Chapter 17: Shadows of Salvation

The burning sensation finally ceased, leaving me gasping for breath as I stared at my arm in shock. The pain was still there, a searing ache that threatened to consume me, but it was no longer intensifying. I looked up, my eyes scanning the room in a daze, and that was when I saw it. My shadow, which had been cast on the ground behind me, had somehow moved. It had stretched out, curling around my body like a dark, ethereal shield. I stared at it in amazement, my mind reeling with questions. How had it done that? And then, I saw him. Osby, my quirk's user, was standing behind me, his eyes fixed intently on my shadow. I spun around, my arm still throbbing in pain, and shouted, "Osby, how are you out?!" Osby's expression was grim, his jaw clenched in concentration. "I managed to break free," he said, his voice low and urgent. "I've been trying to get to you, but Shigaraki's quirks are too strong. I had to find another way." I stared at him, still trying to process what was happening. My shadow was still wrapped around me, protecting me from the flames. I looked down at it, and for a moment, I felt a sense of wonder. How was this possible? Osby took a step closer, his eyes never leaving mine. "Your shadow can protect you, but it's not a guarantee. We need to get out of here, now." He glanced around the room, his gaze taking in the chaos. Bakugo was still struggling against his restraints, and Shigaraki was laughing maniacally, his eyes gleaming with excitement. I nodded, still trying to wrap my head around what was happening. Osby's presence here was a mystery, but I didn't have time to question it. We needed to get out of here, before things got any worse. As we turned to make a move, Dabi's eyes locked onto mine, a cold, calculating glint in their depths. He took a step closer, his flames burning brightly in his hands. "You think a little shadow can protect you?" he sneered. "We'll see about that." I swallowed hard, my heart racing with fear. Osby's grip on my arm tightened, and I felt a surge of determination. We were going to get out of here, no matter what it took. With a fierce cry, Osby launched us into a sprint, my shadow bounding across the floor as we made a desperate bid for freedom. The room was chaotic, with flames and debris flying everywhere, but Osby's grip on my arm kept me grounded. I stumbled, but he caught me, his eyes locked on mine as we ran. We weaved through the wreckage, dodging Shigaraki's minions and leaping over obstacles. I could hear Dabi's angry roar behind us, and Shigaraki's laughter echoing through the corridors. But Osby's shadow protected me, shielding me from the worst of the flames. As we burst through the door, I caught a glimpse of the corridor beyond. It was dark and deserted, but I could hear the sound of footsteps echoing through the halls. We had to keep moving. "Which way?" I panted, my arm still throbbing in pain. Osby's eyes locked onto mine, a fierce glint in their depths. "I know a way out," he said, his voice low and urgent. "Follow me." With that, he pulled me into a sprint, my shadow bounding across the floor as we made a desperate bid for freedom.