21 Evolution…

August 22nd, 1995 - Earth

Kamar-Taj, Kathmandu - Nepal

Several weeks had passed since David's return from his adventure, and he had been relishing the time, indulging in moments of simple pleasure and dedicating himself to training once a day. In the garden, David found peace in meditation, his mind and spirit attuned to the flow of ionic energy that surrounded him. Unbeknownst to him, the Ancient One approached silently, a serene smile gracing her features as she observed his practice.

As David maintained his meditative state, his ionic senses subtly alert to the presence of his mother, while simultaneously he detected a peculiar sensation coursing through his body. Despite the newfound control and potency of his powers since the transformation of his chi to ionic energy, a lingering sense of incompleteness had always persisted within him.

In the midst of his meditation, David felt a shift, a stirring within him as his ionic energy surged to life, enveloping him in a radiant aura. The energy travelled through his bloodstream, merging seamlessly with his bloodstream, suffusing him with an unparalleled euphoria. A soft glow emanated from his form, casting a gentle luminescence that danced across his skin.

Puzzled by the unexpected development, the Ancient One observed David's glowing presence with a furrowed brow. Casting a spell of "[Truthsight]", she delved deeper into the enigma before her, discerning the intricate patterns of ionic energy woven throughout his being. Though she harboured suspicions about the nature of this phenomenon, she opted for patience, choosing to await further developments before drawing conclusions.

Although David was aware of the changes unfolding within his body, he experienced no fear. His powers had been a constant companion since the tender age of two, a source of wonder and exhilaration that had enriched his life beyond measure. If he couldn't place his trust in his abilities, then how could he trust himself? "Mother, I have a feeling this meditation might take a while," he informed her, his voice laced with determination. "I understand, darling. I will bring you some food if you need to take a break," she replied, her unwavering support evident in her words.

Settling into his meditative stance, David directed his ionic senses inward, delving deep into the intricacies of his own physiology. As he observed the flow of his blood, he detected a subtle yet profound shift—the plasma surrounding his red blood cells emitted a soft, ethereal blue glow. With each passing moment, the influence of his ionic energy became more pronounced, gradually altering the properties of his blood. The once vibrant red hue of the cells transformed into shades of green and blue.

Simultaneously, the aura emanating from David's form intensified, suffusing his complexion with a luminous blush that transitioned from warm red to a cool, azure hue. Yet, beneath the surface, a searing heat began to build, akin to the onset of a feverish inferno. Despite the mounting discomfort, David remained steadfast in his focus, his resolve unyielding even as the scalding sensation threatened to overwhelm his senses.

The Ancient One returned with a tray of food, her steps deliberate as she approached David, still bathed in the ethereal glow of his meditation. Yet, despite the serene aura surrounding him, the pained expression etched upon his face was unmistakable. "Honey, do you want mummy to help you?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

David's response was resolute, his determination shining through even in moments of discomfort. "No, this is a trial I must face," he replied firmly. "As long as there's no danger to my life, I ask that you let me go through this."

Moments like this was precisely why she had entrusted David with the challenges that he experienced in America. It was a test of his strength, both physical and spiritual, and she knew he possessed the resilience to endure. Though she wielded the power of the timestone, her visions of the future were shrouded in uncertainty. No longer could she see the single path that fate had once laid out before her. Instead, she was confronted with a myriad of possibilities, branching off like the limbs of a giant tree.

Seven hundred years ago, there was a time when the future seemed clear, when the world followed a single, unbroken path. But that night, in a dream that felt more like a revelation, she witnessed the birth of the multiverse—a vast, sprawling network of timelines stretching out into infinity. From that moment on, the timestone ceased to reveal a certain future, showing only glimpses of what could be.

Among the myriad paths that the stone revealed to her, one vision stood out amidst the uncertainty—a world where David's fate took a darker turn. In that timeline, he was taken in by the Red Room from that same temple where she picked him up, robbed of the childhood innocence that she had come to cherish. It was a future she could have allowed, had she not intervened when she did, David would've still ended up a hero. 

Despite the unknown consequences her choice would bring about, she couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the path she had chosen—it brought forth the sweet, fun-loving child who now faced the unknown with bravery and determination.

She watched him now, his strength tested by the transformative power coursing through his veins. He was no longer the innocent boy she had first laid eyes on, but something more—a beacon of hope in a world filled with uncertainty. And though she knew the potential challenges that lay ahead, she took solace in the knowledge that he would be ready to face them when they came.

As David endured the pain of his transformation, she couldn't help but feel a swell of pride in her heart. He had come so far since their first meeting, and she knew that he was destined for greatness. And so, she watched on, her faith unwavering, as David embraced the pain with an unwavering spirit.

As the intensity of the heat surged through his body and the transformation of his blood reached its climax, David's ionic energy took on a life of its own, seeping into the very core of his being. With a gut-wrenching cry, he felt his muscles tense and contort as the ancient one swiftly cast a silencing barrier, enveloping them in a cocoon of silence.

Amidst the eerie stillness, the air resonated with the sickening sound of cracking bones, each fracture echoing through the chamber like a thunderous symphony of agony. Yet, even as David writhed in pain, his bones shattered and regenerated in a deathly dance of transformation. 

With each crack and subsequent repair, his bones underwent a metamorphosis of their own, shifting in colour to match the hue of his newly transformed blood. The molecular bonds binding them together grew stronger, imbued with the power of his ionic energy. 

As the torturous ordeal dragged on, David's body surged with an otherworldly energy, each crack of his bones echoing through the chamber like a grim symphony of transformation. Yet, amidst the agony, he found solace in the rhythm of his own breath and the steady throb of his heartbeat, a beacon of calm in the tempest of pain.

Unable to move, he surrendered himself to the excruciating process, his senses heightened to a razor's edge as every fibre of his being screamed in protest. And still, he endured, his will unyielding in the face of unimaginable torment.

On the sidelines, the Ancient One watched with a heavy heart, her gaze never wavering as she bore witness to David's metamorphosis. With each crack of bone and surge of energy, her own heart ached, yet she remained steadfast in her vigil.

Through her Truthsight spell, she observed the intricate dance of David's DNA, his genetic code shifting and evolving with each passing moment. Although his DNA radiated with the glow of his ionic energy, she knew that he still retained a human base, she had knowledge pertaining to the composition of energy beings and although David was similar, he was still a biological life form.

As the transformation of David's bones reached its culmination after three gruelling hours, a new phase of his metamorphosis unfolded. With each surge of ionic energy coursing through his veins, his entire body became suffused with an otherworldly glow, from his muscles to his organs, even his eyes shimmered with an ethereal light.

Sensing the excruciating pain that awaited him, the Ancient One cast a gentle spell to lull David into a deep slumber, sparing him from the worst of the torment. Though his transformation continued unabated, the intensity of his suffering was dulled by the comforting embrace of sleep.

With David now resting peacefully, the Ancient One gathered him in her arms and, with a whispered incantation, transported them both to his chamber. Laying him upon his bed, she settled by his side, her presence a silent reassurance in the darkness.

As the hours passed, the Ancient One remained vigilant, her thoughts a silent prayer for David's well-being. And as she entered a state of deep meditation, she vowed to stand watch over him until the moment he stirred from his slumber, ready to face whatever came of the process with her son.