Tara had her long black hair cut off to a short length after one of the hands had managed to catch it.
Losing it surely made her feel sad, but it doesn't matter now.
The yokai would shift its position from time to time, and almost loses its balance. She was flexible, and everytime she would jump on the hands like hurdles, the Aka Manto couldn't help but feel amazed.
She noticed how quickly the hands would try to get her feet. But her jumping skills were top notch, she managed to get to the shoulders, although she was already huffing, and her knees feels a little wobbly.
Being a rank 3 reaper was a piece of work. And she feels that her title doesn't suit her. If she can't beat a demon like him, how can she defeat the other legendary demons that are much well known and feared? She felt small.
Female reapers reaching top 10 ranks are a rare case.
But she won't let that get on her pride.
She needs to win this fight.
She jumped with all her might.
Yes!
Victory is almost there.
She would reach the head, and would put the arrows deep on its skull.
And she could be like Humility and Nhairon.
Able reapers who can fight demons, and armies of dark forces.
A smile formed on her face as she had almost reach the top...
Finally...
Then a hand pulled her back, and the masked yokai giggles, then its evil laughter echoes all throughout hell.
AKA MANTO: You really thought you can kill me?
Tara had no other choice.
She looks at Gabby, with an apologetic look on her face.
But wait...
Gabby..?
She's pointing to herself.
That's what when Tara knew what to do.
She summoned a raven transfered half of herself there, so she can control it with her mind, the bow and arrows perched on its claws as the bird try to evade the upcoming attacks.
Come on...
It's the last straw.
TARA: GABBY!!!
She yelled, suddenly the raven vanishes because of lack of flare supply, since Tara is being crushed.
With it just on top of Gabby's head she had no time to pick any options.
Disgusted as she is, she bit the hand of the AKA MANTO, until blood oozes of it.
The yokai yelped in pain and had her thrown away, managing to catch the bow and arrow.
Thankfully she was able to learn how to use them on her teenage years.
She quickly positioned them, and quickly tried to shoot its eyes.
But with the mask, the first shot bounced back.
She's quickly losing the target!
She tried to shoot another one...
It failed again.
Now she's left with the last one.
But the targtt is just too far!
Tara quickly bit the yokai too, noticing how it worked for Gabby. The monster lets out a big yelp of pain, and lets go of her.
She clearspain the limbs going after Gabby, as Gabby tried to cling on one of them to keep herself from falling. On a misfortunate part, the yokai intentionally severed its hand with the other, to have her fall to her death.
Tara, surrounded still by many hands, was in no way capable saving her.
...
The bow of radiace fell to Red's trap. And melted the solid blood that had been keeping him still all this time.
Feeling a burning sensation creep in, he awakens and quickly got out before he gets affected.
He looks above, where Gabby is quickly falling, and the yokai attempting to secrete another pool of blood to drown him.
Red needs to act quickly!
...
Gabby had her eyes closed.
Afraid that she won't make it. She still clings to the final arrow, and felt useless as she wasn't able to get the first two done.
She thought she can do it.
She really did.
Suddenly, she feels two arms wrap around her. She feels safe.
She opened her eyes and there he was.
GABBY: Re-...Vince!
RED: You're okay now...
GABBY: I need to get to the top.
RED: Far...but okay.
Red did all he can, dodging the remaining limbs from catching them.
His pace becomes faster and faster, until Gabby could only see blurry images as a background due to his quick feet.
She almost feels dizzy too.
Having his last reserve of flare to create shadow crows to shield them from attacks, their journey to the top is becoming more and more convenient.
Though...
He is hurting.
But he needs to do it. Risking all he has to have the demon silenced for good. Aka Manto have gone too far anyways. He had taken a lot of innocent souls that were supposed to belong to the realm of spirits.
He won't let that happen again. He won't let him hurt any human again.
...
Gabby sees the opening and quickly positioned the bow and arrow.
GABBY: I'm getting ready!
Red teleports higher and higher, with Tara protecting them from attacks.
TARA: Do your best, you two!
GABBY/RED: We will!
She sees the mask, and aimed for the eyes. It has holes big enough for her body to fit, and whispers to Red that they need to be a bit closer.
He agrees though afraid.
The yokai had a final surprise on its sleeve though.
It had a big mouth suddenly open on its chest.
Shocked and unknowing, Red almost falls if it weren't for...
Mishida?
...
MISHIDA: Sorry, for keeping you waiting. Those gremlins grew quite pissed, and decided to be invisible and stuff. Luckily this man right here is a champ.
But wait...is he using a jinx's feathers to use a hardened trap?
It kept the mouth shut and unmoving.
Red wanted to ask him about a few things but he'll save that for later.
Climbing to the top is the priority.
GABBY: We can make it! Hurry!
MISHIDA: Hurry up because my final seal can't take it anymore!
...
Red teleports to the top, and had Gabby aim for the eyes.
She breathes in with hope and determination.
Then she let her fingers go.
Making the one remaining arrow fly to its target.
The four of them stopped to look if it would hit, seemingly breathless as the arrow ascends.
RED: No way...