Cyber Chronicles 2: Prime Voyage

Chapter 3: Present

Cresent's shadow tentacles, each about five centimeters wide and razor-sharp, whipped through the air with lethal precision. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as he pushed himself to the brink of his abilities. Edgar expertly evaded each strike, slowing time to a crawl whenever the shadows got too close.

But Cresent had a secret weapon.

His shadows could transcend different states of reality, rendering concepts such as space and time meaningless. He could consciously manipulate shadows within his own reality, but his subconscious controlled shadows in other realities. He had learned to exploit this subconscious inter-reality shadow manipulation by pushing certain boundaries.

Unlike Edgar, Cresent had a deep understanding of all known abilities, giving him a significant advantage in battle. Before facing Edgar, Cresent had issued a command to his subconscious to paralyze the shadow of any object entering his perimeter. He had prepared for this contingency, knowing that Edgar's time manipulation might not be limited to slowing time. If Edgar could stop time entirely, he would pose a significant threat. However, Cresent hoped his shadows, capable of operating across realities, would counteract this.

Cresent's final tentacle shot towards Edgar's ankle, scraping it before all the tentacles retreated. Edgar stumbled and fell, and before he could regain his footing, Cresent instantly sent another wave of tentacles at him.

In the blink of an eye, Edgar found himself suspended in mid-air, his wrist guard's energy blade aimed at Cresent's neck. But to his shock, he was frozen in place, unable to move.

Without delay, Cresent's shadow sliced through Edgar's shadow, severing it. Edgar's head dropped to the ground, and the forest simulation vanished. Cresent found himself back in the training compound, with Edgar staring at his arms in confusion.

"Is that what death feels like..." Edgar shuddered, visibly shaken. Cresent laughed and clapped him on the back. "We've all been there. Just think of it as a simulation," he reassured him.

"But it felt so real..." Edgar murmured, still fixated on his arms as he walked away. Lincoln watched him take a seat on a bench with a sigh.

Lincoln noticed Aytrex, who he thought was out on a mission, standing nearby. "How long have you been here?" Lincoln asked.

"Not long," Aytrex replied. Lincoln raised an eyebrow but didn't press further, though his curiosity was piqued.

He turned his attention to Turnio, the teenager who created the simulation. "Impressive ability," Lincoln remarked.

Aytrex explained, "He can vault realities, but only the ones he creates. These alternate realities are almost irrelevant to ours, so if anyone dies there, it doesn't affect our reality. He's the first with such abilities among those we've recorded. It makes for convenient sparring as there's no need to hold back."

Lincoln considered Aytrex's words. Turnio's ability was indeed valuable for training, but he wondered if it had more potential. "Can you activate it right away?" Lincoln asked Turnio.

"Not even close," Turnio replied. "I need to stay still for five minutes to create another reality. After that, I can't move until I've guided people into it. The door to that reality closes when I move. Realities open when created and close when destroyed."

"Interesting," Lincoln said thoughtfully. Turnio's ability could be an asset, but for now, they needed to focus on training.

"I want to see Lin fight Orange next," Edgar said, interrupting Lincoln's thoughts as he rejoined the group. Cresent nodded in agreement, and Aytrex turned to Lincoln.

Lincoln shrugged, "Tomorrow."

Aytrex nodded. "Understood. I'll let everyone know. Many will want to see it—"

"Are you saying my fight with Edgar wasn't worth watching?" Cresent interrupted, feigning offense.

Edgar laughed. "He's joking, Cresent."

Aytrex chuckled. "No one knows Lincoln is here, and that's how it should stay. I'm still not sure why I was asked to broadcast your fight."

Lincoln sighed. The Tyrants were searching for him on Earth, possibly allied with the Organization. "It was still quite a fight," Cresent muttered.

One by one, they stepped onto a compartment embedded in the wall, resembling a wide traditional elevator. This was a Porter, the primary way to navigate buildings in Alvanian.

It had been less than a week since they left Earth. Lincoln had convinced Dexter to take his place as commander, allowing him to leave. Arriving in Alvania, he saw the futuristic cities, a fusion of magic and technology, particularly in Loda Guardio. The country consisted of nine floating islands, with the Guardian Headquarters on the seventh island, Guardio Seno.

Lincoln wondered about the power source enabling the islands to float.

The compartment lit up from its sides, the training compound's lights dimmed, and the scene changed instantly. "Let's get you guys back to the hotel," Aytrex said, stepping into a different room.

"This is too smooth..." Edgar marveled, though he had experienced it many times.

The new room was shorter and brighter, with floating lamps along the walls. Water flowed along the sides, leading to an elevated white and gold frame connected by floating glass stairs.

"Porters are like elevators, but better in every way," Edgar added. The Porter's lights dimmed as they approached the large frame. "You step in, think of the room you want, and bam! You're there!"

They were in the Bridge Room, common in prestigious buildings in Loda Guardio. Public bridges were restricted to certain locations to prevent unauthorized access, mainly as an anti-tyrant measure.

Aytrex approached the control hub next to the portal frame. "See you all at first light tomorrow," he announced. The portal lit up with golden rays, reflecting off Aytrex's orange hair, adding to the mystical atmosphere. Lincoln felt awe at the technology and magic making this transportation possible.

"G'night then," Edgar said, trying to hide his exhaustion as he stepped into the portal. Lincoln followed, acknowledging their fatigue as he entered the portal.