BOOK TWO: Chapter 37: The Mana Pool and the Brotherhood
The Royal Library
**Carter** followed the bright blue, holographic globe of **Earth** down the main elevator shaft of the Fortress Foundation. The elevator was fast, silent, and descended far deeper than the parking garage or even the creature containment floor. As they dropped into the lowest levels, the lack of human staff became obvious. There were no construction workers or maintenance crew—only small, advanced maintenance robots tending the systems.
When the doors opened, Carter stopped dead.
He was standing in a massive, breathtaking **library**, a cavernous space filled with hundreds of towering shelves made of gold alloy and seamless glass. It was filled with texts, scrolls, and data-slates, a direct, shimmering replica of royal architecture.
"I don't remember this place," Carter breathed, walking past a glowing orb that housed thousands of scrolls.
**"You didn't,"** Earth replied. **"I got the schematics from a memory. This is a near-perfect copy of a seldom-used wing of the Imperial Library on Pandora. You walked past the blueprints for this room in a hallway once when you were six. I just had it built."**
They continued through the library, which eventually led to a lower sub-level. Carter noticed a series of thick, ornate doors that were locked and seamless.
"These rooms aren't finished," Earth explained. **"This floor will be revealed when I finish understanding some of the hidden knowledge that I have. There is information I am still compiling from the background of your mind that is... surprising, even to me."**
It was the first time Carter was truly surprised, and truly curious.
# The Key to the Chamber
They reached the lowest floor. It was suddenly and noticeably **warm**, the air thick with energized pressure. A single, heavy blast-door stood before them. Engraved above it, in elegant Drakain script, was a simple instruction.
Carter read it aloud: **"The key to this door is a touch of light and dark mana."**
**"Correct,"** Earth said. **"This is a proprietary Drakain password, ensuring that only you or I—since I have the memory of the design—can ever access this room."**
Carter placed one hand on the door, drawing on his **Light Affinity**; he placed the other a moment later, using a faint surge of **Dark Affinity**. The door recognized the unique blend of the Dragon King's bloodline, and with a low, hydraulic hiss, it opened.
The room within looked like a bright, subterranean sanctuary. In the center was a huge, gently steaming basin of **bubbling blue water**. Carter knew instantly what it was: **Mana in liquid form.**
**"This is why we are here, just outside Chicago,"** Earth explained. **"This is the closest mana pool to your landing location. It is, without saying, a secret source, a natural deposit that predates your impact. This will expedite your progress."**
Carter's eyes flickered, the information about the pool and its proximity instantly downloaded. He looked at Earth's globe and said, "You could have just told me."
"And miss this dramatic moment?" Earth countered.
### The Brotherhood
Carter quickly took off his clothes and stepped into the warm, energized **mana pool**.
**"You have to get into a sort of meditation phase,"** Earth instructed. **"This is how you will quickly expedite the process of harnessing at least five percent of the remaining four elements: Air, Water, Earth, and Fire."**
"First, you must harness Fire, because it is the most uncontrollable after Dark Magic. Concentrate on the burning core of the planet."
Carter focused, feeling the heat of the Earth and the fire in the mana surrounding him. Intensifying the bubbles in the mana pool.
"Now Water. Concentrate on the flowing of the mana throughout the Earth, now that you are connected to a source." Suddenly the water starts to spin in circles as though it was a whirlpool.
"And now Air. Connect to the flow of the wind on this planet. Can you feel it?" As a small storm of wind surrounded Carter.
"Yes," Carter said, his voice calm, yet resonating with fire then ice then cold air.
"And now comes the easiest part, and the last secret between me and you,"** Earth said.
The room gave a slight rumble, and Earth's globe vanished. Carter felt his friend's powerful, connected presence as five figures, all the same height and build as Carter, walked toward the mana pool. They were **direct clones**, molded from the **dirt and material surrounding the pool**.
They were dressed in five stages of Carter's life:
1. **The Orphan:** Dressed in rags and the same worn shoes he wore when he was **thirteen**, the day he was adopted by Damien and became part of the royal family.
2. **The Student:** Wearing the tailored, **green leather school clothes** from the Royal Academy on Damien's continent.
3. **The Prince:** In the beautiful **green and black tuxedo with the white and black dragon swirling on the back**—the uniform of loyalty to Princes Jordan and Cornell, worn the day he left Pandora.
4. **The Celebrity:** Clad in the **hoodie and glasses** he had on the day he became YouTube famous on Earth.
5. **The Headmaster:** Dressed as he was today—the cool outfit and expensive glasses, now slightly **browned with the dirt** of his creation.
**"Now there's no need to think about Earth, because we're already connected,"** Earth's unified voice resonated through the five forms. **"I am very proud of you. I have your memories, and I'm only a month old, but your life—you come from humble beginnings, and now you are not only an adopted Dragon Prince, but now you will become a sort of father to this planet. And I will be your brother."**
The figure dressed as the Orphan reached out its hand. **"Not that I have a body, I can truly thank you."**
The five bodies—the past, present, and future of Carter—merged into the one form that shook Carter's hand. Carter felt a profound surge of integrated self-identity, and the figure instantly **disappeared**.
**"That felt good to actually shake your hand,"** Earth's voice returned. **"But we're done here."**
*
Carter felt a jolt of pure energy surge through his body. His eyes flickered black and white rapidly, then calmed. The information settling in his head now let him know the full extent of his newfound power:
* **Air Magic:** 5\% affinity
* **Water Magic:** 5\% affinity
* **Fire Magic:** 5\% affinity
* **Earth Magic:** 10\% affinity
* **Dark Magic:** 75\% affinity
* **Light Magic:** 75\% affinity
* **Unknown Dark Energy:** 5\% affinity
He was ready.