"This is called the isolation chamber," Kael said, leading him through a small door which made the only entrance or exit.
Kinson looked around. The interior looked nothing like the exterior. Panels made of strange material lined the walls, and a single soft light on the ceiling provided illumination. Four cot-like beds were spaced in the center of the room. Blue glowing monitors covered the walls, adding a strange glow to the atmosphere. Several chairs wrapped around the perimeter of the room.
"Okay, that's cool enough for a secretive organization," Kinson nodded in approval.
Kael looked at him weirdly, but let it pass. She sighed. Was she really going to have to work with this guy?
"Alright, today we are mostly going to focus on the fundamentals of deathdreaming, as well as how we fit in with the team," Kael said.
"Perfect! I already reviewed the information you asked me to," Kinson said brightly.
"What, you expecting a reward? Fine, that's better than I thought you'd do," Kael frowned. "Anyway, I had you look over that so that you would understand how flawed it was."
Flawed? Kinson felt a little confused. How was the information flawed? There wasn't much to begin with, anyway.
"Really?" Kinson asked skeptically.
"I'm positive. Everything on there is incorrect, in some form or another. Well, most of it, anyway." Kael explained.
"Then what do we really know about deathdreaming?" Kinson asked after a moment.
"That's what we're going to cover. First off, deathdreaming is not about quietly observing a dream. Just like there are different kinds of telekinetic abilities, there are different forms of entering the deathdream," Kael explained.
"Different forms… so, you're saying that the one commonly practiced might nott be fit for everyone?" Kinson's eyes widened. Maybe he really could get his hopes up!
"Sure, I guess." Kael nodded.
Kinson smiled brightly. Perhaps he really did have talent with deathdreaming, just not with the kind the school taught.
"Before I get farther, let me clarify a few things," Kael suddenly said.
"Okay, sure," Kinson said.
"First off, when did you awaken?" she asked.
Kinson took a breath, then launched into a story. "I think it was about 8 months or so ago. I was given a chance to enter the Titan University of Psionics as long as I could become a psionic, so my family spent a great deal of money and effort to help me awaken. I'd tried before, as being a powerful psionic had always been my dream, but it never amounted to much. That time too, it seemed destined to fail, as no signs appeared. Discouraged, I could only show up and get evaluated, prepared for rejection. Around that time, though… "
"Enough. Cut to the chase," Kael broke in sharply.
Kinson frowned as he was interrupted, but quickly adjusted his mind.
"In short, they categorized me as a class one Empath with limited talent in dreamwalking," he summarized.
"Thank you," she sat in a chair and thought for a second.
Kinson waited patiently, unwilling to disturb her thoughts. After a moment, it seemed the girl came to a conclusion.
"Lets see, if you have no talent in watching a deathdream, but Andres claims you have great potential, then I think there's only one option," Kael said.
"Really?" Kinson raised an expectant eyebrow.
"It's not necessarily a good thing, so don't get all excited. You might have exceptional talent in walking in a deathdream."
"Walking? If I remember right, Andres mentioned something about that during your introduction. What does that even mean?" Kinson wrinkled his brow thoughtfully.
"Are you familiar with the Empath ability related to dreaming?" Kael asked.
"Kind of. Some of them can view or even manipulate a sleeping person's dreams, right? Kinson said.
"Uh-huh. Basically, the same thing can happen in a deathdream. From the very limited information I've got, walking in a deathdream occurs when the immersion rate reaches a certain point, and the soul of the psionist is literally sucked into the deathdream," Kael explained slowly.
Kinson nodded, but then a troubling thought hit him. "Wait a second. I read that having too high of an immersion rate leads to unexplainable death. Are the two related?"
"It should be. I've only done it once, and that was by accident. When I walked in a deathdream, I found myself completely transported into the world of the deceased. Fortunately, it was a more tame deathdream, and I managed to survive, if barely. I didn't really do anything in particular, only wait for it to end. Then, I disappeared, and returned to my body," Kael finished. He didn't miss the sad light which bloomed in her eyes.
"So you're saying that if I were to die in the deathdream, then I would actually be gone?" Kinson asked skeptically.
"This is what they mean when they say deathdreaming is still an enigma. I'm really not sure," Kael shrugged apologetically. "Anyway, let's not get off topic. Time is short, after all."
"Next up, I wanted to ask how you practice with your ability," Kael looked at him expectantly.
"Uh, practice? I didn't even know we could practice," Kinson rubbed his head.
"What???! How do you think I got to class 7!" Kael nearly shouted.
"Natural talent?" Kinson said, only half joking.
""Ugh, forget it. Of course we can practice! Didn't they teach you the soul meditation technique?" Kael asked, exasperated.
"Not really. I know most psionics use it, but they never mentioned anything about it. I didn't think it applies to deathdreamers" Kinson felt a little troubled.
"My goodness. And you claim to attend the prestigious University of Psionics," Kael grumbled sarcastically.
"I'll definitely look into it as soon as I can," Kinson pledged, not wanting to disappoint her. "But how does a stronger psionist work in the deathdream."
"Fine I'll explain it, but that's all the talking for today. If you're to be somehow useful, you need to start training right away," Kael finally calmed down.
"Alright, sounds good," Kinson nodded.
'For starters, the class of a psionist doesn't measure the type of abilities, but rather the soul of the psionist. A telekinetic psionist at class one could probably move a few minor things around, but rarely anything above 10 pounds. However, one at class 5 could likely move a car around with relative ease," Kael explained.
Kinson winced. As a deathdreamer, he rarely had anything to compare himself to, so he didn't exactly understand his current abilities. After that analogy, it was painfully obvious why he was deemed as having no talent. How could the weakest user of the worst ability be worth anything?
Ignorant of his thoughts, Kael continued. "The more powerful the psionist, the more presence they can exert in the deathdream. In the deathdream I walked in, it felt like the deathdream was trying to identify my very existence and memories. Fortunately, my soul was strong enough, and I was able to resist. From what I've gathered, a weak psionist would be drawn completely into the deathdream, losing all sense of identity and purpose. That's probably where many of them die."
"That's what happens to me whenever I go into one," Kinson said, stroking his chin.
"That sounds about right. But I wouldn't say you're hopeless. For all intents and purposes, you literally just awakened, and the vast majority of people start in the class one range. You'll only truly settle into your potential after hard work and practice. But, for the time being, I think we'll avoid sending you into any deathdreams. If you manage to reach class 3 or 4, then I'll consider it," she said, standing up
"Okay, I'll agree with that," he nodded.