AN:
Sorry for being four hours late than usual... that is usually how long it takes to write and edit these 1000-word chapters and I wasn't able to get to my computer until four hours ago when I would have started writing three to four hours before that. I hope you enjoy the chapter.
- - - - - End of Author Note - - - - -
'I just need to tank a few more hits… then with one sudden release of all the energy I have been storing, I am sure that I could close the distance and get into range for glorious melee combat…' keeping the significant amount of energy in check I marveled at the odd sensation for a moment. The potential energy wound up inside of my Hatsu was similar to two magnets of the same polarity being held together, wanting nothing more than to shoot away from each other.
Continuing to combat the various attacks sent my way while ensuring I was not immobilized by a countless number of aura threads. Suddenly, I eased up on my slow pursuit of my opponent as the muscles in my legs tensed up before I leaped toward the location of my opponent in a sudden burst of speed. Clearing the distance between us in a moment I came upon the dark silhouette of my opponent, while I could not see clearly due to the lack of light my aura-infused eyes could make out the general appearance and state of my opponent.
*woosh* slashing at her neck with my knife I wasn't overly surprised when the attack missed, I had not been fast enough to capitalize on the brief moment of surprise. Stepping forwards as I readied another attack we soon began to trade attacks as we moved back and forth across the quiet streets just outside the active area. I was unable to connect a hit for the most part while she was unable to deal a significant amount of damage.
However, as we continued to fight I discovered something interesting about her Hatsu: it was selectively tangible. Meaning it could phase through objects or directly interact with them on her whim. She would often be able to phase them through walls or even her own body to make the pathing and reading of her attacks more difficult. Still, as long as I flooded the threads with enough aura I could interact with them and even managed to yank her closer to me once using the threads. Though she never allowed the same tricks to work more than once, as she began to anticipate any large movements or attacks I made and was able to easily manage the smaller blows.
*smack* sending a normal kick into her side, she opted to take the hit and use the opening to grab my leg before using her free hand to bind my leg down to the ground using a set of threads and making me immobile for a second.
An opportunity she took advantage of, sending a cascade of threads in a wide net before tightening the slack as numerous threads tried to cut away or saw at my aura. This put me in a tight spot, as a large number of threads constantly moved and crawled over my hardened aura looking for the smallest gap and weakness. Thus, I was forced to harden my entire Hatsu shell making me even more immobile.
*thud* sending out a dense and short burst of energy to snap the weaker of the threads before using another pulse to once again close the distance between us and sending a barrage of attacks with my knife or blast-enhanced kicks or blows. And soon enough I was starting to gain momentum as that last attack she used seemed to use up a large amount of aura.
Slowly as the battle began to enter the later stages multiple cuts and bruises covered her extremities. Still, I had to maintain an edge of caution as she began using her Hatsu in more tricky manners, setting traps or redirecting the origins of the threads using the surroundings making it harder to track her. There were a few close calls as I was busy juggling the various tasks needed to work my Hatsu and fight in combat.
*scrape* Slashing a Shu-enhanced knife as hard as I could towards an exhausted Machi, who in turn created a net between her fingers which she flooded with aura and 'caught' my blade. Pushing with all my strength I kept her occupied with diverting my attack as I used my free stump to channel my stored energy an immense spike of energy into her abdomen.
*Squelch* *spat* opening my eyes in surprise a bit I stared at the wounded and injured body of Machi. She soon slumped over with the threads at her fingertips dissolving as blood pooled around her body on the cracked asphalt ground. Not taking any chances I kept up my Hatsu as I went down and slid my knife across her neck to confirm the kill.
'I figured they were far stronger in this world… as some things don't align with my memories of the anime, such as Nobunaga using a Hatsu and him being far stronger than I remember. Plus, wasn't the main idea were they going to fake their death using the corpse puppets made by Kortopi?' prodding the slowly cooling body for another moment I stood up before looking out to the main street.
*sigh* "I think about it later, I need to ensure everyone is okay…"
{Scene Change}
Inside a dark abandoned building, a group of strange individuals were scattered about. One was sitting inside of a windowsill, another leaning against a pillar, and some were grouped together on piles of rubble. However, there were a few things of note, the varying emotional states of these people for one. Ranging from bored, to frustrated to downright rage and grieving these people sat in near silence inside the building. Though another oddity besides the tense atmosphere was at the far end of the building was a landing located up a few steps that were decorated with a few unlit candles and a stack of books. And judging by the looks the people were giving the area it seems someone was occupying the space previously.
*sigh* "Why can't we go as well?" musing out loud to himself was a man of regular height who was cloaked in the shadow of the room.
*snort* "did you not hear the boss? We are laying low so we can swindle away all the items from the auction. Besides the clones should be enough to kill the chain user and that pink guy. " sitting across the room atop of a fallen pillar a woman chides her comrade as she goes back to ignoring him in favor of the silence that soon emanated inside the building.
"...about that, I just felt your clone get destroyed." slumped on the floor was a small silhouette who broke his comrade's valued silence in a quiet and uncomfortable tone.
"?" peering over at the small silhouette in surprise before she slumps back on the pillar in defeat.
"Hahaha! Looks like Machi is in charge of dinner tonight!"