The remaining members of the Phoenix's Crew were on the outskirts of the town studying the map they had discovered in the craftsman's home, unaware of what was happening inside the castle itself.
"This is our only lead that could help us find Ralphie's friend, but we still need to locate the cure for Tomomi's sickness." Ayuka announced.
The majority of the region around them was made up of beaches, with only a few distant trees visible to their sight. The majority of the trees were found in the forest leading to their ship or on top of the mountains in the area.
Natan waited silently in a cross-armed stance that was both firm and menacing. Karisa and Codey, though, appeared more concerned with what to do next. The four of them still needed to find their captain, who Codey claimed to be.
"You're confusing all of us, Ayuka. We need to find Tim before it's too late. So, what IS the point of dragging us out here into the open where not a single person resides?"
Ayuka's look immediately changed from normal to dull, and she started to sweat a little bit. She turned her head insecurely, like nothing to nothing more than a robot but for the twitching of her mouth and eyes.
"He's fine. Stop worrying about him too much. He's probably just exploring the island. He'll return to us eventually."
Karisa was able to determine that something was strange about Ayuka's speech pattern with ease.
"Don't tell me you ended up getting sick too? We really *should* worry about him. What is happening to you? Usually you're the person who commands us to keep a close eye on him.... This time you're just ignoring everything and dragging us out here to mere nothingness."
"Remember? Kou's with him. He'll make sure that he doesn't cause trouble. Don't worry about him ~ don't worry about him at all ~ he's in good hands."
"Let's just keep searching for-"
Codey was then the target of suspicion. He started to ponder aloud as he raised his finger to his chin.
"Now that I think about it.... Ralphie and Elliott aren't with us anymore. What happened to those two? Something.... something is really strange. Do you think they tried to enter the castle on their own? If so, then we should go see for ourselves."
From her toes to the top of her head, Ayuka's body trembled. She quickly crept up behind Codey and put her hands on his back.
She spoke awkwardly, grinned, and started to gently push Codey away as she was sweating profusely.
"Now, now, let's not get carried away. Just let's head back to the ship and see how Tomomi is doing. She has probably been feeling lonely ever since she started sleeping inside. She would probably like some friendly company, and we would be the finest to provide it. haha ~ ha.... ha ~"
"You're freaking me out. Are you sure you're okay?"
Ayuka's expression darkened and became menacing in reaction. She gripped Codey's shoulders with a terrible grimace. She leaned her jaw dangerously close to his shoulder as her grip began to harden.
"I said everything's all right. Do not make me repeat myself or things could get very bad, bad indeed."
The expressions on everyone's faces appeared to relax. Karisa looked to the side, seeking to avoid Ayuka's attention as she crossed her arms behind her back and started to whistle enthusiastically.
Natan simply walked in front of everyone else at that time, trying to prevent his dampness from being seen by anyone else. He made an effort to mask his concern should it further infuriate Ayuka.
Numerous sounds of metal striking metal continued to be released as Yumiko and Kizu battled. Their power levels were more than equal, but Kizu's continual haste gave him the upper hand.
He could move between areas in a matter of seconds, which confused Yumiko to the point where she gradually started to lose focus.
All she could make out were the gold bodies that had been left behind and were slowly fading from her field of vision. She was unable to see Kizu's intended source since she was trapped in a golden illusion army.
A new golden shape suddenly formed behind her, and Kizu leaped out of it as if to smash through the window. His grin alone was enough to convey how sure he was of his skills.
His hands, which were each holding a sword, were extended beneath his hips. He took a step forward and swung the blade in an upward motion that could effortlessly slice Yumiko's back.
She was just left with her instincts and reflexes. She recognized the impending danger, which caused her to act quickly. She made an oblique cut with her right-handed sword from the front, beneath her hip, and back, where she felt the crash of the three swords. She just about escaped terrible injury.
"I'll grant you that your sense of warfare is quite reliable. But before long, what will you be able to do? You are the only soldier among us whose capabilities are not what they should be, in contrast to me, who possesses the 'Sun's Order' powers."
"You don't possess any unique talents. You're a novice who only knows how to use a sword. You are quickly put at a disadvantage. Your blood's unique qualities are still beyond my comprehension. What's the backstory behind all of this, I wonder?"
Yumiko's face showed symptoms of aggravation. Her mouth shook. She was driven by rage and continued with all her power. She hacked through Kizu's swords, his only available line of defense, but just when she expected the sword to sever his flesh, she saw how his body merely dissolved into golden sparkles.
She was only able to cut air. She noticed that Kizu had reemerged behind her and on the other side of her position. He was displaying a self-assured smile while turning his body away from her.
"Your swordplay isn't even unique. With such subpar competence, you anticipated to become one of the "Sun Soldiers"? Since I became this dependable soldier of the "Sun's Order," you are the craziest person I have ever had to work with."
"However, your ignorance won't be forgotten in literary history. Even if I would want to cut up your throat and watch that blood gush from your neck, it is impossible. Muro's instructions are undoubtedly sincere. You're lucky, lass."
"But I can promise you. Your remains won't be sent to Muro undamaged. I will eventually get to see some of your blood. Maybe when I see it with my own eyes, I'll understand how important you really are. I might even think about developing an interest in you. Oh, come on, I'm kidding. That wouldn't alter the fact that you are a worthless rodent living in a filthy neighborhood of the underprivileged."
He laughed loudly, echoing along the hallway. Even at a close distance, he could feel danger. Yumiko was an inch from his back, standing behind him. She had a terrifying look of rage on her face as she held her blades high above their heads. Her eyes were virtually on fire with the color of the sky.
"Attacking while I'm not looking? You are so predictable..."
She didn't intend to be cautious. Overhead, she slashed the swords. She continued to pour down the blades without pausing. Kizu simply dissipated from the scene in the form of golden particles as her blades slammed against the marble floor, sending a deafening metallic ring reverberating through the corridor.
Her powerful strike had sent a swirl of wind across the hallway that waved forth and tossed the smallest objects around like stormy winds.
"I'm sorry. Have I offended anyone? Do you really want to destroy this castle? Although I shouldn't care too much about it, I'd like Muro avoid becoming depressed."
He persisted in making fun of Yumiko and proceeded to mock her. He succeeded in his attempt to provoke her. He said things that he knew would make her angry.
He had no idea that Yumiko's serenity may vanish from her thoughts sooner than he had anticipated. She spun around and brought both of her blades from behind her into the height of her shoulders before even having him finish his statement.
She pushed them closer before slashing them. She sliced nothing but void; the air, and let out a gust of wind that moved like a column through the space. The flags took on its power and started to waver back and forth.
Kizu let out a loud chuckle as he dispersed into dust for the gust to pass by, and then he appeared out of the golden figure that had formed itself above Yumiko.
The only bodily parts that have shown through were his arms, head, and torso. His legs were hidden from view. She was standing immobile with her limbs spread when he swiftly got her attention.
"Time to take a nap!"
He attempted to slash, but Yumiko already attacked. She thrust her swords forward in an attempt to chop him, but all she managed to slice was the golden figure that was carried away by the swing.
He appeared behind her in a golden silhouette. She didn't have enough time to respond, and her instincts and reflexes deteriorated as a result of her increasingly angry emotions.
This time, Kizu charged at her while holding both of his blades out in on the sides of him, and on the last stride, he flickered with gold. In a moment, he was gone, a flash of light passing through her body.
He stopped whirling and appeared in front of her as if he had slipped through her body.
Both of the swords' tips could be seen poking out from the front of his shoulders as he held them crossed in front of his chest. He leaned forward before gradually straightening himself out. He turned his back on her.
He smiled and closed his eyes. Yumiko was taken aback as she quickly felt her skin being torn from the front and behind. She sustained two wounds to her upper body, but the blood just briefly gushed out in a stream.
She fell to her knees, her warm, moist blood steadily seeping down her flesh to hide her wounds. She was immobile on the ground pressing her blades into. She was motionless due to her wounds.
Kizu spun around, grinning, and launched his blades into the air. They spun but were drawn back.
"And it appears that we have a winner. Nobody else but the best "Sun Soldier" and most appealing, talented, and intelligent Kizu."
"I say kudos to you. I'm not sure what Muro has in mind for you, but I can guarantee it ain't good. Bring you over there, will we?"
To be continued...