Chapter 22: Going for one last workout

Zero hesitated for a long time to tell his mother about his decision. During dinner, he finally got his thoughts together and spoke.

- Mom, I have something important to tell you, - he began, looking her straight in the eye.

- What's wrong, son ? - Alina looked at him, pulling away from her work, sensing the tension in his words.

- I have to go to training... - Zero said quietly but confidently.

- Again ? - Alina was upset, but understanding the desire to become the strongest, asked - For how long ?

- Mom, - he began cautiously, - It will take ... ten earth years.

- Ten years ? - Alina froze, her face filled with surprise and pain. - You've only just turned seven, and you want to leave me for that long ?

Zero was silent... Yes, he knew and could make many valid arguments in his favor, but he felt his heart clench.

- That unpleasant feeling again... - Feeling the pain, Zero thought.

- It's too dangerous, Zero, - she whispered desperately as she hugged him, - There was a neon storm recently, who knows what could happen.

- Mom, I'm not fighting mutants, - Zero said firmly, gazing into her eyes. - This is closed training, more like meditation.

- Meditation for ten years ? - Alina couldn't believe it, she couldn't even imagine it.

Zero looked at her with his deep gray eyes that always brought her calmness.

- Mom, this is necessary... I must become stronger, become the son who will protect you and the world. This is the last training. and it is necessary. - he said quietly.

Alina's eyes filled with tears. She knew Zero was special, but to leave him for another ten years when he had just started living near her? It seemed unbearable. But at the same time, she knew that her son had his mission, his calling, and nothing could stop him, she also knew: if he said this was the last training, it would be.

- Okay, - she whispered, - but before you go, let's spend some time together, every minute, every day.

- Sure mom, - Zero smiled, - we still have time, a whole year. After training, your son will always be by your side, no matter what happens.

He promised her that this would be the last training, but he realized that it wouldn't be easy. 'Absolute Training Technique' had to rebuild his body to a new level beyond normal human comprehension. It was a hard and agonizing process that not everyone could endure. But Zero knew: he was capable.

The year passed quickly, and Zero and Alina spent that time together, enjoying every minute of it.

They laughed, trained side by side, shared dreams and hopes, preparing for the future. Zero passed on knowledge and skills to his mother every day that she could use, teaching her various techniques, how to channel neons to increase strength and how to maintain inner balance during combat situations.

One day, after an intense outdoor training session, which they were used to doing more often than in training centers having gotten used to life earlier, in the forest, sitting on a hill, they watched the sun set over the horizon, casting golden rays on their faces. Alina looked tired but happy.

- Remember mom, only use these techniques if there is danger, - Zero said, looking at her with a smile. The techniques he taught her could destroy an S rank level in a few seconds, it wasn't easy to learn it, but in a year of training, she had achieved a good result, so Zero was proud of his mother.

Alina smiled, looking at her son gratefully.

- When you come back, I'll already be strong enough to surprise you, - she replied proudly.

Zero looked at her with warmth evident in his gray eyes.

- 'You're already strong, mom,' he said quietly, as if he was thinking out loud, 'You'll always be the strongest to me.'

Alina sighed a little, looking into the distance, and a shadow of sadness appeared on her face, but she quickly hid it.

During those long evenings, Zero had taught Alina how to handle neon energy in ways she hadn't before. She learned how to focus her power, recover instantly after a fight, and defend herself with confidence. She had also acquired a new weapon, an elegant purple sword that she and Zero had chosen together. It was light, but extremely sharp and saturated with her own neons. The main attribute was the lightning bolts that indicated the sword's speed. In this sword Zero felt a hidden power that resonated with his mother's power, although the sword was not cheap, it was devalued in his opinion.

- This sword, - Zero said as he showed her the sword technique, - will become a part of you when you put enough of your energy into it and learn how to use it, It will obey you as much as your body does. It will be the strongest weapon in the world if you learn how to use it.

- He's wonderful," Alina said enthusiastically, watching the glint of the blade and the occasional purple lightning bolt. She felt proud to realize that now she could protect not only herself, but also those she loved.

In the evenings they would sit by the fire and Zero would tell his mother about possible situations that could arise in his absence and how to proceed if she got into danger. He tried to anticipate every detail, and though Alina felt anxious, she listened intently, absorbing every word he said.

- If something unexpected happens, - he said quietly one day, - just remember everything I told you. Trust your instincts. You're strong, Mom, and I know you can handle anything.

Alina hugged him, and he felt her strength and warmth penetrating his heart. She was calm, but her heart clenched with pain, knowing that soon she would be alone.

- I can handle this, Zero. I promise you that I will get stronger. Until you come back, I won't just be a mom, I'll be your protector, - she mumbled, trying to hold back tears.

Zero hugged her gently, his heart overflowing with pride for the strong and wise woman his mother was.

- I know, mom. And I promise, too, that I will come back and never leave you again, - he whispered softly.

A year filled with warm memories passed like a blink of an eye. And though both knew that the time of their separation was approaching, they kept in their hearts the faith that they would meet again even stronger than they were before.

The day of parting came.

Zero packed everything he needed and headed for his destination - Everest, the highest and most dangerous mountain on the planet, where not even AVI would be able to find him because of the unstable neon streams, and it would be extremely difficult to reach him because of the strong mutants guarding the lands.

He hugged her goodbye, feeling her warmth.

- I promise, mom. I'll be back and I'll always be there for you.

- Take care of yourself, - she whispered, - and don't forget that I'll be waiting for you.

Zero smiled, gazing into her face that he would remember forever.

- I'll be back, mom, stronger than anyone, - he said.

He hugged her one last time, feeling the warmth of her embrace stay with him forever. Zero was going on a journey that would change him forever, his body would be able to take a piece of absolute power that would be more than enough.

As he walked, he mentally repeated the promise he had made to his mother, "This is the last training session, I'll be back, mom."