Chapter 16: Unleashed Fury
Pod's breath came in heavy gasps as he eyed Ryan warily. His friend was barely recognizable now—bulging muscles, eyes hidden behind that dark, pulsating blindfold. The once-warm familiarity between them had faded, leaving only a terrifying void. The city skyline loomed behind them, a cruel reminder of how much destruction Ryan's newfound power could bring if left unchecked.
The two circled each other in the rubble-strewn street, the echoes of their previous clashes still rippling through the air. Every move Ryan made sent tremors through the ground, his strength growing more chaotic with each passing second.
"Ryan, listen to me!" Pod called out, his voice cracking. But it was no use. Ryan was lost—buried beneath layers of blind rage and uncontrollable power.
In an instant, Ryan disappeared, his teleportation faster than ever. Pod's heightened senses screamed in warning just as Ryan reappeared behind him, slamming a fist into his back. Pod managed to twist at the last second, softening the blow, but the force still sent him crashing into a nearby car, crumpling it like paper.
Pod staggered to his feet, shaking off the impact. His body ached, but he couldn't afford to stop. Not now.
Ryan was already charging at him again, his fists swinging wildly. Pod ducked and dodged, each movement precise, his heightened senses giving him just enough of an edge to stay ahead of Ryan's attacks. For a moment, it seemed like Pod had the upper hand—he landed a clean hit on Ryan's jaw, sending him stumbling back. But Pod knew better. This wasn't going to end with a simple punch.
Ryan's form flickered, his teleportation activating as he phased in and out of sight, moving erratically across the street. Pod's eyes darted around, trying to track him, but Ryan was everywhere—appearing for a split second only to vanish again, like a ghost. Then, with a thunderous crack, Ryan reappeared in mid-air above Pod, fists clenched together, ready to smash him into the ground.
Pod rolled just in time, narrowly avoiding the devastating blow. The ground where Ryan landed buckled, forming a deep crater that sent chunks of concrete flying in all directions. Pod's heart raced—Ryan's strength was growing, becoming more unstable, more dangerous.
"I don't want to fight you!" Pod shouted, desperation creeping into his voice. He could feel Ryan slipping further away, his friend consumed by the overwhelming surge of Choujin power. And then it happened.
Ryan roared, an animalistic cry that echoed through the streets. His body swelled, muscles straining against his skin as his Choujin power reached a new, terrifying level. His blindfold pulsed wildly, its dark energy wrapping around him like a cocoon, amplifying his strength and rage.
"Ryan... no," Pod whispered, fear clawing at his chest. This wasn't just Ryan losing control—this was something far worse. He had fully given in to the beast within.
With a guttural scream, Ryan charged forward, his speed and power almost too much for Pod to handle. Every punch, every kick came with devastating force. Pod dodged, countered, but his hits barely seemed to register anymore. Ryan was beyond pain, beyond reason.
Pod gritted his teeth, knowing he had to end this before it got worse. He had to push Ryan back, force him to snap out of this madness. Gathering his strength, Pod launched himself at Ryan, driving his shoulder into his friend's gut and slamming him into the side of a building. The impact shook the entire structure, cracks spreading up the walls.
But Ryan didn't slow down. He grabbed Pod by the neck and threw him across the street like a ragdoll. Pod crashed through a storefront window, glass shattering around him as he tumbled inside. He groaned, pulling himself up from the wreckage, pain shooting through his body. He couldn't keep this up much longer.
Suddenly, the ground rumbled beneath him. Pod stumbled outside, his eyes widening in horror.
Ryan had gone completely berserk. He stood in the middle of the street, roaring like a beast, his blindfold glowing with an ominous black light. His fists slammed into the ground, sending shockwaves through the city. Buildings cracked and toppled, cars were flung into the air, and the very ground beneath them trembled as if on the verge of collapse.
And then Pod saw it—civilians, caught in the chaos. They screamed and ran, but they were no match for the devastation Ryan was unleashing. Chunks of debris rained down from above, crushing anyone unfortunate enough to be in their path. A mother grabbed her child, ducking behind a car as rubble crashed around them. An elderly man fell to the ground, his legs pinned beneath a slab of concrete.
Pod's blood ran cold. He had to stop this. Now.
Summoning every ounce of his strength, Pod raced toward Ryan, dodging falling debris and cracks in the street. He leapt into the air, tackling Ryan to the ground. The two tumbled across the pavement, fists flying as they grappled with each other. But no matter how hard Pod hit, Ryan only seemed to grow stronger.
Ryan threw Pod off him, sending him crashing into a lamppost. As Pod staggered to his feet, he saw Ryan preparing for another attack—a punch so powerful it would level the entire block.
Time seemed to slow. Pod's mind raced. He had to do something—something drastic. But what?
And then, in the midst of the chaos, a figure appeared. At the edge of the destruction, shrouded in shadow, stood a man wearing a cat mask. He watched silently, his presence unnerving and otherworldly. For a brief moment, Pod felt a strange connection to the figure, as if he knew him—or perhaps, he knew what was about to happen.
Morgan's voice echoed in his mind: "Handle him."
Before Pod could fully process the man's appearance, the figure turned and disappeared into the darkness, as if he had never been there at all.
Ryan, oblivious to the mysterious figure, roared again, his fist coming down with earth-shattering force. Pod knew this was his last chance. He had to act. Now.
With a surge of adrenaline, Pod sprinted forward, his senses flaring as he dodged the incoming blow. He leapt into the air, grabbing Ryan's arm and twisting it behind him with all his might. Ryan howled in pain, but Pod didn't let go. He slammed his fist into Ryan's blindfold, desperate to break whatever hold it had on him.
For a split second, the blindfold flickered, the dark energy weakening. Ryan's wild movements slowed, his body trembling.
"Ryan," Pod whispered, his voice strained, "I know you're in there. Don't let it control you."
Ryan's breath hitched, his body shaking as the beast within him fought for control. Pod could see the flicker of humanity in his friend's eyes, just beneath the surface.
But the blindfold pulsed again, stronger than before, and Ryan let out a deafening scream. His power surged, knocking Pod back and sending another shockwave through the city.
Pod hit the ground hard, gasping for breath as the world around him blurred. He had done everything he could, but Ryan... Ryan was too far gone.
As the dust settled, Pod stared up at the towering figure of his friend, now a monstrous force of destruction.