18 Reality

Sitting on a random rooftop at the school, the group enjoyed a moment of respite in the afternoon, the sun casting long shadows over the abandoned campus. In the distance, they spotted a group of five individuals navigating the treacherous grounds below.

Chloe pointed them out. "Looks like they've got themselves in a bit of a predicament down there."

Audrey agreed, her fiery spirit undiminished. "Yeah, let's lend a hand."

Aaron, however, wore a more somber expression. "Wait, before we rush in, remember why they're out here in the first place."

Isabella nodded, her gaze unwavering. "They left the shelter. They thought they couldn't be bossed around by a teenage boy."

As they observed from their vantage point, the situation below escalated. The group of five strangers, each with their own set of seemingly useless powers, tried to fend off the encroaching horde of zombies.

One of them could summon cotton candy clouds that melted before they could be of any use, another could make objects smell like fresh-baked cookies, a third could turn water into lukewarm tea, the fourth could grow flowers rapidly in their hands, and the fifth could summon confetti.

Joy's sympathy welled up as she watched. "We have to do something."

Favour added, "No one deserves to die like that."

Aaron and Isabella exchanged a knowing look. Aaron's voice was stern as he spoke the harsh truth. "Sometimes, survival in this world means making tough decisions. They chose to leave shelter, to reject leadership. Now they have to face the consequences of that choice."

Isabella's silver hair caught the faint sunlight as she added, "We can't save everyone. It's a harsh reality we've come to accept."

Reluctantly, the group watched as the zombies overtook the strangers below. The afternoon was a stark reminder that in their apocalyptic world, survival often meant making difficult choices and facing the consequences head-on.

Immediately after witnessing the strangers' unfortunate fate, the group continued to traverse the abandoned school grounds. The atmosphere was tense, the memory of the strangers' futile struggle etched in their minds. Their footsteps echoed through the empty hallways, a stark reminder of the perilous world they inhabited.

As they rounded a corner, they stumbled upon a monstrous creature that sent shivers down their spines. It was a colossal mutated grasshopper, its exoskeleton gleaming in sickly hues of green and brown. It's long, spindly legs twitched with unnatural vigor, and its antennae quivered as it scanned its surroundings.

Aaron, his protective instincts on high alert after the previous encounter, was the first to react. "We need to take it down, and we need to do it carefully."

Chloe, always quick with humor, quipped, "Any ideas on how to make a giant grasshopper laugh itself to death?"

Isabella, her silver hair catching the dim light, turned to Aaron. "Who should face it?"

Aaron hesitated, his concern evident. "I'll do it."

The group exchanged knowing glances. They had discussed Aaron's overprotectiveness before. It was born out of a genuine desire to keep his loved ones safe, but it often stifled their growth. This time, they were determined to convince him otherwise.

Harmony, her eyes filled with determination, spoke up. "Aaron, we can handle it. You've trained us well. It's time to trust us."

Joy nodded in agreement. "We're a team, and we need to grow together."

Favour, Aaron's sister and a formidable warrior in her own right, stepped forward. "I'll take it on. You've taught me everything I know, big brother."

Aaron's resolve wavered, but he reluctantly agreed. "Alright, Sis. But be careful."

Favour smirked, her earth-controlling powers surging within her. "I've got this."

As Favour squared off against the colossal grasshopper, her siblings watched with a mix of pride and anxiety. The battle that ensued was intense and brutal. Favour's earth manipulation allowed her to create barriers, trap the creature's legs, and launch devastating rock projectiles at the grasshopper. Her combat skills were remarkable, and she danced around the beast with calculated grace.

But the grasshopper was no ordinary foe. It countered her attacks with tremendous leaps and powerful strikes of its massive legs. Favour was pushed to her limits, her body battered and bruised. Yet, she refused to yield.

The tension in the air was palpable as the battle raged on. The team watched in awe of her unwavering determination. They knew she could do it; she just needed the right opportunity.

Finally, that opportunity presented itself. The grasshopper, its antennae twitching wildly, prepared for a devastating leap. Favour, bloodied but unbroken, seized the moment. With a surge of her earth-controlling power, she manipulated the ground beneath her, propelling herself into the air.

In a breathtaking display of agility and skill, Favour soared above the grasshopper's head and landed on its massive thorax. With a swift, calculated strike, she drove her earth-enhanced fist into the creature's exoskeleton, shattering it and incapacitating the beast.

The giant grasshopper twitched and convulsed before finally succumbing to its injuries. Favour stood victorious, her body battered but her spirit unbroken.

As the group rushed to her side, Aaron's eyes were filled with a mixture of pride and worry. Favour had proven herself capable, and Aaron had learned a valuable lesson in letting his loved ones grow and face their own battles.

Chloe couldn't resist cracking a joke to break the tension. "Well, that grasshopper really hopped into the wrong neighborhood, didn't it?"

As Chloe's joke lightened the atmosphere, and the group basked in the relief of Favour's hard-fought victory over the colossal grasshopper, Favour herself couldn't help but smile through the pain. Her friends gathered around her, congratulating her on her remarkable display of skill and determination.

Favour took a deep breath, her battered body a testament to her strength. "Thanks, everyone. But there's something else I need to share." She paused, her voice filled with a newfound sense of purpose. "Just like Isabella, I received my profession options after the battle."

The group's curiosity was piqued as they listened intently. Favour proceeded to list her five remarkable options:

Terramancer: Mastery over earth manipulation, allowing her to reshape the terrain, create formidable barriers, and unleash devastating seismic attacks.

Geomancer Sage: Enhanced control over earth, granting her the ability to sense disturbances in the ground, anticipate enemy movements, and manipulate the earth's energy for various purposes.

Stoneheart Sentinel: Develops her physical resilience and grants her the power to meld her body with the earth, rendering her nearly invulnerable while connected to the ground.

Earthshaker Champion: An elite path that enables her to summon colossal golems made of stone and wield them in battle, becoming a formidable force on the battlefield.

Earth Goddess: The ultimate choice that Favour couldn't resist. It allows her to tap into the very essence of the earth, granting her unparalleled control over earth and stone, the ability to command the earth's wrath, and even shape the land itself.

The group was awed by the incredible options, and they celebrated Favour's decision to become an Earth Goddess. As a reward for her victory, she received three gifts that amplified her earth-controlling abilities:

A dirt-brown necklace that specialized in defense. It could protect her against opponents up to the 4th path for a duration of ten minutes, giving her a significant advantage in battles.

A skill tablet that enabled her to fight with the finesse and precision of Toph Beifong from Avatar, enhancing her earth-manipulation skills to an astonishing level.

A portable grand black-brown castle that could be summoned and carried within a ring. This mobile fortress would serve as her sanctuary and base of operations in their dangerous world.

With these newfound powers and gifts, Favour was determined to prove herself as an Earth Goddess. But her journey wasn't without its trials. When the time came for her test of baptism, she had learned from Isabella's past experiences.

As the group gathered around to witness Favour's ordeal, they watched as red lightning struck her not once but five times. Each bolt brought a new level of pain, and Favour clenched her teeth to stifle any screams. She knew that this pain was a necessary step toward unlocking the full potential of her newfound powers.

The first bolt seared through her, feeling like molten lava coursing through her veins. The second brought a numbing cold, as if her entire body had been plunged into an icy abyss. The third bolt felt like a thousand needles piercing her skin simultaneously. The fourth brought a weighty fatigue that threatened to drag her into unconsciousness.

But it was the fifth and final bolt that tested her the most. It felt like an overwhelming pressure crushing her from all sides, threatening to shatter her resolve. Favour fought through it, drawing strength from the earth itself.

As the test concluded, Favour stood there, battered but unbroken. Her friends rushed to her side, offering their support and admiration. She had emerged from the test as a true Earth Goddess, her powers amplified to an astonishing degree.

Favour's unique beauty was a testament to her newfound powers as an Earth Goddess. Her striking emerald-green hair, a living tribute to her elemental connection, cascaded down her back like a verdant waterfall. It shimmered with an otherworldly radiance, its color reminiscent of lush forests and flourishing meadows. Her hair, akin to nature's embrace, swayed with each graceful movement, as if dancing to a secret rhythm only she could hear.

Her eyes, deep and rich like the most fertile soil, held a serene wisdom that belied her youthful appearance. They sparkled with an inner strength, a reflection of the unyielding determination that resided within her. When she gazed upon the world, it was as if she could see the very essence of life itself, the interconnectedness of all things.

Favour's skin, kissed by the earth's embrace, bore no blemishes or imperfections. It possessed a remarkable resilience, as if the very ground she walked upon had gifted her its fortitude. Her features were a harmonious blend of softness and strength, a testament to the balance she maintained between her gentle nature and her unwavering resolve.

As she stood there, radiating an aura of natural beauty and power, it was evident that Favour had become more than just a guardian of the earth—she had become an embodiment of its enduring strength and vitality. Her presence alone could mend wounds, soothe troubled hearts, and inspire hope in the darkest of times.

Her journey into the skies was a breathtaking spectacle. Favour's movements were a graceful dance among the clouds, as if she had become one with the very air she now traversed. She extended her arms, her fingertips brushing against the wispy edges of passing clouds, feeling the cool embrace of the atmosphere against her skin.

From her elevated vantage point, she could survey the world below with a sense of boundless freedom. The landscapes stretched out before her, a patchwork quilt of lush forests, winding rivers, and sprawling cities. It was as if the entire world had become her domain, and she was its custodian.Top of Form