---
Another attack?
Axel dug his heels into the ground, launching forward with all his strength, throwing a powerful punch aimed directly at Mictlantecuhtli's face. But the god of the dead was faster, effortlessly sidestepping Axel's attack. In a fluid motion, Mictlantecuhtli grabbed Axel's wrist, twisting him off his feet and hurling him like a ragdoll toward the wall.
"Krrcchk!" Axel grunted as he spun mid-air, landing on his feet just inches before crashing into the wall. His body slid a bit, his boots digging into the ground, but he stayed upright, glaring at his opponent.
Before Axel could react, Mictlantecuhtli was already upon him again. This time, a fist aimed at his gut. Axel shifted his body to the left, dodging just in time—only to realize it was a feint.
Mictlantecuhtli's arm snapped upwards, transforming into an elbow strike that connected with Axel's face. The impact was brutal. Axel's head jerked back, blood spurting from his mouth as he stumbled backward.
"You disappoint me, boy." The god's voice was cold, almost mocking.
Axel wiped the blood from his lip, his eyes narrowing. He barely had time to blink before Mictlantecuhtli spread his fingers wide and a blast of dark, swirling energy shot toward him. The beam tore through the air like a void, seeking to consume everything in its path.
"Shit!" Axel cursed, leaping to the side, barely avoiding the beam as it scorched the ground where he had stood. But no sooner had he dodged the attack than the god was in front of him again.
This time, the punch was too fast to evade. Axel crossed his arms in front of his face to block, bracing for the impact.
*CRACK!*
The force of the punch shattered the bones in Axel's forearms. He screamed as pain shot through him like fire, his arms hanging limply by his sides. But still, he wasn't ready to give up.
"Not yet..." Axel growled through clenched teeth, stamping his foot forward and surging ahead with a headbutt.
*CRACK!*
Another sickening sound echoed in the air, but this time it came from Axel's skull. He staggered backward, his vision spinning, his head throbbing like it had been hit with a sledgehammer.
'He's like metal... I can't...'
Mictlantecuhtli's cold eyes gleamed with amusement. "You haven't even begun to understand your abilities," he said, stepping forward. "You're a failure."
Suddenly, the god's hand shot out, wrapping around Axel's throat. His grip was impossibly tight. Axel felt his windpipe start to collapse under the pressure, his vision darkening around the edges. The bones in his neck began to crack ominously as the god squeezed harder.
The voice boomed around him, rattling his very soul. It wasn't Mictlantecuhtli. It was something far older, far darker.
"Why... why am I here?" Axel's voice trembled, his eyes darting around the abyss. "I died..."
[Yes. You died. And you failed.]
Axel looked down at his hands, his mind racing. The god had killed him. He was supposed to be dead. But here he was, in this strange void. Why?
"You're right," Axel muttered, bitterness creeping into his tone. "I couldn't beat him. He was too strong. How can I win against a god like that? It's... impossible. I'd need years, maybe even decades to reach that level."
[You lack more than strength, Teras.]
Axel frowned. "What do you mean?"
[You have a good heart, but that is your weakness.]
"A good heart?" Axel's confusion deepened. "How does that help me here?"
[It doesn't!]
The voice snapped, filled with rage. [A good heart makes you weak. You need GREED. You need PRIDE. You need to EMBRACE EVIL.]
Axel shivered as the voice echoed around him. The red eyes loomed closer, filling his vision. The sheer darkness within them made him feel insignificant—like a speck of dust before a black hole.
[You are meant to become a god. A being above all others. Do you think the other gods care about your feelings? Your weaknesses?]
Axel's heart pounded as he considered the voice's words. He had always fought for survival, for those he cared about. But now, everything seemed different. Darker. "What... what do I need to do?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "To get stronger?"
The darkness swirled, and the eyes flared with malevolent glee.
[Simple, Teras. Let me... devour you.]
***Author's note***
I'm not that good at writing action scenes but hope you enjoyed this one.