Versus Kreel (Part 2)

Lucian watched as a Soulless fell to the ground in a pool of blood next to him. The official turned to him next, the rifle trained directly at his face. 

Tuck was there in a moment, dragging Lucian out of the line of fire.

Despite his old age, Tuck could move quickly when he needed to.

Lucian watched as the man snatched up a pickaxe and drove it into the official's mask, the blade piercing through the glass and cutting into his eye. 

The official screamed in pain as blood filled the mask, staining his white uniform scarlett red. 

Tuck pulled the pickaxe out and drove it down a second time. Then a third. 

The official stopped struggling, his body slumping down. 

Tuck glanced back at Lucian. "Grab the gun! We outnumber them 2 to 1. With their weapons, this will be an easy fight!"

Lucian nodded, scrambling for the gun on the ground as more officials came their way.

But Tuck was right. The enemy's numbers were beginning to dwindle. 

Maybe this wouldn't be impossible after all. 

*******

One minute? Kael grinned at the challenge.

If three fatal bullets hadn't been enough to stop him, Kreel and his fists would have a hard time getting the job done. 

A low, guttural growl escape Kreel's throat, and his body began to twitch unnaturally. 

Kael took a step back, watching as the official began to claw at his face, nails digging into his already mangled face. Bright red blood welled up and poured down his face like tears. 

"So, you do bleed like the rest of us?" Kael mumbled, taking another step back. What was his plan?

The gem throbbed in his pocket, which Kael had begun to find comforting. It meant he was still alive.

Then the voice spoke in his head. "He's using a blood transformation. Stop him."

Kael jumped at the sudden voice. "What?"

He noticed Elysia sitting up beside him, blood dripping from her hair. She was alive, at least. 

"Stop him!"

Kael's attention snapped back to Kreel. The official's breathing, though still ragged, had become deeper.

The veins in his exposed skin bulged and darkened beneath the dim cavern light. His muscles began to tense and expand beneath his uniform, tearing it at the seams in some parts.

"You don't get it do you?" Kreel asked. "You may be genetically suited for this planet, but you were not made to be strong."

Kael's breath hitched as Kreel's posture straightened, his body vibrating with energy. He was using his own pain, his own blood, as fuel.

"My body has always adapted to the harsh conditions of this world. All I've ever known…is pain. And pain will always make me stronger!"

Something about the official's aura had changed now. He almost radiated power. 

Before Kael could blink, Kreel had lunged forward with strikingly fast speed. 

He moved to block, but Kreel was already on top of him, slamming a fist into the side of his face. 

The force of the punch knocked him backward, sending Kael sprawling on the stone ground. He coughed, blood spraying from his lips. 

But just like Kreel, the pain only seemed to make him stronger. And it made him angrier.

This official he was fighting was not only a murderer, but a monster. A "human" that didn't believe in humanity any longer. He would keep taking lives as he wished.

But Kael was going to put a stop to that. 

Here.

Now. 

Kreel charged again, but this time, Kael was ready. 

He dodged the first punch with a quick sidestep. When the second fist came barreling toward him, he ducked just in time. 

Then, Kael swept his leg out, kicking Kreel's feet out from under him. 

The official toppled to the ground.

I have the higher ground now, Kael realized. 

Before Kreel could react, Kael was kicking him in his already gruesome face. 

Crunch. Crunch. Crunch. 

His boot slammed down over and over, breaking the bones in Kreel's face. 

But with each strike, Kreel's smile grew wider.

He was actually enjoying this. 

Kael stepped back, his boot dripping with blood. "Your minute is over. And here I am, still standing."

Kreel coughed and began to sit up.

"Look around," Kael said, gesturing toward the surviving miners. "You've lost. All of your murderous friends are dead."

Kreel snarled. "You think that's everyone? When my subordinates realize that I haven't reported back, they'll send armies here. You…," he coughed again, spitting up blood. "You and all your friends are as good as dead."

"We'll see about that," Kael said. "Now, before I kill you, I have some questions that need answering. Who-"

A pickaxe split Kreel's skull in half, and his body slumped over.

Kael gasped, watching as Elysia wrenched the blade out. 

She looked up at him, sweat dripping from her face. "Sorry. I couldn't bear another second breathing the same air as that monster."