Gauntlet (Old)

Part 1: Chapter 5

I woke up and stretched. I was met with my own body odor, which had worsened tremendously in the soon to be seventeen days since I last showered. My hair was greasy and darker than its already dark brown color, along with my beard beginning to grow out, instead of my normal clean-shaven look. My requests for any way to clean myself up were met with a clear and concise no. At least I had something to look forward to; I was finally going to learn what the 'Gauntlet' could do.

Like all the days preceding this one, Corru was out doing whatever it was she did when she wasn't here, and like all the days preceding this one, I just had to wait for her. I ate one of the nutrition balls so long, then got up. I paced around the bed, letting my mind wander and explore any ideas it felt like exploring. I found it the best way to prevent boredom when there wasn't much to do, other than rummage through the mess on the workbench. There wasn't anything interesting on it, other than a metal cylinder with a slit running from one side to the other. Finally, I heard the door swing open.

"Are you ready to learn how to use The Gauntlet?" There was always such confidence in the way she did everything, from making decisions, to such minor details as walking or speaking.

"Silence will be taken as a no." Apparently, I thought about this too long and daydreamed.

"Eh- I mean- Sorry. I zoned out," I started, "Yeah, of course I'm ready."

"Good," she said, "all of its feat-"

"Just as a side note," I interrupted, "are there razors in... eh, what's this place called again?"

I noticed a building frustration on Corru's face. She did this a lot, must have been an easily irritable person. There was a long and awkward pause, as I saw the frustration fight for dominance, but eventually lose.

"You are in Prunc. We do not have razors. Any other questions, or may I actually explain how your only tool of survival works?" she said, finally. The frustration left her face, but still lingered in her voice.

"Okay."

She sighed, "Good. Now, the Gauntlet already has a couple of features, however, it was expensive enough to integrate these features, so you will need to bring me the items on the checklist I will give you if you wish to add more. Let us begin with your staff."

A staff didn't sound too amazing, but I gave it the benefit of the doubt and let her continue.

"All features are gesture-activated. You will practically select from a menu, first the category, then the individual item. Flexing the relevant finger to your palm, then straightening it out again is how you will select menu items. Once you have chosen a feature, clench your fist. The next step is item-specific. For the staff, you-"

I was trying to follow, but at this point realized that I wasn't going to, and let my mind wander, missing the rest of the explanation.

"Now, activate your staff," she said a couple seconds later.

"Uh, okay, so I, wait, what was the combination for the staff?" At least I got the menu selection thing.

"Index finger for short-range, and thumb for the staff," she replied, then just watched.

I performed the movement with my index finger, causing the strand of energy connecting its segments to brighten, along with my thumb when I flexed it. Then I closed my fist, but there was a tube or something preventing me from closing it completely. Just then, the diamond-shaped pouches on the side of the Gauntlet burst open, and many particles came flying out, building a tube from my hand outwards, until finally adding a spike to either end.

It was the same black color as the Gauntlet, and emitted the same green glow through its slits, which were probably just there for decoration. Either way, this was where that useless staff training course finally became useful. Maybe my mom was right in forcing me to attend it. I hadn't seen her since I moved out, it was like life took over and I didn't get round to visiting her. I was never going to see her again, not that we had the best relationship, but it was still a sad thought.

"Is your intent to stand with the staff and look pretty, or are you going to use it?" Corru said, bringing me back to reality. I started spinning it around, trying to remember what I learned, and got reasonably fast. The speed was a little too much, and I missed a grab, causing it to drop on the floor. It shattered into the particles that formed it, and they went back into the pouches, sealing them in the process.

"At least you know how to use it, but do remember the spike at the ends. It will, as you've seen, unequip itself if dropped. Next, try your blaster; category 2, item 1," Corru paused for a moment, then added in a stern tone, "Do not open your hand until I say so."

I flexed my middle finger, then my thumb, and finally clenched my fist. Instead of the pouches helping form anything, my palm grew into a sphere of energy a little smaller than a basketball. Being careful to keep my fist clenched, I turned to Corru. She looked more tense than usual.

"Opening your hand will fire that ball, but if you wish to stop using your blaster, shake your hand as if you are snuffing a match. I have no targets in here, so snuff it out."

Needless to say, I felt pretty powerful. It looked and felt amazing, and even Corru seemed scared of it. I shook my hand as instructed, wearing a smirk of pride on my face.

"Finally is teleportation. Catego-"

"I'm sorry," I started, "I could get past the staff that grew out of my hand and the ball of energy made out of my hand, but teleportation?" I gave a short laugh, then continued, "Wouldn't be my first teleporter, but it'll be the first one I make."

Corru cleared her throat, "Category 3, item 1. Now."

I flexed my ring finger, followed by my thumb. Disappointingly enough, nothing changed once I clenched my fist.

"Uh, I think it's broken." I said.

"Point at the wall, Hunter." The irritation never really left, it just built up.

I decided to do as she said, but did so carefully, afraid to get her any more annoyed. There was a green plus on the wall where I pointed. I wanted to ask what to do next, but thought she should be the one to bring it up.

"Now, continuing to point at the wall, snap your fingers and keep your hand steady." She was back to monotonous again.

This woman makes no sense.

I decided to have fun with it, and made a finger gun, and, when I snapped my fingers, I imitated a gunshot with my mouth. The tip of my index finger opened and shot out a white liquid at the wall. As it did this, I saw the same colored liquid flow from the second finger segment to the top one and from the third to the second. On the wall, the little white splotch grew to a splotch I could probably fit through comfortably.

"Now point at the floor just in front of you and make the second point of the teleporter. Then fall forward into it."

This seemed like a bad idea, so I made a counteroffer, "Can't I walk through the other one?"

"You may, but it might be quite disorienting."

At least she hadn't lied to me until now, so I didn't have much of a reason not to believe her. I took a deep breath, then plunged into it. There was no resistance, I went from lying down to standing up seamlessly. The momentum of the plunge did carry over, and I wasn't that good at keeping my balance yet, so I faceplanted anyway.

"Enough for today," Corru said, and left.