Nathan lay on the cold floor of his cell, letting the flames simmer within him, their warmth pulsating beneath his skin like a heartbeat. The Primordial Fire Realm had become more than a distant vision; it was a constant presence, gnawing at the edge of his consciousness, beckoning him, calling for him to come closer. He could feel the flames as if they were right there, within arm's reach, licking the air around him.
With a deep breath, he closed his eyes, letting his focus sharpen to a single point. He reached for the fire, letting it rise and wrap around him, coaxing it into forming a barrier that he could sense as tangibly as his own skin. This was the Heat Shield he'd been practicing—fragile and fleeting, but his first taste of control.
The System, unbidden, blinked to life with a prompt: "Skill Tree Unlocked: Fire Affinity."
Nathan blinked, a flash of excitement sparking in his mind. This was new—something he'd never seen before. The System displayed branches, each labeled with faintly glowing icons that hinted at power yet untapped. Heat Shield was there, at the base, branching into Fire Resistance and a locked skill tantalizingly labeled Primordial Fire Manipulation.
"Primordial Fire Manipulation…" he whispered, the words barely audible in the silence of his cell. His voice echoed back to him, hollow yet resolute.
The System's faint light faded, but the image of that skill tree remained etched in his mind. Each branch represented a step forward, a step toward mastery over the fire within him. It was as if he were holding a map to his potential, a path to something greater. For the first time, the flames felt like more than a curse—they felt like a gift.
Hours drifted by as Nathan practiced, summoning the heat in bursts, building the Heat Shield little by little until he could hold it for longer stretches. The more he practiced, the closer he felt to the fire realm itself, as though each flicker of flame brought him one step closer to merging with that vast, infernal landscape.
His visions had intensified as well, each one more vivid, more real. Every time he closed his eyes, he was back there, standing amidst endless fields of fire, surrounded by creatures that pulsed with raw, elemental power. They watched him, their eyes smoldering like embers, as if they were measuring him, waiting for him to claim his place among them.
The next time he was lost in thought, the Gate opened slightly, just enough to pull him into that world for a brief, surreal moment. The air around him seared with heat as the flames wrapped around him, flowing into him as though he were a vessel meant to hold them.
He felt the flames coursing through his veins, strengthening him, feeding his Heat Shield until it shone brighter and lasted longer than it ever had. The sensation was overwhelming, exhilarating, and just a bit terrifying. As he came back to his cell, a new prompt flashed before him, breaking his reverie:
"Heat Shield Enhanced."
For a heartbeat, he allowed himself to savor the triumph. This was power. Real, tangible power. And it was his.
The door to his cell creaked open, startling him out of his thoughts. Two agents stepped inside, flanked by Dr. Lynch, his face a mask of careful scrutiny. He looked Nathan over, his gaze cold and calculating, as though Nathan were some peculiar specimen in a lab.
"Mr. Wilson," Lynch drawled, his voice laced with a thin veneer of civility. "We're making some… adjustments to your containment protocol. It seems you're developing quite the affinity."
Nathan's jaw clenched, but he forced himself to keep his expression neutral. "Affinity? You make it sound like I'm picking up a new hobby."
"Your affinity," Lynch continued, ignoring Nathan's remark, "poses potential risks. We've noticed a consistent energy output. It suggests that you're adapting, evolving. Fascinating… and concerning."
Nathan could almost feel the chains tightening around him. He knew where this was going, but he refused to give Lynch the satisfaction of seeing him flinch.
"So, what now?" Nathan asked, his tone edged with defiance. "Another cell? Maybe with a nicer view?"
Dr. Lynch's smirk widened, but there was no amusement in it. "A secure facility, Mr. Wilson. One designed to… minimize any developments you might be inclined to pursue. For everyone's safety."
Nathan's fist clenched, heat surging beneath his skin, and he had to fight to keep it under control. "So that's it? You're just going to lock me up tighter, shut me down?"
Lynch raised an eyebrow, seemingly intrigued by the flash of anger. "Containment is necessary, Mr. Wilson. We can't afford anomalies with… unpredictable capabilities."
"Unpredictable?" Nathan echoed, forcing a grin that didn't reach his eyes. "Maybe the problem isn't me. Maybe it's your containment."
Lynch's expression tightened, the smugness vanishing for an instant. "You should be more mindful of your tone, Mr. Wilson. The GRA does not take insubordination lightly."
Nathan held his gaze, unyielding. "The GRA doesn't take anything lightly, do they? Least of all letting people live their lives."
"Lives?" Lynch snorted. "You forfeited that right when you became an anomaly."
With that final word, Lynch gestured to the agents. "Prepare him for transport. He'll be moving to the high-security wing."
As the agents led him down the narrow corridors, Nathan's mind raced. They were taking him deeper, further isolating him, but he knew he wasn't the same as he'd been when he first arrived. The fire within him wasn't just a spark—it was a growing flame, and he'd started learning how to harness it.
As he walked, he could feel the power humming just below his skin, waiting, ready. He wanted to unleash it, to push it to its limits, but he knew he had to be patient. For now, he would let them believe they had him under control.
But that would change. Sooner than they realized.
They reached a new cell, this one lined with materials that looked far sturdier, built to contain even the most volatile of anomalies. The agents shoved him inside, securing the door behind him with a heavy, resonant clang.
He stood in the center of the room, feeling the oppressive cold seep through the walls, the suffocating sense of confinement pressing down on him. He took a slow breath, calming the fire that threatened to flare in response.
Then, as he settled himself, the System flickered to life once more, its prompt echoing in his mind: "First steps taken. Strength will bring you closer to freedom."
Over the next hours, Nathan pushed himself to his limits. He practiced summoning the Heat Shield, focusing his energy until he could maintain it for longer periods, the warmth enveloping him like armor. His control improved with each attempt, the fire responding to him more readily, as though it recognized him as its master.
The visions of the Fire Realm became more intense, each one feeling more immersive than the last. He could see the fiery landscape stretching out before him, feel the heat radiating from every inch of that world. The creatures he'd glimpsed before now seemed closer, their forms taking shape as they moved through the flames, watching him with eyes that gleamed like embers.
In one fleeting moment, he felt the Gate open partially, and for the briefest second, he was there, in the heart of the fire. The realm's power flowed through him, searing and exhilarating, the fire filling every part of him until he was more flame than flesh.
When he snapped back to reality, his body thrummed with energy, his Heat Shield flickering around him brighter than ever before. The System's prompt appeared once again, this time displaying his skill tree, with Heat Shield branching into Fire Resistance and the tantalizingly locked Primordial Fire Manipulation.
He could feel it—the potential was there, waiting for him to seize it. All he needed was time, patience, and the will to keep pushing forward.
Just as he began to feel a sense of control, the cell door swung open, and Lynch appeared once more, flanked by agents.
"It seems we underestimated you, Mr. Wilson," Lynch said, his tone clipped, his eyes narrowed. "You're progressing faster than anticipated. Your containment level has been adjusted accordingly."
Nathan smirked, though his expression held a dangerous glint. "Afraid you're losing control, Doc?"
Lynch's gaze darkened. "Not at all. We're merely ensuring you understand your… limitations."
As they stepped closer, Nathan's mind raced. He wasn't powerless, not anymore. And he would continue to grow, to strengthen, until the day he was no longer a prisoner.
"First steps taken," the System had said. He clenched his fists, feeling the heat simmering within him, ready to break free.
"Enjoy it while it lasts, Lynch," Nathan murmured, his voice filled with a quiet, simmering resolve. "I'm just getting started."