16 A New Beast Awakens (2/2)

Then, Dr. Morel's voice came again.

”I see you have some trouble there. Do you want to stop?”

”No! I can still do this!” Paul shouted.

”Well...If you are that determined, let me give you a word of advice.” Dr. Morel replied. ”Make an image in your head, bring that image with you here, summon your resolve and strike.”

”What does that mean?!” Paul asked.

”Well...that's for you to find out,” Dr. Morel said and the speaker broke off.

”Wai-!” Paul started, but the androids started moving again.

*What the hell does that even mean???!* Paul thought. *Bring an image to life? That's imposs-*

Paul didn't have time to finish that thought as another barrage of attacks started. His reflexes are getting better since he has gotten used to their attacks, but there was no sign of the injections working.

Then, as he was fighting, he noticed something flashing on the lower back of the androids. It was small, but Paul could make it out to be a small button blinking red. Without hesitation, he aimed for that spot on one of the androids.

-WHAM-

The android fell and its movement ceased. The blinking had stopped as well. Paul huffed in exhaustion. He didn't know what he did, but at least one of them was down.

Then something strange happened. The other robot started to act weird. They were strange, to begin with, but it seemed as though it was REACTING to the fallen android.

Through the glass, out of Paul's knowledge, was the shining of Dr. Morel's glasses and a smile.

Then all hell broke loose.

The other android disappeared, only to reappear behind Paul.

*Shi-!*

Paul was kicked and flung meters away. The strength of the android had gotten much stronger. Just when Paul started to get up, the android was already next to him. It kicked him in the jugular and roundhouse kicked him in the face at high speed.

Paul felt his bone break. It wasn't just a feeling. His bone actually cracked from the impact.

*Fuck...! It broke my fucking bones! How the hell did it get so damn tough in just a few minutes?!*

Paul was struggling, harder than ever. He could not land a hit on the robot. It seemed to be able to move in a certain way that avoided all of Paul's attempts to get a strike in. Even though its button was blinking as well, Paul could not get within enough distance to do any damage.

It felt...animalistic. It didn't feel like it was programmed. It seemed to have a soul of its own and its acting upon its live characteristics with unbelievable instincts.

Just like him.

*That brat...! He's...he's there? How? Argh..! It doesn't matter! I am not losing this fight again!*

And with that, his body exploded with anger, which triggered the drugs that dwell within him.

Paul disappeared for a split moment and from above kick the android's head off. The head flew and hit the wall.

-CRASH-

”Seems like he got the jest of what I said,” Dr. Morel said, smiling.

The Boss just stood there quietly, focused on Paul's transformation.

”Do you think you can beat me again?!” Paul shouted at the robot, who is now Karma to him.

The robot, despite losing its head, still charged at Paul. It disappeared and tried to attack Paul from behind, only to be done in by its own trick.

The android fell down, it's insides making a slight engine noise. There was a sign of blood on the floor, but Paul didn't notice. He took this chance to jump on it and smash the robot's button.

-SMASH-

Paul's strength made his fist completely penetrate the robot's body. The robot stopped moving and Paul got up, exhausted.

”AGHHHHHH!” Paul shouted from the top of his lungs. It was a scream of victory. Of Revenge. Of pride.

But the Boss and Dr. Morel heard it with a slightly different undertone. It was the awakening of something great.

It was the rise of a new beast.