The King never let go of his grin.
"Perhaps you can enlighten me," he said, "because I can't seem to understand what you're even doing down here. From where I stand, you're just a small fish in a very big pond. Trying to play the hero? You should know: Games like that never quite end well."
My poise stayed unwavering.
"I'm not trying to play anything," I said. "I'm not doing this for merit. Not for fame. Not for glory. You're trying to destroy Moreida itself, and I can't just sit back and let that happen."
"Your conclusion isn't the most accurate. I honestly couldn't care less what happens to this planet. The devastation to come is just a byproduct of what I'm actually aiming for."
"But it's a product nonetheless." I hardened my glare. "A future I won't let come true, no matter what."
Ren chuckled. "You're welcome to be as ambitious as you'd like. The fate of Moreida was decided the moment I stepped foot onto it." Wickedness oozed around him like an aura. "You'll just have to die alongside it"—he launched himself forward—"Violet!"
I braced myself.
He's not fast like Pomu. I just need to—
WHAM!
Like being demolished by an asteroid. The moment his fist sank into my arms, my bones went numb, desperate to shatter.
S-So strong . . . !
Ren's smirk only widened as he rammed his foot into my stomach.
Vomit spewed from my mouth, and I soared to the opposite end of the throne room.
Despite my flattened intestines, I had a quick recovery.
Just not quick enough.
As I lifted my gaze, I saw the brute glide my way, his fist cocked back and his psychopathy potent.
I dashed back, dodging by the skin of my teeth.
Crack!
Where his knuckles landed, a tiny crater devoured the ground.
"A lot of running for someone supposedly so brave!"
He barreled to my position, and I had no choice but to play his game. Our attacks darted back and forth—punches, kicks, grabs. My deflect. His deflect. My graze. His graze. A frantic yet steady dance, where the rhythm spiraled out of control with each passing moment.
I went for the roundhouse kick.
Ren snatched my ankle. And using the strength of a giant, he hoisted me up to slam my body onto the floor.
Almost.
Just as I would face the demise, I slid my palms to my front, absorbing the impact.
I then used my free leg to bash my foot ruthlessly against his cheek.
Wham!
The King only chuckled.
"Not bad."
Still gripping my ankle, he yanked me into his bubble.
WHAM! his fist howled as it smashed against my face, ripping the flesh in my mouth. Blood gushed to coat my tongue with a metallic taste.
Before my foe could deliver any more damage, I freed myself from his grasp and bolted back. Already, blurriness crept into my vision, my brain overwhelmed with static.
Ren wiped his sleeves.
"I'm a more straightforward kind of man," he said. "I'm not like my lieutenants—searching for thrills and truths. When I fight, I fight to win, not to enlighten myself. But who knows?" His lips twisted into a crooked grin. "Maybe I'll make an exception for you, little Violet. Why don't we try to have some fun with this?"
YOU ARE READING
Melody of the Holoverse
Fanfiction"I stood before the great serpent, my heart quivering with platinum as she whispered my destiny." In the outskirts of Eridios, Violet Newcastle lives her peaceful life, helping her grandfather with the farm as she simply wonders what she'll be havi...
