The roar of the bike echoed through the empty roads as Kaelen — or "Kal," as he now preferred when on the move — sped away from the city, weaving through the darkened streets at breakneck speed. His figure was a shadow against the dim glow of the city's distant lights, a specter of vengeance hurtling towards the unknown. With the forest finally in sight, he twisted the throttle and pushed the engine to its limits, feeling the rush of wind and adrenaline as he neared his destination.
Eventually, he reached the forest's edge, bringing the bike to a stop. He cut the engine, letting silence settle around him as he dismounted, his senses heightened and alert. This was no ordinary forest; an unnatural stillness pervaded the air, an eerie quiet that made his skin prickle. The trees seemed to twist and coil around each other, their trunks scarred and blackened as if tainted by an unnatural energy. He could feel it—the lingering residue of the Cosmic Shroud's power, pulsing faintly within the forest.
"Keep moving, Kal," the Voice whispered, guiding him deeper into the woods. "There is something waiting for you here."
This forest was classified as Danger Zone as it had frequent mutant beasts, Animals that were someone mutated by the cosmic Ray, although knowing this.
He didn't question it. Over time, the Voice had proven itself invaluable, even if it occasionally withheld information or spoke in riddles. Kal trusted it, understanding that this path, as cryptic as it was, would lead him closer to unlocking the full potential within him.
'This better be something good' Kal thought as the annoying tall leaves were brushed aside at every turn. As he moved deeper into the forest, the air grew thick with tension. The darkness seemed alive, shadows writhing as if aware of his presence. And then, somewhere in the distance, he heard it—a low growl, guttural and menacing, resonating through the trees.
He froze, his eyes narrowing as he peered into the darkness. A massive shape emerged from the shadows, its form shrouded in a haze of energy that seemed to warp and pulse around it. The creature was unlike anything he had seen—a mutated dire wolf, larger than a truck, its fur matted and twisted with streaks of luminescent blue and green, remnants of cosmic radiation that had seeped into its very being. Its eyes glowed with a malevolent light, locking onto him with an intensity that spoke of both hunger and territorial rage.
"What the fuck, I thought i was supposed to find something out here Voice" while preparing to escape Kal voiced his concerns.
The Voice murmured in his mind, an undercurrent of anticipation in its tone. "This is your test, Kal. Kill the beast and harvest its cosmic essence."
Kal's brows furrowed, caught off guard. "Harvest its essence? How?"
The Voice chuckled, a sound both chilling and thrilling. "Your powers extend beyond what you believe. Not only can you wield abilities; you can also siphon the cosmic energy from other beings, rendering them powerless while increasing your own strength. With each opponent you kill, their energy can fuel your own, unlocking new abilities, adapting to threats you face. It is the ultimate path to evolution and perfection."
The revelation hit him like a bolt of lightning. He wasn't just capable of using his powers offensively or defensively—he could steal cosmic essence, strip it from others and make it his own. The implications were staggering. Each encounter, each fight, could make him stronger, more formidable. The thought brought a wicked smile to his face. This wasn't just survival; this was the path to dominance.
"Well than let's see if your right"
Kal crouched low, every sense heightened as he prepared for the mutated dire wolf's attack. The beast was unlike anything he'd ever faced—massive, muscular, and radiating cosmic energy from every pore. Its fur shimmered with streaks of luminescent colors, a twisted effect of the Cosmic Shroud's remnants. But Kal wasn't the same man he'd been even a few days ago. The energy fragment he had absorbed pulsed within him, amplifying every fiber of his being. He could feel his powers humming at the edge, waiting to be unleashed.
The wolf lunged forward, its claws tearing into the ground as it barreled toward him with murderous intent. Kal's eyes flashed, and instinctively, he activated Spectral Shift , phasing out of existence for a split second. The wolf's jaws snapped shut on empty air, its massive body crashing into the spot where Kal had just stood.
Reappearing behind the beast, Kal didn't waste a second. His fists crackled as he channeled Elemental Infusion into his hands, flames erupting around his knuckles. He delivered a brutal punch to the wolf's flank, the fire-infused strike searing its fur and drawing a pained howl. He followed up with a second blow, ice now coating his fists, adding a layer of frostbite to the creature's wounds. The wolf staggered, but quickly turned to face him, snarling, its glowing eyes filled with rage.
The beast swiped at him with claws sharp enough to shred steel. Kal's Enhanced Reflexes kicked in, each movement seeming to slow as his body responded faster than his mind could fully process. He ducked and weaved, evading the deadly swipes, his body moving like liquid in a dance of survival.
The wolf lunged again, its speed and strength overwhelming, but Kal was ready. He summoned Force Repulsion just as the creature's massive paw descended on him. A shimmering barrier formed around him, intercepting the attack. The impact was enormous, forcing Kal to dig his heels into the ground as he absorbed the kinetic energy. But his shield held, and the wolf was thrown back, momentarily disoriented.
Kal seized the opportunity to create a Spectral Echo of himself—a ghostly afterimage that darted forward, distracting the wolf. The beast snapped at the illusion, jaws clamping down on thin air, giving Kal the perfect opening. He surged forward, muscles rippling with Enhanced Strength, and leapt onto the creature's back, wrapping his arms around its thick neck. With a fierce growl, he tightened his grip, muscles bulging as he attempted to crush its windpipe.
The dire wolf thrashed, but Kal's strength, bolstered by the energy fragment, held firm. He poured every ounce of power into his grip, feeling the beast's frantic heart pounding against his forearm. But the wolf wouldn't go down easily. It bucked wildly, slamming him into the nearby trees, its claws raking his arms and legs.
Gritting his teeth through the pain, Kal activated Adaptive Strike, channeling raw energy through his body. His fists glowed with a sickly, pulsating energy that matched the wolf's cosmic aura. He drove his fists into the creature's skull with crushing force, each blow fueled by both his own strength and the energy he'd drawn from the beast's attacks.
With one final, brutal strike, the wolf collapsed to the ground, dazed and weakened. Kal took a step back, breathing heavily, as he summoned Energy Sight to analyze the creature's essence. He could see its cosmic energy flickering, on the verge of extinguishing. He reached forward, hands crackling with hunger, and unleashed his newly discovered ability—siphoning.
Tendrils of cosmic energy flowed from the wolf's body into his hands, absorbing its life force and rendering the beast powerless. Kal felt the surge of power flood through him, filling his veins with an intoxicating strength. The beast's body withered, shrinking and growing pale as its essence became his own.
"Incredible" said kal as he stepped back, his eyes glinting with a newfound, savage intensity. His abilities pulsed within him, sharper, stronger, more refined than ever. He was no longer just a man wielding power; he was a predator, a siphon of cosmic energy, absorbing and evolving with every enemy he defeated.
The Voice spoke, a note of satisfaction in its tone. "Now you understand. This is your path, Kal. Every foe you defeat, every being with cosmic essence… they are fuel for your power. You are more than human. You are evolution incarnate."
Kal smirked, wiping blood from his lip. "I like the sound of that."
He took a final look at the lifeless shell of the wolf, its body nothing more than an empty vessel now. The forest around him was silent, as if acknowledging his dominance. This was only the beginning. With the power to absorb energy from others, he knew he could become unstoppable. Every fight, every enemy, would only make him stronger.
He turned, heading back through the forest toward his bike, his mind racing with possibilities. There was no limit now, no ceiling to his potential. The world was filled with powerful beings, each one a stepping stone toward his ascension. And he intended to take them all.
In the distance, the city's lights beckoned him, a sprawling playground filled with unsuspecting prey. He mounted his bike, revving the engine, the thrill of his newfound ability filling him with a sinister joy.
As he sped back toward the city, his mind was clear, his purpose sharpened. He would find those who thought themselves powerful, strip them of their strength, and ascend beyond anything this world had ever seen.