The Impact (Book II)

War and Peace

Rayi

It wasn't Zane anymore. He had been entirely consumed by Kopa. The girl didn't know it yet and Rayi was hoping to save her the heartache for now. Idly, she wondered if Mikayla had been eaten by Irsya yet. Part of her hoped so; it would make it so much more interesting for her to kill her sister.

"Hello, big brother. It's so nice to see you again." She said genuinely, smiling.

He did not return her smile, though for a second the madness in his eyes died down and affection shined through. "Rayi, my amatus. You look healthier than the last time I saw you."

She rocked back and forth on the balls of her feet. "Oh, thank you. The girl and I came to an...agreement that works more in my favor than hers. Tell me, is there anything left of Zane in there?"

The madness returned. "Not at all. I have to admit, he was the tastiest demon I've had the pleasure of consuming."

Her smile hardened. "I see. Shall we get on with it, then?"

He threw a punch. She knocked away his fist and brought her knee up into his stomach. Before she could set her foot back down, his arm wrapped around her leg and yanked on it. She was too close to him to be able to land a back kick, so she locked her foot behind his and tripped him. The two of them went clattering to the ground, with her on top of him. Her slim hands found his throat. From underneath them, the earth tremored and a boulder struck her. She hit the wall with her feet and used it to launch herself back at her brother. His cestus grabbed her fist. Lightning crackled harmlessly around his fist. He grinned at her stunned expression.

"Stainless steel is the least conductive metal there is. I can still feel the tingle but your lightning will-" He caught lightning directly to his face and fell backward with a grunt.

Rubbing her fist, Rayi's expression shifted back into a grin. "You talk too much."

While her brother was incapacitated, her eyes scanned the yard. There wasn't a single soul at the prison. Suspicion rose inside her.

"Tell me, Kopa. Where are the soldiers and Father dearest?" She asked.

He got to his feet, her lightning scarring his face, and grinned, "Haven't figured it out yet, have you? Father knew the raven was Melanie the other day. He came up with a rather intriguing plan of allowing the angels to take back her abomination. I'm sure my nephew didn't mention that he eventually cracked."

Her smile fell. "You're just a distraction."

Kopa chuckled, "Smart as a whip, you are. Tavor took the soldiers to the base where he's going to slaughter every last one of those angels. And to correct you, we are the distraction."

A presence appeared behind her.

She avoided the attack and kicked the hand clutching the sword. It fell to the floor with a sharp clatter and the demon leaped away from her. Her lips stretched across her pointed teeth as she bent down and grabbed the rapier. Before her stood King Lin XVI.

"Well, isn't this a pleasant surprise? Our king graces this battlefield with his presence." She simpered, bowing mockingly.

Without his rings and hair slicked back, Lin looked like a completely different person. His blond hair fell into his eyes and his golden eyes were bright with his incense. He had adorned his black and gold armor. His now empty hand open and closed like he felt the weight of the weapon she now had still in his hand.

"Do not speak to me, bitch! Return my weapon to me immediately!"

She thought he sounded very much like a pouting child.

Smiling lazily at him, she moved her wrist this way and that, testing the weight and balance of the rapier. "Little kings should not play with such a dangerous weapon; you could take your eye out. Tell me, does your royal babysitter know you're here?"

His face flushed with ire. "How dare you speak to me in such a manner?! It figures that the whore has such a mouthy Adsecula."

Rayi's smile cracked at the corners. Her fingers twitched, but she did not release the sword. Melanie growled and Rayi hushed her. "And yet you married said whore's sister because she looked like your lost love. Does dear Mikayla know that every time you bedded her you wished it was us you were fucking?"

He swung clumsily at her. She merely sidestepped him and he fell to the ground.

He scrambled to his feet and continued swinging at her. Rayi laughed. "Oh, this is magical. Why is anyone afraid of you? I've seen infants swing better than you!"

Growing more and more frustrated, Lin only grew clumsier in his movements. She was so busy being entertained by him, she was not aware of Kopa sneaking up behind her until the sword he kept sheathed at his hip pierced her back. She gasped and turned to glower at the backstabber. Kopa tore his sword from her back and she fell to her hands and knees.

A second later, Lin's boot connected with her side. She rolled onto her back, groaning as he continued to kick her. Her hand lashed out and caught his foot before it hit her tendering side and threw him back from her. She glanced up and saw Kopa preparing to thrust his sword through her skull. Rolling onto her side, she got to her feet and wiped at her mouth.

Pain flared and she grimaced when she realized his sword was made of silver. She hadn't released Lin's rapier and in a snap decision, threw it at Kopa. His eyes widened and avoided it.

Never mind these two, we have to get back to the base! the girl urged.

[Patience, girl; they are all capable fighters,] she replied, avoiding Lin once more. She didn't dwell on wondering when she started to think of them as capable.

She was beginning to grow annoyed with the king. The audacity of such a weakling interfering with her battle with War! Before he could get back to his feet, she grabbed his head between her hands.

"Now, now, dear, the grownups are fighting now. Why don't you take a nap?" She snapped his neck and released him, letting his body crumple to the ground.

Kopa snickered, "He's not going to be happy about that."

The earth shook again. She rocked from side to side unsteadily and gasped when the earth split open beneath her. She fell several feet before she caught a ledge with a wince. Looking down, she saw the glow of magma several thousand feet below. When she looked back up, Kopa was peeking over the edge at her.

He smirked. "Good; I would have been disappointed if you had simply fallen to your death."

He closed his fist.

The earth began to come back together. Her muscles burning, Rayi climbed up, pulling herself up before the earth swallowed her up. Kopa swiped at her with his sword.

Rayi avoided another thrust and blocked his kick with the outside of her arm. He feigned a swipe at her head, forcing her to leave her torso open. She gasped as the blade of his sword pierced her stomach, all the way to the hilt.

"Do you see yet, sister? I am stronger than you. I always have been and always will be." Kopa yanked his sword out of her body.

She fell to her knees, hands scrabbling at the wound in her stomach as blood filled her mouth. He knelt in front of her, a touch of sadness in his eyes. She asked haltingly, "Do you remember our time as Peace and War?"

He murmured, "I do."

"D-do you remember the first time we sparred? When you trounced me? Do you remember wh-what I said?" Darkness surrounded the edge of her vision and she blinked.

"You said, 'I'll get you next time. I'll strike when you least-'" He gasped wetly and stared at his chest, where her hand was protruding from it.

The girl wailed. Kopa looked at her disbelievingly as he slumped to his side. His breaths came in short gasps and his hand found hers. They clutched each other's hands as he stilled.

"...when you least expect it," Rayi finished.

"I am sorry it came to this, brother. I give you my word that I never wished you dead." She whispered through stinging eyes.