The air shifted suddenly, as if an invisible force was crushing everything. A heavy pressure filled the area. Morgan's gaze hardened; his personality had made a complete 180-degree turn.
The woman on the ground trembled, bewildered. Questions flooded her mind nonstop.
"Who is this person? Why did he hit that Zorath?"
But the question that tormented her the most was:
"Will he hurt me?"
Morgan glanced at her, his expression cold enough to freeze the air. His voice came out serious and icy:
You'd better go back inside… Things are about to get very messy around here.
As he spoke, his gaze shifted toward the darkness of the forest. From the shadows, the Zorath emerged slowly. Its grotesque, disfigured body regenerated before their eyes. Muscles twisted, growing back, and skin reformed over them in a nauseating display.
Why…? Why did you do that, sir? That was… quite rude.
(The Zorath spoke with a mocking smile, though its voice remained cold).
Morgan didn't answer. He simply crossed his arms, his expression radiating pure superiority.
The Zorath stopped a few steps away. It sniffed the air, as if trying to recognize him.
I smell something different… You're… not you.
(The Zorath said, visibly confused).
Who are you?
(Its tone shifted to one filled with menace).
Morgan smirked, his grin crooked.
No one... Let's just say I'm someone who's going to put an end to all your crap. And you're right… Let's say I'm "someone different." Let's leave it at… I borrowed the keys.
(He said, adjusting his neck with a dismissive gesture).
Put an end to what?
(The Zorath's grin turned wicked).
Wait… Don't tell me you plan to help those animals.
The Zorath burst into laughter, loud and echoing through the forest.
Ah, ah, ah! I've never laughed this hard… One of us, worried about these animals? Now that's a good joke!
(It said, trying to stifle its laughter).
Morgan decided to play along. His smirk dripped with arrogance.
Well, well… In my family, we were taught that small mistakes must be corrected immediately. Otherwise, sooner or later, they'll lead to a much bigger one… So I'm afraid, sir, that your existence is… a small mistake. And it's my duty… to erase it.
Before he could finish his sentence, Morgan vanished in an instant.
A thunderous roar, like a divine strike, shook the area. The impact was so violent that the ground behind the Zorath was left scorched.
The monster was sent flying like a broken doll, crashing into a tree. Its mangled, charred body reeked of burnt flesh. Some limbs had been completely disintegrated. A massive hole gaped in its chest, instantly cauterized.
Morgan remained in his attack stance: sideways, fist extended forward. He exhaled slowly and walked toward the Zorath, stopping right in front of it.
You... finish me? Please, don't make me laugh. Trust me… you would've been better off dying from the first hit.
(Morgan said, his voice oozing superiority and disdain).
The Zorath barely managed to lift its head.
Maybe… if that other guy were still in charge, you'd have a chance. But unfortunately… we're two in one. And as long as I hold the keys… neither you nor anyone else will stop us.
(Morgan grinned, confident).
But suddenly, his body began to glow. The armor, the antennas… his entire transformation vanished in a flash.
What the hell…?!
(Morgan stared at his hands, panic setting in. His expression shifted from confidence to fury).
At that moment, a wall of blood erupted from the ground in front of him, rushing toward him. Morgan barely managed to leap back in time to avoid it.
The Zorath regenerated once more. This time, its voice boomed, filled with rage.
You... YOU! You interrupted me again… I'm definitely going to get rid of you!
Morgan's expression darkened. He noticed something on his arm — a tattoo in the shape of an hourglass appeared. Above it, glowing golden words pulsed:
"Cincidela hudsoni: Transformation time: 4 minutes. Time expired. Recharge time for new transformation: 10 minutes."
Rage exploded in his eyes.
Are you fucking kidding me?!
(Morgan shouted, furious).
End of chapter.
Next chapter: Race Against the Clock