[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/210419/b20e29e2aece398f677b72adcb18d2b2.png[/img] [h3][color=#aedfbc]V[/color][color=#b5d6be]E[/color][color=#bcccc1]R[/color][color=#c3c3c3]S[/color][color=#a2a2a1]U[/color][color=#80807e]S[/color][/h3] [img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/dHRmLjcyLmMyZTViYy5TMjlpY21FZ1FXZGxiblEuMA/sinbad-the-sailor.regular.webp[/img] [/center] [center][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsiVHXSK1cY]Battle music[/url][/center] Riley ignored Viktor’s warning. His rage was fueled by a mixture of a second unmeasured dose of Kobra venom and the pheromones lingering in his blood. He was all brute strength without much thought behind what he was doing. The teen used his hulking body to his advantage, lunging forward at Viktor. [Color=silver][I]Unfortunate.[/I][/color] Fighting Riley was not his intention. He was part of the objective after all, but whatever he had done to himself made him a viable threat to everyone here. A deep roaring sound loosened from the back of Riley's throat and he clasped both his hands together smashing down right where Viktor stood. Like before, but this time without a sniper rifle in hand, Viktor sidestepped to the right. Riley growled when he failed to hit Viktor by outmaneuvering him. He was fast. Unlike before, Viktor delivered three body shots to Riley's exposed side. The teen managed to stay on his feet, taking Viktor’s hard blows to his ribs. He was strong too. Despite stumbling to his right from the swift blows, Riley still desired to prove his strength was superior. He had to be better, he had to be the best. The Kobra venom gave him the edge and he was confident he could find victory. Grabbing the closest desk to him he hurled it at Viktor. The metal desk made a ringing sound, flying straight ahead at a devastating velocity. As impressive as the feat was, Viktor found the rudimentary attack simple to avoid by dropping down into a low crouch [Color=silver][I]I'll end it now.[/I][/color] As the desk cleared over Viktor, he dashed forward as he intended to continue to fight Riley without the use of any of his weapons for obvious reasons. Riley roared. It was a distorted and inhuman sound. Having failed to land any attacks on Viktor he was growing more frustrated and frantic. As soon as Viktor was in reach he brought down his fists again. He was aiming at no particular part of his body, and that was his folly in all of this. So much strength, and no way to use it effectively. Viktor weaved beneath the punch lining himself up for a clean back uppercut into Riley's jaw. The punch being strong enough to stun him long enough for Viktor to move around behind him before gripping firmly around Riley's waist. There was no showboating or hesitation... No hatred or relief… and above all else, there was not an ounce of mercy. With a powerful thrust, Viktor suplexed Riley's head and neck backward into the floor. The critical move proved to be enough to floor Riley after his head was banged against the floor hard enough to chip and crack its surface. Viktor stood up and looked down upon the teen. [Color=silver][I]Proper form. The right amount of force. Good.[/I][/color] Viktor was aware how deadly such a move could be, but he counted on Riley's enhanced body being able to take away some of the risk. The force of the impact left the roided teenager in a pile of arms and legs on the floor. [Color=silver][I]With you out of the way…[/I][/color] Viktor looked around at his surroundings. The way he and Kassy found Ja in this room put him on edge. Riley had been a bit of an issue but the woman that was entangled within this entire operation may have been the source of it all. His eyes glanced toward where Kass had escaped with Ja before darting toward the opposite direction, to the room left unexplored. Trap or not, Viktor would proceed, confident in his ability to overcome whatever he'd face ahead. He pushed the door open and stepped through with his head on a swivel. Initially there was nothing to report but something particularly poked at his senses. [Color=silver][I]That scent… Sweet yet subtle as to draw one closer…[/I][/color] Despite his thoughts he continued his entry toward the center of the room. [Color=silver][I]No different than a hunter disguising themselves like their target's prey… anglerfish, venus fly trap, spider-snake…[/I][/color] He about faced, looking to where he had entered as he thought he heard something peculiar. He could have followed the sound back to the previous room, but the scent… the scent was… With a fluid motion, Viktor unsheathed his sword and turned around just in time to set the blade beside the throat of the mysterious woman that had been attempting to escape him. [Color=silver]“Perfume? That's your downfall? Tch.”[/color] Viktor was mildly disappointed in her. The woman took a controlled breath. She stayed calm, despite the blade being very close to her most prized asset. If he was here that meant Riley was defeated. That idiot really couldn’t do anything right. Out of all the teens she enthralled to do her dirty work he was by far the worst. This turn of events severely limited her options and she didn’t like it at all. [color=Palevioletred]“I was hoping it would be you.”[/color]. She smirked. Viktor narrowed his eyes at the comment, trying to discern a deeper meaning behind it. While Viktor pondered this, the woman had her thoughts lingering on what to do next. She had to think carefully about her next move. Viktor was fully suited up, armed and unlike most men wasn’t particularly happy to see her. For her, there was something thrilling about being in actual danger. Before deciding on a plan she'd be patient and feel out the energy between them. The young woman found Viktor difficult to gauge; his body language was stiff and tense and his face was hidden behind a dark tinted visor. Something would need to change about this if she was going to get what she desired. [color=Palevioletred]“You know I smell even better up close….”[/color] With the sword still so close to her face she didn’t dare to move. For now she would make it look like she was surrendering. [Color=silver]“You're not my type, so don't waste your breath. One false move, and I…”[/color] The blade slowly rotated so its very edge was staring her in the eyes. [Color=silver]“...will guarantee you will be no one's type.”[/color] Of course, he didn't really want that. Her capture would be the perfect way to gain intelligence on Kobra's entire operation. Maiming her would only make that process difficult. It was not [I]optimal[/I]. The emerald reflection of her eyes in Viktor’s blade showed a hint of fear. The chill of fear extended to her spine, making her shiver. She knew when to stop talking back to someone. His threat sounded very real and she wasn’t in the position to do much about it. And then there was that. It stung enough to nearly overtake her fear. It had been a long time since she’d been rejected like that. [Color=Palevioletred]“What do you want?”[/color] Her smirk had dropped. He didn't answer, though he liked her better this way. The facade was torn down and her true face was shown. He raised his free hand up to his helmet, pressing on the exterior button to communicate with the others upstairs. [Color=silver]“Team. I have the sniper, over.”[/color] There was no reply back causing Viktor to sigh. [Color=silver]“Team. Rain. I have the female sniper, over.“[/color] His eyes remained affixed to her, but the comms issue was definitely pulling away his attention. The blade of the sword trembled as Viktor's grip tightened around it. [Color=silver]“Team! Comms che-“[/color] [color=82ca9d]“LEAVE HER ALONE!”[/color] Viktor felt a large hand grip the back of his neck and raise him up. The sword's blade narrowly missed the girl’s nose as it rose up and from her neck. Riley took two steps forward and threw Viktor across the room and into a wall. [Color=82ca9d]“I got you babe. Did he hurt you?”[/color] [color=Palevioletred]“You moron, he almost hit my FACE!!”[/color] She backhanded Riley with a surprising amount of force. He stumped back, both her hand and his cheek were stinging afterwards. Now that she was back in control of the situation, the anger she’d suppressed earlier was spilling out. She was trembling in place, taking shuddered breaths. [color=82ca9d]“I’ll kill him..”[/color] Riley growled in a low voice. At first there was no response from her until Riley started to move towards Viktor. [color=Palevioletred]“No….I have a better idea.”[/color] Riley stopped dead in his tracks and turned back to face her, waiting for her command. [color=Palevioletred]“Hold him down.”[/color] Viktor was starting to recover from the impact of hitting the wall. [Color=silver][I]Shit[/I][/color] He rolled onto his back but before he had the opportunity to recover his weapon that had fallen beside him, Riley was on top of him. Viktor immediately punched him in the gut which both hurt and enraged Riley. With his gills flaring, he swung wildly at Viktor who attempted to block the heavy blows. [Color=silver][I]I just need to withstand this… but his strength…[/I][/color] Viktor then felt Riley attempting to take control of his arms. [Color=silver][I]No![/I][/color] While the two guys struggled to outwin the other, the girl moved in quickly. When an opening was available, she took a deep breath as she raised her leg up high before swinging it down. The girl delivered a devastating axe-kick to Viiktor’s helmet, shattering the tough material of his visor with surprising ease. The shards of visor pierced and cut into his face within. Despite it all, however, he was still fighting against Riley's grip. [Color=silver][I]How could I allow this?! I [b]will[/b] not fail here![/I][/color] Riley was suddenly assaulted by a precise spat in the eyes. As desperate and cheap as the assault was, Viktor took advantage of Riley briefly releasing his arms. A grunt escaped him as he threw a punch at one of Riley's flared gills causing the hulking teen to scream and lean toward the girl. [Color=silver][I]Perfect[/I][/color]. With as much strength as he could muster, he thrust his hips upward to send Riley toppling over into her. Riley’s body slammed into her. The mass of muscles colliding with her small frame caused her to fall backwards, tumbling over one of the half emptied desks. She landed on the other side. Meanwhile, Viktor quickly rolled in the opposite direction creating the space necessary to safely push up onto his feet. [Color=silver]“That [b]will not[/b] happen again.”[/color] Viktor's voice carried a tinge of anger with it. He removed his helmet, clearly revealing his cut face that was already in the process of healing. He eyed his two foes recovering from what he had done. For the girl, there was the pain of her fall and another stinging sensation at the small of her back. Something pointed was digging into her. She rolled away in order to identify the cause. One of the testing tube holders was lying next to her. She was so done with this. This was far too much fighting for her liking. The girl forced herself to stand up and appraised the situation inside the room. Her eyes narrowed when she saw Viktor was also back on his feet. Now without his helmet she could see his face clearly. She was disappointed to find the damage she’d done was starting to heal up. Maybe she wasn’t trying hard enough. While this was usually the time she would exit the scene, something was gnawing at her. This was the second time he had the guts to physically assault her and he stole her weapon. A rifle which was fully customized to her tastes, irreplaceable and extremely expensive. [color=Palevioletred]“Riley…..”[/color] This time she was going to be petty and get even. [color=Palevioletred]“Take him down.”[/color] Without hesitation Riley charged back in. He grabbed a broken chair and launched it at Viktor with one arm. Throwing furniture around hadn't worked previously, but he was willing to try any form of attack for [I]her[/]/I] and especially against [I]him[/I]. Riley recognized Viktor as the guy who got on his nerves at the convenience store. Even more reason to break his face! Again, Viktor evaded Riley's attack, but this time around, Riley was slightly prepared for Viktor to do just that. With his next action, he attempted to quickly close the remaining distance and so he could repeatedly strike at Viktor like before. Each swing hit air, and not only that, every few misses he could feel the sting of Viktor's counter strikes. The girl watched and waited, lurking while studying the flow of the fight while being just out of reach. Decisively, she came in low to Viktor’s blind side, delivering a strong calf kick. The slight buckling of one of Viktor's legs was enough to unbalance him. And with that, Riley was able to land a punch to his face. Viktor stumbled backward, nearly falling but managed to regain his footing. His emerald eyes looked between both of his opponents, their differences in approach being a dangerous combination for him. Still, he would persist. [Color=silver][I]Two foes. One an objective. Comms are down. Helmet is destroyed. My team is up above, status unknown. Regrouping is an option but retreating doesn't ensure securing Riley. There's her. Another unknown factor… Fine, I'll stop them here and regroup with the others.[/I][/color] Viktor grinned. He couldn't help but feel a rush at the prospect of testing his prowess. The sliver of sympathy he felt for Riley was only just that. As long as he didn't kill either of them he could let loose. The three clashed against each other in the open room. Just as before, Riley was the aggressor and the girl complimented his wild fury with her precision. Viktor was fighting well at first but as he parried Riley, he was struck by the girl. Every time he maneuvered to strike the girl, he was interrupted by Riley. As the engagement continued, their combined attacks broke through more and more. The girl smirked as if answering Viktor's previous grin. Each time Riley created an opening she struck at Viktor, like a snake striking at a large mammal. The strength of her kicks was uncanny considering her size. Viktor was losing this. [color=Palevioletred]“Tired yet?”[/color] She dodged a kick and Riley took this chance. With a grunt, he grabbed Viktor by his dangling hood and slammed him to the ground. [color=Palevioletred][I]Now![/I][/color] She moved in and kicked Viktor in his side hard enough to send him rolling and then pounced on top of him. The girl relished the feeling of finally being back in control, with Viktor writhing beneath her. Her gaze went to his exposed neck. Something within her form shifted, became more predatory. Her hands turned Viktor's face to the side and she lowered her mouth towards him. The bite was quick, hollowed fangs pumping pheromones into his bloodstream. Both of their green eyes were overshadowed by their expanding pupils, almost looking possessed by some otherworldly force. A forceful push broke their intimate exchange. The girl fell backwards, satisfied and slightly out of breath. Riley approached but she raised a hand which directed him to halt where he stood. A bite like that was a nail in the coffin for the fight. Now was the time to string along such an exceptional thrall. Viktor rose to his feet. One hand was holding his side while the other brushed against his neck where he had been bitten. His eyes were affixed toward the ground as a strange feeling took hold of him. The experience was both overwhelming and strange but he couldn't deny the… Was it relief? No, there was something else. His eyes met the girl's own as he finally raised his head. [Color=silver]“Disgusting.”[/color] His jaw clenched as he scowled at her, but he also felt himself fighting a primal urge. [Color=silver]“What did you…”[/color] It dawned on him. Talon, Thiago, Ja, Riley, and the other teenagers! It wasn't the dart rifle, it was [I]her[/I]. Viktor narrowed his eyes and he reached for his belt.