CHAPTER 60: The Washington Incident - Part X

CHAPTER 60: The Washington Incident - Part X

In the devastated White House hall, the air was thick with tension and dust. Phoenix staggered, his body on the verge of collapse, covered in wounds that were healing with unusual slowness. Before him, Marcus's body returned to its human form, though clearly marked by the aftermath of the intense battle. He was unconscious, but stable.

A few steps away, a black, viscous mass writhed weakly on the floor: Adam, reduced to his most vulnerable state. His former arrogance and power had vanished, leaving only a trace of what he once was. Phoenix slowly advanced toward that mass, his heavy steps echoing in the silent room.

"So... this is all that's left of you, Adam," said Phoenix, his voice low but firm, full of weariness and determination. "All your boasting, your threats... and here you are, crawling like a dying parasite."

The symbiote mass let out a strange sound, a weak, bubbling laugh. A small, face-like form emerged from within it, looking at Phoenix with disdain.

"And what... did you expect?" said Adam, his voice barely a whisper, yet still laced with sarcasm. "Redemption? Begging? No, you brat. Until my last breath... I am what I am."

Phoenix clenched his fists, his body trembling with frustration and exhaustion. "You could have had everything, Adam. A chance for... I don't know, something better. But you always chose chaos, pain, destruction."

Adam laughed again, though his "voice" was beginning to fade. "Something better? That's for weaklings like you, Phoenix. That ridiculous unbreakable soul of yours... it's nothing but a curse. I'd rather die a thousand times than crawl back into your body like... like a tumor."

Phoenix leaned over the mass, his eyes fixed on the remains of his enemy. "Then this is the end. There will be no return for you this time."

Adam let out one last laugh, his form beginning to disintegrate into black ashes that floated in the air. "Maybe... but don't think you've won, Rogers. I always leave something behind..."

And with those words, what remained of Adam vanished completely, dissipating into nothingness.

Phoenix stood motionless, watching the ashes disappear into the air. For the first time in a long while, a strange silence surrounded him. His shoulders slumped, exhausted, and he allowed himself a brief moment to close his eyes and take a deep breath.

"Goodbye, Adam," he murmured, more to himself than to anyone else.

Phoenix kept staring at the spot where Adam's ashes had disappeared, lost in an introspective silence. The battle was over, but his body and mind hadn't fully processed it yet. Then, the sound of footsteps behind him pulled him from his thoughts.

"How does it feel to be the winner, brother?" Lucian's sarcastic and familiar voice echoed through the hall.

Phoenix turned slightly, finding Lucian standing there with his characteristic lopsided grin, though marked by evident fatigue. His suit was torn, and his face showed signs of the hardships he'd faced to get there.

"I guess it feels like being thrown through ten concrete walls and then run over five times," Phoenix replied with a touch of sarcasm, though his voice sounded tired.

Lucian let out a dry chuckle and then stepped forward to stand beside him. He looked toward where Adam had been, his smile fading a little.

"Gotta be honest with you, Phoenix... I thought Adam was going to win. I didn't think you stood a chance against him."

Phoenix nodded, no trace of offense on his face. "That would have happened if Adam had been in his original body. Against that, I wouldn't have stood a single chance." He paused, running a hand over his bloodied face. "But he had to settle for a vessel, and that cost him."

Lucian watched him for a moment before giving Phoenix a friendly slap on the back, which, though light, made Phoenix grunt from the accumulated pain.

"Well, I'm glad it worked out that way. Because watching you lose would have completely ruined my day," Lucian joked, though his tone held genuine relief. "Come on, we'd better let the others know we won."

Phoenix let out a short, pained laugh. "'We won'? Sure, because you were such a big help."

Lucian raised his hands in a gesture of mock offense. "Hey, am I not the one still standing here, intact, to congratulate you? That has to count for something."

They both shared a brief, almost relieved laugh as they headed toward the exit. The battle was over, but both knew their journey was far from finished.

Phoenix walked with heavy steps toward Marcus's body, who was lying on the floor, regaining consciousness. Though his body had returned to normal, he was clearly affected by the aftermath of the fight. Despite it all, his eyes opened slowly, showing a flicker of life as he tried to focus on his surroundings.

"Marcus?" asked Phoenix, kneeling beside him.

It took Marcus a second to react, but when he did, he managed a weak smile.

"Phoenix... what... what happened?" His voice was hoarse, but held a tone of relief.

Phoenix extended a hand to him, carefully helping him sit up. Marcus let out a groan of pain as he tried to get up.

"I pulled you out of the worst trip of your life, brother," replied Phoenix, his tone a mix of weariness and some humor. "Though it looks like the ride left you in pieces."

Marcus shook his head, still processing what had occurred. "Thank you... Thank you for saving me, Phoenix. But... I have to admit it: every inch of my body hurts."

Phoenix let out a dry laugh and crossed his arms. "Well, that makes sense. Let me explain why." He paused and began counting on his fingers, listing calmly. "First, a barrage of punches to the ribs. Then, a direct knee to the abdomen. After that, a headbutt that nearly broke a wall. And as if that weren't enough, my arm went through Adam's chest at one point."

Marcus blinked, incredulous. "What are you saying?"