Jarvis's words were cut off by a sudden, deafening explosion. The ground shook beneath them, and a plume of smoke and debris shot into the sky from a nearby building. Maxwell and Jarvis instinctively ducked, shielding their heads from falling rubble.
"What the hell was that?!" Maxwell shouted, his heart racing.
Jarvis's eyes were wide with fear and confusion. "I don't know, but we need to get out of here!"
They scrambled to their feet, looking around frantically for a safe route. People were screaming and running in all directions, adding to the chaos. In the midst of the panic, Maxwell caught sight of a figure moving swiftly through the smoke.
"It's them," Jarvis said, his voice trembling. "The rangers."
Maxwell's eyes followed Jarvis's gaze. Sure enough, he saw the familiar black-clad figures with gas masks, methodically moving through the crowd, seemingly unfazed by the destruction.
"We need to hid--"
Maxwell abruptly stop when he took a good look at the rangers. They were strangely different.
"Hey...is the rangers supposed to look like this..?"
Maxwell and Jarvis stared in horror at the rangers. Red, pointy growths protruded from their bodies, giving them a monstrous, almost demonic appearance.
Maxwell gulped, trying to steady his breath. "What the hell is happening?"
Jarvis shook his head, his face pale. "I-I don't know. This isn't normal. They're changing into... something else."
The rangers moved with an eerie precision, their new, monstrous forms tearing through the chaos with ease. Maxwell's heart pounded as he realized they were heading straight for them.
"Run!" Jarvis shouted, grabbing Maxwell's arm and pulling him deeper into the alley.
They sprinted through the narrow passageways, the sounds of destruction and chaos echoing behind them. Maxwell's mind raced. What were those things? Why were the rangers transforming?
As they rounded a corner, they saw a small, abandoned building. Jarvis pointed to it. "In here, quick!"
They ducked inside, slamming the door shut behind them. Maxwell leaned against the wall, trying to catch his breath. "Jarvis, what are we gonna do? We can't just hide forever."
Jarvis nodded, his eyes filled with determination. "We need to find Hito and Akuro. They might know what's going on. And maybe, just maybe, they can help us stop this."
Maxwell nodded, his resolve hardening. "Alright. Let's find them. And let's put an end to whatever this is."
Maxwell and Jarvis sprinted through the alley, their hearts pounding as the chaos of the city closed in around them. Suddenly, a roar echoed from in front of them. They skidded to a halt, their eyes widening in horror as five ghouls emerged from the shadows, their eyes glowing with malevolence.
"Shit...!" Jarvis muttered, looking around frantically for an escape route.
But before they could react, the rangers—now monstrous with red, pointy growths—closed in from behind. They were trapped.
Maxwell's face hardened with resolve. "I have to do something!" he shouted, gripping his bracelet tightly.
In an instant, he transformed into Wulmar, his massive, muscular form towering over the ghouls and the transformed rangers. Jarvis's eyes widened in shock. "What the fuck?!"
Without hesitation, Wulmar lunged at the nearest ghoul, his claws ripping through its flesh with brutal efficiency. Blood sprayed across the alley as the ghoul let out a guttural scream, collapsing to the ground in a heap.
The rangers moved with inhuman speed, their monstrous forms blurring as they attacked. One of them swung a clawed hand at Wulmar, but he dodged, his reflexes just as fast. He countered with a powerful punch, shattering the ranger's face and sending shards of bone and flesh flying.
Jarvis, hiding behind a dumpster, watched the carnage with wide eyes. The alley was filled with the sounds of tearing flesh, breaking bones, and agonized screams. Wulmar was a whirlwind of destruction, his claws and fangs tearing through the ghouls and rangers alike.
Another ghoul leapt at Wulmar, but he caught it mid-air, his claws sinking into its abdomen. With a vicious twist, he tore the creature in half, its entrails spilling onto the ground in a gory mess. He tossed the remains aside, turning to face the next threat.
A ranger, now more monster than human, charged at him with a snarl. Wulmar met the attack head-on, slashing through the ranger's chest with a single, powerful swipe. The creature's body convulsed as it fell, dark blood pooling around it.
The last of the ghouls tried to flee, but Wulmar was faster. He grabbed the ghoul by the neck, lifting it off the ground and crushing its windpipe with a squeeze. The ghoul's eyes bulged as it choked, its life fading away.
Panting heavily, Wulmar stood amidst the carnage, his fur matted with blood. He looked around, making sure there were no more threats. The alley was a slaughterhouse, filled with the remains of the ghouls and rangers.
Jarvis emerged from his hiding spot, his face pale. "That was... insane," he whispered, unable to tear his eyes away from the grisly scene.
Maxwell : We need to find Hito and Akuro..!
Maxwell looked at the building and then at Jarvis. "Okay... I have an idea. Climb on my shoulder."
"...What?" Jarvis asked, incredulous.
"Come on!!" Maxwell insisted.
"Fine!" Jarvis grunted, reluctantly climbing onto Maxwell's shoulder.
"Huh, you're pretty light."
"Thanks... I guess?" Jarvis muttered.
Maxwell crouched slightly, preparing to jump. "You ready?"
"Ready for wha—aaaaAAAAAAHHH!" Jarvis's scream echoed as Maxwell leapt, propelling them both skyward with incredible strength. He soared over the buildings, the wind rushing past them.
---
Meanwhile, back in the alley, a man stood in the shadows, watching the sky. He observed Maxwell and Jarvis's ascent with keen interest
"Interesting... very interesting," he murmured to himself, his eyes glinting with intrigue.