Chapter 13: Chapter 13 - Training
While the Ancient One was explaining some theories to Vorrak in Boston, Massachusetts, Kirabo had been on the move for several days since parting ways with the Corruptor.
As he roamed, he grew increasingly contemptuous of the humans around him. Many seemed indifferent to his presence, brushing past him as if he were invisible.
This relentless interaction left him feeling numb and shifted his focus back to the task at hand given by Vorrak. However, he struggled to connect with those around him.
During his travels, Kirabo took note of the busy businesses around him and, with his keen intellect, quickly identified industries that could thrive in this time.
First on his list was weapon manufacturing, which could significantly boost the army's ammunition and firearms supply. Next, he considered aviation, envisioning a company that could supply aircraft to the Air Force.
Third was shipbuilding, recognizing the vastness of the ocean and the impending need for naval warfare capabilities.
Lastly, he thought of newspaper and radio broadcasting—an industry that could be incredibly lucrative in this era.
Yet, for the first three ventures, Kirabo realized he would need substantial funding to get them off the ground.
On the other hand, running a newspaper simply requires a building and a person to type. With Vorrak's son at his disposal, Kirabo found it quite easy to produce any content he needed.
However, the real challenge lay in finding reliable sources for information—a significant hurdle Kirabo faced in starting his newspaper.
To succeed, he needed to establish numerous connections to source his news. Interestingly, during his search for a thriving business, he stumbled upon a dubious operation.
This operation involved illegal drug sales, attracting a wide range of individuals willing to do anything to obtain these substances.
Upon discovering the shady business, Kirabo realized he had found his niche. He fought his way into their base and swiftly took control of their operation.
Thanks to his symbiote, eliminating them would have been simple, but instead, he chose to manipulate their memories using Vorrak's son.
Being a symbiote, he inherited his father's knack for learning quickly, which made it easier for him to control minds.
By altering certain genes, he could influence how memories were stored. With a blend of psychological techniques, he was able to reshape memories without resorting to violence.
Born from a lineage that thrives on control and corruption, manipulating minds felt as effortless to him as taking a breath.
Now, Kirabo had taken over the questionable business, wielding control over everyone through his symbiote.
"Kaelith, is there any way for you to reach out to your father?" Kirabo inquired of his symbiote, glancing at his men as they typed away, gathering information from various sources.
To ensure his newspaper studio became one of the top players in the industry, Kirabo made it a point to instruct his subordinates to collect accurate data.
"My father didn't leave me a direct way to contact him, but I can feel his presence from a distance through our connection," Kaelith replied, filled with respect and admiration.
As part of Vorrak, Kaelith yearned to be reunited with his father. In truth, if it weren't for his duty to protect Kirabo and keep an eye on him, Kaelith would prefer to be by his father's side.
"I understand. It looks like we'll have to wait a bit longer to see our master again. For now, let's focus on completing the tasks he assigned us." Kirabo, ever the loyal subordinate, did not challenge his master's orders.
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In a location within Greenwich Village known as Sanctum, Vorrak and the Ancient One enjoyed an enriching time together. The Ancient One was imparting knowledge to Vorrak, who was soaking it all up like a sponge, thanks to the formidable warrior essence he received from Kirabo that had quadrupled his intelligence.
"Having grasped the foundational concepts, it's time to explore the history of sorcerers," the Ancient One stated, while Vorrak paid close attention, fully engaged in the lesson.
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In the eastern region of Wakanda, within a forest inhabited by apes, a silverback gorilla stood watch, scanning the horizon for any signs of intruders.
It has been a month since Vorrak departed from Wakanda, and the silverback and his tribe have undergone significant changes. Since Vorrak introduced them to crafting, their way of life has shifted quite a bit.
Currently, they are constructing wooden homes and making stone weapons, including spears, bows and arrows, and slingshots.
Even with these tools at their disposal, the apes still preferred to rely on their natural strength. They would resort to using their weapons only when they started to face defeat. The silverback, closely connected to one of Vorrak's sons, was capable of holding his own against Wakanda's guardian, the Black Panther.
Meanwhile, the people of Wakanda remained blissfully unaware of any changes in the eastern region. They hadn't faced any invasions that might have prompted a thorough inspection of their land.
Additionally, with the Black Panther on their side, they felt a strong sense of security. They believed that, as long as their leader was present along with the royal guards, their safety was assured.
As a result, they have not noticed anything unusual in their territory.
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Several hours had gone by since the Ancient One began instructing Vorrak. They had already delved into the basics, discussing the history and theoretical aspects of magic and its various dimensions.
Now, the Ancient One was ready to teach Vorrak the art of conjuring a portal using a sling ring.
"To create an inter-dimensional portal, focus your mind and project your thoughts to the destination you wish to reach. Then, by moving your hand in a circular motion, you'll channel the energy of the dimension, and a portal will open," she explained.
To illustrate, the Ancient One demonstrated by circling her hands, resulting in the creation of a portal leading to Mount Everest.
She then motioned for Vorrak to step through the portal. As he gazed at the familiar landscape, memories flooded back to the time Doctor Strange had been left behind.
Vorrak hesitated, taking a step back, feeling uneasy. The last thing he wanted was to end up like Doctor Strange, stranded on Mount Everest.
But who exactly was the Ancient One? She seemed a bit eccentric. Without a moment's pause, she conjured a whip-like magic and pulled him into the portal before shutting it behind him. She waved goodbye with a gentle smile, but in Vorrak's eyes, it felt more like a devilish grin.
"Good luck, Vorrak. With your physical constitution, you should manage just fine," she said.
As the portal closed, Vorrak stood there, stunned, before letting out a sigh of resignation. He realized he had no choice in the matter.
With his current abilities, he doesn't stand a chance against her and has no option but to yield.
"Just wait, I'll repay you for this," he muttered, his mind racing to the New York Sanctum. As he extended his arm, his left hand remained steady while his right began to trace circles in the air.
Recalling the teachings of the Ancient One, Vorrak concentrated, watching as sparks flickered to life and faded away.
After much effort, he finally managed to open a portal, taking exactly one minute and eleven seconds.
Though the cold didn't bother him much, being tossed to Mount Everest by the Ancient One left a bitter taste in his mouth.
Unfortunately, no matter how much he might want to, he couldn't defeat her.
However, he remembered how kind she had been to him, which inspired him to plan a clever move for next time. For now, he needed to focus on her lessons.
Stepping through the portal, he found the Ancient One watching him with keen interest, her curiosity about him growing stronger.
It had been ages since she encountered someone with such talent. In the symbiote before her, she saw a reflection of her younger self.
To become a supreme sorcerer required talent, and since her own rise to power was long ago, she now considered herself one of the oldest sorcerers in history.
She possesses knowledge surpassing that of any other living being on the planet. Take Asgard, for instance; while most humans dismissed it as mere legend, the Ancient One understood its reality and even had a personal acquaintance with Odin.
When she reflects on Vorrak, she recognizes his incredible talent—so outstanding that it stirs feelings of envy within her. In terms of skill, she feels she is significantly behind him, perhaps two or three times less capable, even though he is just beginning his journey into the mystic arts.
The thought of Vorrak mastering all the mystical knowledge she has accumulated over the years sends a shiver down her spine. She also observes that the force he utilized to create the portal was more powerful than her own, which is a disturbing realization for someone with her extensive experience. She has a rough understanding of where she stands compared to the Corruptor.
Feeling a connection to Vorrak, whose power seems reminiscent of her own, makes her question her maternal instincts. The energy she perceives from him feels at least three times stronger and more stable than hers. With his Eternal Sorcerer Entry at Gold Level, his mystical abilities tower over others by a factor of ten, both in terms of foundation and sheer strength.
Through his portal creation, the Ancient One can sense the vastness of Vorrak's mystic power. This realization deepens her fear of the formidable being before her. Nonetheless, she clings to the hope that as long as she is alive, he will refrain from doing anything reckless.
That is her assumption about her own survival. However, if she were to die, she envisions Vorrak unleashing chaos across the universe.
Her mind races to devise a strategy to keep him grounded.
"So now that you've figured out how to open a portal, tomorrow you'll accompany me to Kamar Taj. It's a place filled with the majority of mystical texts and where you'll study alongside others." Aware of the potential outcomes, the Ancient One has resolved to help Vorrak forge stronger connections with those around him.