From Human to Skeleton: Revived with Infinite System Crystals

"Shit! I expected them to last longer… but at least we can work with this and Pegasus got saved… Alright, Todd, you ready to kick this guy's ass?"

Todd smirked, jumping back after deflecting all of the spiked chains. He nodded, his eyes gleaming with determination. "Of course, but tell me… have you noticed it too?"

"Noticed what?" Nana asked in confusion.

"Oh, don't tell me you haven't noticed, right?"

"Seriously, what do you mean?" Nana stated with annoyance, her brow furrowing.

"Tell me, who has he directly attacked?"

Six more spiked chains dove toward them at extreme speed. Nana released a clasp from her side, pulling her wand and focusing on each chain. With precise movements, she blasted them away for a second, creating a brief window of respite. She looked down and saw Gisorn, his arms clasped together with the pen still neatly tucked into his grip.

"I think I see what you mean, but right now we need to get Silivius away from him and get that pen away from him."

"Right, let me lead from the front, okay Nana?" Todd stated with a determined look.

Nana nodded, watching Todd's resolve harden. He took a deep breath, his grip on his staff tightening. "I say this mainly because I have lost time after time. I need to show I'm worthy to stand beside Ty and you!"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

The air around them crackled with tension as Gisorn's spiked chains writhed and twisted, seeking their next target. Todd moved with purpose, his staff a blur as he deflected another volley of chains. The sharp clinks of metal against metal echoed through the cavern.

Nana could feel the raw energy pulsing from Todd, a mix of frustration and determination. She focused her magic, her wand glowing with a soft light as she prepared to support him. "We're counting on you, Todd. Let's show him what we're made of."

Todd launched himself forward, his movements a blend of speed and precision. He spun his staff, creating a barrier that deflected the chains with ease. Each impact sent vibrations up his arms, but he held firm, his eyes never leaving Gisorn.

Gisorn's smirk faltered slightly as Todd advanced, the relentless defense forcing him to step back.

I can't let them down. Not now, not ever, Todd thought, his mind racing. Every failure has led to this moment. I have to prove myself.

Gisorn responded as he dodged a staff strike that came within inches of his face. "Wow, I thought perhaps I had let my guard down when you struck me when I first arrived..."

He's underestimating me. Good. Let him, Todd mused, his grip tightening on the staff.

"But no, you're actually really strong! The power you have goes beyond what the others have done… I can't put my finger on it, you green creature, but you excite me!" Gisorn taunted.

Todd slammed his foot inches from Gisorn and growled, "Like hell I care about that. I won't sit by while you hurt people I care about!"

He brought the staff down in a powerful arc, each strike aimed with precision. Gisorn batted it away dozens of times, but Todd's speed increased tenfold, a light blue aura masking his body. The air around him crackled with energy, the sheer force of his attacks pushing Gisorn back.

This is it. This is my chance to show them I belong, Todd thought, his movements fueled by a burning need to prove himself. I can't fail again.

Suddenly, Gisorn grabbed the staff, and it poofed away like everything before. Instead of being shocked, Todd spun around, using his hand as if it were his staff, and slammed it into the side of Gisorn. The contact sent a shockwave through the air, and Gisorn's eyes widened in surprise.

Gisorn attempted to grab Todd's wrist, but Todd pulled back with blinding speed. I've trained for this. I'm more than just a support to Ty and Nana!. He delivered a crushing elbow to Gisorn's face, throwing him up toward the cave ceiling covered in green moss. The impact sent fragments of moss and rock raining down.

Gisorn dropped to one knee, momentarily vulnerable as Todd lunged forward, his foot poised to deliver a decisive kick. However, Gisorn swiftly wrote the word "Reflection" in the air. Just as the word materialized, an explosion erupted, targeting his pen hand. Above, Nana leaped gracefully off Ty's back, her wand extended as she yelled, "Explosion!"

The volley of explosions enveloped Gisorn's hand, giving him scant time to react. The blasts sent him tumbling across the ground, his body skidding further away, inching toward the entrance of the next area. Dust and debris rose around him as he struggled to regain his composure.

Struggling to his feet, Gisorn grimaced as he assessed his mangled, bleeding hand. The once vibrant red in his armor had faded, drained of its color. His voice raspy but firm, he addressed them, "You two are much more promising than anyone I have ever had the pleasure to meet. You both have the same red glow in your eyes also, I wonder why that might be?"

Nana glanced at Todd, a mix of urgency and resolve in her eyes. "Ignore him, it's not worth having a conversation with anymore. We have to strike now. This opportunity might not come about again, and we still don't know where everyone is at."

Hey, you two, see to Silvius' wounds!" Nana shouted from behind her.

Todd nodded. "At the very least we created some distance from Gisorn to get Silvius some medical attention, but—" In the blink of an eye, Todd felt himself being tilted over as a fist sunk into his chest. A volley of black energy surrounded Gisorn as he delivered a crushing strike. Nanako swung her wand, sending a blast of energy at him.

Gisorn dodged and jumped back. Todd fell to a knee, blood trickling from his chest. "What the hell was that? Now he's attacking?"

Why didn't I see that coming? Todd thought, wincing at the pain radiating from his chest. I need to be faster, better.