The sound was faint at first, but it was loud enough for those nearby to hear.
Suddenly, the beat grew louder, stronger. It thudded through the room, vibrating off the chest, a rhythm echoing like a drum.
THUMP!
THUMP!
THUMP!
Fingers twitched, then his head snapped up.
The strong beat of his heart made him tremble uncontrollably, his body jerking in a strange, unsettling way that caused the others to step back.
His right eye, once dull and lifeless, began to glow. Its color shifted from its usual shade to a deep red, as if the sound of his heartbeat had triggered something within.
And then, as if the world itself was holding its breath—
THUUUUMP!
His body jolted, and The chains holding him in place snapped with a crack. They couldn't hold back the unknown force that had awakened within him.
The two bandaged figures moved to pin him down, but they were one step too slow.
He dodged the first attacker, grabbed its arm, and delivered a punch that sent the figure flying.
