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Chapter 2: Goodbyes
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"You know, I thought it would be more challenging," I muttered under my breath. "Instead, it was more disappointing than expected," I added, casting a vaguely amused glance at the girls, even though a whirlwind of emotions stirred inside me, hard to define.
I must admit, killing someone unsettled me less than I had imagined. My stomach didn't twist, nor did I feel disgust at taking a man's life with my own hands—a man who, after all, had done me no personal harm.
Of course, I knew he was evil: if left free, he would have sought to conquer the entire magical dimension to become the most powerful sorcerer, or something of the sort.
Yet I wasn't sure if the story would unfold exactly as I remembered; I hadn't confronted him personally, I had never spoken to him—in short, I would never really know if he was the same as in the show or not.
In the end, though, I wiped him out with the same indifference one would squash an annoying insect in their path.
This… wasn't normal, right?
On further reflection, however, I hadn't done anything unreasonable. I had simply eliminated a potential threat before it could turn against me, while also acquiring a fragment of the Dragon Flame.
Nothing more, nothing less.
Right?
After all, it was too good an opportunity to pass up. It almost seemed as if destiny itself had served me the chance to obtain a portion of that power on a silver platter.
In this universe, there are two aspects of the Dragon Flame: the pure one, which burns within Bloom—its current guardian and protagonist of this world—and the dark one, which belongs to Valtor.
The latter was not born naturally: it was created by the Ancestral Witches, three ancient evil sorceresses who shaped a corrupted spark of the Dragon Flame to give life to a living weapon.
From what I remembered, Valtor was raised as their "child," nurtured in Darkness and tempered with the purpose of conquering the Magical Dimension on their behalf.
So it's not wrong to say that Bloom's fire represents the original spark of the Great Dragon, a symbol of life, light, and creation, as in the series it is shown to heal any wound or accelerate the healing process of someone.
Valtor's flame, however, was born when a portion of that same flame fell and became contaminated with the energies of Darkness.
From what I recalled, that Darkness was connected to the Shadow Phoenix, also known as Lord Darkar—a being born alongside the Great Dragon, its perfect counterpart.
If the Dragon Flame grants energy and life to the Magical Dimension, the Phoenix's power does exactly the opposite, absorbing that energy and feeding on what the Dragon creates.
Light and Shadow.
Creation and Destruction.
Two eternal forces, bound in perfect equilibrium. And as a certain crazy Titan would say… "Perfectly balanced, as all things should be." A good quote with which I agreed in more ways than one.
"Speaking of which, I just need to be careful not to get pulled too far down," I thought to myself. "Until I'm certain I can fully control my Osmonian side, after all, I can't afford to become a monster again."
I sighed, deciding to postpone any moral reflection to a calmer moment, when I would be safe and able to truly confront the growing sense of guilt inside me.
I wondered how far the "gains" of this new life could extend.
At first, I thought I would simply inherit the memories, skills, and powers of my new Osmonian self, remaining myself—a human being with an intact consciousness.
But perhaps I gained more.
I had also absorbed his talents, the deepest traits of his personality, his willpower, even his passions and nuances—all those little things that make an individual who they are.
The truth is, I was never that extraordinary boy in my old life, and certainly not perfect to be the protagonist of a story. I was rather ordinary, with no special qualities, and a mundane life behind me that I doubted could take me far.
And yet, this new me, though not possessing cosmic-level strength, could still be useful. It grants me a sharp intellect, worthy of an alien race, an analytical mind forged by hundreds of battles, and a will hardened by failure and years of discipline in the use of my powers.
I was never a genius—neither in my old world—but now, with these memories, I possess a certain intelligence, along with knowledge from comics and the wisdom necessary to use it effectively.
And now, thanks to everything I've gained, it wasn't an exaggeration to admit to myself that I could be the smartest person in this entire universe. I could afford to say it, considering that this world was certainly not distinguished by the presence of intelligent individuals, or at least people wise enough to know how to use their intelligence.
Having these memories has been a stroke of luck.
For that, I am sincerely grateful.
A thousand thanks.
"Too bad there's that little absorption problem…" I murmured, half amused. "I'll go insane, just like Kevin 11. And, of course, like Aggregor too, huh? Hehe… though, to be fair, he actually managed to stay somewhat sane—probably thanks to his vast experience and long life. Which, I guess, I can now say I share in a certain way."
I stopped for a moment, thinking.
Maybe I could try something similar to what he did.
In Ben 10: Ultimate Alien, he had built a machine capable of absorbing 100% of his prisoners' powers, effectively surpassing the natural limit of the Osmosians, who can normally only obtain about 10% of an alien's original power.
The more I thought about it, the more the idea didn't seem that bad at all.
Naturally, it would take time—and the right resources—to create something like that. Not to mention I'd need suitable targets, which I seriously doubted I'd find in this universe.
But it was a long-term plan after all: finding a way to absorb someone with a physiology or power that could allow me to surpass that innate limitation of my species.
For some reason, an Osmosian's body isn't designed to fully integrate another life form's DNA. The molecular, metabolic, and energetic differences prevent total fusion, which means we can never access the full 100% of the original power.
To be honest, I never fully understood that concept.
In the show, it was probably just a narrative choice—setting a limit to prevent an Osmosian from becoming too powerful too fast. But now that all this was real and no longer just fiction, that limitation was a concrete part of my existence.
I had a few theories based on my memories, though some of them were rather disturbing. Maybe one day I'd be able to verify them—if I ever managed to return to my original universe.
But for now, I preferred not to even think about it, considering how ridiculously overpowered the DC Comics universe could get.
Even so, I couldn't deny a part of me was curious. I wouldn't have minded, just for a few seconds, getting my hands on a Kryptonian—or maybe a White Martian. It's not like I was asking for something too powerful, right?
Jokes aside, I really needed to prepare properly.
Back to the point—there were a few methods to bypass that racial limit. In the original series, Kevin managed it by absorbing the Omnitrix itself, combining multiple powers together and creating a kind of cumulative force that compensated for the loss of efficiency.
In simple terms: if each absorbed power represents only 10% of its original source, then absorbing many of them can still multiply your overall strength. "N sources" could potentially equal "N × 10%" of total power.
There was also another, far riskier but theoretically more effective method—absorbing a creature made entirely of pure energy. In theory, if an Osmosian could do that without losing control, they might obtain 100% of that creature's power instead of the usual ten percent.
And that's exactly what I did with Valtor.
That way, I managed to absorb him completely and gain all of his power without too much trouble—mostly because, just like me, he had grown weak after being trapped in this dimension for so long.
So it was a perfectly calculated risk, at least this time.
I paused for a moment to think.
Even though I couldn't use my strongest abilities yet, maybe that was for the best. Starting from zero would let me understand my limits better, train patiently across all my different powers, and build the foundation I needed to become stronger than ever before.
Honestly, even if I'd regained my full power right away, how long would it take to reach the level of a Celestial… or even Darkseid himself? The answer wasn't simple at all—it would probably take far more patience and strategy than I had ever imagined.
Unless, of course, I somehow managed to absorb the power of a being on Alien X's level—but that was pure delusion. A feat like that would be straight-up suicide: they'd disintegrate me long before I could even get close to the Forge of Creation.
Aggregor had already tried something like that, and everyone knows how that turned out. Maybe he would've had better luck trying to absorb Atomix… or maybe not.
Damn it—even with the power I once had, I couldn't say for sure I could beat Superman. Some versions of him were just completely absurd.
Take, for instance, the Silver Age one.
To be more specific—the Superman who flew around the world to reverse time, sneezed away entire solar systems, and created new "super" powers every other day.
From an ordinary, powerless guy to Superman… no, it couldn't really be that simple—and the fact that I wasn't even close to my peak strength was more than enough proof of that.
I was like Saitama: "only as strong as the plot needs me to be."
Jokes aside, I had to focus on my situation. My mind—or maybe my soul—had been transferred into the DC multiverse, only to awaken at this very moment.
Or perhaps, another theory came to mind: maybe I had been brought here just a few minutes before the actual story began—right when the Trix were supposed to make their first appearance.
In other words, I had become the first person they'd ever meet—which gave me the best possible chance to turn the situation to my advantage.
That had to be my little cheat—my edge in this world. No messages, no mental notes, not even a physical signal from some R.O.B. just my Osmosian powers.
sighed, absentmindedly running my hand over my horns before immediately regretting it.
They were far more sensitive than I had imagined. I really needed time to take a proper look through all my memories, but in the meantime, I instantly decided I would never touch them again.
I vaguely remembered having read a lot about the Osmosians, and I had always considered them one of the most fascinating and versatile races in the entire fandom: strong, adaptable, and conceptually intriguing.
Honestly, I had always thought that if I ever wrote a fanfiction, the Osmosians would be my first choice as the main race. Their complexity and unique abilities made them perfect for building a story full of challenges, strategies, and interesting developments.
"Speaking of Osmosians… I haven't tried that thing yet," I muttered to myself, glancing around. Soon after, I noticed a block of ice not far away: nothing particularly rare, but I grabbed it decisively.
As soon as my skin came into contact with the frozen surface, I felt the cold energy flow into my arm: the molecules adjusted, merging with mine. Within moments, my hand changed appearance, becoming translucent and bluish, as if it had been sculpted from the same ice I had just absorbed.
Taking advantage of the moment, I decided to run a few quick experiments—nothing too elaborate, just to check if I had developed some kind of muscle memory linked to the memories and abilities I had already assimilated.
Focusing, I tried to alter the shape of my hand. First, I stretched it, turning it into a kind of ice spike. It was far from ordinary: the magical energy permeating this dimension made it harder than steel.
Then I compacted it, reshaping the form with concentration and precision: first, I transformed it into something resembling a sword, agile and well-balanced, perfect for quick movements; then I reduced it further, until it became a small but perfectly sharp knife.
Continuing to experiment, I expanded the limb until it transformed into a large shield of icy crystal, with a vaguely medieval design, thick edges, and a smooth surface that reflected the light in shades of blue and white.
Each mutation required a certain concentration, but the transition from one shape to another felt surprisingly natural, as if I had already done it hundreds of times, as if it had always been part of me.
"Wow… is that another one of your abilities?" Stormy asked, approaching me with confident steps. She was the first to appear completely indifferent to the fact that she had just taken someone's life, as if it were the most normal thing in the world—a routine gesture for her.
I remained silent for a few seconds before replying, watching my arm slowly return to normal. "Yes. It allows me to absorb most things and acquire some of their properties," I said calmly, as the crystalline surface retracted until it disappeared entirely, restoring my skin to its normal state.
"Interesting," Darcy murmured, approaching with a flirtatious smile. She leaned slightly, letting my attention drift to her cleavage, though I knew perfectly well it was just her way of provoking me. "Why don't you tell me more about this power? I'm very curious to get to know you better—"
I simply smiled, not letting myself be drawn into her game. "I'm sure there will be time for that," I replied, avoiding revealing anything further.
Of course, I had no intention of revealing the exact details of my power to them. No one in this universe knew my race, and I fully intended to keep it that way.
At most, as I was doing now, I would give only partial information to my advantage, telling them only what suited me, enough to earn their trust or convince them to obtain powerful objects or beings I could absorb in the future.
It was a simple but effective rule: the less they knew, the better for me.
Not that I considered them a threat—at least, not for now. But it would be a mistake to underestimate them. This world, after all, followed logic similar to Fairy Tail: "the power of emotions" wins over everything.
And unfortunately, I couldn't rely on such illusions.
After all, I'm the kind of person who only moves to the next stage when I'm truly sure I can handle anything that comes my way. And considering that my original world was the DC Comics universe, the only real measure of strength I recognized was surviving the destruction of a planet—or something equally absurd.
Now I find myself in the Winx universe—a medium-to-high danger world, but with surprisingly high magical potential. Here, a stroke of luck, like absorbing a good source of magic, can quickly restore one's strength.
At the same time, it would be a waste not to take the opportunity to learn how to use magic, or at least to fill my reserves of magical energy. It's certainly not something easy to do in my original universe.
I remembered clearly from my previous life that magic in the DC universe works very differently. Unlike other forms of power, DC magic always comes with a price—whether it's memories, emotions, or even a karmic debt that, sooner or later, the universe will present to you.
The problem is that not all beings possess enough energy or innate power to sustain the use of magic. Some, like ordinary humans who are not part of the Homo Magi—a subspecies endowed with an innate affinity for the arcane arts—must instead resort to external sources of energy: deities, cosmic forces, parallel dimensions, or ancient primordial entities.
For example, in the DC world, characters like Doctor Fate obtain their energy from the Helm of Nabu, which is connected to a Lord of Order; Raven draws power from the dimension of Trigon, her demonic father; and John Constantine often manipulates pacts or trades fragments of his own soul just to gain more power.
Even artifacts like the Sword of Eclipso or the Helm of Fate are tied to external dimensions or cosmic entities. That's why many DC magicians end up "paying" a terrible price, even just to maintain control over the power they wield.
Thinking about it, even Wonder Woman and the Olympian gods aren't exceptions: their divinity is tied to divine dimensions, and if they were cut off from them, they would lose much of their capabilities.
Maybe it's precisely for that reason that those who learn to master their strength without depending on such sources—like Shazam or Zatanna—after years of training and discipline become so dangerous.
Not because they were born strong, but because they learned not to barter their souls in exchange for power. And that's exactly why I could not afford to waste an opportunity like this.
I turned around, took a deep breath, and began advancing toward the deepest regions of the Omega Dimension. I had to admit: I was already done with that hostile and unnatural environment—a place where even the mind would start to falter if it didn't possess a will strong enough to keep moving forward.
"Where are you going?" Icy asked, her voice tense, a mix of annoyance and curiosity. Maybe she realized she'd been ignored too long, or perhaps the recent kill had disturbed her more than she'd ever admit.
"To find the way out," I replied with a half‑smile as four large familiar wings slowly unfolded from my back, followed by two thin translucent wing‑folds, like antennas that trembled lightly, sensing every movement in the air.
Then, without another word, I detached from the ground and flew forward, leaving only the crystalline sound of ice shattering beneath me.
Again, my memory seemed to do all the work: my body moved on its own, as if I had already performed those flight gestures hundreds of times—the result of neuromotor memory now entrenched in my nervous system.
Perhaps I had underestimated how much this body could learn and adapt even without my mind's full control. If I could harness that connection, I could focus on something even more advanced, pushing my powers toward their own limits.
By the way, the wings I was using came from an alien in the Ben 10 universe called Big Chill—or, to use the correct species name, a Necrofriggian.
I had managed to unlock this form after absorbing the energy of the ice snake, thereby obtaining the innate characteristics of Big Chill's species—a power that would prove incredibly useful and simplify things considerably, at least as long as I remained in this dimension.
Necrofriggians are beings from the planet Kylmyys, a world of eternal frost and crystalline skies. The name of the planet derives from the Finnish word kylmyys, which literally means "cold"—a term more than appropriate, considering that the temperature on that surface is so low it approaches absolute zero.
Their biology is tightly linked to ice, allowing them to endure extreme thermals of both cold and heat without damage. Among their most relevant abilities are cryokinesis—the ability to generate and manipulate ice, create solid constructs and control their shape—and intangibility or phase, which allows them to pass through solid matter. In addition, they can combine those two abilities, for example freezing what they pass through during the intangibility state.
At that moment, as my new wings lifted me into flight, a frosty breath escaped my lips, condensing in the air like crystalline mist. Meanwhile, I observed Vartol's memories: thanks to them I finally had a clear guide.
Now I knew the path to follow and the exact location of the inter‑dimensional portal that would allow me to escape that ice prison, leaving nothing to chance.
For a moment, truly, everything seemed finally to fall into place. After so much initial confusion, after the constant attempts to understand where I was and what was happening, I was finally able to glimpse a clear direction, at least for the time being, a defined objective.
Unfortunately, I didn't have much time to savor that sense of control given how much the universe hated me. My advance was abruptly interrupted by the arrival of more ice snakes, and as expected, the creatures focused immediately on me, completely ignoring the Trix.
They recognized me as the greatest threat and I couldn't exactly blame them.
It wasn't the first time it happened, after all. Many beings with a strong animal instinct sensed the danger I represented—all the DNAs coursing through my body—it was natural that those beasts would pick up on me as something unnatural, a predator at the top of the food chain.
I was like a gigantic primordial beast that had invaded their territory. For them, there were only two possibilities: flee or fight to the death in an attempt to devour me and become stronger.
In truth, they didn't present an insurmountable threat—but their numbers and aggressiveness were enough to slow my movements and force me into caution. I didn't want to make the mistake of being too arrogant: after all, I had only just begun to regain full control of my body and powers.
The girls, however, seemed unaware of the gravity of the situation.
Instead of retreating, they charged the monsters with their usual arrogance, convinced they could defeat them alone; it was almost comical to watch that blind confidence, as if they considered themselves the absolute protagonists of a world that actually treated them as mere pawns.
Maybe they didn't realize the real danger in front of them. Or perhaps it was simply their pride preventing them from admitting they were disadvantaged against enemies that weren't so unimportant in the magical world after all.
Did they really think I would help them out of sheer altruism?
Maybe yes—after all, I had already decided I would turn those three into my subordinates, since they knew this universe much better than I could recall: my knowledge stopped at season three, and beyond that point everything was unexplored territory.
Frankly, I had no desire whatsoever to run into unwanted surprises: an unknown power that would betray me at the least opportune moment, or—worse—a foe too powerful.
A single Darkar was already more than enough: in short, it was a primordial deity, capable of having generated that entire magical dimension, and I knew well that I did not want to find myself face to face with something like that.
However, observing the scene, I immediately noticed another thing: the Trix's spells bounced uselessly off the snakes' scales. If I didn't intervene, they would have been wiped out in a few minutes.
And as indifferent as I could seem to their fate while knowing them since childhood, they remained complete strangers to me; letting them die was not, at least for now, part of my plans.
I sighed quietly, more out of habit than frustration, then, without hesitation, I lifted into the air and let my body become intangible. The snakes' attacks passed through me effortlessly—I wasn't really dodging, but testing the reaction of this power to the magic of this universe.
The sensation was disorienting: when the ice blasts pierced me, I felt them as an internal shiver, almost imperceptible, yet present. It was as if I could sense the flow of magical energy coursing through my form.
An anomalous effect, certainly, but incredibly useful.
The energy of this world seemed to interact with my intangibility in ways I still couldn't fully understand. However, this small experiment was already proving valuable: it would warn me against attempting to use this ability in the presence of more powerful magical sources, like Bloom's Dragon Flame.
With a quick breath and a moment of reflection, I decided to move on to the next step: testing a combination of powers. It was time to discover whether I was truly capable of merging different abilities without losing control.
My arms began to change: the left one sharpened, covered with thin, sharp claws, similar to those of an insect, while the right transformed into living magma, pulsating, a scarlet red far more intense than before.
Big Chill + Helbrast + Dragon Flame.
A combination that, without a doubt, would need some tweaking, but for the moment it was more than sufficient. Some of the power fusions I remembered were much more advanced and potentially devastating, and I had no intention of testing them until I had fully readjusted to managing my body and energy.
I slowly inhaled the icy air surrounding me, feeling my lungs fill with a nearly biting cold. Then, with my left hand, I absorbed part of the snakes' attacks, letting their frozen energy merge with mine.
In an instant, I transformed it into pure destructive power and released it with my right: a wave of concentrated fire exploded forward, the heat so intense that the very air seemed to bend around my attack, warping in an iridescent shimmer.
A sharp, metallic sound rang out in the air, like molten metal immersed in ice—the prelude to the destruction I unleashed upon them.
The snakes screamed with guttural noises as their scales melted like wax under the sun. The ground shook, and the ice surrounding them shattered into thousands of glowing fragments, a mix of vapor and red light illuminating the entire frozen expanse.
Within seconds, only a landscape of steam and cold embers sizzling in the air remained around me. The surviving snakes retreated, uncertain: I could feel the fear emanating from them, that instinctive awareness of the danger I represented.
I gazed at them calmly, floating a few meters above the ground, while a smile formed on my lips. "You've arrived at exactly the right time," I said, remembering I hadn't yet taken their DNA. "I still had a little room left for dessert."
Without wasting another moment, I dove and reached the first snake at the head with a direct right punch: its armor gave way and the creature exploded in a flash of blood and ice shards.
Immediately after, I became intangible to dodge an incoming strike; the attack passed through me harmlessly as I reformed my matter. The fire boiling around my hand took the shape of a glowing greatsword, and with a clean strike I cleaved another snake in half, which disintegrated into two columns of steam and sparks.
After that, I manipulated my greatsword, reshaping it into a lance, and with a fluid motion, hurled it at the head of one of the snakes: the blade penetrated with a dull thud, embedding it into the ground.
I watched its tail thrash frantically for a few seconds, then stiffen completely. And with a simple snap of my fingers, the lance exploded, generating a wave of fire that engulfed the surviving snakes, reducing them to ash in an instant.
Had I overdone it? I wouldn't say so. In fact, I had gone too lightly on them, considering I had not yet used most of the more powerful abilities inherited from certain races.
I still didn't fully trust the complete control I had over this body.
Meanwhile, however, I could at least satisfy another need.
I stepped forward without hesitation, extending my right arm. My fingers sank into the beast's scaly skin, and in that instant, I felt the essence of its DNA merge with mine.
Every fragment of its existence, every distinctive trait of its species, was being sucked in and made mine—forever, as long as I remained alive.
This was the moment I had awaited since my awakening, because for an Osmosian, using one's gift was not just an ability: it was a vital necessity, as natural as breathing.
I closed my eyes, focusing so as not to be swept away by the hunger for energy swirling inside me. I had to maintain control, at least until I was forced to go further.
Slowly, I began to absorb it.
The heat spread through my body, starting from the palm of my hand and radiating toward my chest, arms, head. It was as if every cell was singing in unison, vibrating under the weight of a new force coursing through me.
When I finally broke contact, the heat diminished, but did not vanish entirely, while in front of me, the snake's body began to dissolve, disintegrating into particles of light that scattered into the air like golden sand.
I could feel it: the change advancing inside me.
My insides adapted, my skin took on a lighter hue, veined with bluish reflections, with shining scales, harder than steel, forming along my arms and neck, perfectly merging with my flesh.
It was a sensation at once natural and alien, familiar and distant, like waking from a dream.
"Are you okay?" I asked the Trix, turning to them. No immediate response—just a few grunts and a couple of whimpers. "I'd say those snakes treated you rather badly."
Icy shot me a glacial look, her hair still covered in shards of ice. "What do you think?" she huffed. "And besides, we didn't need your help. We had everything under control…"
"Perhaps," I admitted, shrugging. I had no desire to argue. "But consider it a favor for freeing me. I don't like owing anyone anything."
"Is that the important question, sister?" Stormy stared at me, her mouth wide open, then lowered her arms in disbelief. "What the hell have you become?!"
The other two seemed calmer, but even they were visibly shaken as they looked at me. Well, a predictable reaction. After all, none of them could have imagined a transformation like this—even if, I admit, their confused expressions almost made me laugh.
I completely ignored their astonishment and lowered my gaze toward myself. I was wearing only some old rags, barely enough to be called clothing, especially for the upper body.
But it wasn't a surprise: I had been wearing them since my battle against the Green Lantern group. If it weren't for the peculiar composition of the materials—a textile alloy of alien origin with molecular regeneration properties and extremely high structural resistance—they would have completely disintegrated long ago.
I mentally noted one more thing: I needed new clothes.
Icy, meanwhile, was flashing a wide smile, while Darcy looked at me with bright eyes, a mixture of surprise and curiosity.
Returning to the point…
Considering the universe I was in, with thousands of planets in the Magical Dimension, each endowed with its own magics and powers, this mutation was a gift, since now I could be considered, in every respect, a magical creature.
And this resulted in a natural enhancement, especially in the use of my abilities related to ice. This would have forced me to reexamine all my previous DNA combinations in order to identify a more stable and effective configuration to employ during battles.
All that remained for me to do was to study other magical species, in search of beings from which I could absorb useful innate traits. After all, I was in a world that seemed straight out of a fantasy, and from what I remembered, there existed creatures such as vampires and dark elves.
Perhaps they were nothing extraordinary compared to the entities of certain isekai worlds, but they still represented a good starting point.
For this reason, I needed to gather as much information as possible, but I honestly doubted that the Trix knew every single detail about all races and their peculiarities — which meant I would have to discover it personally.
And what better place to begin, if not Cloud Tower — a school that preserved some of the oldest and most extensive knowledge of the magical world? It seemed like a solid plan, especially considering that Alfea would hardly welcome the Trix with open arms.
At Cloud Tower, on the other hand, I could manage to convince them to accept the Trix one way or another, since they were still witches, and at the same time gain access to precious information that could help me put myself in an advantageous position.
Suddenly, a warmth spread across my skin, leaving me slightly dazed.
I raised my gaze and saw the ice witch staring at me intently; her delicate hands rested on my new scales, and I had to admit that the sensation was surprisingly pleasant.
Which parts of my body had become so sensitive to such delicate touches? Her contact made me tremble slightly — I still had to get completely used to it. "What are you doing?" I asked, my voice having grown deeper, almost threatening.
Icy smiled, her eyes gleaming clearly satisfied at the thought of taking revenge for having been helped without her consent. "Just… admiring your new form," she murmured in a tone heavy with desire. "I didn't think you were capable of something like this." Her fingers slid slowly along my scales, stopping lower with a light but firm touch.
Darcy laughed softly. "I have to agree with her," she said, licking her lips provocatively. "It's hard not to be… fascinated."
Stormy took a step forward, breaking the atmosphere thick with tension. "I don't want to ruin the fun, but could you go back to your normal form? You're drawing a little too much attention… and I'd rather not have to explain anything when we get out of here."
The other two shot her a glare, but she was right.
I took a deep breath and let my body return to the Osmosian form. The transformation was quick: I felt my muscles reshape, the scales retract. In a few seconds, I was myself again — or at least, the version of myself I knew best, my human form.
From that moment on, the journey continued in silence. I remained focused on leaving that desolate place and, at the same time, tried to reorganize my memories — but it wasn't an easy task: they were too many, fragmented, and confused.
It would take me time to piece them all together.
Meanwhile, behind me, the Trix whispered among themselves, occasionally throwing curious glances in my direction. To some of their questions, I responded; to others, I left only silence.
It was not yet the moment to reveal too much about my past.
And, deep down, a bit of mystery would keep their attention alive and, in a way, their obedience. After all, they were still impulsive teenagers, and I had long since learned that curiosity, when properly used, could become a subtle weapon.
Our progress was slow, hindered by the vastness of that world. It wouldn't have surprised me to discover that it was even larger than my old planet. The stretch of land before us was daunting: it seemed endless.
I had the feeling I could walk for days without noticing the slightest change in the landscape. The ground was hard and unyielding, a mosaic of natural obstacles that made the journey an endurance challenge.
Jagged rocks, steep hills, and so many tunnels that it looked like a real labyrinth forced us to slow down, to choose each step carefully, often deviating from the path to go around one obstacle after another.
It was true that we could have flown, of course, but the freezing air made it nearly impossible for them. Even with the protection of my power, the cold was too intense: if the Trix had been ordinary humans, they would have already died of hypothermia.
But they weren't.
At most, their bodies stiffened rapidly, but as long as they had magical power within them, they could keep going; the real problem was the cutting winds, which would make them fall long before reaching our final goal.
It was almost ironic: the deeper we went, the more the cold seemed to intensify, as if that world itself wanted to push us back. Unfortunately, the only thing I could do was slightly increase the heat around us just enough to provide a minimal comfort in that ice hell.
I could clearly observe that Icy, Stormy, and Darcy were progressively succumbing to the effects of the cold. Their limbs showed a gradual stiffening, and their motor coordination decreased in proportion to the exposure time.
Although Icy possessed a natural resistance to low temperatures, she was not entirely immune to the physiological effects of such a hostile environment. The loss of thermal efficiency and the slowing of reflexes became increasingly evident with every passing second.
An additional risk factor was fatigue and lack of energy.
In my case, however, these elements had a limited impact: as long as I had an adequate level of internal energy, I could maintain my vital and operational functions without experiencing a significant decline in performance.
However, the Trix did not share my physiological resilience, and this began to negatively affect the group's efficiency. The progressive decline in their motor and cognitive performance suggested an imminent risk of hypothermia, so I deemed it necessary to halt the march and order a break aimed at energy recovery.
My three companions, though reluctant due to their obvious excess of pride, could do nothing but obey. In the meantime, I generated an ice barrier intended to reduce the impact of the environmental cold and ignited a controlled heat source in the center, in order to restore an adequate body temperature and stabilize their vital functions.
They were too exhausted to resist; the girls followed my words with resignation as they sat on the icy ground, breathing heavily and clearly fatigued as they tried to regain their strength.
"We won't get anywhere like this, not in these conditions…" I observed, analyzing the situation with a certain coldness. I ignored their displeased glances while mentally evaluating possible solutions to increase the group's energy efficiency and endurance.
"Well, if you have a way to make us stronger in a short time," Icy said in a tone laced with sarcasm, visibly annoyed at showing vulnerability in front of me.
Darcy, more pragmatic, quickly covered her mouth with a gesture. "What she means is that we are grateful for your help," she intervened, trying to avoid further friction. Judging by the tremor running through her fingers, she seemed ready to sacrifice pride in order not to freeze alive.
Stormy silently nodded in agreement.
"Actually, yes," I replied in a measured tone, immediately drawing their attention. "I have a method that could improve your physical and magical abilities. However, it involves some non-negligible side effects—which is why I hesitated to propose it."
Icy crossed her arms impatiently. "And what is this mysterious method? Stop speaking in riddles."
"It is based on Valtor's knowledge," I explained. "In simple terms, it is a partial transfer of magical energy. Through a conduction spell impressed upon you, I can channel part of my etheric flow into your energy system. The immediate effect would be a temporary increase in magical potential, thereby increasing cold tolerance."
The three sisters exchanged glances. Darcy was the first to speak, curious: "And I suppose there's a downside, right?"
I nodded slowly. "The only permanent side effect is the formation of a symbiotic-type bond. Essentially, a portion of your magical flow will remain synchronized with mine. Nothing dangerous, but enough to prevent you from trying to betray me. And, honestly, I believe you are smart enough not to try." A faint smile curved my lips.
The Trix exchanged a quick glance, full of latent tension, before Icy spoke in a sharp tone: "How much power are we talking about?"
A wider smile appeared on my face. "Why don't you find out directly?"
It was a spell I had devised in that moment, using Valtor's knowledge and my ability to transfer the powers I had absorbed from other criminals, since at that moment I was only sharing my magical power.
I raised a hand, and the spell took shape. It was an improvised formula but based on solid principles—an adaptation of Valtor's Mark, refined through a more systemic and less authoritarian approach.
I had renamed it Gift, because, unlike its predecessor, it did not stem from a need for control. It was based on the concept of modulating my magical signature, making it compatible with theirs, and then gradually transferring particles of pure magical essence into their bodies, exploiting my natural ability for energy absorption and transmission.
When the process reached its peak, three glowing symbols formed on their lower abdomens, just below the navel—the point of greatest density in their vital flow—while the magical flames that traced them burned without pain, catalyzing the connection between us.
The result was immediate.
I could perceive in real time their energy realigning, the magical frequencies oscillating and stabilizing at a new level of power. My experiment was a success.
Icy clenched her fists as a wave of inverse thermokinetic energy coursed through her body; the local temperature dropped by several degrees, and a blue ice aura completely enveloped her. "I feel… incredibly powerful," she said in an almost euphoric tone, watching the ice crystals spontaneously form around her fingers.
Darcy remained still for a few seconds, then closed her eyes, focusing. Energy flowed through her like a constant, ordered stream; when she reopened them, her eyes shone with a hypnotic light. "I can perceive the flow of magic with a clarity I never imagined in my life… as if the entire environment were completely under my will," she said in an amazed whisper.
Stormy rose, her electric energy saturating the air with sparks dancing on her skin, generating a small electromagnetic field that crackled a few centimeters from her body. "This is phenomenal!" she shouted, raising a hand and unleashing a micro-storm above us. "I feel fucking invincible!"
The three sisters looked at each other with a conspiratorial gaze, their faces lit by a new light—the intoxication of power.
"With this strength… we can finally crush those annoying Winx," Icy declared, with a glacial flash in her eyes.
Darcy nodded, a mischievous smile on her lips. "Yes. And this time there will be no escape for them."
Stormy raised a fist, generating a lightning bolt that illuminated the magical dome above us. "I can't wait to see their faces when they realize how much we've changed."
I watched them calmly, analyzing in real time the energy data the magical bond transmitted to me. Their power levels had recorded a 63% increase, while overall magical stability had risen by 47%. Thanks to the direct connection with me, I could also modulate or contain any fluctuations in their power, preventing them from losing control.
My energy reserve, on the other hand, was reduced by only 9%—a minimal loss, considering that it would be enough for me to absorb the vital or magical energy of some local creature to restore myself.
A decidedly advantageous compromise.
In the end, it was clear: power remained the only language they understood. And in that language, I had just gained their loyalty more effectively than any promise or heroic act one might see from a protagonist in some anime.
The Trix were not easily impressed subjects. Their psychology had been forged in a competitive environment, where only individuals with high magical potential and pronounced adaptive aggression managed to thrive.
Especially in a society that clearly discriminated against witches, weakness was not tolerated; every decision, every confrontation, represented a survival test for them.
In the meantime, as I was thinking about this, my senses detected a magical anomaly underground. "Coming?" I asked, already moving toward the point of greatest energy intensity.
The Trix followed me, their gazes filled with excitement and curiosity, still incredulous about the new strength that permeated their bodies.
"What are you up to?" asked Icy, her voice more curious than suspicious compared to a few minutes earlier.
I didn't answer immediately.
I focused on the magical vibration coming from beneath us: a stable energy field, consistent with the readings of an interdimensional portal. "It's the portal to Andros," I finally explained. "It's right below us, and I'd rather avoid crossing the entire tunnel system of this dimension to reach it."
Darcy, the most curious of the group, looked at me with attentive eyes. "And how exactly do you plan to reach it?" she asked, moving closer to me with a playful sway of her hips to give me a good view.
I smiled calmly. "With the simplest and most direct method: brute force." I gathered kinetic and magical energy inside every one of my muscles, synchronizing again with the innate characteristics of a Pyronite.
A deep roar accompanied the impact of my fist against the frozen ground. The thermal energy propagated instantly, melting and fracturing the surface, while a shockwave opened a massive chasm.
From the crevice rose a bluish glow, followed by an intense upward flow of energy. "This is our passage," I said simply, inviting them to follow me.
The Trix looked at me with wonder and a new spark of respect in their eyes after my display of strength.
"Impressive," commented Icy. "With your power at our side, not even the Templars of the Fortress of Light will be able to stop us."
Darcy nodded, a sharp smile on her lips. "Finally, we'll be able to eliminate those annoying Winx once and for all."
Stormy, always impatient, stepped forward. "Then let's not waste time." And she followed me closely.
The path wound between narrow corridors and dark caves, the walls pulsing faintly under the intermittent light of my dragon flames. I was finally gaining a certain control over their intensity—a progress that, from a technical standpoint of my powers, was anything but negligible.
"Is this path really safe?" asked Stormy, her voice slightly trembling, more because of the eerie environment than the cold.
"Stop complaining, Stormy," snapped Icy, while Darcy observed the scene with an ironic, almost amused smile.
I stopped and raised a hand, interrupting their argument. "We've arrived." In front of me stood the interdimensional portal, imposing and pulsing with magical energy, encased in ice.
"It seems protected by multiple high-level magical barriers," observed Icy, analyzing the portal carefully.
Stormy tilted her head. "And... it also looks closed."
Darcy sighed, rolling her eyes. "Really, Stormy? I would have never guessed."
Despite the drop in the surrounding temperature, the three sisters didn't seem to feel it: my energy still flowed through their bodies, keeping their temperature stable and preventing any effect of cellular freezing.
The magical bond between us was working perfectly.
I cleared my throat. "Girls, let's focus. I don't think you want to spend more time in this dimension." They nodded quickly, clearly accepting my role as leader. "We just need to create a fracture in the portal, wide enough to establish an access point."
"Say no more—leave it to us, girls," intervened Icy confidently. Eager to prove her strength, she advanced toward the structure, followed by her sisters.
I stayed aside, curious to observe the result of their cooperative approach as the three synchronized their magical flows, creating an energy conjunction—a sort of constructive interference—that tripled the overall power of their spell.
The globe of combined energy struck the center of the portal. The air vibrated under the impact, charged with ozone. For a moment, the portal's etheric field reacted, generating a violent backlash.
The shockwave repelled their attack and reflected backward, striking the Trix. Stormy was thrown toward me; I caught her midair, holding her, while with a telekinetic gesture I prevented Icy and Darcy from crashing violently against the ground.
"The portal is more resistant than expected; I'm not surprised, considering it must have been created by extremely powerful individuals," I observed calmly, setting Stormy—whose cheeks were slightly flushed—and her sisters back on the ground. "But at least the power I granted you wasn't wasted." I pointed at a small crack that had formed at the impact point.
Icy stood up, her gaze filled with determination. "I think I know how to get through it. We should combine all four of our magical attacks."
I nodded. Her reasoning was sound. "Alright. Let's position ourselves at the four cardinal points. I'll take the east, you the others."
We counted together. "One... two... three!" We simultaneously unleashed our energy at the central point. The converging flows created a vortex of pure power, destabilizing the portal's defense lattice.
Within seconds, the barrier gave way, shattering with a sound like breaking glass. And immediately, I lunged forward and placed my hand on the fissure, establishing a direct connection with the portal's etheric structure. The mental link revealed dimensional coordinates and unstable, yet manageable, entry flows.
"This will draw attention in less than a minute," I said, already sensing the incoming energy distortions.
A pulse of bluish light enveloped us, transporting us through the portal. In the blink of an eye, Planet Omega disappeared behind us as we landed on the planet Andros.
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A/N: I hope you enjoy the chapter
On the other hand, if you want to see something specific in the next chapters, or even just have some good advice for the story as a whole, I am always willing to read a comment if it is constructive criticism.
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