The smug smile stayed a little longer on Dean's mind until he finally recalled where he'd seen it.
He facepalmed his own forgetfulness. It was only a few minutes earlier.
How could he just throw it to the back of his mind so easily.
Marcus was the one who had blocked his way when he wanted to sit closer to Astrea earlier.
And now as destiny may have it, their paths have crossed again.
The boy in question finally arrived in the ring. He stood directly opposite Dean. His boots stomping on the stoney ground.
"Finally," the boy with blue, sea-weed hair said, as he began stretching.
They were only ten feet apart with Thomas between them. The man reiterated the rules before he stepped back.
Begin!
Marcus's grin extended further as he threw his head back.
The sound of broken bones followed even as his jaw tightened and his eyes turned solid white.
The boy's claws extended as his teeth grew longer and sharper alongside blue fur that emerged on his back, hands and legs.
Achieving partial werewolf transformation. Marcus planted his feet hard, crushing the ground slightly as he growled while he looked at Dean.
"Let's see what you can do, Gray."
Dean's heart began to beat like a drum even as his chest tightened.
This was by no means fear, but excitement. He'd always loved werewolves.
They were fast, strong, ruthless and aggressive. With no tricks or bullshit.
'Finally. Someone who fights up close.' he thought even as his eyes transformed.
[Hermit's Eyes Activated]
For the first time today, Dean felt utmost concentration, finally catching up with Ash who was vibrating at this point.
"Let's go.." Dean said as he rolled his shoulders as Ash slid off and landed beside him.
Before he took another step and activated channeling, a notification appeared.
Ding!
[Skill - IMU Active]
[Form Observed: Blue Streak Dire Wolf ]
[Copying...]
[Evolving….]
[Transformation Available]
Dean blinked. Completely speechless.
He turned towards Ash. The gelatinous blob rippled as its body stretched out like rubber.
As its body reshaped. It grew thick, black fur like a beast.
Soon it had a snout, ears and claws twice the size of Marcus's.
Dean's mouth was still open as he noticed the one thing that seemed unchanged.
It's large innocent eyes.
This made the situation even more disturbing. And just when Dean thought he had seen it all.
Grey plates emerged along Ash's spine. The plates were segmented to form an armor around its body.
Dean noticed the plates immediately. It was the same ability from the Mag-Titan.
A second or two later. Ash had gone from a tiny slime to a large dog with a boney exo skeleton.
Dean had to admit, that was a bad description. It was more of an armored dire wolf.
This was the first time for Dean. Or was it because he ranked up? After all, it was said, 'the stronger the summoner, the better the summon.'
The crowd gasped as every single person leaned forward.
Even now, Marcus's grin had been lost to time. This was unexpected waters for him.
Dean looked at Ash, noticing the slime stealing the show effortlessly.
'Alright. Let's do this,' he thought as he channeled the skill: Rebound Core.
Soon, the same armour that covered Ash's new form appeared on his body. With his darker than Ash.
The black armor covered his body. From his fore arms to his elbows. Down to his lower body, segmenting in certain areas leaving just his head and neck open.
Dean stared at his arms. The plates weren't just mimicry.
They were part of him. He felt them like skin and moved them like muscle.
'How interesting..'
Marcus's eyes narrowed. "What the hell is that thing?"
Dean didn't answer. He only took a fighting stance and stretched his right hand forward, gesturing to Marcus.
"Come…"
***
Astrea leaned forward, watching in complete surprise. She recognized those platings from the Mag-Titan.
'But how?'
'Does he have a True bond?'
It didn't make sense. He was just a Gray. How could he have a true bond and what exactly is that slime?
Her eyes moved from Dean to the slime and then back to Dean.
The way he stood, the way she had seen him move even back then.
He was like someone who he'd been fighting all his life.
And now, the Armor on his body made him so dangerous. Like a predator, and the werewolf was his prey.
Her red eyes gleamed, as she shook her head like she hoped those thoughts would just fall out.
The reason she was here was to keep an eye on him and now, the first thing she had to report back was the obvious.… he's dangerous.
Watching even closer. She could feel her pulse quicken for no reason.
This boy who looked like an instrument of violence was just a mission and nothing else.
Her eyes squinted.
***
Clang!
Marcus's claws scraped against Dean's Armor as he aimed for the boy's throat.
Much to Dean's annoyance. The rules had said no fatal attempts. Or was this idiot's fur blocking his ears during the announcement.
Even as sparks flew with the contact. The werewolf's eyes widened.
Smiling... Dean spoke. "My turn."
Taking advantage of the closeness. Dean threw an enhanced punch that connected with the Werewolf's ribs.
Marcus grunted as he staggered back. Regaining his composure faster than Dean expected. The boy was tough.
They soon circled the werewolf. With Ash on his left growling, waiting for the right moment.
The resonance between the two made coordination even easier.
Marcus's eyes flicked between the duo.
"Two against one," he sneered. "How cute."
"Don't care.." Dean retorted even as the veins underneath his armor glowed.
Marcus snarled and moved.. disappearing in a blur.
He was directly in front of Dean. Though barely able to keep with his new speed. Dean could still block. As the werewolf's claw tore at his shoulder.
His armor was able to stop most of the damage but not all of it.
Blood sprayed off the spaces between the segmented plates.
'Shit!' Dean thought.
Marcus was fast.
Too fast..
And even though he could see the boy coming with hermit's eyes. His body wasn't necessarily as fast as his mind.
Dean bit his lower lip and tried to counter with a jab towards the Werewolf's jaw but his target retreated quickly.
Skidding back on the solid floor. Stopping just at the edge of the wall.
Amidst the exchange, Dean confirmed one thing and it was that the boy wasn't stupid.
He had stopped trying to brute through his armor and aimed for the gaps instead.
Places where the Armor didn't account for. His shoulders, sides and legs.
'I have to keep up with him if I want to win this.'
Dean switched skills.
[Lightning Infusion activated]
Blue streaks flowed through his body as the armour plates receded.
This was the limitations of his level 2 channeling.
He could only use a single skill at a time, though his use was efficient.
It was still a terrible limitation that was biting him now.
"Should have upgraded channeling," he whispered to himself.
Marcus didn't care and still lunged.
Swiping his claws towards Dean's chest. But Dean reacted quickly.
Ducking the swipe. He connected with an upper cut. Lightning exploded as he drove through the Werewolf's jaw.
Marcus's head snapped up as he stumbled before he snapped his head back with a crazed grin.
"That's it?" Marcus laughed, blood on his teeth.
"Or are you pulling your punches, Gray."
Dean gritted his teeth.
Marcus didn't dally, his claws aimed for Dean's legs.
This fight wasn't just for himself but for the Argent pack. This was a chance to show his growth.
Dean leaped back in a flash. Dodging just in the nick of time.
Switching skills again.
[Skill: Rebound Core Armor activated]
The rebound core armour formed around his body. But the werewolf was relentless.
Another claw slash bounced off the black armour as Dean held back his arm and head butted the boy squarely between the eyes, sending him reeling back.
Immediately, Ash dived at the boy's mid section but he was able to react.
Rolling forward, he dodged Ash even in its dire wolf form.
Just as quick as he dodged, he was right in front of Dean again.
'This crazy bastard,' Dean flinched at Marcus's relentless drive.
The boy punched, kicked and clawed. Making sure to keep Dean in reach.
But Dean didn't fall behind. He blocked, dodged and countered but he was slowly losing ground.
This body had the perception from hermit's eyes. The perfect verge control with Sage circuit.
But in the end, it was still human and not even well conditioned.
The werewolf had the advantage in that aspect. He was physically faster, stronger and better conditioned.
Dean's breaths grew longer even as Marcus grinned.
"Getting tired?"
Dean smiled and raised an eyebrow. As if saying what do you mean.
Before the werewolf could understand why.
Ash had moved violently and smashed into his right hand side like a freight train.
The impact folded Marcus mid-step and the sound that followed wasn't a crash.
It was something of breaking.
The werewolf was sent flying to the left as he crashed into the ground, crushing the earth and this time he didn't just jump back up.
Dean switched skills again as Lightning spread around his body.
Before he could charge forward. The werewolf grunted and spat out blood.
Immediately, an eerie purple light appeared in front of him and something materialized.
'What the fuck…' Dean said.
As his body reacted to something. It wasn't the fight. It was something else.
Something awful.