The morning air was sharp and cold as Alex, Elara, Serena, and Nia trudged through the snow-covered streets of the Rust Quarter, making their way toward the ruins. The pale sun struggled to break through the thick clouds overhead, casting a dull gray light over the crumbling buildings around them.
The group moved in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Elara led the way, her eyes scanning the streets ahead for any signs of trouble. Serena and Nia followed close behind, their faces tense with focus. Alex brought up the rear, his mind buzzing with the energy he had absorbed the night before.
The power plant run had been risky, but it had paid off. He could still feel the surge of energy humming inside him, like a low, constant vibration just beneath the surface of his skin. It wasn't overwhelming, but it was there—waiting to be tapped into.
AI, about the energy I absorbed last night, Alex thought as they walked, careful to keep his thoughts internal to avoid drawing attention. How much did I store?
"Current energy reserves are at 65% of your maximum capacity," the AI responded, its calm voice resonating in his mind. "The energy absorbed from the power plant has increased your available energy for manipulation, but your body's natural limits prevent further absorption without strain."
65%? Alex frowned slightly. He had expected more, considering the effort he had put into the absorption process. So I didn't even get close to my full limit?
"Correct," the AI said. "Your body's current capacity is limited by your physical and mental endurance. You have reached a safe threshold for energy storage, but exceeding this limit would place undue stress on your system."
Alex mulled over the AI's words as they continued walking. The energy he had absorbed was useful, but it wasn't as much as he had hoped. If his body had a limit on how much it could hold, that meant his ability to use the techniques he had learned was also capped. He needed more power to make a significant difference, but pushing himself too far could be dangerous.
What happens if I absorb more than my limit? Alex asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Absorbing energy beyond your current limit would result in physical and mental strain," the AI explained. "At first, this would manifest as fatigue, dizziness, and loss of control over energy manipulation. If pushed further, the excess energy could destabilize, causing damage to your internal energy pathways, and potentially leading to injury or loss of consciousness."
Alex winced at the thought. The last thing he needed was to overload himself and end up unconscious—or worse—in the middle of a scavenging run. Still, the idea of pushing his limits intrigued him. If he could find a way to store more energy safely, it would give him an edge in the Rust Quarter. He could make larger repairs, perform more complex techniques, and maybe even defend himself if it came to that.
So I'm stuck with this limit for now, Alex thought. There's no way to increase it?
"There are methods to increase your energy storage capacity," the AI responded. "However, these methods require training and conditioning of both the body and mind. Over time, with regular use and gradual absorption of energy, your body will adapt, allowing for higher energy thresholds. Additionally, external devices—such as power storage units—can be used to supplement your internal reserves."
Alex nodded to himself. That made sense. Just like training any physical skill, mastering energy manipulation would take time and effort. He couldn't expect to become powerful overnight. But the mention of external devices intrigued him. If he could find or create something that stored energy externally, it would bypass his body's limits.
Power storage units, Alex thought. What exactly are we talking about?
"Old-world technology includes a variety of power storage devices," the AI explained. "Some function as portable batteries, capable of storing large amounts of energy that can be accessed at will. These devices can be integrated into existing systems, allowing you to tap into external energy sources without overloading your internal reserves. However, locating and repairing such devices may be difficult."
Of course it's difficult, Alex thought with a sigh. Nothing's ever easy around here.
Still, it was an idea worth pursuing. If he could find a power storage device during one of their scavenging runs, it would be a game-changer. He wouldn't have to worry about hitting his energy limit every time he tried to repair something or use the energy techniques. He could draw from the external storage, allowing him to perform more powerful tasks without putting strain on his body.
As they walked, Alex glanced ahead at the others. Elara was still focused on their surroundings, her sharp eyes scanning for any signs of danger. Serena and Nia moved quietly, their faces set with determination. None of them had any idea what was going through Alex's mind, and he wasn't ready to tell them yet.
I need to experiment more, Alex thought. Test my limits, figure out how much energy I can safely handle, and see if I can find a way to extend that limit.
But it would have to wait until they were back from the ruins. For now, he had to focus on the task at hand—finding useful materials and devices that he could work with. The energy he had stored would be enough for smaller repairs, but he couldn't risk using too much of it before they found anything worthwhile.
As they neared the outskirts of the Rust Quarter, the ruins loomed ahead, their jagged outlines standing stark against the gray sky. The remains of old factories, warehouses, and crumbling buildings stretched out before them, a graveyard of the world that had once been.
Elara slowed her pace, her eyes narrowing as she surveyed the area. "We'll split up again," she said, her voice low but clear. "Serena, Nia, you two take the west side. Alex and I will check the east. Stay within earshot, and be careful. There's no telling what we might run into out here."
Serena nodded, her hand resting protectively on Nia's shoulder as they moved toward the west side of the ruins. Alex followed Elara toward the east, his mind still buzzing with thoughts of energy manipulation and power storage.
As they entered the ruins, Alex couldn't help but feel a strange sense of anticipation. The energy inside him was still buzzing, waiting to be used, but he knew he had to be careful. Pushing too far could be dangerous, but if he could find the right balance—if he could figure out how to increase his capacity without overloading himself—it would open up a whole new world of possibilities.
One step at a time, Alex thought, keeping his focus sharp as they delved deeper into the ruins. One step at a time