Chapter 29: You can never escape

Hegan and Reed stumbled backward, their feet crushing the remains of the shattered ice dome. The shock of what they had just witnessed, combined with the menacing aura exuding from Tristan, left them paralyzed with fear and uncertainty. They exchanged another glance, silently communicating their shared apprehension.

Tristan chuckled darkly, a chilling sound that reverberated through the clearing. "Don't worry, gentlemen. I won't be as ruthless with you as I was with Shanks. After all, you're my friends, aren't you?" His voice dripped with sarcasm as he emphasized the word "friends."

Hegan found his voice, his tone shaky. "Tristan, what's happened to you? This isn't you. We were supposed to work together like we did in the Kryonix's cave, to support each other. We can still find a way out of this madness."

Tristan's grin widened, devoid of any warmth. "Oh, Hegan, my dear friend, you don't seem to understand. This is who I've always been. The removed marks have merely allowed me to shed the facade." He took a step closer, his gaze fixated on Hegan. "And now, it's time for you to embrace your true potential as well."

Reed's eyes darted between Tristan and Hegan, his voice tinged with desperation. "Hegan, don't listen to him! We need to find a way to stop this madness. We can't let him manipulate us."

Hegan hesitated, torn between his loyalty to his friend and the mounting sense of danger that emanated from Tristan. The weight of the situation pressed down on him, threatening to crush his spirit. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his trembling nerves.

"Neriah," Tristan began, "it wouldn't hurt to be confident that I would win this fight. You know how much I hate losing," he said with a smirk before turning back toward Hegan. "I'm sure you'll agree that I can request a favor once you approve of it.

Neriah leaned forward slightly, her face filled with curiosity as she stared at Tristan intently. She had never seen such confidence or arrogance in one so young; but then again, Neriah had only known the real Tristan since she watched him defeat that beast in the ocean.

"Go on..." Urged Neriah gently. "What do you want?"

Tristan smiled broadly, "I can choose who I want to spare as long as any one of them join me willingly." He paused for a moment to allow Hegan to consider his offer carefully.

Neriah burst into a peal of laughter at the dubious thinking behind his words. "The outcome will determine if they are willing."

Tristan's voice turned colder, his patience waning. "Time is running out, Hegan. Make your choice wisely. Join me, embrace the power within you, or suffer the consequences."

Hegan's eyes locked with Tristan's, a fierce determination burning within. "I choose neither, Tristan. I choose Reed and I, our friendship. I won't let you drag us down this dark path even if we have to die while trying."

Tristan's expression hardened, his disappointment seen. "Very well, Hegan. If you won't stand by my side, then you'll stand against me."

In one swift motion, Tristan lunged forward, his movements a blur. Hegan barely had time to react as Tristan's fist connected with his jaw, sending him sprawling to the ground. Pain radiated through his face as he struggled to regain his footing, blood trickling from his split lip.

Reed, fueled by a surge of adrenaline, rushed forward, his fists clenched tightly. "You won't get away with this, Tristan! We'll stop you, no matter what it takes!"

Tristan sidestepped Reed's attack effortlessly, his movements fluid and calculated. He delivered a swift kick to Reed's abdomen, sending him crashing into a nearby tree with a resounding thud. Reed crumpled to the ground, gasping for air, his body wracked with pain.

In a swift movement, he raised his hand, a sharp shard of ice appearing in his grip. Without warning, he plunged it into the chest of Hegan, the ice piercing through his armor and into his flesh before lodging itself in his heart, its effects were immediate as Hegan collapsed lifelessly onto the ice-covered earth below.

"No... No..." Reed whispered hoarsely as tears streamed down his cheeks. "This wasn't how it was meant to be!!" His voice trailed off as Tristan approached slowly, staring down at Reed like an animal stalking prey.

Tristan approached Reed slowly, his voice dripping with menace. "You see, I gave him a chance. A chance to stand by my side, to embrace the power that awaits. But you both chose to resist. And now, you'll pay the price."

Reed struggled to push himself up, his body aching and battered. He locked eyes with Tristan, defiance burning within. "If you think you've won, then go ahead," he said through gritted teeth as he pushed himself upright on trembling legs. He took several deep breaths as he tried desperately to calm his racing heartbeat. "But know this: you can never leave here nor can your helpers aid your escape!" he shouted fiercely, saliva flying from his lips.

Tristan's expression hardened, his patience exhausted. Without uttering a word, he extended his hand toward Reed, his palm glowing with an eerie, icy light. Frost spread across Reed's body, encasing him in a frozen prison. Reed gasped, his voice barely a whisper. "Rot in hell..."

Tristan's voice was devoid of remorse as he delivered his final blow. "I don't care about any of the bullshit you just said. And if you won't stand with me, you'll be nothing more than a stepping stone on my path to greatness."

'I can find my way out of this place, since the mark is gone.'

With a clench of his hand, Tristan shattered the frozen shell, sending shards of ice scattering across the ground. Reed's shattered remains fell limply to the ground beside Hegan's corpse; their blood mingling together into one large puddle beneath them.

The clearing fell into an eerie silence, the weight of the losses hanging heavy in the air. Tristan stood amidst the devastation, his expression cold and detached. The power of the marks surged through him, fueling his hunger for dominance.

As he surveyed the aftermath of his actions, a twisted smile played on Tristan's lips. "Three down, one to go," he murmured to himself, his voice barely audible. "No one will stand in my way."

With newfound confidence, Tristan set his sights on his final target, Damian.

*****

A/N

¶ Do you think Tristan can escape Nereid?

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