First Grip

Snap! Senses kicked in all at once. Cold surface beneath me. I clenched my heavy black fist, then flexed the jagged green blade on my right hand. Power hummed straight through my chest. I drove my claws down against the flat fabric underfoot, dragging them forward to test the resistance. Solid ground. A soft, tiny white paper tag poked out right beside my rib—I gave it a quick, rough tug with my fingertips to test its strength. It held firm. I'm awake, I'm solid, and I'm ready to smash through whatever comes next.