Chapter 4: Under the Surface

The gift of sight was bestowed upon Humans, allowing humanity to see only a fraction of what is happening on this plane of existence. However, if a human did have access to the entire spectrum, would they still be considered a Human?

"Awakened by the darkness, What are you going on about. Scratch that, how do you know what is going on?" Atlas questioned Nyla, "Calm down newblood, One question at a time. It's a long story but basically the raw energy your consciousness emits, called Ichor, has now been activated by The Darkness." Nyla replied as she sketched in her notebook, having her phone propped up for the video call. "Okay.. Meaning what exactly?.." Atlas speculated on what that could entail yet, his thoughts seemed.. Far-fetched. Nyla sighed, "You have superpowers idiot, and you aren't the only one to have 'em." Atlas took a moment to think, realizing that it wasn't far-fetched after all. Was this really happening? Unknown to the both of them, Atlas' lights began to flicker which alerted Tempest, having him sit upright and surveying the room. She lifted up the sketchbook, showcasing a sketch of the human anatomy, with lines that didn't match any system known to societal norms. The streams were loose yet, sporadic, and even though the branches of the network seemed random and perplexing, it showed precise placement to connect to each major area of the body. "This is called the Neuro-Network, and just like every other system of your body like your veins, This flows your Ichor, or basically raw knowledge. This is what Jaxson and Sabrina's Network looks like and what yours looked like this morning." Nyla explained as she flipped the page over, revealing a more complex and defined version of the streams. The branches were intertwined with one another as if to coil itself and spiral out ichor more quickly and efficiently. "Now this sketch is what your Network may look like now, It's not exact as everyone's Networks changes depending on their Qi's attribute and properties. But the similarity is that, this network is now pumping Qi, not Ichor.".

Atlas nodded, absorbing the information "Alright so-" Atlas was interrupted by the lights flickering again yet more violently, alerting both him and Nyla. Tempest jumped onto the bed and snuggled up with Atlas, Keeping track of the door, beginning to growl. "What the hell? I know the electric bill was paid this month…" Atlas exclaimed, brushing it off as the same thing that happened in the bathroom, petting Tempest to comfort him. Nyla scuffed while flipping to another page in her sketchbook, as she randomly picked up a negative cosmic signal. "What.. ATLAS GET OU-" Was the only thing Atlas heard from Nyla, before his phone abruptly turned off. Atlas instantly sat up, taking no chances and stepped onto the floor. His body all of a sudden became paralyzed, having goosebumps creep across every inch of his skin. It was silent to the point where it was ear-piercing, as heat broiled within Atlas' blood. The panting from Tempest intermingled with every heartbeat that passed, consuming his eardrums and echoing through his mind. It felt dizzy, intoxicating even.

Every moment felt like minutes, and every minute felt like hours. Atlas still not being able to move, was greeted to the sound of a deep masculine hum, flooding his ears. This jolted his body back into action as he crouched down, Noticing that Tempest heard it too. Heavy footsteps occupanied the melody as it rang through the mind, causing them to be unable to pinpoint where it's coming from. The melody seemed to get louder, as the atmosphere grew thicker, whilst the footsteps drew nearer. "I.. smell… New Blood." The voice sang behind the door, as the doorknob started to violently shake and jiggle trying to open. Atlas thankfully already lodged a chair underneath the doorknob as he had his Karambit and a hatchet on his hips. He opened the window as the Entity gently knocked on the door, "Oh new blood.." The sound of flesh shifting interrupted it's sentence, "Sweetie… Mommy's home…" a now gentle comforting feminine voice spoke in place of the male voice beforehand.

Atlas was stepping out of the window as he stopped upon hearing the voice, "Mom?…" Atlas' heart sank down into his stomach as he gritted his teeth, chalking it up to some profound ability and slid off the roof onto the grass. He rolled and got up quickly, making great use of his training from his brother in the past. Tempest followed in pursuit as he gave no warning to Atlas, landing onto his back. Atlas almost fell over but he caught himself, letting Tempest slide down.

Before they knew it, Atlas' room blew up as eyes peered through the smoke, glowing from the moonlight. A 9ft lanky pale entity stepped out of the smoke as its eyes were bulging out of it's sockets, looking around in separate directions, scanning the earth. "Sweetheart… Mommy's home…" The entity uttered as it's eyes locked onto Atlas, having an inhumane toothy grin creep from one ear to the other. "Sweetie, Give Mommy a hug…" It's voice distorted mid sentence, like a toy voice box breaking down, and leaped up into the air pouncing at Atlas. He started at the creature in the air, watching it fall in slow motion. Why was everything so slow. Was it out of fear? Was he already dead? His body assured him No to all of his question, knowing it was something else.. He picked up Tempest, and ran down the driveway, ramming into a mossy greenish energetic wall. Atlas fell on his ass, dropping Tempest and looked at the wall. Quickly standing up, He realized that it was a barrier that blocked off his house to the neighborhood yet, it was only visible when he got near it. He stepped back as the humanoid outline of Atlas faded from the barrier as well. The scent of decaying, wet flesh stung Atlas and Tempest's nose, having a shadow cast over them from behind. "There you are Sweetheart, Give Mommy a hug." The Entity uttered calmly, sharpening fingers and piercing down at them. Atlas closed his eyes as it would be his last moments as he heard glass shatter behind him feeling wind pass him. He opened his eyes and saw that It was Nyla, flying through the barrier kneeing into the side of the monster's neck, launching it away through the fence. She landed having her feet skid the ground next to Atlas and Tempest, "I'm glad I made it just in time.. Is everyone okay?" Nyla huffed with each word as she ran here. "Yeah I think so, How'd you get here so fast." Atlas questioned as he got up, making sure Tempest was okay, as he heard glass clank, noticing that the barrier repaired itself. "Qi." She answered, readying her fighting stance, eyeing the creature standing up again. "Ah…" the creature groaned as it's neck, shuddered and shifted, speaking in the prior masculine voice yet, was now scratchy. "A Newblood and a Pulser huh. Two in one day, it must be the day of harvest.". Nyla sucked her teeth, glancing at Atlas, "Great, It's a Vulture. I'm gonna have to teach you quick 101's about your powers in this fight so get ready. And get rid of Tempest.". Atlas proceeded to do as instructed, as Tempest stayed near the barrier. Atlas readied his Hatchet and Karambit, standing next to Nyla having them both stare at the Entity who now seemed closer to 12ft taller.

To be Continued…

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-EsperTouch