章 1099: The Monster You Become

My heart pounded in my chest, adrenaline coursing through my veins. 

With a deep breath, I gathered my energy, focusing it on my body. I needed to be faster and stronger. 

I needed to take the fight to him.

'Martial Arts is my best choice in this current situation. It's direct, precise, and less complicated.'

In a fight that hinged on my raw power and close-range combat, I could always count on it.

'I have to get this right. Let's go…'

~WHOOOOOOSSSHHHHH!~

As I dashed towards the madman, the world around me seemed to slow down. 

I watched as his lips moved, and heard the crackle of magic building in the air. 

Spells. 

He was bombarding me with them, trying to keep me at a distance, trying to escape. 

But I was too fast. 

~VWOOOOOMMMMM!~

The ground blurred beneath me, the wind whistling in my ears.

An incandescent bolt of energy sped towards me, waves of heat rolling off it.