Mechanical Ability

I had found myself, after my talk with Daniel, in some sort of gym that the Recluse came pre-equipped with. It had everything you could imagine so I got to work testing myself. Now, of course, training right out of the hospital isn't smart, but I needed to know what I could do.

If they were going to remove a part of me, then I'm going to make use of it. I was going to bring down this regime using the powers they gave me.

As I trained, I found that I don't tire like before. I can keep going until I suddenly fall to a knee, as a result of the wiring in my body getting too hot and some system or other kicked in and forces me to rest to cool down.

As it turns out, the Recluse has some form of security too. They looked similar to police officers, the white uniform and so on, but had a full-face helmet of some kind that I couldn't see into. I eyed them with caution, they both were armed with a kind of handgun on their hip. I didn't know what they were doing, it looked like a regular patrol, but something about it put me off.

They quickly moved on, leaving me to my workout... not that I could really improve much, my main limitation is heating up and that isn't something I can just improve just like that. I sat down, waiting for my legs to cool off.

I was there for a few moments until Juno walked in, who took immediate notice of me and walked over. Upon getting to within a few feet of me she smiled and spoke up. "Hey, Elias. Didn't expect to see you here. How are you?"

"Frustrated, annoyed, confused and just a little bored. I just finished up speaking with Daniel Raz and came here to figure out what I could do. Turns out I can't get more physically fit or my wires overheat." It was a major grievance of mine now. I had never been a major gym nut or whatever, but as a cop, I had to keep physically fit and now that was out of my control.

"Well, I know a good way of blowing off steam," She had a smirk on her face, and I guess my facial expression had betrayed me as she caught onto my curiosity. "Come on, there's a boxing ring in the back."

She grabbed me by my hand and dragged me to this boxing ring, where she promptly got in, beckoning me to do the same. "You ready to go?" Looking at her in a fighting stance, I couldn't help but be a little intimidated.

I got ready myself and nodded. It didn't take long for the distance to be closed between us, hardly a second. Juno lead with a high kick which I leaned back from with ease. I chose not to do anything and instead wait.

You see, I was being confused by my eyes giving me all these warning signs and status updates. One was my physical damage, another where she was tensing her muscles, one a prediction of where she may hit based on that information.

There was a lot of things to take in so I chose to take it slow and figure out what I can do. Juno, however, wasn't going to wait, this time a series of jabs and hooks all of which I blocked on instinct. and the last of which, a right hook, I grabbed.

Using her vulnerable state, I landed a couple of good jabs while keeping her arm in place. Juno tried to kick my shin while this happened, her augmentations keeping her aware of what was going on I assume.

My own augmentations kicked in however and just moved my leg to counter as I kept up the assault.

Soon enough I went in for a grapple, flipping her over using a hand under her arm and a sweep of the legs. She let out a grunt when she hit the canvas, but resorted to placing a hand on her forehead instead of getting back up. "Well played, Elias, didn't know you had that in you."

I smirked and gave her a hand, which she took. I pulled her up and took a couple of steps back. I shouldn't have been that strong fast or situationally aware. These augmentations scared me the more I used them. When I first got them I was more freaked out that I had them, which was easy to hide, but this... this was harder.

"It was a good fight, Juno. Thanks, it helped me blow off some steam." But I still had built up heat that I now needed to cool off. Nothing too bad, these systems were more heat resistant than you'd expect and I had been pushing them to their breaking point for about two hours prior to this.

The closest I could get is if you were to run a car for half a day at its top speed. It would be hot, it might still work, and it would be almost out of fuel. Thankfully those last two seemed to be negligible to me and I'm sure, with time, I will be able to manage the heat more effectively.

Juno had, by this point in my thought, left the ring and gotten a bottle of water from her bag. I left after noticing her departure and sat on the apron of the ring. "So, how long you been in here?" It was a question that had been bugging me for some time now.

"I've been in the Recluse for a little over two months now, why?" She eyed me, not suspiciously, more of... confused I guess. I don't really know.

"Just trying to make small talk. I don't know much about you." It was true enough. All I knew about how was her name and occupation. Sure I could go digging and figure out more but that doesn't seem fair.

"Fair enough." She didn't seem too interested in this line of conversation, and I had nothing to talk about, so I thanked her once again for the sparring match and made my way to my room, where I collapsed onto my bed.

Upon falling asleep once again, I found myself in the same location as last time. The man, covered in shadow, stood atop a flight of stairs while this strange crystal surrounded us. He walked down the stairs towards me.

I was unable to move, so I just watched him. "Once again you join me in my castle of ice. I ask you, Elias, seek me out, enact your revenge. Be a vessel for mine." His words echoed around the room I found myself in.

"The souls under the bleeding sun must be freed, and while my failure as a god is total, my power remains with me. Take it and dim the bleeding sun until it is no more." He was standing only a few inches from me now, his golden eyes piercing my soul.

Once he placed a hand on my head I awoke, in a cold sweat... well the closest to a cold sweat I could get anyway.