Aiden slowly regained consciousness, his mind drifting in a foggy state between dreams and reality.
His body felt heavy, as though weighed down by an invisible force, and his senses were dulled, barely registering the soft, cool sheets that clung to his skin.
He blinked groggily, his vision blurry and unfocused, the familiar ceiling of his room slowly coming into view.
Where am I?
The question lingered in his mind, one that refused to clear. His head pounded with a dull ache, the remnants of pain from a distant memory.
Aiden squeezed his eyes shut, trying to piece together the fragments of his consciousness.
The last thing he remembered was... what?
His experiment!
His eyes shot open as memories flooded back, hitting him like a tidal wave.
The experiment—the fusion of mental and magical energies.
The overwhelming pain.
The sheer power that had surged through him, threatening to tear him apart.
He bolted upright in bed, his heart racing as the realization of what he had done crashed down on him.
His breaths came in shallow, rapid gasps, his body trembling from the aftershocks of the experience.
He glanced down at his hands, half-expecting to see them glowing with the energy he had summoned, but they were just his hands, steady and ordinary, though the tremor in them betrayed the intensity of his emotions.
"Aiden!" A voice called out from the doorway, and before he could even process what was happening, Finn, Jaxon, and Mira burst into the room, their faces etched with worry.
"Aiden, you're awake!" Mira exclaimed, rushing to his side.
Her usual calm bearing, replaced with one of concern as she reached out to touch his shoulder, as if to reassure herself that he was really there, alive and breathing.
Finn and Jaxon weren't far behind, both of them visibly agitated.
Finn's brow was furrowed, his usually laid-back expression was now replaced with a rare seriousness Aiden rarely ever saw on him.
Jaxon, the tallest and most stoic of the three, crossed his arms over his chest, his jaw set in a firm line as he stared down at Aiden.
"What the hell were you thinking?" Finn demanded sternly, his voice a mix of relief and frustration. "You could have died, you idiot!"
Jaxon nodded, supporting Finn. "You knew something like this could happen. And you still went through with it, alone."
Aiden offered them a wry smile. He could see the genuine concern in their eyes. "I wasn't alone," he said softly, glancing at Mira. "Mira was with me."
Mira huffed, clearly not amused. "And what was I supposed to do if something went wrong? You know I can't stop you when you get like that."
"She's right," Finn added harshly. "You know better than to pull something like this when we're not around."
Jaxon gave a small nod of agreement. "We may not be able to stop you, but at least we'd be there to help pick up the pieces."
Aiden sighed, feeling a twinge of guilt in his chest.
They were right, of course.
He had taken a massive risk, one that could have easily ended in his death. But he also knew that this was something he had to do, something he had to try, even if it meant putting himself in danger.
He had to survive afterall.
That was the consequence of the knowledge he had about his current Reality.
"I know," he admitted, his voice low. "I just... I had to try. I couldn't let this opportunity slip by. You know how important this is."
Finn opened his mouth to argue, but the words died on his lips.
He ran a hand through his messy hair, clearly torn between wanting to yell at Aiden and understanding his reasons.
Aiden had always been strength focused since they could describe him as a friend.
In their individual perspective, Aiden had enough Mastery to be a sorcerer as early as his third year in the Magic tower, but while others were quick to show off, he chose to remain low-key.
Other than Archmage Lorian and themselves, no one else in the academy knew how powerful Aiden was actually.
In a battle to the death, even Lorian admitted that he wasn't sure he'd come out unscathed after he'd won.
Jaxon sighed and said. "We get it, Aiden. But that doesn't mean we're not worried. We're your friends. We don't want to lose you."
Mira, who had been silently watching, finally spoke up. "You're important to us, Aiden. We just... I don't want to see you hurt."
Aiden felt his heart warm at their words, the guilt slowly being replaced with gratitude.
He nodded, giving them a small, sincere smile. "I know. I'm sorry I worried you guys. I'll be more careful next time."
Finn grumbled something under his breath, clearly not fully appeased, but he let it go, giving Aiden a light punch on the shoulder instead. "You better be."
The tense atmosphere in the room began to ease, the concern in their eyes slowly fading as they settled into a more relaxed mood.
Aiden leaned back against the headboard, his muscles still sore but his spirit lighter.
He was grateful to have friends like these, who cared enough to worry and scold him when he pushed himself too far.
With friends like this, he would never have to be caught dying in a silent lonely tunnel.
"So," Aiden said, changing the subject. "What did I miss while I was out?"
Finn and Jaxon exchanged a glance, their expressions brightening as they both launched into a recount of their latest mission outside the Magic Tower.
Finn's usual laid back smile reappeared. "During our previous mission, there was this group of dark mages we encountered who all happened to be wind mages."
"There were quite strong with the four of them being very experienced in the sorcerer realm." Mira added with an impressed expression on her face.
"Unfortunately, they still fell short in front of our group."
"You should have seen the expression on their faces when they saw us chasing them on water."
Aiden listened intently, soaking in their stories of battles with rogue mages, dangerous magical artifacts, and narrow escapes.
As mages, their mission area was restricted to places within this Dimension…Earth.
Only sorcerers and above could venture into other Realms and Dimensions for whatever reasons.
Finn, as always, embellished the details with dramatic flair, making their exploits sound even more daring than they probably were, and Jaxon, in contrast, added the more practical elements, explaining the strategy behind their actions and the challenges they faced.
Mira chimed in occasionally, correcting Finn's more outrageous claims with her characteristic deadpan humor.
Aiden found himself laughing along with them, the tension from earlier completely gone.
It was good to be with his friends, to hear their stories and share in their experiences. It reminded him of the importance of their bond and the strength they gave each other.
Eventually, the conversation wound down, and Finn and Jaxon stood to leave. "Get some rest," Jaxon advised, his tone returning to its usual calm. "We'll catch up more later."
Finn grinned, giving Aiden a thumbs-up. "And don't do anything stupid while we're gone, okay?"
Aiden chuckled. "I'll try."
Mira stayed behind for a moment longer, her eyes searching his face. "If you need anything, just let me know. I'll be here."
"I will," Aiden promised, appreciating her concern.
She gave him a small nod before following the others out of the room, leaving Aiden alone with his thoughts.
Once the door closed, Aiden let out a long breath, leaning back against his pillows.
His body was still sore, but the worst of the pain had faded, leaving only a dull ache. He closed his eyes, feeling the lingering traces of magic still pulsing within him, a sign that he hadn't lost his mana.
After a few moments of rest, he opened his eyes again, his thoughts drifting back to the experiment.
He had succeeded in forging The Force, a new and powerful energy that combined his mental energy, aura and mana. But the true test lay ahead - what could this Force truly do?
In truth, the concept of Force was something he came up with after discovering he was in DC.
A multiverse where Universes were destroyed and recreated simply because an avatar of one of the Fundamental Forces of the Multiverse decided to let his emotions cloud his judgment.
The Seven Forces were Speed, Strength, Sage, Still force, Electromagnetic Spectrum, Life Force and Sphere of Gods.
They basically governed the Multiverse as a whole.
Aiden focused inward, drawing on the energy that still lingered within him.
He could feel it, a steady, pulsating rhythm that resonated deep within his core. It was unlike any magic he had ever wielded before—stronger, more potent, and yet, somehow, more controlled.
Taking a deep breath, Aiden extended his hand, willing the energy to manifest.
He felt the familiar sensation of magic flowing through his veins, but this time it was different. The energy was denser, more focused, as if it were infused with something more than just raw power.
He reached out, and the air around him seemed to respond, bending to his will as a small sphere of light formed above his palm, hovering in the air as if held in place by an invisible force.
Aiden's eyes widened as he realized what was happening—he was manipulating the very space around him, controlling it with a precision he had never experienced before.
"Spatial Domination..." Aiden whispered, marveling at the new ability. He could feel the potential, the power to shape and control the space around him, to create barriers, fields, or even warp reality itself.
This was just one of the skills granted by The Force at the beginning level, and it was already more than he had imagined.
He had an inkling this wasn't all, but held back from exploring due to his friends watchful eyes on him at the moment.
He let the sphere of light dissipate, turning his focus to the next ability.
Aiden concentrated, reaching out with his mind this time, feeling the flow of energy within him shift and change. The objects around him began to tremble slightly, as if responding to an unseen command.
With a flick of his wrist, Aiden willed the objects to move, and they obeyed, lifting off the ground and floating in mid-air.
Telekinesis.
The ability to move objects with the power of his mind alone.
The sensation was exhilarating—he could feel the connection between his thoughts and the physical world, a direct link that allowed him to manipulate his surroundings with ease.
It was different from the floating ability he demonstrated earlier.
While the former required magic connection between the two, this new skill didn't.
Everything in the room could move as he willed.
Aiden released the objects, letting them gently settle back down to their previous positions as he turned his focus to the final ability.
He channeled the energy inward this time, directing it towards his own body.
The magic within him responded eagerly, flowing into his muscles and bones.
Magic Reinforcement.
Aiden felt his strength surge, his body becoming more resilient, more powerful.
His senses sharpened, his reflexes heightened.
He could feel the flow of time quicken as he focused his senses causing everything around him to crawl in a snail state.
He knew that in this state, he could push his physical abilities far beyond their natural limits.
It was as if his entire being was infused with magic, enhancing every aspect of his performance past what aura alone could do.
The possibilities were endless.
The Force had granted him abilities that surpassed anything recorded, and he could only begin to imagine what else he might discover with time and practice.
With this thought, he canceled the reinforcement as he withdrew the energy of the Force.
But as the energy began to settle within him, Aiden could feel an awarenes of something deeper, almost like a living presence that resonated with the rhythm of his own heartbeat.
It wasn't just a source of power; it was something far more special and profound, a connection.
The Force wasn't merely a tool; it was an extension of his will, a bridge between the physical and metaphysical.
'This…have I created something I shouldn't have?' Aiden thought to himself. This feeling of a second awareness gave him a slight scare.
What if the physical embodiments of the other forces decide to come visit their newest and littlest sibling only to find him/her/it in his body..?
Aiden's breathing slowed, his mind racing as he considered the implications of what he had discovered.
The Force had given him unprecedented control over the elements of space, matter, and his own being.
At the moment, he was akin to a game player in a real World.
He sat in quiet contemplation, absorbing the gravity of his newfound abilities.
The room around him felt different now, more alive, as if every particle in the air hummed with potential energy waiting to be harnessed.
Aiden knew he had only scratched the surface of what The Force could do, but even this glimpse was enough to make him realize how much he still had to learn.
...
His thoughts drifted back to his friends—Finn, Jaxon, and Mira.
Their concern for him had been genuine, their fear for his well-being could be felt by anyone not to mention Aiden himself.
They didn't fully understand what he had achieved, but they had seen the risks he was willing to take in pushing his limits to acquire the strength he currently possessed.
Aiden made a silent vow to himself that he would share this discovery with them when the time was right, but only when he had a better grasp on how to control it.
The door to his room creaked open once again, and Aiden's thoughts were interrupted by the entrance of a familiar figure—Archmage Lorian.
The older mage's eyes scrutinized the young lad with a mixture of curiosity and concern as he approached his bed, his robes flowing behind him as he walked.
"Aiden," Lorian's voice was calm, "I felt a disturbance in the magical energies around your training area. You've awakened something, haven't you?"
There was an unmistakable note of urgency in his tone.
Aiden met Lorian's gaze, his own expression resolute. "Yes, Master Lorian. I've... discovered a new form of magic, something beyond what is known before."
Lorian's brow furrowed, and he placed a hand on Aiden's shoulder, the weight of his concern evident in his touch. "I can sense it, the power radiating from you. But this is no ordinary magic, Aiden. It's different...too potent."
Aiden nodded, understanding the Archmage's apprehension. "I know. I call it The Force."
"It is a fusion of my magical energies, but it's more than that."
Aiden said only this much. There were a lot he didn't understand about the Force and revealing his trump card so easily wasn't something he would do.
Lorian's eyes narrowed in thought as he absorbed Aiden's words. "The Force, you say? I've never encountered anything quite like it in all my years of study. But I can tell that it's dangerous if not handled with care."
With magic application, a mage or aura master can see and guage ones strength by the magical energy they give off.
It was an instinctive knowing of one's Realm and currently, Lorian couldn't gauge Aiden's strength but he could see the powerful, raw and condensed energy surrounding him.
"I'm aware of the risks," Aiden replied, his voice steady. "But I also believe it has the potential to change everything we know about magic. I need to explore it further, to understand it fully."
The Archmage's expression softened, and he gave Aiden a nod of approval. "I trust your judgment, Aiden. You've always been one of the brightest minds in the Tower."
"But promise me you won't do something dangerous. Your friends have already given me the details and I wouldn't want another reoccurrence."
Aiden smiled, a genuine warmth in his eyes. "I understand, master."
"Good," Lorian said, his tone firm. "And remember, Aiden, you're not just responsible for your own safety. The power you wield has the potential to affect everyone around you. Use it wisely."
"I will," Aiden assured him.
Lorian stood, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. "I'm proud of you, Aiden. You've come a long way since you first arrived at the Tower. I'll be watching your progress closely, and I'll be here to guide you if you need it."
"Thank you, Master Lorian," Aiden said sincerely. The Archmage's support meant more to him than he could express.
With a final nod, Lorian turned and left the room, leaving Aiden alone once more.
Aiden lay back on his bed, staring up at the ceiling as his thoughts raced.
The Force was just the beginning—there was so much more to discover, so many mysteries to unravel.
And he would face them head-on.
But to do that, he had to be strong. Strong enough to not be beaten. Strong enough to come out victorious, no matter the obstacle.
Clenching his fist tightly that his knuckles cracked, Aiden smiled widely and a bit of excitement mixed in.
For the first time in a long while, Aiden felt truly alive.
The future was uncertain, but it was also filled with limitless possibilities and he was ready to embrace it, one step at a time.
With that thought in mind, Aiden closed his eyes, allowing himself to drift off into a deep, restful sleep.
He knew that when he awoke, a new journey awaited him—a journey that would test the very limits of his abilities and reshape the world of magic as he knew it.
But he was no longer afraid. He was ready.
And so, with The Force pulsing gently within him, Aiden began to dream—not of the past, but of the future he would create.
***
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