Cyrus Solaris
Inside my Nexus, Dox floated in the open expanse, awaiting my arrival.
I floated towards him, my mind racing with everything I needed to accomplish in such a short amount of time.
I had to master my embryonic stage nodes, pass an astral trial, pass the rift exam, and prove my innocence.
All so that I could obtain my provisional license.
They never said this was going to be easy.
"Welcome back, Cyrus," Dox said, his orb flashing a vibrant magenta light.
"Let's get this started."
"Very well."
Dox blinked us over to the pool of reflection.
The swirling stardust rose from my feet and formed the same box as last time.
"You may begin."
I nodded to Dox and let Gravisense flood my mind with information. The indentation the box left in space was significant, suggesting it was far denser and heavier than its size implied.
Just perfect.
I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and visualized my imaginary hand pushing the indentation forward.
The box barely budged.
You gotta be kidding me. How much force do I have to exert?
I tried again, my entire astral body tensing up, as I tried to stick out my hand to force the object to move. I even funneled cosmic energy through my hand in the hope that it would aid me somehow.
Still only a small amount of movement.
My astral form began to vibrate.
"What's frustrating you?"
I looked over to my right, and Dox appeared next to me.
"I understand how tidal control works, but I just can't seem to get it to work for me."
Dox paused, his sphere still humming with energy,
"I've witnessed two issues."
"Well, spit em out."
"The first one is that you are treating the ability like a muscle in your physical body. The more you push with your actual body, the less likely it is to work. Sticking your hand out like that is a good way to focus your intention, but not enough to generate the force you desire."
"You could just say I'm failing miserably. But what's the second thing?"
"The second thing is your brain. You are still struggling to process all the information Griavisense provides you, along with trying to manipulate the space around you."
"So my brain is slow when it comes to multitasking gravitational forces?"
"Correct, but that's because you are choosing to make it difficult on yourself for some reason."
"No, I'm not."
"Is there a reason why you are choosing not to imbue cosmic energy into your brain?"
The realization hit me like a crashing wave.
I had only done that when cramming for a written exam, and I often strayed from it because of how much cosmic energy it used.
But I gave it a try.
I felt a smirk grow in the corners of my mouth as the bombardment of gravitational information seemed to ease. The hand I visualized even moved more smoothly across the fabric of space I was trying to manipulate.
But then I remembered the processor's advice, not to oversaturate the brain with cosmic energy all at once. So I dialed back the flow of cosmic energy.
The processing power of my brain dipped a bit, but not enough to overwhelm me anymore.
Not a physical push but more of a mental jolt.
I raised my hand and aimed it at the box. This time, my body remained loose and calm.
I visualized my hand pushing against the indentation in space. My hand moved faster thanks to the cosmic energy's amp, generating enough force to move the box a foot.
"I did it!"
"Good, but still not enough force to pass."
He's right, but what else can I do to move it? Funneling more cosmic energy to my brain would just deplete me faster. But can it generate more force?
Let's give it a try. I need results now.
I had Dox restart the test—this time with more cosmic energy flowing into my brain.
All the neurons fired rapidly, causing a sharp headache between my eyes as I aimed my hand towards the box.
I visualized the hand pushing against the indentation in space again. There was more force in the push, but I also felt pressure build up behind my eyes. My ability to visualize the mental image plummeted as it faded in my mind.
I heard a muffled voice but couldn't make out what it said.
Then the box dematerialized, and Dox appeared in front of me.
I stopped the flow of cosmic energy and looked at Dox.
"Why did you stop it?" I almost had it."
"You were frying your brain. A few more seconds and you..."
"I get it."
So that's what happens if I over-saturate it with cosmic energy? Drip-feed it is then.
I let myself gather my bearings for a bit, as I thought about this test.
There has to be a way to get past this without becoming a vegetable.
Then I thought back to what Dox said when I was struggling with gravity well minor: think broader.
"Wait. I think I got it, Dox."
This time, instead of visualizing my hand, I thought of something stronger—a piston.
I breathed in, imagining the piston storing energy.
I breathed out, visualizing the position exploding with force, pushing the indentation in space fast, the folds in space crumpling, causing the box to shoot across the pool of reflection.
I felt my mouth open wide as the stardust around me shifted into the color of magenta.
'You passed part one of tidal control," Dox said, his voice brimming with a hint of pride.
I felt this rush of satisfaction wash over me. Just a little bit further to go, then I can ascend.
But as I stood beaming with excitement at my accomplishment, the effects of that maneuver began to show. My astral form began to flicker.
"It appears you must go rest," Dox said, hovering next to me.
"You're right."
I floated towards the exit portal and left my Nexus.
When I reentered the physical world, I saw my body lying on the green grass of my backyard as the gentle breeze of the Xhatal coast brushed against me. I noticed Solmane was no longer sitting next to me. I scanned the rest of the backyard.
He's not in the training arena or the shed.
Where is he? I had to tell him the news.
I entered my body and ran into the house to find him. I followed his energy signature upstairs.
My body froze when I saw the warm light leaking from beneath my father's room. I stopped in front of it, my hand trembling on the knob. Every part of me wanted to turn it, to step inside. Every other part wanted to run.
Like every time before, fear won.
I let go of the knob, turned away, and sprinted down the stairs.
At the bottom of the stairs, I crashed into something large.
I looked up and saw Gramps looking down at me, his face laced with confusion.
"What's going on, Cyrus?"
"It's… It's nothing."
"The Solaris don't lie. What is it?"
"I can't face him."
"Of course you can, Cyrus."
"No, not the way I am now."
Gramps grimaced, placed his hand on my shoulder, and steered me towards the backyard.
"Come along. I have the perfect remedy for this."