14 Vengeful (Battle 2/3)
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[Lesser Balrog bloodline absorbed!]
[Lesser Balrog Bloodline integrated with!]
[Lesser Balrog: This creature originally comes from the [Abyss], only ever managing to reach other planes through sacrificial rituals. It's a subspecie of the mighty Balrog and is known to possess an innate power to generate and manipulate sulfur gas. Originating from it's ancestor's natural ability to command fire.]
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Michael and Jenkins gazed into each other's eyes like two hungry leopards crossing over the same prey. Thirsting for the death of the competition while littering the air with the venomous craving for victory.
However, no one choose to act. Fearing for an instantaneous counter which would spell a quick doom for the impatient.
Luckily, this free moment was just what Michael needed. Expanding out his lingering thoughts throughout his brain and reaching for the only companion he could currently trust.
'System, show me my offensive abilities and energy reserves."
And with a faithful answer, it got to work. Sending out an invisible box of text before his eyes. Containing the accurate information he seeked without anything lacking.
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[Filtering through unnecessary information]
[Offensive passive/active abilites displayed]
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Energy:10 000/14 000
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[Bloodline(Integrated):Teratorn Peacock, Lesser Balrog]
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[Offensive Abilites: Punch 9, Muscle empowerment 1, Bone shatterer 1, Berserk 4, Revenge 6, killer instinct 5, Air manipulation 4, Sulfur manipulation 1(new)]
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Despite going through the screen, Michael's eyes did not move an inch. Still stiffly aimed at the cloaked elf. Leaving the reading to his side vision.
However, even with such a limited efficiency, he inwardly wrote down each passing word while also listening to the faint voice of the system. It always resonated inside his head and explaining each detail he asked for. Further engraving the information into his mind.
Eventually, he finishing noting down everything. Evident by his pupils expanded from satisfaction. Filling most of his gold irises with two inky black moons and leaving but some specks of ring shaped light to outline them.
'Let us see what a lesser balrog is capable of!'
And so, he was the first to act.
In a fraction of a moment, Michael commanded his power to roll. Making the Balrog's genetic information, which was stored in the form of seperate DNA strains resting within his cells to run at full speed. Releasing it's restraints and fully branching out the fundemental part of it's structure into his own genome. Transforming and enhancing his body at a molecular level.
His skin and nails were the first to change. Speedily turning deep red in color and scaley in texture, radiating out a wave of heat which distorted the visual appearance of his figure. Alongside this, his muscles also became more clear and stringy. Finely traced from beneath the demonic armour covering his body like a furnace.
Then was the eyes, being completly absorbed by his pupils and then turning fully black. However, out from the voids came a set of two flaming red stars. Lit by the fuel generated from the original sin of all mortals.
And finally was his head, where two malformed dark horns started to grow. Piercing through his visibly darkening hair and frail unprotected scalp like a dual set of nails hammered through a block of mud.
Jenkins, of course, noticed this sudden fiendish transformation right when it started. Sadly for him, however, it ended just as quickly. Leaving the man more bitter about the leeway given to the demonized boy.
'What the hell?! He clearly did a [Biomantic Fusion] with the creature, yet it ended so fast!!? Only [Devourer Biomancers] should be capable of such! However, even they must digest the animal slowly!'
No matter how much he tried to smack his brain hemispheres together, no liable theory nor thought managed to ease his confusion. And so, he was only left with the option of begrudgingly staring into the red stars residing within the depths of Michael's dark sockets. Unconsciously destabilizing his mind.
'Forget face! I would rather escape with my life than risk ending up as a snack.'
And so, in the same moment Michael finished, the elf also made his decision. Answering the boy's metamorphosis with a familiar sight of retreat. Throwing himself backwards once more.
But the instant he moved was when the shackles binding the cursed child's body came loose. Allowing the TRUE final boss to display his majesty!
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[Abilities activated!]
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[Muscle empowerment LvL 1: Increases muscle efficiency by 100%. Will not stack with other abilities.]
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[Berserk LvL 4: Physical power is quadrupled. Energy consumed per second is quadrupled.]
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[Killer instinct LvL 5: Erodes targets will to live and impairing weaker opponents rationality greatly. Works better the closer user is to a foe.]
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[Air manipulation LvL 4: Control a limited amount of the surrounding air with your body and mind.]
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"yOu dArE TUrN YOuR bACK AT mE?!!!!" As Michael activated his abilities, he let out deformed war cry which rattled into the very fabric of reality. Distorting his devilish frame further.
It seemed that even his voice had mutated. Now imbued with a foreign power that was channeled from his vocal cords. Twisting each word he uttered with a peculiar energy. An energy originating from the lingering essence of the abyssal realm laying dormant within the balrog's genome. Granting Michael the capabilities of splintering the very atmosphere with only a whisper.
However, this innate bloodline trait also seemed to come with a heavy drawback. That being his mind regressing to a more primitive state. Greatly weakening his ability to think rationally and calculate. Making him no different than a mindless beast at the moment.
But anyways, thanks to this predatory roar, Jenkins quickly managed to notice his annoyance. For as he was about to reach the start of the escape tunnel, a loud sonic boom rupptured his eardrums.
The sudden attack caused two pools of viscous liquid to momentarily burst out from his head like steam discharged from an overheated broiler. Leaving him there to not only taste the raging air pressure with his unstable mental state, but also to watch in bewilderment as the wrathful red streak rapidly accelerating towards his position.
'YOU CAN'T BE F***ING SERIOUS?!'
Both panicked stricken and lost, Jenkins could only will his purple orb to act in his place. Giving the eardrums time to reassembled themselves and clearing up the painful ringing reverberating inside his head.
"COME OUT!!!"
The orb let out a gentle flash alongside a bundle of purple vapor. Quickly vanishing into thin air as he threw the glowing core elsewhere into the room. Persisting in his withdrawal after it left his custody.
'This is for worst case scenario...'
And right when it fully dematerialized, a new set of ghouls and mutant dogs started to appear behind his retreating figure. All commanded with the task of intercepting the demon. Even if it may cost them their life.
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[Ability activated]
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[Bone shatterer LvL 1: Empowering your bones with energy. Increasing both density and the kinetic force released when striking.]
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However, Michael's dashing afterimage could be seen forming a deranged smile to the appearance of the puppets. Speeding up while stretching out his scaley finger claws. Unhesitantly steering his body into the horde of monsters. Crashing head first into the mindless swarm similar to a meteorite embedding itself in a dense forest. Sending the closest beasts flying like a set of bowling pins struck by a military railgun.
"OuT oF My WaY!!!!"
The impact of his entree made all the surrounding dust covering both the metal floor and the undead ghouls to bounce up. Sprinkling up into the air like toys on a trampiline and covering his silhouette with the help if an artificial tornado. Formed with the help of his air manipulation.
But just then, from within the depths of the grey mist, two fiery red stars burnt through. Picking down each and every creature with a hellish aura lock. Not only helping him target every single enemy, but also revealing his location.
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[Abilities activated]
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[Air manipulation LvL 4: Control a limited amount of the surrounding air with your body and mind.]
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However, the grey smokescreen abruptly broke appart due to a sudden shockwave of wind booming out from it's center. Blowing away every stained particle and fully showcasing the demon once more.
Right there in the middle of them all, gripping onto the floor with a pair of red glassy nails growing from his feet, Michael could be found cocking back is mutated arm. Contracting both the unmatched muscle fibers and the scorching metallic armour running over his body. Grinding the very scales together with the inhuman tension. Eventually shooting it out like a flaming buckshot round containing the power a thousand pounds of dynamite.
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[Abilities activated]
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[Punch LvL 9: Infuse internal energy into the fibers of your hand, turning it into a biological cannonball.]
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"BeGOnE!!!!!"
In the fraction of a second, he struck the husk of the nearest undead blocking his way. Not only further highlighting his unlimited might, but also leaving the usually mindless beasts dumbstruck by the display. Left to only gloat with a fabricated venom while their companion got bombarded by the demon's raging fist.
And right then, in one brief move, Michael slugged his hand into the dried husk of the ghoul. Instantly smattered it into rotten chunks, tearing it's reeking flesh further into shreds and then sprinkling the remains appart into a berserk gust of wind. Decaying the creature by another millennium with a single strike. Proceeding to look over the rest of the puny foes with an excited gleam discharged from the beedle sized red starts embeded in his skull.
Jenkins, who was running towards the radiant light excluded from the exit, was only able to hear the deafening and bloody impacts created by his puppets getting turned into mush. Feeling every bloody squeak resonate through the stone floor and his fair skin like boiling oil.
"Dark Magic: Dead Weight!"
Mabye the fear had brought back some of his intelligence, as in a mite of a breath, Jenkins remembered to enhance his body with the astral force of death. Magnifying the speed at which he ran at.
And right when the chant finished, a black aura started to envelope his body. Covering everything from the ends of his gold locks to the fibers of his cloak. Making them both draw further behind while he sped up.
'Tasked to only kill some poor farmers for such a reward?! My ass! That moronic snake dare trick me like this.... I will have his head after I escape!'
However, as he closed in on the exit, the grotesque booming noises unexpectedly ceased. Making him further panic like a lost child. Desperatly exerting every bit of power left within his body as he neared the wall of light.
'Almost there!!!'
But right when he was about to reach it, a sizzling bundle of volcanic ash materialized before his eyes. Blocking his escape route.
'W....What the hell?!'
Jenkins wasn't able to slow down while traveling at a speed making world appear like the interior of a tornado. And neither was he capable of it, as a sudden burst of baleful intent shot out from the smoke cloud and into his mind. Quickly starting to erode his rational thinking greatly.
However, the excruciating headache generated from this abrubt killing shockwave was the least of his worries. For alongside this throbbing pain came a horror show one would only witness within pits of hell. That being the entire world shown through his eyes cracking apart like a plate of glass. Not only fragmenting his perception, but also imparing his ability to move.
And as such, he was forced to continue forwards despite this action clearly going against his desires. Unconsciously nearing the moving storm cloud at the same blinding speed.
Yet, despite his senses getting thrown into discord, Jenkins managed to make out a blurry scene from behind his shattered vision. All thanks to his ancient mind being much more robust than the brain of his present body.
However, the visual information he managed to process was still made of the dark smoke. Now manifesting and amassing into a single point. Curling up and then rapidly growing like a rouge cell. Continuously splitting apart until taking on a humanoid shape.
Time almost seemed to slow down as he watched the transformation occur. Gawking in anger and regret while the primitive mist grew more solid and twisted. Glaring as it's skin turn red and scaly, then going over to stare at the two black horns hammering through it's scalp. Finally left scowling at the dark lightbulbs aiming straight at him.
'You win this round, beast. But I have not lost yet...!'
From within the deepest part of his soul, Jenkins whispered. Desiring to know where a creature able to best him with such ease came from.
And as his wish resonated out from the void space containing his consciousness, a nefarious grin of fire formed on the red demon's mouth. Radiating out a dooming mock.
But this did not bother him. For now, all he could do was watch the creature raise it's balled up claw and send it straight towards his face like an armour piercing bullet.
Even the air particles hurriedly drove out of it's way, letting the pocket sized missile freely shoot off and hit.
And right then, as the plated knuckles came into contact with the Jenkins's head, two things happened.
The first was the purest form of kinetic destruction making it's way over the poor elf's upper body. Having the delicate skin covering his face getting shredded appart like a piece of cloth thrown in the midst of a nuclear blast.
It was quickly followed by the eyeballs bursting apart like squashed grapes, the nose cartilage disintegrating away, being directly comparable to a rapidly decaying corpse, then having the remaining muscle tissue splinter off and diffuse. Directly pulled apart cell by cell.
And to end it all was the brain, skull and upper spine. Overhauling all three into a schorched powder-like substance resembling browned garlic. Giving off a horrid stench similar to methane.
But the fist did not stop moving even after killing him. Continuing on until the entire head was pulverized and pushing the rest of the body away with the thundering compression wave generated from his attack. Throwing it down the hallway like a rock dropped from a plane. Letting it soar through thancient corridor while discharging a sound similar to a powered jet engine.
And after flying off for a breath's worth of time, the unmoving remains smashed against the opposing alloy wall with a loud gong. Further breaking Jenkins apart and smearing the black metal with an organic red sun. Doomed to forever dawn under the heavens.
As for the second thing to happen after the elf's downfall, that was the aftereffects Michael suffered.
For on the seperate side of the bloody painting, he could be seen silently standing where he was until abruptly falling to one knee while violently trembling. Bowing down as he placed his demonic claw onto his now palpatating chest. Following this course of action by vomiting out a clusters of hot air and steam. Exhaling the heat wave of carbonated particles like an old lockomotive.
The reason Michael did this was because he had exerted himself far to much. The multiplying abilites he possessed were gained from the [Teratorn Peackock] evolution. Meaning that for a creature of it's magnitude, they would all be a perfect fit. Greatly boosting his power should he ever fully transform into it.
However, the genetic code he had now used was inferior to the war bird's. Only possessing the factor he loved the most, that being an edge in mobility thanks to it's smaller physique. Hence why he went with the demon over the colossal bird of prey.
Sadly, the abilites pushed his body beyond the what his [Lesser Balrog] could manage for the moment. Almost risking his cell's self destructing from the pressure. Undergoing a comparable result to a lightbulb powered with an electrical current. Only now possessing a significantly stronger voltage than it originally is designed to handle.
He could probably train his body and adapt to this power. Slowly attuning himself to the abilites alongside the use of his demon genetics. Or just simply train his regular form.
There was also the solution of integrating with another bloodline capable of handling the momentary tole. However, the ability strain was not the only reason he keeled. For within his mind, a neutral voice echoed. Reminding him of the true, unmentioned factor he hadn't watched over.
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[Host has drained all energy reserves]
[Shutting down....]
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After it resonated, a jolt of exhaustion shot through his nervous system. Removing the spasms of pain released from his every cell while also reversing his transformation. Pulling his consciousness away as the scale armour turned back into skin and the horns on his head retracted into the skull.
However, right before his eyelids forced themselves shut, he triumphantly smiled. Grinning widely as he muttered a weak sentence into the battle damaged brick hall. Aiming it towards the red sun shining back at him.
"My win... b***"
And so, he limply fell to the cold stone floor filling the exit tunnel. Absorbed by the world within his brain.
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In a far away corner of the world, residing within the dark depths of Michael's mind, his still and tall frame could be seen standing. Only covered up by a robe of gold light similar in appearence to his irises. Radiating out a weak glow and slightly highlighting his surroundings like a match lit in a dark shed.
"This is...?"
Confusion was evident on his sharp face. Engraving a doubtful frown over both eyebrows and turning them into intersecting bridges.
He ceaselessly looked around the shadow world in bewilderment. Unsure of why he ended up here. However, just as he wished for an answer, it came. Gripping him in the form of an agonizing cry drilling into his ears.
"Mommy is dead..."
This scream was both high pitched and rather familiar. Seemingly belonging to a someone he had once met.
And as Michael followed the lingering echoes of agony, he finally found it's source not to far away from himself.
Before his shimmering figure, kneeling down onto the spectral floor, a familiar body of light sat. Curled up into a trembling ball and tighly hugging it's knees with two tender hands. Silently sobbing while occasionally chocking on a set of heavy guilt.
"So you are Marss?" Michael's voice danced over to the small child. Pulsating into the surroundings like the sound of a trumpet.
And as he expected, Marss's body shivered in response. Proceeding to gently tilt up his blotchy face hidding behind the interlocked knees. Aiming a pair of bloodshot brown eyes and puffy eyelids straight at him, while unhurridly releasing two steady streams of sorroe down from the hollow sockets.
Michael made a sour smile when he saw the child's gaze. Quickly going on to communicate with him using a rather dissatisfied tone.
"Listen, child. You interfering when I fight will make life more difficult for yourself than it would for me."
However, as he looked over at the small boy and expecting him to stand up, a stabing pain bore through his heart. Leaving him with the company of the cracked voice oozing with an almost visible woe.
"Mommy is dead."
The words were lifeless. Yet they held a type of injury attach to them. possessed by a nightmarish ache of torment and hopelessness which engraved itself into every single letter.
Michael felt his soul shake slightly when he registered Marss's whisper. Birthing a delicate feeling of quilt within him.
'What is this pain? Are we perhaps linked?'
Michael redirect his attention to the child. Thinking of how to better handle his current situation.
'Let's try a different approach then..'
"Hey..."
Maybe it was the innate connection their soul held, but he could not help but be affected by this convulsing distress. Even managing to see the repeated image of Lena's bleeding body flash through his mind.
"Mommy's skin is white."
Marss kept crookedly talking while deathy staring into Michael's eyes. Sitting there like an imprisoned ghost refusing to budge.
"Mommy is dead."
"Mommy is dead."
"Mommy is dead."
The echo kept resonating into Michael's being. Sinking the growing pain like searing hot needles pushed through a piece of fabric.
However, he persistently returned Marss's hollow gaze and then abrubtly stepped forwards. Walking over to the mourning child without breaking their line of sight. Traversing over in tact with dripping waterfalls crawling from the corners of the boy's swollen eyeballs.
And as he neared the balled up boy, Michael bowed down. Leaning over on one knee with a painful expression. Delicately lifting up his hand and gently pulling it back. Caressing the side of his head as he apologized.
"Marss."
Marss's body stopped quaking when he heard the words of comfort trying to warm his deathly sick heart. However, it was like trying to melt an iceberg with a candle. Yielding no effect other than making the boy continue to shakenly mutter a familair set of cracked words. Now alongside a line of snot starting to drip from his tiny nostrils.
"Mommy is..."
He was about to say it again. But Michael interrupted him.
"Yes, I know."
Even though Michael felt every ounce of the hammering abuse, Marss should also be able to feel his own emotions. And with that knowledge, he got to work.
In a single instance, Michael called upon the feelings he had experienced through his life. Tying loose every single fragment of emotion while sending their vibrations over to Marss.
And to his luck, the child's dilating pupils reformed. Feeling not only the overwhelming power, but also the lingering shards storing Michael's memories.
Before his eyes, the image of a little boy, very similar in appearance to himself was created. Going through his life just as any other person.
However, unlike the other children his age, he was terminally abused by all. Spat on by the fact that he desired to be different. Showing kindness and forgiveness to even the most evil of people. All thanks to the suppression of reality done by his family who wished to shield their child.
But although he tried his best, the boy was only used and beaten for his ignorance. Played with like a bloody squeaking toy thrown to a pack of starving hyenas. Eventually birthing another personality which would handle the pain for him. Storing all the hate building up over the years.
Yet, despite slowly falling appart, the boy kept on enduring this torment. Always holding onto the ideals his loving family had imprinted within him.
However, there was is a limit to everything.
Eventually, he snapped. And from within the cracked shards of his mind, something happened. The alter ego he created, the one holding all the grudges and curses, fused with his original personality.
This process managed to help him keep his sanity. However, it also did something else. Turning all his wish to help and care for others into the desire for dominance! To surpass every stained soul daring to question and harm him.
And without fail, he succeeded. Combining the metals composing of his mind and body into an unbreakable alloy. Exposing them to the raging inferno fuelled by his undying hate and loath for weakness. And then forging them together with the steel hammer manifested from his inhuman desire for improvement.
As for the end result? It was the perfect fusion of all his misery, contempt, craving, love and hate. He who now relentlessly trampled over his enemies while bathing in their pathetic embers of detest. Using it all to further empower the timeless forge which made him strong.
However, while he basked in the riches brought by the undeniable success, his life was cut short. Severed like a string pushed against a saw by his only companion. Throwing him into the void with a single, regretful thought. That he was unable to thank the only people who had always supported him. His family.
Never did he blame them for keeping him weak minded. Instead holding an undisputed gratefulness for their efforts. As it was thanks to this that he managed to become who he was today.
And so, Marss krept back into his own world. Looking back at the indifferent expression plastered on Michael's face. Most likely appearing thanks to the child having calmed down.
"Who are you?"
Marss's astonished voice flowed through the empty void. Echoing to the man bowing before him.
And to his question, Michael smiled. Nonchalantly answering him while closing his shimmering eyes.
"Me? I am but a guy with unfinished business."
Marss felt his skin regain some color back while his swollen eyes softened up. Bewildered by the man's answer.
"Please...."
His shrunken eyeballs began to water up as he slammed his child-like hands onto the floor making up this imaginary world. Begging for but one thing.
"Please help me get mommy back..."
The shallow membrane holding back the fluid inside his sockets then ruptured. Releasing a new pair of rivers to cover up the dried streaks embedded on his cheeks.
However, his appearance was of no concern. As the only hing he truly cared for was getting his loving mother back.
Michael nodded his head with an evident satisfaction. Liking the new attitude.
"I don't really mind. However..."
And right then, the satisfied voice crawled into his ears. Causing Marss to pull up his chin to meet Michael's steadfast gaze. Dragging back his eyelids back to the limit and fully displaying his expecting gems.
"S..So you will..."
His voice was no longer crooked and hopeless. Instead brimming with a suppressed happiness that was currently jammed in his throat.
And surely, Michael's smile intensified. Allowing the boy to fully enjoy his newfound hope. But only after he finished speaking.
"Right now I have some more pressing matters at hand which require my full attention. So just promise me one thing.."
Marss intently stared at back at the tall figure kneeling before him. Looking up to the dark gold eyes with an instinctive willingness to whatever he may ask of.
"Until my task is finished, I will need you help me in any way you can."
Michael's condition was met with an instant enthusiasm born from Marss's determination. Not even having to to breath before the little boy stretched out his pinky finger. Wishing to seal their promise with a heartfelt touch.
To this, Michael felt a giddy warmth course through his body. Remembering how he was once like this child through the joyous energy emitted by Marss.
However, what he remembered was not his happy memories, but rather the horrid ones containing unending pain.
His eyes glimmered for one second as he saw the child before him that was blinded by foolish hope. Giving birth to a new set of thoughts which he placed in the back of his mind.
'It seems like I will let you live for now then..'
And so, he locked his hardy little finger with the child's pinky. Tying them together while swearing with a confident and dominant tone.
"I always stand by my word."
Marss felt his heart beat faster. Now empowered with the enegy of this pledge. Causing his face to radiate with a clear joy.
However, right when they touched, a neutral voice quaked through the shadowy void encasing their souls. Even popping out a translucent textbox before each of their faces.
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[Two compatible souls detected!]
[Soul merging initiated!]
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And after they read it, a blinding gold and brown flash exploded from their locking hands. Shattering the dark prison and sending them back to reality..
....
Within the cold dungeon, inside the black alloyed room where the red sun of blood stood rooted, a figure could be seen moving.
It had a bald head, long red beard and a plump body of pure muscle. Heavily breathing while standing up from one of the sharp corners etched in the prison smelling of rotten flesh and blood.
This was Gen. The father of Fenric and the one who had passed out after being affected by the [Nightmare torches] filling the halls of this haunted castle. Only waking up now.
"Wh..What? What happened? I only closed my eyes for a second. Are you still there, elder? ..HAAAAA!! WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?!"
He didn't manage to remember how he ended in this place. Only recalling a sweet voice sending him to sleep as he and the others traversed those haunted hall's.
However, now he stood here. Even having his ears ring like crazy. Did something happen while he was gone?
"N...No! Forget that!! I need to get out of here!!"
Gen felt his anger rise up as he looked around the smelly room. Unable to make out what had happened here with a sick feeling. Especially noticing his stomach act up whenever he looked at that red circle covering the middle wall. Swiftly finding a desire to leave this place as soon as possible.
"Wait, what is this?"
But right when he was about to wander off, a purple orb suddenly rolled into one of his feet. Clinking against his shoe like a glass cup hitting against a plank.
"Strange...Where did this come from?"
He was taken slightly by suprise. However, those thoughts of uncertainty vanished when he looked further into the coloured ball
Inside it, he could almost make out a smiling face. No, not only that in fact. Some sort of weird energy also kept pulling him towards it.
"What in the name of lady luck..."
However, he only felt more freaked out by this. Wanting too leave even more now. Pulling his heavy body away from the haunted glass ball.
But just as Gen took a step, a loud cracking sound filled his damaged ears. Even making his body shake madly and distort his vision.
He wasn't able to exactly make this weird feeling out. Only managing to pull his attention towards a stinging pain hammering into his chest.
And as he bendt his pale face down, Gen managed to see the cause of this abrupt sting was through the cover of his beard.
The purple orb now laid inside the core of his chest. Having smashed through the front ribs and embedded into his heart. Causing a small row of blood to seep out from the cracks.
He looked at the smiling ball with a deep fright. However, he wasn't allowed to stare for long. Quickly feeling his consciousness wander off like a travelling herd of sheep. Only managing to hear some faint insulting screams resonate within his mind. Mistaking them for the calls of the devil. Forever unaware of the true origin of the cursed lines.
"Hey, baldy. You better listen as this great lord speaks!" But even for being a devil, the voice was tender. Yet still, it rampaged through his brain like a pack of wildebeests running through an ant colony. Threatening to further damage his eardrums even though the sound came from his mind.
"Did you know that gingers are rare on this side of Farleng?"
....
On the other end of the exit tunnel, resting near the end of the glowing teleportation device which would send you out of the dungeon, laid a naked boy.
His skin was originally quite pale. However, it was now glowing with a strong radiance that even stretched to the top of his head. Turning his hair into a gold ball of shimmering sunlight. Not to far away from being comparable to a powerful flashlight.
Michael had laid here for exactly ten minutes. Only regaining consciousness after regaining enough energy to wake up.
And now, he seemed to have reached the required amount, as he suddenly grunted. Twitching his facial muscles togheter while the light released from his head dispersed.
"I am back..?"
This was definitely Michael. As his voice still could be found to possess a dominant aura to it.
After a second of rest, he proceeded to rise up from the cold floor. Pushing against the hardy bricks below with his now human hands. Lifting himself up with great struggle.
'Damn, I don't think I can fully move yet..'
However, right when he positioned his body in a kneeling stance, a jolt of danger crashed into his brain. Waking him up from his groggy state and spinning his golden eyes towards the end of the tunnel laying before him.
For out from the vague shadows, a blurry figure wearing some sort of brown textile could be seen approaching him. Quite tall, yet also very thin. Possessing some rather long red hair which fell from it's head and two blue eyes glowing from within the dark like a set of camera lenses.
But despite these menacing details, Michael felt himself form a ridiculous smile with both his eyes and mouth. Almost as if he put on a grinning clown mask.
"What do we have here? Are you perhaps a hardcore masochist?!" He weakly shouted out while still kneeling on the ground. Making sure that every resounding word carried a disgracing wave.
However, the figure walking out from the dark did not bother with his insult. Only stopping up and stretching up it's palm. Immediately summoning forth a familiar purple orb while ruthlessly staring back at him.
"You little shit. I admit it, I wouldn't stand a chance against if you were at the top of your game. However, I can now barely sense any energy flow from within your body."
This was the voice Jenkins. Now containing a heavy annoyance which vibrated into the surrounding stone structure. Clearly showcasing his desire to tear Michael apart like dissected frog.
However, the boy still smiled. Returning the line of sight while nervously pushing his body back. Trying to exit the golden tunnel.
But just then, right before he managed to act, he noticed the radiance exluded from behind him disappear. Most likely Jenkins manually closing the door with his orb.
This turn of events was akin to feeling salt poured in a wound. And while madly cursing inside his mind, he asked the system for his status.
'Shit, looks like I have no choice... System, display the information I crave.'
And of course, it loyally answered him.
[Display engaged]
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Layer:General (middle)
Lvl:1/60
Name: Michael (current)
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Race:Variant human Age:15
Mental status:Tired
Body status:Exhausted (damaged)
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Energy:1 000/14 000
Bloodline(Integrated):Teratorn Peacock, Lesser Balrog (new)
Mass:4030
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[Offensive Abilites: Punch 9, Muscle empowerment 2(+1), Bone shatterer 1, Berserk LvL 5(+1) revenge 6 killer instinct LvL5(+1), air manipulation LvL5(+1)
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[NEW TITLES EARNED!]
[Titles]
[BETRAYED/EXPERIENCED FIGHTER/CHEATER OF DEATH/HYBRID/GEMINI(new)/KINDLED(new)/???/???
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[GEMINI:A Title granted to those who have fused two compatible souls togheter]
(Decreases energy needed to cast magic and use abilities)
.
[KINDLED: A Title granted to those who refuse to accept a failed fate]
(Mind control immunity)
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Michael watched over the information consisting of the new updates, energy level and offensive abilities. Quickly looming through it all while agonizingly think about what choice to make.
'A thousand energy and the new gemini title... Or should I mabye try and integrate all the bloodlines togheter? No, the peackock should be superior to all of of them, as it's the evolved combination of every one I previously possessed.'
His thoughts kept on spinning around. Finally finishing on the only viable one he could follow. Closing his golden eyes while begrudgingly prepare himself to fight.
Sadly, Jenkins didn't let him wait. Charging up his purple core while stretching out his avilable hand. Vexingly command Michael to yeld.
"I already know all of your abilities, kid. Give up and accept your death."
However, right after his words dissipated, Michael reopened his eyes and pushed himself up. Spreading out his legs and balancing his body on them. Arrogantly answering the elf's unreasonable demand.
"Tell me, when did I ever show you my abilities?"
Jenkins kept looking back at the unyielding child. Not getting why he would still dare act so high and mighty with lowered energy reserves.
'All biomancers require energy mutate. Such a ruly act wouldn't even be able to fool a fly.'
However, as he stared the boy down, a sight he would never forget transpired. Bending every fact he had about this world like a metal wire trying to support the weight of an elephant.
His eyes almost exploded from the red veins stretching towards the now blue iris and his mouth tightened and twitched. Contorting his face like one found on a ruined painting.
For right there, the boy once more acted. Transforming his right hand into the familiar demonic claw and the other into an orange talon. Manifesting the traits of each bloodline from the sides of his body and slowly pulling them to the center. Screaming out in a warped tone while his eyes rolled back and went completely white.
"YoU LoSE...!!!"
