Fallen angel ( 2/2 )

    Aiming her without pause, at the moment she seized another card a feather spiked her hand. Ling took a look at her wound. The following instant she gazed back at Kiseki, though… She couldn’t see him anymore. Mere feathers remained, gradually falling from the place he should had been.

“Don’t make any move.”

    She could feel a pressure against her neck. The voice came from behind her. Kiseki had flown right upon there, his wings folded. He was holding a bloody spade card, threatening to cut her throat.

    A fascinated and satisfied smile appeared across Ling’s face. How unexpected from him to manage to corner her in his state. However, no matter if he slayed her as she would win in either way, regardless of the manner the things would end.

“Just do it, Kiseki. Don’t you dream of it? Aren’t you here for that? To dispense justice on your own behalf.”

    Yes… Even if he killed her, her death would mark the end of his righteous path. He would no longer be the boring marionette of justice, but a drastically different being. A being animated by a selfish desire of vengeance and self contentment.

    She desired to see it by herself. Hence, turning her head, she glanced at Kiseki Idonosoko.

“Be my fallen angel.” she murmured, as trying to tempt the grimmest part of his soul.

    Seemingly, Ling was thrilled by what she foresaw, as she let out an ominous laugh. Though that was her last one. Maybe being cautious as she didn’t respect his warning, maybe becoming fearful hearing her, Kiseki slitted her throat in a clean blow.

    Taking a step away, he let the Player fall heavily on the ground. Ling Zhen didn’t make a single move, her blood soon shaping into a scarlet puddle.

    His face covered with drops of sweat, the black-haired man let out a brief sigh of relief before turning away, already looking for someone else.

“I’ve wasted too much time…”

    Heading to his next target, he tried not to reel.

***

    Remarking Kiseki approaching the centre of the stage where he had an eye on everything, the leader of the Player observed him with interest glistening in his gaze. To have defeated his right-hand woman was undeniably impressive. However, the black-haired man had drawn in his latest strengths, pushed in his very limits.

    Kiseki had difficulties in walking, it didn’t escape Woodle’s vision. The poison apparently affected his sense of balance, sweat already pearling on his face.

    When he reached Woodle's position Kiseki swayed, barely avoiding to fall.

“Is everything okay, inspector Idonosoko? I find you a bit pale. Oh dear! Did your daughter possibly choose not to come with you?”

    Placing a flat hand upon his mouth, he feigned sheer astonishment.

    Kiseki gritted his teeth to the provocation, glaring at the hacker with a glow of anger in his forest-green eyes.

“No matter what… I will not abandon her. Never! All I have done until now, it was for her… I will do my everything… My everything to make sure she would be safe and sound.”

    Not responding to his words, Woodle first approached the inspector with a moderate pace, examining his expression.

“I see. This means, from the very beginning you knew she was alive. Such a big liar we have here. It seems that lying to your citizens is part of your habits.”

    To these words, Kiseki winced bitterly. The wings that had appeared in his back began to fall apart, disaggregating feather after feather.

“I did not have the choice.”

“How insolent.”

    Extending his arms, raising his hands, Woodle seemed to refer to everything that surrounded them.

“The present is the result of all our choices put together. At any moment, any human possesses hundreds, thousands of possibilities.” as he spoke, the leader of the gang lowered one of his arms while tightening an invisible thread in his other hand. “With each passing moment we choose to do or not to do this, to say or not to say that. Come on, you are insulting the splendour, the complexity of our world.”

    Before Kiseki reacted to his commentary, Woodle smiled apparently without a reason, closing his eyes for a second. Then, seizing an object in his sling bag, he threw it behind him giving a fillip to his wrist. The instant after it exploded, flames burning the feathers that Kiseki tried to accumulate discreetly.

“I am offended. Did you genuinely think that the same trick you used on Silver Bullet would work on me? Be more imaginative, please.”

    Kiseki widened his eyes, shocked of the ease of that young boy to spot his attack. Was it that gross? What could he possibly do in his state then?…

“Come on, don't let me speak alone, you didn't answer me. Oh? Maybe you also have difficulties in thinking clearly. Would you need this, by any chance?”

    And, while saying this, the Player drew out of a pocket a phial containing an unknown liquid. That was the antidote! How entertaining to see the incredulity in the eyes of Kiseki. That was the sole thing he needed to recover enough forces to fight back properly. It was there, right underneath his nose. And if he didn’t take it promptly, he would give up the ghost in no time.

    Gathering all of his remaining strengths to avoid losing consciousness, he took in a brisk of an eye his gun and pointed it at Woodle. His furious glare didn’t let place to a single doubt. He hadn’t placed all his might in defeating Ling to fail that close of his aim.

“Give it to me. Don’t attempt anything suspicious.” he threatened, ready to fire though panting.

    Not even glancing at the weapon pointed on him, Woodle's grin became larger while he mid-closed his eyes. It particularly irritated Kiseki.

“Are you deaf?! I won't have any remorse face to your corpse.”

“Oh, you misunderstood me, my bad. I wasn't laughing at your act, I just came to think it is the first time you are truly trying hard for something.”

“I have no time for your pranks. Extend me the antidote now!” he urged him, about to pull the trigger.

“Hmm. What should I do?” he answered full of mischief, as not really concerned by the gun directed at him.

    It seemed that playing with his enemy’s nerves was of a greater priority.

    Albeit, as they were talking, the phial burst into pieces shattering all around. Kiseki and Woodle froze. The saving liquid spattered on the ground, soaking it.