"What is it?"
"I don't have that information. The System alerted me that this was an opportunity you were to be offered, to accept or reject as you see fit."
Explosions went off in Zavier's mind. He knew, deep down in his bones, that this was one of the challenges he was going to have to face. He turned slowly to face his family, seeing the looks of realization on their faces.
"Don't," was all Tess said.
"I have to."
"You don't! Don't do this, Z! We'll find another way!"
"Tess, I have to. HAVE to. I can feel it in here," he thumped his chest. "If I don't I will be stuck. I won't get stronger."
"You will! You don't need to do this to get stronger - we'll find another way!"
"There is no other way, mi amor. We knew this day was coming. I have to go through that door."
"If you do you'll be leaving us. We'll be on our own without you. How can we even do that? How can YOU?"
He gritted his teeth, shaking his head. "You DON'T need me! I'm weak! I fail you all constantly! I need to be stronger, Tess!"
"WE NEVER ASKED THAT OF YOU!"
"BUT I DID!" Frustration poured off of him in waves. He sighed, calming himself. "Tess, I need to do this. Bigger, badder things are coming and I'm not ready for them. I need to get strong enough to protect all of you."
Cass stepped forward, reaching out to place a hand on his forearm. "Please dad, don't do this. Stay with us. We need you. I can't do this without you."
Zavier's heart broke. He pulled Cass into a tight hug. "Son, you guys are the most important thing to me. Sometimes parents have to do the hard thing to take care of their children. This is that thing." He pulled away and held him at arm's length. "I pushed you - too hard, I know now. I pushed you when you weren't ready. Now I have to push myself just as hard. I'd never ask you to do something I wasn't willing to do myself."
Cass wiped tears away with an angry swipe. "Fine." The way he stepped back broke Zavier's heart again. He walked over to Luna who was staring at the door with vacant eyes.
"Sweetie, you okay?"
She lifted her head slowly to look him in the eyes. "Do you have to?"
"I do."
She nodded somberly. "Then do it. Get fucking STRONG. I'll do the same." He didn't like the tone buried beneath her whispered words, but he could only hug her in response.
Tess moved to stand next to him, her hand on his arm. "There's no changing your mind?"
He shook his head. "Not this time, my love."
She nodded, her face a grim mask of worry and anger. "I hate you for doing this."
"I know."
"But I'll always love you."
"I know."
She slapped him on the arm. "Don't Han Solo me right now."
He chuckled ruefully, the sound filled with more pain than mirth. "I love you too. From the moment I met you and every moment after until we both die."
"Just don't die yet. Please." He thought his heart couldn't break again, but the pleading in her tone proved that false.
He turned to face Fara. "So, do I just walk through it?"
She nodded. "You do, but not yet. There's something else that needs to be done first - oh wait! "There's a System-wide announcement!"
** System Announcement: Congratulations! All members of your planet have reached level five! **
"With the last of your species reaching the entry levels of The System you are ready to embark on the next phase of your evolution! This will provide unique opportunities and challenges, but also rewards. All humans have now been issued a Soldier's Pack. This is a dimensional space that it attuned to you and you alone. You can store non-living items in the space, retrieving them by mental command. The Soldier's Pack is an entry-level dimensional space and thus is limited in size. You are expected to experiment with the capabilities of the Pack. The Pack will evolve with you, growing in size as you advance. Review your PED for additional information.
Sentient non-human beings will be given the opportunity to compete for domains, which bring their own host of rewards and benefits. These will be made understood to you when you take control of a domain. Though they share many similar benefits, each domain may also provide unique opportunities, skills, and benefits. Be aware that the larger the domain under your control, the greater the rewards for holding it - and the risks of losing it. Domains are not to be conquered lightly, as consequences for losing one can be… harsh.
Furthermore, a new challenge has been provided to assist in your growth! The Cryptid Challenge will begin in 90 days and will last until all remaining humans and sentient animals have reached level 10. Creatures and beings from your legends, folklore, and history will be provided. These will showcase abilities and magics you have not experienced yet, so exercise caution - but not too much! Rewards for defeating new foes will be commensurate with the challenge and novelty of the fights. Unique classes and skills can be gained during this event for those that push their limits.
Be warned - not all creatures will be able to be defeated alone at your current average global levels. This is an opportunity for many of you to learn to fight together against unknown and unpredictable enemies, but also an opportunity for the standouts among your race to rise to new heights.
Advance. Grow in power. Gain new knowledge and abilities. Learn to work together. Never forget that what you have learned and done to reach this point may not be enough to help you survive what comes next. You must adapt.
End of announcement."
The unsaid "Or else" hung heavy in the air.
Tess turned to Zavier, eyes pleading.
"T," was his only response.
A sad nod was hers.
Fara interrupted their reverie by hopping off the table, standing as tall and straight-backed as her diminutive frame allowed. "You have defeated me. You are victorious."
A rush of energy filled them all, healing them instantly. Their eyes were wide as they saw their experience bars surge to completion, then surge again. Zavier and Luna gasped in unison when theirs surged to the end a third time.
"Three levels!" he gasped.
"Two for me!" Cass's voice was alight with glee.
"Two for me too," Tess's response lacked the excitement of Cass's.
"Three for me." Luna's familiar excitement returned, if only slightly.
Tears filled Zavier's eyes as he stared into nothingness. "I see it - The System. I see it again. It's so…" his voice trailed off, words not enough to express all the sensations and emotions that being reconnected with The System brought. "My mind, it's not broken anymore."
He turned to Tess and her cracked heart healed slightly at the expression of pure joy on his face. "I'm not broken anymore."
She took his face in both hands, staring deeply into his eyes before leaning in and letter her lips linger on his. She pulled away reluctantly, nuzzling the side of his face with hers. "You never were to me," she whispered. "You've always been perfect."
They pulled back slightly, eyes only for each other. "And you've always been perfect to me. ALWAYS." The meaning of those words hung heavy between them, speaking of more than loving affirmations, more than platitudes. They carried with them the weight of decades of hard times and dark nights, but she knew them to be true. They always had been.
"I know. I don't understand it, but I know."
"Good," he nodded then rested his forehead against hers, inhaling the smell of her one last time.
"Zavier Torres, your window is closing."
Fara's voice was ice water over their warm moment and a shiver went through him.
"Kids, quick!" He held out his arms and they both rushed into his embrace. He kissed both of them, smelling their hair and feeling their arms around him. So small, yet stronger than they should have needed to be. He always knew they'd grow up one day, he only hoped that he'd prepared them for what was coming.
"Your time runs exceedingly short, Zavier. It's now or never."
He nodded, stepping back and looking at his family. He wanted to preserve this image for whatever came next.
"Take care of our children, Love."
Tess nodded. "Take care of yourself. Come back to us, soon."
He nodded, tears streaming unbidden down his cheeks.
Then he stepped backwards, into the light.
He shimmered away, prismatic light enveloping him. As the last of him faded from view the portal winked out of existence like it had never existed.