The deadly creature rushed towards its victim as if its life depended on it. The ill intent of the shadow seemed to radiate off of it with every pounding step it took. The malice and hatred the monster exuded was enough to make someone sick. The shadow's eyes glowed red with rage as it leaped at Hitsu, the boy still unaware of the dangerous situation he was apart of. The shadow's sharp claws were pointed straight at the boy's neck, his chest, his eyes, everywhere that would cause pain and suffering. The shadow flew at its prey and without hesitation, swung its claw at Hitsu's throat.
CRASH
The sound of glass shattering filled the air and pierced through all other noises in the shopping district. Hitsu's eyes shot to his side where he saw the shadow falling back, recoiling from some sort of collision. Sharp shards of a reflective material showered around him like rain. Hitsu looked past the falling shadow to see his savior. Nox stood where she had been the entire time, a gray energy surrounded her left arm as her finger pointed directly at Histsu.
Hitsu smiled, but then quickly turned his attention back to the shadow. With haste, Hitsu activated the pink energy he had used earlier. The pink-colored power flowed around his arm before solidifying in a flash. The neon pink formed a blade shape around the hero's right arm. With a grin, Hitsu thrust his arm forward to pierce the shadow. The creature thrashed and struggled in an attempt to avoid the deadly attack but its fighting would be in vain. Hitsu's arm cut through the shadows side like butter and instantly a hole opening where the creature's body used to be. The shadow fell to the ground with a lifeless thud.
The air was filled with more stunned silence, the civilians now aware of what was happening. After several more moments, the crowd began to cheer once again, this time not for Hitsu. Nox stopped her pose and looked around at the crowd of people that now applauded her. Nox could feel her heart pounding in her chest and her face growing red. She forced her thoughts away from the many pairs of eyes now on her and focused on Hitsu. The boy's proud smile was the distraction she needed and she ran over to him.
"Are you okay?" Nox asked concerned.
"Well, I am thanks to a certain someone," Hitsu said excitedly, "that was amazing! What was it?"
Nox's face was crimsoned with embarrassment.
"That...Was my power," Nox said as she averted her gaze.
"So it's just like that bubble thing earlier?" Hitsu asked, his excitement seemed to only grow. "What kind of power is it?"
"Ahh...It's...Um...Well..." Nox stuttered indecipherable noises as she attempted to explain. As Nox's eyes continued to refuse to meet Hitsu's she noticed something had changed about the hero. She studied Hitsu's clothes to find that the pink shapes that once lit up his outfit were now barley visible as they faded away.
"I see how it is," Hitsu said suddenly. Nox was broken from her distraction and forced her attention back to Hitsu. He was no longer looking in her direction, instead, he crossed his arms and look off in the distance.
"What's wrong?" Nox asked.
"Oh nothing," Hitsu said despite the fact he was obviously upset. "I'm just a little hurt."
"Hurt? Hurt where?"
Hitsu pointed a finger at his chest.
"Right here."
"Your...Heart?" Nox asked in confusion.
"Well yeah," Hitsu responded, "I saved you and you saved me but you can't trust me enough to tell me your power? I'm offended, hurt, and honestly just very upset."
Nox was stunned. Was this guy serious? She looked down at Juno hoping to make sense of the situation. To her surprise, Nox found that Juno had also turned away from her. Never before had Nox expected a cat would give her the silent treatment.
"Are...Are you serious?" Were the only words Nox could find in her to say as confusion flooded her mind.
"Naw," Hitsu responded with a laugh, "I'm just messing with you."
"I hate you," Nox pouted.
"Jeez, take a joke," Hitsu said as he poked Nox's forehead with his finger. "But I'm serious," Hitsu said, his tone no longer joking, "I want to know about that power of yours."
Once again Nox found her gaze falling to the ground below.
"You don't have to tell me now," Hitsu continued as he scooped up Juno in his arms, "I'll be in town for a few days. When you're ready we'll talk, okay?"
Nox stared at the person before her. His soft smile seemed to warm her like a fire.
"Maybe," Nox thought, "maybe it's for the best."
"Alright," Nox said aloud, "I can do that. I have some questions for you myself."
"Then it's settled," Hitsu said happily.
The hero's joy was infectious and Nox couldn't help but giggle.
"I don't think I've properly introduced myself," Nox said as she extended out her hand, "my name is Nox Etena, it's nice to meet you."
"Nox..." Hitsu said before he met her hand with his own, "it's nice to meet you too, my name is Hitsu Chosokabe. I also go by the name Vansu, Vansu the hero."
Before Nox could say anything movement out of the corner of her eye caught her attention.
"Hey Hitsu," she said nervously.
"Yeah?"
"The shadow is still alive."
In an instant, Hitsu turned to the shadow behind him. Despite the gaping hole where the creature's side used to be the shadow had managed to pull itself forward. Weak and pained noises crept out of its mouth as it scratched at the ground in front of it. Inch by inch the shadow crawled making barley any distance. Without a word, Hitsu stepped forward in front of the shadow. The boy pointed at the shadow's head and his finger began to glow bright pink.
"I don't care what it is...No creature deserves to suffer like this." Hitsu's smile had vanished, replaced now by a saddened look. "Don't worry," he said to the shadow, "It'll all be over soon."
As the pink energy shined brighter and Hitsu prepared to fire Nox watched as the shadow reached out once again. However, the creature's arm never touched the ground again. Hitsu, Nox, and Juno all watched as the shadow's arm stayed suspended in the air as it desperately reached out. The three stared on in silence before just as quickly had the creature appeared, it vanished. The shadow withered away just like the rest, a cloud of smoke that faded out of sight and for most out of mind. The energy around Hitsu's finger dimmed and he turned to look in the direction the shadow had been reaching.
"Hey Nox?"
"Yeah?"
"Who lives in that house?"
Nox turned to see Hitsu's finger pointing in the same direction the creature had tried to reach itself. His finger pointed straight at an all to a familiar house that rested at the top on a hill.
"I do."
...
End of Episode 5