Chapter 14: Training ends
Commander Tharkos paced back and forth in front of the row of scientists, his eyes blazing with frustration. "How much longer?" he demanded, his voice low and menacing. "I don't have all day to stand around twiddling my thumbs. The King's patience is wearing thin, and I'd rather not have my head on a spike because you lot can't get your act together."
Dr. Elara, the lead scientist, looked up from her console, a hint of fear in her eyes. "We're working as fast as we can, Commander," she replied, her voice trembling slightly. "But we're dealing with a highly complex and unpredictable system here. We can't rush it."
Tharkos's expression turned incredulous. "Unpredictable?" he repeated, his voice rising. "You're telling me that after all the resources we've poured into this project, you still can't guarantee results? What kind of incompetence is this?"
Dr. Elara took a deep breath and stood up, her eyes locked on Tharkos's. "We're not incompetent, Commander," she said, her voice firm. "We're just dealing with a very difficult problem. The human brain is a highly complex and dynamic system, and we're trying to interface with it in a way that's never been done before. It's not easy."
Tharkos's face turned red with rage, and for a moment, it seemed like he was going to strike Dr. Elara. But then, he seemed to regain control of himself, and his expression smoothed out into a cold, calculating mask. "I don't pay you to make excuses, Doctor," he said, his voice dripping with venom. "I pay you to get results. And if you can't deliver, then maybe you're not the right person for the job."
Dr. Elara's face went pale, and she looked like she was about to faint. But then, she seemed to steel herself, and her expression firmed up. "I understand, Commander," she said, her voice steady. "We'll work faster."
Tharkos nodded, a cold smile spreading across his face. "See that you do," he said. "The King's patience is wearing thin, and I'd rather not have to explain to him why we're not making progress. Do I make myself clear?"
Dr. Elara nodded, her eyes wide with fear. "Yes, Commander," she replied. "We'll work faster."
Tharkos turned to leave, but then, he seemed to remember something. "And one more thing, Doctor," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "If you fail, it won't just be your job that's on the line. It'll be your life."
Dr. Elara's face went white, and she looked like she was going to pass out. But then, she seemed to steel herself, and her expression firmed up. "I understand, Commander," she said, her voice steady.
Tharkos nodded, a cold smile spreading across his face. "Good," he said. "I'm glad we understand each other." With that, he turned and strode out of the room, leaving Dr. Elara and her team to their work.
As soon as Tharkos was gone, Dr. Elara let out a deep breath and collapsed into her chair. She looked like she was going to cry, and her hands were shaking with fear. "Well, that was fun," she said, her voice trembling.
Pelia, one of her team members, looked at her with concern. "Are you okay, Dr. Elara?" he asked.
Dr. Elara nodded, taking a deep breath. "I'm fine," she said. "Just a little shaken up. That man is terrifying."
Pelia nodded in agreement. "I know," he said. "I've never seen anyone who can inspire fear like that."
Dr. Elara looked at him, her eyes serious. "We need to work faster," she said. "We can't afford to fail."
Pelia nodded, his expression determined. "We'll work day and night," he said. "We'll get it done."
Dr. Elara smiled, a look of gratitude on her face. "Thank you, Pelia," she said. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
Pelia smiled back, his eyes warm with affection. "You'll never have to find out," he said.
Together, Dr. Elara and her team set to work, determined to succeed where they had previously failed. They worked tirelessly, pouring all their energy into the project.
But despite their best efforts, they couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched, that Tharkos's eyes were still on them, waiting for them to slip up. And they knew that if they failed, then it's death.
Middle it a jungle
Tosak ship
The sound of swords clashing fiercely echoed through the air, the metallic ring of steel on steel reverberating through every molecule. Ini and Tosak danced across the grassy plain, their blades flashing in the sunlight as they exchanged blow after blow. The air was electric with tension, the two combatants fully immersed in their battle.
As the fight raged on, Tosak suddenly stepped back, his chest heaving with exertion. He gazed at Ini, his eyes narrowing as he took in the younger man's worn-out appearance. "We should rest," Tosak declared, his voice firm but gentle.
Ini nodded, his own breathing labored. As they rested, Ini turned to Tosak with a curious expression. "How long will I be here?" he asked, his voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty.
Tosak's eyes seemed to glaze over, his gaze drifting into the distance. "Soon," he replied, his voice low and mysterious.
Ini's eyes narrowed. "I've been here for months, maybe even years," he said, his voice laced with a hint of desperation. "My body didn't change much while I was in a coma, but since I woke up, I've been maturing fast. It's as if my body is trying to make up for lost time."
Tosak's gaze snapped back to Ini, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "You've been growing rapidly, indeed. And with the training I've been putting you through, you've gained a fit, tall physique. Your hair has grown into thick, long dreads, giving your face a burly look."
Ini's hand instinctively rose to his hair, his fingers tangling in the knotted locks. He had grown accustomed to his new appearance, but it was still strange to think about how much he had changed.
Tosak's expression turned serious. "At first, I thought we'd be done soon, but the more we discovered your powers, the more time it took. But at least it hasn't been for nothing. We've discovered you have mind powers like me, but that's not all. You have slave powers, allowing you to master rifting and the quick sword. You've also stabilized your power, although it's still growing. And you've evolved your flames very well."
Ini's eyes widened in shock. "Really?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Tosak nodded. "Yes. Though your mastery of the sword is shallow, I guess it can't be helped. You're a few hundred years too young."
Ini didn't even bother to ask how old he was. He knew Tosak would just reply with a cryptic smile.
Tosak's gaze flicked to Ini's neck, his eyes narrowing. "You should cover that up."
Ini's hand instinctively rose to his neck, his fingers brushing against the sensitive skin. "Why?"
Tosak's expression turned serious. "Those give off a large amount of energy, and it doesn't help that they're glowing. Enemies will take it as a vital point, which it is. So, it's better to hide your vital points."
Tosak tossed a mask at Ini, who caught it instinctively. The mask covered his face from below his eyes to the bottom of his neck. Ini slipped it on, feeling a strange sense of anonymity.
Tosak handed Ini two swords, a black coat, and a dagger. "I modified them to your fighting style," he explained.
Ini took the offered items, feeling a sense of excitement and trepidation. He was finally going to see the world, and Temi.
With a final nod, Tosak turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Ini to make his way into the unfamiliar world.