"He's leading us into a trap," Blaze muttered, his voice a low growl.
Mae nodded, her eyes narrowing as she tried to discern any familiar landmarks. "This is his territory. He knows these woods better than anyone. Blaze, I really wanted to know the reason behind of everything," she replied.
Mr. Jaxon, aware of his pursuers, quickened his pace. He had chosen this path consciously, knowing it would give him the upper hand. The old ruins he was headed towards were a labyrinth of hidden passages and secret hideouts, a place he had explored and memorized long ago. It was a place where he held every advantage.
Blaze's hand instinctively moved to his weapon, his eyes darting around for any sign of movement.
"Stay close," he whispered to Mae, his voice barely audible.
Mr. Jaxon watched them from a concealed vantage point, a small smile playing on his lips. He had led them exactly where he wanted. Moving swiftly, he navigated the hidden pathways with ease, his familiarity with the terrain giving him a significant advantage.
Blaze and Mae entered the ruins cautiously, their senses heightened. Every creak and groan of the ancient structure seemed amplified in the stillness of the night. Blaze's grip tightened on his weapon, ready to strike at the first sign of danger.
Suddenly, a figure darted out from the shadows, moving with blinding speed. Blaze reacted instantly, but Mr. Jaxon was faster. He disarmed Blaze with a swift, practiced motion, sending the weapon clattering to the ground. Mae lunged at him, but he evaded her with ease, his movements fluid and precise.
"You should have stayed at the mansion," Mr. Jaxon said, his voice calm and steady. "This place is my domain."
Mae's mind raced, searching for any possible advantage.
Mae's breath hitched as she recognized the man before her. "Uncle Jaxon," she whispered, her voice a mixture of confusion and desperation. "Why are you doing this?"
Mr. Jaxon's eyes, usually so soft when he looked at her, were hard and unyielding. He tightened his grip on the gun, his jaw clenched. Words seemed to fail him, his silence speaking volumes.
Before she could say another word, Blaze sprang into action. His fist connected with Mr. Jaxon's jaw with a sickening thud, the force of the blow sending Jaxon stumbling backward. The gun fell from his hand, skittering across the stone floor of the ruins.
Mr. Jaxon recovered quickly, his years of training kicking in. He retaliated with a powerful strike, catching Blaze in the ribs. The two men engaged in a brutal struggle, each blow landing with a fierce intensity.
She couldn't just stand by and watch them destroy each other. Steeling herself, she rushed to retrieve the fallen gun, her fingers trembling as she picked it up. The cold metal was a stark reminder of the gravity of the situation.
Blaze and Mr. Jaxon continued to exchange blows, their faces contorted with effort and pain. Blaze's strength and determination were formidable, but Mr. Jaxon's experience and cunning kept him on equal footing.
Mae's voice cut through the chaos, sharp and commanding. "Stop it! Both of you, stop!"
Her words were enough to give Blaze and Mr. Jaxon pause, their heavy breathing filling the silence that followed. Mr. Jaxon straightened, his eyes flicking to Mae and the gun she held with trembling hands.
"Uncle, please," Mae pleaded, her voice cracking. "Why are you doing this? What are you hiding?"
Mr. Jaxon's gaze softened for a moment, a flicker of the man she once knew. But it was fleeting. His expression hardened once more, and he took a step towards her.
"Stay back," Blaze warned.
Mr. Jaxon ignored the threat, his eyes locked on Mae. "You don't understand, Mae," he said. "Some things are better left in the dark."
With a sudden, swift movement, he lunged towards Mae, aiming to disarm her.
"Mae," he said softly, his voice filled with a sorrow that seemed to echo through the ancient ruins. "Sometimes, the truth is more dangerous than the lie."
Before Mae or Blaze could react, Mr. Jaxon reached out and gently took the gun from Mae's hands. His touch was surprisingly tender, a stark contrast to the violence that had unfolded moments before. He stepped back, the gun now in his possession, and a strange, resigned smile played on his lips.
"Uncle, no!" Mae shouted, her voice breaking with panic and fear. But it was too late.
With a sudden, fluid motion, Mr. Jaxon turned the gun on himself. The deafening sound of the gunshot echoed through the ruins, a stark, brutal punctuation to the night. Time seemed to slow as Mr. Jaxon fell to the ground, the light fading from his eyes.
Mae and Blaze stood frozen, the reality of what had just happened was too overwhelming to process. Mae's breath came in ragged gasps, her mind racing to comprehend the finality of it all.
"No," she whispered, dropping to her knees beside her uncle. Tears streamed down her face as she reached out, her hands trembling. "Uncle Jaxon, please..."
Blaze knelt beside her, his face grim and eyes filled with a sorrowful understanding. He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Mae's fingers brushed against Mr. Jaxon's, the warmth already fading. She couldn't tear her eyes away from his face, the lines of pain and regret etched into his features. "Why?" she whispered, her voice breaking. "Why did you have to do this?"
Blaze's jaw tightened as he looked at Mr. Jaxon’s lifeless form. "He was protecting something, Mae. Something he thought was worth dying for."