We didn't talk much as we jogged the several blocks to her place, but the quiet was comfortable. What wasn't comfortable was how difficult I was finding it to stop myself from staring at her athletic figure. I liked and respected Kayla far too much to lead her on. It wouldn't be fair to give her the wrong impression when she only saw a fraction of the whole picture.
As far as she was concerned, the world would continue on like it always had; She would live, love, grow old and die in the same world she'd always known. Beyond that misconception, I not only had one girlfriend, but two, and they weren't even human. Giving Kayla the impression I was pursuing her before she knew my secrets would only hurt her in the long run. But that ass is nearly irresistible.
Further complicating my morning jog was the fact that my instincts were growing stronger. I was having to fight the urge to give the stink eye to every man we passed who looked at Kayla with any degree of admiration. That would have been a lot of glaring on my part, because Kayla was a very admirable girl.
"You'll tell me what this is all about right?" Kayla asked when we stopped in front of her apartment. "That tool, and everything that's been going on… It's starting to get a little unnerving." She stared at the mana-multimeter in my hands as she spoke, concern in her emerald green eyes.
I put a hand on her shoulder and gave her a reassuring smile. "I promise. I'll be leaving on my trip to Japan tomorrow. A week after I get back, you can laugh at me as you teach me to salsa, then, I'll explain everything. Just be ready for a surprising conversation."
She returned my smile and nodded, seemingly reassured that I wasn't completely crazy yet. We said goodbye, and I set out to see what I could find in the area.
I circled her block, then expanded to a two block radius. I wasn't sure how much mana an incursion might make, but I expected it would be a lot more than I was giving off. Hopefully, that would mean I would be able to detect it from a fairly good distance away. As it was, the gauge on the multimeter stayed constant. I tried experimenting on trying to pull my mana in tighter, but didn't notice any change. I'd have to ask Ash about it later.
Deciding I'd have to be satisfied with my results for now, I began making my way to a bus stop. I realized I'd have to get a mode of transportation soon. Up to now, I was able to either walk or ride the bus anywhere I wanted to go. Soon however, I would need to be able to get around quickly and directly.
I had a driver's license, and even used it on occasion when I was asked to be the designated driver. It was actually a little surprising how many people wanted to be friends with someone who didn't drink. My license also had a motorcycle endorsement. That was one of the things my aunt had insisted I learn that I fully agreed with. There was nothing quite like riding a powerful bike.
As I thought about it, I realized there were actually a lot of things my aunt had taught me that seemed pointless at the time but were suddenly crucial. I had learned three martial arts disciplines, including Jiu-Jitsu, karate, and kobudo, all of which seemed like overkill at the time, but had recently saved my life.
My lifestyle and mindset had also been critical. I was beginning to wonder if my aunt was secretly a doomsday prepper, or maybe a spy. I chuckled nervously at the thought. My aunt would be a terrifying spy. It would certainly explain how she always knew everything.
I kept my mana sensing tool out as I got on the bus, keeping one eye on it while I did some research on my phone. I wanted to get something that could get around quickly and would be flexible in a pinch. That had me leaning toward a motorcycle.
The downside of a motorcycle was that it provided very little protection to the driver. Luckily, I was pretty durable these days. In addition, driving one would give me an excuse to wear a helmet, which could be used to obscure my identity. I didn't relish the idea of fighting with my senses partially obscured, but I also didn't want to go around in a balaclava for no reason. While I was searching, I did however come across some balaclava that could be used as under armor specifically for motorcyclists.
I didn't even have a bike yet, but I decided that this would be a worthwhile investment that I might need soon. Adding the under armor and a helmet to a cart, I began looking for other flexible but durable gear that would also obscure my build and figure. I didn't get far, however, before I realized that the government could track such online purchases. It would take a lot of resources, and I was likely being paranoid, but I decided to wait to buy these things with cash.
I sighed as I considered my money problems again. I didn't like the idea, but I realized that the practical thing to do in this situation was to ask my aunt for help. I needed to be able to focus on growing stronger and saving lives. I had some ideas for making money, but like with the mana-multimeter, I wasn't sure how soon such ideas would be viable.
Switching my phone search to the news, I began looking for areas of the city that had reported anything strange happening. I was beginning to wish I had someone on the inside of the law enforcement side of things that could help me narrow down and verify the search. I would also settle for a friendly reporter like April O'Neil from the Ninja Turtles —someone who could uncover all the evil secret plots. Then again, she always seemed to end up needing saving, so that might not be the most convenient. Maybe I should get a scaredy-cat dog and a van instead.
****
I got off the bus two hours later in the southern area of Miami near one of the more rundown neighborhoods. According to the news, there had been an uptick in missing persons in the area recently. More intriguing were the blogs and forums that claimed unusual graffiti was appearing in the area. The pictures that were posted looked like someone was trying to paint esoteric magical symbols everywhere.
Conservative opinions said that it was someone trying to take advantage of the situation to insight fear. More radical opinions ranged from people believing it was a murderous cult to the end times. It said something about my situation that I could no longer write off the more radical theories as completely unreasonable. It was a stark reminder that the world was teetering on the edge of madness. There was nothing like Godzilla in Tokyo yet, but if the Voice who gave the spire lords our powers was right, then it was only a matter of time.
As if to add ambiance to my dark thoughts, thunder rumbled in the distance as a storm cloud blocked out the sun. The day had been partially cloudy but the storm still felt sudden and ominous, even for Miami. The wind picked up, and I shivered as I glanced down at my mana-multimeter.
I was both happy and distressed to see a change to the gauge. Happy because it seemed to be working, and distressed because that meant something supernatural was happening in the area. Before anything else could happen, I put on some sunglasses to hide the golden glow of my Eyes of Wisdom when I pulled up my stats.
Cai Masaru Ryuzaki
Relative Power Level: 14
Astral Ascension Level 2
Draconic Bloodline Resonance: 22% 36%
Conditions: —
I frowned at the massive influx of information, and decided I would take some time later to further condense the information. For now, I pushed all of my physical and mental stats into one number each. They were close enough together that it wouldn't make a big difference anyway, and I could always expand them later if I needed to be more specific.
My heart rate picked up as I considered my options. I didn't like going into a situation unprepared. I was strong, fast, and durable, but I didn't have any weapons, and my telekinesis was still new, untested, and weakened on the material plane. My other abilities involved healing and special vision. That meant my best option might be reconnaissance.
I briefly considered leaving an anonymous tip to the police, but I dismissed it. I had no evidence that something was going on. It was possible the government had informed them of impending danger, but that didn't mean they would believe every crazy call they received. Even if they did, I wasn't sure what they could do besides send someone to check the place out, and to all appearances, everything here was normal.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward with my mana detector held out with one hand. I had the cables and sensors strapped tightly to the back with velcro to make it more convenient to hold. The cracked pavement scuffed beneath my running shoes as the first drops of rain fell.
It was still early in the year, and even in the afternoon the rain would make things chilly. The humidity would only add to the discomfort by making sure my t-shirt and shorts would stay damp for hours, even if I did get out of the rain.
As I began walking around to find where the mana was coming from, I kept a close eye on my surroundings. This part of town could be dangerous even under normal circumstances. I wasn't particularly afraid for my safety, —not from normal humans anyway— but if I ran into trouble it could attract unwanted attention.
The rain picked up as I searched, and I was soon drenched. I found my first "cult painting" on the side of an old dilapidated building. It was down an alley some distance from the main street.
My first thought was to investigate it, but I waited. Focusing my enhanced hearing, I thought I heard the sound of a boot scraping the pavement further down the alley, though the heavy rain obscured it.
Activating my Aetheric sight, I saw the silhouettes of two nearly collapsed chakra networks, the meridians almost completely atrophied. I only caught blurred glimpses of them, and couldn't tell how many there were for sure. I couldn't see through walls after all.
Whoever they were, they were crouched low behind a window in the building across from the graffiti, and I only caught glimpses when they leaned forward. More concerning than their unused meridians however, was the amount of red mental mana flooding their heads. I had seen mana like that before. Dylan had been flooded with it, leading me to Patrick Jamieson who used it on a crowd of people to convince them to donate to his 'cause'.
I began walking again, not wanting to draw attention to myself. My mind whirled at the possible implications. Were they the cause of the mana flux in the area? Looking down at my mana sensor, I noticed the gauge was still increasing in the direction I was heading. I wasn't sure whether or not mana was leaking from the people behind me, —my Aetheric Eyes weren't strong enough to see such minute amounts— but either way, they didn't seem to be effecting my runes.
Likewise, I didn't think it was coming from the graffiti magic symbols. I didn't see any mana on those at all. Either they were dormant, or fake. I wanted to get a closer look, but I wasn't going to risk getting seen by Jamieson's brainwashed minions. I wasn't willing to chance him going after Kayla to get to me, and Dylan could easily point him in her direction if he thought I was involved.
Thinking of Dylan, I put a hand on the bag at my waist where I had two copper cards. He hadn't been at the gym this morning, so I didn't have a chance to slip him one. It might be for the best anyway. As much as I wanted to help him, it would've been a big risk. If I was being brutally honest with myself, Kayla was more important to me, and it would have put her in danger if something went wrong.
I resisted the urge to grumble as I trudged through the wind and rain. Even with all of my physical enhancements, the cold and wet were no less annoying. Instead of complaining, I focused on following my mana-multimeter. At least the weather meant there were fewer people out.
Eventually, I came to a point where the gauge on my measuring device was at its highest. I glanced around to make sure no one was watching before I activated my Aetheric Eyes once more. Even with sunglasses on, there was a chance someone might notice the blue glow.
What I saw was beautiful, strange, and concerning in equal measure. There was a faint distortion in the air in front of me, almost like an after image from staring at a light too long. Its shape was a pointed oval like a cat's eye and it was as tall as a door. I felt a chill run down my spine when I realized it was set on the ground in a place I had recently been standing.
Using my cultivation technique, I carefully opened up my senses as if I intended to draw aether from the strange thing. It was there; not as strong as the aether in my domain, but certainly stronger than anywhere else I had been on Earth. I was fairly certain I was looking at a nascent rift, though whether it was coming or going was still a mystery.
I stayed there for nearly an hour, waiting to see if there were any changes. There were not. The thing stayed floating just above the ground without shifting in either space or aether emanations. I wanted to know more about this thing, especially if it was a rift, but it was apparent I wouldn't learn anything else for the time being. Besides, I was thoroughly drenched and miserable, though the rain was beginning to subside.
As I was walking back, I heard sudden yelling from up ahead. Running forward, I stopped by the alley I had seen earlier with the graffiti symbols. Carefully, I peeked around the corner.
An African American woman was standing with her back to the wall, as six men formed a semi-circle around her. She was tall and athletic, with long hair tied in cornrows. Her black pants were tight at the hips but loose down her legs. The ratty crop top she wore was drenched from the rain, and she was breathing heavily from either fear, anger, or exertion.
The men surrounding her were approaching her with menace, some of them armed with rope, chains and even a knife. They obviously had no good intentions for the girl.
My mind began to race as I tried to plan what I could do to stop this without exposing myself. Something that was mildly ironic, as my fist idea was to take my shirt off and wrap it around my head. I would still be exposed, but at least my identity would be protected.
Before I could make a move however, the woman stepped forward with a snarl, and all hell broke loose. Her hair seemed to come alive, moving like a nest of snakes as it shot forward to engulf the men surrounding her. There were cries of fear and pain as the men turned to run, but there was no escape. Within seconds, all six men were down, either dead or unconscious.
Flicking my eyes to blue once more, I took in the scene with my aetheric eyes. The six men each had red mana in their heads, which I hoped meant they were still alive. The woman meanwhile came alive with pulses of maroon mana energy that flowed through her meridians.
Slipping away, I moved as quickly as I could in the opposite direction. I didn't want to face this woman if I could help it. I didn't know whether she might be friendly or not, but she had just been assaulted by six men. If I were her, I'd be more than a little suspicious of anyone in the area.
My heart was beating hard in my chest. I had just encountered another spire lord.