Fire persisted everywhere as the sounds of battle echoed throughout Edenia. Metal clashed in the distance against itself and flesh, death's harsh reality taking place amidst the battlefield.
Admittedly fatigued, Jai hurried to his intended destination, narrowly avoiding Osh-Tekk and renegade warriors alike. Blood and bruises marred him everywhere yet weren't enough to deter him. Dusk had enveloped the land in a reddish-orange tilt, resembling an inferno's peak with the central alcazar as its backdrop. The front gates laid in tatters conformed into nothing more than scrap, the guards defending their posts mangled in inhumane ways.
Thus began the tedious run through the main hall up toward the rooftop.
Inside, the throne room was in shambles, hardly recognizable. If the furniture wasn't ruined, it was destroyed beyond repair. Nothing but destruction littered the room, leaving dread and horror within Jai's mind as he struggled to stay upright, the loss of blood becoming more prevalent than before. There was no fooling anyone. He wouldn't be at 100%. Hell, possibly below 70%. But what other choice was there?
Jai finally made it to the roof through sheer grit, bursting through the door with little regard. It didn't take long to analyze his situation.
The vast space and width added to the ominous plight, Edenia's mountains and trees sitting directly across Jai's position. No turn of his body was needed to stop familiar figures in his vantage point. Multiple groups shrouded in shadow occupied opposite corners. Two hulking figures that displayed and exemplified power walked forward, revealing themselves, though Jai knew precisely who they were.
Kotal and Daegon.
Fate had brought the three of them together under less than ideal circumstances. Each man wanted what the other had, and another sought. And because of those desires, it was poetic the war would end in this manner.
Heightening the stakes was a captive audience.
From Kotal's side, D'Vorah and Erron Black looked on with a beaten Li Mei tied in ropes. She was apprehended after failing to fend off her two pursuers. Most of her people managed to hold off much of the invading forces but paid the price with their missing leader. Opposite of them was Daegon's assistance. Rain and Tanya dragged an unconscious Jade by her arms, holding her up high enough for Jai to see the hell they put her through. Blood smeared her face and body, breaths almost nonexistent with a litany of wounds.
No one noticed the large vein pulsing at Jai's temple.
Daegon, Kotal, and Jai converged at the center's apex, eyes never straying from either target. The three assumed their signature stances. Daegon's hands crossed over his chest, Kotal standing tall and proud, and Jai passively placed his hands in each pocket.
"Right on time, Jai," Daegon greeted.
"To your impending funeral." Came Kotal's remark.
Jai remained unfazed, the fury within him nearly bubbling to the surface. "Safe to say you two were waiting on me."
"But of course. An appropriate gesture to willingly come here on your own accord," Daegon sneered. "I take it you've enjoyed the chaos engulfing our realm?"
"Not as much as I'll enjoy rendering your skull to dust," Jai seethed.
Kotal scoffed. "Foolish Edenian-"
"I know you aren't talking, buluc. You're the least of my worries," Jai interrupted, glancing at his two henchmen. "And I see you brought out the vermin and cowpoke."
Erron quickly whipped out his pistol and aimed it at Li Mei's skull. "Careful with what you say, partner. Or Ms. Li gets it right between the eyes."
"Sure, and lose whatever leverage you think you have. Kotal here loves rewarding simpletons with measly pay. I mean, that's what cost Reptile his hide, wasn't it?" Jai shot retorted.
"Hold, Erron. Not until I give the order," Kotal ordered his minion, to which the mercenary grudgingly adhered. "Already you forget my power far exceeds your abilities, boy."
Daegon continued. "Yet mine surpasses yours in every way, Osh-Tekk. Refresh my recollection. How is it that a mere child outsmarted and outclassed your hired help? To the point where he united all of Outworld better than you could've imagined?"
"The same way that halted you from killing the royal family. Thank your twin for thwarting your earlier attempts. Seems to me that underestimating your enemies is a major flaw of yours," Jai pointed out.
An evil, maniacal laugh left Daegon. "Taven's interference will lead to his eventual slaughter. Mother's prayers won't save him this time. Speaking of slaughter..." He wordlessly commanded Tanya to bring Jade to his side, her Kobu-Jutsu held near the jugular. "Perhaps executing Edenia's fearless General should be my first decree as its new ruler if for no other reason than... I'm keen on hearing her beg for mercy over her child's life.
Kotal and Tanya's heads snapped toward Daegon after his statement before doing so in the opposite direction, Jai's slight twitch in his arm showing he was somewhat alarmed.
Noticing all eyes on him, Daegon's smirk grew. "Quite the revelation. Secrets tend to float around when you least expect it." He took a moment to study Jade's abdomen. "If I had to venture a guess, your beloved is about... three weeks in, meaning her conception was relatively recent. And here I thought snuffing out the last remaining Eclipsian would solidify my reign. Three lives for the price of one sounds invigorating."
Jai dropped his head, gaze averted in shame. No longer was he calm and collected, that familiar energy surging with both fists clenched tightly into his palms. The sick enthusiasm in Daegon's tone loomed why he didn't want anyone, not even his parents, to know or find out.
That option just went out the window.
"I won't even question how you managed to find out... nor do I honestly care at this point." Jai composed himself for the imminent confrontation. "It's all the more reason to end this here and now."
"So the rumors were true," Kotal said, clearly unhappy that his main target for a consort was unknowingly pregnant. "You've stolen my-"
"She was never yours to begin with! And Jade would sooner jump in a lava pool than become your bride!" Jai cut him off. "Know this... There's only one thing standing in my way of clearing my name, and that's you two. By nightfall, there will be no loser nor winner - merely victims and a lone survivor. To put it bluntly, the one who claims victory... is the last man standing."
"Regretfully, those are wise words for someone whose life is forfeit," Kotal responded.
"An idea each of you will share in your graves," Daegon added.
Jai removed his hands out of both pockets. "We fought one another on different occasions. This encounter... will be the last."