The voice echoed through the dimly lit workshop, a low, menacing growl that reverberated through the cold metal walls, dripping with malice.

"Oh, our little Kael is finally growing up," the voice sneered. "Yeah right, you little shit. I know what you're trying to do. I know that crystal gives you the knowledge for these pathetic little art projects."

The voice slithered through the room like poison, taunting Kael, a dark presence looming just out of reach. Shadows flickered as if alive, mocking him with their shifting shapes. The air thickened, choking.

"Just remember," the voice continued, its tone like nails on glass, "your toys will never be enough. They'll never be able to kill me or my army."

Kael gritted his teeth, his heart pounding as he glared at the rows of weapons he'd been crafting. Cannons, guns, and blades, each designed with precision—each one deadlier than the last. Yet, all he heard in that moment was the voice dismissing them as mere toys.

A smirk crept across his face, though it didn't reach his eyes. He could feel the rage boiling beneath his skin, the heat of it almost unbearable, but it fueled him. His pulse steadied, no longer filled with fear but with something sharper. Confidence.

"Come at me then, you cowardly bastard," Kael spat, his voice cutting through the thick air. "Why not send some of your minions my way while you're at it? I could use the practice."

His fingers reached for the armor on the table, the smooth, sleek plates shimmering faintly under the dim light. With practiced movements, he slid the pieces onto his body, the cold metal fitting perfectly as if it were part of him. The kinetic armor locked into place with a soft hiss, the weight of it familiar yet empowering.

His hand closed around the pouch at his side, pulling out the Crystal of Creation. The pale blue glow from the crystal pulsed in his hand like a living heart. As soon as he touched it, Kael could feel the hum of power radiating from within, a soft vibration that made the hair on his neck stand on end.

With a deep breath, Kael pressed the crystal against his chestplate.

Boom.

The workshop shook with the force of it. The crystal shot into the center of the armor, embedding itself into the heart of the chestplate. The reaction was instant. A surge of raw, unrelenting power coursed through Kael's body. His armor flared to life, glowing veins of blue energy igniting across the surface like lightning, tracing intricate patterns down his arms and legs. The heat was intense, almost overwhelming, but Kael reveled in it.

The power was undeniable, intoxicating. He could feel the energy flooding his veins, filling him with strength unlike anything he had ever known. The armor pulsed, syncing with his heartbeat, each beat sending a wave of power through his limbs. His muscles coiled with newfound strength, the kinetic armor buzzing with stored energy, ready to unleash.

The voice laughed, a dark, hollow sound, but there was an edge to it now—something less certain.

Kael's eyes burned with fury as he tightened his grip on the gauntlets, the metal humming beneath his touch. "You're wrong," he growled, his voice low but filled with deadly intent. "These aren't toys. This is my weapon. And I will tear through you and every last one of your soldiers with it."

He took a step forward, and the ground beneath his feet trembled, as if the very earth could sense the power radiating from him. The armor thrummed, storing kinetic energy with every movement. The air around him seemed to crackle, filled with a static charge that made the hairs on his arms stand up.

Kael's eyes flicked towards the weapons lining the walls—blades sharp enough to cut through steel, guns capable of tearing through armor, all of them ready, waiting for the battle ahead. But they paled in comparison to the power he now felt coursing through his own body.

Suddenly, there was a shuffling sound outside the workshop. A low growl, followed by the faint scrape of claws on stone.

Kael's lips curled into a predatory grin. "So, you took my challenge."

The door to the workshop rattled as something slammed into it from the other side, a heavy, bone-shaking thud. The ground trembled beneath Kael's feet, but he stood firm, adrenaline surging through him. More growls followed—several this time. The army was here.

Kael strode to the door, his armor glowing brighter with each step, the power building inside him. The air around him seemed to hum with energy, a low, constant buzz that grew louder as the creatures outside continued to batter at the door. With a swift, calculated movement, Kael threw the door open, and the outside world came crashing in.

A flood of grotesque, snarling creatures poured through the doorway, their eyes glowing with malice, claws extended, teeth bared. Their bodies were twisted and malformed, a perverse mockery of the beasts they once were, now enslaved by the same dark force that mocked him.

Kael didn't flinch. The first creature lunged at him, claws swiping through the air. In a fluid motion, Kael sidestepped and slammed his fist into its chest, the kinetic energy stored in his armor exploding on impact. The creature was sent flying backward, crashing into the wall with a sickening crunch.

Before the others could react, Kael charged forward, his movements a blur. Each punch, each strike, released a pulse of kinetic energy that sent the creatures flying, their bodies crumpling under the force of his blows. The armor glowed brighter with every strike, storing and releasing energy in a deadly rhythm.

One of the creatures lunged for him, its jaws wide, but Kael's gauntlet met its throat with a crushing blow, and the creature collapsed in a heap. Another tried to circle behind him, but Kael was faster. He spun around, his foot slamming into the beast with enough force to shatter bones.

As the last creature fell, the voice returned, quieter now, but no less sinister.

"You're stronger than I thought... but not strong enough. Not yet."

Kael stood among the broken bodies of the beasts, his chest heaving, the glow of his armor beginning to dim as the power inside him ebbed. He wiped the blood from his mouth, his eyes burning with the promise of vengeance.

"I don't need to be strong enough," Kael muttered, a dangerous edge to his voice. "I just need to be smarter. And I will be. You can bet on that."

The voice faded, but Kael knew it wouldn't be for long. His enemies were growing bolder, and the battles ahead would be brutal. But now, with the Crystal of Creation embedded in his armor, he had something more than just weapons—he had the power to change everything.

And for the first time, Kael felt ready to embrace it.

[Crystal of Creation](Ability Update)

+ Absolute Creation

Grants the ability to forge anything imaginable, constrained only by physical limits like size and complexity.

+Infinite Creation

Creations are permanent, but each one gradually depletes the crystal's power over time.

+Armor of Power

The strength of the wearer increases exponentially, with enhancements varying based on the weapon equipped. When wielding a weapon, strength can be amplified by up to XX. However, when unarmed, the armor boosts the wearer's power tenfold, granting 10x their normal strength.

+Muscle Creation

Generates enhanced muscles beyond the user's natural limits, creating strength and power where it never existed before.

New Abilities Locked – Awaiting Unlock