Chapter 24
They didn't bother questioning the Alpha any longer. They knew Lux would find out the truth very soon so hearing anymore from their enemy would be pointless.
"Well, I guess someone has to be defeated at this point!" Solis exclaimed. He pulled out his two mid-length swords and pointed them at their opponent. "My vote is for you."
All five warriors on the battlefield assumed their attack stances. Even the Alpha crouched and put his hands up. It appeared as though he expected a more serious challenge this time. His attitude was clearly different from the last time.
Lux was the first to make a move. He rushed forward and threw a hard right. Lightning pulsed from his punch. The Alpha blocked with his left forearm. Immediately after, Solis shot in from his right side and swung both swords down with all his strength. The Alpha deflected them with his right hand. Then, Telu flew above him and shot a water blade directly for his head. He flipped forward and kicked it back at her. As he emerged out front, Luna stood waiting. She put her hands out in front of her and then pushed them together. Her dark energy crushed the Alpha from both sides as she performed her Night Coffin. Suddenly her hands became so cold she couldn't hold them still. She let go, and he took the opportunity to force them all back with his own Snow Storm. He formed ice and snow at high speeds and shot them out in columns directed at each of his opponents. They were all surprised and taken off guard. Each one hit the ground after the impact of Snow Storm.
"Honestly, I didn't even have to show you one of my abilities. I just figured I would humor you since you were trying so hard."
Luna stood and put her arms down at her sides with her palms facing up. She tried to lift them in order to force him into the air. Nothing happened. She looked down at his hand and his palm was facing down. Somehow, he was able to cancel out her ability. She stopped lifting and wrapped her hands in dark energy. She shot forward throwing multiple punches, but each one missed their target. She felt a strong fist hit her stomach, and she was thrown into the air. Solis quickly moved to catch her before she hit the ground.
Suddenly, the air was filled with electricity, and dark clouds moved over their position. Lux' arms and legs were covered in lightning, and his eyes released sparks with rapid intensity. He flashed forward near the speed of an actual lightning bolt. He threw a punch at the Alpha, but it narrowly missed its mark. He threw one after the other to no avail. Suddenly, his fist stopped. His enemy had caught it in one hand. Lux could barely track the motion of the Alpha's fist land three consecutive blows to his torso. He was forced back as he slid on his feet in the snow. When he stopped, he fell forward on his knees.
Telu used her own graceful fighting style to see how she would fare in the battle. She spun rapidly as several Water Blades formed around her. They shot out at high velocity. As the first blade approached the Alpha, he was caught unaware. It hit his arm and left a lengthy gash. He quickly recovered by creating a shockwave. He clapped his hands together at blinding speed which disrupted Telu's Blade Dance and her Water Blades. Telu was knocked off balance, but she used this to her advantage. As she fell to the ground, she transformed the snow on the ground into water. She used it to lift her in the air and move her away from the Alpha.
Solis had laid Luna's unconscious body on the ground. His eyes and hands lit up with a bright and piercing yellow light. He shot toward the Alpha with an explosive left hook. His opponent reached out to catch it with his right hand, but at the last moment it was yanked away. Telu had brandished her Water Whips just in time. Solis' fist impacted the the Alpha's ribs. A flash of light exploded from his fist. Their enemy looked down to see his shirt burned, and his skin had been charred.
"I thought it only fitting that our second round be more exciting." Solis said.
The Alpha only responded with a slight smile. He kept his eyes on Solis, but he put his arm behind him and froze Telu's transportation. She fell to the ground. He thought she would be down for a few moments, but she took the opportunity to heal Lux. Then, she quickly raced to heal Luna. Meanwhile, Solis threw as many enhanced punches as he could manage. The Alpha deflected a few, then he punched Solis in the throat which knocked him out on his back.
The Alpha looked around at his newly healed enemies who had encircled him. Then, he looked back at Telu whom he clearly understood was behind it.
"You, you're a problem," he said as he pointed at her.
All three of them engaged their spirit energy at once. Their hands energized with power. Seeing this, the Alpha decided to do the same. His version was a bit different. His hands didn't glow. Instead, they appeared to simply turn black as if they had become solid metal. In seconds, he had struck them all a few times which left Luna and Telu lying on their backs next to Solis. Luna was unconscious, but Telu was simply in a great deal of pain. She couldn't even move enough to heal herself.
Lux continued fighting with everything he had. He even tried to strike the Alpha with lightning bolts on multiple occasions. However, it was all for nothing, he was simply too fast and too powerful.
Lux rushed in once more throwing enhanced punches, but his opponent blasted him backward. He needed a moment to rest, and he happened to stop next to Telu. He was going to enjoy the peace he could get while the Alpha was taking his time to walk over.
"I fear we cannot defeat him, My Dewdrop." Lux said. His body was beginning to give out.
The Alpha called out from a fair distance, "Getting tired, Lux?"
Lux ignored him and kept talking to Telu, "It seems that I only have one option left. I am afraid I must do something we all agreed could not be done."
Telu was alarmed. She fought past her pain in order to speak up, "No, My Light. I cannot lose you. Please do not attempt it."
Lux looked at her and held her hand, "We will both lose everyone if I do not. I fear that I must."
She smiled, "I understand your courage as our Tempestas. Very well, but you must await Ignis' return."
He squeezed her hand tightly, "I will do this, My Dewdrop. I will not allow your suffering to be in vain."
Lux staggered to his feet. He continued fighting to defend his friends and his home, but he was getting weaker by the moment. On the other hand, it seemed as though the Alpha was only getting stronger. It looked like they hadn't managed to land a single attack. Every attack was as vigorous as they were at the start. Lux was bruised and bloody. Finally, he could no longer stand. He dropped to his knee even as he was still attempting to fight. His fist hit the ground, and he coughed up blood. He felt his life quickly coming to an end. His consciousness began fading in and out. He was afraid that he had failed everyone he held dear, but he knew that he couldn't stop fighting. He refused to give up.
At that very moment, Ignis shot through the portal behind them. Horrified at the scene in front of him, he was unsure of what he should do. Thaddaeus and Fira were both unconscious, but Thaddaeus was just moments away from death's door. However, Lux' face was filled with relief at his friend's appearance.
"The time has come to conclude this matter."