The Feral Gauntlet

The bell rang, and the buzz of conversation filled the classroom. Liam took a deep breath, then walked toward Kaela's desk.

She looked up sharply. "What do you want?"

"I just…" Liam hesitated, his voice low, "about yesterday… thank you. But please, don't tell anyone. Especially not the teachers."

Kaela frowned, folding her arms. "Why not? You could've been seriously hurt."

"I know," Liam said. "But I can handle it. Just—please keep it between us?"

She stared at him a moment longer before sighing. "Fine. But next time, don't just stand there and take it."

"I won't," Liam promised.

Kaela turned back to her notebook, but the corner of her mouth twitched upward—just barely.

Moments later, Lucas entered the room. Liam's eyes immediately locked onto him, curious. He still wasn't sure what to make of the mysterious substitute teacher with the calm aura and piercing gaze.

Lucas scanned the room, his eyes lingering on Liam for a split second longer than necessary. Then, class began.

---

After school, Liam waited outside by the gates, unsure why he lingered. He spotted Kaela walking down the steps and instinctively fell in beside her.

"You following me now?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Just figured it's safer to walk together," he said.

She snorted but didn't protest.

They made it three blocks before it happened.

A low, echoing growl rumbled from the alleyway ahead. A figure stepped out—tall, muscular, and sneering.

Brody.

Behind him, his two goons emerged, but this time, something was different. Brody's right hand glowed with a strange reddish energy, and a jagged crimson gauntlet pulsed on his arm.

Kaela's eyes narrowed. "What the hell is that?"

"It's called the Crimson Howl," Brody said, flexing his fingers. 

I'm using an artifact as you may already know and I heard from Oliver that you used an artifact too so I won't let my guard down, although I'll be beating you guys up. 

Liam tensed. "That's not a normal artifact."

"Nope," Brody grinned, stepping forward. "But it's enough to smash your face in without getting suspended. Self-defense, right? You attacked me. Everyone saw it."

Kaela stepped forward. "You want a fight, Brody? Fine. But you're not laying a finger on him."

Brody's grin twisted. "Then both of you it is."

He rushed forward with a roar.

Liam stepped into a low stance. "Falcon Dropkick!" he yelled, sweeping low and launching himself toward Brody's knee.

Brody twisted, the Crimson Howl igniting mid-motion. A pulse of energy knocked Liam back through the air.

Kaela darted in from the side. "Iron Leaf Strike!" Her kick landed on the side of Brody's gauntlet, staggering him.

"You're dead!" he growled, swinging wildly.

Liam rolled back to his feet and caught Brody's next punch with a forearm brace. "Viper Catch!" he shouted, locking the arm and driving an elbow into Brody's chest.

The Crimson Howl flared again, and a shockwave burst from it—throwing both Kaela and Liam back several feet.

The alley buzzed with that eerie red energy, the gauntlet glowing brighter, veins of crimson light crawling up Brody's arm.

Kaela wiped blood from her lip. "That thing's corrupting him…"

Liam stood, barely. "Then we stop him. Together."

Brody let out a growl that sounded less human and more… feral.

Then he charged—Crimson Howl pulsing, eyes glowing.

Liam and Kaela moved in unison to meet him.

And behind them, in the shadows, a cloaked figure watched in silence.