The last time that Kenan was around his Family, the Ogun, he was 11 years old, and his father had “died” while on a mission.
The Ogun were one of the Elder families of Bethal Pasture. Their history was vast, and they were as powerful as they were old. Few Superior Organizations outside the Shepherds would dare cross them.
Kenan didn’t know much about the families as an organization, but he knew most of the Tribunal and who were on it. There were three Elders of the Family and The Patriarch. The current patriarch is Kenan’s Uncle, with whom he has never had a problem. As far as Kenan knew, his uncle didn’t have a problem with him. He wasn’t sure who had a problem with his father marrying his mother, which made him weary of all his relatives except the Prime Elder, his grandfather. The Prime Elder was the only one to show a measure of kindness to his mother. So he had a lot of respect for him. This is who Kenan was reaching out to now.
Kenan Grabbed his N.C.D network communication device, placed it on his wrist, and called his grandfather. He looked at the time. “By 7 am, he should be done with his morning routine by now.” When the call was about to timeout, a man with a small black turban and a thick white beard appeared on the projection. He looked to be in the library, surrounded by books with a coffee on his desk. His face lit up with joy once he saw Kenan on his end of the projection. He sat his book down and spoke. “Ah, my favorite grandchild has finally decided to call and check on me. Tell me, my boy, how have you been getting along?”
Kenan couldn’t help but smile at his grandfather’s words. He didn’t really mean he thought Kenan was his favorite grandchild; he said that to all of him and his cousins when they were the only ones around. Still, every time this old man said it, he sounded so convincing. “I’m doing good, Grandpa. I got Dad''s inheritance, and I have some questions about it.” His grandfather’s face got more excited.
“So tell me what superior ability you got. That son of mine may be a knucklehead, but he does know how to give gifts.
Kenan nods. “I have a Mimicry ability to mimic metal. Auntie Aria says it’s not steel but a metal she hasn’t heard of. Kenan says as he transforms into his metal form.
Kenan’s grandfather’s mouth dropped. He was like that for so long that Kenan thought there was a delay in the connection.
Kenan gave a half smile. “Yeah, it’s weird that I didn’t get the Family’s signature ability, seeing as Dad is the firstborn. But that’s not what I wanted to talk to you about. I wanted to talk to you about this Psionic technology my dad left. It says that it’s the Ogun Archive System. Do you know anything about that?
A sigh left Kenan’s grandpa. “So he’s gone and done that. Listen, Kenan, and listen well. That archive system you have is, in fact, a family relic, not just within our family directly.
Kenan made a puzzled face?
“Most family members don’t know this, but we are actually a branch family of the true Ogun Tribe. The main branch is somewhere on another continent. Your father must have become a powerful figure to have sent something like that to you. Just having Psionic technology here within the Pasture is a rarity. But to others outside, it could be less than nothing. There is no simple way to determine how valuable this technology is, in all honesty, unless you leave the continent, that is.
Kenan didn’t care about the origin of the technology but that his family was only a Branch family. The Ogun was vastly powerful within Bethal Pasture; he couldn’t imagine any families or tribes stronger than his elsewhere.
“Okay, thanks, Grandpa. Also, thank you for allowing my mother to be buried at the family grave. I know some were against it. Kenan spoke.
Kenan’s grandfather’s eyes softened as he said. “Of course, she is an Ogun. There was no other place for her to be. She carried on my son’s legacy, and with that, it’s more than enough.”
“Elder Elijah, your presence has been summoned.” a voice in the background said at the end of Kenan’s grandfather’s call.
Kenan’s grandfather was now known, as Elder Elijah rolled his eyes at the servant who opened the door to his study to tell him this. “Just a minute,” he threw a hand to dismiss the servant.
He turns back to Kenan. “Whatever it is, don’t brag about it to anyone. Especially your cousins. The last thing I want is strife within the Family. Also, while at the academy, try to get along with them, your uncle pushes them hard. Maybe it''s too hard, so don’t make Everything a competition and support each other.Stolen story; please report.
This time, Kenan sighed. “I’ll at least try. I’ll give you that much, Grandpa. Anyway, I’ll let you go. I see that you are needed someplace. Thanks, and I’ll see you after I graduate,” Kenan said before he cut off the call.
Kenan thought about the last thing his grandfather said. But he could not get along with his cousins, who stood by and disrespected his mother. He managed to stop thinking and focus on the matter at hand.
“When the system first activated, it said I was the heir to the Ogun family. But after my dad turned down the patriarch position and later “died,” that would no longer be the case.” Kenan shrugs his shoulders. “Must be a typo then.
Alright, it looks like it’s time to make some decisions. I can think about family politics another time. Kenan activates the system with a thought.
[Ogun Archive System]
[Meditation Realm] [Analyze] [Superior Database] [Legacy Feature]
[Legacy Feature]
[Superior Ability Advancement and Augmentation]
[Psionic Arts] [Locked]
[Psionic Implants] [Locked]
[Superior Ability Advancement and Augmentation]
[Users Legacy ability: Organic Metal Mimicry]
Advancement Options:
Specific Metal Mimicked
Shapeshifting While Mimicked
Metal Mimicry Transfer
Augmentation options:
Partial Mimicry
Physical Armor manifestation
Growth expansion
Kenan looked over the options one more time and made his two choices.
[Advancement Choice:]
Shapeshift While Mimicked
[Augmentation Choice:]
Partial Mimicry
[ Please confirm choices:]
[Yes] [No]
Kenan Selected [Yes]
***
After being dropped off by both of their recruiters at the train station, Kenan and Cole headed to Jacob City. The major base of operations for the Shepherds. It’s also where the Shepherds Academy was located. It was the safest city on within Bethal Pasture away from the Fiend.
Kenan looked around in their compartment coach. It was first class because instead of having cloned food like the rest of the common compartments, Cole’s and Kenan’s were getting served directly by a Chief.
Kenan ordered fried catfish, green beans, and mashed potatoes, while Cole ordered Chicken and Waffles. Cole swore by it, and Kenan now understood why after trying the weird combination himself.
“So, how do you think this entrance test will be? Cole says while taking a bite of his food.
“It should be easy enough for us. We both know that most Superiors rely on their ability instead of actual combat. Kenan replied. As he takes another bite.
“Speaking of, why were you even taking the entrance test when you were a Sentient? What is that anyway, exactly? Cole asked.
Kenan stopped eating for a moment to consider his answer. He had to think of his answer in simple terms because Cole was a simple man, much like Malaci, which is why Kenan thinks he and Cole get along so well.
“It’s like being a Superior Martial Artist that continually gets stronger. There are also techniques called Psionic Arts that I don’t know much about, but they are one of the devastating powers the Sentient wields.”
Cole’s eyes went wide. “Woah, really, no wonder you beat me. Well, it’s decided then I’ll become a Sentient too.”
The Chief cooking their food couldn’t help but chuckle at Cole’s comment.
Cole was getting ready to get up from the table until Kenan grabbed his shoulder. “Relax, brother; he didn’t mean any harm from it. Becoming a Sentient is no small feat. I cheated. My privilege got me to become what I am currently.”
“So I was right then! You are a spoiled rich kid. Cole commented.
Kenan rolled his eyes. “I was still trained to the bone day and night like you were. My parents didn’t live the lifestyle they could have. I just grew up in a normal household.”
Cole sat back down. “Nothing is normal about having a martial artist for a father. He said in a low voice.
Kenan nodded his head in agreement. “That’s for sure. But listen, since we’re brothers now, your goals are my goals, and your mission is mine. If you want to be a Sentient, so be it.
An announcement came over the train coach: “Attention! We will be arriving in Redbird City in 15 minutes. Please brace for a stop and fasten your seat belts once the light comes on.”
“It’s hard to believe we’re moving at 500 mph. It doesn’t feel like it at all.” Kenan thought to himself as he looked at the ground, which was speeding by him by the second.
They approached Redbird City before they knew it. The announcer said they would be here for an hour and a half to get everyone on board. Kenan decided this was a good time for him to meditate and try to gather Ruah into his brain so that he could activate brain cells that could harness Psionic energy. He didn’t know how, but he was sure it had something to do with mediation. He recalls his last conversation with his aunt right before she left.
“There is so much I can’t tell you about the Shepherds. I can’t even tell you what exactly I do there. But as for being a Sentient, I can tell you about that and how it correlates to you also being a Superior.” Aria said. She blew on her tea as she continued.
“Most people don’t know that as a Superior, you already have activated brain cells in your body that produce Psionic energy. Which gives you the ability you currently possess.
Kenan thought about it for a moment, and it made sense when he thought about it hard enough. “So the Superior Elixir is just an injection of Psionic energy in the body, or is it Ruah?” Kenan asked.
Aria grins and takes a sip of tea without saying a word. There was a silence that hung in the room a while before she spoke again.
“You need to know that we are the only humans in the world to create such an Elixir.”
Kenan furrowed his eyebrows. “You’re telling me we’re the only human nation to have Superiors?”
“Yes and no. The Superior Sentient Elixir you took is known throughout the world. But we are the first to extract the Superior aspect of the Superior Sentient Elixir. Which is also why we call ourselves Superiors.”
“Okay, so what does all of that have to do with me? Kenan questioned.
Aria flicks him on the forehead. “It means you already have what you need in your body to mediate and advance in your Mediation realm. In theory, all Superiors do, but that is super-classified information that will never be discussed or repeated.
Kenan looked shocked. Then he became suspicious of his aunt''s true intentions. While it was insightful, more than he could ever imagine, this information is critical for Superiors, not someone who was blessed by someone in their bloodline.
“Auntie, are my parent’s enemies so dangerous that you have given me knowledge that could effectively change the Pasture as we know it? Knowing this information you could have raised an army that could easily rival the Elder families.
Her face changed into the most serious Kenan had ever seen in his entire life. “Your Mother was the most merciless telepath to walk Bethal Pasture. She ripped the minds of all of her enemies to a degree that gave her allies nightmares. Your father was just as bad as she was and had the power to back it up. He left no man’s Pride intact after facing him. Your Mother’s Code Name was Reprisal 10 fold, and your Father’s Pride of 10 men. Reprisal and Pride are responsible for destroying countless Superior Teriorrest groups and more specifically defacing Elder families at every chance they got. To answer your question, it’s yes, Kenan. Your enemies are the most fearsome people and organizations on the continent. So the power you must wield must be no less equal than the Elder families themselves.