Chapter 32: Looking for Group.

30 minutes.

I spent 30 minutes in that spot, fighting myself. Losing against my nightmares. Pushing them downwards with every ounce of willpower I had left. Trying and trying to forget about the pain. The helplessness.

Level Gained: +500 Maximum Psy. +12 Ability Points.

Ability Gained: [Inspiration] 1 has been added to the Status.

Ability Evolving: [Inspiration] 1 has grown to [Inspiration] 4

Level Gained: +500 Maximum Psy. +12 Ability Points.

Ability Evolving: [Precognition] 11 has grown to [Precognition] 12

Ability Evolving: [Premonition] 5 has grown to [Premonition] 6

“No. Stop. Don’t go down that road again. There are only bad things there. It didn’t happen. It didn’t happen. It didn’t happen. I’m me. I’m Solomon. I didn’t kill some mobsters. I’m not stuck on a zombie planet. I didn’t see my brother get killed. I don’t even have a brother.”

‘No. That girl did. She died. No. She hasn’t died yet. I could save her. I could save the orphans too, and Monique’s kids. It’d be the right thing to do.’

‘It would give me a second Type.’

That notion brought me to the new string. To Inspiration. The pulsating, ethereal will clearing my head. Alleviating the aches. To the tiny marble of crackling energy tied to it. Barely out of reach.

I wheezed. Savouring the possibility. Marshalling my strength.

There was the very real chance that it could be a trap. That the Labyrinth’s overlord had had enough and wanted to steer me towards self-destruction.

I couldn’t care less. I was already dead set on saving the hostages in Happy Shrub to alleviate my guilt. No matter how risky it might’ve seemed.

What’s four more?

There was still one teensy tiny problem. The shadow of those vision and the silver woman. Anezka.

‘Meh. I’m sure it’ll sort itself out. Other me said all I had to do was save these guys. Besides, I’m not going to go out hunting some woman because of what a hallucination told me to do. That sounds like crazy talk.’

‘Yeah Sully! You do you!’

‘Thank you, Buddy.’

The potential rewards were just too much. Too tantalizing.

Another Type. The chance to be something other than a Telepath.

I’d do anything to get it.

“Right. That’ll be my goal after I sort this mess out. Focus on the now. Focus on the robot.”

Yes. The robot. Standing before me in stupefied silence. Waiting for orders as if it hadn’t been trying to flay me alive less than an hour ago. With a mask of stainless steel that suggested an air of calm bemusement.

Whomever put my new friend together clearly had a sense of humour. Indeed, I sincerely hoped I’d get the chance to tell them so in person. Hopefully that would distract them long enough for me to break their kneecaps.

Even looking at the thing gives rise to mixed feelings.

The engineer in me is fascinated. It was even bigger and faster than the freaking bulls. I have never seen a robot of this size move with so much grace and agility. Not while using legs anyway, treads being the standard equipment.

How though?

An advanced AI that calculated each step in real time? Or a static system of pre-programmed motions it cycles through?

How would that even work inside this place? Does it have movement or behaviour patterns that change in accordance to its position within the tunnels? If so, then how does it know where it is?

Or, there could be electronic signals coming from devices inside the walls.

Now that I think of it. This thing found me through the Illusion.

Did it just bypass the ability like cameras did for Blackjack’s power? Was there something like a heat sensor at play? Did it have access to my location via a hidden camera I didn’t spot? Do I have some tracking chip inside of me, feeding my location to some overarching system?

Just like that, one good question led to several others. All completely feasible given the absurdity of my current struggle.

On the other hand, the superhero fan in me is intrigued.

I have never heard of Telepaths being able to affect electronics before.

As far as I’m aware, Its a completely new ability.

One that is either unique to me, or to the Telepaths in the Labyrinth.

How does it work though? What are the limits?

I mean, no one really knows how Esper powers work in the first place. Its just something scientists have had to bash their skull against for 2 decades now.

Working theory for telepaths was a tunning to the frequency of brainwaves and manipulation of electricity at a fine level. That could also explain interactions with machines if one were attuned to some pseudo local intranet or even the general internet.

Still, there was a massive flaw with that theory. I heard that thing’s thoughts. That thing had thoughts. It had an approximation of emotions coded into it.

How? Was it something the designer put in place just to mess with their victims?

If so, why? Was I just interpreting code automatically? Could my new abilities be seen by someone looking at the code? What would that look like?

Once more, questions bred more questions.

Further experimentation is critical.

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“Welp. No time like the present. Robot. Follow me to where Borislav and Dolce are waiting.”

The hunk of junk went along with me. Metallic hooves clanking all the way over to our destination.

“Thank goodness. I thought you might have died.” Borislav said wearily once we stepped into view.

Funnily enough, he looked far more chipper before I let him know everything was okay.

‘I’m glad you’re not dead!’ Dolce added with enthusiasm.

“Nope! I’m very much alive! In fact, I’ve never been better. Which is why we’re going to keep moving as soon as you’re ready.”

Borislav did not respond right away. His right arms was shivering and it took the grasp of his left to get it back under control.

“That, doesn’t seem like a good idea kid. I’m not doing great. I’m also running on fumes. We could both use a rest and a meal. I think we should stop for the night.”

“And we will. After we’ve picked up a couple more teammates.”

“Friends of yours?” He asked incredulously. As if me having friends was weird. “I hate to break it to you kid, but if they got separated from you, chances are they might be dead.”

“They’re not dead.” I insisted.

‘Not yet anyway. No, that sounds ominous and wrong at the same time. I guess they’ll be dead if I don’t find them? Sure, I’ll go with hat for now.’

“Picking them up will barely take an hour. We’ve got the machines on our side now. They’ll bear the brunt of any attack. I promise you won’t need to do any fighting.”

“Kid, you can’t make those kinds of promises.”

“Yes, I can. Look around.”

Half the gnomes from the first clash were still alive, with more streaming in minute by minute. Beside them were not-so-fresh re-enforcements of eels, centipedes, moles and thunder bunnies. Eager, in spite of their obvious exhaustion. The unrelenting death march probably hadn’t helped much either.

Eh. Screw them. I could always get more.

Across from them were legions of battered automata. Bulls and centaurs in bulk. Only one of the mechanical snakes was still functional, with the other one having been trampled by Dolce.

“We got meat-shields for days!”

“We almost died.”

“Before I learned to mind-control robots! I’m stronger than ever! There’ll be no risk involved on your end!”

Borislav’s jaw tightened.

“If that’s the case, why do you care if I agree or not. Why do you need me at all?”

“Because I need to make sure these new friends are safe and healthy.”

“So, I’m a walking first-aid kit to you?” His incessant shivering was staring to get on my nerves. It would start up again every time I spoke. As if being in my presence was somehow taxing. As if I was some unspeakable horror he was indulging, for fear that I might claim him next.

That was worrisome. I could probably have forced my way into his otherwise elusive mind if I really wanted. Really get a grip on what his thought process was. But then I thought of the other Solomon and of the dread he claimed to have inspired.

‘That was not me.’ I assured myself. ‘That was an apparition. Some queer way for my powers to work. That’s all. I could never turn into that.’

Partially recalled vision threatened to rise again. I closed my mind to them. Suppressing the annoying thoughts until they were gone.

“Of course not! You’re a valuable comrade and I appreciate everything you’ve done so far. I know I’m being selfish by pushing us. I know we should sleep. However, there are people out there that need saving. We should help them because we can. That’s what heroes do.”

The blasted shaking ceased briefly. The lanky man swallowed. A slow, deliberate motion that might have helped to get himself under control.

“That’s very kind of you.” He paused. “My friend. Indeed, I have gained a new, appreciation, for your, strength.”

Another, swallow. This one, slower than the last.

“I also appreciate how selfless you can be. It speaks to someone of great moral fiber.”

“Yeah! That’s right!” I shouted reflexively.

“Please let me finish. There’s a time and a place for selflessness. It isn’t right now.”

I stopped myself before I started cursing him out. This conversation wasn’t going the way I’d hoped. I was coming across as a dangerous battle-maniac. I needed to turn it around.

“What if I left you here to rest. That way, you could make a camp. Meanwhile, I’ll be on my way to get a full team together.”

Borislav considered that for a second. Then he took yet another look at the surrounding tools. Stopping longer than was necessary on Dolce’s shattered jaw. Four or five misaligned rows of teeth, long as spears. Teeth that were rapidly growing back, as muscle and bone knitted themselves back into place.

If it hurt, the leviathan did not show it.

“No. Too risky. If you die, then all the monsters might go back to killing survivors. That’s going to be a real… Well. It won’t be fun. For me most of all. It doesn’t make any sense when we’ve made so much progress. There’s too much at stake. All of these must die against the gnomes. One threat dealing with another. It’s the only way the living will be safe.”

“There’ll be lives at stake if we do nothing.” I explained. Fighting through my exasperation. “I…I can’t leave these people alone. I know them. They’re depending on me.”

Which was stretching the truth a little bit, seeing as though none of them actually knew me. Still, I figured white lies were more than fair game if I got my hands on that marble. That lovely promise of not being a mind-controller.

Holy cow. It was a miracle.

I could stop being a Telepath. I could stop worrying about hiding what I was for the rest of my life. I could stop living in fear.

I could be a hero. A real superhero.

All it would take is another Type. Literally anything else.

Oh, my goodness.

I had to do it. I had to try.

No matter what it takes, no matter how dangerous it is. I have to go for it.

This might be a once in a lifetime chance. The only chance I’ll have.

My fists clench and I harden my resolve.

No more. I wouldn’t be sitting back and taking hits from an uncaring universe any longer. This time, I’ll be the one calling the shots.

“Solomon. When you say it like that…”

“One hour. Give me one hour and I’ll be back. Don’t you think that’s a reasonable risk to take if it might save someone else’s life?”

“That’s not the poi…”

“What would you do if it was your family?”

I could practically hear the snapping of his own jaw through the mask. One steadying wheeze later, I got the answer I’d been hoping for.

“Fine. We all go together. One hour’s march. Then we rest.”

YEEEESSSS!

With that, we set out on our minor detour. Brutally, I mean, righteously subjugating all the creepy crawlies on our path.

My fog beat steadily, swallowing all thoughts and ideas. No longer were the inhabitants thinking about meat and blood and slaughter. Now they all agreed that the gnomish city had to fall. With the bonus of getting me those four new friends.

The first two spots were glowing on my map. Shining through an unexplored section of the three-dimensional grid. They were moving pretty quick, though nowhere near as fast as Dolce.

Indeed, the pair found themselves within the range of [Sense Thoughts] before long, leaving me to make contact.

This was the moment of truth. Let’s keep it short and concise.

‘Hello. My name is Solomon and I want to save you and your clan. The Blood Queen’s mosquitoes are going to kill everyone in the village. Only I can stop them. Join me and I’ll help you kill them all. After we kill all the gnomes and save their prisoners.’

It immediately occurred to me that other might find such a statement a tad, unhinged. Maybe I should have eased them into the information.

‘What!? No! Please help us, Shepherd!’

‘We’ll help in any way we can!’

‘Take us with you!’

Huh.

Never mind.

I guess I really am that good at negotiations.

I gave them directions to where we were heading, warning them that all the baddies en route had been re-educated and posed no threat.

Their arrival was, quick. I mean, damn. Those two wasted no time.

The girl. Or rather, the massive, overly-muscled cavewoman draped in skins and pelts; was the first to show, turning a corner shortly before her sibling. Two metres tall, at least. With idealized curves and a face that somehow screamed plastic surgery and natural blemishes at the same time. Furthermore, there was a feral hunger in her cold green eyes. The same that might be found on an orca when a shark gets too close. It was strange, seeing her like this. After knowing the world through her perspective. Gone was the feeling of inadequacy. The resentment she’d felt from not being special.

Looking at her now, no one would ever guess Dusty knew what those emotions entailed. Her brother, Slab, was much the same. The kind of specimen scientists might misclassify as an actual, literal ogre. With biceps bigger than the average American’s waistline.

Dusty picked up speed. Moving like a cheetah on black market stimulants.

I, quite literally, had no time to react before she picked me up in a bear hug.

“I’ll do anything you ask! Anything at all! Please! Go back with me! With us! Join our clan and help us save the world!”

“That was the plan.” I squeaked. Begging Buddy to start pumping emergency oxygen into my lungs.

“You might want to drop him before long.” Borislav put it helpfully. “I don’t know what this lot will do if he loses consciousness.” He gestured to the myriad monsters of my grotesquerie, arms twitching as he did so.

He seemed more angry than afraid now. Muscles growing and coiling tighter as if by reflex.

“Of course.” Slab nodded, without a care in the world. “We’ll be mindful of the Shepherd’s health. His life is our top priority.”

“Shepherd?” Boris asked, more tension seeping into his tone.

“Yes. Him. The Holy One.”

While I still couldn’t see under the mask, I got the distinct impression that Borislav blinked rapidly then. In a way that might express the incredulity in his heart. Looking down on his tattered rags revealed that they were being drenched in a sudden downpour of sweat.

“Are you? Is this a cult?”

“Nonsense.” Dusty rebutted. “We only acknowledge that the Holy One will save our world and our clan. That he’s seen the future and knows what’s best. That his image will be seared into the ashes of our world once we’ve conquered it. That he can do no wrong and that we should ensure his comfort.”

Borislav flinched. Only for a second. Before growing another few inches and bolting in the opposite direction. Within a second, he’d become a rapidly shrinking blur in the darkened hall.

“Wait! We need you! This isn’t what it looks like! I’m a good person! I’m a good person I swear!” I croaked.

Fast as the Shifter was, Slab was faster. Tackling him into the ground and trapping him in a headlock within a fraction of a second.

“Traitor!” Dusty yelled indignantly. “How dare you run away from your duties!”

Borislav, for his part, only managed a burst of strangled chortles.

‘Holy cow. This got out of hand fast.’

“No one is running from anything. This is a misunderstanding. We need to stay together. Let him go.”

Slab looked dubious. Apparently ready to kill in my name mere moments after meeting me. Dusty pushed me behind her, determined to protect me from the unbeliever.

‘Is Borislav a bad guy now?’

‘No, Buddy. He’s not a bad guy.’

‘Are these two bad guys?’

‘No, Buddy. We’re all on the same team.’

‘It doesn’t look that way to me.’

I groaned.

Perhaps, this would be slightly harder than I thought.