Testing Abilities

Isaac stuffed on a hoodie as he stood before a mirror in his room. He was currently in his home, a modest 2-room apartment that he was proud to have all to himself.

On the rare occasions his father would visit, he would take the spare bedroom. But Isaac couldn't remember the last time that happened.

As he stood in a few awkward poses for a couple of minutes, he looked back and stared at his bed that was broken in half, as well as its legs crumbling while scratching his head.

"You know, I don't think I'll ever get used to this overweight problem." Said Isaac, rubbing his aching back after he had to sleep on the floor.

"Geez, you complain a lot, don't you? That ability saved your life." Said Darwin with an annoyed tone.

"Hey, just because you worship this stupid power doesn't mean I have to. So far, I can only conclude that it sucks." Darwin stayed quiet as Isaac stood his ground. After a few seconds, Isaac could practically feel the rage bubbling inside Darwin.

"You take that back, you little sh*t. Any other human would kill to have the chance you do."

Isaac rolled his eyes as he left his apartment, walking down the flight of stairs and into the street, blending into the countless individuals up to go to work.

"Where are you going?"

"If I'm really going to do this, I need to get familiar with the evolutions I've obtained. It's not like I have a description for them." Just as Isaac said this, a screen appeared before him.

[Steel Skin (B)

Description:

Steel Skin is a passive evolution that grants the user's skin the hardness and durability of steel. However, along with the increased toughness, the evolution also brings a substantial increase in the user's weight and density.

User's Weight: 6000 pounds (2721.55 Kg).]

[Gravity Manipulation (C)

Description:

Gravity Manipulation is an active evolution which allows you to control the gravity acting upon your own body to a limit.]

"Hey, that's pretty neat," Isaac said. It's as if the system answered to his needs.

"Hey, is this system also a part of your ability?" Asked Isaac.

"No, I've never seen it before. I was also quite surprised when it first appeared. But if I were to guess, I'd say it's my ability making it easier for my predecessor to quickly become accustomed to the power."

"You like video games, right? I guess the ability morphed itself to speak in a language you understand."

Isaac nodded in understanding as Darwin continued.

"That's the first time you've said something that makes sense." As they spoke some more, and countless glares were thrown at Isaac who looked as if he was speaking to himself, they came to what seemed to be an abandoned warehouse outside the city.

Its boarded windows and moss-covered surface emphasised its age and melancholy, yet the fact that it was in the middle of nowhere and its inside was shrouded with darkness, combined with the fact that suspicious noises could be heard every so often gave Isaac the impression that it was haunted.

"Come on, suck it up, Isaac. You have superpowers now. You can't be afraid of a haunted warehouse. Even if it's occupied by a bloodsucking hobo." Isaac said, slapping his face and climbing through a gap between the boarded windows.

"You know, I once knew a devil with yellow eyes that could teleport…"

"Shut up! You're not helping." Darwin giggled as he was cut off by the paranoid Isaac.

As Isaac walked, he passed countless walls decorated with graffiti, bundles of needles on the floor and debris that suggested the warehouse was once occupied by junkies or was an experimental facility.

He came to a dimly lit, large and empty open space with random furniture and a few pillars. He looked at both abilities and braced himself.

"Now that I think about it, how do I activate my evolution?" Just as he said this, he slowly started to levitate off the ground, almost losing his balance from surprise.

"Holy crap!" He exclaimed while chuckling as he moved higher and higher into the air.

This wasn't the first time he was using this ability, but now he could properly appreciate the spectacle without having to worry about falling into a boiling tub of acid.

"This is awesome!" He yelled, his voice echoing through the warehouse. He was slowly starting to get the hang of the ability. He could be seen floating through the air, as he flailed his arms, similar to if he were swimming.

"Are you gonna play it safe all day? Come on, kick it into high gear." Said Darwin, his voice flat, as if he were bored.

"Oh, I'll show you high gear." Whispered Isaac, having enough of the narcissistic voice in his head.

With just a thought, Isaac rocketed into the air, crashing through the ceiling and roof as if they were snow and ascending to the clouds.

"Crap, crap, crap!" He yelled as he watched the ground move further and further away from him.

"That's what I'm talking about!"

The violent winds as Isaac moved at high speeds made it hard for him to keep his eyes open, let alone breathe. His body was completely out of control. He couldn't even tell up from down.

Soon, he passed the clouds as the city below disappeared. The hair on his body stood up as he could feel the atmosphere getting colder. His heart raced as he tried his best to think.

Soon, the sound of Darwin's constant laughter came to a halt. Instead, he started to hear the distant echoes of what he assumed to be a dinosaur's roar.

"Isaac! You need to do something, there's an aeroplane heading straight toward you! If you hit it with your steel skin, you'll tear through it like butter!"

"Oh, you've gotta be kidding me!" Yelled the dizzy Isaac. His mind was clouded, his heart raced and he was panicking. Without knowing, he yelled.

"Deactivate Gravity Manipulation!" Isaac came to an abrupt stop as he hung in the air for a second, soaking in the scenery between the clouds.

In the next second, he started to descend, this time keeping a rigid form, belly first as he quickly dropped through the air.

"I think we're safe…" Before he could finish his words, a large speeding hunk of metal blew past him, once again sending him into a wild frenzy as he winced at the pain in his eardrums.

"Light Gravity x50!" As he yells this, he once again comes to an abrupt stop, hanging in the air below the clouds.

"Holy crap, I did it…" Before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by an unpleasant surprise.

He bent over and hurled, watching his breakfast fall to the city below.

"Well, that was disgusting. Someone down there is going to have a horrible day." Commented Darwin.

"No, it was freakin awesome. I'll admit that I'm not a fan of dying on a daily basis, but who doesn't like flying?" He said, wiping his mouth and rubbing his ringing ears.

"Now let's try one more time. Light Gravity, x100"

Saying this, Isaac shot away like a bullet in the wind. This time, he was much more controlled than before as he looked ahead, even extending his fist.

He looked down at the city, soaking in what he was doing and how fast he was moving. Before today, he knew he had powers, but only now did he realise the weight of that fact.

"Yeah!"

He roared as he performed spins and rotations in the air, leaping in and out of the clouds, squeezing his clothes to see he was now wet.

"Ok, too fast. Light Gravity, x75" He said, after he was barely able to keep his eyes open and breathe.

He slowed down considerably, now able to somewhat keep his eyelids open and breathe a breath of fresh air.

"Isaac, soak it in. This is just the beginning of your journey." Said Darwin, as Isaac couldn't help but smile.

***

A boy could be seen descending through the patch of light through the hole in the roof he created, finally touching the floor and destroying the rubble beneath his feet.

"That was the best moment of my life." Said Isaac, getting used to the feeling of being on solid ground again.

"I can tell without the giant smirk on your face." Added Darwin.

"I've figured out the extent of my Gravity Evolution. Firstly, I can control my gravity in any direction I please, whether it's forward, backwards or vertically. Also, the most I can control is up to x100." He explained, taking a seat.

"It was a good choice to get a grasp on how your abilities work. Even if you do insist on yelling the activation of your ability." Isaac could almost feel Darwin rolling his eyes as he made his sarcastic remark.

"Do you mind? It helps me focus." Said Isaac, defending himself.

"Also, this is pretty awesome. Light Gravity x15." After saying this, Isaac let out a sigh of relief. He hopped and leapt into the air, touching the ceiling and coming back down. He dashed from pillar to pillar with extraordinary speeds and best of all, he stepped on a few pebbles and they weren't crushed to dust below his weight.

"Congratulations, you aren't a fat piece of sh*t anymore." Said Darwin.

Isaac stayed quiet for a few seconds as he stared into blank space while muttering.

"What are you thinking about?" Asked Darwin, but he wasn't answered immediately.

Instead, Isaac stood up suddenly, dusting himself off with a wide grin.

"I've decided, Darwin. I'm going to become a superhero!"

***

Meanwhile, a normal civilian male with ginger hair and freckles could be seen walking down the street, staring at his phone. Unexpectedly, a bucket of liquid with a murky colour fell from the sky, soaking him and leaving a horrid smell in his hair.