Rather than continuing to listen to her, Anaar instead turned his back, and walked in the opposite direction. When she noticed he was walking away, she attempted to run after him, but found her body was not in the mood for much other than supporting itself. She slumped to the ground, her body throbbing all over, furiously cursing Anaar in her mind. After a minute on the ground, she felt herself hoisted in the air, initially in pain, but it very quickly dissipated afterward. When she felt herself stop, she was placed on the ground in an area of Demolitionist’s Destination she had never seen before.
“Where are we?”
“I’m not sure I understand the question.”
“I’ve never seen this part of the facility before. It is a wreck.”
“You were literally standing here like two minutes ago.”
Maggie’s eyes went wide as she surveyed the massive chasm, at least eight meters deep, fifteen wide, and extended for another thirty meters. She spun around in place, realizing she was no doubt in the place she had been standing. Her fan and her hammer were right where she left them, and she remembered the large rock formation in the distance.
“That was your idea of the same thing with only increased intensity?! It looks like a bomb went off, which for you is quite reasonable.”
Anaar look upon the scene with confusion. “I don’t understand, I am positive I had everything controlled. Only the output changed. What is the issue? This is what you wanted, no?”
“In what world is this a simple increase in power? I am for once, ready for and quite interested in one of your long-winded and overly technical explanations.”
“That last part was unnecessary, but I’ll happily oblige. I told you that your output was about 60mph. Nothing to scoff at but easily within the scope of natural phenomena, right?”
“I guess… I don’t see where this is going.”
“Think about it. Being able to replicate naturally occurring phenomena is great, but is that the bar we are setting for ourselves? I can already tell you the answer is no. For example, hurricane level events, known to be some of the most destructive among wind related disasters start at about 75mph. Not so far off from what you can achieve, right?”
“Are you telling me there can be that much of a difference in the destructive force in just 15mph?”
“Yes, but I have a more important question for you. What do you think Tempest Tower is rated to withstand?”
Maggie shoots him a look that indicated she was not pleased she was expected to answer. “I don’t know. If 75mph is bad, I would say it can stand up to 150mph? It seems to me double would be safe.”
“Try 700mph.”
“What?! That’s insane! That’s impossible! You tell me hurricanes are 75mph and you want me to believe this school has prepared for something ten times as bad?! I know we waste money, but that is just overkill.”
“Well then what do you think caused this?”
“Why am I getting so many quizzes?! Knowing you it is probably something absurd like 300mph winds. Even then I bet it was nothing for you.”
“You got half of it correct. That gust clocked 814mph.”
“Why must everything with you be so excessive?!”
“You asked for a demonstration. I gave it to you. Why do you think it was so loud and sent you flying even though it wasn’t targeted at you? It broke the sound barrier, and the sudden change of that much air at that speed created a massive pressure well which sent you flying.”
Her eye twitching with an annoyed look, “And you and my weapons just happened to be unaffected?”
“I’m a completely different story. I could have counteracted the effects before, but with Yefferson’s powers I don’t even have to bother. As for your weapons, I put a shield over them before we started.”
“And you didn’t think to do the same for me?!”
“I thought it would lose some of the effect if I did. I put one on you afterward though so you didn’t break your neck or something.”
Maggie found herself in a greater state of disbelief than she normally was when dealing with her best friend. His attitude of treating such events as if they were the epitome of normalcy was something she had come to expect, but said events we growing more outlandish by the day. Rather than harp on a point that had long been established, she instead turned her attention to something she would not ask under normal circumstances.
“What explanation are you going to give them about this canyon you have made in the middle of the facility?”
Looking over his shoulder with a shrug, “I didn’t plan on saying anything. If they find it to be a problem, they will fix it.”
Maggie pokes Anaar in the arm with exasperation. “You don’t think this is a little extreme?!”
“Not really. Why create such a facility if they didn’t want it destroyed? It is kinda in the name. But, if you feel that sore about it, I suppose I’ll think of something.
Maggie’s jaw dropped as the ground beneath her began to quake slightly and the giant hole began to fill itself in. In just under a minute it was completely filled, and the quaking had stopped. Once everything had settled down, Maggie noticed Anaar had a large smile of satisfaction on his face.
“This is awesome! I’m getting better at this! I was even able to match the overall content of the soil. Should I add some nice rocks or something? I didn’t pay attention to what it looked like before.”
“Are you seriously decorating like this is your first new home?!”
“You were the one complaining about the mess. Now there is an issue with me fixing it? Make up your mind people…”
“Can we just get back to my training?!”
“Oh, right. What did you want to do next?”
“Well it is clear the difference between me and an Aerokinetic. I could never do something like that.”
“Why not? That was the whole purpose of that demonstration.”
“Wait, I thought that was to show me what I could never do.”
“Oh no, didn’t you hear me? That was to show you the difference between the two of us. I hadn’t gotten to the difference between someone like you and an Aerokinetic.”
“But you didn’t do what I did. You used Aerokinesis. Isn’t that difference enough?”
“I just did what you did, except I didn’t need a tool. See, it is simple.”
Anaar walks over to the fan picks it up as if it were a feather, opening it to its fullest extent. With one swipe the deafening roar happens again, this time Maggie finding herself firmly in place watching the event take place. Though there was a thick cloud of dirt and dust, the result was obvious. If she was not mistaken, it was actually slightly worse than the first time. The dust suddenly dissipated and Anaar walked back over to her with the fan slung over his shoulder.
“See. Same thing.”
Jumping up and down whilst waving her arms hysterically, “That is not the same thing! It is fundamentally different! You are an Aerokinetic! How am I expected to ever match that?!”
Anaar cocks his head to the side in confusion. “But I didn’t use Aerokinesis. It feels like we keep missing the point today.”
“If you didn’t use Aerokinesis, how do you explain that?!” Maggie points angrily in the direction of the gaping hole carved into the ground.
Slapping himself on the forehead, “Oh! I forgot to tell you! Phavian’s power isn’t the only person’s I copied permanently. It seems when it was really on the fritz, my increased exposure to both you and him caused me to obtain both of yours. I really thought I told you that…”
“No, you didn’t tell me you shamelessly copied my powers! How is it supposed to be a unique manifestation if it is no longer unique?!”
“Everyone seems really bent out of shape about someone else having their abilities… Technically it will still be unique since no one can ever know I have it. Since everyone has always believed I was a Fire Affinity, I guess I’m stuck with it, and now I don’t technically have to lie. Therefore you are saf
e.”
Maggie folds her arms as she grumbles to herself. “I’d know…”
“If you are done pouting, do you see now that technically your ability is capable of that?”
“Only if am a monster like you!”
“Hey! I didn’t even put much power into that!” Anaar hands her the fan, which she takes with apprehension. “Here, I want to try something. Do what you did before. Nothing different, exactly the same if you can.”
Maggie fumes in her head, unsure of what purpose it would serve other than further solidifying the gap in their abilities, but she does as she is told. Opening the fan, she raises it, and with one broad swing, she releases a wailing gust, that sends her shooting backwards like a rocket. Anaar catches her in an air bubble and brings her back to where they were standing. Maggie is shocked to find that though it looked nothing like what Anaar had done, she too had cleaved the earth with the gale she created.
“What just happened?!”
Anaar strokes his chin, deep in thought, talking aloud, more to himself rather than Maggie. “Hmm, interesting. Even though it was me giving the boost, there still seems to be a cap of sorts on just how much the boost applies. Perhaps it is based on the person’s inherent ability, or maybe it is something else altogether…”
Maggie snaps in Anaar’s face in an attempt to get his attention. “Hello! Needing an explanation here!”
“Oh, yeah. No big deal. I just used my power, well, your power, to amplify, well your power again, which resulted in an overall power increase. I am curious as to why it doesn’t have the same output as when I do it on my own, but that research can come later.”
“Wait, so you didn’t boost what I did, you boosted me directly?”
“Yes. I’ve been telling you about this for like, ever actually. How were you not getting that?! Like one of the first things I said when we met was how it would be ill advised to use you powers on me. Don’t you remember that?”
“That was years ago!”
“Well in any case, if you master that, it would add a whole new dimension to what you can bring to a team. Thus far you have always played the role of attacker because you brought nothing else to the team.” Anaar catches the look on her face and his eyes turn apologetic. “Sorry, that is not intended as a jab, it is just the truth. You are very good at it, but compared to everyone else, you were the most one dimensional. Even Stefani broke out of her support only role to crack some skulls. Now you can be a massive supporter if you need a break from the action since you still have no means of providing defense.”
“How are you so good at simultaneously building someone up and breaking them down… Well it is good to know it is possible at least. Not that I can do it. How is it you have problems controlling your own powers, but when it comes to mine, you are a natural?!”
“Good question. Maybe because I already have a wealth of experience manipulating the intangible? It is similar to how I could use my Terrakinesis and Pyrokinesis, as well as the True Quintessence abilities pretty easily. Each of them have their own quirks, but they are all the same device to an extent. Plus, it isn’t like I could just activate those as easily in the course of normal activity. Did you experience the feedback loop?”
“Feedback loop?”
“Yeah. It wasn’t significant, but I definitely felt something when enhancing your powers. I’m not sure if it was because that happens in general, or if it was specifically because it was the same ability resonating with one another. Once you learn to do it, we have to test if we could just keep amplifying one another to infinity. Talk about world breaking.”
“Says the person who is already a world breaker… Well thank you for highlighting yet another way I am inadequate… Maybe we can work on those wind blades then? By your own words, more condensed air is going to hit harder and be better for attacking.”
“You didn’t want to work on your cyclonic wind formations?”
“I don’t think it is a good idea until I fully master creating them consistently. I also think it would be irresponsible to work on strengthening something I already have no control over. It will have to stay as is for now.”
Anaar nods vehemently. “I completely agree. That is very mature of you. Most people only look at ways to obtain more power without factoring in their ability to actually control it. What exactly about the wind blades are you struggling with?”
“I mean, I can make them pretty consistently, though I find it really hard to focus on amplifying something so small. Those, I do want to make more powerful.”
“Logistically, aren’t your arrows more efficient? You can nock and shoot much faster than you can make those wind blades, and you are already extremely comfortable doing it.”
“You have got me there. But, the wind blades are invisible which gives me an edge.”
“True. Maybe we can work on making them pack more of a punch, and you can have Pryshka help you with being more effective at slinging them.”
“Ooh! That is such a good idea! I keep looking at you two as separate, thus never taking advantage of how you two can work together! I’m fired up now! Let’s do this!”
“I suppose before we even begin, I should ask the question, do you even consider how strong you are making them in your current state?”
Maggie pauses for a moment, confused. “I’m not exactly sure I understand the question.”
“Do you ever consider, ‘I want this blade to simply leave a gash, but I want the next to sever something completely.’ Something along those lines.”
“Never. I am just happy I can do it. Come to think of it, why exactly can I do it? How is it something so different can result using the same method? Shouldn’t it just always come out as a gust?”
Anaar scratches his head slightly as he thinks about her question. “My best guess is that the same reason you can’t do intricate things with wind fuels the seemingly random things you can.”
“That makes absolutely no sense.”
“Hear me out. We have firmly established you are not ‘controlling’ wind, you are simply pushing at it while making the resulting outcomes bigger. One of the key differences in that and being in complete control is that every path you take is a one-way street. Didn’t like how strong that gust came out? Oh well, no takebacks, maybe it will go better next time.”
“But how does that explain the differences?”
“By that same token, you aren’t telling the wind to slice, it is simply your powers reacting to what is available. Anything we swing is going to make at least a slight trailing wind with it. Your fan being bladed and held at that angle makes it naturally aerodynamic, meaning what it does produce is very fine. When you amplify that, since your power doesn’t have a large area to affect, all its power gets dumped into the potency, creating the blade effect instead. Pretty sure something similar would work with any object you used.”
Maggie deflates, slightly hunching over. “This is annoyingly similar to how I make those tornadoes. I had no clue the intricacies of specifically what I was doing, I just did it. How am I supposed to get better if I don’t even know what I am doing to begin with?”
“The good news is that you have an innate sense for what is possible, even if you recognize it only subconsciously. While that doesn’t lend itself to directed progression, it does mean you will still make advances, though they will be random in nature. I haven’t the same familiarity with your journey as Dan’s but I think you both may share a similar problem. Actually, it might just be an everyone problem since most people I encounter discount their true strength simply by not believing they have to ability to make something possible. Remember how you used to counter everything with ‘that’s not how my powers work?’”
“Yes, yes… You don’t have to remind me… I was an idiot who didn’t even know how to use her own powers.”
“Don’t put yourself down so much. The more I think about it, I think everyone does it. Maybe even people with much more established traits like Titans. I am
no exception. I am still learning what my abilities are now capable of, especially the Life attuned ones. Might I remind you I had no idea I was passively assimilating your powers into mine, though now that I think about it, the name should have been a dead giveaway. In any case, I am now learning that our abilities are gated by so many things there is no way we could ever believe in all the things we have the potential to do.”
“Basically, you are saying what we have the potential to do is set in stone, but it is only at certain points in our journey that we can recognize more potential? Maybe like walking in fog?”
“Hmm, I can go with that analogy. What I can assure you from my own experience is that at a minimum, power, talent, creativity, synergy, sensitivity, and experience all for sure play a role in what we can individually do.”
“I get most of them, like you said just being stronger has unlocked more things you can do without you even trying. I’m not clear on sensitivity and talent, and I have no clue about synergy.”
“A good example of talent is Ryn. She can make semi-permeable barriers. She almost only creates them. I can’t even do that as of yet. From what I know, she never really decided she wanted that, it just happened. Sensitivity is like you and your wind blades. You can understand just enough to create them, but not enough to advance them. Being able to better sense what is happening might be key to a breakthrough. Synergy is more something for people with multiple abilities. For example, through experience and a lot of work and talent, Ixnes can make ice while being only a Hydrokinetic. I can now make ice, simply because I have Phavian’s powers now. Two paths, same result.”
“Then I need to focus on my sensitivity, right?!”
“Sure… I suppose it is a start. Why don’t you try your hand at that rock and see what you can feel.”
Maggie scrunches up her face, then stares at Anaar with a pleading look. “Can’t you give me something more… squishy? Like realistic?”
“How is that rock not realistic?”
“If I want to break a rock, I’ll hit it with my hammer! I need something I’ll be targeting more often with these blades.”
Revelations (Song of Sophangence Book 4) Page 17