A tie was pathetic of him, allowing himself not to win. He hated it. Although, the rush of his blood in combat and finally meeting an adversary strong enough to live through his onslaught was actually exhilarating, it was the first time he, as an Umbraic, felt something like this. He looked forward to his next battle, and how much intensity it will bring about.

Nox arrives at a busy train station, there were people in café’s resting, having their snacks, if you were hungry, it surely would have made your mouth water. Trains arrive and go as much as passengers do. Nocifer was wearing his usual black outfit complete with a half-cape and pauldron, he didn’t catch much attention as everyone was wearing different attires as well, some colorful, others bland, and some dressed just so they would not be noticed.

“All aboard to Stipolis!” A conductor called out, it was surprising that trains, as technological as these, still needed conductors. Nox went on into the train, as the last passengers went in, as the powered doors closed, white steam was ejected from exhaust vents on the doors’ mechanic on the outside. These trains were different from your usual sleek, chrome, bullet trains. These trains resembled steam engines of old times, they even use steam to operate most of the mechanical aspects of these, although something that differed them from the transports of old was their floating ability and speed.

Nox went inside one of the numerous rooms and sat there, there was only one other person there who seemed to be asleep, cross-armed. The other man was of average build, wearing a jet-black cowboy hat, his hat was over his face, a bright red polo over his white undershirt and suspenders were holding up his jeans. Nox sat on the opposite end of the room and looked out the window the country side was rushing by, lush green trees, a cloudless blue sky and the sun was shining beautifully on the scene, this was a bad time for a battle. Fortunately, if Nox calculated correctly, by the time he arrives in Stipolis, night would have fallen, and any battle he may fight should likely be easily won.
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The train slowed its momentum down as it arrived into the station easing itself back as it slowly hovered down. The doors opened and puffs of steam blew out from both sides of the outside doors as the doors opened. Nox got out and observed the station, it was as busy as the previous one, he looked at the sky again, and saw that the sun was setting and only a bit of light was reflecting off the sky. His calculations were correct. He gave himself one mental pat and went on, he was a bit hungry. Despite being an Umbraic, he does get hungry, but he does sate his hunger by absorbing wandering souls, and sucking the life force out of the Demons he destroys. This time though, he decided to fill his stomach with real, tangible, human food. He stepped out of the station and took in the view of the city, the buildings were towering and lights were everywhere, the buildings were painted in black and were all sleek in design, electric cars rushed about with the same sleek design as the buildings, it was interesting, even for him. He looked around and saw a restaurant that had a different design from the taller buildings, it looked like a conventional, square, diner, you can find in smaller cities. He opened the glass door and stepped in, the door ringing a bell as he opened it, he saw, sitting on one of the chairs on the counter table, the same man from the train before. His attention was turned to the attendant who greeted him.

“Welcome,” the attendant greeted him from behind the counter. Nox maintained a straight face and sat on the counter table, just one seat from the other man, they were the only two people in the diner. “What’ll you have?” The attendant asked as soon as Nox sat himself. He looked at the holographic menu in front of him.

“I’ll have the burger.” He said quick and strictly business-like. He doesn’t want to speak when it isn’t necessary. The attendant nodded with a smile and went to the back, another attendant went to the other man to deliver him his burger. Nox looked at the other man, who looked back at him. The other man smiled.

“Howdy.” The man slightly tipped his hat. Nox only nodded his way and went back to waiting for his burger. “Not much of a talker, eh?” The man

“Here it is.” The attendant said with another hospitable smile and came out with a burger on a dish, it was nothing special, just cheese and patty between two buns. Nox picked it up and took a bite at it, flinching when he did so, the reason why? He was trying to contain the sudden bliss that he had when he tasted that burger, it was the first time he had tasted human food, and he liked it, he ate the burger at an amazingly quick rate.

“You sure like burgers.” The other man said again. “Hey, I noticed, judging from your getup, I’d be bettin’ you’re a fighter yerself.” The man said with a smile. Nox stared at him.

“Yes, I am.” Nox said emotionlessly.

“Well, I’d be willin’ to fight you. Just a small unofficial fight.” The man said enthusiastically and with a smile. Excitement surged through Nox as he recalled his battle with Lexel and its intensity.

“Yes!” Nox said suddenly as he stood up slamming the table with his right hand, the attendants and the man was looking at him with wide eyes. That was embarrassing of him, showing his excitement like that. He slowly eased his stance and summoned his scythe. “Now, let us begin.” He said and went into a battle stance with the Eternal Night in his right hand.

“Whoa... Slow down there, bud, we ain’t fightin’ here, let’s take this outside.” The other man stood up and walked out of the diner, Nox followed.

“Sirs! You forgot to pay your bills!” One of the attendants frantically called out. In which the other man responded to by tossing them two gold coins.

“I’m payin’ for ‘em too.”
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Nox followed the other man to an abandoned train station, which is not as abandoned as it would seem for a few spectators were already observing the scene. Both combatants circled field and stopped a little ways away from each other. Nox rested his scythe on his shoulder as the other man steadied his hand above his gun. The Soul once again appeared beside Nox.

Be wary. There is something odd about him that I cannot quite place yet. The Soul said concernedly.

“I see that, my sight tells me that he is evil, yet his attitude says otherwise. We shall wait on what would happen for now.” Nox returned slight concern.

A few painstaking moments went by and both of them refused to make the first move, the seconds seemed to be as long as minutes. Some of the spectators watched on in anxiety not to who will make the first move but as to who will take damage first.

“Well, partner, looks like we got ourselves an ol’ fashion standoff.” The cowboy said with a small, competitive smirk. “I’ll start countin’ and when I get to three, we be shootin’ each other.” Nox nodded.

“One.” The cowboy, moved his fingers anxiously above the revolver.

“Two.” Nox toyed his hands over his scythe waiting calmly for when three hits.

“THREE!” The cowboy quickly took his revolver from his holster and shot out three consecutive shots in rapid succession, Nox dodged the first bullet and slashed the second bullet with more work than expected, he forgot about the third bullet and it ended up grazing his left arm, some black liquid splashed out just when the bullet hit. Nox fired one bolt from his free left hand, but the cowboy just shot two rounds in rapid succession at it, making it dissipate. He shot his last round upward, he had calculated the angle to be exact enough to hit Nox in the- Nox turned and slashed the bullet with his scythe before it could hit his thigh.

“Yer fast.” The cowboy said with an impressed tone as he twirled his revolver around his finger and into his holster once again.

“I know.” Nox jumped up without hesitation, his jump was high, aided by his gravitation. He twirled his scythe and dropped down at his adversary, but the cowboy dodged his slash and countered with his own punch, Nox gladly blocked the punch which, to his surprise, was not easily blocked. He had found himself flying back and into the wall. A puff of dust sprung when he did hit the wall, he coughed up black blood.

He took a look at his adversary, who was reloading his revolver. “I gotta admit, yer pretty good.” The cowboy said with enthusiasm.

“You too.” Nox smiled, it was one of the few times Nox smiled. The cowboy aimed his gun at Nox once again. Nox analyzed the situation, he took his staff in his hand and bit it halfway through to hold it with his mouth. With a bit of help from gravity, he dashed towards the cowboy, both of his hands had dark energy in them.

The cowboy fired off three rounds rapidly. Nox anticipated this, he dodged two rounds with ease and used his scythe in his mouth as a pole vault into the ground to dodge the third bullet, after his full swing was complete, he let go of the scythe which was now stuck into the ground and lessened his gravity in order for him to launch himself into the ceiling, he used the ceiling as a catalyst for his next attack. The cowboy was confused on what happened as it happened quickly. He looked up.

Nox launched down with great force, enough to break the ceiling. He timed it, he reached the exact distance he needed to have the cowboy within arm’s length. With combined gravitation, force, enhanced with dark energy, Nox punched the cowboy straight into the ground as a shockwave splashed through the station.

The cowboy was left lying down in a man-made crater. Nox went to his scythe and wielded it once more. He went over to the cowboy and raised his scythe above his head. He brought it down.
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Nox could feel the tug of something on his scythe, preventing him from finishing his adversary. He looked about and saw that it was the Soul holding on to the scythe with both of her hands. Fine. Nox though to the Soul and lowered his scythe, unsummoning it once it reached the ground, he turned toward the exit and walked away.

The cowboy stood up and dusted himself off. “Hey, hey! Where’re you goin’?” The cowboy called out. Nox stopped without turning his back. “Tha’ was a good fight, bud!” The cowboy said enthusiastically as he stood. “By the way, I reckon’ we aven’t properly introduced ourselves. Name’s Cowboy Bodacious.”

“Nox.” Was all Nox said as he continued walking.

That’s cute of you, making new friends like that. The Soul teased with a smile, that wasn’t unusual of her, she smiles every so often.

“Acquaintance.” Nox corrected.