I stood between Zain and the Eighty. Orion stood in front as the rookies behind him began to chant like it was a sacrifice.
Rowan. What have you done to these people?
"What's taking so long, Alexandria?"
A member of the Eighty—a short man with leather armor holding a dagger—dashed past me toward Zain's bed.
I turned to see him raise the blade.
Oh hell no.
I dashed forward, raised my axe, and swung. The axe flew through his neck. His head rolled from his body.
"You will not kill him."
I turned to the others. The now-shocked Eighty watched me, axes in hand.
"You'll have to get past me."
Orion's eyes widened. His eye twitched. Veins popped on his forehead. "So you're really betraying us? For HIM? A PSYCHOPATH?!"
His gauntlets glowed green. He pointed at me.
"KILL HER NOW!"
I dropped into my stance. My vision sharpened. Lumin coursed through my eyes as they shifted red.
I focused the rest of my Lumin into the axe. The head glowed blue, then red lightning erupted around it.
I'm already below fifty percent. I need to end this fast. But Orion will be an issue.
Two warriors dashed forward, weapons drawn. I stepped back, luring them forward.
There. An opportunity.
I swung my blade, cutting both their bodies in half.
Three more charged. I parried one attack, kicked the attacker in the ribs—wincing in pain—then shifted my blade and cut his neck.
I ducked as the next warrior slashed, then cut him in half.
Five more rushed me. I raised my axe and threw five air slashes, this time reinforced with lightning.
Zendorium lightning art: Lightning Slash.
The crescents pierced through armor and flesh, killing them instantly.
I looked at Orion. The remaining twenty warriors froze.
"You really have betrayed your family, Alexandria," Orion said.
"Then just as Rowan told me—sinners need to be judged. And it's clear you've chosen your fate." I raised my axe. "DEATH."
His hand broke through the handle of my axe, punching my stomach and sending me flying into the steel safe.
Orion dashed toward me, his massive frame looming as he jumped.
I rolled beneath him and grabbed Rela's axe beside Zain's body. I enhanced it with lightning and threw numerous Lightning Slashes at him.
Orion dodged past them, moving at incredible speed. I ducked his hook punch. His arm was fully extended.
I slashed his arm off. It flew through the air and landed on the deck.
He acted too much on emotion. Blinded by devout rage. If he'd been more controlled, this wouldn't have happened.
Orion knelt, grabbing the stump where his arm had been, screaming.
I grabbed the remains of my axe. I stood, both weapons in hand, infused with lightning. My eyes began to bleed.
"Come on. Kill the berserker." I smiled. "Or are you too much of a coward?"
I turned to face Orion—but he was gone.
I spun. He was already in front of me, cocking a punch. The wind itself seemed to push me toward him.
His fist collided with my armor. It shattered into pieces.
My body slammed against the steel safe again, leaving a massive crater.
I knelt, coughing blood. My nose bled. My vision blurred.
How? Was he always this strong?
Orion walked toward me. "You know, Alexandria, I thought you were reliable. But I was wrong. Severely wrong."
He grabbed my hair and lifted me to his eye level. The metal thorns of his gauntlets coiled around my forehead like a crown of thorns, their grip tightening.
"I will kill you, Alexandria. I will make it as excruciating as possible. So you may reflect properly on your sins."
I raised my head, looked him in the eye, and smiled.
"Fuck. No."
I spread my arms, still holding both axes, and slammed the edges into his neck.
Blood sprayed from the wound. The thorns released my head.
I stumbled back, leaning against the wall. The doorway was empty.
Those cowards actually left.
I walked to Zain's bed, dragged another bed close to his, and lay down. I still clutched the axes.
I turned to look at Zain.
He looked peaceful.
At least I've done my part.
Now it's Aurelia's turn to fight.