Dangerous Prey

Dexter

Dexter sized up his opponent, keeping his gun steadily pointed at Dawson's head. Behind him, Olivia dropped to her knees and began reciting another prayer. Sarah and Oscar slowly crept past the two to get behind him as well. Dawson slammed his fists together, now shrouded in hardened blood. His armament covered his knuckles and fingers in blood that was harder than metal and his forearms and the back of his hands were armored. He closed the distance between them and backhanded Dexter's pistol, smashing it to pieces.

"Let's settle like men." Dawson shouted as he aimed his other fist at Dexter's face.

Dexter backed up and pulled the shotgun from under his coat. Letting of three rounds. Dawson blocked all of them and sighed.

"I told you." He pulled back his fist and red energy began to envelope it. "Let's settle this like men."

He punched the air in Dexter's direction and the energy that had converged on his knuckles launched towards Dexter. Dexter dropped the shotgun and put up a guard to block the attack. Dawson's ranged attack instantly destroyed the holy barrier protecting Dexter, and he felt intense pain in his chest and forearms. He slipped a duster onto his right hand and swung at Dawson. Dawson swung back and their fists collided.

"I knew you'd come around to my way of thinking." Dawson said with a grin.

Dexter swung his leg into Dawson's left side, throwing off his balance. He followed up with a right hook to the jaw. Dawson tried to do the same, but Dexter's arm was much longer, so he didn't have enough reach. He chuckled and caught his balance, leaping for Dexter's gut, landing a powerful strike just under his sternum. Dexter momentarily lost his breath and backed up slightly. Dawson crouched and prepared another ranged punch, so Dexter jumped back in bringing both fists down on Dawson's head. Dawson turned his ranged attack into an uppercut. Dexter leaned back at the last moment, and the fist brushed against his chin. Despite dodging most of the damage, Dexter heard several loud cracks ringing out from his jaw. Dawson grabbed his arm and flipped him onto his back, slamming Dexter into the concrete with great force. He pulled back his fist and swung it down at Dexter's head. Dexter rolled out of the way and onto his feet. Dawson's strike sent pieces of concrete flying into the air, and Dexter used the opening to slug him in the jaw.

Behind them, Sarah and Oscar were watching the intense exchange from a distance.

"Hey, your weapon is called the Spear of Tranquil Night, right? What does it do?" Oscar looked over at her.

"It's designed for ambushes." She explained while looking down at the weapon. "No matter how good someone's sixth sense is, they'll never sense the danger or hostility of its wielder."

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

"I thought so. You also said you can fight blindfolded, right?"

"Huh? Yeah?" She wore a look of confusion for a moment, then her face brightened and turned into a grin. "I think I get what you're going for."

Dexter's breathing was ragged, and his entire body ached. He looked at his opponent. Dawson showed no signs of fatigue and no injuries.

I hate vampires. Dexter got his breathing under control and locked eyes with Dexter. I'll have to use my trump card.

Dawson watched as the look on Dexter's face changed to sheer determination. Dawson grinned wide.

"Are you gonna show me your ace now? Let's do it!" He slammed his fists together again. He got into a better fighting stance and- "Huh?"

He looked down at an open hole in his chest, with no clear cause. He looked closer and realized the air was shimmering slightly.

"Aim for the neck!" Sarah shouted as she kicked the spear through Dawson's chest, launching it towards Dexter, who caught it easily.

He swung the head of the spear into his neck, embedding it in his spine. Dawson turned and watched as Sarah's invisibility faded. Oscar ran towards the three and cupped his hands around his mouth, bending the sound of his voice so it wouldn't reach their opponent.

"Dodge!"

Dexter pulled the spear out of Dawson's neck. As Sarah and Dexter jumped away from him, Olivia finished reciting her prayer, and raised her hands to the sky looking up at the heavens.

"Oh, mighty gods! Heed my call and strike down my foe!"

A bolt of lightning shot down from the heavens engulfing Dawson's body in brilliant golden light. A moment later the light faded and revealed Dawson still standing there, whisps of smoke coming off of him. Although he was still alive, he was heavily injured and incapable of moving his twitching limbs. Oscar ran up and crouched next to Dawson, pointing both hands at his center of mass from below. He gathered energy in the palm of his hands and released it, blasting Dawson with the force of a moving bus. The vampire was launched into the air, plowing through the pole holding up a stoplight and landing in the wall of a nearby building. Dexter threw Sarah her spear.

"We're running!"

"I can't. I used too much of my essence..." Oscar said, barely able to stand.

"That's fine!" Dexter shouted as he picked up Olivia, then ran over to grab Oscar, carrying one under each arm. He and Sarah took off at full sprint.

"How can you run so fast? I can do this because of my blessing, but what about you?" Sarah asked as she trailed behind Dexter.

Well, I get why she's confused.

Despite carrying two fully grown adults, Dexter was running almost as fast as a car on the highway. Sarah, with a divine blessing that increased her physical abilities, was struggling to keep up with him. They ran all the way across the city, back to their hideout, taking a meandering route through alleys and streets. They arrived after a few minutes, and Dexter set Oscar and Oliva down. Oscar collapsed on the couch, completely unconscious. Sarah leaned against the wall and tried to catch her breath. Dexter sat in the back of his van and started to dress his wounds. Olivia stopped him and healed him with her miracles instead. The three that were still conscious exchanged glances. Dexter looked grim.

"We need a new strategy."