"Mom, I'm here," I said, my voice trembling slightly as I caressed my mom's hand. Her skin felt cool under my touch, and I couldn't help but notice how serene she looked, as if she were merely in a deep, restful sleep. The doctors had told me she was stable, but the sleep-inducing toxin in her body was incredibly potent, and they hadn't been able to cleanse it from her system yet.
As I sat by her bedside, I began to speak, hoping that my voice might somehow reach her. "Mom, a lot has happened since you fell asleep. There's this thing called the radiant light that appeared eight days ago, and it brought with it some really strange and terrifying phenomena. Gates have been opening up all over the world, and through these gates, creatures—monsters, really—have been emerging. It's like something out of a nightmare, or maybe a science fiction movie."
I paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. "And it's not just about the creatures. The radiant light has also affected people, including me. They say it has unlocked some kind of dormant power within us. I don't fully understand it yet, but Mr. Reyes and his team are trying to help us figure it out. I wish you were awake to help me through this. I need you, Mom."
Suddenly, the door opened, and Shiela entered the room. She walked over to me and placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry, Alex. We're doing our very best to cure your mother. It's just that we don't have enough information and the ability to detoxify the toxin yet, but I assure you, we will."
I touched her hand, grateful for her support. "Thanks, Shiela," I said, managing a weak smile.
"No problem, Alex. By the way, they're gathering in the conference room now," Shiela informed me.
I nodded in response. "I've gotta go now. I just wanted to check on you," she said before walking away.
I looked at my mom again, noting how peaceful she seemed. "You look like Sleeping Beauty, Mom. Are you still waiting for your prince to come?" I joked, trying to lighten the mood. "I gotta go now, Mom. They're gathering in the conference room, and I have to be there too. Bye, Mom," I said softly, then left the room.
As I walked along the corridors, I couldn't help but be fascinated and slightly unnerved by the sights around me. The facility was a blend of high-tech equipment and eerie specimens. I passed by large tubes containing monstrous creatures, each one more grotesque than the last. Screens displayed various data points and charts, analyzing the creatures' biology and behavior. It was a stark reminder of the bizarre and dangerous new world we were living in.
I finally reached the conference room, where a few people were already seated. "You've finally arrived, Alex. We're going to wait for the other two, and then we will start our lecture about your dormant powers," Mr. Reyes said as I entered. I nodded and found a seat at the table.
I was gazing absentmindedly around the room when I noticed someone beside me. "Hi, Alex," he greeted.
"Hello, Drex," I replied, trying to mask my surprise.
There was an awkward silence between us. I wasn't sure what to say, and it seemed like Drex had something on his mind as well. He was the one who had approached me, after all.
"I—I just wanted to ask about what your power is," he said, breaking the silence.
"I don't know yet. I haven't unlocked my power," I replied honestly.
"Is that right?" he asked, looking thoughtful. "W-well, if you want to know what's mine, I can show you," he offered.
My eyes lit up with excitement. "REALLY?" I asked, barely able to contain my enthusiasm.
"Y-yeah," he nodded.
Drex plucked one of his hairs and held it between his fingers. His eyes glowed with a hint of violet, and his veins pulsed with the same color. Suddenly, the hair transformed into a small, sharp blade. "WOW," I exclaimed, amazed by what I had just witnessed.
Drex wasn't done yet. He plucked another hair, and this time, he transformed it into a small, intricate sculpture of a bird. "That's incredible," I said, my voice filled with awe.
"Well, to summarize, my power lets me transform my hair," Drex explained. "I need to be familiar with the item I want to transform it into, as well as the materials needed and its appearance and effects. The transformation only lasts for one minute."
"That's so amazing, Drex. You have such cool powers. The possibilities are endless with your ability! You could create almost anything," I said joyfully.
"Y-yeah," he replied, feeling shy under the weight of my admiration.
Suddenly, Mr. Reyes entered the room with the other two individuals we were waiting for. "Now we will discuss how to awaken your powers," he announced.
We all settled into our seats, the room growing quiet as Mr. Reyes prepared to speak. He took a moment to gather his thoughts before addressing us.
"First of all, I want to thank you all for being here. I understand that this is a difficult and confusing time for everyone, but please know that we are here to help you navigate these changes. Awakening your powers is a complex process, and it requires both mental and physical preparation."
He paused, making sure he had everyone's attention. "The first step in awakening your powers is to understand and accept the changes that are happening within you. The cosmic ethereal energy has integrated into your genetic makeup, enhancing your brain's capacity and unlocking latent abilities. This process can be challenging, as it requires you to tap into parts of yourself that you may not even know exist."
Mr. Reyes continued, "We will be conducting a series of exercises designed to help you connect with your inner energy. These exercises will focus on meditation, visualization, and controlled physical activities. It's important to approach these exercises with an open mind and a positive attitude. Fear and doubt can hinder your progress, so try to stay focused and believe in your potential."
One of the other individuals, a young woman named Lena, raised her hand. "What kind of exercises are we talking about?"
Mr. Reyes smiled. "Good question, Lena. The exercises will vary depending on the individual, but they will generally involve techniques such as deep breathing, visualization of your energy flow, and physical tasks that require concentration and control. We will also provide one-on-one guidance to help you discover and harness your unique abilities."
Drex leaned over to me and whispered, "This sounds intense."
"Yeah, but it also sounds like it could really help us," I whispered back, feeling a mix of anticipation and nervousness.
Mr. Reyes continued, "Another important aspect of awakening your powers is understanding the connection between your mind and body. The cosmic ethereal energy enhances your physical and mental capabilities, but it also requires balance and harmony. Stress, negative emotions, and physical exhaustion can disrupt this balance and make it difficult to access your powers."
He looked around the room, his expression serious. "That's why it's crucial to take care of yourselves during this process. Get enough rest, eat well, and take time to relax and clear your mind. The more you can maintain a state of balance, the easier it will be to tap into your abilities."
One of the other individuals, a young man named Ethan, raised his hand. "What happens if we can't awaken our powers?"
Mr. Reyes nodded, acknowledging the concern. "It's possible that some individuals may take longer to awaken their powers, or they may have more difficulty accessing them. If that's the case, we will continue to provide support and guidance. Remember, this is not a race. Everyone's journey is different, and it's important to be patient with yourself."
He took a deep breath before continuing. "Now, let's move on to the practical aspects of awakening your powers. We will start with a simple exercise to help you connect with your inner energy. I want you all to close your eyes and take a deep breath."
We all followed his instructions, closing our eyes and taking a deep breath. "Focus on your breathing," Mr. Reyes continued. "Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose, and exhale gently through your mouth. As you breathe, try to clear your mind of any distractions or negative thoughts. Imagine a warm, glowing light within your chest, representing your inner energy."
I visualized the glowing light within me, feeling its warmth spread through my body. "Now, with each breath, imagine this light growing brighter and stronger," Mr. Reyes instructed. "Feel it filling your entire being, connecting your mind and body."
As I focused on the glowing light, I began to feel a subtle tingling sensation throughout my body. It was as if the energy within me was coming to life, responding to my thoughts and intentions.
"Good," Mr. Reyes said softly. "Keep focusing on the light, and try to feel its presence within you. This is the first step in connecting with your inner energy and awakening your powers."
We continued the exercise for several minutes, the room filled with a sense of calm and concentration. I could feel the energy within me growing stronger, and I began to believe that I might actually be able to unlock my powers.
After a while, Mr. Reyes asked us to open our eyes. "How do you all feel?" he asked, looking around the room.
"I felt something," Lena said, her eyes wide with excitement. "Like a tingling sensation. It was amazing."
"That's a good sign," Mr. Reyes replied, smiling. "It means you're starting to connect with your inner energy. With practice, you'll be able to harness and control.