"Behold, mortals. The elder god of the South, Sango!" the black witch screeched, her arms perched to the sky where Sango blocked the eternal blue yonder. "His infected soul will herald your end."
It was all dark. The Southland day had become dark as night, and the frigid air became rotten with the stench of corruption. The elder god, the king of the Southland heavens, now stood as the immovable object in the way of humanity's future.
"I-impossible," Cygnus muttered, lying broken on the ground. He could barely move before because of his injuries, but now, just like every other soul in the city, he was petrified by the moonscraping colossus. They saw him as he held his divine stone axe overhead. The god, wrought upon by the witch, had become a corrupt deity under her beck and call.
"I s'pose this is it then," Brax said, a weary smirk emerging beneath his stricken face. "Damn, and here I really thought I coulda lived the good life."
"Twas wishful thinking, my friend," Epsilon said. He was laying down, having regained consciousness only to see his end right overhead.
In the darkened clouds, electricity spewed from all over, ravaging the land with each precise strike. The mere presence of Sango was enough to crush walls and topple buildings, and yet the giant stood still, awaiting the order to end humanity. The witch raised her arm to the sky, mirroring the point where Sango's axe lay. Once she struck it down, Sango's axe would fall.
"Might you indulge a dying man's curiosities?" Cygnus asked.
"I have little to say to a deadman," the witch said.
"That's fine, but we're still here," Cygnus said. "So, tell me something. Why are you using a god to crush something as insignificant as humanity?"
"The extinction of humanity is merely a stepping stone to something greater," the witch said.
With her outstretched hand, she seemed to be longing for something in the distance. Something invisible, but ever present.
"Begone for eternity," she said, her hand prepared to fall.
"No, you begone!"
Xinyu was behind the witch, reaching up to grab her hand. She squeezed it tight as the wretched woman tried to break away.
"You can escape me no longer, witch," Xinyu said as she jumped and thrust her knees into the witch's makeshift spine. She then grabbed both the woman's arms and pulled them back as she dug her foot deep into her bony back. Those arms were ripped back with such overwhelming strength that a loud crack echoed through the quiet air, followed by a tortured screech. Xinyu then ripped those phony arms off, slamming her ungraciously into the ground.
She'd been weakened from the prior battle. Her body was already torn apart, and even the frailest of attacks could deal heavy damage. Even those who were not of magic.
Xinyu landed firmly on her feet as they pivoted apart, and she took a stance reminiscent of the ancient fighting arts. Fists raised and eyes forward, she locked onto the crowd of shadowy arms that began to spew from the ground. The witch's breath was clearly heavy as the viney appendages shot forward. They pierced the air at incredulous speed, yet Xinyu dodged each one effortlessly as she slowly began to walk towards the witch, who was attempting to stand.
Left. Right. Jump. Sense each limb coming towards you, and do no falter, for you have done this before, Xinyu thought as she made her way through the rain of shadowy whips. Since we first met and I realized I could not beat you with magic,I have trained each day for this. Do not fail me now, body.
When Xinyu was upon the black witch's shuddering body, the bony woman created another limp arm from her shoulder and managed to grab Xinyu's leg. Blackish ooze leaked out, but it didn't affect Xinyu as it had before. She tore her foot away and raised it over her head.
"You're no longer using the magic of gods," the witch said weakly. "You're not even using magic…"
"I do not need magic to defeat my enemies," Xinyu said as she brought her foot down. "This frail body of mine will suffice to finish your weakened self off."
Unfortunately, her foot only hit a stain in the ground. The woman was already gone.
Xinyu looked back at her fallen allies, who could barely stand. She then looked up and saw that Sango's axe had begun to move downward. Crushing the witch didn't mean anything, at least, not without solidifying her death. It seemed Sango was still under her command, and the city would be destroyed regardless.
"I am sorry," Xinyu said. "I do not think I can carry everyone on my back to escape."
"There isn't much of a chance of escape, even if you go alone," Cygnus said.
"No. I could use my power to carry two of you away," Xinyu said. "But that means that the rest of you will have to die along with this city."
"Count me out then," Brax said immediately, lying back and closing his eyes. "Honestly, I'm tired. I just want to sleep."
"That is my line," Xinyu said quietly, trailing off.
"Seriously, is there not a way to save everyone?" Cygnus asked, chuckling as he clenched his chest.
"There is not," Xinyu said.
"If that is the case, then count me out as well," Cygnus said. "This will certainly rid me of my pesky insomnia."
"You mustn't!" Epsilon said. "Your mind is something that cannot be lost! Even if we all die here, you must live."
"I couldn't agree more!" Samson said, who had managed to crawl to where the rest of them were. "Besides, I'm too fat to carry, and Epsilon's too bloody insufferable. You'd never make it!"
"Why you-" Epsilon said.
"Hao! You guys are too funny!" Xinyu said, laughing. "Even at the end, you are in good spirits!"
"It's not that we're excited to die," Cygnus said. "We're terrified of being left behind, but we're even more scared of being the ones to carry the future on our backs. Humankind's fate is a lot of weight for just two, or rather, three backs."
"Then carry it together," Xinyu said. "Do not worry, my comrades. One life is enough. With this worthless soul of mine, I shall fight!"
"And just what do ya plan on doin'?" Brax asked. "You can't possibly hold a god long enough for us to run away? We're too broken n' beaten. We won't get far, no matter how much time you buy us."
"Who said anything about running?" Xinyu asked. "As long as I am here, you have nothing to fear. As long as I stand, there will be hope. With a pained smile upon my face, I will ensure tomorrow! I do not need you to do something as cowardly as running. I only ask that you witness the legacy of Xinyu Ma, and never forget this moment!"
Xinyu looked up to the sky and saw a constellation in the infinite darkness overhead. In the imaginary stars, she saw her sister, her master, her parents, and a billion shining smiles strengthening her resolve. They called for her. Cheered her on. Made her stronger than she was alone.
"Thank you for indulging someone like me!" Xinyu called out. She turned around and clasped her hands into her fist as she bowed. She then jumped away and flew to the tallest building in Kalahari to face the impending god's axe. "It truly has been a fortune to have found you all!"