Chapter 97: One versus Two (Part 2)

But, already, the tables are turning, and it's not a very beneficial development.

Dyne: "So, what was that before? How do Ghosts deal with fire, you were wondering?"

Having extinguished a miniature sun with his hands and those hands almost healed back up completely, he says with the same tone as before which, for some reason, feels heavier regardless.

Dyne: "Well, we have problems against it if it's used the right way. I know I have nightmares because of a fire attack once done on me."

What he mentions is the fiery hypnosis Barry had done to him, and while his nightmares come from the hypnosis and not the fire itself, that doesn't matter in the context of what he is trying to say.

Dyne: "But, you see, if not used well, fire is nothing but a small nuisance, an ant sting that hurts a little but doesn't do much damage."

If Ethan Kales was here, he may have mocked Dyne by saying how particular ant stings can be very dangerous, but he isn't here. Those who are here are just two men with no sense of humour and nothing but the current battle on their mind.

Realizing this, Dyne also realizes that there's a part of him that wants Ethan, or someone like him, to be here.

Is that because he craves a challenge that these two aren't providing? Or, is that because he craves revenge against that boy who has never lost to him despite being so much weaker every time they have clashed, directly or indirectly?

In either case though,

Gabriel: "Enough!"

The opponents he has right now are no Ethan Kales, and that is plain as day to see.

One is a Hellfire so he is obviously one of the strongest people in the world. The other is someone who killed two Hellfires so he is no joke either.

But,

Dyne: "How foolish!"

Having faced completely outlandish tricks of Ethan that somehow end up bringing results, there's no fun in battling these blandly powerful fighters.

So, as the Hellfire charges at him with full force ready to direct his attack in whichever direction he chooses to dodge in, as he comes with that attack that is sure to do heavy damage against pretty much everyone, Dyne merely stands there sighing.

The Hellfire does not pay him any mind as he keeps himself completely focused on his attack, which he lands with a heavy impact, or not.

Gabriel: "Wha-!!!"

Even though everything about the attack had gone perfectly until the last moment, when the time comes for the Hellfire's hands to connect with the Spectre's helm, they just go past it like it's not even there.

Abgere: "!!!"

And, the same happens with the rest of his body.

He just goes past Dyne like Dyne is merely an illusion, which then reminds him of every time he had seen things like these in fiction.

Gabriel: "B-but, Ghosts can't use such an ability to this extent!"

It's true that by making themselves thinner than air, Ghost can bypass many things, including attacks aimed at them. It is a method often shown in fiction.

There's no way Gabriel wouldn't have known of it or not remembered it. He obviously did. And, because he knew and remembered it, he made sure to put so much energy into his hands that the Aura around him would shake, causing this technique to be nulled and the Spectre to be hurt regardless.

But,

Dyne: "Most Ghosts can't. I can."

And by that, the leader of the Spectres means that ONLY he can.

Dyne: "Now,"

Casually doing the same thing his opponent did but putting energy into his leg rather than his hands, he rotates in a circle to give himself momentum and uses the gained momentum to kick the Hellfire in his right rib, effectively breaking it.

Gabriel: "AAAGGGHHH!!!"

It happens so fast and while the Hellfire was still in shock of having his attack missed that he is not able to dodge in time.

But, the enemy of his enemy considers this an opportunity.

After all, Spectre Dyne seems completely focused on Gabriel and has just dealt a powerful attack which should mean that he will not be able to immediately do another, thanks to lag.

So, this would be the perfect opportunity for Abgere to attack.

And he does attack.

But,

Dyne: "Did you think I forgot about you that easily?"

The fist charged with lightning is stopped by a perfect block and in return,

Dyne: Give yourself more credit!"

A fist charged with the purest essence of a Ghost's power, Soul Energy, comes flying towards his gut but with no time to defend.

Abgere: "AGGGGHHH!!!"

Even Abgere is unable to hold back as his guts shake with pain and his body suffers the aftershock of it.

And, with both his opponents on the ground, Spectre Dyne says,

Dyne: "Come on, stand up! If you two lose with just that, I am going to be only more frustrated."

Slowly, holding their broken parts with their hands and still writhing in pain, the two stand up, first Gabriel and then Abgere. But, they have been made aware of the fact that they are both weaker than their opponent, of the fact that what they have been doing until now won't work anymore, that they need to do something they haven't done before.

Gabriel: "Ha!"

Scoffs Gabriel at the idea of it.

Gabriel: "I really wish things had never come to this. This is humiliating!"

Abgere: "I feel the same way, which also disgusts me all the more."

Abgere shares his tone and his idea as to what they need to do.

Dyne: "... Hah!"

Gabriel is one of the people on Abgere's hitlist and Abgere is an object of vengeance for Gabriel's fury.

These two are enemies. Though they have been allies of the third faction for their personal gain, they haven't been allies of each other. They have always been enemies.

And that hasn't changed.

But, maybe because they were forced to work together for the past some days, they have come to realize each other's potential.

So, they know that they can defeat their overwhelmingly powerful enemy if they do what neither of them wants to do.

Gabriel: "Tsk!"

Jumping away from the Spectre and on the opposite sides of him as well.

Abgere: "Tsk!"

The two then run back towards him with their attacks.

Dyne: "Huh?"

And the Spectre is left dumbfounded as the two enemies coordinate their attacks, teaming up so perfectly as if they have trained for it, and launch an attack that even he will end up not being able to dodge or defend against.

The carnival of madness has only begun.

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