Awakening

After a few seconds, the Psion announced:

[Trial Complete]

Kai didn't understand what was happening. He had never experienced anything like this before.

He tried to speak, but no words came out. It was as if he had lost control over his body entirely.He waited for the Psion to continue.

As if sensing him the Psion announced again:

[Assessment of Trial...]

[You have received the Forgotten Orb]

Kai was happy as he was reminded of this. Earlier he had doubted that he would be able to take the Forgotten Orb out of the trial.

The Psion paused after that, it seemed as if it was still calculating.

[After enduring the unforgiving chaos of Ruin, a band of brothers reunited, their bonds of brotherhood strengthened by their harrowing survival. But fate proved unkind, and the cruel hand of death tore them apart once more, leaving only memories of their bravery and the unbreakable bond they shared]

[You have slain a mortal creature: Ruinic Goop]

[You have slain an awakened creature: Ruinic Leech]

[You have Survived the Ruin: Gate of the Dead]

[You have survived the unrelenting pursuit of The Devourer, a Sequence 6 creature]

[Rejoice, oh Survivor!, for you have achieved the impossible feat of outliving the Devourer's relentless pursuit long enough to successfully rekindle the bond that fate had once severed!]

'The Psion's voice was different this time, it seemed to have some... liveliness in it?' Kai thought.

[You have integrated with a Fibian]

[Integartion process...Incomplete]

[Continue]

[Yes/No]

'Yes? The integration process was not done yet? I thought it was over Kai thought that this was strange.

Suddenly, Kai felt the familiar strange sensation in his body, as if his very being was being rearranged. He tried to cry out, but his voice was silenced. Instead, he focused on the feeling, trying to understand what was happening.

'Hmmm... It feels as if a new energy is being drilled Into my cells and my DNA is being altered or mixed with something else...'

'...Wait how can I know this? Is it because of the earlier incomplete integration process?'

While he was confused about how could he notice this process, abruptly, the sensation grew more intense until he felt like he was on the brink of bursting. Suddenly, it stopped. Kai gasped for air, feeling disoriented and dizzy.

After experiencing this excruciating painful process, Kai was heaving a sigh of relief. Glad that it was over.

But the Psion did not yet announce the 'End' of the process so...

As if sensing his thoughts, the Psion spoke up.

[Scanning Complete. Integration successful.]

Kai couldn't help but feel a sense of relief at the Psion's announcement. At least he had survived the integration process.

But his relief was short-lived as the Psion continued.

[New abilities acquired. DNA and cellular structure altered. Warning: Side effects may include loss of sanity, uncontrollable mutation, and death.]

A shiver of terror raced through Kai's body as the Psion's ominous words echoed in his ears.

The mere thought of failed integration which resulted in mutation sent a wave of dread crashing over him, for he knew all too well the dire consequences that awaited those unfortunate enough to suffer such a fate.

They would become grotesque monstrosities, their minds twisted and corrupted beyond recognition, unleashing unspeakable horrors upon the world with reckless abandon.

The very idea of such a fate was enough to make his blood run cold and fill him with an overwhelming sense of impending doom.

But most of all they would be hunted by the most powerful and formidable people available in the world.

'He..he... On the flip side, I have acquired new abilities!'

Kai tried to motivate himself.

But even as he thought about the dangers of his newfound powers, Kai couldn't deny the rush of excitement that coursed through his veins. What could he do with these new abilities?

[Prepare for the Awakening process]

'Huh?'

[Starting in 3, 2, 1...]

Kai felt a sudden surge of energy as the Psion's words echoed through his mind, heralding the start of the Awakening process. He closed his eyes and focused on the power that lay dormant within him, reaching deep within his soul to unleash it.

As he concentrated, a brilliant light began to emanate from his body, growing brighter and brighter until it was blinding. The space around him crackled with energy, and Kai felt as though his very being was being torn apart.

But then something odd happened, a reddish-black energy started mixing in the brilliant light and overpowering it completely until the whole light became of reddish-black hue.

Strangely this energy seemed to be originating from him.

But then, something miraculous happened. A small, ethereal orb began to form within him absorbing all the reddish-black light, it emanated a warm and comforting light. It seemed to exist separately from him yet connected to him. It had those mysterious runes which the Fibian had. It pulsed with a steady rhythm, and Kai knew that it was his soul core.

[Astrix Awakened]

[Geno Adapt]

"Finally, it's done!"

[Awakening Complete]

"Hmm? What with this, I can speak now?"

"Does that mean I can now open my eyes?"

Kai's eyelids slowly parted, the world around him coming into focus. At first, everything was blurry and indistinct, but as his eyes slowly adjust, he began to see the details of his surroundings. Light flooded into his pupils, and he squinted for a moment before his eyes fully adapt to the brightness.

Kai was filled with a sense of awe as he took stock of his surroundings, his mind instantly drawn towards it.

As he gazed into the black space, his eyes widened in wonder at the mesmerizing patterns and runes that seemed to flow and dance before him.

The intricate designs swirl and twirl, their shapes and forms almost hypnotic in their complexity.

Kai leaned forward, still hovering, transfixed by the swirling movements of the patterns and runes. He couldn't help but be drawn in by the hypnotic display before them, his mind whirling with thoughts and questions about what he was witnessing.

As he continued to watch, his face took on a look of deep concentration, as though he was trying to decipher the meaning behind the mesmerizing patterns and runes.

His eyes darted back and forth, following the twists and turns of the intricate designs as they flow before him.

Despite the complexity of the patterns and runes, his gaze remained focused and intense. It was clear that he was not simply watching the display for its visual appeal, but was actively engaged in trying to understand its deeper significance.

As the display continued to unfold, his expression shifted from one of wonder to one of awe.

Kai realised that he was witnessing something truly extraordinary, something that defied explanation and transcended the boundaries of human understanding.

In the end, Kai was left with a profound sense of awe and wonder, his mind filled with new questions and possibilities about the nature of this place and the Psion.