Chapter 3 - Chapter 3: The awakening of Tenshi no Me

Adamus lay in his room, trapped in a restless sleep. His body shifted and turned, as if wrestling with some invisible force.

Suddenly, his eyes snapped open.

Nothing. Only darkness.

Where… am I?

"Why is everything so dark?" he whispered, his heartbeat pounding in his ears. Slowly, he took a cautious step forward. "Am I dreaming? It doesn't feel like a dream… I feel too awake."

A soft emerald glow flared around him his green flames sparking to life on instinct. They licked across his body, casting just enough light to see the swirling void around him. With no path to follow, he began to run… his steps echoing in the endless black.

From somewhere deep within the darkness, a sound emerged faint, distant, and chilling.

"H… help…"

The cry was thin, strained, soaked in pain.

Adamus froze mid-step, every muscle locking. "Who… who is that?" he breathed, his voice barely carrying over the emptiness.

The sound came again, closer this time, cutting straight through him.

"H…help…"

Recognition hit like a lightning strike. His stomach twisted. His breath caught.

That's my mom's voice.

With a surge of terror, Adamus screamed into the darkness, "Mom! Mom, where are you?!"

No answer came only the hollow echo of his own voice fading into the black.

"I'm coming… I'm coming," he swore, his words trembling but fierce. Green energy flared around him, wrapping his body in a blazing aura that pulsed like a living shield.

He dropped into a runner's stance and exploded forward. His feet hammered against nothing, yet each stride carried him farther into the endless dark. The green light trailing behind him tore at the shadows, but the deeper he ran, the thicker the darkness pressed in heavy, suffocating, alive.

Minutes… hours… he couldn't tell. The run felt eternal. His breath came in ragged bursts, his heart slamming in his chest.

"Mom! Where are you?!" he cried again, desperation cracking his voice. The sound was swallowed instantly by the black around him.

Then a spark.

Far ahead, a blinding light burned through the dark, distant as a star on the horizon. Adamus slowed, eyes narrowing. "Mom?" he called, his voice trembling with both fear and hope.

The light sharpened. A figure stood at its center, barely visible but unmistakably human. His heart leapt. "Mom! Is that you?!"

But as his vision cleared, his relief curdled into dread.

Another figure loomed beside her tall, draped in a billowing red cape that rippled like fresh blood in the windless dark. His face was hidden, his form almost carved from shadow, but Adamus could see his mother's legs kicking helplessly.

The caped figure's hand was wrapped around her throat.

Her screams tore through the black, raw and desperate, each one pounding against Adamus's chest like a war drum.

With a surge of adrenaline, he tore forward, running faster than he ever had before drunken-fast, wild-fast, his arms pumping, his legs burning. But no matter how hard he pushed, the light ahead refused to grow closer. It was like running on a treadmill in the middle of a nightmare; every heartbeat told him he was moving, but the scene ahead stayed maddeningly far away.

His breath came in ragged bursts. His muscles strained as if the darkness itself were gripping his legs, holding him back. His heart thundered in his ears, drowning out everything but his mother's cries.

"Help! Help!" Her voice cracked, choked by the iron grip of the red-caped figure beside her.

Adamus's frustration boiled into rage. He poured every ounce of strength into his sprint and then, suddenly, he stopped.

And the moment he did… they were closer.

Close enough to see the fear in her eyes. Close enough to feel the malice radiating from the figure holding her. The red cape rippled like fresh blood, its folds swirling in the dim light.

The figure let out a chilling laugh. "I warned your son," it said, its voice low and venomous. "I told him."

Adamus's mother strained against the grip, her voice shaking. "Please… don't hurt my son. I don't know what he did… but don't hurt him."

The figure's shadowed face twisted into a grotesque grin before releasing her.

Adamus lunged forward with a shout, heart hammering. "I've got you, Mom!" His fingers closed in

And met nothing.

She vanished like mist, leaving only cold shadows in his hands.

Before he could process it, the ground beneath him was gone. He fell headlong into the black, the darkness swallowing him whole, its weight crushing, its airless grip suffocating. His screams went unheard in the endless dark.

And then… stillness.

He landed hard on something that felt like nothing an endless expanse of pitch-black ground beneath his feet. The abyss yawned infinitely in all directions.

"What's happening?" Adamus called out, his voice echoing in unnatural, overlapping tones. "Is this… a nightmare?"

As he stood up and looked around, he saw only emptiness stretching out before him. But then, in the distance, a faint light flickered, beckoning him. Adamus's breath caught in his throat.

"Is that… my mom again?" he whispered, urgency swelling in his chest. "I gotta hurry up this time."

He began running toward the light, his heart pounding with fear and desperate hope. But as the glow grew stronger, a shadowed figure emerged within it a young man around his age, with spiky black hair, brown eyes, and pale white skin.

Adamus slowed, confusion settling in. "Who's this kid? He looks my age…"

Tears streamed down the young man's face, his quiet sobs echoing in the darkness.

The sight sent shivers down Adamus's spine as he realized he was not alone in this desolate place. The young man's cries filled the void, intensifying the sense of dread that hung in the air.

Adamus reached out tentatively, his hand trembling as he placed it on the young man's back. "Why are you crying? What happened? Can I help you? I'm a superhero. My name is Vajra," he offered, his voice wavering with uncertainty.

The sight sent a cold shiver through Adamus's spine. He was not alone in this desolate darkness.

The young man's quiet, broken sobs filled the air, each one sharpening the dread that already hung heavy.

Adamus stepped closer, hesitating before resting a trembling hand on the boy's back. "Why are you crying? What happened? Can I help you? I'm a superhero… my name is Vajra," he said, his voice unsure, almost pleading.

The boy didn't answer at first just sat there, cradling a mound of ashes in his hands. Around him lay countless more piles, like the remnants of a world burned away.

When he finally spoke, his voice cracked. "Dad,Mom… little sister… you're really gone. Superior Man really killed you?"

His tears fell freely, carving pale lines down his ash-stained face.

"There's no such thing as heroes in my world," he said at last, his tone shifting from grief to venom. "Heroes took everything from me. My family is dead because of you… you false heroes."

Adamus opened his mouth, but the boy's voice cut sharper now, dripping with rage.

"And the law the system it let this happen. It put me here. To lose everything." His hands shook as he scooped up more of the ashes, clutching them so tightly they sifted between his fingers. "They'll all pay. Every last one of them will pay."

Adamus recoiled at the accusation, his heart heavy with guilt. "I would never kill anyone's family. I'm not like the other heroes. Are these the ashes of your family members?" he asked, his voice filled with empathy.

Before Adamus could continue speaking, the young man's grief curdled into rage. His tear-streaked face twisted, eyes blazing with fury as he strode straight past Adamus.

"I'll do it myself," he spat, his voice shaking with conviction. "This world doesn't need a hero. It needs someone who will tear the system apart… and rebuild it. That someone is me."

Adamus turned after him, startled. "Wait what do you mean? How are you going to do that?"

The boy kept walking, not even glancing back.

Adamus lunged forward, hand outstretched. "Hold on! Tell me what happened. I want to help!"

The moment Adamus's fingers brushed the boy's shoulder, his own chest flared with light. The green crystal, Om Mani Padme Hum crystal, embedded in his heart began to glow, casting long emerald shadows across the darkness.

The boy stopped. Slowly, he turned.

His hair was no longer black but shock-white, his irises a deep, hellish red. And in the center of his chest, pulsing like a heartbeat, was a crystal red as fresh blood.

"Leave me alone!" he screamed.

His form flickered like a broken projection, fading in and out before vanishing entirely into the black.

Adamus stood frozen, the echoes of the boy's anguish clawing at his mind. The void seemed to close in tighter, pressing against him with a suffocating weight.

"Where did he go?" Adamus muttered, disoriented. "And… why did my crystal glow? That boy… he had one too."

From the distance, faint whispers rose harsh, venomous.

"He's a false hero… He doesn't fight for us…"

The words seemed to drip from every corner of the darkness. Adamus clenched his fists, his pulse quickening. "I'll prove them wrong," he told himself, breaking into a run toward the voices.

Far ahead, a faint glow appeared. He pushed harder, feet pounding against unseen ground until the light grew into the silhouette of a city.

When he arrived, Adamus stopped short.

People moved through the streets like puppets faces slack, eyes black and empty, their motions stiff and unnatural. The air was heavy, stale, and silent save for the faint shuffle of their feet.

"What happened to them?" he murmured.

A brighter light pulsed in the distance, throwing grotesque, shifting shadows across the lifeless streets. Adamus's heartbeat thundered as he stumbled toward it. Passing one of the citizens, he grabbed their shoulder. Their skin was cold, clammy.

"What's going on here?" he demanded.

The figure turned slowly, eyes like bottomless pits. "Get off me, Vajra," they said, their voice flat, mechanical. "You're a false hero. You were supposed to protect us. But when we needed you most… you weren't here. You left us all."

Adamus staggered back, horror creeping into his bones. "No… that's not true. I didn't leave. I'm here now. I'll protect you. I promise."

They didn't respond.

Adamus broke into a run.

Up ahead, the vacant-eyed citizens shuffled in the same direction, their stiff, mechanical movements carrying them toward a single point in the distance a blinding light that cut through the oppressive darkness like a wound in reality.

Their steps were slow, methodical, but unerring, as if drawn by an invisible chain. Adamus darted past them, weaving through the soulless crowd, his breath quickening. The glow ahead pulsed with an unnatural rhythm, pulling at his senses, whispering to his instincts to come closer.

Then the chanting began.

It was faint at first low, rhythmic murmurs threading through the darkness but it grew with every step, swelling into a unified voice.

"Jason Knight… Jason Knight…"

The words looped over and over, the sound hollow yet feverish, like a congregation worshipping in a dead language.

"Jason Knight… Jason Knight…"

Adamus's pace quickened, though his chest tightened with unease. Each repetition of the name pressed against his mind, worming its way deeper, until it felt less like sound and more like a presence inside him.

"Is Jason Knight… the person I just saw?" he wondered, the memory of the grieving young man flashing before his eyes.

The light ahead blazed brighter, bleaching the edges of his vision. The citizens' chorus grew louder, almost frenzied.

Then, without warning, the chant shifted snapping into a new, sharper rhythm.

"Ravana… All hail our God and savior, Ravana…"

The name rolled through the darkness like thunder, thick with reverence and fanatic devotion. Adamus felt the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. The tone was no longer just worship it was surrender.

"Ravana… Ravana…"

The words dripped into his ears like cold water, seeping down his spine.

"Jason Knight… Ravana…" Adamus's thoughts raced, each question heavier than the last. "Who's Jason Knight? And who or what is Ravana?"

The answers danced just out of reach, swallowed by the blinding light that now seemed almost alive, beckoning him forward with every pulse.

At last, Adamus broke through the final line of citizens and reached the source of the light.

The glow washed over a massive gathering hundreds, maybe thousands standing in tight formation, their faces slack with devotion. All eyes were fixed on the figure at the center.

It was him.

The same young man Adamus had seen before. But now, under the blinding radiance, his presence was… monstrous. His skin was pale as bleached bone, his spiky white hair gleaming like silver threads under the light. Two black, curved horns jutted from his head, crowning him like some infernal king. His red eyes burned with an intensity that cut straight through the darkness.

In the center of his chest, a glowing red crystal pulsed like a second heart.

The citizens shuffled forward one by one, their eyes glassy with adoration.

"You saved us from our blue-skinned leaders and blue-blooded conquerors Galaktikós," they proclaimed in unison. "You slew every single superhero, saving us. You destroyed the old system and built a new one. You freed us. We swear our allegiance to you, Ravana."

One woman stepped forward, tears of reverence streaking her face. She placed her hands on his and whispered something Adamus couldn't hear.

Then, without warning, her body dissolved into red smoke, drawn into the crystal at Ravana's chest.

Adamus's heart lurched. Is she being completely absorbed? The thought twisted his stomach, bile rising in his throat.

The air around them thickened oppressive, heavy buzzing with a dark energy that made his skin crawl. The chanting behind him swelled again.

Driven by a sudden surge of fear and fury, Adamus lunged forward. His hands shot out, seizing Ravana's wrists before they could pull in another victim.

"What are you doing to these people?" he demanded, his voice tight with both rage and dread.

Ravana's red eyes locked onto his, and for a moment, the crowd went utterly silent.

As Adamus turned around to ask the citizens if they were okay, they vanished into thin air, leaving

Him, surrounded by darkness, felt the emptiness closing in, suffocating him with its endless void. A shiver ran down his spine as he turned back to face Ravana, only to be met with a sight that froze him in terror. Ravana's eyes glowed a deep, menacing red, piercing through the darkness like burning embers.

Ravana's laughter echoed, a haunting sound that reverberated through the darkness, filling Adamus with dread. It was a laugh that seemed to crawl into his very soul, promising only doom and despair.

Before Adamus could react, Ravana's hand shot out like a viper, wrapping around his throat with a grip of iron. Adamus gasped for air, his vision swimming as he struggled against the suffocating pressure. Each second felt like an eternity as darkness closed in around him, swallowing him whole in a nightmare of terror.

"I saved these people," Ravana sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "They owe me their lives, their souls, whether they like it or not." His laughter grew louder, more maniacal, as he drew Adamus closer to his face, his eyes gleaming with cruel amusement. "You don't remember me, do you? You don't remember the last time we met."

Gasping for air, Adamus struggled to form words. "I... I don't know," he managed to gasp out, his voice barely a whisper amidst the darkness.

Ravana's laughter turned into a guttural growl as he slammed Adamus onto the ground with bone-crushing force. "You took everything from me," he snarled, his eyes burning with hatred. "I conquered galaxies, universes, timelines, Multiverses, hyperverses, Omniverse. I destroyed gods. Everywhere I went, I was worshipped. Forced worship, but still worshipped. And you took it all from me."

Adamus felt the ground beneath him crack and splinter, the void of darkness swallowing him whole. With a cruel smile, Ravana released one hand, and a knife materialized in it. Without hesitation, he plunged the blade into Adamus's heart, sending shockwaves of agony through his body.

Adamus felt the cold blade pierce his chest, sinking into his heart like a dagger of ice. With a gasp of agony, he instinctively grabbed the hilt, trying to push the blade out as blood gushed from the wound. "Stop it!" he screamed, his voice echoing through the darkness. "Why are you doing this? I don't know you! You've got me mistaken!"

Ravana's eyes gleamed with malice as he drove the blade deeper, ignoring Adamus's pleas. "Those green eyes," his voice dripping with venom. "The energy around your body... and in your heart"I can see it," Ravana his voice dripping with malice. "The om mani padme hum Crystal. You have it, it's in your heart, I can see it. It's mine." Adamus's muscles strained as he fought to push Ravana off, his screams echoing in the void. "Just stop it, please!" he begged, tears mingling with the blood on his face.

Ravana leaned in closer, his breath hot against Adamus's skin, the knife still buried in his chest. "I will find you," he whispered, his voice chilling Adamus to the bone. "And I will take everything away from you, like how you took everything away from me."

Suddenly, Adamus jolted awake, his heart pounding in his chest, sweat drenching his body. He touched his chest, feeling for any wounds. "Okay, I'm not bleeding," he muttered to himself, relief washing over him. "That dream felt a little too real for comfort. Wait, Mom."

Without hesitation, he leaped out of bed, his super speed carrying him downstairs in an instant. "Good," he said aloud as he spotted his mother in the living room. "She's still down here. Nothing happened to her."

Adamus quickly grabbed his mom and whisked her upstairs, tucking her into bed with a gentle kiss on the forehead. With a burst of speed, he zoomed through the house, cleaning up every corner until it sparkled.

After making sure everything was in order, he shot up to the roof, where he stared up at the twinkling stars. "Only two in the morning," he muttered, checking the time. "I've got four more hours until school."

Pulling out his phone, Adamus dialed Dylan's number. When Dylan answered, he grumbled, "Why are you calling me so early? I'm trying to sleep."

Adamus sighed, the weight of his nightmare heavy on his shoulders. "I can't sleep, man," he confessed

"I had a horrible nightmare," Adamus began, his voice heavy with emotion. "And plus, the crazy fight that happened yesterday... I saw all those people from yesterday getting hurt, and some of them died. I feel so guilty. I should have been stronger, faster."

Dylan responded, his voice laced with concern, "What was your nightmare about? And plus, bro, it was your first day as a superhero. You can't save everyone."

Adamus sighed, feeling the weight of his own expectations. "I'll just tell you about the nightmare in person," he replied. "But that's not true. I can save everyone. I just need to be faster and stronger."

"Can I please borrow your citizen pass to go to the superhero park to work out?" Adamus asked.

Dylan's response was immediate. "Sure, just run to my house. I'll give it to you."

"Alright, I'm on my way," Adamus replied eagerly. "I should probably check in with Deputy Stone. He might need some help later on today." Adamus dialed Stone's number, but there was no answer, so he left a voicemail. "Hey, Deputy Stone, it's Vajra. Give me a call back when you get this. I'm ready whenever you need me."

Adamus quickly put on his beat-up superhero costume, the same one he wore yesterday. With a burst of speed, he dashed out of his house and sped through the neighborhood at lightspeed, his keen eyes scanning the streets as he ran. As he zoomed from one dome city to another, he couldn't help but notice the litter strewn about.

With a sense of duty, he began to pick up trash along the way, his hands a blur as he snatched up discarded items and tossed them into nearby bins. Despite his speed, he made sure to be thorough, leaving the streets cleaner than he found them.

But Adamus wasn't only chasing garbage.

Along his route, he spotted a man about to leap from a bridge. In a blink, Adamus appeared beside him, gently pulling him back to safety before the man even realized what had happened. A moment later, the hero was off again.

In another district, the crack of gunfire echoed an armed robbery in progress. Adamus dashed in, disarmed the criminals, and tied them neatly with metal pipes bent like ribbons before the police even arrived.

Farther along, he saw a mother screaming at the edge of the street. A little girl sobbed beside her, crying out for her lost dog. Adamus didn't hesitate. In an instant, he broke into FTL-plus speed, vanishing in streaks of light as he searched every street, yard, and alley in the span of heartbeats. Dust swirled in his wake as he cut across entire blocks faster than the eye could follow.

Moments later, he skidded to a stop in front of the girl, kneeling as he gently set the trembling puppy into her arms. Her tears vanished, replaced by pure laughter and relief, while Adamus gave a reassuring smile before taking off again.

By the time he finally slowed down near Dylan's house, Adamus had already saved hundreds of dozen lives, stopped crimes in progress, and reminded citizens that hope still existed.

Dylan opened his window and leaned out, holding out the pass. "Here's my pass!" he called to Adamus, tossing it down to him with precision. Adamus caught it effortlessly, nodding in gratitude. "Thanks, man," he replied, his voice firm with determination. "I'll tell you about my dream later at school. I don't really feel like talking about it right now."

Dylan nodded understandingly. "I understand," he said, his voice filled with empathy.

With a sense of urgency, Adamus got into a running stance, his muscles coiled like springs.

However, before Adamus could run off, Dylan stopped him with a shout. "Hey, be careful!" Dylan warned, his voice tinged with concern. "This might be district C, but remember, the area I live in is designated only for A-rank citizens. If someone sees you and notices your wrist doesn't say A-rank citizen, there could be trouble."

However, before Adamus could run off, Dylan stopped him with a shout.

"Hey, be careful!" Dylan warned, his voice tinged with concern. "This might be District C, but remember, the area I live in is designated only for A-rank citizens. If someone sees you and notices your wrist doesn't say A-rank citizen, there could be trouble."

Can be skipped

Narrator:

In the massive country of the Grid a superpower without equal strength is not just a measure of armies or technology, but of dominance across existence itself. The Grid is recognized as the strongest nation on the planet Omniterra, a world divided into seven great realms of elemental might: Fire, Earth, Water, Air, Lightning, Mutation, and the mightiest of them all… Sun.

But Omniterra is no ordinary planet. Its expanse bleeds into higher layers of reality, spilling into other realms, universes, and even hyperverses. The Grid extends its reach into all of them. Wherever there is a realm, a universe, or a hyperverse tied to Omniterra, the Grid has already planted its banner, establishing dominion.

Within its borders, life is controlled by a merciless system. Every citizen of the Grid is born into rank and judgment. Their fate is decided by the powers they inherit, the families they descend from, and the choices they make. From birth, one is measured, weighed, and placed within the hierarchy: F, D, C, B, A, or S.

The higher your rank, the better your life. Advancement depends on obedience follow the laws, serve the government, and accumulate points toward your Citizen Credit Score, the secret framework that decides who rises and who remains shackled.

Above all others sit the Galaktikós, rulers of the Grid. Unlike ordinary citizens, their rank is never questioned. From the moment of their birth, each one is marked as an S-rank citizen, destined to rule. And as the years pass, every citizen receives markings on their wrist, symbols of their level. For some, those marks are chains. For others… crowns.

Adamus shrugged confidently. "I'll be fine," he replied, his voice full of bravado. "Who's gonna catch me?" With that, he flashed Dylan a grin and took off at FTL Plus speed, disappearing into the distance.

Adamus entered the track using Dylan's key card, his determination burning bright. "First things first, let me work on my speed," he said aloud as he approached the familiar track. "This is the same

Adamus stretched his legs at the starting line, his breath steady and focused. "Yesterday, 454 laps in a minute," he muttered. "Not good enough. Today, I'm going faster."

With a sharp inhale, he bolted forward. His very first lap crackled with energy his body surging to four times the speed of light. The world around him warped into streaks of color as he tore across the track.

But when he slowed just enough to glance at his timing, a frown crossed his face. "No. That's still not enough. I need to be faster."

He reset at the line, fists clenched, determination burning in his eyes. Again and again he launched forward, pushing himself harder each time. The track thundered beneath his feet, the air splitting in shockwaves as he looped around endlessly. After each run he staggered, caught his breath, then forced himself back into his stance. His legs screamed, his lungs burned, but his willpower roared louder.

"Faster! Faster!" he shouted with every burst of acceleration.

The laps blurred together, seconds dissolving into streaks of motion until his body moved like pure lightning. Time itself seemed to stretch and collapse around him.

Finally, with one last explosive sprint, Adamus pushed past his limit. He crossed the finish line and dropped to his knees, chest heaving, sweat and fire mingling across his skin.

A triumphant scream tore from his throat. "Yes!" he roared. "6,732 laps in a single minute!"

He collapsed onto the track, smiling through exhaustion. "That's more like it… Now it's time to work on strength."

Adamus stood before the colossal block, its weight an unfathomable 3.3 sextillion tons, his emerald aura flaring like wildfire around him. The green energy crackled and pulsed, wrapping his body in a glowing tempest that seemed to defy the impossible.

"I couldn't lift you yesterday," Adamus growled, his voice a low rumble of determination. "But today… today is different."

Adamus stood before the colossal block, its weight an unfathomable 3.3 quintillion tons. His emerald aura flared like wildfire, green energy snapping and crackling around him in a storm of radiant fire.

"I couldn't lift you yesterday," Adamus growled, his voice low and edged with determination. "But today… today is different."

His green flames surged violently as he bent down, palms pressing against the surface of the massive structure. Muscles tensed, veins carved across his arms and shoulders, and in a single explosive motion he lifted.

The block rose effortlessly. Adamus blinked in shock, realizing his strength had grown beyond his own expectations. He set the massive weight back down, his eyes already narrowing on the other block the one Dylan had pointed out yesterday. The impossible one.

6.6 undecillion tons.

He repeated the number under his breath, feeling the magnitude of it. That was not just weight. It was the kind of mass that defied reason, rivaling stars themselves.

He planted his feet, grounding himself as his emerald aura roared to life. The ground split and quaked beneath him. His body trembled as veins bulged across his neck, arms, and temples, his face flushing red from the strain. Sweat rolled down his brow, glowing in the reflection of his energy.

With a guttural roar, Adamus heaved. At first, nothing. Then an earth-shattering tremor. The giant block quivered. Inch by inch, it began to rise, the crushing weight tearing at every fiber of his being. His body shook violently, his teeth grinding, but his will refused to break.

"RAAAHHH!"

With a final, monstrous roar, he lifted it completely, raising the block above his head as his emerald aura surged into a blinding storm, brighter than ever before.

Then, with a deafening crash, he let the block slam back down, the impact sending shockwaves rippling through the earth like an earthquake.

Adamus staggered back, gasping for air, his chest rising and falling with ragged breaths. His fists clenched tight, his eyes burning with fire.

"Let's go!" he roared to the heavens, emerald flames whipping around him like banners of victory. Adrenaline thundered through his veins, his heart ablaze with triumph.

Adamus's triumphant scream is cut short by the sound of clapping, his head turning quickly to locate the source. "What is that?" he mutters to himself, scanning the area. The clapping seems to have a voice, and Adamus listens intently.

"Hey, kid, I'm up here," a voice called out.

Adamus looked up, his eyes widening in astonishment. Hovering above him was a young man with massive dragon wings, their scales glinting like steel embers in the light. His eyes burned a fierce crimson, and his fiery red hair blazed wildly in the air.

But what struck Adamus most was his armor. The figure wore a sleek black-and-red suit, its surface flowing like liquid metal, alive with shifting ripples of light. Wicked spikes jutted from the shoulder pads, gleaming menacingly as the fabric flexed with every movement.

Across his forehead, a headband clasped tightly around his fiery mane, but it wasn't just decoration it gave shape to two sharp, curved horns that crowned his head, making him resemble a dragon in both form and spirit. His elf-like ears twitched as he studied Adamus, curiosity mixing with predatory focus.

The entire figure radiated both elegance and danger a warrior clad in living armor, half-dragon, half-man, suspended in the air as though the sky itself belonged to him.

As the winged figure descends toward Adamus, he continues to clap slowly, a smirk playing on his lips. "That was pretty impressive," he says, his voice smooth and confident. "What superhero team are you a part of?"

Adamus's brows furrow in confusion. "I'm not part of a superhero team. I'm sort of new to this," he replies, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

The stranger's smile widens as he extends his hands towards Adamus. "Well, welcome to the club, newbie," he says with a chuckle. "My name is RJ, but my superhero name is Draco."

Adamus's eyes widen in surprise. "Nice to meet you, Draco," he says, reaching out to shake the stranger's hand.

But before their hands could meet, Adamus caught sight of two other figures drifting in the night sky.

The first was an imposing white male who looked barely twenty years old yet towered above any ordinary man. His body stretched to an overwhelming twelve feet tall, a giant. His broad frame was wrapped in a regal red and blue superhero costume, but it wasn't the fabric alone that gave him his presence. At the ends of his massive sleeves, white bear fur curled and swayed in the wind, like a mantle of dominance carved from kings of the wild.

Across his chest gleamed a striking emblem: a red-and-black sun with a bright yellow core burning at its center, a symbol that seemed both divine and destructive. The logo radiated with a brilliance that made the night itself recoil, as if the sun had been challenged by a rival light.

The second figure flew beside the giant. She had white hair that shimmered under the sun, and her piercing blue eyes swept over the scene with calm precision. A white dress reinforced with armor hugged her frame, while a red cape trailed behind her like a banner.

At her hips rested twin holstered guns, gleaming in the light. On either side of her head, sleek high-tech ear pieces shaped like wings gave her a futuristic, angelic edge. She stood tall in white high heels, her hands poised with subtle menace, her blue nails glinting as she tightened her grip.

As she approached, the woman's voice carried a lilt an accent raw and unpolished, the kind that spoke of hard soil, dust, and survival. She called out with a teasing edge, "You're not gonna introduce us to your new friend, Draco?"

Draco chuckled, flashing a grin. "I actually don't know his name. I just met him." With a casual gesture, he pointed to his comrade. "This is Thunderstrike."

Adamus extended his hand politely. "My name is Vajra."

The woman's piercing blue eyes softened, and she gave a warm, almost mischievous smile. "In my realm, we don't give handshakes." Her tone carried both pride and memory, as though she spoke of a place etched in legend. "But I can give you a hug."

She stepped forward, arms outstretched.

Adamus leaned in, caught between caution and kindness but before their embrace could meet, a blur of motion tore across the sky.

Svyatogor surged forward, his massive frame cutting the air like a meteor. In an instant, he slammed into Adamus with unstoppable force.

The collision ripped the sky apart. A cataclysmic explosion, blinding as a sun tearing itself open, burst outward, shaking the very fabric of the morning. The shockwave annihilated everything nearby, hurling debris and fire in every direction. When the light finally dimmed, the land below bore the wound: a colossal crater, so vast it seemed as if the world itself had been punched hollow.

The ground still trembled as dust clouds rose, and Adamus's body lay buried in the heart of the devastation.

Emerging from the settling dust, the figure reveals a rugged face, etched with determination and framed by a Russian accent that rumbles like distant thunder. "This part of town is for A-rank citizens and upper. What are you doing here? I hate when people break the rules," the Russian growls, his grip tightening around Adamus' neck.

Gasping for breath, Adamus feels the crushing strength of his assailant. Thoughts race through his mind, his heart pounding with uncertainty. "How strong is this guy? I didn't even see him move. And now I'm in a giant crater that he made from slamming me," Adamus thinks, struggling to find a way out of the vice-like grip.

In a moment of desperation, Adamus felt a surge of energy coursing through him, "I think that hit got me a lot of energy," he realized, his voice tinged with a newfound strength. "I think... I can push him off."

Suddenly, Draco Hand appeared, his presence commanding as he seized Svyatogor's arm in a firm grip. "Svyatogor, why are you attacking our new friend?" Draco demanded, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade.

Svyatogor responded with authority, his gaze unwavering. "Boss, he's breaking the rules," he stated firmly.

"Svyatogor, look at his wrist," he says, pointing to Adamus's wrist. "He's a C-ranked citizen. He's not supposed to be here, and he's not even registered as a superhero. If he was, he would be an S-ranked citizen. And you know, you're not allowed to use your superpowers unless it's an emergency."

Draco responds with annoyance. "Look at him. He's young. He barely looks seventeen. You can't become a superhero until you're eighteen," he explains, shaking his head. "I didn't get my license until I was twenty."

But before Svyatogor could react further, the atmosphere shifted. All eyes turned to Adamus as his entire body began to glow with a radiant green light, energy swirling around him like a tempest. The air crackled with anticipation as Adamus prepared to unleash his power.

With a mighty roar, Adamus unleashed a full counter, a blast of energy erupting from his chest with incredible force. The energy surged forward like a tidal wave, striking Svyatogor and sending him hurtling through the air with a thunderous crash.

The impact was deafening, the ground shaking beneath their feet as Svyatogor crashed into a nearby building, his body leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Dust and debris filled the air, but through the haze, his massive figure rose again. His nose bled freely, crimson streaks across his face, and with the back of his hand he wiped it away. His eyes burned with rage and humiliation.

"Let's play then, kid!" he roared, his voice rattling windows as he launched himself forward again. His fury made the sky itself tremble.

Hovering in the air, Svyatogor sneered, his booming voice dripping with arrogance.

"You lowlife, low-level citizen… You're only a C-rank! And with powers just as pathetic—C-rank trash! Me? I'm an S-rank citizen with a B-rank superpower. I could destroy you with a single blow!"

He spread his colossal arms wide, and blazing energy began to gather between his palms. It swelled and roared, growing into a massive ball of light, fiery and blinding like a miniature sun. The heat distorted the air, warping the horizon as the orb reached the size of a building.

"You must not know who I am," Svyatogor thundered. "I am from the Sun Realm itself. I will show you the true power of my heritage!"

But before the blazing sphere could descend, another figure suddenly flashed into the fray. Draco's presence was commanding, his aura splitting the storm of energy with ease. With a single motion, he flew in front of Svyatogor, blocking his path with a wall of sheer authority.

"STOP!" Draco's voice boomed like divine thunder, its force shaking both combatants into stillness. His gaze was sharp, filled with an authority neither could defy. He extended his hand outward, cutting through the tension like a blade.

"You two… enough! Go back. Back to training," Draco commanded. His voice left no room for argument.

The searing orb in Svyatogor's hand sputtered, flickering against Draco's will. For a moment, even the Sun Realm giant hesitated.

The words hung in the air like a decree, the weight of Draco's command forcing Svyatogor to pause in his tracks. Reluctantly, he backed down, his gaze locked with Adamus's before turning away. With a sense of resignation, he retreated, disappearing into the distance.

Adamus stood there, his body still glowing with energy, his chest rising and falling with exertion. The moment passed, and the tension in the air dissipated, leaving only the echo of their clash lingering in the air. With a sigh, Adamus let the energy fade, the glow around him dimming until he stood once again as he was before.

Draco flew down to Adamus, his presence commanding yet somehow reassuring. "How old are you?" he asked, his voice steady.

Adamus took a moment to catch his breath before replying, "Seventeen, about to turn eighteen."

Draco grinned, his expression a mixture of amusement and approval. "Ah, a young one," he remarked, his eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. He glanced over at Thunderstrike and chuckled. "Svyatogor, always a hothead. Throws punches first, asks questions last."

Thunderstrike, her expression a mix of frustration and resignation, brushed herself off. "I'm about to go back to training. You coming, Draco?" she asked, her tone tinged with a touch of exasperation.

Draco nodded, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Of course," he replied, his voice laced with camaraderie. "Can't let you have all the fun without me, now can I?" Thunderstrike nodded to Adamus. "It was nice to meet you," she said with a genuine smile, her eyes reflecting a sense of respect.

Adamus returned the smile, feeling a sense of camaraderie with Thunderstrike despite the brief encounter. "Likewise," he replied, his voice filled with gratitude.

With a powerful surge of lighting energy, Thunderstrike took to the sky, her figure disappearing into the distance.

Draco's gaze locked onto Adamus, his eyes sharp with conviction. His voice softened, but it carried the weight of authority.

"You should do it, kid. It was the best decision I ever made. I used to be an F-rank citizen, nothing but the lowest of the low. Now? I live in luxury and so does my family. We have everything we ever dreamed of, because I chose the organization."

He glanced at Adamus's wrist, noting the rank marker with a smirk.

"I see it. You're a C-rank. Not bad not bad at all. But if you stay here, that's all you'll ever be. Just another face in the crowd, scraping by with the peasants."

He leaned in slightly, his tone dripping with temptation.

"But if you join the Hero Organization… you'll rise higher than you ever imagined. You can live like a king. You'll have respect, power, and the kind of life others can only beg for. Don't waste your potential being stuck down here. You deserve more and we can give it to you."

Adamus listened, his thoughts racing as he weighed Draco's words. "I could get registered as a hero and give my mom a better life," he mused silently, feeling a flicker of hope stir within him. "Maybe Dylan was right."

But as Draco's words sank in, Adamus's resolve hardened. "No," he thought fiercely, his mind racing with a newfound clarity. "Dylan's wrong. This system's messed up, and I won't play their games. He's talking about my district and my people like we're animals ready to be enslaved."

With a determined glint in his eyes, Adamus met Draco's gaze once more. "I appreciate the advice, Draco," he said firmly, his voice resonating with strength and intelligence. "But I won't sacrifice my principles for a higher rank. I'll find another way to make a difference, one that doesn't involve becoming part of a flawed system."

Draco's nodded in agreement, his expression hardening with determination. "I don't like these blue-blooded bureaucrats who tell us what to do," he declared, his voice ringing with frustration. "They don't even have superpowers. We're so much better than them. But we're forced to obey them. If I could have it my way, we superheroes would be in charge."

He continued, his tone growing ominous. "Kid, don't go against Hero Society," he warned, his voice carrying a weight of authority. "Hero Society is controlled completely by the king of the Galaktikós."

"The Galaktikós," Draco spat the name with disdain, his eyes ablaze with defiance. "Our great leaders, who believe their system is perfect. They are the brains of the operation, orchestrating the control. And we, the heroes, are mere enforcers of their blue-blooded commands."

Draco chuckled darkly, his laughter resonating with malice. "Our job? To put the humans in their place," he declared, his words sharp as a blade. "This world has a pecking order, and humans without powers are at the bottom. And people with useless powers too."

"That's why right now we're headed to District F," Draco announced, his voice rising with anticipation. "Apparently, there's a revolution brewing. A man named Jason, or was it Ravana, is stirring up war." He paused, his eyes glinting with determination. "We stopped in this district to train for a little bit before we go there. It's a long trip, about 15.5 billion light-years from District C to District F."

Adamus nodded to himself, a sense of urgency driving him forward. "That couldn't be the same guy from my dream," he thought, his mind racing. "But it doesn't matter. I've got to leave. It's almost time for school."

"I gotta go, Draco," Adamus said aloud, his voice resolute. Draco nodded "Think about what I said."

Draco, his expression serious. "Take care, man," he replied, his tone filled with genuine concern. "And be careful out there."

With a final nod of acknowledgment, Adamus bolted into action, his body enveloped in a shimmering aura as he accelerated to lightspeed. The world around him blurred into streaks of color as he raced through the citys, the wind whipping past his ears.

He streaked to Dome City to dome city, his movements precise and controlled as he weaved through the bustling streets. The hum of energy surged through him, fueling his determination as he raced towards his destination.

Finally, he arrived at the hospital, his arrival marked by a burst of energy that sent shockwaves rippling through the air.

Before Adamus walked into the hospital, he changed into regular clothes. Striding purposefully to the front counter, he approached the receptionist with a polite smile. "Hi, ma'am," he greeted her. "Is there a George Rodriguez here?"

Before the lady at the counter could respond, Sophia suddenly appeared, running towards Adamus and enveloping him in a tight hug. Adamus returned the embrace warmly, his heart swelling with gratitude.

"Thanks for helping me out yesterday," Sophia said, her voice filled with genuine appreciation.

Adamus smiled, his expression warm. "No problem," he replied. "And if you need help rebuilding your Arcade Store..."

But before he could finish, Sophia shook her head. "It's fine, Adamus," she interrupted. "Dylan, Dad heard about it and he said he's going to pay for everything."

Adamus's eyes widened in surprise and relief. "That's great news," he exclaimed, genuinely happy for Sophia and her family.

Sophia nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Yeah, it is," she agreed. "Thanks again, Adamus."

Sophia screamed loudly, breaking the peaceful atmosphere of the hospital. "I almost forgot! I made you something," she exclaimed excitedly.

Adamus smiled, touched by her thoughtfulness. They both walked out of the hospital where Sophia pulled out a gift. "I made ..." Sophia started to say, but Adamus interrupted.

"You don't have to do that. Your smile and knowing you'll be safe is enough of a gift," Adamus said, trying to deflect.

But Sophia shook her head with a playful smirk. "Stop being so noble and just open it," she insisted.

With a curious grin, Adamus unwrapped the gift. Inside was a brand new superhero costume. His face lit up with joy as he looked at it.

"You made this?" Adamus asked, his voice filled with amazement.

Sophia nodded with a proud smile. "Yes, it took me all night," she admitted.

As they held each other, Adamus leaned in and gently brushed his lips against hers. Sophia responded immediately, meeting his kiss with equal fervor. The sensation was electric, sending shivers down Adamus's spine as he felt the warmth of her lips against his own.

Their embrace deepened, the world around them fading away as they lost themselves in each other. In that moment, nothing else mattered except the love they shared.

Just as they reluctantly parted, their breaths mingling, Adamus's phone rang, He answered, his voice slightly breathless, as Dylan's urgent voice came through the line.

"Hurry up, you're about to be late! We have to go to class today. We need to ask Professor Reeves some questions about that crystal. You have to hear this," Dylan exclaimed.

Adamus chuckled softly, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I'll be there soon, Dylan," he replied, his gaze lingering on Sophia. "Sorry, duty calls."

Sophia smiled back, her eyes sparkling with affection. "Go on, we'll catch up later," she said softly, her voice filled with understanding.

With a final, lingering glance, Adamus carefully stowed his new costume in his bookbag and rushed off to school, utilizing his light speed to traverse the distance in the blink of an eye.

As Adamus stepped into the crowded school hallways, the air buzzed with chatter and laughter. He moved quietly through the swarm of students, catching pieces of conversation that floated around him.

"You saw that hero yesterday? He was actually saving people… for free."

"Yeah, I heard he's not even part of the Superhero Organization."

"No way me too. People are calling him Vajra."

"Vajra? That's a stupid name."

"You're crazy. Did you hear his speech? It was incredible."

"Doesn't matter," another voice chimed in dismissively. "He wouldn't stand a chance against Superior Man."

Despite the mixed opinions, Adamus remained focused as he made his way to Professor Reed's classroom. There, Dylan was waiting for him, a hint of amusement on his face. "You're pretty late for someone who can move at FTL Plus. Class is already over," Dylan teased. "But still, follow me. We've discovered something about your powers. You've been using them the wrong way."

Adamus's curiosity piqued, he followed Dylan into the classroom, eager to learn more about his abilities.

They both walked up to Professor Reed's desk, Dylan taking the lead. "Professor, could you explain to Adamus what you explained to me?" Dylan asked, a hint of urgency in his voice.

The professor peered over his glasses, his keen eyes focusing intently on Dylan and Adamus. "Why do you two hold such a vested interest in this Crystal? Are you implying that you're the ones who absconded with it?" His voice, though measured, held a note of skepticism, tinged with a scholarly curiosity.

"As you may know, the museum is currently in an uproar over the disappearance of the Crystal," he continued, his tone revealing a hint of frustration. "I was implicated in that mess, and it cost me my position. They claimed the Crystal they They put in the museum was fake, which only added to the confusion."

He leaned back in his chair, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "But even if it were genuine, the story surrounding it is steeped in myth. It's a conundrum, to say the least." He sighed, his expression one of genuine puzzlement. "I fail to understand why they chose to fire me if it was a fake.

Both Dylan and Adamus quickly raised their hands, shaking their heads vigorously. "Of course, we didn't steal it," Dylan assured, his voice earnest. Adamus echoed the sentiment, adding, "We just want to understand more about it."

The professor nodded in acknowledgment, pleased with their response. "Good. Okay, let me explain," he began, his voice carrying the weight of authority as he delved into the subject. "The 'Om Mani Padme Hum Crystal' is indeed an ancient artifact, believed to possess immense power."

He paused, adjusting his glasses before continuing. "It was recently discovered that the tribe which once possessed this crystal is known as the Bodhi Zen Tribe."

"When the crystal activates," he added, "it emits a sound an audible hum like a tuning fork aligning with the omniverse. You can hear it and feel it, as if the vibration itself is the manifestation of its power." "The Bodhi Zen Tribe would recite this mantra for hours every day," he added, his tone filled with reverence. "Legend has it that the mantra bestowed upon them infinite power, a testament to the spiritual and mystical properties of the crystal." Especially the person who has the power of the crystal. He continued, "The 'Om Mani Padme Hum' mantra is a sacred chant that carries profound spiritual significance. Each syllable of the mantra represents various aspects of enlightenment and transformation. However, it is the final syllable, 'hum,' that holds particular importance in the context of Hopf fibration."

The professor gestured to a diagram behind him. "The 'Om Mani Padme Hum crystal' is a construct of unfathomable complexity. It seems similar to quasicrystals structures that defy traditional crystallography with their ordered yet non-periodic atomic arrangements. Quasicrystals, first discovered by Dan Shechtman in 1982, exhibit symmetries impossible in conventional matter, such as five-fold rotational symmetry. Their unique properties revolutionized materials science, yet they are mere imitations of the cosmic perfection embedded within this crystal."

He continued, "When activated, the crystal emits a resonance a frequency so precise that it aligns with the fundamental structure of the hyperverses, omniverse. Most beings cannot hear it, as it exists beyond the perceptual limits of ordinary consciousness, higher dimensional sound, much like infrasound or ultrasonic waves. This frequency is not merely a sound but a harmonic key that resonates with the fabric of existence itself. It interacts with 'life strings' the underlying threads that weave together the multiverse, hyperverses, and infinite realities, omniverse. These strings, much like the filaments proposed in advanced string theory, serve as the fundamental scaffolding of all space, time, and dimensionality, even transcending dimensionality."

His voice took on a measured intensity. "Hopf fibration is the mechanism that bridges these realms. While mathematicians describe it as an elegant framework for mapping higher-dimensional spaces, in this context, it is an active force a guiding principle that allows access to the infinite structures of existence. The resonance of the crystal does not simply reveal hidden dimensions; it grants the wielder dominion over them. By manipulating these spatial layers, they gain access to an infinite energy source spanning universes, multiverses, and hyperverses, Omniverse."

The Hopf fibration is a profound mathematical concept that provides a framework for understanding higher-dimensional spaces by mapping complex structures in an accessible way. Imagine describing a two-dimensional surface a sphere but recognizing that this surface exists in three-dimensional space. The Hopf fibration extends this idea into higher dimensions, revealing hidden layers of reality through elegant geometry.

At its core, the Hopf fibration takes a circle (S¹) and continuously traces it along every point of another circle, forming a linked structure of intertwined loops in three-dimensional space. This structure elegantly represents a connection between different dimensions, creating a higher-order framework for mapping spatial relationships.

"This power is not limited to mere travel between dimensions. It fundamentally alters the nature of strength, speed, and force. The wielder does not rely on conventional physics they redefine it. By bending the dimensions around an object, they can nullify its weight, making even celestial bodies seem weightless. By warping spatial coordinates, they can compress or expand movement itself, allowing for acceleration beyond any physical constraint. What appears to be raw power is, in truth, mastery over the fabric of existence."

He paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle. "Imagine lifting a planet not through brute strength, but by shifting it into a dimensional state where its mass becomes irrelevant. Imagine moving faster than light not by increasing velocity, but by altering space itself to eliminate distance. The wielder of the Om Mani Padme Hum crystal does not simply grow stronger they transcend the very concept of limitation. With infinite dimensions at their disposal, they can tap into limitless versions of themselves, drawing upon an unfathomable well of potential. Every universe, every multiverse, every hyperverse, Omniverse is but a pathway they can traverse, an energy source they can wield."

His voice dropped to a solemn whisper. "To put it simply, the wielder is no longer bound by the constraints of reality. Their strength is irrelevant, their speed irrelevant, their power beyond comprehension. They are not just masters of dimensions they are the architects of possibility itself."

He let the silence linger for a moment before adding, "And there is more. The crystal does not simply manipulate space it absorbs it. The wielder can draw energy from people, dimensions, and even the entire Omniverse, siphoning raw power from the very essence of existence. They can deconstruct energy at its source, repurpose it, and wield it in any form they desire. Every strike they unleash, every movement they make, is fueled by an endless wellspring of cosmic force. Their potential is infinite, for they are sustained by the limitless energy of the omniverse itself."

Dylan and Adamus listened intently, absorbing every detail of the professor's explanation.

Dylan expressed his gratitude to the professor, saying, "Thank you for the explanation. We've got to go." As they walked to their next classroom, a discussion unfolded between them.

"Do you comprehend the implications of this, my friend?" Dylan queried.

Adamus pondered for a moment before replying, "Yes, it seems I possess considerable strength, but I suspect there is a misconception. I cannot genuinely teleport or manipulate time; my apparent teleportation is merely the perception of my rapid movement."

Dylan countered with a gleam of excitement in his eyes. "Ah, but you're missing the intricacy of it all," he exclaimed. "You are not simply running; you are, in fact, manipulating the space-time continuum. By distorting space in front of you, you are literally folding reality into itself, collapsing it upon each other, which propels you forward at incredible speeds."

He continued, his enthusiasm growing, "Imagine space-time as a sheet of paper. When you run, you're not just moving across the paper's surface. Instead, you're bending and warping the paper itself, creating shortcuts through the folds. These shortcuts allow you to cover vast distances in the blink of an eye."

"It's like folding a piece of paper and bringing two distant points closer together," Dylan elaborated. "Except, instead of paper, you're manipulating the very fabric of the Omniverse.

He continued with fervor, "Furthermore, your feats of strength are not merely a result of muscle power. When you lifted those weights at the park, you weren't lifting in the conventional sense. Instead, you were altering the density of the space around the weights, effectively reducing their mass."

Adamus scratched his head, feeling a bit overwhelmed. "That sounds really complicated," he admitted.

Suddenly, his phone rang, and Adamus answered. "Who is this?" he inquired.

"It's me, Deputy Stone. Where are you?" came the urgent voice from the other end.

"I'm at school right now," Adamus replied.

"I need you to meet me in Echo City. I've got a big job for you," Deputy Stone instructed urgently.

Adamus nodded, his determination clear even though Deputy Stone couldn't see him. "I'm on my way," he said resolutely. Then he asked, "How far away is that? Send me the location."

Deputy Stone quickly sent the location, and Adamus checked his phone. The distance read 5.36 × 10^9 miles over five billion miles away.

"Okay, I'll be there in an hour," Adamus replied confidently, his tone calm, almost casual.

Can be skipped.

Narrator

The Grid. A single country, yet within it stretched hundreds of trillions of cities. Even its smallest cities were the size of regular planets around 40,075 km in circumference, vast enough to swallow Earth whole. But those were the small ones. The great cities were titans in comparison, some stretching up to 4,370,000 km across, spanning distances that dwarfed even the mightiest worlds in the cosmos.

The city Adamus now ran toward was one of those giants. Echo City a metropolis sprawling 4,370,000 km across, a superstructure so immense that even its horizon curved into the distance.

Before Adamus could take off, Dylan intervened. "You go deal with that. I'm gonna do more research," he said, determination in his voice. "I stole Professor Reed's book on the 'Om Mani Padme Hum.'"

Adamus chuckled, shaking his head. "We need to stop stealing, Dylan," he replied, though he couldn't help but smile at his friend's antics.

Just then, to Devon Myers approached them, his green skin standing out in the crowd. "Hey Adamus, can I talk to you real quick?" he asked.

Adamus hesitated, feeling the urgency of Deputy Stone's call. "Not really, I'm in a rush. I gotta go," he said, already starting to move.

to Devon persisted, "It'll be real quick. I just wanna thank you." He paused for a moment before continuing, "The giant alligator monster you fought was my brother. I visited him yesterday after he got arrested, he told me everything. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone your secret identity. But after the things you told him, he's actually thinking about leaving the gang."

Adamus stopped in his tracks, surprised by Devon words. He glanced at Dylan, who nodded encouragingly.

With tears welling up in his eyes, to Devon Myers approached Adamus. "For years, me and my mother and dad tried to convince him to follow the system, go to school, get better grades," he choked out, his voice trembling with emotion. "But the gang life took over him, mostly because people kept bullying him. He felt like he had no choice but to go towards that."

His voice cracked as he continued, "But you, your words changed him." Devon paused, his eyes filled with gratitude and hope. "Your words changed everything."

Adamus embraced to Devon, feeling the weight of his sorrow and the flicker of hope that Adamus had ignited within him. "It was no problem," Adamus reassured him, his own voice filled with empathy. "I'm always glad to help. I know how it feels to be pressured into joining a gang."

He held to Devon at arm's length, looking him in the eyes. "If you need any help, you can always contact me," Adamus offered sincerely. "But seriously, I gotta go."

With a final nod, Adamus left the school's doors,

As he left the school, Adamus stepped outside and reached into his book bag, pulling out his new superhero costume. With determination in his eyes, he slipped it on, feeling the familiar weight of responsibility settle across his shoulders. The black-and-white suit clung to him like a second skin, its design bold and sharp. At its center stretched a black thunderbolt, slashing diagonally across his chest like a declaration of power.

Around his eyes, a sleek black mask fit tightly, leaving his golden irises visible, glowing with resolve. His Afro stood proudly above the mask, unhidden, giving him a presence both striking and unshakably his own. Adamus lowered into his running stance, the air around him trembling in anticipation. He was ready.

"Okay, remember, you're not just running," he said aloud to himself, his voice carrying with conviction. "You're distorting and folding space in front of you. You've got this. 5.36 × 10^9 miles is nothing to me."

With a deep breath, Adamus broke into a run. His strides were not mere steps but ruptures in reality itself, each footfall bending the fabric of space as if the world struggled to keep up with him. Windows blurred past in streaks of light, buildings reflecting fragmented flashes of his form as he jetted forward.

Why are my eyes… glowing greener than usual? he thought, catching glimpses of his reflection in the glass. The glow was fierce, alive, burning brighter than ever. And why do I feel stronger? Faster?

The Dome Cities unfurled before him in a vast, sweeping panorama. Yet his pace devoured the distance, each movement a distortion that rewrote the streets beneath him. Space rippled where he passed, reality groaning under the pressure of his momentum.

Along the way, he didn't just run. He performed acts of heroism, small and large, as he sped through the city. He rescued a cat from a tree, helped an old lady with her groceries, stopped a robbery in progress, and even assisted people in moving furniture in their homes. Every action was a testament to his commitment to helping others, even in the midst of his own journey.

Eventually, after what felt like an a long time of running, Adamus arrived at the police station. He skidded to a halt in front of the building, his chest heaving with exertion but his spirit undeterred. As he stood there, catching his breath.

As Adamus walked into the police station, he was met with a sight straight out of a fantastical dream. The air crackled with energy, and the room buzzed with the presence of extraordinary beings.

A squad of police officers clad in sleek, futuristic exo-suits stood at rigid attention, their glowing visors humming with technological brilliance. Each suit pulsed faintly, alive with advanced weaponry and systems woven into the metal like veins of power.

In one corner, an officer held a delicate veil shimmering with otherworldly light. His grip faltered. The veil slipped.

The fabric struck the ground and shattered like glass.

Gasps filled the air as a storm of spirits burst free, flooding the station in a whirling dance of impossible forms.

They were not merely ghosts. They were non-physical beings shapes that bent and folded like mirages, higher-dimensional outlines glimpsed only in fragments. Some were thin, wispy, and translucent, drifting like smoke caught in a wind; others loomed solid and towering, their bodies pulsing with light as though stitched together from fragments of starlight. Many shifted endlessly, never holding one form, as if their very existence defied the laws of matter. Their voices rang out in desperate cries, echoes of pain and longing that reverberated through the walls. For a moment, the station itself seemed to tremble as the chorus of higher beings begged for release then vanished into thin air.

One officer lurched forward, his voice sharp with anger and urgency. "You idiot! We needed that. That was our proof!"

The officer who had dropped the veil bowed his head, shame flickering in his visor. "Sorry…"

The other snapped, already reaching for the controls on his helmet. "No time for sorry. Hurry up put on your goggles so you can see the spirits. We have to catch them now. They're our evidence!"

Scattered throughout the station were individuals clad in elaborate super-villain costumes, their sinister designs a stark contrast to the heroic figures around them. Some sat in handcuffs, their powers subdued but their eyes still gleaming with mischief and defiance. Among them stood giants towering against the ceiling, sharp-eyed elves with ancient pride, and horned demons exuding malice. And it was not only criminals from this country.beings from across distant worlds and even the hyperverses had been dragged here, their presence a reminder that this was no ordinary police station, but the crossroads of countless realms.

The atmosphere was charged with a sense of both wonder and danger, as if the very air itself hummed with the presence of magic and mystery. Adamus felt a surge of adrenaline as he realized the magnitude of the world he had just stepped into, a world where fantastical beings coexisted with the mundane.

As Adamus looked around, taking in the sights and sounds of the magical police station, one of the doors swung open, drawing his attention. Through the doorway stood Deputy Stone, his presence commanding and his expression serious. He waved at Adamus, beckoning him to come closer.

Adamus felt a mix of curiosity and anticipation as he approached Deputy Stone. "What's going on?" he asked, his voice filled with intrigue.

Deputy Stone motioned for Adamus to enter the room. "Come in here. We gotta talk," he said, his tone grave.

Adamus followed Deputy Stone into the room, the door closing behind him with a soft click. Inside, the room was dimly lit, casting shadows that danced on the walls.

Deputy Stone's voice broke the silence. "That lizard guy, Derek Myers, finally cracked. After hours of seizures from that power-enhancing drug, he spilled the beans about his boss, the leader of the snake mafia."

Adamus listened intently, his senses alert. "If it weren't for you being so empathetic to him, he wouldn't have told us anything," Deputy Stone continued. "But now we have the coordinates to their lair. Are you ready to go?"

Adamus nodded. "Yes, I'm ready. How far is it?" he asked.

Deputy Stone's response was immediate. "You ain't running there. We're taking the jet. This mission needs to be low-key. The jet can even go invisible."

With a determined expression, Adamus followed Deputy Stone up a flight of stairs, leading to the rooftop. Waiting for them was Sheriff Fox, a seasoned officer known for her no-nonsense attitude.

Sheriff Fox nodded at them as they approached. "Time to get moving," he said gruffly, leading the way to the waiting jet. The night air was crisp as they boarded the aircraft,

As they flew towards their destination, Adamus struck up a conversation with Deputy Stone and Sheriff Kat. "Why did you both decide to become officers instead of superheroes?" he asked, curiosity evident in his voice.

Deputy Stone lit a cigarette and took a long drag before responding. "Because I don't want to work for those blue-skinned alien bastards, overlords," he said gruffly. "The police station has its flaws, sure, but nothing compared to the superhero organization run by the king of the Galaktikós."

Sheriff Kat placed a comforting hand on Deputy Stone's shoulder. "Calm down, honey," she said soothingly, her voice gentle. "He always gets a little wound up when people talk about the superhero organization."

She glanced at Adamus and continued, her expression somber. "We chose this path because of them. We lost our daughter to the superheroes. But that's a long story," she added, her voice trailing off.

The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of their shared loss hanging in the air. Then Deputy Stone spoke up again, breaking the silence. "Anyway," he said, "to answer your question, Vajra. We're not strong enough to join the superhero organization."

He leaned back in his seat, explaining further. "To join the organization, you have to have at least a C-rank superpower. The ranking is only based on strength, speed, endurance, and ability," he continued. "It doesn't matter what kind of power you have. If you can't run at a certain speed, lift a certain weight, or withstand a certain level of explosions, you're considered F-rank or D."

Adamus nodded, intrigued. "So, what are your superpowers?" he asked.

Deputy Stone and Sheriff Fox shared a knowing glance before bursting into laughter. "I guess you'll just have to wait and find out," Sheriff Fox replied with a playful grin.

Deputy Stone leaned forward, pressing a button on his chair, and pointed to the TV screen in front of them. "Adamus, you have to watch this now. Listen very carefully," he said, his tone serious. "Where we're going and the things we're about to deal with are very spiritual."

As the screen flickered to life, Deputy Stone explained, "You see, there are two kinds of dangers we deal with: superpowers and the paranormal."

"We believe the snake mafia's leader is a female yokai. Her name is Nure-onna," he continued.

Adamus furrowed his brow in confusion. "What's a yokai?" he asked.

"It's a supernatural creature," Deputy Stone explained. "A spirit that can curse people and objects."

"Sounds creepy," Adamus remarked, his eyes widening with interest as he watched the footage unfold on the screen.

The images flickering on the screen portrayed a nightmarish tableau: lifeless bodies scattered across the city's dark alleyways, their forms contorted in gruesome poses. Some lay amidst the shadows, while others were ensnared within colossal, grotesque machines, tubes protruding from their motionless forms like tendrils draining their essence.

Among these haunting scenes were snapshots of Mathia members, their faces twisted, and a chilling image of a Galaktikós blue-skinned mayor. Sheriff Kat gestured to the screen, her voice heavy with dread.

"We believe one of the mayors in our district is colluding with the Mafia to drain the spirit energy from our citizens."

The next series of images was even more disturbing: grainy footage of people being snatched off the streets, dragged into the back of unmarked black cars. In some frames, masked figures bundled screaming civilians into vans, while others showed children clutching at their parents as both were forced away.

Sheriff Kat clicked again, revealing interviews with trembling survivors. Their voices cracked as they recounted being taken, held for weeks or months in forgotten warehouses, and returning home as shadows of themselves. "They weren't the same anymore," one woman whispered, eyes wide with terror. "It's like something inside them had been stolen."

Another man, his face pale and sunken, described entire neighborhoods whispering of vanishings. Families disappeared without warning, only to reappear later with hollow stares, speaking in flat, unrecognizable tones.

Kat's jaw tightened. "People have been missing for weeks sometimes months before reemerging. And when they do… they're not the same. They're acting completely different, like strangers wearing the faces of our neighbors."

The room fell into a chilling silence as the screen cycled through the damning evidence, each flicker a reminder of the monstrous conspiracy creeping through their city.

Deputy Stone's expression darkened, his voice dropping into a grave register. "That's what Lizard Mouth intended to do to that poor girl, Sofia," he said, his words sharp with disgust. "And to manipulate and brainwash them into voting for him again in the next election. We suspect that's how he's been winning every time."

He paused, eyes narrowing as he gestured toward the evidence on the screen. "And that's what we believe Mayor John John has been doing as well. From the information we've gathered, he's been working hand-in-hand with these Mafia members. Maybe they've struck some kind of deal, because the rituals and soul-stealing they've been carrying out all point to the same result control. Every single person we've interviewed, no matter how shaken, always mentions the same strange thing: they talk about how they're going to vote for him. As if the idea's been carved into their minds."

Stone leaned forward, his tone cutting like a blade. "We believe this is how he's been securing his victories. And not just him. We fear this is how all of the Galaktikós have been winning their elections."

Adamus watched in horror as the images unfolded before him, realizing the sinister depths of the forces they were up against.

Deputy Stone's voice echoed through the cabin of the jet, resonating with determination. "We've been working on this case for years now," he declared, his words laced with urgency. "We believe all the blue-skinned Galaktikós leaders are up to something similar to this, but we've never had proof until now. Are you ready to make some serious change?"

Adamus stood up from his chair, his expression determined. "Yes, let's do this."

Deputy Stone handed Adamus a wetsuit with an air container. As Adamus began to put it on, he glanced around in confusion. "Why are you handing me this? And why are you guys putting on swimsuits?"

Sheriff Fox chuckled as she adjusted her own wetsuit. "Look outside."

Adamus walked to the window and peered outside, his eyes widening in awe at what he saw.

As the submarine jet descended deeper into the ocean depths, the murky blue surroundings gradually gave way to a spectacular sight. Before them stood a colossal structure, a massive underground base shielded by a shimmering dome. The dome, like a colossal bubble, encased the entire complex, protecting it from the crushing pressure of the ocean depths.

The base itself was a sprawling structure, its metallic surfaces gleaming in the dim light filtering down from above. Towering spires and domes rose from its surface, giving it an fantastical appearance. Lights flickered along its length, illuminating the underwater landscape with an eerie glow.

Around the base, aquatic life swam lazily, seemingly undisturbed by the presence of this technological marvel. Shoals of fish darted between the towering pillars, while bioluminescent creatures danced in the water, casting strange patterns of light and shadow.

However, as they drew closer, Adamus noticed something unusual. Guard towers rose at strategic points along the perimeter of the dome, each one standing like a silent sentinel. Inside them, masked guards with sleek, high-tech rifles kept their eyes fixed on the waters, scanning with sharp precision for any sign of intruders.

Beside them patrolled machines basic robots, their design crude and functional, marked with a stamped D-rating on their plating. They lacked elegance, but their glowing sensors and mechanical discipline made them no less threatening. Together, the armed guards and their robotic counterparts formed a vigilant line of defense around the base, every movement suggesting ruthless efficiency and readiness.

Adamus nodded, his gaze focused on the colossal structure ahead. "Okay, I get it. So this is their lair?" he asked, his voice tinged with determination.

Deputy Stone turned to him, his expression serious. "Yes, we're a couple of miles away from the lair. They can't attack us right now."

"Alright, so what's the plan?" Adamus inquired, eager to know their next move.

Sheriff Fox stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with confidence. "The plan is for you to swim up undetected to one of the side areas of the giant dome, then cut through the whole entire base."

Adamus furrowed his brow in confusion. "So we're going to destroy the dome?"

"No," Sheriff Fox responded, shaking her head. She pointed at Deputy Stone. "He has the power to phase through things. So he's going to grab you, and you two are going to phase through the dome undetected. We also have suits ready for you to blend in with the guards, so you guys will look like part of the team."

Adamus's confusion deepened. "Why not just destroy the whole dome? We have to fight these people anyway."

Deputy Stone stepped in, his voice calm but firm. "Because we have to sneak in there and get proof first of what's happening before we can stop them. That's the whole point of this mission. We need evidence of their evil deeds, and then we can take them down."

Sheriff Fox extended her hands, a warm smile on her lips. "Okay, kid. I guess I'm going to show you my superpower now," she chuckled. "You two touch my hands."

Adamus and Deputy Stone exchanged a glance before placing their hands on hers.

"Here's to your success," Sheriff Fox said, her voice filled with encouragement. Suddenly, a surge of energy enveloped Adamus and Deputy Stone, filling them with newfound strength and determination. The energy dissipated, leaving them both feeling invigorated.

Adamus blinked in surprise. "What was that? I feel stronger."

Deputy Stone grinned. "That's her superpower. It's called 'Cheerleader.' When she makes contact with somebody and cheers for their victory, she gives them a boost of energy, increasing their strength, speed, and more."

Adamus nodded, impressed. "That's pretty neat."

Sheriff fox leaned in and kissed Deputy Stone on the lips, her eyes twinkling with affection. "Go kill it, honey."

With a nod and a shared smile, Adamus and Deputy Stone left the jet, brimming with confidence and resolve. They swam towards the dome layer, determined

As they approached the dome layer, Deputy Stone grabbed Adamus's hand, and together they phased through the barrier. The sensation was strange, like passing through a thick fog, and then they emerged on the other side.

Adamus looked around, his senses alert. "What now?" he asked Deputy Stone.

"We just have to find the yokai. Her name is Nure-onna, the leader of the Mafia," Deputy Stone replied, his voice low. "We know for a fact the mayor is also here. He's a politician named John John. We have to catch them in the act."

Deputy Stone changed his diving suit into one of the guards' outfits. Adamus removed his diving suit, revealing his superhero costume underneath. Deputy Stone stared at him in disbelief.

"What are you doing, kid? We're supposed to blend in," Deputy Stone hissed.

Adamus shrugged with a grin. "I couldn't help myself. I feel more ready to take on anything in this."

"How are we supposed to find them? Do you guys have a map? Because this place is massive," Adamus inquired.

Deputy Stone shook his head, his voice sharp with frustration.

"Damn it, Vajra. You ruined our disguises, walking around in that flashy superhero suit. You're not making this job any easier!"

Adamus furrowed his brows, guilt flashing in his eyes.

"…Sorry. I didn't think it through." He glanced around the empty hallways, his voice softening as he tried to ease the tension. "At least there aren't any guards around us right now. We still have a chance."

Stone exhaled through his nose, clearly still irritated, but forced himself to nod. The mission had to come first.

Adamus furrowed his brows, his mind racing with possibilities. The words of Professor Reed echoed in his thoughts, a glimmer of hope amidst the uncertainty. "So the Professor said if I say the mantra, 'om mani padme hum,' especially the last syllable 'hum,' the vibrations will make me stronger," he mused to himself.

With a determined expression, Adamus closed his eyes and brought one hand in front of his face, shaping it into the Gyan Mudra. His thumb and index finger pressed together gently, forming a perfect circle, while his remaining three fingers stood straight, yet relaxed. This sacred gesture, symbolizing the union of wisdom and knowledge, radiated an air of serene power.

He began to chant, the sound resonating through the air. "Hum," he intoned, the deep, melodic vibration pulsating through his body like waves crashing against the shore. Each hum reverberated with increasing intensity, the energy flowing through the Gyan Mudra amplifying his connection to the omniverse consciousness. As the rhythmic cadence of his chant filled the space, it seemed to draw in the ambient energy, harmonizing with the essence of his being and amplifying the spiritual power of the moment. With his eyes closed, Adamus was wholly absorbed in the profound tranquility and strength that the chant and mudra invoked.

Deputy Stone watched him with a mixture of confusion and curiosity. "What are you doing, Vajra?" he asked, his voice tinged with skepticism.

But Adamus remained focused, oblivious to the outside world. As he continued to chant, a strange transformation began to take place. When he opened his eyes again, they shimmered with an otherworldly light, their hue a mesmerizing blend of gold.

But that wasn't all. Within his irises, intricate patterns emerged, swirling with the intricate complexity of Hopf fibration. Threads of light intertwined, forming a mesmerizing dance of energy within his gaze.

And amidst the intricate patterns, a faint hint of lotus petals bloomed, their delicate beauty juxtaposed against the cosmic tapestry within his eyes.

Adamus's newfound power radiated from within him, a palpable energy that seemed to hum with life. With his eyes ablaze with determination,

Adamus's newfound power radiated from within him, a palpable energy that seemed to hum with life. With his eyes ablaze with determination, Deputy Stone couldn't help but notice the change. "What's up with your eyes, Vajra? They look different," he remarked, a hint of concern in his voice. But Adamus was too busy taking in his surroundings to pay attention to him.

Adamus glanced around, his eyes darting from one corner of the room to another. As he observed, he noticed something extraordinary. String of light, glowing with ethereal energy, connected every living being and object in the room. These string pulsed with a mesmerizing rhythm, weaving intricate patterns across the landscape. The lines seemed to extend beyond the room, connecting to everything in the vicinity.

From the fishes outside the Dome to the guards walking around, every living being and object was part of this intricate web of light. Adamus reached out, his hand trembling as he touched one of the streams of light. Instantly, he felt a surge of energy coursing through him, and his mind was flooded with sensations.

Can be skipped

 Narrator:

Tenshi no Me Angel Eyes is a divine ocular power that grants its wielder dominion over the life strings radiant threads that bind together existence, nonexistence, and all infinite variations in between, stretching across the universes, multiverses, omniverses, and leaking into dimensions beyond comprehension.

Each life string is bound to a single person. But within every life string are infinite threads, and each individual thread represents a parallel timeline a full verse unto itself. When woven together, these threads form a singular, complex construct: the life string, a hyperversal strand of one's total existence. It carries not only the essence of who someone is, but who they were, and who they could ever become, across the entire omniverse and beyond.

With Tenshi no Me, the user can see, touch, and manipulate these life strings, unraveling the secrets of any being's past, present, and infinite potential futures. They become more than a passive observer they become a sovereign of causality itself. A single touch or even a glance is enough to forge an unbreakable bond that transcends space, time, reality, and identity. As long as the wielder can see their opponent, their souls remain connected, allowing the user to anticipate every move with supernatural precision.

But this power does not end at perception. The user can extend their own life strings outward, weaving them into ethereal filaments that enhance their speed, reflexes, and control over the space around them bending the battlefield to their will.

At the heart of Tenshi no Me lies a higher function:

Parallel Existential Simulation.

By interacting with another's life string whether through contact or sheer sight the user is cast into an infinite network of parallel worlds. Each thread within a person's life string becomes a window into a different path they could have walked, have walked, or might still walk in other realities. These are not illusions. These are not hallucinations. These worlds truly exist but only the user may walk them. No one else knows they're even real.

In the span of approximately two minutes, the wielder experiences countless lifetimes of another soul: every decision, every consequence, every triumph and trauma layered atop one another like endless waves in a cosmic ocean. The same occurs with the user's own life across the omniverse, they walk through all their alternate selves and histories, unbound by time, unchained by space. Within this moment, they become all versions of themselves at once.

Each simulation is fully immersive. The user does not drift through these realities they live them. They fight, learn, and feel within these realms. Every ability mastered, every technique experienced, every lesson learned is retained, carved permanently into the user's soul. Though the worlds vanish upon exit, the knowledge remains, engraved in perfect memory.

To the wielder of Tenshi no Me, no one is a mystery. Every life string reveals not only what someone is but what they could become. This grants an advantage in battle unlike any other: the ability to understand and counter an opponent before they even move, and to mirror any technique as though they'd trained in it for eons.

Additionally, Tenshi no Me allows for dimensional transposition: the power to switch places with any being connected to them through a golden life string. Distance, dimension, or metaphysical boundaries are meaningless. Whether across universes, multiverses, omniverses, or even within realms of pure thought and void if the user can see you, they can reach you. No force, no power, no law of existence can sever this thread once it is formed.

But the power does not end there. The life strings themselves are not passive; they can be weaponized. The user can shape them into luminous constructs blades of radiant energy, shields of woven light, or entire lattices of golden chains to bind and crush enemies. Each construct amplifies the user's physicality, making them faster, stronger, and sharper than before. The strings strike with precision and fury, turning every motion into a weaponized extension of the soul.

But such power carries a price.

To process the weight of infinite realities is to invite spiritual collapse. Prolonged or reckless use taxes both body and soul, potentially leaving the wielder vulnerable, broken, or even unconscious. Mastery of Tenshi no Me requires not just power, but precision, discipline, and an unshakable mind.

To wield Tenshi no Me is to become a god not of one path but all paths, to exist in every story at once, and to see the full weave of fate from the loom of the omniverse.

Adamus reached out, his fingertips brushing one of the golden life strings. The energy surged through him like lightning, flooding his senses. In that instant, he heard voices echoes of lives not his own. His vision blurred, collapsing into another's reality. He felt their heartbeat, their memories, their pain.

"What… is happening?" he thought, his breath catching as entire lifetimes unraveled before his eyes.

"I can hear them," Adamus whispered aloud, awe shimmering in his voice. "Voices… people talking, all connected through this light. I can feel where they are… who they are."

Deputy Stone's brow furrowed, following Adamus's unfocused gaze. "Kid, what are you staring at?"

Adamus's hand trembled as it hovered over the luminous web only he could perceive. "Every time I touch one of these strings… I see someone. I live them. Their essence runs through me." His tone hardened with conviction. "If I keep reaching… if I keep pulling at them… I can find the one we're looking for. I can find the leader of the Mafia."

With determined steps, Adamus began to circle, his hand shooting out to snatch at the shimmering strands. Each touch filled him with fragments of stolen lives memories of fear, laughter, sorrow. He pushed through it all, searching for a single face.

Stone shifted uneasily, his arms crossing. "Kid… are you on drugs? What in God's name are you doing?"

But Adamus ignored him. His eyes burned golden as another surge rattled through his body. Suddenly, he froze, his grip tightening on a string that pulsed with sinister energy. His breath quickened.

"I found her," Adamus said, voice breaking with a mix of wonder and dread. His eyes widened, unblinking. "I know where she is."

His lips curved into a half-smile. "She's… beautiful."

Deputy Stone nodded grimly. "Of course, she's beautiful. That's how most Yokai lure you in." His voice carried a note of caution as he continued, "Even the men are beautiful. That's one way to spot them." He paused, his eyes narrowing with concern. "How do you know where she's at?"

Adamus responded with urgency. "To be honest with you, I don't even know. But we don't have time." He extended his hand towards Deputy Stone. "Take my hand."

Deputy Stone hesitated for a moment, glancing at Adamus's outstretched hand with uncertainty. "Kid, if you're gonna run super fast with me holding your hand, all that's gonna do is rip my arm off," he warned.

But Adamus smiled confidently. "The way my powers work, I'm pretty sure that's not gonna happen."

With a determined look in his eyes, Adamus imbued Deputy Stone with a vibrant green energy as their hands clasped together. "Ready to go fast?" he asked.

Deputy Stone took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come. "Ready as I'll ever be."

With a surge of energy, Adamus propelled them forward, his movements fast for the eye to follow. The underground base blurred past them in a whirlwind of motion as they navigated the labyrinthine corridors with FTL Plus speed.

As Adamus raced through the base, he couldn't shake the feeling of urgency gnawing at him. "I need to hurry up," he muttered to himself. "When I felt that string of light energy, for some reason the snake lady felt my energy back. I felt her looking at me like she knew I was spying on her."

With each passing second, Adamus and Deputy Stone zigzagged through the complex, their speed rendering them invisible to the guards who patrolled the corridors. Their movements were a dance of precision and agility, weaving through the base like shadows in the night.