Reborn with Anima Nexus

Jalen was nothing less than excited; just when he thought he was all alone in this new world, his friend was here too. However, it did pose some questions. As Lucio untied Jalen, he began to speak.

"How did you get here? As a matter of fact, how did either of us get here?" Jalen questioned.

With no emotion at all, Lucio spoke,

"You killed us."

"..."

"I did what? How?"

"The car accident..."

"Wait, it wasn't a dream?"

"The fuc- NO, it was not a dream, dammit! You killed us, Jalen!"

Once again, silence filled the interrogation room, leaving Jalen and Lucio staring at each other. A distorted grin grew on both of their faces, and the two friends burst into laughter. Struggling to get out words, Jalen began to speak.

"I always knew that would be how we'd go out," he said while trying to catch his breath.

Also trying to do the same, Lucio said, "Literally never getting in the car with you again."

Now fully composed, the boys began to try to understand what was happening.

"So we died and reincarnated into this world? Is that correct?"

"That is pretty much all I know,"

"But we weren't the only ones in the truck. So I guess it would be fair to assume that everyone else was also brought here."

"Well, they would not be here in Stabilous; after all, I've been all over this city and never met anyone that looked remotely close, but the world, yes!"

Jalen felt guilt beginning to build in his chest.

'Nathan, Kullen, I'm sorry for what I've done. I promise to make this right and get us all home,' Jalen thought.

Looking at Lucio, Jalen began to speak.

"I am so-"

"Save it. You goofed, but I know you'll find a way to get us home," extending his hand for a fist bump.

Eagerly, Jalen responded with his own.

"That's good to hear, but Lucio, I do have one more question."

"Fire away, bro."

"What in the world is a Silent Night?" Jalen's face looked puzzled.

"Oh, that is just my ultimate skill."

Lucio placed his hand on his left pectoral, and out of his chest flashed a bright yellow screen with black writing. It read:

LUCIO RAMEY AGE: 18

TRAITS: MARKSMANSHIP/SUPERHUMAN

PASSIVE SKILL: ONE-MAN ARMY

(Lucio's body is brought to its full potential, giving him attributes of increased focus, strength, and speed. His body can defend against most physical attacks except for slashes.)

ULTIMATE SKILL: SILENT NIGHT (Lucio's stealth is maxed out. This allows him to disappear in plain sight. He develops the traits of an Assassin and becomes extremely blood-lusted, unable to distinguish ally from enemy)

TITLE: TACO ASSASSIN

Tapping his chest again, Lucio looked at Jalen, who was in utter disbelief.

"WE HAVE SUPERPOWERS!"

"Honestly, I'm surprised that you didn't know. I mean, you did change clothes instantaneously back on that rooftop. On top of that, this world has gifted us with heightened senses and combat prowess."

"True, honestly I should have put two and two together, especially once we started fighting," Jalen said as he nodded his head.

"Well, since you know my powers, let's see yours," Lucio gestured for Jalen to tap his peck.

Nervously, Jalen placed his hand on his peck, tapping it.

'Please don't be lame,' he thought.

From his chest flashed a black screen with white writing.

JALEN JONES AGE: 21

TRAITS: RANDOMNESS/IMAGINATION CONFIGURATION

PASSIVE SKILL: DREAM MOLD (Whatever Jalen can imagine will materialize or happen if desired. It can affect everything and anything. Jalen can also pass the skill on to his allies if he chooses, but it will only allow them to materialize tools and weapons)

ULTIMATE SKILL: JOKER'S PLAYGROUND (Jalen's subconscious thoughts are given life, without his knowledge. Causing random things to occur that only benefit Jalen. Can only be activated as a last resort)

TITLE: NONE

Jalen quietly tapped his peck again.

'Holy Shit! I'm broken,' he thought.

"Holy shit, you're broken!" Lucio exclaimed.

"This is perfect! With your help, I can overthrow the king."

"Overthrow? Why would you want to do that?" Jalen said, hesitation creeping into his voice.

Lucio could tell that Jalen was standoffish to the idea, so he decided to give Jalen the whole story.

Lucio took a deep breath before speaking. "The king rules through a brutal caste system. The wealthy live in luxury, gambling away fortunes while the poor are forced into underground workshops, working until they collapse, hoping to strike it rich on rigged casino games. The military enforces this system, and I was just another number in the machine, keeping the pigs fat and the rats in chains. I worked my way up the ranks so I could get close enough to end it all. Now, I just need your help. If we take down the king, we break the system. We free everyone."

Jalen remained silent. Truthfully, he didn't care much about freeing the people or breaking the system. He wasn't some kind of revolutionary. But Lucio was his friend, and he wasn't about to leave him hanging. Plus, a battle against a tyrant king? That sounded like the perfect way to test just how broken his powers really were.

Without a word, Jalen stood up, green energy collecting into the palm of his hand. He placed it on the door.

With a serious tone, he said, "One-sided transparency."

Immediately, the door took on the properties of a one-way mirror, revealing dozens of soldiers lined up, ready to knock the door down. Jalen's mind raced. 'They already know about Lucio's betrayal. We're out of time.'

Quickly scanning the room, Jalen noticed a small hole in the wall with a camera. Without missing a beat, he turned to Lucio.

"I was going to help you regardless, but as of right now, your plan is active. I just need you to trust me real quick, and whatever you do, remain calm."

Lucio gave Jalen a serious look and nodded. Acting quickly, Jalen put a barrier around Lucio, touched all four walls, and then the floor. Finally, he squeezed himself into the barrier as well.

"Prepare to launch in 3, 2, 1..."

At that moment, a soldier kicked the door down.

"Later, fellas... DETONATE!" Jalen yelled.

BOOM

As the explosion sent them soaring through the air, Jalen barely had time to orient himself before they crashed onto the hard pavement. Smoke and debris filled the streets, and before they could catch their breath, alarms blared throughout the city.

Lucio groaned, pushing himself up. "Subtle, Jalen. Real subtle."

Jalen smirked, shaking off the impact. "Hey, it worked, didn't it?"

Then, the sound of boots stomping against stone echoed from all directions. Dozens of soldiers poured into the street, weapons drawn. The king's forces were already mobilized.

Jalen rolled his shoulders, the rush of adrenaline coursing through him. His fingers crackled with green energy. "Looks like it's game time."

Lucio cracked his neck and pulled out his weapons. "Straight through the casino. Top floor. The king's waiting. I'm gonna go rescue the people in the underground workshop. Good luck."

Jalen grinned. "Then I better not keep him waiting. And Lucio this goes without saying but try not to die."

And with that, the battle began.