Protectors- Wrath of The Stranger

Chapter Five: Starless Night

Nobody but for the other Gods had ever drawn blood from Apis. It was inconceivable that a mere earthling could accomplish such a task. However, somehow, inexplicably, Noctum had risen, despite his mortal wounds, and struck The Stranger with equal strength to the other Gods,

"I will ask you one more time," Apis boomed, his back to his assailant, "who dares to strike at a God?"

"I'll answer you formally, then," the assailant replied, "Some look up at the stars and see pinpricks of light, beaming down to illuminate their futures. I see only the darkness in-between, I am the starless night, the darkness within the light who will destroy you,"

Apis turned to face Noctum, who stood tall despite the gaping hole in his gut,

"How do you stand?" Apis asked, "Your wounds are extreme,"

"Didn't you just listen to me?" Noctum answered, "the darkness that shields the light knows no limits, nothing can stop me from fulfilling my duty, from destroying you,"

"Even with all that grandeur, you still have no chance against me," Apis sighed, "half of my strength will be adequate for you,"

Apis rapidly punched the air, creating vacuum wave after vacuum wave. Noctum stared into the raging vortexes. His eyes tinted the same red as The Stranger's aura. He walked towards the attack, then sprung into action. Dodging left and right, Noctum weaved his way to the centre, where he aimed a spin-kick at Apis. The blow pushed The Stranger backwards a few meters but did not have the same effect that Noctum's initial punch held,

"Even now, you weaken," Apis noted, "that hole in your chest will be enough to end you,"

Noctum briefly glanced down at his chest,

"I'll just have to kill you before my time runs out," he spat, glowing with anger,

Apis soared towards Adam, fist drawn back for another punch. Noctum drove his right fist straight towards Apis' bull face. The Stranger's fist hit Noctum's face first, as his armspan was longer, but Noctum retaliated by twisting, his own fist finally meeting its mark. The two slid backwards before locking back into combat,

"Am I the strongest opponent you've ever faced?" Noctum asked, using his laced hands as a club to hit Apis,

"No, you are only on the level of the weakest gods," Apis replied, "Horus could defeat you with ease,"

Apis struck Noctum in the chest, flipping him up into the air. With a burst of unparalleled speed, he flew behind the vigilante, bringing his elbow down on Noctum's back. He flew head first into the ground, kicking up mounds of dirt as Apis landed gently beside him,

"I'm not done yet," Noctum whispered, struggling to his feet as his head lolled dangerously low, his legs spaced apart to support himself,

"Somehow, I think you are," Apis replied coldly, forming a ball of energy in his right palm,

Shaine made to run in, but Noctum shakily raised a hand, stopping her. He began to shake more and more as The Stranger charged, glowing with rage. But that was not rage. It was a red aura, similar to that of Apis,

"I can feel it, Apis," Noctum spoke, his voice shaking, "that last attack broke my spine, but my rage will keep me alive,"

His eyes met The Stranger's, and even the God felt a twinge of fear for the thing that looked out of a human body. Noctum walked slowly towards Apis, the red aura surrounding his body solidifying with each step. He stood directly in front of Apis, head tilted upwards to stare down his foe. Steam rose from Noctum's body, which radiated an extreme heat that countered Apis' chill. The steam was one of pure, fresh air, which countered the lung-crushing agony of The Stranger's own aura,