THUD!
A heavy strike slammed into Arnik's side, forcing him to stagger back. His muscles burned as he fought to maintain his stance, sweat dripping from his brow. A tightly tied blindfold covered his eyes, leaving him in complete darkness. Only the faint vibrations of movement and his instincts guided his glowing blue fists.
"LISTEN, Arnik!" Alaric's sharp voice echoed with authority. "Your eyes deceive you! Trust the sounds, the shifts in the air! LEFT!"
CRACK!
Arnik twisted sharply, his glowing fist colliding with a droid's steel arm. The impact fractured the metal, sending the machine crumpling to the ground.
"LOW!" Alaric barked.
WHOOSH!
A blade sliced through the air just above Arnik's head as he dropped low, narrowly avoiding a strike that could have ended the fight. Twisting his body, he unleashed an upward punch, crushing another droid's torso.
BANG!
The machine exploded into fragments, the sound reverberating through the room.
From his ornate chair at the edge of the room, Alaric observed calmly, a delicate porcelain teacup in hand. Beside him stood his butler, Lumis, ever composed.
"He's improving, my lord," Lumis remarked, his tone devoid of emotion. "But his technique remains raw."
Alaric smirked faintly, setting his cup on its saucer with a deliberate clink. "Raw strength is a liability without control, Lumis. He'll learn."
"RIGHT!" Alaric shouted.
CLANG!
Arnik spun toward the sound of movement, his glowing fist smashing into another droid. Sparks erupted as the droid collapsed, its mechanical joints failing under the force.
WHIRRR!
The hum of another droid's approach filled the air. Arnik steadied himself, tracking its movement through the vibrations beneath his feet.
BOOM!
His fist connected with the droid's core, the force of the impact sending parts scattering across the floor.
"FINISH IT!" Alaric commanded.
CLANG! SMASH! CRUNCH!
Arnik unleashed a barrage of blows, dismantling the remaining droids with precision and ferocity. The final machine hit the ground with a loud crash, leaving the room eerily silent save for Arnik's heavy breathing.
At the edge of the room, Alaric sat comfortably in his ornate chair, observing the battle with an air of casual authority. He took a measured sip from his porcelain teacup, while Lumis stood beside him, hands clasped neatly behind his back.
"He has gotten stronger, my lord," Lumis remarked, his tone steady but thoughtful. "There's undeniable growth in his performance."
Alaric set his teacup down with a faint clink, his sharp eyes never leaving Arnik. "Stronger, yes," he replied. "But the boy has no natural talent for martial arts. His survival depends entirely on muscle memory. Without refinement, that strength will only take him so far."
Ripping the blindfold off, Arnik blinked against the bright light. "I did it!" he exclaimed, raising his fists triumphantly. "What's next? Am I taking on an army now?"
Alaric leaned back in his chair, his smirk widening. "Not yet," he replied, his tone laced with amusement. "You'll face something… more personal." He gestured toward Lumis.
Arnik tilted his head, raising an eyebrow. "Him? A butler? No offense, but I don't see how that's going to be a challenge."
Lumis stepped forward, his movements deliberate and fluid. "It will be my pleasure, sir," he said, bowing slightly.
Alaric chuckled softly. "Lumis, don't break him."
"As you wish, my lord." Rolling up his sleeves, Lumis revealed faint red veins glowing along his arms. The subtle pulsing glow betrayed the immense power lurking beneath his calm exterior.
Arnik grinned, his fists reigniting with blue energy. "Alright, let's see what you've got."
SWISH!
Arnik charged, launching a punch aimed squarely at Lumis's chest.
WHOOMPH!
Lumis sidestepped effortlessly, redirecting the attack with a light tap. "Predictable," he remarked coolly.
Arnik spun, following up with a kick aimed at Lumis's side.
THUNK!
Lumis caught his leg mid-swing, pushing it back down with controlled precision. "Speed alone won't suffice."
Growling in frustration, Arnik pulled back and launched a rapid barrage of punches. Lumis dodged and parried with calculated ease, his movements almost effortless.
"Is that all?" Lumis asked, deflecting another strike. "You'll need more than brute force."
Arnik's expression hardened. "Alright, then try this!" he growled, landing a solid punch on Lumis's shoulder. The impact forced Lumis back a step, his calm demeanor briefly shaken.
Alaric's smirk deepened as he watched from his seat. "He's learning," he muttered under his breath.
Lumis retaliated with a swift punch to Arnik's gut, sending him reeling. "Don't lose focus," Lumis said, his voice firm.
Arnik staggered but didn't fall. His fists glowed brighter as he raised them, channeling more energy into his attacks. He surged forward, his speed increasing.
Lumis's red energy flared brighter as the exchange intensified. Every punch and block sent shockwaves rippling through the room.
Suddenly, Arnik's blue glow morphed into fiery orange. The temperature in the room seemed to spike as his energy shifted.
Lumis faltered, his eyes widening. "Impossible…"
Arnik dashed forward, his fiery fists moving faster than before. Lumis blocked the first punch, but the sheer force pushed him back several steps.
BOOM!
The impact shook the room, cracks spiderwebbing across the floor.
Alaric leaned forward in his seat, his sharp eyes narrowing. "Interesting…"
Arnik didn't let up, his fiery energy intensifying as he launched another powerful strike. Lumis raised his arms to block, but the punch broke through his defense, sending him skidding across the floor.
Panting, Arnik stepped back, his flames dimming slightly. "It's over," he said, his voice steady but tired.
Lumis straightened, his red energy flaring even brighter. "Not yet, young Handerfall," he replied, his tone colder than before.
"ENOUGH, Lumis!" Alaric's voice cut through the tension like a blade. Lumis froze, his energy fading as he adjusted his cuffs.
Lumis turned toward Alaric, his expression questioning. "Two mutations… simultaneously? That defies everything we know."
Alaric rose from his chair, his presence imposing as he stepped toward Arnik. "I never said it was impossible, Lumis," he said, his voice calm but firm. "But Arnik isn't ordinary."
Lumis's eyes narrowed. "What are you implying, my lord?"
Alaric stopped in front of Arnik, who knelt on one knee, catching his breath. He leaned forward slightly, his gaze piercing.
Alaric leaned slightly closer, his gaze piercing. "You're the descendant of the first mutant—the origin of our kind. The one whose power reshaped the very fabric of what we know. That's why you can wield more than one mutation. It's in your blood."