749  Kro'Han Unsealed (2)

"What? Unsealed Kro'Han?" Ashton yelled in horror. As long as Kro'Han was sealed, they had an opportunity to contain him, but Astaroth had just freed the worst precursor in history! The slight possibility that Ashton had of winning the battle against Kro'Han was crushed into nothingness by Astaroth. Ashton, unable to contain his anger any longer, lunged towards the panel to try and stop Kro'Han from getting to Earth. But as he did, Astaroth grabbed Ashton by the shoulder and threw him backwards, placing himself between Ashton and the panel.

"What the hell are you doing!?" Ashton yelled again.

"Stopping you," Astaroth replied, turning his aura into a sword around his arms.

"You fucker! Have you gone insane!?" Ashton barked at Astaroth, who smiled bitterly.

Ashton didn't know why Astaroth had sided with Kro'Han, and Astaroth knew Ashton was too stubborn to hear anything he had to say. It wasn't like it would make any difference, either. Linea was Astaroth's responsibility, not Ashton's. Besides, Astaroth was dooming the entire universe for the sake of one person; how was anyone supposed to understand what he felt, knowing he would be the reason for the death of quadrillions of beings across the galaxy? In the end, Astaroth just shook his head and tried convincing himself that he was doing the right thing, even if it was the wrong way. Either way, when everything was finished, he would be dead. In Astaroth's opinion, it was better to face death alone with all the problems rather than trying to make others understand his inner struggles.

"Love can make you do weird things," Astaroth finally said. "You know it better than anyone else."

"Love and you? Yes, it makes you do illogical things, but not something like this!" Ashton scoffed. "Why am I even bothering with you? You're going down, and once I'm done with you, the only thing you'll feel is endless pain, you backstabbing bastard!"

Upon realising that talking wouldn't solve anything, Ashton steeled his resolve. Besides, trying to convince Astaroth of his folly was a waste of time, time that could be used to try and close the portal. Unfortunately, that meant fighting Astaroth, and it wouldn't be any ordinary fight either. It would be a duel of life and death. If Ashton were to win, the fight would end with just one death, Astaroth's. However, if Astaroth won, it would be the death of the entire universe as they knew it. The stakes had never been higher before. "Just remember, this is what you wanted..." Ashton mumbled, drawing out Balmond as he covered it in his Precursor Aura. The room echoed with the aura of death as Ashton unleashed a wave of attacks. Balmond sliced through the air, each strike aimed at Astaroth's vital points with deadly precision. Astaroth, however, matched Ashton's intensity, parrying each blow with finesse, but never once tried to kill him. It's not like Ashton gave him any openings to consider going offensive. The sound of their clash echoed inside the palace as the two indulged in the dance of life and death. Slowly but surely, the palace became affected by the shockwaves generated by their clash. The walls around the chamber began to waver. Cracks appeared all around them, yet their intention didn't change. The more Ashton swung Balmond, the more frustrated he got. It wasn't because his attacks weren't hitting the mark, but the sad and apologetic expression on his face angered Ashton even more. Why was he feeling down? Was betraying his friends not as enjoyable as he thought? Or did his knife break while he was busy stabbing it into everyone's back?

If anyone had the right to be apologetic, it was Ashton. His blind trust in Astaroth was why the entire universe was moments away from destruction. If only he had taken his father's words more seriously, their situation would have been different!

Amid the fight, Ashton seized an opening and launched a powerful thrust aimed at Astaroth's chest. Astaroth, however, predicted the attack and sidestepped, narrowly avoiding it. In retaliation, he countered with a sweeping slash of his own, forcing Ashton to parry with Balmond.

But Ashton didn't give up. Instead of backing up, he rushed towards Astaroth and grabbed him by the neck before slamming him on the ground. The force behind Ashton's attack was so strong that the floor beneath them cracked as Astaroth struggled to free himself from Ashton's grasp. "Stop! Fucking! SMILING!" Ashton yelled into Astaroth's face as his face slowly turned red. "Is this a game for you? Huh? Do you have any idea what you've done?"

"Kid..." Astaroth replied as Ashton increased pressure on his neck. "I have lived in this universe much longer than you. What makes you think I'm stupid not to know what I've done?"

"Then why do it?" Ashton sighed, dropping Blamond next to Astaroth's head as his emotions got the better of him. "We were supposed to take that bastard down together! We were supposed to fight him! Not each other!"

"Sometimes... plans change..." Astaroth replied, smiling wanly. "Yeah, I guess you're right," Ashton replied, lifting Balmond again. "Plans change, but oaths don't."

Astaroth understood what Ashton was about to do, and his expression changed. He tried freeing himself from Ashton's grasp, but the latter's hand was firmly pressed against his chest, refusing to budge. "Ashton, you have no idea what you're doing!" Astaroth tried reasoning with him once force didn't work, but Ashton was having none of it. "Guess what? I don't give a fuck anymore."

With that, Ashton threw Balmond towards the panel, hoping to destroy it before Kro'Han's arrival. Astaroth, refusing to accept defeat, summoned every ounce of strength in a final attempt to intervene. Just as Balmond neared the panel, Astaroth's hand desperately attempted to redirect the sword's trajectory.

However, Ashton stopped Astaroth from manipulating his aura. It was too late for Astaroth to do anything. Ashton's victory seemed inevitable.

Suddenly, a hand broke through the portal, grabbing the blade before it could hit the panel. Ashton's eyes widened in disbelief as the hand effortlessly crushed Balmond, the once-mighty sword now reduced to useless shards.

An ominous aura surrounded the chamber as Kro'Han walked out of the portal. As he breathed freedom, an evil grin found its place on Kro'Han's face.

"Finally... your curse has been undone, brother!" Kro'Han roared while Ashton's heart sank as he realised the direness of the situation. The apocalypse has arrived at Earth's doorstep.