Strax stared at the Gauntlet of Darkness for several seconds, trying to understand what had just happened.
Golden lines ran across the artifact's black plates, forming patterns that seemed to have been engraved directly into the metal. The tattoos on his arm displayed a similar glow, although they were beginning to lose their intensity.
He opened and closed his hand a few more times.
Everything functioned normally.
At least on the surface.
"This definitely wasn't part of my plans," Strax murmured, examining the area near his wrist.
Nerissa cautiously approached.
"Strax, are you injured?" she asked, examining the golden markings on his arm.
"I don't know," Strax replied, moving his fingers. "The pain is gone, but I can feel something different. It's as though the gauntlet has acquired a new source of energy."
Nerissa frowned.
"Is that dangerous?"
Strax looked at her.
"Considering it just tried to rip my arm off, probably," he replied with a small laugh.
