by J. J. Egosi
“Pathetic!” Michael shouted with emphasis. “Like the archangel and what you claim to be the primordial force of light, I’ll decide what’s fine and what’s not.”
“What an arrogant little angel. If a battle is what you’re after, then a battle you’ll get,” said Alexa.
“It’s about time,” Michael said, pointing his scepter at Alexa.
“Oh, but you won’t be battling me,” she replied.
“And why not?” Michael said with a piercing glare into her eyes.
“I’m out of your league. Battling me is not a right. It’s a privilege. If you want the chance to battle me, you’ll need to defeat Ursula, first,” she said, pointing over at Ursula.
Michael looked at Ursula, still recovering from when Alexa knocked her to the ground.
“That is ridiculous. She’s clearly still hurt,” he refuted.
Ursula chimed in, “It’s fine. I can take it. I’m not afraid of you.”
“That’s not the point. You don’t have to listen to her. Don’t you have any will of your own? Or any self-respect?” Michael pleaded.
“Maybe I don’t. So, what?” Ursula asked.
Michael, Isabella, and Julianna looked at her. Her unbridled loyalty to Alexa made their heads spin.
“Enough stalling. Are we going stand and twiddle our thumbs all day or are we going to dance?” Ursula demanded, pointing at Michael.
Michael realized there was no way he would talk her out of it. Her mindless devotion to Alexa was beyond repair. He could see this in her change of tone. He still maintained concern and determination that she could change.
“If a battle’s what you want, a battle’s what you’ll get! Maybe then, we can figure out what’s really going on between you and that pink-haired freak.”
Michael and Ursula squared off, exchanging a lightning-sharp stare. The atmosphere of silent tension left Julianna and Isabella watching with unease, while Alexa looked at Ursula, forging a grin that told of many secrets about the blue-haired girl.
Chapter 3
Fangs Of The Crying Wolf
M
ichael looked sharply into Ursula’s eyes. Her presence was no longer as childish and innocent as before. A sincere resolve replaced the childish and innocent presence Ursula once held. The thunderous gaze she now had left his heart racing with fear.
“You don’t have to do this, Ursula. I really think you should rest,” Michael said.
“I don’t need you treating me like a child. I fell, is all,” Ursula snapped.
“You didn’t fall. She pushed you to the ground. And I’m not treating you like a child. I’m just saying”—
“I know what you’re saying. I shouldn’t do what Alexa says just to appease her. I should think of myself, instead. Well, you know what? I’m happy to do exactly that. And today, I’ll take you as our captive and rob your orange-haired pal of her titan ring,” Ursula emphatically said.
“Hey, I have a name. It’s Isabella,” she said, annoyed.
“And my name’s Julianna. Thanks for asking…” she said with sarcasm.
“Is this really the time?” asked Michael, looking over at them.
“Sorry,” they said, in unison.
“The rules of this battle are simple,” Alexa interjected. “This will be one on one. No one outside is to interfere.”
“And does that include you?” Julianna asked with a stern glare in Alexa’s direction.
Alexa grinned. “Well, of course.”
“That works for me,” Julianna said.
“Finish this fast,” Isabella chanted.
Michael turned his attention back at Ursula. “I’ll let you make the first move, Ursula.”
“Don’t patronize me. Just because I’m a woman doesn’t mean I need any favors from the likes of you!” she said, her face reddening in anger.
Just what is her deal? Michael thought. The longer he stared into her flaring expression, the more confused he grew. I took her as the sort who had her head high in the clouds, but now it seems something has ignited a fire inside her. Did Alexa actually slap some sense into her or are these her true colors? Either way, despite our common desire to have Lucifer gone, there’s little chance of us joining forces.
Michael took a deep breath. “Fine, I’ll go first. And if you don’t want any favors, then I won’t hold back.”
“What a brute. Fine, go first”—Before Ursula could finish her sentence, Michael swung at her with his scepter, knocking her right over in the blink of an eye.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t think you’d fall that easily,” Michael said in a panicked tone.
Isabella sighed from the sidelines. “What did that jackass think would happen after she fell to a single slap?”
“It seems he hasn’t gotten his archangel powers under control yet. I blame his negligence towards his training,” Julianna added.
Ursula limped up to her feet and dusted herself off. She stared, hypnotized by his worried glare. A tear rolled down her face as she stood up.
“Well, you didn’t have to hit me with that thing. And so hard. I mean, who hits someone with a scepter? That’s like hitting me across the head with a sword or an ax,” said Ursula. She winced as she rubbed her bruised arm.
“I assumed you’d block it. I really am sorry,” he replied.
“Dickhead!” Ursula shouted in defiance.
Michael offered a rain of apologies, offering to aid her injury with a healing potion. Ursula replied with a slew of expletives as Alexa snickered in amusement.
Meanwhile, Julianna and Isabella stared dimly.
“Well, this battle’s going nowhere fast. One mediocre assault and his opponent’s already crying,” said Isabella.
“My thoughts, exactly,” said Julianna.
“What is it?” asked Isabella. She could tell something was bothering Julianna.
“That girl. Something’s not right in her head,” she said.
“Yeah, I don’t know if she just doesn’t have a clue or if she actually just spent her entire life living with the dogs,” Isabella said, staring intensely at Ursula.
“That’s not what I meant. Didn’t you notice a serious shift in her personality once Alexa pushed her into this battle?” said Julianna, with an instigative tone.
“I did,” Isabella replied with a colder gaze. “Something tells me there’s far more to this woman than meets the eye.”
“But, the real danger is that Alexa woman. It’s clear she has Ursula wrapped around her finger. Michael had better be careful not to find himself in the same position. Especially when our only titan ring is on the line,” said Julianna.
“Agreed,” Isabella said with an affirmative nod.
Meanwhile, Alexa eavesdropped on their conversation while watching Michael and Ursula fail to bury their hostilities.
“You imbeciles can try to figure me out all you want. You’re wasting your time. The queen of the sixth dimension is beyond both your comprehension and your power. When this is all over, I’ll take your titan ring and this sad excuse for the archangel all to myself,” said Alexa to herself, grinning, as she looked over at Ursula.
“If you’re done trying to heal with your weird angel magic, you can back up,” Ursula dusted herself off and took a deep breath.
“Weird?” Michael said in a baffled tone.
“What are you waiting for?” Alexa shouted. “Attack that moron now!”
Ursula took a deep breath and nodded. She stared up at Michael with a callous gaze. “Right.”
Taking Michael by surprise, she opened her assault with a bare fist. She lunged forward and struck him across the chest, nearly knocking him over.
Michael grunted in pain. He pressed against the sharp pain in his chest.
“A punch? That certainly wasn’t what I expected,” he said with a pant.
“Unlike some people, I don’t need swords or axes to fight.” Ursula raised both her fist towards him as she dug back her heel. “I may not look like much, but I�
�m one hell of a fighter. And I’ve never needed weapons to get where I am.”
Michael’s eyes widened. The determination she wore emanated deeper. He could almost feel it coursing through her veins.
“I never meant to undermine your capabilities. I’m sorry. If your fists are your weapon of choice, that’s alright with me. I’m sure you’ll prove to be a challenge for me, regardless.” Michael replied with a friendly smile.
Ursula gazed at him with bewilderment. She smiled and nodded. “Good. Then get ready because I’ve got a real beating prepared with your name on it.”
“Bring it!” Michael thrust forward with his scepter firmly in his grasp. Ursula did the same with her fists. Like an impulse, Ursula mirrored with her hands balled. Primed and ready to fight.
The two clashed amidst the peaceful cornfield. Ursula drove a barrage of punches at Michael, but he deflected with his scepter.
“Not bad.” Michael smiled.
He returned the attack with the same bravado as before, ready to further his advantage in their skirmish.
“Well, I can do better. Way better.”
Ursula parried before countering with a thudding fist to his belly. A grin formed across her face as he leaned over, aching.
Julianna and Isabella observed, growing even more baffled.
“Using your fists against a scepter is pretty unorthodox, don’t you think?” Isabella asked.
“In the assassin trade, it’s typical to use light weaponry against something heavier. For example, a dagger against a claymore. But using bare fists is extreme unless you build a career in pummeling people in alleyways,” Julianna said.
“That could explain the sort of fighter she is and why Alexa seems to keep her around, despite disliking her,” said Isabella.
“A secret weapon, perhaps?” Julianna said. She looked over at the rage building in Ursula’s eyes before meeting the malice carried in Alexa’s. “I fear greater obstacles than a woman fearless enough to face the archangels with her fists await us.”
“You’re right.” Isabella’s heart skipped a beat as she turned her attention towards Ursula’s eyes. The aura within was enough to consume one whole. “Let’s not forget they have three titan rings between them.”
“And I’m certain Ursula carries one of them,” Julianna said.
Julianna and Isabella relayed their suspicion while the heat of the battle between Michael and Ursula raged on. Michael limited his attack and defense to the swing of his scepter, wielding it like a spear. He avoided the use of magic at all costs. Ursula continued to fight barehanded, smirking under her breath. “You may think you can keep up with that golden rod of yours, but I’ve fought beasts larger than you with my bare hands countless times. You’re no match for me.”
She unleashed a thick and inky shadowlike substance from the crevices between her fingers. It hung over her fists like black clouds. She thumped Michael across the face with such force that he fell over.
“Michael!” Julianna and Isabella shouted.
Alexa snickered in amusement. “There’s your fighting spirit. Don’t let me down if you know what’s good for you,” she told Ursula.
Michael slowly rose with his face aching across the cheek. “I’ll be fine. Hell knows I’ve taken worse hits.”
He looked over at Ursula’s fists and saw the shadows forming around them. He could sense the aura burning through her fingers like untamable magma, growing more furious the longer they waited.
“Though I can’t say I’ve been hit quite like that,” Michael said.
“I’m ready to raise the stakes if you are, Michael.” Ursula grinned.
Michael smirked. Strings of electricity coursed from his scepter, igniting the dusty air.
“If a battle of magic is what you’re looking for, that’s fine with me. I could certainly use the training.”
“You’ll get that and so much more with me. Trust me.” Ursula warned.
She hurled herself back into the battlefield with a blackened storm around her fists. Grinning, Michael struck with his scepter. He clashed his lightning against her shadows, sending the battlefield in a fist of molten black and white.
Alexa, Julianna, and Isabella shielded their eyes from the impact. As the smoke settled, they peaked over their arms to see the battle continue. The state of the battle brought expressions of dread onto some and elation onto another as Ursula appeared to gain the advantage.
Michael and Ursula rushed through the battlefield, sending it in a frenzy of magic energy. Ursula punched and kicked her way through the voltage, breaking forth a path with her shadow magic as Michael unfurled convulsing streams with one ferocious grunt and a swing of his scepter after another.
“I must admit … you’re a tough one,” Michael said with a heavy pant as he continued to thrust his scepter in her direction.
“Don’t patronize me. Or do you just enjoy complimenting your opponents?” Ursula asked, veraciously countering back with her darkened fists.
“Perhaps.” Michael thought back to one of his past battles—his first as the archangel—against the three elementals. “I’ve defeated much larger adversaries, as well. Strong as you are, it’ll take a lot more than fists and shadow magic to defeat me.” Michael said, matter-of-factly, as his attacks inched towards her face.
“You don’t say,” she replied.
She grabbed his scepter by its head, stopping it in its track. “Formidable as your previous skirmishes may have been, none could compare to the denizen I have in store for you, Michael.”
“Do it! End this now!” Alexa shouted with a grin.
“As you wish,” Ursula said.
Michael responded, “Wait, what are you talking about?”
“I feared this would happen,” Julianna said.
“Michael, watch out!” Isabella exclaimed. “She’s going to summon one of her titans.”
Michael gasped. His chest tightened as the skies went black and the wind suddenly grew stronger. He watched with terror dawning over the once glowing horizon as a purple ring appeared on her finger.
“I should have known you’d resort to using a titan ring. A shame you’re willing to take this battle so far,” Michael said.
“There’s no distance I won’t travel for Alexa,” she refuted.
“But, why? What are you getting out of your relationship with her?” Michael pressed. He looked over at Alexa, hoping to get an explanation. Instead, she responded with a disinterested and far off gaze.
“The nature of our bond doesn’t concern you. If I were you, I’d be more worried about the titan,” Ursula shouted.
“A titan,” Michael muttered. He tried to envision such a towering beast—one capable of inciting fear and domination among all those that sought them. He shuddered at the notion of three being in her possession.
“And once I summon him, it’ll all be over for you,” Ursula warned him with a confidently dark smile.
“Don’t do this,” Michael pleaded.
“It’s too late,” Ursula announced. The skies erupted as a vortex manifested among the swirling clouds above. “You had your chance to give up your ring when you did. Now, you must suffer for your disobedience.”
“You haven’t any idea what you’re doing. A power like this could”—
“It matters not what happens to your world,” Alexa interjected before Julianna could finish. “This is the devastation our rings carry and the resolution we possess in collecting the others. If you won’t back down, this is your fate.”
The phenomenon in the sky spread far and wide, for all to see. The villages of both kingdoms took notice, falling into a wave of panic. The people fled into their homes, screaming and closing their doors with the sounds of roars in the clouds.
This is a resolution to serve you, Ursula thought. Terrified as I am, I’ll do this to make you happy with me.
Isabella and Julianna looked over at Ursula, noticing her fist trembling as she raised it towards the clouds.
“She
’s afraid?” They both thought.
Michael’s eyes widened from fear. His lips quivered as the darkness dragged him to the brink of terror. Even the surrounding sounds seemed to be swallowed by the terror of something monolithic approaching. He felt his mind slipping away, then the sounds of shouts snapped him back.
“Don’t worry, Michael. If I can take one down, so can you,” Isabella shouted.
“Yes, we believe in you. Now, take this blue-haired psychopath out, already,” Julianna added.
Michael looked at their smiling faces, disoriented for a moment before taking a deep breath and smiling back. “Thank you.”
He then looked back over at Ursula, noticing the fear in her. Despite his readiness to speak out again, he knew she would ignore him. He bit back his anguish and looked the other way.
“What’s that face for?” Ursula asked. “Are you intimidated by my power?”
Michael looked back, gritting his teeth. “Summon your titan if that’s what you want. As long as there’s someone who believes in me, I won’t back down.”
Ursula smiled. The winds grew stronger and the ground below them broke with the emergence of glowing black fissures.
“A most foolish mistake.”
Ursula smiled as she looked down at the ground. The wind blew through her hair. With a deep breath, she raised her ring-bearing fist high, preparing to chant in her titan’s arrival.
“Oh, mighty beast of Transylvanian delight. Rise from your shallow grave and lead the pack to victory. Never will those from such inferior realms question your might again. Come forth! Lycanthrope, titan of the second dimension!”
With the end of her chant, came a painful pause and silence filled the air. The winds halted, and the ground appeared to calm in place. Until suddenly, a furry hand clad in bloody claws emerged from below, in a chasm of infinite darkness. Michael watched, in horror, as a beast grander than any he’d ever seen pulled itself onto the surface.
“Is that”—Michael said, nearly falling over at the sight.
“Yes! The last titan you’ll ever see!” Ursula stood before the titan: a giant werewolf with sharp fangs and jagged spikes on its back. It stood hundreds of feet, reaching for the clouds.