Summer, a season of relaxation, gathering, and to catch up with one's needs; whether it'd be family, hobbies, or building one's self: there wasn’t someone who was just as determined as Leon, who’s relaxing in front of the academy lawn. Watching newcomers for next year's sign in; Esper’s, Witch’s, and Sorcers eager to join the most difficult academy, this had him looking forward to the new season. Today though, embarks on his six month anniversary dating the most gorgeous woman known to mankind; Samantha. He’s reading a book that his father passed down to him, before the night he took his parents' lives accidentally. He’s waiting for Samantha to show up. Supposedly, she had a surprise for him, and she did so every month.

“Sure is a beautiful day.” he muttered while flipping a page.

Surprisingly, someone placed their hand on his shoulder. He looked over it, and saw Eligor, a friend he made a couple of months ago.

“Leon! Whatcha doing here?” he asked.

Leon grinned. “I’m reading art, that’s what I’m doing.”

“Art?! Like in martial arts! Because I wanna spar with you again.”

Leon chuckled, “don’t think that’s happening.”

“What, you’re afraid of getting your butt whooped?”

Leon shrugged. “Unless you’re talking about yourself, then be my guess and try attacking me.”

Eligor eased his hand off Leon’s shoulder, and forced a chuckle.

“Y-Yeah… nevermind, I’m not ready to face you head on again.”

Leon closed his book, and got up.

“Say, Eligor, now that you’re here, it gives me a chance to ask you something.”

Eligor took steps back to give them space.

“Sure, what’s up?”

Leon tucked his book beneath his arm, and cleared his throat, placing his hand on his hip.

“Is it true that you’re transferring to learn the ways to be an Exorcist?”

Eligor gasped with shock.

“Who-Who told you?!”

Leon sighed.

“Quite hard to be quiet about it when you also told someone as loud as Shaman to expose your truth.”

“Damn, you’re right. But yes, it is true.”

Eligor flexed his muscles.

“I think I’d make a good Exorcist.”

“You’re aware about the work that they do, right?”

Eligor nodded, and placed his fists on his hips.

“Of course! But I’m just interested in hunting demons, spirits, you know, actual Exorcism stuff.”

Leon raised a brow, and grabbed his chin.

“Really now? I don’t buy it knowing your character.”

“Leon! You-you think I joined just to gain some power advantage to take on everyone else that isn’t an Exorcist?!”

Leon raised his brow more, and a grin started to appear.

“I didn’t say all that. But thank you for telling me your true intentions.”

“Oh-Oh shit!”

Leon chuckled and went up to Eligor, patting his huge shoulder.

“Relax, I’m aware. Although, if we ever crossed paths, just know I won’t hold back the next time you and I fight; especially if you’re joining a division that also has no problem taking action against supernatural beings.”

Eligor also grinned, and laughed.

“Right right! I’ll take your word on it, my powerful frenemy.”

While the two stood in acceptance, someone else decided to hop into their conversation, and instead of being proper, they did by shooting a plasma ball. Leon smacked it away without giving a glance to it. It shot up to the air, and flashed the sky in red, and everyone was awestruck by the apocalyptic display. Leon clenched a fist, and shifted his head to the source of the attack.

“Well, if it isn’t Ravana.” Leon said.

Ravana lowered his hand, and shrugged.

“Oops, that slipped.”

“Did it really? Or are you still upset at the fact that you’ll never reach my level.”

Ravana bounced a brow, and stepped forward.

“Oh Leon, still thinking that I’m envious of his massive strength and gap that bridges us.”

Leon crossed his arms.

“Coming from a guy who explodes at the littlest things, anything that comes out of your mouth will always be taken with a grain of salt.”

Ravana’s nerves were being pinched, and it made his raised brow twitch.

“He he heh, whatever you say… Bolverkr.”

Leon squinted his eyes, and also stepped forward.

“I have a feeling we’ll never get along. And I’m fine with that because knowing the nature of you, it makes me seem more green lit than you’ll ever be seen.”

Feeling the tension grow between them, Eligor stepped in between, and tapped the air.

“Now now, you guys, let's make an example for the newcomers.”

Ravana pointed a finger in the sky, and grinned.

“I think I already have more than Leon could, unless… he wants to display his dormant abilities like in practice.”

Ravana’s smug nature brought a hindrance in Leon’s chilled attitude, which made the tall young man mildly tilt his head and clench a fist.

“I would love to, but that would give me a chance of killing you—‘accidently’, of course.”

Ravana frowned. “Hmph, we’ll see about that.”

Eligor began to panic and couldn’t think of anything else to calm the two. He could handle Ravana’s hotheaded outburst, but Leon is on a whole different spectrum of power to which no one could comprehend nor reach. Only one person could tame the beast if he were to go berserk, and that was none other than…

“Hey! You two idiots, chillax man, hehheh!”

A snorty humorous voice shouted close to them, but they couldn’t see who it was. Leon though, he knew right away who the voice belonged to, and it cooled him down.

“John, where are you hiding?” he asked.

“John? Who the hell is John?” Ravana asked.

Slithering his way out of the cracks of the sidewalk, John emerged and presented his grungy steampunk self. Getting in the middle of everyone, he wrapped his arm around Eligor’s huge boulders he called shoulders, and chuckled.

“What’s with the maliciousness between you two?! There’s no need for it, my two friends. Relax, all of you, and let's rejoice in the wonderful season of fresh meat, haha!”

Hearing his close friends' snarky, cheerful voice finally eased all of Leon’s nerves and he returned to his still face. Ravana on the other hand found his presence a nuisance, and thought lowly of him.

“Well well well, if it isn’t Malificus. The supposed best Witch in the making. What brings a clown like you here?” Ravana said.

John cringed at him, and pointed at Ravana.

“You smart ass little bastard. Using my real name, that’s a Sin! How dare you, but anyways you can suck it, because you yourself can’t compete on my level either, heheheh!”

Ravana wiggled his nose, and his annoyance was starting to unfold.

“Everyone here thinks they’re better than me?! When in fact I have the most potential!”

John went up to Ravana, and wiggled his finger at him.

“Tisk tisk, Ravana Ravana! You gotta chill out dude. Being a hothead isn’t good for your health. Not to mention with that playboy look you got going on, you ain’t gonna make it to 35 without looking 55, dude!”

Eligor laughed and so did Leon. Ravana sighed and flicked John’s finger away, which made him shut his mouth and give him a side eye.

“Ey ey ey ey, what has thy finger done to you!” John exclaimed, but snickered afterwards.

“You’re right, I can’t compete against the two of you… yet.”

“Ooo, interesting. Yet! We’ll see friend, we’ll see!”

With everyone in an even mood, standing around to see who’ll say the next thing, they heard soft footsteps approaching them from the grassy side of the lawn.

“Oh, it seems everyone's present, for some strange reason.”

A young woman's voice, her tone soft, mature, yet seductive turned everyone's attention. All heads shifted to the right, and standing in her black turtleneck sweater, red skirt, and glistening pale skin from the shining sunlight: It was Samantha who’s eyes glared at everyone else's besides Leon. She held a bag with two hands in front, and went up to Leon who grew nervous but brought out a smile. Eligor stepped away, Ravana’s captivated, and John held his grin while she edged closer to his close friend.

“Sorry if I’m late, Leon, but I had to do something on the way.”

She stopped an inch from him, and her beautiful smile cleansed his soul, and made him turn red. He scratched the back of his head, and forced a chuckle.

“With you, I would never complain, Samantha.”

She giggled, and brought the bag up.

“Here, take it.” she softly said.

Leon grabbed the bag, and opened it. Reaching inside, he grabbed an object that felt soft. Pulling it out, it was a small bear that held onto a blackened heart. Seeing it brought confusion to Leon, but seeing Samantha’s sparkling face, and her gorgeous crimson eyes, he couldn’t question as to why she gifted him something out of his comfort zone.

“Wh-What’s this, Samantha?” he politely asked.

She grabbed the bear, and held it with him.

“Our anniversary gift! Happy six months, Leon!”

Leon couldn’t retain his happiness and showed it. Granting everyone with something rare out of him, his huge smile is out of character which brought everyone in a complete state of shock. Not even John could believe his eyes and he’s known him the longest. Seeing this side of him made Ravana envious about his relationship with Samantha. Yet a part of him still believed she didn’t reject his request and had him still clawing at the idea that there’s a chance for them to be together. The thought of them being a power couple shot some courage in him, and tried to attempt to ask something out of line.

He went up to the pair, and cleared his throat. Both panned their attention to him, and despite earlier hostility, Leon’s smile remained.

“Samantha, I-I still haven’t gotten an answer from you, uh… it’s been a couple of months so…?”

Samantha’s smile turned upside down, and she gave Ravana a cold stare. In fact, she felt just as annoyed by anyone else present. Without expressing a single emotion towards Ravana, she instead shooed him away with her hand.

“Wha-what are you trying to say?” Ravana asked, nervously chuckling.

Samantha raised the edge of her lip mildly, and looked away.

“What a pathetic fool. And your presence aggravates me. Leave, weakling.”

“Huh?”

“Wow, she said it alright. Ahem, very very awkward now bwahaha!” John said.

Eligor cringed. “Oh man, bad timing, bad timing.”

Leon tilted his head, and got in front of Samantha which got her by surprise. Leon’s smile, still intact, his eyes grew fierce and a glint sliced through them as he stared down Ravana.

“I believe it’s time for you to leave unless you want to see again just how formidable I am to the rest of you.”

Everyone could feel his mana grow, surge: the ground began to vibrate, and gravity around them began to feel heavy. Eligor collapsed to fours, John got to a knee, and Ravana tried fighting it, but was slammed to his face. In a struggle, he brought his gaze up to Leon who’s eyes gleamed malice towards him.

“What now? Ravana? Is it not time for you to leave? Why are you on the ground, chest pressed against the concrete? Weren’t you strong enough to be toe to toe with me? Fool.”

Ravana ground his teeth, and tried to move his muscles but couldn’t. Leon’s mana kept growing and growing, and the area around them began to fall victim to it. Students, newcomers, they were all struggling to fight against the might of Leon as his annoyance unfolded. The building began to crack, and seeing the person in question, most of the newcomers were smiling towards him, and praised Leon. But, others saw that Samantha stood by his side without being fazed by his power. Seeing that he’s getting carried away, Samantha grabbed his hand, and immediately, gravity returned to normal. This brought a gasp out of John, and Ravana. Eligor leaped up, and stretched his legs and arms.

“Jesus Leon… if you were annoyed you should’ve said so instead of doing that!” Eligor exclaimed.

Samantha caressed his hand, and rubbed his arm.

“Leon, there’s no need for that. But I love it when you’re so protective of me.”

She giggled and hearing her innocent laughter made him blush again. Ravana couldn’t believe his eyes, and John also was in disbelief.

“She can cool him down better than I can. Interesting.” John muttered as he got on his feet.

Ravana stayed on the ground, and being witnessed to the beauty that has tamed the beast brought an idea to his twisted mind.

“The tournament starts in winter. I wonder if I have this ticking time bomb explode in front of everyone there, it’ll show just how much of a monster he is.”

A vile grin emerged and his crimson eyes glinted.

“Then Samantha would see and if he actually loses control and attacks everything in sight, including her, then I’ll be the one to stop him.”

He snickered and shut his eyes.

It’s the perfect plan. Lets just see how much she can actually keep him at bay and if she fails to do so, when the moment comes for her to be the damsel in distress—I, Ravana! Will be her long awaited saviour! Ravana thought.

Eligor helped Ravana back up, and he patted himself.

“You alright there?” Eligor asked.

Ravana’s vile grin faded and he let out a sigh.

“Yeah, and you guys are right, I apologise for my odd desperate behaviour.”

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

Chelsea had just arrived, and grabbed Leon’s arm, which made Samantha's eyes grow big.

“Leon Leon! Heys, whatchas doing?!”

Leon saw Chelsea beside him, and he shrugged.

“Uh, just hanging around until all of you guys decided to pop in. But I’m with Samantha now so I feel better.”

“Ohs! Samantha’s here?!”

She saw her glare, and it made Chelsea quickly let go and step away.

“My-My bads!”

Samantha gapped her mouth and stared at Chelsea for a good minute. Her ominous eyes that made men fall for her were enriching fear into Chelsea’s soul. She quickly ran off to Eligor and clutched his arm, and he turned red.

“I saids I was sorrys!”

Samantha’s face turned still again, and she gave a side eye towards her.

“Never again shall you touch what belongs to me, Chelsea.”

“Woah…” Leon replied.

Samantha gasped and covered her mouth.

“Oops! I-I didn’t mean it to make it sound like you’re my property, sweety!”

Her embarrassed nature made Leon chuckle and grab her hand, and seeing him naturally grab her without repercussion made Ravana’s stomach turn. He growled, crossed his arms, and smacked his lips as the two were swallowing into each other's gazes.

“You’re already mine, Samantha, and no one will ever lay a finger on you. Unless they want to face death, then they’ll have to go through me.”

“Le-Leon…”

Samantha went for a big hug, and clung onto Leon. Seeing them happy brought a smile to John, but he still felt something was off about Samantha, but he couldn’t put his finger on it. Ravana had enough of seeing the woman hold onto his rival that he wandered off without saying bye. Chelsea had a defeated smile on her face as she watched her longtime crush hold another woman. Seeing her sadness made Eligor place his hand on her small shoulder and rub it to comfort her. With everyone in agreement and without another disruption, Leon held onto his true love while Samantha’s face that was facing at the building, no one could see her thin smile that reeked of sadistic tendencies. In her thoughts, all she could think of was the gift she gave to Leon and what it ultimately represented: Her goal in achieving a family, and finding the perfect man to water her seed.

You’re mine Leon, and soon… the daughter I’ve predicted and the family I drew will soon come to life.

***

Present time.

The city of Detroit was in ruins. It’s cloudy, eerie, vacant, and without a single sign of life in sight; it had the appearance of a post war feeling. The only people present were Eligor who stood on top of a small skyscraper, and beside him was his lover Chelsea who, together were watching the sun finally starting to show signs of ending its light for the day. Chelsea sat with her head being supported by a hand while Eligor wondered what she was thinking.

“Chelsea, you alright?” he asked.

Chelsea quietly let air out her nose, and softly blinked.

“Oh nothings. Just reminiscing, that's alls.”

“Oh, about what babe?”

She let off her hand, and both her hands were dangling from her knees. Hunching forward, she could feel the sky breeze grow colder by the minute.

“You knows, when we were all friends and such.”

“Do you mean the academy?”

She nodded, and deeply sighed.

“Yeahs, and it was such a doozy to be around. You know, befores all this happened and now we’re worshiping the lady who supposedly is our messiah.”

Chelsea could see Samantha’s crimson eye in the sun, glaring at her and again, reminding her of her twisted nature. It made her skin crawl and made her shiver to which she responded by hugging herself.

“I stills wonders why we’re doing this. Knowing the fact that Samantha’s also this woman, it’s a hard pill to swallow darling.”

“We still don’t know that. Yes it’s strange that she disappeared the day before Abyzou was born, but nevertheless, Ravana was right about our messiah being born.”

Chelsea felt conflicted and let out another sigh along with a groan.

“Hagh… whatever. And I also placed the crystals arounds the city babes. So if Leon actually shows his gorgeous face then we’ll—be ready…”

The hesitation in the end of her sentence made Eligor worry. He knew she still had some feelings left for Leon, and to see her like this, in preparation for taking him down like Ravana predicted; he’s beginning to wonder if she can go through with it. He also questioned himself, whether he can stomach the idea of taking out an old frenemy.

“Babes, I’m beginning to wonder if everything we’re doing is right. I mean take a look at the city.”

Eligor took his eyes off his girlfriend and glanced at the destroyed city that was already being deconstructed from inside politics. Seeing it in ruins caused by their hands hit Eligor with a different feeling, and wondered the same now. Regret came and shot in his face when he saw a couple of causalities lying on the street below.

“I understand where you're coming from. But as Ravana has envisioned! Our peaceful utopia with normality and the supernatural living amongst one another, I know it’ll be worth it!”

Chelsea grinned, and glanced at her man who stood proud with a fist pumped.

“You're goofy. But my minds hasn’t changed. And knowing that Leon’s our next target… I’ms not liking Ravana’s plan one bit sweetums.”

Eligor lowered his fist, and his open mouth smile shut, staying as a grin.

“Yeah. That I’m not looking forward to. And I did remember that he said he’d let me have it if we ever crossed paths outside the academy.”

Remembering his words turned Eligors grin upside down.

“I respect that guy so much and look up to him as one of the greatest people. Despite his explosive side and berserk nature and holding the title destroyer…”

Eligor lowered his head, and sank his eyes.

“I still consider him as a great friend.”

Hearing his hurt tone made Chelsea get up and hug her man. The two held each other while the sun eased down more beside them. While hugging, they sensed something below that caught their attention. Chelsea was the first to let go and leap out from the building, falling down and landing on the destroyed city street road. Eligor soon followed and landed on top of a convenience store building top and glanced around to see what got her attention.

“What do you sense, babe?”

Chelsea scanned the area, and pointed at some rubble near a spot Eligor was at hours ago.

“There! He still lives!”

“Who?!”

Eligor hovered his hand over his eyes, and saw someone laying against some piled concrete, and debri.

“That kid, he survived your attack?”

Chelsea rubbed her head.

“I swears I laid it on him! Damn it.”

Eligor chuckled. “Well, it seems you didn’t have the courage to take a life away.”

“Man, but that kids tough if he has enoughs of a breath trickling out in that rubble.”

Eligor rubbed his chin, and saw the young man’s shut eyelids flicker.

“He’s something else, isn’t he?”

Chelsea, with just a single jump stood next to Jack who was a complete, broken and bloody mess. She patted his head, and gripped his hair. She moved it a bit to see if he’d react but a groan was all that she got.

“He’s a tough son of a gun. But I guess’s that's deserving when you have someone like Leon teaching you how to fights.”

“Which means… that punk kid got more lessons from him than me! How dare he.”

Chelsea kept her eyes on Jack, and felt sorry for hurting him near death. The regret she had earlier came back ten fold when she looked straight and saw just how much damage she caused with her Warhammer attack. It brought a grimace and she slowly walked backwards, seeing more further damage and carcasses that were shown from the edge of her sights. She came to a stop in the middle of the road, and Eligor can sense her saddened aura gravitate towards him.

“Are we really doing the right thing?” he muttered.

Chelsea looked over her shoulder, and smiled weakly towards him.

“If all this fails honey, I think I’ma lay low and lives me a normal life.”

Her answer made Eligor speechless. His memories flashed through all the interactions they had and how they met, leading up to befriending the destroyer known as Leon Bolverkr. Despite them being supernatural and abnormal, they were living a normal life without being hunted or hated by Exorcists like they are now. Remembering his days training with them, learning how they function, Eligor’s memory finally flashed a horrible image of someone whom the whole world has come to loathe.

“Archard…”

His tactics, the way he spoke to anyone below and not on par to be worthy of the title Exorcist, Archard would humiliate and show no mercy. Knowing that someone like him exists made Ravana seem like an Angel. Archard was the main reason as to why he quit their brigade and decided to follow the cult that represented Envy. Seeing how everyone spent time together, worshiping but also being in an environment that wasn’t toxic and not followed by a dictator made him turn over a leaf. Although Ravana may be a hothead and loose cannon at times, he has once tried to off anyone without a proper reason.

Clenching a fist, Eligor shut his eyes and could remember a time when Archard was testing everyone’s power and mana control. Two Esper's were present, a Witch, himself, and lastly, a little girl with blonde hair and a face that was lifeless and doll-like. His sheer power and mana was in full display. A golden fire flickered around him, electric currents wildly jolting as he glared at them all. It was menacing to be in the presence of one of the most powerful beings in existence.

“So, I’m at half my strength. Which one of you fools would like to stand in front and challenge me?”

Everyone stayed in a frozen shocked state, groaning, moaning as Archard’s flame grew hotter by the second.

“If no one will step up to the center of the stage, and I guess that means all of you will fail, thus proving my point to why folks like Esper's and Witches have no place in our realm. We’re in a completely different league, and only the most gifted or born are welcomed.”

The two Esper's clenched their teeth, sweating in fear, the Witch’s jaw was dropped, and Eligor couldn’t bring himself to not shake in fear. The girl on the other hand stood in silence, her fists clenched, and did not show any signs of fear.

“Enough pissing yourselves now. I’m willing to give any of you another chance if you want.”

Nobody dared take a step forward while his grin sent permanent fear to freeze their bone marrow. The girl grew more serious, and was the only one who lightly took a step forward.

“So, which one of you cowards, once again, dare challenge me?”

The girl opened her mouth, growled and her hair began to flutter. She let out a yell, and the same flame that burned around Archard exploded around her.

“You don’t frighten me in the slightest, Archy.” she said.

Archard gasped, and found himself in a similar state of shock as the others. She growled some more, and her flame grew higher and reached the same as Archards. Electrical currents began to flicker around her as the two had a stare down. After she was done powering up, Archard brought out a grin, and kept his cool. She also had a grin on her face.

“Ahh, the girl William took in. Surprise to find you here. Couldn’t have noticed you when you’re so tiny.”

She glared at Archard, and raised a fist.

“I may be just a child, but my lust for battle continues to grow. William said as long as I don’t express more than one emotion, then fighting you won’t be an issue.”

“Sir William stated that?” he asked.

She nodded, and furrowed her brows deeper.

“Yeah, and if you’re as powerful as they say you are… then bring it on!”

Archard’s grin was wiped clean off and he grew just as serious as she did earlier. Everyone couldn’t believe their eyes and what their eardrums had captured. Eligor felt more motivated to face his fear and overcome the monster that was his apparent teacher. Ever since that day, he vowed to surpass the two and more importantly, Leon to be the best and also respected. He hoped one day he could teach others but not in a cruel manner, rather in a respectful wiser way. Remembering that moment gave him goosebumps and made him bring up his arm while Chelsea stayed still in the middle of the street.

“I-I think I’m edging towards your idea now, babe.” Eligor said.

Chelsea felt her heart stop when she heard that. She turned around and gave her a smile he wanted to imbed into his mind forever.

“So does that mean?!”

Eligor lowered his arms, and nodded.

“Perhaps we can redeem ourselves by getting the crystals and stopping this mess. We’ll go into hiding and once Ravan’s stopped, we’ll—”

From out of nowhere, Eligor was punched away from the top of the building, shooting into, through countless buildings.

Chelsea loudly gasped, and screamed, “babe!”

Hovering to the ground, fists clenched and eyebrows knitted, Leon has presented himself. He’s viciously upset, and Chelsea could see his blood thirsty eyes staring at her.

“Le-Leon! You’re… you’re alives…” she said in a shaky tone.

Exploding out of the building he was shot into, puffs of smoke expanding out, Eligor stood there, and glared at Leon as the smoke dissipated. He grabbed his cloak, threw it off him, and stomped his way next to Chelsea. Once he was beside her, the two had a stare down, and she could feel her hubby’s bitterness get the best of him.

“Leon, of all people, I’d never suspected you to hit someone with a cheap shot.”

Leon said nothing, but took a glance at Jack who was still unconscious.

He’s still alive, and it also answers my concern. He thought.

“Not gonna say anything? Or are we finally going to face off like we promised.” Eligor said.

Chelsea didn’t want to fight Leon or take his life. She wanted them to fly away and do what he said earlier. Yet hearing his grouchy voice, she knew his mind had changed again and this was an opportunity he had to settle once and for all. With no other choice, Chelsea put her hand out, and brought out her mana Warhammer.

“Seeing the boy in a pile of rubble, I suspected you were the culprits of breaking the barrier around his body. The one I made to protect him.”

Chelsea stabbed the ground with the bottom of the hammer, and frowned.

“Leon’s sweety, that was me that did it.”

“Regardless of who did it, don’t assume that you two are now capable of beating me.”

Eligor stepped forward, and ripped the rest of his shirt off, puffing out his muscles.

“I’m surprised to see that you’d actually showed up. I was doubting Ravana’s plan but seeing that it’s all in fruition, it makes me just as excited for the future in store.”

“I could care less about your stupid future. Now tell me, where’s my daughter?”

Chelsea moaned, but Eligor kept his cool, and brought up a fist.

“It’s too late now. Whether she’s your actual daughter or a copy of Abyzou, the fact of the matter is you’re next in line to be taken out, my dear friend.”

Leon ground his teeth, and his anger was growing tenfold.

“I have had it with all of this! My daughter's life is in jeopardy, the people that aren’t a part of this have paid with their life's over your relentless actions…”

Chelsea leaped overhead, and stood two feet away from Leon’s backside.

“... no more, even if we were all friends in the past, none of it matters now! Whoever brings harm to my family will pay with their lives.”

Eligor got into his tackle pose, and right away, felt Leon’s mana being drained from the crystals. Chelsea also felt it with one tiny crystal stored in her pocket. The warmth pulsing inside brought an aura of sadness on her.

“Enough of the killing. Not one death will go accounted for, not one!”

Leon’s mana exploded out, and it darkened the city.

“I’ll make sure your deaths will be quick, and once I’m through with the two of you… I’m going after that bastard Ravana!”

The two took charge from both ends, and Leon shouted. Chelsea shot a web of plasma balls at him, and Eligor tried shooting his fist. He leaped out of the area, and flew up to the sky to avoid their first wave of attacks. The two launched themselves up, chasing after Leon as he made his way up a skyscraper. Chelsea spun her finger tips, forming an O-ring of mana that sparkled with lightning while Eligor created two balls of energy. The two shot their attacks at him, and he took them head on from both sides.

“What’s this?! Eligor using mana?!”

A massive explosion occurred, covering the city skyline in a cloud of smoke.

“Goes to show how fruitless you are against me!” Leon shouted while Chelsea came from below, driving her foot towards his face.

He casually caught it, and her eyes shook. But Leon felt his breath leave his lungs for a moment. It gave an opening for Eligor to drive a punch straight to Leon’s face, and gave the chance for Chelsea to spin kick Leon back to the ground. He was sent plunging, crashed into a pile of rubble where he lay there, debris stacked over him. His facial confusion had his eyes shut temporarily as he tried to figure out as to how they caught him off guard.

“Wh-What was that? Some-somethings—not right!”

While thinking of a possibility of what just happened a moment ago, he saw the two lunging towards him from above. He kicked back up, dodged their melee attacks, and hopped away, growing some distance between them. The two lovebirds immediately put their hands together, and shot a huge beam out their palms. Leon caught it with one hand, but again, felt something sucking his breath out again. The beam clashed with his palm, sparking, flashing the area in red and blue, and Leon grew frustrated to what’s happening. His eyes grew bigger and he was beginning to grow weaker. To give himself an advantage, he was forced to use more of his mana to push the beam back, and successfully did. The two also pushed back, and again, Leon struggled against it.

With everyone growling, groaning, Leon brought out more of his mana, and exploded his eyes.

“Don’t you dare think you have a chance on bea-beating—me!”

At last, Leon used his other hand to punch the beam away, and it clashed against the two, exploding and sending them dragging away. The two skid a mile away, until they lost their footing, and landed on the ground, bruised, and clothing torn. Leon jumped into the air, and yelled his way to them, driving a fist forward. Eligor had his eyes shut for a moment, but exploded them open to shoot a huge beam at Leon. Leon deflected it, but Chelsea appeared out of nowhere, kicking him away. Leon bounced, caught himself, spun onto buildings while Chelsea chased after him. Eligor followed suit, and Leon felt more of his breath being drained, and was at his peak of his frustration.

“You-You wanna use mana attacks?! I’ll show you mana!”

While leaping from building to building, he closed his hands together, flew upwards, and reopened them, creating a line of mana that shot out a cornucopia of energy balls. Chelsea quickly duck before being in the line of fire, but Eligor had to do his best to deflect them, but fell victim, thus creating a huge explosion that rocked the city. Chelsea tried teleporting behind him while he was distracted by the explosion. She brought out her Warhammer, and plunged it at him. He vanished quickly, elbow dropped onto her head, and she fell. With the momentum of her falling, Leon grabbed her foot, spun her for a moment then overhead, and once he was nearing another building top, he slammed her through it. The building windows shot out puffs of smoke, glass, and afterwards, collapsed due to the momentum.

Leon floated back down, and waited, but that strange feeling of his breath being taken away was more evident. He brought his hands up, and saw them shaking.

“W-What’s… happening to me? Ev-every time I use more of my mana… I get drained of my life, and it forces me to use more-more of it.”

Leon felt his left eye wanting to shut, and his breathing grew heavier.

“This-This isn’t… right.”

He heard the rubble, collapsed building in front of him make creaking noises. Chelsea came out of the piled debris, and remained serious. She was more beat up, bloodied, and Eligor emerged from the side, wiping off the blood from the edge of his lips. The two gave a cold stare to Leon as he did his best to catch his breathing. Leon shut an eye, and clutched his chest. Eligor glanced at Chelsea and nodded.

“Feeling out of the bloom, Leon?” Eligor stated.

Chelsea also nodded.

“You don’ts looks too good, Leon sweetheart.”

“S-Shut up…”

“You better do something before you’re drained, Leon.”

Leon’s vision was starting to become impaired and started seeing doubles, triplets of them.

“Hu-Huh?”

Chelsea wiped the blood off her head, and took a deep breath.

“Otherwise, Leon, you’re goings to lose.”

Leon growled and powered up more of his mana. His magma aura exploded out, and sucked the atmosphere around them. A storm brewed from his surgency, and rainfall came down with big hail balls. All three stood in silence while the rainfall came down harder. The two carefully approached Leon as he was finally getting his breathing intact. Thunder flashed, the sky crackled, the enigma of demise reeked in the air. As the rain came down on them, drenching their clothes, Leon felt better, but still felt a struggle ensue inside his lungs.

“Feeling better after using more mana, old friend?” Eligor asked.

Leon had his brows knit as he glared at the two.

“Whatever trickery you’re pulling, it’ll never be enough to bring me down.”

“Buts seeings as to how much you usings your power, you won’t last too longs, Leon.

Leon began to chuckle, and slowly, it transitioned into a broken one.

“You two! You both really believe you have enough to defeat me?!”

They said nothing, and watched as Leon’s aura began to dim.

“This-this thunderstorm is a perfect backdrop for your demise’s!” he growled.

The thunderstorm began to pick up more, and flashed the city in white with huge lightning strikes. In an odd transparency, they looked rather sad and hung their heads for a second.

“I don’t want to do this…” Chelsea muttered.

Eligor clenched a fist, and ground his teeth.

“But-But we have to. If he hadn’t shown up, then we could’ve ran away like I said. Yet seeing this event unfold, holds Ravana’s predictions… damn it, Leon.”

Leon’s broken laughter echoed, and he stopped, growing furiously angry again.

“Because, there’s no end for me, no end! Fo-For I am Leon, Bolverkr!”

With one more lightning flash, the afterimages of the two merged into one. Leon gasped, and the two bombed rushed Leon as he powered up more, and to no unveil, he dodged their attacks. He punched Eligor, shattering his mana muscles off his body, and giving Chelsea a gut wrench punch. They both gagged, screamed, but again, rushed him with a barrage of melee, and mana attacks. Leon effortlessly dodged them despite how close range they were as they continued trying to overpower Leon Bolverkr. Feeling his mana drain faster, Chelsea flew away, and so did Eligor.

“Hey! Where do you two think you’re going?!” he shouted.

They flew all over the city, dodging skyscraper after building as Leon was hot on their tails. Once Chelsea felt the crystal in her pocket molten hot, she turned to Eligor, and nodded with a frown. He saw a tear fly out of her eye, and he couldn’t bear the feeling of guilt anymore. The two quickly turned half their bodies mid flight, shooting two blasts that blinded Leon’s vision with smoke.

“Hey!” Leon shouted.

He paused, and glanced everywhere, but fell victim to Chelsea’s Warhammer that had the crystal in her pocket on the end. It stabbed his shoulder, and pummeled him back down to the earth. He lay there, growing, and felt the crystal digging into his flesh.

“Ahh! Wh-what the hell… is-is this?!”

He grabbed his shoulder, but felt the two floating overhead. They were eight stories high, staring down at their old friend with down casted eyes, and their lip corners lowered. Chelsea divided her Warhammer handle in fours, and they formed into horseshoe shaped objects. They shot down Leon, tying him down to the destroyed street behind him. Leon couldn’t believe he was being held down by an attack by her, but the crystal embedded into his shoulder dug deeper and deeper the more he powered up. Leon screamed in anger, and the two began to chant something beneath their breaths. Leon then saw purple objects zooming from the corner of his eyes, and the objects circled around them.

Leon grit his teeth, and a fat wrinkle formed between his eyebrows.

“Ravana…” he muttered. “He told them about—”

The crystals glowed, and paused. The two aimed their palms at Leon, and saw his furious nature, glaring at them. They couldn’t believe that this was the last image of a dear friend and someone they respected being cemented into their contradicted minds. Chelsea quietly let tears flow out her eyes, and Eligor shed one as their palms glowed purple, and the crystals took an angle, fueling the mana building beneath their palms.

“I’m so sorry… Leon…” Chelsea muttered.

“Goodbye, Leon, Bolverkr.” Eligor whispered.

The crystals stopped glowing, and they began firing a barrage of spiked mana blasts. Each one punctured, shot through Leon as it trembled the earth. Leon was being torn, scorched alive by the attacks. He let out an angered scream, but eventually, his scream transitioned to a yell, and ultimately formed into an agonised scream that grew more putrid as the attack grew bigger and bigger. The area was flashed in purple, then flashed white with a huge explosion that expanded in the area he was held down. His agonsied scream drew out by the last explosion that occurred, thus, putting the city back into a silent desolated ruins.

Hearing his last scream, made the young man twitch some fingers, and weakly open an eye, mumbling, “Leon…” as he faded out of consciousness again.

***

Hours passed, it’s nightfall, the city still drenched in heavy rainfall, and Jack, was finally able to awake but feeling the after affects of the attack ensued by Chelsea and Eligor. He weakly opened his eyes, and saw the barely lit city with broken lights, and some stop lights flashing in front of him. He couldn’t remember much of what happened after being knocked unconscious. Yet he was able to pick up Leon’s scream. He tried getting up, but felt something broken in one of his legs.

“Da-Damn…”

Despite the pain, he fought through the pain and stood halfway up in the pile. He clutched his shoulder, and felt it dislocated. He growled in pain, moaned all the nerves damaged in his body out his nostrils, and got back on his feet.

“Sa-Sarah…” he said.

He limped out of the pile of rubble that was his temporary bed, and made his way down the destroyed street. The flashing stop light, beaming half his face as he made his way down deeper into the darkened street, a lightning flash had lit up the city, giving him a better visual up ahead. There, he saw someone standing, like a statue. He limped, but collapsed after a couple of steps.

“Who-Who’s there…?” he mumbled.

He groaned his way back up, and stumbled his way to the statue. As he did, the early thoughts of Sarah and her defeated face that he managed to see as she was being taken away made his heart ache. He couldn’t move again but gathered his thoughts about everything that's happened in the past months. The promises told to each other, their journey so far, and to lead up to something this horrific for him; Jack had no clue what to do. Standing in the rain, Jack gripped his shoulder more, and felt bitter about himself. Being a failure again, is something Jack Samr vowed to never repeat.

“I-I have to…”

Jack felt his determination come back, and with another flash, he saw the statue move. He limped faster, and followed it, and eventually, with another flash, he could make out as to who it was. The long raven hair, their short stature, and small build, at first Jack thought he was seeing Sarah, that wasn’t until when he took some steps to the side to see the side of their face, he saw the faint glow of Samantha’s platinum eyes. Her ghostly eyes sent chills up his spine, and made him fall to a knee, and watch as she slowly walked her way to a scene out of a tragic film. Jack crawled to a piece of broken debris, and stumped over it, watching where she’ll end up.

What Jack saw made his eyes water, and heart sank.

“No…”

Samantha approached a lying body, faced down in a puddle of water and crimson. Holes drilled into the earth, and a limb torn off, Samantha herself couldn’t believe her eyes. They were wide, and sunken, and she felt her heart shatter to a million pieces.

“This… can’t be real.” she muttered.

She stopped a foot away from the body. It was Leon’s body, cold, stiff, and his eyes were as empty as the city itself. Drenched in rainfall, Samantha couldn’t tell if she was crying or mother nature herself was mourning over the loss of her husband. At first, all Samantha could do was stare, and stand there all statue-like.

Jack shut his eyes, and softly whimpered.

“Leon…”

Samantha shook her head, and tilted it.

“Who could’ve done this—to you? Leon.” she said.

She took one step forward, and twitched some fingers.

“For someone to do this to you? Would mean they overpowered you.”

Samantha took more steps forward as she was finally able to smell the iron in the air.

“Leon, please talk to me.”

With two more steps forward, she was two arms reach from his body. She saw the holes drilled through his corpse, his pale skin, and the last remnants of his warmth oozing out of his body into the puddle he was faced down: Reality has finally struck Samantha.

“No… Leon. this can’t be real. What did they do to you, Leon?”

Samantha slowly covered her mouth, and her body began to tremble.

“You didn’t deserve this… this isn’t your fault. It’s not fair… it’s not fair.”

Samantha began to hyperventilate and her mind began to flash memories of the best time they had before she betrayed him; humiliated, de-masculated him overtime. Yet in the events leading up to this, slowly, she was reminded as to why she chose him in the end. Seeing him get to know his daughter even after the abuse she’s given him, had given her another chance to fall for him.

“You were my daughters father, the only guy who wanted to break out of his shell for someone he barely knew: you were not only my best friend in the past… but my husband.”

Samantha lowered her hands, and clenched them.

“And for you to die because of my Sins?!”

She grit her teeth, and slammed her hands on her eyes, and held back her emotions.

“When in fact it should’ve been me that should’ve resolved these issues in the first place?! To let it get to this point!”

Jack could hear the hurt in her voice, and seeing her fight back her true feelings broke him.

“Defines me as you always stated—’a cruel heartless… bitch!”

Samantha let off, and her eyes were overflowing, and no longer could she hold back her true feelings. She let the world see, and hear her soft whimpers. She glanced down at Leon’s body, and cried.

“This just isn’t fair… Leon!”

She quickly went to his body, and grabbed him. She turned him round, and saw his lifeless eyes, and pale face.

“You didn’t deserve this, Leon… Leon… Leon!”

Samantha held Leon’s head against her chest and screamed her lungs out. She screamed, screamed, and aimed her head up to the sky, letting the world hear her lose, and cry. Everyone around the globe, especially the supernatural were familiar to this sound because it was the same exact cry that was heard across the world, before the Sin of Envy, Abyzou was finally born. With one more cry, Samantha’s eyes turned crimson, and her hair for a moment went platinum, and reality itself along with time, had come to a complete stop. In one giant flash of white, everything went back to the way it was as if the battle that took place had never occurred.