Adonis’ foot smashes down on Hayze.
Adrian:
Goddammit!
Jagger:
Hahaha! Good work, Adonis! Now that he’s dead, there's no one to stop us from getting that ring!
Adrian:
I’m still here!
Adrian tries to stand up, but Jagger readies his needles.
Jagger:
You may still be here, but you can’t do anything to stop us!
Adrian:
*frustrated grunt*
Jagger:
Adonis! Search the house for the ring!
Adonis is staring at his foot with a confused look on his face.
Jagger:
Adonis? What are you doing, you big idiot! I said, search for the ring!
Adonis:
Adonis didn’t feel a splat.
Jagger:
Hm? What do you mean you didn’t? You crushed him!
Adonis lifts his foot; nothing is beneath it.
Adonis:
Huh?
Jagger:
What the hell!
Adrian:
(Where did he go?)
Adonis surveys the mountain top for Hayze.
Adonis:
You can run from Adonis, but Adonis will find you!
Hayze:
*deeper voice* Who said anything about running?
Adonis turns around to see Hayze standing in his shadow. Adrian breathes a sigh of relief.
Adrian:
(Thank goodness, he escaped! I can’t believe it; he looked like he was down for the count. But now he’s standing there looking poised for a counterattack. I guess I should never count this kid out.)
Adrian notices the color of Hayze’s eyes.
Adrian:
(Darkness? Why is he using that element? I didn’t even get around to teaching him any attacks for that one yet. Also, I was under the impression he’d ever used it before…)
Jagger grinds his teeth.
Jagger:
Adonis, kill him now!
Adonis cracks his neck.
Adonis:
You don’t need to tell Adonis twice.
Adonis takes a few steps toward Hayze.
Hayze:
You’re not exactly my preferred kill.
Adonis is taken aback.
Adonis:
Huh? What did you just say?
Hayze:
I’m saying that I usually wouldn’t waste my time killing someone as weak as you. It feels like a misuse of my power.
Adonis laughs loudly.
Adonis:
Weak? Adonis isn’t weak! Adonis is the strongest there is!
Hayze:
Really? All you are is a big man with a tiny brain. I’ve seen you in action twice now, and both times I’ve been left… unimpressed.
Adonis:
*frustrated grunt* Adonis was already planning on killing you, but now Adonis will enjoy it more! When Adonis is done with you, you’ll be nothing but a memory!
Hayze chuckles.
Hayze:
You? Killing me? I knew you were dumb, but I didn’t think you were stupid enough to believe in the impossible.
Adonis:
You talk a lot. Adonis is a man of action!
Hayze:
Prove it.
Adonis:
Oh Adonis will!
Adonis leaps into the air and attempts to body slam Hayze.
Hayze:
Is this really the best you can do?
Hayze’s body starts sinking into the ground.
Hayze:
Shadow Sneak.
Adonis:
Pulverizing Pancake!
Adonis smashes into the ground where Hayze is standing, shaking the entire mountain top. Jagger watches with a smile on his face.
Jagger:
He just got lucky he survived the first time. Nobody could survive Adonis’ Pulverizing Pancake!
Hayze:
Really? I beg to differ.
Jagger is startled as Hayze is standing right behind him.
Jagger:
How the hell did you get over here so quickly?
Hayze:
It’s such a lovely day, wouldn’t you agree?
Jagger looks up at the cloudy sky with sunset nearing.
Jagger:
This is a nice day to you?
Hayze:
Of course it is. Any day I can kill someone is a good day.
Jagger:
*scoffs* Since when did you get this cocky? You took my deal back in the forest, remember! You didn’t even think you could kill me then when I was at my weakest! So Do you really think you could kill Adonis or even me now?
Hayze grabs Jagger by the throat and lifts him off the ground.
Hayze:
Yes.
Jagger:
*choking*
Adrian gets to his feet.
Adrian:
Hayze, drop him! We need to retrieve the ring and get out of here!
Hayze stares at Adrian.
Hayze:
Don’t even try to order me around. I could kill you in an instant.
Adrian is shocked.
Adrian:
What the hell are you talking about? Didn’t you hear what I said about the rings? We need to keep them out of Ivan’s hands! He’s already got one, and adding the Theta ring would make him too powerful!
Hayze:
That’s fine. He’ll never be more powerful than me.
Adrian:
What! Are you insane? I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but you’re not stronger than Ivan, I guarantee you that!
Hayze throws Jagger aside. Jagger gasps for air.
Hayze:
Choose your next words carefully.
Adrian is taken aback.
Adrian:
(I don’t know what’s going on, it’s like he’s a different… person…)
Adrian gets a look of realization on his face.
Hayze:
No response? Good. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a murder to commit.
Hayze starts walking towards the confused Adonis.
Adrian:
Wait one second.
Hayze stops and looks over his shoulder at Adrian.
Hayze:
Yes?
Adrian:
Who the hell are you?
Hayze:
That’s a good question. I guess I don’t really have a name. But I think I’ll go with… Khaos. With a K… I’ll give you one guess as to what it stands for.
Khaos continues walking toward Adonis.
Adrian:
(And this Dr. Moore… is why you should never have used that serum again.)
Adonis notices Khaos approaching him.
Adonis:
There you are! Adonis was starting to think you ran away like the coward you are!
Khaos:
I guess it’s time I backed up my talk with some action.
Khaos holds out his right arm, a black vortex opens up from its shadow. Rays of darkness emerge and form a helix that develops into a massive executioner’s blade. Khaos grabs the hilt and points the giant sword at Adonis.
Khaos:
Welcome to the end of your life! Orchestrated by yours truly.
Adonis cracks his knuckles.
Adonis:
That’s a cute butter knife you have there. You really think Adonis is afraid of that?
Khaos:
You should be.
Adonis:
Let’s go, little man!
Adonis charges at Khaos.
Khaos:
I didn’t realize you were suicidal!
Khaos’ shadow starts to pulsate. Adonis winds back a punch.
Adonis:
Adonis is gonna kill you!
Adonis’ punch is stopped right before making contact with Khaos.
Adonis:
What the hell?
If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
Khaos has manifested two arms made entirely of shadows holding back Adonis’ fist.
Khaos:
You didn’t think it would be that easy, did you?
Khaos leaps onto Adonis’ fist and starts running up his arm.
Adonis:
GET OFF OF ME!
Adonis tries to pull back his fist, but the shadow arms hold him in place. He then resorts to trying to punch Khaos with his other arm.
Khaos:
(Idiot.)
Khaos leaps back at the last second, causing Adonis to throw a full-force punch into his own arm.
Adonis:
AHHH! DAMMIT!
Khaos slices his sword into Adonis’ forearm.
Adonis:
AHHH!
Khaos:
Save your screams for the end!
Khaos leaps off Adonis’ arm, the shadow restraints retreat back to Khaos’ shadow. Khaos admires the blood on his blade.
Khaos:
That was an excellent warm-up; what do you say we get to the real fight?
Jagger and Adrian both watch intently.
Jagger:
(So his quirk allows him to manipulate shadows, huh? Judging by his use of a sword, he’s a short-range fighter, which gives Adonis the edge.)
Adrian:
(He’s toying with him…)
Adonis stands up in furious frustration.
Adonis:
ADONIS’ EAR HURTS, ADONIS’ ARM HURTS AND ADONIS’ EYE HURTS FROM LAST TIME, ADONIS IS ANGRY! AND ADONIS WILL KILL!
Khaos smiles.
Khaos:
(He still thinks he has a chance.)
Adonis:
ADONIS WILL NOT LOSE! ADONIS IS THE STRONGEST THERE IS!
Adonis charges at Khaos again and cocks back his right arm for a punch.
Adonis:
DIE!
Khaos cuts Adonis’ right arm off.
Jagger:
Adonis!
Adrian:
Holy shit…
Adonis’ severed arm slams onto the ground with a massive thud with blood-spewing and pooling from it.
Adonis:
Wh- wh-
Adonis looks at his severed arm with a look of terror.
Adonis:
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Adonis falls to his knees and places his hand on his bleeding wound. Khaos smiles.
Khaos:
I told you that was only the warm-up.
Jagger gulps; he’s shaking and looks horrified.
Jagger:
(Adonis is so durable… and this guy just cut his arm off with a single slice.)
Adrian also looks afraid.
Adrian:
(This isn’t like what happened with Rachel… that was pure rage… but this… this is pure evil.)
Khaos begins walking toward Adonis.
Adonis:
St- Stay away from me!
Khaos:
Oh, I see. The “Adonis talk” is gone now that you realize the end is near.
Adonis leaps into the air to escape Khaos.
Adonis:
Leave me alone!
Adonis freezes in midair, he comes crashing down onto the mountain. His landing shakes the entire mountain top once again.
Jagger:
W- what? Why did Adonis stop like that!
Adrian:
The shadow…
Khaos’ shadow has extended in a line to connect with Adonis’.
Khaos:
There is no escape… only death.
The dust clears as Adonis is left lying on his back after the fall; Khaos continues walking towards him.
Khaos:
You can run, but your shadow can’t…
Adonis looks at Khaos with pure fear in his eyes. He can’t move at all.
Adonis:
What is this? Why can’t I move!
Khaos:
Shadow paralysis, it only lasts for 120 seconds, but I only need 10 to end your life.
Tears start to roll up Adonis’ face.
Adonis:
Please! Please don’t kill me! I don’t want to die!
Khaos smiles.
Khaos:
First Rule of Khaos: Khaos shows no mercy.
Khaos leaps onto Adonis’ forehead.
Khaos:
You were all high and mighty, but now look at you, crying like a baby because you’re going to die.
Adonis:
I- I was kidding! I was never going to kill you! What do you want? I’ll be your minion! Just please don’t kill me!
Khaos starts laughing hysterically.
Khaos:
Sorry, but I’m a solo act.
Khaos walks onto Adonis’ chest.
Adonis:
Please don’t! I’m afraid to die!
Khaos:
Afraid to die? Nobody’s afraid to die.
Adonis:
Well, I am!
Khaos lifts his sword.
Khaos:
Humans aren’t afraid to die.
Khaos’ smile becomes menacing.
Khaos:
We’re afraid of what comes after, and I think you know what’s next for you.
Adonis:
Please! Don’t!
Khaos:
No.
Khaos winds back his sword.
Adonis:
NO! PLEASE!
Khaos drives his sword forward.
Adrian:
*from afar* Hayze!
Khaos stops his sword just before it breaks the skin.
Khaos:
Hm?
Adrian comes running up to Khaos.
Khaos:
This better be good. You just interrupted my kill.
Adrian:
Hayze, you don’t want to do this!
Khaos:
I told you I’m not Hayze.
Adrian:
I’m not talking to you; I’m talking to the owner of that body!
Khaos:
Yeah, that’s me, and you better remember that!
Adrian:
Then why did you stop?
Khaos:
Because I have manners, but if you’re only over here to prattle on about Hayze…
Khaos’ shadow manifests into a fist that punches Adrian and knocks him down.
Khaos:
Then you can sit quietly and let me do my work!
Khaos turns his attention back to Adonis.
Adonis:
Pl- please… don’t do it.
Khaos drives back his sword again.
Adrian:
Hayze! Stop!
Khaos plunges his blade into Adonis’ heart, killing him instantly. Shocking Adrian and Jagger.
Jagger:
He- he- he actually killed Adonis… and- and- I’m… next! I’m actually going to die! Oh, fuck!
Adrian picks himself off the ground.
Adrian:
You actually… killed him…
Khaos jumps down off of Adonis’ corpse and faces Adrian.
Khaos:
Wasn’t that what you were planning on doing?
Adrian:
I’ve killed people before; that’s gonna haunt Hayze for the rest of his life!
Khaos:
Don’t credit that fool with my kill!
Adrian:
W- what?
Khaos:
I killed that big idiot, not him. It’s my kill!
Adrian is taken aback.
Adrian:
What the hell are you?
Khaos:
I’m Khaos. Didn’t you hear me the first time?
Adrian:
Not that; what emotion are you?
Khaos:
The strongest emotion of all: Hate.
Adrian:
That explains a lot… but, why are you… so strong? You overcame Hayze’s injuries like they were nothing.
Khaos:
Hayze has had a lot to hate in his life, which is why I’m so powerful. So powerful, in fact, that just invoking my quirk automatically gives me control over his body.
Adrian:
I figured as much, so when will Hayze be back?
Khaos goes quiet.
Khaos:
Unfortunately soon… His body was weak when I took over, so it won’t be long before the time limit is reached.
Adrian:
I heard Adonis begging you for his life… but you never answered his question…
Khaos:
What question?
Adrian:
What do you want?
Khaos laughs.
Khaos:
Normally, I wouldn’t say, but I don’t know when I’ll be able to retake control, so I might as well enjoy myself.
Adrian:
Alright…
Khaos:
I want only one thing in this world: Chaos.
Adrian:
Go figure.
Khaos:
I want to purge this world of everything I hate, but unfortunately, that binds me to only being able to kill things that Hayze hates. That’s why you’re still standing.
Adrian:
R- really? Why?
Khaos:
Because I was born of his hate, you fool. Thus, I’m limited in that regard, but that’s fine.
Adrian:
It is?
Khaos:
Yes, because I can still kill the thing Hayze hates most.
Adrian:
And what’s that?
Khaos:
Himself.
Adrian:
W- What?
Khaos:
I want to be in control 24/7, I want to be the host of this body, I will have it my way, someway, somehow… someday.
Adrian:
You’re fucking mad!
Khaos:
I know, and this was only a taste of what I can do.
Adrian:
*gulps*
Khaos notices Jagger off to the side.
Khaos:
I will leave you on a final note.
Adrian:
And what might that be?
Khaos:
Whenever I appear, someone will die.
Adrian glances at Adonis’ corpse.
Adrian:
Is that why you were so intent on killing him?
Khaos:
I need to fulfill my blood lust, one way or another. These are the rules of Khaos.
Adrian:
I’m never gonna let you show up again. I hope you know that.
Khaos:
You know that’s not true.
Adrian:
I guess we’ll see.
Khaos:
Maybe we will.
Khaos disappears into the ground.
Adrian:
Hey! Where are you going!
Jagger is kneeling down, shaking Yusuf.
Jagger:
Come on, Yusuf! WAKE UP! We’ve gotta get out of here before he finishes killing that other guy!
Khaos:
Before I finish with what?
Jagger:
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Jagger recoils back, Khaos towers over him.
Khaos:
Hello.
Jagger pisses himself.
Jagger:
Please! Please! Don’t!
Khaos kicks Jagger in the nuts.
Jagger:
*high-pitched* AHHHHHH!
Khaos:
That’s for yelling at Ivy.
Jagger:
*high-pitched* W- what?
Hayze’s eyes return to normal as he passes out. Yusuf wakes up.
Yusuf:
*groans* Jagger? What’s going on?
Jagger:
It doesn’t matter! Kill him!
Adrian:
You’re not gonna do that.
Adrian has returned with his backpack and the Theta Ring on his finger.
Adrian:
Leave now, or I kill you both.
Jagger and Yusuf both look afraid.
Jagger:
Deal, deal! Yusuf, let’s go!
Yusuf:
What about Adonis?
Jagger:
JUST HELP ME, YOU IDIOT!
Yusuf helps Jagger up with his good hand, and the two limp off together.
Yusuf:
Can you please tell me what happened?
Jagger:
Later, you idiot?
Yusuf sniffs.
Yusuf:
Did you… pee your pants?
Jagger:
N- no!
Adrian tends to Hayze.
Adrian:
It’s okay, kid. I’m gonna get you to a hospital.
Adrian flashes back to the day he and Fatal faced off in the Sports Festival.
Adrian:
(I remember the first day she lost control. I was on the receiving end of that pummeling, but this… is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. Hayze… don’t worry, I won’t let this happen to you… ever again.)
