In a flash, time itself reversed—Joseph's body moved as if untouched by the prior struggle, and the moment before the monster could rip the arc reactor free was undone. It was as though the very fabric of reality bent to his will, and the monster’s attack was reset. The monster, stunned and momentarily disoriented, found himself back in Joseph's grasp.
With renewed determination, Joseph surged forward, taking the fight to the very edge of space itself. The universe stretched out before them as the battle raged on. The monster struggled again, desperate to escape, his eyes burning with an insatiable hunger for Joseph's power.
But Joseph saw the signs. His XPT suit began to warn him—his energy was draining. The monster, realizing he couldn’t break free, had begun attempting to absorb Joseph’s energy, siphoning off his strength. The moment Joseph understood the threat, his expression hardened.