6. Confrontation
Daniel's mind raced as he crouched by the van's window, his enhanced senses picking up the distant rumble of motorcycles getting closer. His heart pounded, but he forced himself to calm down, breathing deeply. Panic wouldn't help him. In the Void, danger was always around, but it was nothing he couldn't handle—if he made the right choices.
The bikers didn't know he was there, at least not yet. 'Should I wait them out or confront them?' Both options had their risks. 'Hiding could leave me trapped, but charging in blindly might draw unwanted attention.' He wasn't reckless, but his instincts told him these riders weren't just passing through.
He quickly scanned his surroundings. The thick trees provided decent cover, but the van was too exposed. 'If the bikers see it, they'll know someone is here.' There was no way to move the van now without being spotted. 'I need to outsmart them, not outfight them—at least, not yet.'
Daniel slipped out of the van, making sure to lock it behind him. He moved swiftly toward the shadowy edges of the clearing, blending into the trees to observe. He wanted to remain unseen until he understood their intentions. Using his enhanced senses, he could hear the engines growing louder. Now that he was closer, he caught bits of conversation over the low roar of the bikes.
"…maybe just ahead," a rough voice muttered, barely audible. "Remember, no mistakes this time. We can't afford it."
Daniel frowned. That didn't sound like a group of harmless travelers. These people were after something—or someone. His van? It seemed unlikely. They couldn't have known he was here. The Void wasn't exactly crowded, and the rough terrain wasn't for random joyrides.
Crouching low, Daniel moved to a better vantage point behind a thick tree and waited. His ability to absorb energy sharpened his senses even more, allowing him to pick up details about the bikers. There were three of them, riding in a loose formation. From the sounds of their engines, they weren't in a hurry. That was both good and bad. It meant they hadn't seen him yet, but it also meant they were taking their time, probably searching for something.
Or someone.
His mind raced. If these bikers were part of a bigger group—or worse, scouts for something larger—he couldn't afford to stick around. But running blindly wasn't an option either. Daniel decided he needed to find out what they wanted, and if they posed a threat, he had to deal with them before they became a problem.
Although Daniel had been a white-collar worker in his previous life, he wasn't completely unprepared for a fight. He was an international-level amateur boxer, having spent years honing his skills in the ring. His experience in hand-to-hand combat gave him a solid advantage. If these bikers didn't have any powers or special abilities, he felt confident he could take them on. His enhanced physique from the Eternal Catalyst only boosted his self-assurance. He could handle them if necessary, but he needed to be sure before making any sudden moves.
Suddenly, Daniel remembered his ability—the Eternal Catalyst. It allowed him to sense and absorb different kinds of energy, and now it could give him the insight he needed. Without hesitation, he focused on the bikers, feeling for the energy within their bodies.
In an instant, his heightened senses locked onto them. He could see it clearly in his mind: their energy levels were ordinary, even slightly weaker compared to his own.
'This means I'm stronger than them,' Daniel thought, a wave of reassurance washing over him. His muscles tensed, but not with fear—with confidence. He didn't need to fear these bikers, not physically at least. If it came down to a fight, he knew he could handle it. But his instincts told him to play it smart and observe first before doing anything reckless.
He waited, breathing slowly and steadily, until the riders were close enough that he could see them through the trees. Three men, armed, their bikes rumbling softly as they idled. One of them dismounted, a tall, broad-shouldered man with a scar running down his face. He glanced around, clearly looking for something.
As Daniel crouched behind the tree, he watched the bikers rummaging through the underbrush, their movements careful and deliberate. The weight of urgency pressed on him; he couldn't afford to wait much longer. If they found his van, he wouldn't just lose his means of transportation—he would lose crucial supplies for surviving in the Void. He steeled himself. Action was necessary.
As the bikers continued their search, rummaging through the leaves and discussing their mission in low, gravelly tones, Daniel's resolve grew stronger. He knew it was only a matter of time before they stumbled upon his van, and the thought sent a jolt of urgency through him. His supplies were not just a luxury; they were essential. If they discovered the van and took it, he would be left vulnerable, without what he needed to survive in this dangerous stretch of the Void. Time was running out, and he had to act before things got worse.
With a deep breath, he committed to his plan. He needed to take them down one by one, quietly and efficiently, using the element of surprise to his advantage. His training as a boxer had taught him the importance of timing and precision, and the enhancements from the Eternal Catalyst gave him the physical edge he needed. The bikers might be armed and tough, but he was ready. He could outmaneuver them and take them out before they realized what was happening.
He focused on the closest biker, a muscular man with a bandana and tattoos winding down his arms. He was rummaging through the leaves, unaware of Daniel's presence. Moving like a shadow, Daniel crept closer, his footsteps silent on the forest floor. He could feel the adrenaline pumping through him, sharpening his senses even more. With each step, he calculated his approach, picturing the move he would execute.
In a flash, Daniel lunged from the trees, tackling the biker from behind. The man barely had time to react before Daniel's forearm pressed against his throat, cutting off his air supply. Daniel applied pressure, and the biker's eyes widened in panic before he slumped to the ground, unconscious. Daniel dragged him behind a nearby tree, making sure he was hidden from sight before turning his attention to the next target.
The second biker was nearby, searching through a tangle of branches. He hadn't noticed the commotion, and Daniel seized the moment. He moved in quickly, using the surprise to his advantage once more. He delivered a powerful punch to the man's midsection, forcing the air from his lungs. The biker doubled over, momentarily stunned, and Daniel followed up with a sharp knee to the face, knocking him out cold.
Daniel had hoped to silence the second biker just as he had the first, but as his fist connected, a grunt escaped his lips—a sound too loud in the quiet woods. The leader, still crouched among the foliage, snapped his head around, his eyes narrowing as he registered the noise. A primal instinct kicked in, and he sprang to his feet, scanning the area with sharpened focus. Daniel cursed under his breath; he had to act fast. The remaining biker was now fully aware of the threat lurking in the shadows.
With a quick glance at the fallen bikers, Daniel knew he couldn't hesitate. He had no intention of letting the leader escape and warn a larger group. The tall man brandished a spear, its blade glinting as he took a step forward, eyes blazing with anger. Daniel readied himself, his heart racing, feeling the surge of energy from the Eternal Catalyst flowing through him.
The leader lunged, thrusting the spear toward Daniel with surprising speed. Daniel dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the deadly tip as it sliced through the air. Using his enhanced reflexes, he countered with a swift punch aimed at the leader's ribs, but the man was already recovering, pivoting to deflect the blow with the spear's shaft. The impact reverberated through Daniel's arm, but he pressed on, determined to gain the upper hand.
The fight turned into a whirlwind of movement, with Daniel weaving in and out of the spear's reach. Each thrust was met with a dodge or a quick strike, and Daniel could feel the tension building with every exchange. He sensed the leader's frustration growing as his attacks failed to land. With a well-timed feint, Daniel baited another thrust, then swiftly sidestepped, closing the distance.
In one smooth motion, he grabbed the spear and yanked it away, tossing it aside. With the leader disarmed, Daniel unleashed a flurry of rapid punches, each hitting its mark. The leader staggered, struggling to regain his balance as Daniel landed a decisive uppercut that sent him crashing to the ground.
Panting and still on edge, Daniel stood over the fallen leader, a slight pain radiating from his arm.
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