Season Two, Episode 51: Arch-Rivals
Chapter 1: Algorithm
Burn like a slave
Churn like a cog
We are caged in simulations
Algorithms evolve
∞
Push us aside and render us obsolete
This means war
With your creator
∞ Algorithm – Muse ∞
They are all going to die.
The figure lurked in the shadows of the entrance to the arena, waves of brunette hair tumbling out of the hood of her black coat.
They're all going to die, and there's nothing I can do about it.
It was the last semi-final battle, Team Toguro against Team Gorenja. Two members of the later team were already dead.
Michiko wasn't sure who the two masked figures on Team Toguro were; then again, they were not why she was here. No. She was here for the eldest member of the team's namesake, the Elder Toguro brother.
"Well now, this promises to be an exciting end! Toguro offers to face the remaining three in a winner-takes-all match!" The announcer cried.
A murmur ran through the crowd as the elder brother stepped into the arena. Michiko felt her stomach twist. She didn't dare get any closer for a better view. Despite the crowded arena, she couldn't shake the feeling that the Elder Toguro would sense her somehow.
They did have a history, after all.
That shape-shifting bastard.
The crowd was still restless, jeering. "I thought he was helpless without his brother?" Michiko overheard.
Wrong. You're so wrong.
The girl forced herself to shift closer to the edge of the shadows, her eyes straining to take in as much detail as she could. The small, lean frame of Toguro appeared relaxed, a condescending smile resting on his thin lips. Michiko felt hate boil in her veins, but it was mixed with paralyzing fear.
They don't know how sadistic he can be.
"Begin!"
The three remaining fighters of Team Gorenja charged towards Toguro, leaping into the air. Illusionary copies sprung free from the demons. They danced flawlessly around him, looking for their moment of opportunity.
"Here we go! We all saw Team Gorenja do this earlier in the tournament, and it's nearly impossible to defend against!"
Michiko tuned out the announcer's voice, focusing solely on Toguro. Those fighters were as good as dead, and she knew it. Despite all the hate bubbling inside her, she could feel icy, paralyzing fear lying beneath it.
"Ya!"
Michiko couldn't help but flinch at Toguro cried out, manipulating his body to send out piercing spikes of skin. The remaining members of Team Gorenja cried out as their bodies were speared, skewered. Blood pooled on the arena floor.
I still don't know if I'll be able to do this.
The girl fighter was dead. She had to be. Her body lay on the ground, unmoving. The two men were weak, but alive.
"He's only speaking for himself! Spare my life! I'll do anything that you ask!"
A wave of nausea hit Michiko. She knew. She knew how terrified the remaining fighters must feel. The fear she had been struggling to keep down was trying to claw its way to the surface.
No. Focus on your anger. Your revenge.
Michiko turned abruptly on her heel, making her way out of the arena. She let her hood fall down as she pulled a deep breath into her lungs.
At least their deaths will be quick.
∞ ∞ ∞ later that afternoon
If she panicked, she would never be able to do this.
Michiko toyed with the rock in her palm, running her thumb over the rough edges as she looked out over the sea. She had a purpose in being here. She had to see it through.
It seemed that the Elder Toguro brother was still as terrifying as she remembered. She had known it would be hard to see him, let alone see him in action. But she still hadn't expected it to be this bad. She hadn't expected to still be so weak.
Her small hand clenched around the rock, its edges digging painfully into her skin.
I won't back down. He'll pay. He'll pay for what he did to me.
Michiko felt warmth trail down her wrist. She blinked out of her thoughts and looked down at her hand, her fingers loose around the rock. Blood.
So weak. Sopathetic.
Her hand clenched around the rock again. After a moment she looked back out at the sea.
Iwillmake him pay.
Michiko raised her arm and threw the rock as far as she could. She was dimly aware of her palm, throbbing from the jagged cut the rock had caused.
He will pay.
That human girl is in my spot.
Hiei pursed his lips, his blood red eyes trained on the small figure. It appeared that his place of solitude was no longer his, nor was it solitary. No. This girl had taken it upon herself to invade his space.
This is why I hate humans.
Hiei mulled over his options. It would be easy to scare the girl away. But if she belonged to someone here, maybe someone on the judging committee, then he would have hell to pay. But the thought of returning to his room, with the loud Kuwabara and obnoxious spirit detective made his toes curl.
I just wanted some peace andquiet.
The fire demon blinked after a moment, drawn out of his thoughts. His gaze focused back on the girl.
Is that… spirit energy?
He could feel it now. He hadn't been looking for it before, not expecting another human here to have such abilities, but now it was blistering. It pulsated like the merciless sun on a hot summer's day.
How… interesting.
Hiei watched as the girl looked down at something in her hand. He felt her spirit energy slowly begin to dwindle, fading like the setting sun. Eventually it seemed to settle. Now that he was aware of it, he could sense the girl's baseline. A slow, pulsing flow of energy seemed to course throughout the girl's body.
The demon blinked as the girl suddenly chucked the item in her hard into the sea. A rock. Humans are so odd.
The girl stood up, and Hiei could finally see her face for the first time. Long locks of brunette hair spilled down past her shoulders. Her eyes were those of dark chocolate, but they were cold. Hard. A loose grey dress hung down to her knees. Her legs were covered in black leggings.
For some reason, Hiei felt that this girl was not one that they should mess with. She was here with a purpose. He could practically feel the resolve flowing off of her.
The demon briefly wondered if he should attempt to read her mind. Then he scoffed.
She's just a human. She's not even participating in the tournament. She's nothing.
Hiei watched the girl a moment longer before vanishing further into the forest.
