Chapter 369: You’re Bluffing

BOOM!

West was sent flying backward.

He twisted in midair and landed against a building causing the walls to crack.

He immediately pushed off the walls while Angel Trigger charged once more.

The two collided again and West ducked beneath the shield as Angel Trigger swung once more.

While Angel Trigger’s arm was still extended, West spun and smashed his elbow into his ribs.

CRACK!

Angel Trigger was sent flying sideways.

West followed and swung his Guardian Sword.

Angel Trigger blocked but West changed the angle at the last second.

The sword slipped beneath the shield and...

SLASH!

Blood splattered.

Angel Trigger froze as a cut appeared across his torso.

He slowly looked down and touched the blood.

"Hmm," he smiled.

"Perhaps it’s time to get a little more serious."

West’s eyes narrowed as Angel Trigger raised his free hand.

"Second Trigger."

The sky seemed to brighten as a second pillar of divine light descended.

BOOOOM!

The surrounding street was illuminated and in the next instant, a gigantic glowing sword materialized within the light, almost as large as West’s Guardian Sword.

Angel Trigger grabbed it and now he stood with a massive shield in one hand and a gigantic divine sword in the other.

West’s expression turned serious as Angel Trigger burst forward.

BOOM!

Immediately Angel Trigger swung, West jumped backward.

The blade cleaved through an entire building causing concrete to collapse behind him.

RUMBLE!

Angel Trigger swung again and West evaded, resulting in the sword cleaving through another structure.

"You’re destroying everything!" West shouted.

"Who cares?" Angel Trigger laughed.

He swung again but this time, West blocked with his Guardian Sword.

BOOM!

The impact nearly sent the weapon flying from his hand.

Angel Trigger pushed forward. "You should be more worried about your friends!"

West’s eyes hardened as he suddenly kicked the ground.

The concrete exploded and using the dust as cover, he disappeared.

Angel Trigger turned. "Where?"

West suddenly appeared behind him and swung.

Angel Trigger’s shield immediately moved and the moment West’s sword collided with it, he swerved out of the way, evading the backlash.

However, before Angel Trigger could pull back, West’s fist connected with his jaw.

BOOM!

Angel Trigger staggered as West attacked again and again.

For several seconds, West controlled the exchange.

Angel Trigger’s expression changed. "You..."

West slammed his knee into Angel Trigger’s stomach, throwing him backward but before West could follow... the divine sword glowed.

A strange symbol appeared around West.

His eyes widened. "What?"

The sword suddenly moved but West dodged.

The sword curved to reach his new position but he dodged again.

Unfortunately, the blade curved again.

West’s expression changed. "You’ve got to be kidding me."

Angel Trigger smiled. "Once the sword locks onto its target, evasion becomes meaningless."

West twisted and spun but the sword still followed.

Even when he jumped or ducked, it followed, moving faster each time...

SLASH!

Following at very rapid speed, the sword ripped across his side causing blood to explode from West’s waist.

West was thrown through the side of a building, bleeding from the deep cut.

"See?" he slowly approached. "I could kill you."

West emerged from the rubble with blood running down his side.

Angel Trigger stared. "But I don’t want to."

West’s eyes burned as Angel Trigger deliberately lowered his weapon. "I want you to understand what helplessness feels like."

West didn’t respond but then, his body suddenly began changing.

Blue fur spread across his body, his jaw elongated, claws emerged, his frame expanded and his eyes began glowing.

Angel Trigger’s smile disappeared as he sensed the rapid increase in power. "What?"

West suddenly vanished, moving at unprecedented speed.

Angel Trigger barely saw him before West appeared beside him.

BOOM!

His palm smashed into the shield with tremendous force and knocked it away.

Angel Trigger’s eyes widened as West grabbed him by the throat. "You made one mistake."

He tightened his grip. "You assumed I was finished."

BOOOOOOM!

West launched forward, slamming Angel Trigger’s body through one building after the other.

BOOM!

BOOM!

BOOM!

BOOM!

Concrete exploded around them as he continued dragging Angel Trigger through structure after structure until they finally crashed into the ground.

CRAAASH!

A large crater was formed.

West stood over him with his claws pressed against Angel Trigger’s chest.

Angel Trigger had been taken by complete surprise and that was West’s intentions. Fight in his normal form until Angel Trigger believed it was all he had, before ambushing him with the Voidfang Predator.

Angel Trigger coughed out blood while West raised his claws. "This ends now."

His claws descended but before it could reach Angel Trigger... "If I die..."

"...they die."

West suddenly stopped, letting his claws hover inches above his chest.

His eyes narrowed. "You’re bluffing."

Angel Trigger smiled despite the blood on his face. "Maybe."

West’s claws trembled. "You’re just trying to get out of me killing you."

"Maybe."

Angel Trigger’s smile widened. "Maybe not."

West’s expression became murderous as Angel Trigger continued.

"But are you willing to take the chance?"

West said nothing.

"I always put fail-safes in everything."

Angel Trigger slowly pushed himself upright. "Just like you got my mother..."

He chuckled. "...but couldn’t quite hold on to her."

West gritted his teeth knowing Angel Trigger had him.

West could probably kill him but if Angel Trigger had actually placed some sort of fail-safe on Aria and Liz, then killing him could mean losing them permanently.

And that was a risk West couldn’t take.

Angel Trigger slowly stood and dusted himself off. "See?"

He smiled. "That’s the difference between us."

West stared at him. "I plan for everything."

"Just dial the number."

West remained silent.

"Then we’ll talk."

Angel Trigger turned away. "If you ever want to see Aria and Liz again..."

He glanced over his shoulder. "...you’ll do exactly what I say."

West’s fist clenched in frustration.

...

...

~ Hours Later ~

The Shadow Reapers base had never felt this quiet.

For the first time since West Einstein had become its leader, the usually lively headquarters seemed to have lost its enthusiasm.

There were no loud arguments coming from the training hall or music playing somewhere in the background or Jax complaining about paperwork.