Deker held up his sword and unsheathed it.
Rune rolled her eyes. "You've got an unhealthy obsession with that thing," she said, putting herself between Jayden and Deker. "But we just finished a battle, so you can't get what you want."
"And who's going to stop me, silver Ranger?" Deker asked, smirking. "I let you and Red Ranger escape my grasp once before, I don't intend on letting it happen again."
"Who says you have a choice?" Rune asked. She raised her arm, a silver energy ball appearing between her fingers.
Deker thrust out his sword, the tip of it bouncing off Rune's shield. He smirked but narrowed his eyes at her. "Your magic grows stronger every day, silver Ranger," he said.
"Flattery will get you know where," Rune growled.
Deker huffed and re-sheathed his sword. "Alright, Red Ranger," he relented, albeit reluctantly. "I'll give you twenty-four hours, but there will be no further delay. Tomorrow, metal will meet metal."
"You hard of hearing or something?" Jayden asked. "I already told you that I won't fight for the sake of fighting. I only fight to protect the innocent."
"Well then, if you don't show, I doubt I'll be able to control myself."
Rune felt Jayden stiffen and reached back to grasp his hand. "You're threatening innocent civilians to get your own way?" she asked. "That doesn't make you half Nighlok, that makes you pure."
"Call me what you want," Deker shrugged. "We can't all be perfect. Just know that no one will be safe against my wrath if my demands aren't met, and my victims pain? Will be your fault, not mine."
"Then you leave me no choice," said Jayden. "I will fight, and I will defeat you."
Deker smirked in triumph. "Noon, tomorrow. By the sea."
Rune threw the energy ball in her hand onto the ground where it exploded. When the smoke cleared, she, Jayden, and Antonio were gone.
~X~
Tiredly, Rune buried her head in the tops of her knees as she wrapped her arms around her legs, holding them close to her chest. She had been back home for more than hour already, but the threat of Deker's looming duel with Jayden, and his ultimatum of attacking innocent civilians if Jayden refused to meet him at the beach the next day, was making it impossible for her to sleep.
"Hey."
Rune blinked and looked up. "Hey," she said, surprised to find Jayden standing in her doorway. "Come in." She shuffled sideways, making room for him on the bed.
Jayden slid back until he rested against the wall. He wrapped and arm around Rune as she slid closer to him, resting her head on his shoulder. He smiled and kissed the top of her head.
"You slept yet?"
Rune shook her head. The threat still lingered in her mind but being right here with Jayden made things a lot simpler. She could've easily just closed her eyes and slept, knowing that he was there.
"I thought you were excited to come home and sleep?"
"I was," said Rune. "Deker went and ruined it."
Jayden sighed and looked down. He tilted her face up, meeting her gaze, and then leaned forward, pressing his lips to her own. "You know I have to do it, right?" he asked. "I can't risk innocent lives."
"What about your life? Don't say it doesn't matter," said Rune, quickly. The look in his eyes after her question was spoken was enough for her to know what he was thinking.
YOU ARE READING
The Dark Side of the Moon
Fanfiction[Book Nine] [Sequel to Phase One of the Hellhound Universe] When she was twelve years old, Rune Winters met her idol - the Black Mystic Ranger - and was taught to use the dark side of the Moon to her advantage. Now, six years later, she must put tho...