The Lich

Seeing Azarin holding it back, I knew it wouldn’t be for long. Azarin was striking with a disc, then striking with the next as the first found its’ target again. It would work for a time, but the moment a disc was destroyed or if one got stuck, the Lich would have time to throw the sword again. And Azarin could be killed. I gave Chiaki a grateful smile before I took off.

“Yuka, wait!” she cried, but I didn’t listen. I had to do something. I leaped off of the front of the buried truck, my eyes dead set on the skull. That was my target as I swung my sword. One of those soulless eyes bored into me as it parried off another projectile from Azarin. 

I’ve got him! My sword was met with a chain. Sparks flew as my blade clashed, but I couldn’t break through. Then it happened. The chain extended farther, blocking two projectiles at once. The opening it needed. I fell to the ground, my eyes widening.

“Azarin!” I cried. the Lich threw their blade. It streaked towards Azarin… but he seemed unfazed. With a swift movement, Kang blocked the strike, the blade getting knocked to the side.

“Kti, now!” Kang called. Kti ran at the Lich before throwing what looked like a black bag. I knew instantly what to do. I leaped back, the bag making contact with the monster. A large pillar of purple flames erupted, the Lich letting out a high pitched screech. I backed up, joining the others.

“Did that kill it?” I asked, unable to see through the smoke.

“I doubt it went down that easy,” Kang replied. Sure enough, I could see two red eyes peering from the smoke.

“Alright… I’m going to draw its attention. When you see an opening, give it hell, all of you,” Kang explained.

“What? But that thing is able to parry off Azarin’s magic!” I cried in protest, but Kang gave a reassuring smile.

“It’ll be okay. Trust me… this is what I’m good at,” he replied before his eyes narrowed at the Lich. Kang rushed forwards, his swords behind him. This time I got a good look at them. Two curved scimitars with jagged edges. I couldn’t tell if the unevenness was intentional or if it was from years of fighting.

“I’m glad he’s our leader… he has the right idea,” Azarin commented as his two glowing circles rotated beside him. Right… that chained sword is deadly. It nearly killed me earlier. The longer we keep it from using that attack the better. But the chains make it nearly impossible to land a hit, even while it’s engaged with someone else. The Lich lunged for Kang, bringing a heavy strike down on the wolf.

“I tried earlier but it wouldn’t blow up! I hate it!” Kti whined. Kang made an X-shape with his blades, blocking the Lich. The power of the strike caused the ground to crack behind Kang, but he didn’t falter. Then I got an idea. As Kang blocked another powerful strike, I turned towards the others. When I told them my plan, Kti cheered, but Chiaki looked hesitant.

“Are you sure, Yuka?” she asked, but I gave a smile and nod. Azarin adjusted his glasses, lifting his hand.

“You adapt quickly… I’m beginning to understand why you were chosen,” Azarin commented. The two golden circles stopped spinning, and floated in front of me. I stepped on one before continuing onto the other. 

It was a scary feeling, stepping into open air and trusting that Azarin would have a disc waiting for me. But soon I got into a rhythm, running along them in a half circle around Kang and the Lich.

I dashed towards the Lich, gritting my teeth. Once I was close enough, I leaped towards it with a cry, swinging my blade down. Sure enough, the chain flew up to block me. Good. I changed my grip, catching the chain and pinning it to the ground. I held on as it yanked at the chain, screeching.

“Now, Kti and Chiaki!” I cried. Chiaki nodded, casting a force spell that launched the little bomb expert like a bullet.

“Kang, duck!” I called. Kang, who currently had his blades pressed against the Lich’s large sword, immediately understood what I was doing. He ducked down, letting the strike graze his shoulder as Kti flew overhead, a small red bomb in hand. 

He slammed it into the Lich’s mouth before tumbling to the ground. I got one last look at its hideous face before its head exploded into bits. I shielded my eyes from the bone fragments, feeling the chain go slack.

“Yuka…” Kang said in surprise. The Lich's body slumped to the ground. I panted a bit as Chiaki rushed over. She quickly used her healing spell, and I could feel the pain disappear.

“You did great… but that felt strangely easy,” Kang commented as he walked over to Kti, helping them to their feet. Azarin would nod in agreement.

“Too easy? That thing almost killed me,” I mumbled, looking down. Chiaki suddenly hugged me tightly, making my eyes widen.

“I’m glad you’re okay. You were so brave… I’m kind of envious,” she said with a smile. I felt my cheeks get hot, looking away.

“I-I was, huh…” I said in embarrassment. She giggled, looking down at me with a smile. Then her eyes widened.

One moment I was looking up at her somewhat flustered, the next I was falling. She’d pushed me. And said two words.

“Live, Yuka.” That was all she said before large spikes of bone pierced her body. 

One through her neck, one through her stomach, and another that took her arm off. Blood sprayed into the air as the spikes ripped out of her. Crimson rain fell as her body and severed arm fell, her eyes cold and lifeless. 

I was covered in her blood. I was soaked in Chiaki’s blood.