Ch 4: Reset and Preflight

I sit on the couch, reeling from the conversation. <Grace, what do you think about all this?>

<Neveev leading a cult is simply impossible. Though she one of the shade-children. If someone has found out how to harness her power their own ends, it entirely possible that being used.>

<Neither situation is good.> I say with a sigh. <We need to shut reset you and then prepare head out.>

<Yes, Leon> Grace says. <Shall I summon a doorway?>

<What is your output level at?>

<Currently stable at 2%.>

<How much will a doorway and travel to Europe increase that?>

<Approximately by 3%. Is that acceptable?>

<5% percent is pretty high>. I say, biting my lip. <I guess we have no choice but to do a full reset.>

<I agree. We don't know what we will be dealing with in Europe. Especially if more force is needed the near future. Increased resonance put a strain on system. A full reset my soul note.>

<It's a risk we will have to take. Something tells me this cult needs be stopped sooner rather than later.>

<I like this, Leon. Much more assertive. Did Ulyssa's acceptance of you make confident going forward?>

<It helps that she's certainly more capable than I am.>

Grace sighs. <Of course. Resonance initiating. Doorway is opening now.>

Light forms in the middle of the room. It becomes a black, vertical disk with a ring of swirling, crackling energy at the edges. I stand and approach the inky surface.

<I really hate this part.>

<Do you need me to hold your hand?> Grace says, referring to the first time I stepped through a portal. My master had to hold my hand because I was too scared. She really gets a kick out of reminding me about that memory.

<Let's just get this over with.> I say, annoyed.

Grace chuckles as I step through, enjoying her teasing. The darkness swallows us and the portal closes in a spiral of converging energy, pure divinium.

The darkness lasts less than a blink and another portal opens in front of me, the same as it closed but in reverse. I step out into another room, and it closes behind me.

"Home sweet home." I say.

<Welcome back, Leon.>

"It's too bad we aren't staying long." I say.

Home is a little cabin deep in the woods. No road leads to it and it isn't on any registry database. It essentially doesn't exist in a wilderness untouched by humans for more than a thousand years. It may be hard to imagine such places still exist in the modern world.

It always surprises people how little they really know about the world they live in. There are secrets that they can't imagine, sometimes right in front of their faces.

Yet for people like me, who require shadows to carry out our mission, it works out well. So that is why the cabin deep in the woods where no one can disturb me. Also, it really is nice to get away from civilization after lurking there for months on end. It is the fate of the guardian of the world to rarely ever have some down time. In the past year, I have only been back home a handful of times.

That all being said, it is my favorite place in the world. It has all the memorabilia that I have collected over the years about my master and his legacy.

Relics of the past line my walls, on pedestals, on counters and all manner of tables and desks. With the exception of a small sitting area by a fireplace, the only use for furniture is to display my findings, all of which lie in glass cases.

Yet I am not here to simply admire my collection of nostalgia, I am here to recharge Grace.

I move through the house and come to a door leading down into the basement. It descends down the steps which go underground a long while until I come to a hallway.

I travel down the dimly lit corridor for a while until I come to a door. It is old wood and aged iron hinges, yet it still stands strong after guarding the way to the inner chamber for more than 2000 years.

On the door's surface are many glowing and shimmering arcane and occult symbols. They bar anyone but The Appointed One from getting through.

<Grace. Activate authorization.> I say.

<Yes, Leon.>

One by one, Grace uses resonance to change the colors of the symbols. They go from a shining gold to a neon blue. Once the sequence is complete, the door opens, the ancient iron hinges screaming in protest.

I really need to remember some lubricant for those things. Honestly, I've been telling myself that for so many years I've lost count.

The inner chamber is unlit but there is a glow coming from deep within. I step inside and the door closes behind me. In the center of the room is a glowing orb that appears like a blue sun.

Except this ball of energy not an explosion, but an intricate entanglement of resonance codes, all revolving around each other. It is made of divinium.

At its center, however, there is one other key ingredient. Grace's real body, curled up into a fetal position, her hair waving and flowing with the energies that move around her. Her eyes are closed in eternal sleep. She's beautiful and naked.

Grace manifests into my vision, wearing that same red cocktail dress, playfully poking me on the cheek. <It's not polite to stare at a girl like that, you know.>

"Who's staring?" I say, flustered. <I'm not staring!>

She replies with a knowing chuckle. <This won't take long. Just wait for me.> then she disappears.

<Yeah, yeah.> I grumble, sitting on the floor and trying to look anywhere but at Grace's body.

Yet I can't turn my eyes away when the symbols flowing around her body suddenly converge of her skin, covering her entirely. Then her eyes open, revealing beacons of light.

She stays this way for a short while, until her eyes finally close and the symbols unwrap themselves from around her body. They return to simply revolving around her.

Grace reappears in front of me, smiling. <Okay, I'm all set.>

I get up, frowning. <I'm sorry. If I was stronger, we wouldn't have to keep coming back here.>

She reaches out and touches my face. I gaze downwards, not wanting to look into those glowing yet kind eyes. <You are always comparing yourself to the strengths of others. If only you could see strength that king saw in you, all those years ago.>

I straighten, not wanting to get caught up in emotions. <Come on, we've wasted too much time here already.>

Grace gives me a patient smile and shrugs. <Okay, Leon, but you can't avoid this talk forever.> then she disappears.

I go to the exit and the door opens. I step out and take one look back at the source of my power one last time before the door closes. I sigh and retrace my steps until I am back on the main level. I go outside and out into the field.

<Okay, Grace. I'm ready for Helion 4.>

<Okay, 4 Leon. Stand by. Initiating Helion resonance sequence.>

A ball of light appears in the middle of the field. It grows quickly, until it is about twice my size. Then the light dissipates, leaving a transparent orb. There is a control console inside and a chair. Lines of energy beam around the surface of the orb in seemingly random patterns.

I step up to the machine and press my hand to the side. It is cool, despite the powerful energy running along its surface. Without a word, the glass-like material slides away, making an opening just big enough for me to walk through.

I get into the pilot's seat and begin the preflight sequence. The door slides closed and the Helion 4 begins to hum with power as the drives boot up.

<Preflight checks complete. Everything green for go.> I say, flipping some last switches and putting my hand on an orb at the end of the arm rest. It brightens at my touch.

<You know, you don't have to keep doing this. I can operate the Helion without all this silly nonsense.> Grace says.

I shrug. <I know you can, Grace, but I like doing some things myself.>

<With all that spirit of independence, you might eventually be able to get a girlfriend in the next ten thousand years.>

<Oh, shut it!>

<Make me!>

I roll my eyes. The problem with having someone in your head is you really can't win the argument. All you can do is keep the peace.

<Fine, have it your way. Take the controls and get me to Poland!>

<Aye aye, Captain!>

The Helion 4 lifts into the air with a smooth motion. I barely feel it rise. The drives gather more power, preparing for a burst of speed. I grip the arm rests hard and lean back into my seat. I really hate this part.

Unfortunately for me, Grace knows this and today she apparently has a particular need for speed. Though really, I think she is a little peeved at me.

<Do hold on tight, my dear Leon… and try not to piss yourself.>

<Uh, hey now, take it easy!> I say, watching the drive load levels rise and rise way past the standard power output. <Graaace. Grace, hello?>

She doesn't answer as the drives reach maximum intensity. I can't help but scream as the Helion 4 bursts upwards, the speed crushing me into the seat.

<Graaaaaaaaace! >