6 Perks and Abilities

When I get home from school, I realize that I didn't learn ANYTHING about quadratic nouns or the Columbus electrons or whatever I was supposed to be learning about (Though I am pretty sure I mixed the subjects up in my brain). I need to figure out what perks Natas gave me and how to use them. I decide to test them by starting with any physical abnormalities that I may have. As I am a geek, I know many superpowers that people supposedly get.

I start by testing strength. I try to lift the end of my bed. Nothing. I try harder and almost pop a blood vessel. I definitely do NOT have super strength. ❌

I try running in hopes of having gained super speed; however, I run at pretty much the same pace as before. But I do notice an abnormality then. I'm not tired after running and trying to lift stuff! I continue running, not to test speed, but to test stamina. After almost an hour of running, I barely feel winded. Apparently I have improved stamina. ❌ ✔

I'm not certain how to check my reflexes, so I skip that for now.

I now move on to mental/psychic abilities

First, I check the 3 t's: telekinesis, telepathy, and teleportation. I start by staring really hard at a spoon and willing it to move. Nothing. I also try imagining that I AM the spoon. Nothing. I try to convince myself that there is no spoon. Nothing. I don't seem to have telekinesis. Next, I try reading the minds of passing pedestrians. At this point my brain is hurting from concentrating so hard, and I give up. My head feels like someone is taking an ice pick to my temple. I go to move inside to grab some ibuprofen. There is a slight whooshing noise and a pop, and suddenly I am in the bathroom next to the medicine cabinet. Well, that's a yes on teleportation. ❌❌✔

After resting for an hour to let my headache subside, I walk to the cemetary that's a block away to see if I can see dead people. I get there, and while I don't see any wandering spirits, I do see an eerie red glow from somewhere deep inside the grounds. It gives me a bad feeling, so I decide not to explore this topic further and to leave immediately.

Lastly I try to check to see If I have any elemental type powers by trying to connect to each element.

Fire. I focus on the thought of fire. The warmth, the aggressive nature of it. Nothing.

Earth. I attempt to feel the sturdiness and reliability of the earth. The stubbornness of refusing to move for anyone. Nothing.

Air. I feel the movement and freedom of the wind. The exhilaration of flying free. Also, unfortunately, Nothing. I try to fly too, but that also doesn't work.

Water. I try to feel the fluidity and relentless force behind water. The infinite power and gentleness that it possesses. Nothing. I seem to not have any elemental (or flying) powers. I feel disappointed about the last one, I've always wanted to fly.

I've run out of ideas for possible powers, so I go home and try to practice the ones I do have. First though, I try to teleport home. I hear a whooshing noise and open my eyes expectantly. What I see is the same scenery and a boy with a bike riding past while giving me a strange look. I feel very underwhelmed and grudgingly walk home. That night I dream of horrible things. There is a kindly looking.old man committing unspeakable acts of violence and rage. He kills young girls and boys in front of me and does terrible things to their corpses. Mutilation and decapitation amongst other things. I want to look away, but I can't. I physically cannot look away. I can't even scream or cry or speak. I am forced to watch him do it again and again, getting more perverse and terrible each time. I start to feel like I'm losing my mind and my grip on reality. Was this really just a dream?

Abruptly, I feel someone slapping me, hard. I wake up, my heart pounding in my chest. I'm covered in sweat and my eyes are puffy as if I had cried (which I probably had, with a dream like that). I look around to see who slapped me. I nearly miss him. There is a small, black flying creature in front of me. He seems to be somewhat humanoid, about a foot tall, with skin as black as night, horns sprouting from his head, and a large (for his size) set of demonic bat wings on his back. He appears to be very grumpy at me (or somewhat murderous, but who can tell, am I right?).

"You're finally awake, you human scum. My name is Malphas. I have been ordered by Lord Natas to guide you through your job, and possibly kill you if you do not complete it. Personally I'm hoping that you do not complete it."

I stare at him, dumbfounded, for several minutes as he glowers down at me. He then sighs begrudgingly and speaks again.

"Now, to be fully inducted, you need to recieve your mark."

Honestly, I'm really confused at this point. I don't have time for more thought than that though as he pulls out an obsidian dagger, lunges at me, and stabs me in the chest. Through the haze of excruciating pain, I hear him whisper "Unfortunately this will not kill you, vermin, but at least I get to watch you writhe in agony." I then succumb to the pain and can hear no more.

I become aware again with a pain in my chest, more of a slight discomfort than pain though. I glance down at my chest only to find a large hole in my shirt. That reminds me of the demon, so I look around the room. There is a note pinned to my wall with a dagger. It reads:

"Got bored with you,

I'll be back in an hour or so

Don't wander off.

-Malphas"

I meander into the bathroom, but stop when I see something strange in the mirror through the hole in my shirt. I take the shirt off and just stare for awhile. In the exact place that I was stabbed earlier, there is what appears to be a small tribal skull tattoo made of some strange, iridescent black ink. I know that it probably has something to do with my new job, so I don't immediately panic. I keep telling myself NOT to panic and to wait for that little demon dude to come back (even though he stabbed me in the chest). Though apparently he doesn't know how to tell time, because I have to wait 3 hours before he returns. I'm nearly dozing off when the window abruptly crashes open.

"I'm back!" he exclaims before looking down condescendingly at me, "Awww, did the wittle hooman experience some pain?"

At this point I'm glaring at him, but am then distracted by the fact that while he is still being rude, he is considerably nicer than before. "Why are you being nicer to me?" I ask, bewildered.

"That is because now that you are inducted, you are at least partially one of us now. A child of darkness, a demon if you will. Though you are still mostly human, you are no longer considered scum. Now, let's get to work."