Red...wasn't supposed to endanger himself like this. And he wasn't the type of person to do this sort of things before. But why is he doing all of this now? He changed so much. He hated humanity once, until she made him feel emotions he never thought he'd feel again.
He was once just a reaper, fulfilling his duties deligently, and now...here he is, running and dodging the hundred limbs which aims to crush him. Tired, but fighting.
He served an additional purpose. Which to him, is far way important than anything else.
At first he thought that he'll do it because his body wants to. But as time goes by, his heart obeys as well.
No matter how many battle he'll fight, he'll do it. If it meant saving her.
He isn't sure why they deserve to do this.
But a little part of him, though quite tired of all the fighting, is thankful.
Without this troubles, without the danger, he wouldn't have been by her side. To save her.
To mean something to her.
He felt half crazy but that's what he thinks.
Though majority of him fears that this time, he won't be able to save her.
That maybe success was only on his side because he have friends with him.
...
TARA: Red! Forget about helping me attack the bigger limbs. Ascend to the top and get Gabby quickly!
Tara says as she quickly hands him the bow and arrows.
Red didn't reply and only nodded, wasting no time ascending.
TARA: Be careful!
RED: Yeah, yeah!
He did all he can, dodging everything on his path and using his teleportation to his own advantage. But using it at a very quick time, and more than how he usually does, he can't help but feel a little more heavy, as if his body can't comprehend the energy lost.
Gabby continued to say 'Vince', over and over.
It felt weirdly amusing. She never called him that before.
But he felt drawn to it.
And like a moth who would do anything to reach the light, he risked everything he can to reach the top. But he knew to himself, that somehow...there's still half the possibility he won't make it at his current state.
His vision began to sway as he feels his fatigue take over him.
Her voice also becomes faint in the background.
Oh no...
Is he giving in?
The yokai took the opportunity and grew additional limbs, (though it would make him heavy) to capture the red reaper.
GABBY: VINCE! WATCH OUT! HE'S GOING TO HURT YOU!!!
Gabby yelled with all force to warn him. But the grip on her waist tightens.
Although the yokai cannot kill her yet, without following his traditional rules, she did felt hurt. And that was enough to make her shut up. Although she wanted to help the way she can.
Red, seeing Gabby's expression on her face, gave him enough inspiration to fight, amidts the pain he is also feeling.
He had been quite lucky though. He managed to use his power in full force while fighting the big limbs.
GABBY smiles in amazement watching her saviour fight.
When he was a bit closer, that's when she noticed the bow and arrow tied around his waist.
Was it a new power up?
What's it for?
Red continued to use his scythe, although it appeared to be a lot heavier to swing around. He huffed and would have his eyes blur for a moment, even having some limbs hurt him from time to time, but he never stops nor receive any direct blow from the enemy.
That angered the yokai greatly. Why is he so fast?
The yokai's size had been a weakness somehow, he was easier to attack. The entity grows more and more irritated as he noticed how quickly Red is rising. It uses its body's pores to secrete pools of blood, to which Red and Tara didn't expect.
Tara quickly left the area below her as she had already managed to cut majority of it clean. She follows to the upper body to help assist Red but the blood seemed to have already trapped the reaper.
Just as when things were going fine the two reapers found themselves in a losing situation as Red had been stuck.
He gives Tara the bow and arrow.
Tara panicks, and tells him that she doesn't have accurate eyes like the red reapers.
Red's face grew horrified and he did his best to break free.
To no avail.
He looks at Gabby, who was by then looking at him with confident eyes.
She still believes.
Red looks back at Tara, and points at Gabby.
RED: If this is my final wish, please...save her.
Tara's face saddens then nodded. Looking up and trying her best to reach the top.
Red's body felt like hardening as the blood solidifies. That stopped the flow of flare and disabled him to fight any further. Unless the yokai is weakened, Tara will be the only hope.
He grits his teeth in pain as the substance begans to tighten even more.
It almost felt unbearable.
He recognized the pain.
Back from when he was young.
With one more poweful breath, he yelled at Gabby.
RED: HANG ON!
His tensed eyes then started to close, hinting how exhausted he had been.
You're going to be safe...
He murmurs as he loses consciousness.
...
Tara's determination doubled after realizing that victory now rests on her shoulders.
Perhaps she's not as strong as she thinks she was.
But she have to do her best.
For Red.
For Gabby.
TARA: JUST YOU WAIT YOU UGLY MONSTER!!!
AKA MANTO: Then show me what you got.
TARA: You'll see...
She throws herself in the air, giving her best shot yet...
I'm not resorting to failure...