Chapter 3: A Taste of Power
Ethan spent the next few days grappling with his newfound cheat. The Codex had given him a power—a cheat—that was unlike anything he had ever imagined. Every time he touched the book, a surge of energy would fill him, wrapping around his body like a warm, electric embrace. Kaden's lessons were brutal but necessary, forcing him to confront the reality of his new life.
The first lesson had been a revelation. Ethan had created a jagged sword of dark energy with surprising ease. It had crackled with power, its edges sharp and menacing. Kaden had watched him with a mix of pride and wariness, as if he knew there was much more to come.
"Okay, Cross," Kaden said one afternoon, as they stood in the abandoned warehouse where Ethan's training had begun. "Time for the next step."
Ethan nodded, his heart pounding. He was eager to learn, to prove to himself that he could master this power. "What do you want me to do?"
Kaden gestured towards a series of training dummies set up at the other end of the room. "I want you to take what you learned and use it against those dummies. I want you to push your cheat further. Don't just create a sword—create something else, something more complex."
Ethan swallowed hard. "Like… what?"
Kaden shrugged. "I don't know. A shield, maybe. Or something you've never thought of. Just… push your cheat to its limits."
Ethan took a deep breath, then walked over to the dummies. He closed his eyes, trying to channel the energy inside him. The Codex seemed to pulse, its power guiding him. He focused on creating a shield—a wall of energy that would protect him from whatever Kaden threw at him.
The energy inside him shifted, swirling and gathering at his outstretched hands. A shimmering wall of dark energy appeared, crackling with power. Ethan opened his eyes, a smile spreading across his face. "Whoa. I did it."
Kaden's expression was approving. "Not bad, Cross. But that's just the beginning. Now, I want you to try something else. I want you to learn to move that energy, to manipulate it."
Ethan frowned. "How do I do that?"
Kaden gestured towards the dummies. "I don't know. Make it move, make it attack. Think of it as an extension of yourself."
Ethan hesitated, then concentrated. The energy inside him seemed to respond to his thoughts, swirling and shaping itself into a series of tentacles. He sent them towards the dummies, the energy slashing and piercing with deadly accuracy.
Kaden watched him, his eyes sharp. "Good. But it's not enough. You need to learn to control it better. Make it stronger, more fluid."
Ethan bit his lip, pushing harder. The energy around him seemed to swell, the tentacles becoming more powerful, more agile. He felt a rush of excitement—a taste of the power he could wield.
"Okay, Cross," Kaden said finally, his voice gruff. "That's enough for today. You've got potential, but you've got a long way to go."
Ethan nodded, his muscles aching from the intense training. "Yeah. I feel… different. Like I can do anything."
Kaden's expression was sober. "Don't let that go to your head, Cross. This power isn't something to be taken lightly. It's a cheat—a dangerous one. You need to learn to control it, to master it, or it will consume you."
Ethan's smile faltered. "I know. I'm just… excited."
Kaden grunted. "Well, excitement only gets you so far. You've got to put in the work. Keep training, keep pushing yourself. This isn't just about using your cheat—it's about surviving in a world full of cheats."
Ethan nodded, his excitement dimming. "Yeah, I get it."
Kaden's eyes softened a little. "Just remember, Cross. You're not alone. I'm here to help you, to teach you. But you have to do the work."
Ethan sighed, his shoulders slumping. "I will. I don't want to lose this power."
Kaden's expression was grim. "Then you better not."