Chapter 17

The boy's weren't entirely sure of what they even saw, when everything returned to normal they were already inside the club's backroom with no one else around. 

Alexiel grabbed his head with one hand, it was like his brain had been starved of oxygen causing the link with his mind to begin to deteriorate. It made him wonder if  the suppression he felt was so powerful that it literally froze his blood still.

When they came too, Tristan was actually in his fully crystallized form. 

"Does your ability have a self preservation instinct? 

And see!? Hidden dragons, crouching tigers all around us, all the time!

Now do you see why we need to pursue the path of power at all costs!"

Alexiel was caught between humiliation and glee! He was already being unjustifiably rude with asking such a personal question and the other party taught him the weight of that question!

That's the lesson, something so simple having reality shaping affects!

"I see the world more clearly again. Maybe when the people of the world realize there is a mental fog all around them, constantly holding back layers of reality from their awareness… Will they then find the burning passion to obtain truth!?" 

"Who are you quoting?" 

Tristan was slowly turning back to normal. 

"Myself of course!

I don't know about you but the visuals I just got were so heavy! 

It was only a natural forest but the cycle of life and death was overbearing! 

The viciousness, the rage, the hunger, the insecurity!

But the lack of thought brought a sense of calmness to it all.

It's not that they are mindless beasts, it is only that they are consumed within their involuntary state. 

Thought's are generated from the unconscious part of our mind. Specific thoughts, conjured by our wills, are performed through an act of purpose! Through reason we determine what it is that we want, then on purpose we do the work to call forth that which will draw us closer to our power.

What does our power do? give us the means to actualize!"

Tristan just looked at Alexiel sideways. In truth they messaged each other a lot outside of school but the lengthy texts that Alexiel was prone to send would usually send Tristan spiraling.

"Give me a minute to get my bearings before you start leading us into the mouth of the abyss please."

Tristan took a survey of their surroundings while he grounded himself. 

"Hehehe not bad, not bad. I've never even wondered what a club was like during the day. 

I mean you get curious about what's happening at night with the long lines and stories everyone passes around online. This is kind of intense in a silent, abandoned kind of way. It's like these walls are shouting all the time but I don't hear any vibrato. It's a bit eerie. 

Alexiel half listened to Tristan, although he said a mouthful earlier and has been reassuring Tristan about his decision to join the vampire's he knew that it wasn't so simply being a cute face. 

At the end of the day he would have to one day be the shield for individuals like Kevin. Someone who obviously already had immense strength and yet still had reason to tuck his head down and stay out of sight. 

This was a world of powered people. Everywhere you look there was some hero stepping forth to save the day. But in reality that was all surface level stuff and Alexiel had decided to lurk in the undercity. This was a completely different environment and being a child wasn't an excuse for being ignorant. 

"I will create my strength!"

Alexiel didn't let them rest for long, he quickly led them through the back parts of the building and headed towards a maintenance hatch that was being guarded by a few more individuals. 

The guards greeted the boys and let them pass quickly. 

Tristan followed Alexiel down a long sloping path that was actually pretty narrow and not very comfortable to maneuver through. He couldn't tell if this was a naturally forming path or something made later as there were bloodstains and claw marks across the walls every so often. 

"Does the state know that such an unsafe structure is being used as an underground passage? 

Hmm probably not huh? So now I'm starting to see that maybe I have no idea what's really going on in the world all around us or even just under my own feet. 

Eh… sticking together through this is definitely our best option because I might get snatched up and eaten one day walking home and never even know why!"

Tristan was showing his nerves with his monolog. Alexiel of course knew he was saying it so that he could hear him, but it was without a doubt a sign of his anxiety being in such an unfamiliar place. 

"Listen Tristan. We're young I get it, but the news only shows us the horrors that cannot be easily covered up. wasn't there a school that was snatched up by one of the Kaiju just last year? 

None of us are safe; there are enemies and predators everywhere! I for one want to understand what we're dealing with so that I can prepare better for the tomorrow that will let me soak into my own peace."

At the end of the path, an old wooden lift could be seen that would take them the rest of the way down. Once they reached the bottom and walked out of the entrance, a huge cave came into sight. 

The cave was about 10 meters in diameter while the ceiling reached at least 20 meters above! This cave was rounded with many tunnels leading in different directions. Just as Tristan was wondering which direction they were gonna head in Alexiel let off a long whistle!

*Phweeeeee*

It rang out in every direction! The acoustics in the cave were insane! 

Soon footsteps could be heard coming from many directions. Men and women of different ages and appearances began to appear. When they stepped forth Alexiel rubbed the back of his head.

"Sorry to bother everyone, i just need to be led to the medical wing, i wasn't paying enough attention when i left the cavern this morning. hehehe!"

Not a single soul voiced any complaints and soon someone led them through 4 different passages! Tristan immediately hated the layout of their secret base!

"There is no way I'm living in such a confusing place! How much time have they all spent learning these tunnels?"

Alexiel just shrugged, it was actually the guard who offered a reply. 

"Young Master Tristan, most of us down here have heightened senses. It's not difficult to find the warmest, most crowded places, the places that smell of different kinds of water or food. places that are rarely visited stand out as well. 

When you know what you're looking for it's not hard, afterwards it's just about creating your own inner map. everyone navigates the underground a little differently in the beginning haha."

Tristan just rolled his eyes lightly. It's not like there were no mutants with esp or atavistic abilities, but what was he supposed to do personally when it was his turn to memorize the underground!

"When I figure this place out I'll definitely come up with a way that's better for everyone and still ensure our defense and safety!"

It's been closer to an hour since the boys entered the first passages that led to the underground caverns, they had only just gotten to the medical wing which wasn't far from where Alexiels Mother and sisters where staying.

 "Young master, your mother should still be inside, she doesn't leave too often."

With that the man made a bow and headed off. 

The boys knocked gently before walking in to find Alexiels whole family present, along with a woman in a lab coat. 

"Oh good, since everyone is here I won't need to explain several times. And this is the White Queen I presume. Nice to meet you."

Star sat up from one of the beds she was lounging on the moment she heard her brother's voice. It was odd though as she didn't say anything like she was in a state of shock. 

"I just walked in and you immediately started dissociating, what's happening? Angelica, can you wake her please."

Angelica just shook her head indicating Alexiel had guessed wrong. Since his request was denied and he made an incorrect assumption he changed his approach.

"Star, Honey… What's up? You ok?"

Star literally shook her head no but what she said was clearly in contrast.

"I'm okay… It's just… 

Brother you seem so normal…"

Alexiel chuckled, why wouldn't he be normal?

He smiled at Star and decided to sit next to her and asked what was on her mind.

"Why wouldn't I be normal?"

Star brought the blankets up on herself a little for security.

"Eh… you know… 

Everything with dad… 

And what you did to all those men that night…"

Alexiel's eyebrows shot up! 

"They told you what happened that night? You're like five, why would they tell you that?"

Alexiel looked around and Angelica and his mother had their heads lowered. This made Alexiel frown deeply. Why was everyone acting so meek! Don't lower your heads now, the child already knows!

Star grabbed at his shirt when she noticed he was getting ready to blame everyone around. When she had his attention she just shook her head.

"It's not their fault. when they brought us here to see you and keep us safe I ended up grabbing you and seeing into your mind.

It was very scary there. So much shouting! 

And the pain. THE PAIN!!

BROTHER YOU WERE IN SO MUCH PAIN! 

IT HURT, IT HURT ALL OVER!!"

Star went into a complete breakdown! Alexiel was frightened seeing his sister react in such a crazed manner. He was unsure of how to restrain her so she wouldn't hurt herself, but before things got out of hand she suddenly passed out. Strangely enough she didn't fall over onto the bed but was gently guided down softly.

Everyone in the room grew tense seeing such a drastic change in the situation.

"Relax, I've only knocked her unconscious. Her mind is still recovering and if she has a breakdown it could throw her back years in development.

Hello Alexiel, you may call me Dr. Grace "