The last days：Domination

The tense silence in the dimly lit hallway stretched out like a living thing, heavy and suffocating. Adam's eyes locked onto Mark, his grip on the machete tightening as his muscles tensed in anticipation. The blood from the recent fight still clung to his clothes and skin, making him feel like a walking target. His mind raced, analyzing the situation.

Mark stood with a wicked smirk plastered across his face, but there was something different about him—something that made Adam uneasy. The scavenger wasn't the same man he had been when they first met. He was darker now, more calculating, and the way he gripped the strange weapon in his hand suggested he had gained something in the time since their last encounter.

"What do you want, Mark?" Adam's voice was low, calm, betraying none of the tension that coiled inside him. He couldn't afford to show weakness, not now. Not when the stakes were this high.

Mark chuckled, a sound that grated on Adam's nerves. "What do I want?" He paused for a moment, eyeing the crystal in Adam's hand with something like hunger. "I want what's mine."

Adam frowned, his hand tightening on the machete. "What do you mean by that?"

Mark took a step forward, his movements deliberate, slow. He wasn't in a rush. Adam had learned by now that people like Mark rarely acted impulsively. He watched as the scavenger's eyes flicked between him and the crystal, a sly smile curling on his lips.

"I've been watching you, Adam," Mark continued, his voice dripping with mockery. "You think you're special, don't you? That little crystal you've got—it's more than just some trinket. It's power. And you've been wielding it like you own it. But guess what?" He stepped closer, his eyes narrowing. "You don't."

Adam's heart skipped a beat. There it was again—the crystal. That faint, tingling sensation in the back of his mind. He had felt its power, yes, but this… this was different. Mark's words struck a nerve deep inside him. Something about this entire situation felt off, like he was missing a crucial piece of the puzzle.

"I've seen what it can do," Mark said, his voice growing darker. "And I've been trying to get my hands on it for days now. You didn't think you could just take it, did you?"

A chill ran down Adam's spine as he finally understood. Mark wasn't just here to kill him—he was here for the crystal. And from the look in his eyes, it wasn't just the crystal's energy he wanted. No, it was something far deeper than that. Something dangerous.

Adam shifted his stance, preparing for the worst. He knew he couldn't trust Mark. But the scavenger wasn't making any immediate moves, instead choosing to circle around Adam, his eyes never leaving the crystal.

"You know," Mark mused, "I could've joined you, Adam. We could've been partners. You and me, leading the new world. But you had to go and be greedy, didn't you? All I wanted was a little piece of what you've got. But now?" He smirked. "Now, I'll just have to take it."

The air crackled with tension as Mark raised the weapon in his hand—a jagged, makeshift blade, like something forged from the bones of a mutated creature. Adam's eyes darted to the weapon, and a wave of unease swept over him. There was something about it—something unnatural. It wasn't just a tool; it was a conduit for power, the same kind of energy that had come from the mutated zombies.

Before Adam could react, Mark lunged forward, moving with surprising speed. The jagged blade gleamed in the low light as it cut through the air, aimed directly at Adam's throat.

Adam barely had time to block the attack, his machete clashing with Mark's blade in a shower of sparks. The impact sent a shock through his arm, and he gritted his teeth against the pain. Mark was strong, far stronger than he had anticipated, and his speed was unnerving. This wasn't the same man Adam had faced before. Something had changed in him, something dangerous.

Mark grinned, clearly enjoying the fight. "You can't win this, Adam. I'm not the same weak scavenger you met in the city. I've made deals, I've traded, I've killed. And now, I'm going to take what's mine."

Adam's eyes narrowed. He couldn't let Mark get away with this—not after everything he had worked for. But he knew this wasn't just a physical fight; it was a battle for control of the power that the crystal offered. And if Mark got his hands on it… Adam didn't want to think about what could happen.

With a swift movement, Adam twisted his machete, parrying Mark's strike and knocking the jagged blade from his hands. But Mark wasn't done. He leaped backward, reaching into his belt for another weapon—a small, metallic device, slick and compact, with a glowing red symbol etched on its surface.

"What's that?" Adam asked, his voice low, wary.

Mark didn't answer. Instead, he activated the device, and a wave of energy rippled through the air, a pulse of heat and power that sent a tremor through the ground. The crystal in Adam's hand reacted almost instantly, its energy flaring to life, as if sensing the other power in the room.

Adam staggered back, his chest tightening as the two energies collided, creating a wave of force that nearly knocked him off his feet. He had never felt anything like it—two opposing forces clashing, each one seeking dominance.

"You think you can handle this?" Mark sneered, watching Adam struggle against the wave of energy. "You're not ready for what's coming, Adam. This—this is just the beginning."

Adam's heart raced as the crystal in his hand pulsed violently, its energy surging in response to the threat. It was like a battle of wills, a contest of power, and Adam knew that only one could emerge victorious. He needed to end this quickly—before Mark could unleash whatever it was that he had just activated.

Summoning every ounce of strength, Adam focused on the crystal, channeling its energy into his body. He could feel the heat, the raw power coursing through him, and he used it to push against Mark's device. The air crackled as the two forces battled for supremacy, but Adam's will was stronger. With a final, decisive push, he overwhelmed Mark's energy, sending a shockwave of power that knocked Mark off his feet.

Mark grunted, crashing to the ground, his weapon skittering out of reach. He looked up at Adam, his eyes wide with shock and disbelief. "How… how did you do that?" he gasped.

Adam stood tall, his chest heaving as he glared down at the defeated scavenger. "The crystal chose me," he said coldly. "And now, it's time to pay the price for underestimating me."

Mark didn't answer. He was too stunned to speak, his body trembling from the residual energy in the air. Adam knew he had won—not just the battle, but the war for control over the crystal's power.

But even as he stood victorious, Adam couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. There was more to this crystal than he could understand, and more enemies lurking in the shadows, waiting for their chance to strike.

And he would need every ounce of strength to survive what was coming next.