PASSAGE 26: UNTOUCHED NO MORE

The Vermin Claws, flung back by Selena's unexpected burst of power, scrambled to their feet, curses spewing from their lips. But before they could regroup, a blur of black and agility descended upon them. Alaric, a whirlwind of fists and fury, launched into a one-man assault. Five Vermin Claws fell like dominoes, their surprised grunts the only warning before they were knocked unconscious.

Selena, heart pounding with a newfound thrill, emerged from the cave alongside Alaric. The remaining Vermin Claws gaped at the masked figure who had moved with such impossible speed and strength.

"Get him!" roared one of the remaining thugs, his bravado masking a tremor of fear.

The air crackled with nervous energy as the remaining Vermin Claws charged, their weapons glinting menacingly in the moonlight. But before they could reach Alaric, a miniature tornado materialized, courtesy of Selena's magic. It whipped around the Vermin Claws, sending them hurtling through the air like rag dolls.

With a powerful leap, Alaric met them halfway, his fist connecting with each airborne goon in a flurry of satisfying thumps. They landed unconscious around him, forming a grotesque, defeated circle.

Selena couldn't help but let out a victorious whoop. "Nice move, Ala— I mean, Mr. Masked Man!" she exclaimed, the slip of the tongue momentarily breaking her facade.

A smirk played beneath Alaric's mask as he approached the last remaining Vermin Claw, who cowered on the ground, whimpering for mercy. But even before Alaric could land the final blow, the man fainted dead away.

Confused by the unexpected turn of events, Alaric quickly refocused. They needed to get away, to outlast the Vermin Claws, Locust, and Barrera until the Temporal Breach cooled down. He activated his internal interface, checking the cooldown timer – 43 minutes. A long wait.

Turning to inform Selena, he froze. His blood ran cold. Before him stood Barrera, his grip tight around Selena's throat, the familiar dagger pressed against her neck. Panic surged through Alaric, but before he could react, a brutal fist connected with his face.

The impact sent him rolling across the ground, the mask fracturing and revealing the eyepatch hidden beneath. He slowly lifted his head, his remaining visible eye burning with a fierce determination. His gaze locked with the attacker – Locust, a smug grin plastered on his face.

Locúst sneered, his gaze flickering from the broken mask to Alaric's exposed eye patch. Recognition dawned on his face, a cruel smile splitting his lips. "The eyepatch! I remember you," he drawled, sauntering towards Alaric like a predator savoring its prey. "You're the feisty kid who laid the smackdown on one of my boys back at the Keep. And now causing this much problem. And you had the nerve to call yourself... Untouched?"

Alaric pushed himself up from the ground, facing Locust with a steely resolve. Flight was no longer an option, not with Selena's life hanging in the balance. "What are you talking about?" he demanded, his voice tight with confusion. "Pretending to be Untouched? What's your game?"

Locust's amusement morphed into a scowl. "Don't play dumb with me, kid!" A plume of steam erupted from his upper body, causing his brown suit to smolder. But to everyone's astonishment, Locust remained completely unaffected by the burning fabric. As the ashes fluttered away, revealing the source of the inferno, a collective gasp resonated through the night.

Beneath the charred remains of his suit, an intricate network of glowing anima crystals pulsed with vibrant energy, forming a gleaming exoskeleton that ran from Locust's spine to his shoulders, arms, and fists. It was a shocking revelation, a glimpse into the hidden power concealed beneath Locust's unassuming exterior.

Everyone, including Alaric, stood frozen in disbelief. The once cocky Vermin Claw leader now appeared as a terrifying cyborg, his true capabilities shrouded in an aura of mystery. "I don't care why you're masquerading as an Untouched," Locúst declared, his voice laced with a dangerous edge, "but now I'm curious, kid. Just what can you really do?" He lowered himself into a fighting stance, a predator sizing up its prey.

The tense silence stretched, thick with the smell of burnt cloth and unspoken threats. "Are you ready, kid?" Locust growled, his voice dripping with a sadistic amusement.

Before Alaric could even muster a response, Locust launched himself forward. It was a blur of motion, a single, explosive leap that ripped through the air with a menacing growl. Alaric reacted purely on instinct, throwing himself sideways just as Locust's fist whistled past where his head had been a millisecond ago.

The force of the wind generated by the punch whipped at Alaric's hair as he stumbled back, his heart hammering in his chest. He had seen Locust obliterate that giant rock with a single blow – there was no way he could withstand a direct hit himself.

"Quite fast for an Untouched," Locust sneered, his voice laced with a mocking amusement. He turned towards Barrera, a cruel glint in his eye. "Hey, Barrera! You mentioned a girl named Selena running off with some Untouched after your son's little… accident, right? Well, guess what? Looks like I found him." He gestured towards Alaric, his smile widening maliciously. "But something ain't quite right here. This 'Untouched' seems a bit too… lively."

A spark of dark understanding flickered in Barrera's eyes. Locust's words were like a twisted key, unlocking a well of simmering rage. In a flash, Barrera shoved Selena towards one of his men, the dagger still glinting dangerously in his hand. "Don't let that girl escape!" he roared, his voice raw with fury.

Barrera charged towards Alaric, the dagger held aloft with murderous intent. Now, Alaric wasn't just facing a cyborg with hidden depths – he was facing two vengeful enemies, both fueled by hate and driven by a thirst for blood. The fight for Selena's life had escalated into a desperate struggle for survival, and Alaric stood as the sole barrier between them and a horrifying end.