Path of the Carnivore

Stepping foot into the obscene chasm, Draven's body was promptly draped by the faint sensation of being devoured. It was as if he were helpless prey stepping into the foaming maw of a starving beast.

Nonetheless, it was his Gate, to an extent. It should be unable to hurt him.

…Right?

During his fall, the chasm slowly contracted and loosened in a monotonous pattern.

Slow, pained breaths left the bottom of its entrance, followed by the slow movement of its jagged teeth — each one more horrifying than the last as he descended further.

He could've sworn that somewhere, hidden between certain patterns of fangs, there were eyes. 

Eyes that carried a sense of both ferocity and hunger, embodying the gaze of an apex predator.

'I definitely don't want to meet the guy this belongs to…'

His thoughts drifted to the Doppelganger he 'possessed'. If his Gate was this fierce, he couldn't imagine just how horrifying the guy must have been in person.

After what felt like several minutes, Draven finally reached the bottom of the great chasm. Landing atop what felt like a thick, rubbery surface.

Looking down, he nearly spat up the contents of his stomach. 

'...What the hell?'

Flesh. The entire landscape was constructed of crimson flesh, crudely sewn together in a revolting patchwork. Various organs were placed haphazardly across the cave-like environment. Eyes, livers, the grotesque display had nearly led him to believe his Gate had been infected by something.

But no, without a doubt this was his. Or his Doppelganger's, at least.

He was certain of this fact for one reason, the drool seeping down the corner of his lip.

What he initially believed to be disgust quickly proved itself to be…hunger? Whatever the feeling was, it had taken nearly all his efforts not to lunge at the wall, making him feel deeply disturbed at the thought.

The more he thought about it, the more foul he began to imagine his strange counterpart to be.

[Gate Ranking: Novice's Gate]

[Ego Type: Corpus]

[Ego Name: Carnivore]

'Guess they can't all be winners.'

Despite his prior luck, it seemed two Spiritus-Type Egos was simply asking too much. 

In spite of that, it wasn't as if Corpus was an awful Ego Type to have. But there was just no guarantee the ability would be suited for his style.

'Ah well, I guess I'll make it work…whatever it is.'

Sending the appropriate commands to the Nexus, the display once again altered itself. Unveiling a brand new set of glowing letters.

[Ego Description: Every ecosystem requires an Apex Predator; one who hungers constantly, devouring whatever gets in his way. An irrefutable keystone who culls the weak and manages the strong.]

[Ego Ability: As the Apex Carnivore, you devour all that has the gall to come before you. Your jaws can tear through anything in order to reach your prey.]

[Ego Drawback: You are incapable of digesting vegetation. The mere taste sickens you.]

Draven sneered at the Nexus' words, noticing something about its wording.

'So I could potentially eat metal, but vomit at the taste of a carrot? The Nexus sure has a love for irony.'

He wasn't even sure if it'd classify as irony or just twisted humor, but regardless he'd been given the majority of the information he needed to know. Including an explanation for the strange sharpness of his teeth.

Despite his previous jab at the Nexus, he was certain he couldn't just bite through anything. In the simplest explanation, it was more as if his teeth could qualify as weapons all on their own.

If he honed them properly, steel wasn't out of the question. But for now, he doubted that he could just take a chunk out of a reinforced tank with nothing but his bare teeth.

'...Still the thought's pretty badass.'

Losing his taste for vegetables wasn't exactly a downside either, meat and vegetation were both pretty rare in the slums. The only real vegetable he'd eaten frequently were beans, and that'd long since became nothing but paste to his appetite.

As a Jumper, especially one who'd attend the Academy, there was basically a guarantee he'd have at least a bare minimum of access to food. That should've included some cheap cuts of meat.

'I wonder if the kids would like it? I can't remember the last time they had a decent, filling meal.'

Thinking back to when they'd first entered the hospital room, he couldn't help but lament at the poor children's thin bodies. 

Even if it took him through hell and back, he'd make sure to get them a life where they could live comfortably. Luxuriously, in fact.

Nodding, he quickly began to slowly wake from his meditation. Based on some information that Sergeant Forestier had given him, going from the unconscious-like state back into the waking world was similar to decompression for divers.

Wake up slowly and you'll be perfectly fine.

Get up a bit too fast? Well, even he seemed hesitant to mention that.

'Alright! Get your head in the game, Draven!'

With that, his eyes began to open.

***

Draven spent the next week getting used to the changes his body experienced from his Awakening, catching up with the kids, and performing some level of physical therapy.

Though his injuries hadn't been very serious he'd been unconscious for at least a month, to his surprise. Leading to most of his muscles being sore and stiff upon waking up.

Based on his observations, the Gates' enhancements were a bit better than he previously believed. 

For starters, Carnivore had significantly increased his jaw strength, allowing him to chew through steak like butter. Even his poor toothbrush had been pretty much shredded to pieces during the week he'd been using it.

But just like he thought, he was still incapable of biting through real tough materials. When he attempted to chew through one of the forks the hospital had given him, it'd left an indent but didn't actually break through the metal.

Doppelganger on the other hand didn't have any real apparent enhancements, though he constantly felt as if he could 'feel' the presence of his counterparts. Somewhere out there, as if beckoning for him to arrive.

He imagined that the closer he got to one, the more powerful that sensation would become.

"Are you ready?"

As he was sitting at the edge of his hospital bed, contemplating how to effectively use Carnivore, a familiar face entered the room. 

Now sporting a beautiful crimson dress shirt, Forestier walked into the room bringing that same presence alongside him. Complimenting his new outfit was a black vest with an elegant floral pattern on it, making it appear as if he was going to some classy banquet.

Draven resisted the temptation to scowl at the Sergeant, his beautiful appearance had made Draven seem almost ugly in comparison. And he was certain that he was at least average.

Hopefully.

"Yeah, I think I've gotten a hang of things so far. Not exactly sure about all the specifics of Chi but I have a good grasp of my Ego."

For now, he decided to keep his two Gates a secret. It's not like Doppelganger was very useful at the moment anyways.

Clasping his hands together, the Sergeant gave Draven a polite smile before continuing.

"Perfect! In that case we'll get you escorted to the Academy soon. For now, it'd be best if you got changed."

Handing the boy a clear bag, Forestier spared no time in getting out of that room. It seemed that despite his kind facade, he was still against wasting time on an untalented nobody. A slum rat, no less.

Sucking his teeth, Draven looked down at the uniform in his hands.

The uniform consisted of a gray sweater, a white dress shirt, and navy blue trousers as well as a tie of the same color. As an alternative to the sweater there was also a blazer the same color as the trousers.

"So presumptuous. No wonder he was so quick to get out of here, I bet that guy doesn't have a blister on his body."

Shaking his head he quickly donned the outfit. 

Tying the uniform together was a single pin displaying the Academy's insignia, a shield wielded by a brave eagle which symbolized the Academy's goal to produce valiant protectors.

Flanking the insignia on both sides were three smaller stars, with the entirety of the design resting upon a single, more intricately crafted medal. The polished bronze surface of the pin flatteringly reflected the light against itself, emanating an aura of class and elegance.

Those stars symbolized his position as a 'Private Third Class' meaning he was essentially either a trainee or bottom-of-the-barrel soldier. In this case he'd classify as the former.

The Jumper Corps included 6 rankings, each with 3 classes: Private, Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Colonel, and General.

These rankings were generally followed by the Academy as well, but no student went past Private First Class before graduating. Not usually, at least.

Not long after he got ready the nurse entered the door, informing him of the ride he was to take as well as recounting a couple of stories about her time in the Academy. To his surprise, it seemed some Jumpers took up jobs like this on top of their usual duties.

'Who'd have guessed?'

Giving a final farewell to the kids, Draven exited the Hospital and entered the car. It was a relatively common model, but far more luxurious than the most expensive vehicle anyone in the slums could afford.

'I wonder what the people at the Academy are like…?'

Enamored in his thoughts, Draven allowed himself to slowly drift to sleep as the car set off.

***

Stirred by the sudden stop of the car, Draven slowly opened his eyes.

By now, the Sun had long since set, covering the Academy in a beautiful milky moonlight. 

It was as if the heavens themselves were applauding the excellent architecture. And without a doubt such applause was well deserved.

The Academy was massive, reaching nearly a hundred meters in height. It consisted of multiple, perfectly configured floors and rooms in a geometric fashion — akin to modern mansions. Some were relatively small boxes, while others took up entire portions of the building. 

Marble pillars held up polished, reinforced wood. Covering the small area around the base of the Academy in a cool, inviting shade. Of course, two smaller buildings were attached to the main one on both sides, which Draven assumed to be the boys and girls dorms. 

The extravagant silver gate led to a massive, well-kept campus where a few students had been roaming the stone paths. Some were night owls, others seemed to just be getting some fresh air. If anything, their carefree demeanors almost contrasted with the Academy's palatial appearance.

Engraved onto the sign atop the large gates were the words 'Eryndale Institute of Education`. Honestly, this was the first time Draven had ever seen it referred to as something other than 'The Academy'. Maybe Forestier had just relied on calling it that due to Draven's status…

"Wow…"

He couldn't help but audibly express his astonishment. In all his seventeen years of living, he couldn't recall a single time in which he had the pleasure of witnessing such a lavish building.

…Especially not one he was soon to be living in.

The scent of perfectly kept flowers filled the air, instantly waking Draven from his sleepy state.

"S-So…do I just?"

He looked over at the driver, who narrowed his eyes in response.

"Get the hell out of here, kid!"

Apologetically, he quickly rushed out of the vehicle, which immediately turned and left the campus as soon as he did so. Leaving him to stand awestruck at the front of the massive gates.

"...Well, here goes nothin'." 

Without any further hesitation he stepped through the massive entrance. Now, he would be starting a new stage of his life, one that — most likely — would forge how the rest of his existence would play out.

If he succeeded here, the kids in the shelter, even himself, could live the rest of their lives in total comfort. Without ever needing to want, for everything they could ever desire was easily accessible.

If there was one thing he wanted, it was to see their smiles when they realized they no longer had to struggle. To suffer.

That…that was the greatest reason to walk through that gate.

…However, the moment he crossed the boundary between the outside and the campus, an immense weight pressed over him. 

Clutching his chest, he slowly lowered his body, kneeling as his eyes darted from place to place in an attempt to identify where the strange gravity had spawned from. His breath began to thin, prompting his wheezes to increase in pace as he held onto what little prudence he could muster.

"Not you either, then. Unfortunate."

Trembling, Draven forced his head in the direction of the mysterious voice, but by now he'd long since begun to lose consciousness.

As his vision blurred, the only thing he could see was a thin young man. Short white hair flowed in the air, both the moonlight and his square glasses worked to shroud his unfeeling eyes. 

At his hip was a long, elegant blade. Its true beauty hidden beneath a black leather sheath. 

On the surface of the sheathe was the graceful design of a dragon. Though, the strange image seemed almost…alive. As if the dragon itself had been coiling along the length of the sheathe.

The only true hint to his identity was the uniform he was wearing, almost identical to the one Draven himself had sported. Though, he'd been wearing the blazer as opposed to the sweater.

"W-Who the hell…"

The boy scoffed, as if insulted that Draven had even dared to address him.

"Quiet down. Your lungs will collapse if you keep spewing nonsense."

As he turned away, Draven attempted to utter something else. But by then the exhaustion had already taken over — the gravity pressing against his body taking its toll as he fell face-first into the ground.

'Just…how many damn times…am I gonna be knocked unconscious…?'

Cursing his recent luck, Draven's eyes forced themselves shut.

The boy, on the other hand, vanished in the unforgiving moonlight.