Pain was temporary. Weakness was not.
Nate gritted his teeth, pushing himself up from the floor of the hideout's training room. His arms trembled, his ribs screamed, but he refused to stay down.
"You're still too slow."
Antrasite's voice was sharp in his mind, as if unimpressed.
"Then make me faster," Nate growled, launching himself forward again. His muscles burned, but he kept moving, dodging the simulated attacks Henry had programmed into the room's holographic system.
Henry stood behind the glass, arms crossed as he monitored Nate's progress. "You're pushing too hard," he warned. "Your injuries aren't fully healed."
Nate barely dodged a blazing energy blast, rolling out of the way just in time. "I don't care," he shot back, gasping for breath. "If I don't do this, next time, I won't survive."
Henry sighed but didn't stop the simulation. He knew better than to argue.
The Hunter had changed everything.
Nate wasn't just fighting thugs anymore—he was up against something far worse. Someone who had his powers but stronger. Someone who had almost killed him.
He wouldn't let it happen again.
---
The Upgrade
Later that night, Henry worked tirelessly in the lab, upgrading Nate's suit. Sparks flew as he welded reinforced plating onto the armor. The new design was sleeker, stronger—built for survival.
"This will absorb more impact," Henry explained, showing Nate the new modifications. "I also added kinetic dampeners to reduce the force of hits. You won't be invincible, but you won't break as easily."
Nate ran a hand over the black and blue plating. It felt heavier, but solid. Stronger.
He turned to Henry. "It's perfect."
Henry smirked. "You say that now. Try moving in it first."
Nate suited up, adjusting the new fit. It took some getting used to, but he could feel the difference. Every movement felt smoother, more controlled.
"This will do," Antrasite murmured approvingly.
Nate stepped toward the exit.
"Where do you think you're going?" Henry raised an eyebrow.
Nate smirked. "To test it in the real world."
Henry sighed, but didn't stop him.
Because deep down, he knew Nate was ready.