Dark Energy by carlsojos

Chapter 58

With no word from Jeetoh for two days, the rest of us have simply kicked back in the dormitory in the mansion. Dora and Demi have been spending the time talking, while I quietly studied a book of extreme difficulty. I notice a young man walking up to me, as something pulls at my mind again. I wish people would at least ask before they barge into such private areas like my thoughts....

You said your name was Marika, right? I've never talked to him before, but I silently nod. What are you reading?

A book I found on the shelf. It's pretty hard, but I think I'm making sense of it. Am I correct in saying that it contains combat techniques?

He looks at the page I'm on. That's pretty good. Think you can try one?

I'm curious about this 'Flaeli' one. I want to try it.

The esper steps a few feet back. Use me as the target. Don't worry, I can take a hit. I stand up and begin to focus my energies. As it begins to build, I direct the force into my hand, trying to lend form to the power. I drop the energy, leaving a burn mark on the floor. Don't rush it. The power is there, it'll take shape when it's ready. I try again. Focus the power, direct it to my hand. I'm startled when my hand bursts into flames, but I keep going. Now you're getting there. The flames are only an energy leak, try to focus. I imagine the flames slipping beneath my flesh, and I can feel the power accumulate even further.

The esper raises his guard. Whenever you're ready, Marika. I shout out as I thrust my palm outward. Four fireballs break off and track to the esper, hitting him squarely on the chest. He gets sent rolling halfway across the room.

I hear Dora drop her axe on the hard floor. Holy shit, Marika! I run over to the esper as he gets off the floor. There's a decent-sized burn on his armor where I hit.

Are you okay?

He simply brushes the dust off. You've never exercised your mind like that before, but I do believe you have some potential, if you were an Esper. I wonder why you never got initiated?

I'm not exactly from around here. I was born and raised on Motavia.

The man raises an eyebrow. I've never heard of anyone holding the gift who wasn't born here. He suddenly turns away for a moment. The Elder is calling you to the inner sanctum. You better head there now, he doesn't exactly exercise patience.

We step into the sanctum to find Jeetoh and the Elder waiting for us. Jeetoh looks like he hasn't slept at all.

Behold, the reverent 8th one.

Come again? Is the elder talking about Jeetoh?

I am now Lutz. I don't quite understand what Jeetoh means.

Demi suddenly remembers something. The Telepathy Ball?

Yes.

Well, if you're Lutz, what is the evil we need to fight?

Jeetoh motions us to sit on a bench, then goes into story mode. Long ago, Lutz, then known as Noah, fought alongside the swordswoman, Alis. They defeated the corrupt emperor Lassic, and discovered an ancient evil creature as the reason behind the leader's tyranny. It's also responsible for several disasters, but I don't need to go into detail. Basically, every thousand years, something known as Dark Force would slip into the Algo System in an attempt to destroy it. The 5th generation Lutz discovered that even such a powerful beast as the Dark Force was nothing more than a servant of the Great Light's sister. I have a feeling that if I was more religious, I'd probably understand more about this.

The Profound Darkness, so called because of its black hatred for everything in this dimension, was sealed by the planets of Algo. Every thousand years, it would send Dark Force into the world, and every thousand years, a small group of warriors would defeat it. The balance was upset when one planet was destroyed. Eventually, the 5th Lutz defeated the Profound Darkness, with the help of a hunter, a numan, and an android. They travelled into the bowels of a portal leading into the darkness, and destroyed the evil god, forever. I; he failed to consider the possibility that the hatred itself could survive without a vessel.

I decide to ask, If hatred didn't need someone to exist, what happened after the Profound Darkness was destroyed?

Without a being to collect in, it was scattered throughout Algo, but it is slowly filtering into every living being in Algo. While the universe itself is now safe, Algo now faces the possibility of being destroyed by war, should we do nothing to stop the rain falling down.

I think we should determine our next action. While I'm thinking about it, let me ask Firdaus' little puzzle. Go to where the Aero-prism was once kept, among the soldiers. Do you know what he meant?

The fifth Lutz, in an attempt to find Rykros, took the Aero-Prism from a temple on Motavia. It's called Soldier's Temple, and it's on an island just east of Krup.

Then we have a destination. I get up.

Demi nods at me. I'll have the Machine Center prepare a Hydrofoil to meet us at Krup. It'll be there when we arrive.

The elder walks us to the door, with one last word for Jeetoh. Reverent 8th, please be careful.

I will. We spend a long time heading back to the ship, and we reach the Landale at sunset.

Landale, you there? It's Outerbeast 1. Is Marika there?

I'm here.

It's Etirn. Finally managed to get my ass outta your bed. I swear I didn't raid your underwear drawer. I'm not so sure about that, but it's nice to hear him moving around, at least. Can you give me an excuse to sneak out? Watching cuts heal is like seeing grass grow.

I'm not sure if I should let Etirn get in more trouble, but I decide that he can watch himself. I'm going to Soldier's Temple, just outside Krup. Do you want to meet us there?

Hell, yeah! It'll take a little time to find some equipment, but I'll meet you at the temple by morning.

After landing, Jeetoh happily demonstrates the Ryuka technique to teleport us to Krup. It would've been nice if he learned that trick a little sooner.

Next chapter

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