"I wouldn't call them superpowers..." James' projection trailed as it began to take small steps around the empty space in the partially crumbled room. "Most people call them Gifts. After all, they were given to us."
"Given?"
"These Gifts were given to the human race by the Oracles sent by Chaos. His plans remain unknown but from my guess, I believe he wants humans to become dependent on these Gifts, before ripping them away from us." James' projection kept speaking even through Dorian's interruption.
Dorian listened with wide eyes as his father's message continued to explain more about these "Gifts". According to his story, the "Chaos" had sent more Oracles to the world after the Apocalypse had begun, and these Oracles had come with powers that defied any known law that humans knew and believed in.
The power to wield elements, to control matter, and much, much more had been presented to the humans. Only a fool would refuse these gifts. Yet, James knew that it was all a ploy, and that was why he had devised his own countermeasures.
When the Gifts were being randomly passed between the humans in the middle of the destruction caused by the Apocalypse, he had also set to manifesting similar abilities through his powers as an Oracle. The result of that was James' masterpiece.
"The Golden Oracle? What the heck is that?" Dorian asked with confusion laced over his expression.
"The Golden Oracle is the final iteration of a project that I had been working on for eighteen years. Ever since your birth. This miraculous creation is the foundation for the breakthrough that the humans will need in the coming trials against the Chaos. With this platform, you will be able to wield the elements as though you were born with them. An average human can wield only a single element or ability, and a scant few can wield two. But with the Golden Oracle, you will be able to wield ALL of them!"
James' projection emitted a proud smile as it announced the capabilities of his masterpiece. The Golden Oracle could be said to be the perfect creation in the Apocalypse. It could copy and allow its user to wield multiple abilities, which in any other case would be impossible!
Dorian opened his mouth, but the message cut him off.
"Before you ask about myself, do not worry. I am in possession of the prototype that preceded the Golden Oracle. I call it the Silver Oracle. It works perfectly with my abilities as an Oracle to grant me the same power that the Golden Oracle would grant you. After this message is over, you will be presented with the Golden Oracle. Goodbye for now, Dori. I will see you in a while. Stay safe and make sure to examine the map the Oracle will provide you."
After that sentence, the projection flickered before disappearing. Dorian looked toward the panel that had served to project his father's message, only to see that it had split into two separated parts, revealing a smaller panel underneath it.
In the center of that smaller panel, a vial of golden liquid was placed there. The liquid seemed to twist and flow around in the transparent vial. It shimmered even though the light in the room was almost non-existent.
'The Golden Oracle... Dad's masterpiece.' Dorian thought to himself as he gingerly took the vial in his hands. After a bit of examination, he realized that he was meant to ingest the golden liquid. He took a deep breath before popping open the cap and swallowing it all in one go.
A burning sensation immediately filled Dorian's veins as the golden liquid flowed through him. The liquid broke down immediately, fusing into his body and changing its composition on a microscopic level. If one were to inspect this process, then they would see incredibly tiny black and gold dots appearing on Dorian's blood cells and different parts of his body.
Dorian's mind grew fuzzy and he lost control of his body, slumping against the cryo-sleep pod. It took him two whole hours before he regained some semblance of control over his body. His shirt was drenched with sweat and his face had turned red from the stress that was forced upon his body by the Golden Oracle.
'He should have at least told me what to expect.' Dorian swore as he managed to pick himself up and take a seat in the open pod. His head felt heavy as a surge of information filled it. Dorian had no idea where that information came from, but he didn't have the time to think about it before a strange voice filled his mind.
[Golden Oracle has now come online. Welcome, Host.]
...
On a different part of the world, far away from Dorian's current location...
James tightened the scarf that was tied around the lower part of his face as a freezing gust of wind blew past him. He let out a deep breath before pushing forward in his journey. The cold did not affect him too much because of his abilities, but he had to act like it did so as to not raise suspicions amongst his travel companions.
A frozen tundra spread out before him and to his back. He was surrounded on all sides by a white frozen area, with the only exceptions to that white cover being the half a dozen other humans that traveled together with him.
"How much farther are we?" Someone called out among the group. Everyone stopped and turned to face James at that moment. It seemed he was the only one capable of leading them to their destination.
"About three days' journey. Maybe less if we do not make too many stops." James replied after a moment of thought. They all nodded before turning and continuing on their path. James grunted slightly before pulling his scarf tight around his lower face again and following them.
In the distance, a huge mountain covered in snow and ice loomed ahead of them. The cries and roars of strange beats could be heard even from their position. Even with that much danger in their path, they all kept on moving forward. They had a mission to complete, and simple monsters would not stop them.
As James continued moving forward, he felt a slight tingle at the back of his neck and a small smile bloomed underneath his scarf.
'Just a little more time, Dori. Stay safe over there. I'll be with you soon enough.'