Born in Blood

For a moment, Naomi looked a little disheartened. As a new powerhouse, she'd gotten this close to obtaining such a strange and exotic item. Attaining it would have opened so many doors for the future… Spirit of Nature shrugged once more. But a moment later, her face subtly grew annoyed.

There was an easy counter to that ability that the three team members realized a little too late.

It was just keeping their distance from it. It was the ball itself that radiated the strongest pressure.

As long as they used distant abilities to control and manipulate the ball, such as Spirit of Nature's vines or Alucard's blood, they would be fine.

But thanks to Liam and Alucard's misplay, Naomi suffered the consequence.

It was unlucky.

Alucard looked at Naomi with a wry expression. "Forgive me, it wasn't my intention to do so."

It was quite gentlemanly for the king of vampires to admit his mistake. Whether he meant it or not was another topic.

'He probably doesn't.'

"It's fine," Spirit of Nature said with a smile, raising a hand. "Fun game. I liked it."

There was a short pause.

"Well then," Spirit of Nature said with another look around. "Until our paths cross."

Giving a little nod to Liam and Alucard, Naomi grinned cryptically before turning to leave.

From six versus six, it was now two versus two.

Quite frankly, a balance of luck, circumstance and genuine ability brought Liam to this point.

Otherwise, there was no way he would share a station with the top three strongest powerhouses on the planet. "Feel special, squirt?" the General asked Liam with a mocking laugh. Liam laughed coldly.

"Quite a bit."

Queen Thyress struggled to keep an annoyed expression from her face. Alucard gave Liam a subtle side-glance. It was clear that their cooperation was far better than the Queen and the General's.

Except…

Only one person could keep the Star Dust!

If they were forced to cooperate, they would.

But if they didn't have to cooperate, they would not.

Liam and Alucard exchanged a knowing nod.

Both knew this fact.

No hard feelings were involved, no matter who won or how they won.

A moment later, the ball was thrown towards them.

"Do you want to go first?" Alucard grabbed the ball and outstretched it to Liam. "Doesn't make a difference to me," Liam said with a shrug. "Feel free to choose."

There was a moment of silence.

"I think I'll start," Alucard decided eventually, his eyes strangely distant and dark. As Liam traced his gaze, he realized it was aimed straight at the General. 'That explains it,' Liam thought. 'A man must never forget his debts!' A second later, Liam gave him a nod of agreement. Turning his body to the side, Alucard spaced out his feet, putting his left in front of his right in a diagonal fashion.

Liam watched in silent anticipation. It seemed like the Pashah was finally done with taking the back seat.

With immaculate form and clear dexterity, Alucard threw the ball up and jumped alongside with it.

Sparks of crimson energy crackled in his menacing, blood-red eyes. A familiar but disgusting, emetic feeling churned in the depths of Liam's soul.

It felt as though death was looking at him from around the corner. Lurking. Waiting. Just then, the crimson energy crackled and merged with his hand with a bright flash of light.

With the same hand, Alucard slapped the ball over the net – the red energy instantly jolted from his palm and switched over to the ball. BANG!

With booming speed, the ball swished in a curve towards the General. The General scoffed lightly… but as the ball grew nearer, his lips turned into a thin line, and he clenched his jaw.

Queen Thyress looked like she felt it too. That abominable sensation that blossomed in the pits of the stomach. Although the Mayor was above, droplets of sweat glistened across his face. It was slow, but the nearer the ball got, the deeper the General grimaced. It wasn't particularly painful. Liam couldn't put his finger on exactly what it was… but it was far, far worse than pain.

That crimson power felt similar to fire. Everyone knew not to stick their hand into a roaring blaze, lest they get burnt or scarred.

Except, fire lets off heat as a deterrent. The revolting feeling the red energy radiated was similar to that.

It was a warning. But this was a game of Touch Ball!

There were safety regulations!

Pain was lessened to a significant degree!

There was no reason to falter! In reality, the General could easily just… redirect the ball mid-air.

He had the ability to do so!

But was backing down from a direct challenge something the General would actually do?

The General grinned. …Never! The General made a crushing gesture with his hand as soon as the ball entered his Position. GRP!

The ball began twisting over itself! But the red energy that crackled across its surface had not diminished in the least. At the same time, it continued on its trajectory, even faster and stronger than before. A second later, with a maniacal grin on his face, the General hit the ball with his closed fist. BOOOM!

As he did so, the ball flew back towards Alucard at twice the speed.

It passed over the net, then made an abrupt adjacent curve.

Towards Liam!

But Liam was already over the net, using both hands to send it back. CRKH!

Both Liam's arms shattered upon impact. Every little bone. But he succeeded in sending the ball back towards the General!

Except… the General had his head lowered.

As the ball came to him, he simply… did nothing.

The ball hit the General directly in the chest.

BOP!

He didn't move a single inch.

Instead… the ball bounced from his chest and fell to the floor below him.

But the General's head was still lowered.

Silence.

'Did he fall asleep?' Liam thought incredulously. 'What's he doing?'

Several seconds passed.

"The General," the Mayor said hesitantly, pausing for several seconds and letting the tension mount. "...Disqualified."