The clash between JC and the beast lit up the dark street like a violent storm. Bolts of lightning arced from his hands, crackling through the air and striking the monster with precise, blinding force. The beast roared in fury, its massive claws swiping at the streaks of light, only to be repelled again and again by JC's relentless attacks.
JC gritted his teeth as he focused his power, his body glowing faintly with the golden hue of his light magic, intertwined with the volatile energy of his storm. The two forces merged seamlessly, creating a dazzling but deadly spectacle. Yet, even with his power, the beast was relentless. Its strength and speed were unlike anything he had faced before.
The creature lunged, its jaws snapping inches from his face. JC leaped back, flipping in midair as he released a concentrated blast of lightning. It struck the beast square in the chest, sending it crashing into a parked hover-car, which exploded in a burst of fire and smoke.
Breathing heavily, JC landed on one knee, his hands braced against the ground. The faint tremor in his arms betrayed his exhaustion.
"This isn't normal," he muttered to himself, watching as the beast rose from the wreckage, its red eyes blazing with renewed fury. "No way a regular monster should be this strong."
The beast charged again, its massive body barreling toward him like a freight train. JC raised his hands, summoning another barrier of light just in time to absorb the impact. The force of the collision sent him skidding backward, his boots scraping against the asphalt.
His mind raced. He couldn't keep this up forever. The beast wasn't just targeting him randomly—it was smarter, more deliberate. Someone—or something—was controlling it.
And whoever it was, they wanted him dead.
---
Meanwhile, the others had reached a nearby shelter, their breaths coming in ragged gasps as they slammed the door shut behind them. The small room was dimly lit, its walls reinforced with steel and emergency supplies stacked neatly in the corners.
"What the hell is going on out there?" Mark panted, leaning against the wall for support.
"JC," Angel said, her fists clenched tightly. "He's fighting that thing all alone. We can't just sit here!"
"What do you want us to do?" Jackson asked, his voice trembling. "You saw what he was doing out there. He's… he's not like us. We'd just get in the way."
"Doesn't mean we leave him to die!" Angel snapped, her fiery temper flaring.
Lissy placed a hand on Angel's shoulder, her green eyes filled with worry. "We can't fight something like that, Angel. JC told us to stay safe for a reason."
Angel shook her head, pacing back and forth. "I don't care. I'm not letting him take that thing on by himself."
"She's right," Mark said, his voice steadier now. "JC's hiding more than just his powers. If he's really from the Logia family like he said, there's gotta be a reason that thing is after him. We need to figure out what it is—and fast."
"How?" Jackson asked, gesturing helplessly. "We don't even know where to start!"
Angel stopped pacing, her eyes narrowing in determination. "JC's family. The Logias. If they're as powerful as he says, there's got to be a connection. Maybe someone from his past sent that thing after him."
"But how do we find out?" Lissy asked.
Angel smirked, her confidence returning. "We're not completely useless, you know. Jackson, can you hack into the city's surveillance system? Maybe we can figure out where that thing came from."
Jackson blinked, then nodded slowly. "I… I think I can. Just give me a minute."
He pulled out his holo-watch, his fingers flying across its interface as he accessed the city's network. The others crowded around him, their fear momentarily replaced with a sense of purpose.
---
Back on the battlefield, JC was reaching his limit. His attacks were becoming slower, less precise, and the beast was closing the distance.
"You're stronger than you look," he muttered, his chest heaving. "But you're not invincible."
Summoning every ounce of his remaining strength, JC slammed his hands together, creating a blinding sphere of light and storm energy. The air crackled with electricity as the sphere expanded, its power shaking the very ground beneath him.
The beast hesitated, sensing the danger.
"Too late," JC growled. "This ends now."
With a roar of effort, he hurled the sphere directly at the creature. It struck with devastating force, the resulting explosion engulfing the street in a blinding flash. When the light finally faded, the beast was gone—reduced to ash.
JC staggered, his knees buckling as exhaustion overtook him. He collapsed to the ground, his vision swimming.
As darkness closed in, a figure emerged from the shadows—a cloaked figure with glowing, violet eyes.
"So," the figure said, their voice smooth and cold. "The Logia bloodline still burns bright. This is only the beginning, boy. You can't stop what's coming."
JC tried to respond, but his strength was gone. The last thing he saw before blacking out was the figure disappearing into the night, leaving him alone in the empty, broken street.