Seals
This was a concept that all the current earthlings knew very well.
Just like the voice that transmitted the message said, there were seals on the potential of the earthlings, and if they wanted to use their full potential, they needed to free themselves from those seals. It's after breaking the first seal that one gains superpowers. There were different sorts of seals, and with each seal broken, one power became more potent. Each seal broken means evolving from one level of power to another; there were actually six levels known by the earthlings.
The different levels known by earthlings are:
Novice level
Apprentice level
Adept level
Expert level
Master level
Transcendant level
There's a huge difference between each level. Some scientists speculated that there were more levels, but earth only discovered six of those levels, with no earthling ever achieving the transcendant level; earthlings just considered that level to be the last.
To break the seals, one needs to pass a challenge by traveling through the portal that emerged when the message was transmitted to another world.
Each person is transported to a different world, and no one knows if these worlds are real or not. What the people do know is that there is a trial in said world, and this trial comes in the form of a problem or problems, and one needs to resolve that or those problems if they want to return to Earth.
Those trials could be as hard as hell or as easy as heaven. The experts said that it's based on luck, but no one knew if that's also true or not.
After arriving in the world of the trial, the first seal is released, and one can use the power of the first seal. That power will aid them in their journey.
Despite the release of the first seal, the death rate of earthlings remains a whopping 70%.
Seeing that staggering death rate, the governments and other structures of power tried to release the first seal on the potential of people when they were still on earth so that when arriving in the world of the trial, it will be their second seal that will be released, and they will become powerful enough to steamroll the world of the trial, so the death rate will be diminished, and earth would also gain powerful warriors at the level of apprentice when they exit the trial of power.
Unfortunately, all these research attempts have miserably failed. All the individuals who participated in these studies ended up disabled, and in other cases, they died.
There was never a mention of someone using sealed abilities before passing the trial of power... at least until now.
As the horde of attacks was coming at them, and Tom wanted them to stop, time seemed to slow down. He looked around him and felt as if he was the only one moving.
'What the hell?'
He couldn't understand what was happening, but he didn't need to. The incoming attacks made it hard for him to contemplate his situation.
He looked around him and saw that everyone was like frozen, no not frozen, but so slow that it was like they weren't moving altogether.
'Let's think about what is happening-'
Just as he wanted to understand what the f*ck is happening to them, he saw that it was like the things and people all around him started moving. At first, he was glad but then remembered...
'If time is accelerating again, that means...'
The attacks were also starting to accelerate like other things.
'No, they are faster than other things.'
He looked around their table and saw that Leon was the only one moving. Tendrils of lightning were coiling around him as he was dragging Kam with him.
'They can make it.'
He determined that Leon would be able to pull themselves out of the scope of the attack, so he needed to save the others. Just as he started moving toward the others, he collapsed on his knees and felt a severe pain in his head.
"Arg..."
'W-what is this atrocious pain?'
He started to rise but fell again on his knees; he felt like his head was being split in two. He looked around again, and it seemed like...
'NO...time is starting to accelerate again.' Fear marred his face as he was thinking about what could happen to his friends if he didn't move them from the range of attacks.
"Arg."
He struggled but still pushed himself to stand on his feet and got around the table where Sarah, Abigail, and Nick were sitting. Sarah was the closest to him, so he pulled her towards him. When he got hold of her, he tried next to pull Abigail towards him, but...
'Arg, I can't move the two of them with this much pain.'
Dejected, he just concentrated on bringing Sarah to a relatively safe place and return to take the others with him. Once he brought her to a safe place, he turned around and once again got to the table and took Abigail with him.
'Just one more to go-'
Suddenly he collapsed again under the pain, but this time, the pain was much worse, and he couldn't bear it. He was in so much pain that he couldn't stop himself from screaming.
"AAAAAHHHH..."
He felt like he was going to faint, but he still tried to remain conscious and save Nick. He raised his head and gazed at Nick, he could see the fear in Nick's face as he faced the myriad of attacks coming towards him.
Tom struggled to stand, but it seemed like his legs couldn't support him.
'I have to save him, even if I have to crawl.' Despite the pain, Tom straightened himself up and walked toward Nick, but to his dismay, he fell once more. But this time, he couldn't seem to even sit; worse still, time started moving at normal speed.
'No...'
"NICK."
He heard the voice of Leon and others, but it seemed like he couldn't even lift his head. Everything was getting blurry, and before he knew it, he fainted.
***
In a part of the city, a hospital stands as a marvel of innovation and efficiency. Gleaming metal and glass facades give the building a futuristic appearance, while holographic displays and interactive screens adorn the walls, offering real-time information and patient updates. Automated medical drones whiz through the corridors, carrying supplies and assisting with minor tasks. The hospital's design prioritizes natural light and open spaces, creating a soothing and welcoming environment for patients and visitors alike. Advanced medical equipment, some of which seem almost otherworldly, line the state-of-the-art facilities, ensuring the best possible care for patients in need.
This hospital is NovaCare Medical Institute, the best hospital in the city.
Within the hospital, in a room, soft hues of light bathe the space, emanating from concealed sources that create a calming ambiance. The room is spacious, with large windows overlooking a panoramic view of the city below. The futuristic design extends into the room, with interactive panels adorning the walls, displaying the patient's vital signs and medical data in real-time.
At the center of the room lies a hospital bed, where a young man lies unconscious. He appears to be in his late teens, his features relaxed and peaceful despite the circumstances. Various medical devices and monitors are connected to him, subtly beeping as they record his vital signs and provide continuous care.
Seated on a chair beside the young man's bed is another young man. He looks anxious, his expression reflecting a mix of concern and hope. His eyes are fixated on the unconscious patient, and his grip on the chair's armrests suggests a nervous anticipation.
As the soft hum of medical equipment filled the room, the young man lying on the hospital bed began to stir. His eyelids fluttered, and a faint moan escaped his lips as he slowly regained consciousness. His body felt heavy, and every movement seemed to be an immense effort. He winced in pain, his brows furrowing, as he tried to comprehend his surroundings. The harsh brightness of the hospital room's lights made him squint, and the sterile smell in the air only added to his disorientation. Despite the confusion, a sense of relief washed over him as he noticed the figure of another young man sitting beside him, offering a comforting presence in this unfamiliar place.
With a deep breath, the young man summoned all his strength, determined to sit up despite the pain coursing through his body. Slowly, he pushed himself up, his muscles protesting the effort. A grimace of discomfort crossed his face, but he persevered. As he managed to raise his upper body, he leaned heavily against the backrest of the hospital bed, his breaths coming in short gasps.
Leon beside him, concern etched on his face, reached out to offer support. "Take it easy," he said gently, placing a reassuring hand on Tom's back.
With a sense of worry and confusion in his eyes, Tom finally found his voice, asking his friend, "And Nick? Is he okay?"
Leon looked at him with uncertainty but finally uttered, "Nick is alive..." Just as tom began to feel a surge of happiness, his hopes were shattered as he heard the rest of the sentence.
"...but he is in a coma."