Past events lingered in Nathan's mind as he sat at his kitchen table, thinking about the Fragment. It had become a part of him, a constant presence that lingered even when he tried to ignore it. The feeling of energy remained in his mind, a barely noticeable hum at the back of his head, a symbol of the strength he was given—and the peril it created.
The stranger, the one who had tried to steal the Fragment from him, had left him trembling. The force that had thrown him across the room seemed almost unreal, but Nathan had felt it in every fiber of his being. It was uncontrolled raw, primal energy that felt of its own volition, and it terrified him more than he liked to know.
But the fear didn't last long. He couldn't deny the thrill that came with it. This rush of energy, this sensation of invincibility even for a split second, it was addictive.
What would he do with it?
The answer, for now, was simple: survive.
Pick up his coat and came out the door, his gait firme and direct. He needed answers. He had to understand what he had stepped into and how to manage the power that was being built inside him. He immediately understood that he would begin at Mr. Jenkins' residence. If anyone had the knowledge, it would be him. Jenkins had shown him snippets, but it was time now to build up to real work. Nathan wasn't sure how much longer he could keep pretending he wasn't in danger.
Jenkins lived in a busted old house at the edge of the town. It was a spot that Nathan had seen a number of times, but had never noticed anything special about it. Today, however, it felt like the only place that could give him any answers. He pounded on the door and stood, his heart racing. What if Jenkins wasn't home? What if he had no answers to give? And what if, just as the guy the previous night had, Jenkins was pretending?
The door swung open and Mr. Jenkins, looking as wizened as ever, stood in the doorway. But his eyes were quick and lively, and his look became strained when Nathan appeared.
Better earlier than what's planned," Jenkins explained in a low, careful voice.
"I need to know more, Nathan blurted out, stepping past him into the house. "About the Fragments, about what's happening to me. and why someone tried to take it from me.
Jenkins closed the door behind him and motioned for Nathan to sit. "I feared this day would come, he muttered, walking toward a bookshelf filled with ancient-looking tomes. "You've unleashed something that can't be undone."
Nathan sat down, his mind racing. "I don't understand. What is this? Why me?"
Jenkins finally turned to face him. His eyes were heavy with worry, and for the first time, Nathan saw a flicker of fear in the man's expression. "The Fragments are not just objects. They are pipes, conduits of power, that have been for millenniums. Whoever controls them controls a force far beyond human comprehension.
"So, I've got this power now because of the Fragment? Nathan asked, disbelief still heavy in his voice.
Jenkins nodded grimly. "Yes, but it comes with consequences. The power you're tapping into isn't just yours. It's a part of something older, something dangerous. And you're not the only one who seeks it."
Nathan's eyes narrowed. "The man who came after me. He said something... he said I belonged to it."
Jenkins clenched his fists. Those who aim at the Fragments are not commoners. They are employed by organizations that have been observing such objects for thousands of years. They will stop at nothing to possess them. And when they do, they will "amp up" and shake up the world.
Stepping away from the force of the words in his chest, Nathan said. "What do I do then? How do I stop them?"
"There's no easy answer," Jenkins said, his voice tight. The Fragments have to be grasped, grasped and if possible, Degree 2 and obscured. First of all you have to learn to regulate the power within you, only then will the rest of the world learn to do so. But it won't be easy. You're already marked, Nathan. The moment you activated the Fragment, you became a target.
[Before] Before Nathan could speak the door was slammed a solid bang. His nape hair stood up and a cold terror made its way down him. This wasn't just a random visitor. It was someone coming for the Fragment.
Jenkins darted, closing the curtains and lifting Nathan to his feet. "They've found you. They won't stop until they have the Fragment."
Nathan's heart pounded in his chest. He could sense the Fragment within him twitching as if it felt the approach of the danger. He needed to act. Now.
"Where do we go? Nathan asked, his voice barely a whisper.
Jenkins took a brief pause, and then searched the room. "There's a place. A safe house. It's our only option."
Before they could leave, the door crashed open, and a group of men in black tactical gear stormed into the house. Nathan's pulse skyrocketed as he recognized them immediately—the same people who had been after him the night before. Only this time, there were more of them.
Bring us the Fragment, one of the men snarled, voice rough..
Jenkins stepped forward, standing between Nathan and the intruders. It doesn't belong to you, he said, a particular confidence in his voice. "Leave now, and you won't regret it."
But the men weren't interested in negotiations. They pointed their weapons and Nathan's heart jumped.
In an instant, the power surged through him again. His innate physical form was a propellant, and in the reflex loop, before he could even think, a ball of energy was being launched in all directions, knocking back the attackers against the wall. The strength of the force was great enough that the walls shook, men were hurled into furniture, weapons were strewn across the floor.
Nathan remained still, breathing heavily, fingers still out in front. He had no idea for how he had achieved it, but the expression of terror in the men's faces showed him everything he has to assume.
They were afraid of him.
The room fell silent, the only sound the distant hum of the Fragment inside him. He knew the gravity of what he had perpetrated and for the first time, he understood that this was only the start.