Chapter 8: The Power of Ixa
Kate Argent drove her SUV down a desolate road under the pale glow of moonlight. She turned on the radio to catch news updates about recent animal attacks in Beacon Hills, but her lips curled into a dismissive chuckle as she switched the station to rock music instead.
Kate (to herself): "Again? Same old news."
As she drove, the radio signal began to fade. Something in the side mirror caught her eye—a massive shadow moving in the darkness. Kate's chest tightened as she hit the brakes and glanced over.
Kate (whispering): "What the hell...?"
Suddenly, a huge black wolf slammed into the back of her SUV, jolting the vehicle violently. Kate instinctively reached for the shotgun beside her, but before she could act, razor-sharp claws smashed through the driver-side window and grabbed her arm.
Kate (gritting her teeth): "Not so fast, you beast!"
She fired through the roof of the car, causing the creature to recoil. Taking her chance, she leapt out of the SUV in a practiced combat roll, shotgun steady in her grip.
Scene: The Warehouse
Derek Hale moved cautiously through the dark, dusty warehouse, tracking an Alpha werewolf—the one who had killed his sister. He knelt beside a faint blood trail, his sharp senses picking up the pounding heartbeat of something nearby.
Derek (muttering): "Got you..."
Before he could act, Alex appeared behind him.
Alex: "Watch your six."
Before Derek could respond, a massive creature dropped from the rafters above. Both men dove away at the last moment. Alex landed a powerful punch against the werewolf, his Fangire energy sparking at the impact.
Alex: "Looks like you could use a hand."
Derek (smirking faintly): "As long as you're ready to get hurt, fine."
They squared off against the creature, but a rifle shot rang out from above. The bullet struck Derek in the arm, sending him to the ground.
Derek collapsed, clutching his bleeding arm. The black ooze of the Wolfbane-infused bullet seeped from the wound. Alex turned to see Kate perched on the roof, a sly smile on her face.
Alex (angrily): "Do you even know what you're doing?"
Kate smirked, aiming her rifle at Alex.
Kate: "Oh, I know exactly what I'm doing. I love playing with fire."
In an instant, Alex vanished with supernatural speed and reappeared behind Kate, reaching for her rifle. But she anticipated his move and countered with a swift kick, forcing him to retreat slightly.
Kate (mocking): "Fast, but not fast enough."
Below, Derek struggled to rise, his wounds refusing to heal.
Derek (groaning): "Damn it... Wolfbane."
From the shadows, a deep growl reverberated. The Alpha werewolf emerged, its glowing red eyes locked on Derek.
Alpha (snarling): "Derek Hale... You're too weak to hunt me. Shall I end this now?"
Alex, noticing Derek's dire situation, abandoned his fight with Kate.
Alex (shouting): "This isn't your fight! Stay out of it!"
Releasing a surge of Fangire energy, Alex forced Kate back temporarily and leapt to Derek's side. He reached into his pocket and retrieved the Ixa Knuckle, its blue light shimmering ominously in the dim warehouse.
Alex (smirking): "If you want a real fight, let's go."
He pressed the knuckle to his chest and yelled:
Alex: "Henshin!"
Mechanical sounds filled the air as the Ixa System activated. Glowing white and gold armor materialized around Alex, complete with a radiant blue motif. His mask reflected the faint light of the warehouse as the system's announcement boomed:
Ixa System: "Fangire Extermination Mode: Complete."
Clad in his Ixa armor, Alex drew the Ixa Calibur and pointed it at the Alpha.
Alex (firmly): "IXA Knuckle! Rise Up!"
The Alpha charged, claws slashing. Alex parried with the Ixa Calibur, sparks flying as their battle shook the ground beneath them. The ferocity of the clash cracked the concrete floor.
Derek (watching in pain): "What the hell is that...?"
From above, Chris Argent appeared, armed with a pistol. He observed the chaos below and sighed heavily.
Chris: "Kate, is this your plan? Let them tear each other apart?"
Kate (grinning): "Exactly. And you've got to admit, it's working."
Chris: "You're going to make things worse... We might all pay the price."
Kate chuckled lightly as she watched the brutal fight.
The battle reached a climax as Alex unleashed a golden energy beam from the Ixa Calibur, striking the Alpha and sending it crashing into the warehouse wall. Breathing heavily, the Alpha staggered but leapt to the rafters and smashed through a window to escape.
Alex powered down, his armor dissolving into light. He turned to Derek, who struggled to his feet.
Derek: "That wasn't just any Alpha... It's stronger than any I've faced."
Alex: "You okay? That wound looks bad."
Derek (gritting his teeth): "I'll survive... But we can't let it get away. It hasn't gone far."
Alex (placing a hand on Derek's shoulder): "Not like this. You're hurt, and it's Wolfbane. We need to regroup first."