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+2 Prana, +2 Resistance

Name: Mark Young (22 - M)

Level: 60

Next level: 102/3721

Stats:

Resistance

Aura

Mana

Prana

1552(+2) [1400]

0 [+25]

331[+70]

1154 (+276)[+155]

Unspent stat points - 50

Corruption value: 100% [+0%] - 100/23.5%??

System Points: 35404.0

Skills: Meditation, Limit release(Physical), Limit release(Mental), Joint casting, Limit release(Spiritual).

Spells: Passive Regeneration(Self)[10], Force bolt[18], Prana Pulse[9], Regenerate[9], Draw Corruption[9], Corruption recovery[15], Engrave Mana(Force)[2], Invigorate[13], Cleansing surge[9], Read Memory[2], Mind Spike[4], Earth Control[10], Light Control[6], Bestowal[8], Telekinetic control[2], Benediction[4], Nature control[7], Telepathic link[7], Animated Mind[4], Breath of life[1].

World inventory. Marketplace. Trade.

[System penalty] has limited your access for 336 hours.

34h 50m 54s /336h

Mark shoved his left leg through the hole in his jeans as he balanced on the other foot. Once he had both legs in, the tinkling of the belt buckle was crisp against the murmurs rising from the streets below.

Glancing at his stats, Mark knew exactly what was about to happen. Over the past week—and with the help of meditation and tonics—he had easily gained the 276 Prana needed to bring his natural threshold to 999. If he acquired even a single point more, the process would begin, so he had been holding off, even though he could have accumulated almost twice that amount.

Spotting the time, Mark cursed once more. It was sheer stupidity to have stayed up so late last night. His mind had been filled with all the wrong thoughts, and none of them would be productive today, so he’d meditated as he practiced with his core but clearly lost track of time. Their departure time was in less than twenty minutes, and Mark had not said goodbye to a single soul.

Shoving his armor on, Mark grabbed the bag he had packed last night and headed for the window. It was Jonathan’s idea, seeing as Mark still had some time left on his penalty. It was easier to pack the things he needed the old-fashioned way than using his limited interactions per day.

Diving out of the glassless frame was quickly becoming the norm as he assisted gravity to pull him toward the ground with a pulse of force.

He didn’t land, instead sweeping around to the front of the building and touching down where he saw the others, settled among the crowds.

Sam shot Mark an amused look that said it all, while Ethel snorted at him. Jason was as near as he could get to Sam, but Jonathan stood between them like a wall. Wesley had joined them, a new shield latched to his back and wearing a fine set of red armor.

Holly and Gibby stood nearby, smiling as Mark winked at them. Shelby was even there, watching the proceedings with a calm gaze.

Karter stood at the back of the whole entourage, shooting Mark a look of annoyance.

“Right. Now that we’re all here, I can give the briefing. The primary objective of this mission is to locate the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services, should it still exist. If you cannot find what we are looking for, there are backup locations on the tablet. The likelihood you will encounter powerful Corrupted is high, so be on the lookout.”

While Karter was going over things, Jason suddenly placed two fingers on his ear.

“Affirmative, Mother Hen, we’ll be heading out shortly… Understood.”

They all looked over as Jason turned to Karter and Ethel.

“The army is ready to receive you as soon as we make our way out of your territory.”

Karter frowned and whistled toward their backline, glancing at Mark as he spoke.

“You may want to begin now, while everyone is gathered.” Then, raising his voice to a frightening degree, Karter called out above the din of the crowds, “We’re moving out!”

Mark pulled out a single vial of spirit tonic. He had wanted to say a proper goodbye to everyone but at this stage, there was just no time, and he doubted anyone else got to say much more of a farewell than he had.

As their group began walking on the main road, Mark snapped the neck of the tonic and knocked it back.

Almost immediately, the attributes joined his, and Mark's breath caught in his throat. The air became thin, and even when he filled his lungs to the limit, he felt no relief. This time, though, he had been expecting it. Just like with the last threshold break, Mark knew he needed to be near as many people as possible to draw in the free-flowing Prana. As he looked out over the crowd, he couldn’t help but smile, grabbing at this opportunity.

All around them, the pavements and roofs were filled with onlookers. Everyone was there, and the moment they took center stage, people began clapping and cheering, adding their weight behind the party. Sam waved, a bubbly smile spreading over her lips. Both Jonathan and Jason seemed to compete as they both put on charismatic faces and began to move through the streets.

As Mark walked beside them, he allowed himself to drink in the limitless Prana swarming in around them. Whenever Mark spotted someone he knew, he’d send them a happy wave, then another, and another. Pretty soon, he made out Joslin and George with their kids. Jude stood nearby as they passed the workshop. Andy waved lazily with his arm slung over Sophia from one of the rooftops. Carl and Willow came out for just a second before disappearing back to where they were needed. So many people came to send them off that it felt like everyone Mark knew and many more.

Prana rushed in from each and every person, each sending sincere shouts their way.

When they got to the edge of their territory, the waves of cheers were joined by NAS as Lisa, Nathan, and Patricia stood waiting in the middle of the road.

They joined in on the clapping as Wesley raised both fists overhead, causing them to scream for their champion even louder.

They were quick to pass through the perimeter NAS had set up, and when the street cleared, Mark could make out a road lined with soldiers. Bystanders had gathered, wondering what was going on, and when they saw the procession, they began to ask questions.

Hushed tones turned into exclamations as more people started to join. Many asked questions of the uniformed men and women blocking the road. Mark was only too surprised when they answered in a more relaxed state.

Mark caught Jason’s eye and shot him a questioning glance. The guy just responded by shrugging his shoulders.

Mark had to assume this was the Colonel’s doing, though the ‘why’ of it was still in the back of his mind.

The trip did not take long, but it was by no means short, as they marched through a populated city. Mark soaked in the city's excited energy, chock-full of life.

The loyalists had made a big show of helping this mission, when most people only knew the barest hint of what was going on. Regardless, people were still curious as to what was going on in the upper echelons, and this offered them the perfect window—or so they thought—into the inner workings of the government.

The nearer they got to the wall, the louder the shouts became, until Mark felt the changes in his body reach a peak and then go silent.

Mark glanced at Sam and saw her happily smiling at everyone as she waved. Mark couldn’t help laughing. Jonathan was too busy monitoring Jason to pay attention to the crowds, but that all changed when the shadow of the wall loomed over them.

People had begun to break off in large groups as they got nearer to the outskirts of the city. Raised structures and empty homes were so numerous that it felt more like an abandoned town than anything else. Even the bravest of bystanders backed off at this stage. Soldiers lined the streets with grim faces, but they did their duty anyway.

Mark already knew the show was over. People were far too scared to come out even this far. The city had always been set up to focus on center points, but now people were doing everything in their power to migrate to the inner area, even if they weren’t part of a faction. The area was still within the wall boundaries, but as far as everyone was concerned, it was barely safer than being out there alone.

Mark mused over this until a small gatehouse came into view along the perimeter of the walls.

Their narrow convoy now moved to a gap where Mark saw casters waiting.

Lieutenant Bix stood beside them, saluting their group and Captain Price.

“Good morning, everyone. I trust your journey here was pleasant. If everyone would follow me, we’ll give our final send-off.”

The five of them glanced around at their respective teams. Wesley waved at Lisa and Nathan, who in turn waved them all off. Karter, Ethel, and Gibby came forward to say their goodbyes, both Jonathan and Sam being swept up in powerful hugs.

Mark shook Gibby's hand and asked him to keep an eye on the clinic.

Jason remained nearby, waiting for them to finish, and when they moved toward the gate for the final time, the casters opened the way.

Mark had expected to be met with the outside world, but instead, he saw a passageway leading to the wall's inner workings.

A final wave to their people, and the entrance sealed behind them. It was just the five of them and Lieutenant Bix.

Stairwells went up on either side of the hallway, with offshoot passages running deeper into the wall.

Approaching the other side, there were two more casters waiting. They could have just as easily flown over the wall, but the Loyalists seemed to want to send them off.

Jason separated from the group as a small group of soldiers came from one of the side passages. They were a lot friendlier than Mark was used to as they surrounded Jason, slapping him on the back and wishing him good luck in boisterous tones.

Mark was surprised—the man almost looked relaxed.

While this was happening, Mark saw Lieutenant Bix catching his eye.

“Look, I know it took me a long while to personally deliver these words, but thank you. You three saved my life, and I’m truly grateful. Things may be tense at the moment, but thank you in person.”

Jonathan tore his eye away long enough to focus on the man.

“Makes you wonder what you’re fighting for when your leaders pit you up against your fellow man, doesn’t it?”

Lieutenant Bix pursed his lips, but Mark cuffed Jonathan over the back of the head before either of them could speak.

“Lieutenant Bix, it was no problem at all. We were all just trying to survive. I’m just sorry I couldn’t help Lieutenant Nole.”

Jonathan shot Mark an unamused glare; he probably didn’t even feel the tap.

Mark expected some support from Sam, but he noticed her looking over at the Lieutenant.

“Your thanks are welcome, and if we had a chance to do it again, I’d have loved to help out more. But as crass as Jon is being, he’s right to some extent. We’re not your enemies, and I know you have no fault in this, but you do have the Colonel's ear. I hope that next time we can rely on you.”

Lieutenant Bix still had not said anything, but his eyes flickered over to Captain Price, who was still snorting at some joke his fellow soldiers had made.

Then, with the barest hint of acknowledgment, he bobbed his head.

Stepping forward, they collected Jason and proceeded toward the gate once more. When it opened, only the darkest cityscape greeted them. Without a look back, the five of them made their way out into the unknown.