Robert said, "I'll show you what I've got."
Shadow was deep in thought, calculating his move. *He'll punch me with his right arm, straight to my face,* he thought.
Suddenly, *BAM!* — Robert's fist shot out, aimed right at Shadow's face. But quick as a flash, Shadow dodged.
Shadow then thought, *Robert's going to kick me sideways.*
Just as he predicted, *WHAM!* — Robert's foot swung out in a sharp sideways kick. Shadow ducked out of the way smoothly.
Robert's mind raced. *Shadow's going to lunge forward and attack with his left arm.*
True enough, *THWACK!* — Shadow lunged with a left-arm strike. But Robert was ready and dodged deftly.
Shadow grinned, thinking, *Robert will kick me on the left side of my leg.*
Sure enough, *SMACK!* — Robert's kick landed just where he had planned.
Shadow dodged the kick and quickly moved to strike back, but Robert caught his leg firmly. A flicker of frustration crossed Robert's face as he shook his head. "We're just going in circles here," he said, his voice tight. "It's a waste of time."
Shadow's eyes narrowed, his expression turning serious, almost searching. "Tell me one thing," he said, his tone steady but heavy.
Robert exhaled sharply, rubbing the back of his neck, a reluctant sigh escaping him. "Ugh, fine. What is it?"
Shadow took a cautious step forward, his gaze unwavering. "Why did you join this? Why did you become like this? And, most importantly... what did Asha do to you?"
At the mention of Asha, a shadow crossed Robert's face. His jaw clenched, and for a moment, his eyes flicked away. "I did it for the money," he admitted quietly, voice lowering. "Yes, I did everything for money."
A flicker of hurt and anger flashed across Shadow's eyes. His voice cracked slightly as he pushed back, barely containing his fury. "Is that all? Killing so many people for money? Is that really all there is to it?"
Robert's lips twisted bitterly into a hard line. He stared Shadow down with cold intensity. "Yes," he said, voice sharp, "that's the truth. I did everything for this fucking money... because it will always rule the world.
Shadow's fist connected with Robert's face, the sound of impact echoing in the dimly lit alley. Robert stumbled back, a groan escaping his lips as he instinctively reached for his bleeding nose. Pain radiated through his features, but his eyes burned with a fierce intensity.
"You won't understand, Shadow," Robert spat, his voice strained but defiant. "This world only wants money and blood. Peace is just an excuse they use to mask their realities."
Shadow, his jaw clenched, stepped closer, his expression a mix of frustration and concern. "Do you really think I don't know that? But killing innocent people won't make your path right."
Robert's gaze hardened, a storm of emotions swirling within him. "My path is my destiny," he replied, his voice low and resolute. "I don't care about destiny or any of that nonsense. This world has turned me into a monster, and now this monster will show them what I can do."
Shadow's face darkened, his resolve hardening. "Well, that monster stops here, right now. You can't go any further."
Robert's laughter echoed through the alley, a chilling sound that sent shivers down Shadow's spine. "You think you can stop me, Shadow? Your sister thought she could, too. But she died that day." His mocking tone cut deep, and Shadow felt a surge of anger.
Suddenly, a gunshot rang out—*bam!* Robert's laughter was silenced as he fell to the ground, a bullet wound in his head. Shadow stood over him, breathing heavily. "Well, if you're dead, how can you reach past me, Robert? How foolish."
But in his final moments, Robert managed to pull out a gun, shooting Shadow close to the heart. Shadow grunted in pain, staggering back as Robert's lifeless body crumpled to the ground.
As the life began to drain from him, Shadow felt the weight of his memories crashing over him like waves. In his last seven minutes, he recalled the laughter of Asha, the justice he had fought for, and the fear he had instilled in a corrupt society.
With great effort, Shadow slowly stood up, his body protesting with every movement. He walked outside the valley, collapsing onto the steps of a nearby building.
As he sat there, the world around him began to converge. Media crews rushed toward him, police officers moved in to secure the area, and a crowd of onlookers gathered—some fearful, others filled with admiration. They all stood before him, a mix of emotions etched on their faces.
"Well, nice to meet you all," Shadow said, his voice weak and strained, but still commanding attention. The crowd fell silent, their eyes fixed on him, waiting for his words.
"Listen to me," he continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "This world today is soaked—not by rain, but by the blood of the innocent and the guilty alike. In the end, it all leads to one destination: death."
He paused, the weight of his words hanging in the air. "People, change your minds! Don't let anyone manipulate you. Stop encouraging those who do wrong. Teach them a lesson. Don't make this earth a hell—because that's what I call it: Hell Earth."
With that, Shadow released his last breath, his body finally succumbing to the weight of his wounds. He slowly collapsed to the ground, but before he could hit the pavement, a young girl rushed forward, catching him in her arms. She hugged him tightly, tears streaming down her cheeks as she cried out, "Please don't leave us!"
That heart-wrenching scene shattered the hearts of everyone watching. The hero who had fought so valiantly for justice was no more. The man who had claimed he would stop the criminals had done so, but at an unimaginable cost—his own life.
As the crowd stood in stunned silence, the reality of the moment sank in. Shadow's body was gently recovered from the public eye, and a proper funeral was arranged in his honor. The atmosphere was heavy with grief; some people wept openly, while others stood with solemn expressions, grappling with their emotions.
There were those who felt guilt for not having done enough, and others who felt ashamed for having turned a blind eye to the injustices around them. Yet, amidst the sorrow, there was a shared understanding that Shadow had ignited a spark of hope in their hearts.
As they gathered to pay their respects, memories of Shadow flooded their minds. They recalled his fierce determination, his unwavering commitment to justice, and the way he had inspired them to stand up against the darkness.
In that moment, they collectively vowed that the earth would not become a Hell Earth ever again.