Chapter 16: One Last Dash
As the dust from DJ's blast settles, I feel the weight of Kail pressing against me. The impact from the explosion knocked the wind out of both of us, but at least we're still in one piece. My head pounds, and every inch of my body feels like it's been through a meat grinder, but there's no time to rest. DJ is still standing, and he's angrier than ever.
Kail groans as he pushes himself off me, his bone armor now completely gone, leaving him back in his normal form. His eyes flicker with uncertainty, but I know what's coming. DJ won't stop until one of us is dead. There's only one way out of this, and it isn't going to be pretty.
I glance over at DJ. The parasite within him pulses, bulging under his skin, grotesque and alien. It's been controlling him for far too long, turning him into something he's not. If we can get that thing out of him, maybe... just maybe we can save him.
"Kail," I mutter, my voice low and urgent. "You need to keep him busy."
He turns to me, confusion crossing his face. "What? But—"
"I've got a plan," I cut him off, my gaze locked on DJ, who's already charging up another blast of magic in his hands. "Just trust me. I need a clear shot at that thing inside him. You distract him while I take care of it."
Kail hesitates for a moment, clearly still exhausted from everything that's happened. But then his eyes harden with resolve, and he gives a curt nod. "Alright. But don't take too long. He's stronger than he looks."
I flash him a grin, though my body aches with every movement. "I'll be quick. Promise."
Before I can say anything else, Kail is already moving. He darts toward DJ with surprising speed, throwing himself into the fray with everything he's got. DJ's focus shifts entirely to Kail, who's now ducking and weaving around his attacks, barely managing to keep up with the onslaught of lasers and energy blasts.
I take a deep breath, my heart pounding in my chest. This is my chance. While Kail keeps DJ occupied, I need to get close enough to tear that parasite out of him. It won't be easy, but it's the only way to end this without killing him.
With the Eyes of Truth still flickering in the back of my mind, I focus on the flow of magic within DJ's body. The parasite is there, wrapped around his core, feeding off his energy, controlling his every move. I can see it—its writhing, grotesque form twisting through his veins, pulsing with power.
I move, slipping between the shadows as Kail keeps DJ busy. Every time DJ tries to land a hit, Kail's there, deflecting or dodging with just enough finesse to stay alive. But it's clear that DJ is getting stronger, more erratic. His movements are faster, more violent, the parasite's influence growing more intense with each passing second.
I inch closer, staying low and out of sight. I can feel the heat from DJ's magic, the sheer power radiating off him in waves. My hands tremble as I prepare myself for what's coming. One shot. I'll only get one shot at this.
Kail takes another hit, stumbling back as DJ's fist connects with his gut. He lets out a pained grunt but manages to stay on his feet, throwing a counterpunch that lands squarely on DJ's jaw. The impact sends DJ reeling, but only for a moment.
It's now or never.
I dart forward, my hands reaching for DJ's back, where the parasite's tendrils are most visible. With a surge of adrenaline, I grab hold of the writhing mass, my fingers sinking into the grotesque texture of the parasite. DJ's body tenses as he lets out a scream—a sound that cuts through the chaos like a knife.
For a moment, everything stops.
I pull with everything I've got, feeling the resistance of the parasite as it clings to DJ's flesh, refusing to let go. My muscles burn with the effort, but I don't stop. I can't stop. This is the only way to save him.
"Hold on, DJ," I mutter under my breath, gritting my teeth as I give one final, desperate yank.
And then, with a sickening rip, the parasite comes free.
DJ's body convulses, his magic flaring wildly as the connection between him and the parasite is severed. I stumble back, holding the wriggling, pulsating thing in my hands. It's disgusting, alive with a malevolent energy that makes my skin crawl.
DJ lets out a final scream before collapsing to the ground, unconscious.
It's over.
