Chapter 18

                                    

                                          
Disclaimer: This chapter contains graphic violence.
                          

                          
They clashed in brilliant force even more terrible than before.
As Gabriel attacked Zobek had countered instantly with his own weapon – the electrifying current that blazed within his hands.
When the sword collided with the charged force that enveloped Zobek it rang loudly as the aura attempted to repel it.
The forest shook with their encounter and the surrounding trees were ablaze with the electric light of the dark sorcerer’s unbridled fury.
                          
Blow by blow they matched each other equally, neither giving ground. Zobek cast his beams of energy directly at Gabriel time and again, but they missed their mark as Gabriel was impressively quick on his feet.
The flashes of color that lit up the land were unmatched in brilliance. The earth trembled at the might of their supernatural powers as the light collided with the ground.
                          
On and on the battle waged - each power countered with one just as formidable. Neither Gabriel nor Zobek were making any sort of effect on the other. For not only were they equally matched in strength of will both knew each other’s weaknesses.
Zobek was growing tired of Gabriel’s tenacity. He had expected this to be much more effortless. The change he had seen in the vampire’s eyes and demeanor had made him believe that Gabriel was weak and easily defeated.
                          
But the magnificent icy flame of the Void sword was still fiercely menacing and wielded with precision and skill.
Gabriel would not be deterred and struck at Zobek with the force of one hundred men.
His vengeful indignation was what fueled his abilities. Every successful blow that he was able to land slowed Zobek momentarily as the freezing magic of Void cut into his electrical energy.
                          
They were locked in a struggle – now face to face.
The horizontal edge of the sword was held to Zobek’s neck as Gabriel forced himself against the resistant, shielding aura of Zobek’s electric light.
He gritted his teeth as he strove to gain any ground, but this struggle only lasted briefly before the force of each other’s actions repelled them from each other like polarizing magnetism.
                          
Gabriel was flung back, but retained his footing as he glared sharply at Zobek. For a moment they studied each other considering their next actions.
                          
Gabriel’s soul was on fire but his body grew weaker; his shoulders were slumped, his stamina was waning. He noticed a searing sensation creeping over his skin where the electric shock had struck him. There was a raw, burning wound across his chest. His injuries did not seem to heal as readily as before. Pain began to surge through his once deadened nerves. Beads of sweat began to form on his forehead as his heart was hammering harder against his ribs. 
He felt in full what it meant to be human again.
The curse had been weakened as Gabriel had feared. He was even less capable now of withstanding any of Zobek’s powers. He was straining to withstand this drain of supernatural energy. Without consuming blood there was no way to replenish his vampiric strength.
He sank to one knee as he attempted to slow his ragged breathing.
                          
Zobek had become stronger and far more malevolent than he had ever encountered. After all of the years that had passed the dark magic had grown within him as he had studied it with new and uninhibited devotion. He had not been challenged in many a long year and had only bided his time for this very gratifying moment. He laughed tersely and called out in a mocking tone, “Give in, Gabriel Belmont! You cannot hold on like this forever. I sense you faltering.” He taunted as he strode forward and towered before Gabriel’s kneeling form.
                          
As Gabriel forced himself to stand he raised his eyes to the traitor before him. He was once more incensed by the gloating expression on Zobek’s face. A new determination to annihilate this ruthless evil filled his heart once more.
“Is that the best you can do?” Gabriel retaliated in a contemptuous tone. His lips were set firmly; a scowl of disgust was etched on every feature. He held out his sword, the tip only inches from Zobek’s vile, twisted heart.