Feeding the Shadows

The Resistance base cafeteria buzzed with conversation as Leo filled his tray with what passed for lunch, a protein-rich stew and a roll of bread. 

After four hours of shadow training, his body demanded sustenance regardless of quality.

He scanned the room for an empty table, noting the sideways glances and whispers that followed him. Word of his unusual abilities had clearly spread throughout the base. Leo had just located a vacant corner when a voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Mind if I join you?"

Leo turned to find a young woman in her early twenties. She had blonde hair and startlingly clear blue eyes that watched him expectantly. Unlike most Resistance members who wore combat gear, she wore a white medical coat over simple clothing.

"Sure," Leo replied, gesturing to the seat across from him.

She slid into the chair gracefully, setting down a tray containing a smaller portion of food than his own. "You're the shadow manipulator everyone's talking about."

Leo paused mid-bite. "Is that what they're calling me?"

"Among other things," she said with a slight smile. "Some are less flattering."

"Great," Leo muttered, returning to his food.

"I think it's fascinating," she continued, her initial shyness giving way to curiosity. "Such abilities are extremely rare. Most Awakened manifest elemental or physical powers."

Leo studied her more carefully. "You're a medical specialist?"

She nodded. "I'm the healer in one of the training squads." 

From what Leo had heard during his journalist days, unregistered awakened who skept military training and joined the Resistance would participate in training of groups of three meant to drill into them the fundamentals they missed.

The girl's eyes moved to his temple where the crystal shard had embedded itself. "Your case is particularly interesting."

"Glad to be a fascinating specimen," Leo replied dryly.

She blushed slightly. "I didn't mean—"

"I'm joking," Leo clarified, offering a genuine smile. "It's nice to talk to someone who doesn't look terrified of me."

Their conversation continued pleasantly, touching on the base's facilities and life within the Resistance. Leo found himself relaxing for the first time in days, enjoying the simple human connection. Just as he was about to ask her name, Marcus appeared beside their table.

"Break time's over, shadow boy," he announced cheerfully. "Neo's waiting with some new torture methods."

The woman smiled apologetically as she gathered her tray. "Duty calls for both of us. Maybe we'll bump into each other again."

Before Leo could respond, she was gone, disappearing into the crowd of people.

"Making friends?" Marcus asked as they walked toward the training area.

"Not really," Leo replied. "Didn't even get her name."

Marcus chuckled. "I'd tell you but I think its something for you to learn on your own."

They descended into the lower levels, Marcus chattering about various Resistance members and their quirks. As they approached the Shadow Box, Leo's curiosity got the better of him.

"How did you end up here, Marcus? Neo was GPA, but what about you?"

Marcus's perpetually amused expression darkened slightly. "I was a research assistant at Drake University. Three years ago, when I was twenty-two and working on my doctorate in theoretical physics, I made a breakthrough in Lumina cell research."

"What kind of breakthrough?"

"I discovered that Lumina energy is of another world. They connect to other realities." Marcus's voice took on a bitter edge. "Two days after documenting my findings, GPA agents ransacked my lab. They took everything, research, equipment, even my personal notes."

"They stole your work," Leo surmised.

Marcus nodded grimly. "When I filed complaints, I was blacklisted from every research institution globally. A week later, the Resistance contacted me. They'd been monitoring the GPA and knew what happened."

"So you joined up."

"Not much choice," Marcus replied, his normal tone returning. "Besides, the Resistance has better coffee than those places."

They arrived at the Shadow Box to find Neo preparing what looked like a meditation space, a circle of small, glowing crystals surrounding a simple mat.

"Like I told you before, we're energizing your cells," she announced. "Your shadow manipulation requires mental discipline as much as physical control. We'll start with Luminating."

When researchers had figured out what lumina is, they came up with a method to quicken how the body brings in the energy. This process is called Luminating.

Leo eyed the setup skeptically. "Meditation? I'm not sure sitting around is going to help me fight."

"Every Awakened needs to learn proper energy conversion," Neo explained, gesturing for him to sit within the circle. "This technique was developed specifically for Lumina cell regeneration and control."

Leo reluctantly lowered himself onto the mat, mimicking Neo's cross-legged position.

"Lumina cells function differently than normal human cells," she instructed. "They can be strengthened, multiplied, and recharged through proper breathing techniques. Most advanced Awakened do this subconsciously, but you need to learn the basics."

Marcus positioned sensors around them. "The principle is simple, atmospheric Lumina energy can be drawn into the lungs and directed to your cells through focused breathing. Think of it as refueling."

"Close your eyes," Neo directed. "Visualize the air around you filled with particles of Lumina energy. As you inhale, imagine drawing that energy into your lungs."

Leo attempted to follow her instructions, feeling slightly stupid. After several minutes of breathing exercises, he felt a faint tingling sensation in his chest.

"Good," Neo encouraged. "Now direct that energy from your lungs to your body. Feel your cells absorbing the power."

Leo concentrated harder, trying to guide the energy through his body. Suddenly, a searing pain shot through his lungs, causing him to gasp and fall over.

"What the hell was that?" he wheezed.

"Your first pull," Marcus explained, checking his readings. "Beginners often experience burning sensations. Your lungs aren't accustomed to processing raw Lumina energy."

"Try again," Neo instructed. "More gently this time."

For the next hour, Leo practiced the breathing techniques, gradually reducing the burning sensation to a manageable warmth. By the third hour, he'd fallen into a rhythm, his mind clearing as he focused solely on the flow of energy.

As his meditation deepened, strange images began flickering behind his closed eyelids, a space darkness. The familiar cold emptiness of the Shadow Realm that he'd grown to hate.

"You're learning," the Warden's voice whispered from nowhere and everywhere. "But still so weak. So human."

Leo's concentration faltered, but he forced himself back to the breathing pattern, pushing the whispers away.

"You cannot ignore what you are becoming," the voice persisted. "The shadows hunger for more than these pitiful exercises. Don't give in."

Time seemed to stretch. Leo lost track of how long he'd been meditating, the whispers fading into the background as he focused entirely on the energy flow.

When he finally opened his eyes, the room was empty. His body was covered in a black, ash-like substance that flaked away at his movement. A note lay beside him:

"Expected this reaction. It is the impurities you've released from your body. Take a shower and rest. Check the mirror afterwards:). —Neo"

Leo made his way to the washroom, curious about Neo's message. As he stripped off his filthy clothes and stepped under the shower, the black residue washed away easily, revealing his clear skin beneath.

After drying himself, Leo approached the mirror and froze in surprise. His reflection showed subtle but unmistakable changes. 

His skin appeared clearer and facial features more defined.

"So the stories are true," he murmured, recalling rumors that the Awakened tended to look normal than most people.

After a quick snack from the rations Neo had left, Leo returned to the meditation mat, determined to continue his practice. He had just settled into position when the door slid open.

Kaori Yamashita entered, her presence commanding immediate attention. The Resistance leader's eyes narrowed slightly as she observed him.

"Neo tells me you've made remarkable progress," she said without greeting.

Leo nodded. "I'm learning."

Kaori circled him slowly, her expression unreadable. "Five days ago you could barely form shadows. Today you maintained a full cloak for fifteen seconds and survived three hours of Lumina meditation on your first attempt."

"Is that good?" Leo asked.

"It's unprecedented," Kaori replied, her tone revealing both impression and concern. "Even natural Awakened require weeks to master basic meditation techniques."

She stopped directly in front of him, her gaze penetrating. "Your abilities are developing too quickly, Leo Voss. I can't help but wonder what else is accelerating your evolution."

Before Leo could respond, Kaori turned toward the door. "Continue your training. But remember… power without control is merely a weapon waiting to be used by someone else."