The energy from Noah's attack cycled through him, and Elio's next punch radiated visible force waves. Noah crossed his arms to block, but the impact drove him back several feet.
[-35 HP]
'This isn't working. Every hit I land makes him stronger.'
He was also in a lot of pain but thankfully he was healing. Nonetheless, Elio was packing a lot of power now in his punches all thanks to Noah.
Noah's frustration mounted. Two days of helplessness, of watching Sophie and Lucas hit the same dead ends, of scanning crowds for faces that might lead to Kelvin. His discipline was fracturing, anger seeping through the cracks.
Elio sensed the shift. "Something on your mind, Eclipse? You seem distracted."
The taunt landed harder than any physical blow. Noah's composure slipped further.
'Focus. The fight is what matters now.'
