Once again, the two of them are meeting Schmidt. Before they go off to visit him, they have presents to exchange as well as many words. Emotionally charged on high-octane love, they’re sitting on their couch. Nikolay had his wrapped at the store while Shen clearly hand-wrapped it himself. Since they’re still a little fresh on gifting due to their history of solitude and their rather young and immature love, they both got each other electronics.
“Woah! Aren’t those still pretty expensive?” Nikolay’s holding a Kindle.
“Not at all. It’s a model from last year. You don’t have too worry about the price after replacing my phone,” Shen says. “I just thought since you already do that much reading thanks to demons, it would be nice to read anything other than that. Maybe you could even link it up with your Vambrance.”
“No it’s amazing!” Holding him tight in a bear hug that could crush him, his gratitude and love shoots to the max. “My present looks pathetic compared to yours.”
“Not at all! A phone case and headphones are really thoughtful. Thank you!”
Though they should be getting ready to meet Schmidt, they can’t help but remain stationary. The warmth they’re sharing within their cuddles is intoxicating and impossible to let go of. With no words spoken, they remain frozen for a little longer. After about five minutes, they peel off each other.
“Let’s go. Don’t wanna miss our bus.”
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Now that they’re united once again, their next session is underway. Today, Schmidt wants to school them on Dream Catchers starting off with the basics. However, they’re in a different location than last time.
“You likely haven’t fully grasped it yet, but any ability is a good one! Anything can be honed into a deadly technique,” he claims. Schmidt possesses great power due to his craftsmanship. So far, he has only presented them with tools you’d expect from a magical blacksmith.
They walk into an empty storefront that looks run down and abandoned. On the inside however, it’s a rather modern shop with several counters and displays. Gemstones, vials, guns, blades, and so much more enrichen their view. A lone boy operates this storefront. His eyes are covered by a strange futuristic visor. AKASHA is inscripted on its visor.
“Welcome. How may I be of aid to an esteemed guest such as yourself Schmidt? Or should I address Sunny and Selen first? May I talk to them?” This little boy almost seems almost perfectly crafted into a tool meant for upkeeping this storefront.
“We’d like to discuss something first. Would you mind waiting for a few minutes?”
It doesn’t respond almost as if it had turned off.
“The AKASHA System is a powerful rather new system supplying us with all kinds of goods. It was introduced just short of three years ago only being deployed in Germany. Now it’s branching out into the world. It’s projected to take over most of the world by 2015.”
The AKASHA System is a new system that has been operating since March 2011. Prior to its introduction, people were forced to visit their capitals so they can go on supply runs. Many Dream Catchers use finely crafted weapons to fight demons. Their powers alone often cannot manifest weaponry. Some rookies are too immature, inexperienced, and weak to manifest tools. Pills of concentrated doses to help cleanse their Soul Solids, to supplement their lack of strength, and so much more.
“You’re already registered considering you’ve got two working Vambrances but you should visit a Deck sometime soon. The amount of articles and gadgets you can buy that could further your research, subscriptions and the like to prestigious news firms that exist solely for the magical world… You ought to make time for them.” Schmidt is quick to suggest all kinds of leads they could hold onto. It’s almost as if he believes them to be capable of discovering the whole truth behind demons.
“Then let’s get to it. You’re not the first person with blood-related powers. Iron, vitamins, and proteins would likely be of great help in your battles. I don’t understand the specifics but I know they’ll aid you. Some of these do come with heavy recoil. Before you buy anything, make sure you absolutely need it.” Reading the terms and conditions of the products you purchase is never a bad idea. So is going through the list of ingredients on anything consumable. Schmidt is just reminding them that it’s especially true for Dream Catchers.
“I see. No one ever reads what lies beneath a label unless they’re on the shitter bored out of their minds.”
Schmidt cackles before addressing the young boy. Upon reactivation, this space expands into a massive data space before reshaping itself into a consultation office with just enough chairs to seat all four of them. Holograms and the like make themselves known. Three tablets present themselves yet Schmidt tosses his watching it blip out of existence. Shen does as showcased while Nikolay is the sole buyer for this session. The Akasha is patiently waiting for their responses.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
“There’s so many options on here. How do I even narrow down what I want? Pretty interface though.”
“May I be of aid?” Akasha asks. Nikolay hands him the tablet. “How do you make use of your powers? I may have been ‘inactive’ yet I was listening. Sunny, your blood-related powers could be augmented by many means. If we assume you to possess a lack of offensive capabilities, supplements could induce toxicity. If you struggle to create wounds of your own that remain open for long enough to end the foes you’re facing, we can supply you with the tools necessary. If you cannot cope with the bloodloss induced by your abilities, we can test supplements and the like.”
To be met with so many options has Nikolay considering purchasing something for all three of these hypotheticals. He can harden small amounts of blood and their offensive capabilities aren’t very impressive. Had he faced off against Leviathan, he would have perished with no way of defending himself. He’s also considered that FoP and any other demon bearing diluents could render his abilities useless.
“You’ve always just bitten yourself right? It sounds ineffecient and kind of looks disgusting. Why not start off with that, Sunny?”
“In that case, may I know how refined your abilities are? Do you harden by sheer might or by use of spiritual power?”
“You can use that to harden?” Another tool has presented itself to Nikolay. “By sheer might, I guess?”
“Very well. You likely expend incredible amounts of blood. Is that correct? But you’ve been operating for two years so we believe you to be capable of some form of flight. Are we correct?”
Nikolay nods. The fact that they’ve had them in their sights for two years is terrifying. They likely know of his renting situation and it wouldn’t surprise him if they knew of his origin.
“Would you be comfortable with any gadgets being placed on your torso? Or would you prefer to use gauntlets and the like? And how well do you fare with needles?”
“Needles? I’m almost numb in my fingers and toes. But nowhere else so getting pricked is no bueno.” To deal with the pain, his body has likely adapted to reducing the amount of feeling in his hands or at least his fingers.
“Then your hands should be fine, right? You’ve built up some pain tolerance or numbness. You can extend that to your limbs and eventually your entire body,” Schmidt claims. “You have to make sacrifices whether you like it or not.”
“Fine.”
“Limited numbing, blood loss of great proportions, less than average pain tolerance for a Dream Catcher,” Akasha states. He takes a few seconds to pick out the ideal product. After careful consideration, they finally manage to pinpoint what could be Nikolay’s perfect starting gear. “CD-GFc V2.1s, a magnificent tool that may be slightly outdated yet perfectly fit for Dream Catchers of your kind.”
A holographic image pops up in front of them showcasing the might of these gauntlets. At its core are arm warmers with self-repairing cloth providing little to no defensive capabilities. Right on top are miniture blades within syringes attached to sturdy container. This container surprisingly stores 500 ĺiters of any liquid within them through unknown magical means meaning at full capacity on both arms Nikolay may be weighed down during flight or at least have reduced maneuverability. Though they don’t add much to increase his defensive capabilities, they are quite handy. These ‘gauntlets’ are something to behold.
“If you wish for a stable supply of blood, we can always provide you with more by use of additional gadgets.” The Akasha boy also presents them with several capsules and a belt strap to contain them. Of course these come with subscriptions in exchange for a steady supply and the right to repair. Depending on the subscription, repairs may be free.
“Woah! Subscription hell! Awesome!” Just a bit of consideration is needed to purchase just what he needs. For his final choice, Nikolay kicks out Shen and Schmidt.
Finally, after depleting half of Nikolay’s savings, savings that he for the most part wasn’t aware of, they’re heading to Schmidt’s shop to talk a little longer. So far, they’ve only spent their time in the civilian area. Now, they get to step past it, into the section he keeps as a work station. This dark space is more akin to a domain. How it can reside here and create far more room than there actually is, remains a mystery to anyone other than Schmidt.
“You’re still here Calypso? You can go back home. I only needed you to guard the counter.” Schmidt goes for headpat only to be brushed off.
“It’s fine.” Calypso walks off leaving his shop. “I’m not a child.”
Though worried, Schmidt supplies them with the advice needed and a little surprise. Within his hands lies a lone blade stained bloodred. Nikolay can feel his own blood surging from within. With just a few hand movements he can extend it, widen it, sharpen, and even slightly alter its shape. This cleaver was made out of him and obeys his will.
“My ability is to craft tools. I can craft basic tools whose durability is increased by use of spiritual power. They’re not impressive and have lost their value after just one battle. Their durability, sharpness, and flexibility depends on the material’s quality. Living beings surprisingly make for great tools. This… thing was made out of the dilluted droplets I could gather from our battle. What little was left on me now is that blade. Don’t worry about altering its structure. It will always go back to the shape of a cleaver.”
Nikolay is impressed. He wordlessly declines it before realizing that it’s a gift. Shen too, is speechless. “You can’t do that! I have to pay for it somehow!”
“Don’t bother,” Schmidt says. “This gift comes with my final lesson.”
They patiently listen to his words of wisdom.
“Any ability has its use. Any Dream Catcher can rise to the top with their abilities. We all fill some sort of niche that let’s us stand out. My renown blacksmithing skills, your scouting abilities, Selen’s potential for leadership… You’re weak but with enough time and thought you can be far stronger than any of the people you’ve met so far. Don’t let up.”
With his full trust in them and everything that needs to be said behind them, he can finally bid them farewell. Knowing that they truly have the means to fight for themselves is all Schmidt ever wanted out of these past few days.