Reincarnated Into Destiny Universe - Volume 1 Chapter 8 Well..they Tell Me I'm A Warlock

After leaving the Terrestrial Complex, the next group of Fallen Isaac dispatched pushed him to level four affinity. He then made his way around the various locations surrounding the Cosmodrome and finally reached his goal of level five affinity. With his training completed, he got back into his jump ship and made his way back to the Tower.

“Well, that was pretty impressive, kid, and whether you know it or not you actually just did the City a huge favor back there. I’m still not too happy about not getting any action, aside from hunting down those codes, but it’s good to know that you’re competent and are trying to get better. Come on. Let’s go find, Ikora and report our success.” Said Cayde.

Isaac and Cayde made their way to the command room to speak with Ikora. “Ahh, Isaac, it’s good to see you back. I’m assuming you’ve completed your training.”

“Yep, I hit level five affinity and got in some much needed battle experience and experimentation with my abilities.”

“That he did. I won’t lie, Ikora, the kid did some pretty impressive stuff out there, for a fresh meat. I’d say he’s more than ready, for whatever else you’ve got planned for him.”

“I’m certainly glad to hear you’ve performed so well, Isaac. Of course, Cayde has already reported the results of your mission regarding the discovery of Rasputin and the activation of the last array. As soon as we’ve discussed the next part of your training, I’ll give you your rewards…Thank you, Cayde for watching over our new Guardian. I’ll take it from here.”

“Hey, that’s fine with me. I know when I’m not wanted. I’ll see you around kid.” Cayde said, as he walked over to speak with Zavala.

Ikora rolled her eyes and addressed Isaac. “Now, Isaac, as we informed you earlier, normally a Guardian would go through an entire week of preparatory training, before being sent out to increase his affinity. Since you’ve only received a bare minimum of standard training, you’re going to spend the next week going through the same training that anyone else would receive.

“For this week, there will be a very strict schedule that includes time in the attunement chamber, time in the training grounds, and basic physical training. One week isn’t a lot but it should get you in to a much better condition than your currently in. Having our ghosts available to immediately recover from our injuries and stress from exercise we Guardians tend to develop much more quickly than your average person.

“That being said, here is a schedule of the activities you’ll be doing and when. When you go to the training grounds, feel free to wear whatever armor you feel comfortable with. The restriction we gave you earlier was only for that one time.

“Once you’ve completed this week of standard training, report back to me and I’ll start teaching you the way of our Warlock order. Once you’ve finished your basic Warlock training, feel free to ask Zavala or Cayde for assistance in learning their methods and you can choose to advance in any of our classes at your discretion. Do you have any questions?”

“Umm, not about the training. That all seems fine and I’ll get started right away but I was wondering if you are aware of any other newly awakened Guardians that I might potentially recruit into my fireteam?”

“I see. Already thinking of starting a fireteam, huh? Well, I like your enthusiasm but right now I’m not sure how many Guardians would be a good fit for your fireteam. I’ll tell you what, you’re obviously not the only one training at the moment so how about this? Finish up your training and while you’re doing that I’ll question some of the other new Guardians. I’ll find out which ones would be most compatible with your unique class and give you a list of recommendations whenever you’re done.

“That being said, I wouldn’t worry too much about a fireteam for now. This one week of training is designed specifically to keep you focused on progression, so there really isn’t much time for socializing. You can find out which Crucible Arenas are being used for training by checking the notice board next to Lord Shaxx’s post just over there. Speaking of which, you should introduce yourself to him before you head back to your quarters. Was there anything else, Isaac?”

“Nope, that’s all for now. Thanks for help, Ikora.”

“Not a problem, Isaac. I’ll see you soon.”

Isaac walked over to Lord Shaxx’s post, just before the command room, and saw that Twilight Gap would be tomorrow’s training location.

“Greetings, Guardian, are you newly arisen perhaps? My name is Lord Shaxx and I’m the Custodian of the Crucible.”

“Nice to meet you, Lord Shaxx. I’m Isaac and this is Polter and yes I’m newly arisen. Although, I’ve heard of your Crucible and I very much look forward to participating.”

“Haha, that’s what I like to hear but be warned, Isaac, the Crucible is not a playground, it’s a place to sharpen your mind and body. It’s a place designed to force you to your limits so that you can then surpass them. That being said, all are welcomed to join in the Crucible, once your training is complete, and many do. However, very few manage to stand out and achieve glory.”

“Thank you for your insight, Lord Shaxx. I’ll bear that in mind. I’ll see you around.”

“Until next time, Isaac.”

Isaac made his way to the Canteen section of the Tower, had his fill of noodles, and retired to his room for some well deserved Zs.

Throughout the next seven days, Isaac was not only introduced to Void Energy but also increased his attunement to Solar Energy. He went through all of his scheduled training religiously, putting an equally impressive amount of effort and determination into honing his combat skills and increasing his bodily constitution.

By the end of the week, he could mediate for several hours in the Solar Meditation Chamber with the first amplification pillar active and was close to being able to activate the second. His body was now fit and toned. He had a decent amount of muscle and noticeably more definition. His marksmanship, CQC, and ability utilization skills were all integrated into a unique fighting style that emphasized fast, flexible, and fluid movements that weave in and out of enemy attacks, while probing for an opportunity to attack.

Isaac wasn’t surprised to learn that various styles of Kung Fu had managed to survive The Fall. No matter the era, no matter whether you think it’s the best or the worst, you can’t deny that it’s an exceptionally effective martial art that would have appeal to people of any time period.

Isaac implemented Tai Chi into his daily workout in order to maintain flexibility and core strength. He implemented Wing Chun and Baguazhang, into a special Light Assisted Movement Path (LAMP). This technique utilized these and other Kung Fu styles, along with precise applications of light generated force, like the kind used for jump abilities, to enhance and transition between movements.

Knowing that Solar, Void, and Arc Energies have unique characteristics and behaviors, Isaac attempted to meditate on the nature and behavior of Kinetic Energy to see if he could acquire or increase his attunement to it. While theoretically all three of the previously mentioned energies could be thought of as Kinetic Energy, just pure Kinetic Energy should, hopefully, be distinct and more fundamental than the others.

Late in the evening on the sixth day, Isaac finally managed to sense the Kinetic Energy like the other three. He stayed up, a bit late, trying to familiarize himself with this energy. Back in his room, Isaac attempted to utilize his Kinetic Energy for the first time since acquiring his attunement. He immediately noticed that he could produce a much more powerful force and with much less thought or focus.

He then spent every spare minute he could on the seventh day working on his Kinetic attunement. By the end of the day, he noticed that his ability to wield Kinetic Energy had not advanced noticeably at all. This led him to the conclusion that it was possible to reproduce the effects of any type of energy without any attunement, with the caveat that it would require much more light and focus and the results would be rather pitiful.

So on the eighth day, with his increased Solar, Void, and Kinetic attunement, his LAMP fighting style, and his toned and conditioned body, he set out to speak with Ikora about initiating his Warlock training.

“Hello, Ikora. As I’m sure you’re aware, I finished my training yesterday and I’m ready to begin walking the Warlock path, for now.”

“Of course, Isaac, although I have to ask. Are you satisfied with the progress that you’ve made during this past week?”

“I certainly am. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about how to make the most of this unique opportunity. That first bit of training that I did was a good idea. The experience that I got, during that time, was invaluable in helping make the most of my standard training. So, thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. It’s my duty as a Vanguard Representative, after all. That being said, let’s take a walk.” Isaac and Ikora begin walking towards the entrance into the Tower proper.

“Isaac, the Warlock path is a long and twisted one filled with countless obstacles. As Warlocks, we seek to understand the fundamental nature of the energies that we wield and through this understanding take our mastery over these energies to the next level. Granted, all of the three classes attempt to understand these three basic energies to some degree. However, once a Hunter or a Titan gains a certain level of attunement it’s unlikely you’ll ever see them attempting to increase it further. They both rely on developing fancy abilities and ways in which they can employ them, to advance in their classes.

“Once you’ve seen a Titan using a Ward of Dawn and you’ve obtained the ability to use your Nova Bomb, you’ll quickly realize that these two abilities are like mirror opposites of one another. A Titan relies on forming a near perfect sphere with his Void Energy to access a structure that is stable enough to compensate for any shortcomings in his attunement. Warlocks, however, rely on our deep understanding of these energies to increase their base power and then unleash that full power on the enemy, whenever they make the mistake of crossing us.

“There is another Titan Void Subclass called Sentinel and it can only be utilized by those like Zavala, who have not only mastered the Titan class but have also set foot upon the Warlock path and increased their understanding far past that of a typical Titan.

“So you see, Isaac, behind each class is a certain mindset, a philosophy that guides us on the path to power and proficiency. We Warlocks crave knowledge above all else and view it as a power unto itself. So for your first hurdle upon walking the Warlock path, I want you to spend an entire day in the Void Meditation Chamber.

At the end of the day, I want you to review everything thing that you learned about Void Energy during your meditations.

“Then tomorrow I’ll send you to a special training room where I’ll show you all the Voidwalker Abilities. You’ll then spend the day simply throwing your abilities out without thought, then using them with only your previous knowledge, and then focusing intently on the desired result before using your abilities with full knowledge and intent. It is the discrepancy between these three outcomes and the path that leads there that I want you to study. I want you to focus on and absorb every detail of both states. Make note of what’s different about each one, from the sensation you get when first forming it to the stability of its structure as it performs its task.

“The point, Isaac, is to truly understand and appreciate the importance of knowledge. To recognize that there is no fact too insignificant that a wise and skillful Warlock cannot turn into a lethal force. This is the ideal that you should seek. Take in everything. Learn everything. Let no detail escape your perception. After you’ve spent the day studying your abilities, I’ll expect a full report, on the third day, of how the Void Energy forms and maintains each construct, how it accomplishes each task, and I want you to develop an overarching theory regarding the origin, behavior, and applications of Void Energy. Any questions?”

“Uhhh…no. No, questions but, despite everything I’ve been through so far, I feel like this is the first time I’m being truly challenged. Even though, it’s a challenge that I’m totally up for.”

“Excellent! I’m glad to hear it. Polter, you know how to get to the Void Meditation Chamber, correct?”

“I do, Ikora. If that’s all you have for us, I’ll show him the rest of the way.”

“Very well. I’ll see you tomorrow, Isaac. Good luck.”

“Later, Ikora.”

Isaac and Polter made their way to the Void Meditation Chamber and Isaac set all his focus on expanding his understanding of this energy. He followed Ikora’s instructions and joined her in the special training room the next day. Ikora taught him all of the Voidwalker Abilities and then left him to his work.

Isaac stretched his perception of Void Energy to the limit attempting to analyze and assess the various workings of each ability. He spent most of the morning spamming different versions of his abilities but he soon began to take short breaks, while considering everything he had witnessed so far and trying to form a complete picture.

About an hour before dusk, Isaac had stopped using his abilities altogether and was now meditating in the corner of the room, attempting to lay the finishing touches on his Theory of Void Energy Mechanics. Close to midnight, Isaac finally opened his and smiled, as he got up from his meditative position and returned to his room.

He awoke the next morning and greeted the day with a nice big breakfast, exercise, and a shower. He then donned his usual armor and weapon loadout and headed to the command room to give his report to Ikora.