Chapter 32: Blood and Air
Rafik soared through the air, the wind roaring past his ears, eyes locked on the suited guard barreling toward him. As they collided midair, Rafik grabbed hold of the man, using their momentum to tear open the sleek, armored suit with brute force. Sparks danced from the exposed tech within—the core now vulnerable.
But the guard wasn't going down without a fight.
A blade shot from the guard's wrist, thrusting upward toward Rafik's face.
Rafik jerked his head just in time. The blade missed his eye by inches but scraped across his cheek, slicing skin and drawing blood. Scarlet droplets beaded, suspended for a split second in the air, before gravity pulled them down—splattering directly onto the exposed core.
"Stupid!!" Rafik growled, fury flashing in his eyes.
With a burst of focus, a shimmering wing of ice sprouted from Rafik's back. It unfurled in a swift, graceful arc, catching the air and guiding him downward. He maneuvered it with precision, not just to soften his own landing—but to position for the finishing blow.
As he descended, the blood-soaked core of the guard shimmered with the residue of his wound. Rafik reached out, his fingers twitching with elemental control. Instantly, the droplets of blood began to crystallize—freezing into razor-sharp shards of ice.
With a flick of his will, they shot inward, impaling the core from the inside.
"And that's the way it goes!!" Rafik shouted as he and Trey landed on the ground.
Trey was already grinning, admiration and adrenaline written all over his face. He slapped Rafik hard on the back.
"Damn, two for two, Rafik!!"