Demon continued to stare at the inside of the arena. Its walls scorched in the immense heat from within.
[How interesting. A Servant assists a Walker. She now steps with her son's stride, it will be complicated suppressing her readings off that Zesher.]
[Should we punish her and the Servant?]
[No. This is something we haven't seen before. Let her guide him.]
As the Nine conversed, Demon slowly drifted his head down from above the home he was anchored to. A single warrior fled through the chaotic streets, running as fast as he could.
The crown around his head tightened around his skull, making it feel like it was about to explode. As the faceless warrior turned the corner, his steps lost meaning.
Verick slowed down, feeling immense sorrow. His sprinted became a walk, which devolved into sliding his feet against the ground.
Screaming and cries from all around Vomnichto deafened in his ears, with the only sound being the embers. Just like that, he had lost his only motivation to be alive.
Right down the street, where his home rested, was a burning remnant of itself. It had been struck by a rogue flame arrow that flew from one of the many archer teams surrounding Light.
Despite swearing to never surrender, no matter the fight, Verick felt defeated for good. Once he reached the steps leading into his home, he fell on his knees.
Eyes wide open, staring into the flames. His mace fell into the softly baked grass beside him. Inside the home, was his sister, but she wasn't there.
It was only her memory, because the real her was gone. Taken down after a failed push to intercept the archers. One that prompted Tinzor to order a full barrage aimed beyond their defenses as a final warning.
"Wh - w... wh - wh..." Verick struggled to speak. "Was I... la - la... wh..."
While he watched the burning fires under his trance, another warrior arrived. This one dawned black and blue and was a sibling himself. Jakery stumbled by, struggling to see past his confusion.
As he got closer to the home, he realized who it was out there. The same one who took down Quill, the elite who brought the symbol to Kas.
Jakery fixed himself enough to maintain a level head as he approached Verick. His gentle steps hid him behind the cracking flames.
They watched the flames dance together. Not bothered by the other's presence, despite having reasons to hate each other. However, this was different.
A moment of loss for Verick, one that broke him. Life was meaningless to him now. All that was left was his death, which could arrive at any given point.
Upon hearing a distant Weaver rumble, Jakery reached down for the mace. Holding it tight in his hands as he carefully brought it up to Verick.
"I am meant to die, now..." he said in shock. "I failed... I failed... I failed... I'm sorry, so sorry. I will never do it again, I'm sorry."
Jakery got on one knee to mirror Verick. "Who is in there?"
Verick bowed his head in defeat. "My joy, my sister. She is gone. Gone forever. I failed. I'm sorry, it's that - it's that I got carried away with fighting and I just wanted to keep her safe and I -"
"Don't be sorry," Jakery interrupted. "You had a reason to be out there and fight. I bet if she came with you, she would have fought long and hard, too."
"Yeah - yeah, I guess. I never got to see her fight. I wish I was in her place. In there, dead. While she was out here, fighting," Verick replied.
"She would have to deal with the stress of losing you. But also, you put someone else in great stress after killing her brother," Jakery commented.
Verick turned to face Jakery. "Who?"
"Our champion, Quill. He has a sister, Suth. Now she has something against you, and it's personal. You gave her a reason to fight, a reason to venture out of his shadow. But she is not here right now."
"I guess it's what I deserve," Verick bitterly said.
Both warriors sat in silence. Enjoying the odd comfort of each other's company. During those moments, they came to their senses. Reminding themselves there was a war to lose.
To prevent losing, they had to strike back. Prompting Verick to slowly get up. His frame towered over the kneeling Jakery, who was still on one knee.
As Verick rose, so did he. Jakery tried to compete in strength, only to fail. He came up short, only making it to the size of his chest.
When they stared eye-to-eye, he handed Verick the mace. It was heavy, being weighted down by the sense of surreal emotions.
"One last ride, for either of us," Verick said.
Jakery nodded as he stepped back. Lowering his stance while his body surged with power. Yellows and blues engulfed the other, running through his very flesh like it was normal.
Once both sides were ready, they charged at the same time. Jakery led with his daggers while Verick led with his mace.
Like a lightning strike, the mace came down. Hoping to strike the attacker's crown before he could reach him.
Right before contact, sparks consumed Jakery. Bringing him out of his reality and bringing him back, this time behind Verick. Where he drove both daggers into his back.
"ARGH!" Verick howled. "COME ON!"
Jakery stumbled back, bewildered at his reaction. Allowing Verick to quickly turn and charge, ramming his body against Jakery's.
Stunning the Zesher in place, giving him an opportunity to swipe with the mace. Upon contact, Jakery felt his entire left arm go numb as the armor cracked and bones felt the impact.
Verick forced his mace to halt, redirecting it to sweep Jakery's legs. Making the young Zesher spin onto his knees. Right where Verick would start his punishment.
The mace flew across the grass, landing perfectly before a watching creation. Then Verick planted one foot down on Jakery's legs, and used his arms to wrap his neck.
Right before he could pull, Demon unleashed a demonic scream so terrible it frightened the already destroyed elite.
Demon tackled Verick off Jakery, sending him crashing down closer to the flames. Which reflected perfectly off his white armor.
"Final goodbye, I pray well. Show gratitude for luxuries you couldn't afford, sibling's approval impending you," Demon commented.
Verick feebly coughed, trying to fight his way up onto his feet before the new attacker could try anything else. And Demon allowed it. He wanted to dismiss his tool properly.
However, this one couldn't be sent to the Nine. Not when he had access to some things Demon didn't want them knowing.
Noticing how still the attacker was, Verick decided to punish. He drove his knee into Demon's chest, breaking their defense. Allowing him to bend Demon forward.
Once he was in position, Verick wrapped his arms around Demon's waist and lifted him over his head. Then he dropped him from up there. Striking right on his crown.
Static built up in Jakery's body, releasing after seeing his brother get slammed. Slowing down Verick dramatically.
Before he could respond, Verick noticed Jakery digging his daggers into his chest. Then ripping them out. He could feel his collar bones move freely now.
Which amplified the pain he felt as blood erupted out of his body. Coating Jakery in the same red taint he once feared.
Demon quickly recovered, getting back on his feet. Now he saw the opportunity to devour Verick. Distorted tentacles erupted out of his veins, wrapping Verick inside.
Once he was secure, Jakery watched as his older brother drained him for who he was. After the tentacles retreated, Verick fell to his knees.
Panting, hoping for it all to end. Knowing this was the perfect chance to end the battle, Jakery quickly brought down his daggers onto the back of his head.
"Picked apart, shame it's false. I gain from losses," Demon commented.
Jakery glanced up at his brother.
"Miracles are masquerades. True events, false triggers. While embers burn bright here, molten glass burns bones black," Demon added.