The man struck at Foxen again,his movements sharp and sudden,but Foxen slid aside at the last moment.
Foxen: You aren't that fast,slowpoke.Let me show you what real speed is.
In a blur,Foxen vanished and reappeared beside Sana who had just finished healing Mahnstin.He grit his teeth,masking the ache in his knee.
Foxen: Heal this knee Miss herb.Mahnstin—can I count on you until then ?
Mahnstin gave a sharp nod.The two bumped fists,the quiet surge of trust passing between them.
Sana rolled her eyes smiling at their bond but composed herself again.
Sana: Okay gramps,sit down–time for your knee surgery.
Foxen sat down resting against a wall as the golden CE from Sana's palms flowed through the joints.The burning pain easing bit by bit.
Mahnstin rushed forward.The darkness fell over the room again like a shroud.
Mahnstin: Ah no that won't help you anymore.
He closed his eyes,violet light swelling faintly behind his eye lids,sensing the faint presence of the man.
The man approached–too fast.
Mahnstin dodged but a deep slice opened across his arm.
The man stopped for a moment.He laughed –impressed.
The man: Sharp.Kids these days so learn so fast.
Foxen laughed still resting against the wall.
Foxen: That's a kid for you ? How old are you gramps ?
Sana pressed her palm harder on Foxen's knee.He gave a low cry.
Sana: Stay still,you old geezer!
The man suddenly raised his hand.The lanterns flared back to life.Shadows leapt around his cloak.
The man: Time to cull hosts again.Let's begin the slaughter.
Mahnstin froze.
Mahnstin: Cull hosts again??? You have killed hosts before ???
The man: Of course kid.And I'll admit this–you three are far more cooperative,stronger than those.Such a pain in ass.
Suddenly a spear appeared in his hands out of thin air.
Foxen's knee clicked back to place as the glow beside it faded.He got up rolling his shoulders.
Foxen: Pain in the ass huh? You constipated old man ? Mahnstin,let's end this quick.
Mahnstin: Stay back.Let me—
Before Mahnstin could finish,the man already stood behind him.The spear shimmered through his abdomen,blood spilled through his gut.He collapsed on the floor,the crimson blood spilled over near his fallen body–his pulse still intact.
Foxen: MAHNSTIN!!!!!
Foxen blurred forward breaking his mask of calm.He stood at the other end of the spear,gripping it hard enough that it split open his palm.
Foxen trembled as anger engulfed his body.
Foxen: How dare you–
The man leaned forward,mocking him.
The man: Oh so do you care ?
Foxen: Care ? My ass. How dare you use this weapon now and not when we were fighting ?
Behind them, Sana was already at Mahnstin's side,pressing glowing hands to the gaping wound.She was furious at Foxen's words.
Sana: He is on the verge of death here and you care about some weapon ? How can you ????
Mahnstin coughed little blood trying to speak.
Mahnstin: Leave him.....He doesn't show it but he does care.
Sana: Don't talk.Save your strength.
Her golden CE glowed brighter–desparate.
Meanwhile,the air between Foxen and the man thickened with tension.The spear in their grip shimmered,molded into a sword.The sharp end slid across Foxen's palm deepening the wound.
He backed off.
The man: Oh you scared of little cut ?
Foxen: Scared?More like embarrased.Even kitten's nails cut better than that sword.
Foxen tightened his grip.
Foxen: Why don't we get serious now ?
For the first time, Sana felt her chest tighten.She had never seen Foxen's composure slip.
Then–both Foxen and the man vanished.The movements were too fast for her eyes to follow.
The sound of impacts echoed through the chamber–the jaw shattering punches,sword slices.The sound of sword cutting through air and flesh while the fists making their way through the tension to the body.The screams echoed.
They stopped,panting at the opposite ends of the chamber.
Foxen broke piece from the cracked wall and molded it into a dagger,while the man adjusted his cloak and raised his sword again.The lanterns flickered violently as they both leapt.
When the blade met blade,the force nearly shattered the floor.CE swelled in the air,warping it,making it feel denser than water.The man's sword and Foxen's dagger locked together,neither giving an inch–though Foxen used only one hand,while the man strained with both.
The man: You are holding back,aren't you ?
Foxen grinned as the blood dripped from his arms.
Foxen: I don't need to waste more of my energy on you.Let's end this quick.
The man's eyes narrowed.His sword molded,dissolving into twisted,jagged claws.Before Foxen could react,the claws raked into his obliques,tearing deep.His breath hitched,the blood spilling down his body as the dagger slipped from his grip.
Foxen staggered, knees buckling.Then he collapsed onto the floor.
Sana: FOXEN!!!!!
chamber,echoing against the flickering lanterns.While the man stood engulfed by the shadows–his intent unknown.
End of chapter 13.