Amity

Chapter 49: Extinguishing the Flame

Tanto knife in hand, McManus rushed into the fray, his knife slicing through any of the monstrous beings that ran across him until he made it to the center of the square, where Abraham stood in waiting; the black flames ignited in his hands before he stalked towards McManus.

Without a word, Abraham rushed towards him. He swung a wide right, which McManus deflected with his forearm and countered by sending the knife into his back. Only, it bounced of the black flames that slithered across his back, almost as if it was a suit of armor. Abraham stumbled slightly, only to rebound towards him.

He lashed out at McManus, swinging wild punches at him, each swing left him wide open for a counterattack, only every time McManus attacked, it was deflected by that black flame. It was clear that Abraham was untrained as a fighter; the only reason he'd been considered a threat was because of his control of the Edge Walkers and that impenetrable shield of his, which would be dealt with once Brianna gathered enough of her mana. Smirking, McManus abandoned his combat knife; he just had to buy time, not take him down himself.

Swaying away from another haymaker, McManus dug his knee into Abraham's sternum, which was blocked by the flames. "Is that the only trick you've got up your sleeve? Just those black flames?" McManus chided. Abraham said nothing as he continued his unanswered assault, though it seemed no matter how many times McManus dodged and counterattacked, it would only get blocked by the flames. He'd be so glad once those flames were dealt with.

It is ready, Demetrius, Brianna's voice said in McManus's head.

I think the only time that I was this happy to hear that from you was our first date, McManus thought.

Just get him in position, Brianna's voice said, sounding impatient.

McManus smirked as he dodged Abraham's fists. "Why don't you just admit it already? Without that fire protecting you, you ain't shit."

"I don't need the darkness to kill you!" Abraham roared.

"Is that right?" McManus asked, inclining his head to Brianna rushing towards him, the yellow aura flowing from her hands. He turned around just in time for Brianna's palm to phase through the flames into his chest. The yellow aura sprouted through his back, as if her hand ran through his body.

For a moment, nothing seemed to happen. Time was at a standstill. The struggle between the Kurai Elites and the Edge Walkers were silenced. Then, Abraham swung at her. Parrying, spun behind him, pushing him towards McManus, who drove his heel into Abraham's temple. Much to McManus's pleasure, the kick actually connected, snapping his head back as he fell to the ground, the steel mask ringing as he landed. Damn, that felt good.

Once Abraham was dealt with, the Edge Walkers vanished in puffs of black smoke. At once, the Kurai Elites went to assist their injured comrades. One Kurai Elite member ran with Ichi towards Abraham's body. "How in the name of the goddess did you manage to knock him out?" Marcus's voice asked underneath the black raven mask.

"Simple. Bri-Bri's disarming palm," McManus said as he pointed to Brianna with his thumb.

"Send a medic team for the injured Elites," Ichi called to the rest of the Kurai Elite members. "Marcus, I want you to apprehend him."

"Do not be afraid," Brianna said at Marcus recoiling from Ichi's orders. "The disarming palm should last for twenty-four hours. Surely, you would be able to properly shackle him before then." Sighing, Marcus nodded as he grabbed the chains strapped to his hip and chained up his arms and legs before heaving Abraham's lifeless body onto his shoulders.

"If he wakes up and kills me or something, I will be haunting you for the rest of your life, Brianna," Marcus said before vaulting high into the air.