Prolouge

The city was in shambles.

Previously bright and populated area was now ruled by chaos.

I stood on one of the only buildings that was still intact, looking down at the two of the strongest people who were facing off at the epicenter of destruction.

I waited for my target, my opportunity to intervene in the battle against monsters and tip the scales in favor of humanity's survival.

Power exploded from the two as they clashed, fist against fist, blow against blow, technique against technique. It washed over my body, ruffling my hair but I remained stationary.

Finally, my target arrived when another entity appeared in between the two combatants.

Unlike the two, who at least looked like humans, this one was an abomination, trying to imitate one.

Four wings in place of where its eyes should have been. A lipless, smiling mouth, showing off its teeth. A snake-like tale, as pale as the rest of its body coming out of the back of its head.

A pale imitation of a halo hovering on top of his skull, and a single blade extending from its bandaged hand.

My body tensed, the muscles in my legs coiling and waiting for my command to propel me forward.

In an instant, the distance between me and the abomination was gone and I stood in front of it. Power exploded from my body as the temperature dropped below freezing.

Two of my fingers made contact, creating a circle as the others extended fully.

I made the equivalent of eye contact with the monster as I spoke for the first time since the battle started.

"Domain Expansion: Sub-Zero."

The power that surrounded the cursed spirit and I circled around the two of us, isolating me and my opponent from the fight that was going on outside.

The dome solidified and the darkness cleared up. I was staring at the simple field of ice, extending in all directions.

I took a deep breath, preparing for the battle that I might not come out alive from but I could only trust the others with their own lives.

I hoped they would survive.

I hoped that I would too.

I exhaled and a puff of visible air came out of my mouth.

I really needed a smoke right now.