The End of a Beginning: The Beginning of an End

[Retane]

The Namekian let out a low growl as the Ancient Egyptian God's power was bestowed upon him. He could now feel those he knew in the afterlife. A comrade was there. Perhaps the GOd of Death could bring him back...

God of Death? His head ached as he looked down at the lifeless bodies that littered the battlefield. He had masked his face with a skull, and a chained scythe was held in his hands. He looked liked the fabled Grimm Reaper and had sent many to their demise, but who had called him the God of Death?

He looked around in the darkness. He was on both knees struggling to get up. His cranium burned like he was on fire. Where was he? Some dark abyss?

Abyss? Dante's Abyss. How many times had he entered the tournament?

Three Times? More? Yes.

Many times had he entered the Abyss, and many times had the hell of it consumed him.

The eyes of his old comrade slipped in view. His eyes were slightly larger then a human, as was his head. His ears were pointed and he stood shorter then the average human. He wore a red mohawk with a determined yet kind face.

Tapion.

He was the Konat brother to the younger Minoshia, who was the Leader of The Horsemen.

Still those solemn eyes looked up at him. His body was lifeless as it laid flat, floating on the surface of the water. Retane had just taken Tapions life.

This was the AByss. It was Kill of be killed. Only one man could survive. You could be allies at the start, but in the end, if you made it that far, it was either you or them.

The end wasn't near. No, but here was Tapion. Dead. BLood colored the water from the three claw marks that puncture the chest of Retane's fallen friend.

Sadness in the form of liquid, flowed from the eyes of the Namek and merged with the calm sea.

Retane looked at the gloves that held the retractable claws. THe Leather held the stains of Tapion and two others. They would be stained with more.

Retane let out a low growl. He saw his target and sprang into action. He was one with the Abyss. He allowed the darkness to consume him. His Prey's folly was apparent... He had gotten to close to the Emerald Fiend.

He lunged then. The Namek lashed out cutting the foe across the face. The humanoid turned and tried to flee.

The effort was in vain. A bottle flew threw the air and landed in the targets path, blocking his retreat and causing him to slide to a halt. Another and a third were already airborne. It was too late and reactions were to slow. As the glass shattered, flames covered the area.

The victims screams of agony as he waved to and fro only annoyed the Namek. He looked to the direction of which the Moltov Cocktails came from.

The red mohekian stood tall on the hill, a determined grin was donned on his face.

Thoughts of vengeance on the one that stole his kill were gone faster then they were manifested as Retane saw his comrade. It seemed the duo would continue their havoc from last year.

Tapion still held a cocktail... and it was lit.

He threw it, it's destination, Retane.

The Namek only blinked for a moment. The cocktail would land where he stood, but he would not be there. A growl escaped from the lips of the Emerald Fiend as he dashed to the side. A grin slowly etched itself across the green humanoids visage as he closed in.

The previous year, they had been known as the Twins of Betrayal Despair. Now Tapion had tried to destroy Retane with their favored tactic. Tapion would fail and it would backfire.

Tapion readied another bottle. Retane got closer. The Konat threw it. The Namek was already to close. He slashed at the bottle. It split showering both of the comrades with napalm.

Retane rolled., his face burning, his vision blurred. Still he was a predator of the Abyss. He kept on the move. He dashed at an angle , turning his body about as he did.

He could soon see again. As he predicted, he was positioned behind the Konat.

Tapion seemed to recover as well and jerked around. The claws sunk into his chest with ease, peircing the heart of the Mohekian. Still, he smiled as blood trickled down the sides of his mouth.

His end was already here. He had made the mistake and paid the price. He wouldn't be there later to help the Namek take on the fused form of Raditzu and Android 18, Eightzu. He would be there to help Retane and protect him when he attempted to take on the Changeling ans Saiyan by surprise, when he too would fall and pay the price of his own life.

It was Tapion's end and the start of the end of his friend.

A tear fell.