Marcus, veins popping from Raja's taunts, roared with primal fury, his vampiric strength at its peak. Wings flaring, he zoomed at Raja, fist cocked for a full-force punch that could crater concrete.
Raja, chill as a popsicle, caught the punch with one hand, his reflexes a blur.
The impact unleashed a sonic boom, rattling the ship's deck and leaving the audience—Selene, Erica, Alexander, and guards—gaping.
Marcus, stunned, stared as Raja didn't budge an inch, his hand a steel trap. Smirking, Raja quipped, "My turn." Gripping Marcus's fist, he slammed a gut-punch that sent the bat-vampire rocketing to the deck's edge, blood spewing.
The crowd shared one thought: What a monster!
Raja, grinning, taunted, "C'mon, bat-fuck, hit me again!"
Marcus, pride stinging, charged, unleashing a frenzied barrage—claws slashing, wings stabbing, legs kicking, fists flying in a chaotic blur.
Predicting his moves was impossible, a whirlwind of death.
But Raja? He danced through it, dodging with ninja grace, countering with punches, kicks, even a headbutt that cracked like thunder.
The speed was inhuman—human eyes couldn't track the clash, only catching flashes of Raja's smirk and Marcus's snarls.
MAYA: "Master, you're turning this into a anime fight!"
Raja sensed Marcus tiring, his attacks slowing. Seizing the moment, Raja stomped Marcus's wings, pinning them, and delivered a roundhouse kick to the chest, hurling him back to the same spot as before.
Marcus panted, sweating buckets, while Raja, barely winded, had one sweat drop on his forehead.
With a dramatic flick, Raja sent it flying like a bullet, smacking Marcus's face with a wet splat.
Humiliated, Marcus roared, lunging to tackle Raja, aiming for a ground-and-pound combo.
But Raja didn't budge, catching him mid-air. With a casual heave, Raja spun Marcus like a top and power-bombed him onto the deck.
The impact cracked the floor, Marcus's back snapping with a sickening crunch, his wail echoing like a banshee's cry.
The audience winced, thinking, That's gotta hurt like hell.
Marcus, tapping his regeneration, hopped around like a wounded puppy, moaning as his back realigned.
His bat-like face twisted in agony, earning pity from the crowd—Selene's eyes softened, Erica bit her lip, even the guards looked sympathetic.
Raja, sensing the vibe, threw up his hands. "Oye! What's with the sad faces? You're pitying Marcus? The OG vampire terrorizing the world for centuries? Look at his ugly bat mug—he's the bully, not me! Why am I the bad guy?"
The crowd shuffled awkwardly, caught out.
Marcus, now standing, limped, his back healed but his spirit crushed. Fear—of pain, broken bones, death, and Raja—glimmered in his eyes.
Raja, enraged by Marcus's cowardice, snapped, "What's that look, Marcus? Fear? You're the original vampire, the big bad! If your minions saw you scared of a human, what'd they think? Where's your pride, your noble immortal swagger? Was it all a front? Are you just a bully picking on the weak, cowering before the strong? Look me in the eye!"
Marcus's pride burned, rage churning, but his instincts screamed: Fight, and you die. He's stronger. Shame and fear kept his gaze down, unable to meet Raja's.
Raja sighed, deflated. "Marcus, I raced 500 km in 70 minutes to give you a proper fight, no sun to ruin it. Vayu Putra's engine screamed, tires burned—luxury tires, melted parts, all for you. And now? You're not worth a scratch on my paint job. Take the blood vial and key, wake your brother. Maybe he has the guts to fight."
The audience stood in awe, jaws dropped at Raja's strength and his dismantling of Marcus's arrogance, proving him a coward who preys on the weak.
Marcus, head low, shuffled to the vial and key, grabbing them.
Raja muttered, "Pathetic," and walked off.
As Marcus flown some distance, Raja's words—pathetic, fear, not worth my car—looped in his mind like a broken record.
Gritting his teeth, he made a sharp U-turn mid-air, rocketing back to the ship at breakneck speed.
A guard with binoculars shouted, "Sir, Marcus is returning—fast!"
Raja grinned, "Finally grew a pair? Looks like he's aiming to tackle me. Bring it."
He struck a Yujiro Hanma pose, shirtless, demon-back muscles flexing.
A guard gasped, "Is his back… a demon face?" Everyone squinted, shivering as the eerie shape became clear, chilling their spines.
But as Marcus neared, Raja's instincts pinged. Calculating his trajectory, he realized Marcus wasn't aiming for him.
"No!" Raja sprinted, but it was too late—Marcus slammed into Vayu Putra, crushing it with a bone-rattling crash, glass shattering.
Raja screamed, "PUTRAAAAA!" leaping from the ship, but Marcus, anticipating, vaulted skyward, smirking.
Raja landed in the harbor, rising to roar, "Marcus, I'm coming for you! I'll crush your arrogance, rip you apart, and make you beg for death!"
He knelt by Vayu Putra, assessing the wreckage, tears welling. Selene, heart aching, patted his shoulder.
A helicopter roared in, carrying Alexander's elite tactical team.
Raja's face shifted from grief to steel.
He strode to the chopper, Selene at his side, worry in her eyes.
Alexander, near the helipad, briefed the team, "Follow Raja's lead."
Raja boarded, stone-faced; Selene sat close, gripping his hand.
Alexander opened his mouth, but Raja cut in, "No worries, old man. I won't kill them. I'll subdue them, and you can lock them up forever, wherever you want and be their prison guard for eternity."
Alexander, stunned, shook his head. "No, Raja. Eliminate them."
Raja's eyes widened.
Alexander's sad smirk broke through. "You heard me. I can't keep wiping their asses for eternity."
He turned away, shoulders heavy.
Erica, eyes soft, patted his back, offering silent comfort as the weight of his decision settled.
MAYA: "Master, you've turned a brawl into a family tragedy—and your car's still toast!"
To Be Continued…