A strange cooling sensation passed through Axel's arm and shot through his chest to just above his navel, where his proto core began to mix together, giving a slowly growing pressure. Axel's Journal began rapidly updating, and he could feel the changes in his body. Words began to appear before Axel's eyes, though he knew that it would try to connect with the Goddess. Since the Silence, it would fail three times and then make the core if what he was taught was correct.
Connecting to Hope database….
Connection Failed….
Connecting to Hope database….
Connection Failed….
Connecting to Hope database….
Connection Failed….
Accessing New Port ……
Connect to Database…..
Axel began to freak out internally when he saw that he was being connected to the Goddess and her mythical database. He had never heard of this happening before to anyone. Then numbers and strange symbols began appearing across his eyes as a burning sensation began to spread across his head, giving him phantom pains throughout his limbs as if he were being stabbed by needles in waves. Then everything slowed down, from Lyra’s concerned face to a sweat drop falling from Axel’s nose.
Before Axel stood a woman he recognized from the statue in front of the Library of Illumination. Goddess Hope stood there, her skin white as a lily with alternating green and blue lines pulsing from the top of her head down through the dress made of blue fire, then out to her exposed arms and lower legs. Her hair looked like strands of spun silver to his eyes that flowed in perfect sync with her movements. She had a blank expression with eyes that swirled with interconnecting tiny blocks of blue and green set against a pitch-black background in the iris, creating strange, almost mesmerizing patterns.
“Greetings, Axel. I am called Hope, and you are the first colonist I have been able to talk to in approximately 644 years. I have found colonists find it disconcerting to be given dates more exact than that,” Hope spoke in a soothing voice that caused Axel to relax some, though everything was still moving in slow motion.
Axel never had the strongest religious inclinations, but this was insane. A wash of awe tried to overwhelm Axel, but he fought it off as his mind did not have time for that, as what was being conveyed seemed very important.
“I will need to keep this brief as I am currently in a speed-up cycle to calculate resolutions to issues that will affect the colony, and your mind cannot handle this speed well yet without better upgrades. I have been able to re-engage an active connection to your Journal, allowing you to fully access all features that you have the energy to power. This includes thought commands, access to the power database, and access to advanced medical features for your nanites, or what the colonists call my blessing.”
“I will also be able to help you in a limited fashion as you currently do not have much power, but I can send limited messages through the quest systems from queries sent through your Journal in a much more distinct way,” Hope continued quickly as a heat spread in Axel's mind.
“I will also leave a way for people you trust to reconnect with the help of your friend Lyra or another of what you would call a Blessed Healer, but it will only work on people of Adept tier or lower as anyone higher’s system will be too set to change and would need direct access to my medical bay. Please use caution with this, as I have seen in probability analysis through Journal entries that many would silence you for this information or imprison you to keep it to themselves.”
“I will disconnect now but give you one gift as your proto core is killing you with the added novice material causing a destabilization of your energy base,” Hope's eyes spun quicker, and a growing pressure from his core changed. “I have given your Journal better instructions on core construction methodology that I have made with data over the years, but this will cause a mutation in your core. Your Journal will update you on this issue when you complete your sublimation. Please work hard and grow quickly as there are matters I will need to request your help with, as you have the highest probability to complete my request and help save the colony with a 68.887324% chance of success. Farewell for now, Axel. I will be keeping an eye on you.”
With that, time sped back up as the sweat drop that started its fall from his nose from a standing position just hit the floor. Axel blinked, trying to process everything that had just happened.
Axel knew he had to stay focused now as he was at a critical stage of his core creation and figured out his next steps later. Axel then felt power course through him, and the pain receded quickly in a wash of relief. Axel was also feeling the damage that he had sustained from the fight repairing, though this was causing an itching sensation at the damaged locations.
Journal Updated…..
* Novice Core Completed
* Functionality Restored
* Please reference colony training materials for the use of thought command systems
Core Powers setting up….
* Power Regeneration Pre-Set Template added to create Novice Core
* Action failing as Proto Core present
* Trying to fix …. Error incompatible categories to combine as the proto core is physical while new material is not made of same category material
* Hope updating the data set with new parameters
* Core stabilizing……
* Core completed
* Listing powers:
* Proto core power: Berserker (Master Tier) partial seal for user's safety until the user can handle power.
* Novice One Power: Regeneration (Lesser)
* Note: Power was modified to a different form with the material of Berserker to become more compatible
* Description: The ability to recover from injuries similar to both Regeneration (Body) and Regeneration (Special Human). Does not heal as quickly as either, but downsides have been corrected on both, allowing for quicker healing and regrowth of limbs if materials are added to the body.
Core power Level rose from 25% at proto core level to 150% of what is standard Novice Core without energy enhancement. Note: issues may arise as this is in experimental territory with the new methodology. Constant Journal updates with health data to the database is requested.
Axel now felt like an anchor that was always weighing him down and was lifted, slowing all his actions as his core generated energy, filling his body. Axel could also feel that he could expand on his foundation again and start a new cycle. As Axel was feeling out the changes, a hand touched his back gently, and a voice asked, “Are you alright, Axel? Any issues with your proto-core? You went pale there for a moment,” Lyra asked.
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“Lyra, you would not believe me with what happened. You know what, access my blessing and gain your power. I think you will find something amazing is going to happen,” Axel replied, using his willpower to keep his excitement down. Lyra looked at Axel worriedly but touched Axel's skin to access his blessing, and her eyes went wide.
“Axel, what happened to your Journal?” Lyra almost yelled, only to be stopped by a shushing motion from Axel, and he motioned for her to create her core. Following his advice, Lyra froze up for a moment, then her eyes filled with tears shortly after, and she crumpled over in pain.
“You okay, Lyra?” Axel asked, now worried.
“Yes, just things happened differently than I expected. The Goddess truly looks after fools, and I am not sure if I am talking about you or myself. Let’s get out of here as we have completed our Trials, and we need to complete the other ceremonies involved. This is not a good time to talk,” Lyra straightened up, and as if summoned, the metal box appeared again, allowing them to enter.
Axel followed Lyra in, now noticing that the green blood and arm that were coating the room and likely him were now gone. The only thing showing that a fight happened there was the burn marks from the fire jars, as the walls were undamaged from the impacts or had a self-repair feature, as Axel could not remember if he damaged the wall when throwing the Creeper around. As the metal box closed on a room that likely changed the lives of all who walked in it, Axel and Lyra more than others, Axel felt a new chapter of his life had started.
-----
After another long trip, Axel and Lyra arrived at a room that had Rex, Sapphire, and Aria standing there. Aria even had a congratulatory flag made with his and Lyra’s names on it. A warmth spread through Axel's chest, and he moved up and lifted Aria to spin around, hitting Rex with the flag, and then gave Aria a deep and long kiss that left both of them breathless.
“Aria knew her hero would triumph over his terrible foe!” Aria breathlessly said.
“I would not be here without you, Aria,” Axel said to her with a wide smile.
“I hate to break this up, but I have things to complete before you can go,” Rex stated, then brought out an orb and paper. “First is the obligation of truth. Axel, place your right hand on the beast gem and state truly, did you kill the Creeper and take its powers as yours?”
It was at this moment, with everything that happened, that Axel knew he might have messed up. Even if it was a controlled test, they would still be tested on what powers they took. Thankfully, Rex worded his question the way he did, so Axel could reply truthfully, but he was more worried about Lyra. Trying to think of something to do to help Lyra through this process.
Axel placed his hand on the orb and said, “I, Axel, have taken in the power of the Creeper to create my core.” As Axel said it, the orb glowed green.
“Excellent! Now, Lyra, I now ask you, did you take in the powers of the Snap as the basis of your core?” Rex turned to Lyra and asked his question. As Axel was about to say something, he felt his toe smashed and yelped more in surprise than pain. Lyra then moved up placed her hand on the orb and said, “I, Lyra, used the Snap as the basis of a core.” The light on the orb turned green, surprising Axel as he knew that Lyra had used the healing core.
Knowing nothing good would happen if he opened his mouth, Axel shut it after hopping on one foot for a second or two. “Well, that completes that. Now, Axel, as you have template regeneration, you will not need extra training, but Lyra, you will need at least a week of training to get used to your new reflexes, and I learned my lesson from that one,” Rex pointed to Aria. “I will have training time ready and available within two days.”
Lyra bowed to Rex, thanking him, then looked to Aria, saying, “Can we head out because I am drained and could use a rest.”
Aria took Lyra's hand and started to lead her away from the room and to the stairs, leaving Axel in the dust. As Axel looked to Sapphire to say goodbye, he received a wink, and she retrieved the orb from Rex and handed him a smaller one back, then left quickly, catching up with Aria in a handful of quick steps. Rex just shook his head and made a shooing motion for Axel to leave. With a deep bow, Axel showed his appreciation to Rex, someone who likely risked a lot to help him.
When Axel caught up to the group, Aria turned around to get behind Axel and hopped on his back. Axel carried her weight like it was nothing, and she said loudly, echoing in the stairway, much to others' annoyance, “Time to hit Aria’s favorite restaurant for a celebration! Foster mom even volunteered to cover!”
In a whisper right next to Axel’s ear, “Aria always has her hero’s back. Even when he is too preoccupied to realize what could happen in some situations. Everyone can get lost in a forest if all they do is look at the trees in front of them.” She then lightly kissed his cheek and smiled wide.
The trip to the restaurant was short as it was only about three minutes away by platform. Everyone in the group was silent except for Aria, who was listing off all the different foods she was looking forward to eating on Sapphire's tab. When they arrived, the restaurant was a large two-story building with ornate pillars along the front. When the group entered, Axel saw the place was lavish, with hand-carved tables and intricate carvings on the pillars and balconies.
The hostess, seeing Sapphire, led the group to a private room and left them with menus. As Lyra and Axel looked over the food options, Sapphire looked to the group and said, “So that was close and interesting. When Aria came to me yesterday about something she needed help with, I was intrigued. To think someone does not want the fame or protection the Healers would give by becoming a full healer, but I hear that you have grievances with them.” Lyra nodded to her at the question.
“Well, I assume you three have not thought about what you are going to do now that you have passed your first trial?” Axel shrugged to Sapphire, as his original plans before Cade's passing were to be a hunter for a living, but with Aria and Lyra, they had not brought it up. Sapphire just sighed and nodded to Axel before continuing.
“Not unusual for young people just starting out. There are three standard paths for a group like yours, as I don’t see you going to be a craftsman or city guard, or a city healer for you, dear Lyra. The first is the path of the hunter, those who gather meat for cities and villages, along with helping people with gathered beast cores so that they can keep working and advancing. Second is the path of gem creation and helping people pass their trials. This path would see you specializing in the Trial and helping hunt crimson entities for specific powers to take in beast gems or someone else’s path of power. The last is the path of the Flame Seekers. These are the people who travel between city-states in search of the perfect powers for them, work as mercenaries or guards for trade caravans, and generally either hunt for their group or sell the extra that they don’t want.” Sapphire took a small drink to wet her throat before continuing.
“Well, you have time to make a choice and look for others, as most groups, no matter the path, tend to work in groups of five to six as it is easier to do trials and keeps the group mobile for hunting. There are large groups out there along with people who work solo, but you should look for someone who is close to your level so that no one is being held up,” Sapphire recommended.
At this time, the waiter returned and took their order, allowing for the seriousness of the conversation to cool off. Aria then went into Axel to describe the fight to her, which Axel did his best to do without embellishment until he got pouts from Aria. Not being able to defend against that, Axel began to give a more colorful commentary while trying to keep it without making anything up. Lyra then also gave her version of the fight until the mountain of food arrived, as Aria did in fact order all her favorites. The only thing that eased Axel's conscience was Sapphire acting like this happened all the time and the leftovers would be fed to the other kids.
The meal was filling, and the conversation allowed Axel to relax after the near-death encounter during his trial. When it was all paid for, Axel and Aria got Lyra a room in their inn after saying their goodbyes to Sapphire and giving heartfelt thanks for all that she did for them that day. After returning to the inn, Axel made plans with Lyra and Aria to work on what their plans for the future would be. Axel was then dragged to the room he shared with Aria.
The restaurant was nice, and the food was amazing, but the thing that capped this day off was how well the night went as Aria forced Axel to keep the promise that he had made before his trial about his power. He did not disappoint her, leaving her with a wide, exhausted smile when the night was over. Tomorrow would bring new troubles, but while Axel lay in the dark room, he could not bring himself to worry about it, holding what he was quickly considering his soul in his arms, soaking in her warmth.