Emotions are a powerful thing.
More often than not, they tend to be the end of many a man or woman who indulges too much in them. Yet, sometimes, they can also be the only reason why a human can live on.
And in my case, they might as well be the deciding factor on my life in this world.
Pulling on my inner fire, I fueled it with my emotions.
Within this abandoned warehouse, the glow from my body illuminated the darkness as the very floor underneath my feet started to melt under the heat.
Concentrating on the power, I directed it, controlled it.
And my inner fire obeyed rather easily.
The ground cooled as the heat pulled away from my feet, my torso, and everywhere else, until it was all concentrated on my right arm, which now glowed white hot.
Without hesitation, I plunged my hand into a steel beam, which melted into a puddle near instantly.
All the while, my clothes remained untouched under my near-perfect control.
'Alright. Basic control is good. Let's see about defenses.'
Pulling my inner fire away from my skin and restraining it within my body's depths, I used my nails to make a cut since nothing normal can get past my new durability, showing blood which dripped down harmlessly.
Then, I let go of my control, healing the wound instantly.
I wasn't done yet, however, as I once again made a cut. Yet, this time, the blood that leaked bubbled like lava and started to melt through the floor while the cut healed within a few seconds.
'My theory was right. I can turn the power of Extremis off or on whenever I want. Blood drawn or wounds caused during the time when Extremis is deactivated looks and behaves no differently from a regular human's, except that the cuts heal extremely fast thanks to the herb. But when Extremis is turned on, my blood literally turns into liquid fire.'
I smirked at that thought
This will give a nasty surprise to any Vampire that dares to try and suck my blood, provided they get past my defenses.
'Now, for the offensive ability.'
Once again pulling on my inner fire, I concentrated it all on my throat and breathed out.
A jet of flame erupted from my mouth, strong enough to cause third-degree burns to a regular human. Unfortunately, I don't think they are hot enough to cause true damage to a Vampire or a Lycan.
At most, I might cause some superficial burns.
After that, I pulled my power into my salivary glands, infusing them with my power, and spat out a blob of saliva.
The results were interesting to say the least, as the steel beam I have been using for these tests melted once again under my saliva.
'So, magma spit works as well? That's good. I could use this to my advantage. Let's see the physical limits of my body, then.'
Walking over to the abandoned truck in the warehouse, I stood by its side and grabbed its bed. Taking a proper position, I picked it up with my legs taking the strain as I was trained.
And much to my surprise, I picked the whole thing up despite the uneven weight distribution, throwing my balance off.
It was rather easy too.
I knew Extremis gave me superstrength that was further enhanced by the Heart-Shaped herb's passive enhancement, but I did not expect the boost to be so much.
I think I might actually stand a chance against the Vampire Elders-no, stop. Don't get overconfident. That way lies a pitiful death.
Until I know for certain that I can defeat them with absolute certainty, cautious planning and anonymity must always be at the forefront of any plan I make.
As I continued working on my powers, my phone rang with the alarm that I had set for it, showing that it was time for me to leave.
Picking up the cooling steel beam and the other scraps from the floor, including the ground where my blood had been dropped during my tests, I melted it all down with my heat, turning the wood to ash, sterilizing the ground, and melting the steel beam into an ingot, which I took with me.
I will not allow any of my genetic material to remain behind, even if this warehouse has been abandoned for years and nobody comes this way anymore.
In a world where Vampires and Werewolves can sift through your memories by drinking your blood, one cannot be too cautious.
Getting into my car, I headed back into the city.
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In a small restaurant across the St Istvan Hospital, Michael Corvin sat at a table, eating his sandwich happily as he watched out from the window, watching for his brother to pull up.
And just as he expected, a black Volkswagen Polo pulled into the parking lot from which his brother got out.
Sometimes, Michael wished he had the same kind of bright personality as his brother, who bounced back from such a serious accident rather quickly.
He, on the other hand, could not let go of what happened nearly three years ago.
Granted, Gabriel did not suffer many injuries, while Michael lost his fiancée in his accident, but as they say, the grass is always greener on the other side.
Gabriel casually walked into the restaurant and sat down in front of Michael, ordering a whole serving of food that made Michael blink.
"You sure you can finish all that?"
Gabriel shrugged.
"I am hungry."
"You ordered enough food to fill up three people."
"Very hungry."
"Wanna go to the hospital to check it out?"
"Mike. Drop it."
Michael grinned at Gabriel's annoyed look.
"So, you said you got something to talk about?"
Gabriel nodded and leaned back into his seat.
"Yeah. I've been thinking about some things, and I wanted to talk to you about a few things."
"About...?"
".....Do you want to move back to the States?"
Michael nearly dropped his sandwich at that question before his fingers tightened around his food, his eyes refusing to meet his brothers as he looked out the window.
Gabriel's eyes softened at the visible change.
"Mike. I know you haven't gotten over it yet. And I am not trying to tell you when or how to process it. But, I think you can use some familiarity to come to terms with it."
"....No. Gabe. I don't think I will move back any time soon."
Gabriel fell silent, knowing that Michael was not done talking.
This was how it had always been with the siblings. They knew when the other still wanted to say something, and they always looked out for each other.
Just like how Gabe was trying to look out for Michael by trying to send him back to the United States of America, even if the reason was different from the one Michael was thinking about.
"...I still see her, you know. In my dreams. Those last moments, they haven't left me yet."
Gabriel's eyes widened in alarm at those words as he sat forward, his words hissing out in genuine worry while trying to keep his voice down.
"You said the nightmares stopped a few months ago. That the therapy was working. That is why I allowed you to stop going to those sessions!"
Michael smiled wryly at his brother.
"Let's be real, Gabe. There is no way any amount of therapy is going to get rid of those dreams. And if I had not lied to you back then, would you have allowed me to move out of your apartment and let me get my own place?"
"....No. I would have forced you to stay put. Which I am considering again, by the way."
Mike grinned as light returned to his eyes.
"See? That overbearing attitude is why I don't wanna stay at your place. You always take things too far."
"Says the guy ignoring his mental health like this."
"At least I am a functional member of society and not a lazy bum who retired at thirty-two."
The brothers chuckled at the back and forth before a comfortable silence settled between them.
Finally, Michael spoke softly.
"Thanks, Gabe."
"Hm?"
"For trying to help me out. I don't think I am ready to go back home just yet. But I think the thought has merit."
Gabriel grinned before ruffling Michael's hair, causing the man to slap away the arm.
"What are brothers for? Idiot."
"Yeah. Anyways, I got to get back to my shift."
"Alright. Take care of yourself, you hear?"
"Sure, man."
Watching Michael leave for the hospital across the restaurant, Gabriel could not help but sigh.
'Well, that plan was a bust. I really wanted us to leave all this nonsense behind and go back to the good ol' US of A. But I guess things can never be that simple, huh?'
His thoughts continued spiralling towards a terrifying potential future as he continued eating through the pile of food, his eyes wandering all over the restaurant and outside.
Watching the rain, he felt the gloomy atmosphere oddly comforting.
Once he was done eating, he finally left the restaurant, heading home.
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Author Notes: Read 5 chapters ahead on Patreon: https://patreon.com/Tiranus2