CHAPTER 65: Comfort
“I’ll get Elouise situated and catch up with my men,” the Colonel said as he closed the door after exiting with Elouise.
Adam’s mom cradled his head, sniffling back her tears. “I saw the statue. People were talking about it. You shouldn’t have to do all this. You shouldn’t have to go through this.”
Wrapping his arms around his mom, Adam hugged her back. He felt once more like a small child, having his upset comforted by his mom.
“You shouldn’t have been in this position in the first place. You’re too young,” she murmured.
Adam soaked in the feel. He allowed the hurt at losing people, at seeing them die and then having to fight on, be exposed to the world. A raw pain was let out and he felt how unfair the world was. For a moment it was so strong that it seeped into his connection with the girls. He only noticed because he felt their concern in response coming from their side of the connection. He quickly plugged his side of the connection since it was never his intention to worry them.
“Mom,” Adam started slowly. “Thanks for being here and helping me with all the organizing. I’m hurting. It’s a strong feeling, but there is also a muteness to this. If it had happened before the [System] then I would have been more seriously affected by it.”
“That’s just the shock of it. It’s normal for strong feelings to leave us numb.”
“No, mom. That’s the point. I’m not numb. My emotions work differently. Anger fuels my strength and death feel like a normal part of me. I feel hurt and sad, but that just feels like a normal state. Whatever changed me when the [System] arrived also changed how my emotions work. It’s hard to explain and I don’t quite understand it. I feel like the world keeps dying every day and I’m just watching it.”
“That’s a grim outlook, honey,” his mom said with a sniffle. She pulled back and looked at his face. A face that was upset, but more at the level of a child misplacing a toy.
“Intellectually I agree. At the same time, it’s given me a greater appreciation for everyone and more determination to keep you alive as long as possible. Emotionally I feel like you're a memory, a remembrance that I need to cherish. I know a day will come when everything around me is gone, but for now I don’t have to think about it because I can hold on to you.”
“Do you think we should get a therapist? I mean, maybe that police therapist is available for regular session.”
“Hm…maybe I can better explain if you feel it for yourself,” Adam pondered.
“How could I feel your emotions?” his mom asked warily.
“I can create emotional connections that we can communicate through. I have constant ones with the girls, and I do temporary ones with my group when we go to fight. It helps us understand each other better.”
“Sure, let’s try it,” said his mom hesitantly.
Adam opened a connection. He started small, feeding through his anger at the invaders and the [System]. His mom’s face became red and she breathed heavily.
“That’s a touch of what I feel towards our enemies. You ok for more?”
“This is incredible. And terrible. I really can feel your emotions,” his mom took a deep breath to focus. “Ok, give me more.”
Then she felt his hurt at watching the soldiers die. His regret at having to feed off his own soldier. Once she looked mournful about those, he put his determination into the connection. He added his love and appreciation for his family. Next came confidence that he would survive and a feeling of déjà vu, as if he had survived the world ending numerous times. It finished off with his certainty that without the preparations they had taken, no one would survive.
His mother looked like an emotional wreck from the way her expressions kept reflecting the emotions he sent to her. She teared up, then grimaced, then smiled, then teared up again, then got stone faced. She was only feeling the emotions, not knowing the causes of them in Adam, but it had a big impact on her.
When Adam finished, he closed the connection and waited for her. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply for several minutes.
“That was exhilarating, Adam,” his mom said with a relieved smile on her face. “I can’t believe you can do that. Even when it was upsetting it felt cathartic to know what you felt and how it matched much of my own. I could also picture it being addictive. Be careful with using it all the time with the others. You might influence their own thoughts and emotions more than you realize.”
“I know, mom. Everyone jokes that I’m a supervillain using mind control.”
“It might not be too far off, but it is different than that. Anyway, you know what emotion I didn’t feel coming from you?”
“What’s that?”
“Fear. There was no fear. Everyone else is terrified of the invaders, terrified that your doomsaying will come true, and terrified that they won’t be protected. Some are even terrified of you after seeing the videos. Don’t you feel fear?”
“Sure I feel fear, but not for the normal things. I fear I’ll somehow screw up and not kill all the aliens. That’s it. I don’t fear dying, or killing, or having others die. I feel anger towards those things, knowing it’s likely to happen and will be outside of my control. But not fear. Whatever happened to my soul is compelling me to do all I can, and to accept the results. I don’t see any reason to fight it.”
“That sounds a bit scary to me, but I’ll leave you be for now. Just remember that you’re still my little boy and if you need me to listen, hug, or even scold, I am here for you.”
“Thanks, mom. Remember that I’m doing everything I can to make sure you and the others stay here for me.”
***
“We lost three?” Colonel Davian asked as he closed the door to a small meeting room. It had been rented from a nearby corporate center outside of the Rift and was where Captain Krysti waited. Soldiers in fatigues guarded the door and there were numerous men and women in plain clothes discretely watching the building from all sides. The only way to have a secure meeting was outside of the base.
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“Yes, sir,” Krysti said while standing to attention. “We were fortunate to have lost only that many.”
“I see. Please have a seat and then tell me what happened.”
The captain went on to explain how the raid went, how Adam had behaved throughout, the challenges they overcame and how Adam had navigated them. Then he described the fight with the Feral Behemoths and how they barely survived that.
“Then Adam really is as strong as he claims?” the Colonel asked when the captain was finished.
“Yes, sir. His strength is amazing. Even against two beasts at his own power he found ways to manage them both. I suspect he could have handled them from the beginning if he hadn’t tried to save me.”
The captain winced as he remembered the shoulder and collarbone breaks, though they now felt like a distant memory with how perfectly they had healed from skills.
“The squad that went is now almost on par with Adam’s group of friends in terms of level. How do you guys think you could fare against them?”
“I think we would have an edge in teamwork, but they would have the advantage with skills and techniques, and we lack mages. If we’re going to be equal to them then we need more training with the weapons they’ve been using. We also received a title that gave us +2 to all stats. I can only assume they have three of those, putting them in a stat advantage.”
“How long until you can handle their group?” the Colonel asked with dead seriousness.
“Sir?” Captain Krysti asked in surprise. “Aren’t we working with them? They’ve been so open with training us up.”
“That isn’t your concern. Just answer, how long?”
“They haven’t been idle either, sir. I think we would need a few weeks of weapons training and concentrated leveling.”
“That much of a disparity?” the Colonel asked with surprise. The thought of a group of teens being able to fight evenly or outmatch an army unit was unimaginable two weeks ago.
“Yes, sir. Though it’s a moot point if The General is around. I believe he empowers his people with his presence. Their growth speed too. Though I’m not sure how. He didn’t use it on us.”
“Hmm…” the Colonel kept his thoughts to himself. After a moment he noticed the captain squirming a little in his chair. “Yes?”
“Sir. I advise we not move against The General or the Sentinel Army.”
“Why is that, captain?” Davian asked.
“Adam hates the invaders and will accept any who will fight with him. However, I get the sense that if you aren’t following his lead, then you are the enemy.”
“Alright, Captain Krysti, you’re dismissed. Thank you for your efforts. Make sure your troops get enough rest and food. If any of you are up to it, I’d like your men to split up and take some of the arriving troops out to train, like the Sentinel Army is doing.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.” Captain Krysti left the room.
The Colonel sat for a few more minutes thinking about the conversation. He considered all the respect that the captain had shown towards Adam and the fact that he was now calling him The General. There was no mistaking that glimmer in his eye. He had seen that before from men who would follow a superior into hell itself.
With a sense of regret, he stood up and left the room. Time was necessary to process everything that was happening… and the orders he had received.
***
That night Adam’s friends were all tired. They had spent the last two days leading groups of soldiers, civilians, and police in combat training and leveling against the increasingly mutated wildlife. They all had planned to continue tomorrow as well.
Adam was decompressing in his penthouse. By the time evening came and the fake sun in the rift base had set, everyone else was also there. It seemed policeman Brett was still acting as an assistant and had people delivering food for dinner. Pizza and pasta were delivered along with a ton of wings and sauces.
Figuring this must be like college, video games were brought out, another television had sitcoms on, while everyone ate. After the talk with his mom this afternoon, Adam was given space by everyone else. Adam assumed it was his mom’s intervention allowing him to have some down time with friends.
Abbey, Alissa, Andrea, and Brittney weren’t quite as space accommodating. They had all felt his upset through the connections and watched to make sure he was ok. They quietly talked to him about the deaths and his scratching the soldiers’ names into the statue.
Everyone watched the playback of the raid, making comments on how they would have handled it, or pointing out soldiers that had done a better job. It was like a game review a pro sports team might have. At Adam’s suggestion, the fight with the Feral Behemoths waited until everyone was done eating. The fight brought out a lot of points for them to discuss.
“Eww! You used that guy as a blood bag,” Randall laughed.
“Never do that to me,” whined Carlos, “though I always seem to be the one picked on…”
“Oh, boohoo,” mocked Tom. “Being drank by the boss so he can fight the monsters would be an honor!”
“Then you can have it,” said Carlos.
“Of course I would welcome it! Hear that, boss? These plebeians don’t know their place. Use me as a blood bank when you need. Besides, I’m sure my blood tastes the best.”
“What!?” exclaimed Carlos. “You think your blood is tastier than mine?”
“Of course, you’re probably just embarrassed by your flavor,” taunted Tom.
“I doubt it. Besides, everyone has fed the vampire king before anyway. Remember the gunshot?” retorted Carlos.
“You barely gave any blood,” accused Alissa, getting in on the taunting. “You were all scared of being cut, even with Abbey to heal you. ‘Do we all need to?’ you whined.”
“I did not! I’m sure I gave more blood than anyone! Here, Adam. Take a swig. Tell them my blood is tastier,” insisted Carlos with his arm reaching towards Adam.
Everyone laughed, even Adam.
Hearing the whole group talk about giving him blood in a fight like it was a normal thing helped calm his concerns about his actions earlier in the day. Adam took a deep breath and felt his body relax. It really was satisfying spending time with them. Even if he wasn’t sure it was destined to last.
***
Eventually everyone retired to their own condos for the night. Even the girls. Early mornings were a teenager’s nemesis, but they were all taking the strength of the community seriously. Sleep had to be claimed. As powerful as Adam was, he still felt a draw requiring rest and, obviously, food.
As Adam laid in bed to sleep, he couldn’t help but replay the events of the day. He thought about what he had done to better control his strength. It had both boosted his strength and protected his body. He was able to control it, kind of like a faucet, increasing or decreasing it. He felt like there was still a point where he could open it too far and burn himself up, but it also seemed that would waste most of his power. An inefficient power boost.
It sure would be nice if I knew how classes worked for me, Adam idly thought as he drifted towards sleep. His body relaxed and his mind slowed. Unsure whether he summoned it or not, his status appeared, and he mentally clicked through the different windows. The memorable black lines were just something to be ignored at this point.
Sleep had almost taken him, but the damn status wasn’t physically visible. It was a display within his mind and even with his eyes closed he could still “see” it. He grumbled as he went to dismiss it, having been pulled from his relaxation by it.
Suddenly Adam snapped awake. He sat straight up. The dedicated [Skills] window had always been empty. On the full status window, the skills section showed black blocks. It still showed black blocks. But this time, when he opened the [Skills] window by itself, it was no longer blank.
Adam had a skill!