Chapter IV: Shared Minds (Pt. 2)

 "At least now we won't have to worry about Avarice overhearing us anymore," Naomi mentioned as she pulled out her holo-bracelet and froze it until it shattered. Just as I was about to destroy mine, a thought made me stop. I decided to keep mine for the time being as I placed them inside my spatial bag. "Curious; what made you think we were being tracked in the first place?" Damien asked as Arne walked over to challenge him to an arm contest. They had already crafted a stone table and stubs between them. Za'Fia strolled up to take on the challenge instead, which only made Arne more excited. "With the amount of money, resources, and economic influence the Watchers' companies had, Verin wouldn't have just destroyed them without acquiring their assets for Avarice, right? The fact that the c-chips and holo-bracelets are still working proves that someone other than Cerebral Tech is keeping them active. My guess is that even though the HQs were destroyed, somehow, Avarice capitalized on their deaths and obtained control of the other network of installations that remained of the Watcher businesses." "Makes sense, plus we haven't heard anything about any mass power outages or shortage of medicines," Za'Fia input as she and Arne were well into their arm contest. Za'Fia wasn't putting in nearly the same effort as Arne, whose arm was covered in veiny, bulging muscles as they strained to gain the upper hand. Suddenly, an image of Viraa popped into our heads. Disposing of your devices is a wise decision. Everyone, including myself, Tymon, and Za'Fia, was taken aback by her appearance. She didn't show the human form we'd seen from her past memories; instead, we saw a beautiful, regal form of pure violet/aqua energy. She had long, silvery hair that glowed like the moon as it flowed to her mid-back. Her all-white eyes radiated an air of knowledge as she smiled at us in our heads. So this is your true form... Michael projected in awe. Yes, this is what a pneumarian's true form is like. It's beautiful... Damien shared. No kidding, Za'Fia and I commented in unison. Such flattery...Viraa flustered momentarily before getting serious again. Alas, we should focus on more important matters than my visage: now that each of you has increased power, I believe it would behoove you to train said power before flying off into battle. She's right, I stated. Avarice gave us two months to choose whether or not we submit to him. That means whatever he has planned won't happen until sometime at the end of January. We can use the time before that to train before we give them the biggest surprise of their lives. Precisely. Michael, dear, I presume there are enough rooms down here to serve as training grounds? There are plenty of rooms, but I'll take you all to the largest. Michael turned to leave the room, and each of us followed him through the white corridors. As we followed, Za'Fia complimented him on his amazing home. "It's pretty meticulously designed, especially everything below the manor: you into architecture? Engineering?" She asked. "Thanks," he responded but shook his head. "But I didn't design this place. At least not the current me. My previous incarnation left it to me." "He—you—left yourself a place like this?" I expressed in disbelief before it quickly made sense for beings who constantly have to start over. "Yes, did none of your past lives leave gifts?" He directed his question to the others. "I was left an old car and a house in need of renovation—kind of like Tymon was—but they both were destroyed before I learned how to control my spirit energy," Za'Fia answered, looking a bit glum at the thought. "I was left a bank account with a large sum of money," Damien stated, thinking back. "It provided me the funds I needed to start my business—that dreadful place." "I was left money too, but I told the Watcher who informed me of locating an account reserved for me that I didn't care what he did with the funds," Arne replied with a soft chuckle. "After signing ownership over to him, I imagine he had a lavish life." "I wasn't left anything," Naomi said as we entered the designated empty room. She sounded a little bitter. Maybe from envy? "But hey! We won't be able to leave anything for the next reincarnation...you know, since we all age normally now." "That's fine by me," Arne stated as they walked forward, cracking their knuckles with a wide grin. "The humans can do whatever they want with what's left behind after I die—if that's their desire." Arne's eyes locked onto Tymon with hunger. "I've never cared for the materials of the world. I yearn for something more exciting and satisfying..." "Should've seen this coming," Za'Fia muttered with an eye roll as she and everyone besides Tymon and I moved to a distant wall to our left. "Tymon," Arne breathed excitedly. "I've never clashed with a death primordial: how about we spar? Show me the power you possess." "Arne, this is pointless, he ha—" Naomi began before Arne cut her off. "Quiet! I don't want any assistance or clues to his abilities in any way," Arne announced as their skin took on a tougher, metallic silver appearance, followed by an orange coating of spirit enhancement. "Tymon, you won't turn me down, will you?" Arne said as they lowered into a battle stance reminiscent of a crouching lion. Arne flared their energy wildly, boasting an air of intimidation. Tymon smirked at her attempt to intimidate him. He responded by flaring a powerful sense of terror outward, causing my skin to stand on end. Even Arne tensed at his presence. "I'm ready when you are," he said without taking a stance. The battle—if you can call it that—ended instantly. Arne lunged forward as stone materialized around Tymon, but in one swift motion, Tymon coated one of his fists in spirit energy alone and landed a hefty punch straight to Arne's gut. Upon impact, the area of Arne's stomach around his fist lost its metallic luster as the force behind his punch sent them crashing against the far-side wall; Arne's metal skin shattered in the process." Arne started coughing up blood as they struggled even to stand back up. Michael and Naomi dashed over to them. Michael attempted to heal Arne, but they swiped his attempt away and slowly stood on their own. "I tried to warn you. Your Hardshatter won't work on him," Naomi said. "Yeah, I'd heard whispers about that, but I had to experience it for myself," Arne replied, wiping blood from their lips, still grinning maniacally as they eyed Tymon with a weird sort of joy. "To think he'd break through my defense in one hit." Arne and the others walked back over to where Tymon and I stood. When Tymon's quiet gaze landed on Arne he opened his mouth, but Arne held up a hand in disapproval. "Don't apologize," Arne told him fiercely. "I challenged you and lost. That's all there is to it. I've never been defeated that quick before...even Michael took a bit longer before defeating me." "That's some power you got," Arne said, throwing an arm around his neck with a smile that broke the sudden tension that had built. As the others chattered about their experiences fighting each other in the past, I looked at the wall Arne had crashed into. Amazingly, it was still intact without even a dent. "Yeah, this'll be a good place to train," I muttered.-----Fun fact: Viraa was once known for her power to foresee the future. She was also born on the 20th day of the 20th month on her home world, Cindar.Enjoying the story? Have any constructive criticisms? 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