Chapter 27

I got to my feet and thanked Tsuki as she ran to me. She crossed her arms and puffed her cheeks and glared at me. I gave her an uneasy look as she said nothing.

“I’m sorry?” I said uncertainly.

“You're Sorry? That's it? What happened to us not fighting, huh? What happened to us not being able to take on Bishops, huh?! HUH?!”

“I... have no excuses. Or a reason. My body... kind of reacted on its own.” I said, looking at my hands, still feeling the intense heat radiating inside me. “There’s this heat burning inside me that burns whenever I see Yukino. I just...”

Before I could finish, something landed beside us, exploding the ground into a puff of dirt and rubble. I wrapped myself around Tsuki, shielding her with my body. We both then looked over at the hole in the ground where the object landed and saw a bright white, glowing blade with a long handle. It was like a naginata, but the blade was much longer. Then the weapon started to wiggle before flying out of the crater, soaring through the air and into Yukino’s hands. She then took a stance, preparing to throw it again.

“She’s like you; she can throw her manifestation and recall it.” I said to Tsuki.

“Hm, you can probably do that, too. Though I see why you don’t.”

“You’re still the only one with two, then.”

“You can’t make two? With your mana I’m sure you-”

I interrupted her as I shoved her away and jumped backward simultaneously to dodge Yukino’s attack. Again, the ground erupted from the impact. Tsuki jumped to her feet and let out a frustrated groan as the halo behind her started to glow with an ethereal pink. She then pointed at Yukino with a finger outstretched, let out a mischievous giggle, and closed her hand into a fist. The halo behind her thrummed loudly and fired out a laser-like beam from it, right at Yukino. Yukino let out a gasp as she crossed her hands, bringing up her barrier to try to block the incoming attack. The beam collided with her barrier, and although it blocked it, it was pushing her back, causing her to slide across the ground. Tsuki kept firing her attack, letting out strained groans as the spell took a toll on her to keep up. Yukino also grunted as her barrier started to crack, finally at its limit from everything it absorbed.

I was amazed by the magic that Tsuki was displaying as it was on a level I had never seen. Most mages now used elemental magic, but this was clearly a display of pure magic. Even more impressive was her lack of chant needed to use something so powerful. Definitely something from her long lineage, but now she was using it to fight the Secular, not help it. I realized the opportunity Tsuki had made with her high-power attack and sprinted after Yukino.

I ran alongside the beam, charging after Yukino to get a flank on her as Tsuki had her pinned. I conjured magic in my one hand, creating a lance of pure fire in it. The spear burned intensely, the colour of it darkened from a deep orange to a deep blue and then into near violet. For the briefest moment I was taken aback by the new colour of fire I had made but brushed the thought aside as I prepared to throw the spear at Yukino. Yukino growled in frustration as she continued to block Tsuki’s attack. She looked over to her side and saw me, flame spear in hand, and let out another chaotic growl. I raised my spear and prepared to throw it; my body was overwhelmed with heat and rage. As she looked at me with her eyes, I saw the hatred she had for me, the desire she had to kill me. I also saw her frustration that she had nowhere to go. And I felt a wicked toothy grin cross my face. I swung my arm forward, throwing the spear.

But at that exact moment, I felt immense pain hit me from the side. A sharp, burning sensation searing the side of my torso. I then got thrown through the air, my spear missing completely as it flew through the air aimlessly. As I spiraled through the air, I gripped my side and felt blood pouring out onto my hand. Before I could even register what hit me, I felt another sharp pain smash into my chest, and I slammed into the ground, blood and bile expelling out of my mouth. I placed my hand on my chest and felt a deep wound on it, pooling with blood. I coughed and sputtered out more deep red liquid, and I looked up to see Kyosuke, with his unwieldly great sword, smiling down at me with a maniac grin.

“Looks like this is where you die, dragon boy Ryuki.” Kyosuke said, lifting his sword up above his head.

My ears were thumping. My vision blurred. Once again, I wracked my brain trying to find a solution. An escape. I instantly thought back to the mall, the Abyss spell that Ichiro made. I could use that here, even if it had such negative drawbacks. I didn’t care; I just needed to win here. I needed to meet Marie at the safe house. I needed to defeat Kyosuke. I needed to regroup with Tsuki. I needed to kill Yukino Kurosawa. I had to use it.

But I couldn’t even move my arms.

Or my legs.

I don’t even think I was breathing at this point.

Blood continued to pour from my side and my chest. I wasn’t blinking anymore. I watched Kyosuke’s lips move as he laughed and taunted me. I heard the muffle cackling from Yukino. And I heard the cries from Tsuki in the distance. Everything slowed.

I screwed up.

I fought when I should have run. I don’t have Marie here to get me out of this, to fix my bad decision. I not only brought myself into this, but I got Tsuki involved, too. She was probably going to be captured and stuffed back into that cell. I won’t be able to get teased by her anymore or play games with her. I won’t be able to test out any new spells that Ichiro makes and help him with his pursuit of powerful magics.

And I won’t be able to see Marie anymore.

I won’t be able to drink her tea, listen to her ramble on about her favourite manga, listen to her scold me when I make dinner the wrong way.

I won’t get to tell her how I feel.

Kyosuke started to swing down his massive sword as he continued to taunt me. I closed my eyes and the last thing I heard was Tsuki screaming out my name.