Rising from the Ashes (Andrew) novel Chapter 2004

Several steel rebar pieces from underground whistled through the air with a sharp whooshing sound. Before the remaining Driscoll family fighters could even grunt, their foreheads were pierced clean through with bloody holes.

Just like that, they followed Scarlett straight to hell in perfect unison.

The sight made Andrew grin.

However, Franklin had actually escaped. Even with all four limbs broken except for part of his spine, the martial saint had managed to crawl away. His survival instinct was impressive, but Andrew was not the kind of man to let prey slip away; that would be unworthy of someone once called a master of annihilation.

Following the trail of blood, Andrew stepped out of the Driscoll Corporation building.

Franklin had already dragged himself dozens of feet away, using pure inner energy to force movement into his shattered arms as he clawed across the ground. Shaking his head, Andrew strolled after him.

He asked, "I really don't get you. At this point, what's the point of running? Why not wait for death and go meet Solmortal in the afterlife?"

Franklin's eyes went wide with horror, his expression sinking into despair. "Before I die, I just want to know who you are, really? There's no way someone like you could exist in Gabo Creek. No… Not just Gabo Creek, the entire southern martial world couldn't produce you."

Andrew replied, "You're right. I'm not from Gabo Creek, and I'm not from the south. But asking that is pointless for a dying man. Anyway, this is called cause and effect. The day you helped the Driscoll family hurt Victoria was the day you earned this. Killing you today is just returning the debt. Don't struggle, or if I miss my mark, your skull might burst."

Franklin let out a ragged laugh. "Fate… It's all damned fate. I spent decades in seclusion at the cathedral with no trouble at all, but the moment I step out, I run into someone like you. Looks like all the evil I did in my early years is coming back to collect now.

"Andrew, to die by the hands of someone like you… I have no complaints, no hatred. Before I die, I only ask one thing… Let me see my only son."

Andrew stood over him. "Sorry, I'm in a hurry. I'm not waiting for your son to get here."

Franklin's battered frame looked beyond pitiful. "Andrew, I'm begging you! Let me see my only son. I'm already a total cripple, worse than Victoria ever was. Can't you show me a shred of mercy?"

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