Chapter 29: 29
Sitting inside what I call the oriental garden, I take in the tranquil surroundings. The viewing and relaxing area is covered, providing shelter from the elements. Two large chairs sit on a raised platform, inviting anyone to lay back and unwind. Beyond this area, a vast garden designed in the oriental style awaited, offering a peaceful escape.
After much contemplation, I realized that the best way to see an honest view of the ancient one is to view her soul on the astral plane. Using my orange container, my strongest tool, he set out to make contact. With a cup of tea placed on the table between the two chairs, I prepared myself mentally before gently sending out my mind towards the location where I sensed barriers separating around the location I am sure is her home. I poked it once, then two fast pokes, followed by a slightly slower one, I probed against It until a golden sparking circle began to form in the air beside the free chair.
Stepping out from the circle is the ancient one, known from movies as a powerful and wise figure. But to me, who is using soul power, she appears as a beautiful Celtic woman with pale skin and long black hair cascading down her back. Her eyes are also black but hold mischief within them. Clearing my throat, I greet her with a nod.
"Shave and a Haircut? Really?" she said with a slight grin, noticing my attempt at signaling peace.
"I was trying to think of something that says I come in peace," I reply, finding it difficult to look away from her piercing gaze.
As she gracefully sits in the chair, she looks too the tea questioningly. "For me?"
"Yes, sorry for my rudeness earlier. There's some honey there too if you'd like," I quickly recover and try to make up for my lack of manners.
She laughs lightly and then meets my gaze once again. "I can see in your eyes that you can see the real me. So let's drop the pretenses," she says as her soul self and physical self merge into one.
"I think I understand why you do that. It's nice to finally meet you, Ciar," I say with a smile.
"Hello, Joel. I am pleased to meet you too," Ciar replies, taking a sip of the tea. "No, it's sweet enough. Thank you."
we both take a moment to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the garden before Ciar brakes the silence. "Shall we discuss the reason for your 'call'?"
"Yes, I have a deal I'd like to propose to you," I say, getting straight to the point.
Ciar raises an eyebrow in curiosity. "Oh? And what might that be about?"
From the moment she arrived, I could sense dimensional power emanating from her. Most of it seemed benevolent, but there was also a small portion that carried a mix of death and harm. I knew I couldn't copy this white energy, as it was already under contract, but I was intrigued by the darker energy within her. Wanting to approach the topic carefully and not make her uncomfortable, I began explaining my offer.
"It's more of a trade, really. I would like access to the dark energy inside you and in return, I can offer you a new connection to energy. It can be white, dark or a mix, whatever you desire," I said.
Ciar mumbled something to herself before turning back to me with a serious expression. "It seems things might change," she said before asking me some questions. "What would you be using my energy for? And where would this new connection come from? You don't seem like an extra-dimensional being."
"Your energy will be guided to its rightful place, where the harmful parts can be contained in my Omega dimension. And for any remaining death energy, I will safely store it in the designated receptacle." I answer her questions with a direct and confident tone.
Ciar peers at me with curiosity. "You have access to pure energy from other dimensions? How is that possible? It would require perfect balance."
"As a mutant, we all have the innate ability to manipulate reality to some extent," I explain. "The stronger the mutant, the greater their potential to do so. If we were all born as our true selves, we could be powerful catalysts for the universe, like cheat codes to unlock its mysteries." A mischievous grin spreads across my face as I finish my explanation.
Ciar chuckles. "Cheat codes in the universe, huh? You do have a way with words." She took a few moments to ponder before finally asking, "Joel, are you saying I can trust you with this energy?"
"Yes," I answer simply, meeting her gaze with steadfast confidence. "I believe we can use our combined powers for true balance and growth, not just for ourselves but for everyone around us."
She pauses, her expression unreadable. I could sense the walls she had built around herself wavering, breaking down bit by bit as she weighed my words.
"But how would you be able to control this energy?" she asks after a while.
"Darkness and light aren't inherently evil or good," I explain. "It's how they're used that defines them. But to ensure stability and control, I've built filters into my Alpha and Omega dimensions that will cleanse and repurpose the darker energy into something beneficial."
A beat passes between us, filled only with the rustle of leaves and the soft hum of our energies beginning to vibrate at a similar frequency. "And what if something goes wrong?" she finally voiced out the nagging question hanging in the air.
"Then it will be my responsibility to put it right," I assure her, "I would like to point out you have not said anything about what you would want in exchange. This energy, once it is removed will shorten your lifespan significantly, not something I am keen on."
"That would be because I was considering the use of a dimensional energy that does not attempt to corrupt the user," Ciar states, her eyes shining with curiosity. "Could you show me the energies from your Omega dimension?"
I nod and concentrate, conjuring a tiny ball of energy in my hand. It is no bigger than a centimeter, but it seems to radiate an otherworldly glow.
Ciar begins to create and spell, her movements fluid and precise. She looks at me expectantly, and I give her a reassuring nod before gently placing the energy dagger she materialized onto the surface of the omega energy.
As soon as it touches the energy, the dagger begins to expand and transform. The blade grows longer, its edges sharpening to a deadly point. A dark aura emanates from it, hinting at its potential for destruction.
"It is pure harm," Ciar muses, her eyes fixed on the dagger. "Used with any harmful spell, it would increase its potential for destruction. Yet, it is not trying to corrupt me to use it for nefarious purposes...how curious."
We both cancel our use of energy, and I can see Ciar's mind racing through various scenarios. Finally, she reaches a decision and lets out a sigh.
"This will be a massive sign of good faith on my part," I say, meeting her gaze. "And to be honest, I kind of like you."
Surprised by my words, Ciar watches as I reach out my hand towards her. Without hesitation, she places her own hand in mine. I begin to rewrite her genes, strengthening her body to its maximum capacity. I heal any damage within her body and grant her a much longer lifespan.
When I am finished, I slowly pull my hand back. But Ciar doesn't let go; instead, she holds onto my hand firmly and looks up at me with confusion in her eyes.
"Why?" she asks, searching for an explanation.
"I felt like I was taking advantage," I reply honestly. "Knowing what that power was doing to you and how it would impact not only your future but also those by your side. And, well, I kind of like you. You have a very relaxing, gentle fun side that I find hard to take advantage of."
Ciar's lips quirk into a small smirk as she responds, "None of my students would believe you if you described me like that."
A chuckle escapes my lips as I recall the memory of Ciar's clever tactic to force Strange into learning how to open a portal by dumping him on a snowy, show-covered mountain.
She releases my hand with a gentle sigh, thanking me for accepting the dark dimension energy. She then brings up the topic of trading between our schools and utilizing each other's energies. I nod in agreement, but instead of simply copying her energy, I use my own manipulation abilities to draw it into myself. Surprisingly, there is no resistance from Ciar as the energy smoothly flows into me. Some of it passes into my omega, causing a slight change within me, while the rest enters my death container and elevates it to level 2. It's a definite win.
Ciar's voice has changed slightly, becoming more ethereal, a sign that she must have been in a lot of pain. I look up at her with a smile, only to freeze in shock.
Her once slightly tainted appearance is now completely unblemished, almost surreal in its perfection. I can't help but exclaim, "Oh my god."
She responds with a gentle smile, explaining that this was the reason she had covered herself. I shake my head in disbelief, apologizing for not realizing just how much the dark energy was impacting her.
"Urm, wow," is all I can manage to say.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone