Chapter 60
As Aaron was in midst of anger for being stuck at the front of a barrier with almost no food and supplies left, he remembered something which was taught to him by his physics teacher way back in highschool.
He said that most objects we see is 99.99% empty space. Because each object is made up of atoms and atoms have 99.99% empty space.
Theoretically, human body is mostly empty space too. And so too was the barrier.
If such was the case, why cant one empty space pass through another? It was a possibility.
With rejuvenated determination, Aaron began moving on this theory.
He first picked up a piece of stone.
He observed it in details till he had an exact replica of it in his mind.
Now he imagined his palm in another part of his mind. The same procedure followed till he had an exact replica of his hand. Now he imagined them to be empty. He willed it and supplied his magic power willing the stone and hand to pass through each other. He felt the stone was getting lighter. But the magical power applied on his hand has no effect.
He couldn't even effect his hand with his own magic? That's totally absurd. He knew effecting someone else with magic directly was difficult, but he couldnt even effect himself? He refused to believe it.
He have heard of life mages healing people. That was magic effecting people directly. How was that possible then?
Aaron took few long breaths and began with the procedure again. He took his time and started in the way the first time he did magic. He took his time studying the stone and his hand first.
He once again applied his magic power with a firmer will. He was almost forcing it now. He failed again. But the results were definitely better than last time.
Aaron spent next two days doing the same thing again and again. He had been disturbed a couple of times by the wild beasts, but he quickly took care of them and got back to what he was doing.
He knew he was nearing success and refused to give up.
He was finally able to succeed. But success came with a price. The magic cost was very high and the pain. The pain of the stone passing through his hand was something he didnt think was physically possible.
It didnt last long. It lasted only as long as the stone passed his palm and it didnt leave behind any sort of damage. But the pain was unbearable. It felt like molten steel was poured into his hands and that was what passed through his hands.
He never imagined it to be so painful. After resting well, Aaron tried it once more. Result was the same. He almost blacked out due to the mind numbing pain.
What to do? Aaron knew he didnt have any other option left.
He rested once more and had a little to eat. He took some time to gather his thoughts.
He stood up and approached the barrier. He put both his palms on the barrier.
He chose an area on the barrier, an area big enough for him to pass. Then he started with his palms. He willed his magic power to flow into the barrier and his palms. After some time he could feel his palms pushing through the barrier with such pain that Aaron knew that he wont be able to hold for long.
He willed all his magic power into his body and the barrier. He stepped through the barrier in one step and fell unconscious due to the pain.
Aaron didnt know how long he was unconscious for, but when he woke up he found that his body wasnt hurt anywhere. He had a severe headache though. That must have been because of the high amount of magic power consumption.
He surveryed his surrounding. He found he still had the barrier on one side, but he was sure he had atleast escaped the desolate area because on the other side he had lush green forest. He could see some light peeping through the dense covering of the trees. He could hear birds chirping and some insects making noise. The air was clean and fresh and the grown soft with grass. Aaron felt he was in a paradise. The scene was totally different from the desolate area. One barrier alone made such differences?
His throat was parched. He tried to open the spatial ring to drink some water. To his surprise the ring didn't work. He checked the ring. It was perfectly fine.
Did the barrier prevent opening of gates from one side to another? Ofcourse else the purpose of the barrier would be defeated.
Aaron atleast had a sword and two daggers with him.
Aaron gave a sigh and moved from where he was sitting. He still had a headache. He tried a basic telekinesis spell. He could lift small objects but the pain it caused in head was very disturbing. Aaron decided not to use any spells for the time being.
He walked forwards, opposite from the direction of the barrier. He hoped this forest wasnt like the desolate area. He would be dead for sure if it was.
He found a small stream as he went up ahead.
He tried to catch his reflection in the water. He was shocked at what he saw.
He saw a dirty young man staring at him. Dishelved hair full of dirt. Dirty face which looked liked was covered with soot with signs of a beard growing underneath. He looked down at his torn clothes and all the nicks and bruises over his body. He must be smelling as well.
After he had some water to drink. He got rid of his clothes and decided to take a bath.
Although he was still dirty after the bath because only water could only clean him that much, but he felt much better and lighter.
He tried to wash his clothes as well and wore them while they were still wet.
He needed to find something to eat. He was hungry. He didnt know how long he was unconscious for, but he felt like he hadnt eaten for over a day.
What to eat though? He had no clue what could be eaten or what couldnt be. He was no survival expert.
Well he was a survival expert in the desolate area with supplies.
But this was a forest. He didnt want to die of food poisoning after escaping the desolate area.
He continued to move forwards. Luckily he found the fruits similar to wild bananas on earth. He knew these could be eaten. The found the ripe ones and ate a few of them. It had seeds and wouldnt be appetizing to Aaron on normal days, but today he found it the best thing he had eaten. He was very hungry for one and he hadnt eaten anything fresh in almost 6 months. He had been surviving on dry rations for his time in the desolate area.
Aaron found the task of opening a gate too taxing for now so he decided to continue on foot.
He found a hollowed tree after going a little far. He thought it was a good enough resting place. The light was getting low and Aaron knew it would soon be dark. It was better to rest and continue next day when he could use his gates.