Chapter 13: The UNHOLY

Albert sets his gaze on us, a sharp grin forming on his handsome visage. His devilish smile deforms his attractive features, his true nature forcing its way out, he has already given in to Bres. Albert lets out a sick laugh, muttering his disdain for Danann before asking Carol for something absurd.

"Join me, Carol. We can do this together. I will finally stop the endless war between the Fomorians and the Danann using the holy sword and with you as my queen." He says pointing his sword at us.

Carol waits silently for a moment, waiting to see if he was serious about that proposal.

"While I'm flattered that you think I'm queen material, I'll pass at the offer, I have my king already and he's pretty darn awesome." Carol states arrogantly while winking at me.

"Suit yourself. I'll just have to kill your mate then maybe you will consider," He says before rushing at me.

He slashes at me aggressively but still maintains his form. He was impressive to watch but he is even more so up close. I barely block and hold him back. He thrusts forward and pushes me off my center and I fall backwards but catch myself before I hit the ground a few centimeteres below my head now.

Shit!

I think to myself when I see the light from his blade swinging down at me in that moment. I support my body with my left hand panted on the ground and use my other to firmly clasp my dagger and parry his attack. I push upwards and return to my feet.

"Your movements are unsophisticated," Albert says callously as he continues to attack.

"They lack conviction. They lack ambition. They lack resolve!" Albert says.

He dances with me to kill me, he slashes across my chest, my arm, my left thigh and I do not think I can last much longer. Carol approaches him from behind and strikes him several times with her finger tips which leaves cracks in his armour.

"I had almost forgotten about you, gorgeous." Albert murmurs.

"Your mistake," Carol nods at him.

Carol lunges at him, she ducks in lower and dodges his counter attacks with incredible speed. She twists and turns and attacks. A jab here, a jab there, not more than a second has passed and she has hit nine places with an attack landing on her. Albert smiles.

"Finally, someone who can fight. You will have to forget that after becoming m queen, unfortunately." Albert states harshly.

"Yeah....No," Carol responds assuming her stance.

Albert's sword begins to glow brighter. Carol makes a hand sign that tells me to stay back. Am I a holding her back? Maybe Albert was right, I lack resolve.

"Then find your resolve. I have seen what we can do, what you can do. You have been training hard and by what I saw you may have already caught up to her. You need to stop doubting and believe in yourself, what do you want?" Abhartach asks me.

"You cannot be telling me that I am anywhere near her power, she spent years training. Besides I don't think I have any-" My conversation is interrupted by the heated battle in front of me.

Albert swings his sword in his graceful form, something looks different, like he can cut through wind. Carol somehow looks like she's moving slower and having difficulties dodging and countering. Albert swings towards her shoulder, she bends slightly and it scratches her but she uses her other hand to push it in a circular motion and aims her finger jab towards his face.

Pang!

Her fingers crash into something an inch away from his face, he looks at her bemused and smiles. Wind gushes from his sword and cloaks his hand in a swirl. Carol pulls back and finally begins to use her staff, she springs vines from the ground and they wrap themselves around Albert's legs.

"Weeds won't save you my queen!" He yells out as he cuts through them easily. I've not seen anyone do that, not even bullets can go through them. Albert charges at her, one of his arms behind his back and the other swinging his sword like he was born wielding it.

Carol dodges two slashes but the third lands, leaving a cut from her right shoulder to her left thigh. He slashes once more and she catches his sword, her hands bleeding, she quickly closes distance and begins to jab him continously at him. Wind blocks everywhere she hits.

"I can't hold him back for long, run, Sam!"

I can't run, he will kill her, or worse. Why am I so useless?

Albert giggles then pierces her abdomen with his sword and she falls to the ground bleeding.

No, no, no, no.

I can't lose her. she's my family. Carol, Max, Kelly, Liam. I can't lose any of them and especially not to this douche.

I blackout and wake up in a place overrun by shadows. A cloud of shadows looms over, making the darkness choke you.

"I ask again, what do you want, Angelo? Tell me and give in." Abhartach's voice echoes.

"I want to protect those I love, I want to protect the innocent, I want to make it so that no one ever goes through what I have. I want power."

"Take it."

My eyes open and I see Albert about to kill Carol. She looks at me, her blood-stained hand stretches out to me, telling me to run but never forget, I can't do that. I charge in the form of a shadow and in less than a moment I am in between Albert's blade and block the attack before it lands.

He looks at me in shock, "you look different," he says.

"I am still me, I just won't be cowering at obstacles anymore and I don't need a Danann to protect those I love." I say to him. Sure, it helps to have one but even if I didn't, I wouldn't let anyone harm a single hair on those I love.

"Take what you want," the voice whispers. "Take it every single single drop."

I feel my soul dig deep, I feel Abhartach wrapping his around it. I can feel his presence for the first time.

I clench the dagger in my hand and thrust forward, pushing Albert back and I attack. I send a multitude of strikes towards his head and torso and he blocks with similar speed. He removes his arm from his back and uses both of them now.

"At first I thought you were a wimp, but now I understand why she loves you. As much as it pains to say, you have attractive qualities and your resolve is one of them." Albert says to me.

His sword lights up and he begins to counter some of my attacks. I aim for his shoulder and he parries then aims for my head. I tuck myself and move beneath it slash through his chest plate. I quickly make another attack for his back and slash through once more.

His blood begins to leak through his armour and my eyes glow with intent. I want it. I feel my muscles clench and my moves increase speed. He blocks me as best as he can as I make continuous preemptive strikes. I slash towards his neck and he blocks my blade a few inches away from it. He takes in a deep breath and begins to push me back. He has strength advantage. I feel Abhartach's experience and my ideas combine and take form. I step to the side and let go of my dagger and catch it with my other hand and slice across his torso.