Aubrey spent the rest of the day cramming so much information about the System into my head that I felt like I was doing a last-minute study for my finals. She was a very good teacher and was patient with me but god damn I could only remember so much before the rest flew out the other ear.

That night, I downed the last of the nasty liquor Aubrey had given me to calm my nerves. I grimaced as it burned its way down my throat. I couldn't tell if it was some sort of rum, gin, whiskey, or whatever else because it tasted like ass. Even Aubrey thought so, judging by how she only took a sip and then called it quits.

My head was still spinning from all the information she'd given me, but I knew I needed to rest. Lying down on a makeshift cot she lent me, I let my heavy eyelid close and drifted into an uneasy sleep.

----------------------------------------

I opened my eyes, and everything was dark. Not just dark—pitch black. I was standing on solid ground, but I couldn't see a thing.

For a terrifying second, I thought I’d gone blind. But then, a thought stuck with me—maybe this was just a dream? Somehow, I could still sense my surroundings, even though I couldn’t see a thing.

I walked forward, and as I did, the darkness seemed to ripple around me, like it was a living thing. I couldn't see my hand in front of my face, but I could feel the air getting colder with each step.

It was so quiet, the only noise I could hear was the sound of my own breathing.

The ground beneath my feet changed from solid concrete to something soft and damp, like wet moss. I heard a faint, distant howling as if carried by the wind from far away. The cold air sent shivers down my spine, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being drawn deeper into the darkness.

"What the hell is this place?" I whispered, my voice echoing strangely in the void.

I felt an eerie, pulsing energy around me, growing stronger as I walked further into the darkness.

The howling grew louder, and the air became icy. I felt a sudden, overwhelming urge to turn back, but something inside me resisted. Curiosity, maybe? Or a strange sense of familiarity? I didn't know, but I pressed on.

The ground beneath me shifted again, this time to a rough, gravelly texture. I stumbled a bit, trying to keep my balance in the darkness. As I regained my footing, I noticed a faint, purple glow in the distance. It flickered like a distant flame, and I felt drawn to it.

As I approached the glow, the energy around me grew even stronger, pulsing in time with my heartbeat. It felt like it was calling to me, like a lighthouse guiding a lost sailor through a storm.

"Alright, purple glow, let's see what you've got," I said, trying to shake off the uneasiness that crept up my spine. I couldn't help but feel like I was trespassing in a place I didn't belong. But dreams were weird like that, right?

The glow grew brighter and more intense as I got closer, and I started to make out shapes in the darkness. I saw twisted, gnarled trees, their branches reaching out like skeletal fingers, and a path leading through a dense thicket of thorns. The air was thick with the scent of decay, and I could hear the distant howling more clearly now. It sounded almost like a chorus of tortured souls, their cries echoing through the void.

As I stepped onto the path, the purple glow pulsed even brighter, urging me forward. I could feel the thorns closing in around me, their sharp tips scraping against my skin as I squeezed through the narrow passage.

Just as I thought the thorns would close in and impale me, the path opened up, revealing a small clearing bathed in the eerie purple light. In the center of the clearing, I saw an ancient-looking stone pedestal, atop which rested a smooth, black orb. The orb seemed to absorb the purple light, casting an ominous shadow across the clearing.

I knew I should have been terrified, but I couldn't help myself. I reached out, my hand shaking as I touched the surface of the orb. The moment my fingers made contact, a surge of dark energy shot through me, like a bolt of lightning.

I could feel the darkness in the clearing begin to shift and respond to my presence. I didn't understand what was happening, but I felt an overwhelming sense of connection to the darkness around me like it was a part of me.

As I held the orb, images flashed through my mind—shadows bending and twisting, dark tendrils reaching out from the void, and a feeling of immense power. I didn't know what it all meant, but I felt a growing sense of understanding deep within me.

The orb seemed to vibrate in my hand, pulsing with the same energy that coursed through my veins. I felt the darkness around me closing in, responding to my every thought and emotion. It was terrifying, but at the same time, exhilarating.

"What is this power?" I asked myself, my voice barely more than a whisper.

The shadows around me seemed to respond, dancing and shifting as if in answer to my question. As I stared into the darkness, I could see patterns and shapes forming, like a language I had never seen before but somehow understood.

I focused on the orb, trying to make sense of the images and sensations flooding my mind. Slowly, the shadows seemed to coalesce into a single, dark mass that hung in the air before me. I stared at it, transfixed, as a word formed in my mind: control.

Control. The idea resonated within me, and as I focused on it, I felt the dark mass respond. It pulsed and shifted, and I could feel the energy in the clearing growing more intense.

The images and sensations that filled my mind were overwhelming, like trying to read a book in a language I didn't understand. I felt lost, adrift in a sea of darkness.

Tentatively, I reached out with my mind, trying to shape the shadows around me. To my amazement, they responded to my will, swirling and twisting into intricate patterns. The more I focused, the more control I seemed to have, and I could feel the power surging through me, growing stronger with every passing moment.

But as I pushed for control, the darkness began to push back. The shadows around me seemed to grow thicker, and more oppressive as if they were resisting my control. I could feel them clawing at the edges of my mind, whispering dark thoughts and sinister promises.

I felt a sudden, sharp pain in my head. It was like my brain was being squeezed by an invisible hand, and I struggled to breathe. It felt like I was playing with fire, and I was about to get burned.

I tried to push through the pain, but it was too much. The darkness around me seemed to grow even heavier, and I felt like I was being crushed beneath its weight. I tried to scream, but no sound came out. I felt like I was being consumed by the shadows, and there was nothing I could do to stop it.

And then, without warning, the world around me dissolved into a swirling maelstrom of shadows and light. I felt myself being torn away, my body hurtling through the void.

The last thing I remember, before everything went black, was the sensation of falling and the whispers in the darkness echoing in my ears.

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I found myself back in Aubrey's safehouse, my heart pounding in my chest. I looked down at my hands, half-expecting to see the tendrils of darkness still there. But they were gone, replaced by a lingering sensation, like an itch just beneath my skin.

I couldn't shake the feeling that my dream had been more than just a figment of my imagination. It was so vivid, so real.

That’s when I noticed the familiar pressure against my face. My Interface had activated somehow, and parts of my status screen were blinking.

Name Connor Gallagher WID x0byj73pw95 Age 32 Class Kineticist Specialization Ů̶͓͕̓͜m̷̥̭͗͂̕b̸̬̊̏̃̓r̵̝̞̎a̵̧̩̔̄k̶͙͒̒̈͂͜ì̵̘̻̰̤n̵̩̝̜̤͆ẽ̴̞͎s̵͕̈́̉̚ȋ̵͓́̚s̸̳͈̰̿ Rank Neophyte I Experience 0/2000

What the hell? Did something on the Interface glitch? I shook my grogginess and stared again at what my Specialization was supposed to be.

Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

Specialization Umbrakinesis

Kineticist? Umbrakinesis? The fuck is that? Those weren’t there before. Something just happened to me. Maybe that wasn’t just a dream after all.

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I knew I had to talk to Aubrey about what just happened. My legs felt like jelly but, as quietly as I could, I tiptoed over to her room.

It was dark, with only a sliver of moonlight filtering in through the window. I hesitated at the door, suddenly feeling awkward. I hadn't been this close to a girl in what felt like ages, and I couldn't deny that Aubrey was attractive. The thought made me feel even more self-conscious, but I shook it off and focused on the task at hand.

Taking a deep breath, I cautiously opened the door and peered inside. Aubrey was sound asleep, her face peaceful, her messy ponytail spread across the pillow. I swallowed hard, my cheeks warming. "Aubrey," I whispered, hoping not to startle her. "Aubrey, wake up. I need to talk to you."

She didn't stir. I cleared my throat and tried again, a bit louder this time. "Aubrey, I really need you to wake up. Something happened."

Her eyes snapped open, and in one fluid motion, she had a gun pointed at me. I froze, my hands instinctively shooting up in surrender. "Whoa, hey! It's just me, Connor! I didn't mean to scare you," I stammered.

Aubrey blinked, her groggy expression shifting to one of annoyance as she lowered her weapon. "Connor, what the hell are you doing? It's the middle of the night."

I sheepishly rubbed the back of my neck. "Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you like that. It's just that I had this...dream. Or something. I don't know, but I think it's important."

She sighed, propping herself up on one elbow. "Alright, spill it. But make it quick."

I explained the dream to her, my voice faltering a few times. Aubrey listened intently, her annoyance slowly giving way to curiosity. When I finished, she sat up, rubbing her eyes.

"That's...interesting," she said, clearly trying to piece together what it could mean. "It sounds like you might have unlocked your Class and Specialization in your sleep. Mmm, it’s not unheard of, but it’s pretty rare. We’ll have to test it out in the morning.”

I nodded, relieved that she was taking me seriously—Wait. "Wait, does that mean I just got a superpower?! Holy shit.”

She yawned and flopped back onto her pillow. "Yeah, congrats. Welcome to the club. Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to get some sleep."

"Right, sorry," I mumbled, feeling embarrassed for having barged into her room like that. "Good night, Aubrey."

As I closed the door behind me, I couldn't help but feel a little foolish. I was a grown man, for crying out loud, and yet the sight of a pretty girl had reduced me to a stammering, blushing mess.I glanced at Aubrey one last time.

Despite the bizarre circumstances, I found myself feeling drawn to her. But I quickly shook the thought away, telling myself it was just the adrenaline from my dream. With one last awkward nod, I left her room.

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The next morning, I found myself sitting across from Aubrey at the makeshift table, picking at a plate of ration bars and rehydrated fruit. The tension in the air was palpable, and I couldn't help but feel like I was walking on eggshells.

"So," Aubrey said, breaking the silence as she stirred a cup of lukewarm coffee. "Any more strange dreams last night?"

I shook my head, my cheeks reddening at the memory of our late-night conversation. "No, just the one. I slept like a rock after that."

She nodded, taking a sip of her coffee. "Good. You’ll need all the energy you can get if you're going to test out your new...whatever it is."

I couldn't help but laugh at the way she phrased it. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

We fell silent again, the clink of our utensils against the plates filling the void. I racked my brain for something to say, anything to ease the awkwardness between us.

"So, uh, how long have you been here?" I blurted out, immediately regretting my choice of conversation.

Aubrey looked up, her brow furrowing slightly. "Four years," she replied, her voice carefully neutral. "I got pulled in when I was sixteen."

I winced. "Wow, that's...I'm sorry."

She shrugged, her expression unreadable. "It is what it is. We all have our stories."

I nodded, not sure what else to say. The silence returned, heavier than before, and I fumbled for another topic. "So, what's your favorite kind of music?" I asked, cringing at how lame it sounded.

Aubrey raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in her eyes. "Really? That's what you're going with?"

I laughed, rubbing the back of my neck. "Yeah, I know, I'm terrible at small talk. I just...I don't know, I wanted to learn more about you, I guess."

She smiled, her gaze softening. "Well, to answer your question, I like K-pop."

I grinned. "K-pop, huh? I never would've guessed. That's pretty cool."

Aubrey chuckled. "Yeah, it's not something I advertise. But it helps me stay connected to my roots."

"So," I said, trying to keep the conversation going. “What did you do for fun back then? You know, before all this happened."

“I hung out with friends, watched Youtube, played games, fangirl over K-Pop groups—the usual things.”

I grinned. "A gamer, huh? What was your favorite game?"

Her eyes lit up, and for the first time since I'd met her, she seemed genuinely excited. "Oh, there were so many! I loved RPGs, especially. The stories, the characters, the whole experience of immersing yourself in another world... It was amazing. I don’t think I have a clear favorite."

I nodded, caught up in her enthusiasm. "I know what you mean. I've always been a fan of strategy games. I could spend hours on those civilization management games because of how complex they could be. I imagine you playing RPGs feel the same way. "

Aubrey's smile widened. "Exactly! I spent countless hours playing them, exploring every nook and cranny, completing every quest. It was like an escape from the real world, you know?"

I couldn't help but smile back. "Yeah, I do. And I've got to say, it's a bit ironic that we're now stuck in a situation that feels like a game, but with much higher stakes."

She chuckled, though the sound was tinged with sadness. "Yeah, it is. I guess all those hours spent gaming weren't a waste after all."

"What else did you enjoy doing? Any other hobbies or interests?"

Aubrey hesitated, a blush creeping up her cheeks. "Well, I always wanted to be a musician, or maybe even a YouTuber. I loved the idea of entertaining people and making them laugh."

“Musician? What kind of instrument do you play?”

“Piano, guitar, and a few types of sequencers.”

I raised my eyebrows, surprised by her admission. "That's really cool. I never would have guessed that about you." Playing the guitar was always something I wanted to do as a teenager. Parents bought me a guitar and I tried teaching myself—ended up not trying hard enough and convinced myself that I wasn’t talented enough to be any good. So, that’s that. I didn’t know what a sequencer was but…still very impressive.

She shrugged, a little self-conscious. "It's not something I usually share with people, especially not here. It's not really relevant anymore."

I nodded, understanding her reluctance. "I get it. But it's still a part of who you are, and that's worth holding onto, even in a place like this."

Aubrey smiled at me, her expression softening. "Thanks, Connor. That's nice of you to say."

The conversation had taken a more somber turn, but I couldn't deny that I was enjoying learning more about Aubrey. She was so different from the stoic, battle-hardened survivor I'd first met. Beneath her tough exterior was a girl who loved games and dreamed of entertaining others.

Feeling emboldened, I decided to push the conversation further. "So, if we ever manage to get out of here and go back to our Earth, would you still want to pursue being a musician or YouTuber?"

Aubrey hesitated, her expression turning pensive. "I don't know," she admitted. "It's been so long since I've thought about those dreams. I've changed a lot since then, and I'm not sure if I could just pick up where I left off."

I nodded, understanding her uncertainty. "That makes sense. But maybe, once you've had some time to adjust, you could give it a shot. I bet you'd be great at it."

“Yeah, maybe one day I’ll try that. We’ll see.”

We continued chatting, the conversation flowing more easily as we opened up about our interests and hobbies. It felt good to talk about something other than the chaos surrounding us, and I found myself enjoying Aubrey's company more and more.

But as we finished our meal, I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. Here we were, making small talk, while the world crumbled around us. It felt...wrong, somehow.

Aubrey seemed to sense my unease, her expression turning serious.

"Hey," she said, reaching across the table to touch my hand. "It's okay to let your guard down sometimes. We're all just trying to survive, and sometimes, that means finding moments of normalcy in the chaos."

I nodded, her words resonating with me. Maybe she was right. Maybe, in this strange new world, finding a connection with others was just as important as staying alive. And as I looked into Aubrey's eyes, I felt a flicker of hope that maybe, just maybe, we'd find a way to survive together.

“By the way,” she continued. “Today’s going to be the second day of class. So crank those gears in that noggin’ of yours. You’ve still got a lot to learn.”

“Oh, Fu—”