Soul Extension

Act 9: The Training Begins

Sunday, December 5, 2021

One week has passed. Firstly, Sir Viz Café closed down and began renovations. Secondly, Jansen Volcanic has already arrived in Funland to distribute the free XLD6 vaccine as a cover up for his true plot of gaining the keys to unlock Vol-jan. Thirdly, the Hexagon 6 had met each other to convene the plans for the profane ritual, come June of 2022. Finally, the whole Sir Viz Union crew is going for training.

Location: Mt. Vizard, Temperate Mountains, Funland

+

The crew is set forth for their training course at the Vortex’s heirloom used to be owned by his grandfather. The crew consists of Vortex, Julie, Jodie, Priestess, Jack, Terra, Anna, Alanine, Dee, Cherish, Alesa, Gene, Elena, and Zasalamel. Zasalamel opted to drive while Vortex gave the directions beside the driver seat. It was a two-hour travel and they arrived at about 9 o’ clock in the morning. Upon arrival, the Vortex discovers that the gym entrance is being used by the caretaker who happens to make it as his business. Vortex becomes enraged that he storms out to confront the caretaker who happen to be shocked at his presence.

Vortex grabs the neck of the caretaker, “What the f**k is this?!”

“I c-can explain…” the caretaker fearfully chokes.

Vortex glares at the caretaker, “Then speak up, dipshit!”

“For years, I have been taking care of these gym materials that if left unused might get destroyed. So, I took the liberty of opening the gym to spirit warriors. None of the materials and the trophies of your grandpa are taken away and I have been paying for everything.” The caretaker explains.

Vortex releases the caretaker, “Even so… … I want you to close this down and leave together with these people.”

“But…”

“No buts…”

“That’s a bit harsh,” Gene speaks up, “doesn’t it?”

A man working out approaches them, “Are you the owner of this place?”

“Yeah,” Vortex glares at the man, “What do you want?”

“That man has been taking good care of this place for years,” He tells Vortex. “We respect him because of his love for this place and you ask him to leave?”

“He has violated the rules,” Vortex turns to the man. “He didn’t ask for permission and used the gym for money.”

The man looks at the caretaker then back at him, “You are a spirit warrior, aren’t you?”

“I am…” Vortex turns to us and then back at the man, “We are…”

“Then,” he gets in the fighting ring, “I challenge you to a fair fight. If you win, we will leave but if you lose, the gym will continue its service and operation and you won’t fire the caretaker.”

Vortex looks at his crew and then relaxes. As he exhales, he gets inside the ring. “Guys, your training begins here. Let me teach you a significant thing about being a spirit warrior.”

“Oh,” Zasalamel grins. “You are planning to take on that six-foot muscular person eh?”

“Just watch and learn,” Vortex faces the opponent. “I will not hold back and you will fall in three strikes.”

The man laughs hard, “The moment you agreed to challenge me, you already lost. You see, I am the strongest in the gym and I am their coach. Do you think I will hold back when you choked the caretaker? Ring the bell!”

“Ignorant,” Priestess grins, “Watch Vortex carefully newcomers for our boss is a demon.”

The man dashes towards Vortex as he activates his extension he calls Stone Cactus. The man’s body is covered by a coat filled with spikes and delivers massive left jab on Vortex.

Unsurprisingly, Vortex side steps to evade and then from his right, he activates his extension called Shadow Blade, a two-foot long blade appears at the back of his wrist. He slashes the man diagonally upward dealing the first damage. “The first thing you should do when fighting a spirit warrior is to destroy its soul extension.” With that, the man backs a bit, but Vortex continues with another diagonal s***h going down creating an X mark. Vortex then raises his left hand and aims toward the opponent.

“Shadow Burst,” Vortex releases a powerful energy enough to knock and destroy the soul extension of the challenger. “When the soul extension is temporarily destroyed, the spirit warrior immediately becomes vulnerable.”

“This can’t be,” The challenger falls down, foams started coming out of his mouth, and is knocked out.

“At this rate,” Vortex walks towards the knocked out person, “the target can be killed.” He turns around and looks at his crew, “Any questions?”

Julie smiles, “So the gym will be closed?”

“Nah,” Vortex yawns and looks at the caretaker, “These people seemed to fight for you.” He sighs, “I give up, and so you can keep this gym of yours as long as you pay for the fees and maintenance. We’ll be going at the top of the mountain to train anyway…”

The caretaker bows down as he tearfully says, “Thank you master!”

“Thank those who care for you. By the way, you’ll be paying for the rent of this place from the time you started doing this until you decide to stop your business. One thousand a month… that would be all.” Vortex takes out a remote to open a massive gate revealing a wide elevator for vehicles. “See you in two weeks…”

“THANK YOU MASTER!”

Using the lift, going up takes up to about 30 minutes while hiking takes up to about 1 hour and 30 minutes. While going up, the crew started to talk about what to do when they get up there.

“You were a bit lenient when you said a thousand a month from the day of opening…” Zas smirks. “I just noticed…”

“So what if he’s been doing this thing for who knows how many years?” Vortex pats Zas in the back. “The accumulation would be something to worry about. Besides, I have a coffee restaurant… and I also have your financial support~”

“You… are… right…” Zas sighs…

“ALRIGHT EVERYONE! First,” Vortex gathers them around, “I want the three cooks to immediately go to the kitchen with the food supply and start cooking while the rest of us will clean the entire mansion.” Vortex notices them frown and then he sighs, “You will be paid like you are working in the restaurant.”

Their frowns turned to grins, and their fatigue from the travel turned into burning passion just because of the money.

“Greedy sons of bitches…” Zas sighs deeper this time.

+

A few hours later… Dinner Time!!!

“My GAWD!, Ah Eh Ah Eh Uh~” Julie is still amazed by the place. “I want to apply as a butler here!!!”

“DO YOU HAVE HOT SPRINGS?!!” Priestess, wearing her kimono outfit, gets very excited while eating. “I wanna jump in first!!!”

“I should’ve brought my girlfriend with me,” Jodie sighs. “I also should’ve brought my game console…”

Gene and Zas notices the change in the mood of Vortex.

“I’m just going to eat…” Gene gulps and moves slowly away knowing that Vortex is on the verge of exploding… “over here. Come here, Alesa…”

Alesa whispers, “Why, what’s wrong?”

Gene moves his eyes towards Vortex, “the noise… I guess…”

Looking at the looming darkness over Vortex, Alesa finally understands the situation, “I’m coming…”

Zas seems to be rubbing his forehead while looking down, slowly moving away from the rest of the crowd, “Do you mind if I sit with you lovebirds?”

“Not at all,” Gene nods at him.

“I guess I’ll join too,” Elena sits with them as well, “the atmosphere over there is starting to get… pressuring…”

“Oh my god, I don’t like that fish,” Terra glares at Jack, “Take that out of my sight!!! Don’t ME!!!”

“I cooked this!!! You should taste it!!!” Jack yells at her.

“G-guys, who took my bowl of soup?” Alanine looks for her soup, “Guys… you know… I am serious… I will quit working if you don’t give me my soup…”

“OA (over-acting)!” Anna rolls her eyes and shares her bowl with her.

Cherish laughs at Julie and Priestess dancing around with Jack and Jodie, “You should eat first you noisy bunch!”

“Boss,” Dee whispers to Vortex, “I think that bowl of soup you are sipping belonged to Alanine…”

PFFFFFFFFFSSSSSSSSS!!!

Vortex sprays the soup at the noisy bunch!

Everybody gets shocked!

*COUGH* *COUGH*

“OH MY GAAAAAWD!!!” Julie, who took the direct hit, slips on the floor hitting the others spilling his drink over on Priestess.

“JULIE, YOU FOOL!!!” Priestess screams at the top of her lungs, “MY CLOTHES!!!”

“WAHAHAHAHAHA!!!” Jodie can’t help it but starts to laugh like a wild donkey.

“Don’t ME!!!” Terra covers her food fearing that it got sprayed on. “BOSS, DON’T ME!!!”

“Boss took my soup,” Alanine starts emoting again, “I need a raise in my salary boss… you took my bowl of soup. This is inexcusable…”

Vortex starts to lose his cool, “YOU…”

Before Vortex’s limit of patience gets destroyed and erupts into total insanity, Gene, Alesa, Elena, and Zas silently and immediately leave the room.

+

A few more hours after that, the gang goes to the hot springs. The hot springs has two sections: one section for the gentlemen and the other for the ladies. As they are having fun, Gene notices that Vortex has already left. Thinking that it might be a good time to talk with the owner, he jumps out of the bath. As Gene approach one of the terraces at the far end of the mansion, he catches the smell of mint.

“You’re smoking?” Gene asks Vortex. “I never knew you were a smoker…”

“I’m not,” Vortex shows his vape at the teen. “Does this vaping count as smoking?”

“To be honest, I do not know…” Gene shrugs off his shoulders. “All of my life, I never knew about the hidden part of this world that we are living in… and now… seeing it and being a part of it, myself, kind of feels better but also worse at the same time.”

“That’s true,” Vortex looks off into the starry sky. “The less you know of the hidden world, the more boring your normal life is… but the more safer it becomes. Otherwise, the more you know… the more exciting it is and… at the same time… the more dangerous your life would become. Don’t worry though… this amount of danger is just at the tip… meaning it is not really that dangerous… yet.”

“What do you mean?”

“So far, you only know of one world… this world… the convergence of all the worlds similar to this out there… and the convergence of all universes out there,” Vortex explains to him while pointing at the stars and puffing his vape. “You haven’t seen our true world yet… and you may never will… as do I.”

“So there are earths like this… in this universe… where all human beings are spirit warriors or ghost hunters?”

“Yes,” Vortex grins. “But, we are luckier… since this world is a world where all of the powers are found here. Anyway, that is a different subject... for now, you’ll need to concentrate on your training. I will teach you how to manipulate your Dark Claws with my Shadow Blades…”

Monday, December 6, 2021

~RECAP~

Gene Amano = Dark Claws [Wolverine with 5 claws]

Alesa Bach = Malicious Eye [don’t make eye contact]

Romani Arcrat [currently keeping a low profile] = Steel Wings [very much like archangel in the X-MEN, but with style]

Vortex Blade Vizard = Shadow Blades [like that one Mortal Kombat character, but far more handsome]

Priestess Camera Dolly = Smog Shield [WARNING: cigarette smoking is dangerous to your health]

Julie Bear Smarty = Sonic Flare [when he screams, it burns]

Jodie Pool Rickie = Rain Dagger [a sharp dagger with watery properties]

Jack Kirby Arson = Freezing Field [the field is freezing… duh!]

Alanine Chlorine = Camouflage Rage [getting her fired up intensifies her camouflaging abilities]

Terra Fray Freedom = Scissor Legs [beware of those scissors]

Anna Belle Cathy = Stone Elbows [deadly weapon indeed…]

Cherish Apparel = Zapper Fingers [you’ll feel tingly with just one finger]

Dee Gee Pee Tee = Earth Ball [rolls into a ball of soil]

Zasalamel Vestroia = Master Agent [katana + pistol + tough skin + special vision]

Ragon Elena Salami = Stealth Assassin [spectral + invisible]

+

The next day!!! MONTAGE!!!

Gene, wearing a highly advanced armor suit is slammed on the ground. “W-What part of s-slamming me in the ground is training, huh?!”

Vortex brandishes his wooden Shadow Blade replica, “Pretty accurate like my real one, don’t you think?”

Gene takes a look at his wooden Dark Claw replica, “Who sculpted these things anyway?”

“One of my contacts, of course,” Vortex charges at Gene. “Now, GET UP!!!”

“s**t!” Gene raises his guards up.

The scene suddenly changes as Gene evades the burning scream of Julie! Then, the scene changes again as Gene deflects the sharp daggers from Jodie! Next, a tense scene with Gene getting his legs frozen by Jack and breaking free from it before getting crushed by icicles! Finally, Zas and Gene faces off one on one!

“I realized something while fighting you,” Gene stares at Zasalamel.

“I noticed that too,” Zas’ eyes flicker. “Your movements are like that of a cat.”

“Perhaps… I have nine lives as well,” Gene grins.

“Let’s find out!” Zas charges at him.

As soon as they clash blades, we go back to the outcome of the first scene with Vortex charging at Gene…

The force of Vortex’s attack pushes Gene back, with his feet sliding back causing dust to scatter…

“Not bad,” Vortex grins, “but you still have a long way to go… kiddo~”

+

Three days after arriving in Vanilla, capital city of Funland, to deliver free XLD6 Health Virus as part of his project to rid the world of illnesses, Jansen Volcanic finds himself in Cold-breeze City. His purpose: to find the keys to his seal…

“Can you smell the pleasant pine trees, Cherylyne?” he takes a breath of fresh cool air. “I can also feel it… the keys to my freedom… are in this place…”

“I am really happy for you, my god.” The secretary lowers her head, “I have done all of the necessary paperwork to extend your stay for four more days…”

“Four days is enough,” Jansen clenches his fists. “Find that thing you researched on named Hexagon and we’ll start there…”

“As you wish, my god,” Cherylyne, still with her head lowered, leaves the room.

“One key is enough to unlock one of my titan creations,” Jansen grins. “I will call upon Delubeo… and make an example of my powers to all of the gods out there…”

+

“So the coffee shop closed for renovations, huh,” G sighs feeling disappointed while Vajer runs after him from behind. “I won’t be able to see my twin brother from another mother for a while…”

“Why’d you run like that, G Crimson Fallasleep?” Vajer catches his breath as he catches up to him. “You know, Mr. Crimson, you shouldn’t run like that…”

“Well, I just got excited when I saw this place again, you know?” G laughs, “Look at you trying to catch your breath. Becoming human is fun, right?”

“No comment,” he growled. “I have something to report to you though…”

“Is it about my target?”

“Yeah,” Vajer, finally able to breathe properly, nods. “Vol-jan arrived here last night, Mr. Crimson.”

“Just call me G, you know…”

“I don’t like to call you that because I hate the seventh letter of the alphabet!” Vajer exclaims and spits on the bush.

“You know they have laws here in Cold-breeze City about spitting, right?”

“I don’t know,” Vajer looks around in case anyone saw him. “Where’d you see that?”

“You know the public utility bus terminal near a university?” G makes him recall.

“The one below the mall?”

“Yep,” G nods. “It said there that spitting in public is punishable by law… along with littering, peeing… and defecating…”

“Well I’ll be more careful next time,” Vajer goes back on hating him, “Mr. Crimson…”

“Alright, what’s the plan, son of my twin sister?” G looks at him expectantly.

“The plan is to begin searching for him before he gets away,” Vajer stops a taxi. “Come on, we’re wasting our time here…”

“Ha, I’ll sure miss that hot coco…” G looks at the coffee shop one last time before leaving.

+

“Why here in the mall?” Mr. Crimson asks his companion.

“Most of the people come here and this is the first thing that came to my mind.”

“I think we should split up, and look for him in other places,” Mr. Crimson tries to not get too suspicious to the people around him.

“It’s because you dress that way,” Vajer sighs. “I mean, who in their right mind would wear something like that?”

“This is how I dress in Sleep World,” Mr. Crimson defends himself.

“Shut it, you’ll get more attention… imbecile…” Vajer tries to calm him down. “I mean, long-sleeves is fine, but you really had to cut half the torso off? In Sleep World, it might be a fashion statement, but it is different in this world…”

“At least I don’t dress like a homeless person like you,” Mr. Crimson scorns. “Fine, I’ll go to the comfort room and change.”

“Homeless?” Vajer looks at himself. “Tch, if you are planning to use your power source to change clothes then you have to tone down the flicker of lights.”

“Not all magic demands lighting effects or glittering effects,” Mr. Crimson sighs. “You watch too much TV…”

“Wait,” Vajer stands still while observing the mall with just his eyes, “we are being followed…”

“You’ve been here for a while before I came,” Mr. Crimson straightens his clothes trying to act like a professional.

“I guess that they’re from the Church of Libra,” Vajer looks at Mr. Crimson. “You’re right, we should split up and lose them…”

“I’ll lose them at the CR,” Mr. Crimson nods at him. “Let’s meet at the usual after this.”

“Yeah, sure.” Vajer turns around and leaves. “I wonder why these Emissaries of Balance hate our kind…”

+

“It seems that our target, the other key holder left Cold-breeze,” Hexagon stares at Alazo Bach. “Where do you think they went?”

“Wherever my daughter is,” Alazo courteously lets Hexagon in the limousine first. “However, the emerald key hasn’t been located yet, Mr. Hexagon…”

“Don’t worry about that,” Hexagon rubs his facial scar lightly. “We need to secure the other key first…”

“Once I get to locate my daughter, Alesa, what would be your orders?” Alazo signals the driver to go.

“A week from now, we’ll launch an assault to retrieve it. If they resist, kill them.” Hexagon stares back at Alazo again, “If your daughter tries to resist, you know what to do as a father.”

Alazo breathes deeply, “Yes, I know what to do…”

+

Back at Gene’s training…

“Are you okay?” Zas offers his hand to Gene who is on his knees and physically tired from training. “It was fun yet tiring too for me.”

“Yeah,” Gene reaches for his hand so that he could stand back up. “That was really fun…”

“I’m surprised that we’re evenly matched,” Zas grinned, “well almost… because I’m still better than you.”

“You’re better, you say?” Gene shakes his head, “I was training since morning. Of course, I’ll get tired.”

“Reasons,” Zas laughs. “Well, but that Vortex guy is really a demon, isn’t he? I mean, I can’t even defend myself from that guy.”

“Yeah,” Gene remembers their spar. “His strikes made my arms tremble like he’s sending shockwaves through them…”

“Let’s get better at this so that we could beat him,” Zas sets his goal. “Are you with me?”

“Yeah, sure I am with you!” Gene fist bumps him. “Come on, I want to know if Alesa’s done with her training too!”

“Well now I wonder what that Elena is up to with her training…” Zas seems like he is deep in thought. “You have to go on ahead, Gene. I’ll have to go find Vortex.”

“Alright,” Gene goes ahead. “See you later!”

+

VOL-JAN’S FIRST TITAN

DELUBEO

She is a large monstrous entity with the upper half a woman while the lower half a rattlesnake. Her skin color is a mixture of blue-green, teal, and aquamarine. Unlike the Gorgon from a mythology of a faraway land, her hair is long and silky smooth but the fingers of her hands are snakes. Her affinity is of water and of darkness while her specialties are intimidation and heavy rain. Her bite aren’t poisonous, but the pain lasts for a long time.

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“So you’re done with your spar against, Gene,” Vortex takes a sip from his apple iced tea. “You want some? I made some.”

“Yeah, I’ll take you up on that offer,” Zas takes a seat and pours himself a glass of tea. “Listen, I’ve been meaning to ask you this.”

“Let me guess,” Vortex shows the ruby key. “This is what you want to ask me about.”

“Then you are aware of what Hexagon might do since he already got the sapphire from Alazo,” Zas sighs.

“Of course, I know.” Vortex hides the key back. “One of the reasons why I am here is because this is my domain. I already notified the caretaker below the mountain about their presence. It’s a blessing in disguise that he’s got more men now because of the gym… or dojo…”

“But what about the forest?” Zas can’t help but worry. “They might use it…”

“Nope, they can’t move in here,” Vortex gives him a book. “Do you know why this mansion is surrounded by huge fences that even the trees couldn’t reach?”

“The trees have something in them?” Zas checks the book. “Wild Cherry Trees, Poison Oak, and the infamous Toxitree …”

“One of the best ways to protect our forests from the people, themselves, is to cultivate highly toxic trees and let it spread all around the mountain.” Vortex stands up and goes to the terrace, “The only way they could reach us is by means of flight or directly hacking into the lift… which is impossible.”

“Do you have any deadly weapons stored just in case?”

“We don’t, because we are spirit warriors, soul chasers and ghost hunters, we have Soul Extensions… more powerful than the weapons of the powerless humans,” Vortex points at the small town beneath the gym, “80% of the townsfolks are spirit warriors like us and they all work under my family name, Vizard. This is just one of the mountains our family owns and it so happens that I inherited this one.”

“You are probably richer than I am,” Zas takes a deep breath. “I am now worrying a bit less.”

“Good…”

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