Chapter 9: Ritual

Ryland rubbed his temples, trying to process everything. "We need to make peace with all this new information," he said, looking around at everyone.

O'kuyo nodded solemnly. "It's a lot to take in."

Ryland hesitated for a moment before asking, "Can you explain more about the staff? The Summoning Staff, as you called it."

Alan chuckled softly. "Well, that's what we've always called it. Xavier himself never gave it an official name. The staff has three main functions: to fight, to store, and to summon."

Lambda interjected, "We saw the fighting mode earlier. The blinding flash of lights."

Alan smiled approvingly. "Impressive that you could wield it in Fight Mode, Ryland. Might be due to DNA compatibility. Xavier was the only one who could use it fully. The other Generals tried, but for them, it remained just a piece of metal."

Ryland's eyes widened. "So I can store and summon creatures also?"

Lambda chimed in, "Like the albino Dracula Bat. It seemed to really take a liking to you."

Alan nodded. "Exactly. That bat would be the perfect test subject."

The group moved to Ryland's room. Ryland was momentarily embarrassed by the mess but was surprised to find it spotless.

"Don't worry," O'kuyo whispered, poking Ryland's side, "I took care of it." He winked.

Ryland grinned. "I love you, bro," he whispered back, fist-bumping O'kuyo.

Lambda looked around the tidy room in amazement. "For someone who are famous to be lazy, you sure keep a neat space."

Ryland shot back, "I'm a well-mannered teen, thank you very much." He glanced at Alan and O'kuyo for approval.

O'kuyo hesitated but nodded, while Alan smirked and sighed. Ryland quickly redirected the conversation to the albino Dracula Bat.

With the room dimly lit, the bat remained calm as Ryland gently lifted the cover. Alan began explaining the storing process.

"For hostile creatures, Xavier would defeat them first," Alan began. "For creatures already charmed, he'd simply hold the staff to their head, close his eyes, and they'd kneel before him. He'd then give them a name, and they'd be absorbed into the staff as particles."

Lambda raised an eyebrow skeptically. "And you expect us to believe that? How could that bat fit into that staff? How often can the wielder store and summon the creature? And how many creatures can fit in that staff??"

Alan shrugged. "Xavier once stored a dragon in there. I've told you before , they used a technology from the Old World to create this staff. It's a technology that could bend space and time. As for the frequency and number of creatures, it's limitless."

Ryland nodded thoughtfully. "So, I need to name the creature?"

Alan nodded. "Yes. Xavier would often surprise us with a name during the first summoning."

Ryland took a deep breath, stepping closer to the albino Dracula Bat. It purred softly as he patted its head, trusting him.

Taking a deep breath, Ryland took a step back and held the staff, its end pointing directly at the albino Dracula Bat's head. Closing his eyes, he focused intently, trying to summon that radiant light or a surge of power he'd felt the first time he wielded the staff.

Opening one eye cautiously to check, he found the bat still staring at him, equally puzzled. Feeling a bit defeated, Ryland turned to Alan. "Is something supposed to happen? Did it work?"

Alan shook his head, "No, you need to concentrate, Ryland."

Closing his eyes again, Ryland tried to clear his mind. But with the day's tumultuous events, maintaining his focus was a challenge. O'kuyo, who had been quietly observing, slowly approached Ryland and whispered, "Focus on the Dracula Bat."

Taking O'kuyo's advice to heart, Ryland began recalling the moment they first met: the bat's life hanging in the balance, the deep scars marring its body, and its palpable fear. Suddenly, a voice broke through his thoughts.

"Master, Master okay?"

Startled, Ryland peeked and noticed the Dracula Bat had closed its eyes as well. Quickly shutting his eyes again, he responded mentally, "Is that you, albino Dracula Bat?"

"Yes, Master," came the reply.

Overjoyed and amazed, Ryland asked, "How can we communicate like this?"

The bat responded, "Staff did it."

Feeling a rush of affection for the creature, Ryland hesitated before asking, "Is it okay for you to stay with me? After all, we... we took your friends today."

The bat's voice came through again, "Me happy stay with master. Bats not good. Bats beat me every day. Me is white."

Despite the fragmented speech, Ryland understood and his heart swelled with compassion. "Would you like to be stored in the staff so you can come with me wherever I go?"

The bat chirped happily, "Me is happy if master take me everywhere."

Realizing he needed to name the creature first, Ryland pondered for a moment.

"So, from here on, I bestow upon you the name.... Erm... Wait.. I need to think this through," Ryland thought to himself. The bat's unique characteristics and its bond with Ryland swirled in his mind as he considered the perfect name.

After a moment of contemplation, Ryland called back the voice of the albino dracula bat. "Alright, from here on, I bestow upon you the name...!"

As Ryland uttered the name, the albino Dracula bat slowly transformed into small light particles, getting absorbed into the staff. Alan, who had been watching from the side, suddenly had tears in his eyes. Memories of Xavier performing the same ritual countless times flashed before him.

"You are exactly like your father, Ryland," Alan said to Ryland, his voice filled with emotion.

Ryland gave a warm smile and gently wiped the tears from Alan's cheek. Curiosity sparked in both Alan and O'kuyo's eyes. "So, what did you name it?" Alan asked, his voice tinged with anticipation. O'kuyo, equally eager, moved closer to hear the name.

With a mischievous grin, Ryland decided to demonstrate. Summoning the albino Dracula bat, he called out, "Come out, White Boy!" As the bat emerged from the staff in a cascade of light particles and gradually took its original form, Ryland noticed a change. The bat appeared cleaner, its wounds healed, and it even sported muscular abs.

In awe, Ryland turned to Alan. "What did the staff do to the bat?"

Alan explained, "It's what the staff does. It heals and restores the creature to its original state upon return."

O'kuyo couldn't help but interject with a teasing tone, "What's more important now is your bad naming sense. 'White Boy'? Seriously? What were you thinking? How racist can you be?"

Defensively, Ryland retorted, "Well, it's white, and it's small... White Boy is fitting. No racism intended here. We are all New Humans and monsters here."