The green luminescence gradually faded, revealing the transformed figure hovering in midair.
The new form resembled standard Nosedeenian physiology, but Asher's version had a more muscular build, suggesting disciplined training and combat experience. He stood half a head taller than the ordinary energy beings scattered throughout the facility.
The most striking difference was the vibrant purple lightning crackling across his body, replacing the typical golden electricity of his species. Even the distinctive bolt-shaped pattern spanning his torso had shifted from green to an electric violet.
"Purple?" Asher examined his transformed arms, watching purple arcs dance across his black battery-like skin. "Even my coloration is different!"
He could sense tremendous energy coursing through his form, ready to be unleashed from any point on his body at will. The power felt limitless, overwhelming, vastly superior to anything the ordinary Nosedeenians possessed.
"This is leagues beyond the previous specimen!"
"That electricity looks dangerous! Everyone, keep your distance, or you'll get fried!"
Ben, Gwen, and Max watched in amazement, instinctively backing away from the purple-sparking figure. The reason was obvious, the electrical arcs jumping across Asher's body radiated terrifying power.
CRACK!
Every few seconds, a purple lightning bolt would leap from Asher's form and strike the ground, tearing deep gouges in the earth as if slashed by an enormous blade.
"Who is this guy? Where did he come from?"
"Why does he look so different from us?"
"His power is overwhelming... It makes me feel the same fear as that rubber containment ball!"
The gathered Nosedeenians regarded the "abnormal" purple specimen with obvious uncertainty and caution. They couldn't help their wariness, the destructive lightning surrounding him was simply too powerful.
Asher took a deep breath, his blade-like eyes scanning the assembled energy beings. When their gazes met his, many immediately looked away, unable to maintain eye contact.
Only the victorious Nosedeenian, the champion who'd just won the arena battle, dared meet Asher's stare directly, attempting to project confidence. However, golden sparks crackled erratically across his body, the electrical equivalent of breaking into a nervous sweat.
"You may not know who I am," Asher's voice rumbled with authority. "Allow me to introduce myself. I'm the human you saw earlier. I can freely switch between my human form and this Nosedeenian body!"
He narrowed his eyes slightly, his voice carrying through the facility. "And my purpose here is simple, I'm claiming leadership of this colony!"
"He wants to be our leader?!"
"He's powerful, yes, but our current champion won the arena fairly!"
"That's right! Only the victor gets to consume the most batteries. He's so large, he'll consume our entire supply! He can't lead us!"
The Nosedeenians erupted into panicked chittering, their voices overlapping in agitation.
Previously, their language had been incomprehensible noise to Asher. But in this enhanced form, he understood every word they spoke.
BOOM!
Purple lightning flared across Asher's body as he manipulated the electrical current to levitate higher, spreading his arms wide in an imposing display of dominance. "You're saying leadership is determined through arena combat?"
He pointed downward. "Then let the previous champion step forward."
"Yes, that's me! What about it?" The victorious Nosedeenian flew forward several meters, his expression defiant despite the nervous energy crackling around him.
"From this moment forward, the leadership position belongs to me."
Asher slowly crossed his arms, purple electricity intensifying around him. "Does anyone object?"
"What?! I challenge you! I am the champion, and I earned my right to the battery supply!" The golden Nosedeenian couldn't tolerate this usurpation. He shot upward through the air, exasperated frustration evident in his movements, throwing down his challenge.
"Then..." A hint of fighting spirit crossed Asher's expression. "I officially declare the final arena match, a challenge against the reigning champion, begins now!"
He needed this battle anyway. It would help him familiarize himself with this Peak Warrior transformation's capabilities.
"A fight! They're really going to fight!"
"The champion will definitely win! He's the strongest among us!"
"Yeah, and he just absorbed a battery, so he should still have plenty of power!"
"That oversized newcomer is probably all show and no substance."
The other Nosedeenians gathered beneath their champion, clearly skeptical about the purple stranger's chances.
"Then let's see what I can do," Asher replied, unconcerned by their doubts.
When others questioned his strength, he would respond with overwhelming power to silence every critic. Only by crushing the enemy completely would he eliminate all doubt. There was no other path.
ZZZT!!
The champion Nosedeenian raised his palms, concentrating intensely. Golden electrical energy gathered in his hands before releasing as a serpentine beam of lightning that tore through the air!
The attack was powerful. As it ripped through the atmosphere, it scorched the surrounding space and generated intense heat. As expected of the colony's champion, his offensive capabilities operated on an entirely different level.
The observing Nosedeenians watched with admiration, convinced their leader's victory was assured.
But Asher...?
He remained perfectly motionless, hovering in place as if he hadn't even noticed the incoming attack.
"What's that giant doing? Why isn't he moving?"
"He must be terrified by our champion's power! Has to be!"
The spectating energy beings enthusiastically praised their champion's strength, regarding the purple newcomer as foolish for not even attempting to dodge.
"Remember, that's the human child from before," one particularly observant Nosedeenian warned. Humans possess intelligence. We shouldn't underestimate him!"
The others immediately swarmed him for undermining the champion's reputation with such pessimistic commentary.
"I win. The battery supply is mine," the champion declared confidently, a triumphant smile forming...
...until Asher slowly raised one hand, spreading his palm wide to catch the golden lightning bolt.
The electrical energy wrapped harmlessly around his arm like a docile snake, completely incompatible with the wild purple electricity arcing across his enhanced body.
"Apologies," Asher's voice carried calm confidence. "It's not that I was too foolish to defend myself. It's simply that... your attack was so weak, I nearly fell asleep."
He casually tore the golden current apart, dissipating it into nothingness.
"I just woke up. Did something happen?"
At that moment, Asher's dominance display was complete. Every single Nosedeenian watching stood frozen, their jaws metaphorically hitting the ground. They remained suspended in a state of absolute shock.
When the champion witnessed this casual demonstration of superiority, understanding dawned in his eyes.
He could never overcome this Peak Warrior hovering before him.