Chapter 32: Broken Agony

As the fight went on between the high ranking Guard of the mine and the lowly slave. Numerous fist was lunch carrying devastating force but was evaded skillfully with flowing movements of a veteran soldier. Zyro's lithe build also played its part, compared to the Alpha's bulky body that's noticably lack flexibility. From time to time, occasional openings appeared for Zyro to deliver fatal strikes to vulnerable parts using solid kicks and punches. Sometimes, the man tried tripping or grabbing him which Zyro swiftly avoided with calculated footing, stepping back or hoping.

Zyro's fist and bare foot hurt, having loss count of the blows he dealt to that tough flesh of his opponent. Another straight found its way to the Alpha's lower lip, which is already bruised from multiple precise strike. If it were a normal human, his jaws would have cracked.

Currently, a full minute had pass. The man's face was littered with contusions on specific parts such as chin, nose, temple and his one unblind eye. Not to mention the parts Zyro mercilessly hit. Knee, spleen and liver area. Zyro tried targeting the genitals but was guarded by the man, rather heavily.

Growing aggravated, the Alpha awkwardly perform a front kick. Which was a mistake. Allowing Zyro to neared and, instead of a normal punch. He retracted his hand to release a elbow swipe, hitting the man cheek bone like a dagger. Inflecting a small cut. But no blood was spilled.

Breathing heavily, Zyro wearily thought. 'A vampire...'

The Alpha step back. So as Zyro, who was secretly glad. He tried to hide it but his untamable sweating and haggard breathing shows he failed.

His tired. Knackered badly enough to fell his muscles burn from the tax of evading all the man's blows.

On the other hand, the Alpha barely sweat. However, the slave infected damages had taken its toll to the man's body. His body hurt on several places, wavering his battle stature and rising his fury.

Supposedly, the guard is making a big mistake. His raged, untamed style of combat driven by rised wrath exhaust his energy greatly in a hasten pace with low return. He didn't even hit the slave once.

Yet, Zyro's already stern expression turn graver.

'A halfbreed vampire and Aster...'

Mixed breed wasn't rare, in fact. Pure's were more seldom than them. Unfortunately for Zyro's, his opponent turn out much more of a monster than he thought. Apparently, a born battle warrior specialize in close ranged combat. The Alpha who won't easily bleed nor exhausted. The worse this situation could offer.

Running wasn't an option either if for it's a competition of stamina. Which he already loss.

The Alpha check the cut with his finger and smile. Licking the blood of his finger as he maliciously stare at Zyro. He spat.

"Wretch!, I'll make sure to pay you generously if I caught you!"

This time, Zyro brazenly move forward. Currently, the battle was a fragile equilibrium. The man possess excessive might and energy while Zyro had skills to deliver lethal blows without getting hit. But his stamina is limited, currently reaching it's limit.

Still, it doesn't mean Zyro doesn't have a chance of winning. The Alpha was a sentient being, although not a brainy type, he have certain level of intelligence. Enough to know how to realize and hide his vulnerability to his opponent.

From the start of it all, Zyro didn't aim for the man's life. It'll be easier actually in all honesty. However, it's troublesome. Hence, Zyro could only hope to knock the Alpha unconscious. And doing so, he precisely aim most of his attack to the head fragile spots.

The alpha had injured and hidden it well. But in Zyro's keen eyes. The man's slipping consciousness, occasional dizziness, and disturbed awareness lay bare to be seen. His advertemcy is wading enabling him to vividly focused on the battle. Soon enough, his shaken mind will gave in depending on how much more he could withstand?

At present, not much.

Likewise to the slave. How long can Zyro keep dodging? Not long either.

Zyro inhaled a mouthful of air as he charged forward, the Alpha swing his arm wide aiming to grab the slippy young man. Like always, Zyro barely evade by squatting, followed by a quick upper cut. The Guard eyes dimmed as his body sway, struggling to mend failing consciousness. Seizing the opportunity, with all his spent might, he lunched a right swing aimed to the dazed opponent temple. But at that moment, Zyro vision blurred along with his mind.

Although, in normal circumstances in combat. Such short malfunction was salvageable. That is, in normal circumstances...

Zyro's precise strikes were fragile. demanding balanced and strict footing to generate the utmost power from the stumping feet, bending waist and leaning forward. Every possible muscles is used to contribute power requiring a certain stance depending on the position to transfer overall force towards the flying fist to deliver the strongest possible damage a human body can give.

However, Zyro's momentary daze in a critical moment of his punch cause his to miss. Failing to connect to the man temple, it slip and grazed towards the ear.

Without the expected flesh blocking to aid him retain balance. Zyro's body accidentally leaned forward, pulled by the punch he lunched. Supposedly, that attack meant to knock, if not. Stun the Alpha before he regain proper battle awareness. However, it failed. To Zyro's nightmare, the man had restore his senses just in time. And Zyro was dangerously close!

Due to the unexpected turn of events, his stance balance was ruined. Zyro tried to salvage the situation by quickly retracting back. Unfortunately, his mistakes doomed his for his hand was caught. Tightly gripped by that Alpha's inhumane strength.

'Shit!'

The last thing he knew, a harrowing pressure was press in his abdomen. Lightly lifting the slave foot as his body was push away. But the Guard hold remain firm, not letting him go.

With his right holding the slave, the Alpha send another raging attack at Zyro's stomach.

Zyro suppress his puke and tried to evade the upcoming blow. But fail measurably, instead of his stomach. It landed on his waist. Zyro's eyes dim.

The man's grip grew tighter, slowly regaining his clarity as blow after blow was inflicted on the poor young man.

Zyro puke blood.

With a pleased, smugness. The man viciously ask.

"What's wrong wrench!! Where's that...."

His insults were cut short by a sudden call of a youthful voice.

"P-please le-le-let him go" Said Pert with trembling lips, outside the safety of his home. Fear and anxiousness written all over the youth face. Tears can be seen under his golden eye.

The smile he always wore was no were to be seen.

The Alpha smirked with twisted amusement.

"Why should I? Do tell me, why?"

With shaking hand and barely able to stand before the predator, the kid pull out five dried meat. Lower himself to his knee and beg mournfully in tears.

"Please, spare him!"

Entertained by what's happening, the man drop the unmoving body of Zyro and headed towards the pleading kid.

'So his normal after all...'

Barely conscious, Zyro watch the kid pitiful performance. He knew, it was pointless negotiating with the Alpha even if you beg. So Pert attempt to set him free from harm was hopeless. Zyro can't blame him though, Pert is a kid, young and immature at heart no matter how knowledgeable he is.

If there's something on Zyro's mind, that'll be the question. Why? He can't understand the kid's action. They only known each other for 2 days. Technically, Zyro's still a stranger. So why?

He had an idea. Maybe due to his pretentious act of heroism when they first meet. Pert was simply repaying a favor that he already payed enough by being a useful source of knowledge.

Seeing the Alpha draw near to the poor kid, a heavy weight dawned upon his heart. He gritted his teeth, unable to do a thing.

He loss.

Not because his in a weaken condition and was already spent from work in the start nor lack stamina. In his calculation, he possess enough strength to beat the alpha as long as no mistake was made.

Unfortunately. Today, he had donated a litter of blood to certain old vampire in exchange for goods. Decreasing his bodily fluid, turning him a little anemic. Low blood cause occasional dizziness, it wasn't a severe problem. However, to his misfortune. It occurred in a crucial moment amidst intense battle. Causing his loss.

Zyro tightly gritted his teeth and shut his eyes. Feeling agony beyond physical realm, pounding on his heart. The taste of defeat was bitter, not because it tainted pride which he had none nor care for such a useless thing. But due to the consequences.

His unmoving body can only watch as the man walk toward the kneeling kid, so much that his Pert's forehead touch the ground.

As the man shadow fell upon him, looming above the blonde kid. He took the 5 droughty meats and wickedly simper.

"Sure, sure. I'll spare him... But tell me, where did you get this!"

Covered in cold sweats and shacking. Pert stuttered.

"I-in-in the village, we come along with the caravan and... A kind vampire give us some meat." As soon as the nervous kid finished those words. A kick send him rolling back a few meters.

"Lies!"

Everyone knew vampires don't get along with other humanoid species. Do why should they show kindness to lowlifes of another race. Still, the slim possibility remain but the man thought different.

Discontent, The man look at Pert's cavern entrance. And smirked as he made his way toward causing Zyro to curse again. Partially for kicking a feeble kid unconscious and the items inside Pert's home.

Zyro tried to move his ragged body but failed, again and again. He was too tired, pained and beaten. Human body has it's limits.

The man entered Pert's made up room to plunder or investigate... But found nothing of importance or strange.

'Of course the kid wasn't that dumb.'

Amidst all the despair, agony and hopelessness. A tint of joy appeared in Zyro. Gladden his items was atleast salvage.

However, his delight was short live. Knowing the horror his facing will soon, become hell.

After a few more look in vane. The Alpha sighed and shrugged, his not a fan of solving mysteries. Maybe the kid had told the truth.

Wearing a malicious face, the guard made his way towards the laying body of Zyro. The issue was more troublesome than expected, but it's time to get it done with.

Like a dreadful drum, the man steps sounded akin to approaching death.

Looming above Zyro all high and mighty bearing gifts of suffering. The Alpha look down at his prey with his, dark crimson eyes that seem to glow with malice and hunger.

"Your a tough one, honestly. Surely, I'll enjoy this." The Alpha's tone was cold enough to send shiver to those who hear it.

In response, Zyro grinned.

'Just get done with it you mustard!'

Was he afraid? A bit, but it's nothing new, really. Compared to pain tolerance tests he undergone, the following agony fall short, quite widely infact.

Distant screams of pain echoes within the nearby cave tunnels. As the Alpha guard mercilessly snap Zyro's arms.