Adam : From a man to a God

Eddie put on the bracelets, securing the last one onto his left hand with a tight clutch. “Okay, I need you to stand over there now,” the instructor said, pointing to the center of the room. Eddie turned and walked toward it, spotting the cartoonish imprint of Adam's body on the wall. “What the hell? Is that Adam’s?” he thought.

As he turned to face the instructor, he suddenly saw a tile flying straight for his face. Meanwhile, Adam sat on a wooden bench near the exit door, about to change into another t-shirt. He removed his old shirt and caught Mary glancing at him for a moment before she returned her gaze to the monitors. Just then, he heard the heavy iron door open and saw Eddie coming out shirtless, his trousers slightly ripped. Eddie walked over to Adam. “Yeah, so I’m gonna need a new shirt,” he said, embarrassment etched on his face.Adam sighed and handed Eddie the t-shirt he was about to change into. “Here,” he said, passing it to him. He noticed Eddie’s athletic build peeking out from under his shirt and realized that Eddie had a more defined pectoral muscle than he did. “ I need to work out,” he thought aloud.

“What was that?” Eddie asked as he pulled on the t-shirt.

The next participant stepped into the room. “Since you two passed the test, I’m going to need your names,” Mary said. Eddie stepped closer to her while Adam slipped on his ripped t-shirt.

“Eddie,” he replied.

“No, not just your names; I meant your surnames,” she chuckled.

Confusion crossed both Eddie's and Adam's faces. Eddie was not fond of his surname, and neither was Adam. Before getting involved in all of this, Adam often wished he wasn’t related to his foster parents.

“Eddie Lock,” he said. Mary quickly typed while staring at another monitor. “Adam,” she called, looking at him.

“Adam Embers,” he replied.

“Okay...” she said, typing it down. Just then, a girl with long brown hair approached Adam. “Hey,” she greeted. “I hope you don’t mind me asking, but did you pass?”

“Yeah,” he replied.

“What kind of test was it?” she asked.

“Well, first he makes you put on some pretty heavy bracelets, and then he tells you that you have to dodge some of his strikes and counter them with your powers.”

“Powers?” she asked, her expression puzzled.

“But I’m an earth power holder. How is that going to work?”

“Oh, I don’t really know. I guess you’ll find out once you get there,” he said, putting on his backpack and standing up.Thanks,” she said with a bright smile, stepping into the final test room. As she entered, the door swung shut behind her, and a participant emerged from the room, looking completely unscathed and relaxed, as if the trials hadn’t even touched him.

Eddie turned to Mary, curiosity evident in his eyes. “So, when do the tournaments start?”

“A week from now,” Mary responded, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she typed.

“Okay, we’ve gotta get going,” Adam said, glancing at Eddie with determination.

“I’ll give you a call,” Mary said, her voice warm as she waved them off.

Adam and Eddie stepped outside, taking one last look at the imposing registration and testing building, its sleek, modern architecture gleaming in the sunlight. The exterior was a stark contrast to the bustling activity that had just taken place within its walls.

Eddie furrowed his brow, a puzzled expression crossing his face. “How is it that the inside is bigger than the outside?” he mused. “It’s like we walked into pocket dimensions or something similar.”

With a casual shrug, Eddie added, “Well, catch you later, dude,” before dashing off down the path, his footsteps quickening.

“My shirt…” Adam muttered, watching as Eddie disappeared into the distance, already gaining speed. He sighed, shaking his head at his friend’s lack of concern for the small details.

Once home, Adam stepped inside and made a beeline for the training area, the familiar surroundings bringing him a sense of focus. He could still feel the adrenaline from the test coursing through him as he recalled the brief but intense challenge the instructor had presented right after the test.“That fireball seemed to have hit him, but he doesn’t look hurt at all,” Adam thought, a hint of concern creeping into his mind. He sighed, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle in. With a determined shake of his head, he exited the training area and made his way to the shower, seeking to wash away the sweat and fatigue from his body.

Once he had changed into fresh clothes, he stood in front of the mirror, a feeling of resolve washing over him. “That’s it—one thousand sit-ups,” he declared, though he couldn’t help but feel the absurdity of the task. “I know it’s ridiculous, but I need to push myself.” He stripped off his t-shirt and tossed it onto the bed, the fabric landing in a crumpled heap. “Maybe even three hundred push-ups,” he added to himself, envisioning the hard work ahead.

*In Atlas City*

The sun had long set, shrouding the city in darkness. The night sky was dimly illuminated by twinkling stars and a bright, full moon, but the natural light was quickly overpowered by the vibrant glow of the city below. Buildings and flats were aglow, their windows sparkling with life, a stark contrast to the night’s shadows.

On top of one of the tallest skyscrapers, two figures stood perched, gazing down at a neighboring building. Though it too was tall, it paled in comparison to the heights from which they surveyed the landscape, allowing them a sweeping view of the bustling city that seemed alive beneath the starlit skies.Victoria stood confidently on the corner edge of the building, her frost-white hair whipping gently in the steady wind that swept across the rooftop. She was clad in a fitted black hooded jacket that hugged her form, adorned with subtle red accents that hinted at her affiliation. The fabric was lightweight yet durable, allowing for effortless movement while seamlessly blending into the shadows of the night.

Beneath the jacket, she wore a close-fitting black tactical shirt, specifically designed for maximum flexibility and comfort during intense action. Her black pants, crafted from heavy-duty fabric, featured numerous pockets for utility and were reinforced at the knees for extra protection against potential hazards.

Completing her formidable look were sturdy black combat boots, laced tightly and designed to navigate rough terrain with ease. They not only offered stability but also ensured her stealth as she prepared to make her move.She looked like she hadn’t slept in days, evident from the dark bags under her eyes. “Now’s the chance,” Zee whispered urgently from behind her.

In a calm, casual manner, Anna dove down the side of the building, the cool breeze rushing past her, whipping her hair back and causing the air to shoot up around her ears. While she was upside down, she extended a hand, pointing forward with her index finger while positioning her thumb to resemble a gun. The ground raced toward her as she passed multiple floors, her heart racing with exhilaration as she neared her targeted level.

The office came into view—a sleek space where a large, dark wooden desk dominated the room. Its surface was impeccably organized, showcasing a sleek computer, a few essential documents stacked neatly, and a small potted plant that added a touch of greenery to the otherwise professional environment. Behind the desk sat a stocky man with glasses, dressed in a crisp white shirt and a dotted tie, his expression one of focused professionalism as he reviewed the paperwork before him.

He suddenly locked eyes with the figure plummeting from above, her descent both graceful and alarming. At the same moment, an ice bullet materialized, hovering a mere inch from Anna's fingertip, shimmering in the ambient light with a mesmerizing, crystalline glow. Its surface was impeccably smooth, reflecting the surroundings like a perfect frozen mirror.

Delicate, icy tendrils spiraled around the bullet, twisting and coiling in slow, elegant movements, reminiscent of frost creeping across a windowpane. These translucent, ethereal strings pulsed with an internal energy, swirling around the bullet as if breathing life into it.

A chill permeated the air, crackling with energy and serving as a tangible reminder of the immense power being harnessed. Tiny frost particles danced in the surrounding atmosphere, caught in the magnetic allure of the forming projectile, as anticipation built within the office.Her face twisted into a sadistic grin as she took the shot. The frost was launched with a force that created a sharp gust of wind, rippling through the air as it was fired. It struck the window of the flat, shattering the glass before slicing through and aiming straight for the man’s head. The bullet hit dead center between his eyes, embedding itself in the middle of his skull and instantly freezing his brain.

The man died in an instant, his head dropping onto the desk with a lifeless thud.

*Minutes Earlier*

Victoria and Zee stood atop the building, the distant sounds of police sirens and bustling traffic echoing below. “You’re saying that the person we’re targeting is one of those individuals from that organization experimenting on power holders?” Victoria asked, her brow furrowing in disbelief.Yes, they call themselves the EOA—Enhanced Operations Agency. They’re experimenting on people like us to create super soldiers. Just the thought of it makes me sick,” Zee said, her voice filled with disgust. Victoria, however, ignored her words, her gaze fixed intently on the building below, lost in her own thoughts.

*The Present*

Victoria was still falling when she flipped midair, her feet pointing straight down. With a quick motion, she created a solid ice block beneath her, stepping onto it before leaping off, propelling herself away from the building and toward the next one. As she approached the wall of the adjacent structure, she prepared herself, watching as her hand took on a faint bluish hue.

Upon touching the surface, ice exploded from her hand, forming a sturdy mount that her hand and knee pressed against. She glanced up the side of the building, determination in her eyes, and placed her other hand against it, readying herself for the next stage of her descent.Using her considerable strength, she pulled herself upward, shooting up with incredible speed. As she reached the edge of the rooftop, she held on tightly, letting out a soft groan as she hoisted herself onto the flat surface.

“Good job,” she heard a voice crackle through the earpiece. “Tell Zee it’s time to head back. You wouldn’t want to be caught,” the voice continued.

“Yes, sir...” she replied, glancing around the expansive cityscape. A thought flashed through her mind. "I wonder if big sis will be happy about this."

---

*DMR (Other World)*

“Two thousand and ninety-eight, two thousand and ninety-nine,” Adam groaned, his breaths heavy as he finished another set of sit-ups. “Two thousand,” he murmured, finally letting his head and hands fall to the floor, thoroughly spent. He lay shirtless beside his bed, drenched in sweat and panting heavily. “I knew I could do it,” he said, gasping between breaths.

“Just gotta take a little nap,” he thought, drifting off into a peaceful sleep.

Meanwhile, Tilda arrived at the front door and pressed the doorbell. After a brief moment of silence, she rang it multiple times, her concern growing. “Is he not home?” she wondered aloud.

Slowly, she pushed the door open. “It’s not locked,” she remarked, stepping inside. “Adam?” she called out, her voice tinged with nervousness.

Making her way to the training grounds, she opened the door and was greeted by an empty expanse of lush green grass and scattered trees, the tranquility of the scene contrasting sharply with her feelings of unease. “He’s not here either,” she murmured.

Determined, she descended the stairs to his room. Tilda took a deep breath and tentatively opened the door. Inside, she found Adam quietly snoring on the floor, shirtless and slightly damp from sweat. The room was filled with the familiar aroma of his scent, a mixture of determination and exertion that lingered in the air.

Tilda noticed something was different about him—his abs had just begun to show. A flicker of surprise crossed her mind; Adam hadn't been ripped before. *Had he really managed to get abs in just one day?*

“He looks so worn out,” she thought, taking in his exhausted form. "I came to talk about training, but it doesn’t seem like a good time. Maybe I’ll come back later." With a lingering gaze, her eyes glowed a vivid golden for a brief moment before she closed the door behind her.

Adam stirred awake, blinking as he stared at the ceiling. He slowly sat up, his eyes falling to the clock. It read three minutes past two PM. Pausing for a moment, he touched his abdomen, staring in disbelief. "I really did it," he murmured, a small smile creeping across his face. A wave of satisfaction washed over him as he realized he was in better shape than he had ever been.

It still felt a bit silly to Adam that he had gone through the effort to achieve abs, especially since he might be the only male power holder without them.

The doorbell rang, breaking his thoughts. He got up from the floor and made his way to the door. Swinging it open, he found Eddie standing there, a broad grin on his face. “Hey,” Eddie said, inviting himself in as Adam stepped aside to let him through.

“So, when do we start training?” Eddie asked, his enthusiasm evident in his small smile.

“Training, yeah, right,” Adam replied, recalling their conversation from the other day. He shook his head, trying to dismiss the lingering doubt. “Let’s head to the training room, then,” he added, trying to sound more confident.

“Just so you know, I’m not gonna hold back, and you’re not putting on a shirt,” Eddie declared, his tone playful yet serious.

“Almost forgot!” Adam replied, with a chuckle as he headed toward his room. A moment later, he reemerged, wearing a fitted red t-shirt that contrasted sharply with his newly defined abs. “Okay, let’s go,” he said, leading the way.

As they walked toward the training grounds, excitement brewed between them, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.They stepped into the training grounds, standing side by side as they gazed out at the open field of short grass and scattered trees. It was a picturesque scene, but they both knew that this beautiful view probably wouldn't look the same after their training session today.

“Hey Adam, what did you want to do before all of this?” Eddie asked, breaking the silence.

“What do you mean?” Adam replied, slightly confused.

“I’m talking about before you became a power holder—before any of this happened,” Eddie clarified, his expression thoughtful.

Then it hit Adam, a memory from his childhood rushing back. He recalled the days spent in the orphanage, where he had been asked that familiar question again. Instinctively, he thought of answering it in the same way. “Honestly, I wanted to be a firefighter,” he said, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. “It’s kind of ironic that I’m the one causing the fires now,” he added, raising his hand and igniting it in flames, the fire dancing brightly in the open air.

He didn’t hear a response from Eddie, so he turned to look at him. What he saw made his heart sink—Eddie wore a sad and concerned expression, a reflection of thoughts that weighed heavily on his mind.

In that moment, Eddie was reminded of someone from his past who had said a very familiar line when he was young. He could picture the scene clearly: under a brittle willow tree, a place of solace, where he had asked a kid he recognized as his brother back then.

“What?”Adam asked, his curiosity piqued as he studied Eddie's face. He noticed his eyes widen, as if a realization was dawning upon him.