Elementals

Chapter 19 - What do I do now?!

Dominick's body slumped, falling lifeless before Aidan's eyes, Sam's blood fell from the air, and Aidan looked on in horror. A despair fell over him as blood and sweat dripped down his cheek. The woman glad in lavender stood in gleeful silence, watching Aidan quiver in fear. She raised her hand and looked into the sky.

"Ah, how we've waited for this day." Angelina spoke, breaking the eerie silence. Aidan remained quiet. "For decades, my brother and I have had this world in our sights. So many strong, capable tools. Mortals able to match gods, deities yet to rise, it's almost as if this entire world was made just for combat, and no one exemplifies this as much as you, rose." she pointed at Aidan. "Your entire family is the pinnacle of strength, raised in this world, so excuse us for taking a few of them for our own use."

"Keep my family out of your mouth!" Aidan finally responded.

"Oh, there we go!" the pale lady exclaimed. "I was wondering how long it would take to get a reaction! I am truly sorry, but it's true. Your sister, and now your young cousin right here, in my hands. They're all so strong. It's not often you see a family give you this many Crown Elementals!"

"So, you're comin' after us just bec-"

"We're going after these two, not you, rose. My brother simply wanted you to complete the collection, but you proved difficult. So difficult that he gave up on you." as Angelina spoke, Aidan scoffed at her.

"You're lyin' about that part."

"...What?" her confident demeanor broke, staring at the boy with cold, unfeeling contempt, yet a warmth was hidden within.

"I can tell that he doesn't give up that easy." Aidan walked forward. "You didn't know I was comin' here. You only came here for Dom."

"I did come here for him, yes-"

"He sent you here because you needed him, because of how strong he could become as a Crown Elemental, just like Dea. Drew went to get her himself, so of course he'd send someone he trusts like you, someone strong. That council knows you're goin' after my family now, and besides, I can see it, Angie."

"Angie?-"

"That look in your eyes, I know it well. That thirst for battle. You wanna fight me." Aidan butted heads with the pale lady. He still couldn't come over the immense dread within his heart, but he wouldn't let anyone come between him and his family again. Even if it was the strongest.

"My, you really are observant." Angelina smiled. "You're exactly on the mark. The very moment I saw you on this small chunk of miserable land, I knew this day was going to be more than the end of this world. It would be the day I could feel alive again."

"You're fuckin' insane."

"That's what happens when no one can match your might, rose."

"My name is Aidan."

"And mine is Angelina, not 'Angie,' rose."

"I'm gonna fuckin' kill you."

"I would love to see you try." The two looked at each other in an uneasy silence, a standoff between the pale lady and the boy born from ashes. The stone that once held the sword exploded into smithereens under them, its shrapnel getting caught on Sam's web. Screams echoed around the streets as monsters flooded the streets. Made of inky black spheres, they pounced on the townspeople. Amidst the chaos, the two of them struck.

With a streak of light and a flaming snap, Angelina cut their silence in half as a flaming explosion burst from beneath her. Aidan ducked under her attack as a black orb flew into the air in front of her.

"Is that-" Angelina was befuddled as Aidan grabbed onto the Orb and slammed it into her face, temporarily blinding her. The groggy voice of Dominick sounded out from below.