Between Tyrants

The entire world around me went silent. I heard only two things, my footsteps and my heart beat. My heart beat increased as the distance between me and the two leaders decreased.

I never felt truly afraid. Fear was something that my brothers bullied out of me. The last thing I feared were dead bodies, but ever since my first engagement I learned now to fear anything.

Until now. I was afraid. Not afraid of the two leaders. But afraid of Defender, Warmonger, Edward, and Specter. If I died, then who would replace me? Would anyone continue my work?

I finally got close enough to the battling giants. The Wildmen leader swung his gigantic axe against the Downpour leader. Both of them seemed unphased of each other's attacks.

The Wildman dodged the Downpour leader's swipe and ran his axe behind the Downpour tyrant. Before they could react, the Wildman ripped the axe from behind the Downpour's legs.

Causing them to fall. Then the Wildman leader stomped on the Downpour tyrant's head.

He looked at me and smirked. "Welcome to the pumping heart of this war! You must be the fabled Raider?"

His question confused me. "Yes... how do you know that?"

The Wildman got off the Downpour tyrant and bowed before me. "My pleasure fighting and eventually killing you, Raider. My boys call me Feral. Would you like to know why?"

Feral's voice twisted into a more sinister smile. His attitude went from welcoming to aggressive. Feral lifted his axe and prepared to strike my head off.

Before Feral could attack, the Downpour tyrant got up and grabbed Feral by the shoulder. The tyrant getting back up surprised Feral. He didn't bother attacking because the tyrant tossed him aside.

They tossed Feral into the fight surrounding us. The tyrant looked at me and chuckled.

Whoever was inside clearly recognized me as well. They launched themselves onto me and pinned me down against the muddy floor.

They began pounding on my chest. "You're responsible for savagely attacking my soldiers? You inhuman scum. Where are your chains? How about your explosives? You don't look special."

"Gah... I don't need a chain to rip you open. I'll - I'll take the both of you animals down..." I replied between hits.

We contested for dominance. During our struggle, I realized they had a name on their chest. It read 'Mane.' That must be his name. I pushed Mane's arms off me and kicked him on his stomach.

I crawled away from Mane's power. Before Mane could reach me, Feral lifted his axe and struck Mane on his ribs.

Feral laughed as he watched me crawl away. "Well, here I have you. My boys will laugh at the 'region's devil.' You''ll be remembered as a fool, someone who thought they stood a chance. Crawl away little bug, crawl away."

Rage took control of me. I noticed Mane charging up a devastating swipe. Lucky for me, Feral wasn't paying attention. I sprung up from the ground and broke into a sprint directly towards Feral.

Out of overconfidence, Feral didn't try avoiding me. Huge mistake. I tackled him into Mane's swipe. I heard bones break upon impact. Feral ate mud.

Mane swung his massive gauntlets at me. I danced around Mane. He was mighty, but also slow. I've had enough dancing around this tyrant's hits, I stood still and waited for them to attack.

When Mane unleashed a speeding arm swipe stormed towards me, I calmed myself and gathered my anger. I lifted my leg and lowered my arm while jumping towards the arm.

My attack made Mane stumble backwards. Suddenly, someone lifted Mane and slammed them onto the ground. Feral laughed at me. He looked excited to attack me.

"Fucking fight me..." I thought to myself.

And that's what Feral did. Feral swung to the side of my face. But that's what he wanted me to think. I ducked down, waiting for the attack to pass, not realizing I was set up.

Feral swung down towards my lowered body. Landing an axe blow directly on my shoulder. I instantly felt enraged. But because of the amount of pain, I couldn't force myself up again.

He laughed. "You're pathetic, Raider. Look at these scars, fights forged them onto me. Now I'll leave a scar that'll stay with you for your last thirty seconds of life."

Feral used his foot to force my neck to expand. Now, I was an easy target. I felt strength leave my body. Once again, reminding me of the time I first arrived in the DRT outpost. Alone. Without the rest of my family.

I closed my eyes and waited for an angel to take me away from this hell. Until the pressure was suddenly tossed off me. Mane tackled Feral. Mane pinned both of Feral's arms under his knees.

And kept beating Feral. Each blow began drawing out blood. Soon enough, Feral began bleeding from his stomach and chest.

To me, I felt like this was a signal telling me my war wasn't over. I reached for my dagger and forced myself up. Both leaders were turned away from me. A huge mistake.

I leaped onto Mane and dug my dagger between the cracks of his armor. Despite how deep I dug the dagger into the back of their neck, they only looked slightly disturbed.

Mane shook me off. I noticed Mane's helmet jiggled a lot now. Looks like I loosened it up. The tyrant stood tall and proud over Feral. He slowly crept closer to me. Unknowing what was happening behind him.

Mane noticed I kept looking behind him and turned around to look as well. Feral struck Mane's chest, the attack was powerful enough to send Mane flying.

Feral looked at me. "You're an annoying little rat. You know that right, little creature?" Feral spat at me.

He turned back to Mane, who was fighting the mud to get his gauntlets unstuck. Feral violently kicked Mane's hand away from his other arm. He then lifted his axe. There was a moment of peace between the two.

They locked eyes. I wonder what Mane thought when he saw Feral stand over him? Feral then swung down against Mane's shoulder.

I heard armor and bone get crushed by Feral's powerful attack. Mane cried out in pain. They were distracted with each other again.

Time for me to try a risky move. I got back up and charged to Feral. Before I got into contact, I jumped on his back. My legs wrapped around his waist and one arm wrapped around his neck.

Using my other arm, I kept pounding Feral's head. He had difficulty throwing me off his back. Eventually, I noticed my punches began drawing more blood from his face.

I jumped off but still kept my arm wrapped around his neck. Then I forced Feral onto the ground. He landed on the ground, bloody and muddy. His breath was all over the place.

He needed a break. And I was going to give it to him.

I planted my foot on Feral's chest. "Hey, you fucking monkey, weird how I can beat your own rival down. Right in front of you. Maybe you should consider reassigning power, you aren't strong at all."

Mane heard me and undoubtedly was angry. He forced himself up, one arm still working. The other just hung there, nearly lifeless. I allowed Mane to come closer; I wanted him to attack me.

Then, he raised his good arm and prepared to slam it onto me. I waited for the last second before moving away. My stamina was running low. I couldn't keep fighting for much longer.

That dodge drained all of my power. I glanced back at Mane and Feral. And realized my plan work. Mane's gauntlet smashed Feral's head into bits.

It inspired me to keep fighting. My war was coming to an end. I forced myself back up and ran right up to Mane. Using whatever strength I had left, I ran right up his arm and back flipped off his helmet.

I landed with Mane's helmet on my right. Somehow, my stupid plans were working. But I knew my luck would run out eventually, and so did Mane.

A pained and cold stare looked deep into my eyes. Crimson eyes watched my every move. A scar ran through Mane's face.

I forced myself up again and dashed onto the same arm. Mane realized too late. He lifted his arm while I was on it. Now over Mane's head, I dropped and slammed my fist against the top of his head.

Mane stumbled backwards. He gripped his head. I began opening my mouth to reveal a bloody smile. Which threatened Mane.

He stopped moving and gently starting walking around me. "He's gone. No need to attack. You know, we would be great allies. The DRT with Downpour, a perfect combination of strength and intelligence."

"Why would I want to do that?"

"Because together, we can forge a better tomorrow. All you have to do is kill off those who aren't smart or strong enough to join us. It would be a good deal. Think about it."

I fell silent. My grim face still out. He made a good point. If we killed everyone who wasn't able to defend themselves, we would eventually be left with powerful people.

My hand stretched out to welcome the new allegiance. "I accept."

Mane smiled and walked towards me. He held out his good arm, and we shook hands. Mane then came closer and rested his arm on me.

I felt something weigh me down. Not the weight of Mane's arm, but something else. I reached down for it. My dagger. Its edges reflected my eyes beside the curved 'Osto.'

Without a moment of hesitation. I drove the dagger deep into Mane's gut. It was all the way in. I surprised Mane. But I was far from done. I grabbed the dagger and ripped it across his stomach.

Mane dropped on one knee. "Dammit... Raider... You - you killed my soldiers, and now me. There's no stopping a man who had his world torn from him, huh? Well... do what you have to do... I've lived a life already."

We both accepted what was happening next. I charged all of my rage into one fist and punched Mane. His neck snapped like a twig.

Mane's lifeless body dropped dead. I've done it, I have defeated the two leaders. But my victory was short-lived. Because all the pain and trauma rushed through me all at once.

I dropped between Feral and Mane's body. I was exhausted, horrified, and angry.