LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 5: Chapter 5:The High Powers
Ian was trapped by an overwhelming restriction that seemed to suffocate him, his body encased in an invisible, unbreakable cage. He marshaled every ounce of his supernatural energy, attempting to break through the barrier, but each effort was like hitting a brick wall with an egg, leaving him exhausted yet no closer to freedom.
Elder Liu stood to the side, hands clasped behind his back, his face adorned with a smug, mocking grin. It was as if he was declaring, with cruel certainty, that Ian's struggles were nothing but a futile comedy. The air around them thickened with tension, each breath heavy and labored, like inhaling liquid lead. Despair crept into Ian's heart; he knew he and his beloved Sarah were in dire straits, their lives hanging by a thread. But he fought back the fear, reminding himself not to give up.
Just when everyone expected Ian to continue his hopeless struggle, he suddenly ceased all movement, slowly raising his head to look directly at Elder Liu. A strange, almost carefree smile played at the corners of his mouth. "Elder Liu, you went to all this trouble just to trap me. Was it really worth it?" Ian said, his tone teasingly nonchalant.
Elder Liu, caught off guard by Ian's sudden change in demeanor, frowned, his eyes filled with suspicion. "What nonsense are you talking about?" he demanded. Ignoring the question, Ian continued, "Look at this place, an abandoned factory, falling apart. What are you even after, hanging out here with your crew?"
Ian's seemingly random chatter shifted the atmosphere from tense to bizarre. Yet, his eyes, like those of a sharp-eyed hawk, meticulously scanned the restriction for any flaw, any weakness that could offer a sliver of hope. Elder Liu, watching Ian's every move, grew more alert, sensing that Ian was plotting something game-changing.
Suddenly, Elder Liu caught a fleeting glint in Ian's eyes and realized his intent. He snorted, quickly ordering his men, "Bring Dr. Chen here!" Moments later, two burly guards dragged in a frail, pale man trembling like a leaf. This was Dr. Chen, whose eyes were filled with terror and despair.
"Ian, you'd better behave," Elder Liu threatened coldly, "or I can't promise Dr. Chen's head will stay on his shoulders for long." Seeing Dr. Chen's fear, Ian felt a pang in his heart. He knew Elder Liu had him by the throat, using Dr. Chen as leverage.
But just as everyone thought Ian would capitulate, he moved like a black bolt of lightning, unexpectedly lunging at Elder Liu. Ian had, during his earlier scuffles, touched one of the henchmen, absorbing their memories, thus learning of Elder Liu's hidden weakness.
Elder Liu was stunned by this desperate, unanticipated attack. His seasoned instincts kicked in, rapidly deploying a shield of energy. The room exploded with clashing energies, a dazzling display of power and light, causing thunderous noises as if the room itself might tear apart. Ian and Elder Liu were locked in a fierce, life-or-death battle, each collision of forces sending waves of energy through the space.
Sarah watched, holding her breath, her hands clasped over her mouth, her eyes reflecting both fear and unwavering trust in Ian.
In the thick of the fight, Ian used his agility and knowledge of Elder Liu's weakness to slowly gain the upper hand. He seized a fleeting opportunity, channeling all his strength into a devastating energy wave. Elder Liu, unable to dodge, was hit full force, flying back and crashing to the ground, writhing in pain. With Elder Liu down, the restriction around Ian dissolved like melting ice.
Without hesitation, Ian rushed to Dr. Chen, quickly freeing him from his bonds. "Are you okay?" Ian asked with concern. Dr. Chen, still in shock, could only nod. Then, Ian hurried to Sarah, taking her hand, "Let's get out of here."
They left the factory, stepping into the bright sunlight outside, which seemed to celebrate their hard-won victory. Ian inhaled deeply, the taste of freedom sweet in his lungs. But he knew this wasn't the end; Elder Liu and his organization would not rest easy.
Back at Ian's secret hideout, nestled in a secluded valley, they regrouped. Here, Ian pondered their next move, knowing that Elder Liu's revenge would be swift and severe. Dr. Chen, recovering, approached Ian with gratitude, offering insider knowledge on the organization's dark plans.
The organization was working on a horrifying experiment to fuse various supernatural powers into an unprecedented, world-altering super-ability. Elder Liu was key to this project, and they were close to completion.
Meanwhile, at the factory, Elder Liu, now up but furious, ordered his men to find Ian and to accelerate the experiment. Back at the base, Ian, Sarah, and Dr. Chen strategized. They needed to stop this experiment before it was too late.
Ian devised a plan to attack the organization's secret lab where the final fusion was to occur. They trained relentlessly, with Ian teaching Sarah basic self-defense and Dr. Chen focusing on hacking into the lab's defenses. When the night of action arrived, they moved stealthily, avoiding patrols like shadows.
The lab was a fortress, but Dr. Chen managed to create a brief window in the security system. Ian and Sarah dashed inside, engaging in combat with the guards. As they penetrated deeper, Elder Liu appeared, ready for a showdown. "You came after all, Ian," he sneered, unleashing his full power in a final confrontation.