A loud explosion echoed from within him, then another, and another. The shackles binding his strength shattered one by one. The overwhelming surge of energy coursed through his being, burning, purifying, and remolding him.
Black, foul-smelling impurities oozed from his pores, dripping onto the floor like tar. The stench was unbearable, but Ethan ignored it. He could feel the filth leaving his body, the rot of weakness being purged. The faint glow beneath his skin brightened as his pores tightened and his scars began to fade.
A strange calm followed. His dull eyes turned sharp and alive, their color deepening into something fierce, reflecting both strength and clarity.
Then, suddenly, every hair on his body stood on end. His energy surged uncontrollably as arcs of bluish lightning crackled around him. His entire body glowed faintly, his outline blurring into an almost divine image.
Ethan's soul began to stir.
