Cassian didn’t know what he expected when he jumped off that roof. Maybe a quick, merciful splat, followed by the sweet embrace of nothingness. Or maybe he’d just bounce, given his newly rebuilt body. Either way, he couldn’t resist the urge to see what this new pain-riddled existence would bring him. As he hurtled toward the ground, he felt that familiar twinge of excitement, the kind he used to get before doing something incredibly, stupidly dangerous.

The impact was glorious.

Every bone in his body seemed to shatter on impact, but instead of the usual dull thud of injury he was used to, this time, it hurt. Really hurt. Cassian lay still on the ground, savouring the pain radiating from his shattered bones.

Cassian had always imagined pain would be like static—just noise with no meaning. But this... this was symphonic. Each broken bone screamed its own distinct note, a perfect harmony of agony. He could feel his body realigning itself, the jagged edges of shattered ribs pulling together as though guided by unseen hands. It hurt in ways he hadn’t thought possible, but instead of fear or panic, he felt exhilaration.

The experience was a revelation—raw, undeniable, and strangely exhilarating. For the first time in his life, he truly felt something, and it wasn’t just the agony; it was the surge of energy that followed. As his body began knitting itself back together, piece by painful piece, something clicked in his mind.

He’d always sought out extreme experiences, desperate to feel alive, but none of them had ever delivered what he craved. Every reckless stunt, every flirtation with death, had been a futile attempt to break through the numbness that plagued him. But now, this pain—it wasn’t just a sensation. It was a path. A process. A means to become something more.

His body was proof of it. The more it hurt, the more it healed, stronger each time. He could feel it in his muscles as they reformed, in his bones as they reset. Every fracture, every tear, was like a lesson carved into his flesh, teaching him that pain was not the enemy. It was the catalyst. Without it, there was no growth, no change. Only stagnation.

He laughed, a raspy, breathless sound, more out of disbelief than anything else. The pain was fading, but the satisfaction lingered. With a groan, he pushed himself to his feet, feeling the bones knit back together with a speed that was as unsettling as it was satisfying. The Higher Being’s gift, no doubt. This—this suffering—was freedom. It was the key to unlocking his potential. The Higher Being hadn't just given him pain; it had given him purpose.

He pushed himself up, the lingering feeling as the last of his injuries healed, the pain gradually fading but the satisfaction remained. This was a rebirth, but it wasn’t like starting anew. His search for feeling, for pain wasn’t gone. Pain wasn’t something to fear. It was something to embrace—a means to push his limits, to force his body and mind to adapt. With every moment of suffering, he could grow stronger. It was all so clear.

Cassian grinned as he stretched, his newfound energy thrumming beneath his skin, like a caged beast just waiting to be unleashed. He glanced up at the rooftop he’d just leaped from, half-expecting the Higher Being to reappear and give him a slow clap. "Guess I’m not getting a round of applause for that one," he muttered, a smile playing on his lips.

Looking around, the streets were empty and eerily quiet and the world around him seemingly unaware that something had just changed—fundamentally, irrevocably. Cassian took a deep breath, enjoying the sharp sting in his ribs as they finished mending. This was it. This was what he’d been searching for all those years, in every reckless stunt and death-defying act. He’d been chasing the sensation of living, and now it had finally caught up with him.

He started walking, each step a reminder of the pain that now accompanied his every movement. His mind, however, was clearer than it had ever been. The Higher Being’s influence was still there, lurking at the edges of his thoughts, but it wasn’t intrusive. It was more like a silent partner, observing, waiting.

As he walked through the empty streets, Cassian’s mind drifted back to the clinic. The doctors, with their solemn faces and well-meaning concern, always going on about how he should be careful, how he should take it easy. He couldn’t help but snort at the thought. They’d never understand. They’d never felt the thrill of a broken bone or the rush of adrenaline when you’re balanced on the edge of oblivion. They were probably still huddled inside, wondering what the hell just happened.

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Cassian’s grin widened. They didn’t know it yet, but the world had just gotten a lot more interesting. And painful.

The sun was starting to rise, casting a warm glow over the city. It almost looked peaceful, if you ignored the cracks in the sky and the occasional flicker of light from where the Higher Beings had made their entrance. Cassian’s stomach growled, reminding him that, as much as he enjoyed pain, he still needed to eat. The thought of food felt almost foreign, as if his body’s basic needs were an afterthought compared to the high of his newfound sensations.

"Alright, alright," he muttered to himself, rubbing his aching stomach. "This time breakfast first, pain second."

He couldn’t help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all. Here he was, possibly the first human to undergo integration with a Higher Being, and all he could think about was where to get a decent meal. Not that it mattered. Whatever the future held, Cassian knew one thing for sure: he was going to enjoy every painful, agonizing moment of it.

With a final glance at the clinic, Cassian turned his back on his old life and headed into the city. There was a lot of pain out there just waiting to be experienced, and he wasn’t about to let it go to waste.

He had only taken a dozen stilted steps before he noticed a small group of people huddled nearby. Most were wide-eyed and trembling, likely wondering what kind of monster they were dealing with. But a few, the ones with that strange, alien glow in their eyes, were different. They were like him—hosts to the Higher Beings, though they looked significantly less thrilled about it.

“Nice night for a walk,” he said casually, gesturing at the cracked sky above. “Or, you know, a bit of free fall. Helps clear the head.”

The regular humans recoiled, their fear written in every tense muscle. One man, clutching tree branch, pointed it shakily in Cassian’s direction. “Don’t come any closer!”

Cassian stopped, raising his hands with a smirk. “Easy, mate. I’m not here to hurt anyone. Got no reason to, anyway. But I wouldn’t count on that stick doing much, just so you know.”

The man’s grip tightened, but he didn’t move. Cassian’s attention shifted to a few others in the group—people with that faint, otherworldly glow in their eyes. Integration hosts, like him. They looked far less certain of themselves, their expressions a mix of fear and confusion.

“What do you want?” one of the hosts asked, a woman whose voice trembled despite the healing cuts that glimmered faintly on her arms. “Why are you even talking to us?”

Cassian tilted his head, considering the question. “Honestly? I’m not sure,” he admitted. “It’s not like I’ve got a plan. But seeing as we’re all... whatever this is now, maybe sticking together makes more sense than going it alone.”

The burly man with a deep gash across his shoulder frowned. “What makes you think we want anything to do with you?”

Cassian shrugged, his smirk fading into something closer to a thoughtful frown. “I don’t, really. But I reckon it’s worth a shot. Strength in numbers, yeah? I’ve got no idea what’s out there, but I’m guessing it’s not gonna care if we’re ready or not.”

The others exchanged uneasy glances. Cassian’s gaze drifted to his hands, the faint ache in his bones a reminder of his recent fall. “When I hit the ground back there, it hurt more than anything I’ve ever felt. But I didn’t stay broken. Every bit of it—the pain, the healing—it made me stronger. Faster. Better.”

The woman stepped forward hesitantly. “What’s the point? Pain, suffering... it’s all too much. How do you even deal with it?”

Cassian let out a quiet laugh, more to himself than anyone else. “I’m still figuring that out,” he said, his tone low. “But I think… I think there’s something in it. Pain, I mean. It’s not just punishment. It’s… I dunno, maybe a way forward?”

The burly man muttered, “Stronger, huh? At what cost?”

Cassian looked up, his dark eyes narrowing. “At whatever cost it takes,” he said simply. “Look, I’m not here to sell you on some grand idea. I don’t care if you’re scared, or angry, or just trying to survive. I’m only saying that maybe pain isn’t the thing we should be running from.” He motioned to the flickering sky. “That thing up there? It didn’t choose us for no reason. There’s something about this… about us now. Maybe it’s worth figuring out together.”

The group was silent, their fear tempered slightly by his words. Cassian wasn’t sure if they’d stick with him—or if he even wanted them to—but he could see the gears turning in their minds.

Finally, the woman nodded hesitantly. “I… guess it’s better than being alone out here.”

Cassian shrugged, his smirk returning faintly. “Suit yourself. But don’t expect me to hold your hand. I’ve got my own path to figure out.”

He started walking down the empty street, not waiting to see if they followed. As he moved, he heard the faint sound of footsteps trailing behind him. He didn’t look back, but a small part of him felt reassured by their presence.

Strength in numbers, he thought. For now, at least.

But ultimately Cassian didn’t care. For the first time in his life, he felt like he had a purpose. The pain was his guide, and he was eager to go find something sharp.