They all stood around a table-like device. Ryan stood at the front as it emitted a soft blue glow.
Kylock: So, you're saying this thing gave you your energies?
Ryan: No. It was like it triggered them.
Kylock: It triggered your energy to save this man, then immediately absorbed it back.
Ryan nodded.
Kylock: It took back what it had given.
Ely: This guy must be daydreaming.
Ryan: What? (slightly irritated)
Ely: I thought you said our powers were gone. Besides, don't we still have super speed and enhanced jumping?
Kylock: That doesn't count. Those are natural abilities of your Marthadonian form.
Hazel: Maybe Ryan is right.
She tapped the table-like device, and the same crystal Ryan had seen at Alfred's place appeared on the screen.
Hazel: Is this what you saw?
Ryan's eyes lit up.
Ryan: Bingo! Exactly.
Hazel shot Ely a sharp look.
Ely: What?
Alicia: What the hell is this?
Hazel: A projectile.
Alicia: A what?
Kylock: It's a stone from Marthadon—a precious crystal known for triggering nearby energy forces for a limited time.
Hazel: Ryan's proximity to it activated his organic energy.
Iriel: Fantastic.
Ely: Wait. You said this crystal comes from Marthadon, so how did Ryan see it on Earth?
He noticed Kylock wasn't surprised.
Ely: I guess there's an explanation for that.
Kylock: There is. In dimensional philosophy, there's something called a dimensional storm. It occurs once every year and temporarily connects nearby dimensions, allowing objects to cross between them.
Iriel: So you're saying one of these storms brought the crystal to Earth, this man's grandfather found it, and it was passed down to the third generation?
Ryan: He said it glows whenever he's in danger.
Hazel: That's because the adrenaline triggers the energy.
Ryan: Okay.
Kylock: This could be the solution to our problem.
Hazel: Then all we need to do is increase the amount of time this crystal can trigger energy.
Ryan: Long enough to stabilize our energy levels.
Kylock: Exactly.
Hazel: Right now, we need two things—the enlarger and the projectile.
A location appeared on the screen.
Kylock: We can build the enlarger here.
Alicia: What about the projectile?
Hazel: I searched across the dimensions. The only place it exists is Decarpve.
Kylock: Great. We'll split into two groups. Iriel and Alicia, help Hazel build the enlarger. Ryan, Ely, and I will retrieve the prolectile.
Alicia (smiling): Gladly.
Hazel: I couldn't gather much information about Decarpve, so be prepared for anything.
The three stepped into the teleporter.
Ely: I don't like the sound of that.
Kylock: Initiate teleportation.
A flash of light engulfed them.
Moments later, they landed beneath the blazing Marthadonian sun. Purple cloud columns stretched across the sky, while enormous trees towered above the green landscape.
Ryan looked around.
Ryan: Another weird place to explore in Marthadon.
The ground glittered with sand-like particles, while grey flowers with blue petals bloomed several metres apart.
Ely: So... where's the cave?
Kylock: She never said anything about a cave, Decarpve
Ryan: Decarpve (sarcastically)
Kylock knelt and dug into the shimmering sand with his hands.
Ryan and Ely exchanged confused looks.
After a few moments, Kylock found something and pulled it open.
It was a hidden manhole.
Ely: What are you doing?
Kylock: Get in.
Ely: A manhole? What?
Kylock: Come on. Inside.
Ryan: Cap, remember... we don't have our powers.
Ely: So we're practically useless here.
Kylock: No. That's exactly why I'm asking you two to go in first... although maybe I should go first.
Ely: No. We'll go.
Ryan jumped inside, followed by Ely. Kylock climbed in after them and sealed the entrance.
...
Inside the fortress...
Hazel: I'll work on creating the projectile while you two monitor their situation from here. Just keep an eye on them and report anything unusual.
Iriel: No worries. We're in the AV club at school.
Hazel: Great... but what's an AV club?
Alicia: Never mind.
Hazel smiled, tapped the automated door, and stepped outside as it slid shut behind her.
Alicia: Wow. I can't believe we're working with technology like this.
Iriel: We're only observing.
AI: Uploading live feed from Decarpve.
The screen displayed Ryan, Ely, and Kylock.
The three carefully walked through the eternal darkness beneath the surface. The atmosphere was eerie, and a strange smell filled the air.
Ely: What in the world is that smell?
Kylock: Bone decay.
Ely: Did you just say bone decay?
Almost instantly, he felt something brush against his leg. He jumped back in shock.
After walking a little farther...
Kylock: Every step...
Suddenly, green lights emerged from the darkness.
Skeletons.
Their glowing green eyes pierced through the shadows as they slowly advanced toward the trio.
Ely (his voice shaking): What the hell is happening here?
Ryan: Cap... remember... we don't have our powers.
**To be continued on Sunday...**
**Enjoy! Love you all! ❤️❤️❤️❤️**