"Damn it, why are these things stronger?!"
Jinx backpedaled, praying between shots.
What once died in one bullet now took two or three.
Their size, speed—all enhanced.
"That big bastard's doing this," Dante growled.
His demonic senses screamed:
The shadow's power had swelled to obscene levels.
Worse—
The altar behind it pulsed with an energy that even he feared.
"What the hell is it summoning?!"
His decision was instant:
"We need to go."
Killing the shadow?
Possible? Maybe.
Worth the risk? Hell no.
He turned to D-14134—
And froze.
The man was staggering, limbs flailing, eyes glazed.
He lurched toward the exit, nearly tripping, only to find—
No door.
Gasping, he frantically felt along the walls,
as if searching for a hidden switch.
To Dante, it looked like madness.
But the audience knew better.
"SHIT! That acting!"
"If I hadn't seen his earlier moves, I'd buy it!"
"The shadow's ignoring him—perfect."
"I'm holding my breath—this is intense!"
On-Screen
D-14134's pistol and dagger hung at his waist—
Alongside an uncorked glass bottle of liquid.
With every stumble, its contents splashed onto the floor.
Like a drowning man clutching at straws,
his desperation seemed pathetic.
Yet—
His breathing steadied.
His eyes sharpened.
This wasn't panic.
This was a performance.
Marvel Universe – S.H.I.E.L.D.
Nick Fury's pulse quickened.
Against all logic—
What if he has a plan?
One-Punch Man Universe – Hero Association
Every hero—low-rank or S-class—
was riveted.
Fists clenched.
Hearts raced.
Silent cheers:
"Don't give up, big bro..."
Battlefield
D-14134 circled the room, "frantically" searching.
His path left a silvery trail of spilled liquid.
Returning to the start, his gaze locked onto—
The altar.
A flicker of resolve.
Now.
The Shadow's Ritual
It basked in its Lord's approach—
Until D-14134 stood atop the altar, drenched in blood.
Self-inflicted wounds—
Non-lethal, but bleeding heavily.
A human sacrifice—voluntary.
The shadow finally noticed.
"What are you doing?"
Mild curiosity. No concern.
Jinx and Dante glanced over—
And saw:
A blood-soaked man, swaying but unyielding.
"Remember your words?" D-14134's voice was eerily calm.
"'When the heart loses energy but hasn't died, we use the key to unlock the cage.'"
A shuddering breath.
"But you forgot—"
He smiled.
"Keys lock doors too."