Anzu watched from a distance as Zane continued to release a flurry of attacks onto Diablo, who was having no trouble dodging them, as it became clear that Zane’s stamina was running on overtime.

Zane swung his sword heavily around at Diablo who blocked it with his own sword before kicking Zane in the stomach with his heavy boots, sending his exhausted body flying off, past me and towards Anzu who lunged forward and caught him before he hit the concrete wall that I previously smashed through.

* * *

Diablo turned to face me, slowly walking forward in my direction.

My sword twitched in my hand as I glared intently at Diablo and his menacing aura.

I then lunged forward with all my might, pulling my sword back as I swung it at Diablo. I felt the ear ringing sound of metal whacking off itself and a sudden force recoil back into my right hand as sparks flung around in my peripheral vision.

Diablo swung his body forward, propelling his right fist into my stomach like a cannon as I was flung back and thrashed against the ground behind me, tumbling over myself as I struggled to catch my breath.

I lay on my stomach as the intimidating sound of heavy footsteps approached me.

A few meters away the curious Anzu and Zane watched on.

“Do you think he’ll win?” Asked Zane.

“Not sure, yet. If he dies then we get to see what happens when someone developing an ability passes if whatever is inside him needs to protect itself – this is the time for that, and we’ll see firsthand proof; plus it will most likely kill Diablo.” Replied Anzu.

“Where is Corvo waiting?” Asked Zane.

“He is hiding right now; Shay has to think that he is in a life or death situation. If he thinks someone is nearby to bail us out of this situation, whatever is inside of him might not take action.” Replied Anzu.

I pulled myself back onto my feet as I glared at Diablo through my blurry eyes, feeling the sore wretched feeling of my throat tightening and a gritty sensation of powerlessness: I struggled to maintain my composure.

“Shay, here is what is going to happen.” Announced Diablo. I sprouted up and stared directly at him.

“You are going to keep attacking me until you run out of stamina just like Zane, then I’ll escort you back to the city for trial.”

“There is no universe where another scenario takes place. Deal with that.”

My hand twitched as I hesitated to make a move. I knew I couldn’t win. I knew he was leagues above me in skill. But if it’s even for a moment. Just a slim second.

I want to show him my strength.

* * *

I lunged forward once again at Diablo, I swung my sword down at him to be met with the ringing and screeching of metal scratching off against each other as I rapidly swung and swung at Diablo as he met each of my attacks head-on with no effort.

As Diablo blocked my attacks, he analyzed Shay in his head: ‘Shay Shuppet, ability-less, skilled in martial arts combat, an affinity for electric Magicka, casting speed; roughly 4 seconds. Creative and has a strong will to fight. Lacks Magicka control.’

-Clash-

“This isn’t good.” Said Anzu.

“What?” Replied Zane.

“Diablo isn’t fighting back; he is just waiting for Shay to run out of stamina. He will never be thought of as a threat at this rate.” Said Anzu.

“Well, let’s ditch then. I don’t want to take on Diablo while there is a number of other highly trained guards stationed in a building just a few minutes away.”

“No.” Said Anzu. “Go fight next to Shay. Diablo was more on edge with your ability. He gave you some fight, merited he wasn’t really trying but at least you made him fight.”

Zane scoffed. “What about you? You are stronger than me tenfold.”

Anzu’s gaze turned to one of malice. “If you don’t fight, I won’t take you back with me. You’ll become a burden.”

“You’re a dick.” Said Zane, standing up and making his way for Diablo.

“Just keep him preoccupied, making him put Shay in danger. That’s all you need to do.” Muttered Anzu under his breath.

The clash of our swords sung a sharp, violent melody in the air as Diablo danced his way around my attacks, blocking and dodging with the swiftness of a serpent. I felt my arms heavy as I began to feel strain with my constant attacking. I wanted to show him my speed, my new Magicka control! I wanted to prove I could be on the same level, that I could stand up to him and match my sister.

As my mind raced, I lost focus and put too much weight into one attack as Diablo sidestepped out the way and I lost my footing. I glanced to my right, Diablo glaring at me with the scornful eyes of an eagle. I awaited the imminent moment for him to slice me in two. The single movement of his arm with little effort to end my existence. Time seemed to slow down as I glared at myself on the other end of checkmate. But then, Diablo turned his head, then completely turned to block an attack from Zane who rushed in, to my defense.

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I took a breath of fresh air as my muscles loosened from their tight hold.

Zane continued to attack Diablo as I pondered thoughtless thoughts: What am I doing. I can’t beat him. What am I trying to prove?

“Shay!” Screamed Zane, averting my attention to him. “What the fuck are you doing! Help me!”

Diablo watched me with dead eyes. That’s right. It’s already over. I have to beat him here and now. This is my only chance to really right that strongest person I may ever meet. Even if I need help. I will win!

I bolted forward, screaming at the top of my lungs as I lunged my sword at Diablo who swung his sword around to block me while kicking Zane in the stomach, knocking him back a moment as Diablo turned to concentrate on me.

I continued to hack away as I lay my mind to rest and calmed myself. Focusing more, controlling my Magicka around my body at a higher level as I felt myself become ever so lighter with each attack. I watched the way Diablo blocked and dodged, his arm movements, his breathing, his concentration. I watched his eyes, where he was looking on my body, what he was focusing in on. And then. ‘There!’ I thought, ‘There it is!’ Before I could make a move though, I felt my body jolt back as Diablo pushed me away in a sudden blast of pressure as he turned to face Zane who has teleported close to him.

I controlled my breathing and took to my feet, I dashed around, becoming more erratic with my movements as I approached Diablo who glanced over at me with his dead gaze.

As I approached behind Diablo, I placed both my hands on my sword and stepped forward onto my right leg, pushing all my weight behind my strike as I swung my entire body around forcefully into Diablo, who only noticed what we were doing last second.

Zane attacked in front, I attacked behind. Diablo could easily dodge if he skipped time, however, I would most definitely hit Zane instead. Diablo doesn’t want either of us to die and is purposely trying to make us run out of stamina.

So, what will you do, Diablo? Will you take a blow to the back or skip time and watch Zane die in front of you while you’re powerless to do anything?

I watched in anticipation as my blade grew closer and closer to cutting into Diablo’s back. I felt the wind woosh past my body and my sword slice through the air before I felt it. Something happened.

I felt warm, and I wasn’t standing up anymore. My ears were ringing. I felt disorientated as the world around me slowly came into focus through my muffled ears.

“What?” I muttered as I began to push myself up, I felt the back of my body tighten in pain.

“What happened?!”

My blade swung so close to Diablo as the moment of victory came upon me, until…

Diablo charged an energy blast in the surrounding atmosphere a few inches away from his body and unleashed it upon my back, sending my catapulting off in an explosion that burned the skin on the back of my body.

Diablo continuing to fight as if nothing happened as he lunged back through the smoke of the explosion which happened behind him moments ago.

I turned to survey my surroundings: Diablo stood tall a few meters away, his white and gold jacket swaying in the wind. My mind wandered back to when he saved me in my first fight with Anzu. ‘Is Diablo really a bad guy?’

My eyes then shifted to Zane who sat defeated on the floor. His arms holding up his body as he sat on his knees, visibly exhausted with sweat dripping off his forehead.

I stood back up. Diablo turned as he saw me move in his peripherals.

I let out a long breath, and then. That was when I noticed it. It hit me all at once.

‘How am I standing? I was just hit at point-blank range by one of the strongest people to exist. I was all blistered and burned just a second ago.’

I looked all around my body. I was healed. Anzu really wasn’t lying. Now that I’m experiencing my body healing with the knowledge that something is leeching off me inside me.

Diablo was the enemy. As much as I hated to admit it, it was true.

He began walking over to me, as he approached. I asked him this: “Diablo?” He perked his head up in curiosity.

“Why don’t you just kill me?”

* * *

The trees basked in the swaying flames of hell as the raging fire decimated the surrounding forest with its never-ending blitz of fury. In the center stage of it all, stood a man wearing a thin, oversized black shirt with a dark blue scarf around his neck and a skin-tight black, underarm sleeve. He wore baggy black pants and black shoes. His black hair hung halfway down his face as he stared intently at something in front of him as he stood confidently with his hands in his pockets.

He stood face to face with a 7ft tall, meaty, muscular demonic creature. It had rough dark red skin with even darker red horns and claws with a tungsten like, metallic almost, appearance with sharp top fangs that sprouted down from its snout. It had 3 gold rings around its ear and blood-red eyes with black, universal representing pupils.

“Human who stands before me. State your name.” Spoke the demonic creature in a dark, rough, gritty tone.

“Diablo.” Replied the man.

“I am Caedes one of the strongest Vocem demons. The fact that you aren’t burning right now proves that you are worthy to speak in my presence. It will be an honor killing you.”

Diablo stared at the demon with detest. Eyes of pure demonic intent.

“You’re wretched who said I wanted respect from a demon. Pathetic lowlife.” Said Diablo looking disgusted at being in the demon’s presence. “You make the first move, braindead insect.”

“Braindead?” Laughed Caedes. “I think you misunderstand, I’m hundreds of years older than you, with knowledge you can’t even comprehend. If anyone here is braindead, it’s yo-“ Caedes was interrupted when Diablo launched forward at him and swung his shining white sword right at him.

The explosive impact shattered the atmosphere with a sonic boom like wave that echoed throughout the air.

“All this talk of hierarchy’s, being the strongest. What does it matter when you’re all weak before me.” Said Diablo as he landed onto the scorched ground.

“You have some nerve, human.” Said Caedes as he pulled himself back onto his feet. “That blow didn’t even hurt me, and you talk like you killed me in one shot.”

“You’re the one talking as if I’m trying.” Replied Diablo.

“You, fucking...” Muttered Caedes before lunging in a blitzing charge towards Diablo. His body emitting a fiery aura that sucked the moisture from the air and begun disintegrating the remaining foliage and trunk from nearby trees.

Caedes swung his demonic claws at Diablo who danced and sidestepped with a pompous smirk on his face, all with his hands in his pockets and his sword tucked away in a sheath that sat strapped on a belt behind him under his shirt.

Caedes threw his left arm forward in an atmosphere decimating punch at Diablo who spun up around it, kicking off Caedes’s elbow mid-spin, then finishing in an air slicing kick to the head which knocked Caedes off balance.

As Caedes tried to catch his balance he slashed at Diablo who jumped up in a dodge and kicked off Caedes’ arm with both of his feet into a backflip, landing on the ground in time to dodge Caedes’ other arm that desperately tried to quickly snatch him on his way down but to no avail.

He snapped his fingers and, in an instant, released a powerful shockwave of highly compressed Magicka in a blindingly bright burst of white light that eclipsed everything in a flashing second.

Its force threw up the ground in an obliterating current as it decimated through the thick air before thrashing straight into Caedes, contorting his body upon its fateful impact; jolting him back with its might and pressure.

「RADIANT LIGHT」

“You breathe with no thought, you move with no thought and you destroy with no thought. You certainly are the most braindead creature I have faced so far. Strongest this, strongest that. All you demons ever do is destroy for no reason other than yourselves. Destroying a thriving forest because you felt like it is certainly what I would call: braindead.”