Chapter 52: Superior Abilities
Oliver, the Spider Syndicate captain, stood facing Adam, his mind reeling from the impossible regeneration of the ’Prince’s’ arm. The sight had solidified his terrifying realization: this was not an opponent he could defeat.
His instincts, honed over years of survival in the treacherous underworld, were screaming at him to get his younger, more promising subordinates to safety. The future of their operations in this region, perhaps even the entire Syndicate’s understanding of this new, unforeseen threat, depended on it.
He made a split-second decision. He reached out quickly and grabbed Malkor, the terrified thug who had led him here and was now cowering nearby. Oliver pulled Malkor close, his grip like iron on the man’s shoulder.
"Listen to me, and listen carefully," Oliver said, his voice low and urgent, his eyes boring into Malkor’s frightened face. "You need to get back. Now. Find Bryan and Billy. Tell them... tell them to report to the main headquarters immediately. Tell them to inform Command that the Third Prince... he needs to be classified at the highest threat level. The absolute highest. Do you understand?"
Malkor nodded dumbly, too terrified to speak.
Oliver tightened his grip on Malkor’s shoulders, then suddenly channeled a burst of his unique energy into the man’s body. It wasn’t the destructive ’Shatter’ ability, but something different, a stimulating, empowering surge.
Malkor gasped as he felt a strange lightness flood his limbs, a weird sensation as if the world around him was suddenly moving in slow motion while he remained at normal speed. His fear was still present, but it was now overlaid with an almost unnatural quickness.
"That’s a temporary boost," Oliver explained quickly. "It will enhance your speed and reflexes for a short time. Enough for you to get out of here and deliver the message to Bryan and Billy. Don’t fail me. Now, go! Run!"
With a powerful shove, Oliver pushed Malkor away from him, sending the temporarily empowered thug stumbling down the corridor in the direction they had come from. Malkor, propelled by Oliver’s shove and the strange energy coursing through him, found his legs moving faster than he ever thought possible. He didn’t look back; he just ran for his life.
Adam, meanwhile, had been observing this exchange, his white eyes watching Oliver and Malkor. Alina, still standing beside Adam, couldn’t take her eyes off Adam’s newly regenerated left arm. Just moments ago, it had been a bloody stump. Now, it was perfectly whole, as if it had never been injured. The sight was profoundly disturbing and utterly amazing.
Adam noticed Alina staring. He glanced down at his new arm, then back at her. "Step back, girl," he said, his voice calm but firm, his attention already shifting back towards Oliver. "This battle isn’t over."