Rico realised his plan had failed, but he also knew backing down wasn’t an option anymore. With everyone’s abilities gone, he was the only one who could stand against Alex.
’No matter what, I must keep him busy until Shinon arrives.’ Rico thought to himself. ’Given the situation, Shinon is the only one who can defeat this fucker.’
There was a reason why it took Rico a while to get to the battlefield: Shinon. When Rico realised that Aric’s n had attacked the settlent, he rushed to radio Shinon and report to him about the situation.
With that thought in mind, Rico lunged at his opponent, but the result was unchanged. With every missed strike, Rico felt frustration gnawing at his core. His efforts seed futile, his confidence slowly wavering.
"You see, what was your na again...? Ah, right, Rico," Alex taunted, a smug grin on his lips. "Your resistance is aningless. Without abilities, you are nothing. A re mortal cannot stand against the might of our power."
Rico gritted his teeth. He didn’t care if it took Shinon hours to get here; he would defend the girls with all his strength.
He circled Alex, his footwork agile and precise. He feinted one way, only to change direction in an instant. Rico’s strikes beca faster and more unpredictable as he sought to bypass Alex’s ability to predict his movents.
Their clash intensified, the sound of tal clashing against tal ringing through the battlefield. Rico’s fiery machetes danced with deadly grace, creating a srising display of light and heat. But despite his efforts, Alex’s ability continued to thwart his every move.
Soon enough, Rico got tired out. His movents beca sluggish, which led to the mont Alex was waiting for.
With a calculated strike, Alex disard Rico, sending one of his machetes flying through the air. The blade clattered against the ground, leaving Rico montarily defenceless. The weight of his defeat settled upon him, his shoulders slumping.
"It’s over, Rico. Your resistance ends here. Surrender, and perhaps I will show you rcy," Alex raised his sword, his voice dripping with triumph. "It would be a waste to let a talent like you go to waste. But I will end you if you don’t bow to Aric’s might this instant."
"rcy? Offering rcy to an enemy is a right reserved for chivalrous people. Not cowardly bastards like yourself." Rico rose to his feet with a twisted smile on his face.
Even in his bloodied and bruised state, he knew he had to buy ti for Shinon to reach the settlent and was willing to sacrifice himself if it ant the settlent would be protected.
With his remaining machete gripped tightly in his hand, he charged at Alex once again. Their swords clashed with a resounding clash, the clash of steel reverberating through the battlefield.
Rico fought with every ounce of strength left in him. Though outmatched by Alex’s predictive abilities, he refused to go down without a fight.
But Alex, fueled by his advantage and the thrill of imminent victory, effortlessly parried each of Rico’s desperate strikes. Blow after blow was deflected, and Rico’s hopes for survival seed more distant with each passing mont. Even then, he pressed onwards.
Just then, a heavy blow from Alex’s sword sent Rico sprawling to the ground, his grip on his machete loosening.
Pain coursed through his body, but his spirit remained unbroken. He struggled to rise to his feet, his battered form refusing to yield.
Alex lood over him, triumph radiating from his being. "You fought valiantly, Rico. But it seems your defiance ends here. I’ll try to make your death as painless as I can."
"Even if I fall today, others will rise in my place," Rico’s breaths ca ragged, his vision blurred with pain. Though weakened, his resolve burned brightly. "And rember... you’ll et your end soon enough at the hands of the man I proudly call my brother."
With those defiant words, Rico braced himself for the final, crushing blow from Alex’s sword. He closed his eyes, preparing for the end. But before the strike could land, sothing unexpected happened.
A shadowy tendril wrapped itself around Rico’s waist, pulling him backwards with a sudden force. Confusion clouded Rico’s senses as he looked behind him, trying to comprehend what had happened. And then he saw Shinon standing there, concealed beneath his hoodie.
"You did well, Rico," Shinon mumbled as he stepped forward. "You all did."
Shinon’s gloved hand reached up, slowly pulling back the hood, revealing a face that didn’t look pleased with the invader. His eyes darted all around the settlent, taking in the devastation Aric’s n had caused.
The cold wind whispered through the battlefield, akin to the silence before a storm, as Shinon’s piercing gaze t Alex’s.
"And who might you be?" Alex inquired, a hint of curiosity lacing his voice. "Another pawn in this futile resistance?"
Shinon remained silent, his expression unyielding. He refused to dignify Alex’s question with a response. Instead, he stood firm, a formidable presence that commanded attention. The absence of an answer only fueled Alex’s growing realisation.
Recognition flickered in Alex’s eyes as he processed the sight before him. Pieces of information fell into place, connecting the dots in his mind. Aric’s ntion of the enigmatic "Shadowbearer" echoed in his mory, and now, standing before him, was the embodint of that na.
A triumphant smirk curled on Alex’s lips as he realised the significance of the encounter.
"So, you’re the one they call the Shadowbearer," he taunted, his voice filled with arrogance. "Ah, I’ve been waiting for this mont. To have the pleasure of eliminating you myself, Shadowbearer."
Unfazed by Alex’s taunting, Shinon maintained a calm composure, his eyes locked onto his adversary. The atmosphere crackled with tension as the two stood face to face, each aware of the stakes at hand.
Alex’s confidence swelled as he thought about the device he believed would neutralise Shinon’s abilities. He reached for the spot where the device should have been, only to find emptiness. Confusion flickered across his face as he realised the device was missing.
"What the hell?"
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