"So, that's how we're going to play this,

" he growled.

Elias didn't see the trash can flying through the air until it struck him in the head. He stumbled to the side, feeling dazed as he tried to maintain his balance.

He was soon knocked off his feet as Alaric swept his legs right out from under him. Elias hit the ground on his back with a pained huff.

Alaric punched downward at Elias' face with a shout.

Elias jerked his head out of the way at the last second, hearing Alaric's fist collide with the asphalt. He kicked his foot upward, striking Alaric in the stomach to knock the breath from him.

They tussled on the ground, punching and elbowing each other as much as they could in close quarter combat.

Alaric placed his hands on Elias' chest, creating a crushing feeling that made Elias grit his teeth in pain.

Elias reached up and placed his hands on Alaric's face, burning his skin at the same time. Their eyes collided as they tried to hold out as long as they possibly could, trying to make the other give in.

Elias couldn't even breathe at that point. It felt like his ribs were about to snap, but he kept his grip on Alaric's face, feeling the skin start to burn and peel.

He didn't know how much longer he could take this. The pain was intense, and black dots started to swim in his vision.

He knew that he could hold on a little longer, but he couldn't even tell if Alaric was going to give in any time soon. There was dark craziness in his eyes. Maybe this was the end.

Before darkness could completely take over Elias' vision, he heard a shout from the distance.

Alaric looked up too, only to be knocked off of Elias and sent tumbling across the parking lot.

Elias turned his head weakly to see Melina, Scott, Tyler, and Alyssa running toward him. He managed to finally draw in a breath, but it even hurt to breathe. He winced, trying to sit up as his friends joined his side.

"What are you doing here?

" he asked them. He was supposed to do this alone. However, he was glad to see them. Fighting Alaric alone was incredibly difficult and painful.

"Saving you,

" Melina replied before lightly smacking his arm.

"Don't you ever sneak off and try to sacrifice yourself again.

"

"How did you even find me?

" Elias asked. It wasn't like he left a note or anything to let them know where he was.

He hadn't even known that he was going to end up here until Alaric's follower brought him here.

"Location spell,

" Melina said with a proud look on her face. She glanced over at Alaric, who was starting to get to his feet. She extended her hand out to Elias.

"Are we going to finish this or what?

"

Elias knew that this was his best chance to take down Alaric. He had left some good blows on Alaric, so he was weakened.

Maybe they could actually finish this fight and win, but they would have to fight with everything they had. He reached up and took her hand, letting her pull him to his feet. He looked at the others and nodded.

"Let's do it,

" he replied, feeling even more determined than before. He had to be. Now that his friends were here, he couldn't let them down. He was fighting for them, and he was fighting for the world.

"Be careful,

" Alyssa told him.

Elias shot her a quick smile before turning to face Alaric with Scott, Melina, and Tyler at his sides. He watched Tyler and Scott rush forward at Alaric, engaging in hand-to-hand combat.

Alaric grunted from a heavy punch from Tyler, but he immediately retaliated with a kick that sent Tyler tumbling into the store. He whipped around and rushed at Scott, tackling him to the ground.

Even if Scott annoyed him, Elias wasn't going to let him die. He ran forward and kicked Alaric off Scott before tugging Scott to his feet.

After sharing a quick nod, they dove back into the fight, dodging flying objects or swings. It seemed like something or someone was flying in the air every few seconds, creating pure chaos.

Elias felt himself grow tired and weak. He had taken so many hits, and the others weren't doing too well either.

Alaric was weak, but he was still powerful, dishing out as many hits as he took. He ran forward with Melina, but they were sent flying back near the gas pumps.

"That's all you got? Maybe I need to entice you,

" Alaric smirked as blood dripped from a cut above his eye. He stalked toward Melina as Elias groaned on the ground.

Right when he got within a few feet of Melina, he was suddenly doused in gas. He spun around to face Alyssa, who held one of the gas pumps.

Alyssa stared at Alaric with wide eyes, immediately dropping the gas pump on the ground. She watched gas drip off Alaric's hair and clothes as she backed up.

"You should've stayed out of this human. Now, you'll be one of many to die,

" Alaric spat as he summoned glass shards to lift off the ground. He directed them right at her before letting them shoot her way.

"No!

" Elias shouted from the ground. He knew that he was too weak and slow to get up in time.

All that he could do was helplessly watch the glass fly through the air, its sharp edges ready to impale Alyssa.

Alyssa covered her head, preparing to be impaled, but the glass never hit her. Instead, she heard a heavy thud near her.

She opened her eyes and looked down, gasping at the sight of Scott on the ground, bleeding from multiple stab wounds.

"No… no,

" she whimpered as she knelt next to Scott. Large glass shards stuck out of his body, blood pooling beneath his body already.

Alaric continued to come after Alyssa, his eyes full of malice.