Chapter 19 - The Training (and Shopping) Montage.

"Are you serious?" Kara demanded. I had just informed the group of this development, after having them check their credits, which, to my relief, both Kara and Hazel had a much greater amount saved up than I had. Mana, of course, had minimal, as she only joined us an hour or so ago.

"Does the System always hand you ominous warnings like this?" Mana added. "Yes, I'm serious, Kara. As for Mana's question, no. But be glad whoever runs the System isn't a Jedi, or they'd be filling it with cryptic nonsense, too." I answered them both.

All the while, Hazel was sitting there, seemingly numb. "You alright, Haze?" I asked her, before the other two could say anything else. She hesitated before she responded.

"It's just... all of you have these cool powers. I feel out of place. Mana, you can read minds, Kara has Force Powers, Cyrus is a Dark Jedi Juggernaut, essentially, and even though I'm in the party, I have nothing. Now, I'm expected to train to storm Washington fucking DC with no powers, and nothing unique." She ranted.

I looked at Hazel with an Observe again, and like before, no FP.

I thought back to her title, from a little over a month ago now, when we first met her. Potential Trainee. "I can fix that." I blurt out. "You can?" She asks. Kara shoots me a skeptical look, but doesn't argue. "Yeah. Back in Cali, I saw titles on both you and Kara. Kara's was Trainee, yours was Potential Trainee. If I can recall how it was done in the game, I may make a Force User out of you yet." I explained.

After I failed to remember, I sent them off to use the Shop, as I knew that'd preoccupy them as I loaded up my old Xbox to play Knights of the Old Republic II, in hopes I could figure out how to train her to be a Jedi Sentinel.

Fortunately, I had a save file just before one of the characters became a Sentinel, so I made her a Sentinel, and studied the conversation that turned her into it, and hoped this would work.

An hour after I started studying it, I finally pulled Hazel to the side. "Are you ready to start?" I asked her. She nods. "Of course I am."

"Good. You have the makings of a Jedi Sentinel in you, and I intend to teach you the ways of the Sentinel." I told her.

I closed my eyes, and tried to focus. If I focused enough, looked past the people, and instead to the planet, I could feel an emptiness, a cold, dark, echo, if that makes sense, which is why Mira's conversion to a Sentinel works especially well in the game.

It's not Nar Shaddaa, but Earth is pretty equally fucked up, so I'd kinda assumed this would work.

"Close your eyes." I instructed her. Through Force Sight, I could see a skeptical glance. "What?" She clarified. "Humor me. Close your eyes." I firmly stated. With that, she closed her eyes. "I want you to truly hear the Earth. Feel the currents here, the ebb of life." I continued.

Her body relaxed, and she opened her mouth to speak. "Quiet." I hushed her. "This is the Force. All our choices, from the greatest to the smallest, affect each other, making echoes travel. Awaken, Hazel, and see the world the way we do. Accept the Force, and let it guide you." After she had a moment to bask in that feeling, she opened her eyes, and I opened mine.

Her eyes fluttered, and she collapsed into my arms. I placed my hand over her head, and used Master Healing. She groaned, and sat back up, clutching her head. "That hurt like a bitch." She complained. "Hey, it could be worse. You could be having the start of a mental breakdown from hearing the echoes through the planet, like the game character who went through the same." I offered.

"Reassuring." She said, standing up. She summoned her status, and she grinned as she saw a large bank of FP in it. "I'll take the next month to train you in the Force. Mana and Kara are probably going to want to focus primarily on physical combat anyway, so they can spar together." I told her.

We stood, and walked together into the living room, where Kara was sifting through the things she bought. A set of Gray Jedi robes, some Sith Power gauntlets, a Consciousness Helm, a Physical Boost D-Package, some Mandalorian Power Shields, and a GNS Strength Enhancer, not to mention the parts for purple and red lightsabers.

"This is good, for a Guardian. I'd suggest a backup set of armor, if you have the credits. I find Mandalorian armor performs well in the game, so it'd be worth taking a peek at that." I advised, looking over her gear.

"You're the expert." Kara replied lightly. I snorted, and looked over what Kara was able to get for Mana. It looked like things were bought with the Scout in mind. I saw an Eriadu stealth field generator, a couple blasters, with dozens of ammo clips with them, various modifiers for the blasters as well, an Interface visor, and some Exchange work gloves.

She didn't have any energy shields, implants, or armor, but it'd do for now. I guided Hazel through the Shop, helping her get kitted out. I gave her a variety of gear, mostly aligned for a Force user like me, but I got her a fair share of things for when she needed to go hand-to-hand, too.

So in the end, she had a mix of the same stuff as my own and Kara's, essentially. She settled on a single lightsaber, with a single hilt, with a yellow crystal. With everyone's remaining credits, we piled enough together to get Mana some Arkanian Energy shields for both arms, Electromesh armor, and a Skills D-Package.

I whistled at everyone's loadout. Now we looked like we stood a proper chance. Even alone, I'd dare to say the Jedi of our group were easily on, if not way over, the power level of the best the government could throw at us, and this was without proper training.

"Mana, Kara, go spar. We need to see if we're all up to roughly the same standard. Kara, leave your lightsaber parts here. Hazel, stay here with me." I instructed. They did as I asked, and I closed my eyes, focusing on building Kara's lightsabers one at a time, by lifting them in the air, and meticulously sliding each piece into place, all with the Force.

All the while, I was giving Hazel a crash course on developing powers from the game. I guided her through the development of all my powers, minus Force Crush, as once again, I couldn't possibly condone someone else using something so dark and dangerous, powerful or not. Again, I shouldn't have developed it in the first place, so letting her develop that isn't something I can do in good conscience.

After I finished guiding her through those powers, I was going to send her to study other powers with the game upstairs, but I could see her eyes drooping. I sighed, the second complete lightsaber getting set back on the table, next to its sister blade.

"Hazel, I would have you study more powers, but it's clear to me that you need rest, and not just physically. Go take a break. Take a nap, play a game, anything you want. I'll let the others know to take a break, too." I told her, in hopes she'd just use the break, rather than be stubborn. "Ding!" was the noise I heard in response, and a smirk flickered on my face for a second as she tried to protest.

Influence Gained: Hazel! 100/100

"Hazel, the System's even telling me you like the idea, and appreciate the offer of it, not to mention how tired you look, also not to mention the mental strain from making you a Jedi earlier. So go, take a nap." I try, making a shooing motion with my hand. She shook her head, trying to keep her head up.

"If you won't take it as advice from a friend, then take it as an order from your leader. You need rest if we're to continue training, so go now." I added firmly. She stretched, yawning. "Fine, fine. It's late, anyway." She relented. To be honest, I hadn't realized how much time had passed, and I'm not so sure the others did, either.

I peeked outside, where Kara and Mana were sparring on the deck, seemingly oblivious to my presence, and likely the time as well. I picked both of them up with Force Levitation, and backed them away from each other. "Wow, I wonder why it's so dark out here, you two. Maybe it's time to rest?" I asked sarcastically.

"I admire how dedicated both of you are to training, but you shouldn't tune out your surroundings. Mana, as a Scout, you'll need to be incredibly aware of your surroundings, and Kara, as I showed you during our last duel in the forest, your surroundings can be critical in turning the tides of a fight." I lectured, setting them both down. Kara flinches a bit, but nods.

"You make a fair point. I'll keep that in mind." Mana replied, striding through the door going back inside. "You both were faring incredibly well, however, there's no disputing that." I assured Kara. "Thank you." She yawned, slinking back inside. Half an hour later, they were all asleep.

I turned my focus to more training, however. I need to be at my peak for the battle in a month, and I don't have time to rest currently. I continued honing my powers until the sun came up, which bore many levels and a few new powers.

New Power Unlocked!

Battle Meditation: When in use, you and your allies obtain a temporary resistance to other powers, as well as a +2 to Str, Dex, and Con.

FP Cost: 100 FP per minute.

New Power Unlocked!

Drain Life: When used, you sap a part of the target's life force, taking one fourth of the damage you dealt to the target to heal you.

FP Cost: 40 FP.

New Power Unlocked!

Force Push: When used, you push the target back with a burst of energy, dealing a small amount of damage and possibly knocking the target off their feet.

FP Cost: 30 FP.

Force Levitation, Level 30: When you trigger this ability, you will be able to move around the targeted object with your mind, the heavier the object or being, the higher the cost.

FP cost: 1 x weight in pounds every five minutes.

Force Shield, Level 20: When you activate this power, you create a barrier, varying in size, that deflects energy damage. It's great for stopping annoying twin brothers from infiltrating their older brother's friend's secret bunker!

FP Cost: Varies in cost by size, and by energy damage taken.

Force Crush, Level 15: When you trigger this power, the target is lifted in the air, severe pressure getting applied to their organs, muscles, and bones, crushing them. Highly lethal.

FP cost: 20 FP.

Power Evolved!

Force Lightning - Force Storm: When you use this power, a storm of electricity is released from your hand, attacking all nearby enemies. Very good for burning things, and overloading electronics!

As the sun came up, I heard footsteps. "Why are you up so early, Mana?" I asked, not even bothering to turn around. She shrugs. "You don't live on a military base for years without getting used to waking up early, whether you're special or not. But that doesn't excuse you. Why are you up?" She asks, looking around.

"Nightmares." I lied easily. I didn't want any of them to be concerned about me over training. "Really? It certainly doesn't look like you slept." She muses. "I've been up for a few hours, if that explains why I don't look like I got up recently." I lied again.

"No, that's not what I mean. You look like shit, to be frank with you. Go get some sleep, Cyrus. You need it." She insisted. I sighed, crushing my Pepsi can in my hand. "I really don't feel like sleeping." I said, truthfully this time. She raised a brow, and I elaborated.

"I just don't feel tired. After getting this System, I've been able to go for longer without rest. I've gone for almost a month without a good rest before, and I kept working at my peak performance." I confided in her. In truth, I know what caused it, and it's still good for me to get sleep.

Gamer's Body and Gamer's Mind, being permanent perks for people with Systems like this, keep your body and mind running at their peak. A finger gets cut off? It'll grow back in maybe two minutes, tops, but a fair share of your HP will go missing. You get drugged? Gamer's Mind fights off the unwanted effects, and it fights off mental intrusion.

Mana frowns, and I remember she can read my mind. Well, that explains why she knew I didn't sleep, aside from my appearance, apparently. She laughs, and I frown. "Rude." I say lightly, using Force Levitation to dispose of my soda can.

"None of that excuses the fact that you need sleep, though." Mana says, refocusing the conversation. "And my body's desire to sleep can be fulfilled later. But for now? I should focus on training. I need to be at my absolute peak when the month is up." I counter.

"But you're still human, Cyrus. You need it." She argues. I look at her pointedly, and she sighs. "I know, not a normal human, but even you are gonna need sleep at some point." That was a valid point, honestly. I have no clue if Gamer's Body or Mind has a real limit to what it'll block me from.

She smirks triumphantly at me, and I slump, defeated. "Fine, I'll rest. I won't sleep, but meditation works just the same for Jedi, to my understanding." I compromised. Her smirk melted, but she didn't argue with my idea.

So I went to my bed, and sat on it, cross-legged, letting my mind clear out.