120 New Mysteries (2/2)
He frowned and redirected his train of thoughts. 'A paragon of golden faith... I'll probably find the answer to that one in India, but it obviously relates to golden faith energy. Should be relatively straightforward once I learn more about it. Then forge a divine body...?' Ed rubbed his head in frustration. 'What the hell is a divine body?! I've never even heard of it! I'd like to think I'm pretty damn knowledgeable about the world of espers by now!'
”Ugh!” He groaned in frustration. 'I wish I could just pay Nexus for the answer. Why'd Feather of all people have to be the leader of it?' He sighed while shaking his head. 'After the divine body is the Dao... Yup, no idea what the fuck that is. Maybe Tai will know if I ask him. Then there's the seven keys? Might be related to the seven nightmares? But I can't really be sure yet. Then conquer Bermuda? Who or what is Bermuda and how do I conquer it? Do I need the seven keys and other stuff first? Probably...'
”This is getting me nowhere and is way over my head for now. I'll worry about it if I ever actually manage to meet some of the requirements.' Ed sighed as he finally drifted off to sleep.
...
The next morning. Ed met with Dupe in his office.
”What's up?” Dupe asked.
”I need mana-powder to make some new gear.” He replied. ”Also, what's the best way to get to Hawaii? I've got the feeling that flying over the ocean all the way there isn't exactly going to work out.”
”Yeah... That would be an awful idea.” Dupe agreed. ”I've got plenty of resources now. I'll send some mana-cores to your room. As for Hawaii...” He hesitated. ”Very few cities in America still retain an active navy, and we abandoned Hawaii decades ago. There are some government ships that could probably make the voyage, but they won't let someone like you on it.”
”What if I were you, and I was just taking my assistant Flair and pet crocodile with me?” Ed questioned.
”That... would work.” He nodded. ”I could say that I'm sending a clone there for some business deals, but how are you going to pull off looking like me? No offense, but you've gotten a lot taller since the last time we've met, and I haven't grown at all.”
”You do realize you're talking to the guy that turns people into crocodiles?” Ed laughed. ”I think I can handle shrinking myself a bit and changing my face to look like yours.”
”True.” Dupe smiled. ”I just never really pictured you using your powers that way for some reason. You always seemed so attached to your face. You even kept that scar for so long. I'm surprised to see you finally got rid of it.”
”Well.” He rubbed his eye. ”It vanished on its own. Regardless, I just don't like hiding if I don't have to. It feels like admitting defeat, and I really hate admitting defeat.”
”You're still green.” Dupe chuckled. ”If you knew all the things I do with my clones-”
”Woah!” Ed rose his hand in Dupe's face. ”Don't wanna hear the details on that one. I'm going to go make my mana-batteries and then head out.” He stood up and headed for the door.
”I'll have the ship ready by the time you get to California!” Dupe laughed as the door slammed shut.
On the way to his room, Ed ran into a guest leaning against the wall with their arms crossed.
”Hey.” Carlos nodded. ”Did you want me to go to China with you... or?”
”No.” Ed shook his head. ”I'll be gone a long time. Do me a favor and keep an eye on things while I'm gone. If anything unusual happens and is worth reporting, then come find me to let me know. I'm trusting you on this.”
”Sure.” Carlos nodded in agreement.
Ed returned to his room, and a brief moment later, a case of mana-cores was delivered to him. He set to work creating the familiar mana-batteries and implanted them into his limbs, restoring his full combat capabilities. 'I really need to find a better method than always blowing myself up.' He sighed to himself while shaking his head.
After finishing, he looked towards Tao. ”Ready?” He asked. ”I really don't know how I'm supposed to carry you now.” He chuckled.
Suddenly, Tao's body began to shrink. Soon, he looked just like the small red lizard of the past. He hurriedly scurried up Ed's body and rested on his shoulders, taking the spot he had claimed since young.
”That... was a surprise.” Ed said in astonishment. 'I wonder if there are other mutants that can do that too?' Shaking his head, he left the room and fetched Flair. ”Ready to go?” He questioned her.
”Mm.” She nodded while tying her blond hair into a ponytail. The duo exited the mansion, preparing to head towards California.
”Should I carry you?” Ed asked.
Flair's hazel eyes sparkled with excitement as she reached towards her backpack and pressed a button. Two steel wings jutted out and glowed an eerie blue color.
”What's that?” Ed questioned while raising an eyebrow.
”Jetpack.” She grinned as two jets of water shot out from it, rocketing her into the skies.
'Looks like she's using water mana-batteries? Well, since I don't have to carry her, then I might as well practice my control over fire instead of relying on mana-batteries all the time.' Silver flames covered his body as he followed her into the sky. Fortunately, it seemed that Tao wasn't bothered by the powerful flames at all, and instead, he even seemed to enjoy the intense heat they gave off.
Together, they flew towards California, where they would board a ship and set sail for Hawaii.