Origins: The Absolute

Chapter 4: Control

The hum of the infirmary’s machinery was a steady background noise as I drifted back to consciousness. The sterile white ceiling above me came into focus, accompanied by the gentle beep of the monitors tracking my vitals. I shifted slightly, feeling the stiffness in my limbs, the lingering fatigue reminding me of the strain from earlier.

“Take it slow,” Neela’s voice broke through my foggy thoughts. She was sitting beside my bed, her expression a mix of concern and relief. “You’ve been out for a few hours. How are you feeling?”

“Tired,” I replied, my voice a dry whisper. “Weak.” Each word was a reminder of the physical toll my newfound abilities had taken. “Using those skills took more out of me than I expected.”

Neela nodded, glancing at the readouts on the monitor. “From what we’ve seen, your Quantum Skills are incredibly powerful but also demanding on your body. We need to be cautious with how you use them.”

Before I could respond, the door to the infirmary opened, and a man stepped inside—a figure whose calm demeanor and sharp gaze immediately commanded attention. He was dressed in a lab coat, carrying a tablet in one hand and a folder in the other.

“Aza Nut-Amoi?” he asked, his voice steady and professional. He approached my bed, extending a hand. “I’m Dr. Cassian Ward. I specialize in BHAS-related skill development. I’ve reviewed your case and came as soon as I could.”

I shook his hand, feeling a spark of curiosity. “Dr. Ward. Thank you for coming. I’m still trying to wrap my head around all of this.”

Dr. Ward nodded, taking a seat beside me. “Understandable. Your skills—Quantum Skills, as you’ve called them—are unlike anything we’ve seen before. But let’s start with what we do know.”

He opened the folder, revealing a detailed chart of various skill groups. “Skills are generally categorized by their elemental properties,” he began, pointing to the chart. “We have the basics: Fire, Water, Earth, Air. Each of these has various levels of proficiency, from basic Level 1 and 2 skills to advanced and mastered levels up to Level 5.”

He continued, highlighting each category:

Fire: Skills that manipulate heat and flame. Known for their destructive power.

Water: Skills that control liquid and its forms. Versatile for both offense and defense.

Earth: Skills that manipulate solid matter and terrain. Excellent for defensive and supportive roles.

Air: Skills that harness wind and pressure. Often used for mobility and ranged attacks.

“These are the foundational skill groups,” Dr. Ward explained. “Each has its own strengths and weaknesses, and users typically exhibit a synergy with their elemental affinities as they progress.”

I studied the chart, noting the clear hierarchy and structure. “But where do my skills fit in?” I asked, my voice tinged with uncertainty. “Quantum Skills—what element do they belong to?”

Dr. Ward’s expression grew more thoughtful. “That’s the fascinating part. Your skills don’t fit into the traditional elemental categories. They deal with space and time—concepts that transcend the basic elements. We’ve never seen anything like them before.”

Neela leaned forward, her interest piqued. “So, what does that mean for Aza?”

“It means we’re in uncharted territory,” Dr. Ward said, his tone both cautious and intrigued. “Space-time manipulation introduces a completely new dimension to skill usage. We don’t have a precedent or framework for how to develop or control these abilities.”

He turned to me, his gaze intense. “Your skills are autonomous, activating without the typical incantations or commands that guide other abilities. This makes them incredibly powerful but also unpredictable. Understanding and mastering them will require a different approach than what we use for elemental skills.”

I nodded slowly, trying to absorb the implications. “So, where do we start? How do I learn to control something that’s never been seen before?”

Dr. Ward gave a reassuring smile. “We start by observing. We’ll monitor your abilities in controlled settings, documenting how they activate and what triggers them. From there, we can develop strategies to harness and refine them.”

He placed the folder back on the table, leaning closer. “For now, it’s crucial to take things slowly. Your body and mind need time to adapt to these new abilities. We’ll be cautious, ensuring that you’re not overextending yourself.”

I took a deep breath, feeling a mixture of relief and apprehension. Having a plan, even a tentative one, made the overwhelming uncertainty seem more manageable. “Thank you, Dr. Ward. I’m ready to learn, to understand these skills.”

He nodded, standing up. “Rest for now. We’ll begin with basic observations tomorrow. One step at a time.”

As he left the room, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. The path ahead was uncertain and filled with challenges, but I wasn’t alone. With the support of Neela, Dr. Ward, and my team, I would navigate this new reality.

The next day, the infirmary was abuzz with the team’s activity. The footage from the previous day’s confrontation played on the large screen in front of us, and I watched as Dr. Ward led the analysis.

“Look here,” he pointed at the screen, pausing the video as I broke free from Rhen’s rock trap. “This is the moment Temporal Inversion activates. Notice the reversal of the rocks—it’s almost as if time itself is being undone around you.”

The screen displayed the seamless dissolution of the rock cone, the stones flowing backward and reforming into the ground. It was eerie to watch, the reversal happening without any visible or audible cue.

“And here,” Dr. Ward continued, fast-forwarding to the moment of Rhen’s final attack. The footage showed the earth splitting open, the jagged pillars rising. In the video, I vanished from the spot in a fraction of an instant, reappearing safely away from the attack.

“This is the moment your second skill; Tempus Exsilium activated,” he explained. “You moved forward in time, placing yourself in a safe location before the attack hit. The transition is instantaneous on the footage, but you described it as a brief moment.”

I nodded, recalling the strange sensation. “It felt like seconds to me, but in the video, it’s almost too fast to see.”

The team watched in silence, absorbing the implications. My abilities were unlike any they had encountered—powerful, instantaneous, and autonomous.

“Do you think we can train her to use these skills consciously?” Adalé asked, breaking the silence.

Dr. Ward looked thoughtful. “It’s possible, but it will take time. We need to understand the mechanics of how these skills activate and what triggers them. Aza’s abilities are tied to her instinctive reactions right now. The goal will be to bring those under conscious control.”

I felt a mixture of hope and apprehension as the conversation continued. The idea of mastering these abilities was daunting, but it was a necessary step. My thoughts were interrupted by a wave of dizziness, a reminder of the strain from earlier.

Neela’s hand on my shoulder brought me back to the present. “You’ve done enough for today, Aza. Let’s get you back to bed. We’ll continue tomorrow.”

I nodded, feeling the exhaustion settle in. As I stood to leave, the room seemed to tilt, and the sounds around me grew distant. My vision blurred, and I felt my knees give way.

“Aza!” Neela’s voice was muffled, coming from far away. The last thing I saw was Adalé reaching out to catch me as darkness closed in.