CHAPTER 124: Hell in Berlin-17

CHAPTER 124: Hell in Berlin-17

The tunnel still trembled from the energy emanating from the pentagram. The crimson lines moved as if they had a life of their own, and the air grew denser the closer they got to Alex. Phoenix and Alucard stood motionless, assessing the situation.

Phoenix clenched his fists. He knew that if they attacked without thinking, the damage could rebound on them. And if Alex died while the bond was still active, Alucard could die with him. They couldn't afford a single mistake.

Alex smiled confidently, slowly twirling the scythe between his fingers.
"What's wrong, heroes?" he said mockingly. "Run out of courage? Come on, try to touch me. I won't bite… well, maybe just a little."

Phoenix didn't respond. His mind worked at full speed, analyzing every detail: the blood, the circle's lines, the weak points on the floor. If he could get him out of there, the entire spell would break. It was simple in theory, but difficult in execution.

Alucard glanced at him, noticing his concentration. Then his voice boomed inside Phoenix's head, deep and telepathic.
*Do you have a plan, boy?*

Phoenix responded without moving his lips, his mind firm.
*Yes. The pentagram is the key. As long as he's inside, he's invincible. But if we get him outside the seal, the curse is nullified. That's when we have to finish him… without hesitation.*

A flash of understanding crossed Alucard's eyes.
*Hmmm… sounds risky, but I like it.* He smiled with an almost amused air. *There's nothing more satisfying than breaking a child's toys.*

Phoenix looked at him seriously.
*I need you to trust me. Don't attack directly. Just distract him… I'll handle getting him out of the circle.*

*As you wish,* Alucard responded with a telepathic nod. *But hurry, before that creature decides to start playing again.*

Alex watched them from the center of the pentagram, impatient.
"What's wrong, my brave hunters? Did the little drawing scare you?" he said, laughing.

Phoenix raised his gaze, and his expression changed. He now had a strategy, a spark of determination in his eyes.
"No, Alex," he said firmly. "We're just deciding which one of us is going to be the one to pull you out of your comfort zone."

Alucard smiled, his fangs glinting in the dim light.
"And I assure you, when that happens, no pentagram will save you."

The air grew tense once more. The battle was about to resume, but this time, Phoenix had something Alex didn't: a plan.

The entire tunnel seemed to hold its breath. The crimson lines of the pentagram pulsed like living veins, illuminating Alex's face, which smiled with confidence.
Phoenix, his gaze fixed on him, began to walk slowly, his breathing heavy but controlled. Each step echoed on the cracked cement.

"Enough games, Alex," murmured Phoenix, approaching. "This ends now."

But before he could react, Alex moved like lightning. The scythe cut through the air with a deadly whir, and suddenly the crimson steel pierced Phoenix's torso from side to side, emerging from his back in a spray of blood.

"PHOENIX!" roared Alucard, his eyes burning like embers.

Phoenix stood motionless, the weapon embedded in him. For a moment, Alex smiled with satisfaction, but then he noticed something different: the young man wasn't screaming or falling; instead, he was gripping the scythe with both hands, pulling on it with brutal strength.

"What…?" Alex managed to say.

With a deep roar, Phoenix gave a violent pull, dragging Alex out of the pentagram. The crimson light of the seal flickered and died, as if its heart had been cut out. Alex fell to the ground, surprised, and before he could react, Phoenix was on top of him.

"IT'S OVER!" shouted Phoenix, throwing punch after punch. Each blow smashed Alex's face and chest into the cement, raising dust and blood.

Finally, Phoenix moved away, panting, his fists bloodied.
Alex lay on the ground, but his body began to dissolve into a puddle of thick blood.

Phoenix took a step back, bewildered.
"What the hell…?"

A soft laugh echoed from a corner of the tunnel. From the shadows, Alex emerged unscathed, leaning calmly on his scythe.
"Oh, Phoenix… as impulsive as ever." His voice was venomous, almost sweet. "That was just a blood clone. I've always been here, waiting."

Phoenix's eyes widened.
"Coward…!"

Alex smiled calmly and raised his scythe, placing it against his own chest.
"No, this isn't cowardice. This is evolution." His gaze shone with a disturbing glow. "The game is over."

Before Phoenix could react, Alex impaled his own heart with his weapon. The crimson blade pierced him with a wet snap.

"NOOOOOOO!" screamed Phoenix, his voice breaking as he ran towards him.

But then he heard a sound that froze his blood: the cracking of glass.
He turned his head and saw Alucard. His master was beginning to fragment, his body cracking as if it were made of glass.

"No… no, no, no…" Phoenix ran to him, tears streaming down his bloodied face. "Alucard, no!"

Alucard looked down at his own hands, watching them dissolve into fragments of light.
"So… that damned bond…" he murmured calmly, almost resigned.

Phoenix knelt before him, holding him tightly.
"Don't you dare leave me! Not now! You said we would finish him together!"

Alucard raised a trembling hand and placed it on his disciple's cheek, his touch cold but firm.
"Listen to me, Phoenix…" his voice was deep but soft. "In this rotten world… you are one of the few good things left. Never let them take that from you."

Phoenix clenched his jaw, tears falling onto his master's hand.
"I can't… I can't do it without you…"

Alucard smiled weakly, showing a glimpse of his fangs.
"Of course you can. You're stronger than you think. Stronger than me… stronger than anyone." He gave a small push on Phoenix's chest, almost paternal. "Get up. Fight. Live."