Author's Note: A few things, this chapter didn't quite work. I did what I usually do, and had a chapter of the final battle between the hero/es and villain, but here because it was a sword fight/grapple there's no magical spells or cool moves I can rely on to make it more interesting, so I have a feeling it'll come across as a repetitive and dull chapter instead of the action packed finale it's supposed to be.

Also, quite worryingly, this chapter borders quite close to a mature rating I think. I really would prefer to keep this rated as teen, but it gets quite gory (past the stage which I'm comfortable writing), but I wanted to make it a really brutal fight. Might have gone over the top, though, so sorry about that, and hopefully it can stay as a teen. If people think I should change the rating though, I might have to.

To the extent that technically there's even nudity at a point where Olose 'detransforms' from being a werewolf, but in that case just imagine it as a camera angle from above the waist! It's not that bad in general, and probably should stay as a teen, which I hope it can. I don't particularly like it being gory, but it worked best that way.

Anyway, hope you enjoy, although it's rather unlikely considering this is a large amount of just plain fighting with a bit of plot and corny dialogue thrown in! Oh wait, I promised to stop putting myself down didn't I? Sorry! At least I updated slightly earlier today than I do usually.

CHAPTER 23

THE TWILIGHT OF THE IMMORTAL

Olose ducked as Abaj swung, and blocked as he brought the blade back. He quickly swung downwards, catching Abaj on the shoulder. The sword clanged, scrapping off of Abaj's armour.

"That suit just slows you down, Abaj." Olose grinned. "It won't protect you from a clean cut to the head."

"No, but it looks cool." Abaj countered with a sinister smile. The two lunged at each other, their swords clashing. They came up close to each other, and instantly pushed away. They both flew backwards and landed. Olose spun his sword and charged. Abaj impaled him, dropping down and kicking him in the stomach, throwing Olose's body over his. Olose landed with a painful sounding thud, but instantly sprang back to his feet.

"This is my favourite jacket, dammit!" He cried, noticing that the blade had gone right through him, leaving a hole in his jacket. The wound, however, had instantly healed.

"Well, this is my favourite suit of armour." Abaj countered, pointing to a hole Olose had made earlier in the duel. Olose shrugged.

"Sorry, I was aiming for your head." He said casually, springing to his feet. Abaj instantly snapped back into combat, swinging wide for Olose's neck. Olose dropped straight back down, causing Abaj to swing over the top of him, and lunged upwards. His sword went straight through Abaj's neck, but was simply left impaled there. Abaj stabbed downwards angrily, hitting Olose in the arm. Olose pulled the sword out of his arm so that it could heal, giving Abaj enough time to get the blade out of his own throat. The two sprang back up, their wounds closing, and held their swords out once more. They were now back in possession of the blades they started the fight with, at least.

The two immortals paused for a moment, considering the futility of the fight. Abaj lunged, hoping to catch Olose off guard. He blocked the blow heading for his neck and sliced downwards, catching Abaj's leg. He used this as a distraction to bring his own sword up and around towards Abaj's head, but Abaj managed to block this attack. Abaj jabbed his hilt forwards, hitting Olose in the face. Olose staggered back and watched as a wide sweep came in. He jumped back, getting slit across the throat, but managing to not be killed. The wound healed, leaving just the mass flow of blood staining his shirt. He cursed under his breath, realising how close he came to losing. He spun his blade and attacked again.

This time he drove Abaj back, and Abaj was left blocking wildly as Olose swung in with angry strikes. Abaj stumbled back into a cave tunnel, and Olose continued his attacks, his blade clashing off of the cave walls, causing sparks to fly. He swung down overhead, and Abaj managed a firm block before slicing Olose's kneecaps. Olose stumbled back and Abaj attacked, causing Olose to find himself on the defensive. He quickly adapted, blocking Abaj's sword down and tackling him with full force. The two tumbled to the ground. Olose hit Abaj in the face as hard as he could, shattering Abaj's nose. Abaj roared, throwing Olose off with a massive show of strength, and Olose crashed down at the end of the tunnel, now opening out into another wide cave. Abaj rose up, now with both swords. Olose took a fighting stance, despite being unarmed.

Abaj swung in the two swords in a v-shape, aiming for Olose's neck. Olose ducked under the blades and drove upwards in an upper cut. He caught Abaj in the jaw and Abaj was sent reeling. He crashed down, losing his grip on one of the swords. He reached for it, but Olose kicked it away. It skidded across the ground, out of his reach. Abaj swung with the remaining sword, and Olose stepped into it, blocking his arms. He grabbed hold of both of Abaj's arms and threw him over his shoulder. Abaj crashed down and the sword clattered away. He went for it, but Olose struck him in the back of the head. Abaj spun around, throwing a punch and hitting Olose. Olose staggered back as Abaj elbowed him in the face, and then rose upwards in the a kick, hitting him the chest. Olose stumbled back against the edge of the cave. Abaj began pounding Olose in the face, and Olose took the blows, reaching for an arrow from his back. He managed to get to it, and stabbed Abaj in the heart with it. Abaj stumbled back in surprise. Olose hit him the face, and Abaj stumbled back further. Olose threw another punch, and Abaj blocked it, before moving in and head butting Olose.

Meanwhile, Arcadia rushed through the tunnels, and found herself at the entrance. She paused, looking back into the tunnel. The sound of swords clashing had faded. She waited for a moment, too worried to leave. She couldn't walk away and leave Olose. She simply couldn't. She knew that while she was around, she was much more of a threat to Olose than her not being there, she knew that Abaj would just try and get hold of her and threaten her, but she simply could not let him die. She couldn't take the risk that the moment in the caves, that moment of blind panic when she had run, was the last time she would ever see Olose Sampson alive. She turned around. Determined to interfere. Determined to save Olose and make sure Abaj died.

"Ah ha! I told you it was herrrre!" Came a voice. Arcadia spun around in surprise. Reinforcements had arrived.

Abaj cross blocked Olose's punch and swept his legs away, causing Olose to crash down. Olose spotted one of the swords on the ground and grabbed it, hurling it at Abaj. It hit Abaj in the chest, who pulled it out and threw it back at Olose. Olose caught it out of the air and swung it at Abaj. Abaj ducked under the blade, and then jumped over as Olose swung it back in. Olose brought it up, slicing across Abaj's body, tearing through his armour. He kicked upwards, knocking Abaj over. Abaj rolled to the side as Olose brought his sword down, and it clanged against the stone floor. Abaj rose to his feet with a chuckle.

"Let's stop delaying the inevitable shall we?" He offered, and roared, letting out an ear-piercing howl as he took his werewolf form. Black fur spurted out from his massive body, his face elongated and his tail formed, and his eyes became a deep shade of hateful red. The armour he had been wearing simply stretched with his form, keeping even his werewolf body protected. Olose realised why he was wearing it, a back up in case Olose got lucky. He let out another howl. "So now, Olose Sampson, you die!" He growled.

"I don't think so!" Olose countered, slipping out of his jacket before letting out a cry of anger and bursting into his own werewolf form, throwing down the sword. He was smaller than Abaj's form, and his eyes were a deep brown instead of a red, with his fur a gently shade of grey, not the soulless black Abaj was.

"Boy, you cannot win." Laughed Abaj through his wolf's jaw. "A werewolf draws upon hatred, anger, what the gods consider to be evil acts. That is why I knew the true path to power while the rest of the werewolves were killed. That is why I am more powerful than you ever will be!"
"Power has nothing to do with it!" Olose spat. "Good will triumph, you may be faster, you may be stronger, but I have to win. I fight for somebody. For a lot of people. I will not let them down!"

"Let us see if that is true." Abaj laughed, and the two wolves leapt at each other.

They grappled to the floor, Olose and Abaj tearing at each other. Olose ripped into Abaj's armour with his mighty claws, peeling off the shoulder armour, and hitting Abaj with it. Abaj howled, and dug his claws into Olose's flesh, throwing him off. Olose crashed against the ceiling, and came back down with a hail of rocks. The roof caved in, and the two werewolves swung to the side, dodging the fallen rocks. Abaj leapt over the pile and tackled Olose, hitting him in the face and clawing at him. Olose bit into Abaj's arm, and Abaj let out a howl, pulling back. He swung in with a mighty clawed attack, catching Olose in the face and sending him reeling. Abaj sprung on top of Olose, and grabbed his jaw, beginning to stretch it open, trying to break it. Olose tried to howl, but couldn't. He curled his legs up, and dug the claws on his feet into Abaj's chest, kicking outwards and sending him flying. Abaj crashed against the stone wall and fell down, rocks crumbling around him. Olose rose up, grabbing his sword and throwing it. It hit Abaj in the chest. Olose moved in, grabbing the other sword and hurling it also. That also hit Abaj, causing him to growl in anger. He pulled the swords out and threw them back at Olose. One hit Olose in the shoulder, but he managed to avoid the other. Olose pulled the sword out and hurled it along the ground. Abaj jumped over it, leaping towards Olose once more. Olose leapt to meet him, and the two warriors crashed into each other in the air and fell to the ground. Olose scratched Abaj across the chest as Abaj bit into Olose's tail.

Olose quickly reverted to his human form, causing Abaj to lose his grip on Olose's tail. He quickly scampered out from under Abaj's bulk, who was now puzzled looking for the much smaller hume. Olose managed to find the sword that had been aimed for him earlier, but missed, and grabbed it off of the floor. He ran at Abaj, and stabbed him in the chest. Abaj howled as Olose burst back into his werewolf form and clawed Abaj across the face. Abaj stumbled backwards, and Olose wrapped his clawed hands around the hilt of the sword, ripping the blade out upwards, tearing through Abaj. He swung in with the sword, slicing Abaj's face and body as the evil werewolf stumbled back. Olose threw down the blade and continued to attack with his claws in rage, slashing at Abaj's face and throat. Abaj stumbled back blindly. He pinned Abaj against the wall and struck over and over again at his face. He spotted an opening and instantly dug one of his long claw like fingers into Abaj's eye. He tore out Abaj's eye and Abaj howled in agony. He threw Abaj to the floor and let out a roar. Abaj looked up, blinded, as his wound attempted to heal. Olose ran in and kicked Abaj back. Abaj stumbled away and Olose began clawing once more at his face, trying to land a fatal blow.

Abaj opened his eyes, feeling them regenerated and let out a cry of rage, blocking Olose's claws with his own. He swung upwards, catching Olose's jaw and knocking him back. Olose landed as Abaj came in, now on the offensive and full of rage. He kicked Olose in the chest, knocking him into the air, and then slammed him into the ground. Olose howled in pain. Abaj picked up Olose, striking him to the face over and over again. Olose staggered back as Abaj drove his claws into Olose's chest, and ripped out a chunk of flesh. Olose screamed in agony, dropping forwards. His wounds began to heal, but it was too late. Abaj stamped down on his neck with his clawed foot, and Olose became pinned underneath it. He could feel Abaj's claws digging in and he growled in pain. It would take just one quick swipe to finish him off, severing his head and killing the last immortal on the side of good. Olose looked up at Abaj's hate filled red eyes.

"So, boy, now you see that you could not win." Abaj laughed. "You're pathetic hope has ended. You will die and my revenge will be complete." He chuckled to himself, his wolf-like face warping into an evil grin. "Although I might just take Arcadia for myself, just to sweeten the deal."

"You dare-" Olose growled from the floor.

"And you'll what?" Abaj laughed. "Olose. This is where you die, and I shall finally be the last of the immortals!"

"Never!" Came a cry from the entrance.

"What?" Abaj spun around to see the Destiny crew stood, with Arcadia by their side. The distraction was enough. Olose sprang to his feet and kicked Abaj. Abaj was sent reeling.

"No! You!" Abaj snarled at the Destiny crew.

"It's over Abaj!" Nadia yelled.

"You all dare to stand against me?" Abaj bellowed.

"What can I say?" Trevia shrugged. "You'rrrre offerrrr wasn't good enough."

"I offered you more money than your feeble mind could even imagine!" Spat Abaj.

"Frrrrriendship is more imporrrtant than money." Trevia answered defiantly.

"You can't beat us all, Abaj." Phabrizoe warned.

"Oh, and I guess you showed them here." Abaj grumbled at Suse. Suse smiled.

"I'm just glad I rrrrremembered the way." She said softly.

"Surrender, and you can still live." Arcadia warned, not wanting to kill unless it was absolutely necessary.

"Bah. I am immortal. You cannot kill me. I will finish with this pup, and then I shall kill every one of you!" Abaj laughed. Nadia unsheathed the silver spear and passed it to Trevia behind her back.

"I won't let you harm them, Abaj!" Olose roared.

"You can't stop me, boy!" Abaj yelled. "All they've achieved is that I can kill everybody you cared about! Destroy every last one! They shall all die for crossing me! The great Abaj Tuh!"

"Olose!" Cried Trevia, hurling the silver spear. Olose caught it out of the air, his hands burning as he held it. He let out a cry of anger and pain, and thrust it at Abaj, impaling the evil crime lord and pinning him to the cave wall. Abaj's eyes went wide, and he spluttered in pain, his flesh burning as the silver pierced his heart.

"No." He managed to whimper. "No. This can't be…"

"You've lost Abaj." Olose spat. "Now shut up and die." Abaj began to laugh, moving his hand to an unusually large bulge on his armoured belt.

"I don't think so." He muttered, struggling to speak, blood oozing out of his mouth. He flicked open the bulge, turning out to be a hidden compartment. He held in his hand a small heavy looking black ball.

Olose's eyes went wide. He recognised it instantly. It was an explosive cannonball, albeit a smaller than usual one. Olose reacted quickly.

"Run!" He screamed, moving in and grabbed Abaj's hand that held the explosive, sealing his hand shut around it. The others retreated instantly, used to taking instant orders from their captain, except for Arcadia, who watched in shock. Nadia pulled her away. Abaj grinned.

"Even in death, I win Olose." He sneered.

"Goodbye Abaj." Olose shot back as the bomb exploded.

The roof of the cave gave away as Abaj's body was blasted back against the wall. It caved in, crushing whatever remained of Abaj's body beneath the rubble. Olose's body was blown across the cave and crashed down, a horribly burnt and mangled mess, a safe distance from the site of the cave in. The Destiny crew quickly rushed back, looking down on his body in horror. Arcadia turned away, covering her mouth. Tears formed in her eyes, and tricked down her face, leaving a black streak from her mascara. Nadia looked curiously as his body began to twitch. She smiled slightly, much to everybody's shock. His body suddenly arched up, and he let out an ear-piercing scream. Fur began to sprout all over his body.

"What's happening?" Suse cried in panic.

"He's regenerating." Nadia explained. "Here we go again." She added in a sigh.

Author's Note: No, relax, I'm not going to moan this time. I just want an opinion. Obviously this story arc has pretty much come to a close, but not the actual story of Olose, which is what this story is supposed to be. So, I was wondering, should I continue his story in this actual story (so that it just continues as chapters of Twilight of the Immortal) or make a new story for his next adventures? Either way, there's a chapter or two of this arc left. I'm inclined to leave it as one big story, even though the future adventures won't really feature much from his old adventures (although I could make it so that they do). Any opinions there would be nice!