It had taken them a week but both of them believed they had developed a deeper understanding of prime magic so they had now changed their focus to studying true magic. They only had a superficial understanding of what made their magic different and unique. From previous experience, they had already concluded that they interacted directly with reality instead of the fields but the mechanism
Their first step into researching true magic was to do something they hadn't done for a while and that was to mediate with no goal in mind. Lately, whenever they mediated they already had a goal in mind and were searching for a specific answer. This time they just listened to the voice of the universe and relaxed they were hoping to glean some insight into the nature of true magic. They stay in that state for 3 days only stopping for toilet breaks and food.
The mediation had helped them understand a little more about the connectedness of the universe and that the fields themselves were not separate objects but were part of a bigger whole which was a new insight. Yet they were no closer to understanding the mechanism behind true magic.
They had found that having Intent wasn't enough, they had to mix that intent with something. They had failed to discover what that something was. The harder they tried the less they achieved. This frustrated the pair as they wanted more control.
They could subconsciously channel the fields to change the properties of materials or they could apply their spells to objects like when they had changed the nature of Stun baton in the fight against the abomination to harness their anti-field spell. They wanted to do this consciously but without understanding the underlying factors it wasn't going to be possible.
They had even tried to fly in their hybrid mode and weren't able to do that either.
'This sucks, we can't fly we can't channel the fields at least we can still cast spells' Null was disappointed. It had been a while since they found a problem they couldn't solve. They had hoped that by learning to channel the fields they could unlock abilities like Jania berserker mode or the charm ability of Phosphoros.
'I think it's time we focus on something else, we need a new weapon. That stun glove was useless last fight' Null had to agree with Infy assessment on the stun glove.
'I agree, I think we should go for a staff or polearm and look into creating a fusion window shield gauntlet' Null disappointment was quickly forgotten once he started to think about creating new equipment. He always enjoyed the task of creating. He found it to be relaxing plus he would get to try out the equipment.
After tinkering for a while they had settled on a two-part Partisan polearm instead of a staff. It was built in two pieces each piece was 3 foot (90cm) long. The Shaft of the weapon had a hexagonal cross-section and was made from carbon nanotube interlaced with their custom weight-reducing alloy Mastril.
This 3-foot shaft could be wielded as a short staff or be combined with the top half which used the same material as Jania weapon. It had a Titanium-3-Gold spearhead with 6 inch upward curved protrusions on both sides attached to a small shaft that help with parrying blows. Both halves of the weapon could be wielded 1 handed or they could be connected to make a full 6 foot Partisan.
They had made a practice version of the weapon and asked Jania if she was up for a spar. Jania had beaten the boys' to the practice room. She had gone nearly 2 weeks without any action and was antsy for a fight.
"Weapons only, no spells, no abilities, no hybrid mode, Do you agree?" Null was setting the ground rules he wanted to test the weapon, not their overall fighting skills.
"Only if after testing we can have a real spar with powers" Jania didn't mind practising with weapons but she was still keen to find the trigger for her berserker ability.
The first battle lasted only 5 seconds, Null had been using the weapon in its combined configuration which had allowed for Jania to wrap the rope end of her weapon around the head of the staff and use the long leverage to pull the weapon out of his hands.
"Well that could have gone better," said Null
"I don't know it went pretty well for me" replied Jania before getting ready for round 2.
The second battle was a lot more even. This time Null was using it in the duel wielding configuration. He could use the spearhead end to parry and lock in place Jania scythe while he had deliberately wrapped the rope end around the short staff end. With both hands occupied, it became a battle of leg reach. Jania was 5 years older than Null and was a good 8 inches (20cm) taller so also had the longer leg reach, it had taken a while but Jania was finally able to pin Null down.
" 2 – nil, you aren't even a challenge" Jania was teasing Null, that had sparred enough that each knew how to push the others button.
"Oh let's see if you can beat me at full power" Null had taken the bait.
Infy always got so bored during spars so had decided to send out his clone to have a chat with Chris who had also come to watch.
"So what do you think"
"she beautiful"
"what? Who beautiful our weapon?" Infy was confused.
" Uhm, yeah your new weapon is beautiful " Chris was embarrassed but believed he had saved it.
"Yeah it is, Anyway do you think the others are ready to resume missions?" The twins had been so preoccupied with their research that they hadn't been keeping up with how everyone was going.
"I think so, Mum has been throwing herself into research as well and seems to be happier, Jania is going stir crazy and has been ready for the last week. Bolat going to be a problem I don't think he likes us much. We need to get the chain of command sorted out before the next mission."
All the humans had military training and education so they believed in the chain of command but in their party, it was hard to say who was in command. Technically it was Bolat as he was party leader on the paperwork but he hadn't demonstrated any type of leadership ability on the last mission.
Infy wasn't sure what they would do. If he had his way Lisa or Chris would be the leader of the party, but they didn't want to upset their dwarven host.
Chris and Infy attention was drawn back towards the two warriors who were currently having an argument
"Hey!, That's cheating!" Jania was currently arguing with Null.
Null argued back "But you agreed that we could use our full powers".
"But it took me ages to activate berserker mode and you just went and cancel it" Jania understood Null wasn't cheating but she was disappointed that she hadn't got the chance to stay in berserker mode for longer.
Jania entered pout mode and sat down cross-legged on the floor.
"It really is unfair to fight you at full power. Any chance you can make an anti-field spell for our suits? Or maybe an anti-anti-field spell so you can't cancel my berserker mode"
"We would need more Zallium for that, and we are currently in debt so we will need to do more missions" answered Infy. Infy and Chris had now entered the conversation. Chris helped Jania off the floor, shaking his head at her childish antics to which she responded by poking her tongue out at him.
"Then let us go do some more missions" Jania wanted her spells