Sophia tended to the aged woman, checking her pulse and offering words of advice on food and rest. The woman's eyes sparkled with gratitude as Sophia bowed, her long hair sweeping forward. With a final nod, the woman took her leave.
Sophia's frustrations had been simmering all day, and she couldn't control them any longer. She thought of me constantly, her concern for my well-being eating away at her. She headed to Sage Henri's chambers, seeking answers.
As she arrived, Sage Henri was exiting, his long strides eating up the distance. "Are you going out?" Sophia asked, falling into step beside him.
"Yes, the King has summoned me," he replied, his eyes fixed on some point ahead.
Sophia's grip on her emotions faltered. "There's something I need to ask."
Sage Henri's expression turned stern. "It will have to wait until I return. I'll come see you then."
But Sophia stood firm, her feet planted in his path. "It can't wait."
Sage Henri's eyes narrowed. "Is this about Liam?"
Sophia's jaw clenched. "Why did you let him go?"
Sage Henri sighed, his shoulders sagging beneath his robes. "We'll discuss this when I return, child."
Sophia's hands trembled with rage as she blocked Sage Henri's path. The flickering torches in the corridor cast eerie shadows on the walls, making it seem like the very spirits of the ancients were witnessing their confrontation.
"You're not going anywhere until you answer me," Sophia spat, her voice low and menacing. Her eyes blazed with a fierce inner light, and her dark hair seemed to crackle with electricity.
Sage Henri's expression remained calm, but a hint of warning crept into his voice. "Sophia, child, you're overstepping. I've told you before, Liam's fate is not for us to decide."
Sophia's face twisted in anguish. "You're sending him to his death!" she exclaimed, her voice echoing off the stone walls. "Steve is a monster, and you know it. How can you be so calm about this?"
Sage Henri's eyes seemed to bore into Sophia's soul, as if searching for something hidden deep within. "I'm not calm, Sophia," he said, his voice measured. "I'm simply resigned to the fact that some battles must be fought, no matter the cost."
Sophia's hands clenched into fists, and she took a step closer to Sage Henri. "You're not even going to try to stop him?" she demanded, her voice trembling with rage.
Sage Henri's expression turned stern, and he reached out to grasp Sophia's shoulders. "Listen to me, child," he said, his voice firm but gentle. "Liam has the best chance of defeating Steve. Seth entrusted him with the Death Scythe, and I have faith that he will succeed."
Sophia's eyes flashed with anger, but Sage Henri's words seemed to strike a chord deep within her. She took a step back, her chest heaving with emotion, and Sage Henri released his grip on her shoulders.
"I'm late for my meeting," he said, his voice softening. "We'll speak more of this later, Sophia."
Sophia nodded, her eyes never leaving Sage Henri's face. As he turned to leave, she called out, "Sage Henri!"
He turned back, his eyes questioning. "Yes, child?"
Sophia's voice was barely above a whisper. "If Liam dies, I'll never forgive you."
Sage Henri's expression turned somber, and he nodded once before turning to disappear into the shadows.
......… ✍️
As I gazed into Madame Abigail's radiant eyes, I felt my mind begin to haze. Her hypnotic stare was potent, and I struggled to break free. I shook my head, but my attempts seemed futile. The room spun around me, and I stumbled.
Madame Abigail's movements became a blur as she closed in on me. Her speed was incredible, and I couldn't react in time. She kicked me out of the tavern, and I landed hard on the ground, the wind knocked out of me.
Groggily, I got to my knees, my head spinning. I put a hand to my forehead, trying to regain control. Madame Abigail's voice echoed in my mind, "I hope Steve wouldn't mind if I turn you into one of my mindless slaves." She licked her lips, and I could sense her excitement.
"You hypnotized me…?" I growled, trying to stand.
Madame Abigail's smile grew wider. "It's one of my abilities." She walked towards me, her eyes gleaming with malice. I formed a knife from a shadow, ready to strike.
"It's too late for that, sweetie," she said, dashing towards me. She aimed a kick at my chin, but I stabbed myself in the leg, using the pain to break free from the hypnosis. I blocked her kick, holding her firmly.
She used her other leg, twisting her body to land a kick on my head. I placed my palm above my head, blocking her kick. Holding both her legs, I threw her away and hurled a shadow ball at her.
Madame Abigail balanced her body in midair, deflecting the attack with her hand as she performed three backflips before landing safely on the ground.
"Impressive," she applauded, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "You inflicted pain on yourself to break free from my hypnosis, and you were still able to block my attack. Such remarkable reflexes. You are truly his son. I'm so turned on right now."
"I don't need your compliments," I snarled, tearing off my shirt to tie it around my wounded leg. I flexed my wrist, shaking off the numbness caused by her kick.
"Why don't we give this another go?" I said, my eyes locked on hers.
Madame Abigail's grin grew wider. "All that's left is to kiss you, and you will become my slave forever."
"That's never gonna happen," I said, my voice firm. "Let me tell you how this is going to end. I will kick your ass, then you'll tell me where to find my father, and then I'll kill him."
Madame Abigail's laughter echoed through the air. "It's good to see you have a good sense of humor, unlike Steve."
"I have more than that," I said, my eyes flashing with determination.
Madame Abigail's eyes gleamed with excitement. "We'll see about that."
I hurled another shadow ball at her, and she deflected it with ease. She dashed towards me at incredible speed, her fist clenched. I stepped back, evading her attack, and elbow-struck her on the chin. She defended against the attack, but the force of the hit pushed her back.
I tried to land a crosskick on her, but she bent her body, and I flew past her. She reached for my collar, grabbing hold of it, and slammed me hard onto the ground. I felt like vomiting as my back hit the ground hard.
She landed a perfect punch on my face, crushing my head against the hard concrete. Blood ran down my nose, and I quickly performed a swipe kick, knocking her off her feet.
I got up, determined to end the fight. I performed an ax stomp, concentrating all my power into the attack. Madame Abigail rolled out of the way, avoiding the attack by mere inches.
As if I had anticipated her move, I dashed towards her, placing my palm on her face as if I was trying to squeeze it. I formed a shadow energy ball and blasted her directly in the face. The attack blew her away, sending her crashing through her tavern.
I wiped the blood from my nose and snapped it back into place. "Last chance, tell me where to find that bastard, and you might be alive to rebuild."
Madame Abigail's eyes flashed with defiance. "Don't underestimate me just because you were able to land an attack on me." Blood dripped from her face as she slowly walked towards me.
Death Scythe emerged from my shadow, floating beside me before I gripped it firmly. I charged towards her, performing a front thrust that pushed Death Scythe towards her face. Madame Abigail sidestepped, and I quickly turned the blade, curling it behind her before pulling it back.
She bent, evading my attack, and I rooted my legs to the ground, sending Shadow spikes her way. She hit her back against the wall of her tavern, her eyes widening in shock.
"Don't lose sight of your opponent, woman!" I clenched my fist, enveloping it with Shadow. The Shadow fist increased the power of a normal punch, and I slammed it into her chest, breaking the wall behind her. The debris fell on her, and I stepped back, avoiding the rubble.
She emerged from the debris, spitting out blood. "I will make a deal with you, my sweet Liam. You are in no position to negotiate."
Death Scythe floated beside me as I sneered at her. "If you defeat me, I will tell you where to find him, but if I win… you know what comes next."
Madame Abigail's grin grew wider. "Like I said before, it's never gonna happen."
She bent over, moaning loudly as a red aura covered her body. Her dark, shiny hair turned red, and her ocean-blue eyes turned pitch black. Large bat wings and a tail emerged from her body, and her fingernails transformed into sharp claws.
"Oh shit," I sighed, gripping my scythe tightly.
Madame Abigail took to the skies, firing laser beams from her chest. I dodged and weaved, avoiding the attacks with ease. My Death Scythe deflected the few lasers I couldn't dodge.
"How long are you going to keep that up?" I asked, panting heavily.
Madame Abigail's laughter echoed through the air. "As long as it takes to wear you the fuck out."
She dropped down in front of me, shooting a large laser beam. I used my scythe to shield myself, but the impact pushed me back. The laser began to cut through my scythe, and I knew I had to act fast.
Because my bond with the Death Scythe hadn't matured, it lacked strength and couldn't keep up with the laser. The scythe started to crack, and the laser slowly cut through it, into my heart, burning me to a crisp.
"Ah shit! I killed him," Madame Abigail exclaimed.
But I had switched places with a shadow clone, avoiding the fatal blow. I emerged from beneath her shadow, landing an uppercut on her jaw. She stumbled back, exhausted.
Blood dripped from my shoulder, wounded from the laser attack. "It's over, Madame Abigail," I gasped, exhausted.
Madame Abigail's eyes flashed with fury. "It's not over till I say so!" She ripped out her bat wings and began to feed on them. A gust of wind blew, and her hair turned grey. Her claws glowed red, and she charged towards me.
I took a few steps back, preparing myself for her next attack. She performed a body flick, appearing in front of me, and sliced me with her claws on the chest. My eyes widened, and my pupils constricted.
"What poison?!" I stared at the cut on my chest, my mind racing.
Madame Abigail's laughter echoed through the air. "The poison should be circulating through your system."
I coughed out blood, my consciousness fading. "The strange color of your claws is not for show after all."
Madame Abigail's grin grew wider. "My blood flows through my claws, infecting your blood after I cut you open. It doesn't have to be a deep cut."
I breathed heavily, my vision blurring. "Very tricky skill."
Madame Abigail's eyes gleamed with excitement. "I have the antidote. Say you accept me as your mistress. Kiss me, Liam, and I will administer it to you."
I forced myself to stand, my vision spinning. "I'd rather die."
Madame Abigail's grin faltered, and she took a step back. "Then so be it."
I sprinted towards Madame Abigail with incredible speed, my heart racing with anticipation. She assumed a fighting stance, her fist clenched, ready to crush my heart with her next attack. I could feel my anger and determination fueling my shadow powers.
I formed a massive shadow energy ball and hurled it at her, shouting "Shadow blast!" The air seemed to ripple with the force of the attack.
Madame Abigail sidestepped the attack with ease, her movements almost ethereal. But I was already closing in, my fists clenched and ready to strike. She grabbed my hand, crushing it with her fist, and punched through my chest. The impact shattered every bone in my body, leaving a gaping hole. Blood gushed from my mouth and nose as my head dropped, my heart beating its last.
I felt a surge of fear and desperation as I realized I was about to die. But then, I remembered my shadow clone. A sly grin spread across my face as I revealed the clone beneath my flesh.
Madame Abigail's eyes widened in shock. "A shadow clone?!" she exclaimed.
The shadow energy ball transformed into the real me. I had already formed another massive shadow energy ball, channeling all my shadow power into my right hand. It grew too large for one hand to carry, so I placed my left hand beside it. With a fierce cry, I unleashed the Shadow Universal Bomb at point-blank range.
The attack sent Madame Abigail flying, her body rotating midair as her nerves were ripped apart, her blood cells fried, and her body obliterated in a massive explosion. The blast wave destroyed houses, leaving a massive crater in the earth. I stumbled back, my ears ringing from the explosion.
I lay face down, my hands burned by my own attack. With great effort, I stood up, my body screaming in agony. I dragged myself to Madame Abigail's mangled body, her lower half nowhere to be found. I felt a mix of emotions: relief, anger, and sadness. I had finally defeated her, but at what cost?
"Where is my father?" I demanded, my voice shaking with exhaustion.
Madame Abigail smiled weakly, her eyes glazing over. "I… guess I lost the bet…" She coughed, blood spattering from her lips. "Steve… lives in the tallest building… in this…" Her voice trailed off, and her body went limp.
The air was heavy with tension as I stood over Madame Abigail's lifeless body. Suddenly, a figure emerged from the crowd, his silver hair gleaming in the fading light. He wore a red blood cloak, military-styled boots, and wielded a gold handgun. His eyes locked onto Madame Abigail's forehead, and before I could react, he pulled the trigger. The gunshot echoed through the air, making me flinch.
Madame Abigail's body slumped to the ground, her secrets dying with her. I felt a pang of frustration and anger. She had taken her secrets to the grave, leaving me with more questions than answers.
I spun around, searching for the mysterious shooter. He stood beside Madame Abigail's corpse, his eyes locking onto mine for a fleeting moment. I saw a flicker of something – amusement, maybe, or curiosity – before he vanished into thin air, taking the body with him.
"Wait…" I stumbled, falling to my feet. I had forgotten about the poison coursing through my veins. It felt like my insides were on fire, my vision blurring at the edges. "Damn it!" I cursed, blood streaming from my mouth.
I stumbled and fell, my body trembling with pain. I knew I had to get out of there, fast. With a Herculean effort, I opened a portal leading to the realm and crawled through it. The portal deposited me in front of Sage Henri, who stood befuddled, his eyes wide with shock.
"Liam, what… what happened?" he stuttered, rushing to my side.