Through Brick And Rage

I turned to look at Edward and Defender to make sure they were okay. "Get a safe distance away."

They understood what was going to happen in the middle of the entrance.

My eyes studied the face of the shooter. I couldn't recognize who that was. It's been a while since the first attempt on clearing out the Desyn Savages that I forgot many of them.

"You seem to be struggling in figuring out who I am. Perhaps you know me better by what others call me-"

The figure loaded his crossbow and shot two of my attackers. But not with arrows. He fired hot metal rods.

"Now, do you remember me?"

Deep in my mind, I picked up on who this was. "Rod? Wait, you're Osto Porta?"

"Good boy, Raider. I remember what you did to my cousin. His face always was happy despite what was happening around him; but when you came, the only thing I saw was fear and agony."

Why is he trying to paint me like a monster? That kid could have lived if Osto didn't order him to kill me while I was down.

"What's the matter? You look puzzled. Here, allow me to put an end to your thoughts." Osto's eyes turned into a twisted variation of brown.

I lifted my Slaughter and began circling around Osto. The lightweight sword's steel felt cold to the touch, but it was odd. All around me were flames.

The fiery dance for survival Osto and I were about to perform made my Slaughter feel even more cool.

A volley of red hot metal rods began flying towards me.

My decision had to be made in under a split-second if I wanted to live.

Inside my mind, I began doing a trick Specter taught me before the Calamity. It was simple but handy. In a situation like this, I would have to lower my heart rate and breath slowly.

Specter's lesson helped. Every rod came towards me slower. Giving me enough time to react.

I mindlessly split the scorched tips in half with my Slaughter and sometimes even slapped the rods away from me.

After the rods stopped coming, I knew it was my chance to strike back.

Osto kept his eyes glued on me while trying to catch his breath.

In the blink of an eye, I dashed behind Osto and took a major risk.

A Slaughter sword was never made to be held by the edges. No matter the amount of protection on your palms. But I grabbed it by the edges anyway. And without a second of hesitation, I slammed the guard against Osto's head.

Blood flew out of Osto's wound, and a pounding headache followed.

Still standing was Osto's biggest mistake. Now I had a clear open path to attack from.

I dropped my sword and went in for a bear hug. Once my grip became tight, it was difficult to make me let go.

"How about we go for a little run?" My voice sounded grim.

My brutal side took control over me, and I began ramming Osto through walls.

After each wall I demolished, I felt something cold fall on my neck. It was Osto's blood.

Osto fought back to keep control and pulled out a small curved dagger from his pockets and began stabbing the back of my neck and upper back. "LET GO OF ME YOU CRAZY BITCH!"

His words didn't help his case. I began running faster and tossed him against walls to tackle him through.

Eventually, I tackled him through a wall that led back outside.

My rage died down and my emotions caught up to me. Burning cuts filled my mind.

I looked down at Osto and what I left was a broken fighter. Their face was red and hair was bloody. His forearms were red with my blood and his murderous smile was replaced with a worried expression.

Out of respect, I helped Osto get up. "Look at me, you animal. If either of us are going to die, let this fight be a respectful one."

Osto agreed, then he dropped his dagger and crossbow. Now that we were fighting for survival, I dropped my weapon and raised my fights.

Suddenly, Osto charged at me then kicked me hard enough to knock me down.

Determination replaced the worried expression Osto had. He jumped on me and began repeatedly punching me.

Blow after blow, my face got bloodier and bloodier. His sweaty fingers landed on one of my cuts.

The burning pain was unbearable. Quickly, rage took over my body.

I blocked Osto's next hit and prepared for a kick straight to the gut. My kick threw Osto off me. But that wasn't enough to put down someone whose entire life depended on survival.

All around us were pointy objects. The one that stuck out the most was a broken pipe that stuck out of a wall.

Inside my mind, I could hear a voice telling me something. "Tackle him on it."

Osto got closer to reclaim control over the fight, but what the poor idiot didn't realize was I won that fight already.

I closed my fist and slammed it hard against his face. Then began lining Osto up with the pipe. After I got a good angle, I charged.

A painful cry echoed the entire Stronghold. It was loud enough for Defender to hear despite her covering her ears.

"You, me... we... fought well. Your life is over." Osto heard the sorrow in my voice.

He struggled to talk but managed to say his last words. "T-take my dagger. You deserve it, Raider..."

My cuts began burning again, this time worse than before. I knew I would soon join Osto if I didn't get medical attention soon.

Luckily, Defender stumbled across me. "FINCH, YOUR NECK!" She sounded mortified.

Without anymore talking, Defender began patching my cuts and helping me get back behind Warmonger's position.

Once we reached the top of the hill, I felt a strong sense of relief. "I'm safe, from them. But not from death." I pondered to myself.

I gathered enough energy to talk. "Warmonger, you take my spot. Defender, thank you."

What surprised me was Warmonger and Defender seemed at ease with one another. No sort of fighting was beginning between them.

"I'll make sure they pay." Warmonger ran down into the Stronghold.

Defender was working fast to patch my cuts. But if I died here, I wouldn't see this as a loss. Dying to someone who reminded me of my daughter was a victory to me.