The arrow magnificiently flew straight to the eye!
YES!
Gabby felt incredible. She have finally done something of great help. Pride was present on Red's eyes as the red head managed to get the shot done. Alas, she have something to contribute and feel proud of!
The yokai screamed in pain, removing the mask from his face and slowly shrinking. The limbs started to fall as his body collapses.
Red teleports to Tara and Mishida's location, holding them, with his hands as Gabby clutches on his back. He then teleports to the outside exit. Not looking back.
When they reached the exit it surprised the two reapers as to how the elf managed to tidy things up.
'Wow...Mishida really cleared the kobolds, hm? Not one remains. But how did Mishida did all these? If the three of us before weren't able to do it?'
Red thinks to himself quietly.
But after some seconds, his curiousity managed to beat him. And a longing for an answer got the best of the red reaper.
He looks at Mishida, that got the signal, and only laughed.
MISHIDA: I made them fight each other. Since I can't beat them with strength alone..
Tara has her face plastered with amazement after the revelation.
MISHIDA: But we need to hurry, and don't let your guards down. The exit might be there but our scents stinks of demon blood. We need to teleport quickly together to avoid his range of smell.
RED: Got it, so stay close.
They might wanted to rest but they knew that if their surrounding gets any darker, things might be much worst.
TARA: We have three hours every one! Three hours to escape this mountain.
...
Meanwhile, the poor demon of the Red Cloak drops to his knees, not able to share his story.
He feels all his efforts for a long time had been wasted by one pitiful encounter. He shouldn't have abducted her. Truly she is THAT important to have two strong reapers want to get her back. And kill him in the process. He snickers in disbelief. He underestimated them. Underestimated them very much.
"What a joke..."
His eye still has the arrow, slowly destroying him to pieces, making him glow like a lantern would on a dark street.
He feels like shaking, he feels angry, but numb of pain.
Most importantly...
He feels cheated as his thirst of perfection, the only thing that made him feel respected, his face, had been the reason why he is slowly disappearing.
Then he realized...his face was also the reason he was pushed to a heavy situation.
He realized it until now. What an idiot he is.
Suddenly, he feels lighter and lighter.
He saw the little fragments of himself starting to rise.
Ah, it's finally his time, huh?
Tears fell on his eyes.
Once again...he had been doomed because of humans.
He cursed Jinko's name, for having believed him so easily, then those who had caused him to hurt, then himself...
How far he've become.
Polluted by delusion, that every problem be solved by shedding blood and killing people.
He felt dumb.
He falls, his head still looking at the dark ceiling of hell.
Suddenly, his vision sees a radiant light.
Then slowly, his mother and father's faces were present.
They were smiling?
The Aka Manto cries in great joy, as he takes his final moments.
He wanted to join them.
To vanish forever in existence.
To consider, this is much better than spending your life in hell.
His final words before he dissapers though, was a soft thank you..
He was no longer the masked man when he stood to reach their hands, a young Kuroi appears, childishly laughing and crying of great happiness as he takes both the hand of his mom and dad.
KUROI: I missed you both!
They only smiled, then continued to walk with him, as a whole family again.
...
Gabby feels herself getting dizzier and dizzier.
RED: Hey, you okay?
She didn't reply and only cling tightly to him.
Gosh, she's so exhausted.
And it's kicking in now that she lost her survival instinct.
Her skin is even paler than before too, and her eyes, are clearly devoid of rest. They clearly have black rings around them!
And her lips...are dry.
She is clearly dehydrated...
Which worried Red even more.
RED: Guys, we need to be quick. It's...Gabby.
His companions looked at him, then nodded, concerned of Gabby also.
Then a few moments later, after the four of them managed to escape the guardian of the cave, Red smelled a strong scent of blood coming from Gabby.
She was already sleeping on his back, so she isn't aware.
RED: Well, sh*t, her period!
TARA: Oh gosh, now I'm thankful I haven't have that since ages! Those are such a pain! But we may need to rest on that side of the river though, wake her up and have her drink some water.
RED: Yeah, sure.
MISHIDA: I'll gather some berries around her and have her eat too. The poor girl must be very exhausted.
...
Gabby, feeling a soft push on her shoulders opened her eyes, the first thing that registered on her vision is his face.
GABBY: Red!
RED: Wow, yey...finally you're back at calling me that...heheh, how are you feeling?
She touches her forehead, she feels a bit...heavy and hot.
RED: Yes. You're sick. So hear me out, here, drink this.
Red gives her a cup of water, and a few fruits to eat.
Gabby didn't talk further, and just accepts the food given to her.
Then, she noticed the same thing.
The period!
If she had the blood stain already visible on her dress, then that must meant that she got Red have them too! How embarrassing!
Red noticed her flustered expression and only snickers.
RED: Nothing to be shy about. Blood is normal.
Gabby, even with the reassurance still feels a bit awkward.
RED: I'll continue to carry you.
GABBY: I can walk by myself.
RED: Nope. I'm going to carry you.
He sweeps her off her feet and continued to walk, carrying her even though she refuses.
RED: Don't feel shy, I'm not minding it, am I? You need to recover soon so I'm doing this.
She blushed and buried her face on his chest.
That tingled Red and made his heart pound harder.
GABBY: Thank you.
He smiles.
RED: You're always welcome.
TARA: Hey, can you two take that home? We're both single at the back, please have some respect.
The two looked at her quite apologetic.
TARA: I'm just kidding. You may continue.
RED: Hey, it's not like that...I...
TARA: No, we're fine, we're fine. Just continue.
Mishida laughs at the background, quite amused of the scene he's seeing.
MISHIDA: Going out in the big wide world can be entertaining at times, maybe I should go outside more often...