Knox emerged from the gravity room after five days of grueling, non-stop training. His body ached a familiar, satisfying pain, evidence of progress forged under the crushing weight and relentless conditions. Sweat dripped from every pore, clinging to his chiseled frame as he walked towards the shower.
The hot water cascaded over him, washing away the fatigue and grim while his mind stayed sharp, calculating his next move. "Five days with a 10x training effect," he thought. "If I'm not stronger after this, then I have no business trying to surpass Tempest."
After his shower, Knox headed to the mess hall for a quick, high-protein meal. Each bite was purposeful, a calculated replenishment for the next step of his plan. Once finished, he called out the Kaelina.
"Kaelina, can I survive in space unaided?"
Her voice chimed in his mind, calm and informative. "Affirmative Host. Your physiology is adaptable to the vacuum and radiation of space. Even if it were not, your suit's helmet provides sufficient environmental protection for extended periods."
Knox smirked and stood, pressing the symbol on his chest. The suit materialized around him seamlessly, hugging his frame in a sleek, black design with silver accents.
"Perfect," he muttered.
He adjusted the weight of the suit to 20 tons, feeling the pressure bear down on his body. His movements were sluggish at first, but within moments, his muscles adapted to the added strain. Without another word, Knox strode outside the base and took flight.
The air cracked with the sonic boom of his launch, Knox rocketed upward, the ground disappearing beneath him at an astonishing speed.
Troposphere. Stratosphere. Mesosphere. Thermosphere. Exosphere. Ionosphere. Magnetosphere.
He blasted through the layers of Earth's atmosphere, his trajectory cutting a sharp path toward the heavens. The curvature of the Earth became visible behind him, the stars growing sharper and more vibrant as he ascended into the void of space.
Knox finally stopped, hovering at the edge of the Earth's gravitational pull. The sun, radiant and massive, dominated the view ahead.
"How close can I get to the sun without vaporizing or damaging the suit? he asked Kaelina.
"At your current maximum speed, you can reach the ROche limit in approximately 30 minutes," she replied. "I will alert you when it is time to stop."
Knox nodded, then shot forward like a comment, leaving a streak of silver in the blackness of space.
Exactly 30 minutes later, Kaelina voice broke the silence. "Stop. You've reached the Roche limit."
Knox halted his flight, coming to a stationary position. The sun loomed before him, its sheer magnitude humbling even for someone of his power.
"I'm here," he muttered, staring into the fiery abyss.
Assuming the lotus position, Knox floated in place, his eyes locked onto the fiery surface of the sun. As he sat in silence, the radiant energy of the star began to flow into him naturally.
The process was instinctual, effortless. His Krytonian cells drank in the sunlight like a parched desert absorbing rain. He could feel the power coursing through his body, each photon fueling him, strengthening him, and pushing his limits further than before.
The sheer intensity of the sun's energy ignited something deep within him. It wasn't just strength—vitality, clarity, and a connection to the cosmos. Knox's senses expanded, his awareness of the universe sharpening with each passing second.
The vastness of space felt less like a void and more like an extension of himself, his Krytonian physiology thriving in the environment that would have crushed or consumed lesser beings.
Meanwhile, back on Earth, the heroes were scattered around the training grounds, most lying in exhaustion. One two figures remained standing: Tempest and Seraph.
Tempest stood with a relaxed confidence, arms crossed, arcs of lightning lazily flickering around her. Across from her, Seraph was drenched in sweat, her golden aura flickering as she struggled to stand.
"You've got determination. I'll give you that," Tempest said with a smirk. "But if this is all you've got, you're never going to evolve."
Seraph growled, gritting her teeth. "I'm not giving up" she snapped.
She dashed forward, summoning an energy sword from the light around her. The blade shimmered with radiant intensity as she swung it at Tempest.
Tempest didn't even move. Her lightning formed tendrils that reacted on their own, intercepting the blade with precise, crackling force. Sparks flew as the two energies clashed, but Tempest remained unphase.
"Is that it?" Tempest taunted. "If this is all you've got, we're done here."
Seraph jumped back, frustration written all over her face. She clenched her fists, summoning six orbs of light that began orbiting her like miniature stars. With a flick of her wrist, the orbs fired beams of concentrated light at Tempest in rapid succession.
Tempest's lightning coiled into a dome around her, deflecting each beam with ease. The ground around her scorched under the sheer power of the attack, but she remained untouched.
"Aetheris," Tempest murmured, her voice carrying a hint of impatience, "is she close yet?"
Aetheris's voice chimed in her mind. "Very close, Host. She only needs one final push."
Tempest smirked, her eyes narrowing. "Fine. Let's make this interesting."
In a flash, Tempest closed the distance between them, her speed blinding. Seraph barely managed to raise a shield of light, but it shattered instantly under Tempest's raw power. The force of the blow sent Seraph crashing into the ground.
"Get up," Tempest called, her tone sharp.
Seraph groaned, staggering to her feet. Her golden aura flickered dangerously low, but her resolve burned brighter than ever. She charged forward, her energy sword reforming in her hand.
Tempest lunged at her, their clash sending shockwaves rippling through the training grounds. Lightning and light collided in a chaotic dance of power.
Just as Tempest prepared to land a finishing blow, Seraph froze. Her body glowed with an intense, blinding light as her system came to life.
A voice echoed in her mind, brimming with excitement. "Oh, Creator above, it's so nice to finally meet you!"
Seraph blinked in shock. "What...who are you?"
"I'm your evolved system," the voice said cheerfully. "You can call me Luminara. I'm here to help you ascend to even greater heights. Now, would you like to open your starter package?"
Seraph nodded dumbly. "Y-Yes."
Luminara's voice sparkled with excitement. "Excellent! You've received 5x growth, Perfect control over energy and light, Perfect healing, and an Angelic Transformation!"
The light around Seraph flared brighter than ever, cascading over the training ground like a sunrise breaking over the horizon. Her wings of pure energy extended wider, glowing with a brilliance that seemed almost alive. Her aura grew more intense, shimmering with hues of gold and white, as if her very essence had been refined.
Her presence was overwhelming, a beacon of power that drew the attention of everyone nearby. The air around her hummed with energy, each step she took now carrying an unshakeable confidence and weight.
Tempest smirked, crossing her arms as she regarded Seraph. "Congratulations. You've finally evolved."
Seraph turned toward her, the gratitude in her eyes unmistakable. "Thank you for pushing me to this point. I couldn't have done it without you."
Before Tempest could respond, Inferno stepped forward, his fiery aura flickering impatiently. "Big deal. Light and healing? How much stronger can that really make you?"
Seraph glanced at him, a serene but unwavering smile spreading across her face. Her golden wings extended wider, their radiant energy making the air around her hum with power. "It's not just strength, Inferno. I've gained something far greater."
Her aura pulsed, light radiating from her with newfound intensity. The ground beneath her seemed to glow faintly, the sheer presence of her evolution palpable. She tilted her head slightly, her smile growing. "An Angelic Transformation."