"It works!" he exclaimed, taking a few tentative steps. "It's not perfect, but it's a great advance." Elio couldn't help but grin, the joy of discovery momentarily overshadowing the gravity of his situation.
With meticulous precision, Elio began to apply additional layers of the insulating material to his boots. This time, he made the coverage thicker, ensuring that every centimeter was protected. Not satisfied with just that, he extended the process to his hands, creating a kind of protective gloves.
Each application was done with utmost care, Elio acutely aware that his life could depend on the quality of this protection.
However, Elio knew he couldn't get carried away by excitement.
He still had to complete the seventh level, and this new material, although useful, was not a complete solution. The weight of the challenge ahead settled back on his shoulders, tempering his elation with a dose of reality.
Elio decided to eat a bit and recover his lost stamina, mana, and resistance from the first attempt. He pulled some provisions from his backpack and began to eat slowly, savoring each bite as his body recovered.
Hours passed as Elio waited patiently, monitoring his resistance and energy.
The silence of the tunnel was oppressive, broken only by the sound of his breathing and the occasional shift of his position. His mind wandered, thinking of his friends, of the city he was fighting to protect.
♢♢♢♢
Finally, after what seemed like eternities, he saw himself fully recovered. A sense of renewed purpose filled him as he prepared to go again.
"Well, it's time to move forward," he told himself, looking at the long tunnel stretching before him. "Let's see what other secrets this level holds."
Each step was easier than before, thanks to his new protection.
With renewed confidence, Elio resumed his advance through the tunnel. Each step was firm and sure, free of the paralyzing pain that had plagued him before. He couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in his ingenuity.
The only difference was that it seemed to have changed color, to a bright red.
The sight sent a chill down his spine.
"It can't be," he murmured, frustration growing inside him. "It worked with ice, why couldn't I destroy it even a bit?" His mind raced, trying to understand what he was facing.
Determined, Elio prepared another projectile, this time mixing carbon and nickel. The result was similar: a spectacle of light and sound, but the barrier remained intact...
The color and brightness became more intense.
Each failed attempt only served to heighten Elio's anxiety.
"There has to be a way," he told himself, his mind working frantically. "Each level has a solution, I just need to find it." He clenched his fists, refusing to give in to despair.
As Elio contemplated his next move, a soft hum began to emanate from the barrier. The silvery glow pulsed rhythmically, as if the structure was coming to life. The air around him seemed to thicken.
Suddenly, small arcs of energy began to jump from the surface of the barrier, crackling in the air. The sight was both beautiful and terrifying, a dance of light that promised danger.
Elio took a step back instinctively, his senses on high alert. The hum intensified, and the energy arcs became more frequent and larger. He could feel the hair on his arms standing on end, the air charged with an invisible force.
"This can't be good." The words had barely left his lips when the situation escalated dramatically.
At that moment, a huge arc of energy detached from the barrier, snaking through the air directly towards Elio. The tunnel lit up with a blinding glow as the discharge approached at a terrifying speed.
Time seemed to slow down as Elio watched the arc of energy racing towards him.
Elio barely had time to raise his hands in a defensive gesture before the energy reached him.