For a brief instance after waking Ryker could almost believe that things were okay. The dreams had come as they’d always had, a swirl of painful memories and fears that tugged at his heart. But years of familiarity had long since dulled their sting.

Keeping his eyes closed as he lay on the forest floor Ryker took a deep breath in through his nose. The scent of the trees and wild things around him rich in their simplicity without his Synesthesia giving them color and sound. Even the grass underneath him felt novel as he lay on top of it. The small featherlight blades of green brushing against his sides, combined with the warmth of sunlight shining down from above was just…

Had he ever done that as a child? Just lied down in the grass like this? Before the Kaiju, before everything was reduced to dust and ash? Was it possible to feel nostalgia for something you’ve never known?

Despite the sting of his recovering acid burns Ryker cracked open an eye, seeing the world as it should be. His blurred vision taking in the forest until his eye focused on a flower by his head, swaying with the light breeze through the trees. Some small part of his mind wanted to believe that he was still human, yearned for it like like a drowning man fought for air. But Ryker broke the illusion as he shifted. One massive scaled claw coming down next to the flower and dwarfing it as Ryker pushed himself up to his knees.

For a moment Ryker examined his Kaiju body in the same passing manner he’d gauge the effectiveness of his Armor. He still retained the damage from his previous fight but that damage was already healing well. His tail snaked along the grass as Ryker moved it, testing its responsiveness as he tapped the tip to a nearby bush and tree. His chest was still red, a change that Ryker just couldn’t muster the energy to feel anything for. Despite trying to keep his mind off it. Ryker couldn’t stop thinking about the chance he’d finally had to communicate with others, what could have come of it…

And how he’d ruined it.

Was I wrong? Ryker thought with a pang of doubt. All this time I’d thought I needed to keep the timeline from diverging too greatly but… is that what needs to happen? Did I just throw away my best opportunity to save the future?

Ryker sagged as he stared at nothing. The weight of his actions making him reconsider everything he thought he knew. What if he had tried harder? Done more to make himself understood by that reporter and her cameraman? He could have written more, or done something. She could have spoken for him to others, given him a line of communication to the military even.

Damnit. Just… Damnit all. Ryker heaved a sigh as he put his head in his claws and shook his head slowly. He’d known he was the wrong person to do this. Beck should have gone back himself, or sent anyone other than him. Even though he’d been Commander of Typhon’s administration and defense forces that wasn’t a position he’d earned or even wanted. The only reason they’d given it to him was because he’d been a survivor from the years of endless fighting. A name others could point to as proof that the best of humanity was leading them. Nevermind that the only thing he’d ever been the best at was fighting. Even with his fried nervous system at the time he was a pilot first and not much else.

He didn’t have any of the social acumen or planning ability that would have helped him contact the military in a way that didn’t end with him getting shot or dissected. That became abundantly clear when he reexamined the plan he’d made for himself. Which essentially just boiled down to killing Kaiju.

It was the only thing that made sense to Ryker, because he didn’t know anything else. In his past life there had been nothing else. Others had used the chaos of the war to raise themselves up within command, getting promoted to higher positions to move away from the front. But Ryker had refused any opportunity to do so himself, even arguing with his superiors who thought he could serve better outside an Armor’s cockpit. He didn’t want to think, he wanted to fight. To lose himself in the slaughter of the monsters that taken so much from him.

Everything outside of that violence… almost didn’t make sense to Ryker.

It should be one of the others here. Not me. Ryker thought regretfully as his mind wound back to think on his friends. It should have been Riley that survived instead of him, having never gotten the chance to truly shine before her death. Or one of the other two Archangels who’d died in the line of duty. Hiro, the Japanese pilot of Archangel Impulse or Silas, the Brazilian pilot of Archangel Horizon.

But Ryker was the one who had made it here, not them. There was no changing that, or at least that specific part of it given that Ryker was actually in the past. While he couldn’t help but feel like he was wasting an opportunity not trying to connect to the military there was one thing he knew with certainty.

Kaiju had to die. If he couldn’t be certain he could contact the military safely then he would just redouble his efforts to kill Kaiju. It was what Ryker knew best after all, and given where every other Kaiju would be developmentally at this point in time it was almost paramount he killed them now before it was too late.

Every Kaiju’s individual threat level increased exponentially the moment they evolved to Stage Two. That Ryker was so close to reaching his Musculoskeletal gene segment’s capstone ability meant that other Kaiju could be dreadfully close to evolving themselves. Even if they would be weaker comparatively since most Kaiju never stayed in Stage One long enough to unlock their full potential. They would still be monumental threats regardless.

Every Kaiju Ryker killed now was one less city destroying monster down the line. Every threat eliminated meant that more people would survive the disasters to come. It would allow the military to kill Kaiju on their own without the dangers of spreading themselves too thin putting out half a hundred different fires.

I may not be the best man for the job. Well… I’m not even a man anymore really. Ryker thought with a small chuckle as he looked up. Whatever I am now. However else Beck’s experiment may have failed. I won’t fail in this. I’ll cut down so many Kaiju that it won’t matter if I ever contact the military or not.

Flexing his claws Ryker stood and took a few large steps forward as if he could leave his doubts and fears behind. Eyes blazing with determination as he forced his burned eyes open, as if he’d sighted his next target and couldn’t look away.

I’ll stain the Earth red with their blood. Tear every last one limb from limb. Ryker promised. His mouth parting slightly as he bared his teeth at the thought. Human hatred and monstrous hunger merging together in his mind without restraint. Feeding on each other in a way that left Ryker with a primal thrill at the battles to come. He licked his lips, the taste of Kaiju blood and meat still fresh enough on his tongue to make part of him ache for it.

Then… I’ll finally get my fill. Ryker thought hungrily. Keenly aware of the empty void in his stomach for what felt like the first time in his new life. I’ll do it right next time. Get ‘em while they’re still warm, away from people so I can take my time with them. Ryker thought as he absently ran a claw over his mouth, eyes glazing over as his tongue flicked out to taste for any remaining flecks of Kaiju blood on his claws.

The Kaiju he’d eaten just a short while ago had been filling for a time. But he hadn’t been able to enjoy the meals at all. There had been too much going through his mind. Too many things to think about. For a moment Ryker indulged in the fantasy of savoring his next meal. No people, no distractions. Only the need to feed as he savored his kill.

Ryker’s jaws worked slowly, wishing for the tactile feel of tearing flesh in his mouth as his mind reveled in the idea of it. I’ll hold back just enough so they can still kick a little when I open them up. Ryker thought dreamily. Crack open their ribs so I can get inside. So I can get their beating heart between my teeth. Taste it as it gives its last. Right before I bite down and it bursts red. So I can feel them dying as their blood gushes down my throat as I… I…

Ryker blinked and startled a bit. Sheepishly looking around to see if anyone noticed his lapse in attention.

Ah, oops. Kinda got a little carried away there. Ryker thought with a grimace. The bloody fantasy far less alarming to him than it should have been.

Did I used to think about stuff like that? Ryker thought as he quickly wiped the drool off his face with his claws and wiped those off on the leaves of a tall tree branch. One that was only ten feet off the ground and within easy reach.

I haven’t changed that much have I? Ryker thought seriously as he gauged his own mental state. Did he still hate Kaiju? No doubts there. He definitely wanted to kill them, feel them rip open under his claws so he could dig in and eat them raw. Hadn’t he wanted that as a human too?

Wait… Ryker thought suddenly worried. It was hard not to overlay his existing feelings on his memories as a pilot but-

I didn’t..? No wait, did I… never eat Kaiju as a human? Not once? That can’t be right… I must have wanted to at some point… Ryker thought numbly. That felt strange to imagine, like trying to remember a time he hadn’t breathed air. Eating Kaiju felt so natural now. So right that it couldn’t be wrong.

What does that mean? Ryker thought worriedly. Sure Ryker hadn’t balked at eating Kaiju before, even the hatchlings he’d been born with. He had a duty to protect the world after all, he needed to eat to get stronger. But as Ryker thought back he couldn’t decide if he’d been motivated by duty at the time or his newfound instincts.

Immediately Ryker fell within himself as he reexamined his human memories. Replaying his life as he fearfully worked his way through his experiences and the people he’d met. What if the change went deeper? What if he started to feel unattached from the very humans he’d once been and sworn an oath to protect? Or worse yet, what if he started to feel more kinship with the Kaiju than his own people?

Was he still the same man who’d lost everything to the Kaiju growing up? Or was he something else? Something less? A copy of the original Ryker overlaid on a Kaiju’s mind. A monster that believed itself to be Raymond Ryker but never was.

Fuck… Ryker thought as he started pacing. Arms crossed over his chest as he stared at the ground. The size of his clawed treads compared to the roots and bushes around his legs sending a spike of tightly controlled panic through his chest as he thought about the implications of not being truly himself. Imagining the roots and bushes as buildings and trucks as he moved down a city street after evolving to Stage Two. Only without the careful steps and trained gentleness that had been endlessly drilled into him. He could all too easily imagine the tiny forms of people running below. Not from another Kaiju but from him as he stomped over cars and smashed through buildings. No longer caring about human life as he lost himself to the beast within.

I’ve… changed. Ryker thought with a dreadful certainty. What if I change further? I’m already too used to having a tail, to the point that I can’t imagine being without it even as a human. I want to eat Kaiju, not just out of a feeling of duty or vengeance, but because I really want to. Because they taste good and I… I love the feeling of tearing them open with my teeth. I honestly can’t think of a reason why that should feel wrong to me anymore. What if I keep changing? To the point where I don’t see people as people anymore? Stop trying to save humanity and become just another Kaiju bent on destroying the world?

A chill went through Ryker that had nothing to do with the cool morning breeze flowing over his scales. He was already a monster in body, was it really too far a stretch to believe he could become a monster in mind as well?

It was all too easy to remember his earlier fight with the Kaiju in the construction site. How he’d nearly lost himself in the taste of a Kaiju that let the Charger land its horn in his gut. How he’d savored the texture and taste of hot blood and flesh as he’d eaten the Kaiju in the suburb. To the point where near the end he’d mixed mouthfuls of different Kaiju together to add to the taste. He even felt a pang of regret for not savoring the mixing flavors of the Berserker’s spiced meat and the Charger’s ribs even more than he had.

No. Ryker thought fiercely. As if he could deny the reality of his situation through force of will alone. No! Not a chance in hell I’ll ever be like them. Doesn’t matter if I really am who I hope I am or I’m just a Kaiju with a personality disorder, I won’t lose myself to these instincts. I WILL control these instincts. I don’t have Beck or anyone I can get to help with this so what do I do? I’m still me as far as I can tell. I still have all my memories, with no gaps as far as I can tell so the transfer worked properly. These changes must be because my mind, the physical brain tissue that makes it up, is pure Kaiju. I’ve got human thoughts- human software running on Kaiju hardware. But I can’t really change that unless-

Ryker paused as he remembered that he actually could change that, in a very literal sense too. He had an entire segment of his DNA that was dedicated to enhancing his mental processing. Could that be the key? Lock in those upgrades and solidify his identity so he could remain himself no matter how much he changed or evolved? So there would be no risk of him ever losing himself to his feral instincts?

The plan was still to max out his Musculoskeletal segment first by getting all the abilities within, he was right on the cusp of reaching the capstone ability after all and it would be stupid to ignore that even with his identity crisis. But his choice of what to hard focus next was going to change immediately. His next choice of DNA segment had been the Cardiopulmonary for the increase to his combat capabilities. But now that his mind could possibly be compromised, the Neurosensory segment seemed like the saving grace he’d need to fix his situation. With its focus on mental… stuff? Ryker didn’t know what it had exactly. He hadn’t delved deeply enough into the segment to see what it offered in terms of mental enhancements but he knew it wasn’t purely combat focused like the other segments, though the Synesthesia ability had been vital for keeping him operational while he’d been blinded in his last fight. Regardless, even if it wouldn’t add to his combat ability as much as the other gene segments it might be most important of all if it kept him in control.

I’ll hit up the Neurosensory segment next and max it out. That may be the best chance I’ve got at keeping these instincts in check and retaining my sense of self. Ryker thought as he nodded, warming to the idea. It would only be a matter of time before he was able to activate the latent abilities hidden within that portion of his DNA. Somehow, knowing how close that solution was helped calm Ryker down and eased his fears of losing control of himself. If it really can help me then I’d be an idiot to ignore it. Hell, maybe it’ll actually make me smarter. God knows I could definitely use a boost there. I would have killed for something like that back in high school.

Coming back to the real world after his self induced paranoia session Ryker nodded as he felt a mix of determination and satisfaction at finding a solution for his problem. Now that he was sure he wasn’t about to suddenly start rampaging through the forest looking for cities to destroy Ryker gave himself a proper once over after all his recently unlocked abilities without the threat of the police bearing down on him. He was still about thirteen feet tall. That would keep him from using doors the normal way if he ever wanted to get inside a building again, unfortunately. Though his increased size should give him an overwhelming advantage over weak Stage One Kaiju. Running his tongue over his fangs and the now paralytic venom glands within Ryker grunted as he approved of them. Feeling intrinsically that they’d produced more venom in the time he’d been asleep and filled back up. He hadn’t been planning on getting the paralytic effect, and by getting it he’d passed on getting the…

The anti-coagulating venom. Ryker confirmed as he double checked his DNA. It was a small shame. The enhanced bleed effect from dosing Kaiju with an anti-coagulant would have helped Ryker wear down tough opponents, but having a paralytic effect to his venom instead was just as impactful if not more so. He could lock a Kaiju down and let his venom do its work as he focused his efforts elsewhere. Making it vulnerable to more attacks by him or to set it up as an easy target for the military.

Rubbing his claws over his chest he gave the red scales on his chest some experimental taps. Weird that the Adrenal Trigger came with a color change but it made sense in a way. Some animals had bright colors to show how dangerous they were, and what could be more dangerous than a giant monster hyped up on adrenaline?

Definitely gotta test that out in a bit. Ryker thought to himself. Was the enhancement to his adrenal glands like a longer lasting adrenaline or just straight up super adrenaline?

Moving down his chest to his abdomen where his scales became green again, Ryker poked at the slowly healing gore wound in his abdomen. Hissing a bit at the spike of pain as he grimaced. Yup, definitely still healing. Though getting some sleep definitely helped I think.

Twisting around Ryker pressed a claw to the base of his tail as he looked at his upgraded appendage lazily wave in the air behind him. Feeling the scales of his tail lightly scrape against his palm as he slipped his tail through his grip. Gotta figure out how to use that too, or should I focus on unlocking its modifiers first? Ryker thought before, shaking his head. Nah, I should get used to it as it is. Plus, I haven’t even unlocked the Bone Density modifiers yet. Those should be the ones I focus on getting for now, since I’ve neglected getting them for so long.

He could have focused on how to acquire those modifiers right away but Ryker opted for something more familiar and physical instead. He did have an entirely new appendage after all. He couldn’t go on in good conscience without testing it out.

Despite his current state of inhumanity Ryker had always been a firm believer in the benefits of constant training. The only difference now was that instead of training with a static and unchanging human body he had to train with his constantly evolving Kaiju body instead. It was a little frustrating since he’d only recently adapted his old fighting style to his new form and now had an entirely new tail to train and incorporate into his move set. But complaining would get Ryker nowhere.

Can’t be that hard though right? Ryker thought as he turned and locked his gaze on a thin tree branch just above eye level for him. With a twitch that sent his tail snaking through the air behind him Ryker set his stance as he prepared himself for some target practice with his new tail. His eagerness to try out the new appendage showing in the energetic movements of his new appendage.

With a shifting twist Ryker’s tail darted out towards the branch with an impressive amount of speed. Striking out like a viper as it-

Ryker started as his tail went wide of the branch, completely missing as it whipped loudly and uselessly as its end smacked against the trunk of the tree instead of his target. The ruffling leaves on the branch the only sign that he’d tried to aim for them in the first place. Pulling his tail back behind himself, Ryker only waited a beat before striking out at the branch again before missing… again. And again, and again, and again.

I’ll be damned if I make a fool of myself by using my own tail wrong. Ryker thought as he gnashed his teeth before resetting to try again. Maybe it was because of his worries about losing himself earlier but Ryker took a moment to breathe deeply and cool his temper before it had the chance to upset him.

No, no point in getting worked up over not being good at this. This is something that I genuinely have no prior experience with. Ryker sighed as his tail lashed behind him in irritation. Crossing his arms in front of him Ryker closed his eyes and focused as he broke his problem down into pieces he could tackle one at a time. Intimately aware of where his tail was in relation to him as he stood still.

We start from zero then. Ryker decided as he thought about the Snapper Kaiju’s movements during the fight. The way it had moved to bring its tail around with enough striking force to cut open his scales. Ryker’s own tail mimicking the movements in slow motion behind him as Ryker got a feel for the trick that made it work. It took more than a few minutes of ponderously slow movements but Ryker eventually nodded his head as he understood where he was going wrong.

The whip like aspect of his tail had been something Ryker had taken for granted initially, but that comparison to a whip really was apt. His tail was thick at the base and slowly tapered to a point further down it’s length just like a whip. That also meant that the amount of force he could put into it was surprisingly high. He’d been too eager to try and recreate the same snapping motions he’d seen the Snapper perform and misjudged just how much he’d been overshooting his mark.

So if I go like this… Ryker thought as he felt more than saw his tail moving behind him. With an almost casual flick from the base of his tail he sent a wave of force down its length. His tail curving as the force passed through it and visibly moving faster as it approached the end of his tail. Before the end of his tail snapped loudly through the air as it cracked with whip-like force. A few more testing cracks of his tail satisfying Ryker as he nodded.

Ah I get it now, I was just hurling it out before. Forcing it to try and hit things in front of me but now I think I think I’ve got the hang of it. Ryker thought as he turned slightly, using the same flicking motion from before to get his tail curving out in front of him to finally hit the branch he’d missed so many times. The wood snapping cleanly in a small shower of splinters as it fell to the forest floor.

Alright! Now to move onto the real shit. Ryker thought happily as he limbered up. Stretching his arms, legs, and tail to get any lingering soreness out before he went at it. Snappy was a bit of a bitch waving his tail around to fight and doing nothing else. If I’m gonna use the same tail he had I want to be able to fuck up any Kaiju I meet with it, in as many ways as possible to piss on his memory.

Ryker finished up his stretches, a sight that would have baffled anyone watching as the thirteen foot tall monster performed picture perfect cross arm and runner’s stretches before standing with a feral grin. All the worries about himself and the future falling away as Ryker focused entirely on his movements. Mastering his tail and new Adrenal Trigger would take time and practice but if it made him that much more lethal to the Kaiju he’d spent a lifetime killing Ryker was all for it.

With a boxer’s light hops from foot to foot that left the trees around him shaking from their roots to their branches Ryker flowed into the first of his forms. His movements only a quarter of their normal speed as he struck out with slow motion strikes as he analyzed his tail’s positioning.

Slash.

Slash.

Bite.

Before the upgrade his options for using his tail in combat were limited, with its primary function still unchanged as his means of balancing himself. But now it was almost too fluid compared to before, it still served to balance him but with its sinewy movements it was unclear where best to add its own attacks in. Would it be better served whipping around behind him to defend his back or snapping out in front of him to add to his onslaught?

Experimentally Ryker whipped his tail at a a different low hanging branch behind him. The feel of his tail making contact and the resounding snap of the branch was a sign he was onto something but…

Slash.

Snap.

Slash.

Bite.

On its own it won’t be able to deal enough damage to completely ward off attacks from behind. As it is now its just for harassing opponents in the same way Snappy did. Unless I hit something vital like the eyes. Ryker thought as he frowned slightly in concentration. So the whipping motion needs to start from the base of my tail all the way down, not just from halfway with half the force. That’s how I can get it to deliver more damage per strike. But how do I do that without offsetting my counterbalance? Then again, why just use only my tail to deliver the blow? If I turn with my whole body…

Ryker’s twist was measured, turning his whole body around until what he wanted to snap his tail at was in front of him. Even with the slowed speed of his rotation he felt a marked level of difference as he added the force of his turn to his tail winding up to strike. The entire thing curving through the air like a bullwhip as the end snapped out with enough force to crack through the air as it sheared through another tree branch.

That’s more like it. Ryker grinned as he slowly sped up his movements. Imagining himself surrounded by Kaiju instead of trees in the forest. Moving with a feral grace as he turned and twisted through the forest from target to target. Enemy to enemy.

Slash. Crack. Slash. Bite.

Bite. Slash. Slash. Crack.

Crack. Crack. Slash. Slash.

The way he’d seen the Snapper use its tail before hadn’t just been wrong, it had been wasteful. The way it had fought like it’s tail was the only weapon it had wasn’t how Ryker wanted to use it at all. It was a multipurpose tool, not meant for just harassing attackers from behind his back by snapping it around but as a new weapon in his biological arsenal. It was a counterbalance, a ranged striking weapon, and a means of grabbing onto enemies as Ryker practiced winding it around few branches and ripped them free from their trees with pure force alone. It was a weapon that was quicker than his claws and could strike out like a viper at vulnerable eyes and open wounds. Setting Ryker up for the perfect openings that would let him close in for the kill with his fangs.

Slowly Ryker’s attacks and movements ramped up in speed until he wasn’t deliberately slowing down anymore, but moving like he was actually in combat. Slashing his claws along tree trunks and biting through branches as he whipped his tail through the falling leaves. Not giving himself or his imaginary foes a second to recover as he unleashed a constant stream of attacks in a merciless onslaught.

Slash, bite, crack, slash, slash, slash, crack, bite, crack, slash, slash, bite, bite, crack, slash, crack, slash, bite, slash, bite, crack, slash, bite, crack, slash, slash, crack, crack, slash, bite, slash, crack, slash, bite, slash, crack.

All at once Ryker paused in his attacks as he took a step back and looked at the damage he’d wrought around himself. The forest floor was a mess of leaves, fallen branches, and shredded bark. With a long breath in and a flex of his claws Ryker stood as he flexed his tail after its workout.

Good, this is good! Ryker thought, nodding approvingly as he surveyed the damage on the trees around him. Severed tree branches snapping underfoot as he turned in a tight circle.

The only thing I can’t test right now is how well my tail can be used to lock down other Kaiju when I’m grappling with them. I’m not about to start trying to grapple trees, there’s training then there’s just plain dumb. Even for me. I’ll have to wait until I can try it on a Kaiju. Unless… hang on. Ryker thought before moving his tail around and winding it tight around his right arm.

It felt weird being able to wrap his tail around his arm so easily but Ryker supposed that level of flexibility was just a plus. Trying to hold himself back, Ryker flexed his right arm at the same time he tried to pull it down with his tail. As a Kaiju his arm was naturally full of powerful muscle but his tail was almost on another level. He only managed to raise his arm up to chest height as he strained and his tail tightened.

I know this isn’t scientific in the slightest in terms of testing but I’ve got a pretty good grip. Ryker thought as he pulled down with just the muscles in his tail. Almost surprised by his tail's own effectiveness until Ryker gave the thought a second to sink in. His arm may be strong, long since having been enhanced by his DNA's first Musculoskeletal ability the Increased Muscle Fiber Density rung and its modifier for Fast Twitch Muscle Fibers. But his tail was pure muscle on the inside. His arm had to make space for the bones that held it together, in addition to that the extended length of his tail granted him a overwhelming amount of leverage over his own limb. It helped that he'd wrapped his tail around his arm enough times to nearly cover the thing entirely.

The first test completed, Ryker unwound his tail from his arm with a approving nod. The long sinewy tail barely getting enough time to wag behind him as it unconsciously reacted to his emotions before Ryker tried a different approach. Experimentally, winding his tail around a leg next as he tried to take a step. The results were nearly identical as before, he raised his bound digitigrade leg off the forest floor and could only bring it forwards a few feet before stopping completely. Leaving the Kaiju balancing on one leg as he gauged his tail's own performance and how it could work in the future.

This might turn out to be an excellent grappling tool. Ryker thought with a toothy grin. It almost reminds me of the bolas and other capture weapons we had back in the day for Armor. When we had missions to capture weakened Kaiju for study.

Those missions had left a bad taste in Ryker's mouth. Particularly because they required capturing Kaiju alive. He could do it, following orders was what he'd been trained for. Didn't mean he had to like it though, even if he could understand how living Kaiju could be studied to better understand and kill the rest of them. At least now I won't ever have to worry about capturing Kaiju alive again. Ryker thought with a twinge of satisfaction as he unwound his tail from his leg. His toe claws digging deep into the dirt as his leg came down with a thud as he regained his balance. Ryker clapped his claws together, gladdened by the results of his tests and training.

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Alright! I’m starting to think having this tail might not be too bad after all. Definitely an improvement over the horn I could have gotten. Ryker thought as he cringed internally at the thought of having a horn on his head. It’s combat potential was evident, he did have a wound in his gut because of it after all. But having a horn that required him to bull rush other Kaiju felt like playing into the exact kind of behavior that Riley and the others endlessly needled him for. At least with this tail he could feel a bit better now that he was trying to use it to its full potential.

What’s next on the list? The Bone Density modifiers right? Don’t wanna miss out on whatever those are. Ryker thought to himself as he walked over to a nearby stream. Crouching down to splash cool water onto his face, something he was mostly successful with despite his claws not really being able to cup the water like he’d wanted. Even then, knowing his claws wouldn’t be able to do it properly, Ryker took a long moment to try drinking water from his cupped claws. Most of the water spilling out between his scaled fingers before he finally sighed in resignation and dipped his snout into the stream to drink properly. Water wouldn’t fill him up like meat and other Kaiju would but it was a nice break from the practice with his tail.

Wiping his snout of any remaining wetness Ryker stood and flicked his claws dry even as he turned his mind inward. More than ready to pry his next ability modifier from his DNA. Even as his mind’s eye fell into himself once more to visualize his genetic code he was able to visualize it all with startling clarity. Though he only focused on a certain segment this time.

Geez, it’s starting to look like a Christmas tree. Ryker thought with a wry amusement as he looked at his Musculoskeletal segment. The bright lights of active modifiers mixing with the glow of the unlocked rungs of his genome.

Well, its a pretty shitty Christmas tree with all those gaps and no star on top but I’m working on that. Ryker thought wistfully as he looked at the dark gene locked rung at the top of his gene segment that held his capstone ability and the missing lights of its modifiers. As well as the missing modifiers for his tail. For now though there was one unlit portion of his DNA he wanted to focus on.

Drawing his awareness closer to the rung that increased his bone density and helped support his increasing size Ryker peered in at the modifiers on the left side.

Maybe it was a consequence of unlocking so much of this particular segment’s abilities but the feelings and images that came to Ryker’s mind from the first modifier were almost too clear. To the point where he recognized the modifier’s purpose immediately and more importantly, one of the Kaiju he’d fought in his past life that had fought with it.

Spike Jackal. Ryker grimaced. His mental image of the modifier wavering as he fought to keep a wave of anger from breaking his concentration.

The modifier was simple, but that didn’t make its changes any less deadly. The large spikes that had given Spike Jackal its name ran down its back from the top of its spine at the base of its skull to the end of its tail. With one smaller sharpened spike forming on the ends of each elbow to give it a wicked one-two punch by following up slashing claw attacks with a stabbing spike. With the densified bone that made up the spikes they had been more than enough to punch through the earlier models of Armor before production ramped up and newer models were produced.

It had also been one of the first Stage Two Kaiju Ryker had killed.

He remembered the fight too, though with a bit of difficulty since it had been so long ago. How his palms had been slick with sweat on the controls as he tracked the shadow of the Kaiju darting between buildings. The too loud roar of Armor combining their fire, pressed back to back as the monster searched for an opening. A scream quickly cutting off as Spike Jackal darted in and eviscerated one of their own, sending a stream of spike projectiles towards Ryker and his squad.

Without checking for what modifier he’d have to give up to gain spikes himself Ryker felt over at the opposing modifiers on the other side of his genome. Finding exactly what he expected. The other ability the Kaiju had been known for.

Bone Needles. Ryker confirmed as he felt his way along the change the modifier would make to his body. Feeling intrinsically how the outer layers of bone inside his forearms would slowly produce thin needle like spikes. Spikes that would grow out from the scales of his arms the same way Spike Jackal’s had. Peeking out of his arms until he flexed specific tendons to shunt the needles into the newly grown hollow of his arm, where violent muscular contractions would send his bone payload out the opening under his wrist.

Jesus, these really are the same mods that made Spike Jackal. Ryker started as he pulled his mind away from the old memories of pain the modifiers brought on. But even as he pulled his awareness back to the modifiers opposite the Bone Spikes and Needles Ryker found more abilities he recognized. The name of the Kaiju that had used them coming as clearly as Spike Jackal’s had.

Shit, and these are the mods that made Blaze Dozer. Ryker recalled. A pang of regret coursing through him at the thought of the Kaiju and the destruction it had wrought before finally being put down.

The modifier in question was almost Spike Jackal’s opposite. Rather than offensive bone spikes protruding from the body, it grew an outer layer of hardened bone armor over a Kaiju’s already toughened scales. So that any attacks against it had to punch through both thickened bone plates and tough scales before being able to damage the Kaiju in question. The bone also added a substantial amount of weight to Blaze Dozer, giving even its basic charging attacks enough built up momentum to let it punch straight through buildings and other obstacles without slowing down. That wasn’t even taking into account the fire breath that put the blaze in Blaze Dozer’s name.

The other modifier that belonged to Blaze Dozer was a melee oriented one, whereas Spike Jackal’s Needles were ranged. The arms formed thickened bone plates over the knuckles, and forearms, that packed enough of a punch to crush Armor and buildings alike. It also didn’t help that the Bone Gauntlets were thick enough to act as shields against incoming fire. Giving Blaze Dozer ample cover even out in the open, forcing pilots to get creative with their shots by targeting the joints and exposed portions of the Kaiju uncovered by armor.

Ryker hadn’t been a part of the squad that had taken Blaze Dozer out, his own Armor having needed some pretty extensive repairs at the time, but he still felt like he should have helped in the fight against the Kaiju. The damage it had done within even a small town was just…

Ryker’s focus slipped as he fell out of his mental state, shaking his head at the abrupt change. Closing his eyes for a moment to steady himself Ryker reopened them to stare down at his reflection in the stream. The way it shifted and wavered in the running water sending a shiver through Ryker as he thought back on the modifiers and what it meant activating them. How he’d change if he did.

I’m becoming more like them. Ryker thought darkly. Before these modifiers were just ways to get stronger, to make me a bit faster and tougher. Even gaining this tail meant I had one more weapon against the enemy. Taking the same ability as some weak Stage One didn’t mean anything, but now I can recognize the very modifiers belonging to the Kaiju still to come. Spike Jackal’s Bone Spikes and Needles, Blaze Dozer’s Exoskeletal Armor and Gauntlets… I knew I was growing stronger like them before but gaining their exact abilities? The very ones they used to kill so many people? How long until I get the same modifiers and abilities that killed my friends? The bioelectric arcs that will fry current-gen Armor electronics and the pilots inside… The breath attacks that spews fire hot enough to slag metal and people alike…

Ryker’s eyes unfocused as he looked past his reflection and what he could become. Imagining that future version of himself in all its terrible power as he lost control of himself.

Then Ryker punched himself in the head.

Damnit stop getting worried all the time! Ryker demanded as he tried to smack some sense into himself. The fact you’re getting worried in the first place is proof enough we’re still in control. If you really were going full on Kaiju, you’d be salivating at the idea of growing stronger. Not worrying about the people those abilities could hurt.

After taking a steadying breath, Ryker calmed himself down as he forced himself back into the mental space required to visualize his DNA. Staring at the modifiers of his past enemies with new eyes.

Besides, do I really have the option to be picky to spare my own feelings? Of course not. Spike Jackal and Blaze Dozer were small fry. I could probably kill them both on my own once I hit Stage Two and save the world the trouble of dealing with them. But for Storm Breaker and the others, its going to take everything to take them down. Every ability and every modifier in Stage One to build myself into a Kaiju strong enough to kill them.

Confirming his resolve Ryker debated which of the first two Kaiju’s features he wanted to add to his body. Spike Jackal’s bone spikes along his back would add to his combat ability and make other Kaiju unable to bite his neck from behind unless they were willing to impale themselves. With Ryker still lacking the more combat focused abilities, especially the capstones at the end of each gene segment, every advantage he could get in battle could mean the difference between a quick fight and a drawn out battle that increased the risk to nearby civilians. Plus, spikes would play to his existing strengths. Cementing his build as a fast, high damage combatant. Adding the Bone Needle projectiles that Spike Jackal had been known for would just increase his damage potential even further.

On the other hand Blaze Dozer’s bone armor was a massive increase in defensiveness. As if the Enhanced Scales he and other Kaiju received weren’t enough already this armor would be like icing on the cake. That would allow him to stay in the battle longer and fend off multiple opponents without worrying about most claw and bite attacks. It could even be the first step Ryker took towards surviving the missiles the military would likely fire at him once they inevitably found him or he grew too large to hide. It would make up for the defensiveness he gave up taking the Adaptive Armor modifier to his scales instead of the Hardened Scales. Since he was effectively a solo fighter, defensiveness only helped his cause in the end by keeping him alive. Gaining Blaze Dozer’s armored Bone Gauntlets would also increase his ability to tank damage in exchange for a sacrifice to speed.

For a moment Ryker juggled all the different modifiers available to him in his mind. Imagining himself with spikes one moment and bone armor the next as he absently ran his claws over the parts of his body that would be affected by the change. All the modifiers had their ups and downs but even as Ryker thought of possible modifier combinations it was clear what he was leaning towards.

Never thought I’d go all in on cosplaying Spike Jackal but here we are. Ryker mused. Despite the upside to defense Ryker hadn’t gotten to where he’d been as a pilot by being a Jack of All Trades. He’d picked his role as the big gun of his squad and dug his heels in, adding guns on guns on guns to his armor until he hit the load limit and then some. Without the ability to go ham with all his usual weapons he wanted to at least be able to output some of the damage he’d been capable of piloting Armor in his past life. As of right now, despite his best efforts, he still took far too long to kill Kaiju he’d decimated back as a pilot. The new tail and Adrenal Trigger would help with that but why stop there?

They do say the best defense is a good offense. Ryker nodded sagely before frowning.

Or was it a good offense is a good defense? I uh… don’t remember who said what in the first place but it affirms my opinion. That’s the important part.

It was then, in the middle of deciding he’d unlock Spike Jackal’s Needles first that a question struck Ryker. A rather important one.

How… how do I unlock these modifiers in the first place? Ryker thought, wondering as he tapped his snout in thought. These modifiers are epigenetic in nature, so repeated actions should be the primary trigger right? That was how I got the modifier for Fast Twitch Muscle Fibers, by sprinting back and forth till my DNA reacted to my actions. Same for the Shock Absorbing Muscular Tissue I got by running into that boulder over and over. But how am I supposed to unlock modifiers for my bones? Especially ones like the Bone Needles. I won’t have to break any will I? Is that why I haven’t seen that many Kaiju with those spikes or bone armor, because the conditions for unlocking those modifiers are so specific?

Ryker paced around the forest for a good minute, sending vibrations through the earth with every step as he thought on the proper means of unlocking any of the bone related modifiers.

I’d rather not have to break my own bones if I can help it. That would be a great way to leave myself vulnerable to other Kaiju. Not worth it to break a leg for a modifier and then lose it when I’m ripped apart by Kaiju. Then there’s the time it would take to heal the break, reduced since I’m a Kaiju and have that healing factor on my side but it would still be long enough to leave me in a bad spot. Unable to help others if Kaiju attack or scout for food to get stronger. Ryker thought as the leaves on the branches around him shook slightly at his passing.

Although… Ryker paused as he looked down at his claw. Or more specifically, one of his thick clawed fingers. I could still fight with a broken finger. That still counts as a broken bone for the modifier right? If it does unlock the modifier I don’t mind suffering a broken finger. Ryker mused as he picked one of the three fingers on his nondominant side to sacrifice for the cause. Gingerly gripping the finger in the clenched fist of his other claw as he stared down at his appendage.

No that can’t possibly work can it? I’m just jumping to conclusions again. Ryker balked as he let go and shook his clawed hand, as if he could shake off the idea of the pain he was all too willing to inflict upon himself for more abilities. Although the physical aspect of a modifier isn’t the only factor is it? There’s a mental component as well. One that’s not just limited to my Neurosensory modifiers. I proved that when I gained the paralytic aspect of my venom biting Snappy and praying it wouldn’t hurt anyone running away around us. Plus if its just the one finger I can manage, even if I have six now instead of ten I can do without one for a while until it heals. Yeah, totally.

Gripping the finger again Ryker prepped himself for what he was about to to do as he sunk his mind back into himself. Half in and half out of his typical trance like state to view his modifiers as he pondered the best mental state to force the adaptation he wanted. Deliberately trying not to think about what would happen if it didn’t work and he broke his finger for nothing.

Desperation and more than a bit of fear helped unlock the Paralytic Venom. That trigger makes sense. For a Kaiju to feel the need to paralyze a target they’d probably feel desperation and fear. Wonder how many got that modifier as they were fighting me? Anyway, spikes are offensive in nature. Spike Jackal was a menace with those hit and run tactics so desperation wasn’t the trigger there, definitely wasn’t fear either for its Spikes and Needles. Maybe anger? Heh, maybe not. I’d have unlocked them awhile ago if it was just anger.

Ryker thought back to what he knew of Spike Jackal. Focusing on the Kaiju itself and not the hatred he felt for the monster. The way it had fought. Constantly harassing his squad with attacks as it darted in and out of the cover between buildings. That wasn’t an emotion, that was a mindset. To hit and run. To strike fast and hard.

Ryker pictured himself doing exactly what Spike Jackal had done to him and others. Imagined the feeling of asphalt cracking under his every step as he darted in and out of cover to harass Kaiju. Not ripping into or savaging them all at once like he wanted to but being cautious and ruthlessly calculating as he zeroed in for a single perfect kill.

As Ryker stood frozen in the wilderness, his human thoughts reluctantly drew on that animal fury and hunger that had become a part of him since his rebirth. Knowing somehow that they’d be required to force the modifier through.

His jaws parted slightly as he let out a long breath, imagining the rush of darting between buildings only to pounce on his enemies like the monster he was. To feel the give of flesh between his teeth as he dug his claws in deep.

Slowly Ryker’s clawed hand had wrapped around his finger once more while he was in his mental fugue. Squeezing tightly with intent. Before he could second guess himself Ryker ruthlessly jerked his to the side. An audible pop accompanying the flare of hot pain under his claw.

Instantly his focus broke as the pain tore through the illusion he’d crafted for himself.

Fucking shit! Ryker cursed up a storm as his throat gargled the words into a mess of growls, groans, and yelps. Cradling his broken finger with a snarling grimace as he felt the Bone Needle modifier in his DNA give way. The shifting of altered bone and muscle within his forearms almost pleasant compared to the pain of his broken finger.

Aha, ah that stings! Ryker tried to say as he backed into a tree, his weight leaning against the trunk making the oak groan in protest as Ryker bore the pain. Pain was unfortunately, a constant companion to Ryker. Even in his past life he’d suffered through the pain of neural backlashes of lost mechanical limbs in his Armor and the constant burn of scarred nerves later in life that left him unable to pilot Armor. With all that and the existing wounds Ryker was still not fully recovered from, suffering a broken finger was just another painful drop in the bucket.

At least I actually got something out of this. Ryker beamed regardless of the pain as he flexed his good arm and felt the new muscle and bone under his scales. On the surface there wasn’t any immediate changes to the naked eye. Ryker’s arms were both as green and scaly as they’d ever been. But he could feel the beginnings of the needle like projectiles start to grow from the inside of his arm. It felt weird. Like an itch on the inside of his arm that he couldn’t scratch.

Ryker watched in real time as the first bone needle broke through his scales to stick out of his arm. There was only one at first, but that one spike was quickly joined by four more as they finished growing one after the other. Leaving him with ten projectile needles in total. With five needles per each arm.

It felt surreal to have Spike Jackal’s very own needles sticking out of his body but Ryker shook his head of the thought as he felt along his arm with the unbroken fingers of his other clawed hand.

This isn’t Spike Jackal’s ability any more. This is mine. And it isn’t going to hurt anyone or anything except Kaiju. Ryker reaffirmed to himself. Still… gonna take some getting used to though.

Experimentally, Ryker relaxed his arm and felt the bone needles shift from sticking out at a backswept angle to lying flush against his forearm. Ryker practiced the motion several times. Relaxing and contracting the new muscle as he got a feel for “stowing” his new ranged weapon and arming it.

Arming my own arm. Ryker sighed wistfully. That’s rich. I’m gonna have to stomp into a comedy club at some point to let them know how funny I am.

Ryker flexed the needles until they stuck out clearly from his arm and jerked something in his arm. His fingers twitching as one of the needles was sucked into the newly grown, still warm hollow on the underside of his forearm.

Turning his arm over Ryker could barely make out the bulge under his scales that signified his bone payload was locked and loaded. Even though he could feel every part of the process, Ryker took a long moment to poke at and prod the biological firing mechanism just under his scales that was now a permanent part of him.

I really am a freak of nature aren’t I? No wonder Beck and all the other scientists got so worked up over Kaiju biology. This is just wild.

Ryker had more than his fair share of experience with different Kaiju abilities but he’d never taken any time to understand how those abilities could be possible in the first place. If a Kaiju could shoot spikes out of its arms, it could shoot spikes out of its arms. If a Kaiju could breathe fire, it could breathe fire. They all still had to die, so strange abilities were just something he’d come to accept overtime. Being a Kaiju himself now made him realize that as fantastical as some Kaiju abilities were they all had some basis in reality and biology, despite how impossible they seemed on the surface. He wasn’t sure if that made him feel better or worse.

Ryker surprised himself suddenly as he accidentally flexed a tendon in his arm, the biological trigger most likely, and sent the bone needle hurtling out of his arm with a violent constriction of muscle. The bone zipping out with a barely audible “Fwik!” to mark its passing before the spike embedded itself deep into the wood of a nearby oak that shook from the large impact.

Oops. Ryker thought sheepishly as he made his way over to the bone needle in the tree trunk. It was sunk in deep, at least half its length inside the tree.

Ryker nodded approvingly at the needle as he tried to pull on it and felt little give.

Solid piercing power. With the extra mass behind it, I’d bet that it could even punch through the Enhanced Scales on a Kaiju.

The needle came out of the trunk as Ryker found his grip on the bone projectile. Ryker turned the two and a half foot long projectile over in his claws and stared at it with a growing grin on his face.

That was way too quiet right? Then again, there’s no gun powder or explosive payload to fire the needle, it’s all muscular. So hell yeah, I wasn’t banking on it being so quiet but that’s a solid bonus. Ryker thought before frowning as he looked down at his giant frame.

Silenced weapon or not, I doubt there’s many scenarios where I can get away with doing anything silently anymore. Bummer.

Ryker tried to “reload” the spike by returning it to his arm but found that it was an exercise in futility. But that was alright, he could already feel another bone spike growing in his arm to replace the one he’d fired, though it was taking a lot longer than it had a few minutes ago when he’d grown them all in at once.

Probably something to do with the modifier activating and giving it a burst of speedy growth like the other modifiers. Maybe he’d have to fire all ten spikes before they started growing back faster? Or maybe he just needed to eat to make up for all the bone he was growing and losing?

Eating... Ryker thought cautiously as he examined the needle. He’d have to figure this out at some point right? Might as well try it out and get it over with.

With only a hint of morbid curiosity and no hesitation whatsoever Ryker brought the needle up to his snout and bit onto the end. Easily snapping off a piece of the thin bone as he made quick work of the rest of the needle. Then he stared at his arm, waiting for a fresh needle to spring out… only for it to continue growing back in as steadily as before.

Well damn. It was worth a shot. Ryker shrugged as he twitched his arms and folded the Spike Needles back along his forearms and out of the way. Then Ryker stepped back away from the tree and into a little clearing as he set his feet

I don’t wanna waste all my ammo. So no target practice with the Needles just yet. Ryker thought as he tried not to jostle his broken finger too much. Hopefully I won’t have to wait too long before my finger heals up though.

Ryker looked up at the sky above the tree canopy spread out over his head. As large as he was now the leaves and branches blocking his view were like a natural roof over his head. So catching a glimpse of the sun’s position through the clouds was easy.

I probably slept for what? A full ten hours? It’s well into the afternoon now. While Ryker regretted the loss of time he was felt well rested despite his lingering injuries.

I’ll need to head out soon. Start hunting for food again, Kaiju or not. Ten hours is a long time to be standing still even if I needed the sleep. Just one more test and I’ll start moving.

Part of Ryker felt a small pang of regret at knowing he’d have to leave the quiet of the forest again. The kinds of meals he’d need now would probably only be found in densely populated areas unless he got lucky. And the probability of him being able to squeeze into another supermarket stealthily was low at best. That begged the question if it would serve him better to try and be stealthy about it at all? Making a rush for stores of food would likely cause a panic but it would definitely give him the push he needed to reach the capstone ability he wanted. Likely even pushing him to reach the Synaptic Defrag waiting for him in his Neurosensory segment.

Feeling the pressure again even after his most recently gained modifier Ryker probed the mental aspect of his Adrenal Trigger with a careful thought. Not wanting to accidentally set off the mental trigger that would give him the same adrenaline rush that the Berserker Kaiju had before he was ready.

Here goes nothing. Ryker thought. If he was going to have a negative reaction to the frenzy inducing adrenaline it was better to know now that he was alone in the woods. And was far away from anyone he could hurt.

Ryker firmly flipped the switch in his mind that controlled his Adrenal Trigger and felt his body immediately respond. The adrenal glands in his chest releasing their payload on command as the modified adrenaline hit his bloodstream in a burning flood that took Ryker by surprise as the heat spread though his chest and into his limbs. The pain in his body actually lessening a degree as it was smothered underneath the tide, to the point that even his recently broken fingers felt like a splinter he could ignore. The heat traveled up Ryker’s neck, into his eyes, his senses, his mind.

Then the world went red.

Every consideration for measuring his response, to carefully note his own effectiveness under the effects of the adrenaline burned away like kindling as Ryker shuddered like an animal holding a live wire. His pupils dilating and eyes opening painfully wide through his acid burns as he almost frantically scanned his surroundings.

He wanted to move-no, needed to move. To kill and maim and rip and tear. Claws trembling with a frenzied energy Ryker practically ran around the trees looking for something, anything to sate his desperate hunger for violence. His instincts howling at him with need as he panted in quick rapid breaths. His head jerked from side to side, Ryker nearly on the verge of mania without the stimulation he craved.

In the crimson haze of his bloodlust Ryker’s enhanced senses expanded outward. Seeking the prey he felt so starved for. It was faint, but in the silence of the wood with all of the animals having fled from him hours ago it sang to him. A promise of blood.

Fire burned in his limbs as Ryker tore through the trees. Digging up furrows in the dirt with every quaking step hurling him forward. His chest heaving like a bellows with every frantic breath. He was almost there. He could smell them now just over the hill. Underneath the stink of car exhaust mixing in the air with aging concrete, there were living breathing things just waiting for him.

He crested a hill and could barely make out the town through the dense trees. The sight of it and the people moving in it singing in his mind even as a small part of him recoiled in alarm and desperately tried to pull him back. But it was too small to be heard above the roar of blood in his veins and the need to spill that same blood inside others. To feel it. Slick and hot as it ran over his teeth and claws and spattered onto his scales. Rich and red as it poured over him from open arteries in pumping spurts.

It was just too much. Ryker had spent an entire lifetime giving into his anger. Training himself to ride the rush of adrenaline every time he got ready to fight. Whether they be Kaiju on the battlefield or the human kids on the playground. Those instincts had been hard-wired into him, as much a part of him as his own flesh and blood. Only now those very instincts were getting amplified beyond all control.

His own internal voice was drowned out, reason and logic unable to pierce the red veil of bloody intent in his mind.

It was a blessing then that Ryker had never been one for words.

Ryker’s good claw came up and clenched the side of his neck in a vise grip. The ends of his claws punching through his Enhanced Scales to dig into the flesh beneath, small trails of blood leaking down his neck as Ryker tried to alter his course. He stumbled as his jaws tried to snap at the pain he was inflicting on himself.

That near fall gave him just enough time to wrap his tail around a nearby tree trunk. His tail immediately going taught with tension as Ryker strained against himself, trying desperately to break away and to rush into the town even as he fought against his own crazed bloodlust.

Claws digging deeper into his neck Ryker forced his head to turn away from the bustling town beyond the trees. Letting out a keening groan as he shivered violently and drool dripped down his jaw, mixing with the stream of blood running down his neck, adding to the red of the scales on his chest.

With the edge of the trees still in sight Ryker split his mind and senses into the myriad of twisted colors of his Synesthesia. Trying to drown out the smell of humans he knew were just a couple hundred feet away under the deluge of sensory information in every inch of the forest around him. The taste of forest colors on his tongue, the sound of rustling branches coming to him as ripples across his scales, and the ever present feel of sunlight constantly humming in his ears.

He stayed like that for what must have only been minutes but he felt every one like they’d been stretched out for hours. Half standing, half kneeling as he twitched and jerked against his own self imposed bonds. Fighting to deny and obey the violence in his blood.

Then all at once, the fury drained out of Ryker. Leaving him feeling like he’d been wrung dry of all energy. His tail slipped from the bark of the tree and his claw fell from his still bleeding neck as he shakily stood. He took one step away from the edge of the forest. Then two.

Then he fell face first into the dirt.

Uggghhh. Was the first thought to come to Ryker’s mind as he came back to himself. Accompanied by a low groan as he picked himself up and took several deep breaths as he reoriented. Taking in the full weight of what had just occurred.

What… Ryker thought as his claws clenched into fists. Anger bubbling up to take its rightful place in his mind. What. The. Fuck!

Ryker clenched his teeth in a snarl as he stared daggers into his own chest. Once claw raised as if he could strike out at the Adrenal Glands that had nearly sent him into a uncontrollable frenzy. Adrenal Glands he’d spent valuable resources acquiring instead of spending them on something that could have aided him. Like the Synaptic Defrag that was growing more and more desirable every minute he remained a Kaiju.

This wasn’t anything like what he’d expected the Adrenal Trigger to be like. Every single ability he’d gained from his DNA before this one had given him a measurable benefit. But this ability had nearly sent him over the edge into doing something unimaginable.

God. Ryker thought stunned as he looked over his shoulder towards the distant edge of the forest. What if I hadn’t stopped myself just now? What if I actually…

A chill swept up Ryker’s spine that had nothing to do with the cold in the evening air. His anger, so ready to boil over at himself a moment ago seemed to slip from his brain all at once. The feeling of the Adrenal Trigger in his mind making him wish there were a way to cut it out or revert his body so he wouldn’t have it anymore. It was abundantly clear that this was an ability he could not rely on. Even worse, it was a ticking time bomb that would hurt anyone near him if he activated it again.

I can’t take the chance of ever activating that ability again if I lost control this easily outside of combat. Ryker thought tensely as he warily regarded the spent feeling of adrenaline in his body as he slowly got to his feet. Using a low hanging branch to pull himself up as he made the bark creak with his weight.

It won’t activate again unless I pull the trigger. Ryker reassured himself. But that was too close.

Heaving a massive sigh. Ryker pinched the ridge of his snout as he shook his head. So the Adrenal Trigger is a bust then. Maybe it’s an ace for normal Kaiju but if it causes such a reaction in me I’m not risking it unless that changes.

Ryker was almost ready to write off the ability entirely until the last part of what he said registered again.

If that changes?

Changes were coming to his body every day now. Whose to say that Synaptic Defrag or some other ability hidden in the Neurosensory segment of his DNA might hold the key to keeping his head on straight during that overpowering adrenaline rush?

That could work. Ryker grumpily accepted. But there’s no way in hell I’m doing that again unless I’m damn sure the only things I hurt around me are Kaiju.

Finally feeling back to himself Ryker was abruptly torn away from his thoughts as the sound of a helicopter reached his enhanced hearing. A heartbeat passed where Ryker’s old pilot instincts perked up and tried to assert themselves. Those instincts being that Armor pilots usually waved to their fly boys. But Ryker crushed the impulse as he ducked low and close to the tree. Staring up through the canopy as he made out the the miniature sized helicopter growing in size as it came closer.

Scratch that, multiple choppers.

All military too. Ryker noted as he remained still. Watching with bated breath as the formation flew low over the mountain. And Ryker didn’t have to think too hard to guess their destination.

The suburb. Ryker thought. Glad to know that whole shit show was worth it. Ryker thought glumly. If I ever have to pretend rampage again I’m gonna pretend to lose it and find a pretend Therapist.

After the military helicopters crested the mountain and Ryker was clear to move again he stood. Smiling for the first time in a while as he nodded in approval. He was a military man after all, it was good to see something so familiar. Especially this early in the timeline.

This early…

In the timeline…

Oh shit! Ryker thought frantically as he clutched his head with both claws. Oh shit this is big! This is amazing! Aha! A lizard like bark of a laugh left Ryker’s throat as he pumped a scaled fist in the air. Yes! I can’t believe that stupid stunt did something good for humanity!

In his previous life the revelation of Kaiju’s existence in the world had been immediately covered up. Firstly by governments the world over and then by politicians who desperately wanted to keep a lid on the never before seen creatures until they could find a way to reveal them for their own benefit. If the police recordings and accounts of him had spread faster than could be contained. He might have just subverted any effort to keep Kaiju hidden from the world.

The military would get involved sooner, Beck would be brought in to help with the Anti-Kaiju efforts quicker, inferior Armor weapons and designs would be retrofitted faster to combat the threat.

Hell yeah! Ryker beamed. His savage complexion doing his best interpretation of a shit eating grin as he practically hopped around in his excitement. Granted the Children of Gaia are probably gonna be a thing soon, but more importantly, those Kaiju are so fucked! And I’m gonna be… I’m…

Ryker paused as he looked down at himself and blinked several times. Staring at his very Kaiju-like body before the reality of his situation hit him like a truck.

I’m so fucked if they find me. Ryker hissed in alarm. His head snapping from side to side as if soldiers would pop out of the woods to start shooting at him. Shooting him and point him out for the big guns to roll in and take him down.

Holy shit I’m so fucked if they find me. Ryker thought in a panic as he held his face in his claws. I’m still a Stage One pipsqueak! I can’t handle missiles yet! Shit, I’m only mostly bullet proof right now. AP rounds will absolutely punch holes through my guts. I gotta get eating like, yesterday! No wait, distance first!

Ryker nodded quickly as he picked a direction directly away from the suburb the military was heading to and started moving. making extra careful to steer clear of the town as he moved at a quick jog. A pace that, at his large size and extra agility, let him cut through the forest like it was an open road.

I’m gonna have to find a whole lot of food and fast. Ryker thought as he focused on moving. I don’t know how much time I’ve got left before the military starts fielding the big guns. If military choppers are already flying around in the open, it’s only a matter of time before they start fielding troops, then tanks… then Armor.

Ryker’s face contorted in a grimace as he grappled with the truth of his situation. Accepting that as much as he didn’t want to he may be forced into the kind of fight he’d desperately hoped to avoid, much sooner than he’d anticipated.