Raj started to meditate in his room for days. Sometimes Pierce was with him to keep him accompanied.
"You know Raj. You should keep in mind to not think for yourself but for other people," days have passed, and Raj gave up. He thought Socrates was already out for the week. But he still sees him sitting in his chair with his sweaters on sipping from his cup after a week "Pierce…I thought Socrates would leave and he already had a few days before he left?"
"That should be the case, but since it was canceled, I think he would be staying for a bit longer now," Raj continues his meditation every day. Together with Pierce, he would reflect on past experiences, actions, and memories.
The day came when he already had built his strength of mind "I know what I wanted… I do not want to be weak and powerless again. I would avenge my grandmother in a better way. I know she is old and does not want more I life but… I have decided," the next morning he immediately goes to Socrates. Meeting him above, as expected of his early morning routine.
It was still dawn. The caffeine illuminated the stairs towards the outside. The wind begins to catch a taste of these fumes, gliding together like a wave. He spoke his words first "The reason why I came here in the city is to search for my father. But I did not expect to be bothered by your words. So today I have finally decided. I want you to teach me of the things I know-"
"For what reason specifically, you can immediately say it" The sun rose, and the birds were flocking. There seems to be a decent view in the morning. "I don't want any revenge for my grandmother. I do not even have any idea who would do those things to us. Who the culprit is… for now, I wanted you to teach me so that I can defend myself properly so that I do not look weak in front of others, while I search myself for the meaning behind this message," he lifts his chest "it does not matter right now, maybe I do not have that concrete purpose as of now? But like before, my life seems monotonous. It was always like that every day. It keeps repeating. I would chop some logs, then hunt in the afternoon. My grandmother would greet me. It was always monotonous since that event struck me the most. You don't know what tomorrow brings."
"I accepted it because I thought those days would last. I accepted it because I was weak. I did not think that someone would ever try to murder us…my grandmother. I wanted you to teach me so that I can be prepared for another tomorrow. If I am only stronger, I would have buried my grandmother properly with her corpse, she would not be burned into ashes like nothing," Raj raised his head. There was power in his eyes. It was desperate and burning with desire.
Socrates stirred his coffee and walked past Raj "Well, all you need, is to ask me. I do not wish to tell you anything unless you decide that you need it. I would still plan to teach you someday, somewhere if you do not. But do not forget you need to pay me for the food and accommodation. You might want to serve me for a while," Socrates smirked and took a sip of his coffee.
The sun was already set. It was around nine Raj and Socrates were in the field outside "Like I told you before, Quanta is like a power source and energy source. It is like a chi or a mana, I do not care what you call it. Imagine that it is like the power plant that supports all the electricity in your body, well not necessarily supports, more of like it flows, like blood. Not all are given this…what they call Zodiac is probably still Quanta. It is like a virus that infects. Random people around the world have it. Not only…take note…not only because of the explosion that happened years ago. It has already existed even before that event. That happening only catalyzes for the public to know about those things."
"If what you said a while back ago…if that was true that your friend manages to manipulate the power just like I did and just like you did. He will probably be briefed already by their higher-ups. He will be taught more about his abilities."
In the city, a public announcement was made. It was about Quanta. They finally publicized its name. The news spread all over. It was described in detail in the newspaper. Companies and organizations have been recruiting people with Quanta. Raj, Socrates, and Pierce were hysterical about the news. They have read it properly and carefully in the papers during the night after training.
"Even though one will be radiated with Quanta or will be infected with it. That person would not know that he is infected. That person would still be ignorant even if they accidentally used it. The tendency is that they will just remain normal human beings."
"You saw how I made a blob of water and fire right? I will be teaching those things. Those kinds of skills deplete a lot of Quanta energy. You need to be exhausted a lot of times, to be doing those things properly. Instead, I will teach you how to enforce it with your physical strength. You would be capable of creating gravity-like forces and you could also use it to exert with your speed."
"You will still be continuing your meditations with Pierce with additional load work. You need to increase your physical capacity by doing laborious work. You need to burn muscles boy," Socrates flexes his muscles. He took off his shirt and flexed. Scars were visible throughout his body. Raj looks at it with amazement. Socrates breathes deeply after he shows off wearing his shirt back. A few months had passed.
"Pierce come here. Look at him, he might be a cyborg, but he also has Quanta. Maybe not the same as ours. His is lower. There is no actual measurement of how they classify it but for me. There is what I call the cell type to the organ; these are the types like those who are Quanta bearers and they do not know they have one. Since it is not practiced and used, then it is useless. Next is what I call the organism to family types; these are those kinds that can at least make their hands glow or at least wield some elements. At least. Finally, community to continental types. These are the kinds of Quanta that can be wielded to destroy cities and countries. Not to brag but I consider myself under those categories."
"Now, where are we? Right. Show him Pierce how you reinforce Quanta with your physical abilities," Pierce stood. Clenched his fists and raised his hands "Do not punch yet. See, this time, he is already reinforcing Quanta's energy in his hands," Raj looks, and he clearly can't see anything "I know you do not see anything. Now Pierce, will you," the ground was steaming off dust. When the dust subsided, a crater was formed at least the size of the perimeter of a car. It was Pierce's fist that stood at its center "You can also use it to run at extreme speeds. Watch me closely," Socrates dashed instantly away kilometers from them in an instant.
Raj is amazed and tries to follow him "Not yet," Pierced stopped him from taking another step. From a distance, there was a tiny Socrates that they could see "Is he floating?"
An earthquake suddenly occurs. Raj was about to panic and was brought back to his senses when Pierce embraced one of his hands in him "Look at that man," Socrates created another crater the size of a lake. Raj's jaw dropped and even his eyes burst out. He was overwhelmed like he had never before. Creating a crater even without moving a hand "You see, you can also wield power. But it is of no use if you will not use it," Socrates approaches them slowly.
"Do not worry. You can do that in the future. Maybe now you are already not wondering why would work with an old dude."
"As you witnessed. You can inflict and deflect damages you want. If you understand and if you know the fundamentals. Do not expect that you can do that immediately. Try training yourself."
"You have a lot of bad bruises and wounds that are unnecessary. Those kinds of wounds should only be felt when powerful damage is dealt. You should perhaps know how to use it. As I can see in your body. Even if you are skinny, you do have a sturdy body."
Twilight came. Together they went inside and changed their clothes in preparation for dinner "I said they have something like yours. Why would it not be powerful enough to inflict some damage?!" the conversation goes.
"But you can see your state now, you are well enough. What I said is that you can also use it to heal wounds. But not in an instant. Right, Pierce?" Pierce agrees "You see, there were other unique Quanta cores within us. Once this enters our bodies it alters itself on its own. It's unclear why."
The moonlight passed above them. The night continues to grow deeper. Altogether they ate their supper.
"So, what do you call this? For instance, if Quanta is like a technology."
"It's Yocto-technology. Far from what you think," they are already finished eating but they remain at their dining table.
"Humans had already attained a higher civilization. They had created machines that could harness the infinite energy of the universe. But all fell apart after the first spaceship was launched. Due to a solar anomaly that happened, everything, including every part of the ship was burned to a crisp due to the high-intensity radiation. It was something that they did not anticipate."
"There is a lot of stuff you can do with that kind of technology depending on what variable is embedded in it. Power, Speed, Psychic, Flames, Gravity. A lot more or even a combination of it. But a caution I tell you, we only developed the technology, the source of its power is unknown."
Pierce came in. Bringing with him his master's coffee and cigarette "Just so you know Raj, my master is the only survivor from that explosion years ago. So, he knows well a lot about that technology."
"Yes. It was like fluid that flows freely, you will not even recognize that it is made up of metals of some kind. The time was a bit slow with them "Just read this book," Socrates tossed a book out of nowhere Raj caught it in mid-air.
"What is this?" Socrates did not reply. Just looked at him harshly with an evil eye.
The next morning came. Thudding steps were heard downstairs. There was a ray of light that passed from the ceiling. It seems like there was a hole in the ground allowing the light to pass through from their underground ceiling.
Raj's vision was still a bit hazy. He cannot hear what Socrates and Pierce were conversing as they exchanged responses. It was heard from his room. He wakes up to open the door and get back to his bed.
The odor of fried fish and eggs has a hard time locating their exit from the spaces. Utensils were tingling as Socrates ate ahead of them. Usually, every morning they ate together. But this morning was different.
Raj woke up late because he felt fatigue all over his body due to his training. When he smelled the fried fragrance and felt the kiss of the tiny spot of the sun, he was brought to his senses and finally stood up "I am sorry mister, what should I do first today?" he seemed to be rushing.
Everything seemed to be lenient and convenient this morning unlike the mornings he woke up the past weeks "Here you go master," handing over Socrates' green coat.
Raj looks at them like Socrates is leaving somewhere "You know what to do Pierce. Oh boy, seems like you are already awake. Looks like we need to postpone your training and practice for now," Socrates after a split second disappeared in front of them.
"We're in the world," before Raj finishes his statement Pierce lands a fist on his stomach. Raj was down on his knees breathing heavily. Pierce was about to strike back his neck.
"Wait, wait... outside…outside… let us head outside. But let me eat your cooking first" breathing heavily feeling his cheeks.
After a while, they head out together racing, distancing themselves for miles away from their hideout "Okay now go, you can continue," before Pierce's hands were able to reach Raj's neck. Raj flipped over delivering a kick to Pierce's face. After which he dodges calmly.
They began their early training without Socrates mentoring them. They already knew some things that they needed before proceeding to another. Socrates already gave them pointers from their previous practices. They were still practicing enforcing Quanta with physical Strength. Like Socrates said "master one first before another. Always trust the process as you progress."
Both continue to fight. They would exchange blows from a mile away. You can hear their excitement and the rush of their adrenaline. It was gushing through the air.