"Time for a change of scenery," Neo announced, shutting down her monitoring equipment. "We need a more controlled environment for what comes next."
Leo raised an eyebrow, still catching his breath from the energy siphon exercise. "What's wrong with this room? I was just getting comfortable destroying your drones."
Neo frowned a bit as she packed her devices. "Your abilities are still unpredictable. The last thing we need is you accidentally draining power from important resistance systems."
"Neoooo!" Marcus appeared in the doorway, leaning against the frame with his arms crossed. "The isolation chamber is ready. Kaori authorized the full security protocols."
Leo glanced between them. "Isolation chamber? Should I be worried?"
"Just a precaution," Marcus assured him. "Think of it as a sandbox where you can play with shadows without breaking anything important. Or anyone."
"Wouldn't want you turning out the lights of course" He added, comically.
Twenty minutes later, they descended three levels below the main resistance base. Unlike the simple corridors above, this area featured reinforced walls and heavy security doors. Each section required Neo's biometrics to pass through.
"Welcome to Shadow Box," Neo said as the final door slid open, revealing a large space with black walls and little lighting. "Completely isolated from the rest of the base. Whatever happens in here, stays in here."
Leo took a step inside, immediately sensing the difference. The shadows here felt... purer somehow.
"This room was originally designed for containing high-level Awakened during unstable episodes," Marcus explained, following them in. "We've modified it for your training. The walls have energy-absorbing material that can handle almost any power surge."
Neo moved to a console at the far wall, bringing up a holographic display. "For today, we're doing three core shadow techniques: Shadow Cloak, Energy Siphon, and Shadow Step."
"Shadow Step?" Leo asked. "Is that teleportation?"
"Not exactly," Neo replied, finishing her system checks. "It's more like quick movement through shadows. Think of it as sliding through darkness rather than teleporting."
Marcus took over, his excitement was evident in his explanation. "Before we continue, let's clarify how your abilities actually work. All Awakened powers function through Lumina cells, specialized cellular structures that emerged after the Day Light Fell."
"These cells," Neo continued, "can pull Lumina energy from the atmosphere and store it within the body. The concentration and type of Lumina cells determine an individual's abilities and power level."
Marcus gestured to the shadows in the room. "Your shadow abilities are unique because they're conceptually based. Unlike elemental powers that manipulate existing physical forces, your powers form based on your zesty thoughts."
"In simpler terms," Neo translated, "if you can imagine it and the atomic properties allow for it, you can potentially do it with shadows. Even solidifying them, like you did in the shadow realm."
"Nah, that level of manipulation is likely years away," Marcus cautioned. "Baby steps first."
Leo absorbed this information, flexing his fingers as wisps of darkness curled around them. "So how do we start?"
Neo activated a series of lighting panels, creating deliberate pools of shadows throughout the room. "Shadow Cloak first. You've made progress, but consistency is still an issue."
She approached Leo with what looked like thin black bracelets. "These are Lumina cell activity monitors. They'll give us real-time data on your energy consumption and output."
Leo allowed her to attach the devices to his wrists, ankles, and neck. Each one hummed softly as it activated, sending data to Neo's console.
"Now," she instructed, stepping back, "start with what you've been doing, but this time, focus on maintaining the density."
Leo nodded, centering himself before reaching out to the shadows. They responded more eagerly here, rushing toward him. The darkness wrapped around him, forming the now-familiar cloak that rendered him nearly invisible in the dim light.
"Better," Neo observed, studying her readings. "Ninety-five percent reduction in heat signature. Ninety-eight percent sound dampening."
Marcus circled Leo slowly, observing with professional interest. "The shadows aren't so messy this time. Try not to huff and puff so much. I can see bouncy bits happening every time you do"
Leo concentrated harder, feeling sweat beading on his forehead as he maintained the cloak. This time, he managed to hold it for nearly twenty seconds before the shadows dispersed.
"Impressive improvement," Neo noted, reviewing the data. "Your Lumina cell activity shows more efficient energy usage already."
Neo returned to her console. "Let's try Energy Siphon again, but with better monitoring this time."
She activated a larger drone, heavily shielded and equipped with more power reserves. "The goal isn't to drain it completely. Just establish a connection and maintain a steady power transfer rate."
Leo extended his hand, focusing on creating a single shadow tendril. This time, when it connected with the drone, he visualized controlling the flow. The energy transfer began more gradually, a cool sensation flowing up his arm.
"Excellent control," Neo confirmed. "Power transfer at five percent per second, holding steady."
Leo maintained the connection for thirty seconds before carefully severing it, the shadow tendril dissolving into mist. The drone remained in the air, though its power levels had dropped by roughly half.
"Final technique for today," Neo announced. "Shadow Step. This one's potentially the most dangerous, so we'll approach it cautiously."
She positioned herself at one end of the room, with Leo at the other. Between them, she created two distinct shadow pools using lights that eould bounce of the walls and create shadows.
"These shadow pools are connected," she explained. "Your goal is to step into one and emerge from the other. Don't try to move your entire body at once. Start with just your hand."
Leo approached the nearest shadow pool, feeling an instinctive pull between it and its distant companion. He knelt down, extending his hand toward the darkness.
The shadows seemed to recognize him, curling around his fingers like smoke. Leo focused on the second pool, imagining a connection, a tunnel through the darkness.
For a moment, nothing happened. His hand slammed against the rough floor, sending jolts of pain up his arm. Gritting his teeth, he concentrated harder, visualizing his fingers dissolving into shadow, then rematerializing in the other pool.
This method showed promise. Fifteen minutes of intense focus later, sweat beading on his forehead, he'd managed to dissolve the tips of his fingers into shadows. It was progress, but nowhere near enough.
Then, another fifteen minutes later, his fingers began to dissolve into shadow particles, disappearing into the pool. Simultaneously, shadowy fingers emerged from the distant pool, forming an exact replica of his hand.
"Holy shit," Marcus whispered, watching the phenomenon.
Leo gasped and broke concentration. Both shadow hands instantly dissipated, leaving him fully intact but shaken.
"That was..." he struggled for words.
"A successful first attempt," Neo finished for him, checking her readings. "Your Lumina cell activity spiked dramatically but remained within safe parameters."
Leo stood slowly, flexing his hand to ensure it was still real. "How did you know I could do that?"
Neo's expression softened slightly. "Because I've seen similar abilities before, when I worked for the GPA."
"You were GPA?" Leo asked, surprised.
Neo nodded, shutting down her equipment. "Chief engineer in their Advanced Tech Division. I developed technology to enhance Awakened abilities." She continued. "Until I found out that they were using my innovations for the wrong purposes."
"That's when the Resistance recruited her," Marcus added. "Her expertise has been invaluable, especially now with you and of course, my genius."
Neo rolled her eyes then checked the time on her device. "That's enough for today. Your Lumina cells need time to recover."
"The GPA… and the people there were the worst."