Point Blank

Freya still sat perfectly still in the center of the chamber as she meditated. The crimson glow of Aether surrounded her. Her mind was focused, delving deep into the energies that flowed through her. But then, she felt something, a presence entered the chamber. Freya's eyes remained closed, she know that Nox had finally arrived. She could feel his aura as if his corrupt intentions oozing from every pore of his body.

But it wasn't Nox that caused her to stir.

Another presence brushed against her senses. It was the unmistakable energy of fellow Asgardians. Her eyes open slowly but not because of fear or concern for Nox, but in response to the unexpected allies who managed to get here. Who could it be?

Nox continued to stride confidently toward her without realizing anything, his grin wide under his mask.

"Waking up from meditation? It will be no use because even if you have enough Aether in your body, you can't defeat me," Nox said with arrogance and confidence tone.

But instead of seeing fear in her eyes, Freya smiled. A mysterious expression that left Nox suddenly worried. The sight of her smile sent a creeping sense crawling up his spine.

Something was wrong.

Nox's grin faltered. Then, suddenly, he heard the heavy sound of the door behind him slamming shut. Instinctively, Nox turned his head, and as he did his eyes widened in shock and horror.

Right in front of his face was a muzzle of a weapon that pointed directly at him. Nox barely had time to react before Erik's voice cut through the silence.

"We meet again, asshole."

And then, without hesitation, Erik pulled the trigger. The Boltr fired with a resounding BANG!

The powerful shot struck Nox square in the face and sending him flying backward and spinning in the air with brutal force. His body crashed into the rock wall, a cloud of dust and debris erupting around him as he hit the ground with a heavy thud.

Mia darted toward Freya. Her heart pounding with worry as she saw the goddess still seated in the center of the chamber. "Are you alright, uhm… Miss goddess?" Mia asked as she knelt beside her. Then she use her Boltr to shoot manacle on Freya's feet.

Freya looked up at Mia and immediately a warm smile spreading across her face. Her eyes sparkling with a mix of relief and happiness. She rose from her seated position and without warning she wrapped her arms around Mia. Mia stood there momentarily stunned and blinking a few times as the powerful goddess held her close.

"I'm so happy to see you again," Freya whispered, her voice soft and filled with gratitude. "Thank you for coming to save me, and I'm sorry I have to put you all through this."

"Uhm, yeah… We couldn't leave you here. Don't mention it," she replied.

Meanwhile, Erik had kept his focus on the fallen Nox.

"Liam, we need to finish him off. We can't risk letting him live," Erik said.

Liam nodded in agreement. Then together they raised their Boltrs and aimed at Nox, who was lying motionless on the ground. They pulled the triggers sending a volley of magical shells straight at him.

BANG!

BANG!

BANG!

But just as the shells were about to strike, barrier of red and black that look like swirling ink erupted around Nox's body. The shells collided with the barrier and dissipated into nothingness.

Erik and Liam's expression turn grim when they see that. And then Nox who had been lying just moments before began to stir.

"We need to get out of here!" Erik shouted to Mia and Freya. "Now!"

However, Freya shook her head. Her eyes burning with fury. "We can't leave, not while he's still alive."

Nox as he slowly began to rise, his body encased in the red and black barrier. The sight of him standing again only fueled her anger.

"We have to kill him," Freya continued.

As Freya's words hung in the air, Erik, Liam, and Mia felt a shiver run down their spines. The memory of their previous encounters with Nox when they are in the near brushes with death and the overwhelming power he had wielded against them flashed through their minds. They had faced him before, and even though they had grown stronger since then the fear that had gripped them in those moments still lingered in the depths of their hearts.

For a brief moment doubt flickered in their minds. Could they really take him down now? Nox had almost killed them before and his strength was undeniable.

But as they looked at the fallen Nox who now slowly rising to his feet, they knew Freya was right. This was their best chance to end him before he could regain his full power and pose an even greater threat in the future.

He was surrounded, caught off guard, and they were not the same as before. They had Freya by their side as well.

Erik clenched his fists, steeling himself. He glanced at Liam and Mia who both nodded in silent agreement. They couldn't allow Nox to escape, not after everything he had done.

Nox's body trembled with rage as he slowly rose to his feet. The damage inflicted by Erik's shot was so bad that his head nearly destroyed. But it was already beginning to regenerate.

His pale face reformed but his mask was gone, revealing his true face. A ghastly pale face with sharp, pointy ears and eyes that were entirely black. His lips curled into a snarl, and though his voice hadn't yet returned, the fury in his gaze was so clear.

He locked eyes with Erik, Liam, and Mia, growling in rage. These three mortal children had disrupted his plans once again, had dared to hurt him, and now stood defiantly before him.

"We can't leave either way before killing him."

The trio knew she was right.

Nox then reached for his weapon. The dark energy around him crackled as he unsheathed his black shortsword.

And with a guttural roar he charged at Erik.

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