The air at the docks was thick with tension, a sharp contrast to the gentle lap of waves against the wooden planks. Benjamin stood tall, his knuckles bruised and bloody from the skirmish with Lucien's men. His sharp eyes scanned the dimly lit area, landing on the one figure who hadn't yet entered the fray.
Lucien.
Dressed in his usual tailored attire, Lucien looked out of place amidst the chaos he'd orchestrated. Yet, his smirk revealed he was exactly where he wanted to be.
"Done with my men already?" Lucien asked, stepping forward, his voice calm yet taunting.
Benjamin's jaw clenched. "Why hide behind them when we both know this fight is between you and me?"
Lucien chuckled, shrugging off his jacket and tossing it aside. "You've always been direct. It's almost admirable, really. Let's see if your fists are as sharp as your tongue."
---
Without warning, Lucien lunged, his fist aiming for Benjamin's face. Benjamin ducked, countering with a swift punch to Lucien's gut. The impact made Lucien stumble back, but his grin didn't falter.
"That all you've got?" Lucien mocked, wiping a drop of blood from his lip.
Benjamin didn't respond, his focus razor-sharp. He moved in again, delivering a series of calculated blows. Lucien blocked some but not all, each hit driving him further back.
Lucien retaliated with a sharp kick aimed at Benjamin's side. The force made Benjamin stagger, but he recovered quickly, catching Lucien's arm mid-swing and twisting it.
The sound of Lucien's grunt of pain echoed through the empty dock, but he used the momentum to break free, spinning to land a solid punch on Benjamin's jaw.
---
As they circled each other, both men breathing heavily, Lucien's smirk returned.
"You're fighting me like I'm the real threat," Lucien said, his tone mocking. "But you've always been too short-sighted to see the bigger picture."
Benjamin's gaze darkened. "I don't need a picture to know you're a parasite that needs to be dealt with."
Lucien laughed, a hollow sound that sent chills down Benjamin's spine. "Oh, Benjamin, you'll see soon enough. There's more coming—something even you can't control."
Lucien's cryptic words sent a ripple of unease through Benjamin, but he didn't let it show.
"You're all talk," Benjamin snapped, his fists tightening. "Let's finish this."
---
Lucien's demeanor shifted, his playful arrogance replaced with something colder. From his pocket, he drew a knife, its blade gleaming in the faint moonlight.
Benjamin's muscles tensed. "Resorting to cheap tricks now?"
Lucien tilted his head, his smirk returning. "You didn't think I'd fight fair, did you?"
Lucien lunged, the blade slicing through the air. Benjamin dodged narrowly, grabbing Lucien's wrist and slamming it against a wooden post. The knife clattered to the ground, but Lucien wasn't done.
Using his free hand, Lucien landed a punch to Benjamin's ribs, causing him to stumble. Taking advantage of the opening, Lucien attempted to tackle him, but Benjamin was ready.
With a burst of strength, Benjamin shoved Lucien back, sending him sprawling onto the ground.
---
Lucien struggled to his feet, breathing heavily, but his grin remained. "You think you've won?" he rasped, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
Benjamin stepped forward, his voice low and steady. "You're finished, Lucien. Stay down."
Lucien chuckled weakly, shaking his head. "You really don't see it, do you? This fight is just the beginning."
Benjamin's fist connected with Lucien's jaw, silencing him. Lucien crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
As Benjamin stood over him, the unease from Lucien's words lingered. He knew this wasn't the end, but for now, he'd won.