[Warning!!]
[A certain mechanism known for weakening Blood Mutants has been deployed. You will not be able to use your strengths to their fullest until it's taken down. Do so before it's too late.]
'That's why my... body's feeling off…' Ace spoke to himself after understanding what was happening. Since his system was temporarily overridden, he and his sister were struggling to use their powers effectively. Ace informed his sister of their current situation, and together with Chris and Sky, the four of them left the building they were in, hoping to find a way to escape before they were caught.
"It's useless to run," Chris urged as he helped Sky move through the building. "Ace, if those aliens were able to follow you up here, they'll definitely follow you wherever you're going. It's useless to run."
"Then what do you suggest we do?" Cherry asked, frustrated by Chris' constant whining. "We don't have the strength to fight those aliens on our own, especially when our powers are down."
"You guys may not be able to," Sky spoke up, "But Chris and I are." Knowing she couldn't use her power well, Ace looked at Sky with a concerned expression and said, "You haven't mastered your strengths yet, Sky. I mean, you're a body-altered Gifted, but you've only transformed once."
"I know, but," she continued, "I have a theory that my Gift can only be activated through coming in contact with beast blood."
Ace realized that what Sky was saying was partly true. When they were attacked by the ground-hog beasts a couple of days ago, he and Sky discovered that she transformed the moment her body came into contact with the ground-hog blood.
"Maybe I can't transform on command because I haven't obtained the DNA of the beast of my choice. Perhaps with your help, Ace and Cherry, I can transform into different beasts. I've already mastered the ground-hog transformation."
Sky held out her hands and concentrated her body's energy into them. The other three were surprised to see her moving on her own, given her severe injuries. With her eyes squinted in concentration, Sky focused her energy into her arms, causing them to bulge, swell, and grow fur. Her fingers turned into large, round, stubby claws with thick, black nails. Golden-brown fur grew on her white skin, and her veins bulged. Her red eyes morphed slightly, and her hair stood upright. "I've been training every day to master using this energy. Everything I couldn't do at the academy, I can do now," she said with a smile. "This power is what kept me alive, even when I was injured."
"This is great," Chris smiled. "Sky and I can keep the aliens at bay while you two figure out what's hindering your powers, as you told me, Cherry. I can provide air support, spotting safe zones for you guys to sneak through, and if I spot the mechanism, Sky can destroy it with her strength."
"It's a big risk," Ace added, "but I'm willing to take it. If we play our cards right with a few of the Hunters, we might be able to drive these aliens away. Let's move."
Chris transformed into a large eagle, while Sky, with her strength restored, jumped from building to building, using her arms for support. Ace and Cherry stealthily made their way through the empty buildings. After a while, Chris signaled with a squawk, indicating they were getting closer.
"My powers may be weakened, but maybe I can use the system scan skill for help."
[System Scan Skill: Activated.]
Surprised that this skill was still active, Ace used it to scan the area he and his sister were in. According to the scan, there were hundreds of lifeless bodies lying on the floor, with four larger distinct figures engaged in combat. Smaller figures moved around them like flies. "They're already engaged in battle," he said to himself as he and Cherry approached. "Hang on. Is that... Grim's ship?" The system scan revealed a massive object blocking one of the exits to the city. Since nothing was coming from it, Ace figured that the aliens weren't making any further advancements, at least for now.
"There are only four aliens left," Cherry whispered as she peered through a broken window. "But you're not gonna like this, Ace. The Granians have..."
"Oh, good god!" Ace interrupted, frightened by the size of the four Elites. Both he and Cherry wondered how they were going to get through to them.
"Has Chris spotted the jammer yet?" Cherry wondered, desperately trying to use her power.
"I don't think so. Even if he did, I don't think Sky will..." As the two conversed, one of the Hunters fired an energy blast at one of the Elites, sending its body crashing onto the top of the ship.
The blast inflicted multiple wounds and scars on the Elite, but the creature stood on top of the ship, roaring angrily and repeatedly stomping on the rooftop.
[System Diagnosis.]
[Blood Mutant Gene working at 50%]
[Your abilities may be used now, although not as effectively as before.]
Ace and Cherry felt their bodies adjust once more as their blood mutant powers returned, although not at their full potential. With their powers back, Ace decided that instead of finding a way to send the Granians away, he would use his ability to kill as many of them as possible. After all, there was plenty of blood for him to use, and with his sister, Blood Cherry, by his side, they would be an unstoppable force.
"Listen, Cherry. I've got a crazy idea that just might work," he said, smiling as his hands and legs transformed. "Instead of trying to send these bastards back, let's kill as many of them as possible. Look at the battlefield. There are hundreds of bodies filled with blood for us to use."
Cherry, confused but amazed by Ace's sudden change in character, smiled eerily as she turned her attention to the top of the ship. "It looks like that's where the jammer is. I'll get there and destroy it. Cover me."
The girl extended her hand and generated a green scythe using the blood of one of the many dead Granians. "Let's move now."
[Objective: Test your strength in the battlefield. Utilize all the skills you have to your advantage and earn enough experience points to level up.]
[For every Granian killed, you will be rewarded with 25 EXP points.]