Chapter 10: Chapter Ten: Planning the Storm

Heat caressed my nerves. My entire body felt still as a pond, trapped in a relaxed state. I floated in the dark dreamscape with open eyes, a swirling darkness above me. It writhed and curled onto itself, like a living serpent trying to find its tail so it could eat it.

I slowly blinked, watching darkness move like ball of entangled snakes. My pulse was steady, yet powerful. Each heartbeat pressed on my sensitive hearing. It was like I was a pulsar star, floating in the cosmos as my pulse rang out for the universe to hear.

Was this my future, or my past? Was it fate that brought me to that cave, or was it by chance, winning the lottery of super powers. I couldn’t say. There was a part of me that felt, if I thought about it too much, my mind would crack into a million pieces and I would fly into the sun to end it all.

I smiled to myself as I floated in the dreamscape. I was never raised to submit to adversity, only overcome it the best way I could.

My body turned of its own accord. My gaze shifted from the writhing darkness and looked down at a massive pit in a rocky landscape. I slowly blinked as I was now facing down and staring into the dark pit.

They say, when you stare into the abyss, it stares back at you. I never completely understood the phrase, thinking it was a philosophical attempt at some deeper meaning. Imagine my surprise when I indeed felt like something in the pit was staring back at me. There was a presence, an ancient gloom, staring at me from the darkness like a primal monster from some forgotten bog.

I wasn’t afraid. I was curious. Something was looking at me, or maybe staring into the inner me, I couldn’t say. But it was there.

I willed myself down, toward the abyss. My floating body responded, moving a few feet at a time as I sank lower, toward the yawning pit. Gravity shifted and then pulled. I was launched down into the pit, the wind whipping at my hair as I fell into darkness.

For a time, there was nothing but inky darkness. My senses could not penetrate it, which was odd because I could hear and feel so much more than I could before. Then, light touched the edge of my gaze and it grew brighter.

The walls of the pit illuminated with a yellowish and orange light. The further I fell, the more I could see. Rivers of magma glowed in the distance, bubbling and churning as the heat bloomed hotter against my skin. The temperature increased and there was a part of me that felt, if I was still just a man, skin and muscle would have started cooking.

I floated down and turned my body. My bare feet touched the hot stone floor as rivers of magma surrounded me. Waves of heat blasted at my skin, but it felt like a spring day on a sunny beach. I was enjoying the heat, when a rocky wall began to crack and debris fell into burning rivers of magma.

I turned to the wall and took a step back in amazement. The stony wall cracked further, before a humanoid outline appeared. It moved, pulling its own limbs from the wall and breaking away like it was getting up from a long rest. It completely broke away and walked on steady stone legs. It had a basic female form, but lacked defining features. It stepped easily along the floor, and didn’t sink in the rivers of magma. It had what looked like stony dreadlocks from a faceless head. It was made of brown, gray, and black stone, with a few gems imbedded in its form.

I stood my ground as the rock creature approached. It towered over me, standing at twenty feet tall. Its faceless features were pointed down at me as I stared up in wonder. Glowing slits appeared where eyes should be. They slowly widened until they formed oval, magma filled eyes.

“Hi,” I said, trying to be cordial.

The humanoid rock creature simply stood and stared at me.

Seconds ticked away as I wondered if this was real, or just a dream. Then, the rock creature lowered herself onto her knees before me. She bowed her head, and a drop of magma spilled from the edge of one of her glowing eyes, forming a steamy tear.

I don’t know what possessed me, but I reached up and delicately wiped away the magma tear with my thumb.

The moment I touched the tear, light flashed and images stabbed into my mind. Visions sang like a chorus, a man imprisoned in a tube, with cables coming out of it. He was silently screaming as energy blasted at his skin in quick flashes. He cried out, but no one could hear it, expect for me. His screams weighed on my heart, the only thing filling my thoughts was ripping the pod open and pulling him out.

Suffering played on like a funeral dirge as my hands rose up to help the trapped man. A rocky hand touched my shoulder and pulled me back as the man screamed for his life.

My eyes opened and I sat up.

I glanced around to see I was in my bed, in my new place. A small alarm pinged from an unknown location. I looked out, past the windows to the gray sky of Dream City. The pinging continued for a moment before it stopped.

“Good morning, Quinn. Did you have a bad dream?” Xull asked, her gentle voice floating to my ears.

I rubbed the side of my head, not in pain, but to see if I could hang onto the dream.

“Just a weird dream,” I said as I tossed the blanket off of me and swung my legs over the bed edge.

“Would you like to talk about it?” Xull asked.

“Not right now,” I said politely. “What’s on the agenda today?”

“Further training. I have set up the arena for you. We can start within forty minutes.”

I nodded as I stepped toward the kitchen. I didn’t know if it was habit, or I was looking for something normal in my otherwise not so normal life anymore. I glanced around for a coffee maker, and, sad to say, there was no coffee maker.

“Your body is beyond efficient. I cannot detect any nutritional needs. Is there something you desire for the morning?”

I grinned to myself. “Coffee, black. Is that possible?”

“I have studied your planet for some time and know much about the populace’s addiction to coffee. I can synthesize it, but I must inform you, your body will not feel the effects any longer. It is beyond normal needs to function,” Xull explained.

“That’s fine. I just like the taste,” I said.

A panel slid open along the counter. A steamy cup of dark liquid slid out and the panel closed behind it. I picked it up and took a sip. It tasted dark and bitter. It was also the best cup of coffee I ever had.

“Thank you, Xull. This is perfect,” I said before taking another sip.

“Thank you. I can send a ship to pick you up for transportation to the arena, when you’re ready?”

I closed my eyes as I enjoyed the taste of the morning brew.

“No thanks. I think I’ll fly there,” I said as I opened my eyes and stared out the windows to the gray morning.

***

I walked into the arena. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting. Maybe a horde of new gladiator robots and the sides lined with powerful plasma guns, ready to give me the work out of my life.

Instead, a trickling fountain was in the center of the field. Xull sat beside the fountain, her legs crossed under her and her mechanical hands resting on her knees. She stared out with golden eyes as I walked toward her. I was halfway to her, when I turned my gaze to the stands.

To my surprise, Hope was there, smiling and waving at me. She looked excited and happy to see me, not slowing down her waving to me. I shifted my gaze a little, and to my deeper surprise, Nora was sitting right beside her friend. The short woman with green hair, had a dour expression. Her gaze was locked on me, like she was ready to pull a trigger to a cannon.

The stands did have more people. Some of them had cybernetic implants, while many others had animal features, ranging from simple, like animal ears or small areas of fur, to extreme where they looked like anthroponomic humanoid animals.  

I smiled as I waved to Hope, and to Nora. Hope’s grin grew wider. Nora looked away, as if she didn’t want to be bothered.

I turned my attention to Xull as I approached her. She remained where she was, frozen like a statue in winter.

“Have a seat before me so we may begin your next level of training,” she said without moving her gold lips.

I did as she said, sitting down and crossing my legs. I put my hands on my knees.

Something ticked along my thoughts as Xull connected and communicated through my implant.

“Greetings Quinn. Today, we will begin your training with meditation. Despite yesterday’s session, not all abilities and powers awaken through violence. They can be unlocked through rest of mind and spirit. You may focus to open an ability during times of peace.”

“Sounds good. I’m ready,” I said within my mind.

“Good. Our goal is to unlock your energy-bolt’s ability. With this power, you will be able to hurl, or shoot, pieces of your own power over distances. It is a handy ability, to keep your enemies at a distance.

“The first thing to properly meditate is still your mind and body. Listen to the fountain and let it guide you into calm serenity. When you have quelled both heart and mind, you may make a decision to open your next ability. It doesn’t always happen right away, so be patient as we continue with your training.

“Afterwards, we will take a break and discuss our plan,” she finished.

I simply nodded as I calmed myself.

The sounds of trickling water washed over my senses. I pushed everything away and simply sat in silence.

As I sat, I thought it would have been a lot harder to calm myself than it actually was. I found my center and the inner silence sank into my very core. I felt connections, not just around me, but on a celestial level. It felt like I was gently pulled to multiple points of gravity and my soul stretched out to meet all of them. It was nice, and relaxing.

Time lost all meaning. I sat and enjoyed the feeling of melting into the universe. A pinpoint of light appeared next to my soul. I looked at it with celestial eyes. It grew brighter and I somehow lifted it up with my mind and opened it.

I couldn’t hold back my inner smile as the light opened and slipped into my senses.

You have unlocked Energy Bolts ability! Energy Bolts is now at 20%.

I opened my eyes and saw Xull staring at me.

“It has been barely ten minutes,” she said out loud.

“I meditate pretty frequently, either at home, or in the forests. It helps me work through some challenging days,” I said.

Xull nodded.

“Since I went through this training pretty quickly, what’s next?” I said across our connection.

“To the point. You are very efficient, Quinn.

“To begin, I devised a simple, but effective plan. In space, high above Dream City, is the battleship Horizon. It has been specifically constructed to withstand physical damage, and hardened against any hacking attacks on its main systems. It has a compliment of one hundred Alpha War Drones.

“The ship will also carry a specific device called a Quell Core. This device was made to be inserted into Xull Omega’s computer core and re-write all of her directives to align with my own. It is meant to bring her back to me and wipe away any corrupt programing that has rooted in her systems. It has a ninety-two percent chance of returning her to normal status. If she is being controlled by an outside force, it will sever any connection except for my own, bridging us together under one system again.

“In a week, you will board the Horizon. The ship with hyper jump to Nerth T819. Once you arrive, you and the war drones will depart the battleship and land on the moon. You will penetrate the research base, and make your way to her core. I will be connected to you at all times, guiding you to the core.

“Once the base is secure, a drone will launch from the Horizon with the Quell Core and bring it to you. When it reaches you, you will take the Quell Core and insert it into Xull Omega’s mainframe. Once inserted, it will activate a cascade reprogramming, and within a few minutes, Xull Omega should be merges back with my systems.”

“Sounds like a good plan, but what kind of resistance should I be looking out for?” I asked.

“It is safe to assume, Xull Omega has the battleship I sent earlier under her control. The research base itself is fortified with thick walls and heavy defenses. Despite your power, it will take more than a category one mana storm to simply punch your way in. That is why the war drones will aid in initial penetration of the research base and keep the defense systems distracted.

“Inside, you will have the advantage of maneuverability, and small size, to tackle internal defense systems. The war drones will remain outside until all outer defenses have been neutralized. There is a chance Xull Omega may override their controls and turn on you. By going alone, we will minimize the risk.

“It should take less than an hour to retake the research base.”

I nodded as bits of my dream from last night filled the back of my mind.

“Is there a chance, Davin Korr survived?” I asked out loud.

“There is always a chance, but highly doubtful. Category one mana storms don’t have the power, or the durability to survive the power of a sun. Why do you ask?”

You are reading story Mana Storm at novel35.com

There was a piece of me that wanted to tell her my dream, but a larger piece told me to be quiet about it. Xull has done some things that danced on the line of trust. We needed each other, but I wasn’t blind to the fact that all of this could be an act. Something didn’t feel right and, despite our partnership, I didn’t have to tell her everything.

After we retake the research base, Xull will get her other iteration back under her control. After that, who knows what she had planned. Maybe it was time to take some control back.

“No major reason. It was just a curious thought. But after this mission is finished, I hope to learn more about the Harvester Legion, so I may be better prepared to stop them.”

Xull nodded. “Of course. After the mission, I will aid you as much as I can to ensure your world is better protected against cosmic threats.”

Xull unfurled her legs and stood up in one, fluid motion. I glanced over to the fountain as it began to sink into the ground. A thick panel slid over, cover the hole the fountain disappeared into. I then stood up with a ready spirit.

Xull eyed me as she spoke, “Shall we test your new ability?”

I nodded and called up my stats.

Quinn Barron

Category 1 Mana Storm

Strength Power: 25 Tons

Speed: Mach 1 (1,000 MPH)

 

Standard Abilities

Hyper Physical Durability

Flight

Regeneration

Hyper Senses

Hyper Dimensional Jump

 

Storm Powers

Element: Water

1. Aura 40%
2. Elemental Weapon or Armor 40%
3. Energy Bolts 20%
4. Elemental manipulation (X)
5. Elemental Flare (X)
6. Unique Ability (X)
7. Unique Ability (X)
8. Unique Ability (X)

 

A pair of large doors at one end of the arena opened up. I turned my gaze to the doors, as a dozen gladiator drones stepped out in a paired formation. They were thinner than the ones I fought yesterday. They were also blue, instead of red, like the ones from yesterday.

“Series two, stage one training will test your reflexes and distant fighting. The drones are lighter and more maneuverable. They are armed with plasma forearm cannons. Your objective, stop all twelve drones. Let me know when you’re ready to begin.”

I eyed the drones as they marched in. They spread out, moving away from one another and forming a wide, half-circle.

I glanced over to the stands to see Hope and Nora watching me. Hope had a small smile. Nora’s expression was blank, but her eyes didn’t stray from me.

I turned my gaze back to the drones as Xull stepped away. Yesterday, I spent my training playing to defense. I think I had to really test my limits and see what I could do. A plan formed and flexed my fingers.

“I’m ready,” I said.

Xull nodded. “Begin.”

There will always be times in your life where you can simply cut loose and let your full potential out. This was that time.

I bent my knees as the drones leapt to the sides. Their raised their arms, each one pointing a plasma wrist cannon at me. The air around me fluctuated as my power glowed deep within me. Time slowed as I mentally marked my targets.

Time sped up as I launched from the ground with a sonic boom. The air blasted out as I appeared next to a pair of drones. Bursting into enough speed to cause sonic booms was the first trick. My presence shifted their aim, but the drones were not fast enough. My hands shot out in a blur, grabbing forearms, my fingers stabbing into metal. I spun in a blur before I blasted forward with another sonic boom. The power in the moment was enough to rip off robotic arms as I barreled toward another drone. It managed to aim just as I slammed a torn robotic arm at its head. The wrist cannon went off, a plasma bolt hitting the ground.

My entire body swung. My foot stabbed out and hit the drone’s head so hard, it was shattered away from its neck.

Plasma bolts filled the air as spun into a ball. Bolts missed me by inches before my entire body blasted forward in another sonic boom.

The shield between the arena and the people in the stands blinked and rippled from powerful sonic booms. I glanced over to see everyone watching with wide eyes. I looked over to Hope and Nora. Hope clutched her hands before her chest in stunned amazement. But to my surprise, Nora was standing and looking at me like she just witnessed a cosmic event.

I turned my attention to the training at hand. The remaining nine drones unleashed a storm of plasma bolts. I blasted along and turned my directions in midair. I was flying so fast, each turn blasted out sonic boom after sonic boom. The shield fluttered as drone sensors were stunned by my booms disrupting their senses.

My gamble played off. These gladiator drones were built for simply combat. They were not designed to such quick and destructive tactics. I slammed my fists into armored chests, cracking and shattering them into chunks of metal. It was almost too easy as I slammed my shoulder into one, causing it to explode. In the explosion, I blasted forward like a hurricane, driving a fist into another armored chest.

I moved with brutal intent, smashing gladiator drones to falling debris. In a small moment, all that was left were two hovering drones aiming at me. The rest of their robotic brethren lay in smoking or smashed piles of twisted metal.

It was time to try my new ability. I channeled one percent of my Energy Bolt power into each hand. Time slowed down as the drones aimed. I could feel the power welling up and had to see what I could do.

I aimed my palms at the last two drones and gave the power a little push. Blue energy appeared and pulsed, before twin bolts blasted out. The drones fired their plasma cannons, but when my bolts struck theirs, it absorbed the energy and continued on.

The last two drones were covered in blue light before each bolt slammed into them, disintegrating them.

Energy Bolts: 18%

Everyone in the arena stood up and watched as my twin energy bolts slammed into the shielded side of the lower arena and exploded. The energy shield rippled and flickered, before stabilizing. I couldn’t help but surmise, if I added any more power, it would have shattered the shield and damaged the arena wall to smoking rubble.

I floated down to the arena floor. I turned to the stands as citizens of Dream City began to cheer and clap. Judging from how excited they were, I don’t think they ever saw anything like that before.

Hope was standing and clapping. Nora simply looked at me with a wry smile.

“It appears you’re learning very quickly what you can and cannot do,” Xull said as she approached me.

I turned to her with a small smile. “I decided to not hold back as much,” I shrugged.

“Our plan may have a better than average success rate, but your training is far from over. Series two, stage two, activate.”

The arena floor began to open in sections. I whirled around to see nearly a hundred blue drones, rising up in battle stances.  

Xull backed away as I was surrounded by gladiator drones.

The air took in a charged menace as each drone centered their collective gazes on me.

“Let’s go,” I smiled before I burst forward with a sonic boom trailing behind me.

***

I stood in the center of the nearly destroyed arena floor. The debris of a thousand drones lay across the arena. I looked up to the glass dome of the arena, seeing that night had fallen once again. I lowered my gaze to the stands, the crowd different than when I first arrived today.

Throughout the day, citizens of Dream City left, and new ones arrived. The stands were filled with many more bodies as the day progressed. There were a few groups that stayed the whole day to witness my training. Hope and Nora were among them, watching me fighting waves of drones.

At least this time, I was still standing, instead on my hands and knees.

I had used up much of my aura, elemental weapon, and my energy bolts. Again, I was reduced to using my strength and speed to win the day. My skin had a few cracks, but not as bad as yesterday, and they were already healing.

“Day two training is complete. We will begin again tomorrow. You have the evening off,” Xull said before turning and walking away.

I gave her a wave, surprised that I still had so much energy. I felt like I could have just kept fighting. Who needed sleep when I could be firing all cylinders all day and all night.

The shield covering the arena faded away. My ears caught the murmur of the crowd and the excited heartbeats from within their chests. A pair of heartbeats moved to the edge of the arena. I turned to them and smiled, seeing Hope and Nora step onto the arena floor and make their way to me, stepping around smoking debris. When they reached me, it was Hope who flung her arms around my neck and gave me a deep hug. Nora simply stood with a blank expression.

“You were amazing,” Hope said as she pulled back and looked at me with warm eyes.

“Thank you,” I said, trying to be humble about it.

Hope glanced over her shoulder at Nora and gave her sly smile before turning her gaze back to me.

“Nora thought it would be a great idea if we went out for dinner tonight, just the three of us,” the wolf woman grinned.

“Hope! I didn’t say that!” Nora nearly shouted.

“Sounds great,” I grinned as Nora seemed to get more and more annoyed.

Hope took my hand into her hers and pulled. I went with her because it would have been awkward if she snapped back and slammed into my chest.

“I said we should have a drink!” Nora said, trying to correct her friend as we walked.

“Too late! Dinner plans are in effect,” Hope giggled as she held onto my arm.

Nora’s brow wrinkled and she stamped a foot in deep annoyance. I could feel her reluctance for a second before she started following us.

“She’s coming around,” Hope whispered to me as she held my arm.

I simply walked. I didn’t know what game Hope was playing, but I was feeling so good, I was ready to have a nice evening.

Nora caught up and begrudgingly walked beside us as we exited the arena and stepped into a corridor leading into the rainy evening.

You can find story with these keywords: Mana Storm, Read Mana Storm, Mana Storm novel, Mana Storm book, Mana Storm story, Mana Storm full, Mana Storm Latest Chapter