Chapter 6

Titan's fist hung in the air for what felt like an eternity, poised to deliver the final blow. Inferno, now barely able to stand, felt every second stretch as his survival instincts screamed at him to act. At the very last moment, he summoned the last vestiges of his strength and unleashed a power he had kept hidden even from himself. With a roar of defiance, his back arched, and from it emerged two massive, armored wings, shimmering with a metallic sheen and engulfed in blazing fire.

The wings snapped forward, forming a protective barrier just as Titan's fist descended. The impact reverberated through Inferno's entire body, but the wings held firm, absorbing the crushing blow. The force of the hit sent a shockwave through the air, but it was enough to give Inferno the fraction of a second he needed.

With a powerful beat of his wings, he propelled himself backward, putting distance between himself and Titan. He landed clumsily a few meters away, his legs barely supporting his weight. The armored wings folded protectively around him, their edges still glowing with heat.

Titan's eyes widened in surprise as he took in the sight of the wings. "So, there's more to you after all," he growled, recovering quickly. "But it won't save you."

Inferno knew he was at his limit. His body was screaming in agony, every muscle and bone protesting the continued exertion. The flames that once roared with such intensity now flickered weakly around him. He had to escape, to live to fight another day. The realization stung his pride, but he knew it was the only option left.

"You haven't seen the last of me," Inferno spat, his voice hoarse. He forced his wings to spread wide, the effort causing him to gasp in pain. With a tremendous push, he launched himself into the air, his wings beating furiously.

Titan lunged after him, but Inferno was already out of reach, soaring above the ruins of the town. He pushed himself higher and higher, each beat of his wings a battle against his waning strength. Below, Titan watched him ascend with a mixture of frustration and grudging respect.

The air grew colder as Inferno climbed, the wind rushing past him in a cacophony of noise. His vision blurred, and he struggled to maintain his focus. He had to find a place to rest, to recover. As he flew, he cast his gaze over the landscape below, searching for a safe haven.

In the distance, he spotted a dense forest, its thick canopy promising cover and concealment. With a final, desperate burst of speed, he angled his flight toward it. The effort left him gasping, his wings trembling with exhaustion. As he neared the treetops, he felt his strength finally give out. He descended rapidly, crashing through the branches and landing heavily on the forest floor.

For a moment, he lay there, struggling to breathe, every part of his body aching. Slowly, he retracted his wings, the armored appendages folding back into his back with a metallic clang. The effort left him drained, and he closed his eyes, allowing the darkness to take him.

Inferno wasn't sure how long he lay there, unconscious. When he finally stirred, the sun was high overhead, casting dappled light through the leaves. The forest was alive with the sounds of birds and rustling leaves, a stark contrast to the devastation he had left behind. He forced himself to sit up, wincing as pain shot through his body.

He needed to assess his injuries, to understand the extent of the damage. His body was covered in bruises and cuts, and his head throbbed with a relentless ache. His ribs were likely cracked, and his muscles felt like they had been torn apart. But he was alive, and for now, that was enough.

He took a deep breath, the air fresh and cool in his lungs, and tried to think clearly. He needed a plan, a way to recover and regroup. He couldn't afford to be caught off guard again. Titan had been a formidable opponent, but Inferno knew that he could not allow himself to be defeated so easily.

"I need help," he muttered to himself, the realization settling in. He couldn't do this alone. There were others out there, people who could aid him, who could help him tap into his full potential. He had to find them, to seek out allies who shared his desire for justice and strength.

Struggling to his feet, he began to move through the forest, each step a painful reminder of his battle. He couldn't fly in his condition, so he had to walk, using the trees for support. He pushed forward, driven by a burning determination to survive and to become stronger.

Hours passed as he made his way through the dense underbrush. The forest seemed endless, but he kept moving, refusing to let his injuries slow him down. He was a survivor, and he would not be defeated by pain or exhaustion.

Eventually, he stumbled upon a small stream, its clear water a welcome sight. He knelt beside it, cupping his hands to drink. The cool water soothed his parched throat and gave him a renewed sense of purpose. He washed his wounds as best he could, the water stinging but cleansing the cuts and bruises.

As he rested by the stream, he thought about his next move. He needed to find a place to rest and recover fully, somewhere safe from Titan and any other enemies who might be hunting him. He also needed to find food and shelter. The forest, with its abundant resources, could provide for his immediate needs, but it was not a permanent solution.

He decided to follow the stream, hoping it would lead him to civilization or at least to some form of shelter. He stood, the pain in his legs a constant reminder of his ordeal, and began to walk along the water's edge. The sound of the flowing water was soothing, and it helped him focus on his goal.

As he moved through the forest, his thoughts turned to Titan. The man had been a relentless adversary, his strength and skill unmatched. Inferno knew that their paths would cross again, and he needed to be ready. He needed to understand more about his own powers, to master the abilities that had manifested during their fight.

The wings, in particular, intrigued him. They were a manifestation of his deepest powers, something he had never fully explored. He needed to learn how to control them, to use them to their full potential. They could be the key to his survival, and to his eventual victory over Titan.

As he walked, he practiced summoning and retracting the wings, each attempt leaving him more exhausted than the last. He could feel the power within him, a deep reservoir of energy that he had barely tapped into. He needed to find a way to harness that energy, to make it his own.

The forest began to thin, and in the distance, he could see the outline of a small village. Relief washed over him as he quickened his pace, ignoring the protests of his battered body. The village could provide the shelter and rest he needed, as well as a chance to gather information and resources.

As he approached the village, he retracted his wings one final time, not wanting to draw unnecessary attention. He needed to blend in, to avoid any further confrontations until he was ready. The villagers went about their daily lives, oblivious to the battle that had taken place just beyond their peaceful haven.

Inferno found a secluded spot at the edge of the village, a small clearing with a few abandoned buildings. It was the perfect place to rest and recover, away from prying eyes. He entered one of the buildings, its roof partially collapsed but still offering some protection from the elements.

He sat down heavily, his body aching with every movement. He knew he had a long road ahead of him, but for now, he could afford to rest. He closed his eyes, allowing himself to drift into a fitful sleep, his mind filled with thoughts of Titan and the battles yet to come.

As the sun set and the village settled into the quiet of the night, Inferno's resolve hardened. He would rise from these ashes, stronger and more determined than ever. He would find allies, master his powers, and face Titan again. And next time, he would not be the one lying defeated on the ground.