I stood, grounded yet unwittingly helpless before the monstrosity that was once Leo. It was not just the potent destructive aura around him that belied his yesteryears as a friend and brother. What truly stung was the agonizing keenness in my heart, each beat echoing Leo's screams of torment and pain that still resonated within the silenced abyss. I was poised against him, grappling with the Eldritch's power driving Leo into insanity, maneuvering him into an unwilling pawn.
The first strike of aggression came forth from the changed Leo. The force was paralyzing, sweeping me off and flinging me across the chamber like a ragdoll. I hit the wall, just barely bracing myself, but the impact still sent sharp waves of pain coursing through me. In my moment of respite, I heard the roars of the monstrous Leo echo, vibrating through my very bones. I pushed off from where I was embedded in the wall, teeth gritted as I prepared for the next assault.
