Episode 45 : Resilient

"No matter how hard you fight, you won't change anything. Your family's death was meaningless. If you had just stayed quiet and not betrayed us, you could still see your family happy together. You could have watched your child grow up beside your wife," David said to Zawaq.

"The death of my family is part of the struggle. My parents were never disappointed in me. They were never on the side of oppression, even since I was a child," Zawaq replied.

"Maybe my wife was a traitor, and my child was unlucky to die alongside her. But at least my child died by his mother's side! My family is dead, so I don't have to think about them being tortured by your people," Zawaq added.

Zawaq ran off, leaving David alone. He grabbed a sword from its sheath. The blade gleamed as it reflected the sunlight.

Leaping high into the sky, Zawaq plunged toward David, swinging his sword from above. David countered with a punch, shattering the sword.

As Zawaq landed in front of David, he attempted to stab him. David caught the broken blade and stabbed Zawaq's stomach. Zawaq's hand, still gripping the sword, stopped just before it could reach David's abdomen.

David deflected Zawaq's hand, snatched the sword, and stabbed Zawaq with his own weapon.

"How does it feel to be stabbed with your own sword? I also used this same blade to behead your father," David sneered with a small, mocking laugh.

Zawaq staggered backward, distancing himself from David. David dashed forward and kicked Zawaq's stomach—right where the two blades had stabbed him.

Zawaq screamed in silence. His eyes widened in shock. He fell to his knees, coughing up blood. A stream of crimson flowed from his wounded stomach.

Gritting his teeth, Zawaq took a deep breath and pulled the two sharp pieces of metal out of his body. He threw them to the ground, clutching his abdomen. Slowly, his wound healed on its own.

He stood up, still holding his stomach, enduring indescribable pain. Yet, he refused to give up against David, despite his weakened state.

"Evolution!" Zawaq shouted.

His entire body transformed into a green entity. His eyes turned pitch black.

"Evolution," David muttered as he transformed into a being mixed with black and ashen hues.

The two stood facing each other, ready for battle.

"The difference between you and me is like the sky and the earth. You will never win. Surrender and take your own life," David declared.

"Bastard!" Zawaq roared in anger.

They charged at each other, exchanging punches and kicks. Each strike and block echoed like thunderbolts.

David deflected and countered Zawaq's relentless attacks with ease. He remained calm, unfazed by Zawaq's increasing speed.

David kicked Zawaq's leg, causing him to momentarily lose balance. Seizing the opportunity, David grabbed Zawaq by the neck and slammed him onto the ground repeatedly with immense force before tossing him far away.

Zawaq was sent flying several meters. He quickly stabilized himself, landing on one knee before standing up again. David dashed toward him and delivered a powerful kick.

Zawaq blocked it with both arms but was pushed back several steps. His arms felt like they were about to break, but the pain was nothing compared to before his "evolution."

David launched a barrage of punches. Zawaq guarded with both arms, but David's strength was overwhelming.

Zawaq dodged and circled around David. David swung a powerful hook punch, but Zawaq shielded his head with his arms. Then, David's left fist struck Zawaq's abdomen.

Zawaq protected his face and neck, but David continued his relentless assault, striking repeatedly before delivering a heavy kick to Zawaq's stomach.

Zawaq was sent flying again, but this time, he managed to land on his feet. He retaliated with a flurry of punches and kicks.

David blocked them effortlessly. Zawaq leaped backward, spinning in the air before jumping even higher. David followed suit.

"You can never defeat me, Zawaq! You're just a scientist! Not a soldier or a warrior! I am a trained soldier, far beyond your capabilities!" David shouted.

They both charged at each other mid-air, kicking simultaneously. Their legs collided like two explosive forces clashing, creating a powerful shockwave.

David landed gracefully, but Zawaq crashed to the ground, rolling before kneeling and standing up again.

"Your parents, your wife, and your child are all dead. What else do you have to live for? The family that gave you purpose is gone. Even if you defeat me, it's impossible for you to fight against the extraordinary might of the Israhell nation. You are alone. Isolated. Forgotten," David taunted.

"My only goal now is to kill you," Zawaq replied coldly.

"And after that? Will you just disappear? Become a legend passed down through generations, only for future generations to dismiss your existence?" David questioned.

"You will be forgotten, just as no one will remember you. Your family is gone, unable to recall your existence," David continued mockingly.

"I welcome death. Right now, all I want is to kill you, or be killed by you. That is my only purpose," Zawaq declared, getting into a combat stance.

"Very well. I will grant your wish, but I will not kill you. I want you to die slowly, in agony, because I regret not torturing your parents in front of you," David smirked.

"None of that will matter once you're dead!" Zawaq retorted.

They both dashed toward each other once more, launching a series of rapid punches like missiles being fired. Zawaq spun mid-air and kicked David's face.

One kick wasn't enough. David froze momentarily. Zawaq spun again, lying horizontally in the air, and delivered a devastating kick to the back of David's neck.

David had expected another kick to his face, but he was wrong. He staggered back several steps. Without wasting a second, Zawaq rushed toward him.