Vince lay there in shock, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Am I really bound like this? All I want is some damn sleep! No… there has to be a way!
He forced his throat to move, words spilling out in broken bursts.
"Je, Ar, Sydn, aar!"
The moment he spoke, pain ripped through his head. His brain felt like it was shredding apart, his heart nearly drained of blood. Every word tied to them tore him down from the inside.
Estill lowered Vince slowly, tone sharp, anger twisting through his voice as his bloodshot eyes flared wide.
"Tell me! Tell me! I even know you can't truly say who it is, but you'll speak even if it kills you, Roe!"
His breath reeked, his voice cracked with madness.
Vince's eyes darted, searching for any kind of opening. Then he noticed, his feet were just close enough to Estill's groin. I have to do this fast. While Estill's mouth hung open mid-yell, Vince spat a blood-soaked wad straight into it.
BANG!
As Estill gagged, he dropped Vince out of instinct. Vince hit the ground hard but lifted his gun instantly, firing a shot that tore into Estill's arm. The golden bullet lodged itself into the bone and began to glow.
Vince didn't hesitate. He kicked upward, slamming his heel between Estill's legs. The moment Estill froze in pain, Vince fired again.
BANG!
The next shot pierced Estill's other arm. The bullet stuck and glowed just like the first.
I've got one round left, Vince thought, glancing around the wrecked room. His eyes landed on a plant in a white vase near the stairs.
Estill looked up from his wounds, blood dripping down his arms. His face twisted in fury as he saw Vince smirking back at him.
"You cocky bastard! You think you're better than me? You just have one artifact!" Estill roared, the air around him warping as he charged.
Just before he reached Vince, Vince grabbed the vase and hurled it with all his strength.
CRASH!
The vase shattered against Estill's face, cutting deep. Dirt splattered across his eyes, blinding him. He stumbled back, blood streaming down his cheek. Vince froze for a second, realizing something that made his grin widen. Wait… how did that even hurt him? His gunshots hadn't done real damage, but the vase had. Then it hit him.
If Estill's using Gluttony, that means it's consuming his other artifacts too… he's getting weaker the longer he fights. His strength's still there, but his body's breaking down.
Vince steadied his breathing, his hand tightening on the revolver. For the first time since the fight began, he felt something close to control.
As Estill staggered back, Vince bolted for the stairs. Behind him, Estill's groaning grew louder, rising into an unhinged, guttural sound. Vince turned just in time to see Estill charging again, his blood-smeared face twisted into the grin of a devil. The air rippled around him as he closed the distance in an instant.
Vince's back slammed against the stair rail.
CRACK!
The railing snapped under the combined weight of their bodies.
"I've been playing for too long!" Estill roared. "I hate it! I HATE IT! IT NEEDS MORE! ITS STOMACH IS EMPTY!"
His voice warped into something demonic. Thick, red-black smoke burst from his body, eating away at the broken rail and floorboards nearby.
This bastard's losing it! Vince thought as the two of them plummeted. If I don't land right, I'm dead!
Estill threw a wild punch through the air.
WHOOSH!
The blow barely missed, tearing the air apart beside Vince's head. A strand of smoke grazed his cheek, eating through his skin like acid. Estill twisted midair, throwing another punch straight at Vince's face.
THACK!
The hit landed hard. Vince heard a sickening crack and felt blood splatter from Estill's nose in return.
They kept falling past the second floor, crashing through dust and air.
THACK! BANG! THACK!
Each sound echoed through the mansion as they traded blows mid-descent, neither in control. Estill's attacks grew heavier but less focused. Vince's right cheek was nearly gone, eaten away by the smoke. His arms were raw, skin peeling off in strips.
I'm going to die if I don't end this now!
His eyes darted downward, and caught sight of Estill's cane falling alongside them. Vince threw one last punch, missed, and heard Estill's laughter ring out. Using the distraction, Vince kicked him hard between the legs again. Estill's body locked up. In that brief moment, Vince snatched the falling cane. With the smoke burning through his fingers, Vince twisted midair, kicking off Estill's chest to flip behind him. The pain was unbearable, his skin felt like it was melting, but he didn't stop.
As they neared the ground floor, Vince rammed the cane forward, driving it toward Estill's stomach.
BANG!
The impact shook the room.