Brandon rose from the depths of the crater, his body hovering in mid-air, within an ethereal armor that pulsated with an ominous darkness.
It seemed as though the very essence of the abyss had engulfed him, casting a shroud of malevolence around his figure.
In that moment, the colossal mutated rat lunged, filling Brandon's vision with its massive form.
Its arms, the size of motorcycles, swung claws gleaming with a strange, murky brown energy.
But this time, instead of his usual composed demeanor, a malevolent grin crept across Brandon's face, revealing a set of white teeth that contrasted sharply against the surrounding darkness.
"HAHAHAHA!!!"
Brandon's chilling laughter echoed through the desolate streets, causing those watching through the live streams to shudder.
Crimson tendrils of blood flowed like little streams from the sea of red from below, snaking their way through the air toward the ten black vortexes hovering behind Brandon.
The vortexes eagerly devoured the life essence contained within the blood, their insatiable hunger growing with each drop.
Brandon's ethereal armor pulsed with an eerie, dark aura, its surface appearing as if it were forged from the very essence of shadows.
Amidst the darkness, the only gleaming features were his set of teeth and his pair of eyes, now transformed into a haunting shade of crimson.
Reveling in his newfound powers, Brandon arched his back and tilted his head backward, his posture resembling that of a beast basking in dominance.
The surge of energy within him ignited a primal instinct, unleashing a formidable presence that commanded attention.
With a swift and forceful motion, Brandon seized the mutated rat's arm, his grip vice-like and unforgiving.
With a display of raw strength, he swung the creature's arm like a weapon, smashing it into an adjacent apartment building.
BAAAAAAAAAANNNGGGG !!!
The structure trembled under the impact, crumbling and collapsing under the overwhelming force.
*Rumble…* *Rumble…* *Rumble…*
In the livestreaming chats…
[ HOLY SHIT ! I thought he was done for sure! ]
[ WTF That rat is the size of my apartment! ]
[ Fck! And he swung it away like a ragdoll !!! ]
[ GOOO BRANDON VOID! OUR CITY DEPENDS ON YOU ]
As the dust settled, Brandon stood amidst the wreckage, radiating an aura of both power and malevolence. There was an indomitable aura about him that made innumerable women in the audience blush and drool.
<< Capital City - Presidential Palace >>
As Brandon's power surged, casting eerie shadows on the war-torn streets of the city, far away, in the opulent halls of the Presidential Palace, screens projected the same monstrous transformation, captivating a different set of observers.
"How did he get so powerful so quickly?" President Reed questioned aloud, "Our Enlightened ones struggle with an average mutated beast…"
His gaze was glued to the screen, watching Brandon's overwhelming display of power with a mix of shock and disbelief.
The reports had hinted at a correlation between the intensity of the lightning strike and the strength of the resulting ethereal armor.
Those who had endured multiple strikes by the crimson lightning were known to exhibit a greater number of cosmic vortexes, a visible manifestation of their enhanced abilities and untapped potential.
"The intensity of the lightning strike is said to determine the strength of their ethereal armor,"
President Reed remarked, his tone contemplative.
"The correlation is clear, multiple strikes, more vortexes, more power, more potential."
His mind raced as he tried to reconcile Brandon's unprecedented growth with the struggles faced by the Enlightened ones.
The president knew that even the average mutated beast posed a significant challenge for those who had been blessed—or cursed—with ethereal armor.
How could Brandon have attained such immense power in such a short span of time?
Countless individuals had succumbed to the overwhelming power coursing through their veins, losing their lives in the midst of the metamorphosis.
"We must recruit him! With him on our side, our nation will have a guardian," interjected Finance Minister Sir Warren.
Sir Adam, the astute strategist, interjected, his voice measured.
"Moreover, his presence as a figurehead will attract countless Enlightened ones to our country, bolstering our defenses against the encroaching madness of this new world."
President Reed's gaze remained fixed on the livestream, his eyes furrowed with contemplation.
"Let us observe and assess the situation before making any hasty decisions,"
He concluded, his tone reflecting a cautious yet resolute stance.
Back in the livestream…
The air grew heavy with malevolence as Brandon Void's presence seemed to consume the screen.
As Brandon's ethereal armor pulsed, for a fleeting moment, behind the haunting crimson of his eyes, a glint of conflict sparked—a struggle between the man he once was and the entity he was becoming.
But as quickly as it appeared, it vanished, overtaken by the abyss.
A wicked grin etched across his face, accentuating his transformation into a harbinger of darkness.
[ Void Manifestation ( Tier I ) ] !!!
From his outstretched palm, tendrils of ominous dark energy snaked and entwined, coalescing into a sinuous shape resembling a jagged javelin, a weapon forged from the depths of his sinister power.
With an unholy glee, Brandon hurled the javelin toward the colossal mutated rat, still trapped beneath the rubble of the collapsed building.
*VRRROOOOOSSSSSSHHH*
The unholy javelin streaked through the air, leaving behind a trail of suffocating darkness.
The javelin pierced the rat's grotesque form, unleashing a torrent of nightmarish energy.
A mist of blackness enshrouded the creature, devouring it voraciously.
The black energy gnawed through the rat's leathery skin, seeping into its very essence.
It continued its relentless assault, rending flesh and sinew, reducing the once-monstrous beast to a mere skeletal husk.
Bones, now exposed and glistening in the ghastly aura, stood as a haunting testament to the power of darkness.
[ ... Am I dreaming??? Just.. one shot?! ]
[ I'M NOW BRANDON VOID'S NUMBER 1 FAN ! ]
[ NO! I AM !! ]
[ NO! ME !!! ]
As the world sung praises of admiration and adore after witnessing Brandon's overwhelming strength, Baron sat cutely on the carpet beside his mother.
His young mind captivated by the display of strength and prowess, he utters a barely audible whisper,
"Wow, he's sooo cool..."
The admiration in his voice is unmistakable.
Meanwhile, his twin sister sought refuge behind their mother's protective embrace.
Trembling with trepidation, she peeked out from behind her mother's shoulders, her wide eyes filled with fear and uncertainty.
Her voice quivered; she struggled to comprehend the enigma before her.
Hugging her stuffed animal close, she whispered, her voice shaky,
"Who's this uncle ?... He… He's... scwary..."