06-08-2015, 09:05 AM
Michael was not pleased. He knew Nikolai had little time to himself and could not meet the demands of all of the Custody's concerns but to suddenly spring some mysterious "there is someone I want you to meet," on him was as annoying as it was vague.
Michael stalked the halls of the Facility behind his nervous white-coated guide like a caged tiger. The past six weeks had given him a new layer of experience to coat himself with. With that experience came confidence - and wariness. His time with the other Ascendants inured him to the surprise and uncertainty of facing another with his abilities. With that also came the realisation of how dangerous the Ascendant's could become. For all the familiarity he had gained, the vast unknowns of the Ascendant Power were felt all the more keenly.
His own ability was put in perspective. The weakest of his students would sometimes achieve things that even he could not. His province was combat, and provided a suitable enough buffer, but his weaknesses felt like glaring holes that - try as he might - he could not fill. Who knew what other Ascendants out there could do that no amount of practise could counter?
It was a troublesome question, but one he was comfortable in accepting.
The sterile hallway he was led down seemed unending and his escort had clear checkpoints several times already. Michael had taken it as evident that he did not have access to the full scale of the Facility, but this little stroll put his mind to work. Just exactly how big was the place? Could it span the entire city, or perhaps even branch out into the countryside? Probably not that big, but the possibility of other areas dedicated to all kinds of secret testing was...unnerving.
Eventually he was led to what he knew would be his destination. It did not take a strategist to understand the significance of an armed guard in the middle of a secured underground complex. Perhaps they did not intend to be seen as 'guards' but their presence screamed it.
He could hardly tell one area of the Facility from another. It all seemed the same to him. Stark, sterile and steely. As unpleasant as ever.
Michael ignored the exchanges between his escort and the others. He had learned that procedure did not endear itself to him. If his attention was needed, he no doubt find out.
Clearances were sorted and finally he was led to a solitary room that seemed to be the focus of the security. Michael did not need to be told this was where he was expected, and was in no mood to waste time.
"Thank you, do you have any further instructions from the Ascendancy?"
he asked.
"Not at this time. Please enter."
was the reply.
Michael nodded and waited as the door was unlocked for him. The guards backed away from the entrance as it swung open. Michael entered.
A brief glimpse of the room was all he saw, a monotonous cell that was a disturbing cross between prison and hospital. The small woman who occupied it pushed all distractions from his mind.
"You,"
was his flat statement. It contained recognition, but nothing else. Even without the Ascendant power he felt cocooned by the bubble that usually accompanied it. He had learned it could be utilized without having to actually grasp the seductive power.
This is what Nikolai wanted to show him? It could only mean one thing. "You actually tried to kill him?"
Michael asked, deadpan. There was no need to clarify who 'him' was.
He had not thought of the Atharim for a long time, and found his bitter hatred lurking beneath the surface rise. It was not enough however. He was far too weary to muster anger at this point, having spent so much time in this cursed place. His hands clenched under the black fabric he wore to stave off the cold underground.
"I don't know what happened, but I can't help you now. I doubt the Ascendancy would listen even if I tried."
"However, it seems Ascendancy has something in mind, summoning me to meet you. You might as well tell me what is going on."
Michael stalked the halls of the Facility behind his nervous white-coated guide like a caged tiger. The past six weeks had given him a new layer of experience to coat himself with. With that experience came confidence - and wariness. His time with the other Ascendants inured him to the surprise and uncertainty of facing another with his abilities. With that also came the realisation of how dangerous the Ascendant's could become. For all the familiarity he had gained, the vast unknowns of the Ascendant Power were felt all the more keenly.
His own ability was put in perspective. The weakest of his students would sometimes achieve things that even he could not. His province was combat, and provided a suitable enough buffer, but his weaknesses felt like glaring holes that - try as he might - he could not fill. Who knew what other Ascendants out there could do that no amount of practise could counter?
It was a troublesome question, but one he was comfortable in accepting.
The sterile hallway he was led down seemed unending and his escort had clear checkpoints several times already. Michael had taken it as evident that he did not have access to the full scale of the Facility, but this little stroll put his mind to work. Just exactly how big was the place? Could it span the entire city, or perhaps even branch out into the countryside? Probably not that big, but the possibility of other areas dedicated to all kinds of secret testing was...unnerving.
Eventually he was led to what he knew would be his destination. It did not take a strategist to understand the significance of an armed guard in the middle of a secured underground complex. Perhaps they did not intend to be seen as 'guards' but their presence screamed it.
He could hardly tell one area of the Facility from another. It all seemed the same to him. Stark, sterile and steely. As unpleasant as ever.
Michael ignored the exchanges between his escort and the others. He had learned that procedure did not endear itself to him. If his attention was needed, he no doubt find out.
Clearances were sorted and finally he was led to a solitary room that seemed to be the focus of the security. Michael did not need to be told this was where he was expected, and was in no mood to waste time.
"Thank you, do you have any further instructions from the Ascendancy?"
he asked.
"Not at this time. Please enter."
was the reply.
Michael nodded and waited as the door was unlocked for him. The guards backed away from the entrance as it swung open. Michael entered.
A brief glimpse of the room was all he saw, a monotonous cell that was a disturbing cross between prison and hospital. The small woman who occupied it pushed all distractions from his mind.
"You,"
was his flat statement. It contained recognition, but nothing else. Even without the Ascendant power he felt cocooned by the bubble that usually accompanied it. He had learned it could be utilized without having to actually grasp the seductive power.
This is what Nikolai wanted to show him? It could only mean one thing. "You actually tried to kill him?"
Michael asked, deadpan. There was no need to clarify who 'him' was.
He had not thought of the Atharim for a long time, and found his bitter hatred lurking beneath the surface rise. It was not enough however. He was far too weary to muster anger at this point, having spent so much time in this cursed place. His hands clenched under the black fabric he wore to stave off the cold underground.
"I don't know what happened, but I can't help you now. I doubt the Ascendancy would listen even if I tried."
"However, it seems Ascendancy has something in mind, summoning me to meet you. You might as well tell me what is going on."
"She saw a flaring halo around his head, radiant in gold and blue. It shouted of glory and power to come"
"No matter how fast light travels, it finds the darkness has always got there first, and is waiting for it."