A Shattered Life
Chapter 40: The King Casterwill
Fire was spreading throughout the whole airship causing several explosions and one of the engines to fail, it was clear that the ship wasn't going to last long because of the battles happening inside it. So with such terrible situation at the moment the evacuation orders were given by General Avala, leader of the Mirage Knights. "All remaining personnel and civilians are to make their way towards the hangar and board the Bullheads at once!" She said through the intercom. "You have six minutes people, so gather your belongings and move it! The Galeon won't hold forever!"
"Thank god!" Said Geo as he blocked an incoming attack from the masked warrior. "I'm glad she's alright." He whispered to himself. The boy's heart was filled with joy and relief after hearing the General's voice, he had thought that Avala had crossed with Salem during this chaotic situation. Unfortunately, the young man was so focused on his own thoughts that he failed to pay attention to Hydrox's fist, which landed on his face quite hard, followed by another fierce punch to his rib cage.
"Don't get distracted my child, otherwise it might cost your life." Hydrox smiled behind his mask as he taunted the Prince. "You better focus on our battle Geo because tonight we will decide who is the true King of our people." Hydrox grabbed the boy by the shirt and pulled him closer, then he delivered a head-butt across his opponent's face, causing blood to fall from his forehead and to reach his lips. "In a strange way I am actually quite proud of you, you have finally came to your senses that it doesn't matter what the others think about you. A true Casterwill does whatever he wants and takes whatever he wants, and if some life's are lost so be it."
After hearing that Geo grit his teeth and with a quick move he placed both feet on Hydrox's mask. "Is that what you think?!" He applied more pressure in his boots gaining a little distance between him and his enemy. "The Casterwills aren't selfish bastards that seek power! They are proud warriors that swore to protect their loved ones and the Maidens." With a final push he managed to break free, almost making Hydrox lose his balance as he took a couple of steps backwards.
"So even after everything you learned from your mother, you are still fighting for those whores and that foolish Headmaster? You disgust me!" He dashed towards the Prince.
Both weapons clashed together, sparks flew everywhere as the two warriors stared at each other with nothing but hate in their eyes. "I don't care about Ozpin or the Maidens! Ruby, Sunny and many more have sacrificed enough for a war that isn't their own. For far too long we have been fighting for those women, they don't even have the courage to come out from hiding and fight like the rest of us!" Replied Geo. "To hell with the Maidens, to hell with Ozpin and to hell with you as well!" He shouted as he pushed Hydrox back, then with a strong kick to the chest he launched the man through a window that led to another room.
With a jump through the broken window, Geo aimed his sword at his opponent's figure but Hydrox was quick to move out of the way. The young warrior turned his gaze toward the enemy and attacked with multiple swings from his blade. Hydrox blocked them all with his weapon, matching him such ease which caused Geo to get even angrier in his advances. The masked man took advantage of that for he suddenly dodged one of Geo's attacks and after that his sword came upward, slicing the Prince's shoulder.
Blood flew from the wound but he remained strong and kept striking his opponent repeatedly. Hydrox couldn't do anything except block until an unexpected punch hit him in the ribs. While groaning in pain, Geo bashed his head against his enemy's covered face, cracking his mask and making a few drops of blood to fall towards the ground. "Ahhh! My god damn nose! You will pay for that brat!" Then their swords connected again, they continued to exchange furious blows against one another.
A swing from the right came toward Hydrox at a much higher force than before, but he managed to block it with his blade causing a small shockwave to dance around them as Geo's clothes rippled with the sudden rise in wind. Then the power from beyond the attack pushed Hydrox backwards, of course Geo didn't waist any time as he was upon him once again with another swing, unfortunately his opponent jumped back to avoid getting hit. "That was a close one." Said Hydrox. "Now, I must admit I wasn't expecting you to say that Ozpin and the Maidens should go to hell but I still liked it. But tell me one thing brother are you going to avenge Cerviel?" He asked.
"Don't you dare mention his name." Geo answered with a bitter tone as his grip tightened around the weapon's hilt. "This battle is between you and me, no one else matters! Avala, Ruby, they are of no concern to you 'brother', this is about us and the end of our race. After tonight there will be one less Casterwill for Salem or the world to worry about, I can assure you of that." When those words left his mouth, Hydrox narrowed his eyes, he got the reaction he wanted from the boy.
"Hahaha!" He laughed. "Did I strike a nerve? Well my apologies, it's just that you wanted revenge for what happened to him and your false mother correct? But that's not a thing that heroes do, they never murder in the name of justice because they always do what's right, no matter what terrible punishments they suffered at the hands of their enemies." Hydrox replied. "Like that whore Ruby, her heart is filled with so much justice and kindness that makes me sick. But she's also naïve, in this world only monsters can survive, so in the end she will be forced to become one just like you and me."
"It's true that life isn't fair and sometimes we have to do questionable things that for some people seems wrong and for others seems right, but that choice is ours to make." Replied Geo. "I hate murdering those who want to hurt me and my friends, I don't like how it feels but I decided to do it because I have to protect those I care about. I am no hero, I simply do what's necessary in my eyes even if it seems wrong in the eyes of others." His heart was burning with determination. "Whatever my Ruby decides, I will stand by her side to the end, just like she stood with me all this time."
Hydrox's eyes widened for a single second. "...With that kind of answer." He paused. "Are you telling me that you are going to forget about what kept you alive for all those years? That rage, that hate was what made you into the warrior you are now! You should avenge their deaths, they were your family!" Hydrox shouted. "Ozpin deserves to die and if the Silver Eyes stands against you then she dies as well."
"No, I won't drag her down into that path. I am not obsessed with vengeance anymore, otherwise I would be like you of that I'm sure." Said Geo with a serious tone. "I won't let my desire of vengeance to destroy everything I love, so I cast it aside for me and Ruby. My love for her is greater than my hate, and knowing that she can love someone like me is what keeps me going despite of everything that has happened so far." He charged. "She's the reason that I have hope!" When their swords met a large shockwave was released putting the fire that was around the area out.
"You stupid child!" Hydrox kept paring Geo's attacks but the force behind them pushed the young man back until he slammed against the wall. The masked warrior used his free hand to punch the boy in the stomach, then he broke his promise by forming a black orb on his hand and aiming it at his opponent. "Sanctus Devine!" The blast of Aura hit the Prince but it also caught Hydrox. The explosion was so big that they ended up falling to the level below. "D-Dammit!" He groaned.
Geo landed down upon his back. "U-Using Aura, huh? A-Alright!" He let out a soft cough as he got off the floor. Across him, Hydrox had raised his blade towards him and then a ball of darkness began to form there gathering power as it grew in size. "Crap!" Said Geo as he quickly gathered Aura for his own attack. "Let's hope this works." He brought his blade down creating several glowing cracks on the floor that reached Hydrox. "Storm Breaker!" The cracked ground beneath his opponent's feet exploded and Hydrox was caught by surprise, his move was then dismantled as he was engulfed within the blast.
The smoke covered the entire area, the young boy remained vigilant, waiting for his opponent to make a move. With a burst of speed, Hydrox appeared next to him but Geo managed to block the incoming strike at the last second, preventing his head from being decapitated. Geo parried again and again, his purple eyes could easily follow his enemy's movements. Then he jumped backwards from the one that was in front of him as a swing from his opponent's blade missed him by a few inches. "Caster Slash!' A powerful Aura wave was launched towards Hydrox.
"Corelus Santificus!" His blade absorbed Geo's attack. "You can have it back." He threw the Aura based technique straight at his enemy. Fortunately, Geo jumped out of the way but the blast was strong enough to throw the Prince into the air. "I have you now scum!" Hydrox prepared for another attack. "You may forget the pain they caused us but I won't because unlike you, I actually lost everything to them! Morgus Amalis!" A large wave of black fire came towards Geo.
"Let's go!" While falling he aimed his trajectory at Hydrox's position. "Knight's shield!" A purple orb surrounded his body, needless to say that the black flames hit him pretty hard, breaking through the shield and causing some damage. "C-Can't give up! All the way through!" He pierced through the flames and head-butted Hydrox, but this time the impact was so powerful that his mask broke into pieces. "T-Take that, haha." Blood fell from his forehead as he slammed against the floor.
"W-Why?!" Hydrox's face was disfigured with many cuts and several burns. "Ah, ah, this shouldn't be happening!" He coughed blood, after that he cleaned his mouth. "I won't be beaten by someone like you! I shall accomplish my destiny!" Hydrox launched himself towards his opponent. When they clashed violently their weapons broke before their eyes, leaving them surprised. "Ah, so be it!" Hydrox threw the hilt of his sword away as Geo did the same.
A stare off went on for a few moments until Geo brought an end to it by launching his foot at his opponent's figure. With quick thinking Hydrox dodged it but he soon realized that was a mistake as Geo predicted this and slammed his fist into the man's face connecting with his jaw. With a great loud roar Hydrox landed a left boot in the boy's chest, followed by a punch to the ribs. Then both of them attacked at the same time and their fists ended up hitting each other's face.
That punch almost made the young warrior fall to the ground. "Ahh, ahh, ah, god dammit!" His right eye was closed because of a bruise that he gained from his enemy's attack. But now instead of charging head on, Geo waited for Hydrox to come to him. Good he's moving in. At that precise moment, he moved and Hydrox did the same, landing a devastating hit on the Prince's face. Stay awake! Open your eyes dammit! Now he saw what his opponent's next move was. Here it comes! There's his left! HIT ME!
I am no fool I know what you're going for kid, so have at my abs! I've already made them rock hard, if a little pain is all that takes to beat you, then all the better! Hydrox delivered another smashing punch at Geo's face, but then his hand slipped on the blood. Is he still awake? His question was quickly answered as there was a little faint light in the warrior's eye. That bastard is still awake? How?!
Geo then slammed his fist against Hydrox's ribs with all his strength, shattering some of them and forcing his opponent to cough more blood. Unfortunately, the boy's hand had it's bones also shattered. There goes my hand, however, I still have another! His face was radiating with rage and determination.
"H-He, ahh, he broke me! I-I can't lose." He was having difficulties breathing. "Here it comes! I-I will have my vengeance!" Hydrox prepared to attack but Geo was simply too fast for him as he was already upon him with a face full with anger.
"AhhhhhhhhAHHH!" His fist smashed against Hydrox's ribs once again, causing him to vomit a large amount of blood as his entire body fell apart. The punch was so strong that Hydrox flew a little before landing on the ground with his back. "I-It's finally over."
"T-This wasn't my destiny..." Hydrox violently coughed blood. "Hahaha! But I accept it, in the end the one standing is the victorious. T-That will power you possess is unbelievable, you draw so much strenght from it and that was what allowed you to be this strong." He said with a weak tone. "Still, that will power will mean nothing to Salem, I have already faced her once, and I can assure you she is a God. My advice, join her and reshape the world, destroy the old kingdoms and their corrupt goverments unite Remnant through fear and force."
Geo approached him. "I won't kneel before anyone, you should know that by now."
"Such pride, but its normal for us, we are proud warriors after all..." He looked at the large hole in the wall and saw several Bullhead ships leaving the Galeon in a hurry. "Hmm, it seems you have been abandoned my King, your girlfriend and friends have run away leaving you here to die with me." A small smile spread across his lips as he knew what Geo's reaction would be. "Ha ha! I guess I was...was. W-Why are you smiling?!"
"Everyone dies eventually, deal with that. Besides, I die so they can live, I am okay with that." Geo said.
Hydrox was baffled. "Y-You stupid child! Salem will make you suffer! There's no chance you can win against her so give up!"
"True, she will destroy me but I still want to take a swing at her anyway. I have never ran away from a fight before and I won't do it now." Replied the young man. "As for you..." He walked to the wounded warrior and kneeled. "You are far too dangerous to be kept alive, not to mention the countless horrible things you have done to my friends. This is where it ends."
"...So be it, my King." Hydrox closed his eyes and waited for his end until, he felt a small part of his Aura coming back. "W-What?" Geo had transfered the last remaining Aura he had left. "I-I don't understand, brother why didn't you kill me?" He asked confused.
Geo simply turned his back and answered. "Don't get me wrong, I hate you but I understand why you did all of this, you are seeking your own justice to make up for the mistakes of the past. But this vengeance of yours ends now! As your King I ask for your help brother. Ozpin and the others will need help and you know much about Salem's operations."
"What makes you think I will do this?" Hydrox got up.
"Because you are going to prove that Casterwills are more than a legend." He then looked at the dark hallway. "She comes, you better leave."
"I...thank you, Geo, King of the Casterwills." With those final words Hydrox left.
Geo was all alone now. "Time to finish this."
Alright guys, so the next hapter will be the end of this Arc. As you can see I have made some changes to the story, I could tell you what I have planned but I will leave it as a surprise. Also, the next chapter will come out soon. That's all my friends, see you guys next time.