ross can’t really argue with that fact . he doesn’t have a retort or a rebuttal. but then something sparks. “it became your war the moment you stepped foot on this planet. it’s no secret what was coming or WHO was coming. whether you like it or not, you’re apart of this.” maybe the attempt is futile, but the agent is hurt and grieving. he wants to lash out at someone for his anger and sorrow.
HE WAS RIGHT. the moment he stepped back on the planet, this war, this was his war. it wasn’t just about him anymore, but since when did ky’lar care about anyone besides himself? he didn’t! he’d been trapped in his grandfather’s realm for far too long and now? as much as he wanted to never head back there? it was starting to look like a good choice! “unlike you, i know when to stand aside,” he said, voice turning angrier by the second. “you think that the entirety of creation revolves around this planet? news flash – it doesn’t!”
by this time, his hands were formed into tight fists. “we all lost someone in this,” more than likely even himself. he just wouldn’t admit it. “i’m just taking the higher ground and leaving. maybe that way… i don’t have to deal with this. or you.” not that he meant the words in all reality, but he hoped his point was understood.
THE AGENT WANTS TO RETORT, to say how rude the man’s comment is, but what’s the point? yes. they died. they all had died. and there is nothing to show for it? how are they to mourn their dead when no body exists? god, he’s already thinking of funeral preparation.
eyes snap up and look at the other. “what? you’re just gonna leave? just like that? where were you during this fight?” ross can’t tamper the anger that bursts forth.
HE COULD HAVE ARGUED WITH ROSS. he could have ESTABLISHED his stance on why he SHOULDN’T have been involved in the first place. instead, he chose the much HARSHER route by stating the TRUTH ( from a certain point of view ).
“it’s not my fight.” nor would it ever be in his mind, but there was more to it. ky didn’t want to get INVOLVED when he cared for close to no one on this planet. maybe ONCE he did, but now? it was EASIER to let whoever was left to SORT things out. “last i checked,” he said, arms folding calmly behind his back, “the world was in the hands of the avengers, military superpowers, and what have you.” he could have said that they all FAILED, but he held his tongue in-check – at least for the moment. “they are the one’s who should CLEAN UP the mess – not someone like me.”
THE BLOW HAD BEEN unexpected. but also not. ross felt pain bloom across his face, skin breaking and blood flowing. he’s sure his teeth clacked too. hopefully none of them were chipped or broken. that wouldn’t be fun. how many of his teeth were actually original? the agent had a habit of being captured and wailed upon. this time is no different.
lips curls and the agent spits a spray of blood. “give me a good and logical reason to share my information with you and i might be so inclined to do so.”
INSTEAD OF LAUGHING AT THE REQUEST, he restrained himself from doing so. no, ky could give several good reasons to why he needed the information, but as to share it? all he could give ross was threats – one’s that he would absolutely go through with, but threats all the same.
“or, he said,” hand moving to grip ross’ chin tightly. “we can do this for a few days straight. either way? you’ll give me what i want.” or, they could be in the same position when the time had passed. it was a risky move, but one he was willing to take – even if it meant making sure ross knew just what would happen if he didn’t comply. “’cause, the way i see it? this can only end in a few ways.”
not many people would have choices in a situation like this. so at least ross had that going for him . not everyone had a choice in death . the man smirked as he looked at his keeper . “ don’t forget , in death , you are free . ” if the man wanted to get spiritual or philosophical , ross could do that too . “ but will you really kill me if i don’t comply ? then you won’t have the key you’re looking for . ”
ROSS WAS RIGHT. the moment ky ended his life he’d be right back at square one. a reason to why ending the other’s existence wasn’t on the agenda – no, he’d do that after he got what he wanted. then, he’d dispose of him in any way he saw fit. of course, that was if he even got that far. “ no one is ever truly free – not even in death. “ ky could have gone on to recite an old saying, but instead he moved to slam his fist into the others face. just so he could possibly move things along.
THE PAIN IN HIS CHEST grows worse . hands curl and uncurl into fists as he looks at the words streaming across the screen . not the way he wanted the news to be solidified ; that his best friend and king is dead . the agent sucks in a breath and bows his head . he is regent now . he is responsible for wakanda . while ross knows he can handle the responsibility , he can’t believe the news . he can’t process it . he looks over to the man on his left , still unsure of what to do or make of him . they may not be friends or allies , but they fought well together .
“ AND SO ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST. ” he reveled in the IRONY of his words; so many had died. so many had fought. so many lost everything . for what? he didn’t even know – this wasn’t his war. this wasn’t his fight and this wasn’t his world. he could leave and turn a blind eye to the workings of this world – of all the realms – and he would be alright with it. “ —- time to let the LESSER one’s clean up the mess. i’m DONE here. ”
the agent couldn’t help but laugh .was he ready to do as the other asked ? fat chance of that ever happening . though he had some training in resisting torture , it wasn’t till he’d been held as a POW or a hostage while in the field of an agent did he get real experience . ross spit away blood . “ nope . guess you’re going to have to kill me . ”
THERE WAS ONLY SO MUCH ONE could possibly do with-out causing permanent damage. so much one could do before they started going in uncharted territory – territory that could become fatal. he had hoped by now he could have gotten some results, but that didn’t happen. a reason to why he decided to change tactics. “ death is so… final. ” at least in regular circumstances. “ i believe we have much more work to do. much more. ” no, he wasn’t done yet and wouldn’t be until he got what he wanted or got bored from this. “ do remember, ” he said bluntly. “ it’s your choice. ”
THE WOUNDS ON HIS FACE drip crimson liquid . arm comes to swipe the blood away . ross is concerned at the amount that coats his shirt . still , the ordeal seems to be far from over .
FAR FROM OVER WAS ONLY one way of putting it. arms folding behind his back as he examined his work. if he was in a better mood, he may have stopped himself long before it got this far, but he wasn’t. in-fact, all he wanted to do was get answers; if that didn’t work? he could just leave the guy here… bleeding out. maybe someone would find him? if they didn’t… touch. “ now, are you ready to do as i ASK ?”
Hellfirebound 