Varia

“Focus, kid,” Belmont’s gravelly voice echoed in his mind, firm and grounding. “You’re not out of the woods yet.”

Kain flinched, the unexpected sound yanking him back to the present. “You’re… still here,” he said aloud, eyes darting around as if Belmont would suddenly appear beside him. “I thought… hell, I don’t even know what I thought.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” Belmont replied, calm and steady. “I’ve got a vested interest in seeing you make it through this mess. Now, listen up. This world you’ve just stepped into—it’s not like the one you know. There are rules, structures, powerful forces all around. Most of them won’t appreciate you tearing through their backyard uninvited.”

“Great, so I’m not just a freak—I’m a trespassing freak.” Kain rubbed his temples, trying to wrap his mind around what had just happened. “And here I thought rock bottom was in my rearview.”

“Don’t get too comfortable yet. You’re just scratching the surface. The path you’ve stepped onto—the path of a Star Bearer—it’s ancient, older than any empire you’ve heard of. Those who walk it are bound to their constellations, imbued with powers that reflect the very stars themselves.” Belmont’s tone softened, just a bit, like he was trying to make sense of it for Kain’s sake. “I’m of the Lupus line, a path that prizes loyalty, strength, and honor. I left that life behind to seek peace, but now… well, it seems the universe has different plans.”

Kain blinked, processing the weight of those words. “You left all that behind? Why?”

Belmont hesitated. “You learn things on a battlefield that change you. Wars were waged over the constellation paths, secrets spilled, but in the end, none of it mattered—not honor, not rank, not power. Only the lives caught in the middle.” He paused, his tone softening. “I wanted peace. But sometimes the universe doesn’t care what you want.”

Kain opened his mouth to ask more, but Belmont pressed on, his voice harder now, like a drill sergeant snapping orders. “But enough of that. Your path is different, Kain. You have to master this hunger, or it will master you.”

Kain opened his mouth to argue, but Belmont cut him off with a quick, almost fatherly authority. “You’re going to want to head south, down the main road. Move quick, keep to the shadows. You don’t need an audience right now.”

“Sure, because I’m in real danger of being too popular,” Kain muttered, but he started moving, Belmont’s voice urging him forward. The street was littered with debris, and the distant wail of sirens made him pick up his pace. “So, uh… what exactly is all this? Why were you even around when this went down?”

“I’ve been tracking a convergence,” Belmont said. “That rift Doc opened? It’s no ordinary anomaly. He tapped into something primal, something that disrupted the barriers between worlds. I sensed it, and I came to investigate. Never thought I’d find someone like you in the middle of it.”

“Lucky me,” Kain muttered, rounding a corner and slipping into a narrow alleyway. “So what, you’re here to be my spiritual guide or something? Gonna teach me to meditate and find inner peace?”

A dry chuckle rumbled in Belmont’s voice. “Not quite. I’m here to make sure you don’t get yourself killed. Or worse—caught by the wrong people. There are factions, organizations that have spent centuries keeping the supernatural in check, and they don’t take kindly to rogue powers.”

Kain’s steps faltered. “You mean… like the Men in Black?”

“Something like that. Only, they’re not as concerned with flashy lights and mind wipes. Most of them just kill first and ask questions later. They’re pragmatic that way,” Belmont said, with a touch of sardonic humor. “Right now, I’m picking up movement. It’s subtle, but I sense a group heading this way.They’re likely scouts, Sequence 9 or lower. That means they’re not too dangerous alone, but together, they could be a problem.”

Kain’s pulse quickened. “So what do I do? Hide?”

“No,” Belmont replied firmly. “You’ll fight. But you’ll do it smart. This isn’t some bar brawl, kid. These men are trained to take down things like you. I’m going to guide you through this, step by step. First, feel the energy you absorbed from Doc—find its core within you, and let it flow through your muscles. You need to be quick and precise.”

Kain nodded, taking a breath to steady himself. He closed his eyes for a moment, focusing inward, searching for that wellspring of power. It was there, coiled and waiting, like a live wire beneath his skin. He let it seep into his limbs, feeling a surge of strength that made his fingers tingle.

“Good,” Belmont said. “Now, crouch low. When they come around the corner, they’ll be looking for a target standing tall, something obvious. You’re going to make them work for it. When you see an opening, strike hard, strike fast, and don’t give them a chance to regroup.”

Kain dropped into a crouch, heart hammering. The alley was dark, but he could make out the faint shadows moving closer, the quiet murmur of voices just beyond the corner. He could feel Belmont’s calm presence in his mind, anchoring him, giving him a sense of purpose.

“Remember, Kain,” Belmont continued, his voice low and steady. “These men—they’re not the worst you’ll face. But they’re your first real test. Show them what you’re made of.”

As Kain crouched in the shadows, he heard the distant crunch of footsteps on gravel, echoing softly down the alleyway. He held his breath, instinctively drawing on the strange new power within him to quiet his presence. It felt like wrapping himself in a shroud, the world around him dimming as he blended into the background. He wasn’t invisible, but he knew with a bone-deep certainty that he couldn’t be sensed.

“Hold steady,” Belmont’s voice murmured in his mind, calm as a winter morning. “Your presence is hidden, but make too much noise, and they’ll catch you. They’re not here for you specifically. They’re investigating the rift. Don’t give them a reason to think otherwise.”

Kain nodded, though Belmont couldn’t see it. He waited, pulse steadying as the footsteps drew closer. Two men rounded the corner, each one moving with a precision that set his instincts on edge. They wore dark, fitted armor that shimmered faintly in the dim light, with intricate designs etched into the material—symbols that looked almost runic.

One of them, a man with close-cropped hair and a scar over his left eye, knelt to examine the ground, tracing a finger over the faint scorch marks left by the rift’s opening. “This was recent,” he muttered, glancing up at his partner. “Rift residue is still fresh. Whoever triggered it might still be close.”

The other man, taller and lean, grunted. “Then we should move fast. We can’t let an unsanctioned event go unchecked, especially not after what happened in New Orleans. If someone’s torn through the veil here, we need to find them.”

Kain felt a surge of tension spike in his chest. Torn through the veil? He had no idea what they were talking about, but it didn’t sound good. He fought the urge to shift, keeping himself pressed against the wall, his mind racing.

Belmont’s voice was a steadying anchor. “They’re scouts from a local faction, likely on the fringe of whatever authority governs this territory. They won’t be able to sense you unless you engage, but the minute they see you, the advantage is lost. Take them by surprise, and they’ll drop before they can call for backup.”

Kain took a deep breath, letting the calm wash over him. “Got it. So I just… drop ‘em quick and quiet?”

“That’s the idea,” Belmont replied. “Channel the energy in your muscles—don’t overthink it. Let your instincts take the lead.”

Kain nodded, settling into a low stance. As he moved, the power in his limbs surged, responding as if it had always been there, waiting for him. The Biomass ability had fused with his physicality in a way that made each motion feel intuitive, a strange but familiar hum of energy guiding his every step.

The figures rounded the corner, and Kain exploded into motion He launched forward, moving silently across the alley in a blur of speed. The first scout barely had time to react before Kain was on him, a quick strike to the back of the neck sending him crumpling to the ground in a lifeless heap.

The second scout whipped around, eyes widening. “What the hell—”

Kain didn’t give him time to finish, driving a fist into the man’s stomach, feeling the impact reverberate through his own body. The scout gasped, doubling over as Kain’s other hand shot up, clamping down on his shoulder. With a swift motion, Kain twisted, sending the scout crashing into the wall.

The man slumped, groaning, his head lolling to the side. But before Kain could pull away, the scout’s eyes snapped open, fierce and determined. He spat a word under his breath, a sharp, guttural sound that sent a pulse of energy rippling outward.

Kain staggered back, feeling the residual force hit him like a wall. His skin tingled, the air crackling with latent energy as he steadied himself, his gaze narrowing.

Belmont’s voice sharpened. “He’s calling for backup—get him down now, or you’ll have a bigger fight on your hands than you’re ready for. Think you’re up for that, kid?”

Kain tightened his grip, pushing against the weight of Belmont’s words. He couldn’t deny the thrill of the fight, but something warned him he wasn’t prepared to face a full squad. He glanced back down at the scout, adrenaline surging as he unleashed the residual lightning from his hands, faint sparks crackling with the residual lightning from Lily’s powers. An azure spear piercing the man's heart, sending a jolt through his body. The man’s eyes rolled back, and he went limp, the spell dying on his lips. Silencing the man’s spell forever

He took a breath, steadying himself, feeling the cold thrill ebb away as Belmont spoke. “You did well, Kain, but remember: you’re not invincible. There’s more at play here than a simple scuffle in an alley.”

Breathing heavily, Kain stepped back, his heart racing. The alley was quiet again, but he knew it wouldn’t last. He glanced down at the bodies, a frown tugging at his lips.

“Why were they talking about rifts? What’s really going on here?” he muttered, more to himself than to Belmont.

Belmont’s voice was steady, a thread of reassurance. “The rifts are gateways, openings between dimensions. Doc must have meddled with forces he didn’t understand, triggering a breach. That’s why I was here—I sensed the disturbance, the kind that draws unwanted attention.”

“Unwanted attention?” Kain snorted, glancing around. “Yeah, no kidding. So, what’s the plan now?”

Belmont hesitated, as if weighing his words. “There are rules, Kain. Rules that govern our world and the supernatural forces around it. You’ve just broken one of the cardinal ones: exposure. The moment you crossed into this realm of power, you became a player in a game that’s older than you can imagine.”

Kain rubbed the back of his neck, feeling the weight of Belmont’s words settle on him. “And what, I’m just supposed to go along with it? Act like everything’s normal while I get dragged deeper into this freakshow?”

Belmont chuckled, a dry, almost fatherly sound. “It’s your choice, kid. But the moment you absorbed Doc’s abilities, you crossed a line. You’re part of this now, whether you like it or not. The best thing you can do is learn the rules, understand the stakes. Otherwise, you’ll end up like these scouts—dead in an alleyway, forgotten.”

Kain sighed, glancing down at the still forms of the men he’d just taken out. “Yeah, guess I’ve made my bed. Now I gotta lie in it, right?”

“More like run with it,” Belmont replied, his voice softening. “Now, head north. There’s a safe spot I know of just outside the town. We can lay low there, regroup, and I’ll fill you in on what you’re up against.”

Kain nodded, a new sense of purpose settling over him. He took a last look at the alley, his mind replaying the events of the past hour. He’d come a long way from the man he’d been just this morning, but it was clear the journey was far from over.

He set off, his steps growing more confident with each stride. Whatever lay ahead, he knew he’d face it head-on. With Belmont’s voice in his ear and the power coursing through his veins, he was ready to step into the shadows and confront the unknown.

As Kain moved past the bodies of the fallen investigation unit, a sudden, primal need clawed at his insides. It felt like a hook sinking into his chest, pulling him toward the lifeless forms strewn across the alley. His vision blurred, and he could feel his pulse racing, blood pounding in his ears with a rhythm that felt almost alien.

“What the…?” he mumbled, clutching at his stomach. The sensation wasn’t just hunger—it was deeper, rawer, a craving that gnawed at his very being.

Before he could process what was happening, his body began to move on its own. Dark tendrils shot out from his skin, slithering across the ground like living shadows. They wormed their way toward the fallen scouts, the tendrils quivering with anticipation as they latched onto the bodies.

“No—wait!” Kain gasped, trying to pull back, but his body was beyond his control. He watched, horrified, as the tendrils dug into the first body—the leader of the group, the one wearing the tungsten-laced armor. Energy surged through Kain’s veins as the man’s life essence, his skills, his memories, all flowed into him in a rush of heat and knowledge.

Kain felt his body surge with an unfamiliar heaviness, a raw, resilient strength anchoring him. His muscles hardened, his skin seemed to grow denser, almost metallic, and a sense of power pulsed through him, alien yet thrilling.

The next tendril found the sub-leader, a lean figure dressed in robes marked with arcane symbols. Kain felt a wave of cold wash over him as the wizard’s abilities imprinted themselves in his mind. Spells, rituals, fragments of magical knowledge flashed through his consciousness, overwhelming him. He staggered, nearly collapsing under the weight of it all as the remaining tendrils latched onto the other bodies, pulling him further into this frenzy of consumption.

And then he felt it—a presence, familiar yet twisted, reawakening within him. Doc’s voice echoed in his mind, smooth and mocking, the tone dripping with dark amusement.

Doc’s voice crept in, a slithering whisper. “That’s right. Feel that? It’s like you’ve been training for it all along. The skills, the memories… they’re yours now.”

Kain tried to shake off the voice, but the craving lingered, an itch in the back of his mind. He clenched his fists, feeling the cool sheen of his Tungsten-infused skin as his mind registered the desire—not just for power, but to feed that endless, primal need. He took a shaky breath, forcing himself to look away from the fallen scouts, their abilities now a part of him.

“Well, well… Look who’s decided to feast,” Doc sneered, his voice wrapping around Kain’s thoughts like barbed wire. “Don’t tell me you’re surprised, kid. You didn’t really think you could resist this, did you?”

“No…” Kain whispered, clenching his fists as he fought to regain control. But the power flowing into him was intoxicating, each pulse of energy igniting something primal within him. He could feel his muscles hardening, his senses sharpening. His mind expanded, flooded with the abilities of the Tungsten martial artist—the reinforced body, the endurance, the brutal efficiency of their techniques. And then the wizard’s knowledge flooded him, arcane patterns weaving into his consciousness, glyphs and spells that whispered of ancient power.

Doc’s laughter rang in his ears, dark and taunting. “You’re loving this, aren’t you? The strength, the rush, the feeling of their lives becoming yours. It’s exhilarating, isn’t it? That raw, unfiltered power, filling you up like nothing else can.”

“Shut up,” Kain snarled, but he couldn’t deny the truth of Doc’s words. There was a sick, twisted euphoria in the act, a primal satisfaction that clawed at his soul. He could feel it, like a fire in his veins, a sensation that brought with it a disturbing sense of fulfillment.

“Oh, but you can’t shut me up,” Doc replied, his voice smooth as silk. “I’m part of you now. Every time you give in, every time you take just a little more, I’ll be here. Watching. Waiting. Reminding you how good it feels.”

Kain stumbled back, his breathing ragged, the last of the tendrils retracting into his skin. The alleyway was silent once more, but he felt different—stronger, sharper, his body thrumming with a power he could barely comprehend. He stared down at his hands, flexing his fingers as a faint, silvery sheen glinted off his skin, remnants of the Tungsten clan’s reinforcement technique lingering beneath the surface.

“I’m… I’m not like you,” he muttered, shaking his head as if to clear Doc’s voice from his mind. “I didn’t ask for this.”

Doc chuckled, a low, sinister sound. “You didn’t ask for it, but here you are, drenched in power. And if you’re so against it… then why can’t you stop smiling?”

Kain froze, his mouth going dry as he realized, with dawning horror, that it was true. A part of him was reveling in it, savoring the rush, the sheer thrill of absorbing their abilities. He clenched his jaw, trying to suppress the surge of hunger that lingered, a gnawing need that had yet to be satisfied.

“No… no, this isn’t me,” he whispered, his voice trembling. But even as he said the words, he could feel it—the longing, the craving, the need to consume. It was there, festering just beneath the surface, like an itch he could never quite scratch.

Kain’s pulse slowed, a dark thrill creeping in as he looked at the scouts’ bodies. The craving throbbed in him, a need that left him trembling. “No… this isn’t me,” he repeated in a mutter, but the words felt hollow. His body buzzed with the thrill of their stolen strength, his mind buzzing with memories that weren’t his, skills that felt disturbingly right, almost like he was made for this.

“Who says it isn’t?” Doc’s voice was like a shadow slipping over his thoughts, almost his own. “You feel it, don’t you? The pull, the need. It’s who you are now. And you don’t hate it, do you?”

Kain’s fists clenched, anger warring with the sickening thrill. Stop it. This is my body, my mind. I’m in control.

“Denial won’t save you, Kain,” Doc murmured, his voice fading like a ghostly echo. “But don’t worry. I’ll be here, watching. You’ll come around eventually. They all do.”

And then, just like that, Doc’s presence faded, leaving Kain alone with the bodies at his feet, his mind reeling. He took a shaky breath, forcing himself to look away from the fallen scouts, swallowing the bile that rose in his throat.

He staggered forward, moving away from the carnage, his body heavy with the weight of his new abilities. As he stumbled out of the alley, he could feel Belmont’s presence return, a steady, grounding force that pulled him back from the edge.

“Kain,” Belmont’s voice was calm but firm, a stark contrast to Doc’s taunts. “This is only the beginning. You have to master this hunger, or it will master you.”

Kain nodded, a steely resolve settling over him. “Yeah… yeah, I got it. But first, I need to get a handle on whatever the hell just happened.”

“Then let’s go,” Belmont replied, guiding him forward. “I’ll teach you what I can. But you have to decide if you’re willing to pay the price.”

With one last glance at the alleyway, Kain turned and walked away, his steps heavy but purposeful. He could still feel the hunger, lurking like a beast inside him, but he wasn’t going to let it control him. Not yet. Not ever.

Or so he told himself.