Chapter 78: Dark Alliances... Hades' Candidate
"Arrggh!" Axel bent down, the pain searing through him like molten lava. His body shuddered as he puked another wave of blood onto the cold stone floor. Every pulse of his heart felt like a hammer striking his ribs. The attack had drained more from him than it had from his opponent, leaving him gasping, trembling.
Axel raised his head, eyes burning with frustration, and caught sight of his hand. It hovered in the air, still suspended after the brutal punch he had delivered. His skin was charred, his knuckles cracked and bleeding, white smoke sizzling from the scorched flesh. His hand looked like it had been dipped in acid, burned beyond recognition.