Inverted Pyramid (5)

Eduard shielded himself with his gloves, bracing for the impact. However, before he could react, the beings advancing toward them began to melt like wax under a scorching sun. The onlookers were astonished by the sight; it seemed they wouldn't have to fight, or at least the battle would be easier than facing the moles.

The room's light shifted from blue to green in an instant, and a speaker emerged from the floor. A menacing voice boomed from it, laced with threats: "Intruders! What are you doing here? Leave now, or I won't hold back. This is your final warning." Maria tried to explain that they were only trying to reach the laboratory, located on the top floor of this inverted pyramid, because they needed to rescue their friend. The voice responded coldly: "There is no one here, and you will not leave this floor." It then erupted into a thunderous laugh that echoed off the walls.

Suddenly, the speaker disappeared beneath the floor, and the light returned to its blue hue. The beings that had melted regained their form and resumed their advance, this time moving more quickly toward Eduard and his companions. Eduard blocked most of the attacks with his large gloves, dodging the blows that managed to slip past his defense. He continued like this for quite some time, resisting without pause.

"It's time to put these gloves to another use," Eduard thought, smiling to himself. "They're not just for protecting me and others; they can also attack." With determination, he shouted: "Switch to attack mode!" Immediately, the center of the gloves began to glow with a bluish intensity that surpassed even the light of the room. Eduard launched his counterattack while uttering words charged with power: "Brilliant flash, radiant beam of light, imbue my gloves with fire, fiery lions of Mars." At that instant, his fists were transformed into balls of fire with an intense red hue, similar to the color of the mentioned planet, taking the shape of lion heads with powerful jaws. When he struck his enemies, it was as if a lion were devouring its prey, but with the added effect that the adversary burst into flames upon contact. Eduard touched each of those beings, turning them to ash instantly.

"Wow, you're amazing!" everyone exclaimed, including Reia from inside Podbe.

The sphere forming the head of the new being changed to match the color of the room. It advanced toward Eduard, who wasted no time in meeting it head-on. They clashed: Eduard's gloves, enveloped in flames, faced the creature's Draconian jaws. The maws on the creature's hands also began to emanate a scorching heat. It was literally a battle of fire against fire.

"The fire from this thing is stronger than the fire from my gloves," Eduard thought, worried. He had to remove his gloves before the combined heat and pressure of the dragon-like jaws crushed his hands. Once again, the voice rang out amidst malicious laughter: "I see, there's no escape for you. First, it'll be you, and then those behind you. Ha, ha, ha!" Eduard examined his gloves and noticed a small crack. "Damn, I didn't think they'd break so quickly. They've been with me for a long time, but I still have one trick up my sleeve."

Quickly, he announced: "Switch to Dawn Fists!" The spheres on his gloves turned a reddish-orange, like the rising sun over the hills. He charged at the creature again, seeking a vital point to inflict damage. However, the creature blocked him with its powerful weapons.

A crack was heard: Eduard's gloves broke instantly. Fortunately, he managed to pull his hands out just in time to avoid the damage from the creature's bite, which seemed to be a formidable opponent. "This can't be," he thought, frustrated. "Nothing I throw at it works. But I'll keep fighting, even though those gloves amplified my powers."

With bare fists, Eduard led the attack once more, this time dodging his opponent's strikes. He evaded both of its weapons, and his fist began to envelop itself in flames. He delivered a punch to where he assumed its heart would be.

"Well done!" cheered the kids behind him, excited. "It seems Mr. Eduard has powers like the superheroes we used to watch," commented Maria and Billy, impressed. But their joy was short-lived, as the creature didn't flinch; the spot where it had been struck remained intact.

"Oh no!" exclaimed Eduard. He knew that an attack wouldn't do much damage without his gloves to help it. The creature stepped back and launched the sphere directly at Eduard's stomach, sending him flying into one of the walls.

Eduard was bleeding from his head due to the impact against the column, which had cracked from the blow. He spat blood and quickly pulled a bottle from his backpack, drinking from it. Instantly, he began to recover. Meanwhile, the creature approached him with one of its jaws open, ready to devour him. Eduard managed to dodge it at the last moment, and the creature only bit the column, incinerating whatever was inside.

"I don't think I can do it much more quickly. The alien technology I'm carrying will help, but this guy won't give me a chance to use it. I know, I'll call for Podbe's support." He whistled as if calling a dog. Before the creature could touch him, one of its jaws detached from its hand. It didn't fall to the ground; instead, Podbe caught it with his steel fangs. "You've used Steel Bite, minus ten mana points. It was very effective against this individual," added Reia from inside Podbe.

The creature changed color again. The sphere and the room turned a deep red. "I think it's angry," remarked Reia sarcastically. "Well then, let's go for the other hand or jaw too," said Podbe, glaring defiantly at its opponent.

The speaker emerged from the floor once more. "Who is that dog? I won't show mercy, not even to an animal," declared the voice, ordering the creature to attack without hesitation.

Meanwhile, Lidia noticed that the cables followed a specific path. She signaled to the children to stay behind her and follow her. "It seems we're about to find out who's behind all this," she said with determination.