Between Wind And Fire

Give And Take

"Jannus, Gav, Cain," said Garrick in a low voice, boring his eyes into Uriel's. "All at once. Smother him. Taste his blood. When he's down, make sure he's barely breathing. I want a word with him."

The three men nodded, stepping forward as one. Uriel felt their joined action. Who knew Garrick was capable of tactics like this? His surprise advantage had come and gone. He glanced at Borgo, who lay in the dirt, his left ankle pulverized. Then he glanced toward the advancing three, who were just a meter away from him now

"What I did to Borgo," Uriel said, his voice dry but firm, "I'll do to you twofold."

And with that, he brought his boot heel down on the right ankle of Borgo. The sickening crunch reverberated into the alley. Jannus, between them, shivered in revulsion while the other two flinched. In that instant, Uriel surged forward, driving a high boot into the abdomen of Jannus, who tumbled backward. Gav latched onto Uriel's calf, pulling with all his might. Uriel wriggled his leg loose, and for his efforts, he found his footing gone and hit the ground hard.

Cain sprang forward, attempting to drive his booted foot into Uriel's now bared chest. Uriel rolled away at the last second, the blow raking past. A sudden tearing pain in his back—Gav had got him with a kick as he rolled—drove the breath from his lungs, and he gasped. Normally he would have just given up at that point, but he had come too far to give up now.

Kicking out wildly, he felt his foot connect with something hard—Gav's knee. A roar of pain escaped Gav's lips. Uriel crawled forward, dizziness overwhelming him. He knew something had struck the back of his head, numbing his body.

"I GOT HIM GOOD!" Cain shouted triumphantly.

Shit. Uriel thought. He couldn't move, and his world spun. Who would save him? Who would protect Elanda? Garrick always had his way. No, this wasn’t fair. It isn't FAIR.

A new wave of pain erupted as Gav, recovering from Uriel’s previous assault, drove a punch into his ribs.

"We're gonna kill you here now, ghost," Gav sneered, his voice cold and merciless.

"Don't get ahead of yourselves just yet."  Garrick reminded the two as he began to make his way over, a satisfied smirk plastered over his face.

"Oh come on boss, he's already messed up two of the boys. We can't just -" Jannus was abruptly cut off by a slap to the face.

"Shut it Jannus." Garrick growled, he was standing before Uriel now. He felt his laboured breathing against his shoes. He was going to enjoy this.

Uriel wanted to move, just one more blow with his fist that was all he could ask for. But his body refused to listen, he was tired, thirsty and dazed. His head was throbbing with pain but at least he took out Gaunt and Borgo. It was a shame he didn't get to finish Jannus, but it was still better than nothing. He could feel Garrick looking at him, he was probably smiling.

"I am going to gut you like a pig. Uriel." Garrick whispers, he was kneeling directly over Uriels head to make sure he heard him.

A colorful threat. But Uriel didn't have long before he drifted off to sleep, the threat didn't bother him.

"And then I am going to go to Elanda."

Uriels eyes shot open, a sudden burst of fear flooded his body.

"Ah there he is." Garrick chuckled gripping Uriel by his long black hair, their eyes met one filled with rage and the other with malicious contempt. "I will have my way with her Uriel, and no one will stop me."

"N...no..." Says Uriel, trying not to choke on his own blood.

"What was that?" Garrick laughs turning his ear, his grip tightening on Uriels hair. "I couldn't quite hear that."

Uriel wanted to bite him, god he wanted to kill him. His body has failed him, as it always has. His ugly features and skinny muscles. There was so much anger so much fear but above all else so much sadness. He needed to be there for Elanda, even though his love may not be reciprocated. He just wanted to protect her, that was the least he could do for all that kindness she extended to him. Even if it was just a small exchange, she had always been there for him even when he was a child. Elanda...he needed to protect...Elanda.

He could see Garrick's face up close now, between tear filled eyes. He saw his stupid face, and though he was about as vile as they come he was a man that kept his word. He closed his eyes trying not to think about the things he’d do to her. He was so terribly sorry, he could not do it. Death will take him now, the world is getting dark. He could hear Garrick’s muffled laughter in his twilight between life and death but he was completely helpless. In the end Garrick had taken everything from him, even his life.

And then he saw it.

A fierce glowing orb of light amidst the growing darkness. A small sun that floated aimlessly in the void.

“Is..is this death ?” He thought to himself.

And a voice that sounded like his own answered back.

“No.”