COVELENT: XenoTrait

Felix stared at the dark screen of his phone as his jaw tightened. "Idiot."

He closed his eyes tightly and thought, "I’m not sure if I even mean Abel or maybe myself. I should’ve gone after him. I should’ve stopped him... should’ve done something. Instead, I sat there waiting, hoping...."

Felix placed his hand on his chest and said, "Something is definitely wrong."

Somewhere else, a holographic display floated above the table. Dozens of data streams moved across the screen.

Temperature readings, movement patterns, biological signatures, and Reina stood beside the projection. Her fingers moved rapidly across another holographic interface.

Markus sat nearby, looking at Reins as she worked while he patiently waited.

Reina finally looked up. "I found him."

Markus raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Two markers appeared on the map, one at Felix’s current location. This one was stationary, and the other was moving steadily toward the north.

Reina adjusted the display.

"The biological readings are similar but not identical, although they are close enough."

Markus leaned forward slightly. "Is Felix the one moving toward us?"

Reina shook her head. "No. Felix’s readings are the ones which are still stationary... this one moving closer is another."

The marker continued moving toward Russia, toward Markus.

Reina crossed her arms. "Based on the movement speed and recorded biological signatures..."

She paused as she displayed a new screen with DNA on it. "It’s probably Abel."

The room became quiet.

Markus stared at the marker and smiled. "Abel, huh.."

Reina responded immediately, "Yes, it might be because the new signatures greatly match Abel’s, although they are slightly different."

Markus smirked. "I see... so he survived."

Reina looked at him. "What do you want to do?"

Markus stood up, the holograms reflecting in his eyes. "Nothing complicated."

He turned toward a dark corner of the room. "Blade."

Silence. Then a figure stepped out from the shadows, as if he had been standing there the entire time.

Rain wasn’t even surprised.

Markus smiled. "Why don’t you go invite our little guest inside?"

The man grinned. "It would be my pleasure."

Blade was massive, well over six feet tall with broad shoulders, dark skin, and short black hair, with numerous scars that ran across his arms and neck.

Blade walked out of the room.

"Old scars," Markus said. "Battle scars... proof of countless fights."

Ash interjected, "Yes, unlike us, he doesn’t possess some bizarre mutation. His mutation is simple.....Brutally simple, physical enhancement, his muscles, bone density, durability, his speed. Everything about him has been pushed beyond normal human limits."

Markus scoffed. "Yes, and don’t forget about that basic trick he is good at."

Ash replied, "Oh yes... how could I forget about that?"

Markus responded, "Yes, how could you... when you failed to get past it?"

Blade cracked his neck as he walked, only to disappear down the hallway.

One hour later

Rain poured from the sky.

Raindrops fell on Abel as he walked alone. His clothes were soaked, his breathing shallow, but his eyes remained focused.

"The road ahead seems to stretch endlessly," Abel thought.

He stepped forward, one step, then another.

Then he heard a voice. "You’re a long way from home brother."

Abel stopped immediately, his eyes narrowing.

Someone stood ahead, tall and muscular, the rain rolling off the man’s shoulders.

Blade grinned. "So you’re Abel."

Abel stared. "...Who are you?"

Blade rolled his shoulders. "The guy sent to bring you in my black brother."

Abel sighed. "Markus sent you here?"

Blade nodded.

Abel immediately stepped forward. "Good."

Blade blinked. "Good?"

Abel’s eyes hardened. "Yes, and you are going to tell me where he is, and it also means I’m going the right way."

Blade burst out laughing. "Oh." His grin widened. "I like you." Then his smile vanished instantly. "So let’s see if you’re worth the trouble."

Blade moved first as the ground shattered beneath his feet.

Abel barely raised his arms before a fist slammed into him and he flew backward, sliding across the wet road as his boots dug trenches into the asphalt.

Blade didn’t stop. He charged with another punch, aiming at Abel’s head.

Abel moved his head to the side, and the fist passed. The shockwave alone rattled nearby windows.

Abel countered with a sharp hook to Blade’s side.

Blade’s head snapped sideways, only to immediately return to position. Still smiling, he said, "Nice."

Abel’s eyes widened slightly as Blade grabbed his arm and threw him.

Abel crashed through a concrete wall. Chunks of stone exploded everywhere.

Pain shot through his body, but he stood up immediately.

Blade laughed. "Now we’re talking!"

The giant charged again, and Abel rushed forward.

The two collided.

Abel’s fists broke. He thought to himself, "Shit... that settles it..." Blade threw another punch, and Abel held onto the fist and kicked Blade’s leg with his power, bringing Blade to the ground. "I can’t beat him in strength."

Abel moved backward, his fists slowly healing. He went into a boxing stance as Blade rose.

One after another, they started exchanging blows, Abel ducking and blocking most of them.

"Each impact sounds like an explosion... this person relies on raw power," Abel thought mid-fight.

"Every punch could break concrete, every kick could shatter walls. But thankfully, I am faster."

Abel slipped around attacks, countering and learning.

The fight escalated. The roads cracked, the streetlights collapsed, and the concrete shattered beneath their feet.

Blade swung a punch. Abel ducked it and threw an elbow to Blade’s face. Blade threw another punch, but Abel blocked it with his knee.

Each strike landed harder than the last. Blade grinned wildly as blood dripped from his lip. "Isn’t this fun?.....you truly are a brother."

Abel remained silent as his breathing grew heavier. "My body is not recovering as fast as this person is dealing damage and... I can’t keep up with him anymore." He thought.

Blade noticed immediately and backed away. His grin widened. "You’re slowing down."

Abel said nothing.

Blade stepped forward. "That’s disappointing."

The giant clenched his fist as the road beneath him cracked.

Rain poured harder, and lightning flashed overhead.

For a moment, the two simply stared at one another, neither willing to back down or retreat.

Back at the facility, Felix stared at his phone.

"Still nothing. No messages, no calls... nothing," he thought.

He tightened his jaw. "I can’t get rid of this eerie feeling."

Felix stood. "Enough is enough... I can’t wait anymore." His chair scraped against the floor. He grabbed his jacket. "I’m done waiting." His eyes hardened. "It’s time to head toward Russia."

Felix headed toward the door. "Hang on, Abel."

The door opened, and Felix stepped out, the rain waiting for him beyond.

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