The Ghost's Shadows

Chapter 37

Ajax POV

We stand prepared to fight the Atlesian Paladin that is now charging toward us. However, electricity arcs across it and it suddenly powers down, collapsing and sliding to a stop in front of them.

"Hm. That went better than expected," Sun adds as I dismiss my mask and Corvus.

Weiss doubles over, exhausted, leaning on Myrtenaster to keep herself standing.

"You okay?" I put my hand on her back.

She gives a thumbs up. "Yeah, my summoning took a toll on me."

"Weiss!" Yang could be seen running to her. "You're okay! Have you heard from Ruby?"

Weiss shakes her head.

"What about Blake?" Yang asks worriedly.

"Ajax, to your LEFT!"

My muscles tensed. I immediately summoned my mask and Adtrita Corvus. I looked over to my left and a dark purple shadow could be seen phasing through objects at a high speed with a spear in its hands. I shifted to where it seemed to be going and intercepted its spear with Corvus. The shadow stumbled and backed off. The shadow had a big smile on its dark purple face.

"Luke..." I hissed.

"Is that... Your brother?" Weiss asked holding Myrtenaster in case it was to be used.

"Yes. Take everyone away with you. I have a family issue to attend to."

The shadow then turned back to its original form, revealing Luke's mask and armor. Luke dismissed his smiling mask and showed his own.

"Listen to him, Weiss. He'll protect everyone as he did at his graduation," His smile grew wider.

"Classic insult. Do you think you're the first one to say it?"

Weiss seemed reluctant, but I reassuringly nodded at her. She nodded back.

"Let's go to the landing area, there must be people there!" Weiss ordered. Other students nodded and they all took off into the distance, leaving Geist and Luke alone.

Without warning, Luke lunged forward, his spear aimed at me. I quickly dodged to the side, swinging Corvus at him in retaliation. But Luke was too quick. He phased through my attack and appeared behind me, his spear aimed at my back. I spun around, parrying his strike with Corvus. We exchanged blows back and forth, each of us trying to gain the upper hand.

"I have to admit, this is easier than I thought!" Luke yelled as we traded blows.

Luke was skilled in combat, and it wasn't long before I found myself on the defensive. He used his phasing ability to his advantage, making it difficult for me to land a solid hit. However, I managed to anticipate one of his strikes and countered with my own, knocking his spear out of his hand.

"That was impressive, Jaxy," Luke said, still smiling. "But it's not over yet."

"Please, shut the fuck up..." I mustered.

But Luke wasn't done yet. He summoned his weapon back to his hand and charged at me again. This time, he unleashed a flurry of quick jabs and thrusts, forcing me to retreat. I could sense a dark aura emanating from him, and I knew that things were about to get more dangerous.

"Why are you doing this? Are you that butt-hurt about father's doing?" I ask blocking a jab.

"Do you still think this is about father? Cinder offered more than our pathetic family could!"

"You're just being used, you know? You are a fucking pawn in her game!"

"So are you! But, unlike you," he looks around. "We are winning the game."