Price III

Mugen is no longer in the square. As Kaji is about to turn around and warn—

"Run!" Fuhai shouts.

No delay. Kaji bolts.

Before he can get far, he gets stuck in place. Something's pulling him. He forces the boots further.

Then it stops. Kaji narrowly avoids crashing into a wall.

He turns around in time to see a dust cloud dissipate, leaving behind nothing but a crater. Fuhai stands across it, cane and sword unsheathed, and head tilted upwards.

"You are perceptive." Says a voice from above. "You must be the swordsman who's been single handedly winning many of the battles between our clans." Mugen, the Arc Warrior, is floating right above.

"You can fly… because of course you can." Despite the bleak situation, Kaji can't keep the attitude out of his voice.

There's no point for Mugen to guard the entrance anymore. He has both of them in sight.

Of all times, Fuhai chooses now to take another drink, yet Mugen doesn't seem keen on punishing the disrespect.

"Using any more black holes against you will only cause unnecessary destruction." He lowers himself to the ground, then flips his staff, and a blade snaps out from within, because why the fuck not!?

Next thing we'll learn his wounds heal or something.

He points his staff, or rather spear, at Fuhai.

"A fair duel. No magic, no boots, no flying, until one of us lands a hit."

"What happens if I win?"

"You got a free shot. After that I'll go with everything and kill you both."

"Then why offer a duel?" Kaji exclaims.

"He wants to know which of us would win on even terms," Fuhai answers. "And to be honest, I'm curious as well." He brandishes his sword in both hands.

"Needless to say, but your subordinate must sheathe his cane and remain in place, unless you want me to cancel the duel."

Fuhai looks at Kaji, and he does as instructed.

These two are so arrogant it's laughable.

…

They lunge at each other and start clashing edges at such a speed Kaji's eyes can barely keep up. However, he doesn't care enough to watch the rest of the spectacle.

He instead scans the surroundings. More guards could appear at any moment, including the last armored one, and Kaji doubts they'd ask Mugen before interrupting his duel.

Kaji finds movement. Slow, in a faraway alley, leaning against a wall.

It's Raba! He's alive... barely.

He seems badly hurt, and points a weapon at Fuhai and Mugen.

No, wait, don't interrupt them. This could be a chance to…

"Come on, Fuhai!" Kaji exclaims. "Don't lose a fair duel against this old man. The moment you land a hit we'll get our chance. It might even take out his electric immunity."

Hopefully Raba catches what he means.

"Lad, I appreciate the sentiment, but shut the fuck up."

All Kaji can do now is cross his fingers. If there's ever been a time he wanted to believe in this corrupt, egocentric failure of a man, it's now.

Both keep trading blows, neither lands one yet. Mugen has the range advantage with his "lance", but Fuhai has a wider range, and Mugen's weapon might get damaged by the blade if he attacks carelessly.

Fuhai does the unexpected: a charge forward, taking a deep stab in his shoulder as he swings with all his might. The blade cuts Mugen's side through the armor, opening a gash.

Mugen backs off with a grunt, and then, a thunderbolt hits him from behind. His red wound starts blackening as it gets burnt. Fuhai attacks again. It misses as Mugen flies up.

Kaji glances at Raba, who now falls to the ground.

Mugen coughs and winces for a moment. He glances at the collapsed Raba, then straightens his posture.

"Despite your dirty play I have to grant it to you: no one has managed to damage my armor until now. But you'll get no more chances."

"We don't need them." Fuhai says. "Now, Kaji! Go!"

Kaji dashes towards the square. As he turns back to see if Mugen is shooting, he sees Fuhai is managing to keep him occupied.

He won't last long.

His wound is worse than Mugen's, and his order means he's concluded they're unable to win.

He has to get to the core before it's too late.

༻──⋆༺𓆩⋆𓆪༻⋆──༺

Flickers of light. Muffled sounds. Metallic taste.

Up in front a silhouette dashing around. Another flying above in the air.

Down on the ground, hard and cold stone.

Raba's belly is burning. He doesn't want to look at it. He feels a warm liquid up to his neck. He must be lying in a pool of blood.

And at these last few moments, he sees Gran Gran, sitting next to him, with her smug smile.

'Ya did a good job, m'boy.'

Did I, Gran Gran?

She nods.

Does it make up for my failures?

For his failure at protecting Gran Gran…

And for all the years he'd been venting out on Kaji, blaming his father for the disappearance of his own.

She nods again.

Good. Then wait for me. I'll be with you soon.

Of the two moving silhouettes, the one on the ground collapses. The flying one stops moving for a moment.

It's now or never.

Raba summons all his remaining strength to point at it.

With trembling hands, and blurry vision, he presses the trigger, then his face falls back on the stone.

He can't even look up to see if it landed.

A sound, something hard to describe, approaches.

Then, some kind of unnatural force starts lifting him in the air, along with the stone underneath.

༻──⋆༺𓆩⋆𓆪༻⋆──༺

Was this all a mistake?

Perhaps she should've never opposed Mugen.

If the alternative is Kaji's death, maybe she should give up on stopping this war and let the Arc Warrior do as he pleases.

"Please, I beg you. Go look for my father and tell him to not kill Kaji. If I lose him I… I…"

"I'm going to tie your mouth if you keep talking. My patience has its limits."

She looks at the plate of untouched food, at the knife on it.

Her father will come back. She'll ask about the men he killed and their appearance. And afterwards, the moment she's left alone, she'll take the knife and…

…

A bang shakes the door, making Waissu jump.

"What? Who's—?"

The door bursts open. Jogi jumps straight at him and attacks with kicks. Waissu responds. A quick exchange, both moving better than she's ever seen them do.

Soon, a victor. Waissu falls to the ground holding his crotch. Unfortunately, Jogi also stumbles—her ankle twisted by one of Waissus' deflects.

"Jogi, why? I thought—"

"Does it matter?"

Hoshina smiles. "I guess not."

Bosen comes in as well, holding three metal limbs in her hands.

"Mom!"

"Quick, tell us how to put these on and make a run for it."

There are so, so many things she wants to say to the two of them, and she might not get a chance ever again, depending on what happens after this.

So she'll have to settle for the short version:

"I love you, mom, sis."

A few minutes later, she stands on her two legs and gives them both a quick hug.

"Sorry I won't be able to go with you, sis. That damn Waissu still packs a punch."

"Hoshina, I…" Mom starts, "I don't want to be pessimistic, but what's your plan? You know you can't beat Mugen, less so without an armor suit."

"The Arc Warrior is invincible, but not my father. I have to convince him to stop, there's no other way."

"And what if you can't?"

The answer comes naturally.

"I'll fulfill my vow."

Without wasting another second, she activates the propulsion in her feet, and dashes through the door.

She has to get to Kaji before it's too late.