I was not fully conscious when I first woke up in this new world. I felt hazy. My mind could not focus, and I could not fully remember my previous life.
Hell, I couldn't even understand what my previous life was. I thought it was a game made by ghosts.
But I still questioned how I knew what a ghost was if I had been in a tube-like pod that kept me asleep and why random pieces of knowledge were fed into me.
Because of the pod, I could not tell how long I had been there. It could have been weeks, months, or years.
But I kept questioning why I knew things. Once in a while, I would see some people walking around, messing with technology I somehow understood how to use, even though I was stuck in the pod.
One day, after months of this, my mind started to clear. I began to understand those memories until I fully regained consciousness.
Looking back on the questions I asked myself, it felt so unreal that I would not forget my past but just not understand what it was.
To not understand, even though I had years' worth of knowledge not forgotten but just not understood, shook me because what else did I not understand and just ignore, thinking it was supposed to be there?
After a while of thinking too much about everything I had ever seen and experienced, I decided to worry about the crises of things I didn't know later. I will probably need a therapist after that, but that is a future problem.
But now I have to think and figure out where I am and what I am doing here. Let's start slow and simply question myself first.
Why was my mind fogged up? I think that was probably my premature mind doing that.
It seems my aging is being accelerated by an outside factor. It would have probably taken 3 to 4 years for my mind to start understanding the world around me if I were a normal child who was stuck in a pod.
Alright, second question: where the hell am I? While I was still in a daze, I would see other people messing with a computer-like thing about 12 feet away from me.
What I'm thinking is either I'm in the future where babies are growing fast, or I am a clone or something similar to that. In all fiction, when babies are accelerated in growth, they are clones Regarding that, I hope I'm not in Star Wars because I don't want to be a clone trooper. That would suck so much and in so many different ways.
So, either I'm in the future or I'm a clone. Okay, third question: how do I get out of here? I don't think I can or probably shouldn't because whatever they are doing to me is very important to stabilize my genetics because the info is from Wonder Woman.
What??? Wonder Woman? Why do I know that?
I see, so I was right. Well, kind of. Not only did they accelerate my growth, but they also installed info in my head. But how are they doing this?
I know why: because nobody wants to teach somebody who is accelerated and might leave them without any basic knowledge like reading and writing. So, rather than waste time, they just install the info. But how are they doing this?
Well, at the very least, I know I am in DC but not sure if it is a comic or not.
No wonder that idiot goo said I am going to a dangerous place in DC, a world filled with monsters, demons, gods, star-eating parasites, and so much more.
It seems that the abilities I asked for are not being given to me all at once; rather, it seems my mind is processing the info from all five different people. There is also info from the person who made the clone body. Weird.
After saying that, I felt sleepy.
Narrator:
The lab was filled with the faint hum of machinery and the soft glow of monitors displaying endless streams of data. The pod stood in the center, a sleek, futuristic capsule that seemed out of place amidst the clutter of scientific equipment. As the boy climbed inside, the pod's door hissed shut behind him, sealing him off from the bustling activity of the lab.
Inside the pod, the lighting was dim and sterile, casting a faint blue hue over the interior. The air was cool and had a slight metallic scent, a stark contrast to the warm, welcoming environments he was used to. He settled into the contoured seat, the material firm and unyielding beneath him. The hum of the pod's systems resonated through the space, a steady, mechanical rhythm that seemed to echo his heartbeat.
He took a deep breath, the air feeling crisp and clean as it filled his lungs. Despite the sterile environment, a sense of calm began to wash over him. The pod's gentle vibrations were oddly soothing, a rhythmic lullaby that began to pull him toward sleep. His eyelids grew heavy, the world outside the pod becoming a distant blur of shapes and sounds.
As the minutes passed, the lab's noise faded into the background, replaced by the steady, comforting hum of the pod. His breathing slowed, matching the pod's mechanical cadence. Thoughts drifted in and out of his mind, fragmented and dreamlike, as he teetered on the edge of consciousness.
With a final, deep sigh, he surrendered to the pull of sleep. The pod's hum became a soft, steady pulse in the background of his mind, lulling him into a deep, dreamless slumber.
But this time, his sleep was not as usual. He found himself in a vast, ancient forest, bathed in the soft glow of twilight. The trees towered above him, their leaves whispering secrets in a language he suddenly understood. He felt a surge of knowledge, a torrent of memories that were not his own, flooding his mind.
He saw through the eyes of a short, female elven mage who had walked these lands for 1300 years. Despite her small stature, her presence was commanding, and her aura radiated wisdom and power. He experienced her life, from her youthful studies in the arcane arts to the wisdom of her later years, shaping the world with her magic. He felt her joy, sorrow, triumphs, and regrets as if they were his own.
The scene shifted, and he found himself standing in the hallowed halls of Hogwarts, gazing into the kind, twinkling eyes of Albus Dumbledore. The ancient wizard's voice echoed in his mind, filled with warmth and wisdom. He felt the weight of Dumbledore's responsibilities, his profound love for his students, and the deep, unspoken sorrows that lay behind his gentle smile.
Another transition and the boy was in Kamar-Taj, standing before the Ancient One from the MCU. Her gaze was piercing, her knowledge vast and unfathomable. He felt the flow of mystical energies, the delicate balance between dimensions, and the burdens she carried as the protector of reality. Her teachings on the nature of time and the essence of self resonated deeply within him.
The dreamscape shifted once more, and he became an assassin, moving silently through the shadows. He felt the thrill of the hunt, the precision of each strike, and the cold detachment necessary for survival. Yet, he also felt the yearning for a different life, the joy of finding love and starting a family, and the profound sense of peace that came from leaving a life of violence behind.
Finally, he was a young boy working in a small store, humble and unassuming. Despite his ordinary appearance, he possessed unmatched martial arts skills, a gift that he loathed. He felt the internal struggle, the conflict between his natural talent and his desire for a peaceful life. The boy's dedication to his job, his love for simple routines, and his determination to avoid fighting painted a vivid picture of a soul at odds with itself.
The memories swirled and blended, forming a tapestry of experiences and emotions that transcended time and space. The boy felt the elven mage's mastery of magic, Dumbledore's wisdom and sorrow, the Ancient One's mystical insights, the assassin's journey from darkness to light, and the martial artist's inner conflict.
As the dream began to fade, the boy felt a profound connection to each of these lives, a bond that transcended time and space. He awoke in the pod, the lab's sterile environment now feeling oddly small and confining. The knowledge and memories of these extraordinary individuals lingered in his mind, a constant reminder of the extraordinary experience he had just undergone.
He sat up, the hum of the pod now a distant background noise to the newfound clarity and purpose that filled his thoughts. The boy had changed, forever marked by the wisdom, power, and experiences of these diverse lives, ready to face the world with a perspective that spanned centuries and worlds.
And this continued for five years. The boy/girl person spent five years in the pod. Sometimes he would wake up, but because he had nothing in the pod, he just slept those years away in his mind, reviewing the memories and experiences he gained from the idiot goo.
But he was not the only one in the lab anymore. There was another pod in the lab, but this one was not for a clone but for storing a person. That happened about three years into staying in the tube, and I finally saw the faces of the people who were keeping me here.
The first two were recognizable since I knew them from a TV show and comic. They were the witch boy and Faust, both magic users and both very evil. They are probably the ones installing information into this body of mine using magic. But the last one I don't know from my world, but I do know him because of the installed info. He is Dr. Victor Random, but he calls himself Vortex. He is a biologist from Gotham City whose career took a dark turn due to his obsession with genetic manipulation.
He holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from Gotham University, where his early work focused on cellular regeneration and genetic enhancements. His controversial experiments eventually led to his expulsion from the academic community.
And now he is a madman who wants to make a perfect weapon to help the League of Assassins beat not only Batman but also Wonder Woman. It seems like he has a grudge towards women.
Nonetheless, I looked at who they were keeping in the pod, and it was a woman of Asian descent. I think she had short hair that was dyed red and was surprisingly skinny. When was the last time she ate?
After the two evil magic users and the madman left, with the magic knowledge I gained from the three magic users in my head, I tried to speak to the woman using telepathy. Using magic is not as hard as many would think.
Thanks to the magic ability given to me by the goo, I could not only sense magic from a very far distance but also, thanks to the clone body that had been modified to use magic energy, and spending three years in a pod doing nothing, you become very focused on making sure to keep yourself busy unless you go insane from the sleep and thinking to yourself. So saying I was very used to using magic by now was an understatement.
"Reaching out not with my hand but with my mind, I felt her mind and another mind in hers. One felt human and organic like mine, but the other was artificial; it felt more like a computer mimicking a mind than an actual mind.
Ignoring the artificial mind, I focused on the real one and did the telepathic equivalent of knocking on the front door. There was a response from the woman I had described before, although she looked less skinny than her real body.
"Hello there."
"Hello, who are you? And where am I?"
Looking around, I would be confused too if I didn't have the knowledge of three wizards in my mind.
"We are in your mind."
"So, am I hallucinating a conversation with a random woman in my mind? Am I going crazy?"
"Oh, I assure you I am no hallucination."
"Okay, if you're not you, I am Areson, and I am a wizard."
She huffed and said, "Yeah right, and I am Sleeping Beauty."
"Although you are beautiful, I am a wizard. I mean, you've heard of Superman and Wonder Woman and Doctor Fate, right? Is my being a wizard really that far off?"
"Yes, but also no. I mean, it's not the first time something I can't explain has happened to me. I probably should introduce myself. I am Zara Blackwood, a journalist from Metropolis."
"It's wonderful to meet you, Ms. Blackwood."
"And also, I am not a woman I said to ms Blackwood."
"But you look like one. Do you identify as something else?"
"Oh no, this is not about identification. I am not a woman, but also not a man. It's a weird situation with my maker. I should probably tell you before you find out another way. I am a clone; the person who made me was indeed smart but new to cloning. He had some other guy who could use magic to help him. So, when I was made, they messed up my skin and gender. Rather than being a complete clone of the person, I gained two genders at the same time and a completely different skin tone than my unwilling genetic donor."
"Who is your donor? Wonder Woman? They obtained her genetic info from some hair they gained during fight scenes with Cheetah."
"Since I told you my story, why don't you tell me yours?"
"I guess I should start at the beginning again. My name is Zara Blackwood. I am a journalist from Metropolis, and the reason I find myself here is because I found something."
"What did you find?"
"I found alien tech from one of the most advanced species in the universe, the Columns. I discovered a neural interface device of advanced Coluan technology. Activating it inadvertently enhanced my cognitive abilities and provided insights into Coluan sciences."
"But since it was made for Coluans, the tech that was only supposed to rest on your head fused with my brain permanently, fitting itself inside my skull."
"No wonder I felt something wrong when I tried to communicate with you. You have a second brain."
"Basically, yes."
"But what was its original purpose? What did it look like? And why is it on Earth?"
"You're very curious, why?"
"I don't like not knowing things."
"Okay, I will explain what it is. Let's start with a physical description. The device is a sleek, metallic, headband-like structure embedded with glowing, intricately designed circuits and nodes. It has an ethereal, almost otherworldly appearance, with Coluan glyphs etched into its surface that pulse with a soft, blue light when activated. The artifact is lightweight and compact, designed to fit comfortably around the user's head without causing discomfort."
"It has the capabilities of when worn, significantly enhancing the user's cognitive functions. This includes increased memory retention, accelerated learning capabilities, and heightened problem-solving skills. For Zara, this has translated into a near-genius level of intellect."
"Technological integration: The device can interface with other technologies, allowing the user to understand and manipulate complex systems intuitively. This ability makes Zara exceptionally skilled in reverse engineering and innovating new technologies based on her enhanced understanding."
"Knowledge transfer: The artifact contains a vast repository of Coluan knowledge, which the user can access. This includes advanced scientific theories, engineering principles, and insights into the Coluan civilization's history and technology."
"Okay, where did you find it, and why was it there initially?"
"In a metropolis near the outside of the city, there is a small valley, and nobody goes there except for me. I go there because it's quiet and not touched by tech. Or so I thought, but this time when I went there, I found some guy digging through the valley trying to find something, and the rest is history."
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay. It's not like you were the one who did this. I mean, you are stuck in a pod, so at least I am not completely alone."
"And we stayed like that for about two years, talking, and after a while, we decided to teach each other what we knew. So, I taught her magic, and she taught me advanced science that might as well act as magic by combining some theories on science and magic. We discovered things about both."
"As we delved into the realms of magic and science, we discovered a fascinating convergence where the two became indistinguishable. Advanced technology reached a point where it appeared magical, performing feats that defied traditional scientific understanding. Conversely, magic, when scrutinized and analyzed by a mind as brilliant as hers, revealed patterns and principles that transformed it into a form of science. This interplay created a seamless blend where the mystical and the technological were the same, each enhancing and informing the other."
"And, well, after talking and exploring each other's minds, I started to develop feelings for the brilliant woman who was now looking at my most embarrassing memory that I thought I had locked up."
"In the mind, lying is very difficult because there is no distance between the mind, the mouth, and the person. So, although I didn't tell her, she found out that I fell for her. At some point, months later, I found the same thing, although more hidden than mine, I saw affection in her mind for me."
"After that discovery, we talked about our history, not the way we got into the lab, but our lives before the lab, when I found out why she hid her feelings. Even in her mind, her parents were divorced. She said love and how fragile it can be, but that was not the same for me because I have seen many of my siblings fall in love and stay in love."
"That was one of the many differences between me and her. Slowly and surely, after two years in each other's minds, we knew almost everything about each other."
"You could leave this place, can't you?"
"Yes, but I won't survive for long; my genetic info has not stabilized. But after I stabilize, I will get you out of here. I promise, love."
"Well, aren't you romantic."
"(Back from the time skip from five years ago)"
Character Sheet: Areson
Basic Information:
Full Name: Areson
Alias/Nickname: The Arcane Sentinel
Age: Appears in the mid-20s (genetically engineered)
Gender: Gender-fluid
Species: Genetically engineered Amazon clone
Appearance:
Height: Tall and imposing
Build: Muscular yet lean
Face: Chiseled and angular, with high cheekbones and a strong jawline softened by gentle curves
Eyes: Deep and intense dark brown, conveying wisdom and determination
Hair: Styled in intricate box braids, cascading down their back adorned with beads and woven into patterns
Skin: Smooth and radiant dark skin, a result of genetic enhancements
Attire: Modern interpretation of armor, crafted for durability and flexibility. Includes a breastplate adorned with ancient symbols, flexible leggings, and boots for swift movement
Accessories: Bracers infused with mystical energies and adorned with runes
Background:
Creator: Dr. Victor "Vortex" Random
Origin: Created using genetic material from Wonder Woman and advanced cloning technology
Purpose: Engineered for combat and endowed with superhuman abilities
Personality Traits: determined, and fiercely loyal.
Abilities:
Superhuman Strength: Enhanced strength and agility, similar to Wonder Woman
Combat Proficiency: Mastery in various forms of combat and weapons
Mystical Bracers: Enhance combat prowess and defense through mystical energies
Regeneration: Rapid healing and resilience in battle
Flight: Ability to fly at high speeds
Magical Abilities:
Arcane Mastery: Areson possesses innate magical abilities derived from their genetic infusion with Wonder Woman's DNA and mystical properties.
Mystic Energy Manipulation: Can manipulate and channel mystical energy for offensive and defensive purposes.
Spellcasting: Proficient in casting spells of protection, enhancement, and elemental manipulation.
Telekinesis: Can move objects with their mind, enhancing their combat versatility.
Teleportation: Can teleport short or long distances, aiding in tactical maneuvers and surprise attacks.
Goals:
Live without worry
Fears:
Fear of Failure: Afraid of not living up to their potential and failing in their quest for redemption
Fear of Laziness: Afraid of being lazy and not accomplishing anything
Relationships:
Allies: Allies with heroes who recognize their potential and honor their noble intentions
Enemies: Faces opposition from those who see them as a threat or an abomination
Love Interest: Zara Blackwood
Miscellaneous:
Quirks: Occasionally quote ancient wisdom or philosophy learned from their training
Hobbies: sleeping, studying ancient texts for clues about their origins, enjoying anime