Chapter 4: Taking the Leap

The day was fading fast, and the group of six moved cautiously through the forest, tension building with every step. Clarke led the way, Finn close behind her, while Monty, Jasper, Octavia, and Ares followed. The mission was simple: find Mount Weather, get supplies, and survive. But the woods had grown darker and more foreboding.

Ares felt his senses sharpening as they pressed on. He had to remain vigilant; something wasn't right. His mind flicked to his system interface, the ever-present status and skills always accessible, always reminding him of his growing power.

"Look!" Jasper exclaimed, pointing ahead to a vine hanging over a shallow ravine.

Excitement flickered in his eyes as he jogged toward it. "We can swing across! Just like—"

Before he could finish, Ares stepped forward, his hand resting on Jasper's shoulder, stopping him. "I'll go first," he said firmly.

Jasper frowned, clearly disappointed. "Come on, man. I can do it."

Ares' gaze was steady. "Let me check it out."

There was no room for debate in his voice. Jasper huffed but stepped back, giving Ares the space to test the vine. Ares gripped it tightly, giving it a hard tug before running forward and leaping across the gap. His body soared through the air with a fluidity that surprised even him, landing gracefully on the other side.

Finn let out a low whistle. "Not bad."

Before Ares could respond, a sharp whistle pierced the air. His enhanced reflexes kicked in, time seeming to slow as a spear hurtled toward him. Without hesitation, Ares reached out, snatching the weapon from the air inches from his chest.

The group froze, disbelief hanging thick in the air.

Ares' eyes scanned the treeline, quickly locking onto the shadowy figure of a Grounder lurking just beyond the foliage. Without missing a beat, Ares hurled the spear back with pinpoint accuracy. The Grounder never had a chance—the spear pierced his chest, and he collapsed to the ground, dead.

The forest went eerily silent.

System Notification

You have killed a Grounder.

Gained 500 XP.

Current XP: 500/1,000.

New Skill Unlocked: Bullet Time (Passive)

Bullet Time grants you heightened reflexes in dangerous situations, allowing time to feel slower during combat or projectile attacks.

Ares' senses returned to normal, the rush of combat fading but leaving a new awareness in its place. Bullet Time. The system had just granted him a powerful new passive skill—one that had already saved his life. His reflexes had been fast before, but now? They were something else entirely.

Clarke was the first to speak, her voice shaky but controlled. "How...how did you do that?"

Ares glanced at her, then down at the fallen Grounder. "Reflexes," he said, keeping it vague.

But everyone was staring at him, the weight of his actions sinking in. Ares had caught a spear mid-flight and killed a Grounder in the span of seconds.

Finn swallowed hard, still processing what he'd just seen. "Are there more of them?"

Ares scanned the area, listening for any sounds of movement. "Not that I can tell, but we need to move."

Clarke nodded, taking charge. "We're not prepared for this. We need to head back."

"Yeah," Monty muttered, visibly shaken. "Before more show up."

Retreat to Camp

The group hurried back the way they came, their mission to Mount Weather abandoned. Every crack of a branch, every rustle of leaves sent their hearts racing. Clarke led the way, with Finn and Monty close behind. Jasper was unusually quiet, his previous excitement now long gone. Octavia stayed close to Ares, her eyes lingering on him more than usual.

"That was insane," she said, her voice low but filled with admiration. "How did you know that spear was coming?"

Ares glanced at her, trying to stay focused on their surroundings. "Just instincts."

Octavia smirked, clearly impressed. "You keep saving us, you know. I'm starting to think you've got a soft spot for me."

Ares couldn't help but chuckle. "Maybe I just like keeping you out of trouble."

Her smile widened, but she said nothing more. The tension was still thick in the air, and every step back to camp felt heavier with the weight of the unknown.

Return to Camp

The drop ship loomed ahead as they finally reached the camp. The sight of other delinquents milling around brought a brief sense of relief, though Ares knew the danger was far from over.

Bellamy, leaning against the side of the drop ship, spotted the group and jogged over, his gaze immediately going to Clarke. "What happened? You look like you ran into something nasty."

Clarke took a deep breath. "Grounders. We're not alone out here. Ares killed one, but there could be more."

Bellamy's eyes flicked to Ares, narrowing with suspicion. "Ares killed one?" His tone carried a mix of surprise and wariness. "Guess you're full of surprises."

Ares met Bellamy's gaze without flinching. "They'll come back. We need to be ready."

Bellamy scoffed. "We'll deal with it when we have to. We're not running."

Clarke shot Ares a concerned look, but he remained silent. Bellamy's leadership wouldn't last forever, not with the threats they were facing. Eventually, Ares would take control, but for now, it wasn't the time.

Ares' Reflection

Later that night, as the camp settled down, Ares sat by the fire, sharpening a spear in silence. His mind replayed the events of the day—the spear, the kill, the way time had slowed down during the attack. Bullet Time had activated instinctively, and the power it granted him was undeniable.

The system was slowly molding him into something more than human, giving him the tools he needed to survive in this brutal world. But Ares wasn't just going to survive. He was going to dominate.

System Notification

Current XP: 500/1,000

Next Level: 500 XP required

Skill Unlocked: Bullet Time (Passive)

Bullet Time grants heightened reflexes and awareness during combat, slowing down time in your perception and allowing you to react with precision.

Ares stared into the fire, his resolve hardening. The others didn't know it yet, but soon they would. He was already stronger, faster, and more capable than any of them. And with each kill, each victory, he would continue to grow.

As the flames flickered, Ares knew one thing for certain—this world was his to conquer, and nothing, not even the Grounders, would stop him.