Chapter 20: Fogbound Terror
Chapter 20: Fogbound Terror
The Fogbound advanced, their eyes blank and devoid of life as they shuffled toward Ren and Lyra. The eerie mist clung to them like a second skin, swirling around their limbs as if guiding their movements.
"Stay close," Lyra said, her jaw clenched. "If they grab you, they can drain your energy."
Ren's fists tightened, muscles coiling with tension. "I'm not letting that happen."
The first Fogbound lunged at him, arms outstretched. Ren ducked low, driving his fist into its gut. The impact echoed through the fog, but the Fogbound barely reacted, its body staggering back a few steps before advancing again.
"Damn," Ren muttered. "What are these things?"
"They're not zombies," Lyra said, throwing a vial of blue liquid that shattered against another Fogbound, causing it to recoil. "They're still alive. Someone's controlling them."
"Controlling them?" Ren's eyes narrowed, darting around the fog-shrouded jungle. "Then where's the one pulling the strings?"
Before Lyra could respond, a low, sinister chuckle echoed through the fog. Ren's eyes snapped toward the source. A shadowy figure stepped forward, his silhouette barely visible through the dense mist. He was a tall, gaunt man with wild, unkempt hair and a manic grin stretched across his face.
"Well, well," the man sneered. "Looks like the good doctor brought some new toys for me to play with."
"You!" Lyra shouted, her eyes blazing with fury. "You're the one behind all this!"
The man spread his arms theatrically, as if welcoming them. "Call me Drayden. And yes, the Fogbound are mine. All mine." His eyes gleamed with a dangerous light as he raised one hand. "Whisper-Whisper Fruit. I can control the minds of anyone who wanders into my fog. And soon, you'll join them."
Ren's fists clenched. "Like hell I will!"
Drayden snapped his fingers, and the Fogbound surged forward, their blank eyes locking onto Ren and Lyra. Ren's jaw set, and he charged, fists blazing as he drove into the throng. He weaved between them, fists striking with precision. His Armament Haki flared, his blows now landing with greater force, sending the Fogbound stumbling back.
"What the hell was that?" Drayden's grin widened. "You're full of surprises. But that won't save you."
Ren grunted, his fists aching as he struck another Fogbound square in the chest. "Lyra! Get back to the clinic and protect Ryu!"
"No!" Lyra shouted, hurling another vial at the Fogbound. "I'm not leaving you!"
"You're a doctor, not a fighter!" Ren shouted, narrowly dodging a Fogbound's grasping hand. "Go!"
Before Lyra could respond, Drayden's eyes locked onto her, and he raised his hand. "Let's make things more interesting."
A thick wave of fog surged forward, engulfing Lyra. Ren's eyes widened as she disappeared into the mist.
"LYRA!" Ren roared, his voice echoing through the fog.
Drayden's laughter echoed around him. "You want her back? Come and get her."
Ren gritted his teeth, his jaw clenched so tight it ached. "You're going to pay for this."
He lunged forward, fists blazing with Armament Haki as he charged toward Drayden. But as he did, more Fogbound emerged from the mist, their eyes glowing with that eerie, controlled light. Ren's fists lashed out, striking down one after another, but the numbers kept growing.
"You can't save them," Drayden taunted, his manic grin widening. "They're mine now."
Ren's eyes narrowed, his breathing heavy. "I don't care what you say. I'm not stopping until every last one of them is free!"
Drayden's laughter echoed through the fog, and Ren braced himself. This fight was far from over.
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Ren lunged forward, his fist crashing into the jaw of a Fogbound, sending it sprawling to the ground. The mist around them thickened, obscuring his vision. He strained to see, sweat pouring down his brow as he scanned the area for any sign of Lyra.
"LYRA!" he shouted again, but only the echoes of his own voice replied.
"She can't hear you," Drayden taunted, his voice drifting through the fog from multiple directions. "Not anymore."
Ren's eyes darted around, trying to pinpoint the source. "Coward! Show yourself!"
A chilling laugh echoed, and the fog swirled, forming Drayden's grinning face. "You're in my world now, kid. And in here, I control everything."
Before Ren could react, Fogbound surged from the mist, their arms latching onto his limbs. Ren growled, muscles straining as he struggled against them. His Armament Haki flared, and with a roar, he sent them flying with a powerful burst of strength.
"Nice trick," Drayden said, his form coalescing into a solid state just a few feet away. "But you're just one man. And I have an army."
Drayden raised his hand, and the Fogbound swarmed again, their blank eyes fixated on Ren. With every punch he threw, another Fogbound lunged forward, trying to overwhelm him.
"You can't keep this up," Drayden said, his eyes gleaming. "The fog is sapping your strength. The more you fight, the weaker you'll get."
Ren's breathing grew heavier, his limbs aching from the relentless assault. But his eyes remained fierce, his jaw set. "I don't care… how many you send. I'm not backing down."
Drayden's grin widened. "Then you'll die here."
The fog thickened, swallowing them both. The last thing Ren heard was Drayden's haunting laughter echoing through the mist.
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