The city was wet. The flames of the burning Center City Gardens still raged on into the night. Genesis stood in silent solidarity. Ahead of him stood a man wrapped in a luxurious suit. Genesis had a faint grin stretching along his face. Sparks fluttered between the locked gazes of these two human titans. The battle between me and Nina had only just begun to bud. Yet the battle between these two had blossomed into a mature black rose. A black rose stained by the blood of all those who had fallen behind them. Their battle was one that had been waging on for many long tormenting years. You could see it in the way the two looked at each other. The memories that were playing in the reflections of their eyes.

"I missed you in New York," said the man in the suit.

"I know," responded Genesis.

"It’s been a long time, Genesis."

"Yeah. It’s good to see you again Wolf."

A lone wolf had entered the fray. He raised his silver head towards the wet and waning moonlight and howled a cry of war to the heavens. A cry of satisfaction and relief that at last, he found his old enemy. Wolf held the gun in his hand tight. His eyes filled with the resolve to kill. He lined up the barrel with the soft flesh of Genesis’ forehead. Wolf was ready to pull the trigger. But something stopped him from carrying out the murderous act.

"I believe you and I both know that a bullet isn’t enough to kill you. Besides, neither one of us wants to see the other die so easily."

He returned his gun to its hidden holster and turned his attention to his metal case. With a single motion, the rifle case opened up and from it emerged a rectangular blade. Red metal clamps bolted the blade to the round grip that paralleled the blade. Wolf gripped the strange rectangular weapon and gave it a hard swing to the side. The grip then extended outward from the bottom. Wolf grasped the extended pole with his free hand. In one swift motion, Wolf’s bizarre blade had turned into a polearm.

There wasn't a single word said between the two titans as rain crashed down on flesh, steel, and cloth. Tension rose to insurmountable levels before finally shattering like glass. The still air exploded violently as those colossal heroes charged forward towards each other. Each titanic warrior harbored the full heat of battle on their shoulders. Indistinguishable purpose built the foundation upon each surging footstep they took. One wished to protect the world from that which humanity could not understand. The other wished to hide and protect those same mysteries. Thirty seconds to impact. This was the battle that would define the scale of the path I would walk. And it had already begun before I had a chance to witness it.

Wolf and Genesis exchanged blows only to block as fast as they struck. The sound of clashing metal echoed throughout the empty road. Genesis and Wolf fought tooth and nail. Each of them struck with unparalleled ferocity. They attempted killing blow after killing blow. Sparks flew from the grinding metal as the two warriors pressed the attack. Neither one of them was going to give in. Neither one of them had it in them, the ability to admit defeat.

Genesis backed off his assault allowing Wolf to push forward. He swung his glaive down onto Genesis who dodged to the side, gliding his blade into Wolf’s flesh as he did so. Wolf leapt back with clenched teeth as blood dripped from his wound. Genesis looked at him with a deadpan expression.

"Your weapon has immense reach, but its size means you must fight for control. Attacking leaves you with a massive blind spot. A blind spot I can easily exploit. I see you haven't learned much since last time."

Wolf grunted in rage and rushed at Genesis. He used his body to carry the weight of the glaive as he let his whole being guide his strikes. Genesis parried as best as he could as the glaive attempted to reach his body and bite at his flesh. Genesis waited for his moment once more as Wolf continued to strike. Finally, Genesis managed to maneuver around Wolf’s slashes. Genesis raised his blade to strike Wolf from behind. A loud clash of metal rang out into the rainy sky as Wolf turned to block the sneaky strike. Genesis’ eyes went wide only for a moment as he leapt back and motioned for Wolf to come forward. Wolf charged forward and prepared to pounce.

The wolf is a proud animal. An animal that prides itself with its pack, its family. But to be a lone wolf means to shun the pack, to forge a trail of your own making. You survive on your own and become as ruthless as Nature herself. I always believed a lone wolf was a unique breed and I’m sure Nature did when she created it. Genesis faced one of those wolves now. One of the many wolves who learned to value their lives above the rest. But sometimes the lone wolf will put that life on the line for others. This Agent was that kind of beast.

For some unknown reason, he harbored a strange relationship with Genesis. From what I remember, Wolf fears him because his power could threaten the world. But Wolf respects Genesis for his courage and fighting prowess. When these two faced each other after all those years it wasn’t out of hatred for the other. It was a battle of rivals. It was a battle of two humans who differed in ideologies and knew that only one could survive.

The battle waged on. Wolf tried to create distance between himself and Genesis with controlled strikes. Genesis himself was holding his own quite well. But finding an opening in Wolf’s stalwart defense was proving tricky. He knew from the beginning that Wolf was an excellent defensive fighter. Wolf’s glaive had great reach allowing for him to keep enemies at a distance. But he was only one man. While Wolf’s defense may have been great it still was only a frontal defense. While his sides opened up with each swing, his back was completely exposed. Genesis finally saw a break in the defenses and took his chance. But it seemed the lone wolf prepared for this outcome. The glaive swung into Genesis’ arm and dug into his flesh. Not a single scream came from Genesis, but instead, it was a simple smile. Genesis gripped the pole of Wolf’s weapon and used his strength to rip it from his body and pull Wolf towards him. Wolf tried his best to resist the force of Genesis’ pull, but it was useless. Wolf released his grip on his weapon and reached for his gun. Wolf fired three rounds only for Genesis to block the bullets in a split second. Wolf’s eyes widened with fear as he saw three bullets fall to the pavement as a loud metal ring echoed in his ear.

"That wouldn’t have happened eight years ago. Eight years ago you were never that quick," Wolf said with slight confusion.

Genesis looked at Wolf with the same deadpan expression.

"It happened in New York. My powers had finally manifested. I’m sorry I couldn’t stay human and keep our fight fair."

Wolf clenched his teeth in frustration as he gripped his gun even tighter. Genesis looked straight into the eyes of Wolf with a ferocious glare. The tension was building again.

*****

Terra and I had reached the lobby of the Center City Gardens. The fires were spreading fast. It was difficult to see where I was going. Lack of sight forced me to rely on the "other me" as he guided me through the smoldering ruin. But at last, we emerged into the rainy dark. The cold stormy air welcomed us. Nature embraced us with open arms like her own children as we exited the Gardens. That was when I first saw him. Agent Wolf. The man who would become one of my greatest enemies.

Agent Wolf and Genesis both turned to see Terra and me exiting the ruins. Terra leaned on my shoulder as we limped down the stone staircase. Genesis sighed in dissatisfaction as he turned to face Wolf.

"I’m sorry I have to do this. But I must end this quickly."

I watched in amazement as I saw something inexplicable. I bore witness to a fraction of Genesis’ power. I watched as two disc-like objects seemed to just appear just in front of Genesis, as if from nowhere. They tore open reality itself and revealed pieces of a landscape, much different than our own. Some foreign place was peering into our world. These strange windows seemed to ripple and pulsate like the waves that appear when one dips their toe in water. As the two discs cut through our reality I watched as Genesis glared at me through his peripherals.

"Pay attention kid. These are Mind Gates, they allow me to manifest objects from my mind into the real world. Someday you may be able to use their power."

Genesis then turned back to his enemy one last time before speaking a sort of incantation.

"Come forth. Swan and Serpent."

From each Mind Gate came a single blade. One was a thick and heavy broadsword. Its blade was a pristine shade of white and sparkled with gold. Swan’s swept basket hilt wore an elegant swan motif. The other blade was black and curved with slight red accents running along the blade. It was as if the blade itself was opalescent. Serpent’s cross guard was smaller and much more jagged than the swept basket hilt of the broadsword. Swan was Genesis' main offense, while Serpent punished unwary opponents. These were two of Genesis’ prized blades.

"These blades were born within my own mind. Each one is unique and represents a certain fraction of my consciousness. Take a long look at them, Wolf. These are the weapons that will kill you."

Wolf’s anger was paramount. I could see his eyes as clear as day. They looked like the eyes of a cornered old forest dog. Genesis sighed and dashed towards Wolf with blinding speed. Wolf attempted to shoot Genesis but he only felt the cold steel of Swan as it dug into his gut. Wolf stumbled back as he stared at Genesis and then looked at his wound. Panic overtook his mind as the realization of failure became all too clear to the Agent. He fell to his knees and looked up at his enemy in an almost hysterical state of mind. His eyes went wild with complete lack of understanding. The word "why" was spelt out in his gaze.

"How in the world is this possible!? You were never this strong in New York! You were still human!" Wolf screamed at Genesis in a rage.

Genesis looked at Wolf with a stare. Swan and Serpent were gripped tight as Genesis looked down at the broken Agent.

"Never underestimate the strength of someone who has lost everything."

Wolf screamed in rage as he opened fire on Genesis. Genesis deflected the bullets with ease prompting Wolf to dart past Genesis. Wolf dodged Genesis’ swipes and ran towards his glaive. He picked up the weapon and ran at Genesis in a blind rage. Genesis blocked Wolf’s strikes and watched as Wolf twirled his glaive with unnatural speed.

"You aren’t the only one holding back! You have forfeited your humanity Genesis! CAPRA protocol dictates that I am charged with your extermination!"

Wolf charged forward towards Genesis. Genesis quickly called back Swan and Serpent. Wolf surprised Genesis with the tight control and finesse he had over his weapon. Genesis blocked as best he could and snuck in a strike with Serpent. Wolf dashed away from Genesis’ reach and countered swiftly. Genesis slid on his feet before impaling Swan in the pavement to stop himself. Genesis growled and dashed back at Wolf. Genesis leapt in the air in a front flip bringing Swan down onto Wolf’s shoulder. Wolf dashed away from the strike and swung his glaive at Genesis’ gut. Blood splattered on the wet pavement before washing away into the sewer drains. Genesis clenched his teeth tight as he struggled to pull away from the glaive’s bite. Wolf pulled his weapon from Genesis’ body letting it tear into him further. Genesis tried to hold back a scream as he backed away from Wolf. Wolf dashed in and began to cut up Genesis more and more. He was quick on his feet. He had to be. He was a mere man fighting creatures beyond him. He had to be quick, cold, and strong. Genesis was cut all over his body as blood trickled from his wounds. Wolf came rushing in for the finishing blow only to hear a clash of metal. Genesis was still fighting strong.

"You really are a freak!" cried Wolf.

"Maybe, but I still have the heart of a man. I’m glad I got to face your full strength," responded Genesis.

Genesis gripped Swan tightly as the blade began to glow with a golden light. Genesis slashed at Wolf several times with the vigorous Swan. Wolf did his best to block the strikes but Genesis proved too fast for him. Wolf was knocked back with a gash in his chest. He was struggling to stand on his feet as blood seeped through his shirt and dripped down his chest.

"I really did underestimate you…"

Genesis smiled and lowered his weapons. Wolf was too fatigued to go on.

"Will you follow us?" Genesis asked.

"No. My fight is with you. Take your allies to safety. We will finish this another day," said Wolf in a friendly response.

"Thank you… Old friend."

Those were the last words Genesis spoke to Wolf that night. The three of us left him to bleed into the streets. The fire crews would more than likely find his body. Dead or alive, we weren’t sure, it didn’t really matter to us. At the end of it all, we survived and that was what mattered. Survival. It was still hard to believe that I had chosen to keep living this life, even if was just to see Nina die by my hands. But even then, I intended to keep fighting.

*****

Only a few blocks away, a rooftop held unknown spectators to the fight between Genesis and Wolf. The mysterious figures watched the fight only to lose interest as we began to leave. The ghostly silhouette’s fiery red hair clung to her wet body as the rain began to pour down on the world. It was like a choir of angels had shed their tears for these abominations Nature and Science had concocted. Nina stood watching our fight relishing the tears of the angels. The same tears that poured down on the Earth as she looked at the street with a grin. A young woman approached Nina from behind as she observed that which was beneath her. Her emerald dress reflected the light of embers in a bright sheen.

"Are you starting fights again?" asked the young girl.

"He got away from me twice. Why was he able to escape?" replied Nina with a rather condescending tone.

"I think you’re becoming obsessed," the girl retorted out of concern.

"Maybe I am. Either way, I think I am going to have fun with this boy."