Prism Academy 5- Chapter 11 (Patreon)

Chapter 11- Battlefield of the Mind

That ended up being quite the experience. I suppose you never forget your first time with an android. Still, when we finished, she formed up her body and then created a suit of nanite armor around me.

“That won’t protect you nearly as well as I can, so please don’t go getting hurt. I feel so alive now and can’t imagine not having you. Thank you again for saving me.”

“That’s how Team Aden does it.” I spoke absent-mindedly as I was busy examining the nanite armor. My eyes got wider as the notification came up.

Bonded Nanite Armor- this armor can be controlled telepathically by you or by your cyber-bond, Eve. Your AI, ANOP may also be given access. The armor can change shape, but will move with your body. It is currently shaped so that extra mass is on your back. This is sufficient to create shields or weapons with, but note that destruction of nanites will drain its effectiveness.

Current nanite count: 150%

If the CNC falls below 100% the suit will begin to have diminished effectiveness. Currently, the suit is designed to provide optimal protection with minimal impact on mobility. Protection to mobility ration set at 25:75.

The suit is currently set to optimize your physical stats. The degree of optimization is relative to your base stats. The lower your base stats the larger the improvement you will see. The suit is also best at enhancing durability type stats.

Lifting +2%

Force Application +2%

Movement Rate +4%

Reaction Rate +4%

Agility +6%

Dexterity +6%

General Damage Resistance +4%

Stamina +3%

A second function of the armor is that it acts as a battery to store, progenitor energy. Current capacity is 1500. This will decrease as nanites are destroyed.

Further functions must be discovered via experimentation.

As I thought about it, I realized that gaining Sophia’s negative space evolution had just become even more vital. If I was able to store several suits worth of nanites, then I’d be able to enhance myself in a pinch. Anything I could get to gain an upper hand on Krig seemed worth it to me.

Then I also realized that this armor would be even more powerful for my other bonded. Their physical stats weren’t as high as mine so they’d stand to gain even more of an impact.

“Eve, thank you. This is a wonderful gift.”

“You’d been stuck with that old-fashioned X-gen suit for too long. I felt it was time for you to have an upgrade. Hmm.. what should I call you? I almost called you, lover, but I’m not sure that is appropriate. Master Aden is no longer what I wish to call you though, either.”

“Can’t you just call me Aden?”

“Yes, but data suggests that pet names are an important part of the relationship process. I guess, I will just have to try out a variety until I discover what works, snookums.”

“Ugh, no.”

“Of course she said that part, as the cocoon came down and Demis was already laughing. “Snookums? Yes, definitely snookums?”

Eve looked at her. “Are you certain sister-bond? I can not determine if you are jesting or being serious.”

“Oh, definitely, jesting. Sister-bond is it. That’s gonna take some time to get used to.”

Eve’s face lit up. “Would it help if I provided you with your own nanite armor? It would upgrade all of your physical stats and help protect you. My little love nugget doesn’t want any of you to get hurt, and I find that I seem to feel the same way.”

It was a miracle that Demis didn’t fall over laughing at the ‘love nugget,’ remark. She finally said, “Oh, I think we’re gonna be great friends, Eve. Let me introduce you to some of the other bonds. I know you sorta met them before, but we were in battle. And Aden has work to do, anyway.” She made a meaningful gesture with her head toward where Sybil and Hua were standing around Molly.

“Yes, I do. Thanks again Eve. Why don’t you see if you can make armor for some of the other bonds?”

“Will do, lover boy.”

I walked over to the bed where Molly was. She was still unconscious, and the psychics were working to keep her from being lost in a torturous nightmare.

“Any progress?”

Hua grunted and Sybil looked up at me. “We can’t do this forever. I don’t know why she is refusing to wake up. They can’t find anything physically wrong with her other than the missing arm. Yet psychically, her mind is stuck in that nightmare. Do you see anything?”

Rather than use my psychic senses, I activated Sense Energy. There was a very faint trace of Essence in her, but it didn’t seem strong enough to have any impact on her. I shook my head. “Not that I can tell. Can I join you psychically?”

Hua asked, “Like you just joined with the toaster oven?”

I stepped right up to Hua. She was almost two full feet shorter than me. I looked down at her. “I get that we’re all strained. I get that you lost a lot of friends in Mexico City. This sucks and I’m willing to cut you a lot of slack, but one thing I won’t stand for is anyone who talks bad about Team Aden. Eve is bonded with me even if it isn’t in the traditional sense. For what it’s worth, I’d rip into anyone who insulted you, too. You’re part of the team.”

“Yeah, but the bot still got laid before I did.”

I shook my head. “Soon, I promise. As soon as we deal with this thing with the government. You have my word. I’m sure Sybil will be happy to help.”

She grinned, but then said, “Can we get serious now?”

I nodded, then I pushed myself psychically into Molly’s mind. I knew I should expect a nightmare, but the scope of this was beyond what I’d expected. It was like I had stepped into an entirely new world, a world which was a hellscape.

As I entered Molly's nightmare, I was immediately struck by the overwhelming sense of despair and fear that permeated the atmosphere. The sky above was a roiling mass of dark clouds, lit only by flashes of eerie, red lightning that seemed to stretch from horizon to horizon.

The air was thick with the smell of sulfur and burning flesh, and the ground beneath my feet was cracked and littered with the shattered remains of buildings and bodies alike. I could hear the cries of agony and terror echoing through the desolate landscape, and as I walked, I saw the twisted, broken forms of the nightmare creatures that Molly had created in her own mind.

Each one was a terrifying amalgamation of familiar monsters, their shapes and sizes distorted and mutated by her fear and guilt. As I looked longer, I realized that this was a twisted and distorted version of Mexico City, as if someone had taken the entire city and forced it through a meat grinder. Buildings were nothing more than twisted wreckage, fires still burning in a way that defied the natural order. The sky was an angry crimson, casting everything in a bloody hue. Smoke and ash choked the air, making it difficult to breathe, even within this psychic space.

As I stepped through this hellscape, I could feel the heat from the fires and the roughness of the ground beneath my feet. The air was thick with the smell of burning and decay, an odor that clung to my psychic form like a second skin. I could hear the distant cries of people in pain, their tortured screams echoing through the ruined cityscape. The reality of it all me like a hammer. The heat felt real and seemed to affect me more than heat would in the real world where I was immune to heat.

The first creature I encountered was a monstrous, six-headed serpent that emerged from a pile of rubble. It was larger than any snake I had ever seen, and it moved with a sinuous grace that belied its massive size. Yet, at the same time, the image of the creature seemed to fluctuate and flicker. Its scales were the color of molten lava, and its eyes glowed with an inner fire that seemed to burn with hatred. As it lunged at me, I barely managed to dodge its snapping jaws, the heat from its body scorching my psychic form.

The speed was astounding. With my super speed, I should be faster than any organic being, but here in Molly’s mind there were different rules. I quickly realized that within Molly's nightmare, my powers were limited, and I had to rely on my instincts and wits more than ever. The monstrous serpent lunged at me again, its multiple heads snapping at the air where I had just been. I could feel the heat from its body, and I knew that if it managed to land a hit, the consequences would be dire.

I fought back, dodging and weaving through the ruined cityscape, trying to find an opening in the serpent's seemingly impenetrable defenses. As I did, I noticed that the creature was tied to the emotions of Molly's nightmare, and I began to understand that the only way to defeat it would be to face her fears head-on.

I felt for the bond which existed between Molly and I. I knew her so well and opened myself to allow her fear to flow into me. It was like a spear had been driven through my head, but I willed myself to endure as I continued reaching out to Molly's mind in an attempt to find a way to wake her to what was happening. I needed to help her see that this nightmare was not real, and that she had the power to overcome it.

This was about will as much as anything else. I tried to bear as much of Molly’s pain as I could. I felt her sense of shame and failure, but I responded back with my unconditional love and support. She could never be shamed by me. I wouldn’t allow it. As I did so, I felt the serpent's attacks grow more desperate and ferocious, as if it knew that its time was running out.

I finally managed to find a connection to Molly's core, a small flickering light that shone like a beacon in the darkness of her nightmare. It was a lighthouse in the storm of her mind, and I followed it as though my life depended on it. The longer I was here, the more I began to believe that might just be the case.

Time lost all meaning as I worked my way towards the frosted light in the distance. Monster after monster sprung up, but the more sure I became of my purpose the stronger I was in relationship to them. The final one was some kind of twisted monkey and lizard combination, but a single punch driven by my psychic body shattered it like broken glass. No amount of nightmare creatures were going to keep me from Molly’s side. As my will and intention grew stronger, I was able to feel more of Molly.

I fought with everything I had, using my strength, speed, and whatever psychic abilities I could muster in this realm to push through the hordes of nightmare creatures. Each step was a struggle, as even though I grew stronger, the cumulative strain also grew greater. I felt as though I were wading through a sea of molten lava, my psychic form taking damage with every movement.

But I knew that I couldn't give up. Molly was counting on me, and I loved her too much to let her down.

As I approached the flickering light of Molly's core, I could see the nightmare version of Krig standing guard, his twisted form even more terrifying than the real thing. His armor was black and red with jagged edges, as if made from the very essence of darkness and blood. The axe he wielded seemed to crackle with malevolent energy.

Krig's red eyes locked onto mine, and he let out a roar that shook the entire hellscape. I knew that this battle would be the most difficult of all, but I also knew that I couldn't back down. This was a confrontation for more than Molly’s life. This was a battle for her very soul, if I even believed such a thing was real. I had to save Molly, and if that meant facing my own fears in the process, then so be it.

That thought hit me hard. I had expected to free Molly, but realized now that I needed to free myself as well. I’d barely survived the last battle with Krig. Worse, he had hurt the women I loved. I roared at him as my pain was given form in my scream. I wouldn’t let him hurt anyone I cared for again.

The nightmare Krig charged at me with a terrifying roar, his massive axe swinging through the air with deadly intent. I leaped into action, my superhuman speed carrying me across the battlefield in the blink of an eye. My psychic body was beginning to more closely mirror my real world potential. My fist covered by the new nanite armor in the form of a buckler shield and his axe met with thunderous force, the shockwave from the impact sending ripples through the twisted landscape of Molly's nightmare.

As we traded blows, I could feel the immense power coursing through Krig's body. His strength was every bit as astounding as I remembered from our meeting in the real world. The level of detail was astounding. Each punch he landed sent shivers of pain through my psychic form. I knew I had to be careful, as even in this mental world, the damage we sustained could have lasting effects, perhaps even more so than injuries in the physical world.

With each clash, our speed and strength seemed evenly matched, the blows we exchanged creating shockwaves that rippled through the air and shook the ground beneath us. The harder I pushed myself, the stronger he became. It was as though no matter how fast or strong I became he was always a match for me. As the battle raged on, I could feel the nightmare landscape reacting to our conflict, the darkness and twisted structures of the city quivering in response to the tremendous energy released by our fight.

In the midst of the chaos, I caught a glimpse of Molly's core, a shimmering beacon of light amidst the darkness. Then it hit me. This was Molly’s mind. Her will, whether driven by hope or by fear was the controlling power. She was supreme here and because she feared that I wouldn’t be able to defeat Krig; she was making that a reality.

I reached out to touch it, and as my fingers brushed against the warm, pulsating energy, time seemed to freeze around us. The battlefield fell still, Krig's axe suspended mid-swing as everything ground to a halt.

I looked over at Molly, who stood beside me, her eyes wide with amazement. "Aden," she whispered, her voice filled with a mixture of awe and concern. "What's happening? Are you really here? Can I trust you? Oh, I want this to be the real you? I’ve seen your death in a thousand different ways, each more gruesome than the last."

"We're in the heart of your nightmare, Molly," I explained, my voice calm and steady despite the intensity of the situation. "But remember, this is your mind. You have the power to control it."

Molly looked around at the frozen scene, her expression uncertain. "But I've tried," she insisted, her voice trembling. "I've tried so hard to fight back, but the fear... it just keeps growing."

I took her hand, squeezing it gently. "That's because you've been fighting it alone," I told her, my gaze locked onto hers. "But you're not alone, Molly. We're in this together.”

She shuddered as our hands were locked together; our fingers intertwined. She whispered, “You really are here.”

“Of course, I’m only sorry it took me this long to get here.”

“I’ve seen you so many times, but each time you accused me of failing. You hated me. I saw your disappointment and disgust.” Then she turned towards me and somehow faster than I could even see her hands shot out and she was holding my face in her hands.

Our eyes locked, and I felt a pulse through the bond. She and I were one. We were united in a way that most people would never understand. Together, we were stronger than alone. Through her hands, I felt her body shudder as she seemed to relax.

“Oh Aden, I love you so much, but I’m worried that you’ll be trapped her with me.”

“I’d rather fight may way through hell with you at my side, than live in heaven without you. You need to know that.”

“But I’m not Jen. She’s your first. You need her clan, her insights, her experience. I’m not Willow to lead the team tactically, I’m not Jill who reaches you in a unique way. How can I compare to any of them?”

That hit me. Her fears were about more than just the battle with Krig. It all made so much more sense. There was never enough time for all of my bonds and lately, I’d been focused on the orange Rays and picking one of them. Molly felt like she couldn’t measure up.

“You don’t compare to any of them, or rather, I don’t compare my bonds with one another. I love each of you more than you can understand. It fills my heart till it feels like I’m going to burst. I have so much fun with you and once we defeat the shadow, I’m going to enjoy spending the rest of my days making you happy. You and your sister-bonds are my all.”

She sighed and slid up against me. I felt her press against me. Here she wasn’t missing an arm and both of them were wrapped around me. “Thank you Aden. I just don’t know what to do, though. He’s so strong.

Within your own mind, you are a goddess, and your will reigns supreme. He’s only as strong as you allow him to be. Your power is everything. You simply need to remember that and know that I believe in you."

As the words left my lips, a spark of realization seemed to ignite within Molly's eyes. She looked around at the nightmare world she had created, her expression hardening with determination. "You're right," she murmured, her voice filled with newfound resolve. "I can control this. We can control this together."

With a deep breath, Molly focused her will, and the world around us began to shift. The darkness receded, replaced by a warm, golden light that seemed to emanate from her very being. The twisted structures and monstrous creatures crumbled away, disintegrating into nothingness as Molly's power washed over them.

As the nightmare realm transformed, so too did our advantage over Krig. Our strength grew as Molly's newfound confidence bolstered our combined powers. We fought in perfect sync, our movements flowing seamlessly together as we struck at Krig with renewed determination. The nightmare creature, once so fearsome, began to falter under our relentless assault.

Finally, with a powerful, combined strike, we managed to land a devastating blow on Krig. The nightmare construct crumbled, disintegrating into the ether as the last remnants of Molly's fear and guilt vanished along with him.

I smiled. “You did it. You defeated him.”

She blushed and then replied, “I guess I did.”

I kept looking around, waiting for her to wake up so that I could leave her mind. Finally she said, “What’re you waiting for?”

I arched an eyebrow to show that I didn’t quite follow what she was saying.

“Aren’t you going to reward the heroine? I’m sure you can think of something suitable. This is my mind, after all, and I’m a goddess, remember?”

She giggled, but what the hell? We were in her mind and she could make anything happen. This could be fun.