"What the hell am I supposed to do?" Jahanox turned around to see a confused playboy getting excited over a small flame and playing with it, be turned his gaze to his right where a naive boy stood helping him control the fire.
"What was Zazm thinking," he rubbed his hair in irritation before he started walking towards them.
"So umm where did Zazm go?" Kiyomasa still confused from what happened asked Jahanox.
"You talk like I would know what's going on in that psyco's head," Jahanox simply shrugged but his voice had a mix of irritation. He knew Zazm should be present here in order to control this guy but he just left.....'Something doesn't sit right.'
Jahanox knew something was up, he knew Zazm was in no hurry to find every other Catalyst, yet he instantly left after meeting Caspian.
"I apologize, it's just I was so invested in this flame, I didn't noticed, did something happened?" Jahanox slightly moved his neck around to find Caspian standing there with his composure regained.
"Yeah, as you can see that insane bastard left," Jahanox spoke as he slowly turned his body towards Caspian.
"Zazm left? But where?" Caspian questioned Jahanox trying to look confused, a small smile resting on his lips.
"To find other Catalysts," Kiyomasa quickly butted in and answered Caspian.
Caspian turned around towards Kiyomasa, "Catalyst?"
Kiyomasa nodded his head, "People like us... I mean people with powers, we decided to call them catalysts."
"Wait there are more?" Caspian quickly asked Kiyomasa in a surprised expression, his tone curious.
Caspian turned around and found a hand resting on his shoulder, he turned around to see Jahanox standing there, "There is a lot you don't know, we'll have to explain everything to you."
Caspian turned around to face Jahanox with a smile but something was off about that smile, "Sure, I would listen but first tell me something."
Jahanox lifted his neck slightly, "What is it?"
"Well it's nothing it's just why did you have to brought me to such a place before telling me about this? We could've done this at the studio." Caspian started looking around the place even more carefully.
Jahanox stayed quite for a second, "We can't let anyone know about these powers or else you're smart enough to know what happens."
Caspian quickly diverted his attention back to Jahanox. Kiyomasa also walked closer to them and continued the conversation, "Whatever happens won't be good for us."
The silence lingered around for a while before Caspian started, "So.....we would become lab rats, correct?"
Both Jahanox and Kiyomasa nodded instantly, "But there is also this option that we would be considered special and we would instantly become famous." Caspian spoke his smile widening.
"Yeah sure we would get famous but what are chances that we wpuld live normally after that?" Jahanox asked Caspian his tone cold and straight.
Caspian's lips curved slightly, "Well why do you wanna live normally to begin with?"
Jahanox lifted a brow at his comment, "What do you mean?" His voice somehow even colder this time, Kiyomasa decided to stay out of this conversation, he knew this guy is too sly and sharp.
Caspian's smile widened he leaned closer to Jahanox, "Imagine it we can have all the power and wealth in the world with our po---"
"Who's 'we'?" Jahanox cut off Caspian in the middle, his voice piercing like a needle, Caspian straighted his posture his smile wavering for a second.
Jahanox continued, "Let me first tell you what's our goal and what are we doing...." Caspian calmed himself down and nodded with a smile as he took a step back.
---
Kiyomasa jumped down from the branch of a tree, "And after that we just came and found you," he spoke as he landed and walked closer to the bench Jahanox and Caspian were sitting on.
Caspian put his hand on his chin, he spoke after a minute, "So we have to save multiverse because if we don't, we won't have a place to live either."
Jahanox hit his palm on his head, "So you finally get it?" His voice filled with irritation because this guy didn't knew anything about time or multiverse, all he knew was that it existed.
"Hey, it's not my fault, I never focused on studying and books and beside I never needed to," Caspian simply shrugged as if he was proud at it.
"Anyways," Caspian continued his voice low both Kiyomasa and Jahanox looked at him, "Now can you listen to what I have to say?" He looked at both of them waiting for an answer.
Kiyomasa glanced at Jahanox who didn't say anything besides a small nod, so he also nodded.
Caspian began his voice low yet enthusiastic as if it carried a weight, "Listen once we master these powers we can just become the most powerful people on the planet.
With our powers even guns or anything won't be able to do anything against us, tell me is there a way you can create a power where bullets don't affect us?" He looked at Jahanox demanding answer.
Jahanox didn't say anything for a while before he finally let out a huge sigh, "I can create forcefield strong enough to even stop a missile, or I can even destroy a hydrogen bomb."
"See we can do all that, we don't have to live like normal humans," Caspian got up and spread his hands as if putting forward his appeal.
Jahanox got up and looked Caspian straight in the eyes and Caspian also locked his gaze with him, "We are normal humans, Caspian. You, me and every other Catalyst, none of us have a shred on interest in all that."
Caspian cleched his fists his composure waving off, 'He thinks he can just toss me aside like that?'
"Besides," Jahanox continued, "If we were interested in any of it we would've never needed you, with only my powers we could've taken over the entire world and with Zazm's time powers we would've been immortal."
The realization hit Caspian, it was as he was treated like some lower being, someone who was below them. His jaw tightned yet he managed to keep a smile.
"Fine I understand," Caspian finally managed to say it but those were just words....hollow words that had no meaning.
"Then we'll meet here tomorrow," Jahanox said as he looked back at Kiyomasa.
Caspian suddenly looked at him in confusion, he looked at Kiyomasa who slowly walked towards them also confused.
"For what?" Caspian asked still angry at everything. "Why else both of you gotta learn to use your powers or you would be of no use whatsoever." Jahanox spoke as he walked closer to both of them.
"Oh yeah that was our original plan," Kiyomasa quickly spoke as he remembered what they were actually supposed to do.
They both turned to Caspian waiting for an answer, a few second passed but Caspian didn't say anything and just when Jahanox was about to speak.
Caspian opened his mouth, "I'll meet you here tomorrow," he said it with a straight tone and turned onto his heel to continue walking around.
"Oh and I forgot to tell you," Caspian stopped as he heard Jahanox's voice but he didn't turned around, he just stood there and tilted his neck slightly back.
"If you discuss these powers or anything about us with anyone your heart will go... BUOM," Jahanox said to him with a mocking smile.
"I'll keep that in mind," Caspian's jaw tightned even more, as he continued to walk forward.
Kiyomasa turned to Jahanox, "What's this 'BUOM'?" He asked Jahanox as he looked over the walking Caspian.
Jahanox smiled and turned around, "It's from one of his dating shows or something, he destroys a relationship and goes like 'BUOM', it's a popular meme online."
"For real?" Kiyomasa asked and Jahanox looked at him with a smile, "Oh yeah I keep forgetting you came here like 2 days ago."
Kiyomasa nodded his head and they both continued to walk out of the park. They were just smiling and talking when Jahanox suddenly stopped, Kiyomasa turned around to look at Jahanox who stood there as if frozen in place, "What's wrong?"
"Kiyo.....Do you know the way back?" Jahanox lifted his head up as he looked at Kiyomasa with a nervous smile.
"Huh? HUHHHHHH?" Kiyomasa let out a small scream as he ran back, "Wait what? YOU DON'T?"
Jahanox shook his head, "I can take us home....somehow, the issue is we're on a different side of the city, it'll take a while."
Kiyomasa hit his head on an imaginary wall, and Jahanox clenched his fists, "DAMN THAT BASTARD."
---
"Acheo, Did I catch a cold?" Zazm put his hands in his pockets as he continued to walk through the busy streets.
"I gotta admit Sweden is quite pretty, it has its own different air," He carefully looked at all the buildings around him and shops, he was well aware he won't be able to find Catalyst at night so he was just looking for a place to stay.
'I wonder how are Jahanox and Kiyomasa is doing with that freaky playboy,' his thoughts suddenly towards the guy he met today.
'Caspian.... He'd be a pain so I thought it would be better to just leave him to those two,' a smirk appeared on Zazm's face as he continued to stay lost in his thoughts.
Zazm paused, his gaze fixed on the shimmering facade of the "Celestial Spire Hotel." The automated doors, crafted from polished obsidian, slid open silently as he approached.
Before he could step inside, discreet scanners hummed, and guards with impeccable posture performed a swift, unobtrusive security check. Satisfied, they offered a subtle nod.
He entered a world of hushed opulence. The lobby was a symphony of polished marble, cascading crystal chandeliers, and the soft murmur of fountains.
The air, subtly infused with the scent of rare orchids, created an atmosphere of serene elegance. He walked towards the reception desk, a curved expanse of backlit onyx.
"Good evening, sir," the receptionist greeted him, her voice a smooth, melodic tone. "Welcome to the Celestial Spire. How may I be of service?"
"I require a room for the night," Zazm replied, his voice a deep, resonant timbre.
"Do you have a reservation, sir?" She asked her voice firm.
"No, I do not." Zazm replied to her with a slight smile but his voice heavy.
"Very well. May I have your name, please?" She asked for his name.
"Zazm Mystic," Zazm stood straight his posture straight.
"And may I see some form of identification or a student id card, Mr. Zazm?"
He presented a sleek, dark card, and a thin Identification card. The receptionist's eyes flickered momentarily as she processed the information.
"Excellent, Mr. Zazm. We have the Royal Penthouse suite available. It offers panoramic city views, a private jacuzzi, and personalized concierge service."
"That will suffice. Thank you."
"Very well. Here is your keycard, Mr. Zazm. The private elevators are located to your left. They will take you directly to the penthouse level."
She handed him the card, her fingers barely brushing his.
He took the card, his movements fluid and graceful. The elevator doors, crafted from polished gold, slid open silently. Inside, the car was a haven of plush velvet and soft, ambient lighting. The elevator ascended smoothly, offering breathtaking views of the city's glittering skyline.
The doors opened onto the penthouse level, revealing a private foyer. He entered the suite, a sprawling expanse of luxurious living space. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking panorama of the city lights.
He walked towards the bedroom, the plush carpet absorbing his footsteps. Finally, he reached the master suite and sank onto the immense, silk-draped bed, a sigh of contentment escaping his lips.
"God damnit, opening a portal across such distance takes so much out of me,"he put both oh his hands on his hands as if trying to lessen the pain.
Traveling to Sweden and to teleport this long isn't exactly easy, he can do it but it takes a toll on him. He looked around the room once again before he fell sound asleep.
---
The morning sun hadn't yet burned away the cold. Jahanox tugged on his hoodie and shoved his hands into his pockets as he stepped outside, Kiyomasa trailing beside him with a half-eaten energy bar and a soft hum under his breath.
"You sure he's coming?" Jahanox asked, keeping his eyes on the sidewalk ahead.
"Caspian?" Kiyomasa looked up from his snack. "well, he said he would."
Jahanox didn't answer. He just exhaled through his nose and kept walking.
They reached the park a few minutes later—their spot, a quiet patch tucked behind a thick curtain of trees. The usual trails and benches were long gone by the time they ducked under branches and into the deeper grove. Here, only the wind spoke.
"He's not here yet," Kiyomasa said, brushing some leaves off a log before sitting down.
Jahanox just nodded, eyes scanning the trees. 'This place is quiet enough,' he thought. 'Too quiet.'
Then a voice came from behind them, low and casual.
"Morning, boys."
They turned to find Caspian leaning against a tree, arms folded and a lazy smile playing at the corners of his lips. He looked like he'd been there a while, watching.
"How long you been here?" Jahanox asked flatly.
Caspian pushed off the tree with a shrug. "Long enough to know you guys walk too slow."
Kiyomasa offered a polite nod. "Glad you came."
"I said I would," Caspian replied, brushing imaginary dust off his coat. "Figured I'd turn over a new leaf or whatever."
Jahanox raised an eyebrow. "You don't seem like the type to 'turn over' anything unless there's money under it."
Caspian grinned, unfazed. "I'm just trying to be a team player today."
Jahanox stared at him for a long second. Then, without warning, he stepped back, eyes narrowing.
"Good," he muttered, his voice low. "Then let's begin."
He exhaled once, and the shadows under his feet began to shift.
"What's the—" Kiyomasa began, but stopped as Jahanox's shadow began spreading—slow at first, like ink poured over stone. It crawled outward, coating the dirt, devouring the roots, stretching unnaturally far until it reached beneath all three of them.
"Wait… what is this?" Caspian looked down, his voice steady, his composure shacking,but his foot shifted slightly.
The shadows beneath them darkened—deepened—like they had no bottom. And then the ground gave way.
"Close your eyes," Jahanox said. It wasn't a command, but a warning.
Kiyomasa obeyed instantly, pressing his eyelids shut, breath quickening.
Caspian hesitated…"Are you sure this won't kill me?" He asked still shaking and then shut his eyes too.
"If it kills you than it won't be accident," Jahanox spoke as he also closed his eyes.
Silence. Then a pull. A drop. Like falling—not through air, but through silence itself.
They opened their eyes to nothing. The ground was cracked obsidian, thin glowing veins of silver pulsing beneath it like faint heartbeats. Giant twisted pillars stood in the distance, bent at impossible angles, reaching into a sky that wasn't a sky—just black, rolling like smoke and ink and stars that never stayed still.
Kiyomasa staggered slightly. "What… is this place?"
"We're inside my shadow or as you may say, a shadow realm," Jahanox answered calmly. "Mine to shape. Ours to train in."
Kiyomasa turned in a slow circle, wide-eyed. "This is insane… it feels like we're in someone's nightmare."
"It's quiet," Caspian said, eyes narrowed as he looked at the horizon. "Too quiet."
Jahanox glanced at him. "That's because this place doesn't speak unless I do."
Caspian walked forward, slowly, dragging his fingers through a drifting wisp of black fog. "Feels alive…"
"It is," Jahanox said. "It feeds off us. Energy, intent. Think of something violent long enough, it'll throw it right back at you."
Caspian's smile twitched. "Then it's a good thing I'm in a peaceful mood."
Jahanox didn't smile back. "Are you?"
Caspian tilted his head. "I said I came to help. We all want the same thing, right? Learn to control our powers… be ready for whatever's coming."
"And yesterday?" Jahanox stepped closer. "You said we should use our powers for gain. For wealth. Like this was a game."
"I thought about it," Caspian replied smoothly. "I was wrong."
"Just like that?"
"Yeah. Just like that," Caspian said, still smiling. "I figured maybe I could learn something from you two. That is—if you're still willing to teach."
Jahanox didn't answer immediately. The silence stretched. The realm itself seemed to pause, like it was listening.
Kiyomasa watched both of them, hands in his sleeves, anxious. Finally, Jahanox spoke. "Very well then, work hard please…"
Caspian finished, still smiling. "I would." Kiyomasa broke the tension. "So… uh… what do we do first?"
Jahanox turned slightly. "Control. Focus. If you can't calm your mind, this place will reject you."
"What do you mean?" Caspian asked suspicion etched on his face.
Jahanox nodded and a seat completely black appeared out of the shadows, Jahanox sat on his a skill appeared on his lips, "You guys think I didn't noticed how nervous you were?"
Both Kiyomasa and Caspian looked at each other, and Kiyomasa spoke, "Well how would this place help us train?"
"Caspian get Kiyomasa's powers..." He pointed at Kiyomasa and Caspian slowly walked towards him before touching arm.
"Like this?" He looked back at Jahanox, who simply nodded.
"Now listen Caspian as you know your ability is that you can copy our powers for a certain period of time, correct?"
Caspian nodded and Jahanox continued, "But there can be hidden things with those powers, things like how long that power stays or how much you can control it, which you'll have to find it yourself."
"Got it!" Caspian exclaimed with a smirk.
Jahanox them looked back at Kiyomasa with a smile, "And as you know you can only manipulate the elements right now and not create them, well you can create them but the ratio is too insignificant."
Kiyomasa nodded in understanding after that Jahanox snapped his fingers and several flames appeared all around them, the flames was black, "I can't use any fire related powers what you're seeing is just a type of imaginary fire, it doesn't have any effect you'll manipulate and control it along with air and earth."
"And after that the only element left would be water and I'm guessing I'll train that somewhat later?" Kiyomasa asked Jahanox quickly catching up.
"You're on point and Caspian you'll follow what he does, let's see what happens..."
Caspian walked closer to Jahanox and spoke, "That's all okay but are we just supposed to fight each other or something?"
Jahanox shook his head, "You moron everything in this dimension sure is just an imagination but if you get hurt, that'll hurt."
Caspian was about to say something when Jahanox interrupted him, "That's why..." He snapped his fingers and at a distance several targets appeared throughout the place.
"You get it?" He smirked as he looked at the surprised faces of Kiyomasa and Caspian.
Kiyomasa closed his eyes focusing around him, slowly the air started to swirl across his arm and it started to change shape.
Caspian looked at the entire process still in shock, slowly the air took the shape of an arrow and got released into the air at extremely high speed, but it missed the target.
Kiyomasa opened his eyes brushing the sweat off, he turned around and saw Jahanox clapping, "Well done... you'll do it till you can hit 10 targets in a row."
Kiyomasa felt goosebumps across his spine as he saw Jahanox smiling like a maniac, but he again started to focus and once again wind started to form by.
"What are you waiting for, Caspian try it." Caspian still hesitant also closed his eyes and started thinking of the arrow, slowly and similarly the wind turned into an arrow but it also missed the target.
He quickly opened his eyes and still surprised looked at his progress, "Wow!"
"We don't have time to be impressed, continue with it." Jahanox spoke his tone flat as they both continued to form arrows and different things.
Kiyomasa formed a ball of fire and it also missed, Caspian released the fire and wind directly but that decreased the range but overall they both continued to adapt and learn.
---
"An art gallery? Now that's unexpected..." Zazm spoke with a smirk across his face as he walked inside the art gallery.
___________________