The Seeker Infinity

Chapter 12 : Pressure

But fate had a different plan. The hooded figure, emerged from the shadows like a specter of vengeance. With a swift motion, they struck, their fist connecting with Santiago's face. A physical manifestation of the darkness meeting its match.

The hooded figure's fist connected with Robert's jaw with a thunderous impact, sending him hurtling backward through the air. He crashed onto the hard asphalt of the alley, his gun skittering across the ground, momentarily forgotten in the haze of pain and disorientation.

As Robert struggled to regain his senses and stand, the searing ache of his injuries reminded him of his vulnerability, trapping him in a moment of stunned disbelief.

Chris and Joy, frozen in shock at the sudden turn of events, watched in wide-eyed horror as the hooded figure issued a menacing warning. "I would run if I were you, pretty boy," the mysterious assailant taunted, a dangerous glint in their eye that sent shivers down Chris and Joy's spines.

Realizing the imminent danger they were in, Chris and Joy exchanged a glance of silent communication before bolting away from the alley, the sound of their hurried footsteps echoing in the night. Fear clawed at their hearts, propelling them forward with desperate urgency as they fled from the looming specters of Melpomene and Malcolm, their pursuers in the shadows.

"Thank you! Thank you so much!" Joy's voice rang out behind them, filled with gratitude and relief, her words a heartfelt tribute to the hooded figure who had intervened in their darkest hour.

As Melpomene struggled to catch up to Chris and Joy, frustration boiled within him. With a primal roar, he unleashed a fierce wind attack aimed at his targets. But just as the gust of wind surged forward, a mysterious hooded figure intervened, deflecting the attack effortlessly with a flick of their wrist.

Casting a scornful gaze at Melpomene, the hooded figure spoke with an air of authority, "Old man, this behavior is unbecoming of a seeker." The words struck a nerve within Melpomene, igniting a fire of defiance within him.

Despite his lack of strength, he attempted to retaliate, only to be met with further resistance from the enigmatic figure.

Fueled by anger and wounded pride, Melpomene lashed out, his eyes blazing with fury as he snarled, "Silence, you insolent brat! You know nothing of my struggles!" Before he could launch another attack, a sudden blow to his stomach sent him reeling, the force of the impact causing him to crumple to the ground in agony.

Yet, even in the face of defeat, Melpomene refused to yield. With gritted teeth and a steely resolve, he pushed himself upright, the determination in his eyes unwavering. "I will not be bested so easily," he declared defiantly, rising from the ground with a fierce determination that belied his physical pain.

Out of the blue, Malcolm unleashed a swift kick straight into Melpomene's gut, sending a shockwave of pain through his body.

Melpomene grimaced and collapsed to the ground, but his fiery determination burned brighter than ever. "I'm not going down that easily!" he declared, pushing himself up with unwavering resolve.

Infuriated by the unexpected strike, Melpomene's eyes blazed with fury. "I've had enough of you brats!" he roared, summoning a ferocious wind attack that tore through the air like a raging tornado.

Confidence radiated from him as he unleashed the full force of his power. "Feel the might of my wrath!"

The tempestuous wind gusts surged towards Malcolm, pushing him back with incredible force.

Malcolm struggled to stay on his feet, bracing himself against the onslaught. As dust and debris swirled around him, he refused to yield, his determination unwavering.

With a triumphant smirk, Melpomene stood tall, surveying his handiwork. "This is nothing to me," he proclaimed arrogantly, reveling in his superiority. "I told you, you can't defeat me!"

As Malcolm's body withered under the fading effects of the pill, his desperation grew. He tried to push himself up, but his limbs betrayed him, trembling with weakness. His eyes widened in horror as he felt the last vestiges of the pill's power slipping away from him.

"D-Damn it... Why now?" Malcolm's voice quivered with dread as he realized his vulnerability.

Before he could even attempt to gather his waning strength, Melpomene, reveling in his foe's helplessness, unleashed another ferocious blast of wind. The gust tore through Malcolm's body with ruthless precision, shattering his bones and leaving him sprawled on the blood-soaked forest floor, writhing in agony.

Malcolm's piercing screams filled the air, a symphony of torment that echoed through the trees, as Melpomene's sadistic smirk danced in the shadows. With callous delight, he stepped on Malcolm's broken arm, the sickening crunch of bone reverberating through the darkened forest.

Malcolm's cries of pain were gut-wrenching, a primal blend of suffering and despair. He begged for mercy, his voice choked with tears as he pleaded with his tormentor.

"Please... Please stop! I surrender!" Malcolm's voice quivered with fear and anguish, his spirit shattered under Melpomene's savage might. But Melpomene paid no heed to his pleas, the taste of victory driving him to further depths of cruelty.

As Malcolm lay broken and defeated, the air bore witness to a brutal display of power and dominance. Melpomene stood tall and unyielding, his gaze filled with a cold triumph as he relished in his foe's suffering.

Meanwhile the hooded figure dragged Robert's beaten body, his cries for help echoed through the empty alley.

"Help me! Melpomene!" Robert's desperate plea pierced the darkness, reaching Melpomene's ears like a haunting melody.

Melpomene's gaze hardened as he observed the hooded figure dragging Robert away. In a swift and determined move, he abandoned Malcolm and sprinted towards them, his head is filled with anger and determination.

"Let him go!" Melpomene's voice rang out with fierce intensity, his eyes blazing with a mix of fury and protectiveness as he confronted the hooded figure, ready to do whatever it takes to save Robert from harm.

As the distant wail of police sirens grew louder, the hooded figure abruptly released Robert and dashed off into the shadow. Sensing the urgency of the situation, Melpomene wasted no time. In one swift motion, he scooped Robert onto his back and took off, his heart pounding with each frantic step.

Robert's breath came in ragged gasps, his body weary from the intensity of their recent struggle. Despite the fatigue weighing him down, the fear of being captured by the approaching authorities pushed him to keep pace with Melpomene, determination etched on his face.

As the police quickly arrived at the scene, their flashing lights casting an eerie glow on the surroundings, Jimmy Manco stood by with a sense of relief washing over him.

The first responders swiftly descended on the location, their trained eyes scouring the area for any signs of the criminals responsible for the chaos.

Amidst the commotion, Chris approached his uncle Jimmy, a mixture of surprise and gratitude reflected in his eyes. "Uncle Jim, you're the one who called the police?" he inquired, a sense of admiration for his uncle's quick thinking evident in his voice.

Jimmy nodded, a sense of reassurance spreading through him as he clasped Chris's shoulder. "Yes, I saw you two being chased by thugs, so I knew I had to act fast and call for help," he admitted, his voice laced with a hint of pride in his protective instincts.

In a moment of gratitude and relief, Chris wrapped his arms around his uncle in a tight embrace, a silent acknowledgment of the bond that held them together in times of crisis.

Meanwhile, as medics carefully attended to the injured and unconscious Malcolm, Joy and Chris exchanged a knowing glance. Their expressions were devoid of concern, a cold detachment settling over them as they observed the fate of their fallen adversary.

"What do we do now?" Chris asked Joy in a hushed tone, his gaze fixed on Malcolm being carried away on a stretcher, his mind racing with unanswered questions about their next steps in the aftermath of the chaotic encounter.

Before they could come to a decision, a police officer approached them, causing a sudden ripple of tension in the air. Joy and Chris stood frozen in place, their eyes meeting in silent apprehension as they waited for the impending inquiry from the law enforcement.

To be continued.....