In the quiet of Essex's private study, the scientist and En Sabah Nur remained, the dim candlelight casting long shadows on the walls. Essex poured himself a glass of brandy, swirling it thoughtfully as he broke the silence.
"So, what do you think of our guest?" Essex asked, a glint of curiosity in his eye.
En Sabah Nur leaned back, folding his arms. "He has a powerful presence, perhaps," Nur said dismissively. "But in the end, he's nothing more than a larger ant in a world full of insects." His gaze sharpened. "One may carry power, but power alone does not make them significant."
Essex let out a low chuckle, clearly unbothered by his partner's lack of enthusiasm. "Under ordinary circumstances, I would agree. But there's something about him, something… layered. I've had my men do a little digging into his background. The man known as David Howlett, as it seems, has left traces across several countries. Nothing too specific, but enough to suggest he is not your average mutant."
En Sabah Nur tilted his head, vaguely intrigued. "And what does that matter to us?"
"He possesses resources such as wealth, influence, and a knowledge of certain sciences that could be… beneficial to our cause," Essex said, his voice dipping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Think about it: if he could help further our reach into the Americas and acquire the means to refine my experiments, we might achieve the desired results in a fraction of the time."
Nur shrugged, unimpressed. "If he serves a purpose, so be it. But I don't trust him, nor do I have any interest in placing him on a pedestal. You, Essex, are prone to fascination with others, to playing with them like pieces on a board."
Essex's mouth twitched. "Perhaps. But do not mistake fascination for loyalty, my friend." He leaned forward, his voice soft. "Its just that, with his support and the power you will bestow me, we may finally have the means to achieve our vision to perfect humanity."
Nur's gaze remained steady, impassive. "Then use him, if he truly is as useful as you claim. But remember, Essex, when he outlives his usefulness, he is no different from the rest."
Essex nodded, a sly smile curving his lips. "Naturally. But for now, we let him think he's in control, that he has something to gain. When the time comes, if he's outlived his purpose, don't hesitate."
The two shared a brief, knowing silence, and then En Sabah Nur looked away, his tone cool. "Proceed as you wish. But I will not waste time humoring him beyond what is necessary. He's just another pawn, Essex. Don't forget that. Let us go and meet with this Hellfire club of yours."
Essex smiled, raising his glass. "Of course. To pawns and players, then."
***
[Abilities: Regenerative Healing Factor S, Phytokinesis S, Phantom Walk S, Life Drain A, Flash A, Telepathy A, Endurance A, Heightened Perception A, Superhuman Physique A, Elemental Manipulation A, Spiritual Guidance A, Necromancy A, Shapeshifting A, Healing A, Longevity A, Fertility Boost B,]
[Potential Points: 32]
David looked at the list of abilities he currently possessed, and then to those he optimized from Apocalypse.
Recently Copied:
[Celestial Energy Manipulation SSS] [Techno-Organic SS] [Self-Atomic Manipulation SS] [Psionic Manipulation S] [Superhuman Physique S] [Sorcery A]
Available:
[Undead A] [Pyrokinesis A]
David studied the descriptions of each ability before integrating them. Celestial energy manipulation is an ability based on celestial technology on En Sabah. This ability can allow the user to generate powerful forcefields, create energy blasts, absorb or transfer energy, teleport, and even manipulate matter. David immediately integrated it after reading the description and he felt subtle changes occurring in his body which vanished just as quickly as it came.
David did not mind and went through the next ability on the list which is techno-organic. This skill allowed him to create a virus that can convert living tissues into animate-technology. The infection will allow those who are infected to attain a semblance to immortality through the animate-technology converted tissues, this in effect also gives them the ability to interact and control technology. The user who created the virus can freely control the life and death, actions and even access the memories of those who are fully infected like a hive mind.
'Integrate, this should be good.'
In the end no changes occurred in his body so David had to activate the ability first. Once active, his vision enhanced and metallic organism similar to a liquid-metal octopus appeared in his view. He observed the 'virus' for a while before he dismissed it into molecules.
Self-atomic manipulation allows the user to have control over the atomic structure of his own body and can alter it at will. This means he can adapt his atomic structure to adversity and be able to use abilities like biomorphing which allows him to freely morph his bodyparts at will. This also allows one to have regeneration abilities which allows regeneration from a single cell. In addition he can use size alteration to enlarge or shrink through an extra-dimensional source. Lastly, this ability can allow the user to use power bestowal. This can be used to copy or augment the abilities of himself or others to their maximum potential.
Activating the ability, David was presented with an introspective view of himself. He zoomed in at will and managed to freely view the arrangements of DNA in the nucleus of the cells itself. He dared not mess with his own DNA at the moment so David quickly deactivated this ability.
'This is without a doubt, something that can be useful if studied in depth.'
Psionic manipulation allows the user access to telepathy and telekinesis. This was not normally an omega potential ability but David's ability to optimize made it so thus granting him a comprehensive mental prowess and capacity.
'There's no technopathy, I guess I'll have to infect myself with the techno-organic virus to get it then.'
Superhuman physique at the omega level would potentially allow the user to go toe to toe with the incredible Hulk in a battle of physical strength. Not only in strength but the user will also be bestowed with durability, stamina, endurance, and reflexes that matched this potential.
'Integrate,'
David who is sitting in the center of his room closed his eyes, focusing inward, and activated the process to integrate his new Superhuman Physique at the omega level. A sensation of energy began to pool in his core, gathering heat and density as it slowly spread through his body.
The first rush hit his muscles and a surge rippled outward, transforming every fiber with a strength that felt raw, unfiltered. David felt the subtle elasticity of his tendons, the compact density of his bones, each becoming fortified, refined. His body trembled as his muscles adjusted, a low hum vibrating beneath his skin, as though he were tuning into a frequency of sheer power. He steadied his breathing, feeling his chest expand as his lungs took in air deeper than they ever had before. He could feel his heart pumping with a measured, almost regal rhythm, each beat powerful yet calm, as if his body were effortlessly adjusting to its new baseline.
Suddenly, his bones began to vibrate. The marrow within them felt dense, almost metallic, and he could sense each cell multiplying, strengthening with rapid precision. His skin, too, adapted, its resilience increasing until it was as durable as steel yet still appeared as smooth as flesh. David clenched his fist and felt the unfamiliar, astonishing solidity beneath his skin. He could sense his bones like never before, their weight shifting with his movements, each one now a weapon in its own right.
As he focused, he felt the next phase of integration unfold: reflexes and endurance. His senses broadened and he became acutely aware of every minute detail around him, from the faint breeze of air coming from a draft to the subtle sounds the insects made outside and even further.
Finally, his body entered a state of equilibrium, the integration seems to have been completed. The strength he felt wasn't just raw power; it was balanced, perfectly tuned to his form, as if he'd always been this way. Standing up, David felt grounded, each footfall steady, as if gravity itself had shifted to accommodate his presence.
He took a deep breath, savoring the ease with which his new physiology handled the simple act of breathing. Then, he extended his hand and clenched his fist, feeling the ripple of newfound strength travel up his arm. He imagined himself facing even the strongest foes, now realizing that they would feel like children against his renewed physique. David was no longer just durable or strong, he was an unstoppable force in his own right. A smile crossed his lips as he thought of his 'benefactors'.
[Abilities: Celestial Energy Manipulation SSS, Techno-Organic SS, Self-Atomic Manipulation SS, Psionic Manipulation S, Superhuman Physique S, Regenerative Healing Factor S, Phytokinesis S, Phantom Walk S, Life Drain A, Flash A, Telepathy A, Endurance A, Heightened Perception A, Superhuman Physique A, Elemental Manipulation A, Spiritual Guidance A, Necromancy A, Shapeshifting A, Healing A, Longevity A, Fertility Boost B,]
[Potential Points: 27]
'My arsenal just got a major update but I'll need lots of time to integrate and master these abilities. Time is all I have plenty of anyway.'
He leaned back in his chair, studying his hands as he activated the techno-organic virus within him. A soft, silvery sheen began to ripple from his fingertips, like liquid metal bleeding into his skin. The substance crept over his hand, curling around his wrist and snaking up his forearm in intricate, vein-like tendrils, merging with his flesh as if it had always been part of him.
At first, there was a prickling sensation as the virus interfaced with his cells, his neurons, and even his very DNA. Then, a powerful surge of information hit him as his mind began to be flooded with data streams, like the hum of countless voices whispering commands, codes, and functions. His senses sharpened, and a subtle awareness expanded through his body. He could feel the network of metallic fibers binding to his nerves, merging his flesh with an otherworldly sentience.
David raised his hand, watching as the silver lines in his skin thickened and coalesced, transforming his arm into a blend of organic and synthetic matter. He focused, willing the virus to obey, and felt his body respond in a wave of foreign intelligence like some sort of hive mind whispering its connection to him. With a thought, he directed the virus to extend, forming his other hand into a long blade, sleek and sharp, the lines in his skin pulsing faintly.
He flexed his new appendage, feeling a strange yet undeniable connection to the technology embedded in his body. His mind expanded as he sensed his surroundings in a new way. He could feel his control over technology increase, the pocket watch hanging on his hand gave him a hint that he has the power to command any device or mechanism with nothing more than a thought.
He stood up and took a step forward, letting the virus spread deeper. The sensation was like growing new nerves, foreign yet thrilling, every synapse alive with new potential. He extended his senses further, concentrating on the pocket watch in his hand. The device flickered under his command, the ticking slowing, stopping, and then reversing at his silent order. He had control, not just over his own body, but also over anything remotely mechanical around him.
The virus whispered within him, ready to spread and consume anything he commanded. A flicker of a smile touched his lips as he considered its potential applications. With a deep breath, David retracted the virus, watching as his arm returned to its natural form, the silver tendrils retreating beneath his skin. He clenched his hand, feeling a satisfying new weight in it.
His gaze shifted to his list of integrated abilities again, and he couldn't help but smirk. Power wasn't merely a tool to him; it was a form of liberation—a means to operate beyond the constraints that even En Sabah Nur and Essex imposed on themselves.
"Mastering this will require some experimentation," he mused aloud. The idea of testing the boundaries of his self-atomic manipulation intrigued him most. He could sense its depths, its adaptability, its raw, untamed potential for transformation. The ability to manipulate his own atomic structure would make him essentially indestructible, able to reconstruct himself from mere molecules and even grant others a portion of his power.
Still, caution was key. Each ability held unimaginable potential, but unlocking it would take careful study, lest he misjudge its limits and end up unraveling the intricate balance of his powers. It was a delicate game of control, something he was more than eager to master.
He turned his attention back to his surroundings, considering his next moves. The meeting with Essex and En Sabah Nur had gone smoothly, but David sensed the two weren't fully convinced of his loyalty and motives. 'They are not wrong.' David smirked while glancing at the night sky outside his room. With his new abilities, the temptation to act recklessly tugged at him, yet he reminded himself of the patience that had served him so well thus far. There's no need to initiate battle with these two but he needed to keep them guessing, and play his cards with strategic precision.
'Tomorrow would bring new opportunities, but honestly I'm kind of missing the estate already. I wonder how they're doing right now?'