- Location
- Mists of Albion
I prefer the Alexandria alias, not only for its romantic connotations but also because I believe we shouldn't go full Titan. And also because Alexandria just sounds cooler for Rebecca to use.
Last edited:
Shining Example (WORM ORIGIN QUEST)
- Thread starter IKnowNothing
- Start date
- Location
- USA
If not full Titan, then few other Greek names to throw out for our team.
Eidolen's possible names: Trismegistus, the Thrice-Greatest (Title of Hermes), Deamon, the Greek term for forces of nature, or Hyperion as said before.
Hero's possible names: Daedalus, Vulcan, or Prometheus.
Alexandria's names: Pallas (as in Pallas Athena), Atlanta (after the Greek Heroine), or Metis
Legend's names: Helios, Phoebus (as in Phoebus Apollo), or Apollo. Hyperion works too of Eidolon doesn't pick it up.
IKnowNothing
....What?
- Location
- I got lost so.....Where are we?
I like the idea, a lot. However, it kind of conflicts with the central ideal of the Founder's names. They didn't pick the names because they sounded good, but it was what they as people represented. They did just happen to be greek for the most part.
Legend chose his name because his deeds and his actions would make him just that, a Legend.
Hero chose his name because he would build tools and weapons that would bring a crippled boy who never knew true power into something greater, a Hero.
Alexandria's name comes from the legend of the city of Alexandria. Despite being burned, crushed, and destroyed, it lived on in the hearts and minds of all. She would embody that city, remaining forever until the end of time.
Eidolon's name comes from the legend of a spirit that had no form, that could become anything or anyone.
If they chose the names of different greek titans, it could work I fully admit. And you're stance on the titans shaping the world isn't far off from what you'll be doing.... I'll have to think on it, but ultimately, Alex's cape name is up to the thread.
Her name is Rebecca, Rachel is the sister that replaced her in her father's eyes.
Last edited:
- Location
- Mists of Albion
Sorry typing in the phone + autocorrect = stupid
pbluekan
Somethin's Fucky ...
- Location
- Trumpistan
I've always felt a little different about Alexandria's naming, as I've explained before. Mostly I derived it from the lighthouse she holds as her emblem. She is the bright shining beacon in the sea that guards the (at the time) greatest city of humanity. The rock that weathers the storm but does not crumble.
I'm going to quote some of my earlier posts for my opinions on the topic:
The names of the Triumvirate were extraordinarily symbolic for all their seeming simplicity. I feel Atlas lives up to that standard. It is the name of a titan, the first of the gods, and like Atlas, Alex he is given a great weight that he must hold up, a responsibility he must endure.
Last edited:
- Location
- USA
Someone said earlier in thread, that the name Hero had to do with the famous inventor Hero of Alexandria. Is that true for this quest? Becuase if it is, I am much more willing to want to convince him.
As for the rest of the post, I can't help but feel that it gives too much credit to Wildbow. I sincerely think that he picked those names because they sounded cool to him. Like Eidolan specifically has a name with little connection to heroics. Because honestly, Eidolan have little to no connection with the malleability that you described. They are spirits of the dead, but more importantly, copies of the actual being they represent. In fact I would say they are inmalleable, especially with how they connect to the reputation their living form had. (The more famous you are, the more likely you'll have an Eidolan. But they are you in the most shallow way. They are what others think of you, and thus tend to be less fluid and more set in personality.)
I also call bullshit at the name of Alexandria, because there is so little connection to glory there. There is a connection to knowledge, but I have read a lot about ancient culture and myths and the idea of Alexandria surviving the hearts and minds of people is something I never heard of before. I could be wrong though, so I will concede if given evidence.
And Hero's and Legend's names are well meaning but rather uninspired.
But, let's take them at their word, that they want meaningful names. Let's be honest, they suck major dick at it. So. as a good friend, let's help them out. They can both have meaningful names and ones steeped in culture and stories. They don't have to be Greek, but they also don't have to be the literal descriptions of their new career paths.
For example, Calling Eidolen, Hyperion or Trismegistus. I already explained why Hyperion works so well. He was a proto-diety, one of Wisdom and Light, whose name means the Highest One. That is something great for Eidolan to aspire to be. A being of wisdom who, by sheer dint of his power, stands atop the world. It makes sense that the High Priest is the Highest One.
Or Trismegistus. This name for Hermes is steeped in myth on both sides of the Mediterranean. Called the Thrice Hero by the Egyptians, and the Thrice Greatest by the Greeks, it is another valid description of Eidolen's power, and fits with his ability to choose any three powers at a time.
I can do an analysis for most of these other names. Like Prometheus for Hero. What is a better name for a creator, then the one who brought fire to Man? Who selflessly uplifted those who were lesser than him in power, at great cost to himself. With Hero's great talent, why wouldn't he aspire to such a life?
But, maybe you as the QM want to keep the teammates' names the same. This could be for many a good reason. Like it could just be that it is easier for you. Or it is maybe more accesible for new readers. Say the word, and I will stop speculating.
Last edited:
pbluekan
Somethin's Fucky ...
- Location
- Trumpistan
Hah. Wise? Eidolon? He's a selfish manchild with insecurity issues so large he created giant lovecraftian horrors in a subconscious quest to prove his ability and his superiority.
I maintain:
- Location
- USA
I dont disagree, but it is about what each person aspires to be, not what they are. I don't think Eidolon consciously wants to shun wisdom. As such, it would fit the criteria for what Eidolon looks in a name.
pbluekan
Somethin's Fucky ...
- Location
- Trumpistan
Fair enough. I suppose it depends then on if @IKnowNothing is going to allow the NPC's to pick or is going to maintain the symbolism.
IKnowNothing
....What?
- Location
- I got lost so.....Where are we?
That is not true here. He has another reason to chose the name, one that involves more detail into himself as a person.
Oh, I have no doubt that Wildbow chose them because they sounded cool. I 100% agree with you on that matter.
Fair enough.
To tell you the truth? I don't know why the originals chose their names. I can guess, but I don't know. All I know is why these Founders will chose their names.
Just to point out something, if Alex had gotten the High Priest shard, he too would have created Endbringers.
I was fully planning on having the other founders keep their names. Along with the symbolism, I already have set in stone reasons and motivations for each of them for choosing their names.
If Atlas does become Alex's name, you guys will be the ones to create the reason for choosing it.
- Location
- Currently in the local dimension.
I mean, I actually really like the names Hero, Legend, Alexandria, and Eidolon. I wouldn't want to change them.
It also makes the story mildly more confusing to read, when a bunch of characters cape names change.
I'm actually advocating Atlas for a similar reason to them.
Something like: "I hold the power to crush this planet, but instead I uphold the sky."
It also makes the story mildly more confusing to read, when a bunch of characters cape names change.
I'm actually advocating Atlas for a similar reason to them.
Something like: "I hold the power to crush this planet, but instead I uphold the sky."
Last edited:
- Location
- Philippines
Just wondering and this been bugging me does his family think his dead and is he repressing that possible possibility
- Location
- the Netherworld Dood
No he's officially in a coma
IKnowNothing
....What?
- Location
- I got lost so.....Where are we?
Apologies that this chapter is taking forever to get this next chapter out. I finish typing it out, it gets beta'd, and I remake a few parts and it needs to get beta'd all over again. Then I keep working on a Clint Interlude, and then I go back. Rinse and repeat until I realize it has been a while since I got a chapter out.
Sorry to you guys for having to wait far longer than normal, and thank you to @Takoe for putting up with me.
Sorry to you guys for having to wait far longer than normal, and thank you to @Takoe for putting up with me.
- Location
- Reno Nv
Bro, take your time and take it easy, we can wait.
- Location
- Leeds
Just remember that until you post we'll keep pointing out physics problems.
Takoe
Dad
- Location
- Xehafort
I'm stalling like a motherfucker as well, so I can hardly blame you even if I wanted to.
IKnowNothing
....What?
- Location
- I got lost so.....Where are we?
Just remember that until you post we'll keep pointing out physics problems.
I'm never going to hear the end of this am I?
Takoe
Dad
- Location
- Xehafort
I'm never going to hear the end of this am I?
Idea: A vegetative parahuman whose powers have subtly altered physics while keeping everything functionally the same.
Boom! Problem solved.
IKnowNothing
....What?
- Location
- I got lost so.....Where are we?
I'm taking this and you can't stop me.Idea: A vegetative parahuman whose powers have subtly altered physics while keeping everything functionally the same.
Boom! Problem solved.
- Location
- Leeds
Of course you will.
I'm never going to hear the end of this am I?
You'll hear the end of it when you stop making mistakes.
1.8: Someone Worth Remembering
IKnowNothing
....What?
- Location
- I got lost so.....Where are we?
You feel everything in the room shift at the question, the gravitation fields of everything that wasn't bolted down responding to your surprise.
What are you?
For a second, you're back in the hospital room. Doctor Mother is sitting next to you, waiting for you to make a choice. Choose a vial, choose life, choose a power. Now this woman is doing the exact same thing. She's giving you a chance to state your place in the world.
But honestly… you don't know.
In the dark of the room, you can't hide your hand from glowing. It shines like a beacon, illuminating part of the room. The oceans respond, grasping the objects closest to you and hoisting them into the air. Paperclip weights attach themselves to you, and you disperse them all with a shake of your head. Pens and papers fall to the ground, all the while the woman in the suit remains perfectly passive.
Even when you don't want to move something, the oceans scream.
They crash against your head, attempting to move you, forcing you to notice each and everyone of them! Your eyes force themselves shut, but this only brings you back to the shore. Every ocean surrounding you, moving you.
Step 32: Signal to increase the rate of frequency, allow the overload to envelop him
They keep screaming, over and over!
THEY DON'T STOP! WHY CAN'T THEY JUST BE QUIET!?!
Step 33: Give him the means to his own solution.
"Don't shut them out." The woman says.
It's not suggestion, just an order. There wasn't a single word that was emphasised over the others, but it dripped with authority and power. Your eyes open like they were forced to ignore you and focus on the woman.
She shakes her head, and despite her expression not changing, you feel disappointment come off of her just as thickly as the oceans around her.
"A mountain will erode if it stands itself in the way of the ocean. Allow yourself to be moved, flow with the waves, not against them." She whispers.
Her voice is soothing, but still commanding. It's an undercurrent, like a commander trying to reason with her best soldier.
You raise your glowing hand and, with nothing else left to do, you close your eyes. The oceans burst into existence all around you. You instinctively feel yourself brace, an ocean flowing out of your to combat those coming towards you. In response, the foreign oceans crash into you as they fight to overtake your will.
No, you're doing this wrong.
Every time they crash into you, you're pushing back. They want to influence you, push you towards something, but you're not letting them. You're too busy trying to push against everything that you're forcing yourself to endure the sound of it all.
From the sheets on the bed, the dust on the floor, even you, everything is pushing against you. You move your hand, and the oceans shift around them, as if they want to be moved by your will. They crash into the waves of the wall, the bed, even the ceiling. And with each crash, comes the hammer beats spiking through you. It's like you're surrounded by millions of people, every time you move, you can chose to move them, or make them do something they would never normally do. But every time they do that, they have to tell you that they are moving.
You're trying to move everything but you don't need to do that. You don't need to look over everything, to control everything around you. You've never had the chance to be the one making the choices. Now, you can chose to move anything. There's nothing stopping you from making anything do anything.
But… why would you ever want to?
You didn't choose to make your mother leave, she decided that by herself.
You didn't choose to be left behind, your family just wanted to keep moving.
You didn't choose to have cancer, it just happened.
But what you did get to choose turned out far better than what you couldn't. You chose to support your family. You chose to make a difference in their lives. You chose to push them forward and you chose to help your father despite him not wanting you to.
You chose to become a friend to a girl who was suffering just like you.
This power, it came from a choice. Some of them weren't your choice, you know that. Doctor Mother could have just given the vial to someone else, but she came to you. And you chose to take one. You chose to take a chance, to prove something. You said yes, and now you have to live with that choice.
Now, you chose to stop.
Your fingers slowly release, your arm falling to your side, and the oceans… come into focus.
They don't disappear, they still wash against you from every direction. But now, you don't care which way they go.
You allow them to move the way they want to move, the way the universe wants to move them. A single ocean comes closer to you and you focus on it. Like you, it's being forced around by hundreds of different oceans all crashing against it.
No, not oceans, waves. They're not a collection of drops, only a series of waves that surround it. It could move, if you gave a single series of waves a little push, or you took away it's hold. And as you focus on one they all show themselves to you.
Suddenly, something sparks. You can't really describe it, but if you had to, it would be like if a blind man could suddenly see. All around you, the world explode into a collection of waves. It's like you can see everything, but without actually seeing it. You know that there's something next to the woman's foot, you know that she's wearing a watch underneath her coat, along with a small object. You don't know what it is, but you just know it's there. Beyond her, the waves shine, but they don't dim, they're just as bright and wonderful as the ones right next to you. It must be at least a few hundred feet away, but the waves are as clear as the ones in front of you. It's, blinding. Everything coming towards you as you see everything.
Something in the corner of your vision is making its own waves, hundreds of them as crash against one another. It's moving itself, causing energy to spark. You can add to them as well, move them how you want them, if you wanted to. You don't know how you know that, it's just a feeling.
The waves shine, making the room sway underneath you.
There's no limit. If you kept looking, further and further, you would see more waves. And those waves could be moved. Rock, metal, glass, there probably wasn't a limit to what you could move. No human could ever hope to have this much power.
Then, the question hits you.
...so, what does that make you?
You feel your knee buckle, and you let yourself fall to the ground. As you get closer, you feel waves add themselves under you, pushing against the ground and slowing the descent. When you hit the ground, you don't feel the force, just the sensation of sitting down.
The second you do, you're assaulted once against by the pulsing beat of the waves around you.
They won't stop, they'll just keep beating. No matter what you do, weather you control them or not, they're still going to be around you.
It's… actually not that bad, now that you think about it.
Step 34: Signal to lessen the rate of frequency, and hand him a true solution.
The drums could drive you insane with the constant noise. But you could ask for no better reminder for what you've become. You feel more waves crash against you as the woman slowly gets up out of her chair. You take a deep breath, and look up at her. Her face is obscured by the millions of waves flowing over her, but you can just barely make out the form of her hand. She's holding something.
You take it, and run your fingers across it. It feels like a small piece of metal. The woman slowly leans down, and takes the metal back. She slowly puts it into the fold of your ear. You feel it shift within, then it whirls to life, making something spark.
The pain forces a wince out of you, but when you open your eyes again, the waves are dimmer. They're still there, in the back of your vision, but they don't scream for attention like the did before.
They're... quiet.
You look up, and see the woman looking at you. But, instead of a collection of waves, you see her skin, her features. Her.
Step 35: Establish camaraderie by presenting a mirrored situation
"You're not the only one who sees the world with that level of clarity." She explains "The waves hurt him as well, but he learned to build these to block out the extra sound. It will not last forever, but it will help you learn." She says as she moves back to her chair. She picks up the pencil as she does, and she holds it out expectantly.
Step 36: Cement the validity of your solution.
How many times are you going to have to move pencils?
You hold out a hand and focus. The second you do, the waves start shining again. But this time, they are the only ones that shine. The drumbeat is in the back of your head, but you barely notice it now.
Cracking a smile, you order the pencil to float out of her hand to yours. It's slow, but you want it to be. The pencil doesn't sway in the air, nor does it shift in the air. It remains perfectly still as it sets itself in your outstretched palm. Throwing it up, you freeze the pencil in the air. You make is fly through the air as fast as it can, but stopping right before it hits the wall. You feel it move, but you can barely keep track of it. It stops, millimeters from the wall, just as you ordered. You want it to fly back to you, and it does. It stops right in front of you, exactly how you wanted. You can feel the paperclip weight on your head, but you barely feel it.
You look at it and it just moves where you want it to. Left. Right. Up. Down. It didn't matter, so you let it drop. Instead of ordering it to stop, you catch it with your hand. You focus on the woman and her chair. With a thought, they rise into the air before floating back down again. Her face could have been chiseled out of marble with all of the emotion that it held in response to your action. She just sits there, expectantly.
Oh... right, the question.
You glance at the pencil, and the urge to move it with a single thought goes through you. The urge to show your power, to move things with nothing but your will as you ignore the forces around you and bend them to your will. The world might scream its objections, but you could ignore them.
You can do that, but you don't have to.
"I…I'm someone who hasn't had many choices." You say.
Step 37: Force him to elaborate
The woman shifts in her seat. Her expression is still emotionless, but she eyes you questioningly.
"I didn't chose to have… cancer." You say, barely managing to choke out the last word "But… neither did Rebecca."
You lift up your hand, and as it glows, the waves begin to shine around it, causing it to glow. You can make it go one direction or another, have two forces pull on it from two sides. All it took, was a thought. Just a thought, and it would happen.
"I didn't choose to get powers. And neither did she." You whisper.
You let your hand relax and the glowing fades away.
"But I chose to take that vial, and I can choose what to do now. I can choose how to use these powers." You declare.
For the first time since you checked into that room in the hospital, your voice feels like it has life in it again. It feels strong, fit for someone with a power like yours. It's… nice to see that someone like you can sound like that.
Step 38: Question his answer, force him to confirm his resolve.
The woman rises an eyebrow "And, pray tell, how will you use them?"
Isn't that the million dollar question?
"I... I honestly don't know." You admit "But, I have to make that choice. Because, while it hurts me, I finally have a gift worth sharing to the world."
You stare the woman dead in the eyes "I'm someone who's been given a choice to how to use a gift that no one else has. And everyone else like me, everyone else that's..." You pause, searching for the right word.
You think back to the training room, when you first realized you could do this. You remember what Matthew described it as. Not as something that was inherently bad, and not as something that was inherently good either. It was something...
"More," You say "They have the same choice. They can either ignore what they have, or they can use it."
Step 39: Inform him of the flaw of his reasoning.
"And if they use it to hurt?" The woman asks "If they use it to further only their own lives at the cost of others?"
"It's their choice." You say, but the words feel… wrong.
You shake your head "No… I mean."
You take a deep breath and try and focus your thoughts.
"...just because they have powers, doesn't mean they can just use them without thinking about it first. They're something more, something greater. But, at the end of the day, they were still born human. And all humans have a responsibility to use their gifts for the right reasons."
Step 40: Encourage him to defend his reasoning.
The woman looks ready to roll her eyes, but you stare her down "I don't care if it sounds stupid, but if you have power, you should at least try to help."
Step 41: Demand confirmation.
The woman's look turns positive, the outer edges of her face threatening to turn into a smile "Then, is that what you're going to do?"
The words are still monotone, but it sounded like a challenge. And honestly, three months ago, you wouldn't be up for it. Three months ago, you didn't have a gift, you were just some kid. Three months ago, you didn't have anything to make a difference like your family.
But now you do.
Now you can be someone better than that little kid who forced his mother away. That little boy who could never measure up no matter how much time he put into anything.
Now, you can be someone worth remembering.
"Yes." You answer.
Step 42: Inform him of his success.
The woman's lips curl into the first full smile that you've seen. She rises out of her chair, walks over, and holds out a hand. You take the hand, and she helps you up. She doesn't let go, putting you straight into a happy handshake.
"Then, Alex, it's time to introduce myself. My name is Contessa, Deputy Director. And I must say, I am honored to be the first person to personally welcome you to Cauldron."
She drops the handshake, and motions for you to take a seat on the bed. You do just that, and by the time that you sit down, Contessa has somehow pulled two slips of paper from under her suit jacket.
Step 43: Express gratitude, exemplify his success.
"You have no idea how relieved I am to hear of your reasoning. In fact, I believe that puts you as the perfect operative for Cauldron."
"Sounds intense." You say.
Your comment earns you an impancent eye roll "I assure you, the position is of utmost importance." Contessa chides.
You hold your hands up like you're surrendering, but Contessa doesn't get the joke or just ignores it. She glances over the papers before setting them down.
Step 44: Despeal his concerns, but do not reveal the true purpose yet.
"I have looked over your report Alex, and tracked your progress through the station, and I know for a fact that a few things don't make sense to you."
More than a few.
"Allow me to dispel those questions. Where you are standing right now is the headquarters of our organization: Cauldron; An organization totally devoted to the protection and advancement of humanity, regardless of country or situation. For you see, five years ago, there was an event. It was an ordinary day, people went through their lives as they did. But after that arrived, strange things started happening. People started gaining powers. There was no definitive proof, of course, but here at Cauldron, we don't ignore the obvious. Currently, there are estimated to be only a few, but by the turn of the millennium, there will be more. There could be thousands, and thousands of people with powers is enough to scare anyone. It will be a change, and the world will fear that change. Cauldron, wishes to make sure that change is for the better. For that purpose, Doctor Mother and I set up this facility, and we studied those that were shown to have these gifts. I myself have a power, one that has been instrumental in finding people like you."
You blink "People like me? You mean cancer patients?"
Step 45: Tell him of his importance.
Contessa shakes her head "Did you believe that Doctor Mother's arrival into your hospital room was a coincidence? You were chosen Alex. My power, in a simple sense, it allows me to set a goal, and it gives me exactly the steps required to take and how to take them to reach that goal. With no exceptions, I will have the path to victory."
Holy shit.
You blink, "Anything?" You ask in disbelief.
Step 46: Despeal his disbelief.
Contessa nods "No matter the goal, I will know the steps. With it's help, Cauldron has prospered faster than anyone could have imagined. We had the goal of protecting humanity, so the path gave me the steps I needed to take to insure that goal. The first steps were cultivating powers into ingestible forms."
"The vials." You say in realization.
Step 47: Tell of his critical relevance, tell him just how essential to salvation his help truly is.
Contessa nods "Correct. My power said that the next step was to find those most willing to help our cause, or the most useful to further it, and give them these powers. Before you, Doctor Mother gave four vials. But the second she finished giving them, the path pointed us directly to you and Rebecca. You were given these gifts because you would be willing to use them to help people, to save the world, to become heroes."
You just sit there, motionless. You don't even feel yourself breathing as the realization comes to you?
You, chosen?
You? The nobody? Were chosen by a power made to find any step to win as the best way to help save the world?
It should be crazy, but it just sounds… right.
You want to use these gifts, you want to help, you're just hearing confirmation that you're not wrong for thinking that.
It's… amazing. Is this what it's like when Clint hears someone call him a genius? When Danah makes something amazing?
You hear yourself laugh and it feels good. You pinch yourself, and you're not dreaming.
You're finally special, like them.
Step 48: Enact a challenge, entice him to continue despite the dangers.
Contessa slowly stands up "It will be dangerous, it will hurt, but I have never had any reason to doubt my gift. Right now, it's telling me that the world needs Alex Everett to help it. And if you truly are willing, then you only have one more choice to make."
You raise an eyebrow "And what's that?"
Contessa smirks "How do you want to start?"
She takes the second piece of paper and hands it to you. You take it, and glance over the contents. You manage to get a look at the title Operatives before Contessa starts again.
Final Step: Allow him to place himself within the path.
"Every story begins with the hero learning their place in the world. You now know your place, now, you must know how you can help the world. Currently, including you, there are five different operatives within the facility training to master their abilities. Physical, mental, application, every aspect needs to be accounted for. Three of them are capable of training you in both the mental and physical aspects of your power, if you so wish to train with them. If not, you can chose to train yourself, such as Matthew. If you do want to train with another, the details of your possible partners are on the file. Chose one, or none, and take your time. I have all night."
You nod and glance down at the paper of your possible partner. Actually, it's better to say that they might be your trainer.
They're going to be like you, special, powerful and choosing to help. Does this make them your teammates?
You look over the file and you chose...
[] To work with Rebecca. Close combat specialist. With Rebecca, you're going to be learning how to fight up close and personal. Useful for any situation where your powers might be rendered inert.
[] To work with Charles. Adaptation specialist. With Charles, you'll learn about the different aspects of your power, the small little things that might possible. Useful for knowing exactly how many different things you can do.
[] To work with David. Variety Combat specialist. With David, you'll learn just what it will be like to fight against those with powers like yours. According to the file, there is no fear of damaging him, allowing you to go all out and learn what you are truly capable of.
[] To go at it alone. It might take you a little longer, but if you go at it alone you'll learn everything at your own pace. Along with that, if you're alone, there's no danger of hurting anyone else.
***
Arc 1: Indoctrination
Fin
Arc 2: Initiation
Begin
What are you?
For a second, you're back in the hospital room. Doctor Mother is sitting next to you, waiting for you to make a choice. Choose a vial, choose life, choose a power. Now this woman is doing the exact same thing. She's giving you a chance to state your place in the world.
But honestly… you don't know.
In the dark of the room, you can't hide your hand from glowing. It shines like a beacon, illuminating part of the room. The oceans respond, grasping the objects closest to you and hoisting them into the air. Paperclip weights attach themselves to you, and you disperse them all with a shake of your head. Pens and papers fall to the ground, all the while the woman in the suit remains perfectly passive.
Even when you don't want to move something, the oceans scream.
They crash against your head, attempting to move you, forcing you to notice each and everyone of them! Your eyes force themselves shut, but this only brings you back to the shore. Every ocean surrounding you, moving you.
Step 32: Signal to increase the rate of frequency, allow the overload to envelop him
They keep screaming, over and over!
THEY DON'T STOP! WHY CAN'T THEY JUST BE QUIET!?!
Step 33: Give him the means to his own solution.
"Don't shut them out." The woman says.
It's not suggestion, just an order. There wasn't a single word that was emphasised over the others, but it dripped with authority and power. Your eyes open like they were forced to ignore you and focus on the woman.
She shakes her head, and despite her expression not changing, you feel disappointment come off of her just as thickly as the oceans around her.
"A mountain will erode if it stands itself in the way of the ocean. Allow yourself to be moved, flow with the waves, not against them." She whispers.
Her voice is soothing, but still commanding. It's an undercurrent, like a commander trying to reason with her best soldier.
You raise your glowing hand and, with nothing else left to do, you close your eyes. The oceans burst into existence all around you. You instinctively feel yourself brace, an ocean flowing out of your to combat those coming towards you. In response, the foreign oceans crash into you as they fight to overtake your will.
No, you're doing this wrong.
Every time they crash into you, you're pushing back. They want to influence you, push you towards something, but you're not letting them. You're too busy trying to push against everything that you're forcing yourself to endure the sound of it all.
From the sheets on the bed, the dust on the floor, even you, everything is pushing against you. You move your hand, and the oceans shift around them, as if they want to be moved by your will. They crash into the waves of the wall, the bed, even the ceiling. And with each crash, comes the hammer beats spiking through you. It's like you're surrounded by millions of people, every time you move, you can chose to move them, or make them do something they would never normally do. But every time they do that, they have to tell you that they are moving.
You're trying to move everything but you don't need to do that. You don't need to look over everything, to control everything around you. You've never had the chance to be the one making the choices. Now, you can chose to move anything. There's nothing stopping you from making anything do anything.
But… why would you ever want to?
You didn't choose to make your mother leave, she decided that by herself.
You didn't choose to be left behind, your family just wanted to keep moving.
You didn't choose to have cancer, it just happened.
But what you did get to choose turned out far better than what you couldn't. You chose to support your family. You chose to make a difference in their lives. You chose to push them forward and you chose to help your father despite him not wanting you to.
You chose to become a friend to a girl who was suffering just like you.
This power, it came from a choice. Some of them weren't your choice, you know that. Doctor Mother could have just given the vial to someone else, but she came to you. And you chose to take one. You chose to take a chance, to prove something. You said yes, and now you have to live with that choice.
Now, you chose to stop.
Your fingers slowly release, your arm falling to your side, and the oceans… come into focus.
They don't disappear, they still wash against you from every direction. But now, you don't care which way they go.
You allow them to move the way they want to move, the way the universe wants to move them. A single ocean comes closer to you and you focus on it. Like you, it's being forced around by hundreds of different oceans all crashing against it.
No, not oceans, waves. They're not a collection of drops, only a series of waves that surround it. It could move, if you gave a single series of waves a little push, or you took away it's hold. And as you focus on one they all show themselves to you.
Suddenly, something sparks. You can't really describe it, but if you had to, it would be like if a blind man could suddenly see. All around you, the world explode into a collection of waves. It's like you can see everything, but without actually seeing it. You know that there's something next to the woman's foot, you know that she's wearing a watch underneath her coat, along with a small object. You don't know what it is, but you just know it's there. Beyond her, the waves shine, but they don't dim, they're just as bright and wonderful as the ones right next to you. It must be at least a few hundred feet away, but the waves are as clear as the ones in front of you. It's, blinding. Everything coming towards you as you see everything.
Something in the corner of your vision is making its own waves, hundreds of them as crash against one another. It's moving itself, causing energy to spark. You can add to them as well, move them how you want them, if you wanted to. You don't know how you know that, it's just a feeling.
The waves shine, making the room sway underneath you.
There's no limit. If you kept looking, further and further, you would see more waves. And those waves could be moved. Rock, metal, glass, there probably wasn't a limit to what you could move. No human could ever hope to have this much power.
Then, the question hits you.
...so, what does that make you?
You feel your knee buckle, and you let yourself fall to the ground. As you get closer, you feel waves add themselves under you, pushing against the ground and slowing the descent. When you hit the ground, you don't feel the force, just the sensation of sitting down.
The second you do, you're assaulted once against by the pulsing beat of the waves around you.
They won't stop, they'll just keep beating. No matter what you do, weather you control them or not, they're still going to be around you.
It's… actually not that bad, now that you think about it.
Step 34: Signal to lessen the rate of frequency, and hand him a true solution.
The drums could drive you insane with the constant noise. But you could ask for no better reminder for what you've become. You feel more waves crash against you as the woman slowly gets up out of her chair. You take a deep breath, and look up at her. Her face is obscured by the millions of waves flowing over her, but you can just barely make out the form of her hand. She's holding something.
You take it, and run your fingers across it. It feels like a small piece of metal. The woman slowly leans down, and takes the metal back. She slowly puts it into the fold of your ear. You feel it shift within, then it whirls to life, making something spark.
The pain forces a wince out of you, but when you open your eyes again, the waves are dimmer. They're still there, in the back of your vision, but they don't scream for attention like the did before.
They're... quiet.
You look up, and see the woman looking at you. But, instead of a collection of waves, you see her skin, her features. Her.
Step 35: Establish camaraderie by presenting a mirrored situation
"You're not the only one who sees the world with that level of clarity." She explains "The waves hurt him as well, but he learned to build these to block out the extra sound. It will not last forever, but it will help you learn." She says as she moves back to her chair. She picks up the pencil as she does, and she holds it out expectantly.
Step 36: Cement the validity of your solution.
How many times are you going to have to move pencils?
You hold out a hand and focus. The second you do, the waves start shining again. But this time, they are the only ones that shine. The drumbeat is in the back of your head, but you barely notice it now.
Cracking a smile, you order the pencil to float out of her hand to yours. It's slow, but you want it to be. The pencil doesn't sway in the air, nor does it shift in the air. It remains perfectly still as it sets itself in your outstretched palm. Throwing it up, you freeze the pencil in the air. You make is fly through the air as fast as it can, but stopping right before it hits the wall. You feel it move, but you can barely keep track of it. It stops, millimeters from the wall, just as you ordered. You want it to fly back to you, and it does. It stops right in front of you, exactly how you wanted. You can feel the paperclip weight on your head, but you barely feel it.
You look at it and it just moves where you want it to. Left. Right. Up. Down. It didn't matter, so you let it drop. Instead of ordering it to stop, you catch it with your hand. You focus on the woman and her chair. With a thought, they rise into the air before floating back down again. Her face could have been chiseled out of marble with all of the emotion that it held in response to your action. She just sits there, expectantly.
Oh... right, the question.
You glance at the pencil, and the urge to move it with a single thought goes through you. The urge to show your power, to move things with nothing but your will as you ignore the forces around you and bend them to your will. The world might scream its objections, but you could ignore them.
You can do that, but you don't have to.
"I…I'm someone who hasn't had many choices." You say.
Step 37: Force him to elaborate
The woman shifts in her seat. Her expression is still emotionless, but she eyes you questioningly.
"I didn't chose to have… cancer." You say, barely managing to choke out the last word "But… neither did Rebecca."
You lift up your hand, and as it glows, the waves begin to shine around it, causing it to glow. You can make it go one direction or another, have two forces pull on it from two sides. All it took, was a thought. Just a thought, and it would happen.
"I didn't choose to get powers. And neither did she." You whisper.
You let your hand relax and the glowing fades away.
"But I chose to take that vial, and I can choose what to do now. I can choose how to use these powers." You declare.
For the first time since you checked into that room in the hospital, your voice feels like it has life in it again. It feels strong, fit for someone with a power like yours. It's… nice to see that someone like you can sound like that.
Step 38: Question his answer, force him to confirm his resolve.
The woman rises an eyebrow "And, pray tell, how will you use them?"
Isn't that the million dollar question?
"I... I honestly don't know." You admit "But, I have to make that choice. Because, while it hurts me, I finally have a gift worth sharing to the world."
You stare the woman dead in the eyes "I'm someone who's been given a choice to how to use a gift that no one else has. And everyone else like me, everyone else that's..." You pause, searching for the right word.
You think back to the training room, when you first realized you could do this. You remember what Matthew described it as. Not as something that was inherently bad, and not as something that was inherently good either. It was something...
"More," You say "They have the same choice. They can either ignore what they have, or they can use it."
Step 39: Inform him of the flaw of his reasoning.
"And if they use it to hurt?" The woman asks "If they use it to further only their own lives at the cost of others?"
"It's their choice." You say, but the words feel… wrong.
You shake your head "No… I mean."
You take a deep breath and try and focus your thoughts.
"...just because they have powers, doesn't mean they can just use them without thinking about it first. They're something more, something greater. But, at the end of the day, they were still born human. And all humans have a responsibility to use their gifts for the right reasons."
Step 40: Encourage him to defend his reasoning.
The woman looks ready to roll her eyes, but you stare her down "I don't care if it sounds stupid, but if you have power, you should at least try to help."
Step 41: Demand confirmation.
The woman's look turns positive, the outer edges of her face threatening to turn into a smile "Then, is that what you're going to do?"
The words are still monotone, but it sounded like a challenge. And honestly, three months ago, you wouldn't be up for it. Three months ago, you didn't have a gift, you were just some kid. Three months ago, you didn't have anything to make a difference like your family.
But now you do.
Now you can be someone better than that little kid who forced his mother away. That little boy who could never measure up no matter how much time he put into anything.
Now, you can be someone worth remembering.
"Yes." You answer.
Step 42: Inform him of his success.
The woman's lips curl into the first full smile that you've seen. She rises out of her chair, walks over, and holds out a hand. You take the hand, and she helps you up. She doesn't let go, putting you straight into a happy handshake.
"Then, Alex, it's time to introduce myself. My name is Contessa, Deputy Director. And I must say, I am honored to be the first person to personally welcome you to Cauldron."
She drops the handshake, and motions for you to take a seat on the bed. You do just that, and by the time that you sit down, Contessa has somehow pulled two slips of paper from under her suit jacket.
Step 43: Express gratitude, exemplify his success.
"You have no idea how relieved I am to hear of your reasoning. In fact, I believe that puts you as the perfect operative for Cauldron."
"Sounds intense." You say.
Your comment earns you an impancent eye roll "I assure you, the position is of utmost importance." Contessa chides.
You hold your hands up like you're surrendering, but Contessa doesn't get the joke or just ignores it. She glances over the papers before setting them down.
Step 44: Despeal his concerns, but do not reveal the true purpose yet.
"I have looked over your report Alex, and tracked your progress through the station, and I know for a fact that a few things don't make sense to you."
More than a few.
"Allow me to dispel those questions. Where you are standing right now is the headquarters of our organization: Cauldron; An organization totally devoted to the protection and advancement of humanity, regardless of country or situation. For you see, five years ago, there was an event. It was an ordinary day, people went through their lives as they did. But after that arrived, strange things started happening. People started gaining powers. There was no definitive proof, of course, but here at Cauldron, we don't ignore the obvious. Currently, there are estimated to be only a few, but by the turn of the millennium, there will be more. There could be thousands, and thousands of people with powers is enough to scare anyone. It will be a change, and the world will fear that change. Cauldron, wishes to make sure that change is for the better. For that purpose, Doctor Mother and I set up this facility, and we studied those that were shown to have these gifts. I myself have a power, one that has been instrumental in finding people like you."
You blink "People like me? You mean cancer patients?"
Step 45: Tell him of his importance.
Contessa shakes her head "Did you believe that Doctor Mother's arrival into your hospital room was a coincidence? You were chosen Alex. My power, in a simple sense, it allows me to set a goal, and it gives me exactly the steps required to take and how to take them to reach that goal. With no exceptions, I will have the path to victory."
Holy shit.
You blink, "Anything?" You ask in disbelief.
Step 46: Despeal his disbelief.
Contessa nods "No matter the goal, I will know the steps. With it's help, Cauldron has prospered faster than anyone could have imagined. We had the goal of protecting humanity, so the path gave me the steps I needed to take to insure that goal. The first steps were cultivating powers into ingestible forms."
"The vials." You say in realization.
Step 47: Tell of his critical relevance, tell him just how essential to salvation his help truly is.
Contessa nods "Correct. My power said that the next step was to find those most willing to help our cause, or the most useful to further it, and give them these powers. Before you, Doctor Mother gave four vials. But the second she finished giving them, the path pointed us directly to you and Rebecca. You were given these gifts because you would be willing to use them to help people, to save the world, to become heroes."
You just sit there, motionless. You don't even feel yourself breathing as the realization comes to you?
You, chosen?
You? The nobody? Were chosen by a power made to find any step to win as the best way to help save the world?
It should be crazy, but it just sounds… right.
You want to use these gifts, you want to help, you're just hearing confirmation that you're not wrong for thinking that.
It's… amazing. Is this what it's like when Clint hears someone call him a genius? When Danah makes something amazing?
You hear yourself laugh and it feels good. You pinch yourself, and you're not dreaming.
You're finally special, like them.
Step 48: Enact a challenge, entice him to continue despite the dangers.
Contessa slowly stands up "It will be dangerous, it will hurt, but I have never had any reason to doubt my gift. Right now, it's telling me that the world needs Alex Everett to help it. And if you truly are willing, then you only have one more choice to make."
You raise an eyebrow "And what's that?"
Contessa smirks "How do you want to start?"
She takes the second piece of paper and hands it to you. You take it, and glance over the contents. You manage to get a look at the title Operatives before Contessa starts again.
Final Step: Allow him to place himself within the path.
"Every story begins with the hero learning their place in the world. You now know your place, now, you must know how you can help the world. Currently, including you, there are five different operatives within the facility training to master their abilities. Physical, mental, application, every aspect needs to be accounted for. Three of them are capable of training you in both the mental and physical aspects of your power, if you so wish to train with them. If not, you can chose to train yourself, such as Matthew. If you do want to train with another, the details of your possible partners are on the file. Chose one, or none, and take your time. I have all night."
You nod and glance down at the paper of your possible partner. Actually, it's better to say that they might be your trainer.
They're going to be like you, special, powerful and choosing to help. Does this make them your teammates?
You look over the file and you chose...
[] To work with Rebecca. Close combat specialist. With Rebecca, you're going to be learning how to fight up close and personal. Useful for any situation where your powers might be rendered inert.
[] To work with Charles. Adaptation specialist. With Charles, you'll learn about the different aspects of your power, the small little things that might possible. Useful for knowing exactly how many different things you can do.
[] To work with David. Variety Combat specialist. With David, you'll learn just what it will be like to fight against those with powers like yours. According to the file, there is no fear of damaging him, allowing you to go all out and learn what you are truly capable of.
[] To go at it alone. It might take you a little longer, but if you go at it alone you'll learn everything at your own pace. Along with that, if you're alone, there's no danger of hurting anyone else.
***
Arc 1: Indoctrination
Fin
Arc 2: Initiation
Begin
Last edited:
IKnowNothing
....What?
- Location
- I got lost so.....Where are we?
ALEX IS OFF THE FREAKING BOAT!!!
Last edited:
