Chapter 25: Power Unleashed
The afternoon sun filtered through the trees, casting dancing shadows over the clearing. Peterson cracked his knuckles while Wilkens finished stretching his legs. Jean-Daniel stood a few feet away from them, breathing calmly as he rolled his shoulders.
"Alright, you two ready?" Jean-Daniel asked, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips.
Peterson smirked. "You sure about this? Two against one is kind of unfair."
"Yeah," Wilkens added, adjusting his glasses. "Not that I'm complaining, but are you absolutely positive?"
Jean-Daniel's grin widened. "If my power's really in there somewhere, I think it needs a little pressure to come out. Let's see what I'm made of—literally."
Peterson and Wilkens exchanged a glance.
"Alright, then," Peterson said. "Let's dance."
The trio took their positions. Jean-Daniel exhaled deeply, bending his knees. Peterson charged first with a flying knee, while Wilkens darted around the side, his hand already forming a shadow blade.
Jean-Daniel spun mid-air, grabbing a broken wooden branch lying near his foot. The moment his skin touched the bark, a pulse of energy rushed through him.
[SYSTEM NOTICE]
Skill Unlocked: Adaptive Form
You have gained the ability to absorb and replicate the properties of any element you physically touch. Current material: Wood. Sub-skills unlocked:
• Wooden Armor: Skin becomes hard as bark, reducing physical damage.
• Weapon Manifestation: Wooden Blade
"Whoa!" Jean-Daniel yelled.
His arms thickened, transforming with a creaky ripple into wooden limbs. The bark shimmered like armor as his fists hardened. In his right hand, a curved blade of wood emerged from his wrist like a sword grown from his bones.
Wilkens blinked. "Okay, that's definitely new."
Jean-Daniel didn't wait. He dashed toward Wilkens with an incredible burst of speed, faster than either had seen him move before.
Peterson barely had time to react. "He's fast now too?!"
"Apparently," Wilkens replied, swinging his shadow blade to deflect a blow. Sparks flew as the wooden sword clashed against the dark weapon.
Peterson jumped in, swinging a wide arc of his foot toward Jean-Daniel. Jean-Daniel ducked, rolled, and slammed his shoulder into Peterson's ribs, sending him sprawling backward.
"Okay," Peterson grunted, coughing. "Definitely stronger too."
Jean-Daniel paused a moment. "Hold up—let's try something else."
He ran toward a large rock nearby and slammed his palm into it.
[SYSTEM NOTICE]
Material Acquired: Stone
• Stone Body Activated: Durability increased. Strength up 2x.
• Weapon Manifestation: Earth Spikes
His wooden armor crumbled and morphed into jagged stone plating that crawled across his limbs. A brutal stone sword formed in his right hand while small spikes lined his arms.
Peterson and Wilkens froze.
"You look like a walking statue now," Peterson said.
Jean-Daniel flexed and laughed. "Let's see how durable I really am."
Peterson threw a punch with full force. The blow landed on Jean-Daniel's chest—and his fist screamed in pain.
"OW!" Peterson yelled, shaking his hand. "Okay, that wasn't smart."
Wilkens circled them slowly. "Let's see if he can keep up with both of us."
He dove into the nearest shadow and reappeared behind Jean-Daniel. Shadow chains wrapped around Jean-Daniel's feet while Peterson moved in from the front.
But Jean-Daniel slammed his fists into the ground. Stone exploded outward in a shockwave, breaking the chains and sending Peterson flying.
[SYSTEM NOTICE]
New Sub-Skill Acquired: Seismic Pulse
Send shockwaves through ground using stored material energy.
Jean-Daniel's grin was almost evil. "Okay! This is awesome!"
Wilkens rubbed the back of his head. "He's a walking weapons factory."
"You say that like it's a bad thing," Peterson joked.
Jean-Daniel ran again, and this time he moved faster than before. He touched a metal water bottle that had been left nearby from their last training session.
[SYSTEM NOTICE]
Material Acquired: Metal
• Metal Body Activated: High-density defense. Increased damage output. Weapon Manifestation: Blade Launcher
His skin shimmered silver like chrome, then took on a dull metallic sheen. His arms clanked as he moved. On his forearm, a strange device formed—an embedded barrel.
"Wait, what's that?" Wilkens asked.
Jean-Daniel pointed it at a tree.
BAM! A high-speed chunk of metal fired out and tore through the bark.
Everyone froze.
Peterson's jaw dropped. "You can shoot bullets now?!"
"Apparently!" Jean-Daniel said with a wild laugh.
Wilkens immediately hid behind a tree. "Nope! Shadow nerd does not do bullets!"
Jean-Daniel powered down, his body returning to normal. He was panting, covered in sweat, his eyes wide with amazement.
"I felt everything. Strength. Speed. Defense. Offense. I just need to touch something, and it becomes part of me. I think I finally unlocked my system."
[SYSTEM NOTICE]
New User Registered: Jean-Daniel Jean
System Name: Element Forge
Core Abilities:
• Adaptive Form
• Weapon Manifestation
• Material Shot
• Seismic Pulse
Peterson gave him a thumbs up. "That's badass."
Wilkens slowly stepped out of hiding. "You're terrifying. I love it."
Jean-Daniel chuckled and dropped to the ground, staring at the sky. "I don't know how, but I feel like this is just the beginning."
Peterson nodded. "Yeah. We're only scratching the surface."
The three of them sat in silence, breathing hard, the energy of the battle still thick around them.
Then Peterson's stomach growled.
Wilkens burst out laughing. "So much for the power of Voodoo. Somebody get this man a sandwich!"
Jean-Daniel raised a hand. "I vote fried plantains."
"Seconded," Wilkens said.
Peterson groaned. "Fine. You unlock a god-tier power, and I get lunch duty."
They laughed together, walking off as the sun began to set, their bond stronger than ever.