Preparations

[Nox]

Nox barely heard Connor over the thrum of power in his ears. Aria never took her eyes off of him. He could see the darkness sliding around. There was fury and pain in her eyes. The loss of Lucas was fueling the rage inside. She struggled against the wall of air. Pounding on it. Pushing at it, but it was immovable. Nox wanted to smile and reveal in his own godhood, in his own power but he pushed the thought away as quickly as it came. He was not a god, he was just a man with a gift. A hunted man with a gift.

Nox let the air wall dissipate, Aria fell forward but she caught herself on his arm and he could feel the pain she tried to inflict upon him. It ran through his body and he wanted to cry out but it was no different than the pain she'd used before, except this time she meant to over power him.

It was moments before Aria went on the offensive. Nox was thankful Aria didn't have her sword or a gun handy, either were not so fun to spar barehanded. Not that hand to hand was great either. Aria was far superior in technique and speed. It was her go to workout. Nox had only started really trying after meeting Aria.

The power coursed through him and he could see her move seconds before he should have. It wasn't like seeing the future, but he had watched her enough, sparred with her enough he anticipated. She came at him with a series of punches and kick and while they landed, he had blocked almost all of them. She managed a leg to his side.

Nox heard Ayden speaking to Connor. "They're going to kill each other."


Aria came at him again. Her speed slowing only slightly. He had to put a stop to this. Nox wove a quick weave of air and tightened the grip on Aria's neck and pushed her against the wall. Her hands went to her throat. She was gasping for air.

"Stop it now."


Nox felt the distinct cool tingle of a female embracing her power. He turned and flung a fireball that landed just in front of the the couple. "Don't!"


Nox turned back to Aria still actively held by the bounds of power.