Suffer Not The Radiant

Chapter 53: Long Time No See

Within the heart of the building, fires roared with an unrelenting fury, a reflection of the inferno that raged within the souls of those who stood locked in a bitter standoff. Their mutual animosity had reached a boiling point, their hatred palpable and on full display. It was the embodiment of humanity and Radiants in the rawest, most seething form of enmity, a divide so profound that unity or alliance was an impossibility. Their eyes met in a charged confrontation, each pair a mirror to the relentless loathing they harbored. Hatred, vivid and unapologetic, radiated from their very beings. In those moments, there was no room for compromise or coexistence; they yearned for the eradication of the other, an unyielding desire for the annihilation of their enemy.

Two humans, bioengineered to the point of being barely human.

Two Radiants, blessed with the power of the first light.

Both given the emotion of utter hatred.

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In the grim, stifling silence, broken only by the furious fires crackling chorus, the lone signs of life within the structure were the two groups gathered. Soon, only a pair would survive the harrowing ordeal. Both groups locked gazes, a taut standoff ensnaring the room, each daring the other to be the first to break the stillness.

"Why the hesitation, Radiant?" Tyberos taunted in a hushed whisper. The voice sent a shiver down the Radiants' spines. They could never grow accustomed to that accursed voice, nor did they ever wish to hear it again; in fact, they loathed it with every fiber of their being.

Without warning, Phoenix took action, conjuring a sizable burst of fire, unlike any he had attempted before. Tyberos remained unmoving, almost stoic, as he watched the fiery column surge towards him. Phoenix's smirk remained intact as the flames enshrouded Tyberos, obscuring him entirely within their searing intensity.

Following suit, Jett launched a single knife aimed at the narrow gap in Ranesk's helmet, her mind replaying the unsettling events from their operation in Omega. Recollections of her counterpart's gruesome demise at the hands of the bastard before her fueled her determination. However, Ranesk, too, recalled the death of her counterpart, and he simply tilted his head, causing the blade to bounce harmlessly away from his armored head.

"Tsk," Jett muttered under her breath, knowing she still had three knives at her disposal. Ranesk, however, remained still, suddenly discharging his weapon with unnatural speed. Jett barely managed to evade the shot, but the impact still sent shrapnel into her torso, eliciting a grimace of pain. She felt the pain taking hold, but her resolve to fight persisted.

Placing a trembling hand on her lower back where the blood was oozing, she knew she didn't have much time. She cast a determined look at Ranesk, but before she could react, another round from him found its mark, this time causing her to absorb most of the shrapnel, sending her crashing to the ground.

Jett tumbled to the ground, her determination still in her consciousness. She knew she was alive and could keep fighting.

However, a realization struck her – her legs lay limp, refusing to respond. Her expression bore a mix of confusion and frustration, unable to fathom why her lower half remained uncooperative.

An unexpected emotion began to well up, one she never thought she'd experience again. It whispered thoughts of retreat, urging her to escape and abandon hope. The haunting memory of her counterpart's grim fate flickered in her mind, like a disorienting flashback. Her breath quickened, and against her promises to herself, she felt fear.

"Jett!" Phoenix's cry pierced the air as he sprinted from the raging flames he had summoned, heading toward Jett. However, the massive hand of Tyberos burst forth from the inferno, and Phoenix narrowly dodged the blades, instead colliding with Tyberos' armored hand. The impact caused him to experience the excruciating sensation of his own bones snapping, eliciting a pained grunt.