Chapter 32: Broken Agony

As the fight went on between the high ranking Guard of the mine and the lowly slave. Numerous fists were lunch carrying devastating force but were evaded skillfully with flowing movements of a veteran soldier. Zyro's lithe build also played its part, compared to the Alpha's bulky body that noticeably lacks flexibility. From time to time, occasional openings appeared for Zyro to deliver fatal strikes to vulnerable parts using solid kicks and punches. Sometimes, the man tried tripping or grabbing him which Zyro swiftly avoided with calculated footing, stepping back or hoping.

Zyro's fist and bare foot hurt, having lost count of the blows he dealt to that tough flesh of his opponent. Another straight found its way to the Alpha's lower lip, which is already cracked from multiple precise strikes. If it were a normal human, his jaws would have been dislocated if not fractured.

Currently, a full minute has passed. The man's face was littered with contusions on specific parts such as chin, nose, temple and his one unblind eye. Not to mention the parts Zyro mercilessly hit. Knee, spleen and liver area. Zyro tried targeting the genitals but was guarded by the man rather heavily, as well as his one functional eye.

Growing aggravated, the Alpha awkwardly performs a front kick. Which was a mistake. Allowing Zyro to close in and, instead of a normal punch. He retracted his hand to release an elbow swipe, hitting the man cheek bone like a dagger. Inflecting a small cut, but no blood was spilled.

Breathing heavily, Zyro wearily thought. 'A vampire...'

The Alpha step back. So was Zyro, who was secretly glad. He tried to hide it but his untamable sweating and haggard breathing shows he failed.

His tired. Knackered badly enough to feel his muscles burn from the tax of evading all the man's blows. Keeping up with the guard's superior physic while his in a poor state of a tired slave is exhausting.

On the other hand, the Alpha barely sweats. However, the slave infected damages had taken its toll on the man's body. His body aches in several places, wavering his battle stature and raising his fury.

Supposedly, the guard is making a big mistake. His raged, untamed style of combat driven by accomulated wrath exhaust his energy greatly in a hasten pace with low return. He didn't even hit the slave once.

Yet, Zyro's already stern expression turns graver.

'A halfbreed vampire and Aster...'

Mixed breeds weren't rare, in fact. Pure's were more seldom than them. Unfortunately for Zyro's, his opponent turned out much more of a monster than he thought. Apparently, a born battle warrior specializes in close ranged combat. The Alpha won't easily bleed nor be exhausted. The worse this situation could offer.

Running wasn't an option either because it's a competition of stamina. Which he already loss.

The Alpha check the cut with his finger and smile. Licking the blood of his finger as he maliciously stare at Zyro. He spat.

"Wretch!, I'll make sure to pay you generously if I caught you!"

This time, Zyro brazenly moves forward. Currently, the battle was a fragile equilibrium. The man possessed excessive might and energy while Zyro had skills to deliver lethal blows without getting hit. But his stamina is limited, currently reaching its limit.

Still, it doesn't mean Zyro doesn't have a chance of winning. The Alpha was a sentient being, although not a brainy type, he has a certain level of intelligence. Enough to know how to realize and hide his vulnerability to his opponent.

From the start of it all, Zyro didn't aim for the man's life. It'll be easier actually in all honesty. However, it's troublesome. Hence, Zyro could only hope to knock the Alpha unconscious. To do so, he precisely aims most of his attack to the head's fragile spots.

The alpha had injured and hid it well. But in Zyro's keen eyes. The man's slipping consciousness, occasional dizziness, and disturbed awareness lay bare to be seen. His opponent's focused are waning enabling him to vividly function on the battle. Soon enough, his shaken mind will give in depending on how much more he could withstand.

At present, not much.

Likewise to the slave. How long can Zyro keep dodging? Not long either.

Zyro inhaled a mouthful of air as he charged forward, the Alpha swing his arm wide aiming to grab the slippy young man. Like always, Zyro barely evades by squatting, followed by a quick upper cut. The Guard eyes dimmed as his body swayed, struggling to mend failing his consciousness. Seizing the opportunity, with all his spent might, Zyro launched a right swing aimed at the dazed opponent temple. But at that moment, Zyro vision blurred along with his mind.

Although, in normal circumstances in combat. Such a short malfunction was salvageable. That is, in normal circumstances...

Zyro's precise strikes were fragile. demanding balanced and strict footing to generate the utmost power from the stumping feet, bending the waist and leaning forward. Every muscle and momentum is used to contribute power requiring a certain stance depending on the position to transfer overall force towards the flying fist to deliver the strongest possible damage a human body can give.

However, Zyro's momentary daze in a critical moment of his punch cause his to miss. Failing to connect to the man temple, it slipped and grazed towards the ear.

Without the expected flesh blocking to aid him retain balance. Zyro's body accidentally leaned forward excessively, pulled by the punch he launched. Supposedly, that attack meant to knock, if not. Stun the Alpha before he regains proper battle awareness. However, it failed. To Zyro's nightmare, the man had restored his senses just in time. And Zyro was dangerously close!

Due to the unexpected turn of events, his stance balance was ruined. Zyro tried to salvage the situation by quickly retracting back. Unfortunately, his mistakes doomed him because his hand was caught. Tightly gripped by that Alpha's inhumane strength.

'Shet!'

The last thing he knew, a harrowing pressure was pressed in his abdomen. Lightly lifting the slave foot from the ground as his body was pushed away. But the Guard hold remains firm, not letting him go.

With his right hand gripping the slave, the Alpha sends another blow at Zyro's stomach powered by anger.

"How do you like it now!"

Zyro suppressed his puke and tried to evade the upcoming blow. But fail measurably, instead of his stomach. It landed on his waist. Zyro's eyes widened in pain.

The man's grip grew tighter, slowly regaining his clarity as blow after blow was inflicted on the poor young man.

Zyro puke blood.

With a pleased, smugness. The man viciously asked.

"What's wrong wrench!! Where's that...."

His insults were cut short by a sudden call of a youthful voice.

"P-please le-let him go" Said Pert with trembling lips, outside the safety of his home. Fear and anxiousness written all over the youth face. Tears can be seen under his golden eye.

The smile he always wore was no were to be seen.

The Alpha smirked with twisted amusement.

"Why should I? Do tell me, why?"

With shaking hands and barely able to stand before the predator, the kid pulls out five dried meat. Lower himself to his knee and beg mournfully in tears.

"Please, spare him!"

Entertained by what's happening, the man drops the unmoving body of Zyro and heads towards the pleading kid.

'So his normal after all...'

Barely conscious, Zyro watches the kid pitiful performance. He knew it was pointless negotiating with the Alpha even if you beg. So Pert's attempt to set him free from harm was hopeless. Zyro can't blame him though, Pert is a kid, young and immature at heart no matter how knowledgeable he is.

If there's something on Zyro's mind, that'll be the question. Why? He can't understand the kid's action. They only knew each other for 2 days. Technically, Zyro's still a stranger. So why?

He had an idea. Maybe due to his pretentious act of heroism when they first meet. Pert was simply repaying a favor that he already paid enough by being a useful source of knowledge.

Seeing the Alpha draw near to the poor kid, a heavy weight dawned upon his heart. He gritted his teeth, unable to do a thing.

He loss.

Not because his in a weakened condition and was already spent from work in the start nor lack stamina. In his calculation, he possesses enough strength to beat the alpha as long as no mistake was made.

Unfortunately. Today, he had donated a litter of blood to a certain old vampire in exchange for goods. Decreasing his bodily fluid, turning him a little anemic. Low blood causes occasional dizziness, it wasn't a severe problem. However, to his misfortune. It occurred in a crucial moment amidst intense battle. Resulting him to make a mistake, causing his loss.

Zyro tightly gritted his teeth and shut his eyes. Feeling agony beyond the physical realm pounding on his heart. The taste of defeat was bitter, not because it tainted pride which he had none nor cared for such a useless thing. But due to the consequences.

His unmoving body can only watch as the man walks toward the kneeling kid, so much that Pert's forehead touches the ground.

As the man's shadow fell upon him, looming above the blonde kid. He took the 5 droughty meats and mockingly voiced.

"Sure, sure. I'll spare him... But tell me, where did you get this?"

Covered in cold sweats and shaking. Pert stuttered.

"I-in-in the village, we come along with the caravan and... A kind vampire gives us some meat." As soon as the nervous kid finished those words. A kick sends him rolling back a few meters.

"Lies!"

Everyone knows vampires don't get along with other humanoid species. So why should they show kindness to lowlifes of another race. Still, the slim possibility remains but the man thought differently.

Discontent, The man looks at Pert's cavern entrance. And smirked as he made his way toward causing Zyro to curse again. Partially for kicking a feeble kid unconscious and the items inside Pert's home.

Zyro tried to move his ragged body but failed, again and again. He was too tired, pained and beaten. The human body has its limits.

The man entered Pert's made up room to plunder or investigate... But found nothing of importance.

'Of course the kid wasn't that dumb.'

Amidst all the despair, agony and hopelessness. A tint of joy appeared in Zyro. Gladden his items are at least salvage.

However, his delight was short live. Knowing the horror his facing will soon, become hell.

After a few more looks in vain. The Alpha sighed and shrugged, his not a fan of solving mysteries. Maybe the kid had told the truth.

Wearing a malicious face, the guard made his way towards the laying body of Zyro. The issue was more troublesome than expected, but it's time to get it done with.

Like a dreadful drum, the man steps sounded akin to approaching death.

Looming above Zyro all high and mighty bearing gifts of suffering. The Alpha look down at his prey with his, dark crimson eyes that seem to glow with malice.

"You're a tough one, honestly. I wonder why someone with skills like you are serving as a slave. However, you made the mistake of pissing me off." He donned a devilish smile. "I'll surely enjoy this." The Alpha's tone was cold enough to send shivers to those who hear it.

In response, Zyro grinned.

'Just get done with it you mustard!'

Was he afraid? A bit, but it's nothing new, really. Compared to pain tolerance tests he underwent in Earth, the following agony fall short, quite widely infact.

Distant screams of pain echoes within the nearby cave tunnels. As the Alpha guard mercilessly snap Zyro's arms.