Chapter 3: The First Test

The academy shook with the force of another explosion, the shockwave rattling the metal fixtures in Professor Riggs' office. Alden Cross gripped the sides of his chair as the alarm system blared. A moment ago, he was being told he had to join the elite track, and now Sentinel Academy was under attack.

"That can't be good," Alden muttered.

Riggs was already moving, his expression unreadable as he pressed a command on his desk console. A holographic display flickered to life, revealing a security feed from the academy's outer perimeter.

A towering figure stood in the smoke, marching forward with deliberate steps. The man—if he could even be called that—was massive, easily eight feet tall, his entire body encased in military-grade cybernetic armor. Thick, reinforced plating covered his limbs, his mechanical arms bristling with built-in weaponry. His red visor glowed ominously, scanning the area as security drones hovered around him, their warning lights flashing.

A robotic voice crackled through the intercom.

"ALERT. UNIDENTIFIED SUPERHUMAN ENTITY IDENTIFIED AS 'PROTOTYPE OMEGA.' THREAT LEVEL: A-CLASS OR HIGHER."

Alden's stomach tightened. "That thing looks like a final boss."

"That's because it is," Riggs said grimly. "Prototype Omega is a classified combat-enhanced supersoldier experiment. It shouldn't be here."

Alden hesitated. "Shouldn't… as in it's not supposed to exist?"

Riggs didn't answer. Instead, he grabbed an earpiece from his desk and activated his comms. "All available combat units, engage with extreme caution. Keep civilians clear. Do not engage in direct combat unless necessary."

The intercom buzzed again, a static-filled voice cutting through. "Professor Riggs, this is Captain Stroud from Security Division. The target is advancing past the main barricade. We're attempting to slow it down, but it's tearing through defenses like paper."

Alden watched the security feed as several academy guards, all trained superhumans, attempted to intercept Prototype Omega. One of them unleashed a firestorm, but the heat barely left a mark on the cybernetic armor. Another charged in with enhanced speed, only to get swatted aside like a ragdoll.

Alden swallowed. "Yeah, that's really not good."

Riggs turned to him. "Cross. You're coming with me."

Alden blinked. "Excuse me?"

"You wanted to understand your power? Here's your chance," Riggs said, already moving toward the door. "Time to see what you can really do."

Alden scrambled to his feet. "Hold on—shouldn't you be sending actual heroes? I barely know what's happening!"

Riggs shot him a look. "You punched Felix Grayson through a wall. You'll manage."

Alden groaned. "That was an accident!"

But Riggs was already walking. With a sinking feeling, Alden realized he had no choice but to follow.

The academy grounds were in chaos.

By the time Alden and Riggs reached the main courtyard, smoke and debris filled the air. Security forces were in full combat mode, trying to hold back the cybernetic menace that had breached the perimeter. Explosions rattled the sky, and the distant crackle of energy-based attacks rang through the academy grounds.

Alden saw Iris Vale materializing from a shadow portal, dodging debris with sharp precision. She spotted him instantly and teleported to his side.

"You have got to be kidding me," she said, staring at the mechanical giant in the distance. "What is that?"

"Apparently an A-Class superweapon that decided today was a good day to visit," Alden said, rubbing his temples.

Iris sighed. "And let me guess. You're being dragged into this?"

"Of course I am."

A deafening boom cut through their conversation. Prototype Omega's arm shifted, the plating along its forearm splitting open to reveal a high-energy plasma cannon.

A second later, it fired.

The energy beam tore through the ground, leaving a searing crater where a squad of security forces had just stood. The academy's defensive barriers flickered, struggling to hold against the sheer destructive force.

Alden's stomach twisted. "We're so dead."

Riggs turned to them both. "Vale, take defensive support. Cross, get ready."

"Ready for what exactly?" Alden asked, panic creeping into his voice. "I don't know how to fight a killer cyborg!"

"Figure it out," Riggs said simply.

Before Alden could protest, Prototype Omega's visor locked onto him.

The air grew still.

The mechanical giant took a step forward, then another. Then it moved.

The ground cracked beneath its weight as it launched itself forward with terrifying speed. One moment, it had been fifty feet away. The next, it was right in front of Alden.

The plasma cannon primed.

Alden's instincts screamed. He barely had time to react before the cannon fired point-blank.

He moved.

The world slowed.

One second, he was standing in front of the plasma blast. The next, he had sidestepped at inhuman speed. The heat of the blast seared the air where he had just been standing, but his body had moved before his brain even registered it.

Then, without thinking, he struck back.

His fist connected with Prototype Omega's armor.

A thunderous shockwave erupted from the impact.

The metal plating buckled inward, the entire mechanical arm denting under the force of Alden's blow.

The cyborg staggered.

Alden stared at his own hand. The knuckles tingled, blue Overclock energy still sparking faintly from his veins.

The cyborg turned its head toward him, scanning the damage.

Then, for the first time, it spoke.

"UNREGISTERED POWER DETECTED. HIGH-THREAT ENTITY IDENTIFIED. INITIATING COMBAT MODE."

Alden's stomach dropped. "Oh, come on."

The cyborg's chest panel split open.

Rows of micro-missiles deployed, all locking onto Alden.

The targeting systems beeped.

Then the missiles fired.