Ragnarök, Eternal Tragedy.
Chapter 59: A psychotic prince

Chapter 59: A psychotic prince

Erling’s voice exploded across the clearing, raw and brimming with fury. "You slaughtered my people! Tore apart my home! I’ll never forgive you. Not now, not ever. You’re not getting away again—I’ll die before I let that happen!"

Tobias stood there without a flicker of emotion, his revolver dangling loosely at his side. The faintest smirk tugged at his lips, a cold and detached glint in his eyes, like Erling’s rage didn’t faze him one bit. "You think I give a damn about your village? Your people?" he shot back, his voice slicing through the air like a knife. "None of you even believe in God. Not a single soul in that miserable little place."

Erling’s fists clenched tight, the ground beneath him rumbling faintly with his rising anger. "What are you trying to say?" he spat, his voice sharp enough to cut stone.

"I’m saying," Tobias continued, his tone hardening, "a life without faith is pointless. Empty. If you and your people don’t believe in God, then honestly? You might as well already be dead."

The words landed like a hammer blow, heavy and unforgiving. Erling’s breath hitched, his rage bubbling over into a fiery storm. His stone armor cracked faintly as his power surged, tiny fissures breaking open in the earth around him.

"You talk about faith like you’re some kind of holy man," Erling growled, taking a step forward. "But don’t kid yourself—you’re nothing but a killer."

Tobias raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "Call me what you want, but I don’t take back what I said."

And that was it. With a roar that shook the ground, Erling charged. The stone encasing his body shifted, hardening, turning him into a moving fortress. His sword caught the moonlight as he closed in, its gleam promising destruction.

Tobias stayed planted, unmoving, his revolver rising steadily. He didn’t blink, didn’t flinch. The storm was headed straight for him, and he didn’t plan on backing down.

But Erling was fast—a blur of rage and power that Tobias couldn’t track. The prince’s fist smashed into his chest like a battering ram, launching Tobias through the air. Trees splintered and shattered as he crashed through them, the impact leaving behind a trail of destruction.

Tobias barely had time to suck in a shaky breath before Erling was on him again. He didn’t hold back, grabbing Tobias by the face and dragging him across the dirt like a rag doll. The ground tore beneath them as Erling charged forward, each jolt sending waves of pain through Tobias’s battered frame.

Finally, Erling stopped, standing tall and unyielding. He lifted Tobias into the air like he weighed nothing, holding him by his jacket. Tobias’s body hung limp, bruised and broken, every shallow breath a struggle.

Erling glared at him with pure fury, then reached for Tobias’s guns. With a sharp motion, he ripped them free from their holsters. Tobias tried to resist, but Erling’s grip was like iron. Without hesitation, the prince snapped both weapons in half, the crunch of metal echoing as he tossed the pieces aside.

"You’re weak," Erling spat, venom dripping from his words. His armor shifted, cracking faintly as his fury grew. "You call yourself strong? You judge my people, destroy my home, kill everyone I care about—and think you’ll get away with it?"

Tobias coughed, a faint smirk tugging at his lips despite the pain. "Weak? You sure about that?" he rasped, his voice rough but defiant.

With a quick motion, Tobias’s hand shot up, his fingers clutching a small handful of bullets. He flung them straight at Erling’s face, and the clearing erupted into chaos. Fire, smoke, and shards of rock exploded outward, forcing Erling to stumble back. He coughed, shielding his face as fragments rained down around him.

When the dust settled, Erling’s stone armor was in tatters, jagged shards clinging to him like broken glass. His rage only burned hotter, and he slammed his fist into the ground, drawing up fresh layers of armor from the earth. The ground shuddered under his power, but Tobias didn’t waver.

Tobias stumbled to his feet, chuckling softly despite the blood dripping from his mouth. "You don’t get it, do you?" he said, his voice steady despite the chaos. "I didn’t need those guns to fight you. I only used them because I liked them."

Erling froze, his glare locked on Tobias as the cowboy flexed his fingers casually. "My power doesn’t rely on bullets or chambers. Anything solid—anything around me—I can use. Doesn’t matter where it’s from or how it’s shaped."

He took a shaky step forward, his tone unwavering. "You, on the other hand? You’ve got limits. Your stamina, your wounds—they’re wearing you down, little by little. But me? I can keep this up all night."

Tobias’s smirk widened slightly, arrogance flickering in his expression. "You might have brute strength, prince. But I’m relentless."

The air grew thick, the tension hanging heavy as their energy clashed in silence. Erling’s fists tightened, his breathing harsh but steady as his fury collided with Tobias’s calm defiance.

"You think this is over, cowboy?" Erling said, his voice cutting through the stillness. "I wouldn’t call myself a prince if I let someone like you win."

Tobias tilted his head slightly, an amused look tugging at his lips. "Ah, royal pride. Always dramatic."

But Erling didn’t respond with words. The glow of his armor flared brighter, its rough edges smoothing out as it transformed. Bit by bit, the dull stone became polished crystal, radiant and shimmering in the dim light.

Tobias watched the transformation, his expression unmoving. "Well, there it is," he muttered, almost bored. "Your big royal power-up. Took you long enough."

Erling straightened, his crystal armor catching the light like a beacon of raw power. When he spoke, his voice was steady and full of determination. "You mock royalty and the gods, but you don’t understand what it means to hold divine favor."

Tobias smirked, his stance loose despite the force radiating from Erling. "Oh, I understand just fine," he replied. "Royal blood equals special treatment. But here’s the real question..." He raised his hand, flexing his fingers. "What happens when divine favor meets someone who doesn’t need favors to win?"

The tension between them peaked, the energy swirling thick around the clearing. Erling’s awakened power radiated like fire through crystal, while Tobias stood firm, his confidence unshaken.