" I have not much left in me.

Yet the little I could gather and offer.

Will fight till I make sure.

" You have enough to breathe"

- Suzangill

......

Loud cheers are heard as two figures stand in the centre of the fighting ring. Bets being placed on either sides.

" Come on Storm! Hit him! Hit him!"

People cheer the man who already had a victorious smile on his lips. Showing everyone his bulging flexible muscles.

" Get up bastard! Get up!"

He says nudging the figure laying on the floor of the ring. To only laugh cynically. Lifting up his arms. Asking the crowd to cheer more.

" Storm! Storm!'

"7"

" 6"

The refree was counting down , urging the limp figure to tap.

While those grey eyes remain fixed on a spot. Not showing any reaction.

"5"

"4"

"3"

Placing his palms on the floor. The figure gets up in a push up pose. His muscles flexing. Making the crowd to go silent suddenly.

Not expecting.

They thought the fight was over. If only they knew it was far from it.

If only they knew the fight was only one sided now.

He hasn't attacked even once.

That he was letting this happen.

He was enjoying the pain. Living in it.

" Wow this is a surprise! Our hero is not that much of a loser now! The beast is getting up!"

" Place your bets! Come on people! "

The commentator. Speaks. Making more screams and cheering to follow.

Moving aside the wet hair from his eyes, the figure looks at the Shadow. His opponent.

Who suddenly looked angry. As to why this Stupid beast keeps getting up. Why he doesn't admit defeat.

Fisting his hands. He goes for another blow. A hook to be exact. Making beasts figure to fall back on the mesh of the cage.

His fingers gripping the iron mesh to support his weight. As his vision goes hazy.

" Storm! Storm! Storm!"

The crowd starts cheering again. And those grey eyes of beast look at those shining ones of his opponent in indifference.

Like the prize money. The cheers. The name. The reputation.

Meant nothing to him.

Breathing heavily. He just imagined those brown eyes. And a smile comes on his lips.

Making the storm. To rage at him. Punching him senselessly. Thinking him to be mocking at this game of endurance to pain.

" Admit defeat fuc*er! Admit it!"

Storm screams at him. As he keeps hitting mercilessly. Making beasts eyes to swell. Cuts to emerge and blood to flow.

" Come on! Dammit! Tap! Come on!"

Amongst the unknown faces in the crowd. Beast suddenly recognises a face well known.

Security men following him. Standing around the man

The man's eyes met his stormy grey ones.

And beast sighs.

It's time to end this.

Before another punch could hit him. Beast suddenly grips storms fist in his palms. Making everyone's eyes to widen.

" Agghh!"

Storm screams. The deadly grip on his hand, strong enough to break bones.

" Fuc*! Leave me!"

He says pulling his hand. But no avail. The grip was iron. Looking into Beasts eyes , he felt a shiver run down his eyes.

When Beast tilts his head to a side. Smiling synically. Despite the blood running down from his face and broken bones.

" Done? Now my turn"

Beast speaks for the first time since the fight started.And storms eyes widen.

Before he could even realise what was happening.

Pulling him from his wrist. Beast turns around Storm. Making his back to hit his front.

With a deadly lock on his neck. Beast seethes from behind. Choking his neck with his arm.

" Game over pup"

Storms body thrashes in his grip. His legs thrashing in the air. With veins on Beasts arm popping as he maintains his tight grip.

" Pl....ease..."

His screams gave him content. But he was an innocent. Beast would never hurt an innocent.

The crowd which was cheering for Storm earlier. Went deadly silent. Pity evident in their eyes for Storm.

While for Beast. They had a new found admiration.

Once assured that his prey has suffered enough. Beast leaves his grip around Storms neck.

Making his body to fall down in a thud without any support.

The refree rushes in for a tap. But Storm was already on the verge of unconsciousness.

"4"

"3"

"2"

"1"

" We have a winner with us tonight ! Such an exceptional strategy! Just one attack and -"

The refree stops speaking when he sees the man he was praising. Walking out of the fighting cage.

Without even collecting his prize. Or listening to the words of appreciation.

The crowd still cheers. Having found their new favourite.

To make way for him. But his cold grey eyes only look at the guest surrounded by security. Nodding at him as he exits with long confident steps.

Putting on the hood and taking out a cigarette from his pocket.

The guest who arrived got a clue and followed him. Asking the guards to wait outside the door for him.

........

He leans against a railing. His elbows placed on it as he stares at the dark night.

Lost in thoughts.

A cigarette in between one of his fingers. As he takes a whiff from it.

Letting the clouds of smoke to envelope him.

" All that you are doing is a catalyst to your condition. Hasn't the doctor told you to avoid it?"

The guests voice comes from behind. As he comes and stands beside Beast.

Who didn't had to turn to know who it was. After all he was waiting for him only.

Taking another puff. He smiles to only reply in the cold voice.

"If I go according to what Doctor says. I should be in a mental asylum right now ."

Albert's eyes soften. As he just stares at the broken yet the strongest man he has ever known.

To sigh. Looking at the traces of blood in the corner of his lips.

Taking out a handkerchief he offers it to Beast.

" I guess I went a bit overboard that day Son.Sorry. Here."

Aaron just chuckles. Looking at him for the first time. Moving his head a no. Taking the handkerchief offered.

" You know I deserve it father. Hell I deserve worse. This was nothing."

A sadness flashes in Albert's eyes. As he joins him. Sighing.

" No son. You don't deserve all this. What you are doing for her?"

" Not many men can do."

Aaron doesn't say anything. Just stares into the dark sky. And Albert couldn't help take a hidden glance at him.

The man was a mess.

What all he does to tame his monsters.

Beast.

His name in underground fighting seemed perfect for him.

With hair long till his eyes. Eyes dark and hollow with dark circles circling them.

Cuts and bruises on his face. Broken bones.

He can clearly see he was not taking care of himself.

He was ruining the little him left.

" You know she really cares for you. You can try telling her atleast before we go forward with next leg of the plan."

" We have discussed this already."

" I know Son. But. It's just....my daughter is different. She doesn't judge people. She would never judge you."

There is silence. As Aaron takes another whiff. Looking up at the dark sky.

To whisper with a sad smile.

" I know she will even accept me as the murderer I am if I tell her the truth.But what good is it?"

Albert nods. Knowing it was not as easy as it looked.

" She is hurt Son. She is struggling."

" I know"

Tightening his grip on the railing. Aaron looks at him.

" But a little hurt now is better than a lifetime of pain. "

" A little struggling now will make her stronger in the end."

" When I will not be there."

Albert sigh. Nodding. To only place his hands in his pockets.

" It's just that it's very difficult to see her like this. Anyways. Any news? What do they plan to do next. Did you found any evidence?"

Aaron looks into a distance. Furrowing his brows.

"Not yet. However I got information on the organisation he paid. To execute her."

Albert's heart thuds in his chest. At the thought of this. His own blood trying to kill his daughter.

Clenching his fists. He speaks in rage redefined.

" I want to know their name-"

" I am handling it. You don't need to get in this mess."

Throwing aside the cigarette and crushing it under his feet. Aaron moves back from the railing.

"It's dangerous son. You can get killed."

And Aaron smiles sadly, scoffing.

" I was never afraid to die father."

Straightening up , he speaks with determined.

" I can do anything to save Ezra. Anything."

" If I can take away lives for her? I can even give mine."

Albert just places his hand on his shoulder. Smiling sadly. Nodding.

" I trust you son. But please take care of yourself."

Turning around Albert was going to leave when Aaron stop him.

" And one thing more?"

" Yes Son?"

" Please take this with you."

Approaching him. Aaron takes out a page from his pocket to offer it to Albert.

Who takes the page. Opens it, to only find it to be the divorce papers.

" But? Haven't you submitted them in court? "

Aaron just looks into Albert's concerned eyes. Moving his head in a no.

" Once everything is over? Please give them back to her."

" I want her to make this decision." . . He completes, speaking lowly the next line.

" Even when it wouldn't matter then."

Albert's eyes widen as he protests.

" But Aaron! Let me tell her atleast! "

" No. Please."

Moving forward. Aaron holds Albert's hand in his. Requesting him.

" Promise me. No matter what happens. You will never tell her the truth. Ever"

Albert was feeling his heart beat rapidly. This man? Was giving away so much for her? But look at his selflessness. He won't let him tell her.

He wants to be a villain in her story. When he has been the hero.

He wants her to hate him like she once loved him.

He wants Ezra to forget him and move on.

He wants her to live.

Without him. When he wouldn't be there.

Albert couldn't control the tears that lined his eyes. And next Aaron knows. Albert pulls him for a hug.

Enclosing him in his embrace.

" I am so proud of you my son. I am always with you."

" Remember it."

Who thought. Albert and Aaron will develop such a strong bond in a matter of months.

Who would have thought. That they were a team. Working together.

With just one motive.

To save her.

Breaking the hug. Aaron just nods and leaves the man alone in the deadly silence.

And Albert couldn't help state at his retreating back and wonder.

Why the hearts that love so much have to suffer?

Why the strongest bond in the world called love.

Gives so much pain.

Will they ever have a happy ending or will the hearts that have suffered so much.

Finally break?

Sighing he looks up at the sky. Wishing for a happy ending for them.

When he somewhere in his heart knew it was almost impossible.

It needed a miracle.

To save him. When he was already on the verge of insanity.

And the road on which is going now?

Will never bring him back to her. Never.