His swing had struck true.
He had infused the power of flames with that strike. Blood and gore had scattered into the air. The smell of burning flesh had been replenished. It stung his nose even as he was fairly used to the stench. As one that was used to killing, you would think he was used to this scene. But, seeing body parts flying about lit aflame, it was not really something you would see everyday.
As the dust settled, Curtis surveyed the aftermath of his attack, he had used a lot of his strength in that strike, he was hoping to catch the leader off guard, send him on the road to hell as soon as possible.
"You're fairly strong aren't you?" The eerie voice had echoed out. It was the first time he heard the enemy's voice clearly, it was unnatural, from his actions Curtis could guess that he was young, but he disguised his voice to sound older than he really was. Of course, there was a chance that he was wrong.
Curtis was fairly disappointed, he had hoped to finish the battle as soon as possible. Using his abilities will drain him faster than just using his body's strength. He could last for a day just fighting with his body's strength. But, if he kept on using his abilities. He would go down faster than a penny could hit the ground after it was flipped.
Having obtained his abilities, he went through hundreds of lectures about them. They were unique, powerful, life-changing even, but, they had a price. They will take a toll on your body, and so you had to limit yourself from using them.
Hearing the voice call out to him. He could deduce that the enemy had at least similar strength to him, stronger if he was unlucky. He had survived a strike that would have killed anyone weaker than him. Sending his enemy a curious glance, he could see him surrounded by dancing winds.
He was also an ability user. But he was bleeding, that much was obvious from the blood dripping down his extended arm. He had caught him by surprise, he was unable to deploy a shield soon enough and Curtis' strike had been able to graze him. He had caught him off guard. Even just for a second. At this Curtis couldn't help but grin.
"Why don't you stop this. You're not from here, aren't you? I know every single person with an ability in these lands. Not one of them has a similar look to you. You don't even have to do a single thing. We would reward you just for keeping still." The voice called out again.
"No," Curtis answered briefly. The enemy was already lying to him, the words rang out in his mind. Deceit knows no shame. Chaos deserved to be purged, he wouldn't even consider helping them, not after seeing what they did to their victims.
"No? Well, I guess it was at least worth a try. Such a good seedling dying is considered a loss." he laughed, sounding like he just lost a gamble with a child.
"But I guess killing three powered individuals will still get me enough merit." he sneered, pointing his bloody hand, he sent wind-shaped into crescents cutting through the air towards Curtis.
The real battle had started. The chaos leader was facing him head-on. Curtis was a close combat specialist, his enemy was a long-ranged attacker. He sent wind blades, they were party tricks considering that he had trained with Sally all those years.
They were fast, the wind blades whistled through the air, but they didn't pack much of a punch, against his armor that protected just the right places. They whined like a bullet grazing metal, and with his ax, he blocked the ones that would hinder his movement.
Curtis charged the red-cloaked Chaos leader. He brandished his ax as he sent pawns in his way. They were coordinated. As the leader sent blades, his soldiers would move out of the way, effectively hiding some of his attacks. Curtis cut them down all the same, sending his swings that were powered by his flames, he brute-forced his way through them.
He killed 7 soldiers on his way to the leader. When Curtis reached his location he had already moved back, placing more obstacles on his path. It was a battle of attrition. Would he run out of juice before he reached him, or would Chaos run out of pawns to block his path?
"FUCCKK"
A scream broke Curtis's train of thoughts, he had just cut down three more when the wind blades stopped.
Disengaging from the three that were currently rushing at him. He could see that the leader had a flaming arrow stuck on his arm.
"Unrespectful piece of shit!" He roared. The Chaos leader's true voice leaked out. He was young, just as Curtis had deduced. Maybe the same age as him.
"You will not beat us Warlock!" the woman shouted back. She had positioned herself on top of the walls and shot at the Chaos leader's head. But, she had missed her mark. Paling as she fell to her knees, disappearing into the falls and from Curtis' vision. She had exhausted herself. A mistake that often caused death. But with Curtis here, he would capitalize on the opportunity she had created. She had taken a gamble, it was something that could earn Curtis' respect.
It was enough. It had to be enough.
Gathering his focus a second time, Curtis had to strike true.
He roared, as he put just enough of his power into his arms, this time it was cold, it crawled onto his ax, he used it as a catalyst and he released. A blue copy of his silver ax had manifested. Curtis flung the cold ax onto the chaos leader, like a spear it shot out like an arrow from a ballista, it pierced 2 bodies as it finally reached its target, the Chaos leader.
~~~
It was supposed to be an easy mark. The town had 3 ability users. A strong one that controlled lighting like a god. And two new fledgelings. Had was the keyword. Right now the strong one was busy. His superiors had laid out a trap for him. He was going to be indisposed for some time.
The remaining two were weak. He could take them down easily. With the men under his command, he could burn their town down without a sweat. And so as soon as the strong one was caught in their trap. He had begun his assault.
But why was there a third one? There was no intelligence of a person strong enough to mow down his troops like grass.
And he even released an ability! I would have lost my arm if I didn't react fast enough. And now he was burning through my troops like they were nothing! I need backup. When are those lazy fucks going to get here?
Fuck!
Now I'm injured! FUCK THAT WOMAN. I'll get my way with her after I deal with this.
What is that? SHIT!
~~~
It was right there, mere feet away from the Chaos leader's body.
But it had stopped mid-air.
What happened?
From the shadows, a hand appeared in front of the ice.
As the hand closed, it shattered the ice in front of the Chaos leader. A second cloaked person appeared as he stepped out of the shadows. He spoke to the red-cloaked person. Too soft to hear from Curtis' position. Curses rang out and the Chaos leader looked furious, he shot a glare at Curtis.
"I WILL RETURN. AND WHEN I DO. I WILL HAVE YOUR HEAD." He roared as shadows began to engulf the two. Leaving the rest of the Chaos-spawn on site.
There were still about fifty of them remaining, something Curtis could easily handle. And so he charged. Quickly cleaning up the rest of the fifty. They had been left behind for him to slaughter, so why wouldn't he?
With fearful looks from the remaining town guard above the top of the wall. Curtis had made quick work from the remaining enemies. By the time he was finished, he had looked like his moniker from Candelabra. Dyed red from head to toe, his ax dripping blood. He grinned. An idea popping came to him. He was basically a foreigner here. Ten years away from home, and now back in a random place on the continent. He didn't know if they knew anything about his last name, and if they did. Would it help him here?
Taking his time, he surveyed his surroundings, he reaped at least 80 lives today. Lives that were tainted with chaos, he consoled himself. It was of no use to mourn them, there was no saving them. He walked to the door of the fort and shouted.
"I'm Red, I'm an enemy of Chaos."
As soon as he said those words. Balls of fire had lit up the sky. The enemy was not done. Sure they failed in this attack. But they do not want anything to remain for the just.
The walls of the fort were struck. Like dominoes, they fell. Crumbling down like a house of cards.
Chaos never rests, and they wanted their message to be clear.