Ficool

Chapter 2 - Chapter 2: GHOST

The rift spat Brand out onto scorching sand with the force of a meteor strike. He hit the dunes hard, his new metallic body skidding across the burning grains before coming to rest in a cloud of dust and debris. The little spherical robot—Sera, the mechanical eye had called it—bounced beside him with a cheerful beep, completely unbothered by their violent arrival.

Brand pushed himself up on trembling arms, his enhanced vision automatically adjusting to the blazing desert sun. Everything felt wrong. His body moved too smoothly, too precisely, like a machine calibrated for efficiency rather than the messy, imperfect movements of flesh and bone he remembered.

"Where the hell are we?" he muttered, sand cascading from his metallic skin as he stood. The desert stretched endlessly in every direction, a sea of golden dunes beneath a merciless sky.

Before Sera could respond with its mechanical chirping, the ground beneath Brand's feet began to vibrate. A low rumble echoed through the air, growing stronger by the second. His enhanced hearing picked up the sound long before a human would have—the distinctive whoosh of something massive moving through sand.

Then he saw it.

A creature erupted from the dunes fifty yards away, sending an explosion of sand into the air.

Sand Dragon.

Thirty feet of molten-bronze scales, glowing amber eyes, jagged crystalline teeth, a coiling serpent-like body, and tiny flickering wings.

The sand dragon's roar shattered the stillness of the desert, its towering frame a swirling tempest of dust and fury. Brand felt the earth tremble beneath him, each beat of his heart echoing the fear coursing through his veins. He barely had time to process the sight of the beast before it lunged, jaws snapping shut with a thunderous crash, narrowly missing him.

But just as panic began to wash over him, a brilliant light flickered beside him—a holographic figure materialized, shimmering like a beacon against the chaos.

A holographic form shimmered softly to life within Sera's glowing core, her radiant smile instantly filling the space with warmth. "Hello, Brand! I'm Seraphine, your angelic guide, here to light your path and help you unlock the incredible mysteries ahead. Together, we'll make this journey not only enlightening but truly unforgettable. Ready to soar?"

Brand couldn't shake the absurdity of a holographic angel suddenly manifesting in the middle of his escape. "Cut it out!" he yelled, his heart racing as he continued to flee for his life.

As Brand sprinted through the shifting sands, the weight of Seraphine's words began to sink in. He glanced back at her glowing form, feeling a mix of disbelief and determination. "Easier said than done! I'm just trying to stay alive here!"

Seraphine's smile remained unwavering, her voice steady. "I understand your fear, but remember, you are more than just a prey. Use your enhancements! Trust in your abilities!"

Brand's heart raced, not just from the chase but from the flicker of hope Seraphine sparked within him. He felt the power of his transformation pulsing beneath his skin—a reminder that he wasn't entirely helpless. "Alright, let's see what I can do," he muttered as the world around him blurred.

With a deep breath, he concentrated, channeling the energy of his enhancements. The sands beneath his feet shifted, and he felt a surge of strength, his muscles coiling with potential. He pivoted sharply and faced the creature, ready to confront his fears rather than flee from them.

"Let's finish this!" he shouted, emboldened by Seraphine's unwavering support and the newfound resolve burning in his chest.

"Enhance your physical abilities! Draw on the energy around you!" Seraphine's voice was imbued with urgency, her hands gesturing as if weaving the very fabric of power.

Brand closed his eyes, blocking out the chaos that threatened to overwhelm him. He envisioned the energy swirling around, an unseen current begging to be harnessed. As he focused, warmth ignited in his core, rippling outward and awakening every muscle. He felt strength surge through him.

[GHOST Core Awakened]

The dragon snarled, baring its teeth in a fearsome display of rage. Brand opened his eyes, filled with newfound determination. "I can do this," he whispered, conviction strengthening his resolve.

[Haste: Agility +25% for 3 minutes]

The beast charged, and Brand reacted instinctively, leaping to the side with an agility he hadn't known he possessed. He landed on the shifting sands, the ground beneath him unstable yet invigorating. "Now, use the Skill: Debuff Cube!" Seraphine's voice echoed in his mind, urging him forward.

[Debuff Cube: Target -5% All stats for 15 seconds. Movement speed fairly reduced]

Brand lost control of his body for a moment as the GHOST took over. His fingers now glowed with faint violet light as he traced a square symbol in the air. From the square, multiple cubes flew out and attached themselves to the dragon, wrapping it in a shimmering net. The creature writhed, anger flashing in its eyes, but Brand felt a surge of exhilaration—it was working!

"Distract it! Keep it engaged!" Seraphine urged, her excitement palpable. Brand's mind raced; he needed to outthink the creature.

Scanning the landscape, Brand's gaze landed on a cluster of jagged rocks rising defiantly from the desert floor. If he could lure the dragon into them, perhaps he could trap it. "I can do this," he repeated to himself, the mantra grounding him in the chaos.

With a determined shout, he sprinted toward the rocky outcrop, drawing the dragon's attention. "Hey, over here!" he taunted, his voice gaining strength with each step. The dragon's furious roar echoed behind him, and Brand felt the rush of wind as it lunged, snapping its jaws just inches from his back.

He dodged, narrowly escaping the beast's grasp, and watched as it collided with the rocks, sending a spray of debris into the air. Dust settled around him, and for a moment, Brand stood frozen, heart racing with disbelief—he had outmaneuvered the beast.

"Now's your chance! Don't hesitate!" Seraphine's voice cut through the silence, pushing him forward once more. He activated another skill, which buffed him.

[Might: Strength +25% for 3 minutes]

With his still-enhanced speed, he dashed toward the dragon and struck its nose. The dragon felt a sudden irritation and sneezed involuntarily. This caused the sands to fly outwards, covering his vision. The creature thrashed around, causing more destruction to the rock formation nearby.

"Now use your suit's trademark skill! Stealth!" Seraphine cheered from behind.

[Stealth: Hide presence for 15 minutes]

Brand was surprised by the generous time limit, considering the other two skills' durations only last 3 minutes. He activated the stealth skill and used the opening to escape.

More Chapters