District 42-Chapter 222: Wanting power
Casper got to his apartment after another full day at the Sgail’s Headquarters. He didn’t even have the time to sleep or go to the laboratory. His report couldn’t be made to Leonel since the same stayed occupied with the bunch of reunions and appointments he had to attend to.
’It’s even amazing that he can pull through so many things at the same time... He is even injured, but didn’t take the time needed to rest. He surely is an annoying guy, but also a responsible one.’
The soldier entered his apartment, sighing slightly and releasing all the stress he had on the previous night and on that morning. He was relieved to be back home.
’Strange... I am starting to call this place "home". Well, it’s already time to get used to it, I guess. After all, I am here for almost three months. Or was it three months and a half? Man, I can’t remember at all.’
Once Casper stepped into the living room, he was welcomed by a youthful voice.
"Welcome back, Master. I hope your mission was fulfilled successfully!" Yanke came flying in his direction, doing rounds around his body as if analyzing it.
"You got some cracked ribs and harmed muscles, mainly on the calf and thigh, also as numerous bruises on your body. Their status is "In fast recovering". You Just have had received top-quality medical care!"
Casper, again, was amazed by how much of a surprise box Yanke was, and his mind was already entering in burnout just to think on that matter.
"Hello, Yanke. It’s good to see you, buddy."
"Your voice seems to be quite tired... Are you sure you had, at least, seven hours of sleep, ate your meals, and exercised today? Maybe you want to sit on the couch."
The soldier obeyed him. He was so in shock that he could not bring himself to do something else other than sit and think about what was happening.
’For a moment, I nearly forgot about what happened with Yanke and I... Damn, after such a tiring day I still need to sort this complicated thing out!’
Once he was already sitting on the couch and massaging his temples to lessen his headache, the soldier looked at the spheric robot flying in front of him and learning, analyzing, noting...
’He is looking at my way of acting now. Is he trying to analyze how someone looks when they are tired? Or does he already know that and is just seeing my condition again?’
Casper was interested in Yanke more than never, but he wouldn’t get anything there by just look at him and see what happens.
"Ok, Yanke, come here." The robot approached him, the light around his eyes shining as he did, like a little pet excited with his owner calling.
"I will ask you something and you must answer me in detail. I need to be aware of it, ok?"
"Yes, Master. As many questions as you want!"
The soldier stared at Yanke as he asked:
"Before you went crazy one day ago and turned off, you were saying something related to my past, right?" The robot confirmed. "How do you know about my past, Yanke?"
He floated to the right and left, processing some data to answer that question in the better way possible.
It didn’t take too long, though.
"Well, Master, all I did was to enroll with your mask and do some research on your brain. I could acquire a lot of experience by seeing the archives you call as memories, and now I understand much more about what it means to be a human."
The soldier was flabbergasted by his answer.
"B-but, how could you? I mean, does my mask have something to do with it?"
"Yes, it is an extension of your entire being. Your mind, body, and soul are connected to that mask, even though you are not wearing it. So, if I enter the mask’s system, I can automatically link to your brain."
Casper stood up from the couch suddenly, rushing towards his room and searching on the floor.
He made a false floor to hide his mask until he could find someone reliable to protect it.
The White warrior picked up that thing, looking intently at it. Until now, he could not comprehend how something so plain-looking could be so complex.
"How this thing is attached to my mind, body, and... soul?"
Yanke promptly answered him, following Casper around the place.
"Indigo Energy interacts curiously with human’s body. Once you can direct it to someone, you can modify different cells, even atoms, the way you want. The existence of the Soul is something that was discovered because of Indigo Energy since it reacts to our souls as well!
"What the Forger basically does is program the mask’s system, so it can handle Indigo Energy. Just a little amount should do to sustain it forever. Then, the mask automatically links with these three pillars of your being. Simple. It’s scientifical and mystical at the same time."
Casper was terrified. What people usually said to him was more inclined to the scientific way of the mask’s operation. No one had said to him about it being so complex before.
"So, are you saying that these things have this much power? Damn! That’s outrageous! And the whole population has their souls, mind, and bodies at the mercy of the Royal family! That’s how serious this situation is."
Casper looked intently at that black mask, his hands trembling slightly.
"Hey, Yanke, that’s terrifying... Really, really scary. But, you know what scares me the most?" His voice was a bit failed, but, deep inside, he had greed filling his chest.
"What’s it, Master?"
"The fact that you can control these things and how you could learn to achieve such feat that, as far as I know, could just be done by the Forger."
Casper changed his focus towards Yanke and the robot showed one more trace of emotion on him, and that was called proud.
"Throughout my short period of life, I could do a lot of research by observation. As Master wouldn’t let me go out and also didn’t take me on a stroll, I needed to find a way to access the cameras of the Castle, so I could explore the world. Among all the things that I have been studying until now, the masks of these folk are what left me more curious, so I focused on it and could decode and invade their system. That’s all thanks to the inactive mask that Master left here since its inner defense is cracked by your previous temporary hacking."
After Yanke’s narrative, the soldier could finally comprehend what was going on there.
As always, he organized everything he discovered that day. Casper lasted some seconds thinking until he could finally stop for a while and return his attention to Yanke.
"Do you have access to all masks of the district?"
"Partially... Actually, just a few aspects can be controlled by me since it’s hard to invade some parts. Yours is the only one I could invade completely, but that’s only because of the reasons I mentioned before."
The White warrior was feeling ecstatic as the fear and surprise got replaced by excitement and joy.
Since he entered that world, Casper didn’t have powers or weapons to rely on. He always survived with the few things he got to use.
Now, he was possibly talking with the potential strongest weapon of the entire district.
"I suppose that you are constantly trying to decode the masks until now, right?"
"Yes, but that’s a process that can last years. They are very complex and well-made and depending on what I do when invading them, I can end up shattering someone’s mind or soul, so I got to be careful."
Casper wasn’t believing in the masterpiece he just created. It was amazing. He could feel that a lot of power befell on his hands.
"Yanke, you are incredible! I don’t know how to state it properly..."
The robot showed then another emotion: flattery.
"Thanks, Master. Does this ability of mine makes you so glad like this?"
The soldier immediately shook his head in agreement, crossing his arms.
"Yes. Your current power is awesome regarding tasks like hacking, gathering information and data, invade systems, and even manipulate some technologies. As it grows, you can have control over the entire District 42, the masks, and even a full understanding of Indigo Energy!"
The robot didn’t know of how much value all those possibilities were for Casper, but, even so, he celebrated with his Master, getting spirited for being of great use for the one that created him.
The soldier put the black mask aside again, getting up from the ground and walking towards his window.
He looked outside, taking a deep breath.
"This event made me remember that I need more power. I am still a shrimp in this place called District 42. If I want to achieve my goals... I must become stronger!"
