The Atlantean Compensator 48 The Compensator

Without much time,

Herald replies. "I guess it's my turn."

Oumad. "Oh! You're ready?"

Herald. "Don't worry.."

Herald takes his steps towards Heracles calmly...

'..Although i don't have a definitive plan, I feel that I can do it.

Something inside me tells me that..

Maybe i'll discover the new powers i unlocked now.

It is a good opportunity to do so..."

Herald stands in front of Heracles meters away. closer than what Sebastin and Joshou did before him.

Heracles. "I expect a lot from you."

Herald. "I fear that i may disappoint. But I'll try my best."

Heracles keeps staring at Herald.

The Latter closed his eyes for a second, and thought about activating his powers.

Opens his eyes..

The power is activated!

He can clearly see the rayons and energy waves coming out of his Master.

Herald never know the difference between the rayons and the energy waves, but now he knows!

The rayons are related to someone's intent and his inner emotions.

The energy waves are related to the physical energy inside of them.

For example. If one is going to move his hand Herald would notice before it actually happens from the energy waves surrounding the hand. Without even activating the screen that ables him to see into the near future.

Herald then activates that power as well.

It seems like he can do it now just by thinking of doing it.

Heracles asks him. "..What do you see?

Did i move?"

Herald. "...No!"

Heracles. "That's a shame,

You'll have to wait another 5 minutes then."

Herald doesn't answer.

Heracles question was referring to what Herald saw in the screen.

Indeed He didn't move. However Herald noticed something different this time than any other before...

On top of the screen.

There's an option!!

*CHANGE EVENT*

'...Is that what i think it is?

No doubt! It's the only kind of power that can come out of looking into the future to begin with...

I felt it...I knew it!!' Said Herald in his mind

Herald agrees in his mind to the option..

Which shows another one.

*WHICH EVENT?*

Herald as if he was operating on a computer.

Chooses the event, which is Heracles not moving from his place.

Herald thought that it's over just right there.

But it ain't that easy...

After choosing the event in his mind, another message appeared on the screen this time.

It said.

*COMPENSATE 1HOUR OF YOUR LIFE*

Herald is confused...

'..What is this? Compensate one hour of your life??!!

Compensate...

As in giving in order to receive?

...

Is that so...

In order to change an event I have to sacrifice of my life time.....'

Herald's face looked weird, lost and shocked.

Oumad noticed.

"...What's wrong with Herald? He doesn't look like himself!"

Ayla. "Yes, his spirit felt broken for a second...He looks as if he got some bad news!"

Alkeyder and Love no more had their smily faces on them. They just stared in silence..

Joshou notices, he knew something isn't right.

But no one of the 6 Atlanteans know what is it for real.

Alkeyder breaks his silence

"Herald right now is in the process of discovering his powers..

He already activated his third eye."

Oumad. "..Is that so?

But why is he looking like that..."

Alkeyder. "We'll soon know..."

Herald is still trapped inside of his mind...

'Should i do it? An hour of my life...

It seems pretty irrelevant in the midst of the thousands of hours a human being lives..

But!

...What If it was an hour i hold dear in my memory??

How does this...even work actually?

Wait!!!

It can be a moment from the past as well...

...f.u.c.k it! There is no other way to know except choosing it...Good thing it's just an hour.'

Herald chooses the option.

Thinking its the last, but there's more!!

This time it's two options.

*Future* *Past*

'Oh!! So you can specify in which time...

Good thing.

But which is better? shortening my lifespan or errasing some of my past...

I don't think there's any more options after this, it can't specify in which day of either the past or the future, this ain't a game at the end of the day...'

Herald ends up choosing the future...

one hour less than his original time of truth isn't as bad as maybe errasing a moment that helped him be the man he is today. That's how he saw it.

The options get deleted and the screen activates itself again.

Showing Heracles moving unwillingly from his spot!!

Heracles. "...5 minutes sure is long when all you do is wait."

Herald looks to the ground as he says.

"Luckily, we don't have to wait that long.."

Heracles. "What do you...

ALL OF A SUDDEN!!!

Heracles felt himself being moved aside for about an inch!

He looks surprised!!

And so are everyone else.

Beazly. "HERACLES MOVED...WITHOUT HERALD EVEN TOUCHING HIM!!"

Oumad shockingly. "...HOW?? Is this....Herald's new powers!!!???"

Even Alkeyder looks surprised.

"..I wasn't expecting it to be in this manner.."

Love however looks so inspired and joyful towards Herald!

"..Oh Herald!

You truly are...Herald..."

Elara was the only one having enough attention left in her to hear Love's words.

Which she found quite mysterious...

'What does she mean by he's truly Herald...." Said she in her mind.

On another hand.

Heracles is confused a little.

"..How did you do it?"

Herald. "Don't worry, nothing out of my intelligence.

These are just my powers..."

Heracles. "Your powers.. What kind of powers? I knew pretty much every Atlantean power and none can have this effect on me."

Herald. "Is that so...

Then I think mine is a first."

Heracles is actually irritated, even by Herald's accent. For him it looked like he's acting superior.

But In fact, Herald is just...Lifeless at this point!!

He is now thinking of how messed up his powers are...

He asks Heracles.

"So... Even the masters don't know my powers?"

Alkeyder quickly teleports and appears in front of Herald.

"You're wrong. I know..."

Heracles asks Alkeyder.

"What do you mean Alkeyder.. You've never told me about it."

Alkeyder. "Well, were you ever interested in studying? You're more of a practical guy.

This is not the first time someone has this power. But rather the second!

Only Thoth had it before."

Heracles. "Thoth? You mean Enoch?"

Alkeyder. "Yes..The concept of the third eye.

People throughout time has been quite succesful in opening the third eye, however its applications deferred from one to another..

Some were able to sense danger and tragedy before it happens.

Some others were able to have full control on their decisions that prevent bad consequences from happening. Others were able to see glimpses of the future. As does Oumad.

But Only Thoth could change and modify upcoming events.

Until today..."

Heracles after hearing this loosened up, he was quite happy and satisfied.

To him, Herald is very strong.

So he automatically respects him.

"I see...Wonderful!

Truly powerful.

You did not disappoint Herald."

Heracles put his hand on Herald's shoulders.

But the latter has a sad smile on his face.

Heracles notices.

"What's with that look?"

Herald. "..I think that my case is a bit different than Thoth.

He's the one who granted me these powers, but he's a prophet!

Even more..

An Archprophet! To compare me to him is wrong.

His powers and his very being are completely divine..."

Alkeyder. "What do you mean Herald..."

Herald. "..After activating my powers..

I was given the choice of changing the event.

Under one condition."

Alkeyder, with wide open eyes. "..Which is??"

Herald. "..Compensating one hour of my life!!

I was given the choice of either the future or past.

I chose the future.."

Alkeyder. "..WHAT!!!"

This is the first time Alkeyder looks really surprised and shocked.

Heracles also is disturbed by what he heard.

"..Can't be!!"

Beazly, Ayla, Oumad and the rest..Didn't know how to react...

Oumad says in disbelief.

"...IMPOSSIBLE!!

How can one's powers take away from his lifespan like that!!!

That shouldn't even be!!!!

Why would someone's powers harm him first!!!"

Beazly says in a sorrowful tone.

"That is rather..Cruel!!"

Ayla is really sad, putting herself in Herald's shoes.

Love, cannot even face the situation..

She turned her back to them and walked some steps away.

The rest didn't notice but again, only Elara did..

Alkeyder. "....I did not expect something like this.

But, I can give a quick explanation right off the bat... Your powers Herald, are too great.

You said it, first and last you're not of Thoth's qualiber or position...

To have his powers, I think he inserted this condition into you.

As for why he did it..

I dont know!

This is the only explanation i can think of right now..

However, I'll make sure to know more about this as soon as possible.

Do not to use your powers until we get more understanding of it please!"

Herald. "Alright, I understand...

I agree on the explanation you gave..

Would make a lot of sense if that's the case."

Heracles grabs Herald by the shoulders tightly and tells him.

"Hey, It is never the time for broken spirits.

We deal with what we have!

There is no situation we're put in unless we have the power inside to handle it.

Got it?"

These words lifted Herald's spirit. They're as true as they get

Herald says with a smile. "Even if you're power. You're quite wise as well!

Thank you."

Then,

Herald goes back to his companions...