--- [Alex’s perspective]
I’ve never felt like this before…
The feeling of wanting to kill someone so badly…
My own thoughts are disturbing me, yet I still think them.
A part of me is telling myself that no one deserves death, not even someone as awful as him.
But…
I just can’t bring myself to believe it.
Not anymore.
They kidnapped and tortured my friends.
He even killed one of them!
And for what?
Because he needs my help?
They could have just asked…
It’s not like I would have refused…
Instead, they decided it would be better to try to force me into helping by using my friends as hostages.
Well fuck that!
I am NOT helping them, no chance.
I will get the rest of us out of here…
Alive.
But…
Not before Edward is brought to justice.
I have a major advantage in this battle; I can kill him, but he can’t kill me.
He needs me.
If I die, everything goes down the drain.
Killing me isn’t an option.
I rush towards him, prepared to kill.
Instead of dodging, he instead tries to block.
His guard is strong, but my attack goes through.
He is knocked back, and his arms suffers some damage.
I continue my rush by following right after him.
Before I’m able to get there, he summons his sword.
He slashes the air in front of him, leaving a large streak of darkness behind.
I figured he would try that, unfortunately for him, I already know about his ability.
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The darkness in the well was created by him, and Lett saw him summon the sword when he abducted Shin and Illian.
I dealt with the darkness then, and I can do it now.
I activate the void in my right hand and swipe it across the darkness.
It gets absorbed with no problem.
He tries to stab me with his sword, but I block it with the palm of my left hand; absorbing the entire sword as it moves deeper into the void.
His specialty is completely useless against me.
“I figured this is how it would turn out…” – Edward
He doesn’t seem to bother making a new sword, he knows it will only unnecessarily drain his stamina.
“It’s been quite a while since I’ve fought with my fists, so excuse me if I’m a bit rusty.” – Edward
He says while jumping backwards to avoid my attack.
I follow after him and throw another punch.
He throws one of his own, and our fists clash.
Our bones rattle from the shock, but they don’t break.
He’s impressively strong, easily stronger than Shin, Lett, and Illian.
But after a moment of both of us giving it our all, I overpower him.
He’s yet again knocked back, but this time I make sure to not give him any time to defend.
I follow up with an immediate punch to the stomach.
He falls over a bit, just enough to lose balance.
I follow through with the punch, launching him up into the ceiling.
Parts of the ceiling fall off from the impact, and a clear human shaped hole is left there.
As he falls, I prepare to hit him again, but he does everything he can to stop me.
He summons his sword and swings it around wildly.
It doesn’t hit, but it forced me to absorb it instead of continuing my attack.
He gets back on his feet and brushes some dust off his clothes.
“You’re quite tough… Beating you without my specialty, all while holding back so I don’t accidentally kill you… It won’t be easy, but… I will do it. It’s for my dear friend after all.” – Edward
He runs towards me, ready to attack, but is quickly stopped by an unknown voice.
“That’s enough.” – Arthur
Without any hesitation, Edward completely stops.
“Of course.” – Edward
The way he walks…
The way he talks…
There’s an air of authority to him like none other.
Who is he?
“I’ll handle the rest, Edward.” – Arthur
“You sure? He’s tough, but I could handle him.” – Edward
“I’m sure. I don’t want to see any more of you get hurt. Cat was almost killed, Cinder has been frozen in place, and the twins have been knocked out. Only you, me, and Alice are left unhurt.” – Arthur
“I see. You do you then, Arthur.” – Edward
He walks towards me.
There’s just something about him that has me completely frozen.
“Hello Alex, I’m Arthur. It’s nice to meet you.” – Arthur
“…” – Alex
He reaches his hand out, and I instinctively grab it.
As we shake hands, he continues to introduce himself.
“I’m Arthur, the sin of greed, and the so called ‘leader’ of the seven deadly sins.” – Arthur
While still holding my hand, he leans in.
“I like to think of us more as a family though.” – Arthur
He lets go of me, and I take a step back.
My mood has changed completely.
Just seconds ago, I was overwhelmed with rage, but now…
Is this…
Fear…?
Just looking at him is sending shivers down my spine; I don’t know why.
There’s just something about him that is instinctively making my body react.
It’s like it knows he’s trouble…
He reaches his hand out again, but…
He lowers it down, pointing it towards the floor.
He takes a step forwards, and I react by taking one backwards.
Just as my foot touches the ground behind me, I slip and fall.
“Do you need help getting up?” – Arthur
His hand…
It’s right there…
Right there for me to grab.
It’s like he knew I was going to slip…
I grab his hand and I get back up.
“So, here’s the thing, Alex. We need your help. In fact, you’re the only one that can help us. A life is on the line. The life of someone very important to me.” – Arthur
My mind is finally starting to clear, and the fear is slowly fading.
Since he arrived, I haven’t been able to speak up, but that is no longer the case.
“No… I already told Edward. I’m not helping you. After what you guys have done to us? No way. I have a different proposal. If you leave us alone from now on, I might let you live.” – Alex
Arthur lets out a deep sigh.
“I thought you might say that.” – Arthur
Suddenly my entire body cramps up and I fall over.
“Ghaa!” – Alex
It hurts!
What the hell is happening to me?