The sound of rain tapping softly against the window filled the dimly lit apartment. Sham arrived home late, the weight of another long day pressing on her shoulders. She closed the door quietly behind her, shrugging off her damp coat and boots before stepping further inside.
The faint flicker of the television's standby light caught her attention, as did the open bedroom door. Sham furrowed her brows. Aldrich was usually mindful about closing doors. She tiptoed toward the room and peeked in.
There he was, sprawled out on the bed, fully dressed, his face half-buried in the pillow. His chest rose and fell slowly, but the tension in his jaw betrayed his restlessness. Sham leaned against the doorframe, taking a moment to study him. He was thinner now, lean and hardened, his once-boyish features sharpened by months of rigorous training and grim determination.
She moved closer, her footsteps soft on the wooden floor. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she brushed a stray lock of hair from his forehead. "What are you thinking about?" she asked gently.
Aldrich's lips parted, and his voice came out low and heavy. "The world. What's going to happen to it... to us."
Sham's heart clenched at the raw fear in his voice. Without a word, she slipped under the covers beside him, resting her head against his shoulder and wrapping her arms around his waist. "You're not alone," she murmured. "We'll figure it out together. Everything will work out, Aldrich."
He stayed silent, eyes fixed on the ceiling, but his thoughts churned violently. What if it doesn't? he thought, the question like a lead weight in his chest. The image of the Resolve tree shimmered faintly in his mind, its glowing runes offering a flicker of hope. Yet even with these powers, uncertainty gnawed at him.
Aldrich sat up abruptly, sliding out of Sham's embrace. "I'm going for a jog," he announced, grabbing his hoodie from the chair.
Sham propped herself up on her elbows, watching him with a mix of concern and understanding. "Be safe," she said softly, knowing these late-night runs were his way of wrestling with the chaos in his mind.
The city streets were quiet, the faint hum of distant traffic the only sound breaking the silence. Aldrich jogged through familiar paths, his breath visible in the cool night air. The rhythmic pounding of his feet on the pavement did little to ease the storm in his thoughts. He passed shuttered shops and darkened windows, the world seemingly asleep.
Turning down a narrow alley, he slowed to a stop. A faint, high-pitched whine reached his ears, pulling his attention to the shadows. There, against the grimy brick wall, was a small, trembling puppy. It barked weakly at something in the darkness, its tiny body quaking with fear.
Aldrich's gaze shifted, and his stomach turned. A massive rat, easily the size of a large dog, was hunched over a bloodied carcass. The remains of another dog—likely the puppy's mother—were being torn apart by the grotesque creature. The rat's matted fur glistened with gore, its sharp claws scraping against the pavement as it devoured its prey.
"Jesus…" Aldrich whispered, stumbling back a step. The sickening sight made his stomach churn, and a groan escaped his lips.
The rat's head snapped up at the sound, its beady red eyes locking onto him. Blood dripped from its maw as it let out a guttural hiss, its body coiling like a spring.
"Great," Aldrich muttered, pulling the metal knuckles from his pocket. His pulse quickened as he slipped them onto his hands, the cold steel a reassuring weight.
The rat lunged, claws extended, and Aldrich barely dodged in time. Its claws grazed his hoodie, leaving a shallow tear. He stumbled back, raising his fists.
"You're not like the rats I remember," he quipped, trying to steady his breathing.
The rat hissed again, its movements erratic and wild. It lunged a second time, faster than before. Aldrich sidestepped and delivered a sharp punch to its ribcage, the impact reverberating through his arm. The creature screeched in pain, staggering back before charging again, more feral than ever.
"Stay calm," Aldrich reminded himself, Steve's voice echoing in his mind. "Use your training. Let them make the first mistake."
The rat's claws swiped at him again, and this time Aldrich ducked low, driving his fist upward into its jaw. The emerald glow of Grasp of the Undying flared to life, the energy surging through his body. He felt the strength in his punches grow, each blow hitting harder than the last.
The rat thrashed wildly, its claws scraping against the walls as it tried to regain its footing. Aldrich pressed the attack, landing a flurry of punches that left the beast reeling.
"Come on!" he roared, delivering a final, crushing blow to the creature's skull. The rat collapsed, twitching once before going still.
A faint ding echoed in his mind, and a surge of warmth spread through his body. The status panel in his mind lit up with a satisfying array of changes.
Status Panel:
Health: 200 (+100 from Grasp of the Undying)
Damage: 16
Speed: 21
Armor: 17
Magic Resist: 15
Level: 2
Keystone: Grasp of the Undying
Minor Runes: Conditioning, Second Wind (Locked)
Rune Slots: 3 available shards
Experience: 30/200
Aldrich grinned, his chest heaving. The thrill of victory coursed through him, and for a moment, he felt invincible. "This is what I need," he thought. "To grow stronger, faster… to survive."
His gaze shifted to the puppy, still cowering against the wall. Its tiny frame trembled, but its eyes were locked on him with a mix of fear and desperation.
"Hey," Aldrich said softly, crouching down. "It's okay now. You're safe."
The puppy whimpered but didn't move. Slowly, Aldrich reached out, scooping the small creature into his arms. It squirmed for a moment before settling against his chest, its tiny heartbeat a steady rhythm against his own.
When Aldrich returned to the apartment, Sham was sitting on the couch, a cup of tea in her hands. Her eyes widened at the sight of his bloodstained hoodie and the puppy cradled in his arms.
"What the hell happened to you?" she asked, setting the cup down.
Aldrich managed a tired grin, holding up the puppy. "I found a new roommate."
Sham stared at him for a moment before bursting into laughter, the sound soft and genuine. "You're unbelievable," she said, shaking her head.
Aldrich sat beside her, the puppy nestled between them. He didn't say it out loud, but as he looked at the tiny creature, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. Another life to protect. Another reason to keep fighting.