"We need not worry, friends," he reassured them. "Tracy and Ryan have already cleared out all hostile Heart Angels in their respective sections. None have reported signs of Michael and one other Soul Angel. They must have found a way in." Greg's eyes stole a glance at the building.
"If they made it in there, I can only hope that they're making progress," one cocky Soul Angel muttered.
Greg turned to at the sound of wind passing by. Tracy arrived with his group. Tracy floated closer to Greg, holding up three fingers with his right hand. Three didn't come back, is what he signaled. Greg nodded and hung his head in acknowledgment. "Michael's fighting Danny boy right now, isn't he?" he laughed loudly. Greg saw through his forced happiness - it was all for show to calm down the others. If the leaders were smiling, then they would catch on as well. "Tough boy he is. But what happens if he doesn't make it back?" Tracy hushed his tone for the second sentence.
"He's just like the rest of us, Tracy. He has something to fight for. A single goal that has to be reached at all costs. He knows the meaning of sacrifice - he will make it out alive." Greg faced his companion. "Michael doesn't necessarily want peace for us. It's something else he's risking his life... or, rather, his will power, for." Tracy giggled with his usual light tone.
Ryan approached the two. Tracy and Greg eyed him, searching for his group. Their friend was missing his helmet, his sword, and was bleeding from a cut down the right side of his cheek. His black silk shirt was ripped on his left shoulders, revealing black blood spilling from another wound there. Everyone nearby fell silent.
"Why's everyone so quiet? Oh! You think I'm the only one that made it? Figures." Ryan raised cupped hands to his mouth. "Come on out, guys!" His hands dropped to his side and he flashed a smile at Greg and Tracy.
Ten Soul Angels, relatively unscratched save one or two minor injuries, flew at high speed towards them. Each held two brown sacks that shook as they flew. They approached the rest, handing out a sack to a pairs of angels. Everyone looked inside; at that moment, their faces would twist into surprise. Ryan caught a bag from another angel, then ripped it open before Greg and Tracy.
Genuine shock crossed their faces. From the contents of the bag jumped out a myriad of tiny, bright orbs of energy. Each of these had wings and wore a cloak made of sparkling dust. From these orbs, black circles formed on them, creating eyes for these creatures. They clucked and cooed at the Soul Angels, surrounding them and brushing against them.
Tracy laughed aloud. "Are you serious, Ryan? You found these little tykes in the barracks?" He tapped one on the top of its round head. It echoed his laugh in a higher pitch.
"The Hearties kept 'em in cages, man. Can you believe that? These poor Syphies were being used to power their city!" Ryan gently cupped one in his hand, staring down at it. The Syphi floated up to his nose and touched it, releasing a small burst of sparkling dust. "Their energy is also what fuels Daniel. Now that we've taken them from the main generators, Daniel will be significantly weaker. So, are we getting ready to rush him or what?" Greg and Tracy exchanged looks.
"Well..." The two echoed in harmony.
"Michael beat us to it, huh?"
Greg nodded.
---
Michael slapped away the sword with the outside of his gloved hand. He staggered and fell to one knee, keeping his focus on Daniel. The Heart Angel charged him again while swinging at his head. Michael grabbed the flat edge of the sword, holding it tightly and ignoring the sting of the blade before his face.
Daniel drove down on him with all of his weight. "Is that it, Michael? Are you tired already?" He cackled madly.
Michael rolled to the side and let the blade smack the ground. He halted himself then rushed Daniel with a push from his legs and wings. Daniel evaded his tackle then spun around to cut his side. He swiped in a diagonal motion.
The tip of the sword caught Michael in the side, cutting clean through a few inches deep into his side. He let loose a yelp as he fell down. Daniel laughed softly this time. "I can't say it's been fun, Michael. But it has been entertaining to say the least." Daniel threw his sword like a boomerang, aiming at Michael's head. Michael stood up - but the weapon slashed through his left shin. It cut at an angle, missing the core of his leg, and spun to crash against the floor next to him.
Daniel's sword reappeared in his right hand in the same manner from before. "I won't miss this time, Michael. Or if you want to, I could let you die from losing too much blood." Daniel took a step forward, staggering a bit. His face showed shock and seemed drained. He threw the sword again, ignoring his weakened state. Michael jumped forward as Daniel let his grip go.
The sword spun in the air vertically, curving upwards. It maimed Michael's shoulder. Black blood exploded from the wound. Michael still had momentum, and crashed into Daniel. Michael sat on Daniel's belly, holding him down.
He cocked his arm back then brought it down sideways across Daniel's face. He barraged him with relentless blows from his gloved fists. Michael ignored the searing pain that shot up from his shoulder and his shin. Nothing else mattered right now except shattering this boy's skull. Daniel kept sniffling. Michael droned out the sound, ignoring the tears that mingled with his orange blood sliding down his face.
He pulled his hands back. Daniel's big brown eyes stared at him, surrounded by a sea of his own bright blood. Michael hesitated. He shut his eyes closed then began the assault once more. He felt each blow shake his entire body. Crack, crack, crack. Each punch seemed to break a bone when it landed. Crack, crack, crack.
The body under him grew limp. There was no more struggling. He could hear no more sniffling. Slowly, Michael creaked his eyes wide. Daniel stared lifelessly past him. Michael ran two fingers down his eyes, shutting the eyelids. He stood up carefully, watching Daniel closely. The small body faded out of existence.
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