I laid there limply as Hirato headed back to bring out the tools he needed, taking his sweet time. I was barely able to tilt my head up to see when he would be back - the metal noises ringing in the soundless air, so I just stared at the dark, cloudy sky, though I couldn't even keep my eyes open anymore.
(So... is this it? Is this really how I am going to die...? Without even living to my fullest... Without saying goodbye to Mizore, Raizo, Yuichi, Nikki and Natsuno? Am I really... that helpless...? Hah... What a waste.)
Now immersed in nothing but remorseful thoughts, I smiled wryly to myself as Hirato's footsteps now rang through my ears like a clear bell. The frustration from my own weakness and the desire to keep living simultaneously clashed in my heart. If I really had even a tinge of any hidden power as I keep hearing, now's the time to reveal itself. If only...
(This Hirato... sure is slow..... Sorry, dad. I have failed you... I... I couldn't keep my promise after all...)
I finally dropped down my eyelids. The last thing I gazed back on was Hirato's tilted head, which was then replaced by a malicious smile.
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*RAIZO'S POV*
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I hope I am not too late. I hope she is alright. I hope she has already defeated the person since she does have a lot of potential for it!
Halting in my tracks, I suddenly hesitated.
(No... She hasn't even gotten hold of her power yet...! If this person is a superhuman, then-- How can she even--?!)
I didn't want to think about this abrupt thought, but it just came over my mind. Shaking off the last bits of it, I once again flew off, continuing my search.
(Ugh! This is too frustrating, searching for her mindlessly! So stupid! Just loads of--)
I was spitting trash talk as I kept opening portals without an inkling of luck. Anywhere I went, I couldn't sense Asuna's presence or the person's. We, Reapers, have the ability to sense souls of every living things imaginable. Cool, huh? Well, we do collect the souls after all so it's no biggie.
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I was getting angrier by the minute, and it couldn't have been worse because I was even running out of my stress-relief candies! In fact, I also searched the far ends of the Earth for Asuna even if I knew it didn't sound plausible. That's how desperate and worried I was.
"Where in this stupid world could she be?!"
I stomped my foot in anger as I stood in a murky forest with the scythe's handle semi-buried in the muddy ground.
"Aarrgghhh... I give up! I shouldn't have parted from the others like that... I was really rude to Yuichi even though I knew he was also trying his best..."
I had no clue what came over me that time. All I heard was a faint voice in my head pleading to hurry up. But now... all I felt was guilt and anger burning inside me as I plopped on a nearby rock, dropping down my hood.
Just as I was about to let out a deep sigh, I suddenly felt a strange presence. Hurriedly, I stood up, eyeing my surroundings cautiously for the slimmest of signs. After some concentrating, I knew the strong presence was far away from my area, paired with a very faint one.
"Oh no..." Whispering, I grabbed my scythe, pulled back my hood, and ran as fast as my legs could take me through the forest to the presence.
Because of the pressure, my hoodie once more dropped down which annoyed me, but I could care less right now.
(I must rescue Asuna! I just hope THAT faint presence isn't hers otherwise--)
I shook my head sideways in fury as I kept running. The presence was getting stronger by the minute - no, seconds.
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I finally caught sight of a faint light ahead as I sprinted even faster than before, cutting down a few trees with my enormous scythe. Then I saw it all...
My bright eyes widened as soon as I saw the event taking place right before me: A suspicious man, stitching down Asuna's neck. With just a moment's look, the presence of this unfamiliar being stirred something unpleasant within me.
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"How... DARE YOU!!!" I shouted after jumping out of the shadows, making the man flinch slightly.
"How could you do that?! Asuna..!!!"
I yelled with unimaginable rage as I slammed my foot on Hirato's back. I then squatted beside Asuna and gently lifted her head on my right arm.
"R... Raizo... I... tried....." Asuna squeaked in a raspy tone which squeezed my heart heavily.
The man got up slowly, but I took no heed as I, once again, punch-kicked him on his chest before squeezing his arms and twisting his legs. Hirato grunted in pain which made me smirk.
"Heh, does it hurt?" I joked as I pointed my scythe on his neck.
"HAHA! What thirsty eyes... Give me your name young man!" Even with the scythe threatening Hirato, he simply chatted on.
"Why should I remind the one who's going to die now? I'm that girl's brother. Remember well." I replied without a trace of emotion. It was a matter-of-fact tone.
I then gave him one last evil glare as I mercilessly chopped his head off even though Hirato cried out for his life and talked gibberish about some master or whatever. I felt no empathy for this trash.
(That's the way to do it )
I then used up my remaining time consuming his soul before rushing towards the poor Asuna again.
"Asuna! Are you okay?! Oh, what am I saying... Of course you are in terrible pain...!"
At my confusing movements full of worry, Asuna gave a small, innocent smile as she looked in my eyes.
"I... I am such a mess, right? Ha... ha... ha... *cough*"
Asuna tried talking happily, but I just shushed her mid way.
"No... stop talking. You did your best, that's all that matters... Man, that guy sure hurt you a lot."
I clutched her hand in mine which were shaking in anger with Asuna's barely moving.
For a few seconds, I just stayed there with Asuna faintly smiling until her lips parted as she spoke, even lower than a whisper, "R... Raizo... I am so tired... I don't think... I can keep up any... longer... I am sorry... I wasn't strong enough....."
My eyes widened in worry as I yearned, "No! Asuna! Wake up! Don't just... Don't close your eyes! I promise, I will fix you!"
Asuna slowly nodded her head in agreement before permanently closing her eyelids. I felt all the blood drain from my face as my heart cringed with prodigious pain. It felt like... My heart instead would stop.
Just as I hurriedly carried Asuna on my shoulders, someone hit my back so hard that it felt as if a massive boulder fell on it. The impact made me stumble on my own legs.
Asuna immediately fell on some shrubs - thank goodness, while I went tumbling down on the muddy ground. I turned around in annoyance with fresh mud on my cheeks and probably my whole face. What I saw.....
I couldn't believe my eyes for even a tiny second.
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There, standing in front of me, was a distorted figure of the man. He had no head and misty smoke was emanating from his black body. I felt so sick even though I was a reaper, but this was on a whole new level! He looked so ghastly and horrific!
"Wha-What the?! I took your soul! How can you still be alive?!"
I was so shocked that I didn't even notice my clothes being soaked in mud! And to top it off, they were even new, I mean, come on! I recently just bought them from the Realm of the Dead.
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Before I could comprehend the situation, the man's misty figure jolted my way with intense speed and hit me face on. I guess now that he doesn't even have his body, it was easier and quicker for him to move around. He was practically weightless now!
An unfavorable advantage.
I ,on the other hand, am vulnerable in a fight of speed due to my enormous scythe, but no one can compete with me in strength. Well at least, that is what I have believed until now...
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The man kept resisting and beating me up, regardless of me stabbing him a bunch of times; each time with new strength. It's as if his 'resurrection' from being dead even renewed his entire physique. I grimaced in pain as I finally fell near Asuna, who didn't budge one bit.
I even fell on top of her several times! I felt awful every time I did. The man lifelessly approached me as I stayed down on the ground while gripping my scythe. Without making another noise, his sharp hands barged in my arm, cutting deeply. I couldn't shield myself in time as I was still recovering from his previous attacks.
I screamed in pain.
(Argh...! I mustn't... lose here! Asuna's life depends on me! I cannot... LOSE!)
Sluggishly standing up on my feet while still holding desperately onto my scythe, I hurriedly sliced the man's body in half and when he fell, I kept slicing him into tinier pieces with fierce passion.
It felt like after every mighty swing, the energy drained from my body due to the red blood gushing out of my arm.
(Gotta hurry... I am losing a lot of blood...! At this rate... even I'll be--!)
Just when I felt he was through, I collapsed on the ground, grunting heavily.
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Sadly, all my efforts ended in vain. Not surprising, the man's mist rejoined and he appeared as two figures, and this time, with his head attached.
I have had it with this monster! He is really getting annoying!
I held onto my scythe in irritation as I barely stood up on my legs. The mists slithered my way with blood thirsty eyes. I even threw a couple of energy blasts, but they all just went through their bodies, forming quick ripples.
After one final, tough blow, the figure grabbed hold of my neck, suffocating me. The other one made it's way to Asuna.
"N-No...! D...Die already...!!" I aggressively smacked the figure's cheek with my foot, creating a large dent.
One time... two times... The third time was blocked with his huge hand, and the grip on my neck got stronger than before. As it got harder to breath, I felt my consciousness slipping away fast. I could see the figure's hunger to kill; it's bloody eyes said it all.
(Hnnghh...!)
I tried thrashing about as violently as I could, just trying to escape his grip. But due to loss of a lot of blood, every move became weaker and weaker until...
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Darkness started caving in as I felt my neck going numb and my muscles tired. My arms fell to my sides. The figure ultimately let go. The last thing I saw was the promising smile of Asuna as I fell right next to her... And the bitter sweet taste of the candy in my mouth...
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~to be continued...