Episode 8 — Time Bleeds Louder
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Act I – Hospital: Fragile Promises
The ceiling tiles in Room 412 were yellowed with years of smoke alarms and neglect. Zack sat in the chair again, hoodie stiff with blood, jaw set like steel bars. The beeping monitor beside his mom felt slower tonight, like even the machine was tired of pretending.
She stirred, pale lips moving. "Zack?"
He leaned forward instantly. "I'm here, Mom."
Her hand, fragile as paper, brushed his. Her eyes flickered open, watery but clear. "You look… heavier. Not your shoulders—your soul."
He tried to smile, but his fangs glinted in the half-light. She noticed, but didn't flinch. Instead, she squeezed his hand weakly.
"I dream about rivers," she whispered. "One side is you as a boy, the other side is you as you are now. Steel bones. Sharp teeth. I'm stuck between, Zack. Stuck in the water. It's cold."
He swallowed, throat tight. "Then I'll build a bridge."
She laughed softly, breaking into a cough. Blood speckled the sheet. Zack panicked, pressing the nurse button, but she grabbed his wrist. Her touch was feather-light but iron in intent.
"No. Stop calling them every time. Let me… let me talk to my son, not to machines."
Tears burned his eyes, threatening to fall. He leaned down, forehead against hers. "I can fix this, Mom. I just need more time. More strength. I swear I'll figure it out."
Her eyes searched his face, every line of exhaustion, every spark in his metallic gaze. "Time doesn't bargain, baby. It only takes. You can fight monsters, but you can't punch hours."
Zack's jaw clenched so hard it squealed. "Then I'll break hours too."
The door creaked. The doctor stepped in, clipboard tucked under his arm like a shield. His tone was the kind that doctors reserved for family when they ran out of options. "Zack… it's time to prepare. She's slipping."
"Shut up," Zack snapped.
The doctor sighed, but didn't argue. He knew he'd lost the boy to denial and steel. He left quietly, letting Zack collapse back into the chair, trembling with rage and helplessness.
Zack stared at his mother until her breathing evened into fragile sleep. Then he slipped out into the night, fists clenched.
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Act II – The Hunt Begins
The city air reeked of wet trash and gasoline. Rain slicked the alleys into mirrors. Zack's HUD burned like neon graffiti in his vision.
LEVEL 8
EXP: 75 / 1000
TARGET: Marrow Shades (Reported near Riverside Docks)
Threat Level: Moderate
Zack marched through the streets like a storm. His hoodie dripped red-black from old fights. Passersby avoided his eyes, instinct screaming that something about him wasn't human.
At Riverside Docks, the warehouses groaned under the storm. Water slapped pilings like fists. The smell of salt couldn't mask the stench of rot.
That's where he saw them—Marrow's Shades. Black silhouettes peeling from the walls, faceless, arms too long. They whispered like broken radios.
Zack bared his fangs. "EXP delivery service."
The Shades hissed and swarmed.
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Act III – The Fight Against Shades
The first one lunged, claws slicing air. Zack ducked, steel fist rising into its gut. The Shade exploded into smoke.
+150 EXP
EXP: 225 / 1000
The others came fast. Zack blurred, his Surge Feather kicking in for half-seconds of godspeed. He tore through the second, ripping its head clean.
+150 EXP
EXP: 375 / 1000
But the third wrapped tendrils around his arms, dragging him backward. Two more piled on, claws scraping sparks across his steel skin. He snarled, biting through a tendril with his fangs, blood spraying like oil.
The HUD flickered.
VITALITY: 62%
SYSTEM DAMAGE: Moderate
He powered forward, slamming one Shade into a shipping crate. The impact painted the wood black. He punched again and again until nothing remained but goo.
+200 EXP
EXP: 575 / 1000
The others howled, forming together—melding into a bigger shape, a six-armed abomination. Its torso split into mouths, each chanting in Marrow's voice: "You can't save her. Tick. Tock."
Zack's blood froze. "Shut up!"
The Shade-beast swung. Zack caught the blow, steel arms locking. His bones creaked but held. He headbutted the creature, sparks exploding, then drove his knuckles through one of the chanting mouths.
Black gore erupted. The voices faltered.
+250 EXP
EXP: 825 / 1000
The beast roared, arms flailing. One caught him across the chest, sending him skidding across wet concrete. His ribs cracked.
VITALITY: 35%
WARNING: Critical Trauma
He staggered to his feet, blood dripping. His HUD flashed an option.
Steel Surge (Phase 1 – Stabilized)
Cooldown: Ready
Activate? [Y/N]
Zack spat blood, grinning like a demon. "Y."
The world ignited. His veins glowed white-hot, sparks screaming off his skin. His movements blurred beyond sight. He tore into the Shade-beast, fists raining like meteors. Every punch shattered mouths, silenced voices, spilled darkness.
The creature screamed in stereo, trying to reform, but Zack didn't let it. He grabbed its skull, steel fangs glowing, and bit down. The entire body convulsed before collapsing into black sludge.
The HUD chimed, mercilessly bright.
+300 EXP (Boss Kill)
EXP: 1125 / 1000
LEVEL UP → Level 9
NEW PERK: Surge Endurance (Minor)
Zack fell to one knee, smoke rising from his shoulders. His chest heaved. Every vein felt like it had glass shards inside.
He laughed bitterly, coughing blood. "One step closer. Ten million left to go."
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Act IV – The Cost of Time
By the time Zack limped back into the hospital, the sun was trying to rise, painting the city gray. He dragged himself through the corridors, leaving wet footprints. Nurses glanced but didn't stop him—something about his eyes kept them silent.
Room 412 was quiet. Too quiet.
His mom lay still, breaths shallow, chest rattling. The doctor stood by her bed, voice hushed. "…She doesn't have much time left."
Zack pushed past him, grabbing her hand. "Don't you fucking say that."
Her eyelids fluttered open. She saw him—bloodied, cracked, glowing faintly. She smiled weakly. "You're… fighting again."
"For you," he said, voice breaking. "Always for you."
Her fingers twitched against his. "Zack… promise me… when I'm gone, you don't lose yourself in the fight. Promise."
He shook his head, tears streaking down his face. "Don't say when. Say if. I'll fix this, Mom. I'll break time, I swear it."
Her smile faded into exhaustion. "My boy… steel can't hold everything. Not even love."
Her hand slipped from his grip, but the machine still beeped steady—for now.
Zack laid his head against the bed, shaking, whispering into her sheets: "Prestige or die, Mom. Prestige or die."
The HUD pulsed coldly, indifferent.
LEVEL 9
EXP: 125 / 1000
NEXT GOAL: Level 10 — Steel Surge (Phase 2)
Time Remaining: Unknown
Outside, Silas stood on the roofline, watching the hospital with a faint smile. Luna leaned against the wall across the street, lighting another cigarette.
Both of them knew: Zack's war was only getting bloodier.