Owen had been out of the hospital for over a week now and had spent most of that week simply resting or coming in for checks. They were still no closer to finding a solid answer though, which was a little frustrating but rather than dwell on it, Owen had taken up the offer to work with Ray Hartell to improve his control of his abilities.
With permission, Ray had helped him test his barrier. It was interesting to see just how it worked - and didn't. In fact, Owen could keep out specific items or people if he focused properly, while also allowing others in. The barrier could also range from a shield in front of himself to a full bubble type one around himself and anything else he let in. He could also simply use the barrier to keep everyone and everything but himself out for as long as he could hold it. But they were limited in time to train, with Ray's work schedule and Owen needing to rest.
It was late afternoon, nearing sunset. It had been a long day, where Marco had been caught up in a long list of interviews and meetings and paperwork and irritating office workers in other departments who 'couldn't' give him files he requested despite his Clearance. Marco suspected either they had no idea what they were doing, or deliberately chose to mess with him. The third, equally irritating option was that some higher ups simply didn't want him accessing the files.
Regardless of what the problem actually was, he was in a foul mood when he finally was able to check up on things in the training room.
He stood watching Ray testing one of Owen's bubble-type barriers. At first Ray was able to pass his hand through as the priest seemed to be not focusing properly. Afterwards, Ray quickly found himself repelled, thrown backwards off his feet, onto a pile of cushions he'd set up over the training mats.
Rather than getting up and approaching again, Ray sat there. At first he didn't seem to be doing anything but as Marco continued watching, he realised that Ray wasn't simply staring at the barrier, but focusing on it. Surprisingly, after a moment, where the barrier was preventing Ray from reaching Owen with his powers, Marco could actually see the colours linked to whatever the empath was projecting. He had no idea on the association to them, but Marco could see blues, which then were replaced by bright yellows and oranges as Ray seemed to notice the reaction himself.
Well that's certainly interesting, Marco thought. But can he stop actual offensive powers?
"Try this," was all the warning Marco gave before flinging a hand out, sending a shadow hand at the barrier.
Seeing the form he relied on so much simply burst as it collided with the barrier only seemed to add to Marco's sour mood. He shook his head and with an angry wave of his arm, sent a waist height wave of shadows speeding toward the priest. When that broke too, Marco made a sharp, upward gesture with both hands.
Ray let out a quiet curse as the training room grew darker and tried in vain to get Marco's attention, stopping his own powers.
Shadowy hands rose out of the floor around Owen and his barrier, which was bright enough to serve as a lantern in the dark. It hurt Marco's eyes. The hands attacked the barrier, hitting it and some trying to tear it apart. The priest looked scared and it flickered for a moment.
"No!" Owen said, firm and clear. Rather than disappear then, the barrier flickered, then brightened. It seemed to grow stronger, Marco's shadow hands all bursting as his light grew.
Marco had to quickly fling an arm up to shield his eyes as the light spread in a wave, quickly wiping out all Marco's shadows from the room. He said nothing. His usual frown or neutral expression was replaced with a rare sight of genuine fear. The Training head stepped back and then disappeared in his own burst of shadows as he teleported out of the training room.
