Chereads / Worms: Adaptation / Chapter 20 - The Mind of a beast

Chapter 20 - The Mind of a beast

They analyzed each other in silence, both trying to figure out the goal of the other being.

One a giant and the other a small ant. The giant looked terrifying, a combination between a water bug and a giant lizard, it looked like an enormous leviathan, with the power to control everything in its reach.

After a while a rattling sound could be heard. It shattered its six limbs against its scaly, vibrating body, creating a series of bloodcurdling noises that made Mars question his decision.

It continued to do it, maybe to intimidate him, maybe to analyze him per a strange sonar technique or maybe it was a simple form of communication.

As Mars didn't react to it, the beast finally moved.

Closer and closer until it swam right before him. Its long tail drew closer and he got covered by its body. It was a choking feeling, that took away Mars's breath for a long time but then it stopped. The beast released black energy that linked both of their minds and then let go off him.

... MENTAL LINK FORCEFULLY CREATED WITH VOID LEVIATHAN ... YOUR THOUGHTS ARE CONNECTED AND EASY COMMUNICATION IS NOW POSSIBLE ...

'So you are the new bearer, I suppose, pretty underwhelming if you ask me. A little human...' 'Thanks, but what are you?' 'Withstand this and I will answer your questions...'

A shockwave of black energy bashed out of the beasts body throwing Mars back. He quickly stabilized his stand again and prepared himself for the next attack. What he didn't expect was that the first shockwave bounced back and flung at him at the same time of the second attack. It was a pincer attack.

Mars tried to expand his Mind Space, but this realm suppressed his actions letting it destabilize immediately and ultimately failing the expansion.

He got hit.

Both rebounded again and a third shockwave got repulsed. This time Mars bundled his Mind Force and created a shield with it trying to reflect them, but they easily broke trhough it. 'It is futile! The power of the Wyrms is useless when confronted with Void. Accept this power, nothing else can save you here. Use your own Void!'

At this moment Mars finally noticed why this energy felt so familiar. It was the same sensation as his own energy - Void energy.

As the fourth round was about to begin, Mars opened his energy pores and let out his own energy. Both side crashed into another, clashing until both sides weakened down and Mars could fuse them together, creating a more radiant form of energy and sucking it in after the progress.

Mars could feel his energy veins change, the power they were transporting got more chaotic and a burning sensation spread through his entire body, making him feel great pain. As he gradually adapted to this feeling it slowly subsided, having integrated this new power.

... CONGRATULATIONS - NEW ENERGY FORM AQUIRED : PURE VOID ... AFFINITY TO VOID STRENGTHENED ... TREAD THIS PATH CAREFULLY AS IT IS FILLED WITH DANGERS ...

'Excellent. You changed your own energy just by coming in contact with another variant. Interesting...'

'Wasn't my energy form Void to begin with?' 'No, you insolent thing. Till now you have just used interstellar energy with proporties related to the Void, but now...' Mars somehow knew that a malicious grin appeared on that monsters face. 'Your energy is now a pure form of Void, so it entirely consists of it and has all abilities it should have. Try to control this space now.'

Mars raised his hand and tried to 'push' it away. A path opened up that could easily be trespassed even by a person that did not posess Void energy. The leviathan also got pushed away slightly.

'Hm, it seems that you also have good control about it. I was a bit sceptical of your qualifications at first but you have quite an affinity with the Void. So let me introduce myself. I am the keeper of your Void powers and the reason why you can acess this place. I am the primordial Leviathan of the Void, everything I say here is my command. This here is your own Void within that I created for you bearer. Next I will show you how to open a passage to the Greater Void. Close your eyes and try to find the place where the energy is swirling to and where it is densest. If you remove this layer, then you will be able to see the entrance.'

Mars did as he was told, trying to feel for the place where he felt the most decay and killing intent that was like a pure rage, a place that was devoid of life and only full with the will to destroy.

Not long after he started did the place emerge itself and a freezing feeling expanded itself the moment this protection layer was removed. Mars opened his eyes - He saw a mirroring surface that stared into his soul. Cold and unfriendly.

'There are countless primordial Void beasts on the other side just waiting for their next prey, so don't step in. They would kill you instantly.' 'Can I summon this place into the outside world?'

This question confused the leviathan 'No one ever tried to, but I suppose you could. I wouldn't recommend it, as this passage is a two way door. Anyone could feel it opening and also might come through if your defense is too weak. But it might be an option.'

'What do you mean with bearer?' 'Look on your right hand, that symbol means you are the one destined to walk a path of Void and Mind. Destined to change our future. Destined to either lead or destroy us. That is the bearer.' There was a grey symbol forming on the back of his right hand. It showed the face of a dragon, that was emitting black energy through his eyes and mouth.

'I have another question - What would you have done, if I hadn't passed your test.' 'I would have eaten you. A bearer tastes best at the start, not corrupted.'