Chapter 21: Embracing the Lightning's Gift

A man sat in a meditative posture beneath a waterfall, his upper body bare, revealing well-defined muscles. His hair, black with red stripes intertwining within each strand, flowed around him. It had been two months since he left Dubai, and during that time, he had finally gained a deep understanding of the energy known as the power cosmic. You see, the power cosmic is simply energy—various forms of energy, such as kinetic, thermal, electromagnetic, and gravitational energy. All these different manifestations of energy that exist in everything that is real are aspects of the power cosmic.

Beyonders are different because they can manipulate these aspects and utilize them for various purposes. For example, if a Beyonder awakens the gravity aspect, they can only absorb gravity aspect energy, and naturally, they must be in places where gravity is present, like a planet. The same principle applies to other aspects. The only way to sense this energy is through an aspect cube. The energy is present everywhere; no place has more energy than another. The power cosmic is endless and eternal. However, if a gravity aspect user enters a place where there is no gravity, they wouldn't be able to absorb or manipulate gravity. But everything changes when they create their domain.

One thing Gabriel has noticed is that there is no specific posture required to absorb energy. It can be done at any time, even while sleeping or walking, as long as one possesses an aspect cube. The reason he is sitting in a meditative posture is simply because it looks cool. Another thing he noticed is that his aspect cube is shrinking. After two months of constantly absorbing energy, it is now almost half its original size. Furthermore, he has reached the fourth level transformation. He broke through just a week ago after absorbing energy nonstop for two weeks. He noticed that he could absorb energy twice as fast as before. Unknown to him, it typically takes up to six months for a Beyonder to progress from the third transformation to the fourth, but he accomplished it in just two months. Gabriel couldn't waste his breakthrough to the Stellar stage and explore the vast cosmos.

However, what he didn't know was that although it is relatively easy to reach the Stellar lifeform and travel to different planets, most people in the Stellar stage don't leave their planet because it's incredibly dangerous. Outer space is filled with terrifying void beasts larger than planets, and one wouldn't even know how they died. Moreover, the distances between planets are ridiculously far. The safest and fastest way to travel between planets is with a spaceship. Although Inarius knows all this, he doesn't have a choice. He lacks a spaceship and the resources to build one. So, flying is the next best option. Diving into his aspect soul space, he observes his shrinking cube with the nebula inside, spinning and devouring the cube from within. The edges of the cube have started to show signs of folding, as if it will soon collapse upon itself. Gabriel realizes that despite the increased speed of absorbing energy, he won't be able to enter the fifth transformation anytime soon. He exits his aspect soul space, stands up, and leaves the waterfall, making his way back to his tent.

As he walks, he hears the rumble of thunder in the sky. Lightning strikes a nearby tree, splitting it in half. A massive storm cloud gathers, coursing with arcs of devastating electricity. Immediately, heavy rain begins to pour. Gabriel stands there, watching the wreckage wrought by the lightning's impact. Something clicks in his mind—he has a brilliant idea. Just then, he hears the voice of AURORA.

[... CAUTION! THAT'S VERY DANGEROUS. ALTHOUGH YOUR BODY IS STRONG, LIGHTNING IS STRONG ENOUGH TO SPLIT A DIAM

OND.]

"I know, but if I survive and successfully become a Stellar lifeform, the momentum should heal me. It's risky, but I'll take it." The life of a Beyonder is filled with all sorts of dangers. Nothing comes easy, and with great risk comes great reward.

"Now the question is, how do I get up there?"

[... INSTEAD OF GOING TO THE LIGHTNING, WHY DON'T YOU MAKE IT COME TO YOU INSTEAD?]

"That's a very good idea, thanks, Aurora."

Gabriel sneaks into a nearby town. As a fourth-level transformation, his speed is inhumanly fast. He quickly finds what he's looking for—the instruments needed to build a lightning conduit, such as a lightning arrester, conductor cable, and lightning rod. It wasn't very difficult. Moments later, he returns to the forest and climbs to the highest point of the mountain, where he sets to work. With the knowledge he possesses and Aurora's guidance, building a lightning conduit should be straightforward.

First, he arranges materials that can withstand extreme temperatures, high voltage, and electrical currents associated with lightning. Since he already knows how the lightning conduit should look, it takes him only a few minutes to finish it. Inarius surveys his creation with satisfaction. Ascending into the sky, the lightning conduit stands as a testament to human ingenuity. Its design seamlessly blends elegance and functionality, crafted with precision to harness the immense power of lightning.

At its core is a central rod, sturdy and resolute, piercing the air and reaching towards the heavens. Made of a fictional material with exceptional electrical conductivity, it serves as the primary channel for capturing and guiding the lightning energy. Radiating from the central rod are a series of interconnected conductive branches, intricately designed to maximize the efficiency of energy transfer. These branches form an intricate web of metallic arcs, extending outward like the outstretched arms of a celestial guardian. Each arc is carefully crafted to create a path of least resistance, allowing the lightning's awe-inspiring electrical current to flow safely and predictably through the conduit.

The surface of the lightning conduit glistens with a special coating, devised to withstand the extreme temperatures generated by a lightning strike. Its iridescent sheen shimmers with an otherworldly luminescence, hinting at the incredible power contained within. This protective layer ensures that the conduit remains resilient, shielding it from the forces of nature as it fulfills its purpose.

Grounding wires snake their way down from the base of the conduit, vanishing into the earth beneath. They serve as essential companions, leading the excess electrical charge away from the structure, providing a safe path for dissipation. These grounding wires are securely anchored to the ground, reinforcing the stability of the conduit and ensuring that the immense energy of a lightning strike is harmlessly dispersed.

Surrounding the lightning conduit, a protective perimeter is established. Tall lightning rods encircle the area, creating an electromagnetic shield that redirects lightning strikes towards the central conduit. These rods, like guardians on watch, stand ready to attract and divert the electrifying force, ensuring the safety of the surrounding environment.

Now, all Gabriel has to do is wait for the lightning to come. And he doesn't have to wait long. With a brilliant flash, lightning tears through the sky, illuminating the darkness in an instant. Inarius hurriedly enters the core of the formation, ready to face the power of the lightning.