Chereads / The Lockheart's Ruin / Chapter 35 - Chapter 35

Chapter 35 - Chapter 35

(As Azura burst off towards Kura, the ground underneath her cracks. Azura leads with a punch with tremendous force, but to her delight, Kura blocks it which makes Azura smiles.)

Azura: So you are durable? Good. Maybe now I can let loose.

Kura: Try as you might, you won't be taking the last piece of the artifact.

(As Kura says this, Vincent comes in behind her with a kick, Kura ducks it, rolls backward and kicks Vincent into Azura. After this, she mocks them with a gesture signaling them to bring it on. Next, Azura and Vincent both come in with an unrelenting assault that renders Kura to only dodging.)

Azura: As fast as you are, you will not be able to dodge me forever!

(Just as Azura says this, she finally connects with a stiff blow to the face that knocks Kura back, but not off her feet. After this, Kura wipes her mouth as blood starts to spill from her lip.)

Azura: Do you like it? The taste of your own blood?

(As Azura says this, Vincent hits Kura with a breathtaking kick to the gut that sends her crashing into one of the homes behind her. While she crawls out of the rubble, Azura steps on her hand.)

Azura: Maybe now you'll listen when I say stay out of my way. Vincent, go retrieve the last piece.

Vincent: On it.

Kura: Not so fast.

(As Kura says this, she puts up a barrier around every home in the city and around the treasury. After witnessing this, Azura lifts up Kura by her throat, but Kura knees her in the stomach freeing herself and creating space between them. She then brings the fight to Azura hitting her with a mix of punches & kicks then finishing her combo with a strong blast of pure force sending Azura crashing into the ground. Vincent then rejoins the fray as he and Kura begin to clash, trading blows with one another. As they continue on, Kura starts to gain the advantage as she begins to notice the limits of Vincent's fighting capabilities. Kura then goes for a sweep kick that Vincent jumps over, which was what Kura wanted as she lands a rising uppercut that knocks Vincent down. After this, Azura gets up and dusts herself off. While she does this, she begins to walk towards Kura.)

Azura: You know, it's been a very long time since I had to dust myself off. Its been even longer since I've let loose. Tell me something, do you think you have what it takes to stop me?

Kura: I do.

Azura: Heh...Nice and sweet huh?

Kura: While I may not know what you're planning to do with the artifact, I cannot allow you to take it.

Azura: Very well then, you've made your point. However, there is one last thing I must know.

Kura: And that is?

Azura: Your name. Tell me your name.

Kura: I'm Kura Hata of the Hata clan.

(Upon hearing this, Azura has a surprised look on her face.)

Azura: You're apart of the Hata Clan are you?

Kura: Yes. Just like your subordinate Rei.

Azura: And just how do you know about that?

Kura: Wouldn't you like to know.

Azura: Fine, don't tell me. Once I break all of your bones, the barrier around your mind will crumble and you will tell me everything you know.

Kura: Good luck with that.

Azura: Challenge accepted.

(Just as she says this, she once again burst off at full speed with a punch. Once she's in striking distance, Azura is met by an invisible barrier.)

Azura: Oh...You don't think I can break your little barrier? Allow me to show you the depths of my strength.

(As Azura says she begins to punch at Kura's barrier. At first glance, Kura thinks that her punches aren't doing much, but with each strike, Azura's eyes start to glow more and more yellow.)

Kura: (What's this? It's like before, but then it was a flash in her eyes and now they are beginning to glow. Could she be-)

(Just as Kura was thinking to herself, Azura shatters Kura's barrier to her surprise.)

Azura: Surprised?

Kura: Just how did you do that?

Azura: Wouldn't you like to know?

(As Azura says this, Kura gets back into her fighting stance.)

Kura: (Okay. If she does possess that level of strength then I need to take her much more seriously than I did before. The amount of power it takes my force barrier is more than enough to destroy an entire kingdom. I must stay on my toes, because if she lands one good strike I might be out for the count.)

(While Kura says this, Azura instantly guts Kura with a devastating punch to Kura leading to an unending barrage of attacks, each one more powerful than the last. As she continues to attack, Kura, Azura suddenly goes full berserk as she jumps high in the air and fires off a huge blast at Kura, who while in a weakened state, still manages to put up a barrier with her eyes protecting herself. Once Azura sees that Kura has put up yet another barrier to negate the blast, she then jumps into the air again and comes crashing down with a double foot stomp shattering the barrier and cracking Kura's rips in the process. After this, Kura is spitting and coughing up blood as she hold her stomach. Azura then lifts her up by her shirt.)

Azura: Now then. Let's see if your barrier is still standing. Tell me how you know about me.

(As Azura asks this, Kura spits blood in her face signaling that Azura's compulsion still doesn't work on her.)

Azura: How classy of you, Kura. But I do think it's time I get rid of you.

Kura: If you were taking this seriously you would've killed me sooner, but now you've lost your chance.

Azura: I've lost my chance you say? My dear fool, allow me to prove you wrong.

(As Azura is going for the killing blow, Stephen jumps in and kicks Azura freeing Kura.)

Kura: What took you two so long?

Stephen: You knew we were coming?

Mori: Of course she did. Do you not see the symbol on her necklace? She's apart of Hata clan. They are widely known for their tracking abilities among other things.

Stephen: I see. My apologies, but you can rest now. We got this.

Kura: No. You shouldn't fight her, not while she's like this. One of you needs to go and take the last shard of the artifact before they get their hands on it.

Mori: I'm on it.

(Mori leaves to retrieve the last piece as Stephen helps up Kura.)

Stephen: Tell me what did you mean earlier? Why mustn't I fight her now?

Kura: Because...She's a berserker. I've just only figured that out. Like this, her punches can break your bones with ease.

Azura: Vincent! Do not let him take that shard!

Vincent: Yes, Azura!

(As Vincent goes to intercept Mori, Kura appears in front of him, stopping Vincent in his tracks.)

Kura: If you want to stop him, you'll have to go through me.

Vincent: In your current state, I'm afraid you're no match for me.

(As Vincent says this, they begin to fight one another. While that happens, Azura approaches Stephen.)

Azura: Well isn't this a surprise? The great Prince of The Lockheart Kingdom graces me with his presence. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Azura.

Stephen: Well then Azura, I have a question to ask you.

Azura: No! You do not have the privilege to ask me anything, you wrench. I don't take orders from anyone, especially you. The only thing you can do for me is to get out of my way!

(As Azura says this she suddenly goes for a strike that Stephen barely dodges due to Azura's tremendous speed.)

Stephen: I see why she didn't want me to fight now. Her speed is freakishly fast that I barely saw her move.

Azura: Come on Stephen. Show me the might worthy of a Prince!

(As Azura says this, she starts to bring the fight to Stephen. While Azura continues to attack, all that Stephen can manage to do is dodge as he knows that one clean shot will put him in a bad position.)

Azura: What's wrong Stephen? Too scared to hit back?!?

Stephen: (So this is a berserker? I've need seen such a person with such raw power and speed much like hers. I see why she's the leader of Ragnarock.)

(As Stephen thinks this to himself, Azura jumps up and quickly comes down with a kick that destroys the ground beneath them. As Stephen looks at the crater in the ground that Azura just created, Mori exits the treasury with the last piece in hand. He then uses his Time Manipulation powers to freeze Azura and Vincent in place.)

Mori: Let's go, Stephen, my power won't hold them for long!

Stephen: Right!

(As Stephen makes his way towards Mori, he stops and asks Kura if she would like to join them, but she declines.)

Kura: Thank you for the gesture, but I'll be fine. There is somewhere that I can go to for aid.

Stephen: Okay. Please stay safe.

Kura: You too Prince Stephen.

(As Kura says this, Stephen and Mori both teleports away back to the Lockheart Kingdom.)