Chapter 14 : Episode 13 – The Originals III

The scarlet light emanating from Tazer's hand throbbed with a malevolent beat, causing the air around him to shimmer and warp. Nathan remained steadfast. His breath came in gasps, his body wounded and beaten, yet his determination remained unshaken.

"This is where you fall," Tazer said, his voice low and menacing. The energy in his palm began to condense, crackling with raw power that sent shockwaves through the already crumbling factory walls.

Nathan wiped blood from the corner of his mouth and took a deep breath. "Maybe," he replied, his voice steady despite the chaos.

With those words, Nathan surged forward with everything he had left. Tazer raised his hand, the crimson energy surging toward Nathan like a wave, but Nathan twisted his body mid-air, avoiding the blast. The energy struck the ground behind him, destroying the concrete and sending debris flying in all directions.

Nathan touched down and swiftly turned, leveraging the momentum to deliver a straight punch directed at Tazer's face. The blow connected, jolting Tazer a bit, yet his response stayed blank. In an instant, Tazer seized Nathan's leg and tossed him across the room. Nathan collided with a steel beam, producing a nauseating sound, yet he got back up, determined not to remain down.

"You simply can't recognize when to stop," Tazer remarked, his voice tinged with sarcasm. "However, I appreciate your determination." "It makes defeating you all the more gratifying."

Nathan smirked, wiping sweat and dirt from his face. "You talk too much," he shot back. 

Tazer's grin widened. 

Before Tazer could launch another attack, a faint sound crackled through Nathan's earpiece. It was the Director's voice, calm but urgent. "Nathan, Just a little more time."

Nathan clenched his fists, his eyes narrow as he focused on Tazer. "Got it," he muttered under his breath.

He charged again, he unleashed a set of punches and kicks. Tazer deflected most of the attacks with ease, but Nathan managed to land a solid uppercut to Tazer's jaw, forcing him to take a step back.

Tazer's expression darkened, his amusement fading. "You're become annoying," he growled.

"Good," Nathan replied, as he caught his breath. "That means I'm winning this fight."

"You're done," Tazer said coldly. "Your resilience is admirable, but pointless. Let me show you what true power looks like."

Nathan clenched his fists, refusing to back down. "You might be stronger," he rasped, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. "But you'll never break me."

Tazer's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Let's test that theory."

He thrust his hand forward, unleashing another shockwave. Nathan hardly had a moment to respond before the impact struck him, tossing him across the room. He collided with the debris, his body collapsing to the earth. Agonizing sensations coursed through every part of him, yet he compelled himself to stand once more, his legs quaking beneath him.

"I'm far from over," Nathan growled, though his voice was weak.

Tazer tilted his head. "You're nothing but a speck of dust against a storm."

Nathan stumbled forward, each step feeling heavier than the last. " Even if i die." he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I fight… until the very end."

Tazer's expression darkened, his patience finally over. "Then let this be your end."

He raised his hand, Once again a crimson glow forming around it once more. The energy swirled and crackled. Nathan tried to brace himself, but his legs gave out, and he fell to his knees. He couldn't move. His body had finally reached its limit.

"Thank for letting me having such fun, Nathan," Tazer said, his voice echoing with finality.

Before the attack could be unleashed, the sound of roaring engines filled the air. Tazer's attention flicked to the factory's entrance as a group of heavily armed agents from Stargent burst onto the scene forming a defensive perimeter around Nathan.

"Stand down!" one of the agents commanded, his voice amplified by a speaker. "You're surrounded!"

Tazer lowered his hand slightly as he observed the agents with mild curiosity. "And what exactly do you think you're going to do?" he asked, his tone dripping with disdain.

The agents opened fire, their specialized weapons unleashing energy designed to neutralize Alter-users. The factory lit up with flashes as the projectiles closed in on Tazer. But with a simple wave of his hand, he deflected the attacks effortlessly, the energy slowly dissapearing before it could reach him.

"Cute," Tazer muttered, stepping forward and with a single motion, he sent a shockwave that knocked the agents back, weapons scattering to the ground.

Even with their defeat, the agents did not pull back. Instead, they reorganized, with some of them positioning themselves to protect Nathan's unconscious form. One of them crouched next to him, monitoring his pulse and calling out on their communicator. "We need evac! He's critical!"

Tazer watched the scene unfold, his expression unreadable. "Pathetic," he said, though his movements slowed slightly. "You're just delaying the inevitable."

The agent in charge stepped forward, raising a hand to signal a ceasefire. "We must protect him."

Tazer's eyes narrowed, his aura flickering ominously. "Protect him? From me?" He chuckled darkly. 

The agent didn't waver.

Tazer took another step forward, but then stopped. His eyes switch to Nathan, who lay unconscious on the ground. A faint smirk tugged at the corner of Tazer's lips. "He's not worth my time anymore."

He turned to leave but paused, glancing over his shoulder. "Tell him this isn't over. Not until consume him."

With that, Tazer vanished into the shadows. The agents quickly moved to stabilize Nathan, lifting him onto a stretcher as they prepared to evacuate.

In another location, Lucias strolled along an empty street, the soft buzz of streetlights leading his way. His expression was serene, yet his thoughts were chaotic. With each step, he plunged further into his own awareness, blocking out the chaos of the world.

His environment disappeared into shadow as he ventured into his mindscape, an expansive and still emptiness. In the center of this mental landscape, his Alter stood. Its frosty-blue eyes shimmered softly, and its form appeared to emanate a strange, relentless energy. Yet it remained still, akin to a statue halted in time. No animosity. Without feeling. Only quiet.

Lucias hesitated for a moment as he continue took a step forward. "I need your help," he said, his voice firm. The Alter didn't react. It remained still, its eyes staring past him, unblinking.

Lucias gritted his teeth. "I know we've been at odds. I know I've hated you for a long time…And maybe...you are the key to my dissapeared memory... but now I understand. You're not here to destroy me. You're here to protect me."

Still, the Alter remained silent, its gaze unreadable. Lucias clenched his fists, taking another step closer until they were standing face to face.

"I get it now," Lucias continued, his voice softening. "You're the strength I never had. The shield I didn't know I needed. At first, I wanted you gone. I thought you were a curse, something I had to fight. But now…" He took a deep breath, his eyes locking with the Alter's. "I see it. You exist because of me. Because of my weaknesses. But together… together, we can be stronger."

The Alter's eyes flickered, a faint glimmer of acknowledgment passing through them. Slowly, it lowered its gaze to meet Lucias's, standing fully upright for the first time. The void around them seemed to hum with energy.

"I won't ask you to disappear," Lucias said, his voice unwavering. "Instead, I ask you to unite with me. To fight alongside me, not against me."

The Alter's lips curled into a faint smirk. "Not a bad deal," it said, its voice echoing in the void. It raised a hand.

Lucias smiled, extending his own hand. "From this moment on, I embrace your existence."

Their fists met in a solid bump, and a surge of blue energy erupted around them. The void exploded with light, shattering the darkness and filling Lucias's mindscape with a radiant, balanced glow. The energy swirled around them, merging their essences into one. For the first time, Lucias felt whole.

Meanwhile, at Stargent headquarters, the Director stood in the command center, his hands clenched into fists as he watched the live feed from the agents' body cameras. His jaw tightened as he saw Nathan's limp form being carried away.

"Kara," he said, his voice strained.

Kara, who had been pacing anxiously, stopped and turned to him. "What is it?"

The Director exhaled sharply, his expression filled with a determination. "He's here."

A figure emerged from the shadows, walking steadily through the wreckage. Lucias . His presence seemed different—calmer, more assured. His icy-blue eyes glow, and his aura radiated.

Tazer smirked. "Well, well," he said, straightening up. "Look who finally decided to show up."

Lucias stopped a few meters away. He didn't say a word, but the intensity of his gaze was enough to make Tazer hesitate for a second.

"You think you're ready to face me?" Tazer taunted, his crimson aura flaring brighter. "I'll tear you apart just like I did your little friend."

Lucias remained silent, his body relaxed but his stance unyielding. The air around him seemed to shift, a faint hum of energy building with every passing second.

Tazer chuckled darkly. "Fine. Let's see what you've got." He broke into a sprint, his crimson energy trailing behind him like a comet. He closed the distance in an instant, his fist raised to strike.

But before Tazer could land his blow, a shockwave of brilliant blue energy erupted from Lucias's body. The force was immense, sending Tazer flying backward like a ragdoll. He crashed into a car with a loud crunch, the impact denting the vehicle and shattering its windows.

Lucias stood tall—a perfect fusion of his and the Alter's strength. His eyes burned with determination as he finally spoke, his voice steady and resolute.

" I'm gonna end this."