Chapter 10: Foreign Whispers and Shaking Foundations
In the musty, damp air of the abandoned basement, the Chitauri power core in Kael's palm pulsed slightly as if it were a living being, emitting a faint blue light around it. The throbbing of the wound in his shoulder and the deep hole that betrayal had carved into his mind could not stop Kael from directing all of his concentration to this foreign object. This core could be a beacon of hope, or it could mean his end. But Kael had thrived on uncertainty and risk his entire life; this would be no different.
Closing his eyes, he focused his mind on the strange energy emanating from the core. At first, he felt only a cold vibration and a meaningless, confused whisper; as if a thousand alien voices were speaking at once. It was an echo of the Chitauri mind, of its technology—chaotic, merciless, and utterly alien to human logic. For a moment, he felt as if he were lost in this cacophony, his mind would crumble. He clenched his teeth, using his will as a shield against this foreign invasion. He was a marksman of this universe; his mind could lock onto even the most complex targets with absolute clarity. This was nothing but another target.
Gradually, he began to distinguish certain patterns among the whispers. These were not words; they were rather pure energy flows, packets of data. He began to sense the basic function of the core, the principles of energy production and distribution. And at that moment, something unexpected happened. The core responded to Kael's attempt to "understand." The temperature in his palm increased, and the blue light extended a tendril of energy toward Kael's injured shoulder. With a burning sensation, Kael realized that the foreign object inside the shrapnel wound was moving, the energy from the core trying to push it out. At the same time, he felt his cells rapidly regenerating, the damaged tissues repairing. It was a painful but incredibly fast healing process. Within minutes, the shrapnel had burst through his skin, and the wound was closing, leaving a fresh, pink scar.
The physical healing was evident, but what Kael was most curious about was his diminishing powers. His marksmanship was still far from its familiar sharpness; the shadow of betrayal still hung over him. The Chitauri core had repaired his physical wounds, but not the wound in his soul and the delicate balance of his powers. But in this strange "communication" with the core, he had sensed a different potential. The core was not just a source of energy; it could also be a means of focusing and perhaps "amplifying" Kael's own energy, perhaps his marksmanship. This was an area yet to be explored.
The lion had watched Kael silently all this time, a mixture of concern and admiration on his face, trying to make sense of what had happened. When Kael opened his eyes, the lion breathed a sigh of relief. "Are you feeling better?"
"Yes," Kael said, moving his shoulder. The pain was almost gone. "This thing… is more than I expected." He looked at the core. It was no longer just a trophy, but a potential ally, perhaps a dangerous partner.
This seclusion also gave Kael the opportunity to think more deeply about Roric's betrayal and its impact on his forces. Roric had panicked at the last moment, perhaps somehow trapped by the Iron Fists. Would this change how Kael's forces interpreted the concept of "betrayal?" If Roric's real intention was not to sell Kael out, but simply to save his own life… This thought opened a new door in Kael's mind. Perhaps the return of his powers depended not only on time, but also on his understanding and acceptance of such nuances. Aslan's unwavering loyalty was a faint but constant source of light amidst these dark thoughts; Kael could feel this pure devotion acting as a kind of anchor that kept his powers from completely fading away.
"Aslan," Kael said after a few hours of rest. "You need to go out and gather information. What's the status of our old headquarters? Is the Iron Fist still looking for us? What's the news about that explosion? It would be good if you could learn something about Roric in particular."
Aslan nodded without hesitation. "I'll leave now. You rest here."
After Aslan left, Kael began to "work" more with the Chitauri core. Instead of drawing power from it directly, he tried using it as a lens to focus his own internal energy. He focused on a small crack in the far corner of the basement to test his marksmanship. He threw a small rock in his hand. The rock hit close to the target, but not exactly. It wasn't the same as before, but it was definitely an improvement from a few days ago. Perhaps the Chitauri core was helping to cleanse him of the "parasite" created by the betrayal.
When Aslan returned hours later, he had a worried expression on his face. "There's bad news," he said. "Our old headquarters has been completely destroyed. The Iron Fists are moving their men everywhere, obviously still looking for us. The explosion is big news; they're calling it an 'unknown terrorist attack.' Security has been increased in the city."
"Roric?" Kael asked.
Aslan swallowed. "According to the whispers on the street... the Iron Fists have captured him. Borok plans to give him a public 'lesson' to make him pay for his betrayal."
This news stirred mixed emotions within Kael. Roric had betrayed him, but he was also nothing more than a pawn. Letting him die at Borok's hands was against Kael's sense of justice - no matter how twisted. Besides, if he could uncover the truth behind Roric's betrayal, perhaps he could repair that last glitch in his powers. This was also an opportunity to send a message to the Iron Fists and Borok that they would never forget. The Echo might have taken a hit, but it had not yet been destroyed.
Kael clenched the Chitauri core in his palm. As if in response to his determination, the core hummed slightly louder. "Aslan," Kael said, a cold fire in his eyes. "Find out when and where Borok will teach that 'lesson.'"
On the shaky foundations of the Empire, the marksman of fate prepared to strike again. This time, he had not only his own abilities but also a piece of alien technology and a thirst for vengeance.