The ground cracked under Rex's feet as he slid back across the grass.
"…Damn!"
He barely got his arms up in time.
Nico was already there.
Light green energy flared around him, sharp and unstable, his fur glowing under the morning sky as he drove forward again.
Rex pushed back.
CRACK.
The hit sent him skidding further down the slope, boots tearing through the grass.
"Again?!" Rex said, forcing himself forward.
He swung.
Nico slipped past it, faster than before.
Cleaner.
He turned and drove a punch into Rex's side.
THUD.
Rex grunted, then grabbed Nico's arm.
"Got you."
He pulled
But Nico twisted free instantly.
The aura flickered.
Just for a second.
Rex saw it.
"…You're hitting your limit."
Nico pushed forward anyway.
One more burst of speed.
One more strike
Then the aura snapped.
Gone.
The green light faded instantly.
Nico stumbled back, breathing hard.
"…tch…"
Rex lowered his arms, catching his breath, then grinned.
"Wow, Nico. Ten whole seconds."
He tilted his head slightly.
"Is that a new record for you?"
Nico wiped sweat from his face.
"…Yeah…"
"…Ten."
"Damn," Rex said. "That's actually crazy."
"Guys."
They both looked up.
Viper stood higher up the hill near the workshop, arms crossed.
"The gravity chamber is finished."
Rex smirked. "Finally."
Nico rolled his shoulders. "About time."
They made their way up the hill, then followed Viper along the ridge.
The ocean stretched out behind them, the drop steep beyond the edges of the plateau.
About thirty meters from the workshop, the structure came into view.
Massive.
Built right into the flat stone at the top of the hill.
A perfect square, towering and solid. Fifty meters by fifty meters.
Rex stopped, looking it over.
"…That's it?"
Viper glanced back. "Yeah."
Rex smirked, nudging Nico.
"I don't think that's gonna be big enough for the both of us, eh Nico?"
Viper's eye twitched.
"…Jerk."
Nico looked at the chamber, steady now.
"…Let's test it."
The doors slowly began to open, overlooking the endless drop beyond the hill.
Something about it felt different.
Heavy.