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From the Realm of the Mind; Modern fantasy, superhero story
Topic Started: Mar 20 2014, 03:00 AM (1,101 Views)
ShichiNoBushi
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Chapter 5: Time for Schoolin’

“AAAAAAAH!!” As I approached the school, I heard a scream. When I spotted the demon it had backed someone against a wall while everyone else was either evacuating the scene or observing from safe distance or cover. Anyone else in the immediate area was passed out on the ground, and hopefully that was that was the worst that had become of them. It looked much like a worg, those huge wolves in The Lord of the Rings, with bolts of electricity zapping and arcing across it’s body. On its face, I saw what looked like a grin as it drooled at its prey.

“Hey!” I cried out. “You’re probably looking for me. At least I’ve been looking for you.” Mental note to try thinking up one-liners. It turned its head towards me, grinned a bit wider, and cried out with what sounded like a hyena’s cackle. His target wisely took the opportunity to escape to safety. <Genesis? I think I’ll need your help again.>

<No problem.> She appeared next to me and started to enter me. My back arched as she merged with me, and I started to feel her presence. <Since this is taking place of our practice session, I’ll do more of coaching you through this rather than taking control directly.>

<That doesn’t sound reassuring,> I said as I took a fighting stance.

<I trust you will do just fine. If things get too dangerous, I’ll act as your safety net. Don't be afraid. You can take that as my first pointer.>

The worg readjusted to face me completely and snarled. It then suddenly dove at me.

<Now. As you dodge to the side, imagine a mental grip on it, then push it as it passes by.> I followed this advice, and the demon seemed to be caught by surprise and unbalanced as it flew through the air. It landed hard but got back up quickly. Its grin was gone only bearing its teeth, now.

It took a few deep breaths, and the sparks seemed to build up. Its quill-like fur started to stand. <Get ready. It’s up to something.> After it took one, last, DEEP breath, it let out a howl, and a huge lightning bolt shot from it. I managed to suppress the blast with a shield which redirected some of the lightning arcs around it, but I was still hit. As the electricity flowed through me, I felt my muscles spasm out of control.

After the attack, I was knocked on the ground. I looked around for something like the pipe I used yesterday, but all I saw was sticks. “Crap!” I called out.

<Focus your energy into your hand and imagine it forming into a solid object around it.> It felt like a thicker glove was put on my hand. Almost stiff.

The demon was still catching its breath from the last attack. When I got back on my feet, I charged for him. Its surprise gave me more of an opportunity. I punched it in neck, and energy exploded from the point of contact. I attacked again. The demon dodged and lunged back at me. I managed to dodge and tried to hit it again but missed. The demon lunged again and bit my arm. Once it buried its teeth, it shocked me.

“AAAAAH!!” I screamed in pain and swung wildly at its face until it let go. Apparently, we were both hurt pretty bad once we separated. I saw cracks along its face with pieces flaking off which either dissolve into dust in mid-air or crumble on contact with the ground.

<Focus your energy into the wound and imagine it closing and healing.> It was hard to manage this since the pain was oppressive. <It must hurt, but you need to use the pain to help focus, not distract you.> The pain started to fade as I recovered from the attack.

The demon seemed to have recovered and was readying for another blast. I stood up, still trying to heal myself. It let out a loud howl. As the bolt arched forward, I raised up my hands and shielded it. The fight had already went on for longer than yesterday’s, and I wasn’t sure if I could hold it.

<Draw it in. Use your left hand.>

<What?>

<You know what I’m talking about. You’ve been doing it since before all this happened. Before we even met.>

<But that was just environmental energy I could only feel and wasn’t sure it was there. This is lightning.>

<Just do it.>

<All right.> As the bolt made contact with my shield, I tried to visualize a current as if guided to recharge a battery. The lightning passed through my shield and zapped across my arm. Rather that the incredible pain like before, this felt more like a recharge. Like the other night, except an uncomfortable tingle was left to aggravate my arm. “Thanks.”
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Chapter 6: Dismissed

Once the demon finished its “attack,” I saw a look of fear on its face as it continued breathing heavy. This is when I decided to charge again, and another melee began. Punch. Dodge. Punch. Hit. Bite. Miss. Punch. Dodge. Tail. After a short fight, it knocked me into a tree. Fsssshhh. The sound of flowing water caught my ear. The fountain!

“Of COURSE!” I exclaimed. “I’ve played enough RPG’s that this should have been obvious. If this doesn’t work, I’ll have to try something ground-type.”

The demon tried to retreat as I climbed into the water. “Hey! We’re not done.” Water started to flow into a ball floating in front of my outstretched hand. The ball shot at my frightened target.

It dodged the first attack, but I redirected it like a homing missile. As it kept avoiding the first orb of water, I started collecting a second. Once the second was shot into play, I tried to keep the demon from escaping.

Pssshhhkzzzzz. Rrraaaaaaaa!! One of the orbs hit the target, and bolts of electricity flew from its body arcing into the ground. While it was stunned, I hit it with the other orb. It collapsed on the ground, and the sparks started to slow.

<Nice job. Let me show you another trick. Try collecting more water into a sphere.> Which I did. <Now, keep collecting water and try to keep the orb small. I’ll help a little if it seems to difficult.>

<More water? Smaller? Sounds weird, but I expect you’re going somewhere with this.> As I continued adding water, the sphere bulged and convulsed as I tried to keep it small and compressed. <Oh! I see what you did there.> I continued adding more water and more pressure as I entered a low stance with the orb between my hands behind me.

<Now, relieve some of the pressure in the direction of the demon.>

Ugh. So... heavy. I thought as I struggled to move the orb forward. “Hydro Pump!” I yelled as I then did a Hadouken motion pointing the orb and my open palms at the target and let go of the ball of water bit, and the stream shot out like a fire hose. The worg tried to evade, but I followed it with the spray. Eventually I actually hit it forcing it backward. As it convulsed in agony, it turned to ashes, and black smoke emerged. “Yes! It’s super effective!!”

It tried to fly off, but I charged at it in attempt to capture it. I reached for it and drew it in. The force was evident as its spirit tried to escape. The darkness collected in my hands, and I forced it into its final prison like I did with the one the day before. Once everything was calm, I extinguished the small flames that developed during my climactic assault. Like before, my audience emerged from their hiding places and cheered for my victory.

“Amazing!”

“Who are you?”

“Are you that Archon sorcerer guy or whatever they’ve talked about?”

“What’s your name?”

SMACK “You idiot. Super heroes don’t give away their real names.”

“What was that thing, and what did you do?”

“It was a demon of some kind,” I answered. “I banished it so it can’t cause any more trouble. There will be more so if you want to keep me around to fight them, I suggest you don’t follow me.” I then made my escape, and Genesis separated.

Back at an alley near my car, I took off my cloak and started on my scarf when I heard some one call for me, “Cody!” Neil came into view outside the alley and looked around for me. He looked at me as I was untying the knot. “Cody? Oh wait, you’re that Archon guy. But you look so much... YOU ARE CODY!”

I took off the scarf. “You got me Neil. It’s me. Why are you here? I thought you had work or something.”

“So did I after you asked me earlier. Turns out I was scheduled for this time tomorrow.”

“Sorry for ditching you. I had important business.”

“You said you were going to buy something. What did you really do?”

“I did buy something. This outfit.” I said as I gestured at myself.

“Why would you want to get that?”

I sighed, “Because I’m the battle sorcerer Archon.”

He paused, “You’re Archon? I thought you were just cosplaying for a second. But I’ve never seen you cosplay before, and Archon was only on the news for less than a day.”

I started putting the costume back on. “How do I look in it?”

“Hmmm. I guess it looks cool, but when I saw you without the cloak, your hair kind of gave you away. Other people at the school might recognize you without the cloak.”

I started taking the costume back off. “Oh. What if I braided it? One big braid. I’ve been wanting to try that since I first saw Gundam Wing.” I untied my ponytail, braided my hair, and retied it at the end. "What do you think?" I asked as I turned around to display my unpracticed creation.

“I guess that makes you look different enough.”

“I’ll have to practice at that then. This was kind of hasty.” I untied it, undid the braid, retied it, and continued taking off the costume.

“Don’t forget practicing your sorcery, too,” cheered a familiar voice.

“You... you... you’re... Genny, right?” Neil stammered for the right name.

“Haha. My real name is Genesis.”

After I got back into my normal clothes, I introduced Neil to the real Genesis, summarized what has been going on, and showed him a few tricks. “As much as you like to talk, can I trust you to keep this secret?”

“Sure.”

Postscript: And that's my second book in the series. I was hoping for more audience input, but since it seems this thread has been getting constant views as I post, so I guess that's some sort of support. I've been uploading twice daily a chapter at a time, but if anyone wants me to post more quickly, please tell me. I've already written six books/episodes so far and have been making minor edits as I've posted them, so I have a fairly large buffer before I run out of content.

I have been told before that Cody seems to rely too much on Genesis possessing him during battle, but he is also just starting out with magic and needs a little assistance for now. In the next entry, he'll stop relying on her and perform sorcery more by himself but at the same find help for other elements of combat. There's also a larger time gap compared to Book 2 to taking place the day following Book 1. I sometimes wish I had content to fill in the time rather than just say they did some training or imply there were some less interesting fights in between.

Thanks for reading.
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Book 3: Welcome to the Club

Chapter 1: Level 5 Sorcerer Looking for Group

<So. Why should I assist you?>

<I need you to help me fight demons. I’m not that good at physical combat, but as you might have noticed, I know quite a few magical abilities.>

<I have noticed. I also noticed that you lack focus and discipline. But if you can over come that, I’m sure your abilities can complement my knowledge of fighting to make a powerful force.>

<That’s the plan.>

“Cody?” a voice from outside calls out. The conversation continues, uninterrupted by the outsider.

<If fighting demons and protecting the human race isn’t enough of a reward, I can help you re-experience life.>

“Cody?”

<Sure. Count me in.>

“Cody!”

<Thanks. I appreciate it.>

“CODY! WAKE UP!!”

I came out of my trance like state feeling as if I had just woken from a dream. Only my knowledge of it taking place assures me that it actually happened. I opened my eyes to see Genesis sitting on my bed looking worried. I stretched.

“What’s wrong, Gen?”

“I was wondering why you weren’t answering me while you were meditating. You haven’t gone that deep since we’ve met. I thought you might have gotten lost.”

“I don’t think I’m able to go so deep that I can get lost. I’ve always had some sense of my body, which I admit can get frustrating. You were interrupting my chat.”

“Chat? With who?”

“Remember how when we first started fighting demons, you would possess me to aid in casting spells?”

She nodded, “Yeah. In the last couple of weeks, you have made quite a bit of progress. You’ve kind of started using your magic quite leisurely and casually. At least when we’re alone... Or with Neil.”

“I’ve decided I’ll need to train in combat, as well.” I focused energy into my hand, and it started to glow. “This ability you taught me to deal extra damage to demons with my fists really inspired me.”

“You’ve been calling it your ‘Hard Aura Fist’ lately.”

Small rays grew from my fist. “Then, I developed the Spiked Aura Fist.” The rays grew and collected into a single “blade” extending from my fist. “And then the Katar.” The blade shrunk and a new one grew from the hole formed by my index finger and thumb. “That’s when I really started getting creative and shaped my energy into this sword. I then realized that with enough practice, I can make all sorts of energy weapons, but what good is a weapon if you don’t know how to use it?”

“Get to your point already,” Genesis groaned impatiently with crossed arms and rolling eyes.

“Well, you have been teaching me my sorcery so I thought I can get someone else to teach me combat and possess me from time to time if I really need his help in a given situation.”

“I get it. You were looking for other spirits. How’d it go?”

“Well... one hard part is finding spirits. Another is convincing them to help me. I found two, so far that were cooperative. The first was a medieval knight who called himself Darius Miralles and the one I was just talking to was an ex-monk named Jae Hai.”

“What good is a monk in a battle?”

“Martial arts monk.”

“Oooh.”

“I think I got lucky since those were the kinds of guys I was looking for.”
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Chapter 2: A Storm’s A-Comin’. I can Feel it in Me Bones.

“So... what are you doing, today?” Genesis asked.

“Same thing we do every day, Genny.” I quoted. “Try to save McNewtonville City.” There is a brief pause. “Sorry. I couldn’t resist the opportunity for a Pinky and the Brain reference. I invited Neil and Ryan to a barbeque the building is having, and I’m looking forward to it.”

“Do you plan on doing a few tricks?”

“Of course not. I just hope Neil doesn’t ask me to.”

We didn’t hear the door open during our conversation. “Hey, Cody... uh... Who’s the chick?”

We both turned toward the new voice in surprise and said in unison “Nelson?” It was my roommate, Nelson Louder. He’s a bit of a slacker and a jerk, but he’s cool. He was wearing just the shorts he wore yesterday, his blonde hair was still messed up from bed, and he had a bit of facial hair.

“And how does she know me? We never met. Does this have to do with all the other weird things going on here?”

“Um... Uuuh...” I stuttered.

“Ever since all this Archon guy showed up, weird things have been happening in the apartment. Don’t tell me you’re Archon.”

“Um... uuh... yeah.” I groaned. “I’m Archon.”

“Can you do a trick?”

“What?!”

“Never mind. I don’t care as long as nothing bad happens to me so do whatever.” He started to leave, but stopped and turned around before he left through the door. “Oh yeah. I came in here to tell you that the building’s barbeque party might be cancelled.”

“Ah man. Why?”

“Well, according to the news report, a storm suddenly came up, and it might rain, thunder, lightning, and everything. I’m not surprised. The weather around here has always been crazy. Anyway, see you and your girlfriend later.”

“Nelson, she’s not my...” he closed the door before I could finish my sentence. Like anyone else would, I went to the window to check everything out. The sky was filled with clouds as I suspected. Something was strange, though. The clouds seemed to move outward from a single point. “Strange.”

“What’s strange?” Genesis asked as she approached the window. “Oh. This must have something to do with what I sensed earlier.”

“You sensed something? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I came to you to tell you about it, but you were meditating. I didn’t want to disturb you, but you were in trance for so long that I got worried and I guess I forgot. When you did wake up, you seemed so excited about your new ‘friends.’ I was also curious.”

A “wall” of rain then approached the building and started pounding the window. “Okay. Despite the strange weather, that was kind of cool,” I said in awe.

“This is serious. There’s another demon out there we have to take care of.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll handle it. Me and my new spiritual companions.”
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Chapter 3: Traveling in Style

I dug in my closet for the outfit that I hid in there and went around the rest of the room to find the other pieces of my costume. Once I got everything together, I put it all in my backpack and left the room.

On the way out I passed up Nelson who was slouching on the couch and watching TV. “Hey, where’s you gf? You just leaving her here?”

“She’s not... groan... Don’t worry about it. I’m in a hurry.”

“What’s in the backpack?”

“My costume. Sorcerer business.”

“Ah. You’re going to fight one of those ‘demons.’” He made the quote marks gesture with his fingers.

“Yeah. See ya.” I left the apartment.

Genesis had already converted to her spirit form and followed me out. <What’s wrong with me being your girlfriend?>

<I keep saying this. It’s just weird.>

<I think we’d make a great couple.>

<Yes. A teacher and a student make a great couple.>

<Aaah. That’s sweet.>

<I was being sarcastic.>

<I know. I just like getting on your nerves. Heehee.> It worked.

We finally reached the parking lot. Once we got to my car, I made sure no one was around to see (of course no one else would be outside in the rain), forced all the water off me in one big telekinetic burst, and kept myself from getting wet again with an umbrella of telekinetic force as I entered the vehicle.

By now, lightning started flashing at the storm’s "epicenter". I assumed that my target would be there, but all doubts were gone when Genesis said she sensed it in that direction. Lightning flashed again and again. When it struck, it was nearly in the same spot.

Like always, I pulled up to a nearby alley and got into character. Before I put the cloak on, I untied my ponytail. I then used my telekinesis to wind three collections of my hair in and out tightly into one big braid and retied it near the end. Finally, I put the cloak on over my hair and scarf tails and put the hood up.

Once I was officially Archon, I put my “umbrella” back up and started running. Lightning struck nearby, and I stopped and hid behind the corner. I peeked around and saw it.
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Chapter 4: I Predict a Series of Localized Lightning Bolts Followed by Showers of Fireballs

The demon was humanoid and looked thin and frail, but despite this it still looked menacing. From my angle, I was looking at its back as it hovered above the ground. On top of its head appeared to be a pair of horns. On its shoulders and down its arms were also several spiky growths. Trailing from its back was what appeared to be a tail. Not a very long one. If it were to hang along the legs, it might reach the knees.

In the distance, I saw a burning building with a fire truck parked in front of it. Apparently one of the lightning bolts struck this building. Farther down the road blue and red flashing lights appeared as a police car came into view and turned in my direction. I then noticed someone on the ground in front of the demon. Close observation revealed that this was a fireman, and supposedly his partners called in about his assault.

The police car stopped and several officers got out and pointed their guns at the demon. It had already noticed them as they were driving up. It lifted its hand up to the sky, and I immediately realized what would happen if I didn’t act.

I emerged and ran towards the cops. My heart pounded as I rushed to help them. When I got within a few feet of them, I could almost see the bolt coming. I raised my hands up and put up a shield. The lightning struck, and I drew it away to the ground around us.

<Ah. The battle sorcerer,> an inhumanly deep voice boomed in my head. The police seemed to hear it as well because they seemed to look around in confusion. <I suspected I would meet you here.> I looked at the demon and noticed all that was on its somewhat humanoid face was a pair of glowing red eyes and what appeared to be a nose which would explain why it spoke telepathically.

“He’s Archon?” one of the officers asked.

“Yes, I am. I suggest you leave unless you want to watch. I don’t guarantee your safety if you stay.” Most of them took my advice.

As the car drove off, we commenced a personal conversation. <Haha. Compassion. A trait only found in humans. Even if it’s only a few. I have to say that I’m surprised that the man who released demons in a search of power would show this pathetic emotion.>

“I wasn’t aware that it would release demons. If I did, I wouldn’t have gone through with it. Knowing what I had done, I decided to take it into my own hands. Since then, I have fought and banished many while developing my skills.”

<And in the mean time the rift continues to grow allowing more and more powerful demons to pass through. I hope your powers can grow to compensate for this.>

“I have some help.”

<Oh, you do. Of course demons aren’t the only spirits to pass through. I’m not surprised you got yourself a spirit guide by now.>

“She has been more than a mentor. She has become a friend.”

<She? Haha. Once we’re done here, I’m sure you can be more than just friends.>

Man. What’s up with everyone thinking she’s my girlfriend?

Postscript: I'm adding a character bio for Cody to the discussion thread and plan on adding others, later.
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Chapter 5: Not So Divine Intervention

When the fight officially began, I started channeling my energy into my hand and out my palm while the demon just floated there. I ignited my energy ball into an orb of flame, channeled into my other hand, and ignited that. Now holding two fireballs, I flung them at my target. To my surprise, quite accurately.

Also to my surprise, it caught them. One in each hand where they shrunk. I started making another series of fireballs, each one of was thrown or shot almost immediately after it was manifested. It caught and absorbed each attack. I didn’t learn until then.

I tried a new strategy. I extended my hands out and focused my energy into them again. This time I used a telekinetic ability to hit it with several concussive blasts or near instantaneous kinetic energy. It again blocked my invisible attacks.

As I tried to figure out what to do next, my opponent pointed its pointy claw-like finger at me. It shot a spark at me, and I reflexively raised my forearms in front parallel to my body blocked it with a shield. I then realized energy attacks won’t work well against it. I started collecting a large sphere of water from the rain. At the same time, the demon continued shooting me, and I dodged and blocked.

When my sphere was of sufficient size, I separated it into six smaller orbs. These orbs were then shaped into “rods.” The assault continued. The rods were frozen and sharpened into icicles. Zap, zap, zap. I pointed the spikes at my target and then thrust them forward.

The demon stopped them in midair and shattered them. I figured it wasn’t just energy attacks, it was projectiles. This demon must use magic like a spell caster. Melee must work. I made an energy sword and charged at it. I swung at it repeatedly. The demon dodged nearly every attack.

<You’re an amateur with a sword.> This voice wasn’t deep and dark like the demon’s. It was familiar. Like I’ve met it recently.

<D- D-> I fumbled for the right name.

<Darius. Yes. If you’re going to use a sword, you’ll need my help.>

<Go ahead. The door’s open.> Once I made the invitation, I felt him enter me. I could feel him take control of my arms. <You use the sword, and I’ll take care your equipment.>

Darius guided my movements to put me in a proper combat stance. I generated a shield on my left arm which he placed in front of me, and he had my right arm ready to strike. Slash. Slash. His swordsmanship was obviously better than mine, but I sensed a frustration coming from him.

As we attacked the demon, it tried to attack us. Our shield seemed effective enough. Swing. Slash. Block. Thrust. Block. Slash. Grab. What!? The demon grabbed the sword. Then, the sword flickered and shrunk. I got rid of it before it would be completely absorbed and evaded backward.

<Crap.>

<How about I give it a try?>

<Sure, Jae.> Darius left and Jae, the monk, possessed me. I put on the Spiked Aura Fists, took off my cloak, and took a martial arts stance.

We charged again. We attacked much faster than I expected, but again, I sensed a frustration within my partner. <What’s wrong?>

<You’re too slow and weak. But now’s not the time to talk about it. We have to focus on the current threat.>

The demon quickly evaded backward. Two orbs of fire formed in its hands, and it launched them at us. I took control of them with telekinesis, and when they got close, I absorbed them. I retaliated by gaining a telekinetic hold on the demon as we ran toward it. After a successful “grab” I pulled it toward me. I ended up flying at it while it hardly moved, but that didn’t matter much.

My arm pulled back, and when we almost ran into it I punched it in the face. The demon fell on the ground and was lying on its back. After a fury of blows, it grabbed right my arm, and I felt my energy draining through it. My left hand then struck the demon’s arm with its palm while my right jerked in the other direction and broke the demon's arm off past the elbow sending splinters and dust into the air what would then vaporize. I grabbed the broken arm and drew energy from it until it turned to dust.

We resumed our attack on the demon. We pinned it to the ground straddling its waist and started pummeling and pulverizing it. Mostly strikes to the head. After giving it a severe beating, its body started to crack, crumble, and disintegrate, and a smoke escaped. I then finished the job with my banishing ritual. With no reason to stay, Jae left my body.
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Chapter 6: Taking Responsibility

After breathing a sigh of relief, I noticed the injured fireman. Shocked, I rushed over and checked him. He seemed to be still alive, but he took a fatal amount of punishment. I took close examination of him to see where he was wounded and to figure out how I could save him.

While examining the “patient,” two of the cops from earlier came out of hiding and approached me frightfully. One of them pulled out his gun and pointed it at me. “Alright, don’t move. Keep your hands where I can see them.”

“Hey! I’m trying to help this guy here, and you’re not helping by pointing that thing at me. Besides, what have I done to be arrested for? I don’t remember hearing anything about a law against fighting demons.”

“He has a point, Earl,” his partner interrupts. He puts his gun down.

“Thank you.” Not to self: practice shielding high velocity projectiles.

Still under the umbrella, I removed most of the fireman’s clothing to reveal his wounds. I then hovered my hands over them and channeled energy into them to stimulate the healing process. I also searched to find any broken bones, set them into place, and helped them heal, as well.

He was still unconscious, wasn’t breathing, and his heart wasn’t beating. I started rubbing my palms together vigorously while sparks started to arc out of them. Then remembered reading somewhere defibrillators aren’t really used to restart the heart as they’re used on TV. "No. would be the dumbest idea ever." This is a delicate matter, and messing up could make it much worse. So I tried to remember what I learned about CPR and tried applying it through magical methods. I forced air in and out of his lungs and alternated to simultaneously pressing on his chest and sending life energy to where his heart should be.

After a while, he began breathing again, and his partners at the truck were done with the fire and came over. I had no reason to stay, so I left. As I left, Earl tried to follow but was halted by his partner. “Let me go, Mike!”

“No. He hasn’t done anything yet. Things have started getting really weird lately, and I have a feeling the city is going to need him. As far as I can tell, he isn't like the other one we've heard about.”
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Book 4: “Partner in the Art”

Chapter 1: Training Routine

After waking up and turning off my radio/alarm, I opened my door and went into the living room like I do everyday. Nelson was sitting on the couch and watching the news as he always does. “Mornin’, Cody,” he greeted me.

“Hey.” SLAM. I closed the door behind me, and Nelson jumped up looking shocked.

“Dude! Stop doing that. I keep on thinking there are ghosts in the apartment.” He still hasn’t adjusted to me using my powers for mundane things.

“Sorry, I’ve gotten into the habit of using it in the apartment. Hey, you want to see something even creepier.”

“I’m going to take your word on that it’s creepy and ask that you don’t do it.”

“I insist. I think it’s impressive.” I started focusing my energy throughout my body. My muscles started to tingle and ache a bit. My skin felt like it was tight. Slowly, my muscles bulged out. I had pecs, abs, biceps, everything. I wasn’t as big as weightlifters and other athletes but was considerably bigger than I normally was; especially than I was a couple weeks ago.

“Man! That’s gross,” my roommate said in disgust as I ceased concentration and shrunk back to my natural size. “Who taught you that?”

“It was an accident.”

“Huh?”

“You know how I’ve been training lately?”

“Yeah, a couple weeks ago, you said your ‘spirit companions’ told you you’re weak and suggested they train you.”

Over the last couple weeks, my spirit companions have put me on a strict training procedure with me doing a lot of running, lifting, swimming, and any other exercises you can think of. Luckily, McNewtonvil University's campus has an activity center with many facilities. At the same time I was training my magical skills. During my physical training, I use my telekinetic abilities to provide a resisting force to make my exercises harder and more rewarding, and sometimes more straining and painful. Every morning, I use my healing abilities to help my sore, sometimes injured, muscles recover from the previous day’s work and then continue my training. This routine is pretty taxing, so I find myself eating five or six meals a day of mostly rice and eggs since I’m on a college budget and need a lot of carbs and protein. It isn’t too bad if you know how to provide a decent variety of flavors and ingredients.

“One day,” I said after returning from an expository flash back, “I was healing after the previous day and put a little too much effort into it, and my muscles actually grew until I noticed and lost concentration. I intend to experiment with this a little. But,” I groaned rubbing my arm, “it seems to leave me even sorer afterwards.”

“Just don’t get me any further involved with your magic. I don’t want anything weird happening to me.”

“Anyway, I’m getting some breakfast.”

“Rice and eggs again?”

“Yes. Do we have any sausage or bacon?”

“I don’t think so. I believe you ate it all.”

“Sigh. Guess it’s just rice and eggs until I can think of something. Hope I eventually find a dead chef's ghost. I’m sure I can make my hands warm like Solar Hands or something like that so I can probably bake bread alright if I try.”

“You’re getting too weird for me. You're lucky I got your Yakitate reference.”

I walked into the kitchen and got what I needed: a few eggs, couple cups of rice, a sauce pan, a frying pan, and a bowl. I put water in the sauce pan, conjured up some fire, and heated it to boil. Then my fire didn’t seem to work well enough so I just gave up and turned on the stove. While I was waiting, I cracked open the eggs and put them in the bowl telekinetically. Then, I started scrambling the eggs in the bowl. Once the water was boiling, I took it off the stove and poured the rice into it, placed the lid on it, and set the timer for a several minutes. Trying again with heating the pot with my powers, I poured the eggs into the frying pan and kept stirring, scrambling, and heating them, as well. Occasionally, I would stir the rice then return to the eggs. After my meal was ready, I put the rice and eggs into the bowl and placed it on the table to eat. Through a sudden inspiration, I poured some soy sauce on it. Then, I tried manifested some energy chop sticks much like I do with the sword but couldn’t hold the rice quite right so I got some real ones and started eating.

“Why do you have to use your powers for all of that?” Nelson interrupted.

After pausing to swallow what I had in my mouth, I said, “It helps me train my powers.”

“Who’s idea was that?”

“Mine. Plus, it makes meals a little more interesting. I kind of need that with how repetitive they are. I think I need to practice concentrating on multiple tasks or something. This can be harder than you think.”

"I can only imagine."

"I've been told it's 'visualize'. But at least you're half-way there."
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ShichiNoBushi
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Chapter 2: I Did It Because the People in the TV Told Me To

“Hey, Cody! I think you’ll be interested in this news break,” my roommate informed me as I finished my breakfast.

I rushed in to hear the newscaster say, “Small creatures have been spotted downtown near a local Starbucks. Many people have fled the area to avoid them, but some are being pursued by these creatures. Animal control has been called to the scene, but some believe our local ‘super hero,’ Archon, will arrive soon and take care of these nuisances.”

“Will you?” Nelson asked.

“Imps aren’t that much of a problem. I’ve taken care of a lot of them before,” I said as I went into my room to get my costume.

“I don’t know. There have to be at least five Starbucks downtown.”

“And some of the within close proximity to each other. I’ll be able to find them,” I responded as I left the apartment with my backpack carrying my costume.

As I always did, I found a secluded alley half-way to my target to change into Archon.

<Genesis, can you tell me where the imps are?>

<I sure can. They’re this way.> She said as she indicated where she could sense demonic signatures.

From there, I saw a couple girls fleeing the scene in their car, and they spotted me as I was running in the opposite direction. “Hey, is that Archon? He’s going to kill the demons. Go Archon!” they said as we passed each other but then backed up and spoke to me. “It’s quite a way there. Can we give you a lift there?’

“I’m fine on my own.”

“We insist. We don’t mind running back into those things if you’re here to protect us.” Then, they opened up the shotgun side door as one climbed in the back.

“My name’s Tania,” the driver spoke, “and that’s Sally.” She gestured to the girl in the back. “What’s your name?”

“Archon.”

“No. Your real name.”

“Hehe. You actually expect me to tell you. Sorry, but there is a point to a secret identity.”

“Can you show us your face?’

“I’ll take off the hood, but the scarf stays. It’s my mask.” I took off my hood and pulled out my braided hair.

“Cool braid. Who did it?” asked Sally leaning over from the back.

“Me.”

“How? It’s hard for me to braid my own hair.”

“Like this.” I demonstrated my telekinesis on Tania’s hair weaving separate groups of hair around each other but didn’t tie it.

“Wow! What are your powers?”

“Haven’t you heard my title? I’m a sorcerer. I use magic.”

“Who taught you?”

“A close friend.”

“Who is this close friend?”

“You seriously want to meet her?”

“Sure,” they said in unison.

“Hello~!” cheered a familiar voice from the back.

“AAAH!” The car swerved a bit.

“Hi. I’m Genesis.”

“This girl taught you your powers?” Sally queried.

“She did appear out of nowhere. Doesn’t that sound like magic?” I defended.

“She reminds me of a girl out of one of those animes.”

“I know. They usually have ‘magical girls’ in those shows. She knows when to be serious, though. She’s pretty reasonable.”

“How old is she.”

“I don’t know. She never told me. I never asked.”

“That’s because girls don’t reveal their true age,” Genesis said. I think I sensed a bit of tension in her.

I teased a little “Come on. You’re probably like a thousand or so.”

“WHAT!?” Sally screamed in anticipation. “Do you use rejuvenation spells or something?”

“No,” I replied, “she’s just a spirit.” I saw something ahead. “Whoa! There’s one of those imps.” I leaned out the window, hit it with a concussive blast, destroyed it, and banished it. I turned back to see the two girls gaping at me. “What? That’s my job.”

“We have a friend named Madelene who’s interested in magic,” Tania mentioned, “She’s been acting strange over the last couple of months. Probably because she has been interested in you since you first showed up on the news. She came with us to Starbucks, but we couldn’t find her when we left. She probably left, too.”

Genesis rapidly patted my shoulder. “Hey. Sorcerer. I sense them around here.”

“Oh. Here’s my stop. Thanks for the ride. Is there anything I can do for you?”

“No. Just having a super hero in the car is good enough,” Sally complemented. “We’ve got something to brag about, now. And killing demons is good, too.”

“Thanks again. Come on, Genesis.”
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