Quinn could feel the change inside his body — nine flames moving across him as he fell, each ability pulsing through his veins. Earlier, there were only two… but now he could sense nine. That meant he'd gained seven new ones. He didn't know what they were yet, but the perfect subject lay before him to test them on.
It came as a shock — he could absorb powers from Truedream. That realization thrilled him… yet saddened him too, as his eyes drifted to the other students slumped lifelessly in their seats. Among them was Erin.
Quinn focused, and a white fog began to form beneath his hands. As he poured more of his ice power through, the air in the room shifted — humid warmth fading, replaced by a biting chill that spread fast.
A weight pressed on his chest. He had promised himself he'd only use his powers against those who exploit and bully others. Yet now, he'd taken abilities from Truedream — and Truedream had taken them from these innocent students. That realization burned him with guilt.
He turned toward Jack, a new anger kindling inside. Two names circled in his mind — Duke… and Truedream. The latter stood right before him.
Maybe I should end him, he thought. One less enemy to deal with.
Jack pushed himself up to his feet, cautious and trembling. He had to find a way out from this crazed figure before him. Damn those guards. Where are those useless fools? he cursed inwardly.
Usually, in missions like this where he normally went to collect abilities, it usually took place inside the military, which was basically his fortress of safety. He always had two guards with him just in case something went wrong. But this time, things had gone horribly off-script. Still, a faint comfort flickered as he kept circling his thumb around the ring in his index finger, the ring glowing dimly on his hand. He began to activate it slowly.
Jack's body shivered; fear clouded his eyes. He looked every bit the coward he truly was while also hiding his hidden card under his sleeves.
He had to be really cautious around this person — someone who had not only seemingly stolen all his stolen abilities but could use them all at once.
Damn this guy… he's dangerous. Jack's thoughts raced. I can't imagine someone like him walking around with the two strongest abilities of the human race… He gulped, the realization chilling him deeper than the ice in the air.
Yet, he found a fragile thread of strength in the faint glow of his ring. That was his last hope.
Jack pushed off his feet, trying to run out of there and reach the door. Quinn quickly followed, touched the ground, and immediately the whole flooring turned muddy, making Jack slip mid-track.
But just before the ground melted up, Jack turned and activated his ring. Instantly, strength surged inside him. He jumped, fists curled, straight at Quinn. The added boost from the beast gear made Jack nearly powerful enough, landing a punch straight on Quinn.
Quinn tried to dodge, but he was too late, suddenly quinn felt all the air getting sucked out of his lungs as his body lifted off the ground and slammed into the back wall with a force that shook the room, though the wall stayed intact. Quinn groaned, blood dripping from his mouth.
Jack had a wide grin on his face. "Well, I don't need the guards to deal with you. I can handle you on my own. And once I kill you, I'll steal your ability from your corpse."
Quinn struggled to get up. Soon, a green light spread over his body, healing his wounds.As soon as his body healed Quinn was able to gasp again, drawing a deep breath before exhaling sharply.
"Looks like the third ability I received is healing… what a handy one," he said with a faint smile. But this time, he didn't take Jack lightly.
Running straight toward him, Quinn let all the flames of power inside him burst forth. His fists glowed, and soon a white light enveloped the room , too bright to imagine.
Jack immediately raised his hands in defense, barely managing to activate the ring's active skill. A thin, invisible shield formed just in time as Quinn's attack hit. Even so, the sheer force was overwhelming Jack was hurled backward, crashing into the wall and knocking him out cold.
Jack's body lay broken, his clothes singed and torn in places. Quinn approached, still breathing heavily. He lifted Jack by the throat and immediately frost and ice followed forming around his neck.
"You don't know what you're getting involved with, kid…" Jack muttered with his final cup of strength.
Quinn's hand trembled slightly — this would be his first time killing a human… and Jack Truedream of all people.
"You aren't going to leave me alive either, would you?"
Jack didn't answer.
Just as Quinn began to tighten his grip, the door burst open with a loud crash — and entering the scene were Vorden, Vicky, Layla, and Fex, each of them frozen in shock at the sight before them.