TAMED

The Final Moment

Levi and Vince stood in the field, the warm breeze tenderly caressed their faces as they looked onward at Ares, who was standing still and staring at them with a blank but serious expression. While the Hound seemed to contemplate his methods of execution, Levi and Vince were bound at the wrists with tight handcuffs. Levi was a bit roughed up after having tried to fight him off but ultimately failing. Ares fought like a monster now and seemed to have zero emotional context involved with violence. In fact, it seemed to give him the high he so craved.

The sun hung lowly between the mountains, its golden arms stretching out to immerse them in its fading light.

"Ares..." Vince muttered. "Even if they turned off the part of you that I know, the real you, maybe somewhere in there that Ares can still hear me."

If the Hound had heard him or considered his words, there was zero way to tell. He simply stared them down. Levi had explained once that whenever he did that, and he was fixed on a target, it was because he was running through scenarios in his mind. It was how he came up with the best course of action to achieve the exact results he wanted. Honestly it was quite interesting to watch.

"Well kid..." Levi began with a sigh. "Sorry it ended up this way. I'm not all that surprised that I would end up dying in a field by the hands of a trained killer, but you...you probably had other options if I had just made you stay away."

Vince listened with a defeated expression. His blue eyes shimmered in the amber light that washed over him, and his blond hair blowing gently around his face.

"Yeah, well I guess at least I'm not gonna die in some lame way...like of old age when I smell like hand cream and denture solution."

Levi couldn't help but laugh.

It was then that the two noticed Ares pull out a dagger from his calf pocket. Vince's breath got stuck in his throat.

"H-hey...didn't that guy say to kill us mercifully? Like...with no pain? Or very very little pain??"

"Don't lose your cool kid. Don't wanna go out like a wimp right?" Levi said with a sympathetic tone. "It's better if you close your eyes."

Vince glared incredulously. "Will you shut up?" He snapped.

To their surprise, Ares seemed to consider this more and resheathed the dagger at his calf. Instead, he pulled out a handgun from a holster on his right thigh.

"Well...I guess that's better. I think?" Vince figured as he stood still. His legs were trembling as he tried to steady his breaths. Was he really going to die? Maybe this was karma, he had sort of been responsible for a few deaths himself after all.

Ares chambered a round and the distinct click made a chill run down Vince's spine as a bead of sweat trickled along his temple. They watched as the Egyptian boy took a few steps closer and raised the weapon, holding the barrel just a couple of inches from Vince's forhead.

The look in Ares eyes haunted him. It was like he was truly peering into the irises of a wild and deadly animal. Brilliant greens met with watery, terrified blues and the gun was close enough that the soon-to-be victim could smell the cold metal.

"Ares..." He said suddenly. "Before you pull the trigger. Can I say something?"

Ares remained indifferent for a handful of seconds, but then slowly lowered the gun to a more neutral space. He stared Vince down with unmatched patience as  Vince did his best to not pass out from the stress.

The blond cleared his throat and closed his eyes for a moment. Levi watched in curiosity as he rummaged for the right words.

"Can I step closer to you? I'm not a threat, we both know that. But...what I want to tell you, is just for your ears." Vince all but begged in his weakened voice.