Ethan charged at Alistair with a roar, his fist crackling with the fiery energy of the heartstone. The impact sent shockwaves through the air as his punch connected with Alistair’s jaw, sending the larger man staggering back.
“Is that all you’ve got?” Ethan snarled, his crimson eyes blazing with determination.
Alistair rubbed his jaw, an amused smile playing on his lips. “Not bad. But one trick won’t save you, boy.”
Ethan didn’t wait for a retort. He launched another strike, then another, each punch landing squarely, the power of the heartstone amplifying his strength beyond anything he’d ever felt before. Alistair grunted as he took hit after hit, his silver eyes narrowing as he analyzed Ethan’s movements.
The others stood frozen, disbelief etched on their faces.
“He summoned the heartstone,” Lira whispered, her voice trembling with awe. “How is that even possible?”
“Not just summoning it,” Riona added, her wide eyes fixed on Ethan’s glowing form. “He brought it across dimensions. There's something that boy is not telling us.”
"Yeah obviously."
"Do you think we'll ever be able to do that?"
"I doubt it but it's okay to hope."
Ethan pivoted mid-step, aiming a sharp uppercut at Alistair’s ribs. The blow landed, and Alistair doubled over momentarily. But just as Ethan prepared another strike, Alistair caught his wrist with an iron grip.
“Enough,” Alistair growled, his voice low and dangerous.
Ethan’s eyes widened as Alistair twisted, throwing him to the ground with bone-crunching force. Ethan rolled to his feet, blood trickling from a split lip, and lunged again. This time, Alistair blocked effortlessly, sidestepping and countering with a brutal backhand.
“You’re predictable,” Alistair said coldly, dodging Ethan’s next strike with ease. “All strength, no strategy.”
Ethan’s body hit the ground hard, his breath escaping in a pained grunt. He struggled to his feet, his vision blurring as he turned to face Alistair again.
“A little help wouldn’t be too bad, you know!” Ethan shouted over his shoulder, swaying slightly.
The others exchanged uneasy glances. Lira finally spoke, her voice hesitant. “We can’t, Ethan. Without our heartstones, we’re powerless against him.”
Ethan wiped the blood from his mouth, glaring at them. “Powerless? The heartstone chose you, didn’t it?”
They nodded hesitantly.
“Then think about this,” Ethan continued, dodging a boulder Alistair threw at him, his voice rising with urgency. “The heartstone doesn’t pick weaklings. It never has, and it didn’t start now. The real power isn’t in some shiny rock—it’s in us. The heartstone is just a reminder of what we’re capable of. So if you could get up and help me a bit here, I'll really appreciate it.”
The group fell silent, his words sinking in.
“He’s right,” Aiden said finally, stepping forward. His hands curled into fists. “I’ve been scared for nothing. We’ve been scared for nothing. Let's take him down...”
"...hard."
Lira and Riona nodded in agreement, determination replacing the doubt in their eyes.
“We’re with you,” Riona said firmly, stepping beside Ethan.
Ethan smirked, his crimson eyes flickering. “Good. Let’s show him what real Guardians look like.”
On his command, they moved as one.
Kaelin darted in first, slashing at Alistair with her claws. He blocked her attack but was forced to step back as Lira fired a bolt of magic at his feet. Isolde followed, her icy blade swinging in a deadly arc that forced him to pivot and leave his flank open. Aiden was there in an instant, landing a solid punch to Alistair’s side that made him grunt in pain.
Their attacks came from all directions, relentless and precise. Alistair blocked one blow, only to be struck by another from a different angle.
“You’re sloppy, Alistair!” Riona taunted, landing a kick to his chest.
“Is this all your so-called power amounts to?” Aiden added, driving an elbow into Alistair’s ribs.
Alistair staggered, his once-imposing form now battered and sluggish. Blood dripped from his mouth as he struggled to keep up with the onslaught.
“Enough!” he roared, swinging wildly, but his movements were slow and desperate.
Ethan capitalized on the opening. With a feral cry, he lunged, his fist blazing with the heartstone’s energy. He struck Alistair square in the chest, sending him crashing to his knees.
The group surrounded him, their breathing heavy but victorious. Alistair knelt, his head bowed, his body trembling with exhaustion and defeat.
Ethan stepped forward, his gaze cold. “This is for pestering us with unnecessary lectures and taking me away from my family just to steal my heartstone off me."
With that, he drove his glowing fist into Alistair’s face. The impact echoed like thunder, and Alistair’s body crumpled to the ground.
For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. Then, Alistair’s body disintegrated into ash, the particles swirling into the air before vanishing completely.
The group erupted into cheers, jumping and hugging one another.
“I can’t believe we did it!” Riona exclaimed, laughing as she hugged Lira.
“Did you see his face when I hit him?” Aiden added, grinning ear to ear.
Kaelin turned to Ethan, her eyes wide. “How did you summon the heartstone like that?”
Ethan shrugged, smirking. “Something about my blood, I guess. Don’t ask me to explain.”
Their laughter was cut short as a figure appeared in the distance, slowly approaching.
“Wow,” the figure said, clapping slowly. “I didn’t think you had it in you. But congratulations. You took it down.”
The group froze, their smiles fading as the figure stepped closer.
It was Alistair.
Their eyes widened in shock, disbelief etched on their faces as he stood before them, whole and unharmed.
“Miss me?” he asked with a smirk.
YOU ARE READING
Blood
FantasyEthan, a 16-year-old high school student, has always felt like an outsider in his small town. He's drawn to the mysterious and beautiful Emily, who's just transferred to his school. As they spend more time together, Ethan discovers that Emily is hid...
