13:00 UTC, September 23, 2043 CE | New Boston College Prep School / underneath a stairwell
"Ko, you really should pay more attention, the teacher is going to start marking us absent if we don't at least show up to class. It's already a big enough deal that they let us leave for so long and don't ask questions." Says Ray, looking quite cute in her school uniform. Her platinum blonde hair is wonderfully reflecting the light from the nearby window, making it appear as though there are stars dotting the walls. Of course, our signature crescent moon earrings hang down from her ears, which makes it really hard to pay attention to the rest of her beauty.
Ever since that day seven years ago, we both have worn our signature earrings. Marking us as best friends for all of eternity. They have also come to be known as something to be feared in this school. Both by teachers and students. After all, you dont wanna mess with the duo that can casually turn anything you say into a deadly insult to yourself, destroying all your pride and dignity in the process.
"Oh c'mon Ray. They haven't said anything yet. I doubt they will do anything that would cause us to have to stay in class. After all, the only reason they let us leave is so that we don't disrupt the entire class with questions that confuse even the teacher or end up getting bored and chatting in the back."
"Yeah, but the condition for us skipping class is that we still have to show up and let them know we are actually at school. But your scatterbrain keeps getting us sidetracked and we end up forgetting to inform them!"
She says this as she gives me a light punch to the shoulder, seemingly quite upset at my lackadaisical nature. Oh well, I can't say I dislike her occasional use of physical violence, it reminds me of the good ol days where the best I would get from speaking to her was a slap in the face.
"Relax, Mrs Genius Prodigy. I doubt they will dare to mark us absent, I don't think you can fully see the fear in their eyes when we show up. It's like they are just waiting for us to randomly blurt out a question that destroys every fragment of their professionalism.
They wouldn't dare mark us absent if it means that we might show up, trust me, the genius, on this fact. Now, lets get back to our game, its your turn Mrs. Genius, don't forget to complete your task before moving on with the race."
Ray then proceeds to sit down with a large sigh. She then proceeds to pick up one of the spaceships from the game we are playing and throws it at my face. It hits my forehead, ouch.
Then, I wake up.
3:00 IST, Third day, First month, 3079 PV | Clak Battleship / Officers lounge
I come to awareness. I feel somewhat disoriented, almost as if I just had a very vivid dream. Which is strange, because I haven't dreamed in the past three years since I dropped out of high school.
I'm sitting in the officers lounge, aboard my brand new battleship. Ray, my newly reunited best friend, is laying with her head in my lap. I can tell by the cadence of her breath and the smile on her face that she must also be having a dream. Hopefully its a pleasant one.
Idly, I start to comb my fingers through her hair. This entire scene feels quite nostalgic. I feel like we have reenacted something similar many times in the past.
It is now that I notice another presence in the room. It is none other than Initae, the god-like transcendent being. In the form of a small girl with white hair. In her left hand is a very large bottle of Potaian wine, she must've acquired it from our wonderful chef. As I am pondering her presence, she takes a very large drink right from the bottle.
She notices that I am awake and observing her, but says nothing for a few moments. Then I notice a bit of raw inae come out of her hand and form words in the air in front of me.
[In text]"Good morning, friend. I hope you had a restful sleep. This is a great time to practice your inae wielding isn't it! Try to speak via raw inae, it shouldn't be too hard compared to telekinetic flight."
Of course, she would use this as a wonderful opportunity for some training. Alas, seeing as I am currently unable to move, I comply with her idea. I use my unoccupied hand to produce a stream of raw inae and form it into words.
"Good morning to you as well, friend. Geez, I'm barely awake for five minutes and its straight to training. Has anything interesting happened during my slumber?"
"Nothing much, I've just been bonding with your crew. You've got some good drinkers on your hands, and the chef seems glad to share all his wine with me! Although, I might've had to do a bit of convincing."
"I notice you aren't wreathed in your usual aura. Did you figure out how to control it better?"
"Nah, I just remembered, part of the condition of the IEC for boosting your selection was that we severely limited our assistance to you in the trial. So I have decided, except for emergencies and training, I will now act with the power normally befitting that of an Ascendent!
Although, I think ima break this once more during the New Years party, something within me seems to want to make a massive scene. After all, I have not appeared before a general audience for about a billion years."
"Sounds fair, I know Ray and I wouldn't want you to just instantly win the entire trial for us. I can't wait to see all the commotion you'll make at the party.
Also, I would like to take Ray out on an adventure into Risia Bastion today. I was hoping you would assist me in figuring out how to take another into a voidwalk, as we will thus have to pass through the voidliths."
"Oooh, what a perfect idea! You two get to have a little date and you get to learn how to properly voidwalk. I shall be glad to instruct you. Come find me when Rayleigh wakes up and is ready to go."
"Sounds good, but it's not a date, just a friendly excursion."
"Whatever you say Ko. But you're currently sitting with her laying her head in your lap. And you seem to be unconsciously combing her hair. I don't know much about human relationships, but that seems a bit much for a friend in my opinion."
"Well… uh. Erm. We've had a quite strange relationship since some stuff happened when we were seven years old. This used to be a pretty typical occurrence."
"Sure sure, do be sure to invite me if you ever decide to get married, I wouldn't forgive you if you forgot!"
"What?! Marriage, where the klack did that come from?"
Unfortunately Initae declines to give me a response. She proceeds to walk out of the lounge. Once she reaches the hallway I think I can hear a faint laughing in the distance.
But still, marriage.. It doesn't sound like the worst thing ever, but with Ray?!
After about thirty minutes of me sitting and contemplating this topic, I notice Ray starts to stir. Her face looks as cute as ever as she lets out a small yawn and stretches herself out. Then she proceeds to go right back to laying her head in my lap, looking up at me. I resume combing her hair, which seems to please her. I half-expect her to start purring.
"Morning Ko, it's been a few years since I've seen you like this. It really does bring back memories, I had a dream, I think it was when we were 14 back in high school. Ah, the good ol' days."
"Ah yes, I think I had a similar dream, but I can't quite remember it. Perhaps this familiar situation promoted the recollection of memories within our subconsciousses. Was my lap comfortable enough for your refined tastes? I do hope I didn't give you a kink in your neck."
"I think it was fine enough. But my, Ko have you been doing leg day? I distinctly remember your legs used to be much less toned. Don't get me wrong, more muscle is always better." As she says this last sentence, she proceeds to run her hands up the length of my free forearm and across my abs. "Oh wow these markings are so cool, you've really gained lots of muscle too! It's all so beautiful, maybe I should get some matching tattoos!."
"Dont you remember? Our augmentation kits improved our physical condition. Plus I think the PsiKit also increased my physical abilities too. Also I don't think the tattoo thing would go over well with the Order, they seem to revere the markings. After all they are a direct display that one has the ability to channel inae."
"Aww, what a spoilsport, your logic is always so boring. Can't a girl just get some cool tattoos that happen to be similar to the very important markings? Anyways, what should we do today?"
"Well, I was planning on taking you to explore the Risia Bastion. Initae said she would assist me in figuring out how to voidshift you inside."
"Oh, great Initae is so generous. But I can't wait! Let's go right this instant!" At the mention of Initae it seems her mood sinks slightly, but then it quickly picks up as she is excited to go into the sanctum. I wonder if she has some problem with Initae, I sure hope not.
She seems reluctant, but she sits up from my lap. Then she quickly morphs her clothes into a cute blue sundress. Her crescent moon earrings also appear again, she must've taken them off when she lies down. I've always been a bit lazy, so I've been leaving them on unless they need to be cleaned.
For the first time in several days, I activated my exosuit and stopped going shirtless. I decided to change into my typical t-shirt and black sweatpants, perfect for going out on an adventure.
As soon as I'm done changing, Ray quickly stands up, grabs my hand and practically drags me out the door and down into the hangar bay.
Standing next to the shuttle I returned in is Initae, she seems to be conversing with one of our Arkan mechanics and they seem quite invested. Once we get a bit closer, Initae turns and calls out to us.
"My dear Ko! And Ray too! What good timing. I was just talking to the mechanic here, they said they managed to get shipy doo back in fully functioning order! It was a pain but with the knowledge I have from that time, we managed to repair the six hundred million old engines." At Initae's address to us, Ray seems to briefly flinch, but she instantly composes herself. I don't think anyone but myself could notice.
"That's great news! Now, if you're ready, let's get on our way to Risia Bastion. I'm sure Ray is shaking from her excitement of exploring an alternate plane of reality." Ray enthusiastically nods her assent to my comment. It seems she is looking forward to this, and to be honest so am I. It's been years since we've just wandered around an unknown place together.
The three of us then proceed to enter the ship and undock. As we fly off into space, the Arkan mechanic waves us goodbye. We quickly descend into the veil containing the voidlith.
Once we piece the veil, I can see Ray's eyes light up with awe. If she is this entertained by just the voidlith, she is going to die of entertainment at the bastion itself. We set down the ship in a landing area nearby one of the side entrances. It seems they don't open the big gate all that often.
We then proceed into the room containing the altar. "Woah, I can tell this thing must be giving off some insane power even without the ability to actually sense it. It feels as though this entire area is ready to adhere to a command of some form"
"Good brain Ray! That would be the weak spot, those with potential can't actually identify them because all they can sense is the Inae leaking through from the void. Now Ko, let's give this a test. To begin with, you're first going to shift me into the void with you. After that you should get the hang of it and be able to take Ray through."
"Sure thing, Master!"
Initae and I then proceed onto the altar. She then has me place my hand on her arm. After a few moments of focus, she seems to begin powering the voidlith, all by herself. Which is kinda crazy, last time there were sixteen Gesir powering it, and they all seemed to have quite a lot of difficulty.
"Alright, now, feel deep within yourself similar to how you draw inae out. But rather than drawing it out, imagine it condensing into a ball within you. Then, once we are nearing the top of the voidlith, quickly expand that ball and project it out above us. While doing this, create a mental image of what the sanctum felt like, the vibe so to say."
"Well, I think I understand, the only way to know is to try."
"Good luck KO! You better not disappear for six days again!" Ray shouts this as she stands to the side of the altar, out of the way of its influence.
With this encouragement from my cute friend. I begin to do as Initae instructed. As I condense the ball of Inae, the platform seems to automatically start accelerating. By the time we are near the top I feel like I have a lot of Inae condensed. I then very rapidly 'chuck' this ball out of myself and onto the top of the voidlith.
Somehow, on my first try, it works. The ball joins with the psi-core cube and quickly expands and forms into a vortex. Moments later, we impact into the vortex.
We are now in the strange space between spaces known as the void. I turn to my left where I was holding Initae and notice that she is next to me!
"Good job, Kiddo, you did it on your first try! I knew you were something special. It normally takes dozens of attempts before acolytes manage to do it properly, and even once they do they often misplace their mentors and cant figure out how to voidwalk properly.
Now, onto the next part of your training, voidwalking. It's actually quite simple, similar to when you telekinetically launched yourself, surround both of us in a thin layer of raw Inae. The void is absolutely filled with pure inae, so this is quite easy for even those who are very weak. Then, once we are encased, envision the vibe of the sanctum and 'move' the Inae in that direction."
I do as Initae instructs. True to her word it seems much easier to manipulate raw inae. I quickly create the bubble and mental image. I start to pull us in the correct direction, within moments, we arrive next to the Orb that I recognize as leading to the sanctum.
"Great Job! Keep the Inae bubble intact and touch the orb with a strand of Inae, this will ensure the smoothest ride for any passenger or object."
I do as instructed and within moments we are pulled into the orb and appear on the Sanctum side of the Voidlith.
"Congratulations Ko! You just completed your first transfer shift, carrying me as cargo through the voidlith!
Now, why don't you try to navigate back on your own using the exact same method and bring Ray through."
I perform the process two more times, on the way back into the sanctum I bring a very excited Ray with me. By the way, it seems Ray wasn't conscious of the entire travel inside the void. Perhaps the pure inae is too much for those without potential and they simply don't acknowledge the time. "WOAH, it's so bright, and everything feels kinda weird. I guess this is what another plane of reality is like."
Initae is nowhere to be seen, but in front of the altar I find a message written in Inae. "Good luck on your totally-not-date, lover boy. Come find me at the temple when you are ready to return. - Initae, the love expert" That darn Initae, wonder how long it's going to take to convince her that our relationship isn't like that.
"Oh, trust me, this is nothing. Wait until you see the city."
"Quick! Show me right now!" Ray then proceeds to grab my hand and drags me towards the exit. Unbeknownst to her she walks right through Initae's message.
We exit the voidlith and her Jaw drops. She tries to absorb all the information about the strange yet familiar city.
"Hey Ray, do you trust me?"
"Of course, with my life, why?"
"I wanna try something, grab onto me tightly." I then proceed to scoop Ray up into my arms. "Ahh, what the klack are you doing Ko?"
"Just hold on tight!" I then proceed to surround both of us with a thin layer of raw inae. Then I (far more gently than last time) propel us into the air. Ray screams for a few seconds and then calms down. We are gently hovering about three hundred meters in the air. Her grip tightens around my neck.
"Woah! We are flying! Ko, you didn't tell me you could fly! This is soo cool, I can see most of the city from here, it's so large to think they had to bring it all through the voidliths."
"To be honest, I didn't know I could fly either. I noticed Initae was just casually hovering in the air a few times, so I thought I would give it a try. It turns out I can fly!"
"That's soooo cool. Quick! Do some tricks! A loop-de-loop and some barrel rolls!"
"Of course, Mrs Genius Prodigy."
I then proceed to do as she asks. We fly through the sky, doing various tricks. I notice several people on the ground are pointing up at us, shouting to others in excitement. I guess it's not every day that you see two humans casually flying through the air doing tricks. I brought us to a landing near a bar that I heard of the other day.
As we land, the crowd parts to make room and they all clap loudly at our performance. Once we are solidly on the ground we both give grand bows. After a few minutes, the crowd resumes and goes back to their normal duties.
We enter the bar and begin drinking, telling stories from Earth and hearing many neat ones in return. We quickly become a big attraction and everyone crowds around to hear our strange tales of things like high school and various planets of Sol.
Once we are done with that bar, we move on to another, and another! We visit many bars, diners, parks, and even an arcade-like place full of games. We accidentally enter places that are definitely not for children a few times. All in all, we have a merry time exploring the Bastion City of Risia. We meet many Itokin and those of various species. At first they all give brief bows to me, but then they interact as though I am just a fellow brother.
All in all, you could say that we had a great outing as friends. I am confident that we are prepared for the Gala that is soon, as well as whatever else should come our way. We shall conquer it together, so, bring it on.
End of Chapter 22
A/N: Greetings o wonderful reader. Author here once again to ramble. I hope you enjoyed this lighthearted chapter where we got to see a glimpse into Ray and Ko. Do stay tuned, coming up we've got a lot of fun stuff, like the New Years Gala.
As always, if you're enjoying reading, be sure to follow/review/favourite/comment a fun joke, it is always appreciated! Until the next time, may the stars ever be in your favor, dear reader.
Cathrix