The black war blade pierced the Cursed Warrior's chest. Algrim, who had been brutally beating Thrór, stopped and slowly turned toward Loki, who had ambushed him.
The Cursed Warrior let out a low roar and immediately grabbed Loki by both arms, pulling him close. The half of the blade protruding from his chest pierced through Loki's heart as well.
"No!"
Thrór cried out in anguish, unable to believe that Loki had just died before his eyes.
A gunshot rang out. A silver-white bullet tore through the air, carrying crimson flames as it struck the Cursed Warrior squarely in the forehead.
The Cursed Warrior growled as he withstood the bullet's impact, but his body was still sent flying dozens of meters.
He dropped to one knee, leaving long black gouges carved by his legs before him. The mask on his face had been blown apart by the energy, revealing a hideous face that looked as though it had been scorched by fire.
"Damn, and that still didn't kill him?" Aaron walked down from the hill, clicking his tongue at the thumb-sized hole in the Cursed Warrior's forehead, black blood flowing from it. "That body is ridiculously tough."
"I'll handle him. Take this chance to... say goodbye to your brother," Aaron said evenly, his gaze sweeping over Loki, who was having a "final burst of life," with an unreadable look.
Fuck! He didn't really see through it, did he?
Loki's heart skipped wildly as he kept reassuring himself. Such a realistic projection shouldn't be exposed.
Thrór hurried to Loki's side and carefully helped him up. There were several bleeding wounds on his face, yet his gaze toward his brother was especially tender.
"No, no, no, no... You fool. Why didn't you listen to me?"
"I know." Loki's voice trembled, filled with remorse