Kayne reaches out and touches the crystal.
[ Found you…. ]
'Found? The Aethereum was supposed to enhance my connection to my aspect and let me know my capabilities. This isn't any documented description, I studied pretty hard in Aether history… I should know.'
[ Welcome, incarnation, you are so fragile. A seedling in a forest so full of violence. You must survive… ]
'What the hell is going on? This all is so confusing. It's making me anxious, I learned nothing about this in school. Reminds me of when my parents talk about taxes….'
[ You can feel four black iridescent chains hanging from deep within a lightless realm. You may command them as if they are your appendages. Each one is long and unbreakable, it represents your love for your four fallen friends. You conjured them with all your current power. ]
'I conjured? Me? I didn't do a thing. I have so many questions….'
[ Hush… ]
"You don't hush me you stupid fucking rock. Tell me what's going on. Why don't I have a…."
Jess and Byron are shocked and wide eyed. They stare at Kayne for several seconds.
'Did I seriously say that out loud? OH. MY. GOD. This is so embarrassing.'
Sheepishly, Kayne smiles:
"Uhhhhh sorry guys I was just a little pissed about my aspect that's all."
Jessica, embarrassed for the poor guy, quickly speaks up:
"I'm guessing your aspect specializes in a way that was disappointing, I'm sorry."
Kayne, swiftly at work imagining a reasonable explanation:
"No it's not that, I'm not too sure for myself actually. It is the aspect of devouring darkness."
'Devouring darkness? That is the best you could come up with? My friends would laugh and call me "Big DD" if they heard that. If they were… nevermind.'
Jessica awkwardly says:
"Oh, I see… did you not want a combat aspect then? I'm confused…."
Kayne is now feeling the pressure to do damage control:
"It's not really my aspect that is the problem, other than the name being a little corny, but that's unimportant. It's my aspect ability, I can summon chains and move them I guess. Not really what I'd expect as a combat aspect."
Jessica's face begins to soften into a face of understanding:
"I see, well I think it'll be very valuable. You'll just need to figure out how. Good luck."
'She's so nice.'
Jess continues:
"Since you two gave away what you're capable of, I will trust you both as well. My ability allows me to infuse an object with light. It'll radiate a soft white glow and if it strikes something, it'll smite them."
Byron seizes the opportunity to inject himself into the conversion. He wants to divert their attention to the mission, the trial. He's already come up with the conclusion that neither of these guys are aspect born. They don't seem to have any combat training and are much too trusting. He'd never give such an in depth explanation of his abilities:
"Now that we know our capabilities, I was thinking I should take the lead in our expedition. I can navigate us so I should be situated at the front. Along with that, I have the most awareness to make decisions. Jess should follow closely behind me, her offensive powers will be needed in case we run into something that requires immediate action. Kayne, you said you can manipulate chains right? I think you should guard the rear. Your ability seems to have a mix of offensive and defensive capabilities. It is a chain after all, you can whip creatures or tie them down."
Kayne pauses to make some necessary calculations.
'I don't trust this guy at all. I don't like being cast to the rear but I also can't really argue with his logic. If my father taught me anything about the Trials, it is to rely on your teammates but never trust them. He did come up with a decent form for our squad so I should go along with it.'
"Alright, Byron, let's do that."
"Good, and you Jess?" Byron asks.
Jessica doesn't immediately answer, she carefully mulls over what she thinks are possible options.
"I agree with your plan."
With a hint of excitement, Byron pushes on:
"Great! Well, what are we waiting for? Let's move!"
Guiding the new companions to the exit, Byron chips in:
"Watch your step throughout this, I can detect monsters, not traps."
With a subtle smirk, Kayne replies:
"Roger, roger."
Jess raises an eyebrow at Kayne while tilting her head.
The squad exits through the hole, carefully avoiding stepping on anything that seems suspicious. Their eyes survey the area and see… nothing. Outside the dim glow from the hole, the squadron is met with nothing but absolute darkness. Nobody can see except for Kayne. Kayne's eyes easily adapt to the place devoid of light. Kayne sees a large hallway. There are large stone blocks littering the floor. Accompanying the stone, thick dense, convoluted vines are weaved between the large gaps.
Bryon shudders:
"Guys, don't move. I can sense a single creature throughout this entire place's floor. I think it is a large serpent."
Kayne hurries to correct him:
"It is a vine."
Bracing herself, Jess's hands ignite in bright yellow light. Now that the corridor is dimly lit the other two are able to visualize the entire place. Jessica, witnessing the layout, just thought of a brilliant idea. Since she can now relax because they can see they aren't in immediate danger, Jess articulates the idea:
"Hey Kayne… I think it's your turn to step up. So here's the idea. You said you can manipulate a chain right? Send that chain carefully across from here to the next stone block. We can walk across it and play a little game of the floor is lava."
'That's actually not a bad idea. I can tell that my chains can reach the other side. We would avoid any confrontation with whatever lurks below.'
A large spot emerges on the center of Kayne's back. Purple and black glimmering liquid-like material chaotically merge and repulse into odd and unique patterns. Purple embers are lightly tossed into the air. Two black, iridescent chains float out and launch across the gap in the stone. The chains have purple highlights sewn throughout the links. They bond to Kayne, nothing may rip them from him. One is deliberately placed at foot level while the other at head level. Byron is a little surprised that Kayne's first ability allows him to manipulate two objects independently. He is becoming more and more confident in this group's survival.
"Use the higher chain as a railing so that balancing is easier, don't worry about the chains swinging, they won't."
'Actually, I'm not one-hundred percent confident with that last comment. I can kinda feel the sturdiness these chains possess but I certainly lack any experience with them to feel confident.'
Kayne, with the chains aiding as a reminder, briefly has to confront the events that had caused him to unknowingly forge these chains. The blood vessels in his eyes are emboldened, evidence of the pain he is feeling. Quickly, Kayne casts the thoughts into the deepest trenches of his mind.
'My Dad has probably taken care of you, bastard of darkness. But if you remain by the time I return to my home, I'M GOING TO RIP YOUR HEART OUT!'
Jessica and Byron have already made it across the makeshift chain bridge. Jessica is keeping her hands engulfed in the radiant light. Without it, only Kayne would experience the comfortable security that being able to see where you are walking brings. Kayne's chains dig into the stone and begin lifting Kayne up from where they're anchored on him. The chains drag Kayne over the gap and gently set him down.
Byron, impressed with the value they have already brought, remarks:
"I have to say Kayne, those chains are cool."
The group cohort makes easy progress through the aisle. It was pretty uneventful. One time Jessica slipped and Kayne had to maneuver his chain to catch her balance before she completely lost it and tumbled into the monstrous vine mess awaiting the reckless below. Kayne's throat is starting to lose moisture, it has been quite some time since he's had water. His small backpack didn't contain any preparatory supplies. He wasn't expecting to be chosen for the Trials the minute he was. The others have large bags full of plenty of supplies. Kayne can see tents, sleeping bags, large water flasks, and a whole assortment of utility items to aid them in surviving wherever they were sent to. Kayne has his small daily bag which has a few snacks, a lighter, his Dad's dagger, and a journal.
"Hey guys, I hate to bother you but would anyone be willing to share their water? I uh… don't have any."
Byron nods, his face relaxes for the first time since he's been around Kayne:
"Sure man."
Using that as a good resting point, they set up a campsite within the cave. They've escaped the first obstacle, Byron gives Kayne some water and a spare blanket he brought just in case. Jessica brought plenty of food and cooks for the group on a small canister stove. They fill their bellies and begin discussing the night watch. After debating the order in which they'll keep watch, Kayne sits up wrapped in a blanket scanning the surroundings for any potential danger. Kayne has the first shift, followed by Jessica, then Byron. Nothing happens under his watch so after four hours he wakes Jess and slips off into some sweet, sweet well earned sleep.