"What do we have here?"
The calmness of the man's voice made Hex tense up. At a glance he could tell that the man was dangerous.
His ice cold blue eyes regarded Hex with a similar indifference as he had seen when apex predators looked at rats.
Nothing was said for a while. They just looked at each other. One with indifferent cold blue eyes, the other with anger-filled worried black eyes.
'He is confident and cold. One move and he will strike to kill.'
Hex gently placed Gorge on one of the empty chairs. He could sense the man's gaze never withdrawing from him.
Gorge was too weak to even remain conscious. He had bouts of awareness.
"Stay here buddy," Hex whispered softly as he made sure Gorge was well strapped with his robe wrapped around him, so he wouldn't fall over.
Hex only looked at the man once he was assured of his work on the straps.
"Can we take this outside?" He calmly asked the man, who so far hadn't done anything else than looking.
"I don't mind," replied the man, curling his lips in an attempt to smile. "I believe in fulfilling people's last wish."
"Me too," replied Hex with a warm smile. "Be sure to tell me yours before it's too late."
The man's cold eyes seemed to gleam a bit before he turned and exited the opening.
"Not a talker huh," Hex shrugged and followed through the opening.
The area was still dark. Hex could only make the vague outline of the man waiting for him to start.
Woosh.
The moment Hex stepped outside he activated the glyph. The bear-shaped cloak wrapped around him.
Bang.
'Sorry but I can't afford being nice,' Hex thought with a grim face as he pressed against the ground, propelling him toward the man.
Clang.
Within a blink he reached the man, and swung his sword. But the man had anticipated it. He had his sword ready.
The swords clashed, pushing Hex back.
'Fuck!'
For the first time Hex had met an opponent who matched his strength.
But Hex had no time to think. The man was already coming at him.
Clang.
Clang.
Clang.
.
.
.
In a short time they exchanged many blows. Hex gritted his teeth.
His opponent wasn't only strong, his attacks were swift and sudden.
'He is neither stronger nor better in sword control. His movements are just too bizarre.'
Hex knew if he could gather his strength faster, he could fight back, but the opponent wasn't giving him the chance to.
Each time Hex wanted to mount an attack, his opponent would interrupt his momentum with a sudden change.
'This guy is slippery like a snake,' Hex cursed inwards feeling irritation well up inside him.
The darkness already limited his senses. On top of that he couldn't control the flow of the fight.
Contrary to him, his opponent only activated his mark just before attacking.
'His control is perfect. And once he hides his mark he can hide in the darkness.'
Hex didn't copy the man. The cloak didn't only enhance his strength, it also served as a shield.
So far, it had already saved him a few times. Some of the sneak attacks would have been fatal, if not for the shield protecting Hex.
'Wait,' suddenly Hex thought of something. He stood still. With closed eyes he focussed on his surroundings.
Everything was silent.
The only sound Hex could hear was the beats of his heart.
Seconds passed.
Then he heard it.
Woooosh.
The sound of a mark activating.
Hex turned at once towards the direction he heard the sound.
Clang.
The opponent's attack hit againt his shield with great force. Web-like cracks appeared.
But Hex ignored it. He had not even raised his sword against his opponent's sword.
With great focus he swung his sword against the attacker.
Slash.
The opponent wasn't inexperienced. He tried to avoid the attack. But he couldn't.
Hex's sword cut deep into his upper arm and shoulder. Hex even felt the blood splash against his skin.
"Arg."
The man's groan echoed in the darkness. Hex could see his position. He had not deactivated his mark.
For the first time the man's calmness disappeared. Illuminated by the red light swirling around him, his contorted face looked extra grim.
"You are good."
Hex saw him grin viciously. He raised his arm, with the back of his hands facing towards Hex. The three triangles with a curled shape within, shone brightly.
The fact that the man was a triple Blessed Squire didn't shock Hex as much as the shape.
"A glyph?" Hex blurted out. He had known that glyphs were rare and not something only he had, but it was still shocking to see one.
"What? You thought you were special?" The man smiled viciously as the shape on his hand lit up.
Woosh.
The red light around him surged and spiraled around him. It morphed and turned into the shape of a snake.
Hex could feel the air around them turn even colder.
"Let's begin!"
With a shout the man moved.
'Too fast!'
Hex didn't even see him move. He just appeared in front of him.
Bang!
Hex was thrown against the wall. He felt his inside shake. He was safe, but his cloak shattered.
Before Hex could get back on his feet, his opponent crashed against him.
"Urg."
Hex threw blood up. This time he landed further away. His body was hurting as hell.
'Stand up!'
Hex shouted at himself. He tried to use his arms. His bones creaked. But he got on his knees.
But the opponent was already beside him.
"You sure have guts kid. If you stay down I can spare your life."
Cough.
Hex spat the blood inside his mouth. He was panting. He turned his head towards the man, who was still cloaked in snape-shaped light.
"F-fuck yourself."
The man's grin turned into a sneer.
"You think you are tough, huh?"
He stomped on Hex suddenly.
"Ahhh."
The force in his heel broke a few of Hex ribs.
"Still tough?"
The man sneered and stepped on his arm with the glyph on it. Hex felt him increase the pressure.
Crack.
Suddenly he stepped harder, breaking Hex's arm. Hex couldn't help but cry out in pain.
But Hex didn't cower. He once again tried to stand.
Bang.
The man kicked him with full force this time. Hex flew against the wall. This time without his cloak to protect him.
Hex didn't know whether it was his will or the pain that was keeping him conscious. His body was hurting like crazy. He was coughing blood with each movement.
He was still holding onto his sword. But to no avail. He couldn't even move his hand much.
"You sure are tough."
Hex barely understood the man's words. He was gritting and writhing in pain.
"I know how to let you feel despair. I will just kill that little friend of yours before you."
The man's soft laughter sounded even more sinister.
Hex looked at his back disappearing. He wanted to stop him. But he couldn't.
'Will I lose one more person?'
'Can't I even save one?'
He only managed to raise his hand. The hand with a sword in it.
As he stared at the glistening edge of the sword, he heard steps returning.
"Going to kill yourself?"
The man held Gorge as he dragged him. He watched with a mocking smile at Hex.
'Kill myself?' Something struck Hex inside.
"Yes. I think I will kill myself." He grinned back at the man.
The next moment, under the man's shocked gaze, he let his sword fall, piercing his heart.