Chapter 83: The Reckoning
"What happened?" Olivia asked as she took him in. "Where have you been? Did you ascend?"
"Slow down." Ezra raised a hand, chuckling. "Yes, I ascended. I've been here for... I don't know actually. As for what happened, well, the flower shop girls poisoned me in order to kill me but X helped me."
"X?" Gen rocked back in surprise. "The same X?"
"Yes. The same X."
"How did you get here if X helped you?" Olivia asked.
"It's a long story. For now, let's get out of here."
"Agreed. Here." Olivia stretched an object to Ezra.
Ezra took it, chuckling as he recognized the object. "I've totally forgotten about this." It was his boogeyman mask. He knew that only a few days might have passed but it had felt like years. He had been poisoned, almost assassinated, captured, beaten, actually killed and resurrected. he wore the mask, feeling it rest comfortably on his face. "Let's go."
Olivia nodded and turned away, leading the way out. "Let's make them pay."
"Let's make them pay!" Gen echoed as she jumped into the fray.
Ezra, Gen, and Olivia fought their way through the chaos. Blood and violence surrounded them as they cut down the Three Axe gang members around them with brutal efficiency. Ezra felt the surge of his newfound power, his movements swift and deadly. The world around him felt like it was moving in slow motion. This is what I've been missing. He still made sure he kept himself within human limits.
As they advanced, Ezra's eyes locked onto two familiar figures in the distance. Aaron and Macmillan. They were leaving the fight, taking a backdoor out of the building. The sight of them ignited a deep rage within him. He gestured to Gen and Olivia, signaling them to continue the fight. "I have unfinished business," he growled, his voice edged with his fury.
Without waiting for a response, Ezra broke off from the group, pursuing Aaron and Macmillan through the labyrinthine corridors of the building. They moved swiftly, but unaware of his presence. Ezra focused his heightened senses, tracking their every step, his skills guiding him through the darkness.
He followed them as they entered a secluded area, away from the main battle. The narrow hallways and dim lighting provided the perfect setting for him to unleash his full potential. He could feel the vitality coursing through every part of him, every muscle coiled and ready to strike.
Aaron and Macmillan rounded a corner, and Ezra saw his chance. He leaped forward with inhuman speed, landing in front of them and blocking their escape. Macmillan's eyes widened in shock, but it quickly morphed into a sneer. "I see. They went to find another vampire to wear the mask. Pity we'll be killing this one too."
In a smooth motion, Ezra pulled off the mask on his face. "Guess again." He grinned savagely displaying his fangs.
Macmillan stumbled back in a mix of shock and fear. "No. No! I killed you! I ripped your heart out myself."
"And I'm here from beyond the grave to make you pay." Ezra took a step forward.
Macmillan stared in confusion before sighing and composing himself, brushing off imaginary dirt from his suit. "I see. A copycat. How did I let myself get fooled? It doesn't matter. You'll be dying all the same."
You know what? It doesn't matter what they think of this. All that matters is their death. "Come on." He raised a hand, beckoning them with his fingers. "Come to your death."
"You think you can take us both?" Aaron taunted, cracking his neck.
Ezra's response was a feral grin. "I know I can." He exploded forward, almost taking them by surprise. Aaron stepped forward to meet him, attacking first, his strikes fast and powerful, but Ezra's reflexes were sharper.
He ducked under Aaron's reaching claws, batted away the other hand and followed up with a powerful punch to Aaron's chest, knocking the wind out of him. Aaron staggered back, clutching his ribs, but Ezra didn't relent. He closed the distance and delivered a series of rapid strikes, each one landing with bone-crushing force.
Aaron tried to fight back, but his efforts were like trying to hold back a flood with a slice of bread. Ezra's strength was overwhelming, his attacks never ending. In a final, brutal move, Ezra grabbed Aaron by the throat and lifted him off the ground. Aaron's eyes widened in terror as he grasped Ezra's hand, struggling to break his grip.
"This is for everything you've done," Ezra snarled, his grip tightening. With a swift motion, he speared his hand into Aaron's chest and squeezed, pulverizing the heart. He released his grip, letting Aaron's lifeless body drop to the floor. He turned to his next opponent. "Your turn."
Macmillan, who had been watching the fight with growing horror, took a step back. Fear etched across his face as he realized he was next. "No. No! This can't be!"
"It is and it always will be. Your death is inevitable." Ezra took a step forward.
"Wait. Wait! We can resolve this peacefully. How much do you want? Ten million? Twenty?
Please... please," he stammered as he stepped back frantically, his voice trembling.
"Accept it." Ezra's eyes locked onto Macmillan, filled with a cold fury. "Running won't save you."
Macmillan turned and fled, his footsteps echoing through the empty corridors. Ezra pursued him, his movements a blur of speed and power. The distance between them closed rapidly, and Macmillan's panic was almost a physical weight in the air.
They reached a dead end, and Macmillan whirled around, his face pale with fear. "Stay away from me!" he shouted, his voice cracking.
Ezra slowed, his steps deliberate and menacing. "You can't escape this, Macmillan. You brought this upon yourself."
Desperation drove Macmillan to materialize his own weapon, a giant bow, but his hands were shaking so badly that he could barely aim. Ezra advanced, his eyes never leaving Macmillan's face. With a swift motion, he disarmed Macmillan, the weapon clattering uselessly to the floor.
Macmillan fell to his knees, his eyes pleading. "Please... spare me," he begged, tears streaming down his face.
Ezra stood over him, his expression cold and unyielding. "You showed no mercy to my people. Why should I show any to you?"
Ezra raised his hand. Before he could deliver the final blow, he was pushed back by an unseen force. A dark portal opened beneath Macmillan and he fell inside. Ezra could only stare in rage as the portal closed with the sound of a thunderclap.
Macmillan was gone.