should be grateful, but he couldn’t shake the feeling of irritation and his wounded pride.

“But, since you’re Marked and all... what’s your deal?” His friend asked as they slowly made their way back.

In response Marcus just raised his eyebrow before pointing at the marks on his face. “My perfect face—”

“Don’t be an ass. You know what I mean. What’s different about you now that you have your Mark?” Felix interrupted, his tone brimming with excitement. “Stronger? Faster? Oh, can you control fire or shoot laser beams? I know for a fact it didn’t increase your wits, that’s for sure.”

“I... I don't know,” Marcus replied honestly. His sister had explained a bit about how different each Marked individual could be, and how some didn't have Abilities, while others had dozens they could use. Still, Marcus hadn't really thought about whether he had any, or how it all worked beyond ‘Mana does something’, and stuff happens. “Isn't it the same... for most people?”

“What? No, that's not how it works,” Felix replied, holding back a frustrated moan while managing to chuckle afterwards. “You really should talk to your sister more about this sort of stuff when you can. Being just out of a coma isn’t an excuse anymore. It’s been six days already. Come on.” He even managed to shake his head in a fake disappointed way before continuing. “I've heard that some of you only gain speed, raw power, or can use Mana in some weird way,” Felix rambled, clearly enjoying the subject. “Others become a lot tougher or get some sort of balanced mix. So... even with a power rating of only one, there should be some change inside you, right? We just need to figure out what that is and use it to our...” Felix trailed off when he noticed his friend gripping his head as if in pain. “Hey, are you alright?”

“No,” Marcus hissed, his head throbbing with increasing intensity. “Please... take me... back,” he said, clenching his hands into tight fists. He spotted the elevator ahead, and felt his friend picking up the pace, navigating around a few benches and skirting past the ventilation systems. When they did so, Marcus's pain increased tenfold, a searing wave of agony hitting him while strange thoughts and memories converged with his own, overwhelming his mind. Amidst the pain, an odd sensation swept through Marcus, as if something was being drained from him. Confusion, fear, and anger crashed like relentless waves into his mind, leaving him reeling. His eyes rolled back, and his body went rigid, prompting his friend to scream his name in alarm before Marcus blacked out. Yet, overshadowing everything, a strange memory screamed desperately at him.

‘WAKE UP!’

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Copyright: OsiriumWrites