Berserker

Chapter 21: Team Dynamics

Jonathan stretched out his tired muscles and allowed his shoulders to rest against the row of bleachers behind him. The large training facility had a number of fans running and the mostly brick or cement building took him back to old memories of playing basketball in a gymnasium as kid. The walls glowed a gentle blue light at several points, indicating the enchantments that had been placed on them.

His greataxe lay across his knees, and the weapon’s weight felt familiar and comforting in a way. He stretched his arms behind his head and interlocked his fingers before closing his eyes. Tuning out the noise of the other Hunters Association members in the training facility, he focused on the fight from four days before.

He’d been distracted with thoughts of David and rushed to finish the Rift to get back to him. Despite his haste, something had been different about those fights. The rage had still come as it always did, but he’d maintained awareness longer than usual.

Jonathan acknowledged that his will to resist the blackout had been at an all-time high during that first fight in the Rift. Eventually, he had succumbed to the red mist that covered his vision, but he had lasted noticeably longer than prior engagements.

He’d leveled once and had a sneaking suspicion that one of his earlier thoughts about the System stats was true. His Willpower had increased greatly from the title and his recently distributed points. Just based on the stats’ names, Jonathan was suspicious if there wasn’t more to the “magical” stats. The names of those stats had normal meanings in the English language, regardless of how the System defined the terms. Intellect had to do with someone’s ability to learn and generally how smart they were; it made sense then that Willpower might help him form some mental fortitude. He’d put all three of his points into Willpower, and the very next fight, he felt that there was once again an increase in his ability to push back against losing consciousness.

While closing the Rift, he leveled once more and allocated those points to Willpower as well. Despite the six-point increase, he felt that he was still a ways away from seeing enough of a change to resist the pull of his {Rage} trait.

Jonathan smiled to himself as he thought of David back in their hotel room. His son had been cramming for his last midterm when he left. There were textbooks and notes spread across the small desk as if a small explosive had gone off.

The two of them had spent the last few days talking- really talking, for the first time in years. David had explained how his professors had been understanding of his ‘family emergency’ though he’d need to head back to Columbia soon for his exams as they wouldn’t excuse him from it entirely.

It felt strange, in a good way, to have his son close again. They’d ordered takeout and watched a terrible action movie together. Even though they carefully navigated the conversations about Emma and Marcus, it felt like they were taking a step in the right direction. David had even asked about some of Jonathan’s Rift encounters and how it felt to be an Awakened.

He had shown a genuine interest in the dangerous life change rather than the judgment that Jonathan had feared. He had subtly hinted at a personal interest as well, and where Jonathan had felt an initial desire to steer his son away from the path of awakening, he stayed quiet instead. His attempts to force David down a career path had been what caused their conflict to begin with, he wouldn’t start their relationship back off once more with the same mistake.

His son continued to study in the room as Jonathan met his new team for the first time and went through benefit negotiations with Director Matthews on compensation for Jonathan’s services. The Hunters Association valued him highly. They wanted to capitalize on his ability to close Rifts and his rising social status as a public figure. Jonathan refused to embrace the Crimson Warrior persona that the media was trying to stick to him. Still, he was happy to receive monetary compensation, housing, and a benefits package, even if it wasn’t his goal in closing the Rifts.

The memory of David’s face and that crumpled suicide note had served as a powerful reminder during each fight in the last Rift. It had fueled his determination to resist the loss of control and rage. He felt a fierce guilt at the pain and distress he’d caused David and felt that they served as a reminder and a chance for him to rebuild what he’d almost thrown away.

He pulled up his Status Window, noting how strange it was that even with his eyes closed, he could see the blue floating screens in his vision. Jonathan reviewed his recent gains and the changes to his stats.

Status

Name: Jonathan Reeves - Level 14

Class: Berserker

HP: 250/250

MP: 100/100

Traits: (1/3)

{Rage}

Titles:

One Against Many

Physical Stats:

Strength: 38

Agility: 20

Constitution: 25

Vitality: 25

Magical Stats:

Intellect: 11

Willpower: 19

Mana: 10

Wisdom: 11

Active Skills:

[Rending Strike] (Novice - Level 8)

[Raging Breath] (Novice - Level 7)

Passive Skills:

[Blood Lust] (Tier I)

[Pain Resistance] (Tier I)

He felt pleased with himself to note the increase in his skill levels. [Rending Strike] had been progressing slowly because he was unable to use it in his unconscious state; but, by pushing back against the {Rage}, he was able to use the skill at least twice each fight. He had been surprised to see the rapid progress of [Raging Breath], but after rereading the skills description, he could only assume that the last part referred to an ability to use the skill while enraged.

[Raging Breath] - A specialized breathing technique that allows the Awakened One to maintain stamina and fight for longer periods, even during intense moments of anger or rage.

“-and that’s why we need to establish clear engagement protocols for civilian-adjacent rifts,” Dr. Bill’s voice cut through Jonathan’s relaxation. He cracked an eye and looked over at the re

"Doc's got decent aim," Yates called out. "Might actually singe them eyebrows if you ain't careful, Jon."

Jonathan weaved between Hayes' spear and Bill’s small fireballs. He let himself adjust to the dampener's effects. The rage that usually simmered beneath the surface felt distant and manageable. He could think clearly about each movement and attack, though he had to wonder at the effectiveness of such training. The {Rage} wouldn’t let him make such conscious defensive decisions.

Hayes pressed forward, her spear work precise and calculated. "Bill, target his left side when I—"

Jonathan saw the strategy forming but let it play out. Hayes feinted right, and Turner's fireball forced him to step directly into her spear's true path. The blow connected with his shoulder, though the enchantment on the mats dulled it. Rather than slicing his muscles open, it felt like he’d been punched in the arm.

"First blood to the captain," Yates chuckled. "Though I reckon that's cause our boy's wearin' his shiny new toy."

"Good coordination," Jonathan admitted, dropping his defensive stance. "But let's see how it holds up when I push back a little harder."

Hayes grinned, readying her spear. "That's what we're here for."