Hiroki and Venom

Chapter 2 : We are Venom

We are Venom

In the dense forest, the heavy thud of powerful footsteps echoed, disturbing the serene silence of the surroundings. Each impact caused the ground to tremble, betraying the presence of a colossal creature moving at an astonishing speed. Beneath this monstrous exterior, Hiroki bore a wild, almost uncontrollable grin. The sheer raw power surging through his newly transformed body sent shivers of excitement down his spine, every fiber of his being humming with overwhelming energy.

He suddenly stopped before an imposing tree, its wide roots plunging deep into the earth as if daring him to try. An irresistible urge to test his newfound strength overcame him. Without hesitation, he clenched his fist, the thick, black muscles of his arm contracting with terrifying might. He struck. The impact was so forceful that the tree was uprooted instantly, flung into the air before crashing violently twenty meters away. Branches splintered on impact, and a cloud of dust rose into the air.

"We're so strong !" Hiroki exclaimed, his deep voice resonating through the vast forest, followed by frenzied laughter.

But that wasn't all. A voice suddenly echoed in his mind hoarse, mocking, and filled with pride.

"You haven't seen anything yet, kid !" sneered Venom, the symbiotic creature now bonded to him.

Intrigued, Hiroki tilted his head slightly, curious to know what else this entity had in store. "What else can we do ?" he asked, his interest evident in his tone.

"Listen carefully because I won't repeat myself !" Venom began, an unseen smirk lacing his words. "We have superhuman strength, unmatched speed, incredible durability... and regeneration that would make the gods themselves envious. But that's not all: we can create weapons directly from our body, manipulate tendrils at will, and even spawn other symbiotes if we so desire."

Every word from Venom widened the grin on Hiroki's face. The possibilities seemed endless, and the feeling of invincibility began to take root in his mind. One thought blazed brightly in his consciousness: Who could stop me now ? Kokujin ? That guy wouldn't even land a single blow. The police ? What could bullets do against this indestructible skin? The thought made Hiroki laugh, a sound filled with defiance and satisfaction.

He resumed his sprint, his heavy footsteps crushing the fallen leaves beneath him. His towering silhouette leaped between trees, moving like a shadowy blur. After a while, he slowed down, deciding it was time to regain some discretion. The black mass enveloping his body slowly receded, vanishing to reveal his human form. Once again appearing as a mere boy, Hiroki continued his trek home, careful not to draw any attention.

During the walk, Hiroki couldn't stop conversing with his new companion. Their exchange was fluid, almost natural, albeit strange. He asked questions, sometimes serious, sometimes trivial, and Venom replied with surprising patience, laced with occasional sarcasm. For the first time in years, Hiroki felt like someone truly listened to him. It was odd, almost comforting, despite the unsettling nature of his "roommate."

Hiroki stood before his house, his heart pounding hard in his chest. A palpable hesitation held him back from crossing the threshold. He had no desire to see their faces, to confront those who had betrayed him. Yet, a part of him was torn by the happy memories that still haunted the walls of this home. The best among them, the one he cherished the most, was perhaps the day his father taught him how to ride a bike in the garden. He remembered how his father removed the training wheels to let him ride on two wheels, the encouragements, and the pride shining in his eyes. Such a pure, simple memory... But now, it felt so distant.