Descent into the Abyss

Chapter 32

Marcus guarded against the oncoming arcs, the Rozan blade absorbing the elemental energy. Electricity coiled around the black blade, sparks of blue and white shooting off as Marcus held his stance against the prolonged current. Five seconds passed before Kyle let loose a bloodcurdling scream before the electricity fizzled away and he fell to his knees. Staring at his trembling hands, Kyle gasped in pain and lethargy, his eyes inching up to meet Marcus's gaze.

"Finish this, Young Marcus. Before it's too late," Kou demanded. "With his desperate state, there's no telling when he'll be able to unleash another attack."

"You said he wouldn't be able to release anything of that scale again," Marcus whispered back, Kyle's gaze growing concerned.

"That doesn't mean he can't kill you, Young Marcus."

Kou was right, Marcus admitted, but to kill a teenager on his knees, powerless to stop him...

"Remember that you're here for more than your own sake. Columbus, the Doctor, they will pay the price for your mercy."

The energy continued to thrum, crackling sparks dripping from the black blade. Marcus glanced from the blade to Kyle and back to the blade.

"I can't kill someone on their knees, Kou. Even if they are a threat. This isn't self defense or the heat of the moment... It's murder. I'm not that person," Marcus confessed, backing away from Kyle.

Relief, immediately dwarfed by rage, came across the teen's face. Struggling back to his feet, disdain traced his words as he watched Marcus back away.

"You fucking coward," He spat, pointing a trembling finger towards him. "You act like you're saving someone, but you're just a coward. I read the report, ya know? The envoy that my brother sent? You didn't kill him. The old woman did."

"I came to make peace on their behalf, but just from meeting you, I can tell peace isn't going to be an option. Your brother's probably gearing up for an attack on Columbus right now."

Kyle laughed, stumbling back and stopping cold, "I try not to bother my brother with scum and that's all you are. That's all they are. And after I kill you, I'll personally be the one to destroy that so-called colony."

"Does Michael not know about Columbus or our arrival?" Kou pondered, Marcus unsure as well.

"Now, I don't care if it takes every last bit of my strength, but I'm killing you," Kyle declared, stepping forward, his hands outstretched once more.

"Marcus..." Kou began, but Marcus could already feel the energy swelling once more. "Don't let your mercy be your death."

A shiver crept up his back, Marcus taking heed of Kou's words as the energy held by the blade called out for it's origin.

"If he's willing to go this far... Then I have no choice."

Slashing parallel with the dreary horizon, Marcus watched as the blue coils separated from the blade, speeding towards Kyle. The moment before they impacted, the teen reached out with his right hand towards the oncoming slash. Arcs shot from his palms, meeting the slash and halting it midair. Kyle's eyes rose from the suspended slash to Marcus's gaze, smirking as he threw his trembling arm further forward, pushing more energy into his counterattack.

The slash dematerialized into a mass of multicolored arcs, each flying off in a separate direction, fading away with every second passed. Marcus braced himself as Kyle lowered his arm, panting heavily before rolling his head side to side, blonde hair ruffling in the wind.

"Should've killed me when you had the chance," Kyle remarked with a smirk, manifesting an orb in his right palm. "Now I got my second wind."

Marcus slashed the sword through the air, "If your first wind wasn't enough, what makes you think your second will be? You need to think about what you're about to do, Kyle. If you continue, I'll have to kill you."