CHAPTER 119: Hell in Berlin-12

CHAPTER 119: Hell in Berlin-12

In the dark depths of the subway, where the air was as dense and cold as death itself, a figure approached Phoenix.
The fallen man's body remained propped against the wall, the pipe still piercing his chest, blood slowly seeping out and forming a puddle beneath him. Phoenix was unconscious, barely breathing.

"Well, well... What do we have here?" murmured Alex, leaning over him with a twisted smile, full of malice. His eyes shone with that childish cruelty that needed no reason to exist. The world was a game, and the pieces always ended up broken.

Alex observed Phoenix as if studying a canvas about to be destroyed.
"You know? I'm not going to lie, this is a little disappointing." He said in a honeyed tone, almost amused, while tapping his finger on the pipe running through Phoenix's chest. "I could have had more fun if you were awake... But such is life, isn't it? Sometimes the best toys arrive broken."

He sat down beside him, like a child with too much time and too much curiosity.
"Though... Who am I to complain? At least you've saved me the effort of getting my hands too dirty."

He raised his hand, toying with his fingers in the air, as if practicing the movements he would use to finish him off.
"It's a shame, really. I could kill you slowly, savoring every second, but... hmm." He twisted his lips into a false pout of regret. "There's no time. I have to make it quick. How boring, right?"

Alex sighed theatrically, as if making a grand decision.
"Quick and efficient, I suppose. Not really my style, but you can't have everything in life, can you, Phoenix? Though you don't have to worry about that anymore, of course."

He raised his right hand, running his fingers along the edge of the pipe still in Phoenix's chest, slowly twisting it as if testing its resistance.

"You know, sometimes I think about how unfair this world is. The strong ones like you usually last longer, but in the end, everyone falls. And that's where I come in." He smiled, his eyes gleaming with that sadistic touch. "It's always more fun to be the one who delivers the final blow."

He leaned closer to Phoenix, like a predator savoring its prey, and in a low voice, as if confessing a secret, he whispered:
"Well, my friend, I think it's time. Pity you're not conscious to say goodbye. But I suppose... it's better this way."

Alex raised a hand, ready to finish him off.

Alex smiled with twisted delight, slowly raising his hand, his elongated nails glinting under the subway's dim light, sharp as daggers ready to pierce flesh.

"Goodbye, Phoenix... It'll be quick, I promise," he murmured softly, like a lover saying farewell.

Just as his hand descended in a deadly motion...

Phoenix was no longer there.

Alex blinked, stunned, and his expression shifted from sadism to bewilderment. The body had disappeared as if by magic.

"What the hell...?" he whispered, looking around rapidly, until a calm, mocking voice sounded behind him.

"Looking for something, kid?"

Alex spun his head sharply, and there he was: Alucard.
The world's most powerful vampire was holding Phoenix's unconscious body as if it were a sack of old clothes, gripping him by the shirt without any effort. Alucard was smiling as if this were the most entertaining thing in the world.

"What a curious scene... an attempted murder in the subway shadows, and the assassin ends up staring at the greatest savior." Alucard tilted his head, showing a wolfish smile. "And with such bad intentions... Weren't you taught any manners, child?"

Alex looked at him with disdain, but his smile didn't fade.
"You must be Alucard, the myth made reality... I didn't expect to run into you so soon. Do you mind if I finish what I started? It shouldn't take long."

Alucard laughed softly, a deep and elegant sound.
"Oh, I certainly do mind. I can't let you kill this idiot. Not for now, at least."

Alex frowned, his amusement giving way to a more calculating air.
"And why not? What makes him so special?"

Alucard raised an eyebrow, as if the question were ridiculously obvious.
"First, boy, because Phoenix still has work to do. He's more useful alive than dead."

Alex clicked his tongue, bored.
"And the second reason? I'm listening."

Alucard smiled, baring his fangs with shameless amusement.
"The second reason is Enid."

Alex raised an eyebrow, genuinely intrigued.
"Enid? What does that witch have to do with any of this?"

Alucard stepped closer, still holding Phoenix dangling with shameless ease.
"Ah... boy, you have no idea." He leaned slightly towards Alex, his tone grave and mocking. "If you touch Phoenix, you'd unleash something worse than all the vampires in Berlin combined. Enid needs him, and believe me... you don't want to see what happens when she gets angry."

Alex laughed softly, but there was a calculating glint in his eyes.
"Huh. I wonder how terrible this Enid can be. Though... it sounds interesting."

Alucard let out an amused laugh.
"Oh, she definitely is. But not enough for you to want to face her. I assure you, friend."

Alex sighed and shrugged, as if finally accepting his defeat.
"Well, I guess I have no choice... for now."

Alucard smiled triumphantly.
"Exactly."

"Wow, kid... always getting into trouble, huh?" murmured Alucard, as if speaking to an old, sleeping friend, while adjusting Phoenix better over his shoulder. Then, with a satisfied smile, he headed towards the subway exit.

"Let's go, Phoenix... It'll be fun to see the look on Enid's face when I return you."

Alex, feeling his pride had been wounded by Alucard's intervention, decided he couldn't let him leave so easily.

With a quick movement, he launched one of his claws at Alucard, intending to pierce his heart.
"Don't get so cocky, old man," he growled, as the nail gleamed threateningly in the air.