Chapter 31: Materialize
Deep within the pit, Arike's chest heaved with exhaustion, her lungs burning from the lack of oxygen. The air was stale and musty, and she could taste the dampness of the earth. Her body ached from the fall, and her head spun with dizziness. She had tried to jump out, but the hole was too deep, and using an all-out attack might crush her against the cave walls.
As she rummaged through her pockets, she realized she didn't have Ini's phone number, and her heart sank. She was truly alone, with no way to call for help. Panic began to set in, her mind racing with worst-case scenarios. But she pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on her surroundings.
The pit was narrow and deep, with smooth walls that offered no handholds or footholds. The ground was hard and unforgiving, and Arike could feel the weight of the earth pressing down on her. She looked up, but the opening of the pit was just a tiny circle of light, far out of reach.
As she sat there, she racked her brain for a way out. She thought about using her lightning to blast her way out, but that would only lead to more problems. The explosion could collapse the pit, trapping her forever. Or it could attract more ants, who would swarm her and overwhelm her.
Suddenly, a memory flashed through her mind – a conversation she had with Ini during one of their training sessions.
"Materialize?" Ini had asked, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "What do you think it means?"
Arike had shaken her head. "I'm not sure. Is it like... making something appear out of thin air?"
Ini had chuckled. "Not exactly. Materialize means to bring your element from an ethereal state to a solid one. It's like... giving shape to your power."
Arike's eyes had widened as understanding dawned. "So, like... creating a sword out of lightning?"
Ini had nodded. "Exactly. Or creating a shield, or a rope... the possibilities are endless." He continued " the element of surprise is very useful in battle and you can only achieve that by using attacks that defy logic. Fill your arsenal with uncommon strategies and attacks, you'll be one step ahead of whatever opponent or challenge you're facing.
As Arike recalled the conversation, a newfound resolve ignited within her. She stood up, her eyes scanning the pit to ensure the walls were far enough apart. With a deep breath, she raised her hands, forming two lightning spheres. The air crackled with energy as she summoned the power of the storm.
She took another deep breath, calming herself, and then began to run. Her feet pounded the earth as she sprinted across the pit, building up speed and momentum. With a burst of energy, she launched the lightning spheres at the ground. The explosion propelled her upward, and for a moment, she felt weightless, free from the constraints of the pit.
But she wasn't fast enough to react, and she crashed back to the ground, her body jarring with the impact. The wind was knocked out of her, and she lay there, dazed and disoriented. Undeterred, Arike ignoring the enormous pain she was feeling all over her body tried again. And again. Each time, she launched herself higher, her reflexes improving with each attempt.
She began to feel a sense of rhythm, her body adapting to the motion. She launched herself upward, the lightning spheres exploding beneath her. She felt herself flying, soaring through the air with a sense of freedom and exhilaration.
Finally, with a deafening boom, Arike burst out of the pit, sending an ant holding a boulder tumbling to the ground. As she emerged into the bright, flickering light of the cave, she took a moment to orient herself. " I might not be able to control the direction yet or even form complex shapes but I'm on my way." The air was thick with the smell of smoke and ash, and she could hear the distant rumble of the ants.
With a determined glint in her eye, Arike set off toward Ini's location, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. She moved swiftly and silently, her senses on high alert as she navigated the treacherous terrain of the cave.
Warrior Association Headquarters
Chairman Adebisi sat at his desk, his eyes fixed on the screen as he participated in an online meeting with President Bankole.
"What do you think this means, Chairman?" President Bankole asked, his voice laced with concern.
Chairman Adebisi sighed, rubbing his temples. "I'm not sure, Mr. President. But let's just hope an ant queen escaped and not that colossals can now appear undetected."
President Bankole's expression turned grave. "I understand your concerns, Chairman. The implications are... unsettling, to say the least."
"I'll be in touch," President bankole continued. "I hope it's just a one-time thing."
The call ended, and Chairman Adebisi let out a deep sigh. His assistant, Rachel, looked up from her notes.
"Sir?" she asked, concern etched on her face.
Chairman Adebisi shook his head. "Why all this?" he muttered, his eyes scanning the room as if searching for answers.
Rachel hesitated before speaking. "Do you think it's related to the recent increase in collosal activity, sir?"
Chairman Adebisi's gaze snapped back to her. "I don't know, Rachel. But I intend to find out."
Underground collosal
Arike traversed the darkness, her senses on high alert as she navigated the treacherous terrain. Ants scurried across her path, but she dispatched them with ease, her lightning powers crackling with deadly precision. As she walked, she experimented with her abilities, forming lightning spheres that she used to obliterate clusters of ants.
The sound of screeching ants and the acrid smell of ozone filled the air as Arike continued onward. Suddenly, she saw a familiar face in the distance. Ini. Her heart swelled with relief, and she quickened her pace, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten.
"I'm glad..." she began to say, but her words were cut short as she ran into Ini's arms, embracing him tightly. Ini stood puzzled, his arms wrapping around her in a gentle hug as he patted her back.
As they stood there, Ini took in Arike's appearance. Her armor was battered and worn, with deep gashes and scorch marks etched across its surface. She must have had a brutal fight to escape the ants, Ini thought, his concern for her evident on his face.
"Come on, let's go," Ini said gently, his voice low and soothing. Arike nodded, still clinging to him tightly. Ini smiled and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, leading her forward as they ventured deeper into the heart of the colossal.
Together, they navigated the dark, winding tunnels, their senses on high alert for any signs of danger. The air grew thick with anticipation, and Arike could feel the weight of the colossal's secrets pressing down upon her. She knew that they were getting close to something – but what, she had no idea.