Synthesis

'The very manifestation of one's essence is in their emotion. Without such, the basic human lacks an essential characteristic that would otherwise differentiate them from a hollow shell. Humans define their personalities through experiences that exhibit these emotions, allowing them to proceed in creating their own values and motives. It is such that starts from the root that is emotion, that distinguishes separate personalities. Emotions fuel the soul, and without it, humans lose the core that drives them forth to do what it is that they want to do'.

It was this concept that surged through Midas' head. He needed to properly understand the idea in order to create a visualization that he could grasp. But not only was it something that he needed to grasp, but something he needed to take for himself.

He closed his eyes and focused his mind, recalibrating all his thoughts into a singularity that would disregard all else. Doing so was somewhat therapeutic to him. It numbed the pain that coursed through his arms, and shallowed the deepening thoughts that dug to the center of his brain.

Now he needed to envision the essence that he'd absorb. The tempting essence that would fuel him as his own. The thought made him grin, but was immediately stored in the singularity that was the collection of his thoughts.

Now fully concentrated, he clenched his hand. Correspondingly, a coherent visualization was created in which he physically grabbed what he wanted as his own. It was a timid substance that was on the brink of collapsing. But he kept it together, manifesting it as his own.

The air in the room collapsed.

The Angel across him clutched his chest in pain. Through heavy breathing, he fell to the floor, gasping for air.

"How do you feel?" The Overseer asked.

"I'm not really sure. I feel… different," Midas replied, opening his eyes.

The Overseer pointed at the affected Angel. "You did quite a number on him, you should be somewhat revitalized. Test out your physical capabilities."

Midas nodded, walking over to a large orb that stuck into the wall. It was a bright blue, and looked refined. Midas retracted his arm, then moved forward unleashing the strongest punch he could throw at the orb.

The impact to the orb was met with a change in color; a dim red.

Midas looked back at the Overseer, surprised at his own untired state. "How was that Chamuel?"

The Overseer looked down at his tablet, analyzing the statistics. "Big improvement Midas. By successfully absorbing the essence of another one's emotional force, you were able to vastly enhance your own physical strength. The previous time you'd struck the orb, the result was a light orange; a minimum amount of damage. The result with your ability now is entering the red stages, meaning you're approaching lethal capabilities. Please take record of that Luke."

"Understood." A blonde man sitting at a computer nearby began typing on a document.

Midas smiled at the news. He looked over towards the other experimentee in the room. "You hear that Venus? I'm improving," he laughed.

"Don't you dare try talking down on me." He returned a glare.

"I'm the most capable person of their ability in this entire facility. Chamuel knows that full well, with his, All-Knowing-Vision or whatever, right?" He looked over to the Overseer.

Chamuel returned a serious look. "That's not how it works Venus. But I don't state against your claim, it just isn't a reality yet. Though it can be."

Venus rolled his eyes, making a sound of disappointment. "I'll make it a reality right now then!" He raised his arms, having his palms face outwards towards the other Angel that stood across from him.

"I'll show that imbecile…" He said under his breath.

Clenching his hands, he released an immediate draft of energy towards the Angel. The veins along his arms popped out, as well as along his neck and head. Venus was undergoing a lot of strain.

The Angel designated to take his attack was on the other side of the long room, further than Midas' was to him. The forceful blast was en-route.

"Almost there…" Venus felt his body weaken. The strike quickly approached the Angel, but right before striking, Venus felt his arms convulse. An enormous blast suddenly erupted where the Angel stood, revealing a cloud of dust.

Midas and Chamuel watched intently.

Did I do it? Venus thought to himself.

The dust unravelled, revealing the Angel who stood, untouched. Right in front of him, was an indented crater surrounded with debris.

Venus was immediately filled with disappointment. He looked over to Chamuel.

"Why didn't my ability connect?"

Chamuel sighed. "You lost control of it at the very last second, hence the damage done to the ground rather than him. As soon as you lost focus, your draft fell to the floor, blasting that instead."

"Tsk." Venus strayed his gaze.

"You need to put more emphasis on your mentality towards your ability Venus. It ISN'T a projectile. I'd rather you compare your ability to that of a guided missile. Keep control of it all the way through. Only until it strikes its target you can let loose."

Venus turned his back on Chamuel out of annoyance.

Midas watched Venus with mischievous eyes. "I want that power…"

Chamuel turned his tablet back on to observe the statistics. He then walked over to Luke who sat at the computer panel.

"Here are Venus' results for today's testing. Record it too."

"Yes sir," Luke replied, grabbing the tablet. He scanned the contents that filled the screen, then continued typing out his document.

Chamuel walked over to the two experimentees.

"Midas, Venus, your tests are done for today. You may return to your containments."

The two nodded, then walked over towards the room's exit. Two Seraphim stood outside waiting to guide them back to their room.

"I know my way back," Midas exhaled.

"Orders from Michael. Don't resist," one of the Seraphim said.

Venus rolled his eyes. "Ugh."

The four walked in a single row formation. One Seraphim led at the front, while the other kept up from behind. Midas was directly behind the one in front while Venus followed behind him.

Left. Right. Right. Straight. Left. Right. Left.

Midas had memorized the pathway to and from the testing chambers by now. He'd already grown accustomed to the living conditions in the artificial environment, seeing as he's been situated at the A.X.A. labs for about a year now.

"Been almost a year huh…"

The thought spiked an interest in his own roommate's past. Wonder what got Venus here? Midas thought to himself. He looked back at the arrogant individual. Venus returned the look, annoyed.

"Don't lay your eyes on me you imbecile," he snapped.

Midas rolled his eyes and turned back around.

They continued to walk through the white corridors until they arrived at the containment hall. Midas and Venus entered their shared room to settle in.

Midas sighed, dropping onto his bed. His arms were sore from the countless injections he'd received during his time here. His head would be piercing with even more pain if it weren't for the painkillers he was provided, or rather, that he stole.

He looked over to his roommate who massaged his twitching arms.

"They hurt?" He asked Venus.

Venus looked up and scoffed. "No."

"Pft. You suck at putting on a strong front. I can get you painkillers if you want."

"Painkillers? Since when were we ever provided painkillers for anything?" Venus snarked.

"We aren't. That's why I can go get them myself. They're just in the pharmacy near the other testing chambers. I got them the other day and the effect's still lasting till now" Midas said.

Venus sighed. "But if you get caught, I'll be penalized for your own doing too."

"And?"

"What do you mean and?" Venus stood up.

"I'll kill you if you get me penalized for your own degeneracy."

"Oh really?" Midas looked at his overacting roommate with a smirk. "Think back on the results of today's testing."

Venus flinched.

"Now say that again."

Venus kept his glare. Midas kept his smile.

The dense gaze met between the two was interrupted by a sudden scream down the hall.

"What the…" The two looked towards their containment's exit.

"I'LL KILL YOU!!!" A girl screamed. They peeked out of their room to witness the commotion.

Down the hall, a girl was seen being held back by an Angel. She tried to resist as a boy she was seemingly targeting walked into his containment room.

"LOOK WHAT YOU DID TO MY BROTHER! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT. I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU!!!" The girl screamed.

The Angel tried getting her to quiet down. "Vidia, I need you to calm down this insta-"

"ARGH!" The girl unexpectedly shook loose from the Angel's grasp and immediately ran into the room where the boy walked into.

The Angel quickly spoke into the mic on his suit. "This is Angel Unit 3235. Subject Vidia Yvox is assaulting subject Ian Sedia with intent. Backup requested." The Angel then quickly followed into the room in pursuit.

Out of interest, Midas walked out of the room and down the hall towards the action. Venus followed.

Thuds could be heard coming from the room, followed by more screams.

"LET GO OF ME!" Vidia screamed. "WHY DOES HE HAVE TO BE MY BROTHER'S ROOMMATE? IT SHOULD BE ME!!!" The shouting didn't stop.

The two bystanders peeked into the room. The Angel was once again trying to keep hold of Vidia as she flailed in anger. In front of them, Ian laid on the bed holding his face. Blood stained his hands and sheets.

Midas was suddenly shoved aside onto the ground. Numerous Angels ran past him into the room to help the one who held Vidia. She was now restrained by the hands of numerous Angels.

One more individual followed behind into the room, but in a much more calming manner than the rest. Her high heels tapped with each step. She then stood before the immobilized subject, who's temper quickly cooled upon seeing the Overseer.

Her white lab coat suddenly expanded into a wide array of sleek white carbon fiber wings. She looked into Vidia's eyes with threat.

"Ariel?.." Vidia merely spoke.

"Give me the rundown," she asked one of the Angels.

Angel unit 3235 spoke up. "Subject Vidia Yvox had a spike in emotion upon seeing subject Ian Sedia," he pointed to the injured boy in bed, "and began yelling words of threat. She then proceeded to resist my orders and ran into this containment room, injuring Ian Sedia out of what seems to be revenge for her brother, Gian-Luca Yvox."

They looked towards the other roommate who laid in bed across the room, unconscious. His entire body was covered with various bruises and burns of sorts. An IV drip was connected to his arm.

Ariel then looked over to Ian, who held his face that bled. She walked over and observed him.

"Facial injuries…" She said. Ian returned a glare back at her. Ariel then walked back over to the unmoving subject.

"Vidia, you did not make a good choice here." Ariel sighed

"But he-"

"Don't make any excuses." Ariel interrupted. "You'll be staying the night in a separate containment room situated on the other side of this ward. Angel 3235, request a Seraphim from Michael to keep watch over Vidia for tonight."

Ariel then turned back towards Vidia. "You'll be penalized for this tomorrow. Sorry."

The Angels then began carrying her out of the room and down the hall. Her anger resumed its state.

"WHY SHOULD I TAKE RESPONSOBILITY FOR HIS ACTIONS?! PENALIZE IAN, HE GOT MY BROTHER HURT FROM…" And her shouts echoed on.

"What a loud imbecile," Venus said.

Midas looked into the room at the injured Ian. "Jesus Christ, I didn't know she could get that crazy."

Ariel then walked out of the containment room and down the same hall, disappearing off into the distance as her wings slowly retracted back into her coat.

Midas felt an overwhelming flow of power follow her from behind. It spiked up a sudden sensation of desire within his soul.

"I want that…"