Chapter 68

CHOOSING THE DREAM

The rest of the day passed in a blur of strange normalcy, punctuated by the oddity of alien foods.

Augustus returned through a portal with bags that clinked and sloshed with their bizarre contents. He muttered under his breath while unpacking.

“Fermented tree bark. Crystallized sulfur. High-alkaline water that costs more than wine.” He held up a jar of something viscous and green. “And this. The vendor assured me it was strong enough to etch steel. Or something like that.”

Annie and Talia shuttled between kitchen and bedrooms, delivering both normal meals and the alien dietary requirements. The gilled alien received what looked like frozen fish soup. The crystalline one got a bowl of dissolved minerals that sparkled like liquid diamonds. Through it all, they used the translator apps, managing simple communications.

“Food.” “Safe.” “Rest.”

The Syltharian had been moved to the living room couch, still unconscious but breathing more easily. Its strange, musical exhalations had become background noise, almost soothing.

Talia emerged from the hallway, having just delivered another round of meals.

“You know what’s remarkable?” she said to no one in particular while washing her hands at the kitchen sink. “They’re not broken by it. After the abduction and the failed experiments, then being abandoned in those cells to waste away... most people would struggle. But that gilled one is still trying to make friends with Chilli. The crystalline one keeps thanking us every time we bring food. They’re supporting each other.”

She dried her hands, shaking her head. “That kind of resilience after what they’ve been through... it’s something.”

“They’re survivors,” Augustus said quietly from where he was mixing another batch of alien nutrients. “Maybe it was part of Miller’s criteria for the experiments. Willpower is the key to a successful awakening, after all.”

Talia nodded thoughtfully. “You’re probably right.”

The team fell into quiet contemplation.

“I’ll head to Astra Omnia first thing tomorrow,” Alexander announced, breaking the silence, while helping Augustus prep another round of alien meals. “See if we can source the serum there.”

“Makes sense,” Talia agreed, labeling containers with species descriptions since they didn’t have names yet. “Black market’s our best bet now. Even though I still can’t believe I didn’t think of it.”

Augustus nodded while stirring something that smelled like pine needles and copper.

“I also need to dip into the operational funds, either to purchase a nanoscale 3D printer, or to rent a workshop.”

There were general murmurs of assent all around.

Alexander frowned, thinking they misunderstood. “Buying it outright will cost millions.”

The others showed barely any interest, once again agreeing.

He gave up.

As evening settled properly over the estate, the team gathered around the dining table for their own meal. Augustus had made pasta with a simple red sauce, garlic bread, and salad. Nothing fancy by his standards.

“Sorry it’s so simple,” he said, setting down the last plate. “Didn’t have time for anything elaborate.”

“It’s perfect as always,” Annie said around a mouthful of pasta.

Talia nodded agreement. “Seriously, Augustus. Thank you.”

Alexander looked up from his plate. “If you ever need help in the kitchen, I’m happy to assist.” He paused, then added, “And the food is good, as always. I appreciate you taking care of it all the time.”

Augustus’s mustache twitched. “Well. You’re all very welcome.”

“Not to change the subject, but we’ll need to set up a watch rotation,” Talia said. “I’m sure they don’t mean any harm, but it’s best to be safe.”

Everyone agreed.

They ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes, the only sounds the clink of forks against plates and the distant musical breathing of the Syltharian.

“So,” Annie finally said, “are we accepting the quest?”

“Which one?” Talia asked.

“Both, either, none, whatever! You know what I mean.”

Augustus set down his fork, took a sip of wine. “I’ve already decided to enter the individual combat challenge.”

Talia raised an eyebrow. “That’s news to me.”

“Yeah, we were arguing about it while you were busy doing your hackerman stuff,” Annie explained.

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Augustus nodded. “I’ve limited myself by treating my power as convenience and utility. I need it to be more combat-capable.” He gestured vaguely at the air. “The quest says the ability will enhance our Dream. A soulbound spellbook sounds like exactly what I need to kickstart my magic again.”

Annie and Talia fell quiet, considering.

Alexander put down his fork. “I’m accepting as well. Though I don’t know what prize I want.” He frowned thoughtfully. “I was leaning toward the spellbook too. Versatility would be good.”

Augustus disagreed. “I think you should pick something else.”

Alexander raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

“One of our strengths is in how we cover different roles with minimal overlap.”

“It’s a good opportunity to shore up weaknesses,” Talia added.

Annie smirked. “Yeah, obviously you’re the one who needs the dinosaur form.”

Talia giggled despite herself.

“The Cultivator’s Core or Faith Enchanting,” Augustus said more seriously. “Both might address your physical limitations.”

Alexander took another bite, thinking.

Talia pursed her lips. “Based on the information we have, I think the core is best for you, too. Not just for increasing your physical attributes, but because if you do it the right way you might be able to use it to bring your superpowers together.”

“Explain.”

She put her fork down. “We know that our powers are shaped by our desires. Our Dreams, as the System calls them. We also know that it’s possible to push for powers that you want, as shown by the de Castillos and Delvanes.”

Alexander thought he saw where she was going with it.

“You have two shortcomings,” she said, giving him an apologetic look. He just nodded, and then she continued. “Your physical attributes are falling behind, and you’ve yet to figure out how to synergize your powers. It’s not your fault; being Redacted has been a serious handicap in developing your understanding. And with three, we know they’re synergistic.”

“He has four though,” Annie said.

“Sure, but it seems like it should synergize, too,” Talia countered. “If you choose the core, and assuming we can shape these powers to fit our Dream, then you could use it to bind and centralize your powers. Like a lightning-metal-soul core that empowers your Technopathy.”

“I feel like I’ll have a much harder time fighting a cultivator than a wizard,” Alexander said. Not that he disagreed with her logic.

“Duh, that’s why you’re getting the printer, right?” Annie said with her mouth full. “To make some cool shit before we fight?”

Alexander sighed. “I can rig up some drones to assist you in your fights. They’ll be simple, though I can fit them with some specialized tricks depending on what you’re fighting. Should give you an edge. I had something else in mind for myself.”

“If you can make mine operate defensively, I can use it to block things while shielding it to take advantage of Warden,” Augustus said thoughtfully. “Could you do that? And make it attack on command?”

“Sure.”

“If we can get the serum, and I can get something close to what I want with it, then I am going to choose a knight as my opponent,” Talia said. “I have an idea about how to move forward that takes advantage of my existing powers. I intend to shift towards a support role after seeing how valuable they can be.”

“You’re just as strong as anyone,” Annie protested.

Talia waved her off. “I’m not bothered by it. Support means keeping everyone alive. If I can shape my third power and Faith Enchanting the way I want, then I have a chance of not just keeping up but creating a new path.”

A heavy silence descended around the table.

Alexander knew Talia was right, that her powers would steadily decline in value as more superhumans moved to Tier 2 and beyond. As people’s Willpower ascended beyond human limits, mundane weapons would be less and less dangerous to them.

He had ideas about how he might help with that, and now that things with Santiago Systems were coming to an end, they would finally have time to relax and work on their future plans.

After the individual combats, of course. Which meant it wouldn’t be soon enough to make a difference in the upcoming life-threatening fight.

“Very selfless,” Augustus said quietly. “I agree. Assuming your third power will help in the combat challenge.”

“We’ll see,” Talia said. “If I get what I need, then the risk is worth it. Between my powers, my skill with a sword, and already having experience with the knight’s attack patterns and abilities, I am confident I can handle it.”

She turned to him. “Not that I would say no to a drone of my own. I’d prefer if it were heavily armored and could magnetically attach itself to the knight’s weapon, please.”

Alexander blinked at her. “That’s… quite cunning.”

“Downright villainous!” Annie said with a laugh.

Augustus swallowed, then zeroed in on Annie. “And what are you choosing?”

Annie shrunk in on herself and mumbled something.

Did she just say…?

“What was that?” Talia asked.

Annie mumbled something again.

The rest of the table exchanged glances, then turned as one to stare at her.

She stared back at them defiantly for a moment, then huffed. “Fine! I’m going to pick the stupid dinosaur, okay? Are you happy now?”

Alexander wanted to laugh, but swallowed it down instead. As much as he enjoyed teasing, mocking was not the goal. Besides, of the options they had, it was one he thought would suit her.

“It should be a good choice,” Augustus said. “Just remember to try and push it toward what you want it to give you. Try for greater height and reach, but also denser muscles and greater physical resistance.”

Talia nodded. “You should also try to merge the adaptive nature of your MetaMetal into it. Then it might even mean you can scale it once you master your superpowers.”

Annie perked up at that.

Silence fell over the table as everyone returned to eating, each of them thinking about their own plans.

Annie broke it first. “So we’re really doing this? All of us? We’re all crazy.”

“Appears so,” Augustus said.

“At least we’re crazy together,” Annie muttered.

“We’re going to the top, remember? Wherever that takes us,” Alexander said, as the table fell back into contemplative silence.

Tomorrow he’d head to Astra Omnia on the hunt for some serum and a printer. Then he’d spend the remaining days putting together what he could for everyone. It was his way of ignoring the possibility that any of them might not return from the fight, while also trying to tilt things in their favor.

After that, he was looking forward to finally getting some real work done in his workshop. It had been a long time coming, but they had what they needed to hurt Santiago Systems. The plan was to wait until after the individual combats. He didn’t think it would be the final nail in the coffin by any stretch, but by this point he was willing to compromise.

An eye for an eye.

It had been almost six months since his arrival in this world, and his need for revenge would soon be satisfied, leaving room for ambition to take the stage.

But for tonight, there was food, good company, and the pleasant musical reminder of their alien guests.

For now, that was enough.