Into The Unown

2 years ago

"We can't defeat them with firepower alone, Mom," Ash said.

Delia looked up from the pile of documents spread out before her. It was rare for Ash to return so quickly. Almost a month had passed since Serena's rescue—which was only possible thanks to their advanced medical technology. Physically, she had recovered. Mentally, however, was another story entirely. She had pleaded with Delia to let her leave quietly, and Delia had agreed, though she'd dropped a subtle hint to her son in their last conversation.

She expected him to pick up on it and he had.

"You're back," she said.

"Did you think I wouldn't come?" he replied, sitting across from her.

Up close, Delia could read him like an open book. His usual tan complexion was replaced by an eerie red mask, particularly prominent around his eyes. If she didn't know better, she'd have assumed he was unwell.

"She's gone, isn't she?" Delia asked quietly.

His silence had already answered it. She didn't need to be told how he felt; she felt it, after all she too was once young and in love. She had the displeasure of enduring both heartbreak and physical pain. The ache of losing a loved one was far greater than the ache of losing a bone. After all, bones regrew, but there was only one James. In that moment, she felt her son's pain as if it were her own.

She stood beside him, resting her hand on his shoulder, letting him drop his head against her.

"I couldn't go with her," he said, his voice heavy with emotions. "I'm not strong enough to protect her, and if something happened... I wouldn't be able to live with myself."

"I know, Ash," Delia whispered, her voice soft but steady.

"I need to get stronger," he continued, clenching his fists. "I want to train, but I'm scared I'm going in the wrong direction."

Delia pulled back slightly. "What do you mean, son?"

"N's Calapris isn't unbeatable," he said firmly. "It was sealed once before using Aura—it can be sealed again."

"But how? Aura is passed down through generations, and we don't have any records or scriptures left to guide us."

Ash's eyes dropped to his hands. He lifted them up, viewing them directly under the sunlight. "When Eiran took over my body in the fight with Giovanni... I used Aura, Mom. I felt it. It's in me—I just don't know how to harvest it. I need a fuel source, something to channel it properly."

Delia was quiet for a moment, thinking. Then her eyes lit up with an idea.

"The Unown," she said. "The ones we collected over the years, during the fights against the Apocalypse. We know their energy can be amplified—remember the tuning fork experiments? They used it to channel immense power."

Ash's eyes widened. "You think we could do the same... with me?"

Delia nodded. "We can use the energy of the Unkown to amplify and stabilize your Aura. It's risky, but if it works... you'll have the power to stand against Calapris. It'll be different than the Aura Eiran used. This Aura will be fuelled by the power of the Unowns."

"Then let's do it. Whatever it takes, Mom. I'll do it."

Delia placed a hand on his cheek, her expression torn between pride and fear. "We'll do it together, Ash."

"Then it's decided, let's step into the Unown."