Knox wandered through the desolate streets, the faint hum of Kaelina's voice buzzing in his head. Most of the city had been reduced to chaos, leaving him with little company besides his ever-sarcastic system. He shoved his hands in his pockets, eyes scanning for anything remotely interesting.
Out of nowhere, he said, "That Seraph girl was pretty cute, don't you think?"
Kaelina's reply came instantly, her voice dripping with disdain. "Cute? Really? Systems don't care about that crap. We're a bit too busy keeping you alive to worry about your hormones."
Knox smirked. "Oh, come on. You're saying you didn't notice? She's got that 'heroic savior of the world' vibe going for her. Some guys are into that."
There was a brief pause before Kaelina's voice turned sharp and teasing. "Wait... do you have a crush on her?"
"What? No." Knox's tone hardened as he walked faster. "I'm just saying she's cute. Can't I fucking say that without it being a thing?"
Kaelina let out a mocking laugh. "Oh, this is rich. You, the guy who's supposed to conquer this world, mooning over a hero. You do realize she's going to try to kill you right? You don't have time for crushes, dumbass. Focus on the whole 'ruler of the world' thing, yeah?
Knox clenched his jaw, his voice rising. Fuck off. I didn't say I have a crush on her Jesus, you're exhausting."
"Me?" Kaelina gasped mockingly. "You're the one daydreaming about the enemy. Get your head in the game, lover boy."
"I swear to god—"
Knox stopped mid-sentence, spotting movement in a nearby alley. Three men stood in a loose circle, their powers on display like they were in some kind of second-rate street show. The first man flicked his wrist, conjuring small flames that danced on his fingertips. The second man hovered small objects in the air, spinning them lazily with his weak telekinesis. The third leaned casually against the wall, his hand brushing the brickwork. His skin transformed into stone, hardening with a faint grinding sound.
"Finally, something interesting," Knox muttered, stepping into the alley.
The men turned, their postures shifting to readiness. The telekinetic spoke first, his voice trembling slightly. "You lost or something?"
"Not at all," Knox replied, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "I'm here to see what you're made off."
Before they could react, Knox charged at the telekinetic.
"Starting with the weakest? Bold move," Kaelina chimed in his head.
"It's called strategy," Knox muttered.
The telekinetic reacted quickly, flinging a rusted pipe at Knox's head. Knox ducked, only to have a garbage can lid smash into his chest. He stumbled back, glaring.
"Focus, genius," Kaelina chided.
"I am focusing!" Knox snarled, lunging again.
The telekinetic hurled a barrage of debris—bricks, cans, even a cracked mirror. Knox waved through the onslaught, though a shard of glass nicked his cheek.
"You call that focusing?" Kaelina taunted.
"Maybe I'd focus better if you'd shut up." Knox snapped, finally closing the distance. His fist connected with the telekinetic's jaw, sending the man crumpling to the ground.
Before Knox could catch his breath, the fire wielder stepped in. Flame roared to life in his hands, the heat making the air shimmer.
"Round two," Knox muttered.
"Try not to set yourself on fire," Kaelina said dryly.
The fire wielder launched a wave of flame, forcing Knox to dive behind a dumpster. The heat was intense, scorching the edges of his shirt.
"Getting a little toasty there, Knox," Kaelina teased.
"Would you shut up?" Knox growled, darting out from cover.
The fire wielder smirked, sending another fireball Knox's way. Knox dodged, closing the gasp between them. He feinted left, then drove his knee into the man's stomach, making him double over. A swift uppercut send him sprawling.
"That all you've got?" Knox taunted, wiping sweat from his brow.
"Don't get cocky," Kaelina warned.
The leader finally stepped forward, his stone-covered body radiating menace. Knox barely had time to react before a stone fist came hurtling toward him. He dodging, the punch smashing into the wall and sending chunks of brick flying.
"Big guy looks serious," Kaelina observed.
"No shit," Knox muttered, circling the leader warily.
The leader swung again, and Knox ducked, countering with a punch to the ribs. His fist bounced off the stone harmlessly, sending a jolt of pain up his arm.
"Solid as a rick," Knox muttered, shaking out his hand.
The leader smirked, slamming his stone fist into the ground. The shockwave knocked Knox off his feet, and the leader was on him in an instant. Knox rolled away just in time, the ground where he'd been lying now a crater.
"Gotta think outside the box, champ," Kaelina said.
Knox activated his heat vision, aiming a searing blast at the leader's chest. The stone began to crack and crumble, but the leader gritted his teeth, pressing forward.
He touched a metal pipe, and his skin shifted again, gleaming as it turned to steel.
"Oh, great," Knox muttered. "Metal now? Fantastic."
The leader's attacks became faster, his steel fists cutting through the air with brutal precision. Knox dodged and countered as best he could, but each punch he landed barely made a dent.
"You're losing ground," Kaelina said.
"No shit!" Knox snapped, leaping to avoid a devastating swing.
He feinted left, then delivered a concentrated blast of heat vision to the leader's knee. The metal softened, and Knox capitalized, delivering a powerful kick that sent the leader sprawling.
Knox pounced, raining down blows until the steel skin cracked and the leader's eyes rolled back. He collapsed, unmoving.
The alley fell silent, the weight of the battle settling over Knox. His breathing was ragged as he stood amidst the fallen men, blue light rising from their bodies like mist. It spiraled upward, fading into nothingness, leaving their lifeless forms behind.
"That's it," Kaelina's voice echoed in his mind, smug satisfaction evident. "Their systems are heading back to 'The Creator'. And look at you, completing another quest like a pro.
Knox wiped blood from the corner of his mouth and adjusted his stance. "Yeah, yeah. What's the damage?"
Kaelina brought up the quest completion screen in his mind.
Quest Complete:
* Defeat a group of rouge empowered
Rewards:
* Custom-made super suit
* +3% Superman Power
* Enhanced perception
Knox grinned despite himself. "The suit better not suck."
"Oh, don't worry," Kaelina said with a teasing lilt. "You'll look like the ruler of the world you're destined to become. Or at least not like some guy who just crawled out of a dumpster."
Knox rolled his shoulders, stepping over the bodies as he made his way out of the alley. The faint glow of the city loomed ahead.
"By the way," Kaelina added slyly. "Skill thinking about Seraph?"
Knox scowled. "Goddammit Kaelina."
Her laughter rang out as Knox disappeared into the night.
Hey guys hope you enjoy this chapter if you do please give me power stones and if you have any thing to say comment it down and I'll make sure to check it out.