Realm One

Where am I...?

Warning: Gets a little weird here 😅

       Caleb woke up in a strange room he had never seen before. Somehow though, his invisibility kept up so he knew his identity was still hidden. “Another thing to add to the list of useful things,” Caleb thought, trying to be optimistic. “Invisibility stays until I turn it off or run out of energy.” He decided to sit up slowly and got a small jolt of energy from his shoulder that quickly spread causing him to stop. He looked over seeing a cable with hooks gripping into the skin on his shoulder. He winced before pulling on it causing a larger current to escape through him causing him to release a strangled grunt from the pain. He knew he shouldn’t let whoever captured him even hear his voice knowing it could give him away. Far easier thought then done.

       “Well well well…” Someone taunted walking down the stairs directly to the room where he was being held. “Able to keep yourself in control with that attached. Quite a feat I must say.” He felt another stronger current run through him causing his body to now react while he barely released a gasp. “Even that… hmm…” Caleb’s mind tried to figure out who the voice belonged to. He knew it from somewhere. Not the manor… not the pirates… not even one of the scientists. Who could it be? Then he remembered the time he went to the strange sky houses. That creepy person he only met once! He turned himself to see that exact person looking down on him through the gated area. They also wore strange goggles that he was curious about. Caleb shifted to face them and saw a knowing smile on their face which creeped him out more. “Alright, I’m coming in. If you attack me, I’ll charge that as much as I did the first time. I don’t think you’d like that right? Better to know what is going on rather than question it after right?”
  
     Caleb’s breath caught in his chest hearing those words. His mind started turning to the lab thinking that he would be getting tested on by this person who was making his way over to him. He didn't want to get tested but he knew making any strong movement would just make it worse. Sitting still he watched as they took their time getting over to him as if knowing how painful it was to him. The unknown getting closer and closer, slowly and painfully. He was tempted to cry out to them to get whatever it was over with but kept himself in check. Soon enough they did end up beside him and looked him directly in the eyes. How could they look at him with pinpoint accuracy while no light refracted off him. There should be no way to see him but they could. They then brought up a machine on their arm that tried to scan him but the rays turned invisible after hitting him. 
 
      “Not that then? Didn't think it would be that simple anyways.” They switched a few knobs and then gained their chilling smile which seemed to go up a few notches itself. “There we go… now your invisibility has no effect on me.” He showed the screen off to Caleb which showed a strangely coloured image which showed him in a red hue. There were little to no details, but the fact it showed him as he was, frightened him more than he thought he could’ve in the span of a few minutes. He knew immediately that he had to get away. He didn't want to reveal his abilities too soon though in case he got captured again. Besides he didn't know how they could read him, so didn't know if he could be caught off guard     again.

       He then heard a laugh erupt from the other. They seemed to be feeding directly off his fear. Soon enough Caleb was slowly being pressed against the corner and feeling trapped as they leaned closer into him. “Definitely not one for physical contact are you?” They smirked, grabbing his hand and pulling Caleb into them. “Shy type I bet too right? No wonder you won’t show me your face. Or maybe you're just too smart, not wanting even the smallest bit of your identity shown. There is a lot more than one way to find out your details.”

      “Help!” He forced his mind to find where their HQ was and find the leader’s mind. “I’ve been captured and I don't know how much more of this I can take!! I… I don't know what to do...” There was no response. He couldn’t even tell if his thoughts reached them. All Caleb could think of now was getting away before he shuts down from panic which was probably exactly what they wanted. Maybe something unexpected would be able to get them away. His mind turned to the cable in his shoulder. It wasn't too deep but deep enough to dig in. With the pain that he knew he would experience, he knew they wouldn't think of what he was planning on. Normally he wouldn't think of such a plan, but he was getting desperate.

       He felt a hand reaching around to the back of his neck to presumably gain complete control of him and keep him still for whatever was next. All he knew was that he didn't want to stick around to find out. He gritted his teeth and used all the strength available to rip the cable out of his skin, ripping out a sizable chunk before pressing it against their side, having the energy pass through them instead. He bit his lips to keep from making too much of a noise as he searched his captor’s pockets for a key while they were stunned. They soon regained control of themselves, but not before Caleb found the key and ran towards the exit, one hand still gripping his shoulder that bled heavily. He didn't even know he got his hands to get the key into the lock, much less unlock it, although he couldn’t care less about the specifics as he made his way out into the sunlight. He then gripped as much air as he could and launched himself at the headquarters.
 
      He crash landed on the balcony, not able to keep control and scraping himself up more. Compared to the hell he was just in, he would take the scrapes if it meant he was free for just a bit longer. He leaned against the wall as he turned visible to see how bad he was. Reaching into his healing power, he focused on his shoulder first knowing it was the worst. It wasn't long before others ran out to find out what the noise was and were horrified to see Caleb in the condition he was in. “T-this time… it really was out of my control…” he laughed lightly, futilely trying to raise his spirits as well as theirs. “I-I’m fine though! Trust me…!” Suddenly tears welled out of his eyes as he was now getting out of shock. The pain too rose to another level and he allowed himself to cry out now since he didn't have to hide himself anymore. He hated feeling weak though since he worked so hard on getting stronger. All the onlookers didn't know what to do but watch until the leader pushed their way though.
  
     “I thought I told you to be careful!” They chided, kneeling before him to wipe off the sweat from his brow. “You were fine for three years and now…! What if you weren’t able to escape-?” They stopped to look into his obviously hurt eyes. “Well enough on that, what happened to you? This doesn't look like something minor.”
 
      “I was caught by one of those in the sky village,” Caleb got out before his arm spasmed. “They-... They were able to see me while invisible. The last thing I remember before they got me was being in the air and contacting you.”

       “I remember. I sent out a team to your last location but couldn’t find you. We waited for your call but it never came and suddenly you were here.”
 
      “Then that means-” Caleb shivered at the thought that they could block his mind. He was sent into a panic again not feeling as powerful as he once thought he was. At that moment the mark on his arm began to glow causing the personified versions of Nature to appear before him. Earth used their power to calm him before beginning to heal, water then started to wick away the sweat and clean off the blood, air regulated his breathing, before fire went ahead to warm him up because of the blood loss. All the onlookers just stared in awe of what was going on before them.
  
     Earth was the first to speak up when he knew that Caleb’s wounds were now small enough to heal with minimal to no scarring, “So… you all probably know his powers. No, maybe not that… uh… yes! We are a special type of guardian spirit to watch over him. We usually like to let him do his own thing to learn from mistakes and such but this was too much for him. We also have cause to believe he isn’t safe here for the time being.” Earth then grabbed the compass from Caleb’s pocket to place it in his hand before turning back. “We know you worry about his safety as much as we do so you should want the same as us. But remember this isn’t goodbye. He will be back when he gets stronger and not have to worry about being trapped.”

       The leader sighed understanding, “If it is what’s best for him. We can take care of ourselves until he comes back. We will be waiting for him so don't make us wait too long.”
 
      Caleb smiled sadly before nodding, “you still need me here so I’ll do my best to get back in one piece.” He then looked towards nature, “well… where to next?”

       “As the compass says.”

-{Eragon}-