Kenneth, still grinning at his reflection, takes a few steps back and flexes his arms again, admiring the muscles that bulge beneath the sleeves of his now-fitted t-shirt. He can’t help but feel a rush of confidence at the sight of his new body.
"Not bad," he mutters, his voice deeper and rougher than it used to be. It’s strange, but in a way, it feels natural. He raises an eyebrow at his reflection, as though seeing himself for the first time. "I could get used to this."
The room around him is a far cry from the one he'd known. The old room—decorated with stuffed animals, pastel colors, and girly trinkets—now feels like a distant memory, replaced by a clutter of tools, dumbbells, and remnants of a life he had no part in. It’s like living in someone else’s skin—someone who was rough, tough, and perhaps a little too comfortable in his own chaos.
As he moves around the room, he stops at a small shelf filled with action figures and collectibles. Some of them are still in boxes, untouched. He reaches out and picks up a little plastic soldier, inspecting it like it's a relic. For a brief moment, he feels a pang of nostalgia—memories of childhood days when these figurines were his favorite thing in the world. But now, they seem like a world away.
Kenneth’s fingers linger on a collection of sports trophies stacked neatly on the corner of the dresser. "Man... so Kenneth was into sports, huh? That’s... different." He lifts one of the trophies and looks at the engraving. “First place, regional wrestling championship,” he reads aloud. His eyes widen slightly, and he runs a hand through his hair. “Guess I’m no stranger to throwing people around. Not bad, Kenneth. Not bad.”
He sets the trophy back down and paces around the room, his mind racing. What now? What does he even do as a guy? Should he just embrace this new life, act like he’s always been Kenneth, or try to find a way back to who he was?
His thoughts are interrupted by a knock at the door. A voice—Bill's—shouts from the other side, full of irritation. "Kimberly! Are you done admiring yourself in the mirror, or should I just come in and make you hand over the Grellstone?"
Kenneth smirks, his mind instantly flipping into a more mischievous gear. “Aww, is the little brother upset?” he calls back, his voice full of playful sarcasm. “What’s the matter, Bill? Don’t like how I look as a man?”
There’s a brief silence before Bill responds, his voice tinged with frustration. “This isn’t funny, Kim! Give it back! You have no idea what that thing can do!”
Kenneth pauses, his expression darkening for a second. “Oh, trust me, I’m very aware of what it can do. And frankly? It’s mine now.”
He walks over to the door and cracks it open, just enough to peer out at Bill, who is glaring up at him with a mix of anger and disbelief. Kenneth leans against the frame, crossing his arms, his muscles flexing involuntarily.
“Look at you,” Kenneth says, eyeing Bill up and down. "You’re still so... little. You’re gonna have to try a lot harder than that to take the Grellstone from me. But if you wanna keep running your mouth, I’m happy to make this little sibling rivalry interesting."
Bill clenches his fists, his body tense. "You’re still my sister, Kim. And I’m not going to let you ruin everything just because you want to play with power."
Kenneth laughs, his voice carrying an edge of amusement. “Oh, Bill. You’re so cute when you’re all serious and righteous. But guess what? I’m not your sister anymore. I’m Kenneth now, and I’m calling the shots.”
With that, he slams the door shut, cutting off any further argument. He feels a surge of adrenaline as he leans back against it, a wild grin spreading across his face as he felt the male testosterone make his male anatomy in his pants perk up with vitality. There’s something intoxicating about this power, about the way his younger brother is so obviously outmatched, both physically and mentally.
But then a thought lingers, like an itch he can’t scratch.
What would he want to do with all this power, this new form? Sure, it’s fun to mess with Bill and enjoy the perks of strength, but does it really feel... right?
Kenneth shrugs it off. "Nah, this is awesome," he mutters, refocusing on the Grellstone tucked securely in his pocket. He runs a finger over the edge of it, feeling the strange warmth emanating from within. There's something alluring about it, something that beckons him to explore its full potential. But first, there’s one thing he’s sure of: he’s going to need some time to really settle into this new life. And what better way to do that than to get a little... reacquainted with the world outside his door?
The sound of Bill’s footsteps fading down the hall snaps him back to reality. Kenneth lets out a deep breath and pulls open the door again, stepping out into the hallway. As his feet hit the floor, the weight of the Grellstone’s power feels heavier than ever. But in a strange way, it also feels like freedom.
“Let’s see where this ride takes me," he mutters, a sly grin on his lips.