Core control
George stared in disbelief at the glowing, reddish substance wrapped around his leg. It pulsed with an otherworldly energy, seeming to pulse in sync with his own heartbeat. He tried to move his leg again, but it remained firmly rooted to the spot, as if he had become part of the floor itself.
"This can't be happening," he muttered, his voice tinged with a mix of frustration and fear. "I thought I had it under control!"
Determined to free himself, George bent down and attempted to grasp the strange material. To his surprise, his fingers passed right through it, as if it were made of nothing more than light and air. Yet, its hold on his leg remained unbreakable.
"Okay, think," he said to himself, trying to calm his racing thoughts. "Amara didn't mention anything like this. But it has to be related to my core, right? Maybe if I focus again..."