Cyber Chronicles 2: Prime Voyage

Chapter 50 : Present

Regaining his footing with a swift and determined recovery, Lincoln adamantly resisted succumbing to further vulnerabilities. The haunting memory of Seno lingered, and he couldn't afford a repeat. Another onslaught of energy shards could compromise his ability to shield those within the cave. Moreover, the looming threat of his Overdrive activation added urgency, a potential catastrophe he desperately sought to avoid, given the hazardous state of his life energy tinged with an almost cyan hue.

He needed to think quickly.

Closing his eyes, Lincoln delved into his second vision, seeking a solution to the impending danger. He needed something more resilient than his usual clones, something to stall the Hydes as he battles Odirah. His mind raced with the urgency of the situation.

To create a clone, Lincoln typically harnessed the life energy within him, projecting it into the surroundings and imbuing it with purpose to materialize a being of energy. These clones, deadly but fleeting, served their purpose. However, this time, faced with a dire need for sturdier reinforcements, he experimented. Drawing upon a combination of his Combat energy, tinted blue, and Condense energy, tinged red, he mixed it with his Life energy and issued the command to create.

To his amazement, an ethereal skeletal structure materialized in his energy vision, drawing energy from the surrounding atmosphere. Unlike his conventional clones, this creation possessed a more defined and genuine presence, seemingly transcending the boundaries of mere energy replication. The distinction, visible only to Lincoln, rendered this duplicate a remarkable semblance of an actual being. 

Opening his eyes, he beheld an energy-infused replica of himself, its radiance challenging the real thing and surpassing the deceptive nature of a typical clone. Only Lincoln could fully appreciate the nuanced differences.

While this approach demanded more energy investment, restricting the number of duplicates he could generate, it held the promise of solidity comparable to a human body.

Without hesitation, Lincoln summoned another duplicate. Now accompanied by two energy-infused allies, he charged toward Odirah, the clones branching off to assist Lincoln's companions in the battle against the Hydes. His movements became a dazzling blur of energy and determination, a vivid manifestation of resolve confronting impending peril.

However, Odirah's agile form effortlessly sidestepped Lincoln's assault. Displaying telekinetic prowess, Odirah manipulated Lincoln's clothing with precision, using it as a makeshift force to fling him outward. Lincoln hurtled through the cave's entrance and catapulted into the desert sands beyond. Swiftly rising to his feet, his expression became focused and determined.

"It won't take too long; I just need what you found," Odirah's voice echoed as he walked out of the cave, a taunting confidence underscoring his words.

Lincoln extended his arm outward, the radiant glow of his palm intensifying as he harnessed the ambient energy lingering in the desert atmosphere. With a resolute motion, he unleashed the charged energy in the form of a vibrant blast, a streak of azure that cut through the arid air.

The air hummed with the palpable charge of the released energy, and the sands beneath quivered momentarily in response to the unleashed force.

Yet, the blast never reached its target. With a swift telekinetic gesture, Odirah deftly redirected the trajectory, sending the energy hurtling back toward Lincoln. Reacting with rapid reflexes, Lincoln seized control of the incoming blast, manipulating its form until it dissipated into scattered motes of light, vanishing in midair before any collision occurred.

"That won't work," Odirah's taunting voice cut through the dusty haze, carrying a sinister edge as the sand united beneath them and erupted, forming a transient storm that obscured Lincoln's vision.