Steel rang out one last time.
Ren stepped forward, blade cutting clean through the final guard in front of him.
Slash.
The man dropped.
Silence.
Ren stood there, breathing steady, sword lowered slightly. Around him, the last of the guards lay scattered across the floor.
"…That should be all of them."
Then
A massive light filled the palace.
Ren's head snapped toward it.
BOOOOOOM.
The giant beam tore through the throne room, shaking the entire structure.
Ren's eyes widened.
"…Oh shit…"
Smoke and debris filled the air in the distance.
"…Funko…"
He tightened his grip on his sword.
"…I hope you're okay."
A short pause.
Then
"…Tch. I'll go help him."
He glanced at the fallen guards.
"…Had to finish you guys first."
Without wasting another second
Ren took off toward the center of the palace.
Smoke.
That was all that remained.
The beam had vanished, leaving destruction in its wake. The ground was cracked, walls shattered, the air thick with dust and heat.
For a moment
Nothing moved.
Then
A figure stirred.
Funko.
"…Tch…"
He pushed himself up slowly.
His body shook.
Bruises covered his arms, his torso. His clothes were torn, burned in places. His breathing was uneven.
"…Damn…"
He forced himself to stand.
Barely.
"…That actually hurt…"
Across from him
Razor walked forward.
Slow.
Heavy steps.
Each one echoed through the ruined hall.
"…You fought well," Razor said.
Funko looked up at him.
"…But it's time to die."
Razor raised his axe.
High above his head.
Then brought it down.
Fast.
Funko's eyes sharpened.
At the last second
A powerful spring burst from beneath his feet.
BOOM.
It launched him upward just as the axe crashed into the ground, splitting the floor apart.
Funko flipped mid air.
"…Not yet."
His hand snapped forward.
And then
Magma.
Glowing bursts of molten rock shot from his palm in rapid succession, flying straight toward Razor.
BOOM.
BOOM.
BOOM.
Razor raised his arm, blocking.
The lava slammed into his forearm, splashing and burning across his skin.
"…Ghh !"
Smoke rose from the impact.
"…Curse you !"
More blasts followed.
Relentless.
Funko didn't stop.
Shot after shot, forcing Razor to hold his guard as the heat built up.
Then
Razor roared.
A massive, thunderous roar that shook the entire palace.
The force alone blasted outward
And sent Funko flying back through the air.
"…Tch !"
He hit the ground hard, sliding across the broken floor.
Razor lowered his arm, his forearm visibly burned.
His eyes locked onto Funko.
Rage filled them.
"…Prepare to die, boy."
He grabbed his axe again.
Lifted it high.
And stepped forward
Ready to end it.
Then
"…What?"
Razor froze.
Something touched the top of his head.
A presence.
Before he could react
A blade drove down.
Straight into his skull.
SHINK.
"…Ghh ?!"
Razor's eyes widened.
Standing on top of his head
Ren.
Both hands gripping his sword as he forced the blade deeper.
"…Miss me?"
Razor let out a roar of shock and pain.
To Be Continued!