Ancient Forces (2018 Reboot)

Chapter 16 - The Second Field Test

Ver led Zayne out of the cave and all the way back to the house within minutes, a record time now that they could freely use some of their power. Zayne had figured out within his personal training that he could manipulate the strength in his legs without morphing them to speed himself up. Instead of even thinking about using the Dragon's Heart to boost himself he could just improve his human skills. Despite his newfound abilities, Zayne was still in awe of Ver. Her powers as a Mystic to control wind currents made her a force of nature, almost literally. In order to enhance her own speed, she simply forced the currents to sit below her body, then float her to wherever she wanted in seconds. Of course, she went slower for Zayne, but they had a very nice and speedy travel to the house anyway.

As they reached the deck and stopped Zayne caught his breath before asking just what field test he would be doing this time. The last one he was supposed to do was fight the Midnight Horror with Ver and Keith. That was supposed to test his teamwork, ability to take orders from higher authorities, and test his basic combat abilities. Instead, however, it became a test of his resolve and his combat abilities. Since he'd missed out on the teamwork and orders tests, Zayne was curious if this second one would make up for those.

"No, they won't. You will be performing this test alone as well," Ver assured him.

"So what am I supposed to do for this one?" Zayne prodded.

"This field test will experiment with your newly discovered basic combat abilities and your skills under pressure. This test isn't an actual experience like the Midnight Horror. This one is a fabricated scenario that you will have to experience," Ver explained as she pointed towards the cave.

"Okay. Lay it on me."

Ver nodded and began the description, "The scenario is this. You are a pro Dragon Force member and you've discovered a Mythic who has been threatening a nearby city with his destructive power. The cave is his lair, which you will need to destroy. Did you notice that red button I set up earlier? That's the button you need to hit to win. However, the villain is here and waiting for you. Your mission is to defeat the villain and ensure he does not escape while also trying to destroy his base."

Zayne chuckled to himself as he soaked in the situation. It was like any superhero movie plotline. Like old heroes and villains meeting for the last time for a final battle, except this was real. Well, a fake test within a real-world situation that could have been imagined as a fake world. It was weird when Zayne zoomed out on the perspective.

"So I have to defeat the villain and make sure they don't escape, then destroy their base to win, right?"

"Correct."

Zayne paused for a moment before saying that he was ready. One question still evaded him about the situation. If Ver was here, then who was going to be his training villain? He posed the question to Ver. She simply smiled in reply and asked if he was ready.

"Well I'm not gonna be ready if I don't know who I'm fighting," Zayne answered.

"That's the reality of being a member of the fighting force. You won't always know who you're fighting..." Ver gave Zayne an almost evil smile, "...or when they'll strike."

As soon as Ver finished her sentence the sky above began to darken and rumble. Massive black clouds rolled above in the sky and roared loudly with their thunder. Rain began gently pouring down in small, rapid droplets. Ver used the wind currents to create a bubble around her, blocking out the rain. Zayne, on the other hand, became soaked. Zayne looked up to the sky and observed the distance. Only around the cave and the house was there rain and thunder. Everywhere else was just cloudy or partly cloudy, most likely to try and evade any unwanted attention from passers-by, which were rare but possible out here.