Primordial Expanse: I have the Strongest Talent!

132  The Count's fury

"What did you do to my son!?"

The Count's voice boomed across the square as he launched himself at Alex in an enraged fury. His dark blade swung with deadly intent, slicing through the air towards Alex's head. Alex barely managed to parry, his fiery sword meeting Desmond's with a shower of sparks.

The impact jarred Alex's arm, but he pushed back with all his strength. The two men locked eyes, hatred blazing in both. Desmond's face twisted in fury, and he forced Alex back a step. "You'll pay for that!" the Count snarled, his voice dripping with venom. Alex swung his sword in a wide arc, flames licking at Desmond's armour. The Count dodged, his movements quick and precise. He retaliated with a series of rapid strikes, each one aimed to maim or kill. Alex blocked and countered, his fiery sword leaving trails of burning air.

Desmond's attacks were relentless. He was stronger than Alex had anticipated, and each blow carried the weight of his rage and sorrow. Alex could feel the heat of his own flames intensifying, the power of his Phoenix Fury technique driving him forward.

"You think you can stop me?" Desmond roared, his blade crackling with dark energy. "I've faced worse than you!"

Their swords clashed again, the force of the impact sending shockwaves through the square. Onlookers, too slow to flee, were thrown back by the sheer power of the clash. Buildings trembled, windows shattered, and debris rained down around them.

Alex grit his teeth, focusing on the fight. He couldn't afford to be distracted, not with so much at stake. He pushed Desmond back, his flaming sword a blur of motion. Each strike was aimed with lethal intent, but the Count's defences were formidable.

"You won't win," Alex growled, his voice steady despite the chaos around them. "You're out of time."

Desmond laughed, a harsh, grating sound. "You think you've won? You're a fool!"

The Count unleashed a wave of dark energy, the force of it slamming into Alex and knocking him back. Alex rolled with the impact, coming to his feet just in time to deflect another strike. Desmond was on him in an instant, his attacks fierce and unrelenting.

They traded blows, each one more brutal than the last. Alex could feel the strain of the fight, his muscles burning with effort. But he couldn't afford to slow down. He had to keep pushing, had to find a way to end this.

Desmond's eyes gleamed with malice. "You think you're a hero? You're nothing!"

Alex ignored the taunt, focusing on the rhythm of the fight. He ducked under a sweeping strike, retaliating with a powerful upward slash that seared the Count's arm. Desmond hissed in pain but didn't falter. He countered with a vicious thrust, aiming for Alex's heart.

Alex twisted, the blade grazing his side. Pain flared, but he pushed through it, his own sword slashing across Desmond's chest. Blood sprayed, and the Count stumbled back, his face contorted in rage and pain.

"You'll pay for that!" Desmond bellowed, his voice echoing through the square.

'Damn that bitch Martha, if it weren't for her, my power wouldn't have been so weak!'

What Alex didn't realise was that the Count's combat power actually exceeded his estimations.

When he was a D+ rank, his power actually matched that of a C rank!

But now that he was weakened, pushed back a whole rank, his combat power actually matched Alex's estimations.

So Alex hadn't realised anything was wrong with Desmond from the beginning, only that it looked like Martha had somehow injured him.

Desmond summoned more dark energy, the power crackling around him. Alex braced himself, his flames burning hotter in response. The two forces collided in a blinding flash, the impact shaking the ground.

Onlookers screamed, fleeing in terror as the battle raged on. Many were caught in the crossfire, their bodies thrown by the force of the clash. Blood stained the cobblestones, mingling with the dust and debris.

Desmond's face twisted with fury. "You think you can stop me? I'm unstoppable!"

Alex could feel the strain of the fight, his breath coming in ragged gasps. But he couldn't afford to stop, couldn't afford to let the Count win. He channelled more of his fire talent, the flames licking at his skin but not burning him, instead fueling his power.

"You're wrong," Alex said, his voice cold and hard. "You're finished."

He pressed the attack, his fiery strikes relentless. Desmond's defences began to falter, the power of Alex's flames driving him back. But the Count was far from defeated. With a snarl, he summoned a wave of dark energy, the force of it slamming into Alex and knocking him back.

Alex staggered, but quickly regained his footing. He could feel the urgency of the clock ticking away, each second bringing the townspeople closer to safety. He couldn't afford to waste any more time.

"You're running out of tricks, Desmond," Alex said, his voice steady. "And out of time."

Desmond's face contorted with rage. He summoned all his remaining strength, launching a final, desperate attack. His strikes were wild and powerful, but Alex's defence was impenetrable. He parried each blow with precision, his fiery sword cutting through the air with deadly grace.

"You don't know when to give up, do you?" Alex muttered, his eyes locked on the Count.

Desmond's attacks grew more frantic, his desperation evident. Alex could see the fear creeping into his eyes, the realisation that he was losing. With a final, powerful strike, Alex broke through the Count's defences, his flaming sword cutting deep into Desmond's side.

The Count cried out in pain, stumbling back. Blood flowed from the wound, staining his clothes. But he wasn't done yet. With a snarl, he summoned all his remaining strength, launching a final, desperate attack.

Alex met him head-on, their swords clashing in a blinding flash of light. The impact sent them both staggering, but Alex recovered first. With a swift, decisive move, he drove his sword through the Count's chest, the flames consuming him from within.

Desmond's eyes widened in shock and agony. He tried to speak, but no words came out. The fire spread quickly, engulfing his body. Within moments, there was nothing left but ash.

Alex pulled his sword free, the flames dissipating. He stood over the ashes of his fallen enemy, his breath coming in ragged gasps. The fight was over, but there was no time to rest. He had to ensure the townspeople were safe.

He turned and sprinted towards the edge of the square, his mind racing. The Count's men had scattered, their morale shattered by the death of their leader. Alex moved through the chaos, searching for any stragglers who might pose a threat.

The townspeople were still fleeing, their faces filled with fear and uncertainty. Alex's voice rang out above the din, urging them to keep moving. He could see the relief in their eyes, but also the lingering fear.

"Keep going!" he shouted. "You're almost safe!"

The townspeople quickened their pace, their fear driving them forward. Alex watched as they disappeared into the distance, a sense of grim satisfaction settling over him. He had done what he could to protect them.

He turned back towards the square, his eyes scanning the area for any remaining threats. The Count's men were gone, their spirits broken. Alex felt a surge of relief, but also a lingering sense of unease.

The fight with Desmond had been close, too close. Alex knew he couldn't afford to let his guard down. There were still many enemies out there, many challenges to face. But he was ready for whatever came next.

He sheathed his sword, the flames extinguishing. His body was exhausted, but his mind was sharp. He knew there was no time to rest, no time to celebrate.

"Hahahahha!"

But when Alex turned back towards the town square, his eyes widened in shock and horror.

"Did you think you could kill me so easily?"

Count Desmond let out a deadly laugh as he stood amidst the square, uninjured.

"Haha, it looks like you're the one out of time now, Alex!"

As he spoke, Desmond clicked his fingers together, and immediately after a booming sound echoed throughout every alley, street and house in Monty town, and a dome shaped barrier encompassed the entirety of the town.

Alex looked desperately towards the edge of the barrier, and watched in distraught and desperation as the remaining 13,000 people who hadn't made it out yet screamed and cried out in agony and dissolved into puddles of blood one after the other.

These puddles of people all flowed towards the centre of the town, where Count Desmond was standing with his mouth still agape in sinister laughter.

A few seconds passed and the suffering of the thousands of Monty town citizens was over.

Each and every person who remained in this town was turned into a puddle of blood and sucked into the centre.