Yasu stroked the blue flame like it was his pet. Then he blew at the flame which instantly ballooned to the size of a fist.
With a grimace, he cried "Hi -Fire!" and threw the volley with a vengeance.
I ducked in time, barely. The fire landed on the ground and left a dark mark on the road surface.
"Your skills have improved." I remarked, "But, your aiming sucks."
My taunt triggered Yasu.
He raised another ball and targeted me. I made a surprise move by somersaulting over him. I landed behind and took the chance to slap him on the hind of his head.
He roared in anger and swung around to face me.
"You are a clown. Is this the magic you know?" I asked. "A true Onmyoji does not engage in such deviant craft."
"You are not qualified to lecture me, Adam. Bakana!" He tightened his hands into fist and said coldy "I am no longer that Yasu you knew back in Japan."
"In Japan? Which incident are you referring to? 2020 when we met at Kyoto and you tried to challenge me to a duet?"
Yasu bit his lips as I continued "I remembered my teacher, Master Sato held you in mid-air for a good minute?"
"I was trying to save my men."
"Your men caused an accident that killed a mother and her child!" I said.
The comment was the last straw and Yasu came at me with fists which I ducked. He quickly leaned forward locked my arm with his and took the chance to deliver a kick. I tried to break free but the blow took me.
I felt a sharp pain in my rib cage.
Then I broke the lock with a firm arm twist. He was strong and I only succeeded on the second attempt. Once freed, I turned and delivered a firm slap on Yasu's face.
He backed off, seemingly incredulous I could out-maneuvered him.
"You…"
Before he lunged at me, I stopped him with a raised palm.
"Stop this kid's fight. What are you trying to do?"
"I have my work to do."
"In Singapore? What is it and why does it involve Kelly?"
"It is private and confidential."
I was peeved.
"Stop messing around in Singapore. This is not Tokyo and the authorities here have no tolerance for fights."
"If they are any good in stopping us, I would have been arrested a long time ago."
Yasu declared smugly "You can try to catch me."
I scanned Ito from head and toe and then back to head
"You and your magic."
"My powers. Respect that."
"Your agility and magic craft are well known but it will not carry you very far."
"Look how loud my loser is talking."
"This is an ambush and where is Kelly?"
"Oh, Kelly Nishimura!" Yasu stuck out a thumb and then turned it downwards
"The purple sorceress. I thought she would be a tough opponent but…."
"What did you do to her?"
"She has retrograded and I took her down so easily."
I stepped forward and pointed a warning finger
"What did you do to Kelly?"
"Concerned for your fellow disciple?" Yasu flashed a smug smile and kept silent.
The spring in me snapped. I have had enough of his audacity.
Flexing my arms, I lunged forward and delivered a stroke. Yasu tried to duck but I was faster and found his cheek. Swiftly, I grabbed him by the collar and pulled him forward, ready to deliver another blow on his face when he gave a robust twitch and shook himself free. With unexpected speed, he swung around and delivered a palm towards me.
I managed to swerve in time but I felt the force in that palm as a tunnel of air power passed right in front of my eyes. He has indeed progressed.
Before I could catch hold of Yasu, he somersaulted away and landed on the top of a nearby vehicle
"Where is Kelly?"
"Beat me and I will tell you."
I ran and leaped aiming to land next to Ito but he raised a kick and threw me off balance. I dropped clumsily to the ground but steadied myself. Then I manoeuvered and threw a stream of energy at Ito. He swiftly raised a dark shield with his palm and parried my blow.
He sniggered and then snapped his fingers. instantly a dark flock of darkness swooned onto me before I could leapt and confront him.
I was pinned to the ground.
"Heishi! Soldiers" he cried, raised his hands and raised himself into the air. Within seconds, streams of dark forces culminated around us and then formed a surfboard beneath his feet.
It raised Yasu to the air so quickly that I failed to muster my powers in time to stop him. Within moments, Dark Robes Yasu had disappeared into the blanket of night darkness.
While I struggled with the shock, the dark masses began to wrap themselves around me and begin to constrict my breathing.
Yasu - that trash. He must have cast one of the darkest spells in the Dark Robes book - the Jumon.
I struggled to break myself free but it was futile. As the dark mass tightened, I felt every cell in my body crying for air. I tightened my fists and shut my eyes to focus my powers.
Calm the mind. Forget the pain. Summon the powers.
In my subconscious, I executed the kuji-kiri (临兵抖者皆阵列在前）and the strokes. In one exertion, Ishouted "Kowasu - break"
The powers of my spell burnt a hole in the surface of the dark mass. Instantaneously, it began to loosen its grip.
I took the opportunity to deliver another push. I focused my energies and cried "Kowasu!" again. This time the mass seemed scorched by my words and loosened at the chest level.
I took the opportunity to break free.
I somersaulted and landed free and away from the dark mass but my relief was short-lived.
It quickly morphed into the shape of a serpent that grew and rose to my height and blocked my path.