Chapter 31: Angel never wins, does he?

Chapter 31: Chapter 31: Angel never wins, does he?

Chapter 31: ANGEL NEVER WINS, DOES HE?

*PIUUUUUUUU!!!*

The laser tore through the air. It wasn’t a bullet anymore. It was a pillar of red death. Obliterating anything in its path.

Angel shot into the sky, wings snapping open. He twisted, rolled, dove.

But Guner wasn’t aiming. He was literally erasing.

*PIU! PIU! PIU!*

Each shot carved trenches into the mall floor. Glass melted. Pillars vaporized.

Tabitha’s breath caught. Her hands shook.

"Nooo... Angel is weak. He can’t keep dodging like this."

"Mom. Will Dad be okay?" Jerry asked. With his small voice and big eyes. He hadn’t moved.

Tabitha forced a smile, pulling him close.

"Your dad always wins, honey. Remember? He’s top 2."

---

Outside the purple barrier, in a dark alley, two figures watched.

A girl with long crescent-purple hair. Nene.

Beside her, a boy in a Victorian suit, a massive axe resting on his shoulder. Falco.

"You think Angel will win, Nene?" Falco asked, grinning.

"What you should be asking is... how long will Angel survive?" Nene replied coldly.

"You really think Boss is gonna beat him? Angel’s already at the walking the dietified steps. Killing him is like killing a demigod."

"The problem with ascension," Nene said, "is you’re powerless on the steps. Right now, Angel is no different from an ordinary Calamity. Or a Good Deeder."

"The heroes will be here any second."

"They’ll never break through my barrier," Nene said. Her smile didn’t reach her eyes.

---

Inside, Guner mock Angle

"WHY DON’T YOU STAND AND FIGHT LIKE A MAN, YOU PIECE OF SHIT!!"

"Boss never changes, does he?" Falco chuckled.

"Vulgar and violent. Still standing after all these years," Nene said softly.

"Even with old age catching up," Falco finished.

Angel’s eyes burned.

He shot upward like a missile. The laser chased him, boiling the air behind him.

"You dare mock me?!"

He twisted mid-air and Changed trajectory.

FIUUU!!!

He became an eagle. A dive bomber. Straight at Guner and straight into the laser.

"What is he doing?!" Falco shot forward.

"Is he insane? He wants to charge it head-on?!" Nene’s composure shook.

"NOO!!" Tabitha screamed.

He’s not gonna make it.....

Her eyes darted. Rubble. Smoke. Then — a sharpened rebar, half-buried in debris.

She ran and grabbed it desperately. Then she pulled with everything she has.

But it didn’t even budge.

She yanked again. And again. But none of it works, blood began to cover her hand when she suddenly felt another bruised hand covered hers. A stranger. He was also bleeding with his ribs broken

"Just pull," he rasped. "Angel has to defeat that Calamity."

Tabitha nodded. Then both of them Pulled.

Jerry also came grabbed the rod too.

"Jerry, you’ll hurt yourself—"

"No!" Jerry’s voice was steel. "I wanna help!"

*BOOM!!!*

The ground quaked. The air distorted.

Angel and Guner collided.

Laser met feather. Light met wing.

The space between them warped. Heat rolled out in waves.

But inch by inch, Angel was being pushed back.

"WHAT’S WRONG, ANGEL?!" Guner roared, veins bulging. "CAN’T PUSH A CALAMITY BACK?!"

The gun in his hand screamed louder. The beam grew thicker.

I can’t kill him...and I can’t run away either.

Then I guess I’ll just have to go all out.

Angel’s face twisted. Blood in his teeth.

Both wings snapped forward, becoming shields.

"I WILL NOT LET YOU PUSH ME BACKKKK!!!"

"BRING IT OOOONNNNN, MOTHERFUCKER!!!"

His spirit flared. Holy light bled from his feathers.

*CRACK!*

But the pressure was too strong, the laser pierced right through his left wing. It didn’t stop their, the laser pierced the wing and pierced right through his arm

Blood sprayed.

But Angel didn’t stop. He let it pierce deeper.

I have to get closer....I...HAVE TO!!

Blood poured from his mouth.

"NOW!!" the stranger yelled.

Tabitha, Jerry, and the stranger yanked with everything they had.

The rebar screeched free.

Tabitha didn’t even stop to think. She just grabbed it and ran.

Angel was almost on Guner now. With One last surge.

He ripped his thickest, sharpest feather free. It hardened in his grip, glowing like a blade.

*THRUUT!!!*

He drove it straight into Guner’s neck.

Falco and Nene both froze.

"...That’s resilient," Falco breathed. "He tanked the laser just to get in range."

"He used his body as a shield," Nene said. "But if that didn’t work..."

"He dies either way," Falco cut in.

But surprisingly Guner didn’t fall. Instead he smiled. Wicked and Knowing.

He reached up. Grabbed the feather-blade.

And pulled it out of his own neck. No blood. Just smoke.

"How...?" Angel choked. That attack was his last resort, his most strongest attack saved up. The thought of Guner blocking it instantly killed Angles spirit.

"I saw your trick coming," Guner said. He caught Angel’s wrist mid-strike and crushed it.

Then his other hand came up. The laser gun reformed, glowing against Angel’s stomach.

Guner leaned in, close enough for Angel to see his own reflection in Guner’s eyes.

"Any last words, Angel?"