Jason's dreams were always about being able to have one kind of power or another. Inside his dreams much like in life he ponders what he would do with them. How would he improve his life in a plethora of ways, the jobs he would take the adventures he would go on. If he had a weak ability he would just find a way to use it to improve his work efficiency, like using super strength to either work in construction if it's only E or D, rank, or if it was C or B how he would go out in hunting parties or if he had speed abilities to work as a scout or map out the environment. After many cities were taken over and humans had been pushed to small corners of the world, parts of the world had even gone through minor terraforming and now the land was different than before so it needed to be mapped once more.
He was only ever truly happy in the world within his dreams. There were even nights where he wondered how life would be like if The Great Rise, didn't occur. His favorite dreams, however, were when he was strong enough to go on a hunting raid or just explore beyond the city walls. Those dreams of being away from his daily life and away from people that would just abandon, being out there in the wilds, and letting out his suppressed anger on whatever beast tried to kill him. Those were the nights he slept best. Unfortunately, just like anyone else, there are nights where Jason is plagued by a nightmare or a barrage of nightmares.
Tonight was one such night as Jason was hit with images and voices of people he knows insulting and ridiculing him. He was being pulled from place to place as new sets of people berated him or proceeded to beat him. It was whenever he turned he would be someplace new with people there waiting to insult or hurt him. Mostly they all looked like silhouettes but there were some faces and voices he recognized. The worse of all was his parents. He had just turned away trying to escape a beating and found himself facing his parents at the entrance of his home just walking in through the door. Once a year they would visit only to see if he had awakened a power or not just to see if he was of some use to the family. That was the only time he would ever see them and the only expression he ever saw from them was disgust. You would think that never seeing someone or knowing them would not affect your self-esteem or make you care about how they see you, but unfortunately, nature can be a cruel thing.
From the moment one is born, the child will always have a natural instinctual bond to those who gave him life. That bond can be severed, of course, but it is very difficult to do so and Jason still being so young, meant that stare always killed a little bit of his soul every time he saw it. For Jason, the nightmare had reached its peak, and his only solace was that he would eventually wake up. . . But not before suffering more. The nightmare took a turn for the worse as it shifted and he saw all the people that he knew, give him the same stare. It made him curl up as a tidal wave of insults hit him driving him mad with how loud it got. He was holding his head curled up on the floor with his knees to his chest taking a position similar to a kowtow. When the insults finally stopped he thought the worse was over. How unfortunate, that the mind can be so cruel once it's been damaged enough. It's like a wild animal lashing out even to the very person it belongs to. Jason saw two feet before him and when he looked up, dread and hopelessness hit him. He saw the only three people in the world that had care for him, but instead of their warm stare, he saw the one that destroyed him the most.
They didn't say a word, they just walked away disappearing from his view. He was now alone in a pitch-black pit. His mind and soul broken, as he dropped his knees, with his arms and hands limp with a blank expression. He looked like his soul had left his body. After an indefinite amount of time, only one word escaped his lips, "Why?" It was the only thing that broke the silence and began to echo around picking up volume. "Why do I have to suffer?" he asked to the empty void only to hear his new question join the other as it echoed and began to pick up more volume. Then finally, something just snapped inside him. It was like a chain had finally been broken as his despair was being turned into hatred. Then a crack appeared beneath him and glowing blood-red light began to shine from them followed by a strange mist bleeding through the cracks. "No." Jason said with a venomous voice sounding more like a beast. "I don't deserve this." Again his voice filled with rage no longer resembling his otherwise calmed, light, and composed voice. "It is not me that is broken!!" He said standing up as more cracks formed beneath him branching out making the same sound as stone with the red light glowing brighter. "It is them!!!" He yelled sounding more like a roar as he went on "Fuck society!!" The more he spoke and roared the more the ground shook and the more it slit open. "I am not the problem!! They are!!" Jason roared into the void as pitch-black spiked broke through the ground around him with large cracks glowing red and a texture resembling something like stone or bones. "I refuse to give in to this fucked up society." This time his voice like a bellow of a beast, while more spikes came out around him. "I reject this society." He bellowed again, "If this wretched excuse for a proper human society wants me dead. . ." The ground began to shake as he uttered those words like something was ready to break through its now fragile and compromised surface. "Then I will tear it apart!!" Jason said before looking up at the pitch empty sky as Jason roared, "AND BURN IT TO THE FUCKING GROUND!!!" Suddenly an entire jungle of spikes erupted from the ground, breaking it completely, and instead, replacing it with a new ground similar to the spikes in color and texture.
It looked like a throne of spikes had grown around him and the red light and coming from the spikes now started to pulsate like a heartbeat. Jason noticed it was beating to his heartbeat when he calmed down and the pulsing followed. He even heard his heart pulsing through the spikes. For a dream, this felt oddly real. He was about to reach out and touch one of the spikes before he was startled by a chime and a blood-red window appeared in front of him. It looked like one of the windows he'd seen in video games or his Odin's A.R.(Ocular/Display/Interface/Network).
[Trials completed] New (each window had the word new flashing next to it in white)
[Awakening Successfully] New
[Virus System now available] New
[Would you like to initiate system setup and calibration? Y/N] New
'. . . What?' Jason thought.
[Would you like to initiate system set up? Y/N]
Looking at these notifications had extremely confused Jason for a moment before a lightbulb went off. One window stated he had awakened. He was confused by the term 'awaken' for only a second as he yelled, "Does that mean my genes finally awoke?! Did I just unlock my abilities?!? Is this system my ability?!" He got excited but he also wasn't sure so he tried focusing on the message and in an instant, it opened up with a new message:
[Congratulations!! You have passed the trials and successfully awaken.]
[All of your dormant genes have been awakened and now your initial system interface has been unlocked.]
[Once you set up the system, you'll have access to all the system has to offer including access to your abilities related to your innate powers.]
[Would you like to initiate system set up? Y/N]
'Wait so the system interface is my power but it's not the system which I have to fully set up? What the- hu?!' He thought very confuse.
The message had implied that his power was the interface and the system was a part of him. Or at least that's what he interpreted until another window appeared answering his query.
[Your System is the 'Virus' system. However, to unlock all of its features and power, the system needs to be set up in order to synchronize with your body and complete the awakening. This setup needs to be voluntary as it will be permanent for the remainder of the user's lifespan.]
[Would you like to initiate system set up? Y/N]
"Huh?!? Wait how the hell am I getting this information?!?" He yelled and only a single message appeared.
[The Deep Collective Subconscious.] (in the future TDCS)
He immediately realized what that term meant. After 'The Great Rise' and the emergence of powers, no one really had any knowledge of how they worked or how they could use them at will. No one knew how they just knew how to activate their powers. When interviewed people responded that they just knew, that it was like they always knew, almost instinctual. Further research was then conducted, and when the hunt for past knowledge began, what little was found yielded some light. Scientists theorize that deep within our subconscious was a collection of past knowledge left by our ancestors, much like how we know to breathe, or how a spider knows how to string webs. This was proof that the theory was real.
"Wait a minute, if that is true, how do I have access to the TDCS? And how the hell does that connect to the system?" Jason asked both amazed and confused.
[All of your dormant genes have awakened, thereby granting access to the TDCS. The system is your mind translating the breath of information as best as it can. Unfortunately, the information is too vast so some of it might not be accessed until the user gets stronger.]
Jason began to process the information given as he tried to make sense of why he could access the TDCS, but others haven't. It could be that others refused to reveal it seeing as it was an incredible edge. Knowledge was power, and humans were selfish and greedy beings. It made sense that they would keep it hidden so he took that theory as the prevailing one. That is until he realized something. When he re-read the message just to make sure he fully understood he noticed something that didn't make sense to him. 'All of your dormant genes have awakened.' For all intents and purposes, that should be impossible according to what he had learned in school. When a person receives his power he awakens a small number of genes at the start but later on awakens more as time and training progress. So far it was unheard of to awaken all genes at once. 'Does that mean I'm like, super-powerful?' Jason thought but a message appeared.
[No. All genes have awakened but you still need to grow your powers and yourself to tap into the full potential of your genes. However, it does mean you are not limited to learning only one energy type at a time since all of your genes are drinking in all three energies.]
The three energies were Qi, Psi, and Mana. They were energies that flowed through the lay lines and now were used by the human body to activate their abilities. Psionic flows through the mind and nervous system, Qi through the body, every bit of it, and Mana is external energy that received the commands of the user through a medium or through the hands to form a control matrix. To be able to use all three energies, was a feat only the rich and powerful could achieve, like the 11 families. They were the richest and most powerful families in the world and although the government allegedly was in control, it was really the 11 that were in control. The Miller family was one such family. A family that had treated Jason like crap because they expect Jason to be weak and would harm their reputation. Jason just couldn't keep it in. The irony was just too much. He began to chuckle before going into a full laugh. They had thrown him away like a worthless piece of trash, not once thinking that was a mistake, and now Jason not only awakened but had boundless potential.
When they measure how many genes a person has awakened, the number correlates to their potential and their power level. There were 200 genes directly connected to certain energies that allowed power to flow through a person's body. The average number of a person awaken genes, at birth, is between 5 to 30 with 30 being the highest recorded number at birth. In terms of potential, there was a similar ranking system for a person that was classified at birth or after their power had awakened. The ranking was from A to C, with C being the lowest for those whose gene number was between 1 to 10, B from 11 to 20, and finally A 21 to 30. For Jason that ranking system was meaningless, he had all 200 genes, which made his potential unmeasurable even if he was incredibly weak or still Rank E- or even G rank. Jason was still laughing hysterically as he had to drop to one knee holding his side at how hard he was laughing. Finally, he collapsed on his back forced to stop laughing just to breathe. Even inside his dreams, he couldn't laugh very much because in the real world his body was laughing just as much and he needed to breathe. He had no idea how he was still asleep. He just thought the system had something to do with it but didn't bother to ask. He was enjoying the moment too much. In his entire life, he had never laughed that hard before. To him, it was a new experience and it was a welcomed one. After settling down he felt a weight lift from his chest, and yet he hadn't the strength to get up.
[Would you like to initiate system set up? Y/N]
'Pushy aren't you?' He thought as he laid there. He then brought up the window he hadn't read yet.
[Trials completed]
"Trials? What trials? I don't remember any trials." Jason said out loud and the system opened up the window.
[You have completed the minimum amount of trials thus unlocking the system and awakening. Minimum requirement 7/6 {Done over requirements}]
[Congratulations you have succeeded in surviving and overcoming the adversity you had suffered.]
[Trials completed:
Trial of Compassion
Trial of Courage
Trial of Despair
Trial of Pain
Trial of Patients
Trial of Rebellion
Trial of Will]
"Again I ask what?" Jason said with a serious expression, "What kind of trials are those? Who made these trials? And why did I need to complete them to awaken?"
[The Trials were made by your Ancestors]
"What?!?"
[The reason most people are born with their genes awakened, is because they succeed in surviving long enough. When 'The Great Rise' occurred people did not gain power immediately because power needs to be earned. However, because humanity was facing extinction certain requirements were lifted to ensure their survival and thus being born was enough to merit their powers.]
Jason had gone wide-eyed and sat up about to ask another question but the system continued.
[As the survival rate increased the requirements are being reapplied as decreed by the ancients.]
"Ancients?! What do you mean by -" Jason began but was interrupted again.
[Unable to retrieve data. Please retry after your mind is strong enough.]
"Are you fucking kidding me?! This shit was getting good!!" Jason ranted. After calming down and sighing defeated he took in a breath and asked, "So these trials I apparently completed. What can you tell me about them?"
[Trial of Compassion: Completed by helping someone weaker than yourself without expecting a reward. A genuine act of compassion. {Done over requirements.}]
[Trial of Courage: Completed by facing against a stronger opponent knowing you might fail but standing your ground regardless of your fear. {Done over requirements}]
[Trial of Despair: Completed after facing your worst fear and feeling utter hopelessness, yet somehow raising back to your feet. {Done over requirements}]
[Trial of Pain: Completed by bearing pain, both physical and psychological, to your utmost limit and not relenting or giving up. {Done over requirements}]
[Trial of Patients: Completed by enduring anything that brings you discomfort mentally and emotionally. {Done over requirements}]
[Trial of Rebellion: Completed by wanting and willing to fight through everything that oppresses you. {Done over requirements}]
[Trial of Will: Completed by never giving up on your conviction in the face of overwhelming adversity. {Done over requirements}]
[All that you have experienced and the choices you've made had allowed you not only to complete the trials but do them over the requirements. Further rewards will be given.]
"Wait I went over the requirements?" Jason asked.
[You repeated the actions required more than once or exceeded expectations.]
Jason took a moment to think about it and after a few minutes came to the conclusion it was because of all the torment he went through. "Uh, so standing up to those bullies and getting my ass beaten within an inch of my lifetime and time again wasn't for nothing." Jason said, "But I don't get the compassion part."
[Kitty]
[Dog]
[Brandon Taylor]
[Luna Valentino]
. . . Jason remained silent. To someone else, those words and names seemed random but to Jason it was memories. He then understood that when he tried to stop the acts of cruelty for the sake of another, at the cost of his own well-being, was what sent him over the top. 'Is official. It was all worth it.' He thought. Being told that all he had gone through wasn't a wasted effort made him feel like he wasn't worthless even if he hadn't awakened.
[Would you like to initiate system set up? Y/N]
Jason had no more questions or reasons to say no, "Yes."
[Process initiated. 000.1%]
[WARNING: Metamorphosis initiated.]
"Warning? Why woul-" Jason was interrupted as his entire body was suddenly hit by pain he had never felt before. The pain was enough to drive a grown man mad. It was like he was being torn apart and unmade, before being put back together piece by piece. Every muscle felt like it was ripped and every bone felt like it was being snapped then grinned to dust. Naturally, he had woken up and was trashing and wailing on top of his bed. Earlier his laughter had woken everyone up but when they saw him asleep they just figured he was having a good dream, which warmed their hearts to think he was still capable of laugher and joy, but when he started screaming, everyone ran to his side.
[9%]
When they saw him awake and trashing in pain, they panicked at first before Luis jumped into action. He had grabbed Jason's belt and placed it in his mouth so that he wouldn't bite off his tongue and tried to hold him down without hurting him. Seeing this Bry told Maria to fetch his emergency kit as he ran up and placed his hands on Jason's chest using his healing ability. Unfortunately, his ability had no effect and this confused him, even more so when he was using his internal scanning skill but couldn't detect a single wound inside or outside his body. "What are you doing?! Heal him!!!" Luis yelled at Bry and his response was, "I'm trying!! My power isn't working!! I don't what's wrong with him!! It's like he's being tortured but there are no wounds I can detect!!" Bry was sweating and scared because he didn't know what was happening. He knew Jason was in terrible pain because he was sweating, his skin was red, his veins were popping up and his heart was beating so erratically Bry feared it might give out at any minute. When Maria came back she was horrified and ran to give Bry his pack. He quickly took out a syringe and some morphine, just as quickly plunging it into his chest hoping it would help, but the morphine was just broken apart the moment it entered his blood.
[20%]
What they didn't know was that while no wounds were detected, inside and outside of Jason's body down at the cellular level, he was in fact being torn apart and stitch back together, and it was happening everywhere all at once. All the while Jason was trying his best not to lose his mind at the pain keeping an eye on the system's progress wishing it would hurry up. The amount of adrenaline he was producing made it hard for Luis to keep a hold on him without using his Qi to strengthen his grip, and Bry didn't dare try to give him another dose of morphine so he just kept trying to use his healing ability, but to no avail.
[45%]
Bry had to step back at one point because Jason's hands were lashing out and for some reason, his nails were quickly growing long, along with his hair, and although they would occasionally break and fall off, they still managed to scratch Bry's arm. Luis had to grab Jason's forearms, which left the rest of his body flailing.
[70%]
At one point the convulsions began to die down, not because the pain was diminishing, but because his heart was about to give out.
[89%]
Bry jumped back in and took the belt out of Jason's mouth so he could breathe better but then Jason's body became stiff and started to shake uncontrollably like a seizure on steroids. Even the bed was shaking and they had to turn him to his side in case he vomited.
[93%]
Then Bry's worse fear came to life. Jason's heart had stopped and Bry quickly started to pump his chest trying to resuscitate him. Luis had to step back his usually composed demeanor was replaced with dread and fear at the thought of losing Jason, and Marie was no better. She had been crying by the side the entire time unable to do anything but watch in horror and now their surrogate son's heart had stopped.
[97%]
Bry didn't give up trying to revive him using every medical knowledge he knew along with his abilities. Even went so far as to use electric shock via magic but nothing worked. He had no choice but to stop and when he took a step back from the bed he dropped to his knees. Jason was dead. His heart had stopped and it had been nearly 20 minutes since his heart stopped and it was time to call time of death, but Bry along with everyone was too emotionally distraught to make the call.
[98%]
Inside Jason's mind, since it all started the only thought that kept him in the fight, was the thought of one day bringing down the current status quo and taking revenge on his parents. Right until his heart stopped. He got scared and felt his body slowly dying while hearing Maria cry, Bry calling him telling him to stay with him, and the feeling of the resuscitation attempts. All his senses started to blackout about a minute since his heart stopped. All he could do was yell in his head that it wasn't fair, that he couldn't just die now that he had found some hope. He even asked the system if there was a way to save himself but there was no response from the system.
"No. No no no no no!! This can't be happening!! Please no!!" Jason yelled trapped in his mind, "It can't end like this!! It just can't!!" His fear was getting to him, as well as his despair. Just as he was about to give up all hope his fear became anger, and once again the venomous demon-like tone returned as he said, "No" mixed with a growl, "Get up!" He bellowed and once again louder than before, "Get up!!!!". "This is not how I will die!" He bellowed, "I will not die like this!!" And with all his might, "GET THE FUCK UP!!!!" He said with a roar.
[100%]
Jason's internal roar had being carried out into reality as he roared back to life. His back arched, his veins and muscles popped up, his eyes opened and his hands looked like they were clenching something in the air as he came back to life with his roar. At first, it sounded like a scream but seconds later it had transformed into an actual roar a beast would make that even made the bed shake. When the scream turned into an actual roar in a blink of an eye there were hundreds of black and red veins going over his body, and for a brief moment, his mouth looked like it expanded showing razor-sharp teeth. Then without warning the roar stopped as Jason lost consciousness and his body went limp, looking normal once again.