Adam entered the underground chamber, isolating it from outside interference with the help of the stone door. He began to experiment on the newly found X-Gene. His physical body began to degenerate as chunks of flesh turned to ash in the blink of an eye. All that remained was a purple specter—the real body of Adam—being a half-Mummudrai, half-human abomination.
He used his Mummudrai powers to recreate a body based on the newly discovered X-Gene. At first, a single cell appeared, floating in the air. It rapidly multiplied. Cells grew into an embryo within seconds, and a fetus enclosed in a placenta appeared on the ground.
Adam's psychic body occupied the fetus. This was followed by accelerated growth. In half a minute, the small fetus—just a few weeks old—grew to the size it would have reached in nine months.
The eyes of the fetus opened, shining with a purple glow. It tore open the placenta and escaped outside, gasping for air. In Adam's hands, a miracle of birth and creation had materialized. Adam, who was used to this process of birth due to extensive experimentation, began to self-reflect.
Adam's first experimentation and the memories he gained after fusing with the Mummudrai cemented the fact that, while Mummudrai were powerful, they couldn't manipulate biological matter with the ease he could. Ideally, his powers should have been weaker due to being only half-Mummudrai. But after each contact with other Adams, his origin and essence had improved in quality.
This newly gained power was further enhanced when he recreated Firehair's body as his own. Firehair, whose power was in the class of Omega-level in the domain of the mind, had a special connection to the astral plane. The moment he occupied the body of Firehair's gene template, his astral body and soul jumped from a semi-corporeal being who could only remain in the material plane for a couple of minutes to a psionic entity who could stay in the material plane for extended periods.
Adam's thoughts were interrupted by the sudden voice of Highwalker in his head.
"Adam, there is an urgent matter that requires your attention. There's something strange happening in the skies above the city."
"Okay, I'll be there in a minute," replied Adam.
Adam should have sensed Highwalker's presence long before he entered the vicinity. But he wasn't in his Firehair clone—the one classified as Omega-level in terms of power.
Curious about the new development Highwalker mentioned, Adam willed his newborn body to grow. Its size increased from infant to adult in a minute.
Now that the body had grown to adult size, he wanted to activate the X-Gene. The X-Gene, bestowed by the Celestials in the far future, was a latent gene that remained dormant and only awakened in moments of stress or danger in a few individuals.
But in Adam's case, he could activate the X-Gene in anyone with a touch. Not just that—he could also access all the abilities of the X-Gene to their full potential. He activated the dormant X-Gene in the body in anticipation. Defying his expectations, the X-Gene activated without a hitch. But Adam didn't feel any new kind of power. If anything, he felt weaker.
Adam wanted to investigate more about the X-Gene, but he was interrupted by Highwalker again.
"Adam, a swarm of beings has emerged from the sky. From something that looks like some kind of portal."
Adam realized the situation outside was quite unusual. He could investigate the X-Gene at a later time. For now, he had to deal with the external threat.
He signaled his mind to move the stone door, but the door—which weighed a couple of tonnes—didn't budge. He sighed, having forgotten that he was not in his far more powerful body.
"Well, this time I might have to use these muscles to work," thought Adam as he walked toward the stone door.
Adam's body, which had already reached adulthood, grew a foot taller. Muscles all over his body bulged, turning him into a monstrous figure of strength. His face shifted, resembling his previous appearance. All of this was possible due to his year of experimentation.
But there was still one difference—his hair was black, unlike the usual red, the color of Firehair, whose genes Adam had borrowed.
Putting his newly grown muscles to work, Adam pushed the stone door with all his might, opening the path to the outside. His feat of strength was entirely in the realm of the superhuman, but all of it was accomplished through his manipulation of the biological growth factors that govern human development.
Adam caught sight of Highwalker standing in front of the underground chamber. Surprised at the change in Adam, he quickly returned to normal—accustomed as he was to Adam's eccentricities.
Both stood facing each other. There was one problem—Adam had forgotten his clothes, as they had disintegrated along with his old body.
"Adam, wear this," said Highwalker as the fur coat he was wearing floated toward Adam, who wore it without reservation. But the fur coat looked odd on Adam's body. The coat, which should have reached near his ankles, only came down to his knees, and due to his bulging muscles, it looked like it would tear at any moment.
"Let's go. Which fool is trying to attack this time?" said Adam as he walked ahead of Highwalker in haste. They quickly exited the fort. Adam looked toward the sky and caught sight of a glowing red portal.
Highwalker guided him as they walked right below the portal in the middle of the city. As he neared the portal's vicinity, he saw destruction—broken buildings, dead bodies of humans, and of something that looked like demonic beasts.
Standing near the dead bodies was Firehair—slightly taller than before. Now she appeared seven years old. She too noticed Adam and Highwalker approaching.
"Adam, I sensed dread and fear while I was in the forge. The source was these creatures emerging from the portals. I was too late. Even though I killed them swiftly, a few people died," said Firehair, her voice tinged with sadness.
"It's okay. You did great. I wouldn't have done a better job," replied Adam. This conversation took place telepathically.
As the conversation continued, Adam and Highwalker reached the site of destruction. Adam neared Firehair and consoled her by patting her head.
He then examined the bodies of the demons that were laid out on the stone ground—mangled and crushed. The makeup of their biological essence emerged in his mind.
"After the first wave, there was no movement from the portal. I stood guard, waiting for another attack," said Firehair.
"The presence of the portal is a constant danger to the city. We can't just stand here waiting for another attack. The only solution is to find out why it appeared. It seems I have to enter the portal," said Adam.
"I will go with you," pleaded Firehair, worried.
"No. You are the second strongest after me. Someone needs to protect the city. There have been no movements from the Serpent-Men, but a strong telepath is needed to detect one hiding in the city. You must protect it while I'm away. Don't worry. Nothing will happen to me."
"Highwalker, make sure the city runs as usual," said Adam. Both Firehair and Highwalker nodded in agreement.
Adam stood looking up toward the portal. With no powers like telekinetic flight, there was only one alternative. From his back, two appendages emerged, tearing a hole in the fur coat. They quickly grew into wings, stirring dust into the air. This was one of the stable hybrid combinations he had created from the stock of genetic templates he possessed. He used his wings to ascend toward the portal.
Just as he was about to enter the portal, he heard Firehair's voice:
"Adam, promise me you'll be safe. Promise me you'll come back."
"I promise," replied Adam.
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