CHAPTER 07 / Backfire

My facial expression said everything that my fight-or-flight instinct was shouting. 'Oh shit.' I frantically grabbed the next appropriate spellcard, but I fumbled it. Glancing back and forth, at the card and up at Razu, who was now floating toward me ever so slowly, I made a quick movement for the card. Razu reached his palm out toward a close-by rock, and clenched his fist. The rock, soon after, exploded into a thousand pieces, leaving only a large sword. Without stopping, he grabbed the hilt and continued floating toward me. I finally grabbed the card and started running in the opposite direction, then jumped into the air.

"Rocket Dive!"

With a burst of nuclear energy, I threw myself south, hoping to whatever god or deitic figure that might accept it, that I would escape.

As I flew through the sky at high speed, I reflected on the day's events. I had a plan; said plan veered off course and ultimately failed. Looks like I won't be redeeming myself this time-I'll only be fleeing like a coward. It was at this time that I glanced behind me and saw Razu catching up to me. I pushed more energy into trying to fly faster. My wings were aching; I don't think I've ever flown this fast.

Bullets began rushing past me from behind. Razu was gaining. The geyser was coming up fast. I saw a patch of trees down below. I'd have to blind or distract him so he doesn't see me dive down into those woods for cover.

I decided to suddenly turn around and start firing danmaku his way. Each bullet was effectively deflected or dodged, as he continued to close in on me. Not only that, but his energy levels continued to rise, so much so that I could both see and feel his aura. His body glowed brighter and brighter.

...I recognize this effect. This is just like Abyss Nova. But maybe his is different... Is his conserved energy expelled when attacking?

I figured that the only way to find out was to get him to attack. And soon...before he reaches his limit, if that's the case.

He was still closing in on me. Suddenly, I had an idea. I dove down into the trees; he followed suit. I began weaving in and out of random incoming trees as I blazed through the wooded area. Quickly, I turned around and aimed my buster his way, firing a moderately-sized blast of nuclear energy, indiscriminately taking down trees in the same direction.

"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

Behind me!?

I swung around and put the Third Leg up just in time to catch his blade. CLANG! The force of the impact pushed me onto one knee.

It was at this point that I realized how much power he had stored inside him due to his spell. It was hot to be next to him. His body heat was not just body heat. He felt like Hell.

I swept my leg below him, tripping him and landing him on his back. He kept glowing brighter and brighter. Red turned to white, and Razu began to yell out loud. My eyes widened, and without a second thought, I made my quickest route upward through the tree canopy. But I wasn't clear enough. The small forest glowed bright red, then flashed bright white as he unleashed his energy all at once, in a forceful explosion. The shockwave hit me, and sent me further into the sky, then tumbling down to a spine-shattering landing in a close-by field.

My cape was tattered, and the Third Leg had a very noticeable engravement from where he brought his sword down onto it. My skirt had a rip in it, and to top it all off, I had the worst back-ache in history, and I swore I had a couple of broken ribs. I felt dizzy. I wanted to collapse, but I knew, after an explosion like that, the shrine maiden was already on her way. I struggled to stand, then tried to fly.

The WORST idea ever was to try and move my left wing. A pain that took my mind off of all my other pains shot through from the fracture in my wing. I had no choice but to run. I made a break for the geyser, taking the long way around the shrine.