Ch - 7 Observation?
In the dimly lit gym, the rhythmic clang of weights and the swish of swift, precise movements filled the air. Swayam's muscles, sculpted like a marble statue, flexed and moved as he performed a sequence of punches, kicks, and flips. The cameras placed strategically around the gym tracked his every movement, capturing every bead of sweat, every contraction of his muscles, and every calculated breath.
It had been three months since his awakening, and his life had become a delicate balancing act. On the surface, Swayam appeared to be just another meta-human, under careful observation and study by the S.T.A.R. Labs team. But beneath that exterior, his true abilities were growing, evolving in ways none of them could fully comprehend—not even Swayam himself.
---
Five months until Barry wakes up, and here I am, getting stronger every day, Swayam thought to himself between punches. I think I finally understand my ability, but I've barely scratched the surface.
While he could sense the power within him—greater than the sum of the abilities he'd exhibited so far—he had kept the full scope hidden. Only hyper-regeneration, enhanced speed, strength, greater perception, and blood control had been revealed to the team, and even those he wielded sparingly. He couldn't risk showing more, not yet.
Caution, he reminded himself. In this world, where power and manipulation walked hand in hand, it was easy to become a target. He had learned that quickly. You never know who's watching, or what their plans are.
---
Eobard Thawne, watching Swayam from his hidden monitoring station, couldn't help but marvel at the boy's potential. Though Swayam appeared non-threatening, his passive abilities—especially his blood manipulation—were enough to give even a genius like Eobard pause. There was something extraordinary about the boy's presence, something that radiated from him, as though the universe itself had shifted just to accommodate his existence.
It was why Eobard had stopped viewing Swayam as an anomaly. The timeline had been affected, yes, but Swayam's presence had now fully integrated. The future still pointed to the Flash vanishing during the Crisis—an outcome Eobard had worked tirelessly to ensure—but now, Swayam was a part of that future too.
His existence is permanent, Eobard mused, running a hand through his hair. The multiverse itself seemed to have accepted him. Trying to remove him, erase him from the timeline, had already caused chaos once. Attempting it again could destroy everything.
---
After an intense training session, Swayam left the gym and made his way to the cafeteria, sweat still glistening on his skin. Cisco was already there, laughing into his phone as he finished a conversation. When he spotted Swayam approaching, he hung up and smiled.
"Hey, Swayam. What's on your menu today? More protein shakes?" Cisco teased, his playful grin lighting up his face.
Swayam smirked, grabbing a chair. "You're just jealous I get to eat double the portions and still look like this," he replied, flexing his biceps slightly.
"Yeah, well, it's not every day you see someone turn into a tank right in front of your eyes." Cisco leaned back, crossing his arms. "You know, we're still keeping tabs on your... metabolism."
"Can you stop seeing me as a guinea pig?" Swayam rolled his eyes, though he couldn't suppress a small grin. He had gotten used to Cisco's relentless curiosity.
Despite the casual conversation, Swayam remained aware of his surroundings. Eobard, posing as the benevolent Dr. Wells, rarely interacted with him directly. But Swayam knew the scientist's eyes were always on him. If he showed even a hint of recognition, of knowing who Eobard truly was, everything could fall apart. So, he played his part, keeping interactions with "Wells" to a minimum.
Just keep your head down, Swayam reminded himself. Train, observe, and wait.
---
Over the last three months, Swayam had grown in ways even he hadn't anticipated. His muscles, once merely fit, now carried the power of a superhuman. He could lift 250 kg with ease—five times more than his former limit. His speed had also improved drastically, allowing him to cover miles in minutes, and his reflexes had sharpened to a razor's edge.
His body had become so resilient that knives couldn't penetrate his skin, and even if they did, they'd become lodged in his dense, unyielding muscles. His hyper-regeneration ensured that any injury healed within moments, often leaving the affected tissue stronger than before.
But it was his perception that had evolved the most. What started as an ability to detect movements and sounds within a certain radius had grown into something much more refined. Now, Swayam could sense the presence of others—feel their energy, know their location, and even differentiate between them without seeing them. It was as though the very air around him spoke to him, informing him of every detail.
Yet, the most puzzling ability remained his control over blood. He had yet to fully grasp its full potential, but he had seen hints of its destructive power. His passive control allowed his body to become stronger with each strain it endured. His blood vessels, when ruptured under extreme exertion, healed almost instantly, each time becoming more resilient. His blood flow increased, as if his circulatory system was evolving to fuel his growing strength and abilities.
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As Swayam took a bite of his meal, he felt the familiar pull of curiosity tugging at him. There was so much more he could do—so much untapped power waiting within him. The temptation to unleash it was always there, gnawing at the back of his mind. But he knew better than to give in.
For now, restraint was his greatest ally.
You never know who's watching, Swayam thought as he glanced at Cisco, who was happily munching on his food. Or what they might be planning.
Though the team was his family now, Swayam understood that in this universe, trust could be a dangerous thing.