The atmosphere crackled with anticipation as Melton navigated the poorly illuminated avenues, Nexus providing constant intel. He'd expected confrontation following the earlier disclosures, but not this swiftly. Nevertheless, he wasn't one to retreat from peril.
"Nexus," he whispered, his gaze sweeping every nook and shadow. "Any indications of activity?"
"Sensors detect multiple entities converging," Nexus responded, its composed voice masking the gravity of the circumstances.
"Their patterns indicate a planned ambush. Julian is present among them."
Melton's hands tightened. "He just can't resist meddling, can he?"
As he approached a crossroads, the echo of footsteps reverberated around him. From the gloom, a cadre of mercenaries materialized, arms at the ready and eyes gleaming with lethal purpose. Julian stood behind them, exuding an air of cool assurance, his deep blue eyes fixed on Melton.
"Well, well," Julian called out, his tone mocking. "It seems Melton has finally graced us with his presence."
Melton grinned, drawing his weapon and preparing himself. "You've been trailing me for some time now, Julian. Are you certain you want to pursue this course of action?"
Julian chuckled, stepping forward slightly as his mercenaries closed ranks. "You make it sound as if I had options. You're the one who persists in prying into matters beyond your purview. Erebus cannot tolerate that, and neither can I."
Melton's eyes darted to the mercenaries. "So what's the strategy? Your henchmen engage me while you observe from the sidelines?"
Julian's smile broadened, his hands spreading in a theatrical gesture. "Something along those lines. But don't fret, I'll intervene when the spectacle becomes too monotonous."
Melton narrowed his focus, adrenaline surging through his veins as he evaluated the situation. His mind connected with Nexus' interface.
"Provide me with all available information on these individuals," he communicated internally.
"Analyzing now," Nexus replied, swiftly processing data.
"They're experienced mercenaries—high-level combat proficiency. Anticipate sophisticated tactics."
"Yeah," Melton muttered under his breath. "I suspected as much."
The standoff shattered in an instant as the first mercenary charged at Melton, his blade glinting under the streetlights. Melton deftly evaded the attack, countering with a swift strike to the man's torso, sending him sprawling.
The others immediately closed in, encircling him with deadly precision.
Melton evaded a hail of bullets, simultaneously sweeping his leg to topple an approaching mercenary.
As his opponent crashed to the ground, Melton pivoted, intercepting a blow from another assailant and feeling the impact reverberate through his arm.
"You're skilled," the mercenary snarled, pressing his advantage.
"More so than you," Melton retorted, executing a swift throw that sent his attacker crashing onto the asphalt.
The conflict escalated into a whirlwind of strikes, blades, and gunfire. Melton moved with practiced efficiency, his reflexes outpacing his conscious thought. Each maneuver, punch, and evasion seemed instinctual.
Julian observed from a distance, his eyes emitting a faint glow as he tapped into his clairvoyant abilities.
"Victory eludes you, Melton," Julian proclaimed, his voice piercing the tumult. "I foresee your every action. You're predictable."
Melton felt a surge of irritation as he glimpsed Julian's self-assured expression.
Nexus struggled to anticipate Julian's movements, leaving Melton exposed to unexpected assaults from the prescient mercenary.
"Nexus, what's the situation? Why can't you forecast his actions?" Melton internally demanded while deflecting another mercenary's attack.
"Julian's clairvoyance transcends normal probability," Nexus promptly replied.
"He anticipates actions beyond our calculated spectrum."
Melton inwardly cursed. "Fantastic. I'm facing an opponent who glimpses the future. Just perfect."
A mercenary slashed at Melton's flank, but he narrowly avoided the blade, countering with a forceful blow that sent his attacker reeling.
Another mercenary unleashed a volley of bullets, forcing Melton to execute a rapid spin to evade the lethal projectiles.
"Come now, Melton," Julian goaded, leaning nonchalantly against a streetlight. "Is this the extent of your capabilities? I expected a greater challenge."
Melton clenched his jaw as he parried another assault, the clash of metal reverberating. "Silence yourself, Julian," he growled. "Why not descend and face me directly?"
Julian emitted a sinister chuckle, his eyes gleaming. "Oh, I shall. But not yet. I'm deriving too much enjoyment from your struggle."
Melton's patience waned. Fatigue began to encroach as he repelled wave after wave of mercenaries. Julian's clairvoyance maintained his advantage, hindering Melton's efforts to gain the upper hand.
"Fatigue setting in, Melton?" Julian called out, his tone laced with feigned concern. "Don't fret, I'll conclude this shortly."
Melton's frustration peaked as he struck another mercenary's torso, sending him collapsing. "Your words are excessive, Julian."
"Perhaps you're just too reticent," Julian countered, his grin broadening.
As the final mercenary fell, gasping and wounded, Melton straightened, his chest heaving from exertion. He fixed Julian with a glare, who remained composed, arms folded across his chest.
"Your men are incapacitated, Julian," Melton stated gruffly. "What follows?"
Julian smirked and finally moved from the lamppost, approaching Melton deliberately. "What follows?" he echoed, his voice dropping ominously. "Now, I will terminate you."
Before Melton could respond, Julian's form blurred with incredible speed, his fist connecting with Melton's side forcefully. Melton stumbled back,
struggling for air as pain radiated through his ribs.
Julian chuckled, observing Melton's struggle. "Unexpected, wasn't it?"
Melton glowered at him, wiping blood from his mouth. "Foresight isn't necessary to defeat you."
Julian laughed again, his eyes gleaming with his clairvoyant power. "Oh, Melton. Your obstinacy is foolish. Victory eludes you. I've already witnessed the outcome."
Melton's mind raced, seeking a strategy to counter Julian's clairvoyance. Each move seemed anticipated, every attack thwarted before execution.
"Nexus," Melton communicated internally. "I require a solution."
"Analyzing data," Nexus responded promptly. "A potential opportunity exists if Julian's focus is disrupted. His clairvoyance demands intense concentration."
Melton's eyes narrowed as he observed Julian's confident grin. "So, disrupting his concentration is key?"
Without warning, Melton charged at Julian, feinting a punch before attempting a low sweep to unbalance him. But Julian anticipated the move, dodging effortlessly and laughing.
"Your speed is insufficient," Julian taunted. "I perceive everything."
Melton's frustration mounted as he sought a way to overcome Julian's prescient advantage. The battle seemed increasingly one-sided, with Julian always one step ahead.
"Nexus," Melton communicated again. "Any additional insights?"
"Analyzing combat patterns," Nexus replied.
"Consider unpredictable actions to potentially confuse Julian's foresight."
Melton nodded imperceptibly, formulating a new strategy. He feinted another attack, then abruptly changed direction, attempting to catch Julian off-guard.
Julian's eyes widened slightly, his reaction a fraction slower than before. "Interesting approach, Melton," he commented, a hint of surprise in his voice. "But still inadequate."
During the ongoing battle, Melton tried his best to disrupt his movements in order to uncover a weakness in Julian's strong defense. Tension filled the air as the two fighters circled, each looking for a way to gain the upper hand.
Unfazed, Melton made another feint, this time with increased aggression, causing Julian to quickly dodge. In a surprising twist, Melton grabbed a weapon left on the ground and threw it straight at Julian's head.
Julian's eyes grew wider as the object flew towards him. He managed to avoid the attack just in time, but the distraction was enough. During that short moment, he lost concentration, allowing Melton to take advantage of the situation.
Melton closed the distance quickly and landed a strong uppercut on Julian's jaw. Julian staggered backwards, confused, his psychic powers failing.
Julian hissed, clutching his jaw as he staggered, "You... rascal."
Melton took advantage of his position and attacked quickly with a series of accurate hits. Julian tried to protect himself, but his ability to see the future no longer gave him an advantage.
With one last powerful hit, Melton caused Julian to fall hard onto the ground. The previously self-assured psychic soldier was now lying there in agony, his composure destroyed.
Melton loomed above him, breathing heavily yet triumphant. "It appears you didn't foresee that, right?"
Looking up, Julian shot a fierce look, with blood seeping from his mouth. He growled "this is not finished. I will come back. More stronger than I am now."
Melton looked at him with a cold expression. "It would be prudent for you to stay on the ground or even disappear, Julian. In the future, I will not be merciful."
Upon that, Melton walked off, leaving Julian in the dust, fuming with rage and shame. The dispute was not yet resolved, but Melton had currently succeeded.
Julian disappeared into the darkness, tightening his fists, already planning his next move in his mind. The battle could have been lost, yet the war was still ongoing. Julian's determination burned brighter than ever, fueled by the taste of defeat and the promise of retribution.