CHAPTER 10 — The First Real Fight

  The Hybrid’s molten footprints glowed faintly in the cracked pavement, leading deeper into the ruined district. Aiden followed them at a distance, slipping between collapsed walls and overturned cars. Hunters were nowhere nearby now—the creature had fled too far, too fast.

  Good.

  Aiden didn’t want witnesses.

  The Hybrid’s roar echoed through the empty street ahead. Aiden tightened his grip on the rebar and stepped into the open.

  The creature stood in the center of a shattered plaza, heat radiating from its body in shimmering waves. Its molten veins pulsed with every breath. Its Strength?infused muscles bulged beneath cracked stone skin.

  It turned toward him instantly.

  Aiden exhaled.

  “Yeah,” he muttered. “I figured you’d be waiting.”

  The Hybrid roared and charged.

  Aiden moved.

  He shifted his weight—10% lighter—and dodged left. The Hybrid’s fist slammed into the pavement, sending shards of concrete flying. Aiden rolled, came up on one knee, and unleashed a quick Pressure burst.

  The shockwave hit the Hybrid’s ribs.

  It barely flinched.

  Aiden grimaced.

  “Okay. Hard way it is.”

  The Hybrid inhaled sharply.

  Heat built in its chest.

  Aiden dove behind a collapsed fountain just as the creature exhaled—a blast of scorching air that melted stone and turned the fountain’s edge into glowing slag.

  Aiden peeked out.

  The Hybrid was already charging again.

  He dropped his weight—10% heavier—and braced.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  The Hybrid slammed into the fountain.

  The impact shook the plaza, but Aiden stayed anchored, Gravity holding him in place. The Hybrid staggered, confused by the resistance.

  Aiden pushed upward—lighter—and vaulted over the creature’s shoulder.

  He landed behind it and swung the rebar at its spine.

  The blow cracked molten skin.

  The Hybrid roared, spinning with surprising speed. Its fist caught Aiden in the ribs, sending him flying into a broken pillar. Pain exploded through his side. He gasped, struggling to breathe.

  The Hybrid charged again.

  Aiden forced himself upright.

  He couldn’t dodge that hit again.

  He couldn’t take another one like it.

  He needed something more.

  He needed both Forces.

  Together.

  The Hybrid lunged.

  Aiden planted his feet.

  He pulled Gravity downward—hard—anchoring himself to the ground.

  He pulled Pressure inward—tight—compressing the air around his chest.

  The two Forces collided inside him.

  Gravity heavy.

  Pressure sharp.

  Opposites.

  Contradictions.

  Perfect.

  Aiden exhaled.

  The Hybrid swung.

  Aiden released everything.

  Gravity surged downward.

  Pressure exploded outward.

  A shockwave erupted from his body—dense, crushing, focused.

  The Hybrid was lifted off its feet and slammed into the plaza wall hard enough to crack stone. Heat flared from its body in a violent burst, molten veins pulsing erratically.

  Aiden staggered, nearly collapsing.

  Using both Forces together felt like ripping something loose inside him—like his body wasn’t built for it yet.

  But it worked.

  The Hybrid roared, struggling to stand.

  Aiden didn’t give it the chance.

  He sprinted forward—lighter—closing the distance in a blur. The Hybrid swung wildly. Aiden ducked under the blow, dropped his weight—heavier—and slammed the rebar into the creature’s knee.

  The joint buckled.

  The Hybrid fell to one knee.

  Aiden shifted his weight upward—light—jumped—

  —and brought the rebar down with all the Gravity he could muster.

  The blow cracked the Hybrid’s skull.

  Heat flared violently.

  The creature roared one last time—

  —and collapsed.

  A Core rose from its body.

  Large.

  Molten.

  Alive.

  Aiden stepped back, chest heaving.

  The Core drifted toward him.

  He didn’t run.

  He didn’t hesitate.

  He let it hit him.

  The world ignited.

  Heat surged through his veins, burning and reshaping everything inside him. His muscles tightened. His skin prickled. His breath turned hot. The Gravity and Pressure Forces inside him twisted, reacting to the new presence.

  A notification flickered into view.

  [HEAT FORCE — Level 1]

  [STRENGTH FORCE — Level 2]

  Another followed.

  [Power Rating Increased]

  [Power Rating: 9]

  Aiden collapsed to one knee, gasping. His chest felt like it held a furnace—hot, volatile, alive. The world around him shimmered with residual heat.

  He pushed himself upright slowly.

  Three Forces now.

  Gravity.

  Pressure.

  Heat.

  He looked at his hands, breath unsteady.

  “What… am I becoming?”

  The Rift pulsed in the distance, answering with a low, resonant hum.

  Aiden tightened his grip on the rebar.

  Whatever he was becoming—

  —it wasn’t done yet.

  CHAPTER 10 — Status Overview

  Basic Forces:

  ? Strength — Level 2

  ? Agility — Level 1

  ? Endurance — Level 1

  ? Vitality — Level 1

  ? Perception — Level 0

  ? Willpower — Level 0

  Special Forces:

  ? Gravity — Level 2

  ? Pressure — Level 1

  ? Heat — Level 1

  Power Rating: 9