Chapter 150
Return to SolAugustus spoke, breaking the silence. “None of that explains why you want to go alone.”
The way he phrased it told Alexander that Augustus hadn’t accepted it.
“It’s for the same reason that I went after the cultivator without you.” Alexander met his gaze. “You cannot fly. If you’d seen how easy it was for me to deal with the cultivators stuck on the ground…”
Alexander sighed. Then placed his cybernetic hand on the table with a thump. “We’ve always understood the risks. Pandora. Mercy. Ripper.” He paused. “Uh… the other guy. They could have killed us, but we knew it was worth doing despite that.”
“I’d argue that removing Flashpoint from the world is equally worth the risk, Alex,” Talia said.
He turned to her. “It is. But I’m sure you remember how hard it was to hurt him. He’s not likely to go down without a fight. Even if you’re all there and we successfully ambush him, unless he dies immediately, he takes to the air within seconds. Then you’re nothing but a liability, because he’ll rain literal fire down on you from the sky.”
Alexander continued. “Flashpoint is not an easy target. He’s probably high Tier 2 by now, with more experience fighting superhumans than us. His powers are focused for combat, and who knows what he gained from the solo combat reward.”
“He fought in it?” Annie asked.
“Yes,” Alexander said. “You really should watch something other than Barkforce, you know.”
“I do! There’s this awesome new reality show—”
Talia interrupted. “Why do you think you can handle him alone then?”
“Because only one of us will be prepared to fight the other.” Alexander started counting on his fingers. “I’ll have fire and heat resistant drones. Armor. Simulated strategies developed from studying all available combat footage.”
He put his hand down. “And what each of you are missing. Superior aerial mobility.”
The challenge settled over the table like a weight.
Alexander let the silence stretch for a moment before continuing. “But this isn’t happening tomorrow. Flashpoint isn’t the immediate priority. The Beastworld is. Gateway security, mining and manufacturing operations, crew training, serum acquisition. That’s months of work. Two months minimum, maybe three, before I’m ready to plan Flashpoint’s end.”
Everyone caught the sudden shift in his tone.
“Which means you have time,” Alexander said. “Time to train. Time to develop. Time to solve the problem.” He looked at each of them. “If you can push your powers enough by then, enough to be viable, then you can join me.”
Annie’s scowl softened.
“Define viable,” Augustus said.
“Flight or equivalent mobility. The ability to engage Flashpoint in aerial combat or otherwise contribute meaningfully without becoming a liability.”
Annie crossed her arms. “Oh sure. I’ll just grow wings. Just have them pop right out of my back.”
Alexander raised an eyebrow. “Maybe you should.”
Annie blinked. “What?”
“There’s nothing stopping you from forming wings using MetaMetal Adaptation. Combine that with your Density Flux Control, and you actually could fly.”
Annie stared at him in shock.
“But that’s just one option. Remember Iron Nadya? She launches herself into the sky, then drops like a meteor. You could do the same if you stopped holding yourself back by refusing to master your other powers.”
Alexander knew he was being a touch harsh. Annie hadn’t stopped training, not since day one, and she threw herself into growing stronger with a constant, aggressive energy that no one else in Grimnir matched. The problem was that she continued to focus her efforts in the wrong direction. Annie didn’t need more raw power. She needed finesse. Innovation. Mastery. In that order.
Then she’d be a menace on the battlefield. Unstoppable.
A little tough love was exactly what she needed to push past her limits. And she needed to be ready for what was coming. They all did.
Alexander turned to Augustus. “You should be able to fly using magic. The wizard you killed in the solo challenge flew. He had a spell for it.”
Augustus frowned. “I haven’t figured out how to form a proper spell yet.”
“My Cultivator’s Core continues to surprise me. It has depth to it I didn’t expect. I’m sure your spellbook is the same, you just need to figure it out.”
“I’ll work on it,” Augustus said, sounding determined.
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Talia had been quiet throughout the exchanges. “What about me?”
Alexander considered her for a moment, then shrugged. “I don’t know. But I don’t think that will stop you from working something out.”
Talia’s expression turned serious, but he could see she was already turning the problem over in her mind.
Felix spoke next. “If I grow strong enough, might I also join?”
“I don’t know,” Alexander said honestly. “Your challenge isn’t simply improving your attributes. You need to master your collection of forms, the powers tied to them, and then develop strategies to employ them.”
Felix focused, listening intently.
“As far as I’m concerned, there’s no reason to risk your life on this when you could keep training. So if you want to be part of it, then you need to show me you’re ready. Reach Tier 2. Work on understanding your powers and your weaknesses. Then figure out how you’ll contribute, and what you’ll bring that makes the difference.”
Felix nodded. “I understand.”
Annie had been staring at Alexander the whole time. He finally raised an eyebrow at her.
She scowled. “There’s no fucking way you’re leaving me behind. You’ll see. I’ll figure out how to dance on the bloody clouds if I have to.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Alexander saw Augustus nod along with Annie’s declaration. Talia gave a small nod as well, still deep in thought. Felix’s expression held quiet resolve.
Alexander allowed himself to feel a touch of satisfaction. This was what he’d wanted. The fire lit, the challenge accepted and the urgency made personal.
He knew they understood. Intellectually, at least. Just as he had before losing his arm. They needed to get stronger. Their enemies were. Both the ones they already had, and those they’d make in the future.
But he could see it in their eyes now. Whether it was Annie’s competitive need to keep up, Augustus’s desire to protect, Talia’s pursuit of perfection, or whatever motivated Felix… They felt it now.
They would push themselves harder. Drive themselves forward, toward their uncertain futures.