Xander knew that playing by the rules would only get him so far, and he had always been one to improvise. A final hurdle lay before him, failing which would push him back to square one.
"I'm growing too tired for new beginnings," Xander huffed confirming his perilous selection.
The Corrupted Nightmare Card slipped out of his fingers and was enveloped by dark black strands. It crumpled into a squirming ball of darkness and then bounced back at Xander, diving into his bare chest.
Xander clutched at his throat as he struggled to breathe. The dual mutations had already started twisting every cell in his body. He clawed at air as a stinging sensation flared up in his chest, rising to his throat.
"Damn it! Damn it all!"
Xander's frantic shrieks echoed in the darkness as his body convulsed violently, twisting like a straw doll. He doubled over as his legs gave way under him and spat out a blob of slimy tarry black liquid.
