It's only when we are completely broken that we can understand the greater power of our spirit…..
Her body ached with every labored inhale. Her bones protested every slight movement as she attempted to stand to her feet. She didn't remember how it had gotten this far, she just knew that if she didn't get up soon it would all be over.
Her vision was blurred horribly and there was an insistent ringing in her ears just over the calming beating of her own heart. She knew that she needed to get up but her need to close her eyes and rest for a while was quickly overcoming the former need to stand. Maybe just a little nap wouldn't hurt?
"Six!"
There was that voice again, far away and slightly annoying. What was the counting for?
Another labored breath shot pains through her chest and slightly cleared her blurry vision. She could see she was looking up at the crimson sky of Makai and could vaguely feel the wet tears streaming down her aching cheeks. Silently she wondered how she had gotten here as her world began to turn.
"Seven!"
Again with the counting! She wished she could turn her head to look for the source of the counting but she knew it would hurt too much so she lay, content with never knowing where the mysterious counting was coming from. It was a wise choice anyway, if the slowing beat of her heart was any indication.
"Toukon!"
The name – her name – was being shouted from somewhere…but where? She had already established that moving her head was a no go but the persistence in the tone piqued her curiosity.
"Toukon, get up!"
If only she could. The slightest movement in her little finger caused her a multitude of indescribable pain that the new voice – decidedly male – couldn't begin to comprehend. No, she'd rather lay there until the pain went away.
"Eight!"
Faintly she wondered how long the counting would continue. Maybe if she held out long enough then she would be able to get medical assistance. Just the thought of any kind of assistance at the moment made her limbs sing with hope.
"Toukon!"
This new voice was even more persistent than the counting voice and even a tad desperate. Maybe she was in some kind of danger; maybe if she didn't move now then she would die. She didn't want to die.
Against her better judgment she began to slowly turn her head in the direction of the voice shouting her name, biting back gasps of pain as her bones shot waves of agony through her body. When she was fully concentrated on what laid to the right of her body her eyes immediately connected with the brown eyes of another.
"Nine!"
She knew those eyes, she was aware of desperation and fear behind them. Her heart clenched painfully in her chest at the raw emotions of worry held behind those brown eyes. She wanted to make it all disappear.
"Toukon, get your ass up now!"
And even though her body protested the very thought of moving, she slowly nodded her head.
"Okay, Yusuke," she whispered.
"Te-!"And through her tears and cries of pain, she forced herself to stand.
"Amazing people, even with all the damage done to her body, Toukon Neyagawa has found the strength to stand! This girl is nothing short of incredible!" Loud, guttural screams rang out at the announcement. "Looks like this battle isn't over just yet!"
Turning slowly to face her opponent, Toukon shifted into her fighting position, in all new determination blazing in her eyes and coursing through her body. She smirked softly at the irritated demon.
"I'm through playing games, let's end this!" She lunged forward.
….And find what we are truly made of.