Endless Vertex 6 Chapter 6: Hugh

Atlas and Hugh walked along the deserted hallway towards the elevator. They heard creaks of cameras targeting onto them.

The smell of tension pervade the top floor. Staring at the monitor, fidgeting their weapons, cold sweat dripping. Teams of henchmen surrounded the elevator, preparing for Atlas's arrival.

"He's that powerful?" Chris bellowed. "Are you sure!?"

"Yes, yes I am. I felt his presence. I felt... like an ant compared to him." Darwin shivered. They were in the control room, directly opposite to the elevator. Chris smashed the gorgeous vase beside his office table. Chris Rent. A ruthless man. Famous for his iron fists and rich background. His family was strong enough to set root in Daxrim city. But from what he has interpreted from elder Darwin, they were no match. At least right now.

"We fight to our deaths!" Chris patted Darwin's arm. "I'll take my weapon."

Heart pounding, Darwin hammered his chest with solemn,"yes sir, we can take them! I'll gather the elite team!"

Darwin left the room. "Good, that's very good." Chris sneered." More time for me to evacuate." The office room went darker.

Ding. The elevator beeped. Altas cluck his tongue," let's go."

"FBI open up!" The elevator door burst open, half of it soaring into a group of unlucky henchmen. Wielding the other half, Atlas pounced into the crowd like a tiger. A dagger drove towards his face. Atlas ducked, jabbing the man's chest. Hugh charged out as well, ramming into henchmen. The henchmen attempted to fight back, but it seemed futile.

"36...37... Amazing warmup!" Hugh shouted gleefully, bending a long metal stick to trap two younger punks." Go back to school and study kids. You're bad at this job."

Like a spinning tornado, Atlas traveled across the room, knocking everyone he meets unconscious. "69... Amazing number! What were you saying again?" Atlas cupped his hand over his ear.

Hugh rolled his eyes, continuing to 'play' with the henchmen.

"Where are the Warriors though?" Altas wondered. A sudden, sharp snap surfaced in Atlas's mind. "Watch out."

"Huh?" Hugh immediately sprawled into a crawling position. Several bullets sliced through a man who was in front of Hugh's original location, blood spraying. The body collapsed on the floor, the horror in his eyes met Hugh's gaze.

"What the hell?" Using the elevator door that was lying beside him as a shield, Hugh yelled with frustration." You took a life! Come out now! Fight me one on one! You cowards."

"No, you are the coward." A man in a yellow jacket walked out from a room disguised by a wooden book shelf at the end on the floor. "They are worthless henchmen. And you are too cowardly to kill any of them." Five other men in red jackets marched out the room, including the elder Darwin who chased Hugh a while ago.

"It seems like you were the one who took one of our brothers' life. You are in no position to argue about me killing anyone." The man in yellow fired another shot towards Atlas, only to end another innocent man's life.

"You suggested a duel. One on one." The man in yellow raised one of his brow. "We can initiate the battle right now. By the way, my name is..."

"Your name does not deserve rememberance." Hugh's weapon bashed the ground with a heavy thud. "The Warrior that I killed. I saw him take away my seniors life. He showed no mercy! He deserved to die! The men you killed? They displayed no motive to kill. I kill for good deeds. You kill for fun!"

"Oh. That's interesting. Then you will definitely be fascinated about what I say next. Do you want to know who killed your mother? Me! I did! I also killed a little boy in that gym. What was his name? Right, Owen Kent. Read his name tag, had to reassure." The man in yellow let out a maniacal laugh.

"He cried that his brother will go save him! Too bad his brother not only couldn't, but also didn't."

Long deadly silence permeate the air. The henchmen has already scurried off. Atlas stood by the side, arms folded, his vision fixed on the other five Warriors. He was barely suppressing his raging urge to go forth and harshly punish the man in yellow, but he knew he shouldn't. It was Hugh's fight. A battle to restore his honor. A battle to avenge his family.

The world has gone silent. Increasing paced breathing blared horrifyingly. Hugh's chocolate brown eyes inflicted emptiness, fading into an immensely blank grey.

His lips quivered." Mother... Owen..." A tear rolled down his cheek. Staring blankly, Hugh fell on his knees.

"Father. I failed to keep my promise. But," The floor beneath him cracked a star-shape pattern." I believe you will all forgive me, as today will be the day I slay that monster."

Chapter end