With his purchases from the system store complete, Cipher set off toward Future City. The landscape stretched before him—vast open fields, rolling hills, and the occasional shimmering lake reflecting the twin suns overhead. Compared to the suffocating gloom of Nightmare Valley, the openness felt refreshing, almost surreal.
As he walked, Cipher flexed his fingers, feeling the residual energy from his battle still lingering in his muscles. He had grown stronger, but he wasn't satisfied yet. Ahead of him lay a B-Class Nightmare, one that would test the limits of his new abilities. He needed to be ready.
That thought led him to his newest power—Photokinesis. He had barely scratched the surface of its potential. If he was going to rely on it in battle, he needed to understand it first.
"DEM, what do you have on Photokinesis?" Cipher asked, his voice steady despite the anticipation thrumming in his chest.
{DEM ~ Yes, there is information available, but it is only basic. I will display it for you now.}
A translucent screen appeared before him, detailing the fundamentals of Photokinesis. Most of it was straightforward—manipulating light to create, bend, or absorb it. Among the listed techniques, one caught Cipher's attention: Light Orb.
"A simple orb of condensed light, huh?" Cipher mused, tilting his head. "Might as well start somewhere."
Closing his eyes, he focused on the warmth of the twin suns above. He imagined drawing in their radiance, pulling the golden glow into his palm. A tingling sensation spread through his fingertips, followed by a faint hum in the air.
When Cipher opened his eyes, a perfect sphere of light hovered just above his palm. It shimmered, pulsating like a miniature star, casting soft rays across his fingers.
Cipher grinned. "That was easier than I thought."
Rolling the orb between his fingers, he noted its texture. It wasn't just light—it felt solid, like smooth glass warmed by the sun. His curiosity flared. If he could hold it, could he throw it? Could he shape it into something else?
He decided to experiment. Tossing the orb into his other hand, he found that it maintained its form, bouncing weightlessly between his palms.
"Alright, time for a real test."
Cipher scanned his surroundings until he found a suitable target—a large, weathered boulder nestled in the grass.
Taking a step back, he reeled his arm back and threw the orb with all his strength. The sphere shot through the air, a streak of gold against the blue sky.
The moment it hit the boulder—
BOOM!
A brilliant flash erupted, blindingly bright, followed by a wave of heat. Cipher shielded his eyes, blinking rapidly as the light faded. When he looked again, the boulder's surface was blackened, a layer of stone melted away from the intense energy. Wisps of smoke curled into the air.
Cipher let out a low whistle. Not just a flash bomb—an actual destructive force.
"Well, that's something," he muttered. "Let's see what else I can do with this."
Curious about how the orb interacted with different surfaces, Cipher created another one and this time, rolled it along the ground.
The orb moved smoothly, unaffected by the terrain. It glided across the grass, leaving a faint shimmer in its wake.
Then—without warning—the moment it slowed to a stop…
FLASH!
The burst of light was less intense than the previous explosion, but still enough to disorient someone. Unlike the boulder test, this time the ground remained untouched—no burns, no damage.
Cipher crouched down, analyzing the area. "So the explosion is weaker if the orb isn't thrown with force… Interesting."
Cipher decided to push the limits further. He created two orbs, one in each hand, feeling the energy hum between his fingers.
"This should be fun."
He tossed the first orb into the air, then immediately launched the second one to intercept it.
The moment the two spheres collided—
A chain reaction.
A fireball erupted in midair, larger and more volatile than before. The explosion expanded outward in a controlled burst, scattering golden embers before dissipating entirely.
Cipher took a step back, rubbing his chin. "So, when two orbs collide, they feed off each other's energy before detonating. That could be useful."
Satisfied with his tests, Cipher decided to refine his technique. If he could control the detonation timing, he could use the Light Orb for more than just raw destruction.
Summoning another orb, he focused on it, willing it to stay active until he commanded otherwise.
He tossed it up. It hovered in place.
Cipher smirked. Now that's something useful.
Experimenting further, he created three orbs, juggling them between his hands like a street performer. If he could manipulate multiple at once, he could overwhelm enemies or set up strategic attacks.
Ideas flooded his mind, each one more exciting than the last.
After spending hours testing his ability, Cipher took a break. He sat beneath the shade of a lone tree, pulling out a small snack from his inventory.
DEM's voice chimed in.
{DEM ~ You have made significant progress in controlling your new ability. Would you like me to save this data for reference?}
"Yeah, go ahead," Cipher replied, taking a bite of his food. He chewed thoughtfully. "I think I'm getting a feel for this power. It feels… natural."
{DEM ~ That is to be expected. Your Light Affinity synchronizes well with Photokinesis, allowing for smoother control.}
Cipher nodded. He had always felt a connection to light—it was the foundation of his very being as a Knight of Light. Perhaps that's why this power came so easily to him.
After finishing his snack, he stood up and stretched. Future City wasn't far now. He could already see the skyline in the distance, futuristic towers gleaming under the twin suns.
Cipher smirked, juggling a glowing orb between his hands.
"Future City, here we come."