He had never intended to stop the Pirate King on his own. Even with everything at his disposal, Red was certain that this man would walk straight through it. All of his gadgets had been prepped in case he was forced to face the gearborn. While they could affect a human as well, they weren't meant for someone like The Pirate King.
His deceptive powers could have avoided any of Red's gadgets anyway. That was why Red had gone beyond using his own powers to stop the Pirate King. He had just needed to delay the man long enough for Derrin and Silas to gather their bearings. Then, the three of them needed to hold out for Vizim's return.
At the last moment, the pirate teleported to the side. Derrin's blade still nicked the man's arm, and a drop of blood tainted the weapon. Derrin slid to the side, putting some distance between himself and the enemy. Red retreated as well. He knew the Pirate King would try to go for him first since he held the ranged weapon.
"So you've finally managed to hit me," The Pirate King raised a bloodied finger from the cut on his arm, "All of that for such a little cut. I am disappointed…well, you are still a child, so what can I expect? I think I will keep you alive after this is all said and done."
Red scoffed, "Please, when all is said and done, you'll be six feet under."
Silas staggered upright behind the Pirate King, blood draining from his shirt, "He won't make it six feet under. They don't bury traitors. They are undeserving of a proper burial."
"Red, get out of here," Derrin looked at him intently, "It is my duty to protect you in a life and death situation. My honor demands it. We will hold off this beast while you escape."
The Pirate King surveyed the three of them in unison, "What is your game here? Are you hoping that your friend will get the rest of the soldiers in time?"
Red paled slightly, but kept his gun raised.
"For some reason, you seem to be under the impression that you will be left standing by the time he returns. All you have done is led the rest of those men to their deaths."
"Enough jabber scum. Time to meet your end," Silas charged forward like a cannon shot.
Derrin rolled his eyes in exasperation and dove from the side. The Pirate King showed a toothy grin filled with such sadistic lust that Red took an unconscious step back. He fired a shot at the man as the other two converged on him.
The Pirate King moved like a monster. He had given up any pretense of caution and went straight for the kill. He easily avoided the shot of energy as he slid beneath Silas, sending him crashing into Derrin. The man spun and launched himself across the field at him. Red fired again, but the Pirate King teleported through the bullet.
"You go down first!" He raised his blade and brought it down on Red's shield.
The bubble shattered in a flurry of mist. Red lashed out with his fake blade towards the Pirate King's chest. The man calmly raised his weapon, burning with evil intent. Red's blade passed straight through the weapon, and the Pirate King's eyes widened in surprise. Even if his weapon had been able to injure the man, it wouldn't have mattered. The Pirate King teleported to the side, promptly avoiding the strike.
In response, a foot connected with Red's side, and he was sent hurtling to the dirt-covered ground with a crash. He groaned at the immense force behind the kick. It felt like a horse had trampled him. His entire side growled in agony, and he had a hard time catching his breath.
If not for the numerous times getting choked out over the last few months, he might have panicked. Instead, he forced himself to remain calm as breath came back to him. He had lost his gun in the assault, and it lay clattered to the ground a few feet away. There wasn't time to think about his wounds. He likely had a cracked rib or two, but the others were in far worse shape.
Red pushed himself up despite the sharp pain in his chest and watched the Pirate King drive his blade into Derrin's leg. Derrin yelled as he brought his own weapon down to the man's head.
It wasn't enough.
The Pirate King teleported his own weapon to block the strike. Silas slammed into the man from the side, sending him staggering. Red wasn't sure why he wasn't resummoning his weapon.
It didn't matter. All that mattered was that he get a shot off. If he could slow the Pirate King, then maybe they could delay him long enough until Vizim's return. Silas went flying away as the Pirate King's tremendous force crashed into him. Red fired another shot from his remaining gun at the pirate. He didn't even look in Red's direction as he blocked the strike.
They were all on the ground.
They were all spent.
Nothing he had done had been enough to stop the man. None of it had been enough. It seemed like any chance they had was slipping from their fingers. Red grabbed a circular object from his jacket and tossed it at the pirate. He teleported to the side and caught the item out of the air without flinching.
"My men told me about your strange gadgets and items. They will be getting some stern punishments after this is over. For them to lose to such a young boy is utterly disappointing."
Red covered his ears as the man crushed the device in the center of his palm. A deafening roar resounded across the fort. It was so loud that Silas and Derrin collapsed to the ground holding their heads. The Pirate King staggered as blood dripped down the side of his head. There was murder in his eyes. The cold calculations of someone decided that they had had enough games.
"You fucking brat. I still want you alive, but missing a few limbs will do. Missing a few limbs will do just fine."
He stepped over Derrin's sprawled body and made his way towards him. Red fired a shot, but the Pirate King slashed it out of the air. The sheer pressure emanating from the man reminded Red of the Herald. Only this man wasn't using fear. He was exercising pure killing intent and rage.
Red was out of options. His shield was down. His hallucinating sword was also out of the picture. Even his gadgets would be of no help, not unless he wished to suffer from them as well. After what the Pirate King had just experienced, he had no interest in joining. However, there was nothing left for him to do.
He pushed himself up and fired another shot. His gun began to feel warm under his fingers. He had been firing it a lot and too quickly. If he wasn't careful, it would explode. Not that it would matter if he were killed by the Pirate King.
Red stumbled, falling to one knee as the Pirate King slowly approached. He didn't know why Vizim was taking so long. They were out of time, and there was nothing left that he could do.