Hollow readjusted his grip on both the Sinner and his axe. Ludwig reached into his coat and began to advance. There were only a half dozen meters between them, and he clear half that distance within the next few seconds. He withdrew a crude object, a collapsible pole with a heavy, wide blade on one end and a heavy mechanism in the center of the haft, a cross between a polearm and a crossbow. A mess of chains twisted around the haft and hung freely. Dozens of links fell freely into the mud below.
"You don't look tough. How the hell are you supposed to slay the Hand?" Ludwig taunted Hollow, raising his weapon as he spoke. He placed one hand on the mechanism, and looped a length of chain around his hand.
Though his tone was sharp and harsh, Hollow picked up on a tightness in his voice, an uncertainty that betrayed him. He was scared. A wide grin broke out across Hollow's face like a rash. His grip tightened on his axe, and he took a step forwards.
The second his foot made contact with the ground, Ludwig pulled the trigger. There was a loud metallic click, instantly followed by the rattling of chains as the blade burst forth from the mechanism like a ballista bolt!
Hollow slipped under the silver streak of death. He dropped into a low crouch, and then leaped up into the air like a spring, axe raised high, his grip on the Sinner as tight as he could make it without hurting his friend.
Ludwig growled and counted briefly, then he pulled on the chain sharply, dragging it back towards himself at blinding speeds. Hollow fell like a stone, a silver flash in the dim daylight. Just as he reached Ludwig, he noticed a cruel smile on the man's face. Icy anticipation stabbed into the back of Hollow's neck and eyes, a heavy feeling in his stomach.
He slammed into the ground in front of Ludwig and promptly smacked him in the forehead with the pommel of his axe, splitting his skin and knocking him flat. Just as he struck the ground, the blade reached its target, about to make short and sharp congress with Hollow's throat.
It very nearly did, diverted only in the last possible split second when Hollow struck it with an overhead strike from his axe! Sparks flew and steel screeched as the heavy blade slammed into the mud, showering all parties with filth.
Hollow turned back to Ludwig, who had pulled himself from the mud and drawn a short single edged blade from his sleeve to continue the fight. Mud splattered his face, and blood ran down his forehead. Hollow raised his axe, his smile unwavering.
"Tougher than you look, huh?" Ludwig grunted, annoyance flickering across his face.
"Tougher than you, at least." Hollow chided, clicking his tongue at his opponent.
Without another word, Ludwig thrust his blade at Hollow's throat, only for his weapon to be deflected casually with the flat side of the axe. Hollow twisted his weapon, forcing Ludwig's arm upwards. He struck him upside the head with the blunt side of his axe, knocking him off balance before quickly following up with a far more lethal attack.
Hollow buried his axe in Ludwig's right bicep, purposely tearing his blade free before cutting too deep. It was too shallow to be lethal, but too deep to be ignored.
Ludwig shrieked in agony as he fell backwards, a dark rope of blood spurting from his wound. He struck the ground, mud splashing upwards and splattering against Hollow's boots.
Hollow looked down at his fallen foe, that grin still on his face. He kicked Ludwig in the side, and felt something snap inside him, likely a rib or three. The white haired man screamed in agony, a dozen curse words spilling from his mouth as he writhed, gripping his torn arm.
"You told your friend to get to work. What did that mean?" Hollow asked, placing his foot on Ludwig's torn arm, pressing against it slightly. The white haired man grit his teeth and glared up at Hollow.
"Like I'd tell you that. Doctor! I've done all I can!" Ludwig shouted, rage burning behind his eyes as he tried to free himself from Hollow to no avail.
There was no response. Hollow leered down at his fallen foe, grinding his foot against Ludwig's arm. He howled, and swore at his tormenter. Blood spurted from the wound, his flesh soaked with mud and gore, pale bone peeking through from the wound.
ZAP!!!
With a crackle and a flash, a bolt of electricity struck Hollow, coursing through his body like a wave. The current shook him violently and his limbs jumped and twitched, pain screaming through his pale form. Hollow shrieked in surprise, and felt his feet leave the ground as the current carried him several meters backwards.
"Good work Ludwig! That was nineteen seconds. Look at you, you're finally learning stamina." Viktor taunted, teal electricity sparking from his fingertips. He wore a pair of leather gloves with silver tipped fingers, and a silver wire running down each finger. The wire connected with a spinning silver disk laden on the back and palm of the glove. A heavy steel device hung from the Doctor's back, wrapped in some sort of water repellant cloth, evidenced by the rain simply sliding off of the cloth.
The Doctor advanced slowly, cautiously approaching his fallen comrade. Hollow glared at him, but quickly turned his attention to the Sinner, who had been struck the same as Hollow. Speech failed to rouse him, and shaking him gently was of no avail. He could still feel a faint heartbeat pulsing against him back, and the even fainter rise and fall of his chest against his shoulder.
"To think you could harness lightning like that. Is that a blessing from the Hand?" Hollow asked, pointing his weapon at the silver haired Doctor.
There was no response for a second as a dozen expressions flashed across the Doctor's face, each a separate variation of rage or mania. He finally settled on a wide smile, one equal parts manic and jovial.
"You're new here, so I'll forgive your stupidity. Do you really think ANYONE would want a blessing from that unhallowed whore?! That thing has spent the past hundred years rotting this world from the inside out. No, this is no blessing, curse or sorcery. This is SCIENCE! The might of the human mind! This is proof our world no longer has a need for Gods or Casters, only for us! Proof that the very elements of the world are malleable beasts at the hands of human mettle! Proof that we don't need YOU." Viktor shouted, raising his hands to the sky. The discs whirred and bolts of electricity burst forth from his fingertips, splaying out against the dark sky like a spider web.
Hollow cocked his head and raised an eyebrow.
"Didn't you say I was proof that the Hand's world was ending? Doesn't that imply you need me in some fashion?" He asked, scratching his cheek with his free hand.
"Perhaps the rabble of this world needed you, but I never did. My mind excels beyond that any God! And I'll prove that right here and now..." Viktor trailed off, lowering his hands. He waved Hollow towards him, beckoning him closer with a taunting motion.
Hollow very carefully noticed the distance between them. It was roughly the same amount that had been between him and Ludwig, and while he didn't know what tricks the Doctor kept up his sleeve, it was very clear that getting in close before he could adapt was going to be his best, and perhaps only bet.
Without wasting another second, Hollow dashed forwards with blinding speed, the same speed he had used against the Faceless less than a day ago. His feet felt light as he sprinted over the mud, his footfalls kicking up a vicious spray of mud that bit holes into the solid dirt, and peppered the surrounding trees with high impact filth.
In less than a split second, he was halfway to his target, who's smile grew as his foe came closer. He snapped his fingers, and a bolt of electricity arced towards him. Hollow raised his axe, and swiped at the bolt, only to be shocked with the same blinding pain as before! However this time, he felt the current pass through his body. As it reached his left hand, he tossed the Sinner into the air with all his might, his friend's vast form flying close to a dozen feet into the air within a split second! The current overtook him, and he was blasted backwards, the same as before.
Hollow slammed his heels into the mud, slowing himself enough that he could regain his freedom of movement. It was in that second that the Sinner began to fall. Free from hesitation, Hollow sprinted forwards and leaped, grabbing his friend from the air. Viktor smiled again, firing a half dozen separate bolts at Hollow, each aimed in a different direction.
The shambler cursed and skipped backwards, flickering to the left and right in an effort to avoid his foe's attacks. An effort that proved successful this time. He slid to a stop and glared at Viktor, who clapped his hands in retort, sparks flying with each impact.
"You're a quick one! I don't know any other who's quite that agile, save for Gehenna." Viktor pushed his glasses up further on his nose. He offered a hand to Ludwig, who took it gingerly, seemingly unsure if he would get shocked or not.
"Looks like he got you good. Stay put, and don't scream, please. I need to stay focused." Viktor inspected Ludwig's grisly wound, and reached into his rightmost belt pouch. He pulled a crude device from the pouch, and pressed a button on the side. Two pronged jaws sprouted from it, and Ludwig's eyes went wide with horror as Viktor calmly slid his hewn flesh back into place and pressed another button on the device.
The jaws snapped shut, fastening the flesh back to the bone with a creak and a clank. Ludwig quickly bit into the back of his free hand, splitting the skin and drawing blood.
"Shh, shh. Good boy. You were so brave." Viktor cooed, patting Ludwig's cheek before lightly tapping his nose. Fury rose in Ludwig's eyes before he turned away and huffed, his fair face crimson.
Hollow watched the pair, utterly confused. He looked at the Sinner, who had begun to sweat considerably. He wasn't previously aware unconscious people could do that. He spared a look at Viktor and Ludwig, who had begun to bicker amongst themselves in low tones he didn't bother to listen in on.
He gently placed the Sinner against a tree trunk, taking care to keep all of his limbs out from under him. When he released him, the Sinner caved inwards slightly, deflated. Hollow cocked his head at this, unsure of what to do. A quick glance at the duo showed them to still be arguing, so he took a second to smooth out his friend's robes and pat him on the head.
When Hollow stepped back onto the road from the tree, he saw that Viktor was facing him again, while Ludwig lay collapsed against a tree, his hand planted firmly over his face, hiding any expression. Hollow raised his axe, and Viktor raised his hand.
"You two wouldn't happen to want to call it a day, no?"
"I don't think you truly understand my might yet, so no. And there's no way you'll give me the Sinner without a fight." Viktor raised his hands again, flexing his fingers, tiny levins crackling at the movement.
"Damn right. I still think you're up yourself, and there's no way in this hell on earth that I'll give my best friend over to my least best friend." Hollow said, spinning the axe in his grip.
"We're not friends. Ew."
"Aw."
Hollow was back where he'd been when he first engaged Viktor. Six meters of nothing but open ground between him and the silver haired Doctor. A wide smile spread across both men's face as they each took a step towards one another.
The Unhallowed bounded forwards, pulling his axe in close to his chest as he leaped, leveling it with Viktor's neck. Viktor in turn noticed and ran a finger across his neck, before, thrusting both hands forward, a vast ball of lightning sparking to life between his fingers. As Hollow reached him, Viktor released the blast at point blank range. Each man exchanged a manic expression as Hollow hurled his axe behind him as far away and as quickly as he was able.
The ball followed the steel projectile, much to Viktor's chagrin and struck a nearby tree, which exploded into flame, the entire lower half reduced to char in a split second while the burning top half slammed into the mud soon after.
Hollow's fist shot out and slammed directly into Viktor's nose, which broke with a sudden crack, followed by the Doctor's glasses, thing cracks spiderwebbing across the lenses. Viktor staggered backwards, the smile still plastered on his face, unwavering. He snapped his fingers, and a hard and dull steel orb flew from his coat like a bullet and slammed into Hollow's midsection, knocking him flat!
Viktor slammed his foot into the mud, writing himself just in time to avoid falling. He snapped his fingers again, and another orb flew from his coat and barreled towards Hollow, who had just jumped back to his feet. The unhallowed stepped to the left, narrowly avoiding the steel blur.
The Doctor clapped his hands together, and a wave of electricity burst outwards from the impact, slamming into Hollow and both steel orbs, which lit up on contact. Mechanisms whirred as Hollow screamed, and both orbs sprouted a heavy barbed spike. With a simple gesture from Viktor, the orbs propelled themselves in Hollow's abdomen and knee, the spikes ripping into his flesh like a blade through water.
Hollow's flesh began to smoke and char, pale flesh blackening and blood boiling as a million volts tore through his body! At this, Viktor's laugh finally bubbled over, maniacal shrieking and giggling racking his body until he was shaking nearly as much as his victim!
"That was a clever play, but it's like I said, my mind exceeds beyond God's! With this, I'll prove to everyone that we don't need a divine savior, not as long as I'm alive!" Viktor shouted, his gloves whirring so quickly that they began to smoke on their axels, overflowing electricity slamming into the mud and fizzling out every split second.
After another agonizing second, Viktor stopped. Hollow's entire form was charred, smoke poured from his blackened bones and sizzling gauntlet, an acrid stench emanating from patches of burnt flesh and muscle. The Doctor was panting like a dog, sporadic giggles spilling from his throat with every few breaths.
He took a step forwards, and kicked the smoking skeleton with all his might, smacking the burning husk back to where it came from in the blink of an eye, next to the tree where Hollow had left the Sinner. Viktor turned to Ludwig, who stared at the Doctor with a spark in his eye, whether it was admiration or terror he would have to find out later.
Hollow's smoking skeleton slammed into the mud, filth splattering against the trees and grass on the side of the road. While he couldn't feel anything physically, desperation bit into his mind. The world was dark. He was unarmed, and his only weapon had without a doubt been destroyed by Viktor's attack. They were certain to take the Sinner and disappear now.
Was this it?
No. A spark lit in his chest, igniting his bones once more, this time from the inside. Muscles rewound, nerves and veins wrapped around them and skin began to knit itself back together, charred flesh burning away and new, pale flesh growing in it's place. The world flickered back into existence as his eyes regrew, and his body shook as he shoved himself onto unsteady feet. No matter how many times it took, he would not fall here. Not while his friend, and this world needed him.
But how could he fight without a weapon? Scanned the area, searching for another fallen soldier to arm himself from. Unfortunately, they had long since left that killing field behind, and no deserter would have made it this far. A tree branch, perhaps? No, he needed something better. What would be better?
Then he remembered the blade he'd woken with. It was chipped and had a jagged edge, likely no longer than a dagger. But it was sharp and light. The sort of thing one could throw with deadly accuracy.
As he thought of this weapon, a sharp pain assailed his left hand. He could feel his bones shifting, muscles warping, tendons twisting and skin straining! Hollow looked down, eyes widening at the sight of what was most certainly the hilt of that broken sword bulging from inside his wrist. He reached towards it and snapped it from free from his skin, revealing the marred, worn and broken weapon weaving itself from his very flesh!
Hollow pulled the broken blade from his wrist and starred down at it. It was a perfect recreation, down to the chips on both edges of the blade.
A low laugh bubbled in his throat. He pulled the charred remains of his cloak from his neck and wrapped it around his waist, covering himself. The laugh exploded from his throat, just as Viktor's had seconds ago.
The Doctor snapped around, eyes wide at the resurrection of his seemingly deceased foe. Ludwig stared on in horror, as he trying to force himself back to his feet. Hollow cracked his neck, and strode towards the Doctor, broken blade in hand. The rain began to fall harder, and thunder crashed in the distance.
"What's a brain without a body, Doctor? I'll tell you, so you know what to expect. It's cold and dead. What about all that knowledge? Lost to time. I'm here to kill a God. A self proclaimed superior will have to do today."
A crow cawed, and the corpse stood.