Burning Mirrors [Part 2]

“Enough of this!” Zuma yelled, as his voice echoed in every corner of this crushing alleyway. Forcefully releasing himself from Chima, causing the two to send themself in opposing directions. “Just tell me where’s that young boy, Chalchiuhtlicue!” He then asked calmly, straightening his back. Changing his vocals as if he were talking to an old business partner.

Chima spoke no words, as he took this moment to catch his still fleeing breath. Knowing that their fight would be long, he now decides to take breaks when needed. So he waits, and listens to Zuma’s separate motives from his own. Chima then slightly shifts the position of his footing, without a wasted breath, he charges forward to Zuma. However, this action was still not enough to out maneuver Zuma, as he leaped in the air, just centimeters away from Chima’s fists to his face. Causing Chima to nearly collide with the wall that was behind Zuma.

Releasing himself from the damaged wall, Chima paused—He can’t be talking about Izel? Can he?—He thought, as his passionate personal motives began to fade slightly, he made the connection. There is an unannounced past for these two individuals, Chima is fortunately understanding of the situation. Recognizing that he cannot let his hubris get in the way of the safety of Izel or the others. However, this history they share is beginning to bellow with every second. Making it challenging to ignore.

“Wait, you’re telling me that you don’t want to catch up on old times?” Chima remarked, savoring the night air. “I figured that your thoughtful Calling card from the other week was a simple invitation.” He grinned.

“In some angles.” Zuma spoke as if there’s always a hidden blade by his side. “I know who you are, and who you’re with. You and I both know we’ve done what we can in the past for the greater good. I know that you’ve made difficult decisions, but never the wrong one.” He calmly argued.

“That’s not me anymore Zuma.” Chima plainly remarked.

“Just hand me the boy, it will be for everyone’s benefit.” Zuma asked, raising his arm as if to bait Chima with the hope for a better future.

“To think you just wanted to have our good ol’ sparring matches?” Chima soon remarked. “Then a few beers while we reminisce over war stories.” He prolonged, sparking an irrelevant conversation.

“As much as I’d like to continue this, I’m on the clock right now.” Zuma mentioned.

“So why did you get my attention then?” Chima asked.

“Don’t play dumb with me… I saw you with the boy.” Zuma sighed.

“I’m afraid I don’t know what you are talking about.” Chima remarked, elevating his voice. “Now, just leave this city before I make you—Permanently.” He then threatened.

“I can’t do that. My clients need the tech in that boy’s body.” Zuma explained, surprisingly calm.

Zuma launches himself forward to Chima, forcing him to readied his body for the on coming assault. However, Zuma’s arm transmuted into a surprising sight, hissing with cybernetic mechanics. Zuma had installed a small machine gun within his forearm! Instantly aiming in Chima’s fastly approaching direction. Harsh snapped off deadly metal projectiles fired at Chima, immediately coming in contact with his body. Thankfully he’s still a beast of war and is able to continue with relative ease from the clear bullet wounds afflicted.

Zuma tackled Chima with great force, demolishing the wall behind them. Blurred once again, Chima could only recognize shapes in colors with the pure taste of blood in his mouth. Just barely able to shield himself with his arms, Chima was unable to break free from Zuma’s onslaught. Struggling to stand with his back against the destroyed wall, Chima had to think quickly. He suddenly wrenched his elbow behind him with the hopes to further destroy the already damaged wall.

With a stroke of luck, the wall did shatter further, but only enough to slow Zuma’s movements. Still slow enough to land a single blow to Zuma’s head: Using his own skull, Chima was able to connect head to head with Zuma’s. Quickly shaking Zuma’s whole person. Chima had to take this opportunity to potentially end the fight: Using all his strength, he catapulted himself to Zuma. Eyes forming into desperation, Zuma threw three cartridges in Chima’s direction.

Each cartridge released a small explosion! Covering the area with weak fire and wicked electricity, as one of the cartridges was an EMP (electromagnetic pulse). Zuma was ready for the fight to be over, amazingly, Chima’s charge hadn’t slowed in the slightest. As the gap between the two decreased, Zuma was unable to react properly and could only watch Chima’s monstrous fist brand his own face. Blasting Zuma backward.

Chima took a fast moment of triumph, but still understood that the battle wasn't won just yet. Taking all of the night air into his lungs, he ran to Zuma’s falling body. Zuma saw him charging at him once more, so he transformed his arm once again into a machine gun. Chima has seen this tactic once already and acted accordingly. Ready for Zuma’s devilish trick, Chima quickly redirects the gunfire with ease. In that impossibly fast second of predicting one another’s actions: Zuma could only growl, trying to free himself from Chima’s crushing footprint on his machine gun arm.

“How—?” Zuma seethed with boiling rage that Chima is still standing.

“Micro reactor prosthetics… I already know all your dirty tricks…” Chima calmly answered, towering over Zuma’s beaten body.

“Burn in hell—!” Zuma cursed.

“I told you long ago, Zuma.” Chima declared, breathing as if he were in pain.

Chima’s cybernetic arm buzzed a horrifying sound, while he just looked at Zuma with a strange pity. Chima readied his final strike and yelled in anger that this situation had to end like this—With an abruptness that shook Chima to his core, still seeing Zuma’s unaltered face, Chima’s final attack was stopped: A sudden bear palm that seemingly appeared from nowhere had easily caught Chima’s devastating fist.