Meanwhile, Sofia stood nervously in her father's arcade store, her heart pounding like the drums of an approaching army. She peered out from behind the ornate wooden counter, her eyes scanning the dimly lit room. Dust particles danced in the golden rays of sunlight that filtered through the small windows, casting long shadows across the arcade games furniture.
"I hope those guys don't show back up," Sofia whispered to herself, her voice barely audible over the creaking of the old floorboards beneath her feet. She glanced nervously at the cabinet behind her, where a gleaming pistol lay hidden, a last line of defense against the impending danger.
Suddenly, the door to the store slammed open with a deafening crash, sending a shiver down Sofia's spine. In stepped a menacing figure, his silhouette framed by the harsh light of the outside world. He was tall and imposing, with reptilian features that glistened with a sickly sheen in the dim light of the store.
"Do you have the money?" Lizard mouth demanded, his voice dripping with malice. Sofia's heart raced as she shook her head, her eyes wide with fear. "No," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "I told you guys, give me a week."
The figure's lips twisted into a cruel grin, revealing rows of sharp, pointed teeth that glinted ominously in the shadows. "Well, my friends and I had a little chat after the incident you put us through. We decided you don't have a week left," he hissed, his voice resembling the whisper of a serpent. "I'm taking you in now. Your little friend pissed me off yesterday."Top of Form
Sofia's breath caught in her throat as the figure's forked tongue flicked out, licking her face with a sickening slurp. She recoiled in disgust, her skin crawling at the touch of his slimy tongue. "You're a pretty little soul, perfect for my boss's ritual," he continued, his voice sending shivers down Sofia's spine. "So you're coming with me."
With speed, the figure reached over the counter, his clawed hand grabbing Sofia's arm in a vice-like grip. Panic surged through Sofia's veins as she struggled against his grasp, her heart pounding in her chest like a war drum.
Reacting instinctively, Sofia's hand darted to the gun on the counter, fingers wrapping around the cold metal with a desperate grip. With trembling hands, she raised the weapon and fired, the gunshot echoing through the arcade like a thunderclap.
Lizard Mouth staggered backward, shock flashing across his grotesque features as the bullet tore through his flesh. A guttural roar escaped his throat as he collapsed, slamming into the floor and writhing in agony, clawed hands scraping uselessly against the tiles.
Sofia's hands shook as she kept the gun trained on him. Tears streamed down her face, her voice breaking. "Please… don't make me kill you. Just leave. Please."
For a moment, it looked like he might listen.
Then Lizard Mouth snarled.
With a sudden, desperate burst of speed, he dragged himself behind one of the arcade machines, knocking it sideways as sparks flickered from damaged wiring. He pressed his back against the cabinet, breathing hard, rage and humiliation burning in his eyes.
"Why do I have such a useless power?" he hissed to himself. "An F-rank ability… not even bulletproof against a normal gun." His claws dug into the metal casing. "I can't go back empty-handed. I promised my boss a soul."
His hand fumbled into his pocket. When he pulled it out, his expression shifted fear giving way to grim resolve. A small injector glinted in his grasp, filled with an ominous, swirling substance.
"Lucky for me," he muttered, lips curling into a crooked grin, "I came prepared."
He didn't hesitate.
The needle plunged into his arm, and he screamed as the substance flooded his veins. Muscles twitched violently beneath his skin, veins bulging as unnatural strength surged through his body. His breathing became erratic, pupils dilating as the chemical tore through both flesh and mind.
Around the city, this kind of thing happened every day.
Illegal dealers thrived in the shadows, selling enhancements to the desperate and the damned. Some pushed Power Upgrades volatile injections capable of multiplying a person's strength at the cost of their health, sanity, or even their life. Others dealt in unstable chemical compounds that shattered perception, stripped away reason, and left users spiraling into violent psychosis.
Lizard Mouth didn't care.
"I'll show her," he growled through clenched teeth, his body convulsing as the transformation began.
Sofia edged closer to the arcade machine, each step hesitant, her grip on the gun tightening as her hands trembled. Her voice wavered as she spoke, barely louder than a whisper. "Please… just leave. You don't have to do this."
The shadows behind the RK machine shifted unnaturally, stretching far beyond the reach of the flickering lights. They writhed and twisted, clinging to the shape hidden behind the cabinet as if something inside them was fighting to be born.
Then Lizard Mouth screamed.
His body convulsed violently, bones cracking and muscles swelling beneath his skin. Flesh warped and stretched as his frame expanded, veins bulging grotesquely as raw strength flooded his body. The sound of tearing skin and grinding bone filled the air, drowning out Sofia's gasp of horror.
With a thunderous roar of pain and rage, he erupted from behind the machine.
His form had become monstrous massive, towering, and unmistakably reptilian. His jaw elongated into a brutal snout lined with jagged teeth, scales ripping through his skin as his body reshaped itself into a hulking, alligator-like creature. Each breath he took rattled the room, thick with heat and fury.
The force of the transformation was explosive. The RK machine was hurled aside like a toy, smashing into the floor with a deafening crash that shook the entire arcade. Lights flickered, glass rattled, and dust rained down as the creature straightened to its full height, filling the room with its monstrous presence.
Sofia staggered to her feet, her vision blurred as she tried to make sense of the chaos unfolding around her. Through the haze, she saw the massive, ten-foot-tall alligator in a mob gangster suit looming before her, its eyes glinting with savage fury as it snarled menacingly.
As Lizard Mouth's transformation reached its peak, his tail thrashed wildly, knocking over everything in its path with a deafening crash. His clawed hands extended, ready to rend and tear with deadly precision, while his reptilian eyes blazed with newfound power and madness.
With a triumphant roar, Lizard Mouth declared his newfound strength, his voice echoing through the chaos with a chilling intensity. "It worked! The drug gave me the power of a C-rank super!" His words reverberated like a sinister omen, sending shivers down Sofia's spine as she watched in horror.
But even as he reveled in his newfound might, a shadow of doubt crossed Lizard Mouth's face. "It's not gonna last for long," he muttered, his voice tinged with uncertainty. Yet, in that moment, his resolve only seemed to strengthen, fueled by a volatile mixture of adrenaline and desperation.
With a snarl of defiance, he raised his arm, gazing at the pulsating energy coursing through his veins. "No one can stop me now!"
But just as Lizard Mouth prepared to strike, a blur of motion streaked through the air. Out of nowhere, Adamus appeared, his foot connecting with Lizard Mouth's face in a swift and powerful blow.
With a bone-crunching impact, Lizard Mouth was sent hurtling through the air, crashing through the arcade's entrance. The force of the impact left a giant hole in the building, debris raining down as the creature disappeared into the street beyond. Sofia watched in stunned silence as Adamus stood before her, his presence radiating strength and determination.
"Are you alright?" Adamus asked, his voice calm and reassuring.
Sofia nodded, her heart still pounding from the adrenaline of the encounter.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice trembling with gratitude. "But… who are you?"
Adamus stood before her in a sleek black-and-white homemade superhero costume. His form-fitting black suit was accented by sharp white patterns along the chest and shoulders, giving it a clean yet striking contrast. White gloves covered his hands, matching the tall white boots planted firmly on the ground. A long, flowing white scarf draped around his neck, trailing slightly in the air like a banner.
A black mask wrapped across his mouth and nose, cut in the style of a ninja's face covering, leaving only his eyes and hair exposed. His hazel eyes locked with hers steady, determined while his tight, well-kept afro framed his face with a quiet strength.
"You can call me Vajra," he said.
Sofia looked at him, recognition dawning in her eyes. "Is that you, Adamus?"
Helping her up, Adamus shook his head. "No, it's not, citizen. My name is vajra " he said in a deep, heroic voice, trying to sound like a superhero. Their eyes locked, staring at each other.
Sofia's smile widened into a radiant beam. "I will never forget those hazel eyes. I know that's you."
Feeling a surge of warmth, Adamus pulled Sofia closer, his embrace protective yet tender. "No, citizen," he declared in a tone that echoed with heroism, his voice carrying the weight of a newfound identity.
But before he could finish his heroic declaration, Sofia gently placed her hands on his mask and lifted it off. Adamus chuckled, the sound filled with a mixture of surprise and amusement. "Okay, you got me," he admitted with a grin, his eyes softening as he looked at her.
Their laughter intertwined in the air, creating a melody of shared joy. In that moment, as they stood there, their connection felt deeper than ever before.
Sofia's gaze lingered on Adamus, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and affection. "How... what happened?" she asked, her voice filled with wonder. She couldn't help but notice the subtle changes in his physique, the hint of newfound strength that radiated from him. "You have powers now?"
Before Adamus could respond, Lizard's mouth tail goes swinging towards them. Reacting swiftly, Adamus grabbed Sofia closely and dodged the creature just in time. The impact of the lizard's tail hitting the ground left a small crater behind.
With adrenaline coursing through his veins, Adamus rushed Sofia to safety behind one of the arcade machines. "I'll be right back," he promised, his voice filled with determination. "I'll tell you everything, I promise. You remember what I told you yesterday?"
Sofia nodded, her expression filled with trust and understanding. "Yes, Adamus," she said, her voice soft but resolute.
Adamus gave her a giant smile, his eyes full of reassurance. "Everything will be okay, I promise," he said earnestly. "As long as I'm here, I promise, no one will ever hurt you."
With those words, Adamus turned and dashed towards the looming threat of Lizardmouth. Sofia watched him go, her heart pounding in her chest as she knelt behind the arcade machine, her eyes fixed on the unfolding battle.