Chapter 41: Yoru

For a second Yoru’s gaze flickered from Iris, landing on Elben. Yoru watched as the two brothers' bodies hit the ground, tumbling into a sea of crimson blood.

“Elben!” he cried.

As he ran to help Elben, Limiria grabbed his arm, “He’s gone, Yoru, there’s no saving him,” she said, her voice full of grief.

Yoru turned back to Iris, his fists clenched and brow furrowed, he looked her in the eyes. “If your goddamn boss hadn’t thought it was cool to take over the world, then Elben wouldn’t be dead!” he yelled.

Iris chuckled, “Poor boy. Elben wouldn’t have survived either way, we were going to kill him, no matter what happened.”

“But if Jiyoda never came back, then you wouldn’t have come back either! If Jiyoda never came back then right now I’d be living a peaceful life, eating waffles my grandma made,” Yoru flung his hands in the air, “but instead I’m battling evil ghosts in heaven!” he pointed an accusing finger at Iris, “does that sound like a fun summer vacation to you!”

“Sort of,” she shrugged, going in for an attack on the stunned Yoru. Yoru rolled to the side, dodging the attack, and grabbed his spear, thrusting it up. Iris bent back, the spear missing her by a hair. Josh came in from the side and hit her with the blunt of his spear again.

“Braris Elia!” yelled Thalorian blasting Iris with fire. Iris wiped the soot of her face and started her own incantation.

“Luma Elia!” she boomed, firing a tsunami of water from her palm, and flooding the room. “Voltis Eli-” Yoru cut her off before she could finish by smacking her with his spear.

“Shut up!” he yelled, punching her. “Aress!” a blast of force hit Iris, knocking her out of the air, and tumbling onto the floor.

Iris ran back at her enemies, and swung her electrified sword. Thalorian flipped over the sword and landed a blow with his own sword, as Iris quickly recovered and went for an attack at the group. Iris swung her sword as wide as possibly, cutting at most of the group, but not Yoru.

Yoru had dodged the attack and rolled behind her readying his spear for an attack, once she was done with hers. Yoru sent his spear rocketing up and pierced her shoulder.

As Iris tumbled to the ground, the party of five positioned their weapons to her throat.

Realizing her situation Iris spoke, “Since you all are willing to kill me, I think a negotiation is in order, what do you, uh, scamps want from me?”

Thalorian began to speak but Yoru cut him off, “Stop possessing Iris.”

“What?”

“You heard me, stop possessing Iris, that's the only way we’ll spare you,” demanded Yoru.

Thalorian stepped forward, “Yoru, shouldn’t we-”

“Shut up, Thalorian,” Yoru cut off. Turning back to Iris he said, “I told you to unpossess her, do it now.”

Iris clicked her tongue before speaking, “Fine, you pests,” Iris started glowing, a spiritual form floating from her, “but I will be back.”

An innocent girl lay on the ground, battered and bruised, as her eyes slowly opened she started screaming in pain.

“Are you okay Iris?” asked Josh, rushing to her side.

“The- the pain!” she wailed, holding her arm.

Thalorian bent down beside her, “Kalagariana.” as he spoke Iris’s eye lids drooped and she fell asleep. “She’s asleep for now, but someone's going to have to stay back and care for her.”

“I’ll do it,” said Josh raising his hand, “I know I won't be much help against Jiyoda, so I may as well help Iris.”

“I will stay with you,” said Limiria, “if Jiyoda’s forces attack here, no one will be here to defend you, I can do that, however.”

Thalorian looked at Limiria, “Are you sure?” he asked. “Jiyoda’s hurt you just as much as me.”

“I’m sure, Thalor,” she said, hugging him.

“By Limi,” he whispered, breaking away from the hug.

As the three remaining soldiers marched on to the next room Haverian spoke, “And then there were three.”

“Prepare for the biggest beating of your life, Jiyoda!” Yoru called out.

“I do admit it will be fun to pound his smug face into the ground,” Thalorian added.

Haverian looked at the two of them, astonished, “Whoa, you guys are violent,” he laughed.

As the three walked into their final confrontation, they did not know that only two would be walking out of that room.