The courtyard of Stellar Apex Academy was bathed in the amber light of the setting sun, casting long shadows across the sleek, glass-like surfaces of the academy's architecture. The hum of students sparring and practicing filled the air, but Aiden and Riko were sitting off to the side, away from the hustle and bustle. Both were deep in thought, the weight of their upcoming choices hanging over them.
Aiden leaned back against the stone bench, staring up at the sky. His brow furrowed. "I don't know, man… This is bigger than I thought. I mean, choosing these powers is going to change everything."
Riko, sitting beside him, glanced at him with a sigh. "Tell me about it. We've been training all our lives, but now we have to pick something—three somethings—that will determine our futures. That's a lot of pressure."
Aiden rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah. It's not just about picking something powerful, it's about making the right choice. The one that fits you... that gives you a shot at surviving out there. But how do we know which one is right?"
Riko stared down at his hands, fiddling with the strap of his bag. "And what if we choose wrong? What if we pick something and then we're stuck with it forever? What if we make ourselves targets instead of threats?"
Aiden nodded grimly. "I've been thinking the same thing. Teleportation is great for evading attacks, but what if it's not enough? What if I need something more?"
Riko raised an eyebrow. "So, you're already thinking about your offense?"
Aiden hesitated, looking at his friend. "Yeah, but I'm not sure if I should go with Black Hole Creation... It sounds crazy powerful, but what if it's too much? What if it goes out of control?"
Riko chuckled, a dry laugh that didn't quite reach his eyes. "You're worried about Black Hole Creation being too much? Man, that power can erase everything. That's beyond strong."
Aiden ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah, but that's the problem. It's too strong. What if I accidentally destroy something important?"
Riko thought for a moment. "But that's the point of these powers, right? We're meant to be unstoppable. It's not like we get to go back and choose something else later. We have one shot."
Aiden sighed, looking at the ground. "I just don't want to mess it up. I'm leaning toward Absolutely Reflective Field as my defense. It's the perfect counter to any attack. I can reflect anything—energy, physical blows. No one's getting through that. But…"
Riko turned toward him, his gaze sharp. "But what?"
Aiden hesitated. "It feels too easy, you know? What if it's not enough? What if something even stronger comes my way and I'm left relying on just that field?"
Riko shrugged. "That's the thing with defense. Sometimes it's the only thing that can keep you alive. No one can get past that reflective field. You'll be unstoppable. Plus, if you combine that with Teleportation, no one can touch you. You could avoid any attack and reflect the ones that manage to land."
Aiden glanced over at his friend. "You're right. I just wish I knew for sure it was the right call."
Riko let out a long breath. "I know the feeling. I've been thinking about Phase Locking for my agility. The ability to phase through walls, to make myself intangible. It's perfect for avoiding attacks, but what about offense?"
Aiden raised an eyebrow. "What about Gravitational Manipulation? You could make someone float helplessly, or crush them with insane gravity. You'd have both offense and defense."
Riko nodded slowly, his fingers tapping against his knee. "Yeah, it's tempting. But Gravitational Manipulation is risky. If I don't control it right, I could do more damage to the environment than to the enemy. I need to think carefully about it."
Aiden gave him a sideways grin. "Seems like we're both in the same boat. Choosing powers that could make or break us. The pressure's real."
Riko smirked, shaking his head. "No kidding. But, hey, at least we've got each other. No matter what happens, we'll figure this out together."
Aiden smiled, the tension easing off his shoulders slightly. "Yeah. We've always had each other's backs. And we'll continue to, no matter what powers we choose."
Riko clapped him on the back. "Exactly. Just trust your gut. No one else can make this decision for us."
They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the decision still lingering in the air. The final selection day was fast approaching, and neither of them could shake the feeling that once the choice was made, there would be no turning back.
Aiden looked over at Riko, his mind racing. "So, I guess we've both got a lot of thinking left to do. But no matter what, we'll make sure we're ready for whatever comes next."
Riko nodded, determination in his eyes. "We'll be ready."