ISSUE #5
SHOWDOWN
Royal Palace Hotel
New York City, New YorkI looked up at the building before me. It was painted gold, with a large red sign out front proclaiming "The Royal Palace". 50 floors, ending with the penthouse at the top. That's where my brother was. Readjusting my equipment, I took in a deep breath and strode through the doors, looking around. The foyer was nice and open, with a reception desk dead ahead. Behind it was the elevators, as well as a door to the stairs tucked into the corner of the room. Aside from myself and the receptionist, there was no one in the foyer.
I walked past a few sofas for those waiting for their rooms and headed up to the receptionist. She was looking at her computer, typing away and not noticing me. I rang the bell on the desk, and she turned to look at me, only for her eyes to widen at the sword strapped to my back. I smiled.
"Hi, is there a Deacon Frost staying here?""U-um... Yes... Top floor penthouse.""Could you let me into there? It's important.""H-he said that he was, um, waiting for s-someone... Are you E-Eric Brooks?"I bowed slightly.
"Why yes, I am. Nice talking to you." I walked past her, flashing her a peace sign, and went into the elevator. I pressed the button for the penthouse, then began my ascent. Just about time to end this...
Abraham Whistler's Home
Albany, New York
Ten Years AgoIt seemed like such a simpler time.
It was our tenth birthday, and Whistler had just gotten home with our cake. He didn't want us to call him dad for whatever reason, said that he wasn't our father and wasn't going to pretend he was either. Still, he was always kind to us, in a gruff sort of way, and made sure we had as normal a life we could have outside of our less than normal activities.
"I want the chocolate slice!" Deacon had shouted upon seeing the cake; it was small and cut into three pieces, one chocolate, one vanilla, and one strawberry.
I glared at him.
"No, I want the chocolate!" I shoved him for good measure. All that did was result in him shoving me right back, and soon we were about to break out into a full blown fistfight.
"Boys, boys, settle down. You can split the chocolate slice and the vanilla slice," Whistler said in a gruff voice. Deacon and I both cheered as he took a knife and began to split the pieces. Our fight forgotten, we ate our cake, happy to have finally hit that fabled double digits age...
I snapped out of my recollections as I heard the ding of the elevator door opening.
I stepped out of the elevator and into the penthouse. It was decorated sparsely, spotless clean, and a stark white that almost gave the floors and walls a reflective sheen. I looked around for any sign as to where Deacon was, and spotted his silhouette through a sliding glass door leading to the balcony, his back turned to me. I readied my sword, stepping through the door and striding towards him.
The balcony was large and open, no obstructions of any kind to get in the way of our battle. It was raining now, as if setting the mood for our climactic duel. I gave a chuckle.
"Man, this is one shitty party you've thrown, bro. No drinks, no music, no babes...""My apologies, brother," he turned to face me. He hasn't changed at all. The same pale aristocratic features, the same slicked back hair, the same cold grey eyes.
"I was so eager to see you again, that I couldn't focus on preparations for the bash."I chuckled, resting my sword against my shoulder as I began to pace around the balcony.
"Hmph. At any rate, it's been a whole year since we last saw each other. Kinda sad you haven't payed your brother a visit."His lips curled into a smirk.
"You know how it is, Eric. I've been so caught up in work I haven't any time for family.""You got time for a game though, right? Because I've been itching for a rematch."He pulled his katana from its sheath, running a finger against the blade.
"Of course.""Alright then. Come and get me, Deacon. If you can!"I charged towards him with a yell, swinging my broadsword. He blocked effortlessly with his sword, before swinging the sheath into my gut and sending me flying back about fifteen feet.
"Foolishness. Is rushing in blind all you can do?" He began to walk towards me slowly, confidently.
"I got a few other tricks up my sleeve." I pulled my pistol out, firing at him. He dodged most of the bullets effortlessly. He must've felt dodging all of them wasn't flashy enough, because instead of staying away from the last one he sliced it clean in half with his sword.
"Firearms, brother? You and I both know they're the weapons of cowards." He appeared by my side with blinding speed, swinging his sword quickly. I only barely managed to block his attack. Bringing my pistol up to fire at him, I was surprised when he simply batted it away with his sheath, then swung the sheath into my face.
I stumbled back, deflecting another swing. I tried to swing at him myself, but he dodged out of the way of my attack, making me stumble forward as I missed. He stood still as I recovered, then beckoned me forward with one hand.
"Come on," he growled.
I obliged his request, charging forward again. This time, I had some semblance of a plan however. I made it out like I was going to go for another wild side slash, and I noticed that Deacon had prepared to defend against that. At the last possible moment, I leapt up and prepared to bring the sword down onto his head...
*CLANG!*Our swords met, Deacon having brought his katana up to block my attack at the last moment. Sparks flew from our blades as I tried to break the block. Deacon gave a slight "tsk" as he shook his head in disappointment.
"You're telegraphing all of your moves, Eric. How stupid do you think I am?" He brought his sheath up into my sword, making me stagger back yet again, and I barely had time to stop myself from getting impaled by putting my hand in the path of his blade. I felt the blood flow through the wound as Deacon pulled his katana out and flicked it clean of the blood. I didn't waste any time as the flesh and muscles knitted themselves back together, grabbing my other pistol from his holster and firing once again at him.
He disappeared from the path of the bullets with blinding speed, swinging yet again at me, this time to catch me in the throat. I put my arm up in front of the attack, his katana cutting deep into it. He swung his sheath into my chin, knocking my head back and making me fall backwards. I rolled out of the way of his attempt to stab me, then jumped up to my feet.
I was already tired and battered, while Deacon had barely broken a sweat. He swung his katana for another slash, and I brought my blade up to block it. Our swords crossed, and I struggled to maintain our lock. I just needed to think of something, anything...
My strength faltered, and my arms fell to my sides. I staggered back as Deacon flourished his katana, and then stuck it through my stomach. With a gasp of pain, I looked Deacon into the eyes. He stared back, the same icy look in them as always.
"I don't understand you, brother. Why do you refuse to join me?"I sputtered out blood.
"We're s-supposed-*gasp*-to destroy the monsters... Not-*cough*-rule them!""You fool. I'm not going to rule them. I'm going to keep them in line. Once one has absolute power, no one would dare to question their authority. And those that do? They can be snuffed out.""What-*wheeze*-would you do-*cough*-with all that p-*gasp*-power, huh?""I would be content, living out the rest of my days knowing the balance is kept between supernatural and human."I gave a bitter, blood-soaked chuckle.
"Sure... You'd go a-aft-*cough*-after humans soon enough..."I must have struck a nerve, because Deacon's face hardened even more, if that was possible.
"This is over, Eric." He pulled out his blade, then grabbed my own.
"I win."I fell to my knees. He began to walk away from me without another word. I felt the rage boil up within me, and in one last burst of energy I got up and ran at him to attack from behind. Deacon simply turned around and ran me through with my own sword. The force of the impalement sent me flying backwards, over the balcony railing, and to the cold hard ground of the alleyway below...
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