The heroes stared up at the Prince of Flies, his grotesque wings buzzing as he hovered above them like a storm cloud of decay.
Ice broke the silence. "What's the plan? Luke? Sophie?"
A pause. Then Sophie spoke, steady and sharp. "We need to get him on the ground. Then we set up a triangle offense, pin him, flank him, finish him."
Ice nodded. "I'm in."
Luke stayed quiet for a beat. Then: "Sophie, great plan. On my cue, light him up."
Without hesitation, Luke sprinted toward a nearby building. Sophie launched into action, firing at the Prince. Her shots struck the buzzing swarm around him, but the flies absorbed the impact like armor.
Ice swung his chain toward the hovering prince, but the Lord of Flies darted right, wings slicing the air with unnatural speed.
Then out of nowhere Luke leapt from the rooftop, sword drawn, descending like judgment. But the swarm caught him midair, slamming him into the ground. His body rolled three times before coming to a stop.
"Luke!" Sophie screamed.
Ice knelt beside him, checking. "He's breathing," he said, then looked up. "Stay focused, Sophie. This prince is mighty."
Sophie nodded silently, her eyes locking back onto the enemy.
The Prince of Flies grinned. "Impressive. You vermin killed the Sloth. I was saving that pleasure for myself. But you mortals did it for me. So… thank you. Now, you all die."
A fresh swarm erupted from the shadows, engulfing Ice and Sophie. The Prince hovered, watching. "A good story, I'll give you that. You've lasted longer than expected."
He raised his voice. "It'll be my honor to take down some of the heroes myself. They make excellent trophies."
Then thwack! A rock hit the Prince. Another struck his back.
He turned, confused. The blows didn't hurt, but they insulted him.
A barrage of rocks followed, flung from behind cover. Furious, the Prince shot toward the throwers.
Two boys stood frozen Riot and Stuart paralyzed by fear.
"I don't like killing children," the Prince sneered. "But you brats are a nuisance."
Bang! A punch from his blind spot cracked the Prince's jaw.
Luke.
He stood, bloodied but defiant. "Riot, Stuart, get out of here! It's not safe!"
"No!" Riot shouted. "We came to help!"
Luke blinked, surprised. These boys wanted to fight.
"Fine," he said. "Go help Ice and Sophie. Wait for my signal."
They nodded and ran.
The Prince rose, rubbing his jaw. "You were always my favorite, Luke."
Luke froze. "You… know me?"
"Of course," the Prince said. "We all do. You're a major player in the game we're playing."
"What game?"
"The game called destiny. Some win. Some lose. But destiny always calls. Few answer."
Luke clenched his fists. "How do I answer?"
"That," the Prince said, "I don't know. But if you survive tonight… you'll be one step closer."
Then he lunged.
A flurry of blows punches, kicks, knees, counters, headbutts each strike exchanged with brutal precision. Luke held his own, blocking and retaliating.
The Prince stepped back and unleashed his swarm. Luke dodged, sprinting, leaping high
but midair, the Prince speared him, driving him into the ground with a thunderous crash. A trail of blood marked the impact.
Riot and Stuart fought desperately, swatting flies off Ice and Sophie.
"Come on!" Riot yelled. "Get off!"
Stuart cleared Sophie's face. She gasped for air but didn't wake.
He shook her. "You can't die. Not here. Not now."