Isaac and Jace had laid out the guards within the dining room and were informed of the location of their friends. One of the guards was slumped against the wall while the other was struggling underneath Jace’s boot. After being told the information that he wanted the Captain was wondering where they should go from here.

He still didn’t know if the information was true but it would make sense. However, they didn’t have enough leads right now, so he was going to go investigate it. He didn’t want to leave things to Isaac, not that he didn’t believe in him, there were just too many unknowns in the air.

Yadon was already reduced to a statue and he didn’t want the same to happen to this boy. Still, Isaac was very convincing the look in his eyes was filled with determination. There was a goal brewing within those jade green eyes of his.

“Let me do this, Jace. I know I can win. If we continue to waste time here then who knows what’ll happen.”

Jace stared down at the guard who was still struggling underneath him. He knew he couldn’t allow him to stay conscious they were too slimy to be trusted and the less they had to deal with the better. Leaning forward he grabbed the guard by the head, wrapping his fingers around the back of the snake's skull, pulling their head back before slamming it into the pavement.

WHAM!

A staggering thud was heard as his face slammed into the tiled floor. His nogging bounced off of it a bit, the guard’s eyes closing immediately while trickles of blood seeped down from his forehead.

“Fine, Isaac. But, don’t do anything risky. I’ll be there to back you up soon.”

“Understood, you have my word, Captain.”

“A reminder… don’t look at him directly. I have a feeling that’s how his magic works. Better yet, don’t let him get a clear view of you.”

“Thanks for the tip. Now get going!” Isaac mentioned before running off.

No direct eye contact… keep his gaze off of me. Uh, how exactly would I even do that? If he decides to use that technique on me then I don’t think there’s anything I could do…

Within the throne room, Zain was alone resting with his head resting back. His eyes were closed and released a gentle sigh basking in all of his glory. After all, to him, he had worked hard for this, plotting and planning while keeping up this nice guy act.

“ZAIN!”

His blue eyes were shot open, his head leaning forward as he heard that familiar voice. It couldn’t be… there was no way that they could have survived. He expected Sebastian’s men to be able to handle a couple of humans. But, upon staring at the blonde-haired boy he saw there was not a scratch on him.

“You’re still alive…? I shouldn’t have given them so much credit. Looks like I’ll have to finish the trash myself.”

“Save it, Zain. How far will you go? And for what…? Just to sit on that throne?”

“You know nothing about me, human. I despise you and your kind.”

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“Right now the feeling’s mutual. Now, I’m going to give you one last chance to surrender. You can still turn things around for yourself.”

“Turn things around…? I suppose I have been a bit out of line. I’m sure if I free my family and the others they’ll find it in their hearts to forgive me. Ahh, they might even reward me for being a decent human being and then things can go back to how they were before?” He used his hands to push himself off from the throne, taking a few steps towards Isaac. “Me being the black sheep of the family. Such a good idea.” He smirked.

“It doesn’t have to be like that. You have the power to change things.”

Zain nods as he summons his spear, green particles forming as he grabs a hold of his weapon and points it at the boy. “I do have power and I’m going to use that and my influence to run Terra into the ground.”

“Wait, what!? Leave them out of this! Why are you dragging more people into this?”

“Because you humans are greedy and arrogant. Thinking you’re untouchable. It’s time that was changed and we all get what we deserve!” He kicked off from the ground, picking up speed easily as he dashed towards his target.

So fast! I have to watch out for his gaze and that venom… but, how!?

Two cards formed around the side of Isaac, floating around him as he stood his ground. It seemed like Zain had the superior speed and the range with that spear. When it came to combat abilities he wasn’t anything special. Still, he had a dream.

As Zain closed the distance between the two, he used a lot of force to send his spear twisting through the air, Isaac leaned over to the side just in the nick of time to avoid it, but he could feel the amount of momentum placed into it. If he hadn’t dodged that it would have impaled him.

“Whoa…!” Isaac gasped before leaping back, trying to keep his distance.

After that attack, Zain seemed slow to recover. But, it could have been a feint to try and get him to lower his guard. He wanted to play it safe as he had people he wanted to return to. He couldn’t die here.

“Don’t make me laugh, you think you’ll win with those cards? This isn’t a game, kid. When this spear finds your heart it’ll be game over.”

“These aren’t just normal cards. How do you think I made it this far?”

He held out his hand, firing a single card like a rocket that soared through the room. The opponent guarded against it with his spear.

He took his time approaching the boy who fired two cards this time, both at varying speeds, but like before he guarded against it. His eyes remained glued on his target as he revealed a condescending smirk.

With another burst of speed, he swung his weapon like a madman, using long swings to try and break the boy’s guard and loosen him up. Every swing was avoided, the boy doing his best to avoid the attacks.

He was now getting his cardio workout today. He had to stay on his toes, keeping his body moving to avoid the deadly strikes. Zain was moving like a wild viper, each swing of the spear-like a lashing fang that was dedicated to sinking his fangs into his flesh.

The new King was frustrated that he couldn’t hit the boy as he was still tired from the previous fights and hadn’t fully recovered. If things kept up like this his speed wasn’t going to last. He clenched his teeth, not wanting to show weakness to the enemy.

“I’ll have to take a different approach since you insist on scurrying around like a rat.”

What does that mean…? Crap, I’m not avoiding eye contact… If I stay on the defensive then…

Zain was channeling his Mana, fusing it into his spear as he jabbed at the air. A blast of his green energy pierced through the air, surprising Isaac and ramming into his chest. The force of the blow sent him flying back as he slammed into the wall back first.

“Gaaagh!” He groaned out in pain as he noticed something warm and wet around his chest area. He moved a hand to feel it and then he saw that it was his blood. The area he was struck was now bleeding.

The wound wasn’t deep, but it was still a major inconvenience. More of those and he wouldn’t last any longer. He returned his gaze towards Zain who wasn’t finished yet… he was winding up for another strike...!

“Crap!” He started to run, avoiding the next attack which crashed into the wall…

Zain continued the attack, sending a series of blasts from his spear. Isaac was quick enough to avoid it for the most part, but this was a crafty person. The next attack was projected in front of Isaac, predicting where he would go instead of directed at him. This attack was aimed lower… connecting with the boy’s dominant leg.

His flesh was torn into as he winced in pain, blood spurting out from the side of his leg as he soon found himself coming to a crouch with his hand sliding against the wall leaving a trail of blood against the cement.

Not good… this one feels deeper. I’m bleeding… if I don’t do-

Zain acted as if he was going to send another blast of energy at the boy which made him flinch, but it was merely an act as he started to chuckle afterward.

“I knew this would be the result. You’re nothing against me, kid. But, I guess what Terra gets for sending children into battle.”

“I’ve trained for this…! I worked hard for this Zain… to be a member of Seer!”

“I’m not denying that. However, to see all of that potential wasted. The humans see life as so fickle to just have it thrown away like this.” He started to approach the boy, keeping his spear against his shoulder.

Isaac struggled to stand, not wanting to put pressure onto his injured leg.

I have to stop this now… If I died here… my family… my friends… they’d be devastated…

“It almost pains me to do this. But, you stuck your nose where it didn’t belong.”