~Kyou POV~
Right now, I must look pretty cool, what with the black aura, a huge tome in one hand, and rippling gallons of water at my command, ready to kick that dragon's butt back to whatever dimension it was summoned from.
Well, externally, anyway. Internally, well...
"Patchouli's gonna kill me for this."
"Oh, I don't know. Better get them wet than burnt to a crisp, I say. Honestly, the nerve of that dragon..."
"...So, what did you say you did to me? I'm feeling a lot of cold coming from inside, and it's really bothering me."
"Oh, I just gave you some of my power. Water power, to be exact. Seems helpful, no?"
"In any other type of environment, yeah."
"Oh, stop worrying your silly ass, boy."
"And will you stop calling me 'boy'? It's starting to get annoying?"
"Why should I, when I'm actually thousands years your senior. Treat your elders respectfully, Kyou, and you'll live a better life. By the way, duck."
I quickly duck under the stream of fire, quickly countering with a wave of my hand, which summons a great wave which engulfs the dragon, keeping it at bay.
"Oo, nice reflexes, and you're wielding my magic pretty well. Looks like I won't have to butt in on this one?"
"You know, I'm kinda wondering why you just don't show yourself and deal with this yourself?" I wonder, a hypothesis quickly forming in my mind, while backing off as the dragon regains balance. "Or are you some sort of spirit...?"
"Half right, boy, but let's leave it at that and...oh boy, hold still!"
"!"
I barely have time to react, as the water on the floor rushes up in a dragon-like torrent, quickly engulfing me in a thick liquid bubble. Just in time too, as a torrent of humongous flames engulf me instantly, one that wouldn't have been avoidable in the open field. Oddly, the water didn't seem to be affected by the heat, as I only felt its cooling presence, which oddly contrasted with the bright white in front of me.
"Huh, neat. So you can control water?"
"Oh, water's just part of the repertoire, my boy. But yes, this is my main weapon. Handy, yes?"
"...Well, it's different. It seems more viscous and heavier, yet flows and feels like water should. And...it feels...dark?"
Well, how do you explain the cold sensation that pierces through your soul every time I touch this thing?
"Ah...you have to excuse me for that. My nature is a bit...cold."
Wait, the dragon's opening his mouth now...
"Another fire burst!"
"No worry, boy. A measly flame won't be enough to..."
ROAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
A massive roar completely ripped through and downright shattered the sphere, leaving me to bear the stinging vibration that went through my eardrums.
"...Well. It seems to be sharper than I thought."
"Tell me about it...remind me, why aren't you fighting this thing yourself?"
"Oh? Chickening already?"
"There's that, but...I mean, I'm just a normal human who's just getting used to the basics of Gensokyo. If I were you, I'd pick someone with more experience. Say, Patche?"
"Patche...Few call her by that name, but none of them called her that the first few hours they met her. Except maybe Marisa. True, she's an expert mage...possibly one of the best in this millennium. Not to mention one of the elements she is proficient with is water."
"You mean there's enough reason to outweigh all of that?"
"Yes. But enough about myself. Try thinking about your future."
...Right. It's really weird, but I'll have to give into fate on this one. All I know for sure is that water attacks won't get me anywhere.
I know what I have to do. I just have to wait until the opportunity awaits.
~Sakuya POV~
"...What do you make of this, Mistress?"
"Are you surprised that a 'mere' human can use magic to this extent? Considering this is the first time
"...You read my mind like a book."
"That's what I do, Sakuya. Literally."
"...Quite right, milady. Will you have me dispose of this human before..."
"No, save that for later. There's a more pressing matter. We have a breach in twenty seconds."
"...I see. But is that wise? Leaving that human with the captives seems..."
"Heh, I know it's stupid. But we're entitled to some sort of dumb choice once in a while, right?"
"..."
"Besides, I like me a good cliffhanger. It's nice to see an underdog eventually climb up to become the strongest."
"Did you actually foresee this happening?"
"No, just a hypothesis. Now go along, now. Chop chop."
"...Yes, Mistress."
There telepathic conversation ended, and I leave the sealed prisoners to wait for their fate, as I walk out to complete my new task.
~Kyou POV~
"I will never think of dragons in the same way ever again after this."
"What, are you
Situation is...a bit of a standstill. Both water and fire are equally matched, and my smaller stature and faster speed make it hard for the dragon to catch me with its claws and teeth, not to mention the library it hard to maneuver for a giant in the first place. However, it's getting tough; the dragon seemed to have a colossal amount of stamina, and it took a lot out of me to be able to keep up. And as if that wasn't bad enough...
"Oh, um, by the way, heads up. My power's kinda running out."
"...What."
"For now, anyway. I can create more magic for you to use but..."
"3 minutes. Please be less than three minutes."
"...5."
"Good enough." Can't be stingy in something like this. Speaking of stingy...
"Wonder how Marisa and the others are doing against that knife maid..."
"Oh, against her? They already lost."
"...What!?" Barely dodging another fireball, I take the time to hide behind a bookshelf to resume conversation. "Already! But I didn't hear anything..."
"Not all fighting has to be flashy and long. Sakuya's ability makes it easier to catch people off guard."
"The time stop thing, right? That's a big problem."
"Luckily, she just left."
"...Huh? She did?"
"Just a few seconds ago. Seemed like there's something she needs to take care of outside the library, so she left the other three pinned to the floor. Literally."
"...And you could tell this how?"
"Weird thing. I'm kinda tied to this library spiritually right now, so I can tell exactly what goes on here. Too bad my spiritual sight doesn't extend outside the doors. And i'd rather have a real body than be stuck here as a spirit, you know."
"...Pinned, huh..." Come to think of it, that maid had a lot of knives the brief moment I saw her. Could her knives be actually that strong?
If so...
"Hey, um...by the way, do you have a name?"
"Wha...now of all times?"
"It's weird calling something that doesn't have a name, okay? Please, it's easier for me to..."
"Sorry. Don't really have what you can call a name for the last millennium..."
"Okay, Kuroe. Is that okay?"
"...Where the hell did you get a random name like that...?"
"It just feels right, okay. So, Kuroe, can you tell where the dragon is at this very moment?"
"...Kuroe, huh...?"
"Hello?"
"Hm? Oh, sorry. Right, the dragon. It still hasn't found you, and it's wandering...luckily, away from you. Huh, the smoke must've snuffed out his nose. Again."
"Good. Tell me if it get's closer to us. I'm moving. And charge some of that water power, okay? I might need it."
"What're...wait. Are you seriously suggesting..."
"We'll see if it works." Peering out of my hiding place, I check to see if the coast is clear, and bolt.
~Marisa POV~
"...So, uh, Patche. How's it hanging?"
"I think the question is better suited for you. And for your record, those are some of my precious tomes."
"Hey, don't worry! These knives are only hitting the edges! No books are hurt, or I'll just hang myself right here!"
"...Those are still my bookshelves."
Dammit, Patche, what's a few bookshelves to sacrifice for books? I wonder what got her mood this horrible.
...It may be the fact that her friend basically betrayed her. Right, almost forgot. Except considering I'm literally pinned and hanged from the bookshelf by the amid that works for said friend, there's really no excuse.
"...So, uh, how's it hanging?"
"...Please don't say anything."
...Great.
"Instead of worrying about me...what do you think happened to your human friend?"
"Kyou? Oh, I think he's doing great! I mean, you didn't even see his fight against Meiling! He was some kind of master martial person, and..."
"Sorry to cut in through your enthusiasm, but I can't hear any type of thrashing. That either means this Kyou person one, which i highly doubt, or..."
"No, seriously! I never seen someone who's been able to kick Meiling's butt without danmaku! Except maybe Reimu. Anyway, he comes in, see, and quickly jabs into Meiling's stomach! And then Meiling flinches a little, and he takes that as the cue to..."
"Hate to barge into such a heated conversation, but mind if I join?"
"Oh, hey there Kyou." Huh. Speak of the devil. "How you've been?"
"Oh, it's been an...experience. Fighting a mythical dragon, almost getting the soul burned out of me, literally, and stuck with some sort of telepathic water spirit which I named Kuroe. You?"
"Oh, just fine. Getting suckered by the maid is on par with what I deal with every time I come here. So what was that about a Kuroe?"
"Tell you later. Can I borrow one of those knives?"
"Huh? Oh sure, take one. Just so you know, somehow these are enchanted, so I don't think you'll get these off that easily. Even with your strength."
"For the record, Marisa, I'm not that strong. There are people better than me in a fight." He mutters something, but that's just him being modest. He totally kicks ass! "And don't worry about that seal thing. I think I can disable it."
"Oh? How?"
"No idea. It's not my idea."
I...don't get what that means, but watch anyway as Kyou walks up to me to grab a knife stuck to my left sleeve, and pulls.
And pulls.
He grabs it with both hands and pulls, to no avail.
He tries pushing against the bookshelf and pulls with all his might.
Until his grip slips, sending him slamming into the bookshelf on the other side with a great "Oof!".
"...Told you."
"Yeah, I think I get it. Wait..." He gently touches his forehead Looks like he's focusing on something...
"Hey, uh, are you okay? You aren't hurt too bad, right?"
"...Huh? Oh, I'm fine. Just...let me focus for a second."
"Um...okay."
Slowly, Kyou raised his hand, and concentrated on something. What...
"Dang, this is different from before..."
"Kyou...what are you..."
"Remember that water spirit thing? Well, apparently she has this sort of ability in which...Oh wait, it's here."
"!? Wh-what!?"
Patche looks as surprised as I am. In Kyou's hand, a clump of dark liquid formed from absolutely nowhere. With the formation of this mysterious liquid, Kyou slowly grabbed the knife again, but this time let the liquid flow around the knife and surround it completely, and part of my hand in the process.
It's...indescribable, really. How it felt. It was...really cold, but in a different way. It wasn't the type of feeling you would get just by going with skimpy clothing in the winter. It was more...like your body will suddenly lose its warmth forever. Like it will never know light or happiness before. Like it will sink in a pool of darkness, never to move again.
In other words...like death.
"Kyou...who, or what, is this water spirit? This power..."
"I know. I'm the person who's using it."
"But black water? I've seen really strange powers, Kyou, but something like this...It's not normal for a human."
"Says the person who's a human magician."
"I heard that!"
"Look, I think I know what you're trying to say. I'm...still not entirely accepting the fact that a water spirit thing is basically using me as some sort of vessel. But, I feel like I can trust Kuroe ffor now."
"...Why?"
I didn't really need to ask. Even if I refuse, Kyou had this look of utter determination devoid of any self-doubt that I thought was supposed to show. I just had to ask, maybe not for the sake of him...but for myself, to catch up with whatever's going on in this mansion.
And like the nice guy he happens to be, Kyou answers.
"Call it...a vagabond's instinct."
And with a final grunt, Kyou pulled the knife clean out.
~Kyou POV~
"Nice one, boy! Looks like you got the hang of it!"
Kuroe's words barely register as I inspect the knife that I just pulled out. Aside from the dark liquid on it, it's a pretty elegant blade, with a completely metallic hilt holding the straight silver blade, as elegant, cold, and sharp as the gaze of the person who owned it. Even though it's the first time touching a blade used purely for combat, I can tell that this blade would have been more reliable than any normal sword.
Perfect.
"Impossible...such a strong seal...just what is this magic..."
"Serves the witch right! Nothing can withstand my ability to dissolve anything!"
"...Just how does an inanimate object dissolve again, Kuroe?"
"It's a figurative thing."
"...Heh! Nice one Kyou!"
Marisa...seems much better than before. Good. That dark expression on her didn't fit her. At all.
"So, uh, do you think you can get the others off of me. Somehow having only my left arm free is worse than my whole body stuck."
"Sorry. That'll have to wait."
"Wait? Until what?"
Instead of answering, I call upon Kuroe. "So, how close is it."
"Oh, I'd say closer. I think it's found your scent again. Probably going from you left."
"Got it. What about Marisa and Patche?"
"No time to distract it away from here. Luckily, now that I stored enough power, you can protect both of them from the flames. Everything else is up to you."
"Got it!"
Switching hold of the tome to my left hand, I grasp the knife in my right, in a stabbing position. And wait.
The first thing the dragon does as soon as it appears is, of course, to blow flames at my direction.
"Kyou...!?"
"Got it covered!"
A wall of black water instantly appeared at my will, completely smoldering the flames. The difference with this wall and the ones I summoned last time was that it was much thicker and colder.
"...It actually took five minutes for you to be able to do this?"
"It makes a whole lot of difference given one knows how to store power. Now slay the dragon, boy!"
"I told you, Kuroe..."
With a wave of my hand, I dissipate the aquatic wall, and transform it into multiple aquatic missiles that slam into the dragon. Of course, the scales of the dragon don't allow a single one to pierce through, but it does give me enough distraction to give me the next move.
The finishing move.
"The dragon's all powerful and quite a versatile attacker, but it's too slow and can't keep up with me."
As the dragon takes the water attack, I quickly run beside it. It doesn't as I take out the knife.
"It also depends on kleeping me in its sight so much that it's prone to surprise attacks."
As the aquatic barrage ended, I am already in position. Dropping the tome, I raise the small lethal knife in both hands...
"That's what makes...!"
"...your Achilles's heel, Sakuya."
"...!"
I...can't keep up...!?
"Now, tell me once and for all, Sakuya..."
Forgive me, Mistress...I've failed you...
"What is going on here?"
~? POV~
"Hmm...pity, I wanted Sakuya to stall for a bit longer...oh well. She's already done enough."
"Although, I am surprised that the human held for so long against the dragon of Achilles. Quick on his toes, that one."
"Yes...this is going to be an interesting story..."
