8 Chapter 8: The Aether

In the hushed stillness of the bookstore, Michael's voice resonated with conviction as he walked with measured steps, each footfall punctuating his words like the cadence of a sage. 'Aether," he began, his tone steeped in reverence, "how do I put it? It is the most fundamental essence from which all existence unfurls. Everything, everyone, finds their origin in its silent embrace. It pervades the very fabric of reality, dwelling at the primordial core of all things."

Emory listened, his concentration unwavering as this new revelation became known to him.

"What awoke within you during your confrontation with the fallen was the ability to utilize the Aether within yourself. Few people, especially among the human race have been able to do such so you're by no means a normal human" Michael continued

Emory raised his hands in inspection, he was not normal? What exactly does that mean?

"What does manipulating Aether do? Do I just gain unnatural strength as well as rapid and inhuman healing?"

"It seems you fail to grasp what exactly being able to manipulate Aether means. You now have control over the substance that everything is made of, with this you can do as you wish, create and destroy at your convenience…. with enough training of course"

"Woah, that's a lot. Wait can I do the vanishing thingy now that I have Aether?"

"Yes…you can"

As Michael's words hung in the air, Emory felt a surge of excitement mixed with trepidation coursing through him. The realization that he held within him the power to shape reality itself was both exhilarating and daunting."So, I can manipulate Aether to create and destroy... anything?" Emory asked, his mind racing with possibilities.

"Within reason, yes," Michael replied, nodding gravely. "But remember, the Aether is not a toy to be wielded recklessly."

Emory nodded, absorbing the gravity of his newfound abilities.

"Where do I begin?" Emory asked, eager to delve into the depths of his potential.Michael smiled knowingly.

"Training, of course. It will take time and discipline to master utilising Aether, but I will guide you every step of the way. Tomorrow training starts but for now you clean" Michael said, handing Emory a broom and a feather duster

The morning sun filtered through Emory's window, casting a warm glow upon his room as he stirred from slumber. Stretching languidly, he recalled the events of the previous day, his mind buzzing with excitement and anticipation for the day ahead.

Descending the stairs, Emory found his mother already busy in the kitchen, her brow furrowed with worry as she juggled a multitude of tasks."Morning, Mom," Emory greeted her, his voice laced with concern. "You look tired. Have you been working too hard again?"

His mother, Mirianne offered him a weary smile, the lines of exhaustion etched upon her face. "Just a busy week at the hospital, honey. But don't worry about me, I'll be fine."

Emory frowned, knowing all too well the toll that her demanding job took on her. "Maybe you should take a break, Mom. You've been pushing yourself too hard lately." Mirianne sighed, her gaze softening as she looked at him with pride.

"I appreciate your concern, Emory. But duty calls, and I can't just step away. Besides, knowing that you're here to support me makes it all worthwhile, so just keep doing what you're doing."

Emory nodded, understanding her dedication but still wishing she would prioritize her own well-being for once.After a quick breakfast, Emory made his way to school, his thoughts drifting to the information about Aether and what he would be able to achieve with it. As he navigated the crowded hallways, he couldn't help but notice the curious glances and whispered conversations that followed in his wake.

It seemed that his newfound appearance had not gone unnoticed, and Emory couldn't shake the feeling of being under scrutiny. Emory carried out his school routine as usual, doing nothing out of the ordinary, that was about to change when the coach for the basketball team called him. It was time to fulfill the promise he had made to try the basketball team.

Arriving at the gymnasium, Emory found himself surrounded by a throng of aspiring athletes, each vying for a coveted spot on the team. Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself for the challenge ahead. As the tryouts commenced, Emory's natural athleticism shone through, his movements fluid and precise as he effortlessly outmaneuvered his competitors. He wasn't able to play in the past but that didn't stop him from studying the sport like a subject, he knew every detail of everything.

"Hey tailor finally got you right I see" a red headed boy said as he approached Emory. He recognised the boy almost right away, it was the boy that made a remark on his uniform during the whole sudden change phase.

"I'm Liam, I'm a guard for the school team, you've got decent skills how come you're just showing up now?" he asked

"I wasn't properly…. equipped to play until now" Emory replied.

"Well good to have you, I hope you make the team…." Liam said as he waited for Emory to tell him his name

"Emory. Emory Carson"

"Emory, nice. See you later Emory"

He caught the eye of the coach, who watched with growing interest as Emory showcased his skills on the court.After the tryouts, Emory found himself surrounded by his new teammates, who greeted him with a mixture of awe and admiration, he could also so detect some hint of jealousy from a few others.

They peppered him with questions about his background and training, eager to learn more about the enigmatic newcomer in their midst. Emory's heart swelled with pride as he exchanged banter with his teammates, feeling a sense of camaraderie and belonging that he hadn't experienced in his life.

School ended, and Emory headed to his new job, a spring in his step as he excitedly recounted his day to Michael."I made the basketball team, Michael!"

Emory exclaimed, his eyes shining with excitement. "Can you believe it?"

Micheal looked at Emory, unimpressed by his proclamation, "You humans place importance on the most insignificant things"

"Basketball isn't insignificant, it's a sport, more than a sport, its beauty when played right. I'm guessing you don't have sports in heaven, that's sad" Emory said as he dropped his bag on the counter

Micheal stared at Emory for a second before saying "Well let's not dwell on frivolities, we have you training to start, you actually want to have a fighting chance when a fallen shows up do you not?"

"Yeah that, what is this training about? Do I need to split a waterfall with Aether? Or train in a chamber where gravity is a hundred times more than ours?"

"Why would you even need to…nevermind" Micheal waved his hand the space around them changed into a a different room, it looked like a box shaped room with no windows and no doors.

"We will begin training here. Take off your shirt, sit down and cross your legs" Micheal instructed. Emory did as told and sat cross-legged in the centre of the room.

"Now I want you to try and remember that feeling you had when you first used the Aether. Reach deep down and concentrate"

Emory closed his eyes, trying to concentrate and grasp the Aether. He sat still with utmost concentration, unmoving and after some few minutes of intense meditation and silence, Emory achieved nothing. He failed to grasp the Aether.

"I can't do it Michael, I feel nothing and sense nothing, only darkness" Emory said, his voice laced with frustration

"Try again, this time try to visualise the Aether flowing around your body" Micheal instructed as he flipped through the page of a book he was reading

"Try again" Emory mumbled under his breath, mimicking Micheal

"I didn't catch that, come again"

"It was Nothing"

Emory did as told and concentrated even harder and tried visualising the Aether, he remained in a state of concentration for an hour and once he failed to sense the Aether.

"I give up, this is hopeless. Its not working" Emory said with traces evident frustration and a tinge of anger in his voice.

"Strange, perhaps it was a fluke and you're a talentless human just like the rest" Michael said while nonchalantly stroking his chin.

"Thanks for the encouragement, you're so supportive" Emory said sarcastically

Ignoring Emory's sarcastic remarks Michael muttered to himself "Perhaps that could work"

"Huh? What could work?" Emory asked

"If we are able to recreate an environment and scenario similar to when you first felt the Aether maybe…."

"Maybe I can grasp the aether" Emory interrupted Micheal, completing his sentence.

"Shall we give it a go?" Micheal said as he waved his hand, causing their surroundings to change once more. This time it was an exact replica of the alley where Emory encountered the fallen.

"This…" Emory furrowed his brows as the memories of that dreadful night came flooding back. Suddenly Emory could feel all his hairs stand on end as goosebumps appeared all over his body, the atmosphere had spontaneously developed a chill.

"I am going to kill you now" Michael said in a flat cold tone without a trace of emotion in his voice