Chapter 4: The Awakening Flame
Ben stood at the edge of the outer sect's training grounds, arms crossed as disciples buzzed around him like bees in a hive. Some trained in silence, others barked challenges. Qi crackled through the air like invisible lightning.
He ignored them all.
He had no interest in forming bonds, no reason to prove himself to anyone here. Not after the way they looked at him during the trial. They cheered when he won — but deep down, they were waiting for him to fail.
"Hey, outsider."
Ben turned his head slightly. Three disciples stood behind him, each wearing the same arrogant smirk. One of them had bruises still healing from the last trial.
"You think that freak form makes you special?" the tallest one spat. "Without it, you're nothing."
Ben didn't respond right away. He simply stared at the speaker — calm, silent, unreadable. Then he took a slow step forward.
"Do you want to test that theory?" he said flatly.
The disciple flinched, just for a second.
Ben's voice was low, but his presence was sharp — like a blade sheathed just beneath the skin. "If you're looking for a fight, don't bring your friends. They won't save you."
The disciple sneered, then hesitated. He stepped back without another word.
Ben turned away without watching them leave. Not out of mercy — but because they weren't worth his energy.
Mei approached from the side, arms folded.
"You know, most people try to make friends when they join a sect."
Ben shrugged. "I'm not most people."
She tilted her head. "No. You're not."
They walked toward the inner cliffs, where the cultivators meditated beneath waterfalls and practiced their breathing techniques. Ben didn't care about sitting cross-legged or humming in silence.
"What's the fastest way to get stronger?" he asked.
Mei blinked. "No small talk, huh?"
"No time for it."
She nodded, surprisingly not offended. "Then you'll need a spiritual core. Your body is powerful, but your foundation is empty. You can't cultivate qi unless your core is awakened."
Ben looked down at the Omnitrix, which pulsed faintly on his wrist. "And how do I do that?"
"We go to the Ember Cavern," she said. "But you'll need to endure the Flame Trial. Only ten percent survive it. Most pass out. Some… break."
Ben's eyes didn't waver. "Good."
Mei narrowed hers. "You're not scared?"
"I've been in black holes. Fought time-warped aliens. If this place wants to break me, it better try harder."
That night, they descended into the Ember Cavern.
Heat rolled through the tunnel like waves. The deeper they went, the more the air burned — not just physically, but spiritually. The flames whispered to something inside Ben — something ancient and waiting.
At the heart of the cavern, a pool of molten light glowed.
"The Flame Trial begins when you step into the pool," Mei said. "It will burn everything false from your soul. You either come out awakened… or broken."
Ben took off his outer robe, eyes locked on the molten surface.
"I don't break," he said, stepping in.
The fire consumed him.
His skin felt like it was peeling from his bones. Memories surged — his childhood, every failure, every doubt, every moment of hesitation. But he pushed forward, deeper, until he could no longer feel his body.
Only flame. And something else…
The Omnitrix burned with him.
Then it spoke.
**Core Adaptation Detected. Fusion Sequence Unlocked.**
Ben screamed, not in pain — but in release.
When the fire finally faded, he stood alone in the center of the pool. His eyes were burning gold. Qi spiraled around his limbs like smoke.
And the Omnitrix glowed brighter than ever.
A new form pulsed within.
Half-alien. Half-spirit. Entirely his.
He stepped out of the flames, calm and reborn.
Mei stared at him, wide-eyed. "You… you awakened."
Ben looked at his hand, clenched it into a fist.
"No," he said. "I'm just getting started."