Chapter 39: Last One Standing (II)

More than five Felroz leaped as if they were birds in the air, their arms stretching out. Skin connected between their limbs, forcing the air downward as they quickly ascended, gliding in low sweeps to the sides.

Dante leaned to the side, dodging something that tore through the air and struck the ground. He had only seconds to assess it. It burned the ground like fire burns oil, leaving a hole.

Another sweep came toward him. Dante flipped sideways, landing in a roll, and brought both fists together, unleashing a blast. His shots were becoming less effective; the creatures moved the moment they felt they were being targeted.

Three more shots, then four, and he stopped, breathing heavily.

Sweat dripped down his cheek, but he didn't stop smiling. The whole ordeal felt like a puzzle to him. The more varied the enemies, the better it was for him to process where to strike and where to stay.

He shifted his leg's angle and ran toward the wall. He stepped onto a massive rock and leaped. His hands grabbed onto a crevice, and he pulled himself up. The darkness was the Felroz's ally—there was no doubt about it. They had the advantage of being in their nests, the advantage of flight.

If an advantage was as high as a mountain, it had to be climbed. It was his only option.

Marcus saw the old man leap into the air and grab one of the creatures. They spun together, Dante's light illuminating the ones still flying, but with an iron grip, he clenched its throat, steering it harshly through the air.

He was riding a Felroz.

"Holy shit!" Marcus muttered, sure it was one of the most impressive things he had ever witnessed. "Clara's never going to believe this."

Dante laughed mid-air and jumped. His shot pierced the demon's carcass, and it fell like a dead fly. Marcus, using a pillar as cover, watched the scene, noting that things seemed well under control.

Two more creatures had fallen, and it looked like it was coming to an end. Dante leaped again, grabbing two at once and slamming them to the ground with a laugh. He landed in front of the battery and crushed both against the floor. Their heads snapped together, leaving their limbs twitching in spasms.

"It's over," Marcus said, lowering his rifle and massaging his arm. He wanted to sit, but the old man wasn't stopping.

Dante finally held the energy device. He was just one step away from completing his mission. He fitted the object, and it was quickly pulled into place.

"To connect with the battery, I need you to insert Cosmic Energy, Dante."

"Oh, right."

Placing his hand over it, he released the remaining energy he had converted. The battery pulsed twice, and a loud motor roar echoed. They stopped to observe as Marcus approached.

"What's supposed to happen now?" Marcus asked, still eyeing the tank. "If whatever's in that water tank is alive, it won't let us take the battery without a fight."

"If Vick gains access to the battery, we can use its power to electrocute whatever's inside."

Marcus fell silent. The motor continued roaring. He took a step back and froze.

"Oh, shit."

Dante quickly turned as a fist the size of his body roared toward him. Marcus jumped out of the way, but Dante had to cross his arms and adjust his stance for defense. The impact sent him crashing into the tank, denting the iron bars behind him.

It was a powerful blow. Dante hadn't sensed any killing intent until now, but what he faced was a Felroz twice the size of the one he had fought in the village at the Capital. This one, however, had eyes, a nose, and a mouth twisted to the left. What unsettled Dante most was that it had six arms, larger even than the battery itself.

"Dante…"

Marcus called from the corner. Trapped among debris, his arm was pinned under a rock. He strained and managed to free it, but standing up seemed impossible.

"Can you use the weapon?" Dante asked, stepping away from the bars. "This one looks worse than the others."

"I can try."

Marcus held the weapon, angling his arm slightly forward. Despite his effort, he could only aim at a slight incline.

"This is all I've got."

Dante didn't like the situation, but the monster seemed focused on him, not Marcus. The creature's first step out of the massive hole in the wall made the ground tremble slightly. Then they heard a loud roar of pain and fear from inside the tank.

Marcus used his heat vision to look into the tank and saw something rapidly rising toward it.

"Dante, behind you!"

No time to react after that blow—two tentacles emerged from the water, grabbing Dante's arms. Despite being pulled, he dug his foot into the ground, forcing forward. Even his ability couldn't generate enough traction.

Dante saw the Felroz advancing, step by step, massive, ready to strike again.

Marcus cursed himself. His arms refused to cooperate, and he couldn't stand. Leaning against the debris, all he could do was watch his partner face a cruel fate.

Another tentacle escaped the tank, gripping Dante's right leg. Then another, binding his left. Though tormented by the pulling, Dante refused to give in. Marcus shouted his name.

The Felroz's punch descended. One of Dante's arms broke free, deflecting the blow desperately. Marcus saw the old man's face falter, but then he noticed something unbelievable.

"You're… laughing?"

That miserable old man was laughing at the situation. He laughed as the giant Felroz stumbled forward, unbalanced by a blast of air. Then Dante threw himself backward along with it.

Both plunged into the water, and a fight began inside the tank.