Downgrade

A Fight for Life

Somehow, people couldn’t see that those raging points in their lives are the ones which keep them moving. Negativity often will be inevitable. There wasn’t a single thing that the Era doesn’t want for the team. They wanted to excel for everyone, with everyone. But it seems that there are journeys only meant for one and not for many. Alone and lonely. It will surely be as lonely just like the duckling that got separated from its siblings or just got itself into the left behind one.

Era was quite a fan of having a happy ending story. It was quite a delusion to some but not for them. Definitely. They are staring at the man who just turned into a devil’s vessel. Somehow the Quinten they know is far from worse than what they are observing right now. They needed to succeed or else everything they have endured for too long will be at loss, and sometimes, it would be easy to act viciously to others than to leave them and be set free.

The man lifted himself high above the surface and went to Jack who’s laughing as he floated in the air. Quinten’s eyes gleamed in red, as if they have seen a red moon in a moment. Vixen and Loshiana supported Guilbert who’s writhing in pain. Cody and Kinzel were still battling the officers nonstop as they took shield for their other members. The ladies lifted Guilbert slowly to the side where nobody will harm him.

Vixen looked high to the two. Jack was clasping both his hands as he gave a scowling, abominable laugh, which had triggered Quinten more. Negative thoughts surrounded them. Quinten was slowly eaten by his own ire. Anti-Gravity won’t do much damage to his opponent, he knew. He took something from his dark coat. It was the power-up liquid that Vixen gave him a while ago. Their scarves swayed with the strong wind, and the symbol of Era had been recognized. The sky was murky, unfolding them that it’s not going to be fine.

Guilbert was gushing blood. Loshiana hurriedly stripped a piece of her clothing. Vixen titled the man’s head. He was in pain. With a blur vision, he looked up to Quinten and raised his stale hand too long. Quinten just gave him a reassuring smile but it was dry and blue. Loshiana gently wrapped the cloth around his head.

“Quint.” There was a low voice coming from the other side.

“Quinten, over here.” It was getting into a hiss. He slowly turned to see thick eyebrows getting into each other. It was Vixen. She was holding a small bottle that had liquid in it. The others started to fight. “Take this. It will help you. I already gave the others a while ago just before we could reach here.” She said and hovered the bottle to him. He caught in with his bare hands.

“Hey.” Vixen called him again. But now, the woman was smiling at him. “Do great, okay?” She added and eventually continued to examine the others. He stared at the bottle and soon he realized it was the thing that the old man gave them, a power-up. He placed it under his pockets.

“So the Eye had brought you a power-up to take. That touched my feelings. Oh,” Jacked rubbed his chin as he thought of something.

“Is that what you call…love? Well, I did feel that once too, so I know. Aaah,” He placed both his arms at the back of his nape and his leg on top of his right knee. He was lying in thin air.

“I didn’t expect that it would be so fun floating here with you.” He chuckled and wriggled his nose in coldness.

“I don’t have much time to talk to you, dipshit.” Quinten furiously opened the bottle and directly drank the liquid. His eyes illuminately gleamed. There was a vigorous, brisk sensation flowing inside his entire body. He’s getting his powers to an extreme level. He slowly lifted his head towards Jack.

Taking a severely sharp dagger, he vehemently ran towards Jack and slashed straight his head. It fell off the ground rapidly and rolled beside Kinzel. Blood furiously bubbled to the ground. It was so easy, he thought for himself. Quinten just smirked. Everyone was thrilled and stunned by what happened. Jack’s head rolled once more enough to face Vixen. Eyes were dead shot, pale as white. His mouth was wide open. Jack’s body was still floating in the air without the head. Time was ticking out.

Quinten punitively caught his breath. His shoulders and chess were hastily moving. Life would be ambiguous if he’ll let the person live. There are those who just meant to leave the world and chastise their felonies. Every strike, every blow, every pierce comes from his heart and it was all for the team, Era. He moved himself towards Jack, but Vixen screeched something which caught him off guard. Kinzel was hit by an officer right through her face.

The potion began to scatter on her face, taking its purpose, and slowly she was losing her own strength. Blood is her power. With a shallow, diffident impact and a thud, she screamed in pain as she grasped her chest. She felt her heart slowly beating. Kinzel fell unto her knees. Cody rushed to her and held her tight, leaning her body on his chest. Kinzel cried. Loshiana sprinted to the officers and ripped some of the officers’ bodies with her spear. But the last one had given her a large damage on her thighs, slashing them with the officer’s knives. Blood splattered everywhere. She bit her lips as she tried to get a hold of herself. With a swing, she dodged the man’s attacks and heatedly hit him on the neck, slashing her spear across it. The man immediately fell to the ground, holding his neck as he tried to stop the blood. She turned her direction to Kinzel and Cody and headed to them. Shaking, she bent over and held Kinzel who’s immensely shaking, sweats ran on her face. She looked at Vixen from the side with Guilbert who just lost his consciousness. They’re all crying.

“V-Vixen…” Loshiana’s lips quivered.

VIXEN MORENZ'S POV

“So what fears you the most?” Cody suddenly budged a thing to her. They were at the open field once more. The long, shaggy grass blissfully swayed with the wind. It was comforting. She looked up to the center from a distance where the fountain’s water was flowing freely high above. People gathered around; some were just observing on what’s below them; mocking or just don’t give a mindful interest. People have their own plea, the longer it gets, the harder to clench aspiration. People often seek for good, but it won’t stop; never enough – a selfish drive to seek for more. More and more. It was continuous, drowning every part of a human to its domain.

Vixen raised her head and admired the blue, stoic sky. “I guess…if there’s something I fear the most is when I see myself drawing into my personal interest. And I would mean I’ll be facing death myself.”

Cody gave a sneer. “That’s deep. Mmm…for me, it will be the sins tainted in each soul. The moment it will consume a person, death will be on its way to him or to another.”

“I think we’re talking about the same thing – death.” Vixen pondered.

Cody nodded. “Death…sounds crucial. But, is it real?”

“It is…real to those who believe.”

“Then how about those who aren’t?”

“They still will be seeing death in the right time.”

“Is there really a right time to face it?”

“Not really…some face it due to resentment or murder.”

Cody sighed. “I wish, I won’t be seeing death.

“Likewise…Likewise, Cod.”

The smell of crimson blood crippled on my nose. Dust whirled around us. Everything I see is a menace. I glanced over Guilbert who was quietly sleeping. His breathing is not so fine, but I’m certain he’ll make it up to the base. I raised my head. It was a horrendous scene to look at. Jack and Quinten were still up there. Jack barely move from his place and was just floating. Quinten was catching up on his breath, his hands locked on his knees. There was a loud shot. A shot that made a pounding sound in my soul. It had touched it.

Everything was in chaos. The two stood still on the ground in front of us, attacking the officers who don’t seem to halt and falter. My breathing was sore. A shoot had been lashed from the revolver. Then in a gasp, I saw Kinzel flunked on the ground. There were footsteps, I heard. It was Cody. He scuttled in her direction and held her. She was breathing hard. Loshiana stood from her position and affianced towards the opponent. With a supple, persuasive swift, she slashed their throats, things and even their broad shoulders. Blood. It was consuming the place. I saw a clear vision in it. Death. It waved at me as it patiently awaits for its new victim.

I heard a mourning sound from Loshiana. Her eyes were wet. She was shaking as she held Kinzel through her arms.

The eyes can see things but the heart is deceiving. I needed to think straight. They need me. Just before I could move, Quinten dashed towards Jack with his drive to kill him. There was a flash I saw and everything seems to move slowly. I saw how Loshiana cried for help. Cody was still aiming for the left enemies as he grasped Kinzel. At the very moment, I looked above and felt the hands of death slowly embraced Quinten.

He slashed his dagger towards Jack’s heart but the enemy’s hand, in an eye’s blink, gripped his wrist in a swift, stopping him in pushing the blade towards his. No. No. No. My soul screamed in fear. I saw Quinten was desperately shocked. Slowly, Jack regenerated himself. His mouth gradually appeared in front of him, giving him an obscure, mocking laugh.

“Q-Quinten! Get away from him!” I yelled. Quinten looked at me and back to Jack. He tried to step back but the grip was getting tighter, digging its long nails on his bare flesh. He was gritting his teeth as he bears the pain. Slowly, Jack’s sneering and malodorous face wholly appeared. His eyes speak with death for himself. It was daunting.

“T-That. Was. Absolutely fun!” He shouted in pleasure. His laughter surrounded the whole place. The tunnel’s sinister lights flickered with his menacing presence. “Aahh..” He pleasingly groaned. Quinten twitched as he tried to release himself from his grasp. “I-I’ve never had so much fun like this in my entire life.” He squealed.

Quinten was glaring mad at him.

I’ve seen so many horrifying things lately just like what happened in Neatherock St., but this one is far way different. I took a breath, it was deep and hard to take. Everything is heavy to repel. Cody was able to take the remaining officers. I hurriedly scampered to them. My knees were shaking with every heavy step I took, but I managed to get to them. I lifted Kinzel’s right shoulder as to Loshiana on the other. Cody was into her thin, long legs.

As soon as the siblings were together, I pulled Kinzel’s slingshot. I grabbed some of her pebbles and directed it to Jack who’s now grinning in awe as he gripped Quinten.

“Oh, you hurt me so badly, you know that?” He said to Quinten. Blinking twice, he showed his dominance. It was a different person – a devil one. His eyes shined upon darkness. I recognized he’s also able to use both of his powers. For sure, he’s now able to see clearly in darkness.

“Such a poor thing…” His fingers crawled upon Quinten’s chest, but he punched Jack on his face and was able to lose his firm grasp.

Quinten pulled several steps and rubbed his bleeding arm. “Absolutely…Mmm. I can take you in one blow. Perhaps, you’re just a weakling. A speck of dust trolling around the city. A germ meant to be killed.” Jack’s eyes wore violence and a throbbing sense of danger. Quinten felt a sudden rush of fear around him.

“Get out of there, Quinten!” I shouted and shoot one to Jack, enough to catch his fuming attention also to buy Quinten some time to escape.

Yes, a getaway is our best option right now. Guilbert slowly opened his eyes, his vision was still a blur. But he was staring at Quinten’s location. My heart was racing. I could hear my own beat. Quinten took another step and looked at our situation.

He knew that he has the control of the game. He has the power that deals with gravity and Jack is in his domain. He was looking back at us. There was silence. The rain started to fall and had joined our situation. Quinten was about to consider falling back, deactivating his own gravity by taking a step under, not until a hand grasped his coat and deviously pulled him back to his position. A sinister face was looking at him. Without a moment to wait, Jack gashed his hand, arching his sharp nails to his chest. Quinten’s coat was ripped off. A hard blow hit him hard, making him coughed blood.

I ran just below the two and speed up in throwing some pebbles. But every time I hit Jack, he cut off the spread of the potion itself with his regeneration. I cussed. I recognized those eyes that just turned in my direction and there was madness, I saw. He was the same man I met in the street, the devil itself. It was useless.

“Cody! Are you still not within your limit?! Can you control those guards over there?!” I shouted at him.

“I-I can’t...they’re still alive, just unconscious. I just reached my limit.” He cried in fear with a croaked voice.

Damnit. I need to do something. I looked around and saw Loshiana’s spear. I bleakly grabbed it and was about to throw it up to Jack.

But there was coldness. There was emptiness. In that very moment, death had succeeded. It had won. Jack forcefully dug his nails towards Quinten’s flesh right through his heart. The man screamed in anguish. My tears flew on my cheeks.

“Noooo!!!! Please stop! Stop it! Stop!” I shouted rashly.

Jack moved his head and watched me intently below. A smirk was there. He was having fun. He was pushing his hand harder at Quinten which made the man shouted more. It was horrific.

Quinten slowly turned his gaze to us. He was sore.

“Q-Quinten….” I heard Guilbert say between his low breathing.

There was a faint smile. His face was battered and there was blood rushing from his chest. He slowly lifted his hand and pointed his finger to the sky. My whole body quivered as I saw him done the thing. No. You can’t! You can’t! Please don’t tell us to have an escape without you. You don’t have to risk it all, Quinten!

“H-He pointed above…T-That’s the signal…” Cody said as he stared at Quinten.

“N-No…No. We can do it. We can still save him!” I shouted aggregately. I still can do something. I took the spear and threw it to Jack, but he eventually dodged. Instead, we heard a low voice from Quinten. He held Jack on his arm and started to bring both of them higher enough for us not to reach them. W-What are you doing?

My eyes were heavy as I rubbed my tears.

“Y-You should…g-go…” Quinten said lowly. His eyes are slowly closing. He was barely making it.

Cody quietly pulled me to his side. “V-Vixen…” His face was in sadness.

I cried in fear as I watched him above. Quinten looked straight at me. He was serious. “Y-You should go. I-I’m the only one…w-who can stop…him right now in…g-getting to you…”

Cody pulled me once again. I saw Quinten moved Jack higher, away from us.

There was nothing more to take. I don’t want to lose a family. I don’t want to lose such an annoying friend. I don’t want to lose Quinten. I don’t want to lose anybody…I ran towards their direction, even the last hope is slowly vanishing. I just need to think straight. It’s not too late. I can make it. I have to make it. I don’t want to stop. I don’t want to give up on him. I threw again some pebbles using the slingshot but they didn’t reach them at all. They’re so far. Quinten made a small laugh, squirting blood. His eyes curved as his tears fell upon us.

“S-Sometimes you just…have…to r-run…in order…to win.” He said between his cough.

“Okay, that’s enough.” Jack said and harshly dug wholly his hand, making a hole in his chest. Quinten yelled in menace. Now, Cody forcefully pulled me towards the others. They were holding each other’s hands. I tried to scuttle from Cody’s but he held me tight, wrapping his arm around my waist. I tried to push it. Guilbert’s eyes slowly blazed, activating his last amount of power. We were slowly disappearing.

No! I don’t want to leave someone behind.

“P-Please! We have to save him.” I looked at Era, but their faces were down as they cried silently. They couldn’t look at me straight in the eyes. I continued to push Cody away but his grip began to tighten. “L-Let go of me!”

I was crying hard. I looked at Quinten, his arms were now lifeless. He was not moving. No….It can’t be. A mad man turned his face towards us. His face was tainted in blood. He licked his lips and tasted it. With a smirk, in a moment, he gripped Quinten’s heart and pulled it through.

“NOOOOOO!!!!” I shouted in fear and it was then we disappeared from the scene.