As the battle raged on, with setbacks and close calls aplenty, Aquaria continued to do her best to support me from afar. It was through sheer determination that we managed to stay one step ahead of our enemies – and despite the odds, it seemed like we might just pull off the impossible after all.
It was a funny dance between life and death, and it sure didn't look hopeful at times, but with each setback came new opportunities to turn the tide. And as the blood pumped fiercely through my veins, I clung to the knowledge that whatever happened next, we were in this together.
And that, more than anything else, gave me the strength I needed to keep fighting.
With Drexel momentarily distracted by my words, I seized the opportunity to go on the offensive. My suit's systems hummed with power as I launched a series of devastating blows against him, each strike landing with bone-crushing force. He hissed and writhed in pain but still managed to counterattack with surprising speed and agility.
At the same time, Aquaria had finally managed to find a weak spot in the mech's defenses. With precision timing, she directed one of our drones to fire a barrage of missiles directly at its exposed core. The resulting explosion shook the ground beneath us, sending the mech toppling over in a blaze of fire and twisted metal.
"My family... you took everything from me!" Drexel spat, venom dripping from his fangs as he lashed out in desperation. His serpentine limbs struck like lightning, but I was prepared for his onslaught, dodging and parrying as best as I could.
"You did this to yourself," I shouted back, evading another swipe from his clawed hand. "Your actions led you here! I have chased you to the ends of the universe and walked in the chaos you rot. You die now!"
It was time to end this.
With one final, powerful surge of energy from my suit, I lunged forward and delivered a crushing blow to Drexel's head. He crumpled to the ground, his serpentine body convulsing before finally growing still.
A heavy silence fell upon us as the dust settled, and I glanced over at Aquaria – battered but still standing. We had done it; we had taken down both Drexel and Ziri'aK's monstrous mech in one tumultuous, chaotic battle.
I turned back to Rhea and her remaining children, who stared at me with a mixture of gratitude and disbelief etched on their faces. "It's over," I said simply, feeling the weight of the situation settling upon me.
In the end, our crazy plan had worked, albeit not without its fair share of setbacks and close calls. It was bittersweet, knowing that we had saved Drexel's family but ultimately were unable to redeem him, but I had to kill him. As they say, you can't save everyone, and sometimes the best you can do is pick your battles and fight like hell for what truly matters.
And to complete the mission with minimum damage. That was more important, and I was getting into this character for my own good, but it was over.
For now, at least.
"It is time. You did so well," Aquaria said over the comms as the world around me started to darken. "I have to go now, but I want to hear about all your stories when I get back!" she said as my suit disappeared, and she was standing before me as we were before we entered the world. "I have to go now, but don't forget about me."
I tried to tell her that I could never do that, but she was gone before I could, and then Drexel appeared before me in light.
"Huh? Where am I? Is this death?" Drexel asked, looking around, and then sighed. Then he started to laugh. "Wow, talk about life! Killed so many people! Had so much fun! Fucking the most epic ending ever! The bounty hunter that has been chasing me for how long catches up to me fucks not only my mom but all my sisters, and gets my brothers to betray me. Fuck, Most epic end for a guy like me!"
Oh fuck.
Another light appeared, and Aquaria was in it with a smile for all of 1 second.
"Why are you smiling?!" She asked.
"I mean, just live my most perfect life ever! How couldn't I be happy!" Drexel laughed and then looked at Aquaria. "What are you supposed to be?"
"You just live your... best life...?!" Aquaria asked, not looking so well.
Unfortunately, I was fading into the background.
Then I was sitting across from Jim, or I would be if he wasn't on the floor in a fit of laughter.
"Jim! Seriously?!" I yelled, feeling a mix of anger and embarrassment. "You said this was going to be a simple job!"
Jim, gasping for breath between laughs, managed to wheeze out, "I... had no idea it would go like that! You've got to admit, though, it made for one hell of a story!"
I grumbled under my breath, finding it hard to argue with him on that point. As infuriating as the whole mission had been, there was no denying that it had been an unforgettable experience – and definitely one for the history books.
"Alright, alright," I conceded, trying not to laugh at myself, then got serious. "But what about Aquaria?! What about her blessings?!" I demanded.
"Ooo, yeah, she really gets the short end of the stick with this one. Oof, I am just picturing her face right now. Yeah, good thing you two will get a good more than likely month-long break," Jim sighs, picking himself up, but I almost fell out of my chair.
"30 years in the world?! You really think that it will take her that long?!"
"Her on her own? Nah, only took her fifteen years. This fish is going in with the most minor blessing and learns that he had a great life breaking the law and helping no one. Your girl has her work cut out for her. Positive note, old Brexel will be a monster among starless monsters, and humble. You have to think about how good this will be for him and for the Heavenly Realms' future, right?"
I couldn't help but frown, realizing the irony of the situation. We had achieved our goal in a sense – we'd eliminated Drexel as an immediate threat and saved his family from further tragedy. But in doing so, we may have made things all the more challenging for Aquaria.