Divinity

--- [Alex’s perspective]

The cramps let up, and I’m finally able to stand.

What’s going on?

This can’t all be coincidence; it must be his ability.

But how…

First I fall over, then all my muscles cramp up.

What kind of ability is that?

“Since you won’t cooperate, we’ll have to use force. Don’t worry though, I won’t kill you. Although… I can’t promise the same for your friends. Unless you help us that is.” – Arthur

Should I just help him and get it all over with?

No…

There’s no reason for me to believe him.

If he’s okay with killing, he’s not above lying…

I run up to him and throw a punch directly towards his stomach.

It…

Connected?

“Guahrgh!” – Arthur

He coughs up blood and goes flying into the wall.

“Arthur! Are you okay?!” – Edward

“Yes…” – Arthur

He starts coughing intensely.

“… I’m fine…” – Arthur

I thought he would dodge, or at least try to block…

He catches his breath and wipes away the blood on his lips.

He rushes towards me, ready to attack.

Just like I did, he’s aiming for my stomach.

Right before he reaches me, I suddenly can’t feel my legs anymore.

It’s like they suddenly fell asleep.

“What the-” – Alex

I fall down to my knees, and his fist is planted directly into my face.

…

It barely even hurt…

He steps back, and puts his hands in his pockets.

He wasn’t aiming for my stomach, he somehow knew I would fall down.

“Just give up already, you’re not beating me. Not ever. Help us out, and I guarantee you and your friends’ safety.” – Arthur

“You’re pretty fast, about as fast as Edward I’d say. But that won’t be enough to beat me. All you’ve got going for yourself is that ability of yours. You’re somehow weaker than most F-rank hunters… Once I figure out how to deal with that nasty specialty, you’re done for.” – Alex

“True… If you were to figure out how to counter it, there’s no way you’d lose. But… That’s easier said than done.” – Arthur

He’s right…

Right now, I don’t even really know what it does…

Things just seem to…

Happen…

There doesn’t seem to be a pattern to it either.

First I slipped, then I got cramps, and lastly my legs fell asleep.

My body just malfunctions out of nowhere…

Can my body malfunction in any way at all?

Can other things happen?

Can he activate it on command?

Is there a requirement to trigger it?

Can I somehow ‘absorb’ it with my own specialty?

So much is still unknown, but I’ve got to figure it out.

The feeling in my legs is slowly returning, and I stand back up.

“So, you’re still not giving up then?” – Arthur

“No.” – Alex

I take a step forward.

“Okay.” – Arthur

The joint in my knee suddenly jumps out of place and I yet again fall over.

“Gah!” – Alex

What the hell?!

He walks up to me and picks me up by my throat.

“I guess I’ll have to beat you up a little then.” – Arthur

Perfect, he’s within my range!

He’s very weak, so a good hit could instantly knock him out.

I swing my fist as hard as I can, aiming right for his temple.

“GuAah!” – Alex

!!!

My fist swung right past his face and into my own!

How could I miss like that?

…

His ability…

It can even make me miss.

He slams me down into the ground with all his might.

If he wasn’t so weak, that would have done some serious damage to me…

My own hit hurt me more than that…

He takes another step back, and puts his hands back in his pockets.

I pop the joint in my knee back in its place, and stand back up.

“You see now? His ability is truly fearsome. He’s not the kind of person you want as your enemy, so just do as he says, and help us.” – Edward

These guys are so persistent!

They don’t take no for an answer.

So annoying…

I yet again try to close the distance between us, but just like every other time, something happens that stops me.

Both my legs start spasming, making me unable to stand.

“Agh! So annoying!” – Alex

Just like every other time, I yet again get up.

I run towards him again, and…

Nothing is happening to me…?

Once I get close to him I go for another attack.

For the first time, he actually dodges.

I’m faster than him, so he barely makes it.

He puts his hands on my chest, and tries to push me away, but isn’t able to.

I go for a follow-up attack, but then…

“Guah!” – Alex

My fist yet again swings right past his face and hits my own.

Why did his ability not activate earlier, but it did now?

Wait…

I think I got it!

It’s touch…!

His ability only activates once he has touched me.

It seems like it can only activate one time per touch too.

He was forced to dodge because he had already used it when he made my legs spasm.

I stumble backwards as I recoil in pain from hitting myself in the face.

He takes the opportunity to yet again punch me in the face.

Just like every other time, he steps back, and puts his hands in his pockets.

I start grinning.

“Hm?” – Arthur

“Touch.” – Alex

“I see. So, you’ve figured it out then…” – Arthur

“I have. You’re now one step closer to being defeated!” – Alex

He looks at me for a second before answering.

“Nah. Knowing doesn’t make a difference. This cursed power of mine won’t be that easily defeated.” – Arthur

“You sure about that?” – Alex

“Yes. Knowledge is useless when there’s nothing you can do about it. I can prove it if you want to.” – Arthur

“Prove it?” – Alex

“Yeah, I can just explain exactly what my specialty is. I don’t mind.” – Arthur

What?

He’s just gonna explain it?

“You’re right that it activates on touch, but you probably don’t how it actually functions.” – Arthur

“It makes my body malfunction.” – Alex

“Yes… But not really.” – Arthur

“What’s that supposed to mean?” – Alex

“What really happens is that after we touch, you’re destined to get into an accident.” – Arthur

“Destined to get into an accident?” – Alex

“Yes. When I was younger, I couldn’t control my ability very well, but that isn’t the case anymore. The accident could be anything, and it could happen at any time. But right now, I’m able to control exactly when it happens, and the severity of it. For now, I’ve kept the severity on the lower side.” – Arthur

It can get even worse…?

“I could make your heart stop at any moment, and there is nothing you can do about it.” – Arthur