Sunrise Countdown

I’m not letting them kill me!

I refuse!

These words echoed in Kairo’s head like a mantra. He didn’t even flinch when he saw the psycho.

“I don’t know where this thing came from. But I sure as hell plan to use it to my advantage!” he said.

He cracked his neck and grinned. 

“Takada, was it? I’m never letting you take me alive!”

As he ran away, he looked at the monster.

“Hey psycho or whatever? Tear them to shreds!”

I hope it wounds and slows them down!

I want them to bleed and know how I felt!

“Hahahahaha~~!” Kairo laughed maniacally.

The grass crunched under his feet—he sprinted as fast as he could. He didn’t even look back.

Clang!!

Shrieeek!!

“Hey brat! Get back here!” The kunoichi yelled. 

Crap! 

She was fast and began catching up to him.

I need to outrun her!

“Hey, little girl! Your brother needs your help!” he yelled back. 

The chances of him evading her were slim. His chest began throbbing.

“I’ve been running all night!”

My entire body hurts.

I want to go home.

“But I can’t.”

Kairo began to grit his teeth.

My only chance is here—in this world!

“And these people want to take that away from me!”

His eyes began to water, and his ears were ringing.

You know what?

I hate it all.

“All of it!”

Tears began to stream down his face.

Out of breath, he came to a halt and stood still.

“No more running…”

I was obedient before.

Look what that got me.

Zashi caught up to him and leapt.

“Caught you! Ya little jerk!” She tackled him to the ground.

He didn’t move, and his face was now buried in the dirt.

“Hey kid? Ready to give up now?”

Me?

Give up?

I won’t stop until I take back from life what it took from me!

“That won’t ever happen…” he mumbled. “…Never…”

The girl got up, brushing her hair out her eyes.

“If you run again, I WILL hurt you!”

Hurt me?

What rotten luck.

“The first people I meet in this god awful place are killers,” he whispered.

Kairo stood up and blinked slowly.

“Odd… I can’t see anything. Yet, I can see so much.”

“Okay kid, turn around. And don’t try anything!” she threatened.

“Or else, what?” 

He turned around to face her, guided only by her voice.

It was as if he’d lost his senses—yet they were sharper than ever.

“Are you going to murder me because I’m… different?”

“Oh my god…” Zashi gasped. 

Even though he couldn’t see, he knew she was covering her mouth. 

“You… Y-you aren’t human!”

“Oh no missy… I’m about as human as they come! I was a NOBODY!” Kairo bellowed. “I died! Now I’m here! Don’t you get that?!”

He jabbed his thumb at his chest.

“This was supposed to be my chance to make a name for myself! To be remembered!”

And you bastards want to take that away!

Thick tears began streaming out of his eyes.

“What is this?”

He wiped them, and put his hand to his nose.

His fingers reeked of iron.

Blood.

Instinctively, he rushed to feel his eyes.

I don’t have any eyes!

“Oh well. Doesn’t matter.”

Eyes won’t help me if I’m dead.

He wiped one of his eyes as it continued streaming.

“You know what? I feel empty. I don’t even hate you right now.”

“What… What are you?” Zashi said, her voice barely a whisper. “Are you… a vampire?”

What the hell is she talking about?

I’m actually offended.

“Are you calling ME a monster? You tried to kill me—But I’M the monster, huh?”

Dark thoughts filled his mind.

“And besides… I’m way stronger than a vampire!”

He felt energy flowing through him as he took a step forward.

This isn’t like last time.

I know this feeling is real.

I know it all too well.

“N-no. Please! Please don’t! Stay where you are!” she shrieked.

Kairo laughed. 

“Why should I? Didn’t you say you’d hurt me if I ran away?”

* * *

Zashi looked deep into the boy’s eyes—or rather, the sockets? All she knew was that his eyes were gone. 

In their place were deep black holes. 

His voice changed. 

Crimson tears rolled down his cheeks.

He’s changed, she thought.

One look was enough for her to tell he was different.

“There’s no way you are human!” she said.

There’s no way…

Humans can’t use dark mana!

“I KNEW you weren’t normal! As soon as I saw you!”

He could be a demon…

If I’m right… My death is certain.

“Funny,” the kid started, “I didn’t realize that I actually had powers till right now.”

Zashi was too terrified to ask what he meant. Probably sensing that she wasn’t going to speak, he clarified.

“I think I’m getting the hang of this magic! With this, I’ll be able to kill anyone who tries to get in my way! I’ll gladly start with…”

She gulped. She knew what came next. Try as she might, there would be no winning against a vampire—not at her level.

“I’ll start with you! You should know what it's like dying painfully too!”

The person or thing before her was pure evil.

“And once I’m done with you two, I’ll find more killers like you! I’ll kill them all! Then I’ll really get to be a hero!”

The kid started laughing.

Brother… please…

“Come quickly.”

* * *

Takada evaded another swipe. This one was closer than the last.

I hope she’s got it under control over there.

“Whatever’s going on, it made this thing stronger!”

Another attack was coming at him.

Crap!

I can’t dodge this one!

Clang!!

Claws met katana, sending sparks flying. One spark hit the grass, and Takada stamped his foot on it.

“Whew! That was close! But it’s time to put your soul to rest.” he said softly.

Gathering his energy, he focused it into a single point in his hand.

Now to channel it into the blade…

The blade had an invisibly bright glow, and he took a step back.

“Shrieeek!!”

The psycho galloped at him once more, fangs bared.

Here goes nothing.

Slash!!

The blade pierced through its neck, and blood sprayed everywhere. 

Its head dropped to the ground, and its body slumped. 

Takada took a step back, taking in a deep breath. He looked up at the twinkling stars and the setting moon once more.

“How beautiful. Maybe I’ll write her a haiku.”

I hope she will like it.

With a sigh of relief, he gently wrapped his scarf tighter.

“Brotheeer! I need help!!”

The cry for help caught his attention immediately.

“Zashi!!” He took off running, hoping, praying that he’d make it in time.

* * * 

Kairo shouted out to Takada, who was still several feet away. 

“Don’t try to stop me!”

Sensing his energy, he picked up Takada’s presence immediately. 

“Preferably, I wish to give you a simultaneous death together.”

I don’t wish to drag this fight out any longer.

The moon had completely set, and the stars were the only light left.

“You bastard! Leave my sister alone!” Takada shouted.

“No can do. I’m killing both of you, right here and now!”

Takada’s katana was imbued with some sort of energy—that much, Kairo could tell.

But it feels different from mine somehow, he thought to himself.

Already overflowing with energy, Kairo felt prepared to take an attack.

“Maybe you shouldn’t have tried to kill me!” Kairo retorted.

Zashi was dangling by her throat under his grasp. He delicately caressed her trachea with a finger.

“Hehehe…”

Wham!!

The boy punched her face, and she coughed up blood.

“Die!!” Takada yelled.

Now within range, he started to swing his sword—

—But Kairo threw Zashi straight at him, throwing him off balance.

The pair went rolling in the grass. Takada stood up quickly, charging straight at him again.

Here it comes…

The blade came swinging from below.

I’ve got to dodge this!

Whoosh!!

He bent backwards.

The slash barely missed.

Too much momentum!

“Unless—”

Pow!!

Takada looked like he was trying to remain calm as he spat out blood. His chin must have throbbed—assuming it wasn’t broken.

To think I can still do cartwheels!

“I’ve not done those since I was seven…”

Takada’s foot came flying up to his head.

“Fail. You’re not all that strong.”

Even still—I need to deal with this before sunrise!

Kairo dodged the kick, but the sword followed.

Every fiber of my being is screaming to finish now!

Shink!!

The blade was now sticking through Kairo’s hand.

Better get this off before—

Spoosh!!

His hand exploded, and he jumped back.

“What the hell was that?”

“Oh… That?” Takada smiled darkly. “It’s called mana. We use it to exercise evil specters like you.”

“Damn! I’ll have to watch out for that.”

I really need to wrap this up.

Kairo began backing away even further.

Survival is always the priority.

“Leaving so soon? ” the shinobi mused, taking a stance. “We’re about to be treated to a beautiful sunrise!”

“Huh?”

The first light of dawn began to crack.

“Damn it!”

This is checkmate… 

The sun began to rise, and Kairo started to feel his temperature rise.

“Aaaaaahhhh!”

He wobbled for a moment—

—then collapsed into the grass.

“You bastard… hehe… I’ll be dead before too long. I guess you’ll get your wish…”

He closed his eyes, as the world faded away.

“I… hate… you…” 

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! 

If you have any thoughts, theories, or feedback, I'd love to hear them in the comments!