Chapter 85
- Kaysi -
With a roar, I threw him off me and sprang to my feet. Breathing hard, I steadied the blade in both hands. Energy surged through the hilt, warming my fingers. I charged again, sword glowing faintly now, spirit energy lashing out with every strike.
We fought beneath the open storm, the rain mixing with sweat and blood, the sound of steel and fury echoing through the chapel ruins. Every slash was a heartbeat, every dodge a prayer. Neither of us gave ground.
He lunged for my chest—I sidestepped, slashed across his ribs. He roared and swung wildly. I ducked, rolled, and drove my blade into his thigh. He howled, staggered. I pulled the sword free and raised it high, lightning streaking above like an omen.
Then, with a scream of rage and pain, he charged me again—and we clashed once more, blades and will locked in a battle neither of us could afford to lose.
Benjamin's face twisted with rage as I opened a gash across his arm.
"You're starting to get on my nerves," he growled.
"Good." I mocked! I don't think she expected me to put up a fight!
He roared—finally unleashing the beast, his demon wolf form.
His body expanded. Fur tore through flesh. Eyes burned molten gold. He grew taller and broader, fangs gleaming in the stormlight. The full wolf unleashed.
I backed away, heart racing.
The demon wolf charged like a freight train. I barely leapt aside. His claws ripped a bench in two.
I launched blasts of energy, fireballs, light spears—anything I could muster.
The wolf howled as one of the spears caught its shoulder. I used the opening—slid beneath it and stabbed upward. My blade sank into his side.
But he backhanded me across the yard.
I hit the chapel wall—cracked stone. Blood smeared the bricks.
I could barely move. I could scarcely breathe.
He stalked forward.
"It's over, boy," the beast rasped. "You're not strong enough. Your bloodline ends here." He stood inches from me with his claws drawn for the final blow.
Then — a sound.
CRACK.
A weakened fire escape above us, loosened by rust and time, gave way.
A massive metal beam plummeted.
Benjamin turned too late — it tore through his back and out of his chest with a sickening crunch. His body jerked, then dropped to one knee, impaled.
I stared, panting. Barely conscious. "What...?" I whispered in shock.
Benjamin coughed, blood pouring from his mouth, a twisted grin forming. "Looks like... I lose."
"Why?" I asked, approaching slowly. "Why come after me? Why come alone?"
Benjamin chuckled bitterly. "Not alone. I was a message. From your father."
My heart stopped.
"What did you say?"
"You heard me," Benjamin hissed. "Your brother… still alive. And he's with him — in the Abyss."
"You're lying." He had to be trying to mess with my head one final time.
"I don't need to lie," Benjamin wheezed. "Your father kept him alive. You were the sacrifice that got away."
My legs almost gave out. My mind reeled.
"My brother..." He's still alive?
Benjamin's eyes glowed faintly as he whispered something under his breath. Symbols seared into the air, pulsing black and red.
"Wait—what are you—"
A tear opened behind Benjamin — a portal, swirling like ink in water, dark and screaming.
A howling wind yanked at my clothes.
"Even in death... I'll drag you to him," Benjamin rasped. "Join your bloodline."
The portal exploded in power, drawing me toward it.
I fought it, heels scraping the concrete with what little strength I had left.
I looked down. My communicator's active blinked wildly, sending out an emergency distress signal. I was confused; I must have hit it in the battle at some point.
Far across the city street, a girl saw the lights blinking. She had to have followed the distress call. I could barely see her with my blurry eyes as I was on the brink of passing out.
She ran as fast as she could towards me.
I was at the portal's edge, the screaming wind surrounding me, my body slipping, losing grip on reality.
Then — a hand.
She burst into the alley, leapt forward, and caught my bloody, broken wrist. I flinched in pain.
"Evan!" she shouted over the roar.
"KAYSI!—NO!"
"I'm not letting go!" She grabbed onto my arm with her other hand.
The portal surged again. I lost my footing. Kaysi's grip held strong — until the ground beneath us cracked.
The last thing we saw was each other's eyes.
And then — we were gone.
Swallowed by the Abyss.