The Slaughter
Cain stood in his hidden training area, the secluded clearing surrounded by dense jungle foliage. He took a deep breath, feeling the charged air around him. The discovery of his new powers had changed everything, and now it was time to test their limits. He stretched his hand out and focused, willing the power of lightning to gather in his palm. He felt the energy surge through his body, racing to his outstretched fingers.
Clenching his hand into a fist, he threw a punch, and a bolt of lightning flew from his hand, striking the makeshift target dummy in front of him. A deafening clap of thunder followed, echoing through the jungle.
The dummy burst into flames, its charred remains collapsing to the ground. Cain watched the display with a mix of satisfaction and frustration. He had been testing his powers for a while and had discovered that using them drained his stamina quickly.
"I still have to get stronger," he muttered to himself. "This power is something I can still improve." He paused, reflecting on the thunderous noise that accompanied his attack. "It's quite loud," he mused. "I'll have to be careful not to draw too much attention."
An idea struck him. "I wonder if I can use it with my short sword," he wondered aloud.
Unsheathing his sword, Cain focused on channeling the lightning into the blade. Blue arcs of electricity danced along the edge of the sword, illuminating the darkening jungle around him. Holding the charge required immense concentration, and he felt his energy depleting rapidly. "So holding it instead of firing it takes more stamina," he thought.
Determined to push his limits, Cain pointed the sword at the damaged target and concentrated on gathering the lightning at the tip of the blade. A small, crackling ball of electricity formed, zapping and writhing with energy. With a loud crack of thunder, the ball shot off like a bullet, smashing the target dummy to pieces. Cain nodded in satisfaction. "So it can be used like this too," he noted, aware of the loud sounds his attacks generated.
His thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Gear, who emerged from the jungle looking uneasy. "Are all the preparations finished?" Cain asked, noticing Gear's troubled expression.
Gear nodded. "We're all set to depart and head down to the Blue Seas," he replied, though his voice betrayed his unease.
Cain could see through Gear easily. "You go wait in the boat near the beach. I will join you after destroying the village."
Gear hesitated. "I can go with you—"
Cain shook his head. "There's no need," he replied firmly. He knew that while Gear was an outcast like him, he had not suffered as much at the hands of the Birkans. Gear had wings, and though he had faced bullying, it was not as severe as what Cain had endured. Cain could sense that Gear's hatred, while real, did not run as deep or as dark as his own.
"Just wait in the boat near the beach. I will take care of things and come back," Cain said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Gear looked conflicted but finally nodded. "Be careful, Cain."
Cain gave a grim smile. "It's time," he said, turning and slowly walking in the direction of the village. His resolve was unwavering, and the arcs of lightning that crackled around him mirrored his determination. The village would soon learn the consequences of their cruelty, and Cain would make sure they paid dearly.
The Birkan village was in an uproar. Enel had come back a day before, heavily injured, and he had told everyone that it was Cain who had done it. "That cursed wingless bastard!" a Birkan warrior spat out among the crowd that had gathered in the village center. "We should round up all the warriors and hunt him down," another snarled, and there were shouts of agreement all around.
"There's no need to go look for me. I'm right here," a voice dripping with malice was heard. The startled crowd looked in the direction of the voice and saw Cain standing there in the middle of the road, his short sword in hand.
"This saves us a lot of trouble!" a Birkan warrior roared out. He took his pistol out, aimed at Cain, and pulled the trigger. With a bang, the bullet flew towards Cain, but to the amazement of the crowd, the bullet passed through him. The area where the bullet hit Cain on the chest was crackling with lightning, and it turned back to flesh after the bullet had passed through.
Even Cain was shocked. "Interesting," Cain murmured. "Guess my whole body's made of lightning now. Physical objects can't harm me. But still, before I know the full extent of my limits, I should play it safe and not take any unnecessary strikes with my body."
While the crowd of gathered Birkan warriors stood stunned, their mouths gaping, Cain drew his short sword and moved towards them. His body appeared to teleport like a bolt of lightning, accompanied by a deafening clap of thunder, and he was right over the crowd in the air.
As his body reformed from lightning, he held his short sword above his head and embedded lightning into the blade. Using his momentum, he fell down, slashing. The ground exploded as soon as Cain landed, throwing the warriors into the air and sending them tumbling. The warriors that weren't hit scrambled to take out their weapons.
Cain didn't waste a second. He dashed forward, his movements swift and precise. One warrior barely had time to react before Cain's short sword sliced through the air, severing his head from his body. His weapon clattered to the ground.
As the first kill registered, Cain felt a dark satisfaction. His bloodlust began to grow, a blood-red aura starting to emanate from his body, tendrils of energy writhing out from him.
"Get him!" shouted another warrior, grabbing a spear.
Cain spun, his short sword clashing against the spear with a metallic clang. He pushed back, then countered with a fluid motion, slicing the warrior's throat. The red aura around him grew more intense, the tendrils flickering violently.
"You'll pay for that!" a warrior snarled, drawing a dagger.
He lunged at Cain, aiming for his heart. Cain sidestepped, grabbed the warrior's wrist, and twisted, forcing him to drop the dagger. With a swift motion, Cain plunged his sword into the warrior's chest, watching as the life drained from his eyes. The aura pulsated, feeding off Cain's rising bloodlust.
Another warrior ran up behind Cain and swung his chain. Cain ducked and rolled forward, coming up behind the warrior and slicing the chain in half with his short sword. Before the warrior could react, Cain delivered a powerful slash across his back, severing his spine. The blood-red tendrils lashed out, almost seeming to consume the fallen enemy.
Two more warriors simultaneously charged at Cain from opposite sides. Cain leapt into the air, performing a spinning kick that sent one flying backward. He landed gracefully and, with a flick of his wrist, parried the other warrior's incoming punch. Without hesitation, he drove his sword through the warrior's heart, ending his life instantly.
Cain's footwork was impeccable as he danced around his remaining opponent, delivering a rapid series of strikes to fatal points. The warrior crumpled to the ground, dead. The red aura around Cain was now a blazing inferno, the tendrils writhing out like serpents.
The last remaining warrior recovered and picked up a metal pipe, swinging it wildly. Cain deflected the first blow with his short sword, then countered with a powerful downward slash that sliced the pipe in two. He finished with a spinning slash that sent the warrior crashing into a wall, lifeless.
The display of savage killing and Cain's bloodlust was too much for some of the remaining Birkan warriors. Fear overtook them as they watched their comrades fall one by one. Several warriors turned and fled, their faces pale with terror. "He's a monster!" one of them shouted as they ran, the fear palpable in their voices.
Breathing steadily, Cain stood amidst the fallen and fleeing Birkan warriors. His eyes were sharp and focused, the adrenaline of the fight still coursing through his veins. The blood-red aura around him gradually began to intensify, the tendrils flaring out from his body.