"Through years and decades. Make sure the memories never fade. A debt of a thousand years. That must be truly paid."

________________________________________________________

Skill List:

Kanji (lv0): Aspect of Energy: Electricity, Thermal.

{Skill points: 1}

[Full destructive power limit: Village]

Skills: [1. Infuse/Absorb] [2. Energy travel] [3. Energy trail] [4. Energy bolt] [5. Energy wave] [6. Energy blade] [7. Energy shield] [8. Energy dual conduit] [9. Energy healing]

Inventory: Geographic sphere, mechanical soap, spyware device, tungsten-infused nanotech silver chain, tech tablet (Portal) (Hide, Input, Output, Convert, Compress), night vision goggles.

Claire (lv0): Aspect of Creation

Skills: [1. Create (Slots: 5)]

Inventory: Black cloak, crossbow, crossbow bolt (modified with rotatenium), ammo pouch, Fanfics, mechanical soap, a spyglass.

David (lv0): Aspect of Form

{Skill points: 1}

[Range limit: Self]

Skills: [1. Expand (x2)] [2. Spikefacation] [3. Delay (1-10s)] [4. Shieldfacation] [5. Trigger] [6. Transform pattern Wave] [7. Net Transform] [8. Whip transform] [9. Blend around]

Inventory: Iron bat, AK -47, mechanical soap.

Amelia (lv0): Aspect of Reality

{Skill points: 1}

[Attack type: illusion] [Attack range: x3 field of view]

Skills: [1. Third-person vision] [2. Blurring Mirage] [3. Double] [4. Connect] [5. Vision Swap] [6. Disguise] [7. Flash Mirage] [8. False movement] [9. False Touch]

Inventory: Frying Pan, knife, mechanical soap.

Sarah (lv0): Aspect of Fiction

[Skill access: 1 skill for each item] [Conjured item 1]

Inventory: Mechanical soap, Nezha’s leopard bag (Nezha’s ring), a shovel.

Noah (lv0): Aspect of Emotion

Skills: [Emotion infusion] (Emotional requirement: High)

Inventory: Gilded axe, mechanical soap, a sharpening stone.

Diana (lv0): Aspect of Law

{Laws unlocked: Law of Friction} {Limit: Only manipulate small values}

Inventory: Mechanical soap, a pickaxe.

Adrian (lv0): Aspect of Knowledge.

{Connected Minds} {Info Extraction} [Limit: half of basic info}]

Inventory: Mechanical soap. rope.

Azan (lv0): ???.

??????????????????????????????

Inventory: Metal suitcase.

________________________________________________________

...

Kanji "You're in? What's with the change of mind?"

Dave "Yeah dude. Did the grinch's heart grow three times or what?"

Azan ~sighs~ and he gives his friend a hesitant look.

Azan "Due to certain... circumstances. I am pushed to join you guys. And... and I'm sorry to turn down your offer. Will you forgive me?"

Everyone smiles at his apology, and they come out to hug him. All except one, Kanji. It seems he wants to know more.

Kanji "Come on now. Tell us."

Azan "Fine! But if you guys are truly my friends then promise me. Promise me you won't tell anyone!"

Claire " Don't worry Az! Your secret is safe with us! Our lips are tied."

Claire follows up by doing the lip closing gesture with her fingers.

Azan "Ok. A while ago. Maybe around 7 or 8 hours... I don't know! I got attacked by that alien general, everyone was talking about. He stole something very dear to me and my father."

Kanji "Wait! No, you can't mean-"

Azan "Yes. It is his source of unlimited energy, and I... I let it slip from my hands! It's all my fault!"

Dave "That son of a bitch! Again, I tell you man he is just a coward! And attacking a normie is too far, dude!"

Sarah "Strange way to phrase it but I agree. That was a dick move."

Kanji "Any other details like what does this source look like? It can maybe help us track it somehow."

Azan "Hah! I can't believe I'm out here spilling top-secret information to The Hand of Japan himself. Then again our countries are close, so this might be alright."

Kanji "Seriously. That's what people call me these days."

Azan "Nah, only my dad calls you that. He says that you are the only person in the world that scares him. A phrase that was further solidified after World War 3."

Kanji "I don't know if I should take that as a compliment. We should get back to the source."

Azan "Ok, let's get back on topic. The source's appearance is kind of like a crystal, just small enough to fit perfectly in the palm of your hand. It has an orange hue, and you can see through it like glass. The crystal is completely indestructible and also emits heat, but not hot enough to scold a person. This heat however is special, it has the ability to freeze heat. This means any other source of heat coming into contact with the crystal's glow will have their heat pause at their current indefinitely unless the crystal is removed."

Azan's head looks down toward the lit-up city below, truly gorgeous in every way, and no place is lanced with darkness.

To this day, this very sight still fills Azan with inspiration and a sense of pride.

Azan "... Absolutely beautiful. Sorry, I got a bit lost in thought. Moving on, where was I? Oh right! My father has optimized the crystal to its full potential, by creating ten massive advanced thermal reactors underneath this very tower, "The Heart of Africa". He paused their heat at the right temperature, enough for the best efficiency while keeping them stable. These ten reactors are more than enough to power everything and they have stored a lot of energy throughout the years, enough to last forever... well now... "forever" is no longer a direction. Not until I get it back!"

He said as he raises his fist toward the stars in the sky.

He looks back to his friends, their eyes have widened from hearing his explanation. Azan looks surprised by this outcome.

Azan " You guys are shocked by this?!"

Dave "No dude. No. We ALL realize something, didn't you hear the story we told you this morning. You know about Lord Kin and his sons. That crystal is a....."

Kanji ".... Suntarus's soul shard."

He grinds his teeth and punches the side of the helicopter, the force of which left behind a large dent, waking up the sleeping pilot. However, the pilot is too sleepy to think anything of it and so he ignores it completely and falls back to sleep.

Azan "I don't get... oh... I see the problem now. After all these years, I finally get to know what that crystal truly is. It's a shame that I don't even have the will to tell father about it."

Kanji relinquish his anger and focus on his sad friend. He puts his hand on Azan's shoulder and gives him a familiar look. A look that his father gave him many times when times were bad.

Kanji "Don't worry! We will help you get it back! It will be like you never failed."

Azan "I-I... you're right! We can get it back! But for that to happen, I guess we should start with activating my power-

Diana "Hold on! Sorry to interrupt, but something isn't right here. If you are a non-awakened wielder, then how did you survive a fight with that general?"

Azan "Right. I forgot to tell everyone that I have been biologically modified. To defend myself of course. In the end, I still lost and receive some "scars". Pathetic, am I right?"

Diana "No, you stood your guard against him alone. That is impressive! I'm sorry to question you, comrade. You are good to go for awakening."

AN "So are you ready, Azan?"

Azan "Ready AN."

AN spins the relic and it pauses on a strange dark symbol, its chaotic patterns illuminate a void-like shine.

They pressed hard on the relic.

A surge of power forces itself into his left leg, it turns to stone with haste and is engraved with black cryptic symbols.

The panel right of Adrian's panel lights up to show the view of Azan.

AN " Congrats! Sir Abara! You are now |1| The Aspect of Change |!|."

Azan "Ok. What do I do?"

AN "Azan, you are given this power because you decided to embrace your father's will for change. This power allows you to wear the mantle as the most important and most powerful wielder in the group. Almost like an Ace in playing cards.

Noah "Woah." "What?! No way!"

Amelia "Holy Bonkers! That's Bonkers!"

Azan looks at his hands and asks AN.

Azan "How so?"

AN "You must only activate your power at the right moment. A power to change ANYTHING in the universe. But you can do it once per day. And any change that falls under other aspects, you have to hold that aspect wielder's hand for it to work."

Dave "Holy shit! That sounds gay, which is good gachibass. That is also busted and broken as fuck. I don't know about you, they might have gotten that crystal or shard whatever but we got god himself on our side. Hell yeah, bro!"

|His chat spams gachiBASS|

Kanji "Dave. Think outside the box! It isn't that easy. This power is one huge responsibility and one wrong decision could be devastating not only to the enemy but also to us and the universe as a whole. I also think there is another catch to it."

AN "Spot on again, Kanji! Azan can only change something if he can imagine it, so he may need to see it for the first time or think really hard about what he knows. Secondly, his power only falls under the subject of "change". This means If you want something, You have to change a singular action or object to make it happen. It's a bit hard to explain."

Azan "It means I can't just say that the general never took the crystal. Right? I have to change one of his actions to end with that result. Such a bummer."

AN "Oh yeah, and the past is also off-limits."

Dave "Aw man! Not him too. Now we have three aspects fucked over by fate."

AN "Sorry. It's just how it is. Anyway, your scaling is the simplest of all the aspects. Each level, you earn one extra change slot."

Azan "That's quite good to hear. Now, everyone! I propose to test something."

Kanji "What is it that you want to do?"

Azan "I want to see if changing locations can work. See if I could just teleport everyone here."

Amelia "Couldn't we perhaps just ask AN to use the teleporting option? Wouldn't be much faster lad?"

Azan "I know but what if we are in danger or near death? Having an unrestricted escape option might come in handy. My father once said that we should always have a backup in any situation."

Kanji "I see no problem in trying. Besides, I believe we are strong enough to handle them even if you used up your change slot."

Azan "Just in case, we should teleport now and wait out the night. And tomorrow perhaps the change slot would refill."

Kanji "Good idea! The problem now is the person we picking up next. Out of everyone, she never talked much about her personal life or where she lives. Even now she is still unresponsive to my text."

Azan "Let me try to change our location to her instead. After all, gathering from what we know of her so far is that she wears an explorer outfit, metal jumper boots, and wears a safari hat. She's blonde with long pigtails from the back of her head and lay over her shoulders, she has a thin pale body, green iris, and carries a machete attached to her belt at all times."

Dave "Holy shit! Bruh, she looks like she is out of Indiano Jones!"

Noah "True." "Wow, yeah. Why does she wear like that?"

Diana "Knock it off! Azan is starting."

Azan "Before we go, we should just put a tracking device on her and go meet her in the morning."

Claire "Yeah that sounds good. Everyone needs a good rest, especially after waiting out here for so long."

Dave "True that, Cla'bro! Where we goin to go get the tracking device?"

Kanji grabs one out of the portal, Dave looks at him like "Are you serious, bro?".

The group's noise dies down, and Azan begins to imagine the girl in his head and slowly adds everyone one by one in his mind.

A large void begins to manifest, its abyssal maw swallows up the 9 warriors leaving nothing behind.

A worried father walks out to where the group once was.

Ada "Son..."

______________________________________________

Meanwhile back in space.

A couple of soldiers wait outside the command room.

They are intrigued yet frightened by how silent the whole ship has been. Eventually, one of the soldiers tests his luck, he proceeds toward the room's door and puts his hand on its access pad.

Beep! Access granted.

He walks carefully into the room, it is still silent. Strangely, the lights, the controls, and even the operating system were shut down.

Then he hears a strange mumbling.

The soldier thinks is coming from the command deck in the center of the room, so he begins to ascend the spiral steps of the deck's stairs. Each step feels like the stair got stomped multiple times by someone.

Finally, he reaches the top.

"Sir? Is that... Oh my god!"

He sees the general lying there covering himself in a white blanket, His right hand is bloody and his knife is broken.

KARNAT "What are you screaming about?! YOU FUCKING MAGGOT!"

"Urrr....umm... you're knife is...umm... gone."

KARNAT "I know. SO WHAT?!"

The soldier gulps and nearly trips back down the stairs.

"Never mind sir! I'm sorry! It's just that are we doing anything today or..."

KARNAT "No. Tell the troops to have a day off. I have some... things to think about."

"Oh... ok. I guess I'll just leave you it, my lord."

KARNAT "WAIT! Bring me some Mindredol."

"But sir that's for erasing memories, why would you-

KARNAT "JUST BRING IT TO ME!!"

"Y-Yes, sir!"

The soldier rushes down the stairs and skips happily back through the room's door. His actions are quickly followed by sounds of cheers and laughter that can be heard outside the room.

KARNAT "Fucking slackers."

He uncovers himself from his soft cocoon, in his right hand is a tinodium mechanical arm. Its design is reminiscent of that of gladiator armor with tubes running through it, which are all connected to an empty canister holder on its shoulder part.

Karnat puts it over his left shoulder, it clamps on tightly. Several needles jab into his flesh.

KARNAT "OUCH! SON OF A... Wait the pain is gone."

Karnat then grabs a glass canister from the back pocket of his legging. Its content contained a slimy purple-like substance, Karnat looks at it with disgust as he slowly puts it into his new arm.

Immediately, the substance flies through the tubes, powering the general's new arm.

KARNAT "Heh. The doctor sure knows how to bring gifts."

Karnat uses the new arm to gather the fragments of his broken blade into a pouch and then he falls asleep.

______________________________________________

Current time, it's about late morning.

Somewhere in the countryside of Victoria, Australia. A young lady is driving her Porsche along the peaceful road, trying to earn her long-awaited driver's license.

?? "Ok. Everything is going smoothly. I guess nothing will go wrong this time. I just hope they won't find out."

THUMP!

The girl's eyes widen.

She is too scared to see what she did. Then comes panic, she doesn't want to end up in jail.

?? "Oh no. Oh, God!... No. Maybe it was just a very large rock. Yeah! That must be it! Gonna be positive!"

She steps out to see what happened, there is nothing there.

?? "Whew! That's great! I didn't kill someone. I guess it was just a large rock."

Kanji "Actually. You would have killed someone if we were normal people that is. And there was no large rock. Only Diana."

She jumps back and turns around. There are like 9 people there.

?? "Stay Back!" "When did they show up?"

The girl then takes a closer look, they seem...familiar.

Then it clicks, and her eyes light up. She hug-tackle them. However, Her hands only manage to get about half of the group.

?? "OMG! Guys, you are all here! Well, except one. But it's still you are all here!"

Diana "Good to meet you, Mina...Wow. You are actually what you said you are, my friend."

Claire "Yeah, lol. Do you wear those every day or what?... Wait. Nevermind that. I realize we are still wearing the same clothes too. Who am I to talk lmao?!"

Mina "Well yes. I do wear this every day. But it's not by choice. It's essential according to our Explorath family's tradition."

Kanji "Explorath? EXPLORATH!"

Mina "Ye-Yes?"

Dave "Is that the last name of those two vloggers bro. You know the two MOST FAMOUS vloggers on the planet!"

Amelia "But I never saw you in any of their vlogs. Did they hide you on purpose?"

Mina "Yeah, being a daughter of celebrities is pretty dangerous these days. So they chose to not tell anyone about me. However, they do bring me everywhere they go."

Sarah "Right, your parents don't have a house lol since they have been country hopping for years renting hotels and whatnot. Well, that also explains why you didn't tell us about it."

Noah "That must've sucked. Being outside your whole life." "No, that life of adventure sounds awesome!"

Mina "No! It is actually super awesome!...awesome. Awesome"

Mina's smile shortly dips, but she puts it back up before anyone notices.

Mina "Anyway, adding on what I said. It is more dangerous now after World War 3-

Kanji "Because your parents started the peace movement against the war. It's funny, I have to congrats you for defeating me."

Mina "What are you on about... OMG! You're that Japanese scientist everyone is talking about! Wait. You were involved in the war!"

Dave "Yeah my dude here had the world in his hands once. Fucking sucked that you had to interrupt."

Mina "But Dave... aren't you an "American" streamer?"

Dave "Oh right! Lol. Never mind, I thank you for stopping Kanji. Pogchamp."

|His chat spams Pogchamp|

Someone steps forward, Mina looks over and her eyes are locked.

She sees Azan, and he sees her.

Azan "Lisa? No, your name is Mina, your real name that is. Who would've known after all those meetings over the years? That you were Mina all along."

Mina "We met thrice if I recall, I still remember eating those sundaes with you!"

The two laugh and hug it out, this situation causes the other to look at them with interest.

Kanji "Ahem... please explain this situation. Hopefully, it isn't another "we dated before scenario"."

Az/Mina "NO! It's not like that!"

Their faces grow red like a tomato, and the two let go of each other's hands.

Dave "Then why are you blushing, bro?"

Azan "It's an awkward situation that's all! Ignore Dave. Going back on what I said. Me and Mina met each other in three meetings all because of our parents. The peace movement created by her parents had many supporters, the biggest of which is Africa. To be specific, my father also wanted the war to end. So letting me and Mina meet was like a kind of like bonding method between our parents."

Kanji "That makes sense since your father must've desired peace. Now that this is clear, we can finally get to the real reason we are all here today. Mina, what we are about to tell you may shock you. Maybe even scare you, so you must be ready."

Mina "I'm ready! Bring it on!"

Kanji retells the event that occurred up to this point. Mina sits there, she isn't surprised she just continues to smile, though her eyes are twitching a bit.

Kanji ".... that's how we got here. Hah! This is getting more and more exhausting, the more I tell it! So... do you believe us or do you need evidence?"

Mina "No, it's ok. I believe you. I always knew that someday will be the day when I part ways with my parents. That is if they allow me to... today that is."

Dave "So you have no problem with it like seriously man? Like, what makes you believe our story? Was it because of your dreams or what, bro?"

Mina "No, it's not the dreams. It's because you guys somehow showed up out of nowhere in Victoria's countryside."

Dave "Oh. Bro that makes way more sense, Minabro."

Mina "Oh god! That nickname."

Sarah goes over her shoulder and whispers.

Sarah "Don't worry. You'll get used to it."

Kanji "I still want to know more about your dreams as well. It could be useful to us."

Mina "Alright, it is almost like Azan's dreams but your info was on a webpage. Instead of a giant salamander, it's a giant fleshy blob. And the last image shows a back of caping wearing prince."

Kanji "Great! More vague clues that will "definitely" help us. Now, I ask you this. Do you want to go with us?"

Mina "I know it might dangerous, life-threatening even. But I will get to be with my friends. That is a risk worth taking and it is all that matters! With you guys, I believe we will succeed no matter the odds!"

Claire "Awwwww that's sweet of you, Mina! Come here!"

She gives Mina a wide hug. She gives one back to Claire.

Dave "Ugh dude! Am I seeing doubles?"

Diana "Good one, Icarus! Hahahahahaha."

Kanji "Ok, now that you officially going with us. It's time to activate your powers. Are you prepared?"

Mina "Yes! Kanji! I'm ready when you are, AN!"

AN "Alright! Time to get activating!"

AN spins the relic one more time, it spins and spins.

It stops on a five-armed clock, the symbol glows blinding pure white.

AN presses hard onto the relic.

A flow of power resonates within her right leg. It begins to turn into stone, and strange white symbols are being curved on her limb.

The panel right of Azan's panel lights up to show the view of Mina.

AN "Awesome! You are now X The aspect of Time X"

Mina "Ok! That feels sooooo weird. But I think it's good. A bit hard to explain this feeling."

Kanji "That won't matter. What we should know is what your powers do. AN, you can go ahead."

AN "Alright! Her powers allow her to manipulate time which is obvious. However, there are restrictions. First of which is that she can only come up with four skills for each level she earns. All of which can only affect the present and the future. So choose very wisely. Also, you will be glad to know that there is no limitation to the extent of your powers except that you could only have one skill going at a time."

Mina "Omg! That sounds so good! It will help a lot! Although creating the skills.... gonna take a while to decide."

Azan "Yeah, it will be also one huge responsibility-

She looks at Azan and then looks away. Azan sees that she is disturbed.

Azan "Are you ok? Mina."

Mina "I'm... I'm fine! Good as a daisy! Aha! Anyway, I have to do one last thing!"

She pulls out her phone and begins dialing someone.

Mina "Hello dad! Umm... ur... I... ur... I...I want to go somewhere on my own!! Wi-With my friends! For a long time!"

"Sure thing, pumpkin. Have fun and don't worry about us! We will be fine!"

Mina "Thanks, dad!.... Wow, I never thought they would just... No, this is good! This is great! Although dad did sound a bit strange. Must be those gumdrops, he's been eating."

She looks at her friend, giving a radiant smile.

Mina "Alright! Where are we heading next, guys?!"

Kanji "We are going to Germany, Frankfurt to be exact."

Claire "It's time! Yes, I finally get to meet my besty! AAAAAAAA!"

Diana "Woah, calm down there Claire... actually, go ahead. We all are excited since she is pretty much a second boss."

Kanji "Heh. That's is quite true. Just hope her patience still hasn't changed."

Dave "Lol, you picked her last because you knew she can wait, unlike us bro. Ummm, I have a question for, Minabro."

Mina "Go ahead, Dave."

Dave "Since you go to places all the time, like your entire fucking life. What nationality are you even?"

Mina "Since my parents are Australian, that makes me an Australian by blood! Although, I still don't get the lingo right at all. However, I'm a citizen of all countries."

Dave "Woah! What?! How does? HOW?!"

Mina "It's a long story. Like really really long story. Best kept for a later date! For now, we should just go."

Amelia "Before we leave. Mina, what were you doing with your Porsche? Were you taking an online assisted driver's test?"

Mina "Yes, I was. I have failed it multiple times in the past."

Amelia "Why do you need it, lass?"

Mina "Umm, it's for.... ur.... escaping. Escaping the view of course! Yes, escapin-

AN "ANFIONWONKJNISKHDIHWIOO GUYS NDCNFOCNWONDIHWONC SOMETHING'S NDONEOEHPOHBDOJHJ WRONG CNEIOHOIHSPFNNCOENNDJHH THE DEVICE NFOEDNDJKDKXCBJXKBFIUHIDJH SOMETHING NFRIBIODBSJIDEIHDHDIHD STRUC-

Kanji "AN. AN! Shit! Guys, watch out around us!"

They form a circle, but nothing happens.

Then their skill window pops up.

ERROR! ERROR!! ERROR!!! ABNORMALLY DETECTED!

| AUTO CRYO-PORTING ENGAGED|

Dave "Well shit. We dead, aren't we?"

The group gets forcibly encased in crystal, the slumbering masses now traveling toward Germany.

But not this Germany.