Everyone actually managed to finish packing up and placing everything onto the jet within an hour. The cargo hold of the jet was very large, so even after they were done, there was still space for a lot. And it wasn't Eli who took the most time with her gym equipment, but Zephyr, who couldn't leave a lot of devices and instrument behind. But with Kane, who could now lift a ton easily, it was easy to transport everything into the jet.
Once they were all done, they gathered in the main cabin of the jet.
"I was thinking, we haven't named this jet yet. And it feels weird calling it a jet every time. Any suggestions from you all?" Zephyr looked at the others. He was not expecting any suggestions right away, but Asche and Jay had answers.
"Voyager"
"Warpwing"
"RiftSunder"
"Timestrider"
As if on cue, they went off with their list, almost like they had it prepared for this moment. Kane looked on, as the names kept getting even more creative. They had managed to combine everything in the thesaurus that was related to space, time and vehicles.
Zephyr facepalmed, knowing he should have expected this while Eli laughed at their antiques. This was basically their routine.
Many seconds later, they finally stopped.
"So, which do you think suits our ride? I personally like Temporalcraft the most." Jay called.
"Nah, Chronoglide is much cooler."
Before they could start an argument, Kane interrupted them. "Let's keep it something simple. Since it's shaped like an arrowhead, Arrow would be a nice name, I think?" While he did think Chronoglide was cool, he felt a simpler name made more sense.
Asche and Jay turned at him, ready to lecture him about the importance of a cool name, but Zephyr cut them off again. "Yes, that sounds normal. We will go with that. No more discussion, it is done now."
He had immediately connected to the core AI of the jet and registered the name Arrow. With the deed done, he smiled victoriously at the duo who had created the most thorough name list ever.
Kane ignored their silly acts and made his way to the cockpit. It was going to be another quick ride, but he was mentally prepared for any pranks on him this time. They won't be able to pull the same trick on him twice.
"Kane, we aren't going to fly to the hideout this time. I'm teleporting us there directly. So just stay here. We will be there in an instant."
Before Kane could turn around, a strange feeling caught him unaware. As if his whole body was being squished like rubber, he felt the world around him squeeze him. And then it was gone.
He struggled to keep his balance, holding onto the seat beside him. Staring out the windows, he noticed that their environment had changed. They were no longer in the desert.
Instead, it was a white landscape as far as they could see. It was a snowfield.
They had arrived at their new safe house. Zephyr guided the Arrow to float down, keeping a straight face while Kane rushed to the restroom to hurl his stomach contents out. It was his first time experiencing teleportation and, just like his friend had mentioned; it was a nasty feeling. Cursing them, he reminded himself to be prepared better for the pranks next time.
....
Zephyr was able to locate the hidden bunker covered in snow relatively easily. It wasn't exactly underground this time. Instead, it was built into the mountainside of whichever mountain they were atop of. From the Arrow it had all looked like a plain of snow, but as they had descended, the uneven landing of the mountain had become obvious.
Soon after, they found the entrance to this bunker that was inside the mountain. It was hidden in snow, but the GUIDE was very precise about its coordinate system.
The bunker's entrance was guarded by a huge iron door, which did not budge even when Kane tried to push it with all his strength. The problem of entering their new safehouse was easily solved when Zephyr decided to directly teleported them to the other side of the door.
The expansive, cave-like chamber that greeted them on the other side of the door was not what they had expected. Zephyr had mentioned to be surprised when they appear on the other side of the door, but the cavern was out of expectations.
It had stone columns spread around, with industrial lights spread above that somehow still worked. The ceiling was easily a hundred feet high. And the wall were carved directly out of the mountain, covered in a layer of ice after countless years of desolation. The floor was surprisingly clean, not covered in ice. Which saved them the trouble from cleaning up the area. Cause there was no way they would finish cleaning this place even in months.
But since this place had so much space, it also meant they could do a lot more.
Practicing with super abilities and magic required a large space. Or you would end up hurting yourself in a restricted zone. So this was just perfect for them.
After they made their way into the bunker, the group alighted from the Arrow.
"Wanna tour this place? I bet there is a lower hold entrance hidden somewhere in this place. Leading to the weapon's chamber perhaps. Woah, that would be cool. Oi Jay, let's search for the hidden entrance." Asche had barely set his foot down and surveyed the place before he and Jay were running around. They both disappeared between the columns in no time.
But Kane noticed something else that was strange about this place. There was no echo. Their voices did not echo in this large empty space. It was a small detail that go unnoticed easily, but Kane was spooked. This place was special in some ways that he did not understand completely. Maybe they would find a hidden entrance, leading them to the secrets that this place hid. But for now his focus was only one thing. To conquer the stages. Strengthen his soul. And get some answers from the GUIDE once his authority increased!
Zephyr was also overjoyed with their new safehouse, as now he did not have to transform the Arrow into its portable form. In fact, they had decided to use the jet for resting. It would be their resting area, while most of their time would be spent in the open area outside - meditating, challenging scenarios or training. They even had a lot of ration to fully ignore the world outside and just focus on levelling up.
...
After they had alighted all the equipment, instruments, utility device and gadget that they might need, Zephyr, Eli and Kane gathered around a circle couches. They had brought many of these couches from the lab. This was a gathering place now. In one corner, a lot of instruments that Zephyr had brought with him were placed, while in another corner was Eli's gym and training equipment. The corner opposite to the lab was where the kitchen was placed.
All their essential resources had been moved here from the outside world by Zephyr, who had had to make a trip to collect the stuff. But finally this place was done. They could now settle and enter their seclusions.
Lying down on his couch, Kane called out to the other two, "Tell me when the duo returns and if they discover anything of interest. I'll now get to challenging some stages, finally."
Eli and Zephyr nodded, the former closing her eyes as well to begin her attempt to finish her inheritance, while the latter brought out a tablet to fiddle with.
Kane looked at them one last time before calling out in his mind for the GUIDE to begin with a challenge. The world around him disappeared as a familiar darkness enveloped him. After a few moments, light finally greeted him, as he found himself staring at a purple sky.
His World Stage Scenario was online now.