Kael awoke with a gasp, his body convulsing. The worm's grotesque maw, its crimson eye burning, still filled his mind, the phantom stench of its decay clinging to his nostrils. He pushed himself upright, his hospital gown twisted around him, his heart hammering against his ribs. The nightmare was vivid, too real, the crushing weight of the beast, the searing pain of the Apex's absorption. He was alive. He was outside.
The air was cool, crisp, and surprisingly clean, carrying the faint scent of smoke and damp earth. He was lying on a makeshift bed of salvaged blankets and cushions, surrounded by the skeletal remains of buildings, their jagged silhouettes cutting against a bruised, moonlit sky. In the distance, perhaps fifty meters away, a small fire crackled, casting dancing shadows. Three figures sat around it, their forms indistinct in the dim light, their voices a low murmur that barely reached him.
One of the figures detached itself from the group and began to approach. Even from this distance, Kael recognized the powerful, almost lumbering gait. It was Jax. His crimson skin seemed to absorb the faint moonlight, making him appear even darker, more imposing. The jagged red gem in his chest pulsed with a soft, steady glow, a beacon in the gloom. This was the red glow he'd glimpsed just before losing consciousness. It wasn't familiar then, but now, seeing Jax fully, the connection clicked.
Jax stopped a few feet away, his glowing red eyes assessing Kael. He looked different, more defined, the raw power from his transformation now settled into a formidable presence. "Hey," Jax rumbled, his voice deeper, rougher than Kael remembered, yet with a surprising undertone of concern. "You're finally awake, huh? Took you long enough."
Kael flinched, a wave of weariness washing over him. He hesitated, unsure how to respond, how to even begin to process everything. His throat felt dry, his voice caught.
Jax seemed to sense his discomfort. He tossed a bundle of fabric onto the ground beside Kael. "Here. You can't go around in that thing. We scavenged some stuff."
Kael looked down. The clothes were simple: a dark, durable pair of cargo pants and a thick, long-sleeved shirt, both a muted, earthy green. They were practical, sturdy, a stark contrast to the flimsy gown he wore. He quickly shed the hospital gown, pulling on the new clothes. The fabric felt rough but comforting, a small piece of normalcy in the chaos.
He rose, feeling the residual stiffness in his muscles, but also a strange, new lightness. He walked cautiously towards the fire, the warmth a welcome embrace in the cool night air. As he drew closer, the murmuring voices became clearer.
"He's coming," a voice said, soft and melodic. It was familiar, incredibly so, stirring a faint, pleasant echo in Kael's memory. He paused, trying to place it, but the chaos of the last few days had jumbled everything. He decided to let it be for now.
He stepped into the firelight, and his gaze landed on the speaker. Estelle. Her delicate features were illuminated by the dancing flames, and around her forehead, a vibrant pink bandana was tied, stark against her dark hair. He recognized her instantly, and the pieces of the fleeting vision from his awakening in the facility clicked into place.
He looked at the other two. Jax, closer now, his crimson skin and glowing chest gem unmistakable. And Orion, slender and serene, his pale skin crisscrossed with the luminous blue lines that pulsed gently in the firelight, his abyssal black eyes reflecting the flames with an unnerving depth.
"You… you all look different," Kael managed, his voice hoarse. The words felt inadequate, a vast understatement.
Orion's black eyes met Kael's, and a faint, knowing smile touched his lips. "You do too, Kael. Look into the mirror, blue eyes."
Kael instinctively raised a hand to his face. There was no mirror, but as Orion spoke, the familiar blue interface flickered into existence directly in his vision, shimmering with a new, vibrant intensity. It wasn't just data now; it was a message, a congratulatory banner unfurling across his sight:
CONGRATULATIONS!
YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY ABSORBED ENOUGH MUTAGENIC ENERGY FROM A SKILLED BEING (MINHOCÃO WORM) TO ACQUIRE ITS SKILLS.
NEW SKILLS ACQUIRED!CALCULATING SKILLS...