Chapter 20: The Fall and the Fury
Ryan roared, his body crackling with the overwhelming black energy that pulsed through him. The ground trembled beneath his feet, cracks spreading through the pavement as if the earth itself was fracturing under his rage. But for all his power, for all the destruction he wrought, Morgan stood calm, unmoved, watching with a measured, almost bored expression.
"Is that all you've got?" Morgan muttered under his breath, his hands glowing faintly with the spatial energy he controlled.
Ryan charged, disappearing in a blur of movement, teleporting toward Morgan with lightning speed. His fists swung through the air, carrying the weight of a wrecking ball. For a second, Pod thought he might land a blow.
But then Morgan moved—no, he didn't move. The space around him shifted. Ryan's fists passed harmlessly through thin air as Morgan casually warped the space, stepping out of the line of attack as if time itself bent to his will.
"Pathetic," Morgan said softly, his voice barely audible over the chaos.
Ryan growled, more beast than human now, and lunged again, his blindfold flaring with dark light. But each time he attacked, Morgan was a step ahead, redirecting him effortlessly, letting Ryan's rage burn itself out in vain. The gap between them was unmistakable. Morgan wasn't just stronger—he was in complete control of the battlefield.
With a flick of his wrist, Morgan summoned a sphere of energy, space bending and collapsing into the ball he now held in his palm. He raised his hand, as if in slow motion, and in a single motion hurled it at Ryan.
The energy struck Ryan square in the chest, and everything stopped.
The power enveloped Ryan, wrapping around him like chains, binding his monstrous form. He let out a guttural scream as the dark energy that once flowed through him so freely was yanked out, drawn into the void of Morgan's attack. Ryan collapsed to the ground, his body convulsing as the black aura flickered, then vanished.
The beast was defeated.
Pod stood frozen, disbelief etched on his face. How had Morgan done it so easily? Ryan, who moments ago seemed unstoppable, lay crumpled and broken on the ground like a rag doll.
"You… killed him," Pod whispered, the words barely leaving his throat. A part of him knew Ryan was still alive, but seeing his best friend in such a state sent a surge of anger through him.
Morgan turned to face Pod, his expression unreadable. "He was already gone. I merely ended what was inevitable."
Pod's blood boiled. He couldn't accept it. Not like this. Not after everything. "You didn't even try!" Pod shouted, his voice trembling with fury. "You just took the easy way out—like always! You're no protector. You're just a weapon the church uses to keep everyone in line."
Morgan's eyes narrowed slightly, a glimmer of amusement playing at the edge of his lips. "I am what I need to be, Pod. And you? You still don't understand your place in all of this."
Pod's body trembled. All the fear, all the rage he had suppressed watching Ryan fall—watching everything crumble—boiled to the surface. The energy within him stirred, a darkness clawing its way up from the depths of his soul. His vision blurred, the sounds around him fading into nothing but a dull roar. It was happening again.
But this time, he didn't fight it.
"Shut up!" Pod screamed, his voice raw, as a surge of black energy erupted from him, sending a shockwave across the street. His skin prickled with the familiar sensation of power, but it was sharper, more intense. The darkness within him was alive, hungry, and this time, he welcomed it.
Morgan raised an eyebrow, the slightest hint of interest flickering in his otherwise calm demeanor. "So, you've finally decided to stop holding back."
Pod charged at him, faster than before, his movements fueled by raw emotion. The darkness poured out of him, enveloping his fists in swirling black tendrils. He swung wildly, each punch carrying enough force to shatter stone. But just like with Ryan, Morgan shifted, bending the space around them effortlessly, avoiding every attack with minimal effort.
But something was different. Each time Pod missed, the shockwaves from his strikes grew stronger. The ground trembled, buildings shook, and cracks spread like veins through the pavement. The darkness surrounding him amplified his attacks, growing more chaotic with each failed hit.
Morgan took a step back, and for the first time, Pod saw something change in his eyes—a flicker of concern.
Pod roared, lunging forward with everything he had, the energy around him spiraling out of control. Morgan raised his hand, summoning his own power to counter, but just before their energies collided, Morgan faltered, a brief look of surprise crossing his face.
Pod's fist grazed Morgan's side, a small ripple of energy forcing him back a step. Just a step.
Morgan looked down at the spot where Pod had struck him, a faint smile crossing his lips. "Interesting…"
But before Pod could press the attack, his body convulsed, the black energy surging uncontrollably. His vision blurred, his mind drowning in the overwhelming flood of power. He stumbled, falling to one knee, gasping for breath as the darkness threatened to consume him.
Morgan watched him silently, his expression unreadable. "You've got potential," he said, almost to himself. "But you're still not ready."
With a final flick of his wrist, Morgan summoned his power, warping the space around Pod, pulling him into a crushing vortex of energy. The darkness inside Pod was ripped away, forced back into submission as Morgan's power overwhelmed him.
Pod collapsed to the ground, the last of his strength draining from him. His body felt heavy, his mind clouded by exhaustion. He had lost. Again.
But as Morgan turned away, leaving Pod broken on the ground, there was one thing he couldn't deny: for the first time, he had been moved.