"Come on, Max, think," he muttered, dodging left and right as the creature's tendrils hissed around him. Each movement cost him energy, but he couldn't stop now.
System Notification:
"Stamina at 50%. Overuse of energy detected."
The message flashed in red, mocking him, pushing him to his limits. Desperation was getting to him.
Max thought of his last crazy girlfriend, and how he'd purposely hold back his orgasmic stream whenever they were together in bed, so it would seem like he lasted. He did this multiple times so that whenever he came, it spurted in gushing streams and waves of bliss, like a river breaking through a dam. It was a technique he used to stack up his fluids, and Sonia was crazy about it.
This was a stupid time to think about sex obviously, but the memory gave Max an idea.
"If I can stack Solar Flare here… if I can even double it, or triple it exponentially…"
Max thought of the sensation he got from his solar flare, how his entire skin seemed to superheat just before the power of light came out of him in waves. If he could force it down just before it came, he could potentially stack it.
Max took a deep breath, his focus sharpening like a blade. He allowed his stamina to drain, building the Solar Flare within his body. The heat began to pulse, growing brighter, more intense as he poured every last bit of his strength into it.
The Dreadweaver was close now, its tendrils swirling in patterns, preparing to strike again. Max clenched his teeth, feeling the Solar Flare press against his skin as if the energy might burn him from the inside out.
And just before the solar power exploded from within, Max forcibly held it back, and didn't expect the immense pain that followed. Through his blurry vision, he could see his stamina drain profusely.
System Notification:
"Warning: Stamina at critical levels. Skill Overcharge detected."
"Max what are you doing? You could kill yourself." Thea's animatronic voice came again.
A grin tugged at the edge of Max's mouth. "Yeah, yeah, I hear you. But I'm not going down without giving it everything I've got."
He did it again, while somehow managing to dodge the Dreadweaver's strikes. He could feel himself getting more sluggish, but he wasn't going to give up, not like this.
This time, the monster became more angry, and reared up for a shadow flare of its own. But Max wasn't going to allow that. His flare was stronger now.
"Thea check the damage of my Solar Flare now."
Max could feel Thea's silence, as if she couldn't believe how he had accomplished what he did.
A screen displayed before his eyes.
[Solar Flare: 100^3]
"That's 10,000 damage points. Perfect." Max smiled as he prepared to strike. Dark energy coalesced at the creature's core as it prepared for a flare of its own, and Max knew that he had to strike first. He didn't want to be vaporised like that lizard.
[Stamina: 2/10]
The second screen flashed before his eyes.
"Eh, that's something."
Max ran, picking up Slavia's glaive that she had dropped when the Dreadweaver attacked. He sliced as the thrashing tendrils that came his way, marvelled by his own prowess with he weapon.
With his drained stamina and the tendrils that slowed him down, Max had a feeling he might not make it to the creature's core in time, in between its attacks, like he had planned.
"Max. I don't know how you did this, but congratulations. You have acquired Light Speed, now give it all you've got."
Max smiled. The new ability must've been as a result of the bravery he displayed. That skill would definitely come in handy.
The screen appeared before his eyes.
[Light Speed: Travel as fast as light itself. Useful in closing far distances and dealing quick damage. Can only be used in bursts, not incessancy]
Max thought of the skill, Light Speed, and his form glowed. Faster than he could imagine, he warped, his form slicing through the tentacles that blocked his way. In less than a millisecond, he was at the Dreadweaver's core.
The monster's red bulbous eyes widened in shock. It didn't know that this fighter had some tricks.
Max could already feel the overcharged Solar Flare pressing against his skin, trying to force itself out. And just like the final moments of his five hours in bed with Sonia, he let…it…out.
"Now, you burn."
The impact was like an explosion of light and heat, casting shadows that stretched impossibly far. The light exploded outward, engulfing the Dreadweaver in a blinding burst of energy. The creature shrieked, a high, piercing wail that shook the air around them.
If anyone had watched the spectacle, it would've been like the sun itself was exploding casting light that lit up the darkness of Nitmera for a brief moment.
Swirling shadows were banished, and the surrounding black sand melted into glass shards.
With one final wail, the Dreadweaver exploded with a magnificient burst of light, and in the end, all that was left was Max, smoke sacking his charred skin. His health stats flickered dangerously red as he looked towards the horizon.
"Max, just hang in there. I can't lose you, not now."
Max coughed, blood spurting from his mouth. Since, Velda had attacked his world, all he knew was pain. Even if he died, he would've at least done some kickass monster killing.
"I did it, Thea."
Max said as his eyes fluttered close, darkness claiming the very core of his soul.