Though the ground was not helping the flame to burn, there was still the matter of the ample oxygen supply. If he truly wanted to confirm the flames defied physical laws, he would need to deprive it of oxygen. Thankfully this was a brainless task, especially with his massive upgrade to his existing abilities. Covering the small fire with an air bubble, he sucked out all the air making it a vacuum. In another rousing success he found it still dutifully burned.
Smiling smugly at the flame, it was short lived once he realized he now needed to put it out. He tried wind, but it had no effect. Interestingly it also did not cause it to spread either, something Anaar filed in the back of his mind. Next was water, which was evaporated on contact when in small quantities, and even when it engulfed the flame, it still did not extinguish. Smothering it in earth also did nothing. The only thing that stopped it was Anaar actively commanding it to extinguish itself.
The implications of his experiment proved useful but also potentially problematic. Though it was amazing to have the ability to create imperious flames, it lost most of its allure when he considered what would happen if it was left unchecked. Currently he was not sure if another Pyrokinetic could make it go out, or if it only listened to him. Counting it as a success, he wondered if there was a such thing as something being too much of a success.
Wind and Fire elements were similar in that moderating the intensity was an integral part of working with them. Water, and Earth to an even lesser extent had no such requirements. Anaar knew all too well summoning wind with no guiding intent of how strong it should be would barely produce a breeze. Sitting on the ground cross-legged, he decided to test the upper limit of his flames.
Closing his eyes, he sat completely still, breathing deeply as he increased the heat of the golf ball sized flame in his hands. He reveled in the soothing warmth of the flame. Because it was so pleasant, he lost himself in it and continued exponentially increasing the energy, waiting for some indication it had become too hot. More and more he poured into it, but never came any discomfort. When he opened his eyes, he immediately regretted not being more vigilant with something he had never tried before.
He had not noticed previously, but his hair was now loose around him, and he was completely naked, still sitting on the ground. Not even his suit, nor his Vizer was anywhere to be found, which was something he had never encountered. It was not until he looked at his surroundings that he began understanding his folly.
Despite the size of the highly condensed flaming sphere, a massive swath of land around him had changed color and composition completely, some areas even liquified. He could not understand what could have caused such devastation until he took a moment to examine the small sphere. By his estimation, something quite instinctual, the object he was so casually holding was the literal equivalent to a miniature sun.
Immediately terrified he had the power to accidentally create stars, he rapidly absorbed the sphere, dumbfounded how something that was powerful enough to incinerate everything around him did not faze him in the slightest. To be more accurate, he quite enjoyed it. This was another development he would need to be mindful of.
Hobb, I thought my suit and Vizer were indestructible. I think I have just flushed hundreds of millions down the drain.
“I can assure you there were no simulations run that would have allowed us to account for an encounter with such a potent energy source.”
Wait, I just realized something. If my Vizer is gone, how am I talking to you? I thought my implant was an extension of my Vizer.
“This is only partially correct. They more accurately share a synergistic relationship. They are however separate entities that can work independently of one another.”
Ugh, I can’t wait to explain this to Miles and Ixnes. I am so not looking forward-
Before his eyes, something strange happened. Both his Vizer and his suit had begun to regenerate. In little under a minute into the process, they were both fully reconstituted. This only left Anaar with more questions.
What was that?! I knew they regenerated, but I have never actually witnessed it! They have usually already returned by the time I wake up.
“Both the Vizer and your suit have evolved over time with you. Since they are now essentially a part of your body, as long as you exist, so shall they.”
Wow… That is pretty cool. Glad I don’t have a difficult conversation now. Wait, if they are taking on my body’s properties, shouldn’t they be even more indestructible like I am now? Clearly my goof did nothing to me, so why my suit and Vizer?
“My conjecture is that they have not had the opportunity to adapt to the changes in your body. It is only a matter of time before they adopt that property as well.”
Interesting. Well, I should probably stop for now. I think creating cosmic phenomena is a good terminus.
“I would think your fellow inhabitants of this planet appreciate your consideration. I did not wish to disturb your earlier, but I have a message from Ms. Osorio. Shall I read it?”
Yes, please.
“Hey!!! I miss your face! Let’s hang out tonight!”
Anaar smiles as he hears the message from Maggie. Standing up, he looks around at the ground, not sure what he should do about it. He was not nearly confident enough in his abilities to attempt any repair. He finally decided he would leave it, as it technically did not deviate from the theme of the facility. If anything, it made it look more authentic.
He smacks himself on the forehead as he realizes he destroyed his bag and everything in it. He was just about to leave when he remembered he had actually left it when he moved after causing such a massive explosion earlier. To his relief, he found his bag exactly where he left it, in an area unaffected by his final experiment. Grabbing up his bag, he opened a portal to his room to clean up and get ready to spend some time with Maggie.
Anaar watches as Maggie returns with a large mug that is no doubt tea. Lowering herself carefully onto the sofa, she nuzzles him happily. Ever since his return from his ordeal with Yefferson, Maggie had been much more affectionate and attentive, which led Anaar to believe she genuinely feared he would not return.
“There is no doubt you only wish to see me so frequently because you want to pilfer Harston’s tea collection.”
Maggie’s body tenses as she laughs nervously. “He really noticed one missing?!”
“He probably did, but I had no idea. Thanks for telling on yourself.”
Grumbling to herself, “If I knew that was only a figure of speech I would have stayed quiet…”
“Right… Moving along, super random question, but are you on your period?”
Maggie jumps up, nearly spilling her tea. She looks at him in a panic as she places the mug on the table and starts sniffing herself.
“Oh my god! I didn’t think I smelled! I could have sworn I freshened up well! That is perfectly natural from time to time! This is your fault! Turn your nose off! If you didn’t have absurdly strong senses this wouldn’t be an issue! I’m going to have to avoid you from now on when I’m on my period…”
Anaar had no idea such a simple question would elicit such a response. Realizing he still had much to learn about the opposite sex, he does his best to defuse the situation. Lightly poking her in the leg with a finger made of water, he does his best to coax her into sitting back down.”
“Maggie… Maaaggie… I’m sorry, I didn’t mean anything by it. If you sit down I can explain.”
She looks back at him pouting, but she does finally sit down, leaning into him. “You know girls are really sensitive about these kinds of things. Have a little delicacy sometimes.”
Anaar bursts into a fit of laughter, which only causes Maggie to pinch his arm with no effect. “You know that doesn’t even begin to hurt now, right? Also, you are the last girl I would expect to be sensitive about these things… Wait, maybe not. I bet Codi or Ripp would beat you at that.”
“Whatever! It’s just that Dan has been… different lately. Like he doesn’t even see m
e as a woman anymore. Also, you said you were going to explain!”
“We’ll talk about this Dan thing in a moment, there is no way we are letting that one slide by. I asked because something happened today that I was not sure about. I mean it was weird, or cool, or frightening? I don’t know what I would call it.”
Sitting up to peer at him intently, the question in her eyes clear, she leans in to grab his hand. “What was it? Also did you poke me with a construct? How lazy are you becoming?!”
“That construct was for your safety. I don’t trust my own strength right now. I would rather not punch a hole in your side by accident.”
Maggie looks at him in horror, “You could do that?!”
“Maggie, I almost destroyed the gym with what I thought was a normal jump. Pretty sure you would be toast. As for what happened, I have been sensing so much more these days. I thought it was just my normal senses being in hyperdrive, but I am learning to adjust to so much sensory input now. When I checked earlier, I was sure I could sense the functions and workings of your body. I am not even sure how I interpreted the information, but that is what I got from it. At least one thing. I thought to ask since you were here anyway.”
“What does that even mean?”
“No idea, but my best conjecture is that it has to do with the Life attunement and possibly this Biokinesis ability I still have yet to figure out. I mean, I could make assumptions on its use given how I understand what it is supposed to be, but I am finding that all of my powers have many more layers than I gave them credit for.”
Punching him in the arm repeatedly, “Oooh you are so frustrating!! Just when I think I can hate you again for all the powers you have, you go and ruin it by reminding me just how dangerous and difficult to manage they can be! What have you done now?!”
“You mean besides accidentally creating a miniature sun?”
“Joking?”
“Not at all.”
“How can you have known that? Shouldn’t even you be dead?”
“Nope, still kicking. It was so hot it burned away everything without me even knowing it. That includes my suit and my Vizer. It kinda gave a new meaning to the term scorched earth. There’s a spot in DD about 60 meters big that looks like a volcano erupted.”
“Aren’t our Vizers indestructible? Why didn’t you stop before all that happened? Why do you already have a new Vizer?!”
“Hey! I thought I would feel it before it got too bad, but apparently my body only accounts for how volatile things are to me, completely disregarding anything else that may be around. I think due to my True Fire Attunement and possibly my Pyrokinesis as well, but even that level of heat just feels like a nice sunny day for me now. As for the Vizer, Hobb said there was no way to account for such a ‘potent energy source.’ Basically they never expected anyone to dive into the sun.”
“And they just made you a new one like that?”
“Oh no, it regenerated.”
“WHAT?! They can do that?!”
“Mine can. It seems to have merged with my body and I guess it has my regeneration now. I intend to ask Miles about it someday.”
“How are even the items around you leveling up…”
“Oh! Hold that thought, I have a present for you.” He jumps up and scurries out of the room, only to return with a backpack. After rummaging through it, he extracts a large bar and hands it to Maggie. “Happy Birthday!”
Maggie looks at him with surprise and staggers as he casually dropped the hunk of metal in her hands as if it were weightless. Sitting it on her lap, she examines it, gasping as she came to realize what it was.
“Is this what I think it is?!”
Smiling slyly, “It depends on what you think it is.”
“Is this a gold bar?!”
“I sure hope so.”
“What do you mean ‘you hope so?!’ Where did you even get this?!”
“I made it. That is why I hope it is for sure the real deal. It seems legit to me.”
“How do you just ‘make’ a gold bar?!”
Shrugging, “I don’t know, the same way I make water or wind. Now that I’m a True Earth Quintessence I can make that too.”
“Shouldn’t there be something that prevents you from being your own gold factory?”
“You know, I thought the same thing at first! Then I remembered the universe couldn’t care less about the values we place on things. It would be no different from me generating water.”
“This is… extremely thoughtful, but why would you give me something like this? It is extremely valuable! I would have been fine with dinner and a card.”
“Well I kinda slacked in the past, and considering your birthday falls almost exactly on the day of our Melee, it seemed perfect. Hasn’t the finished version of your bow already come out and even has a few new models? I know you have had your eye on it but after what you spent on your fan…”
“That bow is almost as expensive as my fan was! It is absolute perfection in every possible way, but still!”
Anaar’s face scrunches up into a disgruntled frown. “You don’t think this will cover it? I mean it is practically the size of a basketball.” Rummaging in his bag again, “If you add this to it do you think it will be enough?”
Maggie’s eyes bulge as she snatches the item from his hand greedily. “You can make diamonds too?!”
“Seems so. I’m glad you immediately recognized it as such, having a second set of eyes helps.”
“You mean you didn’t know it was a diamond? An enormous one at that?”
“Oh I did, at least that is what I intended for it to be. I know diamonds have different levels of clarity and all of that though, so I wasn’t sure how this stood up in term of quality.”
“How can you give this away so nonchalantly?!”
“I mean… I could always just make another one. It didn’t cost me anything.”
“You have achieved a new level of denseness. I thought you had gotten better with that… I do thank you however. This is really sweet in a giving me the leftover results of an experiment kind of way… There is no way I can carry this all the way home, nevertheless to a jeweler. My strength only works in bursts.”
Taking the items back from her, “No worries. I’ll hold on to them and we will make a trip together to sell these off. Now with that out of the way, want to talk about Dan?”
Sighing, “There isn’t much to say that you don’t already know. Ever since the incident with Hekiah he has been obsessed with proving he is a man. Whenever I win at something, or can do something he can’t, it only makes him more depressed.”
“I wouldn’t worry too much. Dan gets that way sometimes. I think it has to do with his upbringing. Just stay by his side supporting him, and perhaps find excuses to avoid situations that might make him feel less than compared to you. I’m sure it will resolve itself soon.”
“I hope you are right. It really puts a strain on our relationship, but how do you abandon someone when you know it is all a response to the pain they are going through? I can’t let this subjugate my life though… Movie time!”
Letting out a groan, “We are watching a movie?”
“Yes! There is this amazing Norwegian film I heard about, so I figured with the billion channels and subscriptions you have, there is no way we couldn’t find it! It is really focused on women’s trauma and you know Dan isn’t good with these sorts of things! I want to discuss it afterward!”
Sinking into the embrace of Maggie as she was now squeezed against him again, he prepared himself for a night free of the various obstacles he had been facing recently. With a squeal, he realized Maggie had found what she was looking for, and the movie began playing. Giving a mental command to turn out the lights, he dedicated himself to paying attention for the sake of tiny woman so furiously clinging to him.
6
Looking himself over in the mirror, Anaar did his best to scrutinize his appearance. As a person who cared little about the vanity of aesthetics, he was
not particularly confident he could be trusted to complete such tasks on his own. When Phavian found out Anaar was going to deliver the news to Yatik about Yefferson, he immediately spung into action.
“Let me go with you.”
“No.”
“Why not?!”
“The better question is why. What purpose would it serve?”
“So I can meet your mom! Typical boyfriend stuff!”
“You have already met my mom.”
“Only one of them!”
“I am going alone and that is final.”
“What if you need moral support?”
“Having you there in no way will make this easier for her nor me.”
Pouting, Phavian looks at what Anaar is wearing. “You are going in that?!”
Peering down at himself in confusion, “What is wrong with my outfit?”
“You have on too many colors and no black!”
“I’m not going to a funeral…”
“Aren’t you though? I mean funerals are for the living, so as his two surviving relatives, pretty sure this would be the equivalent to a funeral.”
Anaar thought about the logic of the statement and his eyebrow twitched slightly as he could find no fault in it. Though there were no remains to inter, it was likely the two of them would spend the vast majority of their time in remembrance. Though he had mourned the loss of Yefferson, the grief still present and at times suffocating, he had not properly paid his respects.
Sighing heavily, “I know I will likely come to regret this, but fine… What do you suggest?”
Without waiting, Phavian stormed into Anaar’s closet in his search for something suitable. Despite how much he wore Anaar’s clothes, much to Anaar’s annoyance, he still found himself disappointed with the current offerings. It always shocked Phavian how someone who grew up poor and was suddenly thrust into more money than he could ever use, could still be so frugal and miserly. With a barely suitable outfit found, Phavian brought it out the closet handing it quickly to Anaar. After quick instructions, he assumed his sweet puppy dog face he used when begging for something.
Revelations (Song of Sophangence Book 4) Page 8