Chapter 5 – The Warrior’s Road
Back at the monastery, Alex has been improving on mastering his powers. He has completed the first phase of his training, finding balance within, both body and mind, calming the Chaos Energy. Now he needed to learn the basics of his abilities. Omnius’ methods are more thorough than Aegis. Instead of pushing Alex to his limits to overcome his anxieties, he took a patient approach and allowed the boy time to figure things out for himself.
The first of his new powers he trained was his unlimited enhancing strength. Omnius started him off with something simple, a large boulder in the garden. Before Alex had difficulty partially lifting Jackson’s Volkswagen when he was changing the tyres. After obtaining his powers he lifted Zack off of the ground with one hand and minimal effort, and accidentally broke a few doorknobs and his alarm clock.
Alex, much to his own surprise, was able to lift the boulder up and over his head easily like it were an empty box. Omnius nodded in approval over his feat but had other objects bigger then the last for him to lift. His strength training mostly took place in an old, abandoned scrapyard, filled with ruined vehicles left over from The Monster War. Relics from the old London.
Every day Alex lifted a new object ranging from a big car, two cars stacked on top of each other, a lorry, even an entire locomotive. One would think he would struggle with some of these, but to Alex it felt like he was was lifting a barbell with the lightest weights on both sides. He could juggle three cars if he wanted to, but that would be pushing his confidence too far.
Alongside strength training, he was also testing the limits of his new speed and stamina. Things started off simple enough with Alex running through the fields with the wild horses, trying to beat them to the lake they drink from. Running faster than the horses was easy, it was slowing down to a stop he struggled with the most. The first couple tries he ended up running into the lake. Omnius was just sitting cross-legged on the edge with a fishing rod in hand, watching him fail over and over.
Omnius: Don’t put too much power into your legs so quickly, Alex. Start at a manageable pace first and pick up a little more when necessary. A driver doesn’t speed up on a road, he takes his time and brakes gently to a stop.
Alex shakes his head side to side, shaking off as much water as he can after climbing out. He wraps his arms around his body out of desperation to warm himself up.
Alex: G-g-g… Good point, Omnius.
Omnius: And remember, Alex, speed alone isn’t the main focus of this training. Your stamina is not limited to ordinary human level. Your body needs more time to get used to the idea of getting less tired every day.
Alex nods in agreement. His presumably unlimited stamina made it so he never feels tired until he’s been pushed himself to levels far beyond those of a regular person.
Another test was soon utilised by Omnius to see how far his body can go before collapsing from exhaustion. He had Alex run on the spot on a homemade wooden treadmill with a long piece of carpet under a dozen, perfectly rounded logs in slightly larger circular slots to allow them to roll.
Alex spent hours running on it every day, told only to stop when his body truly feels tired and can’t continue on. The top runners in the world can run for 24 hours straight without stopping, and the world record was 48 hours. Omnius didn’t want to push Alex too hard, but the optimistic orphan was determined to break that record.
He kept running on the homemade treadmill nonstop for almost an entire week, five days at max. Both Alex and Omnius were equally amazed that he was able to keep the same pace he started for that long without feeling tired. When he finally did stop it was near the end of the fifth day. Alex’s hands were on his knees, he was breathing heavily.
Alex: …Wow… Five… whole… days… That’s a… new record!
Omnius: Very impressive, Alex. I think you are finally ready for the final stage of your training.
Alex: Re- Really?!
Alex looks up at Omnius with a twinkle in his eye.
Omnius: We will begin tomorrow. Go get some sleep. You’ll need it for what is to come.
Alex felt a sense of worry over what Omnius has planned for him. Since this was going to be his final series of tests, he can assume they’re going to be more intense than everything else he’d done. But he is determined to face and complete them so he can finally leave the solidarity of the mountains and return to the life he’d left behind. It had been so long since he last heard or talked to Jason, Michael, Violet or anyone else. Hopefully they hadn’t forgotten about him.
The next morning Alex emerged from his bedroom and wandered out into the back garden wearing only his PJ bottoms. The results of all his training over the five months was shown in his toned chest and bigger arm and leg muscles. Before he was just a skinny kid, but now when he sees himself in the reflection of the pond by the waterfall its like he’s seeing a completely different person, but in a good way.
Omnius was making a new batch of tea from the leaves and herbs he’d picked from his garden and mashing them up in a small clay bowl when he came out. Today was a beautiful sunny day, all the flowers were in bloom and the birds were singing. Alex didn’t seem to notice until now that it was like this almost every day, only raining somedays compared to the rest of England. It was strange, but who is he to complain?
Alex: Good morning, Omnius.
Omnius: It is 12:30 in the afternoon, Alex. You’ve overslept.
Alex: Oh! I’m sorry, Omnius. I-
Omnius chuckles and waves his hand dismissively.
Omnius: It’s alright. You’ve been pushing yourself so hard these past few days. You deserved to sleep in just this once.
Alex: Thank you. You making tea?
Omnius: Yes, but it is not for you. It is for the final stage of training. Once you’ve eaten get dressed and meet me out front. For this training we need to go to a special place.
Alex: Um, okay.
Alex helped himself to a peach and an apple from the fruit basket and took his time savouring every sweet bite. The fruit’s juice dribbled down the sides of his mouth. He then had a drink of water fresh from the falls and splashed some of the cold water on his face to help him wake up more.
Once dressed in the proper training attire he meets his mentor out front and follows him through another cave far right of the entrance cave. The new path seems to be leading them further into the mountains.
Alex: Where are you taking me?
Omnius: To the one place where you can take all you’ve learned and put them to the test.
The duo see light at the end of the other side of the cave. Alex’s jaw was on the floor. Omnius had led him to a massive gorge in between the mountainsides stretching further down then the naked eye can perceive. It looks like it goes on forever.
Alex: What is this place?
Omnius: I call it The Warrior’s Road. This trench circles around from where we came from to the waterfall. You must navigate the trench as fast as you can, avoid all the dangers you encounter along the way, and make it back to the monastery without a scratch. This will show us whether or not you can instinctively use your powers and know the right time to use each ability. Since this is your first time, I’ll lead the way. All you have to do is follow me and keep up. If you succeed, and are still in one piece, then we’ll go on. If not, then we’ll have to go back to basic training until you’re ready.
Alex: I’m ready! I can keep up.
Omnius: We’ll see about that, young one.
He suddenly takes off and runs down the narrow entrance to the trench as fast as he can, taking Alex by surprise. Remembering what he told him, Alex picks up speed little by little until he was able to catch up with his mentor.
Alex: Told you I could keep up. I can go twice as fast as this.
Omnius: Speed isn’t the key to getting through the canyon. It’s agility and reaction time.
He says as he dodges around a low hanging dead tree caught between the cliff walls without looking forward. Alex wasn’t fast enough and smacks his head into the side, knocking him down. Omnius just kept on going instead of stopping to help him. This was part of the training. He needed to fend for himself.
Alex recovers and follows behind him. This time he chose to stay a few feet behind him so that he can watch his movements as well as see the path ahead. That way he can determine the best ways to avoid any more obstructions.
Alex: I’m still here, old man! I ain’t beaten yet!
Omnius: Oh Alex, we haven’t even reached the dangers of the road yet. environments like this are not just for sightseeing. They can also be your best weapon. But in order to use it against your opponent, you’ve got to master it yourself.
He said in a slightly amused tone. The path ahead starts to widen, allowing more room for mentor and student to run around in. But the first of the real dangers mentioned was coming up. Straight ahead was a rocky field of huge sharp pillars of quartz. They almost completely covered the ground and mountain walls, making traversal extremely difficult, but not for the wise elder warrior.
Omnius: I’d be careful through here. These crystals are razor sharp. Even the slightest graze is enough to cut through your clothes and flesh. If you’re lucky, you’ll only receive a few cuts. If you’re unlucky, however, you’ll get to see your own skeleton.
Alex was beginning to struggle with keeping up with Omnius whilst dodging around the sharp crystals. He was getting further away from his field of view. He needed to keep up, but his impatience causes him to get cut a couple of times on his arms, shoulders and legs. Omnius wasn’t lying about how sharp they were. Some of them he only grazed but it was enough to draw blood. Luckily, they didn’t cut him too deep.
He shakes it off and follows Omnius into the next section of the canyon. This one was filled to the brim with strange looking red plants spread out from one another by a few feet. Omnius gracefully steps in the gaps between them without slowing down.
Alex: What are these things? I’ve never seen plants like these before.
Omnius: Fire Nettles. The rarest and oldest plant to ever exist on Earth. Been around long before the dinosaurs. These are the last of their kind. They can be found nowhere else on the planet but here. I must warn you, like normal nettles, they pack a deadly sting. But theirs are ten times more painful. One touch, no matter how brief, and your skin will feel like its on fire.
And Alex thought the quartz field was bad. Once again, he was falling behind fearfully trying to get around each patch of fire nettles. Near the end his right leg brushes up against one of the plants and immediately responds as Omnius described. Never had he felt pain as intense as this before. It was too much for Alex and he had no choice but to take a knee and stop. But Omnius still continued on, getting much further away.
He can’t let him get away. If Alex fails, he’ll be forced to start again from the beginning and try again until he gets it right. No. He won’t let it come to that. He knows he’s ready now. Biting his bottom lip, Alex fights through the pain and races after Omnius who seems pleased to see him still following close behind.
Omnius: You’ve grown tougher than I expected. Good, maybe you can make it to the end.
Alex: This “Warrior’s Road” Is NOT getting the best of me!
Omnius: Confidence can only carry you so far, Alex. This next test will make sure you don’t forget it.
He leads Alex through another cave entrance up ahead. Alex learned his lesson from the last trail and kept his cool, choosing not to make the mistake of underestimating what he was facing next.
Inside the cave was pitch blackness. It was impossible to see where Omnius was, or anything for that matter. Not even the faintest spec of light. They were in complete darkness.
Alex: Ahh! It’s so dark in here! I can’t see anything!
Omnius: This section is called Black Hole Valley. In here your eyes are useless. You must rely on your other senses to traverse through it. Some people find a dark enclosed space disorienting, I hope you’re not one of them.
He can hear his words echoing all around him in the darkness, making it difficult to pinpoint where in the cave he was in.
Alex: I’m not, but that doesn’t mean I like- Ow! Damnit! That hurt!
Omnius: You can’t see them, but there are a lot of rocks in here. To get past them you must count forwards and take note where each one is until you reach the exit.
Alex: That sounds like a lot of- Ow! How can anyone do that?!
Omnius: Ants count the number of steps they take every time they leave their nest to keep track of travel distance as a sort of internal pedometer. Humans are capable of the same feat, if one had the patience to learn.
Unfortunately, Alex wasn’t paying much attention to this interesting fact. He was trying so hard to focus on Omnius’ voice but keeps getting hit by the rocks on the ground, ceiling and walls. Holding his arms our forwards to protect his face didn’t help him much as it only led to injuring them and slowing his progress.
It was getting too much for the teenager. Thankfully they were nearing the end of Black Hole Valley with the sight of the tunnel’s exit up ahead. Alex’s vision began to clear up the closer he got. He spots Omnius standing outside with his arms crossed, waiting for him. He slows his pace and walks out of the cave bruised and bloodied from the rocks. The wounds he gained from the sharp crystals still leaked blood and his leg was still throbbing from the fire nettles. He was not okay.
Alex: Phew… God that was frustrating! How many more of these are there?
Omnius: This is the last one.
Alex: Oh, thank God! That last one almost killed me! I’m surprised I’m not concussed, knocked unconscious or dead after getting hit so many times.
Omnius: That proves that your body is growing stronger… Your resolve, however, I’m not certain yet.
The turquoise haired man starts walking through a thick forrest path towards where the final trial is. Alex was falling behind, struggling to maintain balance with each step he takes. He was in really bad shape. He couldn’t even keep one eye open without nodding off. That last hit to the head rattled his skull so hard that he can’t see straight. Omnius stops and faces his injured student.
Omnius: Are you alright, Alex? Do you wish to stop and tend to your wounds?
Alex: No, no. I can keep going.
Omnius: You don’t have to force yourself to prove your worth. There’s no shame in stopping and-
Alex: I said no!
He raised his voice up at him in an agitated tone. But he quickly takes it back and apologises.
Alex: … Sorry. I know you’re worried about me, but I’m not gonna let a few cuts and bruises keep me down! When I’m in a real fight I need to learn to get back up! If I were to keel over and give up, I’d be letting down everyone whose relying on me… I can’t afford to go back to basics and waste another five months trapped up here. I want to earn my freedom!
Omnius sighs and uses his cloak to wipe off some of the blood on Alex’s face.
Omnius: I didn’t mean to make you feel like a prisoner, Alex. I just want you to be sure you’re ready to tackle the world’s problems. Apprehending purse snatchers and preventing bank heists is but a small part of becoming a hero. Most threats you face will be monsters. Some may be stronger than others. Stronger than you. There is no shame in taking extra training if you don’t feel prepared.
Alex: I know, Omnius. But I have to complete the training now. I have to, not for my sake, but for the people I left behind. I’m doing this for them as much as the world. I can finish the Warrior’s Road; I know I can.
Omnius: I see… Very well. You’ve done a good job making it this far and keeping up with me. This final test will show me once and for all if you’re ready to move on. Follow me.
They continue onwards. Alex shook his body about to rid himself of his dizziness. Further into the woods Omnius notices out the corner of his eye that the wounds Alex suffered are slowly healing. Alex was too focused on finishing the road that he hadn’t noticed. Little did he know that their talk was but another little test to see if Alex was seriously committed to becoming a hero. There will come a day when he faces an opponent far stronger than him. He needed to master the hero’s resolve to get back up no matter how many times they’re knocked down. Only when a warrior gives up is he truly unprepared for a fight.
Alex: So, what is this last test? It’s not something else that can deal more head trauma, is it?
Omnius: No. It is something simple that even you can handle.
Omnius suddenly stops in front of a brush of branches covered to the brim with leaves and looks over his right shoulder back at Alex.
Omnius: Before we continue, I must ask. Can you swim?
Alex: Uhh, yeah? I have done it before at the town’s public pool. Why?
Omnius answers him by pulling the branches aside and revealing a huge river flowing north. They were standing on the edge of a cliff with the river resting a few feet below them. Alex was in awe at the sight of it. The view from where he was standing was spectacular. He could see the monastery further upriver and realises the river ends at the waterfall in Omnius’ backyard.
Alex: Whoa. You weren’t kidding when you said its in a big circle. I can see the monastery from here.
Omnius: This is the river that flows into Eden Falls. Its current is very strong, impossible to swim against. I asked if you could swim because that is what you will be doing for this final test.
Alex: But you just said that the currents too strong to swim against.
Omnius: For a normal person. But you have speed and strength that can overcome it. You said you were ready to do anything. Were you serious or was it all talk?
Alex: I am serious. It’s just swimming, right? Compared to the other trials I went thorough; this should be a piece of cake.
Alex boasted as he warms himself up for the last test, hopping on the spot and stretching his arms over his head, loosening the joints in his muscles.
Omnius: Is that so? Then let's go.
Without hesitation, Omnius jumps off the edge and gracefully dives into the river so perfectly he didn’t make a big splash. Alex lets out a sigh of defeat. He was both impressed and jealous of his mentor’s form. There was no way he could dive in like that. Remembering that the point of this test was to keep up, he jumps in after him even though he was afraid at first. He hits the water hard, creating a big splash.
He starts swimming against the current as he believed to be told which proved to be very tough to do even with his increased strength and stamina. Alex kicks his legs as hard and fast as he can, but he hadn’t moved an inch from the spot he started. He turns to Omnius to ask what he is doing wrong but was instead surprised to see him swimming in the opposite direction with the current.
Alex: I thought you said I needed to swim against the current?!
Omnius: No, I said you have the power to overcome it. Overcoming the current doesn’t mean fighting it. Sometimes in life there are forces you can’t fight against. You can’t fight nature itself. It’s a losing battle.
Alex: Then what am I supposed to do? Let it take me?
Omnius: Exactly. Instead of fighting nature, use it to your advantage. When you’re in a real fight you have to fight smart as well as strong.
Sometimes Alex didn’t understand what Omnius was talking about when he talks metaphorically. He never understood that trope in fiction when it came to wise mentors of the protagonist. Why not just speak clearly and say the answer instead of talking in damn riddles?
“Then again, if the answer was just given away then the lesson isn’t truly taught,” he thought. It may be an annoying trope, but it does work.
Omnius starts swimming faster with the current, increasing his leg speed until he started to run atop the water. Alex couldn’t believe his eyes. He didn’t think it was possible for a human to run on water. They would need to run at 65 miles an hour to do that.
Alex tries it himself but can’t seem to move his legs fast enough to get above water before reaching the waterfall. Omnius valiantly leaps off of the edge and lands on the grassy ground by the edge of the lake on one knee, then he walks it off like it was nothing.
Alex: Damnit! Currents too strong! I’m not going fast enough! How did he- Oh no! No no no no no no NOOOOO!
Unfortunately, Alex couldn’t repeat it and goes over the waterfall and lands in the lake below right next to the monastery. When he comes up for air and eventually climbs out, he noticed Omnius sitting in his lawn chair making tea. He puts down his teapot and throws him a towel to dry off.
Omnius: Well done, Alex. You’ve made it to the end.
Alex: How did you run on the water like that? That shouldn’t possible.
Omnius: Anything is possible if you try hard enough. You will be able to do it too after a few more runs through the trench.
Alex: Wait, there’s more?!
Omnius: Weren’t you paying attention? Before we entered, I told you that today was just a practice run so you could memorise the area and the obstacles within. Tomorrow you will try for real on your own.
Alex: On my own?! Oh god, I’m gonna die tomorrow.
The next day Alex was well rested, healed up, and pumped to try the Warrior’s Road for real. Omnius explains that his objective is to venture into the canyon, dodge all obstacles, and run and jump over the falls and land at the end without taking any damage. He won’t be there to guide him through this time. Alex needed to layout and navigate down the path ahead all on his own, using only what Omnius had told him to guide him through safely.
He was about to head for the canyon’s entrance when he stopped to see his mentor setting up his tea making set on the porch of in the back yard by the lake, where he can get a full view of the waterfall and see Alex’s progress.
Alex: Is now really the best time to be making tea?
Omnius: It is indeed. I’m going issue you this extra challenge. You must complete the course unscathed before I finish my tea. Accomplish that and we’ll see if you are ready.
He says as he pours his homemade tea into his cup and drinks straight from it without blowing on it to cool first. Alex raises an eyebrow in confusion as he watched him drink the whole thing in one gulp.
Omnius: …Today you failed. Tomorrow you will try again.
Alex: Failed?! But I haven’t even started yet!
Omnius: Then maybe you should’ve begun before I started making it.
Alex: Okay, okay. Just make another one. I’m ready now.
Omnius: Patience, young one.
Was all he said in response before entering the building and closing the sliding door in front of him. Alex groans with annoyance and stomps off towards the training area to get in some Chaos Spear target practice as a way of passing through the rest of the day.
Alex: Whoever came up with the idea for Mister Miyagi must have taken inspiration from him.
The following weeks, Alex wasted no time taking on the Warrior’s Road, making sure to do it before Omnius’ teatime. He goes through the four sections of the mountain path several times, but he always manages to fail it on every attempt so far. Whenever he’s dodging the sharp crystals and fire nettles he’s forced to slow down, taking time off and failing the test. And when he goes through fast, he always makes it to the end with at least a few scratches.
Perhaps the hardest part of the road was the blinding dark cave and the strong river at the end. He counted up in his mind every time he entered but he is always interrupted by the rocks he bumps into. And he can never build up enough speed to run and jump off the falls without going over. It was frustrating work, but he refused to quit. More than anything he wanted to become a hero and use his powers for good.
Whenever he had free time on his hands, he mostly spent it in his room drawing in his sketchbook he brought with him. The pages were filled with different possible designs for the super suit he will wear when he makes his debut. Each design looked alright in his mind but didn’t feel fitting for the kind of hero he wanted to be.
He even wrote a list of what features his suit should and shouldn’t have such as, a mask that doesn’t cover his whole head, no cape out of fear of it getting snagged on something, what colours should it have, and what kind of symbol he should wear on his chest. One that children will draw in their books or on the walls while daydreaming to be as cool as him. He wanted his costume to be iconic just like all the great heroes he’s seen in comics and TV, something that people recognise as him when they see him.
He rejected one after the other until he was satisfied on the final design. A multicoloured suit with a red body, cyan arms, purple legs, a dark blue mask and yellow boots. The suit had white lightning bold patterns on the sides of the arms and legs and form an X on the chest and in the centre of the X was a large green emerald that acted as his symbol. He was very pleased with the final design. The only thing he was missing was a name. But he decided to hold off on that until he completed his training. He wanted to earn his hero name to make his new profession official.
Now he had something to motivate him further to compete the Warriors Road. On Friday during his third week of traversing the canyon he seemed to be doing much better then when he first started on his own. But when he reached the entrance to Black Hole Valley a new presence forces him to stop. He heard something inside. Something alive that wasn’t there before, nor should it ever be. The nervous hero in training gulps and enters the cave slowly, keeping his ears sharp for any more strange noises.
Alex: Hello? … Anyone there?
The noise sounds off again in response to his voice. It sounded clearer to him the further in he ventured. It was a noise that sounded like an animal growling. Suddenly, two bright lights appeared slightly to the left in front of him. Except they weren’t just lights, they were eyes. No animal had glowing magenta eyes as far as Alex knew. Those eyes belonged to a monster that decided to make this dark cave its new home. It was hard to make out its full appearance in the pitch blackness. All that he can see were its glowing neon-like eyes and circular patterns on its body and the inside of its mouth behind a set of jagged teeth.
The monster starts making its way towards Alex with an intent to kill the gullible prey that wandered into its domain. Alex’s instincts were screaming at him to either run away or fight it, but his body wasn’t responding. He just stood there, frozen with fear and holding his breath. The monster roars and swats him backwards with its pointed tail, sending Alex crashing hard into the wall of the cave.
Alex: I… I can’t move! Why isn’t my body moving?! Am I… going to die?!
The monster closes the gap between them and stands over Alex. It’s glowing eyes and mouth get closer to his face and the creature growls, causing Alex to close his eyes and look away in fear.
Alex: This is it. I’m dying alone in a cave so dark nobody will ever see my body… I’m never gonna see my friends again. Omnius. Michael. Jason. Violet… I’m sorry I let you down.
The monster raises its huge claws high, ready to deliver the killing blow. However, it was suddenly blinded by a bright light that filled the cave. The monster cowers from the brightness and cries out in agony. Omnius quickly rushes in wielding a double-bladed scythe weapon. In a couple spins, he severs the creature’s head from its body. The monster’s body and decapitated head quickly go up in a puff of black smoke as Alex opens his eyes and looks up. He sees Omnius standing where the monster once stood and catches his scythe changing back into the staff he’s always carrying around.
Alex: O- Omnius?
Omnius: Get up, Alex. You’re safe now.
He reassured him whilst offering him a hand up. Alex gladly accepted and get back up on his feet.
Alex: How did you know I was in trouble?
Omnius: I finished my tea a while ago. You usually make it to the end just after 15 seconds of entering. When I noticed you were taking longer than usual, I suspected something was wrong… Thank goodness I made it in time.
Alex: I- I’m so sorry, Omnius… I failed again.
Omnius: All that matters is that you’re safe.
He reassured him as he places his hand on his troubled student’s shoulder. He sighs deeply and suggests they called it a day here and returned to the monastery. Alex agrees and follows him out of the cave back the way he came. Omnius looks back at the dark cave one last time as they reach the exit with a concerned look in his eyes.
Omnius: They shouldn’t be here. It’s too soon… Too soon.
The next day after the incident in the cave was behind them, Omnius awoke from his futon in his chambers and yawns as he leaves to go check on Alex. But he was surprised to find his room empty.
Omnius: Hmm? He must have started training early.
He assumed and opened the front door. He searches the monastery ground for him, but Alex was nowhere to be found. He does, however, find a note sitting on the tray next to his tea set. He picked it up and read what it said.
“Dear Omnius, you’re probably wondering where I am. Don’t worry, I’m not running away. I can’t get back to the orphanage by myself if I wanted to, not without exposing myself… I just needed to go somewhere quiet to think. I’ll be at the top of that hill you brought me to last week. The one with all the rarest and prettiest wildflowers. Please meet me there, I have something I need to talk to you about regarding my future. From Alex. But you already knew that.”
Omnius sighs and carefully puts the note back where he found it. He travels south of his monastery and follows a hidden path among the trees in his back garden up until he reaches the top of the tallest of the mountains where a huge patch of wildflowers was blooming and dancing in the wind alongside the grass. He finds Alex standing near the edge of the highest peak looking out over the vast horizons of the english countryside.
Omnius: What’s wrong, Alex? Why have you called me here? You wish to speak with me? What is troubling you?
Alex: … I’ve been thinking about what you said all night and this morning. About whether I’m ready or not to become a hero… I thought I was, but after what happened in that cave… I’m not so sure anymore.
He briefly looks back at his wise mentor over his left shoulder with a look of uncertainty in his eyes.
Alex: Omnius, I’m begging you, please. Send me back to Hillside House.
This came as an unexpected surprise to Omnius. It’s not like Alex to give up so suddenly after showing time and time again that he was determined to complete his training. But he can see why he would all of a sudden.
Omnius: Ah, I understand what this is about. You don’t have to worry about the monster you encountered in the cave yesterday. I made sure no more will ever take refuge in the caves again. You don’t have to beat yourself up about freezing up like that either. Everyone starts off like that.
Alex: You don’t get it! I don’t wanna stop because of what happened, or because I was careless… I’m just- I’m just afraid!
Now it was his turn to look back on the past and delve into the Monster War from his perspective. Like Michael, he was very young when it happened, only 5 years old. He remembered taking shelter in the basement of the orphanage when it occurred, cowering with the other kids.
He and Jackson were in town doing some food shopping when the portals suddenly appeared in the sky, like they tore holes in it. Legions of monsters came out of them and were running amok in the streets. All around him he could see people getting killed by them, these monstrous creatures with a strong desire to kill all humans. It was too scary for a child to witness. Just thinking about that day causes his hands to shake.
Alex: I was very young when the monsters first arrived. I still remember everything I saw that day. People were screaming, calling out for help before dying in the jaws of a huge monster… I talk a big game, but deep down I’m just as scared as everyone else who survived that terrible war. But heroes aren’t meant to be afraid. They’re supposed to brave, courageous, and ever vigilant. But I don’t think I can ever be like that. I agreed to this, believing I’d only be fighting criminals like that mohawk guy, but then I remembered that I’d have fight monsters too. But I can’t! Whenever I see one, I lose my confidence… Omnius, I’m just too scared to fight monsters.
Omnius: You’re afraid of monsters, are you? That’s exactly why you must resume your training.
Alex was surprised by his reply. Omnius slowly approached him as he tells him about his beliefs on what a hero is. What a warrior should be.
Omnius: The most important asset for a warrior is not bravery or strength. No, it is a heart that fears conflict.
Alex: A heart that fears?
Omnius: That’s right. The heroes you watch on the television are brave because that is how they are portrayed. But in reality, warriors can feel fear when entering a battle. Even I get scared every now and then.
Alex: You, Omnius?
Omnius proves his point by putting his staff down next to where Alex was standing and walking to the very edge of the hill and sitting down, dangling his legs over the very high ledge. If he were to fall here, he would be falling many feet down until inevitably hitting the hard ground. Alex felt anxious just watching him, yet Omnius shows no signs of being afraid, at least on the surface.
Omnius: How could I not be afraid? Facing a monster, or even a random thug on the street, taking your life without warning or provocation. The thought alone is terrifying. Even sitting on this ledge looking down at the world below scares me.
Alex: Does it? You look pretty calm to me.
Omnius: Do not let my expression fool you. On the inside I am terrified of being in this position.
Alex: Then why do it? There’s a huge risk you could fall.
Omnius: The same reason why I choose to fight even though there’s a chance I won’t survive. Because it is something you have to do to protect the lives of those around you. Fear gives you the courage to raise your sword. It gives you the strength and will to fight for others, to save those who don’t have the means to defend themselves… To be afraid is to be human, but you cannot let fear completely consume you.
Alex was moved by Omnius’ words of wisdom. There was more he wanted to tell him, but he decided to return to the safety of the ground beside his pupil to ease his anxiety and picks up his staff.
Omnius: Alex, I’m gonna let you in on a little secret. The day the Monster War was ending, I fought the queen of the monsters herself.
Alex: You- You did?! Were you scared?
Omnius: Yes, but not in the way that you think. She and some of her minions invaded my home. I was outnumbered, but I stood my ground. I wasn’t going to let them destroy everything I’ve built here.
November 5th, 2015. The day the Monster War was reaching its end. Humanity’s union amongst themselves finally gave them the opportunity they’ve been waiting for to rise against their other worldly oppressors, take back their planet and avenge the lives they’ve taken.
During the war, Omnius was defending his home from the occasional monster that found and infiltrated his home hidden in the mountains. He made sure none of them would live to tell their leaders where he was. He felt no joy in cutting them down with his dual scythe. Instead, he pitied them.
He was cleaning the blood off of his weapon when more monsters emerged from the cave entrance, making way for their ruler. Oculus Abyssi, the queen of the monsters. She came here seeking sanctuary after being forced to retreat from the global alliance. Instead, she found the strange middle-aged man standing stoically out in the open without a care in the world. He wasn’t at all afraid to see her, not even surprised by her arrival.
No, she was the one surprised when she saw the look in the man’s different coloured eyes. For reasons she can’t understand, when he looks at her and the other monsters, he has a look of guilt. But why? What does he have to be guilty about? Was it for killing the other monsters? It wouldn’t make any sense. Why feel guilty for killing what humans perceive to be mindless creatures. Unless he knows more about them then anybody else.
Omnius: So, you finally arrived… Oculus Abyssi.
Oculus Abyssi: How do you know my name?
Omnius: I’ve seen you in my visions. I foresaw that your kind would invade our world one day, and I’ve been preparing for it… I just wish it didn’t have to end like this.
Oculus Abyssi: What are you talking about, Human?
Omnius: …You really don’t remember me, do you? You don’t even recognise this weapon… Then there really is nothing left.
Oculus Abyssi: I don’t know what you’re muttering about, but it matters not. You’ve killed some of my subjects and are standing in my way. Therefore, you must die.
She declared as she points her scepter at him. Omnius focuses his mismatched eyes on it, particularly the gem it houses.
Omnius: You are in possession of The Umbra Ruby. That explains why you still possess a mind. Unfortunately for you, it couldn’t save every part of it.
Oculus Abyssi: Your words have no meaning. My mind has always been clear and focused. And how do you know about the ruby in my scepter?
Omnius: As I just said, your mind is not all there. If it was, you’d know the answer to that question. That ruby belonged to the Gods. I didn’t think it still existed after all these centuries. How you managed to get a hold of it I do not know. But either way, I cannot allow you to continue abusing its power…
He quickly takes up a warrior's stance and readies his scythe to strike the monsters down.
Omnius: …So I shall take it from you.
Oculus Abyssi: Kill this human!
All the monsters charge at Omnius from all directions simultaneously, ready to pounce on him. The wise old warrior closes his eyes and steadies his breathing. Then, in a flash, he spins himself around with his blade stretched outwards. With swift motion, he slays all the monsters in a single strike. Their bodies fall backwards, forming a circle of corpses around him. He swings the blade again to shake off the blood clinging to its sleek surface.
The queen was mortified by his display of combat. No human she encountered until now has demonstrated this level of dexterity before. It took the combined might of several humans to kill just one monster. This man was up against eight of them, all different species and standing twice as tall, yet he massacred them in a single strike.
This angered the queen so much that she just blindly charges in and challenged him herself. She refused to be undermined by a weak human being. She lunged and swung her scepter hard and fast, trying to land a hit on him. But Omnius managed to dodge and block every one of them. That only pissed her off even more.
He was fighting her without even trying. That’s because a part of him deep down didn’t want to kill her knowing what he does about her and the others. All he can do is force her to drop the scepter and kick it out of grabbing range, disarming her.
Oculus Abyssi: How are you so strong?! Humans are weak, pathetic creatures! There’s no way I could lose to one like you.
Omnius: There’s more to humans then you may have initially thought. With enough strength, intellect and courage, a human could defeat any monster. That is how humanity will win this war.
Oculus Abyssi: What?!
Omnius: I have foreseen it. Humanity will reclaim this world today, and in time they will rebuild it bigger and better than before. Humans are not weak. They adapt. They overcome all that threatens them. And they always survive. It saddens me that you have forgotten that, Your Highness.
Oculus Abyssi: How dare you lecture me! I’ll destroy you with all the power of…
Oculus, enraged by what she heard, attempts to steal back the scepter Omnius knocked out of her grasp by summoning it to return to her hand. But it didn’t respond. She tries again and reached out for it, but still nothing happened.
Oculus Abyssi: Huh? What’s happening? Why isn’t the scepter responding?!
Omnius: It would seem the Umbra Ruby no longer finds you worthy to wield its power.
The ruby within the scepter starts glowing a bright red and conjures another black portal behind Oculus and flies out of his hand through it. Omnius raises his scythe at the dethroned queen, rubbing salt in her emotional wound.
Omnius: You’ve lost. Without the scepter, you and your kind don’t stand a chance. Fortunately for you, I would never strike an opponent who no longer possesses the means to fight. Part of me believes it isn’t too late to undo what’s been done to you, so I am allowing you this one chance to leave and return to your own world. If you refuse, I will have no choice but to kill you. You’ve already seen what I’m capable of when I’m holding back. You do not wish to contend with me at my strongest.
He delivered that last line in a way that sounded so menacing that even she would not dare think to challenge him without the aid of her powerful scepter. The portal behind her was beginning to close, as well as the ones the monsters used to travel to Earth. If they stayed here, they will inevitably be slaughtered by the vengeful humans she called weak. The mission she came here to carry out was far too important to throw her life away, and she still needed her army.
She had no choice but to telepathically order all the monsters to retreat back through the portals and return to their home dimension. Omnius allowed her to stand on her own and take her leave. She made the right decision. But before departing, she faces him once more and swears revenge.
Oculus Abyssi: This isn’t over, Human! Someday I’ll return and I will finish what I set out to to. I will get my revenge! You are strong, but I know you won’t always be around to protect this world when I do return.
With that said she disappears through the portal, and it closes in on itself. Every other portal that opened all over the world closed at the exact same time, cutting all connections between the two worlds. There wasn’t enough time for all the monsters to return. They were trapped on Earth, cut off from their leader, and forced into hiding.
Omnius: It was never my destiny to stop you. I will be setting another on that path.
Back in the present on the hill, Alex was listening carefully to Omnius’ story. He was so invested that he started to slowly forget about his insecurities on fighting monsters. Though there didn’t seem to be a point to this story about overcoming fear, at least that’s what he thought. Perhaps there was and he just wasn’t paying attention. Wouldn’t be the first time.
Alex: What happened afterwards?
Omnius: The portals to the monster world closed off and peace was restored. However, there are still monsters trapped in our world. Without their queen to guide them, they are forced to fend for themselves. That makes them more dangerous than before. Their behaviour is unpredictable. They could be hiding anywhere, attack when you least expect it.
Alex: That’s why I’m afraid to fight them. What if I’m, let’s say, in town with Violet and a monster shows up out of nowhere? If I freeze up like before she could die, or worse! I could never live with myself if she, or anyone else, died because I did nothing.
Omnius: Then take that fear and use it to give you the strength to protect them. Think about the people you care about. Think about how they make you feel. And your body will respond to your desire to keep them safe.
Alex: That’s it? I don’t have to put on a brave face?
Omnius: It’s all about balance, Alex. Too much fear can cause you to cower in the face of death. But too much bravery will lead to overconfidence in your abilities, which will lead to arrogance. Those who claim to be stronger than their enemies and show no fear when holding their swords don’t have the right to hold them at all… Alex, if you truly are afraid of monsters…
He places his hand on Alex’s left cheek and tilts his head up at him so he can look him straight in the eye.
Omnius: …Then you have already gained something invaluable to a warrior.
There was a twinkle in Alex’s eyes as he heard those words. He felt goosebumps all over him. That has to be the best pep talk he’s ever had with someone so far. Whatever was left of the doubts he had lingering in the back of his mind suddenly went away. He smiles and nods in response to his wisdom. He was more determined than ever to take on the Warrior’s Road once more, and this time he will do everything in his power to complete it unscathed and before his time is up.
The two of them soon leave the hilltop garden and return to the monastery. Alex quickly made his way towards the cave that leads to the start of the Warrior’s Road while Omnius started setting up his teapot to boil over the campfire.
Alex does a couple of stretches on his arms and legs first before getting down on all fours, taking a runner’s ready stance. His face wears an expression of determination and focus. Today is the day he completes the final stage of his training and become the hero he’s dreamed of becoming in his sketch book.
Alex: Omnius is right. Fear doesn’t make me weak. It makes me stronger. I must become stronger to protect the people of this world from the very thing I fear. Omnius was there to save me when I needed him. Now I must do the same for everyone else… no matter what the cost.
Chaos Energy sparks out of Alex’s body as he builds it up to help him navigate through the trench and around its obstacles. He quickly takes off faster than the wind blows, blasting down the narrow archway and into the field of quartz. He instinctively manoeuvres around each one without a single scratch, but now wasn’t the time to celebrate.
Next was the fire nettle patch. Getting through that fast required careful and precise footwork. The gaps between the plants were only a foot wide. He did have to slow down a little to get over them delicately. The shockwave behind his speed could easily blow them into his leg if he’s not careful.
Once he made it through, he enters Black Hole Valley. Like last time, he starts counting up upon entering. But this time he was able to keep track over where the rocks were. Time slows down from his perspective as he traversed through the advanced darkness. Using his sense of touch and hearing, he listened for the slightest change in vibration and uses his whole body to sense where a rock was. Once one was detected, he uses his super speed to shift his body to the side to get around it. He repeats this genius strategy a few times until he reached the exit.
From there his speed did not let up. He continued running until he reached the edge of the cliff and leaped into the river as far away from the waterfall as possible. His feet sunk only a few inches beneath the water’s surface before he starts running again. He was finally doing it. He was running atop the water.
Alex: I’m doing it! I’m actually doing it! Yeah baby! WHOO!
As he’s running, he continues to pick up speed on approach to the top of the waterfall.
Alex: This is incredible! I’ve never run this fast before. It’s almost as if my feet aren’t touching the… water?
He looks down at his own feet and notices that his body is slowly lifting itself off of the water and is now hovering at an even faster pace then before.
Alex: WHOOOOOOAAAAAAA!
Alex blasts off from the edge of the waterfall, launching into the sky like a rocket. The booming soundwave startled Omnius as he was about to take his first sip of tea, causing him to drop the cup and spill its contents all over the ground.
Alex kept on climbing higher and higher until he was soaring above the clouds at the same speed he started off with. He couldn’t process what he’d just done. If he hadn’t just done it, he would have never believed it. He didn’t even think flying was something he could do. His mind was as high in the clouds as he was. A plethora of emotions were running through him right now. Excitement. Hysteria. Confusion. And curiosity.
Alex: I can fly?! I really am a superhero! THIS IS AWESOME! WHOOHOO!
As magical this moment was, he realised that he needed to come down eventually. Fear starts to completely take hold of him once he looked down and saw just high he is. He felt all manner of uncomfortable shivers running through his whole body.
Alex: AHHHHHH! TOO HIGH! TO HIGH! How do I get down?!
His panicked mind tried thinking up ways to get him to lower himself back down to earth slowly so as not to fall. He suddenly recalls one of Omnius’ wise teachings echoing in his consciousness.
Omnius: To master your powers, your mind must constantly stay focused.
He follows Omnius’ teachings and takes a few deep calming breaths, trying not to think about the fact that he’s dozens of feet up in the air now. He eventually begins to slow down and descend back to the mountains. He guides himself towards the monastery, trying to aim for the open fields to make his landing. But then he suddenly realised there was another problem.
Alex: Oh crap! How do I land this thing?
His alling speed increases the closer he got. He tries to slow his approach using whatever methods came to mind, but nothings working. All he did was redirect himself towards the lake and hope it was deep enough to cushion his fall.
Alex: No no no no NO NO NOOOOOOOOO!!!
Alex crashes into the lake hard and fast, creating a big splash that reached all almost completely over the roof of the monastery. Omnius took shelter under the roof as the water came down like heavy rain. Thankfully for Alex, the lake was deep enough to catch him. He didn’t realise until now that there was a large underground tunnel that carries the water back up the mountain and connects to the river at the top of the falls. An endless loop of fresh, freezing cold water.
Omnius helps him climb out and places a warm towel over him. Alex wraps it around himself and shivers uncontrollably.
Alex: Brrrrr! Great! That’s the billionth time I’ve got my clothes wet!
Omnius chuckles to himself for a bit before congratulating him on his accomplishment.
Omnius: Congratulations, Alex. You’re finally ready.
Alex: I- I am?
Omnius: Yes. Your objective was to complete the road before I finished my tea. As you can see, I haven’t had the chance to take my first sip.
He points over to the spilled cup behind him. Alex’s eyes widened when he noticed he’s right. He stands up with the towel still wrapped around him.
Alex: I really did it. I really am a superhero now!
Omnius: Not yet. You have only mastered the basics of your abilities.
Alex: You mean there’s going to be more training?
Omnius: In time. But do not worry. The rest of your training will come sometime in the future. For now, use what you’ve learned to go out into the city and do what you can to protect it. Your basic abilities are enough to get the job done. The rest I will help you tap into for the greater threats.
Alex: So, I can finally return to the city. See all my friends again. Right?
Omnius: Your life is yours decide what to do with. You are more than free to return to your friends. Just remember to be there for the people who need you when Aegis can’t. And most importantly, never use your powers for selfish reasons, or hurt anyone who isn’t deserving of it.
Alex: I will, Omnius. You have my word on that.
As he says this, he thinks about the final design for his costume. His subconscious desires to make it real and his powers appear to respond to his wish. Threads of Chaos Energy seep out of his fingertips and crawl up his skin, causing him to drop his towel in shock. But he wasn’t in any pain. The energy strands continue to climb over his body until he’s completely covered. His body glows brightly, forcing Alex to shut his eyes and look away. The suit begins to take form over him, burning away the wet clothes he had on. It matched the design he drew in his sketchbook down to the even the tiniest detail.
On top of that, the energy also altered his outward appearance. His hair is now a completely different style then normal. A sort of wavy, wild style that reminded Alex of the generic, often ridiculous hairstyles of anime protagonists. It was now a lighter shade of brown compared to the darker brown he usually has, with green highlights on the ends. Alex opens his eyes once the brightness faded and reveals that his eyes have also changed colour from brown to emerald green.
Alex checks himself out from head to toe, examining every aspect of his super suit. He couldn’t believe how detailed and accurate it looked compared to the drawing. He then peers into the lake to look at his reflection and was surprised by the change in his hair and eyes. Not that he was complaining. He thought it looked cool, plus it would help conceal his identity more since the mask didn’t cover his mouth, ears and top of his head.
Alex: Wow! It looks just like my sketch. How did I do that?
Omnius: Your powers are an extension of your mind. You were picturing the design of your suit, and your powers formed it based on how you imagined it.
Alex: Awesome! Saves me the trouble of making it by hand. I’ve never been good with sewing. What material is this even made of?
Omnius: None that you know. Your suit is made up entirely of Chaos Energy. It will appear and disappear whenever you wish it so, and it cannot be damaged easily. Even when it does, the energy will repair itself.
Alex: Huh, kinda like Green Lantern’s suit… Anyway, now that I have my suit and my powers under control, I need to finally give myself a cool superhero name. Something significant to me. Something Iconic. And I think I have the perfect name. Since I have Chaos Energy inside me, how about Chaos Man? … Yeah, Chaos Man. I like it. What do you think, Omnius?
Omnius: I agree. It is a fitting name for someone with your extraordinary abilities.
Alex: Then its settled. The people of the world will know me as Chaos Man! I can’t wait to announce myself to everyone!
Omnius: Hold on, Alex. There’s one last thing I need to give you before you go.
He briefly steps inside the monastery, leaving Alex alone to admire his multi-coloured suit. He really liked how it looked but part of him questioned if it was maybe too colourful. He could always imagine a different design later and change it if he’s suddenly not happy with it. But for now, its fine as it is. Omnius soon returns with something in his right hand. On closer inspection Alex sees that he is holding a pair of gold ring bracelets.
Alex: What are these?
Omnius: Inhibitor Rings. Ancient relics designed by the Gods to conceal a warrior’s full power. You wear them on your wrists. They will keep you powers under control and keep your thoughts in check, so you don’t accidentally activate your suit in public whenever you think about it or destroy a city street when you land.
Alex: Okay, sounds handy enough.
Omnius: Once you put them on you must never take them off unless it is absolutely necessary. Chaos Energy is infinite. Your body will continue to grow stronger as you age. You must keep it at a manageable level at all times until the situation calls for you to go all out, understand?
Alex: I understand. Thanks, Omnius. I’ll be sure to wear them always.
He takes the bracelets from him and slips them through his hands and fastens them to his wrists until they’re locked in place. The rings’ effects kick in immediately and lower the amount of energy that is needed. The rings were also connected to Alex’s mind and will respond to his desire to distribute more energy when he feels its needed. As a bonus it made his outfit look even cooler.
Alex: Looking good. Thanks, Omnius. Anything else I should know about?
Omnius: No. You are free to put those powers to proper use. And I know you already promised this, but if you’re really serious about being a hero, you must only use your powers to protect the innocent. If the situation becomes dire you may be forced to kill your enemy. But only in defence of yourself and if there is no other option. Never as an indulgence.
Alex: I won’t forget. And I hope it will never come to that… Thank you for everything, Omnius. I’ll be sure to visit you every now and then. And when the time comes to begin the advanced training, I’ll be there.
Omnius smiles and waves goodbye to Alex as he slowly hovers off the ground and waves back before flying off into the distance away from the monastery. He is proud of Alex for mastering not only his powers but also grow out of his insecurities. He believes he is capable of facing the world’s problems and dealing with them humanely. But his teaching days are far from over. There are still many secrets Alex has yet to uncover. Powers he has yet to unveil.
For the time being, Alex was fine with the powers he has. He blasts off full speed towards New London. The heart of most of the world’s monster problems. He had a perfect bird’s eye view of the entire city. He’s always dreamed of being able to fly and see the world from above, like the birds that fly over his head every day. Now he’s making his dream come true.
Alex: Well, this is what I’ve been training for. This may take a while for people to get used to, but in time they’ll come to see me as someone who’s offering to lend a helping hand. Heroes don’t appear until the world really needs them. Today is the day one answers their call… Let’s show everyone down there, and soon the rest of the world, what Chaos Man is made of.
To Be Continued