Disclaimer: Same as before

Chap. 10

"Ggggghhhhhh!"

Ky was hurled back as he avoided the blood-red blade of Testament. Testament had charged at him with blinding speed and almost taken his head. And even though Ky avoided being decapitated, the scythe had slashed across his chest. He wasn't injured, but the front of his robe had been slashed. Nearby, Sol and Axl watched the events unfold.

"Uh, Sol? Shouldn't we help him?"

"No. You will do nothing." Sol had already figured that Testament's sole target was Ky and that it wasn't up to him to get involved.

"Besides, I'm enjoying this."

Axl gave a half-shocked expression, but then blinked. I keep forgetting who I'm taking to here. With that said, he returned his attention back to the battle where Testament swooped in on the downed knight once again.

"Shi'ne!"

Seeing the descending gear, Ky quickly rolled as the scythe stabbed into the ground. Quickly, Testament pulled upward and slashed again. Ky raised his sword just in time to block the strike. Testament tried to push him down and Ky was beginning to falter. Ky pulled off to the left, sliding away.

"Stop this. Why are you fighting me?"

"Silence!"

Testement suddenly swooped through the air, spinning into a flip and the scythe with him. Ky sidesteps, but only barely as his white robe was slashed again. Ky checked himself briefly for injuries and found none. Which was a good thing. He was still dealing with his earlier injuries and he couldn't afford any more, especially during a fight. He had to convince Testament to stop. A task easier said than done. Testament seemed hell bent on destroying him. And given his inhuman power and speed, he was more than capable to do so. But why?

"I don't want to fight you."

Testament's reply was a wave of his hand. From behind Ky, a purple ooze of teeth formed and attacked. Ky was caught by the creature as it snapped into his leg. Ky grimaced as he pulled away, his leg red but luckily not bleeding. Testament saw this and wasted no time in charging again. Ky blocked again, but the strain of his leg caused him to slip and fall back. Testament raised him scythe to finish him, but Ky managed to kick him backward. Testament stumbled back enough for Ky to regain his bearing. Raising the Thunderseal, he stood in attack position and lightning crackled around it.

"Stun Edge!"

A flash of electricity swooped out and Testament dodged it. Forcing himself forward, Ky swung the blade, causing Testament to block unsteadily. Ky then spun around and his next strike pushed him back further. However, Testament flashed red and he disappeared. Seconds later, he reappeared from behind him in a flash, flooring Ky. Ky staggered to his feet. The attack had obviously done its damage as Ky could feel his vitality weakening. Ky could barely keep himself steady as Testament lunged once again. No...choice. Forcing himself to focus, he waved his hand in a blue circle and cried.

"Sacred Edge!"

An arrow of energy shot out and nailed the dark gear straight on. Seeing him dazed, Ky set to finish him.

"Greed Sever!"

Spinning in the air, the empowered Thunderseal slammed into Testament, dropping him to the floor. Ky stood before him, half in pain.  That...may have been a little much. But it was the only way to stop him without going all out. Now's my chance.

"Why are you trying to kill me?"

The dark gear looked up at him, anger clear in his crimson eyes.

"How dare you! You would take her emotions and twist them for your amusement. To think that she actually cares for a wrench like you."

So it's about Dizzy. Ky lowered his blade a bit as he continued.

"To leave her in that manner is unforgivable."

In that manner? What has happened? The way he was going on sounds like...I hurt her? Ky grimaced again.

"I didn't mean or want to hurt her. That is why I left."

Testament narrowed his eyes.

"I knew that I could not spend my life with her. We live in different worlds. I can not ask her to live in a world that loathes her simply because of what she is. But I can not live with her in the skies either...no matter how much I want to."

Testament's eyes narrowed further, but not in anger this time.

"Surely you understand this. You care about her, but you can not stay with her. It is the same with me. I have a responsibility and a duty to carry out. But make no mistake. I do care about her. I...love her."

Sol gave a glimmer of shock on his face, but because his back was turned, nobody saw it. Testament remained silent at the knight's words. He badly wanted to feel rage against Ky, but he couldn't. His words were sincere and his voice held no deception. Which only means that he was serious. About everything. He doesn't want to risk her life, even if it means staying away from her. Testament's thoughts were broken when a hand had reached down to him. Ky was offering his hand. Testament gritted his teeth and slapped it away. Damn you, knight. You...have beaten me again.

"Well, that was interesting. Although I have to say you two cut it a little close there."

The two of them turned to see Axl standing there beside them. Testament gave him a fearsome look causing him to back away a step. However Axl held his ground.

"So what were you going to say before he showed up?"

Ky blinked before remembering why they were there to begin with. The mission.

"Do you know what is here?"

"A gear. What else?"

That response came from Sol, who was still looking away. Testament looked angrily at Ky again.

"So this is your duty? To destroy our kind? Will you hunt Dizzy next?"

Ky's head snapped to him and Testament could see the quick flash of anger in them. The anger faded, but not quickly.

"That's the last thing I would do. But the gear here is..."

"Hold it." Sol warned.

The other remained quiet as they felt what they didn't before. A low, distant rumbling coming from the ground. The rumbling increased and soon, pebbles started to shake. Everyone searched around for the source but Ky and Sol. Sol stood relaxed while Ky was a bit fearful.

"It's him."

A column of white light erupted out of the ground before them. Sol's eyes reflected shock and he wasted no time in unsheathing his weapon, the Fireseal. Axl merely looked on in wonder, although he was prepare with his own weapons out. Testament was totally shocked and unable to move. Ky's grip on the Thunderseal tightened as he stood in fighting stance. A massive object emerged from the light and stood before them, arms folded. Testament's eyes widened further as he saw the figure.

"Justice?"