Only Skeletons Remain

Chapter 16: Collateral Damage

Miguel stood at Juan's grave, staring down at it. He could feel the Banditos' eyes on him. They didn't trust him. How would they listen to a leader they didn't trust? He'd never be able to fulfill his promise to Juan. He frowned slightly before he heard footsteps behind him. It was Lara.

"Lara, I'm so sor-" He was cut off by a harsh slap across his face, and he stumbled to the side. "You are tripping!" He said, rubbing his cheek.

"Was this your plan?" Lara snarled, grabbing him by his collar and pulling him so they were nearly nose-to-nose. "To kill my father so you can take over!?"

"Do you really think so low of me?" Miguel asked, not daring to speak higher than a whisper. He stared at Lara with a hurt expression on his face.

"I thought the world of you!" Lara shoved him backwards, tears falling down her face. "I even loved you, Miguel! I thought you would save us!"

"You loved me?" Miguel asked, hurt laced in his tone. He blinked a few times as he took a step towards her. 

Lara turned her head away, giving it a few shakes before turning back to Miguel. She didn't even know what to say. 

Miguel walked towards her, staring at her with soft eyes. "Lara, look at me." He whispered, slowly reaching towards her. He stopped when she grabbed his wrist tightly, staring daggers at him.

"I tried to fight them." Miguel whispered. "You don't realize the power the bishops hold. They are making new ones." He frowned deeply. "I want to get this thing outta me, and I need your help to do it."

Lara let go of his wrist. "How do I know you're not lying to me?" She asked, staring at him. 

"If you find me guilty of anything, you can kill me yourself." Miguel told her. "But I have kept my promises to you, haven't I? I brought the bishops back. I came back from DEMA, like I said in my letter. I know I betrayed your trust, but I will fight to earn it back."

Lara turned her back to him, as if weighing his words. She furrowed her brow a bit, thinking to herself for a few moments. "What did they tell you?" She asked. "The bishops?"

"That you'd never love someone like me." Miguel whispered, remembering Lisden's words. 'She will never love someone from DEMA. She will always see you as an outsider, Clancy.'

Lara sighed softly, cupping Miguel's cheek and caressing it gently. "I know someone who can get rid of the monster inside of you."

Loki seemed to crawl beneath his skin at the mention of this. He didn't like that at all. Miguel felt hope wash over him. Lara knew of someone who could cure him?

"Who is she?" Miguel stepped forward before a sharp cracking resounded. He let out a yell of pain, holding his ribs again. 

"Miguel!" Lara knelt down next to him, her eyes widening in panic. "Are you okay? What's going on?" She asked, putting her hand on his shoulder.

"Lara, run away-!" Miguel hissed.

"I'm going to help you!" She gasped when Miguel turned to look at her.

Miguel's eyes were glowing faintly, a sickly green hue that she hadn't seen before. His posture shifted, more predatory than human. His muscles tensed and contorted under his skin, as if something beneath was fighting to break free. 

His form twisted, skin giving way to coarse black fur, claws extending from his fingertips, and his face elongating into a monstrous bat-like snout. His back hunched as massive wings tore through his flesh, spreading wide with a gust of wind that flattened the nearby trees.

Lara stumbled back, her heart pounding in her chest. "No, Miguel... no. You can fight this!" She screamed, but Miguel—Loki—was no longer listening.

With a growl, Loki lunged toward her, his enormous bat-like form towering over her. Just as he was about to strike, a fierce roar tore through the silence. From the shadows, Fenrir emerged. His eyes locked onto Loki, pure fury burning in them.

"Back. Away, Father," Fenrir growled, positioning himself between Lara and Loki. His fur bristled, muscles tensed as he lowered his antlered head, preparing for battle.

Loki let out a guttural hiss, his green eyes narrowing as he spread his wings, preparing to engage. The tension between the two beasts was palpable, both standing on the edge of violence, the air charged with the anticipation of the fight. "You said your plans were aligned with mine. You lied."

Fenrir snarled. "I won't let you hurt her, or him," he growled, though it was more than a promise—it was a threat.

Loki roared, his wings snapping as he launched himself at Fenrir, claws extended. The two creatures collided with a deafening crash, their battle tearing through the clearing. Fenrir's  lashed out with his antlers, trying to drive Loki back. The massive bat screeched, claws slashing across Fenrir's hide, but the Wendigo held his ground.

Lara, caught between terror and awe, could only watch as the two bishops clashed in front of her. Each strike from Loki was met with a savage counter from Fenrir, the ground beneath them trembling with the force of their blows.

For a moment, it seemed as though Loki had the upper hand—his wings giving him the advantage in speed and agility. But Fenrir, with his sheer power and determination, managed to slam Loki into the ground with a bone-rattling force, antlers pressed against Loki's throat.

"You'll yield!" Fenrir growled, his voice vibrating through the air like a thunderclap. His glowing eyes locked onto Loki's as he bared his fangs, inches from the bat-bishop's face.

Loki's wings fluttered weakly, and his eyes flickered from rage to reluctant submission. "Yield...?" Loki's voice rasped, struggling for air.

"Yield," Fenrir growled once more, applying more pressure. "Or I tear you apart."

For a moment, it seemed like Loki would refuse. But then, with a snarl of frustration, the bat-like bishop finally stilled beneath Fenrir's grasp.

"I yield..." Loki spat, his voice seething with venom. His wings folded close to his body as he ceased his struggle, knowing Fenrir had won this time.

Fenrir slowly released his grip, but he kept a wary eye on Loki, prepared to strike if necessary. He stood, his enormous frame towering over Loki's prone form.

Lara watched in awe, her weapon still at her side, barely comprehending what she had just witnessed. Fenrir turned to her, his expression softening ever so slightly.

"He won't hurt you now," Fenrir said, his voice rough but assuring. He stepped between her and Loki, his form a shield of protection.

Loki, still grounded and defeated, growled softly as he transformed back into Miguel, the dark bat-like features fading away as his human form returned. Miguel lay on the ground, breathing heavily, dazed and weak from the transformation.

Lara rushed to his side, kneeling down as she looked at him, concern and anger warring within her. "Miguel..." she whispered, shaking him gently. She pulled her head into his lap, gently caressing his hair.

His eyes fluttered open, full of confusion, as if waking from a nightmare. "Lara... what... happened?" His voice was hoarse, barely a whisper.

"You turned into him," she said, her voice strained. "But Fenrir saved you."

Miguel's gaze shifted to Fenrir, who stood nearby, watching over them both. "He said that..."

"He'll say whatever to turn you against us." Fenrir grunted, shaking out his pelt.

Miguel leaned his head against Lara's body, closing his eyes for a few moments. "He's going to come back."

"We'll cross that bridge when we get there." Fenrir said.

"Come on, let's get you to the medic." Lara whispered, helping Miguel stand up and half-carrying, half-walking to the camp.