A few hours go by as we approach the border, I think back about our school days and everyone.
(I hope that everyone is doing ok, I really miss them.)
As the thoughts linger in my mind I sense a rush of energy and we all draw our attention to in front of us where I instantly get an adrenaline rush seeing who was standing there.
(Kazuki...Rode...and the man from before. I knew it was to quiet.)
Kazuki chuckles before speaking.
"It's been a while Yuki, How has my child been?"
I instantly get angry.
"How dare you ask about him when it was you who almost killed him!"
Kirito throws his hand in front of me.
"He's just trying to provoke you, We can't go into this battle hot-headed."
Ash steps in front of me as well.
"Let us handle these guys while you and Suzaku make a run for it!"
I instantly shake my head.
"No way in hell will I leave you guys behind!"
Ash tries to speak but Kirito shakes his head.
"Focus, we can't split up now it's not ideal in this situation."
Rode then takes a step forward and we instantly get into our fighting stances. He chuckles and stops.
"Aren't we a bit jittery today huh? Why not just put a end to this running and come along with us so we can-"
Before he could even finish his sentence Kirito fires a huge blast of flames at him, it was a huge and powerful flame that I had never seen him produce ever before and he did it with just a snap of his fingers.
(Kirito...He's gotten so much stronger too...)
I silently smile while looking at his raging flames but my smile soon faded and turned into shock as I see the flames quickly get swallowed up by the unknown man from earlier. I then hear Suzaku yell from beside me.
"What...What just happened to his flames!"
Rode laughs historically which sent shiver's down my spine.
"It's quite unique right? My boy Dean here can swallow any magical power up...But whats better then that is..."
Rode snaps his fingers and as if in slow motion I quickly form a shield over us in instinct, just as I do the flames are sent back towards us in ten folds. I hear Kirito yell out in front of me.
"Yuki!"
I feel the shield start to crack and just as the flames end it shatters.
(That was to close...)
Rode then glances at Kazuki and Dean, They then start to run towards us but Ash intercepts Kazuki as Suzaku intercepts Dean. Ash then looks back at us.
"You two handle Rode, we have these guys!"
Kirito glances at me and I nod at him, we both speak at the same time.
"Right!"
I take a look at Kirito then back at Rode.
"Kirito..."
Kirito looks back at me.
"I'll take the right side."
He smirks and nods.
"Alright let's do this!"
Rode chuckles.
"If you really want to fight then so be it, But don't blame me for not holding back!"
He throws off his jacket and darts towards us, just as he swings at Kirito he dodges and I come in with a dagger shoving it directly into his chest. I keep pushing it as deep as I could and twist it to the right. But just as I did I hear him laugh and I look up at him in shock.
"Hey, That tickles!"
Just then he hits me with his left arm and sends me flying into a tree in which it breaks and falls down.
"Yuki!"
I hear Kirito call out to me and slowly stand back up.
(That's right...He can't feel pain. So even if I do manage to get a good hit it'll never phase him."
I look up at Rode to see him walking towards me.
"Ok, so you can't feel pain...But that won't matter because when Kirito and I are done with you-"
Just before I could finish my sentence he completely disappears.
"W-what just-"
Just before I could react he reappears in front of me but Kirito being just as fast jumps in front of me deflecting his oncoming attack.
"You two seem to have gotten stronger, But so have I!"
(Kana pov)
I pace back and forth watching the cameras until I feel a small tug at my sleeve. I look down to see Katsuo rubbing his eyes.
"Mommy, When will auntie Yuki be back?"
I take a long pause before sighing in pity for him. I then bend down to his level and hug him tightly.
"Soon baby."
(Please come back safety...all of you...)
(Yuki pov)
As were thrown back once again I wince in pain and clutch my side. I look towards Kirito who also looks pretty beat up. I then look at Rode who doesn't even look fazed.
"Are you guys done yet?...No, ok well I'm pretty bored now so I'll just finish this fast then."
Rode shouts at Kazuki who jumps away from Ash.
"Do it now!"
Kazuki nods and just as he does time stops at that moment except for me. I look around me to see Ash, Suzaku, and Kirito frozen as well.
(This isn't good...I guess I'll have to use it...)
Rode glares at Dean and Kazuki then back at me.
"Now that we can talk alone don't make this any harder than it has to be."
(I guess I have no other choice.)
I take a stance that looks like prayer and focus while muttering a few words to myself.
"...."
Rode looks at Kazuki questionably
"What is she doing?"
Just then a red aura starts to surround me and I smirk looking up at him, I see his facial expression change quickly and he snickers.
"You seriously think dark magic can work against me?"
I smile sadistically.
"Who said this was dark magic!"
Just then snow and lightning that is glowing red form around me and I quickly dart towards Rode.
"Master watch out, that's-"
"To late for you Rode, I got you now!"
Just before he could finish talking, Rode tries to block my attack but I grab a hold of his left arm and hit his right arm which quickly is destroyed. I then push forward hitting his right side which leaves a gaping hole.
"You!...How did you-"
I smirk and take a step back as he falls to the ground gushing blood.
"This is only one forbidden thing I have learned...Magic isn't the only thing us humans can learn. There are other things one can accomplish too. Magic is just one of them!"
Rode chuckles.
"So...You know Alchemy now too...You would stoop so low to learn that forbidden teaching. You do realize what that means even for you right?"
I nod.
"Of course, But I will do everything in my power to stop you, Even if it means ending my own life!"
I look at Kazuki and then Dean who look puzzled yet horrified. Just then the time-stopping spell ends and Kazuki nearly collapses to the ground but Dean catches him.
Dean then yells at Rode.
"Master we must retreat!"
Rode coughs up blood and tries to stand up, I move away from him but just as I take a step back I feel the 'consequences' of my attack and am struck with immense pain and dizziness. I wince in pain collapsing to my knees.
(Not now...no)
"It looks like I'm not the only one who took a fatal blow, Yuki...We will get you whether you are dead or alive!"
I try to hold it together, Kirito rushes over to me and gets into battle stance alongside me. Rode nearly falls over but is caught by a person who suddenly appears behind him. Were all shocked to see who it was. Kirito was more shocked then all of us.
"B-brother..."
(It's teacher...)
Before any of us could say anything else he lifts Rode up and darts a glare at us before they all vanish.
"Thank God..."
I sigh in relief. Kirito quickly turns to me and as soon as he does I could feel my body give way. He instantly catches me.
"Yuki! how did you defeat Rode?"
He looks at me with dread in his eyes but I chuckle and manage to answer him before passing out.
"Alchemy..."