“But Dad, woodnt be”

“Would it not be”

“Would it not be more efficient to push the cations through a hypobaric conduit?”

“Well no that…”  Cole was baffled by his five year old son’s astonishing aptitude.  His son’s solution would eliminate 90% of the mass of the Blank Atmosphere Control Kinetics pack, allowing him to embed it into the EVA suit.  It would also mean he would have to make a new acrostic.  BACKpack, as clever as it was, would not work without the need for an actual backpack.

“Your right Ryder, the only issue now would be powering such a device.  It may be more efficient, and less energy hungry in the long run, but it would need more power to get it started.”  Cole looked down at what was in his son’s hands.  It was an book, ancient, from the first digital age, thousands of years ago.  

His wife Melanie had found it and gave it to Ryder.  Ryder was more into its historical significance than the entertainment it provided.  It was a surprise, but a pleasant one.  It was actually Ryder who first discovered that the style of book was called a “comic.”  “Ryder do you mind if I borrow your comic?”

Ryder shook his head and handed it to his father.  The cover was worn on the front stood a figure, similar in appearance to the soldiers of the Dark Ages, Melanie’s favorite period.

On the top in large letters was, presumably the title. It had been worn away, but the first letter was an “I,” the next two letters had been rendered illegible, but the rest was plainly seen “NMAN.”

The figure had glowing blue eyes, and was clad in red in gold armor.  It gave Cole some ideas. “If they had technology like this, how did that civilization ever crumble?”

“It is not real.”  Ryder said.

“Hmm…” Cole looked up at his son, he had not realized he had asked the question out loud.

“Someone made up this “INMAN” to inspire people.”

“Where did you get an idea like that?”

Ryder looked slightly apprehensive.  “There is another book I found it talks about these comics, how the people in them were called superheros and they fought for truth, justice and a better future.  The were all lead by one hero with a giant ‘S’ on his chest.  He could fly without any pu.,, pur,,,purrp…” Ryder looked to his dad for help.

“Propulsion.”  Cole offered.  His son nodded.

“But it was all fake, just used to give people hope.”

“Ryder!” A woman’s voice called out.  Even though it was a yell the voice was not grating.

“Uh-oh looks like your mom is calling you, you better go see what she needs.”

Ryder left his father’s basement laboratory and went to his mother’s basement laboratory.  Between his mother’s artifacts and his father’s inventions his family was very wealthy and had three basements in their mansion, the third was for Ryder himself, for when he grew older.

Ryder found his mother pouring over several artifacts found in a place called a museum, the museum was located in a ruin of a place called Salem, the artifacts however were from an island called England.  The artifacts had strange symbols on them Melanie called them runes.

“Do you need anything mom?”

Melanie looked up, “Yes!  Come here quickly!  What does this rune mean?”  Melanie often asked Ryder such questions, she had told him it would be easier for him to learn the meanings because his mind was younger.  It turned out she was right.

Ryder looked at the symbol for a moment, he then looked at pictures taken of murals and artifacts with the same kinds of symbols, after a short time he surmised the meaning.  “Power” he said.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Melanie deflated, “that is what I was afraid of, this book is nothing but a fantasy, like those comics.”

Ryder took the book from his mother he read the cover “Codex Magus” was the title.  The first page read a description of the book.

I Merlin, have chosen to write down my knowledge of the Aether, and its secrets.  I warn you these powers are not mere trifles.  They contain dangers you can not yet fathom.  I urge you to use caution when exercising your connection to the Aether, for it is your life force.  This is why I shall refer to it a Mana, for like the bread of life, it is a miracle given by God.  These arts should only be used for the well being of others.  Refrain from witchcraft and its evil, for it is the will of the devil, do not be deceived by its power.  Please be sure to practice within the confines of a created dimension.  For untrained magic can tear the very fabric of reality…

“Mom, according to this Merlin, the author, this is a guide on the something he called the Aether, a powerful force with many dangers.  He claims this power is real, all it requires is a spark.  According to him he was struck by lightning.”

“What?  You mean its real?”  Melanie was incredulous. “That is impossible.”

“Well this wall in this picture says otherwise, it tells a story of Merlin a mage, who created a sword for the king of Britain, the sword was so full of the Aether, it knew itself.  It buried itself in a large stone and sent out a decree that all in the land could hear. ‘I am the familiar Excalibur whosoever removes my blade from the earth shall inherit the throne.’”

“Apparently Merlin umm… i don't know this one, maybe improved?  He began to call himself a Sorcerer, and began his search for the new king.  He found a boy named Arthur of whom had a pure heart, and removed Excalibur from the stone.  By this time Merlin… something… to a Warlock.”

“Arthur then became king, and was a kind and just ruler, he married a woman named Guinevere and had a son.  Merlin now a Wizard,was  the most powerful magick user in the world, but there was another Morgana a vile Sorcerer who commanded a terrible beast called a… something”

“The beast could fly and breath fire and terrorized the land.  Merlin freed the dragon from Morgana’s spell and was granted knowledge of the Aether in return, this Void Magick was so powerful it made Merlin a Magus, within a cycle of the moon, Merlin defeated Morgana and became Grand Magus of the… something, the same symbol as the beast.”

“It says that some of the dragons became evil, they hated man and killed their king.  On the day Arthur died Merlin disappeared along with all the dragons, never to be seen again.”

Melanie was enrapt by the story her son told, so fascinated she had to know more, “The beast is called a dragon, it is described in many text even during the first digital age.  How did you learn these runes?  A week ago you only knew five of them.”

“I saw how much you wanted to understand so I wanted to help.”

Melanie had a tear in her eye, but she did not let it fall.  She knew it would confuse her son, and she wanted him to see she was happy.  She reached over and thumbed the intercom on the wall.  “Cole, we are going to the park and Ryder is getting ice cream.”