Nova Force Book 1

The fateful day of departure had arrived, and the group's members had been meticulously finalized. Their journey, arduous and spanning two days on foot, loomed ahead like a grand odyssey. As they prepared to set off, John, an old friend, made a surprise appearance.

"Yo, dude. What's popping?" he greeted with an air of nonchalance that belied the gravity of their impending separation. "Don't come any closer. You might inherit my curse," I warned, my words weighted with the sorrows of the past. John, unsure of how to respond, attempted to downplay the tension with an awkward smile before bidding his goodbyes and walking away, leaving me to my contemplation.

A few moments later, I ventured outside to offer my farewells to Mandro and his team. The prospect of parting ways with them didn't seem too daunting, considering the likelihood of our paths never crossing again. After their upcoming dungeon expedition, they would journey to another distant city or perhaps an entirely foreign country. I couldn't help but wonder about the mysterious means of travel they possessed, allowing them to traverse vast distances in such a remarkably brief span from the North to where we were.

It had barely been nine or ten months since the supernova event that had altered our world, and they claimed to have spent months honing their skills. Their swiftness in reaching our location suggested the ability to traverse land, air, or water at incredible speeds, challenging the bounds of what I deemed possible. As I approached the gate, my gaze fell upon my friends, huddled together, conversing and laughing, with Kero among them. Our eyes locked, and an uneasy hush descended upon them. The awkwardness hung in the air, exacerbated by the presence of Analu, whose role in this newfound tension mystified me. 

"Did they now hate me or something." I asked myself.

Mandro, ever the diplomat, approached me, breaking the icy silence. "My leader's message reached you," he remarked, alluding to a conversation we had been unable to conclude the previous day. "I was about to tell you yesterday, but you shot me down. Whenever you get time, please try and visit. You will know where it is when you get near." With those words, he extended his hand, and we exchanged a parting handshake, dispelling some of the awkwardness in the process.

The rest of Mandro's team took turns to bid their farewells, fostering an atmosphere of mixed emotions. John, Sarah, Celestia, and Kero approached me, albeit Kero held back a few meters, his demeanor tinged with an unspoken regret. As they each expressed their goodbyes, my heart swelled with a myriad of emotions. 

They were embarking on a journey that might keep them away for three weeks, if not longer, as Chunita's predictions foretold. Kero and I shared a meaningful look, and I couldn't help but sense a trace of regret in his eyes. Or perhaps I was merely projecting my own uncertainties onto him as they turned and disappeared from view, leaving us with the bittersweet taste of their absence.

With the departure of Mandro's team, I resolved to make the most of my newfound solitude. I meticulously planned my days, implementing a structured routine that began with morning training sessions. Returning from these solitary exercises, I eagerly engaged with the community, dedicating myself to getting to know each member better and rendering assistance wherever needed. Although I had always lent a hand, my commitment to the community had grown deeper in their absence, driven by a desire to fill the void left by my friends.

My daily life unfolded as a harmonious blend of self-improvement and community service. I had a new training companion in Analu, who accompanied me willingly. Despite her sincerity, a small part of me remained cautious, perhaps influenced by the shadows of the previous day's events. It was challenging not to be suspicious, especially considering the strange timing of my friends' conversations, which ceased as soon as I entered their line of sight. My trust in Analu, John, Sarah, and even Kero had been tested, and I couldn't help but ponder the enigma that surrounded our relationships.

They were my close friends, if anything I should be thanking Kero for his honesty. These were my thoughts for the first few days after they left. I was doing ok now, having fun training and going along throughout my days.

I would stop at the medical center with my Mom. She didn't have much to do, seeing that no one was injured during the days, but they had created a section designated to studying the herbs we weren't familiar with. Josh could scan plants with his abilities and tell what was in them. 

In the shop, the air hummed with an atmosphere of discovery and anticipation. Tables cluttered with various vials, wooden jars, and books we could find were their sanctuaries for exploration. Josh, with his analytical mind and his special nova force abilities, meticulously categorized the substances based on their potential harm. His careful assessments often sparked debates and discussions, leading to fruitful findings.

In the midst of the bustling shop, the shelves adorned with an array of botanical wonders, my mom, Josh's mom, Analu, and Josh himself became engrossed in their research. They meticulously sifted through vials and jars, analyzing the properties of each substance, exchanging observations and hypotheses.

"Look at this one, it has a slightly bitter aftertaste. I wonder if that indicates its effectiveness for digestive issues," Josh's mom mused, swirling the contents of a small vial between her fingers.

Josh, deeply engrossed in jotting down notes, nodded in agreement. "It's plausible. Let's test it in the next batch of experiments and see its impact on the digestive systems of the rats. Also, mom, be careful not to taste any poisonous ones, please."

"No worries, son. I'll try my best and come on. Don't you forget who I am. I'm a herbalist. This is my specialty" she replied.

Her name was miss Laurel Gaia. Her name itself speaks volumes in plants and the nurturing aspects of the earth. It was like she was born for this, and now her son has abilities tailored towards plants. 

My mom, sorting through a stack of ancient texts, interjected, "I found references to similar plants in historical texts. Some were used for enhancing mental clarity. Maybe we should investigate that angle further."

Meanwhile, Analu and I hovered close by, captivated by their discussions and eager to contribute.

"Did you notice the color change when we mixed these two substances?" I pointed out, indicating a reaction in one of the test samples.

Analu, with her curious eyes scanning the shelves, chimed in, "Maybe that could indicate a potential use for skin irritations or allergies?"

The adults paused, considering our observations. "Interesting insight, you two," my mom commended, flashing a proud smile. "Perhaps we should conduct a separate study on that angle."

Amidst our interactions, moments of laughter and in-depth conversations intermingled. "Analu, remember that experiment a few days ago? The reaction was spectacular!" Josh exclaimed, recalling a particularly eventful test.

Analu grinned, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Oh yes! That fizzing potion! We almost thought it would explode!"

We all laughed as we remembered we came this close to death again. These plants are mysterious and pact a whole new meaning to health, power and life.

As the day progressed, our activities diversified. Post-training sessions, our routine shifted—breakfast offered a brief respite before plunging into the varied tasks on the agenda. Some days involved assisting my mom in the shop, documenting and organizing the new discoveries. Other times, we'd head to the area designated for studying monster remains, assisting in cataloging their traits and behavior patterns. Ted's construction projects beckoned on certain days, requiring our hands-on help in building and fortifying defenses for the village.

We had developed an easy, yet effective form of cement, a humble achievement we all took pride in. However, our progress escalated further when Eugene, despite being our prisoner, became an unexpected ally in the construction efforts. His mastery over Earth Nova Force abilities added a new dimension to our construction project.

Under vigilant guard, Eugene channeled his abilities, shaping the raw earth with finesse. His gestures were like an artist's brushstrokes across a canvas. With focused concentration, he drew the very elements from the ground, coaxing them to form sturdy, precisely carved bricks. 

It was a sight to behold – the earthen material responding to his command, melding and compacting under his control. He manipulated the soil's composition with an artisan's touch, weaving strength and resilience into every brick. Layers of earth stacked upon each other, forming a burgeoning wall that promised security and fortification.

"Keep up the good work." I said to him with a thumbs up. 

Despite our initial experience with Eugene, his dedication to the task and his adeptness at utilizing his Nova Force abilities made us reconsider our judgments. He didn't seem like a bad person, but rather an individual capable of great precision and skill in harnessing the elements. However, I still don't fully trust him, but I knew he had to do what he had to do, and he chose the best option. Although a criminal, he still has slightly good intentions.