The sewer was a suffocating labyrinth, its putrid air clawing at Eldric's senses. He couldn't risk opening his eyes; the toxic sludge threatened to blind him.
But he pressed on, driven by the urgency of rescuing Morvain. He couldn't bear the thought of losing another friend. Memories of past failures haunted him, a reminder of his former helplessness.
Now, as an awakened, he felt a newfound strength surging through him. He was determined to save Morvain and prove his worth to his father. The sewer passage ahead seemed narrow, only a short distance left to cover before reaching solid ground.
Eldric's heart pounded in his chest. Safety was just seconds away. His hand grazed the sewer's edge, so close to freedom. But a strange sensation pulled at him, tempting him to let go.
'Must escape.'
Summoning his final reserves of strength, Eldric grabbed the ground's edge and propelled himself outward. He gasped for air, eyes fluttering open, but a disorienting haze clouded his vision. It felt like his consciousness was slipping away, leaving him dazed and unsteady.
He shook his head, struggling to regain control. The sensation threatened to overwhelm him.
'Something's not right with my body.' He took a deep breath and sprinted toward the towering figure.
Morvain had lost all color, his skin now ashen, filling Eldric with heartache. Seeing his friend's deteriorating condition was agonizing, but Eldric remained resolute.
With a burst of adrenaline and unwavering determination to save Morvain, Eldric sprinted forward, his mind fixed on the mission. Unbeknownst to him, his own body pulsed with enigmatic sensations.
Eldric's shout, "Iron Fury!" echoed through the sewer.
With a triumphant war cry, he threw a punch, convinced that his newfound ability – turning parts of his body into iron – would do the trick. It was like playing superhero, except he had little training and a whole lot of determination.
As his fist surged forward, he expected the Hound to go flying dramatically, but reality had other plans. Instead of a spectacular collision, there was a loud clang – metal meeting metal. The Hound didn't budge an inch; it was like punching a brick wall, except the brick wall was made of, well, metal.
?!
Eldric's jaw practically dropped as his iron-clad fist was effortlessly ensnared by the Hound, his opponent's hand oddly matching his own in its metallic hue. A mixture of shock and disbelief rendered him momentarily speechless.
"Th-this can't be happening!"
Eldric managed to stammer out, his mind struggling to process the fact that his supposedly invincible punch had been neutralized so effortlessly. The sensation of metal against metal sent shivers down his spine.
The Hound's amused smile spoke volumes. "Ah, Iron Fury. Impressive raw power, I must admit. Yet, it seems your lack of experience has given you away." His taunting tone was accompanied by a faint chuckle. "You're a fresh face, aren't you? I've been terrorizing this town for a good three decades, and somehow, I've never laid eyes on you. Are you a newcomer?"
"Let Morvain go, you despicable scoundrel!" Eldric's voice quivered with a mix of anger and desperation.
The Hound's response was a cold smirk, his eyes glinting with a twisted amusement.
"Ah, a fiery spirit, indeed. I can appreciate that. But you see, my dear, your demands hold no sway over me."
"El..." Morvain's hoarse voice cut through the tense air. "Don't... waste your strength. Run..."
Determination flared within Eldric's eyes. With a decisive movement, he channelled his power once more, this time focusing it into his other arm. He lashed out with a swift punch aimed at the Hound's abdomen, only to be met with the frustratingly familiar sound of metal striking metal – a resounding clank that reverberated through the sewer.
"Rather disappointing," the Hound's voice dripped with derision, his amusement evident even in the face of the situation.
However, before he could make a move, a sudden interruption shifted the tide of the confrontation. A blade, sharp and gleaming, pierced the Hound's forearm, causing him to recoil with a grunt of surprise and pain.
Eldric's eyes widened, a mixture of shock and relief washing over him as he witnessed Morvain, despite his weakened state, holding a small knife against the Hound's arm. The sight was unexpected, and a chuckle mingled with the pain in Morvain's voice as he managed to quip, "T-try this."
The towering man recoiled, his hold on both boys loosening as the blade penetrated his skin. The unexpected counterattack had caught him off guard, and the pain radiating from his wounded forearm was evident on his face.
"If you had that with you all along, why the hell didn't you use it earlier, you imbecile?!" Eldric's frustration mixed with relief as he scrambled to his feet, extending a helping hand to his coughing and breathless friend.
Through his labored breathing, Morvain managed to ask, "Did your... flashy surprise attack actually graze him?"
"..."
Eldric fell silent, his expression a mixture of disbelief and realization. The flashiness of his initial attack had indeed caught the Hound's attention, but it hadn't managed to land a solid hit.
"He's a captain, someone who "commands" others. You think they chose a squadron leader without any power? Idiot. If I were to use the blade on him before, he could've easily snatch it and end my life."
"..."
Eldric was truly speechless.
"How dare you, slum dogs!"
The Hound's furious shout cut through the tense air; his anger palpable as he advanced menacingly toward the two boys.
Horror washed over Eldric and Morvain as they watched the hulking figure charging at them, his feet undergoing a startling transformation. With each step he took, the soles of his feet turned a menacing shade of blue, morphing into a metallic hue that clashed starkly against the ground.
The effect was as unnerving as it was extraordinary, propelling him forward with a formidable burst of strength that sent shivers down the boys' spines.
"Do you have a plan for dealing with that... thing?"
Eldric's voice trembled with a mix of anxiety and hope as he glanced at Morvain.
Morvain's response was swift, a confident grin touching his lips as he cracked his knuckles. Gripping the knife with determination, he held it tightly in his skinny palm.
"Of course," he declared, his tone oozing a mix of cockiness and resolve. "I always have a plan."