Cunning Cat and the Gentle Heart
"What?...another undying one, I see...well." Chiharu's strike to the heart... did nothing. However, it's alarming how calm Chiharu remains. She's up against a...a...vampire.
I really Wasn't a big fan of mythological creatures during my former days...but how...how can something fictional as a vampire be applied as an ability! In this world, all abilities I have witnessed somewhat followed a logical route...but reformed as an everlasting vampire!...is another matter!
"Hey, I would appreciate it if you stopped staring so much and please kindly pull out this toy of yours. Will you do that little kitten?"
..."One more thing...I wouldn't hold back your abilities. Do you honestly think you are able to withstand my force...with just that? Not that I am giving it my all yet. Hmm...then let's do this, this blood of mine laying on the grounds..."
Mizuki manipulated the blood. The very lifeblood it bound around her...miraculously floating to her will! It started to compress... a structure? What is she... A blade! She crafted a solid blade from the use of blood...? That shouldn't be possible...unless she can control the state of matter in blood...solid...liquid...why blood? Is this also part of her capability as a blood-sucking vampire?
"My sister...is frighteningly powerful. But what really astonishes me is...my sister became what she loved the most."
"Huh? Masashi, what do you mean...?" She became what she loved the most...a vampire?
"Nearly all her life... 'll say this only to you, Satori, but if Mizuki ever finds out, she might just rid me on the spot. So don't ever mention this to anyone...my sister, you see was....how can I put this...hmmm a...She has had an obsession with vampires...ever since a child, she thought they were amazing...she only watched vampire movies and shows...she used to cosplay as vampires...she even used to avoid eating garlic foods!...hahaha you can laugh if you desire. Still, it is all true...because of all this, she is cursed like that. Now in this new world, she despises what she had loved the most."
So, in other words, she was obsessed with vampires. A vampire fanatic. Not that I can relate...however that very same non-existent creature has actually been produced in this new world of ours via Mizuki. Would this not mean that there could be more entities like this roaming? Ones who have been stripped of their humanity....granted a new label of identification.
I myself...can I even be called "human" anymore? Damn it all.
"How unique a blade that's forged from blood?...impressive, but not at all enough."
She has a point Chiharu has not been utilising her wind as of yet...can Mizuki?...No her abilities far surpass someone of wind. There's possibly no way she will lose...no way.
"So finally going to use that power...great...that's exactly how I require it to be. The stage is set. All that's left is for me to show you my true self...my true might. Prepare to have that mask off yours shattered, kitty girl."
It was rapid with her vampire levelled speed. She began circling the motionless Chiharu... Is she seeking an opening? But with her current act, that would be no problem, so why? Is she not as confident as she sounded before? She's being cautioned... One strike from her overpowered use of strength with or without the blood crafted sword could end any mortal's life in an instant.
There it is! She went in for the strike... it's much too fast to follow along! The whole colosseum had been engulfed in an unavoidable wind upon Mizuki's rapid descent...when the two...collided?... What? Wheres Chiharu? The perplexed Mizuki seemed to have hit thin air as no remnants of Chihar... She's floating! She is in the air! Did she seriously manage to accelerate into such a velocity that... but how? It was near to instant how fast she had disappeared. I think Mizuki has figured it out as well...
"So you can fly, huh...now that's just going to be trouble...you can't just stay there forever, why don't you come down and actually face me!"
"What...no, that would be pointless in my regard...your immortal first of all but...your strength is unimaginable...your speed is faster than mine. So overall, an innocent young human, like myself, will not fair well with a monster... blood-sucking vampire like you."
"Hold on, that slick cat...She's baiting Mizuki! She is mentally attempting to manipulate her anger. Mizuki, don't fall for it. stay composed!"
"Sheesh, brother...that's not like you. Anyways I am more than calm. Hey, kitty cat, you can be my guest and cower...back away all you want but your exactly correct. I am immortal; I am much too powerful. You cannot do or try anything against me. But what do you hope to achieve doing that."
"You are much too wrong there...bloodsucker."
"Do you even hear what nonsense you are spouting!"
"One thing I can still do... is this..."
Chiharu. Chiharu is actively influencing the wind around her, the very air particles! She is concentrating on them...putting pressure on them, gathering each and every bit compressing them rapidly. The very area around quakes and tremours in constant motion due to the overwhelming pressure being synthesised!
"Mizuki, get out of there! Don't let that hit you! You hear me! No matter what, dodge it! Damn it. It's no use. I cannot get through to her under all this wind."
"Brother, I hear you loud and clear...have you forgotten I have sharp senses now? Anyways this is no trouble for me. I won't be dodging it. I need to show this egoistic cat her rightful place!"
"Mizuki don't!"
Why was Masashi so concerned? Well... Indeed Mizuki attempted to challenge the endless force of wind descending towards her, but... It's...its..propelling her! She's holding herself with all the inhuman strength she may have, but it's dragging her...dragging her upwards!
"Now...immortal vampire...fly far away...out of my sight!"
In one instantaneous moment, the floating Chiharu issues her wind to unbound and...to set free the gigantic pressurised force it held.
"Shit, What is this...I can't move...no...no...no damn it. This isn't good! I was careless. How could I make such a mistake...Masashi, brother, once again, I am just a failure. I Am an unworthy individual, haha..."
Mizuki soared through the great frosty blue sky...into the distance. So fast that a peak paced rocket couldn't compare. Any human would be dead after that...not to mention the endless suffering she will face during and after her descent. Immortals still feel agony...but they don't get granted peace. I know this first hand since I am one after all and have experience.
"Mizuki! Damn it all! Even with her vampire speed, she won't make it back from that distance! Worst of all, she has to suffer such unbearable pain..that Chiharu...she is a cunning one indeed."
So that's the power of the wind? Chiharu!
As expected, minutes passed...no sign of Mizuki. And a following full thirty minutes of nothing but pointless patience.
"Chiharu Seika has been ruled the victor, with approval from his majesty!" Chiharu had won.
"Masashi...when will Chiharu be back?"
"What?...oh yeah... I mean general, if calculated accordingly with her maximum speed output over that type of distance, I would say roughly three hours."
"That far! Knowing Mizuki's unique speed...that is absurd."
Mizuki was more than quick...she wasn't Raiden's level in terms of speed, but as a vampire, she's remarkably fast...too fast. To think it will take her that long to travel such a distance.
"Hiroko...Oda, you two have your matches tomorrow, considering what you have witnessed just now...are you still up to it?"
"Who do you think you're talking to general...the great Oda...I will win, no doubt!"
"Yes, General, I also will do my best!"
"Very well said, you guys....and Satori, it seems your next opponent has been decided. I'm glad we still remain away from facing one another...but the one you face now, Chiharu...will be by far your most intense encounter."
You don't need to blabber to me the obvious. That Chiharu... pisses me off way too much, however, to face her...Kenji was one thing but her. Why. There is no probability that will assure me the victor. I won't be even able to land a single blow, much like Mizuki.
"Superb, that's exactly what we require!, she could end up becoming your lover...my dear Yukina. It's a female...however..."
"It's alright, mother...but mother...her silver hair kind of resembles yours?...who could she be? Seika, huh?"
"Dear, what Yukina said about...does she not have your....No it cant be...I don't doubt others would have similar hair. Anyways her performance was fabulous...wind?To think that wind could be such a treacherous weapon of war...indeed, it's exciting much more than a dirty, sinful vampire. After she finishes that other immoral creature Satori...she will become, haha, this tournament...there are individuals who can even rival some of the first of the ten icicles. I cannot wait."
"Yes, you have a poi...no...surely not."
"Dear, did you happen to realise something about her?"
"No...it is nothing at all."
"However, wearing that mask...what is her objective? Hmm, I shouldn't take notice. I'm sure she means well."
"Father...if that concludes the first day...what will you do to Sa...Satori?"
"Yukina, my daughter, it's just like you to worry about such scum, he won...he will be sent back to his cell until the next matches as a spectator...but he can enjoy his state of prosperity until the block finals...On the final day."
So now I can assume I bought myself a longer period of freedom...haha, in a damn cell. To think I would be this ecstatic to go back behind those solid bars...that semi illuminated bitter space.
"Let's go, brat..."
"Benjiro! I'm..."
"Save it...but well done...and...forget it. I think it's about time for you to hand me the sword there... what's it still doing in your hand anyway?"
Benjiro...he must despise me now...I did break his most cared person's hand and hug...hugged them carelessly.
"Right. Here you...what it's not budging? Come off...get off me...you damn sword move! Shit, what's with this ice blade!"
I had forgotten it was bonded to my hand all this time. Why did I not notice it until now? It's frightening how natural it felt to my body...but isn't this normal?
"What's wrong? Hand me the sword..."
"I'm trying to... it's not...why?...release yourself already.!"
"Release?...its bound to you? What is going on here? I'll ask Yukina later. Since it's not you to blame, you may keep it on yourself for now. But if you violate any more restrictions. This time I won't hold back...Satori"
So this really was an abnormal phenomenon?
"Guess this is goodbye until tomorrow Satori...oh, are you going to miss me? It is such a tragedy, I know. But on the bright side, since you still won your match...you can be a witness to the rest!. Until your unfortunate upcoming fight in the block finals..."
Thanks, Masashi, for reminding me...
"Wait, Satori...please..."
Hiriko?
"I know it's not..much...but please ta..take this jacket with you...here you go. It must be awfully chilly, especially in...with that wear."
I guess...
I was wrong, this girl...
She...
"Hiriko, what are you...Why give this garbage your jacket...its a waste on him. Don't you feel cold yourself? especially stripping down to that...that...bare...vest."
"Haha, why are you staring so much, Oda? Don't tell me you wish it were you who she gave her jacket to? Maybe you could give her yours?"
"Shut up, Masashi...ill kill you."
"Don't worry, I have plenty of spares, and Anyways Satori, I'm sorry...it may be...a bit concentrated with my unwanted scent but..."
"It's toasty. I can feel the very essence of your built-up body heat infusing into my cold bearing body... it's pleasant...a genuine gentle heat...and...thank you, Hiriko."
"Huh, what are you saying! You damn pervert!"
"Oda, you say that, but he's the man accused of kidnapping several female girls, so....also is it me or is Hiriko actually blushing...? Well makes sense the poor boy who wouldn't accept her support has finally opened his heart to her...how romantic what do you think, Oda?"
"Your dead Masashi!"
I am an immortal...
My heart has already been physically severed once...
But I strangely still feel the comfort of this jacket?
"Let us go to now...Hiriko,Oda and Masashi."
"Yes, sir!"
Hiriko and Oda will battle tomorrow?
Oda vs Homura of the flames
And
Hiriko vs...Hannya.
Hiriko...
No...
Damn it, why do I feel like this now?
I will face Chiharu in the block finals. After the conclusion of blocks B and C...
Block finals:
Block A: Chiharu vs Satori
Block B: ??? vs ???
Block C: ??? vs ???
Final match:
A: ??? vs B: ??? vs C: ???
As the vampire Mizuki still makes her way back, bearing defeat, the tournament's block A second match concludes with Chiharu's victory. Tomorrow's matchups will include the ill-mannered Oda and the tender-hearted Hiriko going up against their destined opponents.
-Do you believe?-
To be Continued in the Next Chapter...