"Not This Time"

"L-Leo, p-please," Kaleb stammered, his eyes wide with terror, fixed on the menacing form of Fleshripper. "A little h-help here, maybe? If you're not, you know, busy?"

Leonard didn't even spare him a glance. His focus narrowed, sharpening to a razor's edge. He instantly activated Temporal Cognition, pushing his ELEV to its absolute maximum output.

Fleshripper hefted his massive battle-axe, the weapon glinting wickedly even in the dim, fiery light. With a grunt that seemed to shake the very ground, he threw it. The sheer force of his powerful, muscular arms generated a sonic boom that cracked the air.

The axe spun through the air, a whirlwind of death closing the distance to Kaleb with the terrifying velocity of a crossbow bolt. Kaleb stood frozen, helpless. He had no chance.