BIOLOGICAL SUPERCOMPUTER SYSTEM

1151  Merging Powers (3)

<Well… that's certainly better.>

The new powers worked just as Erik hoped, plus, The Chimaeric Demons had got Monica's power, though it would take a while before the first batch of clones with this ability matured. After all, he still needed time to make their eggs.

The old "Plant Master" brain crystal power turned into one called "Verdant Architect" by the system. It was similar, in essence, to the old brain crystal power, but with a new ability: now, Erik could transform plants into any material he wanted. That wasn't all, because everything the plants under his control touched could be altered as well. Unlike Restro, who needed physical contact with Terra to change his powers' material, Erik had limitless flexibility. It was like he'd gained an endless set of hands, each capable of creating and transforming materials without restraint.

His Self-Healing and Healing Touch abilities merged, forming a new version of Healing Touch, but not something completely unheard of. A healing power, in fact, was meant to do that, heal, so the power didn't get something that made him do something completely unrelated to this. However, compared to the previous two abilities, now not only could he heal directly, like Healing Touch was allowed to do, but he also had a passive healing effect that came from Self-Healing, but that got some characteristics from Healing Touch itself.

Force Bastion and Aegis Morph, instead, were merged to form Tower Bastion. This upgraded version kept its core defensive strength but added a new twist: Erik could change the armor's material on the fly, an ability gained from merging Restro's original brain crystal power with Force Bastion. All of that made his defenses better, but even more adaptable. Then came Elemental Lord—a fusion of his many elemental powers. This brain crystal power combined every element but kept a feature from his old slime-generating power: the ability to create constructs. Now, instead of building them with hardened slime, Erik could shape the elements themselves into solid forms. Fire, water, earth, air.

The number of brain crystal powers Erik got was significantly less now. He kept only those that were too unique to merge or already powerful enough on their own. Yet he couldn't help but question his choices. For instance, he considered giving the Time Freeze or Warp brain crystal powers to the clones. Each would give them a huge tactical edge, allowing them to manipulate the flow of battle in ways few could counter. Ultimately, he chose restraint. He'd already given them the third division commander's brain crystal power, which allowed them to gain more brain crystal powers by controlling thaids and people. There was no reason to give them too much stuff, as they couldn't even handle it. Then Erik finally decided it was time. There was something he hadn't talked to Mira, Amber, and Emily yet, but that was very important.

"Now I think it is time to have THAT conversation with Mira, Amber, and Emily."

Erik left the tent feeling nervous. The cool air outside hit him, but did nothing to stop him from overthinking. He had to talk to Mira, Amber, and Emily about his ability to give them new powers, which would change their lives and help with their plans for the island. Taking a deep breath, he started walking towards them. Each step he took brought him closer to a conversation that would shape all of their futures, and that would for sure simplify things for him on Mur. At least to some degrees.

Erik wanted to give them a new power, or two at best. The problem was, should he give them his own powers, which were already good, or should he make them think about something they might really need or want and provide it to them?

Invisibility, for example, could be an extremely useful power for Emily. Erik was already imagining her blending into the landscape behind her shooting spot, the only trace of her presence being the crack of her rifle—then, nothing. She'd vanish like mist, leaving her enemies bewildered, scanning the horizon for a phantom they couldn't see, but that was there, stalking them. A spectral killer. This power would transform her into a living nightmare—a terror for anyone foolish enough to enter her scope.

Erik's hesitation still remained. The problem would be the already present over-reliance on her rifle, which might make Emily rather predictable, trapping her in patterns he wanted her to abandon.

What if, instead of depending on a single weapon, she could wield lightning?

A shot of energy from her fingertips, unstoppable, faster than a blink—no dodge or countermeasure could save her targets. Either way, she could become the perfect weapon in Erik's arsenal, but which choice would take advantage of her true potential?

These two powers worked well for Mira too, since she was a sort of ranged assassin, but knowing her, he was unsure she would accept them. <Telekinesis is also a power she might want to get.> It worked similarly to her existing brain crystal power, but would make her able to use everything as a weapon and would allow her to protect herself, like Uncle Benjamin did. <The power would be much better with a parallel will brain crystal power, and I don't know if giving her three abilities would be safe.>

Amber had many options when it came to choosing her powers, but something about healing always felt right for her and her personality. Erik wasn't sure what to suggest to her, though. If Amber chose the power of Rejuvenating Touch, it would give her new strengths. She could heal herself and others, helping her friends and teammates get out of tough situations and more. This ability would be a big change from her current situation, one that would complement well with her need to avoid useless death. <Yes, but I still think she needs something that allows her to channel all that destructive power and give her more control of it. Especially considering what we are going to do next and where we are heading.>

Mur, and before that, the Law Gate.

Erik hadn't realized, taken as he was by his own thoughts, but he walked a good distance. "Master!"

Erik didn't notice the clone watching him with a puzzled expression since his attention was lost somewhere else. In truth, the surrounding area buzzed with activity; clones swarmed every which way, clearing out the wreckage left by the battle that took place on the island.

They were all strong enough to handle the cleanup without heavy equipment, though it would've saved them a lot of time if they had. Instead, they were stuck lifting everything by hand, piece by piece. The rubble wasn't even the worst part—they could handle rocks and broken structures on their shoulders. But the earth and sand? That was another story entirely, one resembling a nightmare, more than a chore.

To get through that, the clones had to form a sort of human wave. They dug, hands clawing at the ground like dogs. Earth and sand flew behind them, landing in heaps for the next row of Chimaeric Demons to do the same, and then the next row. They worked their way down until finally they broke through to the sandy beach. It was a grueling process, a relentless push, but they got the job done.

As unconventional as it was, it was pretty effective. But the cleanup wasn't the only thing happening around Erik. The Blackguards, being a military organization, had a lot more things the Chimaeric Demons had to manage. They'd brought weapons and armor of every sort, along with supplies, water, and other essentials. The whole setup was built to support a smaller force, but now, with so many people, or better clones, Maynard Island was practically bursting at the seams. To keep things under control, the clones had taken over the existing buildings as makeshift storage areas, stashing the gear and supplies there and storing even the one they brought here from Sleb Harbor and the new batches of supplies coming from Frant. They pitched the tents already on the island to set up camp, avoiding the need for anything more elaborate. Erik was too busy to plan out proper accommodations and had built nothing himself. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Not yet, anyway, but it was for sure on his list.

The only reason things were moving so quickly was because of the sheer number of clones. But with that many hands at work, the camp was noisy: shouted orders, the hum and crackle of brain crystal powers in use, and the clatter of gear and supplies being hauled or dropped. Even with all the surrounding chaos, Erik heard nothing, to the point that he almost reached his own private tent without realizing.

Well, private might've been a stretch—it was also where the three women were staying, and Erik didn't want them to sleep on the ground, so he actually built something for them.