- The Red Oni -

Eventually the storm subsided. The crew leaves the justiciar knights tied up, though they can escape over time.

Following their maps the party continues down the path towards the ruins. With new found confidence they move with renewed strength. Over turbulent winds and treacherous dunes they finally find the runes in the distance.

It was a small structure. Taro could vaguely see it. It seems it was a piece that was blown off during the tower’s ascent. The only problem was that they had to cross a frozen lake to reach it. It appeared sturdy enough at first glance.

“Is this safe to walk on?” Taro tries to test the ice like trying to dip his toe in bathwater.

“You’re unsurprisingly cowardly human,” Aoi proudly walks onto the ice,

“H-Hey careful!” he shouts,

“Psh! Scared of a little water?!” she jeers,

“You could die of hypothermia in minutes! If you get wet and cold it’s over!”

“W-Wait… Really?”

*Crack!

“Ah!” the oni yelps, and runs back towards Taro.

Taro could only look at her with expectant eyes. Flushed she turns her head indignantly.

“S-Shut up!” she cries,

Taro decides to walk the perimeter for a more blue section of the lake to cross at. They find one eventually and cross. This time seemingly more stable than other sections. They make good distance and close in on the ruins . Around half way through the lake. A creature stalks the humble party.

“Be careful guys,” Taro warns, “It is possible that it's not Akari at all…”

They both nod simultaneously. Taro looking back suddenly sees movement under the ice.

It was a large mass that suddenly moved, about the size of a double decker bus. The beast rushes past the party and doubles back. As swift as a train the creature crashed its massive body into the ice just under the party. The ice cracks from the impact.

“T-Taro!” Aoi looks at him like a deer in head lights,

Looking around there wasn’t any solid ground they could reach in time.

“Run to the ruins!” Taro figured it’d be their best chance.

“Augh!” Aoi slips on the ice and falls on her face.

“Aoi!” Elaine shouts about to run to her but -!

*Crash!

A large crash bursts in front of Aoi, and the beast stalking them surfaces on the ice. It was a great pale beast, some kind of mix between a fish and seal. It had four small beady eyes like a shark, and when it would roar its many rows of teeth could be seen.

Aoi was frozen in fear. As though the beast could smell it, it turns to her about to pounce.

Suddenly it squeals in pain and turns to its back. Elaine had stabbed the creature on its side. Though it’s only a pin in comparison to the beast’s massive body.

“Wake up Aoi!” Elaine yells, “Get out of there!”

Snapping out it, Aoi began to crawl to her cleaver. During which the beast thrashes about knocking Elaine a good distance away.

Aoi gets up like a new born deer. Her unfamiliarity on the terrain greatly hinders her combat ability. However this is the beast’s hunting grounds. They have no chance.

Taro feels his powerlessness as he watches the tragedy unfold before him. The creature lunges at the hapless Aoi.

Then…

*Bwooom!

The beast was beaten back by a sudden force. Looking over taro sees a figure in a cloak for a split second. It then rushes the beast again, jumping straight up in the air with its weapon and slams the creature into the ice cracking the surface.

The creature retches and squeals as it flees into the newly created ice hole.

The figure lands on the ice. Wind blows in her cloak.

Taro, Aoi and Elaine stood dumbstruck. They stare at the figure. Taro walks forwards first.

“Thank you!” he shouts, “We would be in trouble if it weren’t for you.”

The figure turns to face the group.

A spiked bat pokes out from the cloak, and the wind blows the hood off the stranger.

Only it wasn’t a stranger at all. Akari had saved them.

“Akari!” Taro tearfully cries, he starts to run but slips and falls on his face.

Akari’s expression did not change. She possessed a different aura now, dark circles were around her eyes . Her hands and legs had lengths wrapped in bandages, and she keeps her track suit open nowadays.

She walks to the fallen boy. Elaine and Aoi prepare themselves. Taro feebly gets up from the snow.

“A-Akari?..” He says with his nose bleeding from the fall. “It’s me… Taro…”

Her eyes were dead. She reels back her fist.

“Taro!” Aoi yells,

*Pompf!

Taro peeks from his cowering stance. Akari had lightly punched his chest.

*Pompf! * Pompf! *Pompf!

She continues her half hearted assault.

“Akari?...” He softly says and looks at her face.

It was flushed and tears were welling up in her eyes.

“Idiot! Stupid! Stupid! Idiot! Stupid, Stupid!” she screams as her onslaught continues, “What took you so long?!”

“Akari!” He yells and hugs her. “I’m sorry… I’m here…”

“UwehhH!!” She cries in his arms,

……

Later on they all move to the ruins across the lake instead of the cold.

“A-Akari…” Taro says,”... You can stop clinging onto me!...”

Akari was hanging off his arm not too dissimilarly to Shion when she was recently revived.

“UwahhhH!!” Akari begins to cry again,

“Let her for a bit Taro,” Elaines says, “Poor girl has been through a lot.”

“Ahaha…” Taro awkwardly laughs,

Looking around the small parcel of ruins, he sees that it was in fact what used to be her room. When the mountain shattered it must’ve blown all the way here. From the corner of his eyes he sees the dolls she made resembling her and Shion, when something suddenly moves.

“Uwah!” he shouts,

“Huh?!” Akari pauses crying momentarily to see what Taro was shouting about. ”What’re you doing?”

The creature reveals itself to be Lil’ Shion! He still had the small scar from the first encounter with the adventurers.

*Byruu!

It purrs.

“Oh! Hey there lil guy!” Taro excitedly exclaims, the small slime jumps into his arms.

The slime curls up(or as much as a slime can) and nuzzles the boy.

“Oh him.” Akari says plainly, “I don’t let him out much. He freezes in this weather.”

Akari blows her nose on Taro’s sleeve.

“When did you become such a cry baby?” Aoi jeers,

“Huh?!” Akari rises to the provocation,

“You heard me.” Aoi says seriously,

“Last I remember I saw a frail lil oni shivering on the ice like a new born!” she shoots back, “You sure you're in a position to make fun of me.”

“T-That was- !” Aoi stutters,

“Girls.” Elaine interrupts, “We’ve got company.”

They all stood silent as fast as a pin drops.

Elaine puts her ear to the air.

“Justiciars.” she says solemnly

“How do you know?” Taro asks,

“They have a distinctive sound they make when they walk with their armour.” she explains, “Get ready.”

Everyone gets into position for an ambush.

They were ready.