Chapter 85: Forcing the Hand

The cloaked man, offering a sly grin, rhetorically asked, "Isn't the wolf dangerous when cornered?" His movements were fluid as he wiped the blood off his cheek, the crimson stain stark against his skin.

Effortlessly, he removed his cloak, revealing a man with dark hair splayed in wild directions, a noticeable dimple under his right eye complementing his striking bloodshot red eyes.

He casually pulled a crystal object from his pocket, his voice laced with mockery as he queried, "Why care for such a tiny object anyway? Did your lover give it to you or something?"

The words hung heavily in the air, each syllable dripping with scorn.

Ty's gaze darkened in response, a storm brewing in his eyes, yet he chose silence over words, letting the tension escalate palpably between them.

The cloaked man's smirk grew more menacing as his expression darkened. "Maybe I will just bre—"

But he was abruptly interrupted as Ty, in a swift, almost imperceptible blur, lunged forward. His fist connected with force, and blood spurted skyward. A knife, now revealed to be embedded in Ty's hand, was intricately designed, its blade glinting menacingly. The knife was attached to a chain, which extended back to the man's cloak, signifying its tethered lethality.

"You are fast, huh? But not fast enough," the man taunted, as a surge of electricity sparked to life along the chain.

Ty's body convulsed under the electrifying shock, his scream resonating with unchecked rage. Then, another weapon, more sinister in appearance, joined the fray.

This second blade, jagged and brutal, starkly contrasted the first with its crude, unrefined edges.

Both blades, sinister in their intent, were connected by a metal chain that snaked up the man's sleeves and coiled around his back, forming a deadly nexus of metal and malice.

Ty's eyes barely had time to register the second blade's ominous presence before it plunged mercilessly into his chest, sending a jolt of agony throughout his body.

Plunging the blade further into his chest, Ty felt a violent rush of wind tear through his chest, as blood began to cascade out onto the ground below, forming a dark, spreading pool.

Ty, still reeling slightly from the turn of events, responded with a hint of shock coloring his words, "Oh, so this wasn't just some random chance. You actually wanted me to follow you here, was that it?" His question, filled with realization, hung between them, adding a layer of complexity to their precarious confrontation.

The wound around Ty's chest began to mend gradually, the flesh knitting together as if guided by an unseen force. As the blood pooled around him slowly dissipated into the earth, Ty pressed on, his voice steady but laced with curiosity, "So what was your plan? Lure me out here to kill me and steal more of my stuff?"

His gaze hardened as he continued, "I haven't heard too much about this Legato person, but he doesn't strike me as someone who goes around murdering people like you do."

"Shut the hell up, what do you know?" the man retorted, his voice rising in anger. "Everyone I've killed deserved it. And I've seen the aftermath of the fights you've been in. So don't bother trying to take the moral high ground with me."

Ty, placing his handless wrist over his head, responded, "While that is true, they attacked first. The visions I got of you were much different, but, nonetheless, I'm no hero, and you simply stole something from me that I need back."

He continued, "So, given the situation, if you just go ahead and hand over the crystal, I will let you live. Trust me when I say you can't kill me."

"Given the bravado, you seem to think you've accomplished something great? In reality, what have you done to think you can stand there all high and mighty?" the man shot back, his tone dripping with skepticism and challenge.

"Who said we need to kill you?" the man added, hinting at a sinister undercurrent in his words.

Ty, realizing they were probably not alone, sighed slightly. "All of this, for my crystal?" he asked, using his remaining hand that hadn't been cleaved off.

"Then you have chosen death," he declared, bringing his hand up to his face and abruptly ripping a metal fragment from it.

As he did so, the flesh around the area tore, pulsating and writhing in response before slowly dissipating into nothingness.

"You want to know why you and anyone else can't kill me?" Ty asked rhetorically. He stood there in his full skeletal form, a robe of black flames cascading down his back.

His black, marred bones glistened slightly under the overhead sun, creating an eerie yet awe-inspiring sight.