The Pact

Chapter 27: The Need For Coffee is Strong With This One

Equus POV:

I huffed as I held my sword level. The adrenaline had long since worn off, and I felt fatigue hit me like a brick. I growled at my weakness and forced my feet into a ready position, fueling my body with the desire for blood, hoping that by keeping up my bloodlust, I would be able to keep my energy levels up. But it was not to be as I felt the bloody intentions fall away, leaving my exhausted body with nothing to draw energy from. I questioned what was happening; during Winter, there was never a time I couldn't feel the need to spill blood, to kill my enemy in the most painful way possible, but then it hit me—the change in seasons. Spring had taken control.

My mind became a bit clearer as I thought up ways to beat Reality. I racked my brain, watching the carefree actions of my foe in front of me. I could try to create objects inside my brain, but Thesis could do that just as easily. I was at a disadvantage, even in my own mind. Of course, I've been a thinker in general, so it would make sense my mental skills aren't as high, but still, losing home ground is never an option, especially when home ground is going to be used to bring more pain and suffering to the demigods.

Speaking of demigods, I hoped Kyon wasn't stressing out too much. But of course, he's stressing; I basically went from murderous negotiator to hey, I'm going to fight a primordial in my head within a few minutes. Which probably didn't do anything to ease any worries he already had. I mean, I'm fighting another primordial by myself, so that's worrisome all on its own. I beat the thought into a corner and shook my head, trying to get the thoughts out of my head, which was a weird experience because I was shaking my head in my head.

I snapped back to the fight as Thesis slammed his sword against mine. I reprimanded myself for losing focus as I struggled to keep his sword from slicing into my shoulder. Pushing back, I managed to keep the blade from entering my already pounding shoulder. I cursed the recklessness of my previous season and skillfully attacked the primordial. I parried and feinted to strike the opposite side. Seeing through my attack, Thesis merely blocked my sword from entering his lungs. Growling, I made for a sweep for the legs, which he kindly jumped over as if we were playing an elementary school game. We came at each other for a head-on strike, and I pushed with all my strength, gaining a small centimeter on the primordial.

"Now I wonder how you're going to beat me?" Thesis asked out loud, taking a hand off his sword handle, tapping his chin. I growled at him as he kept my sword stuck in the same spot with only one hand. I heard quiet shouts of encouragement from the four primordials on the other side of the glass, which wasn't a good sign; if Gaea or Tartarus were cheering me on, that meant I was in serious trouble.

One because Gaea liked to see blood no matter who's got split, so her taking a side was a red flag on how screwed this situation and I was. Two, because Tartarus acts like that one teenager that doesn't give two fucks about his life, anyone around him, or if the world is going to end. Or, that was my impression until a few seconds ago when I heard him yell along with the other three. So, maybe Tartarus cares about the world's fate, at least a smidge, but still, it was strange to see him as awake as he is without the coffee machine nearby.

My mind swam with exhaustion and half baked ideas as I pushed my sword off and away from Thesis. Man, I could use some coffee right now. I shook my head; I needed to figure out a way to get him to surrender. Of course, I could make him submit by overpowering him, but I wasn't sure I could do that.

I sliced an overhead swing and then moved my sword slightly to the right, going for a shoulder cut. Trying to keep the fight up, even with my dwindling energy, I didn't want Thesis thinking I was giving in. Thesis merely batted my sword away and calmly slashed at my stomach, opening it.