Chapter 15 - Awakening the Power

The following Monday morning, Lucia was in the Mirage Bar with her friends and the Radiant Ring members. She and Mead were sitting at a table close to the stage. Azel, Fen, and Nadine, on the other hand, were sitting down onstage. Percy and Petru were elsewhere in the cellar, taking care of other business.

"Okay, so," Fen addressed the two students, "I think tha best way ta get a start learnin' about yer powers would be knowin' how we learned ours."

"That makes sense," Lucia said with a nod. "It would be a good way to find out just how we're going to do this."

"Yeah, that's what I thought, too! So fer starters, Azel, how'd ya learn yer power?"

"Oh! Azel told me about this once!" Mead said. "It was about nine years ago, right?"

"Ah, yeah. I always liked reading stories and imagining the scenes in them, even back then. One day, I was in my room reading as usual, and the character I was reading about appeared right in front of me!"

"Really, love? It just sort of happened for you, just like that?"

"Just like that. I was so startled, I didn't even notice the halo over my head until minutes later!"

"Ha! I can see it now! Lil' barely teen noodle boy, tail rattlin' at tha sight a some stranger made by his own power!"

Azel nodded. "Pretty much, yeah. My parents burst into the room as soon as they heard it, and freaked out the moment they saw my halo. The illusion of an intruder in our home wasn't even their first priority!"

"I'd imagine they told you to never use your power again, love?"

"Heh, yeah, but we all know how that went. So anyway, that's my story, anyone else want to tell theirs?"

"Alright, I'll go next. It's not much of a story, ta be honest," Fen said with a shrug, "an' it's not nearly as funny."

"Did you end up learning it in the middle of a fight?" Lucia guessed. "I've heard powers tend to activate in situations like that."

Mead laughed. "You know, that does sound like how he would have learned it!"

"Spirits, I only fuckin' wish! Nah, it's not even a badass story like that. Tell ya tha truth, I was just a hungry orphan kid, half as old as I am now, growin' up in Kojiki."

"You were an orphan?" Azel asked.

"Yep. I learned my power by tryin' ta steal some food fer myself. Real easy way ta learn ya have a power made fer grabbin' things just outta reach."

"Wait, so if you were that bad off as a kid, how'd you end up with a whole arena and all those weapons?"

"Now that's actually a great story, but it's not important right now. So 'Dine! Azel an' I've both talked about ours, but what about yer story? I don't think I ever heard how ya learned yer power!"

Nadine shifted. "Well, love, I never told you because it's a bit uncomfortable for me to talk about. A bit of a whiplash in terms of mood."

Fen frowned. "'Dine, it, it can't really be that bad, can it?"

"It's… Actually really bad. To put it simply, Lucia's guess about Fen is more accurate for how I discovered my power…"

"Um, that's alright," Azel said, "you don't have to say anything else if you don't want to."

"Shit, I mean, ya don't have ta say anythin' at all if it's that bad! An', well, I'm sorry fer tryin' ta push it."

"Azel, Fen, thank you, both of you. But I really should tell you sometime, though."

"Hey, no worries, 'Dine! We've known each other how long, now? Whenever yer comfortable is fine!"

Fen gave Nadine a toothy smile, which she responded to with a faint one of her own.

"Right, so that aside," Lucia said, "it seems like powers can be unlocked in all kinds of ways. So how does that help us right now?"

"Hm, I think from just our examples, a strong want or a need would do it to activate your power for the first time. It's much easier to do it after that."

"So if we want to unlock our powers hard enough, they'll just come? That seems a bit too easy."

"If it were easy, love, I think just about everyone in Anduruna would know their powers. The important part I think is to focus. Azel, for instance, focused on bringing fantasy to life in his mind, while hunger was probably the only thing Fen could think about when he learned his power."

"So, it would really be something more like meditating on it, then?"

"Yeah, that sounds about right! Gotta get yer head in tha right place ta bring yer power out, an' keep it there 'til ya do!"

"It seems like about as good a plan as any." Azel said, nodding.

"Right, so to learn our powers, we have to meditate and focus!" Mead declared. "We should get started right away, then!"

"Wait, so, what should we be focusing on then?" Lucia asked. "I mean, it seems like when Azel and Fen learned their powers, they were already thinking about the things their powers are suited for. But Mead and I don't have a clue about ours."

Fen shrugged. "Shit, that's a good question. Ya got any ideas, Azel, 'Dine?"

"Ah, well, I think if we don't know what they do, it would be easier to think about why you want to learn them. Maybe have that be the goal you focus on."

Nadine nodded. "I'd have to agree with Azel. A strong why for it, well I can say I at least know that was important when learning my power."

"So we focus on why we want to learn our powers, that makes a lot of sense, really."

Mead smiled. "Then what are we waiting for? We've got a plan, let's get to work on it!"

In the time that followed the conversation, the group started clearing out the center of the bar, preparing a space for Lucia and Mead to meditate. When the preparations were completed, Lucia and Mead were both sitting cross-legged in the center of the bar. Fen had his power active, floating rings of tables and flat objects around both of them, and Nadine was on standby with her own halo up. Azel, having little more he could do but watch, sat off to the side.

"So, we're supposed to meditate on why we want to learn our powers, right?" Mead asked. "Is the stuff floating around us supposed to help with that somehow?"

"In a way, yeah, it's so if or when one of ya activates yer power, I can stop any stray bursts of energy or whatever."

Lucia nodded. "Hm, yeah, 'better safe than sorry,' right?"

"Yeah, exactly! An' 'Dine's got her power ready in case either a ya need ta be held down."

"For your safety as well as ours of course, love."

"And since I don't have a power that works for stopping anything, I'm stuck over here being useless."

"That's not true, Azel! Just being here is enough! I appreciate it, anyway!"

Azel smiled. "Thanks, I'm glad I can at least stick around for moral support."

Mead smiled back at Azel. Fen smirked and started to say something, but a stern look from Nadine shut him up.

"Well, now that that's all figured out, loves, I think it would be best if we let Lucia and Mead focus."

Everyone stopped talking, and the power users focused on Lucia and Mead. Both of them closed their eyes and started breathing evenly. Soon hearing nothing but the sounds of her own body, Lucia was left to her thoughts.

—

My power… why do I want to learn it?

I haven't really felt connected to everyone else here, and learning my power was supposed to help with that.

Lagging behind, a rift growing, and the power's supposed to close that rift. Simple, really.

But… it's not really that simple though, is it? Something like that's not just going to magically get better just because I know my power…

And what about Mead? She doesn't know her power either, but she doesn't seem to have the problem I've been having.

Azel, Fen, Nadine. It's not just their powers. What does Mead have in common with them that's letting her keep up?

It can't just be working at the Dry Vein, Azel and Percy are the only ones she has that in common with. It's not performing either, just what is it that she's got that I'm missing?

Lucia opened her eyes and looked over at Mead. She had her eyes open too, and seemed to be focusing on Azel. Lucia closed her eyes again and smiled faintly.

Mead probably wants to learn her power to get closer to Azel, maybe even to just know the feeling he feels using his power.

Wait, wasn't I thinking about that not too long ago? Just a couple of days, even? Something about the feeling of using their powers? Yeah, that's it! How could I have forgotten?

The feeling of freedom, of expressing themselves! And using their powers was how they did it! That's the whole thing that got me started thinking about learning my power in the first place!

Nadine said something the other day, something about powers being an extension of oneself. What if that's it? I don't just want to just know my power, I want to understand myself!

Who is Lucia Santoro? Who am I, and how would my power let me understand that better?

History… I love it, it's one of the most fascinating things I can think of. Knowing things about what happened in the past and how it impacts the now and the future… Knowing…

I… I want to know… I want to put everything together, like a big puzzle that becomes more beautiful with every piece put in place…

That's who I am, isn't it? And I don't know my power, so that's just another piece I haven't put in place yet. It's not a rift, just a hole in the puzzle!

That's it, really. I want to know my power. Not for anything special, just because that's who I am. I just want to know!

I want to know…

I want to know…

I want to know…

—

"Holy shit, 'Dine, Azel! Ya see that?"

"Ah, you're right, love! Look at that!"

"Spirits… she really did it, didn't she…"

Hours had passed since the meditation started. Lucia opened her eyes at the sound of the power users speaking among themselves. Noticing a faint light over her head, she looked up and nearly fell over in shock. A yellow halo was hanging over her head, radiating a dull glow.

"S-spirits… That's…"

"Whoa, Lucia! Your power! You did it!" Mead cried out.

"I, I really did…" Lucia drifted off, taking the thought in.

Silence lingered in the room for a few moments as the group stared at Lucia's halo. Finally, Fen spoke up.

"So, uh, what's it even do?"

"Nothing dangerous so far, it seems," Nadine said. "Still, keep your guard up. Lucia, could you try to focus on using your power, love?"

Lucia focused, and the halo's glow increased. She looked down at herself, hopeful to see any effects from her power.

~ Power awakened. Not a power with visible effects. ~

Lucia gasped. That wasn't a conclusion she came to, rather the words seemed to enter her mind out of nowhere.

~ Power of insight. Knowledge gained from seeing. ~

"Insight?" Lucia asked herself aloud. She turned her eyes to Fen.

~ Fen. Power active, limited force telekinesis. Injured, ribs broken from earlier fight. ~

"Um, Fen? Did you get hurt in a fight recently? Broken ribs?"

"How tha fuck'd ya… I mean, yeah, but… Wait, what's that gotta do with yer power?"

"I think… my power told me. When I was looking at myself, a thought about 'insight' came to mind. Something to do with learning just from seeing things."

"Well, love, if it's that, I suppose we don't have to worry about it going out of control then!"

Mead perked up. "Ooh! Can you use it on me? Maybe you can see what my power is!"

"That's a good idea, yeah." Lucia turned her attention to Mead. "Okay, let's see…"

~ Mead. Power dormant. Wants to learn it. Has feelings for Azel. ~

Okay, not helpful, that's all just stuff I already knew. Lucia thought, frowning. She continued looking at Mead, trying to focus on anything power related.

~ Power dormant. Inspired to want to learn by Azel's power use. Had a discussion over a week ago about it with him. ~

"Sorry Mead, I'm not getting anything useful. All it says is that your power is dormant."

"Ugh… Guess that's all it'll say until I awaken it then. All the more reason to keep at it until I do!"

"Well, until you do, I'll be here for you. We all will." Azel said with a smile.

Mead returned the smile. "Thanks, Azel."

Lucia smiled and looked over at Azel. Her power started feeding her simple information. After a moment, she blushed. Azel was quick to notice.

"You just saw something you weren't supposed to, didn't you?"

"I, well, yeah. I think so."

"Some deep dark secret to use in a future joke at my expense?"

"Kind of, yeah. In fact, I'm not sure I should even say it!"

"You found something that bad, huh? You know what?" Azel said with a laugh, "Everything I ever said about powers? I take it all back. Powers were a mistake, and you should exile yourself for the good of society."

Everyone had a good laugh.

"Seriously, though. I'm fine with it. It's just the way your power works. Just make sure to keep it to yourself, whatever it is."

"Ah, yeah. Sounds good. But that reminds me. If I went out in public with my power active, I really would have to be exiled. How do I turn it off, anyway?"

"Well, turns out that's an easy one! All ya gotta do is focus on cancelin' it out, or just stop focusin' on it at all!"

"Just like that, huh?"

Lucia paused and focused on canceling out her power. Her halo vanished shortly after.

"Wow, that really worked!"

"Yep, all ya need now is ta train in how ta control yer power, an' it'll be available whenever ya need it!"

"Okay, I think I could start working on turning it on and off now, to get a better feel for it while Mead keeps working on her power."

"Oh yeah! I completely forgot about meditating while you were learning about your own power! I won't have to start over completely now, will I?"

"That shouldn't be too much of a problem, love. As long as you are focusing on why you want your power awakened, it should come in time."

"Not to mention, there's still plenty of time before you have to go home, and we don't even have to do it today."

"Yeah, you're right, Azel! Still, I bet I could get it by tonight if I just keep trying!"

Lucia looked over at Mead and nodded. "You've got this. I did it, so I'm sure you can too!"

With that, the group shifted around. Fen moved the objects floating around Lucia to join the ones floating around Mead, as Lucia moved over to the group of power users. Mead resumed meditating, with Azel in particular keeping a close watch on her. Lucia started focusing on turning her power on and off.

—

The subtle whirring of Lucia's halo from being manifested and dispelled faded into the background noise as a few more hours passed in relative silence. Eventually, Lucia started using her power to see what its insight could tell her.

Rather than looking at herself and her friends this time, Lucia turned her attention to various objects in the room. A steady feed of information about the composition and state of whatever she focused on provided a suitable distraction to pass the time.

After a while, she looked back at Mead, getting the usual feed of "power dormant" and similar information. Still no update on her power activating. Why is it taking her so long, when I got mine pretty quickly?

Wait a minute, she thought. I was meditating on "I want to know," and I have an insight power. That's pretty much as attuned to "I want to know" as possible!

What if Mead's been going about this all wrong? Self-reflection worked perfectly for me and my information based power, but what if Mead has a completely different power? Would meditating even end up doing anything for her?

Lucia turned to Fen, who had been passing the time by making the objects he was floating around Mead orbit in intricate patterns.

"Hey, Fen?" She whispered.

"Yeah?"

"I think we might've told Mead to try awakening her power in a way that won't even work for her."

Fen paused in thought. His floating objects stopped moving around and lay suspended in the air.

"Ya mean since yer power's based on knowin' things, an' Mead's might not be like that? Fuck, ya might be right…"

"Spirits, I hope not. If I am, that means we made her waste an entire day with nothing to show for it. I don't think I could bear to tell her that."

"Hey, maybe yer wrong, maybe she just needs ta take a little longer. Hey, 'Dine, do ya think that's about right?"

Fen turned to Nadine, who was staring at the air just above Mead's head.

"You might want to rethink that, love. Ah, Lucia, just in case I'm seeing things, could you use your power on Mead one more time?"

"Okay, but I'm not sure that it's going to…" Lucia trailed off moments after looking at Mead.

~ Power awakening. ~

Lucia's eyes confirmed what her power told her. The faintest glow of a green halo could barely be seen over Mead's head.

Azel beamed as soon as he noticed. "There it is! Your power! I knew you could do it!"

"Hm… Azel? Wait, my power?" Mead looked up. "Holy shit, I did it!"

Azel got closer to Mead, his smile never fading as he did. Her halo started glowing brighter as her excitement increased.

"I'll be damned, would ya look at that!"

Lucia smiled. "Heh, I guess I was worried for nothing!"

Just then, Mead's halo flared, and a billowing cloud of white smoke started appearing around her. Everyone's expressions fell in a mere moment. Only a few moments later, Mead was completely obscured by the effect of her power.

"Shit!" Fen shouted. "That's not a power I can stop!"

"Me either, love! I can't aim my power where I can't see!"

"Mead!" Azel cried, rushing into the smoke.

Lucia looked at the cloud with her power, and went pale.

"Azel, wait! My power says-"

He vanished into the smoke before Lucia could finish speaking.

"It's… an inhalant hazard… Mead… Azel… Oh, spirits…"