A chill ran down my spine.
(THUD... THUD...)
An overwhelming presence—dark, suffocating—closed in, thickening the very air around me, pressing down on my chest.
And then, I saw him.
That man—the one who had saved me from that monstrous dragon. His form loomed, shrouded in an aura so intense, it felt like staring into an abyss ready to devour the entire world.
"You again…" I muttered, keeping my voice steady—though my heart thundered like a drum. I couldn't shake the image of him slicing through that dragon as if it were nothing. But now, his aura was even darker, sharper. This guy… he was dangerous.
(THROB… THROB… THROB…)
I clenched my fists, grounding myself, defying the instinct clawing at me to run. "What do you want?" I demanded, trying to hold my own against the fierce weight of his stare.
The man—the hunter—finally spoke, his voice as deep as an echo from the underworld. "You are that boy…" His eyes narrowed, as though cutting through me. "But you look… different now."
Before I could respond, he made a gesture, signaling me to follow. "Come with me," he said, shifting into a bizarre stance, arms stretched wide, fingers snapping—like something out of an ancient battle pose, perfectly controlled, radiating confidence.
(WHAM! SLAM!)
"Is this guy serious…?" I thought, glancing at Lisa Lisa and my mom, both as bewildered as I was.
With absolute precision, he led us down a narrow corridor, eventually opening the door to a grand office—a room filled with complex, ominous devices, scattered blueprints, shelves stacked with peculiar, intimidating instruments.
"Welcome to my domain," he announced with a grand, theatrical flair. His energy pulsated through the room, filling it with an electrifying tension.
As we stepped inside, the door shut behind us with a deafening BANG!
Suddenly, metallic sounds echoed all around us.
(CLANK! CLICK! SWOOSH!)
The floor shifted beneath our feet. In every direction, traps sprung forth—spikes, chains, and blades darting toward us.
"What the—!" I reacted instantly, diving into my Anium.
(SWOOSH!)
We vanished into the realm of Vanishing Anium. From this dimension, we saw the world frozen in time, each trap hanging mid-air, motionless. We could see everything, yet nothing could touch us.
Lisa Lisa's voice pierced the stillness. "What… just happened? Are we… invisible?"
"Not invisible," I replied, my tone steady but hushed. "We're in another dimension. My Anium ability. No one can reach us here… or so I thought."
I glanced back at Engineer Physician, who stood at the room's center, perfectly unfazed, his eyes glinting with amusement.
"He's smiling…" I muttered, a chill seizing me. "Why is he smiling?!"
Then—
(CRACK!)
The air shattered around us as if reality itself had splintered. My Vanishing Anium… it broke! We were flung back into the real world, with no barrier between us and his deadly traps.
We hit the floor, reeling.
"How… How did he do that?!" I gasped, bewildered. "He broke through my Vanishing Anium… like it was nothing!"
Engineer Physician laughed, his voice booming, filled with a cruel amusement that sent chills down my spine. "Well done, kid," he said, clapping mockingly. "No one's ever escaped my traps like that. You've got some skill… that much is certain."
I stood, fists clenched, the fire of defiance burning in my eyes. "Just what the hell are you?" I demanded, refusing to back down.
He grinned, stepping closer. "Let's get down to business. I have an offer for you. Join the Physics Corporation, or as others know it… the Physics Guild." His tone was casual, but the threat beneath his words was clear.
"Work for you?" I narrowed my gaze, suspicious.
"Yes," he replied, circling us like a hawk. "Your role will be simple—raid dungeons across the world. But," he added, with a glint in his eye, "you must remain anonymous. No one can know who you are. You'll be a ghost, cleaning up the messes this world keeps creating."
I stared at him, trying to process his words.
"The dungeons are spreading chaos," he continued, voice cold. "And you… you have the power to take them down. With every dungeon destroyed, the Physics Guild gains power. Understand?"
Anger flared within me as I clenched my fists tighter.
"And if I refuse?" I shot back defiantly.
Engineer's eyes turned to steel, his tone dark. "You won't."
A chill ran through me. This guy… he was deadly serious.
"If you accept the contract," he went on, his tone lowering into a murmur, "you'll be rewarded. Eradicate every dungeon in this world, and you'll gain the ultimate prize—the Arena Stone."
"The Arena Stone?" I repeated, frowning.
He nodded, explaining. "Fifty years ago, the British Guild Master Arena unearthed the ultimate stone of life. A brilliant woman, but… for reasons unknown, she died, and the stone was lost. But destroy every dungeon, and another Arena Stone will appear. It's the only hope of saving this world."
I took a deep breath, his words sinking in like stones.
"But what about… my life? College, university—all the normal stuff?"
He waved a dismissive hand. "You needn't bother with trivialities. Here." He tossed a small, polished badge at me. "From this moment, you're a Senior Pro Hunter. Everything else can wait."
I gritted my teeth, staring at the badge in my hand. "And you expect me to just accept this?"
Suddenly, Engineer boomed, "OUT, TELLO!"
(WHOOSH!)
Before I could blink, the world spun around us, and I found myself standing outside his office, Lisa Lisa and my mom at my side, both looking as shocked as I felt.
"What the hell just happened?" I growled, throwing a furious look back at the door.
Turning to Lisa Lisa, I took a deep breath, pushing the insanity from my mind, at least for the moment. "Looks like we're heading back to Dhaka."
"Back to Dhaka?" she echoed, her voice trailing as she tried to process everything that had happened.
"Yeah, I've got work at New Dhaka Hospital." I rubbed my temples, exhaling. "Let's go."
The journey back home felt like a blur of chaotic thoughts. Once we arrived, I turned to my mom and Lisa Lisa, gesturing for them to go on ahead.
"I'll catch up later," I said. "There's something I need to take care of."
With that, I strode towards the hospital, my footsteps echoing (THUD, THUD, THUD) as I made my way through the dim hallways. Sarah's room lay ahead, but the questions swirling in my head were all I could think about. Somehow, she was linked to all of this… I just didn't know how.
Reaching her door, I knocked lightly, then stepped in. The room was faintly lit, and there she was—Sarah, lying in bed, looking frail, yet her eyes glimmered with a defiant spark I recognized all too well.
"Hey, Sarah… are you okay?" I asked, keeping my tone soft as I took a cautious step forward.
Her expression hardened the instant she saw me. "You… again?!" she snapped, her voice like an arctic gust. "What do you want now, boy?"
I took a breath, forcing calm into my voice. "I just wanted to check on you, to see if you're alright."
"None of this has anything to do with you!" she spat, her gaze icy and unyielding. "Get out of here!"
Ignoring her words, I moved a step closer, determined. Something about her seemed off—like there was something she wasn't saying. "Sarah," I said firmly, "do you remember anything? Anything at all?"
She turned away, her voice laced with frustration. "Stop bothering me and get out! Who do you even think you are—"
I leaned in, my gaze locked onto hers, cutting her off. "Sarah, listen! You need to remember! This is important!"
"Hey! Back off! You're way too close!" she hissed, her cheeks tinged red as she pressed herself against the headboard, her eyes wide with alarm.
But her protest barely registered. I leaned even closer, my voice edged with desperation. "Sarah! Just remember! Please!"
Suddenly—
DING!
I froze as a voice—sharp, scolding—rang out in my head.
"Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. Make distance from that girl, Eric!"
"Wait, what the—?!" I muttered, startled, as I pulled back slightly. That voice… It was the system!
"The system?" I whispered, utterly confused. "Why do you even care what I'm doing? I'm just trying to help her remember—"
"You idiot!" the system interrupted, this time with an almost jealous edge. "Get away from her, you moron!"
"What the—" I shook my head, caught off guard by the unexpected shift. The system had always been cold, detached. Now… it sounded like it was embarrassed? "What's going on here?"
But I couldn't let myself be distracted. Ignoring the system's protests, I turned back to Sarah, moving closer once more, my voice urgent. "Please, Sarah, just try to remember! You have to!"
But instead of a breakthrough—
"GUARDS!" she shrieked, her voice slicing through the silence. "Somebody help! This creep's trying to—"
"W-What?!" I jumped back, holding my hands up defensively. "Wait, no! I wasn't trying to—!"
"HELP! A CREEP IS IN MY ROOM!" she screamed again, scooting to the far side of the bed. "HE'S TRYING TO… TO HARASS ME! HELP!"
"What?! When did I—?!" I stammered, completely blindsided. "I didn't do anything! What's going on?!"
The door burst open with a (CRASH!), and two guards stormed in, followed by a police officer who must've been patrolling nearby.
"FREEZE!" the officer barked, his hand gripping his holster.
"No, wait, this isn't—"
Before I could explain, Sarah pointed at me, her voice filled with panic. "OFFICER! THIS BOY IS HARASSING ME! HE WON'T LEAVE ME ALONE! HE'S TRYING TO… TO TOUCH ME!"
"Wha—WHAT?!" I felt my stomach drop. "I wasn't doing anything! I swear!"
The officer's expression hardened. He wasn't buying a word of it.
"Hands where I can see them!" he ordered, taking a step closer. The guards closed in, ready to pounce.
"This is ridiculous!" I shouted, taking a step back, my mind racing. "I was just trying to—"
"Trying to what?" Sarah interrupted, her face flushed with fear and anger. "You were practically breathing down my neck—"
"TO WHAT?!" I shouted back, flustered. "I only asked if you remembered anything!"
"GET HIM OUT OF HERE!" Sarah shrieked again, and in a flash, the guards lunged at me.
THWACK!
One of them grabbed my arm, pulling me back, while the other went for my legs. I struggled to stay upright, desperately trying to explain. "I didn't do anything! I was just trying to help her remember!"
The officer wasn't listening. "Resisting arrest, are we?" he growled, stepping in closer.
"I'm NOT resisting!" I shouted, shaking off the guard's grip. "This is all just a big misunderstanding!"
Sarah, meanwhile, kept screaming. "HE'S A PERVERT! GET HIM OUT!"
DING!
"Warning: Unacceptable behavior detected! Eric, cease resisting or further action will be taken!"
"System, you're not helping!" I grumbled through clenched teeth, torn between trying to fight or letting them take me.
Finally, I shouted, "I'm a Pro Hunter! I'm just here to check on my friend, Sarah! That's all!"
The officer sneered. "Oh, a Hunter, huh? Makes sense…"
I was taken aback by his disgust. "What? No! I didn't mean it like that—"
"Shut it!" he cut me off, his voice rising. "Hunters like you think you're above the law. You get a taste of power and think you can do whatever the hell you want. Harassing innocent people, abusing those you're supposed to protect…"
I clenched my fists, anger flaring inside me. "That's not true! I don't hurt people—"
"Save it!" he scoffed, stepping forward. "I've seen it before. Hunters like you are just thugs with a badge. Pathetic."
Speechless, I could only stare in disbelief.
The officer looked to the guards and nodded. "This one needs a lesson. Let's remind him who's in charge."
My heart raced as the guards advanced, weapons drawn. "Wait—!" I protested, hands up, but they were past listening.
SWOOSH!
The first guard lunged, his fist charged with energy, aiming right at my chest. I barely sidestepped, but the other guard was already closing in, his blade gleaming with a deadly light.
"Stop! I'm not here to fight!" I insisted, but they ignored me.
BAM!
The first guard's punch slammed into my side, pain flaring through my ribs. I gasped, struggling to catch my breath. These guys… they were serious.
"You're under arrest, Hunter," the officer declared coldly. "You can either come quietly, or we'll drag you out."
Gritting my teeth, I wiped the blood from my lip. "I don't want any trouble, but if you're going to push me—"
"You're already in trouble!" the officer interrupted, drawing his weapon—a high-tech baton crackling with energy. "We're not letting a lowlife Hunter like you walk away."
"What?! I haven't done anything! You've got it all wrong!"
They didn't care.
The second guard rushed me with his blade, and instinct took over.
THWACK!
I dodged to the side, bringing my elbow down on his neck, sending him sprawling. The first guard swung at me, but I blocked, channeling Anium into my arm. Our fists collided with a (CRACK!) as a shockwave shattered the room's window.
Sarah shrieked, her voice barely cutting through the chaos. "What's happening?! Someone, help!"
The officer lunged, his baton glowing a fierce blue, and with a shout, he swung it down at me.
I braced myself, channeling Vanishing Anium.
CLANG!
The impact rippled through the room, lights flickering overhead. The ground shook, and Sarah's panicked screams echoed as a chill settled in the air.
When the dust cleared, the room was a disaster zone—shattered glass, broken equipment, debris everywhere. A battlefield.
Panting, I glanced around. The guards were down, groaning, but the officer remained standing, eyes filled with rage.
"You think you can just walk away, Hunter?" he growled, baton sparking. "You're done. We'll make sure you never see daylight again."
I had to leave. I couldn't stay here any longer.
Before he could strike again, I bolted out of the hospital, vanishing into the air.
WHOOSH!
As I ran, the blaring sirens echoed through the air, piercing the chaos around me. Police cars zipped through the streets, their lights flashing like angry beacons, searching for me. The city was on high alert.
DING!
WARNING: Eric, you are now classified as a wanted criminal. Authorities will be notified of your whereabouts at all times.
"Dammit!" I muttered, ducking into a shadowy alley to catch my breath. "How did things get so messed up?"
I glanced around, scanning for my next move, but everywhere I turned, there were eyes on me—people staring, whispering, pointing. Their fingers felt like daggers.
And then, I saw it.
Every screen, every TV in the shop windows, my face plastered across the news like a monstrous villain.
"Breaking News: Pro Hunter Eric, Wanted for Sexual Harassment and Assault on Law Enforcement Officers. Is This the Fall of a Hero?"
"What the hell?" My heart dropped, blood running cold in my veins. "This is insane…"
The newscaster's voice boomed, filling the air with a chilling narrative.
"Eyewitnesses report that Pro Hunter Eric violently assaulted ten NDPD officers after being caught in the act of sexually harassing a young female doctor. This is yet another example of the ongoing Hunter crime spree that has plagued New Dhaka. Citizens are urged to stay indoors, as this individual is considered highly dangerous."
My fists clenched tightly. "This isn't right! I didn't—"
But it didn't matter. The damage was done, irreparably shattering my world.
Back home, my mom's face was pale, her hands trembling as she scrolled through the relentless barrage of news updates. The same headline assaulted her eyes again and again.
"Pro Hunter Eric, Accused of Sexual Harassment and Assault."
She couldn't believe it. Her son—her Eric—was now a wanted criminal. The world had turned against me.
Lisa Lisa stood behind her, disbelief etched across her features. "This can't be true…" she murmured, her hands shaking. "Eric would never…"
But outside, chaos reigned. The entire city was in uproar, and I could hear the murmur of voices outside.
"Another Hunter gone bad, huh? Figures."
"They're all the same. Give 'em power, and they just abuse it."
"He should be locked up. Who knows what else he's done?"
Accusations and hatred surrounded me like a storm. My reputation lay in tatters, and the city—the entire country—was turning against me.
In the distance, the faint sound of police sirens grew louder. I was hidden beneath the floorboards of my own home, crammed into that small, dark space, my body pressed tightly as if I were a rat in a maze. The wooden planks above me creaked ominously under the weight of the stomping police boots.
"Everyone freeze! Eric, surrender yourself!" The commanding voice of Hunter Roger boomed through the house.
The muffled thud of boots hit the ground hard as they searched every corner, every closet, every room. My heart raced, but I forced myself to remain silent.
"You're surrounded. There's no escape, Eric. We have the whole block covered," Roger announced through his megaphone, his arrogance only igniting the fire within me. He thought he had me trapped.
I lay there, tense, hidden.
Roger's frustration escalated. "Damn it, they've run away from here! We have to track him down. No way he's gone far."
The sound of his walkie-watch crackled through the house as he communicated with the rest of the police force. "Hunter Roger here from Uttara, Khan Apartment, D3. There's no sign of the criminal. Track his signal through the net. Block every route in and out of the area."
For a moment, I thought I might be in the clear. The sound of footsteps began to fade as they searched elsewhere. My body relaxed slightly, though I stayed on edge, knowing one wrong move could blow everything.
Then, out of nowhere, I felt the tickle in my nose.
No. Not now. Don't sneeze. Don't you dare sneeze!
But it was too late.
ACHOO!
The sneeze echoed through the cramped space, and for a split second, time seemed to freeze.
"What the hell was that?" one of the officers snapped, his voice sharp as a blade. "Did you hear that?"
"Yeah, something's off. There's someone still here," another officer replied, suspicion lacing his tone.
Their boots thudded with urgency, frantic now as they closed in on my hiding place.
Damn it!
I clenched my fists under the floorboards. There was no use hiding anymore. I had to act before they caught me like a trapped animal. My body tensed, adrenaline surging through my veins.
Screw this.
With a swift motion, I smashed through the wooden floor, splintering the boards in a shower of debris. The sound was like a thunderclap, startling the officers. Before anyone could react, I burst out of the floor like a human cannonball, dust and debris swirling in my wake.
"Wha—?!"
The officer closest to me didn't have time to process the chaos. I delivered a powerful kick to his face, my metallic boot connecting with a satisfying CRACK! He was flung back, crashing into a bookshelf, sending books and ornaments flying everywhere.
"Stop him!" Roger screamed, but it was too late. I had already activated my Anium. My body blurred as I moved faster than the human eye could track. The room around me felt like it was moving in slow motion as I zipped between the officers.
They couldn't react. They didn't even see me coming.
One by one, I struck— a punch to the gut here, an elbow to the ribs there. My movements were so rapid, so precise; they didn't stand a chance. Each hit landed with a thunderous BAM!, sending officers crashing into walls and furniture.
"Get him! Get him!" Roger's voice cracked with panic as he desperately tried to draw his weapon. But I was already behind him before he could even blink.
WHAM!
I delivered a sharp kick to the back of his knee, forcing him to the ground. He gasped in pain as I grabbed his collar, pulling him up to eye level.
"You thought you had me cornered, huh?" I hissed, my voice cold and menacing. "You really don't know who you're dealing with."
Roger's eyes widened in terror, but before he could utter a word, I slammed his face into the floor, knocking him out cold.
The other officers lay disoriented, groaning on the floor, their weapons scattered. I surveyed the chaos I'd unleashed in mere seconds. The entire apartment resembled a battlefield—broken furniture, shattered windows, and unconscious officers littering the ground.
But I couldn't linger. Reinforcements were on their way, and if I didn't move fast, I'd be caught for sure.
Time to go.
Without wasting another second, I activated my Anium again, propelling myself out of the apartment and into the night like a shadow in the wind. The city of New Dhaka stretched out before me, neon lights illuminating the streets, but all I could hear were the sirens and shouts of officers as they descended upon the area.
As I raced through the back alleys, my mind whirled.
This is just like that time…
Back in Chapter 1, when I was on the run with Aria. Except now, I was alone. No one to rely on. No one to trust. My reputation was in tatters, and the entire damn city was hunting me down.
By the time I reached a safe spot, panting and exhausted, I could hear the sound of a news broadcast playing from a nearby shop.
Breaking News:
Pro Hunter Eric, responsible for the assault on NDPD officers and sexual harassment of a female doctor, is now the subject of a city-wide manhunt. Authorities urge citizens to stay indoors. This Hunter is considered extremely dangerous.
Great. Just great.
My face flashed across every screen in the city, plastered on TV, social media, and news alerts like I was some kind of public menace. People everywhere turned their heads, their expressions darkened, whispers rising like a tide around me.
"Another Hunter gone bad, huh?"
"They're all the same. Give 'em a bit of power, and they think they can do whatever they want."
"Government's useless if they can't control these freaks."
It was like my whole world had turned upside down in an instant. People who'd once cheered my name were now spitting it out like a curse.
How the hell did it come to this?
Suddenly, a system alert pinged in my mind.
Eric, you have to stay safe. I will guide you to the safest path to escape this chaos.
The voice was steady but urgent, calm but with a sharp edge. It was the system, my only ally. No time to question it. I could feel the walls closing in, the city swallowing me like a beast. I followed the system's directions, slipping into a narrow alley, and a route lit up in my mind like a GPS.
Maybe... maybe I'll actually make it out of this mess.
But then, from the shadows, a figure stepped forward, blocking my path. His uniform gleamed under the alley's neon lights, his expression colder than ice.
"Cheeky bastard," he muttered, his accent thick with a Japanese edge. "Think you can just run from the Hunter Police?"
I froze, my heart racing as I recognized him. This wasn't just any cop; this was Kimura, a Japanese transfer Hunter—and from the look in his eyes, he was dead serious.
"Crap," I whispered under my breath. "Just what I needed… another police hunter."
Kimura cracked his neck, stretching his fingers with a casual confidence. "I've been waiting for this, Eric. You're not just some criminal now. You're my target." His voice dripped with arrogance. "And you're finished."
For a moment, silence filled the alley, broken only by the faint wails of distant sirens and the electric hum overhead. I clenched my fists, feeling my pulse pounding in my ears. No room for weakness now.
"Bring it," I replied, voice low, daring.
Kimura didn't hesitate. He lunged, his body a blur, his fist hurtling toward me like a cannonball.
WHOOSH!
I twisted, just barely dodging as his punch carved through the air, creating a vacuum that sent dust swirling around us. My eyes widened—this guy's power was insane. His punch had weight.
"Too slow!" Kimura snarled, his movements becoming a blur as he launched a rapid-fire assault.
BAM! BAM! BAM!
Each blow barely missed, grazing me, but the shockwaves alone were enough to keep me on edge, unbalanced. I couldn't keep dodging forever.
Time to counter!
With a surge of energy, I activated my Anium. It crackled through my veins, making my body feel lighter, faster. I feinted to the side, narrowly dodging another punch, then lunged forward, aiming for his ribs.
WHAM!
My fist connected solidly, but Kimura barely reacted, his grin widening.
"You think that's enough to stop me?" he sneered, his voice mocking. "You've got guts, kid, but you're outclassed."
Suddenly, his aura flared, a dark energy spiraling around him. The temperature dropped, and I could feel a new pressure building, crushing in on me.
What the hell?
Before I could react, Kimura's hand shot out, grabbing me by the collar. Effortlessly, he lifted me, his grip like steel.
"I'm not just any Hunter," he whispered, his voice a low threat. "I'm part of a new breed, enhanced by the Hunter Police. You don't stand a chance."
Damn it! I struggled, trying to break free, but his strength was overwhelming. He slammed me down, the impact sending a shockwave through the alley.
CRASH!
Pain jolted through me as I hit the pavement, vision blurring, but I rolled, just in time to dodge his foot crashing down where my head had been. The ground cracked under his heel, leaving a small crater.
This guy's no joke…
Blood dripped from my forehead as I pushed myself up, wiping it away with a smirk. Focusing my Anium, I steadied myself.
Kimura's attacks were precise, calculating. His gaze never wavered, each movement efficient, deadly. He threw another punch aimed at my chest, but I sidestepped, using his momentum against him. I spun, driving my knee into his side.
WHACK!
Kimura grunted, but once again, he shrugged off the attack, his predatory smile growing.
"That all you got?" he taunted, confidence gleaming in his eyes.
I took a few steps back, measuring him. Something was off about him—his movements, his power. It was almost like he was holding back, toying with me.
"Don't think you can run!" he yelled, leaping forward, his fists glowing with energy. I barely managed to brace myself before his fists began to rain down like a hailstorm.
BAM! BAM! BAM!
Each hit was brutal, my arms throbbing as I blocked, but I couldn't hold out much longer.
Time to go all in with Anium!
The energy surged again, sharp and fierce, my muscles tightening as my body sharpened, every movement precise. With a burst of speed, I dodged to the side, slipping past Kimura's defense.
Now!
I aimed a punch directly at his face, all my Anium behind it.
CRACK!
Kimura stumbled, blood trickling from his nose, his eyes blazing with rage.
"You little—" he growled, wiping away the blood. "You're dead."
Before he could attack, I moved, my Anium sparking as I dashed around him, faster than his eyes could track. I struck from all angles—fists, knees, elbows—everything I had.
BAM! BAM! BAM!
Kimura's defenses started to crack as I broke through. He was losing his edge.
"You're finished!" I roared, channeling my Anium into one final punch aimed straight at his chest.
But just as I struck, Kimura's aura flared darkly, and he caught my fist with a vice-like grip.
What?!
His gaze was deadly, his voice a low growl. "Not yet, kid."
In an instant, he unleashed a wave of energy that blasted me back, slamming me into the alley wall. Pain exploded through me as I hit the concrete, the breath knocked from my lungs.
Kimura stood, his aura spiraling like a storm around him. "I told you… You're outclassed."
Gasping, I forced myself to my feet, pain radiating from every part of my body, but I refused to go down.
I can't lose here…
Drawing on the last of my strength, my Anium flickered as I pushed forward. Kimura's eyes narrowed, ready to deliver the final blow.
With one final surge of power, I lunged, my fist blazing with Anium.
"This ends now!" I shouted, throwing everything I had into one strike.
Kimura's grin widened, ready to counter.
But just as our fists collided—
BOOM!
An explosion of light and energy filled the alley, slicing through the darkness.
To be continued…