A delightful landscape sparks a surge of unease within a certain dreamer. Astonished, he realizes this isn't just another significant dream— it's a vivid scenery, a breathtaking valley teeming with cherry blossoms. A wave of nostalgia washes over him— it's achingly familiar yet elusive, defying recognition of his past. Kanji grins, spying a distant hill summoning him. Eagerly, he dashes towards the solitary tree crowning its peak, its barren branches a sigh of winter. Beneath it lies... an obscured grave, its inscriptions a blurred puzzle he strains to decipher.
Kanji awakens, his body trembling from the intensity of the encounter.
Kanji “What the hell was that? Was it another…. No, it wasn’t an image. A regular dream, huh? How long has it been? Why did I have it? It felt so… sad.” “Whose grave was that? Did I lose someone? Why can’t I remember?!”
Gwen “That’s quite the mumbling session you are having. Mind if I intrude?”
Kanji “Sure, might as well have someone to talk to. The others are still asleep.”
Gwen “It’s absurd that they can sleep in those positions”
Kanji “Are you talking about the guys on the spheres or the ones sleeping on the hard rocky ground?”
Gwen “Both but at this point, I come to terms with the unrealistic nature of our prolonged escapades. Now, onto that dream.”
Kanji “It wasn’t an image this time but a scenery which is a rare occurrence for me. It was a familiar valley yet I could tell the exact place. There was this… one tree and a gravestone that was blurred out.”
Gwen Dream “Psychology isn’t my forte but I could definitely tell that this is some kind of trauma as you seem to be lacking bits of information. Perhaps, you lost someone very dear to you in the distant past.”
Kanji “If I did then it must have been quite a tragic one…”
Gwen “ If it bothers you then try to forget about it. The past is done and we can’t do anything about it even with our powers. Enjoy the present.”
Kanji “Heh. I never see you as the cheering type. Took a few lessons from Claire?”
Gwen “Perhaps.”
Claire “Did somebody mention my name?!”
Gwen “The devil has awakened I see.”
Claire “Devil?! You’re too cruel, bestie!”
Gwen “Just kidding. Anyway, we were talking about Kanji’s dream. It appears he too has some kind of trauma.”
Claire “Oh no! Are you okay, Kaney?!”
Kanji “I’m fine. Hell, I can’t even remember much about it so no pointing worrying about the past.”
Claire “Oh thank god. Not worrying is good.”
Kanji “Not for long. Wake up the others. Time for today’s training session.”
She sighs wearily, rousing everyone with gentle taps, their fatigued gazes fixating on Kanji.
Dave “Bro… more training. Serious?!”
Kanji “Calm down. There are still a few hours before the actual training starts. Feel free to do whatever. Claire and Gwen. I need your assistance.”
Claire/Gwen “Sure, what’s up?”
Kanji “I have this new machine in mind that will help us train our mobility and reaction but I need a few things. First, I need more charged rotatenium and your designing skills. Gwen will help me figure out the mechanism of the machine i.e. what’s the best way to make it exploit our limitation.”
Claire “But Kaney! I don’t think I can do it. I might faint like last time.”
Kanji “ Not to worry. After thinking about your special skills for a while, I have a theory that perhaps that giant tendril arm outside could also help in creating difficult objects.”
Gwen “By the way, you can also store objects that the ship’s arms touch straight into the Universal storage by saying it. Good Luck on your end.”
Claire “Okay, I’ll try my best!”
Stepping out of the Inventory dimension, she takes a firm seat in the center, her soul departing as Claire assumes control of an arm, an aura of blooming orange flowers enveloping it. With a slight sway, she gradually reacquaints herself with manipulating the arm, honing her concentration. Memories flood her mind, recalling every encounter— be it her own or with adversaries—featuring the application of rotatenium.
Ten charged cubes of rotatenium materialize at the tip of Claire's arm.
Claire "Universal storage!"
Effortlessly, the cube dissolves, prompting her to inspect the system, confirming the successful transfer of the rotatenium cubes. Retreating back to the Inventory space, Claire spots the drowsy team lounging on bean bags, engrossed in a new superhero flick. Encouraged by the girls, she joins in, passing three delightful hours together. The blare of a horn interrupts as the credits roll. Dave is the first to notice an unfamiliar contraption— a colossal metallic cylinder adorned with intricate tubing and wires spiraling in a helix pattern. Its front features an opening large enough for a car to enter and exit.
Dave "Bro, what in the goofy ass fuck is this thing?!"
Kanji "It's going to be our training partner so show some respect. Everyone, come to the back."
Encircling the colossal contraption, they discover an assortment of square-shaped pods adorning its rear. Claire summons forth the ten cubes with a confident air, guiding each one to seamlessly nestle within the awaiting sockets. Abruptly, a deep rumble emanates from the machine, casting a verdant glow upon its upper section. The chamber reverberates with a cacophony of spinning gears concealed within its core.
Mina "Ummm... this thing looks really scary."
Diana "Scary? Nah, it looks challenging! Bring it on!"
Sarah "You're seriously going to hype this up too."
Noah "As long as it won't outright kill us. I'm fine with it."
Dave "Bro, I'm having some bad feels about this thing."
Amelia "Relax honey. Kanji wouldn't make something that could possibly be deadly to us. Would he?"
Adrian "Obviously not? Unless it is for our good which in case... I think so."
Azan "Enough suspense. Tell us the deal with this thing."
Kanji "It's pretty simple. It's a super amped-up tennis ball machine. You can insert anything into it and the machine makes it move around in a chamber using rotatenium to speed it up before firing."
Claire "Kaney. How fast are we talking about?"
Gwen "Well that's-
Kanji "Let me tell them. To be honest, this training has a really high chance of death. However, I fear that the enemies we may fight from point on would be even deadlier so I can't afford us being easy. Even in training. I'm sorry."
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Without warning, their gazes converge upon him, brimming with resolute determination, signaling their readiness to confront the challenge.
Kanji "Thank you for your trust. You see these boxes. Me and Gwen picked groups of ten objects that will be thrown at you in a sequence. Just like before you can use your powers for the first round. So... who's going first? Oh and remember this is about mobility and reaction so no blocking or fighting back."
Sarah "Pick me please!"
Shifting aside, the group clears a path for Sarah, who strides forward to stand before the machine's path. A shroud of darkness envelops her as the initial batch of objects cascades into the contraption. A blur hurtles past her right cheek with staggering velocity, leaving a visible gash in its wake. Sharpening her focus, she deftly ducks two successive projectiles. With lightning reflexes, Sarah maneuvers to evade the remaining objects, her evasions teetering on the precipice of deadly fate.
Noah "Jesus Christ! That was so fucking close! Sarah, are you alright?"
Sarah "... I'm... That was... That was amazing! Let me go again! Wait... those were fucking plates?!"
Kanji "Yep... so who's next?"
Eager to earn Sarah's admiration, Noah boldly strides into the line of fire. Confronted by a relentless onslaught of spears, his enthusiasm fuels his agility, evading each projectile. Sarah's cheers spur him on, adding to his excitement. Diana swiftly introduces herself into the fray, maneuvering around the glass cups by using her power to slide across the floor. However, the final two cups shatter against her right shoulder, eliciting a momentary flinch. Gwen rushes to her aid, guiding her to safety and meticulously extracting the shards embedded in Diana's skin. Gwen employs some of Izzy's mass to patch up the resulting wounds, quickly sealing the punctures.
Anxious but determined, Adrian sets aside his shield and approaches the machine with trepidation. Miraculously, he evades every oncoming projectile, fortunate as some of the knives whiz past him, missing by a hair's breadth. Azan and Mina opt for a joint venture, braving a tempest of bullets and sickles. Despite emerging relatively unscathed, they bear small scratches along their upper arms from the ordeal. Dave and Amelia, spurred by the spectacle, unite in their approach. A deluge of metallic statues and needles hurtles their way. Unfazed, Amelia stifles a yawn as she adeptly sidesteps each projectile with finesse, showcasing the result of Amber's guidance. Meanwhile, Dave employs a clever tactic, maneuvering by subtly altering and shifting parts of the floor to dodge the projectiles.
Gwen, Kanji, and Claire step into the fray, greeted by a tempest of cleavers, axes, and metal bars hurtling their way. Kanji swiftly takes action, darting around to scatter his static trail, ingeniously evading the projectiles effortlessly as he travels between sections of his electrified path. Claire's mind ignites a plan and so she opts to crawl and strategically roll only in response to incoming objects heading her way. Guided by Izzy's counsel, Gwen employs a combination of sliding dashes and nimble ducks, navigating through the storm of objects unharmed.
Kanji "Good job, everyone. Now without your powers. Hey, at the very least, we have plenty of healing items to spare."
A very painful day passes for the wielders.
___________________________________________________________________________
Amidst the rugged terrain of Caverrin, a collective of rebels assemble within the protective embrace of an egg-shaped grotto, seeking refuge from the tumult outside. Seated upon the metallic ground, they shift uncomfortably, their attention riveted upon the 14 salvaged generators, relief that they secured them amidst the chaos. Suddenly, Voltum's gaze darts to a corner, and his jaw slackens in sheer astonishment.
VOLTUM “Holy shit! You even secured the clone pods! Thank you so much, AN! Now my hard work wasn’t a waste.”
AN “Told you guys that I got things covered. Have a little more faith.”
TIO “They remind me of when I was younger. Hoho!”
SUSUNA “You’re exaggerating a little.”
TIO “What did you say you brat?!”
JOSAI “Guys! Guys! Calm down! Now is not the time for fighting. Where do we go from here? What do we do with the teleporters?! And the pods! And-
Josai's breath quickens, beads of sweat trickling down her furrowed brow. Observing her distress, Voltum heaves a resigned sigh before flicking the back of her head, rendering her unconscious.
ICO/ICA “Voltum! Why?!”
VOLTUM “Before you judge me, it appears that every one of your numbskulls forgot what her power is. As cool as this grotto is, I wouldn’t want my grave to be here.”
SUSUNA “Oh Yeah. If Josai turns into a leviathan here of all places, she would squish us into flattened nutrient bars.”
AN “Speaking of powers. We should find a way to make the clones use our powers.”
TIO “This young warrior is always thinking ahead. If that rude kid can make that happen then it is our victory.”
VOLTUM “Hey! I’m not rude… just a little misunderstood.”
AN “Oh… is that shyness I feel from you, Voltum-
He swiftly hauls AN away to a secluded corner.
VOLTUM “Dammit. I told you that I have a weakness for old folk.”
AN “Is this because you miss your grandma?”
VOLTUM “… Yeah. I want to be less sociated with anyone similar to her. I don't want to experience anymore… you know.”
AN “I understand… it was quite insensitive of me so I’m sorry. Enough sulking and let’s get to work!"
Reconvening, Voltum assumes the helm of the experimentation efforts. The group delves into one hypothesis after another throughout an entire day, each idea failing to yield the desired breakthrough. However, they persist with unwavering determination. Meanwhile, along the perimeter of Nobilis, the second general erupts from his fleshy cocoon, gasping for breath. His eyes ablaze with an intensity akin to the fire of a thousand suns, he traverses the expanse of the region in a mere heartbeat. Frustrated by his inability to locate his targets, the general's gaze fixates upon a familiar tower in the distance.
Without a moment's hesitation, he vaults through the air, hurtling towards one of the windows nestled within the highest tier of the tower. With a resounding crash, he smashes through the glass, and the pieces are quickly deflected by the host.
GENERAL1 "Would stop that awful habit of jumping through windows-
GENERAL2 "TELL ME WHERE THE YAPPING FUCKIN HELL ARE THEY BEFORE I CARVE THAT SCRAWNY NECK OF YOURS CLEAN OFF!!!"
GENERAL1 "I would like to see you try but now is not time for quarrels. The scoundrels are inside the grotto."
GENERAL2 "FUCK! HOW IN THE FUCK?! WHAT WERE YOU DOING?!"
GENERAL1 "I did not anticipate that they would move so quickly. Looks like the rebels have made some backup plans after all."
GENERAL2 "I see. I think I know which rat did that. What now?"
GENERAL1 "Now, it's time to do a little entrapment job."
The two generals engage in discussions regarding their strategies, yet their collaboration proves fleeting, disintegrating within mere minutes. Nevertheless, a singular objective unites them— the annihilation of their mutual enemy. Consequently, soldiers of all kinds and a legion of machines armed to the hilt commence a relentless march, encircling the grotto with an overwhelming display of force. Meanwhile, in a distant corner of the world, Karnat observes intently as Meytaz flips through the pages of Granny Tio's journal, the contents holding her attention.
KARNAT "Be careful with that, my grandma gave it to me."
MEYTAZ "Hey I am pretty lax with books. You know how hard it is to find new books. I exhaust all of the tribe's book supplies ever since I was like five."
KARNAT "So like when you were out of your pupa stage."
VERTO "I know right? How can such a nerd become so strong- Ow!"
MEYTAZ "Oops. My hand must have slipped. Anyway, this book is amazing. The writing and drawing are superb."
KARNAT "Granny Tio was good with everything. Heh, even fighting. By the way, when she was young, she came here but never mentioned ever meeting any of you."
MEYTAZ "I'm curious about what year she visited because every ten years or so our tribe and neighbors stay in the town for an entire year as a kind of social tradition."
KARNAT "Social tradition?"
VERTO "Strong social bonds are the building blocks of our culture. The whole event is meant for the kids and adults to know each other in a deeper sense."
MEYTAZ "Yeah, thanks to that, I basically know everything about everyone in the village."
KARNAT "That's a little creepy. It must be hell for any introvert."
MEYTAZ "Which one are you, an introvert or an outrovert?"
KARNAT "Oh, a question. You'll know the truth anyway so I'll just say that I'm an outrovert who is too focused on duty. At least, that's the old me."
MEYTAZ "Now... you're afraid to talk, to connect, afraid to lose more. Come here."
She envelops him in a tight, heartfelt embrace, drawing Verto into the embrace as well.
KARNAT "Thanks guys, Anyway, are we almost there?"
MEYTAZ "Almost but we could get there earlier if we find that."
VERTO "Oh you mean 'that'."
KARNAT "What is 'that'?"
With beaming smiles, they guide him towards an unfamiliar plant situated to the right of the stony path, where a red symbol of the letter 'Z' adorns the closest stone. Its design resembles a cluster of vines in the shape of a bed. The twins recline upon it, leaning back and shutting their eyes in unison. Following suit, Karnat emulates their actions, closing his eyes as well. Suddenly, the vines snake around the trio, eliciting a surge of panic within Karnat. However, their reassuring hands grasp his, calming his emotions. Within moments, they awaken in an entirely different location, greeted by a colossal moss-covered stone wall looming before them.
Scanning their surroundings, they trace the length of the wall, leading their gaze to a towering gate flanked by two colossal mossy stone towers, all melded seamlessly into the landscape.
?? "Hold it!... Meytaz! Verto! You're back! Wait, who is that?!"
MEYTAZ "A friend trust me! Let us in!"
?? "Sorry, even if you are the Seer, I still need the Elder's permission."
VERTO "Wait! But- Fuck, he's gone!"
KARNAT "What's wrong? I thought you guys don't have a rule against outsiders."
MEYTAZ "We don't but that guy is Colt. He is very cautious and has trust issues. He'll probably make a fuss with Elders to not allow you in."
KARNAT "What do we do?"
VERTO "The elders trust us more than him. Although, it could take a while so let's find a place to sleep for the night."
The twins usher him towards a treehouse, boasting a spacious bed expansive enough to accommodate all three of them. Exhausted from their arduous journey, they succumb to weariness and drift into a deep slumber.