“So this is the supposedly epic ability that I could get should I choose to come back?” Zack said as he looked at the screen in front of him. His morning runs were much less boring when he was able to have a conversation with the living database thought projection known as Akma.

Eidolan Symbiosis Gain traits of an Eidolan that is connected to you.

Requires: Spiritual Ether essence blood infusion, Spiritual Ether essence bone marrow infusion

Favor cost: 50,000

He said “This might require a bit more clarification.”

Akma floated in front of him with a few more white hairs than usual “It means that you will be able to grow claws and fur in the same way that Hroyd does. Should you come back and get the surgery on your secondary body.”

Zack said “I don’t even understand what the Spiritual Ether is, and now you want to have it infused into my body?”

Akma fidgeted “How can I put this into a terminology that you can understand? Think of it like a parallel world of energy.”

”Like an alternate dimension.”

”No. It is very much a part of whatever dimension it is tied to, but it does inexplicably change by what actions certain intelligence’s in the physical world take.”

Zack said “Something like that exists in my own dimension and I’m just now hearing about it? This is the kind of knowledge that all of mankind needs to know.”

Akma said “And some of them do, they feel it whenever they meditate. That’s why I’m using the term ‘Spiritual’.”

“Fine you’ve convinced me. I’ll return to Akmadouric’s army.”

Akma raised an eyebrow “Have I? And what brought this on?”

Zack said “You’ve awoken my curiosity. I’ve learned much about existence since you came to this world and I would like to learn more. But almost dying was terrifying.”

Akma floated alongside him cross legged “Being sucked into a hostile dimension tends to have that effect on a person. But you should bare in mind that the one you went to, was not the worst. By far.”

“You’re a really bad salesman. You know that right?”

“Would you prefer it if I lied?”

Zack shook his head “No.”

After getting his affairs in order and switching to his secondary body, Zack was surprised to find out that he wasn’t traveling to his next training grounds by portal, but by plane. Made apparent when Akma led him to the air port.

Akma said “Buy a ticket for gate Y32. Your destination is located on one of the Pacific islands.”

Zack was surprised “I wasn’t aware that earth now had a suitable training base.”

“It’s a month old. The EDF really want’s favor currency, So they have spared no expense on the venue for the recruits to pass on their skills to one another.”

Zack walked through the South Korean airport and was about to take a walk on one of the moving sidewalks when Akma appeared before him and crossed his arms in an X, saying “Do not enter”

Perplexed Zack threw up one hand to ask “What gives?”

”You are fully capable of walking the three miles to gate Y32. There no other passengers for this flight, the plane will leave when you arrive and so there’s no time limit.”

“I suppose I am but I don’t want to.” then he walked through Akma to get onto the moving conveyor belt.

Akma called after him “Never miss an opportunity to strengthen your body. And with where you’re going, you’re going to want as strong of a body as possible.”

Zack turned around and ran in the opposite direction that the moving sidewalk was going “What are you not telling me?” then continued walking towards his gate unaided.

Akma crossed his legs and floated beside him “Truthfully, the Eidolan Symbiosis skill we talked about earlier is best used by a person who has as much biomass as possible, that way the changes are much less extreme, and much less painful.”

Zack stopped in his tracks “So I’m going to be undergoing intense physical training when I get there.”

“The most intense physical training that your body can handle. Before you just needed to be able to run away quickly enough when the coordinator sphere gets blown out of the sky and you survive the crash. But now, you are going to belong on the front line. Telling your Eidolans where and how to attack, then dashing in yourself whenever you see an opportunity.”

”So I won’t be a coordinator anymore? Hmm”

“To use you in such a role would be a waste. But depending on what Eidolans you obtain, you could rise to a mid-tierman very quickly.”

“Eidolans. Plural? How many could I potentially have?”

“It’s limitless, but if you get too many or if you get one with a much greater consciousness than yourself, then you could lose your mind. And father himself will have to put you back together again. Costing you a lot of favor that you don’t have.”

Zack let out a thoughtful “Hmm, I’ve always preferred to have vast multitudes of massed units rather than just a few elites.”

Akma said “But first things first.” then motioned to the highlighted path ahead.

Zack agreed “Ya, first things first.” and began the three mile jog to the airplane.

The twenty foot plane touched down on the fifty-square mile island of Talula. Zack stepped down the staircase of the small plane and felt the wind chill go right through his bones “They could have picked a better place.”

Akma said “This location was requested by the advisers of Akmadouric’s army. Are you familiar with the term resistance training? It’s not limited to just lifting weights, it also applies to enduring the outdoor elements.”

Zack just wiped the sweat from his brow, which he had worked up from the various exercises he had done on the plane, then gulped down some of his sports drink “I’m assuming I’m going to have to run again.”

“It’s another three miles and you haven’t even met the man who has been designated to train you. Oh, by the way, you should probably get there before nightfall, otherwise he will make you sleep outside.”

Zack shot the blue midget a look and began running as if his life depended on it “So now there is a time limit.”

Akma just smiled unapologetically.

The blazing sun shone brilliantly as it touched the water of the horizon. Almost gold yellows and deep reds painted themselves across the clouds. Light shades of pink could be seen on the edges of the red areas. And reflecting off the surface of the water. The incredible scenery made for a nice distraction from the agony of Zack’s run.

After two miles he stopped in his tracks and rubbed his eyes to make sure that he was seeing what he was seeing. Japanese men wearing odd clothing were swinging Katanas in perfect unison. Their heads were shaved but they kept a small patch of hair in the back tied in a knot. Each action they took flowed into another stance which then opened up a variety of options for the next possible move.

Zack asked “Why are those men dressed like Samurai?”

Akma said “Because they are Samurai. Father knows how to expend his willpower energy in order to revive the dead.”

Zack winced “So you’ve still got some surprises for me.”

Cheerfully Akma said “Oh they never end.”

Then he noticed the people in modern day camouflage military uniforms at the back of the training formation mimicking the movements of the Samurai without nearly the same amount of skill. Clearly they were EDF conscripts sent to train with the revived ancients.

Zack asked “Tell me. Why is there so much emphasis on melee warriors? Akmadouric could have revived any number of soldiers from wars that employed the use of laser guns, vehicles, artillery and any number of tools that are superior to a sword.”

Akma smiled “There are ways to make melee warriors viable. Why don’t you tell me what methods could be used. And remember, everything that you have a concept of is somewhere within the multiverse.”

Zack walked along the highlighted path and thought for minute before speaking “Invisibility, teleportation, faster than light travel, invulnerability…”

“Let me stop you there. Invisibility is possible but with the sheer amount of sensors employed by both sides, it can only be used in conjunction with…we’ll call them smokescreens so that you understand the concept. As for teleportation, it requires a great many high level calculations and a certain amount of control over a dimension in order to execute without complications.”

Zack muttered aloud as he broke into a run “Interdimensional warfare tactics 101…”

Akma continued “As a law of physics, matter cannot move faster than 99.99 percent recurring of the speed of light. Although there are ways around the law like bending space or becoming a being that isn’t made out of matter.”

“And invulnerability?”

“I’m sure that there is a material or even a being that could truly be considered to be invulnerable. But the odds of actually finding it or meeting them is one out of infinity.”

Just as Akma finished his lesson, Zack found himself at the bottom of a hill, the path had become inclined “You didn’t tell me that my destination was at the top of a small mountain.”

Akma shrugged “And it’s a good thing I didn’t. Since you don’t have much time left.” the sun was starting to go below the horizon.

Zack swore “Bloody hell.” then ran with renewed effort.

After only just a half a mile, Zack’s body hurt like it never had before. His legs felt like they were going to fall off, his chest was in pain and no amount of breathing would help. Even his jaw ached. Yet still he pressed on. Zack really didn’t want to sleep outside.

He made it to the last one hundred feet. And in his nearly delirious state, he began to see that the palm trees had strange holes in them. Most were not more than an inch deep but others looked like they split the tree in half.

‘Time to collapse’ no sooner had the thought entered his mind when his body lost all strength and fell down like a ragdoll. He had twenty feet to go. But it was twilight and not the true darkness of night. So he rationalized that he still had time.

After regaining some consciousness, Zack became aware of a rhythmic thumping sound. It was hollow and definitively wood like, then a ripping sound came after it.

‘Alright, lets find out what that is.’ Zack got up and walked the remaining distance.

A Chinese Buddhist monk in an orange sash was at the end of the path, standing before a tree in a fighting stance. But instead of clenching into a full fist he had one finger fully extended. Fast as a snake he struck the palm tree, his finger penetrating the wood for it’s full length before pulling back.

Over the monk’s head was the name

Sifu Lei Bao 12th century Shaolin monk

Zack had seen enough martial arts movies to know that ‘Sifu’ was Chinese for master “Um, you know that you can make a fist right?” he couldn’t think of anything else to say.

The monk turned around and spoke in an almost delicate voice “I am well aware. But right now I am practicing my finger punching.” then went back to impaling the poor tree.

The Sifu struck three more times, much to Zack’s slack jawed amazement and said “I was told to make enough rice for two people and I am glad to see that you have made it on time.

Blinking twice Zack said “I am grateful to be allowed to dine with you. But before that I would like a minute to collect myself first.”

Sifu Lei Bao said “As you wish.” then went inside of his home that was the spitting image of a Buddhist temple.

Zack turned on his blue friend “Seriously Akma?”

The little blue runt put on his best innocent looking face “This is the way that was determined to be best in order to train you. After all, you do have a mild obsession with Kung Fu and martial arts.”