THE UNLIKELY HIER OF GOD

why you do that

As we stood there, the eerie forest surroundings seemed to closing in on us. The trees creaked ominously, their branches swaying in the wind like skeletal fingers. I glared at Azrael, my eyes blazing with determination, but my body betraying me with goosebumps and trembling limbs. I couldn't show fear, not as the big brother, but it was hard to conceal my terror.

Jai, on the other hand, exuded a fierce determination, his eyes burning with a resolute will to protect me. I felt a surge of pride and gratitude towards him, but it was short-lived as Azrael's taunting voice cut through the tension.

"Muhahahaha, you tiny shit, really think you can beat me? Hahaha, what a joke!" Azrael sneered, his eyes gleaming with malevolent glee. "Even I am bleeding and wounded, but I am still a being you can't compare to."

My anger flared, and I shot back, "Can you stop this shit? It's fucking annoying, always repeating 'I am that, you are that.' I don't give a shit, and this stick is enough for you!" I taunted, my voice laced with defiance, as I held up my stick.

As I spoke, I locked eyes with Jai, giving him a subtle nod to sneak attack. Azrael's face darkened, his eyes blazing with fury, and he charged towards me. The wind whipped through the trees, and leaves swirled around us like a vortex.

Just as Azrael was about to pounce, Jai struck, hurling a rock at him. Azrael sensed the rock coming and raised his right hand, blocking it with a swift motion. His eyes flashed with rage, and he looked at Jai and me, his gaze lingering for a moment before focusing on me. I took advantage of his momentary distraction and stabbed his left eye with my stick. He roared in anger and pain. I tried to move, but he grabbed my left leg, and then he slammed me into the ground. I felt my ribs crack, my left leg twist, and pain exploded through my body.

Jai's face contorted in anger, and he hurled another rock at Azrael's head, shouting, "How dare you touch my big brother!" The rock shattered into pieces, but Azrael's grip on Jai's neck only tightened.

My vision blurred, but I saw Azrael's sinister grin, his eyes glinting with sadistic pleasure. "Hahaha, it looks like you brothers have so much love; it's melted my heart. That's why I'm giving you a choice: one should sacrifice the other, and only one can survive. You don't have any choice now; choose one to sacrifice himself, or I'll kill you both, hehehe!"

The forest fell silent, except for Azrael's maniacal laughter, which sent chills down our spines. Jai and I exchanged a desperate glance, and Azrael tossed a knife, saying, "Ahh, I forgot to give you this ; now continue, hahaha!"

Jai sprinted towards the knife, and I knew I couldn't reach it with my broken leg. He picked it up, and his determined eyes met mine. I steeled myself for the worst, and accepted my faith and think that it's better do die by my brother hand instead of that shit. But Jai surprised me by stabbing himself with a resolute expression.

"Brother, thank you for everything, and I'm sorry for not being a good brother," he whispered, his body crumpling to the ground.

I screamed in anguish, my eyes blazing with fury, and I charged at Azrael. But to my shock, he healed our wounds with a mere touch and smiled, saying... (to be continued)