Halfway to Albuquerque, I suddenly felt a very strong warning from my Luck. It was so strong that my body jerked, and my back slammed into the back of the seat. It was like a stunning scream, but instead of words, I perceived it as an emotion, a feeling. My heart started pounding, and all the hair on my body stood on end like soldiers. I glanced at Maya beside me and Al behind and saw both fidgeting. They felt it, too.
Rue suddenly shouted, “Danger!” sending a shiver down my spine.
Slamming the brakes, I pulled over to the side of the road, and we all hurriedly exited the car. We stood there, looking around in confusion. The scene was calm: a clear blue sky with fluffy white clouds, a straight, endless road lined with horse ranches on both sides, and not a hint of a breeze in the air.
Activating my mana sense, I searched for the source of the danger. The air felt thick with turbulent mana—roiling like a pot about to boil over, with a distinct “flavor” of the wind. There wasn’t any breeze or wind, but the mana was Wind, and it was in chaos. Splitting my mind, I connected with the wind, sending out a query through emotions that boiled down to, “What’s going on?”
I got back a flood of emotions: friendship, peace, security, and safety, repeated forcefully with insistence. She ruffled my hair playfully.
“Something’s happening, but we’ll be fine,” I said, looking around cautiously. “Just to be on the safe side, stay close to me. Better yet, hold onto me. Rue, come here.”
Mahya’s brows furrowed as she stepped closer. “What’s going on?” she asked, sounding worried.
“I’m not sure, but it’s something with the mana and the wind,” I replied, focusing inward to see if more info was coming from the wind. She sent nothing else.
Al crossed his arms, doubt clear in his tone. “How can one ascertain that everything will be fine?”
“The wind told me,” I said with confidence, feeling the connection.
They exchanged skeptical glances, and Mahya rolled her eyes, but they complied. Mahya and Al placed their hands on my shoulders, and Rue leaned on my leg. And just in case, I stored our jeep.
I looked around, and to the south, a massive tornado was forming in the sky. It grew quickly, like a towering black column that swallowed the sunlight. A swirling vortex of darkness and raw power touched down, tearing across the ground like an unstoppable wave of destruction. The wind’s strength reached us from several kilometers away, carrying a palpable “flavor” of destruction, a ferocious edge, and the chaos of an untamable force.
The tornado raced on the ground and, in its path, lifted roofs and structures, trees and fences, animals and vehicles. A truck flew across the road and disappeared behind the trees. The roar of the wind was deafening, a cacophony of nature’s fury that vibrated in my bones. In seconds, the tornado uprooted or flattened fields of grain, and the horrified cries of the farm animals added to the terrifying soundtrack. Suddenly, a horse fell on the road nearby, injured and struggling.
With each passing moment, the twister approached us, launching wood and metal, earth and trees, and massive waves of earth in our direction. The blows to the bubble that protected us felt like non-stop cannon fire, like an attack from nature, trying with all its might to break our flimsy defenses. The wind picked up half a barn, tore it to pieces, and slammed all the pieces against our barrier.
Yet, amidst this apocalyptic scene, we remained untouched. A protective bubble of wind surrounded us, a tangible barrier against the storm’s fury. I sent a silent message of gratitude to the wind, and in response, she ruffled my hair again, a gentle reassurance amidst the surrounding devastation.
Breathing heavily, I glanced at Mahya and Al, their eyes wide with fear and awe. Rue pressed harder against my leg, his body trembling.
The injured horse on the road let out a plaintive whinny, its legs thrashing weakly. It hurt to see, but I couldn’t do anything until the storm passed. The wind kept howling, and the twister got closer, but our bubble held.
“We’re safe,” I said, more to reassure myself than anyone else. “The wind’s got us.”
The tension lessened a little, but the twister’s destruction left a lasting impression on us. The storm’s sheer power was a stark reminder of our vulnerability and how the world was becoming more dangerous daily.
The winds lessened as the twister veered to the left, sparing us from its direct path. Debris fell down, and the furious roar diminished to a distant growl. The protective bubble dissipated gradually, leaving us in the eerie silence that followed the storm’s retreat.
With the immediate danger behind us, I knelt beside the injured horse, gently touching its trembling flank. “We’ll help you,” I murmured, sending a silent thanks to the wind. We survived this encounter, but the memory of its ferocity would stay with me for days.
I healed the horse, feeling the warm glow of mana flowing through my hands into its broken body. Slowly, its breathing steadied, and the light returned to its eyes. With a grateful whinny, the horse struggled to its feet, tested its legs, and then galloped towards one ranch in the distance.
“I want to see if there are any injured people there,” I said, my voice filled with urgency.
Mahya and Al just nodded, their faces pale and eyes wide, still speechless from the harrowing sight of the twister’s fury. Without another word, we sprinted towards the nearest ranch. The house was miraculously still standing, the only one left amid all the destruction.
The once orderly ranch was now unrecognizable. The fences lay torn apart, with their wooden posts scattered like matchsticks. Trees lay uprooted, their massive roots exposed to the sky. The barn’s roof caved in, and its walls collapsed inward, reducing it to a pile of rubble. Farm equipment littered the property, twisted and broken beyond repair. Pieces of debris, including splintered wood and metal scraps, littered the ground, making each step treacherous. A horse trailer lay broken, with tree limbs sticking out of it. The storm destroyed livestock pens, and frightened animals roamed freely, adding their cries to the cacophony of destruction. The air was thick with dust and the acrid smell of splintered wood and earth.
Fallen beams and scattered tools blocked the path. As we navigated the wreckage, I noticed shattered glass from the barn windows glinting menacingly in the sunlight. The destruction was so massive it made me feel sick. I just hoped everyone at the ranch got out in time.
I knocked on the house door, and after a moment, an elderly man opened it, his expression wary. “What do you want?” he asked, his voice gruff.
“We’re here to offer help,” I explained quickly.
He looked us over, his gaze lingering on our faces. “What can three children do?” he asked condescendingly.
Determined, I decided not to hide my abilities if it meant helping those in need. “I’m a doctor,” I told him firmly, but his skeptical look made it clear he didn’t believe me.
“I insist,” I said, my voice unwavering. “Is there anyone who needs help?”
After a tense moment, he sighed and gestured for us to follow. He led us through the house to a small room where a young man lay on a makeshift bed. The man’s leg was severely damaged, with blood seeping through the bandages. He looked pale and groaned in pain with every shallow breath.
Kneeling beside him, I took a deep breath and let my mana flow. First, I used Diagnose to assess the extent of his injuries: torn muscles, a broken bone, and severe blood loss. With that information, I began my work.
I cast Stop Bleeding, feeling the blood flow slow and then stop. I followed it with Control Blood to stabilize his circulatory system and ensure no internal hemorrhaging. Next, I focused on his leg and cast Heal Muscle, watching the torn fibers knit back together seamlessly. The tension in his face eased slightly as the pain subsided. Next, I cast Heal Bone, and the broken fragments realigned and fused seamlessly, erasing any trace of damage. To complete the process, I used Healing Touch to enhance the healing process and then Regrow Flesh to replace the lost tissue. The wound closed, leaving no trace.
Just in case, I cast Clean and Purify to cleanse his body of any lingering impurities. Finally, I cast Fortify Life Force to help him deal with the healing. The young man’s color returned, and he took a deep, steady breath. His eyes fluttered open, relief washing over his face.
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“Thank you,” he whispered, his voice shaky.
The elderly gentleman’s eyes narrowed in suspicion, his jaw tightening as he stepped back. “I don’t believe it,” he snapped, his voice laced with anger. “What kind of con are you running here?”
His hands clenched into fists as he glared at us, his distrust clear. “You think you can just waltz in here and pull some magic trick to scam us? Get out of my house!”
Despite my protestations and attempts to explain, his suspicion only grew. Realizing we wouldn’t be able to convince him otherwise, we turned to leave, his accusations still ringing in my ears.
As we stepped outside, his voice called after us, softer this time. “Wait!” he shouted. We turned to see him standing in the doorway, looking ashamed. “I’m sorry,” he said, his voice wavering. “I... I didn’t know what to think. Thank you. Thank you for saving him.” He hunched his shoulders, shook his head, and walked back inside.
It took us two days to tour all the affected ranches. With each stop, the devastation left by the twister became increasingly evident. Every ranch we visited revealed a story of survival, loss, and resilience. Buildings lay in ruins, fields were flattened, and the air was thick with the scent of freshly turned earth, blood, and splintered wood. We bypassed the locations with first responders and focused on those who had yet to receive help.
At each stop, I healed people, horses, and other farm animals. Some injuries were minor, while others were life-threatening. The young man I had healed at the first ranch was only the beginning. There were deep lacerations, broken bones, and internal injuries that needed immediate attention. I used my abilities to diagnose, stop bleeding, heal muscles and bones, control blood, and purify the bodies of those affected. And I healed, healed and healed, and regenerated mana in between. My regeneration went up to 18 units a minute, and I suspected the mana level went up to eight, but we had no close Gate to check this point.
Mahya and Al were amazing during these stops. Mahya, with her strength and resourcefulness, helped to clear debris, move fallen beams, and rescue trapped animals. She single-handedly lifted a collapsed roof beam at one ranch to free a trapped horse, guiding it to safety. Al used his agility and speed to assist with outdoor tasks. He climbed onto unstable structures to secure them, cleared paths through the rubble, and organized makeshift shelters for displaced families.
Rue was a great help as well. His size, comparable to that of a medium pony, allowed him to carry heavy loads and help clear paths. At one point, he gently lifted a fallen door with his jaws to free a child trapped underneath. His keen sense of smell enabled us to locate survivors buried under debris, sending us communication about those in need. Rue’s gentle nature and unwavering loyalty comforted the hurt and scared people, especially the children. It was a ray of hope in all the chaos.
As I worked, the magic I displayed shocked most people, causing their eyes to widen in disbelief. Some people were suspicious. You could see it in their cautious looks and hesitant thanks. Here and there, I heard whispers of Bible verses about magic and the devil, but I ignored them all. Some openly expressed appreciation, their relief clear as I brought back their loved ones from an almost certain death. Their gratefulness and tearful hugs made the long hours and exhaustion worth it.
However, not everyone welcomed us with open arms. One particular encounter stood out. We arrived at a ranch where a father was frantically tending to his injured daughter. She had a deep gash on her leg, the wound festering with infection. I quickly set to work, using my healing to cleanse the wound and repair the damaged tissue. The transformation was immediate; her pain subsided, and the color returned to her cheeks.
But instead of gratitude, the father’s reaction was anger and suspicion. “What kind of trick are you pulling?” he demanded, his face red with fury. “I don’t believe in this hocus pocus! You stay away from my family!”
I tried to explain, but he was having none of it. “Get out of here!” he shouted, brandishing a shotgun. “I’m calling the police!”
It was our sign to leave. To fuck with him, I sent a telepathic message to everyone: Go invisible. We vanished from sight, watching as he stood there like a statue, bewildered and confused.
Seeing another convoy of first responders arriving, we returned to the road. I took out our jeep, and we continued our drive to Albuquerque.
On the way, Mahya got out a laptop and connected to CNN. We ignored the news so far, but now we wanted to know what was happening. First, there was some story about a political scandal. The news anchors discussed the latest revelations involving a high-ranking government official caught in a corruption scandal. Allegations included accepting bribes from pharmaceutical companies to push laws that allow psychiatrists to give children psychiatric drugs during the school day without parental consent. The scandal had sparked outrage nationwide, with calls for the official’s resignation growing louder by the day and child protection agencies demanding a congressional hearing. People planned public protests, and political analysts debated the potential impact on upcoming elections.
Looks like nothing has changed in the last few years.
It was like watching CNN ten years ago or more with Sophie: politics, corruption, elections, and public outrage. Sighing deeply, I shook my head and kicked those gloomy thoughts out.
The following story was about rising tension in the Middle East. The anchor reported on escalating hostilities between Iran and Afghanistan, each accusing the other of violating international borders and engaging in aggressive military maneuvers. Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, the situation remained unstable, fueling concerns of an impending conflict. World leaders were urging restraint, but the region was on high alert, and citizens in border areas were being evacuated as a precautionary measure.
Finally, what we were interested in came up next.
Anchor: “Good afternoon. I’m John Roberts with CNN. I’m bringing you an update on the unprecedented environmental and technological failures occurring across the globe. Scientists are stumped, and nobody seems to have any answers for the phenomena we are witnessing, which have escalated over the past three years.”
The screen cut to a series of videos showing the unfolding chaos.
First, footage of a busy New York street showed a self-driving car suddenly swerving off course, crashing into a nearby barrier as pedestrians looked on, confused and startled. The anchor’s voice narrated, “In major cities worldwide, advanced technological devices have begun malfunctioning inexplicably. You can see here footage of a self-driving car suddenly losing control and crashing. These once-reliable vehicles, essential for modern transportation, have now become dangerous liabilities.”
Next, the video cut to a hospital where doctors scrambled to help patients. The patients appeared distressed as the medical staff worked frantically. Over the footage, the anchor continued, “Hospitals are reporting failures of neural interface devices used to treat brain injuries. This footage from Tokyo shows doctors dealing with sudden malfunctions that put patients at risk.”
The screen switched to footage of a skyscraper with wide cracks along its length. “Even our infrastructure is affected,” the anchor explained. “Skyscrapers built with advanced smart materials are showing stress fractures. Engineers are now inspecting these compromised buildings.”
Footage from Los Angeles followed, showing some buildings swaying. “The intensity and frequency of earthquakes in the Los Angeles area had increased dramatically in the last three years, and not only there.” The video shifted to Charlotte, North Carolina, where a powerful earthquake rocked the city, shaking buildings until one tall building collapsed into a cloud of dust.
The next video showed towering waves engulfing coastal neighborhoods. Entire communities were submerged, and people desperately sought higher ground. “Tsunamis are sweeping away coastal areas,” the anchor continued. “This footage from the Philippines shows the aftermath of a devastating wave.”
Then came images of a city obscured by a violent sandstorm, followed by images of worn and battered buildings and vehicles. The anchor’s voiceover continued, “In the Middle East, unprecedented sandstorms are ravaging cities. This is Riyadh, where a relentless storm has stripped buildings.”
Next came footage of people erecting barriers with sandbags. “Global warming has accelerated, melting ice caps and raising sea levels,” the anchor noted. “Here in Miami, residents are preparing for the advancing ocean.”
The broadcast continued to show more videos from around the globe. Dormant volcanoes were waking up, sea currents changing, lightning storms in Africa and South America, and more. Next, a montage of various officials and experts played on the screen.
A government official spoke first: “We are actively investigating these occurrences and are committed to finding a solution. Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our citizens. We ask for your patience as we navigate these challenging times.”
Next, Dr. Emily Carter, an environmental scientist, stated, “The exact cause of these phenomena remains unclear. We have several theories, but more research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms. We are working tirelessly to develop strategies to mitigate the effects.”
John Williams, Director of the National Disaster Response Agency, appeared next, saying, “Our teams are on high alert and are responding to incidents as quickly as possible. We are coordinating with local authorities to ensure the safety of all affected communities.”
Dr. Raj Patel, a climate change expert, followed: “The patterns we are observing are unprecedented. While we are exploring multiple hypotheses, it’s critical that we continue our research to pinpoint the exact factors contributing to these events.”
Dr. Lisa Chang, a materials engineer, then spoke: “The degradation of advanced materials is particularly concerning. We are conducting comprehensive studies to determine why these failures are happening and how we can prevent further deterioration.”
Senator Maria Gonzales added, “Our government is fully aware of the gravity of the situation. We are mobilizing resources and working with international partners to address these challenges. Public safety is our foremost concern.”
Dr. Mark Thompson, a geophysicist, commented next: “The increase in natural disasters is alarming. While we can’t yet explain why this is happening, we are gathering data and hope to have more concrete answers soon.”
Last, Dr. Susanna Wright, head of the National Institute of Advanced Technologies, concluded, “Technological failures of this magnitude are rare and deeply troubling. We are collaborating with experts worldwide to understand the root causes and to develop robust solutions.”
The anchor concluded the new story with: “Despite these reassurances, it’s clear that nobody has concrete answers yet. Stay tuned to CNN for continuous coverage and expert analysis as we navigate these turbulent times.”
As the broadcast ended, Mahya quietly closed the computer, and we all sat in silence, processing what we’d just witnessed.
Finally, after almost twenty minutes of silence after the broadcast, Mahya asked, “Are you sure you want to drive to Birmingham and Chicago to visit graves? It looks like the situation is getting worse.”
I sighed deeply, rubbed my face, and said, “No. Let’s go directly to Canada.”