Capítulo 15: Training
Alex and Jimmy had a small breakfast with no intentions to sate his hunger. The day was dedicated to training, and hunger would increase his drive. Jimmy grabbed his car keys, and planned on driving the two of them outside of the city.
For them to unleash their full abilities, they would need a desolate area.
"This is the third time we've passed this store, are you sure we're training today?" Alex pointed to a run down convenience store on his right.
"Just making sure they aren't following us," Jimmy replied.
"You're not getting paranoid in your old age, are you?" Alex chuckled.
The two of them left the city after they were satisfied that no one was tailing them. The sight of the forest soon entered Alex's vision as he realized where they were going. Jimmy used to take him hunting near a clearing full of tall wild grasses and surrounded by towering coniferous trees that would prevent any prying eyes from spotting them.
It would be perfect!
'So, are there any tips you can give me?' Alex asked his system.
[Honestly, trust Jimmy!]
[He was the number two for a reason…]
'That's reassuring.' he was skeptical at first.
[Plus, it's not like you can get a better idea from me.]
[How would you convince Jimmy to try it?]
[He's the one that has experience.]
The car pulled off an old logging trail and entered the clearing.
The two were-dinos exited the vehicle and took a look around, ensuring that they were alone. They walked the perimeter of the area and found no signs of life—not even a deer.
'You make a good point...' It would be almost impossible to convince Jimmy that the inexperienced were-rex came up with a random idea better than the proven methods.
"First, we need to discuss what 'getting stronger' means..." Jimmy walked toward the center of the clearing.
"The most obvious transformation is also our most intimidating!" Jimmy turned to look at Alex.
His body started to expand like a balloon, and his human flesh exploded in a cloud of pink mist. Not a single trace of pain seemed to appear on his face, contrary to Alex's experience. His clothes almost disintegrated from the force.
In his place, a giant beast with an alligator-like mouth and fin-like sail on its back rose to the sky. His webbed feet flattened the dry grass as he hunched over and looked down on Alex, in perfect control of the creature.
Just as quickly as he became a giant, he started to turn human again!
Shrinking back down to his normal size, the shape of Jimmy took place before the young man's eyes. The skin and bones of the dinosaur condensed itself while a new layer of human flesh formed over it. His muscles reformed under his body, giving him a toned frame as his eyes, teeth, and hair finished last, grotesquely squirming out of his skin at an alarming rate.
"I excel in the water and have full control over myself and my transformation," Jimmy said after his face reformed.
"You will have to train to get used to the sensation to reach that point." Jimmy stood before Alex with his hands on his hips. His clothes lay scattered in the bloody mess around the forest floor.
"But, more useful in modern times is our hybrid transformation," Jimmy said without moving a muscle.
His pale flesh melted and was replaced with a gray-ish tone. "This is the most basic form. I've simply replaced my soft human skin with my dinosaur skin."
"How is that useful, isn't your skin still present under your human skin?" Alex thought back to the bullet that failed to harm him, trying to understand.
"It is, but this allows you to be more flexible. For example..." Jimmy paused, and a subtle transformation caused his hands to become small versions of the claws he wielded in his spinosaurus form. "You could make this transformation mid-punch instead of showing your opponent the full change."
"So, when I got shot, why didn't I bleed out?" He failed to find an explanation for the bizarre event.
"Honestly? You probably lost control and entered a partial hybrid state accidentally. If you were upset that might explain it, but I'm not sure." Jimmy placed his human hand under his chin, giving the question some thought.
"So then, how do I learn how to use these techniques? It seems like the hybrid form is more useful. Can I learn that first?" Alex was interested after this demonstration. "I wouldn't mind learning control, though…"
"I'd appreciate not worrying about eating my friends." He recalled Vikki and Layla and shuddered at the thought of what could have happened.
"Honestly, the hybrid technique requires mastery of control." Jimmy changed back to a pale old man, and picked up his cane.
"We can train your control, of course. It'll be pretty hard though!" He leaned against the cane and basked in the sun.
"Before we do that, could you... put on some pants?" Alex wasn't exactly comfortable standing in a field with a naked old man. "If we're both going to be going nude during this training…"
The young man shielded his eyes and stepped away from Jimmy. "...I'm out."
"Don't worry; the training technique won't let you change enough to ruin your outfit." Jimmy chuckled as he grabbed a pair of shorts from the car.
"Focus on intense emotions. It's usually the easiest way." he slid his shorts on and leaned against the car
"You need to trigger your transformation, and negative emotions work well." Jimmy sat on the ground and leaned back against the tires, waiting for the were-rex to show signs of his terramorphosis.
"That's it, that's all the guidance you're giving me?" The young man asked.
[That's all you need.]
[I suggest thinking about your mom.]
[You killed her after all!]
"Would you rather I bully you?" Jimmy picked up a small stone and tossed it at him.
[How does that feel?]
'Shut up, that wasn't me!'
[Killed your mom because you were too weak.]
'Seriously, piss off!' Alex felt his self-anger and resentment rise.
His head ached as his hangover's intensity rose. He hadn't eaten much that morning and got little sleep. His irritability reached new heights.
[No wonder your dad didn't stay.]
'He'll regret it!' He vowed again to seek out his father.
[What a pathetic heir.]
'I'm not an heir to shit.' He gripped his temples in an effort to stop the system
'I didn't want this.' But the message just lingered in front of his eyes.
'Shut up!' He couldn't escape.
Alex's mind became overwhelmed by flashbacks of the rainy night six years ago. Recalling his sopping wet skin splitting open in his dad's jacket as the blood poured from his body. He saw the terror on his parents' faces when he was chasing them down to devour them.
He did that and he hated himself for it.
He wanted to punch something, but found himself unable to find the strength to move. His closest target was the old man sitting on the ground a few feet away. Just a few steps and he could rip his throat out..
The agony of that first night returned. It was impossible to keep his eyes open as his muscles bulged and blood soaked his torso. Alex screamed as his body ripped open and exposed his ancient flesh lying beneath.
"Sleep well," Jimmy whispered as he struck the back of his neck, rendering him unconscious.
The wounds on his body slowly melded together as he went limp, collapsing in the pool of blood that covered the once beautiful grassy field.
Status de energia semanal
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-- Pedra de
Poder