The fall was endless, time had frozen and gravity had become an unrelenting force dragging them down. The wind whistled in his ears, a high-pitched, deafening sound piercing his ears.
John tried to grab onto something, anything, but his hands found nothing but emptiness. He stretched out his arms in desperation, but there was nothing to hold on to.
Viktor, on the other hand, stood beside him, struggling to maintain his composure, but it was a bit difficult to hold on. His eyes were wide and his breathing was fast and labored.
As they fell, Viktor began to calm down and acted quickly. In one swift movement, he pulled himself away from John in midair and dove deeper into the descent, approaching a rock face closer to him.
He drew his vibrating knife and plunged it into the rock with one precise movement. The vibrating knife cut and sank into the stone with great effort, emitting a sharp scream that echoed off the walls.
Viktor held on tight, feeling the vibrations of the blade reverberate through his arm as if the knife were alive and struggling to free itself. John, still in freefall, felt a sudden tug as Viktor grabbed the collar of his fur coat. Luckily for him, as he fell through the air without realizing it, he was getting closer to Viktor, but slowly. He didn't realize that he was falling close to where Viktor was.
Viktor's vibrating knife was firmly embedded in the wall, creating an anchor that prevented both of them from falling further. The rocky surface was uneven and covered in ice, making their descent even more treacherous. Viktor's muscles were tense with adrenaline as he clung on to avoid falling.
The rocky wall seemed to stretch on forever downward, an endless chasm that threatened to swallow them whole. The ice covering it glittered like diamonds, reflecting the dim light that filtered into the cave. The temperature was cold and the air was stale.
John, hanging by his collar, stared down with wide eyes. The darkness below seemed endless, and the sound of the wind howling around them was deafening. He tried to remain calm, but the situation seemed hopeless.
"Can you get us out of here?" John asked, his voice shaking with fear.
As they teetered over the edge, Viktor snapped angrily. "You're the one who can get us out of here!!!" Pain shooting through his arm, he screamed again.
"You're out of your mind!!! You're an ice user!!! Use your powers!!!"
Jonh was taken aback by Viktor's words, regaining his focus. "How do you expect me to do anything in this abyss you've put us in?" He replied, frustrated and exhausted.
"I'm doing my best here! "
Viktor snapped, his right arm straining to hold the knife while his left held John steady. Both were shaking with the effort. Irritated by the delay, he shouted again.
"Do something! The bridge! I don't know! Anything! "
Jonh closed his eyes, trying to concentrate. He felt the icy energy begin to flow through his body. The temperature around them dropped rapidly as cold mist filled the air. Tiny ice crystals started forming around them, sparkling like stars in a night sky.
Viktor watched as Jonh concentrated further while still gripping tightly to the knife embedded in the wal. His arm shook from holding Jonh and maintaining grip on the knife simultaneously.
Jonh felt the icy energy intensify within him like a frozen river coursing through his veins. He opened his eyes now glowing with a bluish light and extended his hands toward the rocky wall.
Ice began to spread from his fingertips, coating the jagged surface of the rock in a thick, shiny layer.
The treacherous wall covered in slippery ice transformed before his eyes. The ice John had created was different. Less solid and unstable. He had shaped it into steps and ledges, creating a makeshift bridge.
"Hold on tigh! " John said firmly. "I'll try to create a bridge!"
Viktor nodded as he watched in awe at what was happening before him. John continued to work with less precision as he shaped the ice into a solid bridge that stretched across the chasm.
The bridge gleamed in the darkness. A structure of pure ice, but unstable. Despite its instability, it was improvised and showed signs of beautiful modern art. Although it would not last long. With the bridge complete, John turned to Viktor and encouraged him.
"Come on!! We need to cross before it starts to melt." His voice was firm.
Viktor waved to John and they fell onto the invisible ice bridge. The moment they hit the ground made of crystal clear ice, it began to crack along the bridge. But it didn't break.
"With this weather, that bridge will last for hours." Viktor replied while glancing at the gray overcast sky as snow gently fell around them.
"Kid, you don't know how crazy this planet's weather is." Jonh sighed while shaking his head.
"What do you mean?" Viktor asked, confusion evident in his voice tinged with pain. He didn't understand what Jonh was implying but sensed it was important.
"You'll understand!! This place is more complicated than you think." Jonh gazed upward toward the horizon.
Viktor didn't grasp it all but held onto the vibrating knife tightly as he began moving carefully across the icy bridge with Jonh right behind him.
Finally reaching the other side of the chasm brought relief. Viktor breathed deeply while still trembling from tension. Jonh felt exhausted yet relieved as he admired the ice bridge he had created with a smile.
They noticed a circular hole-shaped passageway in the opposite wall.
Without hesitation, Viktor sprinted forward while carrying Jonh over his shoulder toward that passage before any melting could begin.
"Slow down, kid!" Jonh groaned in pain.
"Seriously, why are you so weak?"
As they hurried along, Viktor noticed something peculiar. There were several holes along the walls of the tunnel, all perfectly circular. He found this worrying, but there was no time to investigate. Their priority was to get safely to the other side. Crossing the ice bridge, they finally reached solid ground. The floor was smooth stone, providing a welcome relief after the tension of the crossing. Both were panting, their bodies exhausted from adrenaline and effort.
"We need to rest for a bit..." Jonh said, his voice still trembling.
He sat down on the stone floor, feeling the chill of the surface through his clothes. Viktor nodded, still observing the cylindrical holes with a worried expression.
"These holes…" Viktor murmured, more to himself than to Jonh.
He approached one of the holes, examining it closely. The edges were smooth and precise, as if made by a machine. The darkness inside the holes was impenetrable, sending a shiver down Viktor's spine.
Jonh, catching his breath, looked around. The passage was narrow, with towering stone walls. Light was scarce, filtered only through small openings in the ceiling, creating a dark and mysterious atmosphere. The air was cold and damp, and each breath exhaled a cloud of vapor.
Viktor, still panting and trying to regain his breath, looked at Jonh with a mix of curiosity and concern.
"How can someone with ice powers and an apparently superhuman body get hurt so easily?" he asked, trying to understand the situation.
Jonh, visibly irritated by the question, shot a small ice spear the size of a finger toward Viktor. With quick reflexes, Viktor dodged effortlessly and remained silent. Jonh's reaction confirmed Viktor's suspicions.
'As I thought…'
'AFFIRMATIVE! USER!' Atlas provided a detailed explanation. 'USER JONH HAS A GENETIC CONDITION KNOWN AS OSTEOGENESIS IMPERFECTA. THIS HEREDITARY DISEASE AFFECTS THE PROPER FORMATION OF BONES, MAKING THEM ABNORMALLY FRAGILE. MORE SPECIFICALLY, IT IS KNOWN AS EKMAN-LOBSTEIN DISEASE OR GLASS BONES.'
'I know that, Atlas.'
'Moreover.'
Atlas continued. 'ONE OF THE ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS OF BONES IS COMPROMISED DUE TO MUTATIONS IN THE GENES RESPONSIBLE FOR COLLAGEN DEVELOPMENT. THIS CAUSES THE BONES TO BECOME EXTREMELY FRAGILE AND BREAK EASILY.'
'If it weren't for his awakening of that particularity, he would be worse off.'
'CORRECT USER! CONCLUSION IS THAT WHEN JONH AWAKENED HIS PARTICULARITY, IT HELPED STRENGTHEN HIS BONES BUT NOT COMPLETELY. DUE TO HIS CONDITION, HIS CURRENT BONES ARE PRACTICALLY LIKE THOSE OF A NORMAL PERSON AND NOT A SUPERHUMAN. FURTHERMORE, WHEN HE USES HIS POWERS, HIS BODY CANNOT WITHSTAND ALL THAT POWER, LEAVING HIM EXTREMELY TIRED AND HINDERING HIS EVOLUTION PROCESS.'
'Yes, this theory has already been confirmed but not published.' He said despondently while recalling the past.
In the future, Viktor encountered several individuals with extraordinary abilities, some of whom were allies, siblings, colleagues, and even his enemies, each facing their own unique genetic challenges and inherited illnesses. Out of necessity, he embarked on a years-long search for answers, which led him to discover the hidden truth behind Quirk users, thanks to an important ally he met. His answer was found thanks to the research of Dr. Seppe, a renowned scientist who lived to be nearly 100 years old.
Dr. Seppe made a startling discovery. Although humanity had entered a new era of evolution, it could not escape genetic deficiencies, as they were deeply ingrained in human DNA. He explained that while awakening special abilities could strengthen the body against certain diseases, it did not eliminate existing vulnerabilities.Dr. Seppe's research revealed that particularities did not make humans invincible.
These findings were ignored by intergalactic nations, who feared that revealing the vulnerabilities of superhumans would cause panic and distrust among the population. As a result, Dr. Seppe's records and files were erased and forgotten over time. Unfortunately, Dr. Seppe was forced to step out of the spotlight in order to survive. Viktor still remembered the final words of Dr. Seppe's articles.
"We are mortal, whether we like it or not."
This phrase echoed in his mind, reminding him of the consequences of hiding crucial information and the losses that occurred due to a lack of knowledge about the limitations of particularities.Many with particularities powers have suffered or even died because they were unaware of their invulnerabilities. They have faced powerful enemies without understanding that their abilities were insufficient to ensure their safety. From nations manipulating files of particularity users with incurable diseases, but claiming they were healthy.
There were those who were used as guinea pigs in scientific experiments, forced or not, without knowing that their abilities did not protect them from the side effects of these tests. They underwent painful and risky treatments, believing that they were immune. Viktor also faced similar situations in his own life. In reality, he was forced by his own family to undergo cruel genetic experiments, leaving a deep mark on his heart.
'INTERESTING, USER. HOW DID YOU GET THIS INFORMATION THAT IS NOT IN MY DATABASES??'
"I was lucky to find it..."
Viktor was lost in thought and memories when he was interrupted by Jonh, who had regained his breath.
"Never... ask me again if I'm weak..." He said, looking directly at Viktor.
In silence, Viktor felt compelled to respond with a sigh.
"Alright..."
An uncomfortable silence hung between them at the precipice where they stood.
"Well, I wonder if those who were chasing us survived? What were their names again?" Viktor asked, trying to change the subject.
"ARES!" Jonh replied coldly. "The ARES Squad, and no, they won't fall so easily..."
"How can you be so sure?" Viktor questioned Jonh.
"Because I know! Trust me!"
'I doubt they'll survive! I'm sure he must have smelled them...' Viktor thought.
'95% RIGHT IN YOUR THEORY!'
Realizing there was nothing left to discuss, Viktor looked at John.
"We're leaving. Time's up. Let's go!" He held out his hand to help John up.