Chapter 15 - Vengeance is Not Of

"Sir! We're sorry for handling such a minor situation poorly." One of the Guards said, bowing down towards the Infernal who just appeared on the scene. "This guy wanted the presence of General Flangour and he'd already killed a total of three of our people."

"Haah? You can't even handle one person? Useless bunch." The man said, clicking his tongue with utter disappointment. "Listen here, whoever you are, you're going to die right here and now. I, General Peaceflame, and I shall end your life here."

"Very well," Hellspawn said, relaxing a little bit. With the General directly challenging him, he wouldn't have to worry about the other Infernals. Had they come at him simultaneously with all they got, they'd have had a fighting chance of killing him. But now, he just had to defeat the General and pick them off one by one. "Since you were benevolent enough to state your name, I will be telling you mine."

"Hellspawn, remember that name before you die. But if you were to tell me where General Flangour is, then I'll spare you."

"Back off, soldiers, this one's mine." General Peaceflame said, pulling off what seemed to be a bar of semi-molten iron. It then extended into what seemed like a pole as soon as he pointed it downwards. "This is called the Spearhandle, I know you've heard of such a weapon, right?"

Of course, upon hearing the name General Peaceflame, Hellspawn immediately knew whom he came in contact with. Throughout the entire known universe, General Peaceflame is one of the few who had mastered the ways of the Spearhandle. Just like the sword and any other hand-held weapon, the Spearhandle is pretty difficult to use, and yet, General Peaceflame mastered every technique on it.

One of the striking features of the Spearhandle was its ability to become elastic and harden whenever its user willed it. It was like a lasso and a spear fusion because it could be as durable as a spear, and as elastic as a rope. Even Hellspawn wasn't confident in his Spearhandling skills. He can use it, but not to the point of General Peaceflame's mastery.

The Infernal guards and scouts alike, as well as the handful of soldiers, decided to step back, giving way for General Peaceflame to annihilate the intruder who killed three of their kin. They had great confidence in their leader's skills so they didn't doubt that he'll win, even against a wanted criminal.

Justice prevails.

Relying solely on his instincts, Hellspawn crouched down low as the Spearhandle turned into its elastic form and almost hit him on the neck. Another striking feature of the Spearhandle is that it can cut through anything since its materials are much harder than diamonds. If Hellspawn were hit by it back then, then he'd have instantly died.

After crouching, Hellspawn tightened his core and charged while spinning forward, adding momentum to his movements. He then brought his flaming sword out, swinging it as blue flames shot off from it. Even with their attunement to fire, an even higher temperature is enough to hurt a Pyro-sync Class and that's why they still use flame-type weapons against each other. Also, it is considered taboo to use a water-type weapon and so no one dared use it.

General Peaceflame leaned backward, then performed a somersault before launching himself towards Hellspawn, who'd already gotten out of the way and was swinging his sword down General Peaceflame's neck. General Peaceflame watched in horror as he saw the sword coming down his throat. Fortunately, he was able to think calmly and he used his Spearhandle to 'lasso' the sword and parry it away. That didn't stop Hellspawn though since he simply spun clockwise and swung his sword a second time, twisted and tightened his ankles, and then spun counterclockwise to deal another blow. General Peaceflame managed to defend himself from the first attack but he lost his footing. The second attack barely hit him on the hips, he was able to dodge the full brunt of the attack, though.

However, General Peaceflame isn't a general for nothing. In that instant, he turned his disadvantage into opportunity by acting out that he really lost his footing, prompting Hellspawn to charge at him.

With one swooping movement, General Peaceflame struck Hellspawn's right foot with his Spearhandle, causing him to lose his balance due to his momentum. As he was falling down, General Peaceflame rolled forward and aimed the Spearhandle at his neck, shifting it into its elastic form so he can hold Hellspawn by the throat.

"Was that all you got, criminal?" General Peaceflame said, tightening his grip on the Spearhandle and causing it to constrict Hellspawn's neck even more.

Hellspawn gulped as a drop of blood escaped his mouth, but he didn't say anything. For all he knows, he hasn't lost yet. He glared at General Peaceflame and hardened his neck, overworking his muscles just so his neck won't snap to the pressure.

"Where... urk~ is... General Flangour?" Hellspawn asked a second time, but General Peaceflame wasn't having it. Instead of answering him, he stepped on Hellspawn's hand so he'd let go of his sword. After doing so, he kicked the sword out of the way.

"Why do you need General Flangour anyways? Oh wait, are you— oh, so that's who you are. I see now. They never did disclose Hellspawn's identity to the masses, after all." General Peaceflame said with a light chuckle. "Who would've thought that'd be you hahha!"

"I was there! I was there when it happened! Man, what was her name again? Helena? What a nice name. Too bad she's already dead." General Peaceflame evilly roared with laughter. "Poor Hellspawn, seeking a pointless revenge."

"..."

'What are you talking about?'

'I mean, isn't the moon beautiful?'

A flash of memory appeared before Hellspawn as his soul was about to separate from his body. In an instant, he got back to his senses and mustering every ounce of his strength, he hardened his neck a second time and pulled with all his might, causing General Peaceflame to lose his balance. At that instant, he tapped his right boot and a flaming blade came out of it.

"For Helena," He said, delivering a deadly kick straight to General Peaceflame's heart.