Chapter 24 : Hidden Reason
With a loud roar, he lunged forward once more, his intentions clear, leaving Chris and Joy facing an imminent threat, the outcome hanging in the balance as tension crackled in the air.
Melpomene lunged at Chris with a ferocity that took him off guard, his movements a blur of raw power. "I'm stronger and faster than you brat!" he roared, his voice booming with rage.
The air seemed to crackle with tension as his fist fly towards Chris, the force behind it magnified by his sheer rage to crush his opponent.
Melpomene's punch connected with a bone-crushing impact, sending Chris sprawling to the ground. Blood spattered from his mouth as he coughed violently, pain searing through his body.
Despite the agony and the metallic taste of blood, Chris struggled to his feet, his resolve unwavering.
"You're really are strong, even for an old guy. I have no doubts now that you are really a seeker" he muttered, his voice strained with admiration, eyes locked on Melpomene with fierce determination.
Chris struggled to maintain his balance, still standing but on shaky legs. Suddenly, a strange sensation washed over him. He glanced down at his stomach and noticed a bruise forming.
"What are you trying to prove?" he muttered quietly, his fingers gently probing the damaged spot.
Melpomene clenched his fist, his knuckles full of blood, and gritted his teeth. "I'm not trying to prove anything," he spat out, his voice trembling with barely restrained anger.
Chris struggled to stand but his legs gave out, sending him crashing back to the ground.
He looked up at Melpomene, fury burning in his eyes. "Liar," he muttered, his voice barely audible as his vision blurred. "You wouldn't go this far if all you wanted was to capture a girl...or risk your status for money"
Suddenly, Joy swiftly jump into action, launching a raging attack on Melpomene.
The old man tried to dodge, but his age and exhaustion slowed his movements. Joy's powerful kick connected with his stomach, sending him staggering.
"Urgh!"
"...I'm too old for this," he gasped, blood splattering from his mouth as he struggled to stay on his feet.
Clutching his wound, Melpomene glared at Joy and Chris with hartred and rage. "I'll end this now!" he roared, his voice dripping with fury.
Channeling all his remaining strength, he uses Ance into his fist, the air crackling with energy as he prepared for one final, devastating blow.
Chris struggled to rise, his body still too weak. He watched in alarm as Melpomene charged at Joy, her fist poised to strike. Summoning all his strength, he shouted, "Joy! Look out!" Desperation laced his voice as he tried to warn her.
Joy's eyes widened as she saw Melpomene charging towards her. In a split second, she sidestepped the attack, her movements swift and precise. She then launch a powerful kick to his chest.
"Don't you ever underestimate me!" she commanded, her voice a fierce growl as she glared at Melpomene, fury blazing in her eyes.
As Joy's kick hurtled towards him, Melpomene swiftly enacted Ance, channeling its power called Orve into his chest to diminish the impact of her attack. With a calculated move, he absorbed the force, his stance unyielding against her onslaught.
Fuelled by anger, Joy launched another attack, her fury propelling her forward. With lightning speed, she aimed a fierce kick at Melpomene's head, her determination palpable in every movement.
"I'm not done yet!" she declared, her voice dripping with resolve as she refused to back down.
With reflexes honed by years of training, Melpomene dodged Joy's assault with ease, seizing her leg in a vice-like grip.
In one swift motion, he slammed her against the wall of concrete, eliciting a scream of agony from Joy as pain shot through her body. Though battered and bruised, her spirit remained unbroken as she struggled to rise once more.
"You are going down!" she roared, her voice a defiant challenge as she locked eyes with Melpomene, her gaze piercing and cold as ice.
With a burst of energy, Melpomene unleashed a powerful gust of wind, sending Joy hurtling backward.
As she soared through the air, he couldn't help but feel the weight of exhaustion pressing down on him.
"Huff... Huff... I'm really getting old," he muttered between labored breaths, his voice a mixture of fatigue and resignation as he struggled to catch his breath, his weary form a testament to the toll of battle and age.
As Joy crashed onto the ground, blood trickling from her nose, she fought against the pain, determination etched onto her face. Despite her body's protests, she refused to surrender.
"I will never give up... Not yet..." she whispered defiantly, her words a solemn vow as she lay there, her gaze fixed on Melpomene with a fierce frown, her spirit unbroken even in the face of defeat.
To be continued.....