Despite the tension in the air, Zara and I exchanged wary glances. The man on the ground coughed, catching his breath, and I couldn't shake the feeling that what the man said was all true. Their names kept ringing in my head. Adam, Eve, Aclima, Enoch. I’ve never heard those names before. Yet…they’re so familiar.

Zara crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. “Resistance, huh? What the hell y’all want with Mari? And this child and bearer talk, what's that all about?”

The man took a deep breath, seemingly resigned to share his information. “Alright look, we ain't the bad guys here. We're fighting against the Provenance. The ones controlling everything from the shadows. The father, Adam. And the mother, Eve. Aclima, that's the brat here, she's got a destiny, something prophesied by the Elders. The bearer of a bloodline that foretells the rise of a dictator. A leader who'll reshape the world according to their vision. The man who will control the world and herd its citizens like helpless sheep.”

I exchanged a bewildered look with Zara. “A destiny to give birth to a dictator? That's…stupid. I'm just a regular kid. And who is this father and mother? Mom and Dad are my only parents! And they’re not…here.” I exclaimed, a tear running down my cheek. Zara punched my arm. “Hey kiddo, don’t show weakness to your enemy. Especially your hostage.”

The man looked at Zara in fear. “Hostage?...”

With one swift motion, Zara tied the man’s hands together and hoisted him onto her shoulder. “Yup. You will be leading us to your hideout or whatever. Better guide us right or you’re about to have a face to face appointment with the pavement.” Zara shot me a grin. “Hehe, get it? Face to face?”.

Zara, as usual, extended her hand, offering me a lift. “It’s okay, Zara. I want to try something.”

I opened the form menu revealing the same options as before. This time, my focus zeroed in on the Non-lethal mode. The words “Gravitational Stabilizer: Active” popped up in my vision, accompanied by a soft purple glow emanating from my hands.

"Hey, Desire?" I questioned, "Does the gravitational stabilizer mean that I can manipulate gravity?"

Desire floated towards me and rested atop my head. “In a sense, the Gravitational Stabilizer creates a distortion in gravity. You can use it to disorient targets, throwing them off balance. Additionally, that same gravitational distortion can be harnessed to repel objects. A force field per se.”

I observed my hand in curiosity, holding it up towards Zara. “Can I test this on you, Zara? It says Non-Lethal, so it might not be that dangerous.” Zara shot me a death stare. “You want me to be your test subject, you little brat?” I pulled my hand towards myself in fear. “I’m so sorry, I really didn’t think you would mind. I’m so sorry,” I stammered, cowering in fear. Her intimidating look shifted as she burst out laughing. “I’m messing with you, kid! Look at your face! That’s fucking priceless,” she said, wiping a tear. She dropped the tied-up man and got into a stance, flexing her arms. “You see these puppies? I can handle anything. Give it your best shot, kiddo.”

Still hesitant, I extended my arm slowly towards her, anticipating something extraordinary to happen. “Uhm…Desire?...Is it broken? Or am I doing it wrong?” Desire tapped the side of my head in response. A window popped into my vision. “Welcome to Desire’s lab of infinite possibilities! Today, I will be showing you how to use your Electro-Magnetic Gravitational Stabilizer! Desire’s Lab of Infinite Possibilities is not responsible for any side effects or accidents that may occur when using the Electro-Magnetic Gravitational Stabilizer. Side effects may include Nausea, Migraines, Loss of Appetite, Minor Radiation Poisoning, and Death. Alright! Now onto the lesson!” Seriously? Out of everything, a tutorial video? That’s…odd. Wait, did the fast part just say that Death and Radiation Poisoning was a side effect?

"So, here's rule 1 for wielding the Non-Lethal option with your Gravity Augmented Utility and NanoTech Laser Edged Tool, or as we call it, G.A.U.N.T.L.E.T. Never point it at yourself unless you're aiming for a spontaneous hand-body separation, and I doubt you are. Rule 2, keep the disorientation feature at a safe distance—don't use it less than 2 meters from your target. Trust me; you wouldn't want them more than just 'incapacitated’ if you catch my drift." The Desire in the video offered a playful wink. "Now, to activate the disorientation feature, channel your inner cowboy, make a finger gun, and give it a good 'Bang!' Go ahead, give it a shot!" I focused on the pause button, pausing the video.

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

I cautiously held my hand in a mock gun shape and directed it toward Zara. "Bang."

Zara looked at me, her expression caught between amusement and curiosity. "Well, kiddo, did it work? Is there anything different?"

I shrugged, uncertain. "I'm not sure. Do you feel disoriented or anything?"

Zara spun around a couple of times, laughing. "Nah, I'm good. Your cowboy skills need some work, though."

Suddenly, the purple glow intensified, and my hand began to tremble uncontrollably. A loud bang echoed as a pulse shot out from my hand, hurtling toward Zara. “AH FUCK! KID! MAKE IT STOP! FUCK!” Panic laced her voice as I frantically tried to cease the energy flow. I withdrew my hand, and the pulsating glow gradually subsided. Zara, however, collapsed to the floor, her pupils gone, and blood streaming from her nose and ears.

I rushed to her side, my heart pounding. "Zara! I didn't mean to— What happened? Are you okay?" Guilt and fear gripped me as I looked at what I’ve done. “Desire! What’s the meaning of this?! I thought it was non-lethal!” Desire hopped off my head. “It is non-lethal. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be dangerous. When used incorrectly, it can lead to some dire consequences. You were too close to Zara. Didn’t I say in the video to not use it on someone who’s less than 2 meters?”

“I was more than 2 meters! I think…”

“Indeed. You were. But your hand wasn’t.”

"Zara, I'm so sorry," I stammered, struggling to find words. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I should've been more careful." Zara winced but managed a weak smile. "Kid, it's alright. Just a little too much excitement, that's all. I'll survive a cowboy's misfire." She got back up, shaking her head. “Goddamn, that messed my head up. It felt like I had a really bad concussion, man. But I’m good now. Alright kid, what else you got?” She said, still wobbling slightly.

I unpaused the video. “Amazing work there, cowboy! But that's not all! This thing has another feature. A force field that repels objects! To activate the repulsive force field, extend your hand toward the target and open your hand like you’re about to give them a high five. When you’re ready, clench your hand into a fist and give them a fistful of gravity! Now, you give it a shot!”

I raised my arm with an open hand, this time directing it towards a nearby trash can instead of Zara. Clenching my hand into a fist, a shockwave radiated from my hand, sending the trash can hurtling towards the wall behind it. Stepping closer, I maintained the gravitational force, pinning the trash can to the wall. As I continued to approach, the trash can was getting compressed, deforming even further with each step.

I opened my hand, and the flattened trash can fell to the floor. Staring at my hands in amazement, I extended my open hand towards the ground. Clenching it, an invisible force propelled me upward—I was flying. Excitement surged through me as I experimented with my newfound ability.

I attempted to adjust my hand to change directions, slowly shifting to one side. It worked. Amazed, I tried a faster adjustment, shifting from one side to another. However, I misjudged the force, shifted too far, and lost balance. The sudden shift sent me hurtling towards the wall. Right before impact, I instinctively opened my hand, releasing the repulsive field. I descended back to the ground, landing with a soft thud.

“Woah, kid! That’s actually sick! Does that mean I don’t have to carry you like luggage anymore?” She said with a mocking grin. Encouraged, I held both of my hands to the ground and clenched them. With a powerful burst, I launched into the air. I was hovering much higher than before with just one hand. Adjusting my hands slightly, I moved through the air with newfound agility.

Zara burst into flames and picked the man up. With a powerful blast, she leapt into the air and joined me. “Alright, kid. Let’s make our way to this little guy’s friends. You will be leading us, right?” She threatened him with her fiery fist. “Yes! Yes! I will! Geez! Impatient motherfuckers.”

“What was that?” Zara’s flame burned more violently.

“No-Nothing…Just head towards the Pyramid. I will show you the way.”