Chereads / The Armour of a Phoenix / Chapter 2 - Life of the Weakest

Chapter 2 - Life of the Weakest

So that day was something. We were at the arcade and playing around, well I mean they were playing around, Amanaki and Griselda were having a lot of fun playing that fighting game as I was just sitting down on one of the little couches they had there with my thoughts, when I heard Amanaki grunt a bit.

Amanaki: "ahhh man, come on I was almost there but you just used a cheap tactic that is so not fair."

The two of them have been going for a while now, if I recall this is there 16th match, when they first started, Amanaki was winning but after the 4th match Griselda just got way better at the game, it's impressive how fast she adapts to thing, no surprise there always good at things, I understand his frustration too, he has been playing that game for months now and only after a few match she supposed them, she is so great at everything. Now that I think about it if I had that kind of talent I could do so much. As I'm in my thoughts I hear Griselda call out to me.

Griselda: "hey Azazel are you ok you been awfully quiet, do you want to have a round too, I think I got the hang of this thing"

I just see Amanaki on the floor sobbing as she saying that, it's not like I didn't want to play I just didn't feel like it today,

Azazel: "nah it's fine I'm just going to watch you guys"

She looked annoyed with the response, but complied to it. She was always like this even when we were younger always just there in the moment and all and when things didn't go her way she just get annoyed so it was a bit of a surprise when just didn't ask anymore questions, she is quite the person when you get to know her, she has always been like her this proud role model that everyone would look up to even when we were younger.

Azazel: oh sorry guys I just remembered I have to go home I need to do a work for a teacher that is helping me so I really got to go"

When I said that, Amanaki stood up from his sobbing place and just going up to me and grabbed by the shoulder.

Amanaki: "Wait not please don't go, I can't go can't you see that she has wounded me, you can't just leave me alone with her"

Griselda: "hey what is that supposed to mean, I'm sorry your just bad at the game"

Amanaki hear that just goes to the say sobbing position he was just at, i feel bad for him but the truth is I just said that for a excuse to get out of there, I'm just wasn't feeling it.

Azazel: "Yeah sorry dude not much I can do I really need to get this done, don't worry tomorrow I will be able to hang out more

Griselda: "Alright then just leave this crying fish here, I don't know why he has to be this dramatic though, I mean it's just a game"

Amanaki: "Just a game what the hall do you mean it's not just a game, it's the best thing ever that is what it is."

Griselda: "alright whatever you say fish boy, but anyway if your going we will see you later then."

Amanaki nodded when she said that, I feel bad for lying but it's better if they don't know anyway I should get home to the dorms

Walking down the city I just realized how late it's got. The city is actually quite pretty at night I love it, after all it so calming and relaxing I actually don't see this very often, I think I could write something about this today, but that peaceful night did not stay the same as out of nowhere I heard a loud noise caming from a alleyway that seem to be that of a scream, and so I ran to the sound wondering what is happening and seeing a horrible sight of four guys surrounding a girl in this alley and one of them have their hand on the girls mouth prevented her to speak, it's dark in the alleyway but I think I recognized one person, Jeremiah what is he doing here and why is he doing this, as I'm think that I hear Jeremiah speak.

Jeremiah: "you morons stop making so much noise and just grab her, if you guys do it well I will let you have fun with her so let's do this quick got it"

The dude that was covering her mouth just his hands off looking a bit annoyed

Mouth dude: "Dude come on it's harder then it look she just keeps struggling and moving so much and you told us not to hurt her to much because of your little crush"

Ally Girl: "help me please someone"

Jeremiah: "moron quickly cover her mouth"

I couldn't just sand there it was just so annoying to watch someone do that to someone else I come out from where I was.

Azazel: "Hey what do you guys think your doing to her you scambags"

Jeremiah: "Fuck someone got here we are screwed"

That is what he said but when he turned around with a face of knowing he is done for but when he see me his face lighten up.

Jeremiah: "oh look at what we have here little azazel, it seems like you saw something you shouldn't have and because of that you well have to be going"

Azazel: "Going my ass, let go of her you shithead, I know fully what is going on but what I know is that you guys are going to let go of her"

Mouth dude: "Shit Jeremiah what's the plan now"

He looked scared saying that but Jeremiah just looked like he was about to have a fun time.

Jeremiah: "we kill him, that is what we do we can't have him telling others about this"

Hearing that I knew I had to act quickly, looking around trying to analyze the situation I try to find a way where I can help the girl and me out of this situation my thought were quickly cut off by one of the students who shot arrows at me as I barely dodged them

—————————————————-

**Zeke** 

Known as Jeremiah's loyal right-hand man, he's a 5'8" half-beastman with a wiry frame, sharp amber eyes, and short spiky black hair. Zeke is a cunning schemer who complements Jeremiah's brute strength with strategy. He's often seen lurking behind Jeremiah, carrying out his orders without question. Like Jeremiah, Zeke wears the school uniform with a red undead emblem, signifying his subordinate rank in the *Life of Power* group.

Power: *Apollos arrow*

Apollos arrow allow Zeke to summon arrows out of thin air and shot them like it was fully drawn from a bow.

—————————————————-

As I try to catch my breath from the surprise attack that was just given, the one who was holding the girl started to rushs at me like a bull being very quick, and I could do was get out it way before he squashes me, I know him he is

—————————————————-

**Axel** 

The enforcer of Jeremiah's crew, Axel stands at 6'3" and as the intimidating body. He is half-beastman, he has predator golden eyes and a jagged scar across his left cheek, the result of a fight that cemented his loyalty to Jeremiah. His thick black hair is always pushed back, giving him a rough, untamed appearance. Axel is known for his explosive temper and is often the one to deliver punishment to anyone who defies the *Life of Power* group. His school uniform is torn at the sleeves, showcasing his muscular arms, and he wears a red undead emblem to demonstrate his position as the group's muscle.

Power: *Hercules durability*

Hercules durability allows Axel to increase the durability on anything he touches such as his body or weapons that he may use

—————————————————

he was to fast for me to react as i was knocked down to the floor of the alleyway, I look up from where I was and see that all of them are smiling. (am i really doomed are they really going to kill me right here... no I can't let that help after all the girl is still here I can't just let her get kidnaped I have to get up and fight back too) thinking that I try to get up but as I was about to I feel something hit me in my gut, seeing a form to appear out of nowhere, it's one of the his man

—————————————————

**Kai** 

Kai is the quiet member of Jeremiah's group. A 5'10" half-beastman with a lean, agile body, he has sleek silver hair that falls into his ice like blue eyes. Unlike the others, Kai operates from the shadows, excelling in stealth and precision. and so he is, making him an excellent scout and assassin for the group. Kai rarely speaks but is fiercely loyal to Jeremiah, carrying out tasks with efficiency. His school uniform is meticulously neat, but he adds a black glove to his right hand, hiding a tattooed mark of allegiance. He wears a red undead emblem.

Power: *Night shadow*

Night shadow let's Kai to invisibility and in darker places he is able in side the shadows making great for hiding.

—————————————————

Being knocked to the floor again I stay for a little trying to figure out what am I gonna do, trying to analyze the situation as bast as I can, they talk about how it was easy to get me down which made me a bit mad but I don't want to do, I could use my power but who knows if it will be any help, one think that I do know I have to get to the girl so she can get out of here. The guys are ready to attack again, the first one to Change is Axel, making me try to get away from where I was I try to advance where the others were, having Zeke shot arrows at my direction I duck to try to get away from them and they end up hitting Axel who was behide me, the Axel argues with Zeke to watch where he's aiming as i take that opportunity to get closer to the girl after all it seem like Jeremiah and Kai have no intention to move from where they are for now, getting closer to hear try to reassure her that everything is going to be fine as I get hit in my back by a arrow, turning around, I see is a big man so close to me tackling me into a wall, as he proceeds to grab my head and just slim it in the well more, I can barely think, (why, why does this keep happening I was just there I almost helped but here I'm again, I want to help but why can't I do it right, i real feel like I'm going to die, I may just give up now….) Thinking that I hear from the lady

Scared girl: "wait please stop he was just trying to help please stop hurt him."

Axel stop silming my head as he looked at Jeremiah seem like he was waiting for a command or something, Jeremiah spoke up

Jeremiah: "hey, hey we are only in this situation because you couldn't cooperate if you didn't say anything we could not killed little Azazel over here but now that he knows we have to, see that is what happened when your not obedient, you should just stay quiet and watch the show"

He looked back at Axel seem like a approval to continue but again the voice of the lady's strikes again

Scared girl: "please I'm sorry, let him go I want will do what you want without question"

Hearing those words I see Jeremiah quickly do a signal for Axel to halt

Jeremiah: "oh you will, I mean if that is the case now you will play nice, ok then strip right here in front of everyone"

Scared girl: "Wait please there can be somethi-"

As she talkes Jeremih looks at Axel as he slams my head again,

Scared girl: "ok stop please I understand I don't want someone else to get hurt because of me"

See say that as she starts to undress herself slowly (no stop, don't do this you should let's them tell you want to do I will be fine, fuck, again I got to be saved, it shouldn't be like this I should be the one saving the girls, damn it, these fucking bastards are going to pay I can't let this good) my mind is going to so many places that not even I was understanding, being pinned to a well didn't help but my arms was free and I don't but my instinct just made me do, one moment I was pinned and the next Axel left arm was chopped off, everyone seemed to stop what they were doing to see what just happened, I chopes his arm how and then I realized in my hand lies a broadsword with a sleek, blackened steel blade, I know this weapon the it's tell me who it is, it's called devour, it wants to eat, the more it absorbs the stronger it gets, (I almost forgot to use my power what a idiot I was)

—————————————————

people usually forget about me, me being shorter at a height of 5'11, a guy with amber color eyes and big, long messy black hair, and having a bit athlete's body type which is good and a bit of my hair hides one of his eyes leaving only the right one visible but not today I will show them

Powers: *Sentiment Smithing*

Giving me the power to create weapons out of my emotions, I can't choose the weapons or the power of it but the strong the emotion, the stronger the weapon becomes

—————————————————

I could barely lift my head, but when I looked at her—at the hopelessness in her eyes—her starting to undress slowly, something inside me snapped. A fire ignited in my chest, burning away the pain, the fear, the doubt.  

"No," I growled, my voice low and trembling with rage.  

The air around me shifted. My emotions surged like a tidal wave, raw and unrelenting. I felt the weight of it, but instead of dragging me down, it pushed me forward. Something solid formed in my hands, heavy and cold. I glanced down to see a sword—a massive, blackened blade pulsing with crimson energy.  

————————————-

people usually forget about me, me being shorter at a height of 5'11, a guy with amber color eyes and big, long messy black hair, and having a bit athlete's body type which is good and a bit of my hair hides one of his eyes leaving only the right one visible but not today I will show them

Powers: *Sentiment Smithing*

Giving me the power to create weapons out of my emotions, I can't choose the weapons or the power of it but the strong the emotion, the stronger the weapon becomes

*Devour.* 

 broadsword with a sleek, blackened steel blade,

————————————-

I didn't have time to think about it. I gripped the hilt tightly, letting the anger guide me.  

Jeremiah stopped laughing. His grin faltered as he took a step back. "What the hell is that?"  

Axel was the first to move, roaring as he charged at me like a bull. His remaining hand glowed with his *Hercules Durability*, ready to smash me into the ground.  

But I wasn't afraid anymore. I sidestepped his charge, swinging *Devour* upward. The blade met his arm with a sickening crunch, severing it cleanly at the shoulder. Axel stumbled back, screaming, his blood splattering the walls of the alley.  

Jeremiah's crew froze, their confidence shattered. "What the—how did he...?" Zeke stammered, his amber eyes wide.  

I didn't give them time to recover. Zeke's arrows were already flying toward me, but this time I was ready. I raised *Devour*, the blade humming as it sliced through the projectiles midair. Each swing sent a ripple of force through the alley, scattering debris.  

"Stay down, Azazel!" Zeke shouted, summoning another volley.  

"Shut up!" I barked, surging forward. His arrows couldn't keep up with me now. With one powerful leap, I closed the distance and slashed at him. He stumbled back, the edge of my blade grazing his shoulder, and he cried out in pain.  

A sharp pain flared in my side as Kai materialized behind me, his foot slamming into my ribs. I staggered, but spun around, slamming my elbow into his face before he could fade back into the shadows. He crumpled to the ground, clutching his nose.  

"Is this all you've got?" I snarled, my voice unrecognizable even to myself.  

Jeremiah's face twisted in anger. "Enough of this! You think you're strong now? Let's see how strong you are when I drain every last bit of it."  

He lunged at me, his *Hunger Fist* glowing ominously. I raised *Devour* to block, but the impact sent a jolt through my entire body. I could feel my energy slipping away, like water draining through my fingers.  

Jeremiah grinned, his confidence returning. "You can't beat me, Azazel. I'll take everything you have."  

"You think you're strong because you can steal from others?" I growled, forcing him back. "Then take it all!"  

With a roar, I poured every ounce of my anger, my pain, and my determination into *Devour*. The blade pulsed violently, growing heavier and brighter as the crimson light intensified. The ground beneath us cracked as I charged, our weapons colliding in a deafening explosion.  

Jeremiah's smug grin faltered as I pushed him back, step by step. His strength drained into me, fueling the weapon in my hands. He swung wildly, but I dodged with ease, landing a solid kick to his chest.  

He fell to his knees, gasping for air. The glow of his *Hunger Fist* faded. I stood over him, the tip of *Devour* inches from his throat.  

"You're nothing but a coward," I said coldly.

"You don't deserve this power."  

"Wait—don't kill me," he stammered, his voice shaking. "Please—"  

I hesitated, the weight of the sword suddenly heavier. My gaze shifted to the girl. She was staring at me, her tear-streaked face filled with fear and relief.  

I exhaled slowly, lowering the blade. "Get out of here," I growled at Jeremiah and his crew. "If I ever see you again, you won't walk away."  

Jeremiah scrambled to his feet, dragging Zeke and Kai with him. Axel followed, clutching the stump where his arm used to be.  

The alley fell silent. The girl was still trembling, her arms wrapped tightly around herself. I walked over, holding out my hand.  

"Are you okay?" I asked softly.  

She nodded, her voice too shaky to speak.  

"Come on," I said, helping her to her feet. "Let's get you home."  

As we left the alley, I glanced at my hands. The sword had dissolved into mist, but I could still feel its weight, the power lingering in my veins.  

This wasn't over. Not by a long shot. 

I walked with the girl out of the alleyway, I was very wounded but still stayed strong I found out that this girl name is Cibel, I thought it was a cute name we talk a more as we walk guiding her to hear house i also learned that she is part of the student council which is not very popular in our school as the leaders of the 10 life already work and have more power then the students council, she is the only member of it, which was a bit sad, and I could see she was bother by that too but soon we got to her house, she tried to offer me anything she could but I denied all of them and just said I'm going home and told her to rest as she needed, which is kind of ironic as I shouldn't be one to talk I can barely keep walking but I still manage to find my call way through the city to my dorm in the school, the guards don't ask any question as they don't have to or just don't care, of course they don't it's not there problem, I make my way back to my room and all I can do when I get there was collapse in my bed, the day was way more exhausted than expected. But finally i was able to do something for once, it falt so good being able to do something, i falt powerful for once I liked it way to much, so much that I can't get it out of my head right now…. Writing a poem like a witch could help. Maybe

————————————

*Dim star*

Stars glows light so bright 

At the sky rise dead of night

The Star shine as light in dark

A Star dims very far

Weak light shows no mind

Weak light pays no mind

So the back it stay 

as the nights flow till it's day.

————————————-

There was all the strength I had left I way to tired to think, to move, or to speak, as my eyes gets heavier, I lay down in my bed as I finally go in to a deep slumber.