Chapter 24

Nate avoided every attack, attempted by Ortega not given him a chance to reveal his weapon. This felt more harder for him to fight as Ortega nearly tore through Nate’s vest. Nate took the advantage kicking Ortega backwards leaping onto Caleb struggling for the blade. Nate tossed in three hits to the torso hoping to force Caleb to release his weapon into his grasp. Caleb used the handle of the sword to knock Xavier backwards trying to recover. Slashing his way towards Nate, whose movements became more darts and dives of a panther.

His plan was to weaken Ortega’s energy but that wasn’t the case, every time Caleb missed, he became more determined not to fail. That’s how he was trained, as a soldier at an early age, he was taught never to tire or else he would die like those who failed him, Caleb was a soldier first and a warrior second no matter what, he followed orders.

Nearly slicing Nate between the thighs, he retaliated with a roundhouse kick to Ortega forcing the blade out of his reach. It gave Nate the advantage to take on him in hand to hand combat, fists were thrown into each other, kicks were delivered, even choke-holds were matched. The fight was taking a rough turn for Nate who delivered every force he could, but the man called Caleb Ortega wouldn’t give in, he had endurance, strength, skills and a combat style that Nate tried to match. The more Caleb fought Nate he became stronger. The fight led to a gunfight, Nate fired, dodged, fired , pivoted trying to get Ortega but both their rounds were depleting. Getting Caleb into a choke hold was useless, he countered it or blocked it not giving Nate a chance to hit him even in the pressure points.

As Ortega reached for his sword Nate drew his out leading to the deadly game of last man standing. The two fighters charged into one another, their blades locked in a struggle of survival. He tried to remember anything he could from his training in Japan. No memory kicked in, the situation was not familiar to him, but he noticed how focus Caleb was trying to avoid a slip with his blade.

Nate pressured the lock more onto Caleb. Forcing him backwards, he still held his stamina even after that. Nate decided to launch several strikes at Ortega, the blades sparked every strike they made at each other, fiercely trying to weaken the enemy. Nate parried every attack Ortega made, this didn’t help him.

He had to act fast, Ortega wasn’t going to give in until, Nate felt a devastating amount of pain. Pain! Nate’s mind started retracing to any teachings of his master, he remembered a training when he had turned 1 7, during one of his sessions with his master. He had fought with real blades giving him a cut on his left palm. Pain is just a flesh wound which can be treated, but it can also give an advantage of endurance. Nate remembered fighting with Lamar back in Puerto Rico, he nearly sliced his palm but endurance saved him. Ortega wasn’t going to tire out, he had to let him take the first slash. Ortega welcomed his invitation ready to thrust a blade into Nate. Suddenly, Nate caught the blade before it reached him, his two hands clapped together holding the sword.

Struggling to release it from his grasp, Caleb tried forcing it out of his reach, Nate held on to the blunt side of the blade, pulling the carrier towards him. He threw a blow into Caleb’s face releasing the sword from his grip.

He recovered quickly to find the sword in Nate’s hand, he stood where he was, paralyzed at the situation he faced him ready to die.

As he raised the sword to take Caleb’s life, an innocent cry emerged from Carina.

“No!” she pleaded. Nate froze the swing to see Carina escorted by Lincoln.

“What’s she doing here Link?” he protested.

“I couldn’t stop her, Nate.” replied Forbes.

“Spare him, he’s a noble warrior.” pleaded Carina. “He’s just following Dante’s orders.”

Nate gave Ortega a cold stare, almost ready to take advantage of the opportunity to kill. He lowered the sword, letting Ortega fight another day.

Caleb bowed before him in appreciation as he gave himself up, the other marauders had been killed or surrendered to the brigade. Carina thanked Nate kissing his hand, the same way Nferthina did. Forbes led the captive out along with the brigade. Nate stayed to take care of what he came for, Dante Raimond.

Nate took the stairs escorted by Carina, he didn’t want her here, but she was too stubborn to take no for an answer. Nate couldn’t let her see Dante, so he stalled before they reached the communication room. Nate found the communication room but stopped in his tracks, puzzling Carina.

“What’s wrong?”

“We’re there.” he said not turning to her.

“You’re not going to let me in?” she asked, he just nodded.

“I can’t let you witness it.” was his response before throwing a fist to Carina’s jaw knocking her out for the time being.

He placed her somewhere to rest kissing her before the battle, the only words he could say to her were. “Forgive me.”

Dante had been waiting for Caleb for about two hours now, he wondered what was keeping him. Unknown to him Nate emerged to the room attracting Dante’s attention.

“I see you’ve made it Xavier.” he said.

“Save the cutesy.” he said.

“Are you going to kill me in cold blood?” he said not staring at him.

“The thought did occur.” he said as two of the remaining henchmen charged at him, they met their fates with two sounds of a silencer.

“Mono a mono?” Dante turned facing his opponent.

“Si” replied Nate as the two of the charged at each other, the first battle was of brawn.

They locked on to each other struggling to suppress the other, a low blow was thrown into Nate forcing him backwards until their lock released. Dante booted Nate in the face causing him to fly back as he groaned in pain.

Dante felt the match was over. Disappointed, he walked away from Nate not focusing on him.

“I expected a challenge, Xavier.” he said. Out of nowhere, Nate tackled him to the ground administering, several blows to Dante. Dante blocked the blows but not without consequences, his arms became more sore from every block he quickly landed a head butt to Nate’s face. Both of them felt dizzy trying to regain their stamina. Dante was the first charging towards Nate who was close to the device.

He felt the danger grabbing the device quickly and slamming it to Dante’s forehead. Dante and Nate both recovered ready for each other. Nate delivered four kicks before his fifth roundhouse kick, forcing Dante back. Nate rushed to him pinning him down before he could perform his next action. He had Dante in a stranglehold ready to finish what he came for.

“It won’t bring her back” Dante let out getting Nate’s attention. “You failed, Xavier.” Nate froze remembering what happened to Nferthina, the pain weakened him giving Dante the upper-hand tossing a fist to Nate’s face.

“You sentimental fool.” said Dante getting up arming his pistol.

Nate ran to Dante grabbing the gun before it was fired, they struggled for the gun not knowing how much bullets were inside. Three strays were fired, the struggle became fierce as Nate gripped onto Dante’s wrist for release of the pistol applying more pressure to him.

Dante wouldn’t give in no matter the pressure, he tried to endure it but it became too sore for him kicking Nate backwards releasing the gun into his hands, by mistake. Nate clung onto the gun aiming at Dante.

“How many bullets do you think remains? Three? Two? One?” said Nate his gaze violently watching to see his enemy die. “Let’s find out.” he said pulling the trigger. None!

“One for the first warning, two for the realism, and three to signal the hostages out of this building. Zero.” smiled Dante.

Nate, tossed the gun towards him hoping to injure him a bit but it missed.

Dante took the gun reloading the ammunition as Nate grabbed one of the two corpses firearm, a Desert eagle 44 which was loaded with five rounds.

“Looks like the odds aren’t on your side.” taunted Dante. Nate stalked out of hiding aiming the 44 at Dante both weapons leveled at each other.

“Actually they just evened.” Nate said.

The second battle begun...

The two enemies fired shots at each other leading to point blanks, the method of dodge and shoot was being administered by the two of them. Making sure they could spare their rounds they used their fists and kicks to get superiority against each other. Dante fired three shots which Nate strafed away trying to get his shots into him, he also remembered that there were only five rounds inside. Nate found a safe spot to hide.

His plan was to deplete Dante’s round, the plan was also deployed by Dante which Nate soon realized. He had to conserve whatever bullets he had left. Dante scanned the room for Nate, he couldn’t have gone anywhere he was hiding.

“Show yourself Xavier!” he roared, his index finger longing to pull the trigger.

Nate emerged out of hiding and fired one shot which Dante countered. Dante rushed to Nate’s location before he could escape, what he didn’t expect was a fist to his nose as Nate met him at close range. The two guns aimed at each other’s destined location, the forehead and the throat.

Xavier and Raimond stood opposite each other, their guns facing their targets, this was a stand-off. Good versus Evil and only one of them had to walk out of the battlefield.

Carina slowly recovered from her daze, trying to remember what happened to her. Then the vast image of everything that had happened five days ago brought her back, Dante, Nate. The fight to the finish. She got up trying to regain her stance as she walked to the communication center.

Nate and Dante fought fiercely than before, fists flew into each other, kicks were exchange, the strategy to weaken the opponent making him vulnerable took them to the third level of battle. Win, lose and die!

Adrenaline kicked into Nate’s system, charging and parrying at Dante’s action. Their guns holding one bullet left each, their new battle was last man standing one of them would go down, once he does, fatality will end his life with a bullet. Nate thumped Dante’s chest, not giving him much to defend but a pistol whip forced Nate down. Gaining quick consciousness, Nate blocked the next attack with his pistol. The two adversaries locked their guns like swords against each other. This led to the final stage of the battle, gunfight. Nate pranced up swinging his pistol towards Dante countering the assault with his 409.

Nate’s assault increased fiercely, images of Nferthina flashed before him, enraging him to a level beyond his control. Dante’s counters became useless as Nate’s whips made his joints sore. He was becoming more vulnerable than before, he had to be executed quickly. Aiming his Fangs 409, Nate shifted Dante’s aim to a stray he now had the upper hand.

Nate’s piercing blue eyes penetrated through Dante’s green eyes, the barrel of the Eagle 44 leveled at Dante’s face, a thin smile projected out of Nate enjoying his enemies fear.

“You know why I’m not going to shoot you Dante?” he asked.

“Why?” snared Dante.

“Because using a bullet would be the cowards way out.” replied Nate slamming the butt of the Eagle on Dante’s face several times until blood spilt out of his face. The slam of the gun to his face caused pain inside Dante’s system, his head battered in agonizing sensations of metal slammed to the man’s face. Nate didn’t show a sign of satisfaction the sight he witnessed made him cringe but he wouldn’t stop, remembering the promise he had given Dante back at the temple.

“The damage you’ll receive from me, would be twice more than the one you gave Nferthina.” His heart started beating rapidly, he could feel it running through him ready to erupt from him, cold shivers ran through his spines the sight of Dante’s blood pored face, brought him back to normal.

Slowly he froze, Nate stared at his unconsciousness, it made him pale letting go of his rush. Still breathing Dante was paralyzed the damage would take a while for him to recover but it would make him prepare for what was going to happen next.

Nate closed his eyes feeling the form of sanity slowly bringing him back to reality as Carina witnessed the whole event. Her mouth agape, her eyes mesmerized by her former lovers damage, words couldn’t project out of her as Dante laid on the floor with severe bruises it was a question whether he was dead or alive. Nate cowered slowly to the wall, covering his face, revenge had been administered it filled him with bitter satisfaction. Carina slowly walked towards him as she stared at the man called Nate.

“I couldn’t let you witness it.” he said. “It never really gives me satisfaction, just a cold debt repaid in blood.” he said.

“I’ve seen bloodshed these past days to know how cold it feels.” she said.

“Does it make you hate me?” he asked looking for a response.

“No, it just makes you human.” she said offering her hand to Nate as he pulled her down to him holding her, closing her eyes to be lost in her haven.

Nate could have finished Dante in his condition, the bullet would have been the easy way for him, no he couldn’t have that. Nate wanted to keep his promise of the damage he would inflict on him for Nferthina and that’s what he did.

Even after the assault he received from Nate, Dante still had his pulse. With his face damaged and his mental state shattered all he could do now was regain his strength to grab the Desert eagle and aim at Xavier. He had the perfect shot at him with Carina, he mustn’t hit her, he straightened his arm muttering the promise of reuniting him with Nferthina.

“I’ll keep that promise, Xavier.” he said. Nate heard the faint voice flow through his ears as he woke up from the trance.

His eyes met with Dante’s green eyes, he froze for a moment fear took over him. He held onto Carina tighter, thinking of how to protect her from the shot. Nate’s heartbeat thumped rapidly alerting her of a danger about to happen.

“Nate, what’s wrong?” she whispered.

“Just hold onto me.” he told her, snuggled around him she grabbed onto his armor. The trigger was pulled, the shot fired as the bullet sore through the air locking on to its target, the speed was swift and fast seeking out Xavier and Carina.

It was now or never, strength erupted from him clenching onto Carina’s form as they darted away from the bullet, hitting the wall. Nate and Carina were safe, however Dante wasn’t done yet able to reload the eagle he scanned the room for his targets, Nate had to do something fast he saw his sword lying beside him. This was no time to think he had to execute his plan now, Dante aimed for the two of them firing a shot that was blocked by Nate’s katana.

A swift move made Nate able to reach Dante thrusting his blade into Dante’s spine a cold blooded death before him, he froze taking in his last breath, blood erupting from his mouth, his eyes bulging out with Nate grossly watching the man once known as Dante Raimond, the leader of Anubis die instantly.

Carina covered her face horrified by the fatality that would haunt her dreams, the man she once loved witnessed a painful scorching death and the only expression on Nate’s face was fear. Nate went on his knees mourning his death, it happened all so sudden the term kill or be killed stamped on him even this death was too cold to be rewarding. Words couldn’t express his sorrow, the execution was too painful. He looked around for Carina who hid in the corner crying sorrowfully, Nate walked towards her towering her little form, she hesitated from embracing him, but the two of them needed each other more than they thought, embracing each other for solace. With the clean up team arriving Nate absorbed all the moment he had with Carina, his haven, remembering what she had told him.

Just because you’re trained to kill doesn’t mean you’re not human.

The two of them locked eyes words unspoken as they embraced each other more sensually. Carina’s flooded eyes caught Nate’s with only words she could say to him.

“My Haven.” holding each other more than ever, not knowing what would happen next they just welcomed it...

The End

Next mission: Cold Blad3