Zane locked eyes with Kai who didn't move one inch. Instead of eyes that were filled with greed as the snake described, the boy looked hesitant rather.
The sword that was merely a few centimeters away from Zane's throat didn't budge one bit.
"You were lying the whole time." Zane stated, carefully closing in the distance as he casted another barrier around Ophelia. She was his first priority.
Kai backed off and gulped. He recalled the fight the person in front of him and the snake had. The way his insane strength and speed tore through the hard shell he could barely leave scratch on.
The way he was hesitating allowed Zane to stand up despite his injuries and exhaustion.
"I'll let you go..if you leave now." Zane said, looking away and furrowing his eyebrows. "But, you can't have the antidote." He looked back and glared right at Kai. Possessing a completely different aura around him.
The colourless and odourless air around him seemed to take on a new form. A foul smell of bloodthirst and the color of blood.
Kai breathed heavily as the thoughts flashed through his mind. "Then, whoever lives gets it." He said, glancing at Ophelia. He should probably get rid of her first. Her magic will put him at a disadvantage.
Before he could even react, Kai felt his feet not standing on any solid ground whatsoever. It was instead aligned to his head that soared through the air. His back smashed into the wood walls. Dust and bark exploded.
"Crazy.." Kai murmured. Looking at the opponent who was taking his time walking towards him. With slow footsteps that was filled with rage.
"Anne. On purpose, you let her die, didn't you? You could've saved her. You were within saving distance." Zane eyes were black with no hint of light whatsoever. He looked even more terrifying than the oversized monster decaying in the background.
Now that's the real threat.
"You had planned this from the start. Let us handle the dirty job while you run away with the goods." Zane continued, putting his hand out while lightning flared out of his hand like a wave of fire.
Kai felt every inch of his body being zapped. This held a completely different feeling than his own magic. It felt like he was being thrown into a pool of lava. And left there for an eternity. He could see steam entering his vision.
Zane raised his sword and wanted to stab it down in one smooth strike. Before time passed any longer and the smoke entered any deeper into his mind.
"You've done this before. Haven't you? Killing someone? You look pretty experienced." Kai said, smiling while he felt the agony his body was struggling to deal with. It hurt. Terribly but it was nothing he couldn't manage.
Zane stopped and glared at Kai at an eye level. He couldn't believe he was so kind to someone as cunning and manipulative as the kid. He couldn't see through the kid's front at all. He was a good actor, he'll give him that.
"Come to think of it. You were the most calm when Gerald died." Kai had to stop the progression Zane was making. With anything he can. He just needed a few seconds more.
"So what? You're a killer too. Of two. I mean." Zane didn't falter under the words Kai twisted.
"If that happens to Ophelia. You'll be fine too, I bet." Kai said. He was scared. The moment he said the forbidden name of someone he shouldn't touch, he could feel a sharp object being pierced through his thigh.
"Shut up." Zane ordered, looking behind while holding Kai down.
Kai knew it. Everyone could tell. It was a rather soft spot the guy had for her. Why so? Why do people like each other so much? Falling under the covers of such things as love? That doesn't exist.
Ignoring the sensation roaring at his leg, Kai blasted a rain of ice spikes on Zane as he disappeared along with the sword impaled into his leg.
The rain of ice bursted into even smaller fragments and turned to dust. Zane stood in the middle of the attack, uninjured while he looked around.
Lighting flashed in place of his movements.
Kai was about to land a hit on Ophelia before he felt a blast coming towards him. He dodged and slashed but felt that the border was too hard for him to break through.
Without realising, Zane now stood beside Kai with the darkest expression he had ever carried on his face in a while.
Ophelia can't die. She can't. She had to stay alive under all costs. If she died, what would be of him? An emotionless piece of ragged doll.
Zane couldn't believe he let someone that inferior get into such a close distance with Ophelia. If he didn't put that invisible barrier, what would've happened?
He didn't dare think of the repercussions.
Feeling the rage reaching his fingertips, faster than he could think, he pushed out his leg and with all the muscle and strength he had, he landed a kick right at the abdomen of the kid.
Kai flew backwards and this time, he was sure he was knocked backwards. The pain that gathered around his abdomen was phenomenal. It felt as if he was being crushed by multiple carriages.
Breaking and smashing at his bones while his flesh tore.
Blood was left on the boots of Zane. He lowered his leg and watched as an explosion that was worth at least a grenade or two set off.
The wood walls that seemed so stable chipped off a little.
After the smoke and dust cleared up, Kai laid there unconscious with his body slumped and bloody. Pieces of wood pierced through his body.
Zane looked for a while and back at Ophelia. "It's alright. Close your eyes and everything will be okay." He whispered in a gentle tone.
Watching his beloved face losing it's rosy cheeks. She was breathing heavily, gasping for air even though there was more than sufficient oxygen around her. Somehow, she still managed to blast an attack.
Zane winced. She shouldn't have done that. She didn't need to do that if he was fast enough.
He looked back at the kid who was laying there, looking as good as dead.
Slowly, Zane eyed the snake. But could feel his gut feeling saying no. He could never be too sure.
Zane squatted down as he stared at Kai. He placed his finger beneath Kai's nose as he waited. Nothing. Was it really?
Looking at his sword still intact inside Kai's leg, Zane pulled it out. He expected a reaction, but nothing.
Zane didn't want to check any longer. Even if the kid was acting, it's impossible for him to stand up again properly. Or start and hold out on a fight even. He was as good as dead.
But for extra measures, Zane raised his leg and slammed it into the ankle of Kai. Hearing the sound of bones cracking.
That should be it. But was it enough?
"Stop.. Zane. Come back to me." Ophelia murmured, her soft voice flowing with the winds. She wanted to go back home already. She had lost too much here. She couldn't lose Zane too.