Chapter 5: Crystal Phases

Skysin Rillem-

It's been a few days since I learned how to fully unlock my kinetics. Mom and Dad had taught me a lot too. All while Crim and I spar as well, so we can adapt to our powers more. It seems that we're pretty equal in strength.

With all of us standing in this enormous backyard, Crim and I stood a few meters from each other, preparing for another battle. But this time, I'll be sure to jump him with my snowman army.

"Alright kids, you know how it goes. You'll be sparring for a minute," dad stated, standing with mom and aunt Savitra on the sides from us. A very noticeable height difference between him and them both. They're quite short, especially mom…

Crim and I nodded, utilizing our aura to coat ourselves. The sensation of a chilled essence flowing through me, as cool as a glacier, however, I couldn't help but feel exhilarated.

Crim made two different types of flames combust onto his arms. He's the son of two half deity clan members that specialize in fire. Sun-Dragon and the Phoenix clan. The first; pure white on his left arm, moving chaotically like a forest fire. The Sun-Dragon clans vital, a part of his late father Sedreen, fire so hot it can even disintegrate stars.

The second, a deep, dark-orange color, being a lot calmer and flowed like water. Which is the Phoenix vital from his mom, Savitra's side. Phoenix blazes are extremely more controlled and can even be conjured into weapons. But they also have a fantastic ability to heal, even mortal wounds. It also explains the red pigments on the outer edges of his eyes as well.

Noting that we're ready, dad shouted, "begin!!"

Quickly, Crim lifted his arm, firing a wave of white flames towards me. I reacted swiftly, raising my hand and shooting glacial tempests and shards of ice, blocking his attack.

With haste, Crim leapt towards me sheathing his palm in dark-orange blazes, launching a blanket of fire at me. As it billowed towards me, I activated my spatial kinetics, using gravity, I shifted my body to the left evading his fire.

When his flames passed me, and he stood where I was. I aimed all five of my fingers at him, bombarding Crim with sharpened icicles. Crim lowered his posture, and dodged my ice, bobbing, weaving, and leaping over them, diving right to me.

Not backing down, I jumped towards him and retracted my arm, when he did the same, we both shot a punch. Our fists flying past each other and smiting our cheeks. As we propelled from our attacks being knocked back, I briskly erected to my feet and elevated my arms, keeping them in front of me. However, I already knew what to do.

'It's time…go, my ARMY!!'

The temperature began to drastically decrease, and a small cyclone of chilled wind gyrated around me. Mounds of white snow materialized, covering the entire ground. It started to steadily uplift, taking shape of an adult man. My snowmen!!

Twenty, six-foot snowmen around the height of my dad were all standing behind me. Permeating a sense of battle. All while I stood like a prideful general, my arms crossed with a proud smile engraved on my face.

Crim's face blenched in confusion, but his mouth slowly curved into a smile. Making his Phoenix flames shroud the area around him, they began to take shape as well, transforming into fiery bodies of men. Rivaling the height, and number of my own.

The two of us standing across from each other, lifted our arms and pointed, "GO!!!"

Our army charged towards each other, all while Crim and I leapt into the air, casting another punch. Making our fists collide powerfully, keeping a smile on our faces.

Falling to the ground as our army continued their small war, Crim dropped and rotated, sweeping his leg to my ankles. I jumped over his foot, spinning my body and swinging my arm towards his face.

Crim ducked under and performed an uppercut, shooting it to my chin.

I bobbed my head to the right, circumventing past his punch and shot my knee to his chest. Crim lifted his arms blocking my attack, taking a step back. When I landed on the ground, I lowered myself and swept my leg onto his knee, making him lose balance.

As Crim faltered falling back, he made white flames explode behind him, projecting his self into stance, soaring a punch to me.

When I raised my arm, using my elbow to block his punch, I noticed a few of my snowmen preparing to strike him. However, I discerned searing flames behind me, the heat beginning to increase by the second.

As me and Crim fired one last punch, preparing to end it...

"Times up!!" Dads deep voice entered my ears.

Crim and I ceased our movement, and deactivated our army, making them vanish into thin air. We both clicked our tongues in disappointment, if only we had more time, he was finally about to get jumped…

Well, I probably would've followed the same fate…but that doesn't matter.

Dad patted our heads, "you kids are pretty equal in strength, and kinetics."

"They should be at the talc phase. That's pretty impressive for kids their age," mom stated with a smile.

Crim turned to mom, "what's a talc phase auntie?"

"That's the first phase of the crystal," mom explained. "As you grow stronger, your aura hardens, just like a crystal. There are ten phases – Talc, gypsum, calcite, fluorite, apatite, feldspar, quartz, topaz, corundum, and diamond. For each phase you're in, you'll have to go through, low, mesial, and peak. Usually, a kid's kinetics aren't strong enough until their six. But you two are already ahead."

"Which one would you be at mom?" I pondered.

Mom chuckled, "I'm at the peak of corundum, and so is Savitra. "—She gestured her hand at dad— "Your father is at the peak of diamond."

Eyeing mom, I asked another question, "how strong would corundom and diamond be?"

"Well…"—Savitra tapped her cheek— "The planets are all pretty vast – a radius of 100,000 miles I believe. So, corundom's could at least destroy three-fourths of the planet. Diamond could destroy the entire world," Savitra stated.

Crim and I looked at my dad in awe. It's very astonishing, I knew dad was strong – but this really blew past my expectations. Able to destroy an entire world, I never thought such power could exist.

Dad chortled, "well…I don't mean to brag, but she's right. Although your grandpa, including the other deities are stronger than me, even when I do transform."

"Wait…you can transform?!" I exclaimed.

"Yup, it's called Amalgision. It's a technique deities taught their children. You kids can do it too."

Crim and I tugged on my dad's arms. "Can you teach us uncle?!!" Crim excitedly asked.

Dad laughed patting our heads, "not right now. When you're eight, we can. If you try to transform right now, it could damage your body."

That's only four years from now, that's not too long! I can't wait until I turn eight! Crim and I gave each other a high-five.

I wonder what I'd look like?

"Hey auntie?" Crim called out to my mom, "do beasts have phases too?"

"Sort of, it's more like ranks, they have ten as well. It's combatant, tyro, warrior, superior, specialist, apex, dragon, calamity, demi, and deity being the strongest. Me-"—Mom paused— "…Savitra and Rellgis' kinetics are considered deity, all because of their parents. Which you kids will be when you're stronger."

We both nodded, then Crim prodded my arm, "wanna go find some bugs?" He asked, pointing at the chain of mountains in the background, behind the large wall in the backyard.

"Yeah!"

Savitra noticed us, chuckling as she spoke, "make sure you kids don't go too far. And be back before dusk."

"Ok!" Me and Crim responded, dashing off to the locked door embedded in the wall. However, when we ran, I noticed my speed was starting to increase, drastically – immensely…

Before I knew it, everything around me began to slow down, as if time had ceased. Furthermore, I couldn't perceive any sound either. I also noticed I was growing closer to the brick wall, extremely fast.

Hastily, I lifted my arm, releasing tons of snow, creating a giant barricade of frost. I screamed at the top of my lungs as I crashed into the wall of snow, sitting upside down.

Crim extended his arm, pulling me out. As I stood, he questioned me, "you ok Sin?"

"Yeah…I'm fine," I replied wiping the snow off myself. "That was weird…"

Mom briskly appeared on my side, lifting me into the air as she inspected me, "are you ok honey?"

"I'm fine mama."

Dad then walked over with Savitra, his yellow eyes staring me with wonder, "how'd you do that Sin?"

"Umm-I dunno, I was just running," I replied shrugging my shoulders. I'm just as confused as they are. But one thing for sure, that was awesome… I'm definitely trying that again.

When they all grew quiet, I looked up to mom, "can we go mama?"

"Uhh-yes, just be careful…" She took a knee, kissing my forehead.

I nodded, then me and Crim dashed to the brick door. Crim placed his hand on it, applying his aura. As he did, it began to steadily open. Allowing me to view the vast woodland of wildlife. Brimming with large green trees and lush grass. Yellow birds flapping their wings, soaring through the forest.

Crim and I grinned, taking off as we ran into the woods of the mountain.

*****

"Hey Sin!" Crim called me in excitement, "check this out!" Crim plucked his arm from the grass, revealing a giant, fat beetle.

"Woaahh, let me see if I can find something!" I thoroughly scoped the area, searching for any insects. Until I noticed a small hole in the trunk of a tree. I placed my arm inside, and felt something rather long, almost scaly…

I retracted my arm – which was a huge mistake. Only turning out to be a green snake… The scaley reptile hissed at me, preparing to attack. I meekly smiled, "I-I'm sorry Mr. snake – or is it, miss?"

Just as the snake shifted forward, I squealed, tossing it to Crim.

Hence, it landed on his face...

"OH GOD!!" Crim shouted, tossing it to the ground.

The snake eyed us with aggravation as it slithered away, however, I can't blame it…I did ruin its sleep…

When it finally disappeared, Crim and I stared at each other for a moment, our faces blank. Crim lifted his arm, and slammed his fist onto my head, "you girlish idiot!! Why'd you throw it at me?!"

"I didn't know it'd be a snake!" I snorted, rubbing my head.

After a sudden silence, Crim rolled his shoulders as he muttered, "y'know what? Let's settle this…"

I lifted my arms, ready to fight back, "oh yeah? You wanna go?"

"YEAH! I DO!"

Just as we're about to throw a punch.

*CAWWW*

Crim and I paused, simultaneously turning our heads to the direction we heard the noise. "W-What was that?" Crim whispered.

"I…have no idea…"

Crim made a devious grin, "wanna check it out?"

"Kek – yeah."

With that, we darted in the direction where the noise sounded.

*****

Traversing deeper into the mountains, hiking through the woods, the grass started altering into rugged rock. However, the noise was growing louder too. Coming up behind a large log, placed in front of us. We came across an opening, with a huge steep cliff covered in snow, high above our heads. At least sixty feet.

Additionally, what caught our attention were three giant silver birds with four wings. Rope tied around their humongous bodies, disabling them from flying, much less running. "Who captured the Pericks?" Crim discreetly asked.

As we hid behind the log, a group of adults with weapons latched to their waists, appeared from our right, approaching the birds. "These pericks are in the tyro rank," a man with short brown hair and beard informed.

"Nice…we'll kill them and sell the feathers," another fellow with a hooded black cloak chuckled.

Crim turned to me keeping a face of fret, "these guys are stronger than us…we should go and tell uncle Rellgis about this…"

I nodded, "right."

Right when we we're about to leave, "and where do you kids think you're going?"

*****