Chapter 45: Frozen Fruit Awakening

In the depths of the ocean, it was as black as ink. Ethan Hayes moved forward effortlessly, guided by his mastery of water manipulation. As he glided through the water, it felt like he was returning home.

The water-controlling ability he had gained from Mera, the Queen of Atlantis, allowed him to connect with the ocean in a way no ordinary person could. Like a dragon swimming through the sea, his speed was ten times faster than it would be on land or in the sky. The water didn't resist him; instead, it seemed to pull him forward, as if countless invisible hands were helping him.

Ethan had reached an uninhabited island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. As he stood on the island, the moisture from his clothes formed droplets and fell to the ground, evaporating instantly.

"A quiet desert island in the Atlantic… it's perfect," he murmured, looking up at the clear, moonlit sky. The stars twinkled against the vast darkness, reflected in the shimmering water. It was serene, and Ethan felt a rare moment of peace in his usually chaotic life.

But he hadn't come here for relaxation. He had a purpose—to push his Frozen Fruit ability beyond its limits and awaken its true power. The isolation of the island provided the perfect environment for such a dangerous experiment. He couldn't risk turning a populated area into an ice-covered wasteland.

The system had labeled his ability as "water control magic," but Ethan knew it was more than that. His control over water was unparalleled, but it had limitations—he couldn't create water out of thin air. To truly master this ability, he needed to break through those limitations, to elevate his power beyond imagination.

"Is Gwen still mad?" Ethan mused to himself, a smile tugging at his lips. His thoughts wandered briefly to Jessica Jones, appreciating the unspoken bond they shared—friends with benefits, no strings attached. Their relationship was stormy, wild, and satisfying. Gwen, on the other hand, was different. She brought a sense of calm, a gentle spring breeze in contrast to Jessica's storm.

Ethan shook his head, focusing his mind back on the task at hand. The island's dense jungle stretched out before him, and his water magic allowed him to sense the presence of powerful creatures lurking within it. The life signs were unlike anything human, reminding him of beasts from a bygone era.

Suddenly, a ferocious roar echoed across the island. Ethan frowned slightly. He could easily leave and avoid the confrontation, but he had made his decision. Once he awakened the full potential of the Frozen Fruit, the entire island would freeze. Nothing would survive.

"I wonder what kind of creatures live here," Ethan thought aloud, just as a massive, shadowy figure lunged at him from the jungle. In an instant, the creature was frozen solid, encased in a block of ice.

Ethan approached the frozen animal, his eyes scanning its massive form. "A giant boa constrictor… with a horn?" he murmured. The snake was easily the size of a truck, and its life force was powerful, unlike anything Ethan had sensed before. It was reminiscent of the power radiating from Peter Parker when he transformed into Spider-man.

Suddenly, the ice around the snake's belly began to melt, flames radiating from within its body. "Interesting," Ethan said, intrigued by the creature's resistance. The island was clearly no ordinary place.

"Unfortunately, I'm not here for you," Ethan said indifferently, waving his hand. Ice spears materialized in the air and pierced the snake's body, freezing it completely. General Aokiji's signature move: Ice Spears. Ethan had begun mastering techniques used by Aokiji, shaping his powers with pure imagination and will.

As he looked out over the dense jungle, Ethan could feel the island's unique ecosystem—a sanctuary for strange and powerful creatures. It was possible that someone had been conducting genetic experiments on the animals here, but Ethan wasn't interested in uncovering the island's secrets.

"System, enhance my Frozen Fruit ability," Ethan commanded.

The system's interface appeared before his eyes, cold and efficient:

[Frozen Fruit Ability Enhancement: Awakening requires 5 million desire points. Do you wish to proceed?]

"Proceed," Ethan confirmed without hesitation.

[Desire points deducted. Awakening in progress… 10%… 20%…]

A torrent of information surged through Ethan's mind, and his body began to transform into solid ice. Power flooded his veins, and the temperature around him plummeted. A hurricane began to form as the cold air collided with the surrounding warmth. Ice crystals condensed in the atmosphere, falling like snow upon the island.

[100% Awakening complete!]

[Congratulations, host. Your Frozen Fruit has reached the second stage: Awakening.]

Ethan's mind was consumed by the power coursing through him. He had become the embodiment of winter itself, capable of bringing the harshest cold to the world. The mist of his freezing breath spread in all directions, turning everything it touched into ice. On the island, the strange creatures sensed the impending danger, fleeing in terror.

But it was too late.

"Ice Age!" Ethan's voice rang out like a death knell.

Instantly, the entire island was encased in ice. The jungle, the creatures, and even the sea surrounding the island froze solid. Ethan had surpassed Aokiji, mastering the full potential of the Frozen Fruit. He was now the ruler of ice, a force of nature capable of freezing entire oceans with a single command.

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