Future Defenders - Book 1 - Rise of the Murderers

Chapter 21 - Final Showdown

The darkness from the outside world shined through the Legends Hall. The moonlight struggling to break through the shadows, leaving the Hall in eternal darkness. Whilst everything remained the same as the previous times , with no birds singing or winds blowing against the trees outside, there was a different feeling around it. That this would be the last time to would be at this glory. 

Rusty stepped into the silent as ever Hall. Walking through the dark hallway, he stopped a third of the way through, awaiting for his opponent to show his face. Everything went black for a second, and the previously empty Hall now housed another occupant. Glowing red eyes shining brighter than ever, unzipped jumper slightly flapping in the small gusts of wind that began to gain strength. History would be made tonight, either Rusty somewhat killing all magic users, or Riley finally defeating Rusty, albeit no one would know or remember.

"Looks like you made it in one piece." Riley spoke. "Not that it's surprising considering you avoid death all the time."

"And you killed all your friends." Rusty said back. "How'd it feel."

"I'm not here to talk about feelings or any peaceful stuff. I'm here to finish this, one way or another."

"You know how this will all end. You dying. Me winning."

"Except this time is different. I have more knowledge. I have a better plan. And I have help from someone. Someone who you never knew existed."

The bell chimed as another hour had past. Silence filled the Hall once more and the two killers faced each other for one final battle. Even if Riley was able to pull off something new, Rusty knew that the more they continued to come back, the more riskier it became that they could lose. Riley, meanwhile, had the most confidence he ever had. With his trust lying in ######'s plan, he believed the odds had never been more in his favour.

The silence disappeared as multiple Death Blasters were fired at Rusty. Weaving their way through them, they went into to deliver the first blow of the battle. To their surprise, Riley moved out of the way and plunged a spike right through the centre of their chest. As time reversed, Riley began laugh uncontrollably.

"Did you really think I was going to stand there and take it." He said as his laughter died out. "I told you, I have more knowledge than ever and a plan that will surely end this once and for all, so I don't intend on getting slit in the chest anymore." 

He flung Rusty into the ceiling, bursting them through, before bringing them back down again and creating another hole. Spikes emerged from the ground, ready to strike down Rusty. They just barely snuck into a gap between them, but couldn't stay for long as more Death Blasters appeared to disintegrate them. Forcing them towards Riley, Rusty was unable to embrace for what he had in store.

He began to repeatedly punch Rusty at rapid speeds. With the final punch, the force and energy put into it launched them across the Hall, crashing them through the wall above the entrance. Slightly limping back into the Hall, they tried to make it look like they weren't hurt, but the it was obvious that they were struggling.

"You still up for the fight." Riley mocked. "You're clearly struggling to keep up."

"You know all the damage that you deal can just as easily be undone. You have no chance at winning no matter what you try. This will be the last massacre and the last time you'll be alive."

"You're right about one thing that this will be the last massacre. But I don't intend on dying anymore."

Onslaught of attacks swamped Rusty who struggled to avoid them, all be more powerful and unpredictable than ever. Riley was in his prime, the strongest he'd ever been. And with the plan still in the sidelines, he could even become unbeatable. Rusty's only hope was to somehow tire him out, but with the way they were both going, there was no sign  of that.