Osaka, Japan
???
August 13, 2023
As the dust settled, Shino and Iris stood side by side, panting and bruised, but victorious. They looked towards their fallen teammate, Rika, whose unconscious form lay on the ground, her breathing shallow but steady.
"We did it," Iris said with a mix of relief and sadness. "But at what cost?"
Shino turned to Iris, his gaze solemn but determined. "We'll get her out of here and make sure she gets the rest she needs. For now, let's find a safe place and tend to our wounds. Our fight isn't over yet, but we'll face it together, just like we always have."
As they were about to leave, with Rika in their hands, they were greeted by a fat bull-headed damned creature levitating in front of them. It raised its hoof up, and with a wave of its hoof, a horde of damned creatures immediately appeared behind him. Shino's exit was now swarmed by enemies.
Shino and Iris exchanged a tense glance, realizing that their path to safety had been blocked. The damned creatures surrounding them seemed endless, and the odds stacked against them once more.
"We can't fight our way out of this. We need a plan," Iris whispered, her eyes darting around, searching for any possible escape route.
Shino's mind raced, searching for a solution in the face of overwhelming odds. Rika's unconscious form weighed heavily on his shoulder, and he knew they had to act quickly to ensure her safety.
"Follow me," Shino said, his voice calm despite the urgency. He led them towards a narrow alleyway, hoping it would offer some cover and a chance to regroup.
The damned creatures followed, their malevolent presence closing in on the squad. Shino and Iris moved with a newfound sense of purpose, each step calculated and deliberate.
As they entered the alleyway, Shino spotted a series of interconnected rooftops above them. A daring idea formed in his mind, a risky maneuver that could potentially offer them a chance to escape.
"We're going up," Shino said, his gaze fixed on the rooftops above. "Iris, follow my lead. We'll use the higher ground to our advantage."
Iris nodded, her trust in Shino unwavering. With Rika still unconscious, they needed to move quickly and decisively.
Shino leaped onto the first rooftop, using his agility and strength to propel himself upward. Iris followed suit, her movements mirroring Shino's with precision.
But as soon as they managed to reach the rooftop, a bunch of flying damned creatures surrounded their path.
"You cannot escape the lair of the Moon Gazer," the bull-headed damned creature said, approaching them as it levitated through the air.
Iris gripped her sword tightly and glanced at Shino. Shino was sweating and frantic, holding Rika in his arms. Their chance of survival seemed slim, but Iris refused to give in to despair.
"This was my fault. If only I had stuck to the original mission, this wouldn't have happened. I was not ready to be a captain, nor was I worthy of it," Shino whispered, his voice filled with self-doubt.
"You have done all that you could do, Shino. There's no point regretting over things that have already been done," Iris replied, her unwavering resolve mirrored in her eyes. She darted her gaze around, searching for a way for them to escape this dire situation.
Her eyes fell upon a nearby park, behind which lay a thick and lush woods. An idea formed in her mind, and she prepared herself.
"Captain, I think I have an idea," she said, her grip on the sword tightening.
Shino looked at Iris with a glimmer of hope in his eyes, eager to hear her plan. "What is it?"
Iris glanced back at the park, her mind racing with possibilities. "We can use the park as cover. If we can get to the woods behind it, we might be able to lose them in there."
Shino nodded, the idea taking root in his mind. "It's risky, but it might be our best chance. Let's make a run for it."
With Rika still cradled in Shino's arms, they sprinted towards the park, their hearts pounding in their chests. The damned creatures pursued them relentlessly, their eerie cries echoing through the night.
As they entered the park, Shino and Iris zigzagged through the trees, using the thick foliage as cover. The creatures struggled to keep up with their swift movements, losing sight of them momentarily.
"Head towards the woods! We can't stay in the park for long!" Iris called out, leading the way.
With determination, they pushed forward, the woods looming closer. The lush vegetation provided them with a semblance of safety, but they knew they had to keep moving.
Just as they reached the edge of the woods, the bull-headed damned creature caught up to them, its malevolent presence sending shivers down their spines.
"You think I haven't prepared for this kind of scenario?" it said, grinning from ear to ear.
Iris quickly halted and turned back, gripping her sword tightly. She pointed her mystic sword towards the bull-headed damned creature, determination etched on her face.
"Iris, what are you doing? Follow me! Quickly!" Shino shouted while running deeper into the woods. He cradled the unconscious Rika in his arms, embracing her tightly as he fled from the damned creature's pursuit.
"Go on, Captain! Send my regards to your mother and the others!" Iris replied with fierce resolve. "And I'm sorry," she muttered softly.
With a scream, Iris lunged at the bull-headed creature, ready to strike it with all of her strength.
"Foolish one!" the bull-headed damned creature exclaimed, its grin widening.
Just as Iris was raising her sword, about to strike the bull-headed damned creature, an arrow pierced through her chest, drilling into her heart. In the distance, the spider-like creature from before aimed its bow at her.
"Noooo!" Shino shouted, looking at her as Iris dropped to the ground, kneeling.
Shino couldn't afford to look back as their escape grew closer. He held Rika tightly and traversed through the forest, his heart heavy with grief for Iris. In a fleeting glance, he saw Iris's body obliterated by the bull-headed damned creature.
"Chase after him! Do not let him get away!" the bull-headed damned creature commanded several flying damned creatures to pursue Shino
They went deeper into the forest, seeking refuge amidst the thick foliage. However, the damned creatures showed no signs of relenting, their relentless pursuit only growing more aggressive. The forest seemed to grow thicker and denser as they ventured deeper, making the terrain more rugged and difficult to traverse.
Shino's breaths came in ragged gasps as he pushed himself to his limits, determination fueling his every step. He refused to let the sacrifice of his fallen comrades be in vain, and he knew he had to keep going, for Rika, for the city, and for Iris.
With every stride, the damned creatures closed in on them. Their eerie cries echoed through the forest, sending shivers down Shino's spine. He knew they couldn't outrun the creatures forever, and they needed a plan.
As Shino continued to run, deeper into the forest, he noticed that the eerie sound of the damned creatures started to subside. The surrounding now became quiet, and a sense of relief washed over him. Perhaps they had finally lost their pursuers.
He put Rika down on a nearby tree, gently laying her against the trunk. As he also dropped to the ground, exhausted, he leaned on the tree, still keeping an eye on Rika. Her breathing was steady, and she seemed to be resting peacefully despite the tumultuous events they had faced.
Shino's mind was a whirlwind of emotions. The weight of loss and the burden of leadership weighed heavily on him. He closed his eyes for a moment, allowing himself to take a deep breath and collect his thoughts.
The forest was serene, with only the gentle rustling of leaves and the distant calls of birds breaking the silence. The cool breeze brushed against Shino's face, offering a moment of respite amidst the chaos they had endured.
"We made it," Shino said softly, his voice barely above a whisper.
He thought of Iris and the other fallen squad members. Their bravery and sacrifice would forever be etched in his memory. Shino knew that their journey was far from over, but he was determined to carry on, to protect his city and his squad with every ounce of strength he had.
As he gazed at Rika, a sense of responsibility washed over him. He was not only a captain but also a protector of his team, his family. He couldn't let them down, especially not after the sacrifices they had made.
Just as he was about to stand up and pick up Rika to continue their journey back to the Cat Crusade, Shino felt a sudden, sharp sensation at his nape. A chilling tip of metal poked him, slightly piercing his skin, and he felt warm droplets of blood beginning to trickle down.
"Don't move, or you'll lose your head,"