The science of power

The elevator came to a stop and the doors slid open. Aniello was suddenly exposed to a busy room full of people in long black coats dancing around on a brightly polished metal floor. Some where at tables working on small boxes that were full of tiny mechanisms that when thrown at a wall sprung open and crushed it leaving a large hole. Another table had rectangular devices with glass-like displays in the middle.

Achille stepped forward into the room and the whole crowd halted and turned to her. Their salutes were perfectly in sync making one unified and pleasing sound.

"Madame Achille. What brings you to our lab?" asked an older man. He had tears and burns all over his coat and wore glasses with only one arm. A wispy, white beard scarcely covered his chin and what hair was left on his head was pulled back by some goggles.

"Professor Cladron, I am here on the business of showing this fine young man some of the tech you scientists had been developing. As well as seeing to any progress made with 'AC-3-2'. I trust this won't be a problem?" asked Achille. Although it was a 'yes or no' question, there was little you could've said other than 'yes'.

Cladron lead the two of them over to the table with the rectangular devices. He picked one up and held it up to Achille.

"This marvellous device allows us to judge a person's power by registering their connection to the omni-crystal-network. The higher or stronger their connection, the stronger, fester, and more resilient they are. Although, we're yet to find a way to distinguish what aspects make up what part of the connection. For example, they could be really fast and strong but a single punch could take them out. This person could score higher than the person who defeated them and..." Cladron stopped himself as a bead of sweat went down his large forehead. Aniello had watched as he had made eye contact with Achilles during his rant and froze.

He cleared his throat and made a look to Achille to see if he could continue.

"Demonstrate the device's capabilities." said Achilles.

"Well, it ranks people on a scale of 0 all the way to 1,000,000. Watch." he tapped the screen and a circle appeared around his finger. Some symbols appeared as well and they rapidly changed before coming to a halt with three symbols left above his finger. "Achille got a 798. Knowing how powerful they are, we can see that ranks higher than 1000 are far into the realms of gods or beings higher than them!"

"Very good professor. But we are short on time so I must usher you to take us to the main attraction." explained Achille.

Cladron made a half nod, half bow motion and led them to the other end of the room. There were three heavy metal doors. One forward, one left, and one right. Cladron took a key card out of his coat and put it up to the centre of the middle door. A holographic screen flashed to life and symbols of all kinds faded in and out all over the door until seven symbols turned green and an audible clunking and whirring as gears turn and the door opens. Cladron salutes and leaves the two to enter alone.

This whole tour, Aniello had been standing in amazement. Never before had he seen such technology and devices like the ones he saw here. He hadn't even said a word and blindly followed Achille around. But now his focus snapped back and he followed Achille into a heavily fortified cylindrical room with a large-ish tube in the centre.

Within the tube, is a pure black, crystallic liquid that was darting and clinging to all sides of it's prison. As he got closer to it Achilles placed her hand on his chest stopping him in his tracks as if he had just walked into a solid wall. The liquid suddenly burst outwards and filled the container before shrinking back down to a tiny sphere that floated in the middle of the tube.

"This is 'AC-3-2' or more commonly known as 'The Anti-crystal'. After 31 previous attempts at harnessing it's immense power, we were finally able to contain it within this tube. It's an anomaly caused by the universal reset that brought everyone back to life. The shards of the omni-crystal underwent a trial of sorts where they either doubled in size and power or negated themselves creating this substance. Any energy built up inside of it is instantly expelled in a destructive process where it will infinitely grow and swallow universes whole. Or at least that's what is predicted to happen." Achille took her arm off Aniello and began walking around the tube. "We plan to find a power source strong enough to super charge it and cause it to become one with the universe. Other universes of alternate timelines will fuse with this one creating an infinite universe. No more fighting over resources, no more fighting over territory, and a eradication of evil."

Aniello went to speak but Achille placing a hand on his shoulder stopped him.

"I'm very interested in you. You should know that. I believe that the other star points will be as well so I'm inviting you and your father to a meal. Just the seven of us." invited Achille. Aniello composed himself refraining from showing more emotion than was necessary.

"I greatly appreciate the offer and accept it with many thanks." replied Aniello and they left the room.

Cladron greeted them outside the room and closed the door behind them. Just as they went to move to the elevator, the metal door going left opened as a scientist wearing a black coat with a purple stripe around the upper arm exited through it. Aniello could see everything inside the room. Some scientists with the same coat design were working on large and small guns and shields. Another pair were working on a small sphere of metal with some prongs. But one thing stood out. A display showing what looked like a large axe with chains connected to it being melted down into the shape of two gauntlets.

The door closed but Aniello forgot nearly everything he saw inside and followed Achille's footsteps to the elevator.