The night lay heavy with darkness, the moon's glow smothered beneath thick clouds. Axel remained perfectly still, his body a shadow among shadows. Only the quiet hum of Gizmo's presence broke the silence, a steady companion in his isolated world. Yet his mind burned with activity, thoughts spiraling in increasingly complex patterns.
His focus remained fixed on sensing the elusive light element. Gizmo had taught him how this most mercurial of elements danced at the edges of perception - always present, yet ever-changing.
Axel closed his eyes, his consciousness expanding outward like delicate tendrils. Then - contact. A whisper of warmth, a vibration so faint it might have been imagination. But it was real.
He nurtured that fragile connection, drawing the energy closer until he felt its radiance pulsing through his being. With each measured breath, the light grew more substantial, flooding him with crystalline clarity. As hours slipped by, Axel's mastery expanded.
He perceived light's presence in all things - in the wooden bedframe, in the dormant insects, in his own flesh. He could shape it now, command its flow. The thrill of this growing power coursed through him.
Daily, Axel's control sharpened. Having achieved basic sensing of nearly all elements, he now concentrated on refining his light manipulation. For any Elementalist initiate, the path followed clear stages: first sensing one's element, then establishing control over its particles.
Next came gathering elemental energy near the abdomen to form a nascent core, finally merging this core with the soul to achieve true Elementalist status. Yet each step bristled with potential pitfalls that could derail years of effort.
Axel had shattered expectations by completing the initial phase with astonishing speed. His ability to sense not just his primary element but all others stemmed directly from Gizmo's exhaustive teachings about elemental properties and behaviors. What might take prodigies a decade to accomplish, Axel had achieved in mere months.
Under Gizmo's tutelage, Axel plumbed deeper mysteries of elemental control. He mastered drawing ambient energy into himself, channeling it through his meridians, and projecting concentrated beams. His training became relentless, a cycle of daylight study and nocturnal practice until techniques flowed as naturally as breathing.
Axel had also settled on his desired skill - a 'dual mind' capability. Since childhood on Earth, his habit of internal dialogue had spawned a secondary persona. This mental division had proven invaluable in scientific work, offering fresh perspectives, though it eventually contributed to his depression.
Now he sought to formalize this trait into a magical skill, both for its utility and his innate familiarity. Gizmo's archives became his research library as he immersed himself in related theories.
His final project involved experimenting with his inherited poison. With Gizmo's help, he replicated its molecular structure within their virtual laboratory - a realm of infinite possibility crafted by Gizmo's advanced AI. This digital universe removed all physical constraints, allowing Axel to explore without limits.
The lab manifested as a breathtaking interface of holographic displays and tactile controls. Translucent screens floated in space, projecting intricate simulations that responded to Axel's thoughts. A gesture could magnify details or alter variables.
At its heart lay an immersive environment where Axel could conjure and manipulate elements freely - testing combinations, observing interactions, simulating effects on countless materials and organisms, all without real-world consequences.
Here, Axel conducted meticulous poison research, analyzing its structure and observing its virtual effects across various scenarios. The lab became more than a tool - it was an extension of his consciousness, a sandbox for pushing boundaries and unravelling cosmic secrets.
'Looks like I've got my own Mind Palace now. Hehe.' Axel grinned at the prospect of daily access to this virtual wonderland.
Time flowed steadily onward as Axel quietly achieved one milestone after another. The workload he maintained would overwhelm even most adults, let alone a supposedly crippled child.
To the outside world, he appeared as nothing more than a motionless invalid, but behind this facade, Axel - with Gizmo's assistance - was laying meticulous foundations for his future.
The long-awaited day of his physical recovery had finally arrived. Gizmo's countdown timer, set a week prior, now reached its conclusion. After five years of silent preparation, Axel stood ready to emerge from his cocoon and spread his wings.
His most remarkable achievement was the formation of not one, but two elemental cores - a feat made possible only through Gizmo's rare and invaluable knowledge. The system had provided Axel with specialized techniques for core structure and positioning, allowing him to create a unique double-core system.
Within his body, one core of pure light energy and another of thunder energy now orbited each other in perfect harmony, a testament to Axel's extraordinary talent and dedication.
Axel had also made significant progress in analyzing the mysterious poison hidden within him, though full verification of his theories would require his restored physical capabilities. His body had become a vault of precious secrets - so much so that he and Gizmo took extreme precautions to conceal his true abilities.
Gizmo created barriers ensuring observers would detect only his thunder affinity, while his light element mastery and poison remained completely hidden.
The revelation of a nine-year-old forming even a single core would send shockwaves through their society. Such knowledge could transform Axel from a celebrated prodigy to a coveted test subject in the eyes of power-hungry factions. They would stop at nothing to extract his secrets, making discretion a matter of survival.
Gizmo had long ceased being surprised by its host's capabilities. The system now focused solely on facilitating Axel's rapid growth, recognizing that their current environment would soon prove too limited for his burgeoning potential.
Only one goal remained elusive - Axel's desired "dual mind" skill. Though not elemental in nature, this mental enhancement would significantly boost his cognitive abilities.
While the skill remained incomplete, only Gizmo knew how close Axel had come to success. His progress placed him on the verge of joining an exclusive group - those rare individuals who obtained skills before officially becoming Elementalists.
This achievement was so extraordinary that Gizmo chose to withhold this information, fearing the knowledge might disrupt Axel's natural development.
During these years of preparation, Axel's bond with Anya had deepened considerably. He eagerly anticipated the moment he could properly embrace his sister and reciprocate the love she'd shown him. Yet another thought occupied his mind as well - vengeance.
While the mysterious Old Man remained beyond his reach for now, the Blair household servants would soon answer for their years of cruelty.
Axel understood with chilling clarity that without Gizmo's intervention, their abuse alone would have killed him - even if he'd been born completely healthy. Their actions had long crossed the boundaries of basic humanity, and none more so than Silas. The time for reckoning approached.