CHAPTER 93: Alex-2

CHAPTER 93: Alex-2

The atmosphere in the laboratory grew thick, charged with tension and palpable danger. Phoenix and Alex stared each other down, assessing one another like two predators in the same jungle, both knowing the slightest movement could trigger a fierce battle.

Phoenix could feel it in the air. This kid wasn't just some creation of Viktor's; there was something more. Alex radiated not just youthful confidence, but a dark and dangerous presence, like a predator ready to strike. And before he could react, Alex lunged.

In an instant, Alex closed the distance between them with blinding speed. Phoenix barely had time to raise his hands in defense when a flash of dark steel crossed his field of vision. He felt a sharp pain in his eyebrow, followed by a warmth spreading across his face. The edge of Alex's claws had left a deep gash in his brow, and blood began to drip down the side of his face.

"Wow, kid," Phoenix remarked, bringing a hand to the wound and feeling the warm blood on his fingers. A smile, almost amused, spread across his face. "Not bad for a rookie."

But then, something changed. Phoenix expected to feel the usual itch that preceded his regeneration, the tingling that indicated his body was closing the wound. But that sensation didn't come. The cut remained there, open, bleeding.

"What the hell...?" he murmured, looking in disbelief at the blood still flowing from his eyebrow. He'd never had regenerative issues before; it was practically second nature to him.

Before he could process what was happening, Alex launched his next move. With superhuman speed and precision, his hand rose and shot straight towards Phoenix's left shoulder. There was no time to react. Alex's fingers, sharp as blades, pierced through Phoenix's flesh and bone with ease. The wet, tearing sound of rending flesh echoed in the laboratory.

Phoenix cried out in pain as Alex brutally pierced his shoulder. The force of the impact was enough to throw him backward, crashing through one, two, three reinforced steel walls before finally slamming into a column. He fell to the ground with a deafening crash, leaving a trail of dust and debris behind him. His shoulder was shattered, hanging at an odd angle; blood flowed freely, soaking his clothes and the floor.

Phoenix staggered to his feet, gasping in pain. Blood stained his forehead and his injured arm. He could feel his body desperately trying to heal, but something was blocking it. His shoulder remained completely shattered, and the pain spread like a black tide.

"What... the hell did you do to me?" he asked, his voice laden with disbelief and rage.

Alex approached slowly, savoring the moment, a satisfied smile on his face. "Were you expecting this to be like always? Your wounds just closing up, your body healing as if nothing happened? Sorry, but this isn't that kind of game, Phoenix."

Phoenix narrowed his eyes, struggling to stay upright. "Speak plainly, kid."

Alex raised his hands, showing his claws. "My blood, Phoenix. It's imbued with a special poison, one that inhibits vampire regeneration. It's a little gift from Viktor and the scientists at Antigen. They thought it would be useful against someone like you."

Phoenix gritted his teeth, a flash of fury passing through his eyes. "Bastard... I don't care about your tricks. You think a little poison is going to stop me?"

Alex let out a mocking laugh. "Oh, I know. It won't stop you. But watching you try to stay on your feet while I break you into pieces is... amusing."

Phoenix clenched his fists, feeling the weakness spreading through his body. His regeneration, his most reliable advantage, was completely neutralized. Yet, that only seemed to ignite a spark of determination in him. "Well, kid, if you think this is the end, you're very mistaken. I still have a few surprises up my sleeve."

Alex lunged again, moving like lightning, but this time Phoenix was ready. With a quick movement, he dodged Alex's initial attack, spinning his body to the side to avoid another deadly charge. Using his good hand, he threw a punch straight to Alex's face, the impact resonating like thunder. Alex staggered backward, his confident smile disappearing for a second.

"Don't underestimate old-school tricks," Phoenix growled.

But he knew he had to be smarter and faster. Alex was younger, stronger in many ways, and his regeneration was blocked.

Phoenix, with pain throbbing in his shattered shoulder and blood dripping from his unhealed brow, knew that staying to fight Alex wasn't an option. He needed to buy time, find an advantage, anything. Alex was recovering quickly, ready to attack again, so Phoenix made a decision.

In a burst of speed, Phoenix lunged at Alex before he could react. With a skillful move, he drew a silver dagger from his belt and, in a quick sweep, cut the tendons in Alex's right foot. The young vampire cried out in pain as his leg buckled under his weight, unable to support him.

"Damn you...!" Alex yelled, trying to get up, but his foot wouldn't respond. Phoenix seized that moment of weakness to press on. He knew staying here, in this cold, desolate laboratory, was a death sentence.

"Sorry, kid," Phoenix said with a twisted smile, showing no mercy. "But I'm leaving. You can stay here and lick your wounds."

Phoenix began walking towards the exit, his step slower and heavier than he would have liked. He felt the stabbing pain in his shoulder with every movement, and the blood continued to drip from his unhealed wound. As he moved through the halls of the Antigen complex, he couldn't help but let out a sarcastic laugh, even through the pain.

He managed to reach the elevator. He pressed the button forcefully, and as he waited for the doors to open, he glanced back, making sure Alex wasn't following. He could hear the echoes of curses and groans of pain behind him, but Alex wasn't getting up anytime soon. When the elevator doors finally opened, Phoenix slumped into the corner of the elevator, exhaling with relief.