Isabel was hurled into a wall, almost crashing through it completely. She regained her balance just in time. Baerock jabbed at her. She weaved her head out of the way and tried to attack the Drake. However, Albatox was there to grab her arm and toss her out of the wall and along the ground. The two of them charged at her, baring their teeth and claws which gleamed as the sun glimpsed down on them from behind dark clouds. Trying to use that warmth to her advantage, Isabel evaded their attacks. But, she could only keep her eyes on both for a short while as they separated and attacked her from both sides. She cried out in pain as she felt claws tear into her flesh.
She reared back, collapsing onto one knee as blood leaked onto the ground from her wounds. Any attempt to heat up her palms and heal her injuries were thwarted as she was preyed upon by the Drakes time and time again.
There would be a few occasions where she would manage to catch them on the counter. Her strikes were quick and powerful, knocking them back. They were surprised by her strength and speed.
''She's stronger than before.'' Albatox murmured. ''We have to finish this now.''
Baerock whined. ''Oh, I wanted to play with her a little more. We're never going to get a fight like this again.''
''Don't count on it,'' Isabel panted. ''You think you can control us? Even if you kill me, there's going to be someone who will fight back against you.''
''You mean like the human you were fighting with just now?'' Baerock taunted. ''She has your abilities, and yet, she serves us.''
Isabel's gaze dropped to the ground. She was still trying to recover from the last attack. But, she was also thinking about what was going on outside. Surprisingly, it seemed quieter than what she would have expected from a battle. In fact, all she could hear now was more marching, but with more numbers than before. She couldn't tell what that meant. Then, she heard something else from behind her.
Just when she turned, she saw a bottle with a flame on the top being launched towards her. Instinctively, she braced herself as the glass smashed against her and she was suddenly consumed by flames. She opened her eyes, dazzled by the bright red and orange that glistened around her. Her body was burning, and it felt incredible. She could feel her wounds closing and her heart wouldn't stop racing as the fire around her died down and she saw something that brought tears to her eyes. Emerging from the tunnel was the two armies walking together as one into the ring. Within the crowd, she saw so many familiar faces. Not only could she see her companions from the Crew, but also those from the colony. She saw that Jon was alive. As more and more people came into view, she kept her eyes peeled for her mother and Jess. Eventually, she could see them walking beside Adira.
It wasn't until she heard the Drakes hiss that Isabel finally tore her eyes away from them.
''What are you doing?'' Albatox growled. ''Do not think we will show you mercy! We'll kill every single one of you if we have too.''
While the army stopped, Adira kept walking until she was standing beside Isabel. ''I don't care if I die; as long as I drag you down into hell with me.''
Despite the circumstances, Baerock grinned sadistically as she reached down and scooped up chunks of the earth. ''Very well. But, every death that happens here will be on your head.''
At the last moment, Isabel noticed what the Drake was doing. ''Everyone, get down!''
Baerock swung her arm, flinging the broken stones at the army with tremendous force. It was like dozens of bullets being fired at the same time. Isabel and Adira stood their ground, acting as a wall to prevent the projectiles from landing. They were able to block a few, suffering bloody cuts and bumps in the process. A few stones reached the army, tearing through those that weren't able to duck down quick enough. Adira glanced back to see the blood being splattered. There were people who had become like family to her dropping dead on the floor. She grit her teeth and charged at the Drakes with fire in her eyes.
Before Baerock could try the same move again, Adira slammed into her and grabbed her. The Drake crashed her elbows down into Adira's back, knocking her to the floor before kicking her back up into the air. Adira was wide-open for Albatox to attack. But, before he could land a deadly blow, Isabel's fist crashed into his face. He was sent flying across the ring before he crashed into a wall.
Isabel turned so that she could catch Adira and help her back onto her feet. The two of them raced towards Baerock, who wasn't expecting to have the two of them come at her at once. They launched a flurry of punches and kicks at her. The Drake had to deal with two different fighting styles. While Adira was physically weaker, her strikes were more unpredictable, catching her off-guard time and time again. However, it was Isabel that really dealt the most damage. Even if she didn't land every strike, her punches were like natural disasters laying waste to whatever stood in their way. Baerock could feel her bones rattling and cracking under the weight of each blow.
Behind them, the army propelled more explosive weapons to turn the tide of the battle. Grenades, Molotov cocktails, ignited gunpowder. They used whatever they had on them to turn the battlefield into a ring of fire. Isabel and Adira's bodies were ignited as they forced Baerock against the wall and besieged her with a volley of critical attacks. It didn't matter what the Drake did, she couldn't escape.
Climbing out of the rubble, Albatox turned to the army that was assisting Isabel and Adira and decided to deal with them first. He balled his hands together and jumped into the air. A few people noticed him when they spotted his shadow descending upon them. Albatox's fists crashed into the ground, upturning the earth and creating a wave that destroyed half of the ring in a matter of seconds.
People rushed to safety, trying not to get crushed or buried beneath the rocks. Jess was amidst the crowd, trying to push people out of the way. Suddenly, she felt the earth split beneath her and glanced down to see the ground part ways and she fell into the darkness.
Someone grabbed Jess's hand just before she disappeared into the depths. She looked up to see Helen hanging from the edge, trying to hold onto Jess. Her fingers dug into the ground, but the ground was unsteady and she was beginning to lose her grip. At the final moment, Erika and Cruise slid into action and grabbed Helen's arm, desperately trying to pull them up as Albatox advanced towards them.
Hearing the commotion going on behind them, Isabel looked over and gasped when she saw Albatox moving closer to her family and friends. After forcing Baerock down, Adira also noticed what was going on and didn't think twice about what to do next. ''Toss me at him!''
Isabel didn't have time to think. She grabbed Adira's hand and spun around twice before throwing the other woman at the Drake. She flew across the ring and stretched out her leg. It swept right across Albatox's face, creating a shockwave upon impact. Blood and teeth scattered across the ground as the Drake dropped to the ground and held his broken jaw. Behind him, Adira limped and rested against a rock that was jutting out of the ground. The skin over her leg was torn open. She could practically see the white from her bones. Even with the fire, it would take some time to heal an injury like that. Unfortunately, she didn't have time. Quicker than she anticipated, Albatox punched her down into the ground and towered over her.
''I wish I could make your death slow!'' He slurred. Blood and saliva drooled out of his mouth as he raised his arms into the air and was prepared to bring them down to crush Adira.
Before Albatox could attack, Dominic stepped into view, clutching a tooth that belonged to the Drake. Albatox tried to move, but a sharp jolt of pain coursed throughout his body. He still hadn't recovered from Adira's kick. He was powerless to do anything as Dominic stabbed the tooth into his neck, penetrating his skin. A small gush of blood jetted from the wound as Dominic dragged the tooth across the Drake's chest, trying to cut him open. At last, Albatox was able to move. He grabbed Dominic by the neck and lifted him off the ground.
Dominic spat at the Drake's face before laughing. ''Look who's afraid now.''
Albatox growled as he closed his fist, crushing Dominic's neck instantly before throwing his lifeless body to the side.
Adira lifted her head and saw what happened. She only had moments for Albatox was upon her again. She looked around for anything to help. Rolling along the ground, she spotted another bottle with a burning cloth poking out from the top. She was only going to get one shot at this, so she had to make it count. She grabbed the bottle and crushed it in her hand. Fire engulfed her arm and she swung her fist at Albatox just as the Drake bared his claws and aimed them at her.
Blood painted the ground beneath their feet.
When Helen and Jess were finally pulled up to safety, they saw what had happened. The group were silent as they saw Albatox's bloody hand emerging out of Adira's back.
Adira coughed up a pool of blood. Her head went numb as she glanced down to see the Drake's arm rammed through her chest. However, despite the darkness creeping up on her, she still smiled. ''Got you.''
Albatox sputtered and panted. He was trembling as he looked down and saw Adira had punched through his open wound. Her fingers coiled around his still-beating heart. With the remaining ounce of strength that she had left, Adira clenched her fist tightly, squeezing Albatox's heart. He froze completely. His mouth was left hanging open, but he stopped panting. Slowly, his body tilted to the side before collapsing to the ground, dragging Adira down with her until the two of them lay together in a pool of their own blood. Adira's eyes fluttered a few times before they closed for the final time.
''For a better tomorrow.'' She whispered with her last breath.
Isabel heard those words and hesitated for a moment. She didn't need to look back to know what had happened. It was uncomfortably quiet. All she could hear was the army that her mother had gathered trying to help each other through the rubble, followed by Baerock growling and grunting as she climbed up the wall in an attempt to stand.
The Drake's face was bloody. She spat on the ground and licked her lips. ''You're alone.''
Isabel locked eyes with Baerock. ''No, I'm not.''
Baerock leaned against the broken wall as she saw herself surrounded by more humans. They approached her with machetes, chains, metal pipes, and a few firearms. They kept their distance, but stood behind Isabel, ready to help when needed. There was no escape for Baerock. The Drake laughed wildly at the humans. However, her laughs turned into cries of despair when they showed no fear. They didn't retreat. They didn't back down.
''I'm going to die,'' Baerock muttered in disbelief. ''I'm going to die at the hands of a human. This wasn't supposed to happen. I was supposed to go and conquer new worlds with my brothers and sisters, with my King. You ruined everything!''
Isabel blinked. ''King?''
Baerock screeched and lunged at Isabel, opening her jaw wide and aiming for her neck. She bit down, but Isabel dodged the attack and punched Baerock in the face. The Drake stumbled back, groaning with pain. Isabel reached out and placed her hands on the upper and lower jaw. With one swift and strong pull, she parted Baerock's mouth wider and wider until she finally heard a bone-crunching snap. The Drake's mouth was ripped open. When Isabel could no longer feel a struggle, she released her grip on Baerock and watched as she tumbled to the ground and never moved again.
Once again, it was quiet. Too quiet for Isabel's liking. Her head was throbbing as she dropped to her knees, too exhausted to do anything other than look to the side at the army that surrounded her. She was thankful for the large numbers because it meant that she couldn't see the damage around them. There was undoubtedly bodies of the fallen that needed to be given a proper burial, including Adira's. Isabel started to fall. Someone rushed from the crowd and dropped down to catch her. The moment Isabel's head rested against the person's shoulders, she recognized who it was. She knew from the smell and the soft touches as she felt a hand brush through her hair.
''I'm here, baby girl,'' Helen whispered, kissing Isabel's head. ''I'm here.''
Isabel gulped, trying to hold back her sobs. She wrapped her arms around her mother and hugged her tightly.
XXX
HELLO MY SWEET SUPERSTARS! WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THIS ACTION-PACKED CHAPTER? IT ALWAYS PAINS ME WHEN I HAVE TO WRITE A CHAPTER THAT INVOLVES THE DEATH OF CHARACTERS, AND IT REALLY HURT TO WRITE THE DEATH OF ADIRA AND DOMINIC. BUT, THIS IS THAT KIND OF WORLD. NOT EVERYONE IS GOING TO MAKE IT. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS FOR WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT? I CAN GIVE YOU A LITTLE HINT ABOUT WHAT'S COMING IN THE NEXT CHAPTER. I AM HAPPY TO SAY THAT THERE WILL BE ANOTHER SMUTTY SCENE TO LOOK FORWARD TO. WILL IT BE ISABEL X HELEN? ISABEL X JESS? OR...DARE I SAY...HMM, YOU'LL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE. ALSO...GET READY NEXT CHAPTER FOR THE BIGGEST CLIFFHANGER YET. I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOUR REACTIONS. IT'S AN EVENT THAT I'VE BEEN WAITING AGES TO WRITE AND REVEAL. BE SURE TO COME BACK ON FRIDAY TO FIND OUT. IN THE MEANTIME, STAY SAFE. TA-TA FOR NOW.
