TRACK 010: Slow Dance with Death
Gray pixie eyes blinked at the scene of Death City. Long midnight blue hair twisted into a loose ponytail, stray pieces catching around the pretty young face. She hiked her bag up on her shoulder. "Death City." She said quietly. "Finally, made it Maddy." She sighed, running a hand to catch the hair blowing across her forehead. "From death and back again."
Then she threw the other strap of her bag over her shoulder. "Totally kick ass." She sang as she cart wheeled and then sprinted across the dusty landscape.
Aya's eyes went wide as a blow hit her in the side. She staggered, her face a mix of blood and dirt and sweat. Her vision was beginning to swim and she had lost sight of Kid somewhere along the way. Enemies fell, but they never stopped. When another blow sent her spinning head over feet into a wall, she nearly didn't get back up. Her body feeling almost too bruised to move.
Kid watched Aya slam against the concrete, her body crumpling to the ground. Cursing, he ran toward her dodging the attacks with blind rage. He wondered if she was ever going to get back up. She didn't seem to be moving.
Aya slowly pushed herself upright. Just as Kid reached out a hand to help her. As she groaned and took his hand, Kid noted that the onslaught had stopped. The worn teenagers looked up to see the Children of the Tide pulling back, but not leaving.
One eye closed in pain, Aya got to her knees. "What are they doing now?"
"I'm not sure." Kid's eyes were everywhere at once, he wanted to make sure Aya was okay and to figure out why they had suddenly pulled back.
The Children parted and bowed their heads. Kid raised an eyebrow, now very interested in what would prompt this behavior. Something told him it wouldn't be good. He squinted as a shape appeared; a tall shape. As it loomed closer, he could recognize it as a man. A lean man with a long trench coat and long sleek hair in a neat ponytail. Kid felt Aya tense next to him and he tore his eyes from the smirking stranger.
Anger twisted Aya's features. Her breathing grew heavy as she began shaking, her muscles tense and completely exhausted.
"A valiant fight, I must say." Grin began.
Kid eyed him skeptically, "Who are you?"
Grin turned his gaze on Aya. "You mean, you didn't tell him? Aya, you wound me. And after all we've been through."
"I don't know what you're talking about." Aya seethed. "You got away before, but I won't let you walk away this time."
Grin nodded. "Fair enough. But you seem so tired and a bit worse for wear. As does your boyfriend."
"He's not my…" Aya shook her head, her eyes still squinting to keep from closing. Pain coursed through her body with every beat of her heart and she fought not to fall back to her knees as she rose slowly. "I've enough energy left to kill you, don't worry."
"Aya. Keep calm." Mack chimed. "Your emotions are going haywire. Keep it in check. I know you're tired, but keep your control."
"Shut up!" She screamed. "We can do it. I'm fine." She hauled herself fully to her feet, ignoring Kid's hand when he tried to steady her. She caught her balance and wiped her mouth on her sleeve.
"Maybe you should try a soul resonance? That might give you an edge to beat me." Grin tilted his head. "Oh, but how forgetful of me. You can't resonate, can you?"
Kid was looking back and forth between them, confused and growing extremely frustrated with this Grin person. Aya was trying to lift Mack, but her arm was dripping with blood and she flinched. Kid put his hand on her shoulder lightly. "Stay here. You're too injured—"
"Stay out of this." Aya snapped, murder in her eyes. "This has nothing to do with you."
Kid took a deep breath. "I'm afraid you couldn't be more wrong. If I have to fight you myself, you will let me handle this. I don't care what's going on or what you're planning. You can't possibly hope to achieve anything in your current state." His grip on her shoulder tightened. "End of discussion."
Aya fumed, but didn't say anything. Kid stepped forward. "This is getting very boring and I can't help but feel this conversation is a complete waste of everyone's time." He addressed Grin, who was inspecting his nails.
Grin shifted his focus to Kid, smiling. "The son of Lord Death himself? How interesting."
"Like I said, I've had enough of your small talk." Kid raised his pistols and fired quickly. The space where Grin once stood was empty and Kid heard him landing on the ground behind him. Turning swiftly, Kid fired, but again there was nothing there. His eyes searched for Grin, but the man had all but disappeared.
"You're fast reaper boy. But you're still a child." Grin rushed forward and sent a devastating punch into Kid's ribs. Kid sputtered and flew backward, the wind knocked from his lungs. As he tried to regain his breath Grin twisted his hand and every nerve in Kid's body lit on fire.
Screams erupted from his throat as Kid's body twisted and convulsed and then fell still. The ends of his jacket were singed as he stood. He couldn't hear Aya's screams of worry, his name the only word he could actually discern from her shouting. He ignored everything expect the enemy in front of him. Electricity sparked from Grin's fingertips.
"How did that feel? I went easy on you, of course. You would be dead, if that is what I desired. But you have caused quite a problem and I feel I must repay you for all of the minions I lost."
"Enough, Kid. We have to get out of here." Liz's voice was weak, faint compared to the blood pumping in his ears. "We can't take any more shots like that. Even you won't be able to stand it."
Kid brushed her off. "If we do that then Aya will try and take him herself."
"Kid, we need to go." Patty said softly. "I'm tired."
"Quiet, both of you." Kid shook his head to clear their voices. He fired at Grin who easily dodged. A fist connected with the Kid's back and electricity pulsed through his body once again, smoke rising from his fringed hair. Grin had moved around Kid when he dodged the attack, his face alight with humor. When the attack ended Kid fell to his knees, smoke rising from his back. His vision began to blur around him.
This time, Grin sent his boot to Kid's cheek. Kid fell on his hands, blood spraying from his jaw. He wiped at his face with his sleeve. "We still…haven't tried d-death cannon." He groaned to Liz and Patty.
"He'll just move. We won't have time to hit him." Liz whined. "We need to go."
Kid watched Aya moving in the background. Grin's focus was on Kid and Aya was able to sneak up behind him. Kid smirked.
"Let's go. Soul resonance." He said as he pushed himself up. Liz and Patty complied. As their resonance reached full power, Aya picked up one of the free blades from the ground and speared Grin's coat to the cement roof. The shock made it difficult for him to react, and he had trouble tearing the strong material of his coat from the blade. By the time he moved it was too late. The edge of the blast propelled him from the roof and into the open street below.
Kid took grateful gulps of air. "Liz. Patty." He stood upright. "Transform."
Aya ran up to Kid, her hands reaching out to steady him. The anger that had nearly blinded her didn't seem as important when there was more than just her life at stake. "We need to get you out of here."
Kid shook his head. "The Zombie Children are behind us and Grin is in front of us." He took a step toward the edge of the roof. "Grin is down, possibly injured. I don't want to waste time. You can get out while I distract him." Kid said, taking another step.
Aya grabbed his arm. "What are you talking about? I'm not leaving without you."
"You're going alone? What about us?" Liz had her hands to her mouth, her face lined with worry.
Kid smiled. "I'm just distracting him. I want you two to go with Aya and Mack. I'll follow once you're gone."
Liz shook her head. "Kid…"
"I'm not arguing with you. I'm the meister. I'm the one who is calling the shots." He snapped.
"What if you don't follow, huh? What then?" Liz crossed her arms.
Kid looked at Aya. "I'm a reaper. If anyone can make it back it's me. My body can handle more than yours can. It makes sense this way." His eyes didn't leave Aya. She watched him in horror, not sure what she was hearing.
"We can all make it out. We just need to push our way through them and then we'll find an opening and take it—" Aya began hurriedly.
"We tried that." Kid snapped. "That's enough arguing. I'm the one with the most authority here. And I say—"
"I say, that I don't take orders from anyone and this is crazy." Aya challenged.
Kid smiled and limped in her direction. Her hands were on her hips and he could see the defiance in her eyes. "Mack." He said quietly.
Mack transformed, standing behind Aya, his eyes downcast.
"Don't let her follow me." Kid ordered and Aya could feel her partner's hands close on her shoulders. She struggled but only slightly. Shock was overwhelming her urge to fight. Surely, they were both mad and this wasn't happening. There had to be a way. A safer way. She just had to think…
Kid stopped, the tips of his shoes nearly touching her wool boots. "Don't worry. I don't die easily. That guy is a push over. I'll be back before you have a chance to worry." He kept looking at her with the most unnaturally cool smile. Like he wasn't at all worried. Like his jacket wasn't singed and torn and bloody. "But just in case." He put his hand on her cheek. Aya blinked stupidly. His fingers slid lightly up her cheek, past her ear, and through her hair. Her breath left her when his lips lowered softly onto hers. His eyes were closed and he only held her for a few seconds before letting go and jumping to the street below.
Aya watched, bewildered. She put her fingers to her lips and despite the blood pumping through her veins from all the fighting, some still made its way to her face to stain her cheeks red.
Kid landed, rolling to avoid damage to his feet and legs. He found Grin, his hair not so perfect and his coat torn. Kid smiled. "I told you. I won't make this easy for you."
"Yes, but now you've made me angry." Grin pulled a sword from his jacket, the blade extending as it left it's much smaller sheath. "Any contact with this blade will be lethal. You won't survive another shock."
"Then I guess I'll have to avoid it at all costs. Thank you for the warning." Kid sprang forward, his body easily maneuvering around the taller man. He could slip into Grin's blind spots and it seemed that the blow from earlier had slowed Grin's attacks.
Kid managed to break Grin's stance and sent a punch into Grin's thin face. The man cringed and cried in rage. "Not my face, you brat!"
"I think it was an improvement." Kid smirked. But Grin's anger propelled his body and though he couldn't reach Kid with the sword, he was able to get a solid punch to Kid's shoulder. Kid flinched backward and tripped over the sidewalk, his stance thrown from the fatigue and pain. Grin sneered.
He lifted his sword.
He stood over Kid.
He stabbed downward.
Kid saw the attack coming, but he couldn't move in time. His eyes closed reflexively and he waited for it to happen. When nothing did, he opened his eyes. White hair fanned out in front of his face, the body it belonged to convulsing horribly. Light flashed around her body, sending parts into stark contrast with the darkness. Kid's voice, hear, breath, and brain completely died. The sight flashing in front of his eyes completely consumed him in nauseous terror.
Grin pulled his sword back and Aya fell across Kid's legs. Her body still. Completely still. He reached out his hand, but stopped. Too afraid to touch her and feel nothing. Too afraid that if he touched her skin, it would be cold. Grin stood over Kid and Aya, a sword poised at the former's chest.
"Now there's no one left to save you." Malice lit Grin's dark eyes.
"Not exactly." Liz said, calling Grin's attention. He hadn't expected any more fight, since both the meisters were at his feet. How did…
"We don't need a meister." With a quick shot, Liz shot her pistol. She kept shooting until Grin retreated. One bullet after the next as fast as she could pull the trigger. And once his back was to her, she kept shooting. Grin deflected as many shots as he could, but a few got through. He cursed and sent a wave of electricity toward Liz as he disappeared. Liz dodged easily and Patty transformed.
Mack had ignored Grin completely, the whole of his attention on Aya. He fell to the ground in front of her. Liz and Patty returned and looked at each other sadly. Kid was frozen, his hand still inches from her exposed shoulder. Liz walked over to Kid and Patty sat on his other side. She rested her head on Kid's shoulder.
Liz leaned over Aya and took a deep breath. Bending down, she put her ear near the quiet girl's mouth.
"She's breathing." Liz said quickly. "Very faintly. We have to get her back to the Academy. Hurry, before those things wake up." Liz tired to stir Kid, but he wouldn't move.
Mack stood over Aya now, his hands moving the matted hair from her face so he could examine her. He could see the subtle rise and fall of her chest, so faint that if he blinked he would have missed it.
Kid blinked. He moved quickly, leaning forward and lifting Aya off his legs and into his arms. Standing was difficult, even without the extra weight, but he didn't flinch. "Come on. We've got to get her back to the Academy."
Mack wanted to protest that he should be the one carrying her, but there was something about Kid's tone that made him keep his mouth shut. Instead, he nodded and followed, Liz and Patty taking his hands as he walked. He didn't fight them or recline the gesture, even when the girls' leaned their heads on his shoulders.
Where am I? Aya looked around, but there was only darkness. She seemed to be sitting in the only patch of light available. What happened? Her stomach churned painfully and she was forced to her hands and knees. That's right. I remember. She remembered Kid's face. His eyes closed as Grin moved to strike him. She had never been so scared in her life. Before she could even process what was happening…her body had moved. No matter what it took, she couldn't let him die. And he would have died. Aya's heart fluttered and she felt like puking. So…am I dead?
Professor Stein blew smoke into the air. "Sid is on his way to get her. I'm afraid I don't see much hope there, but I guess there's a small chance she'll pull through."
"Her soul is already so fragile." Death-scythe commented. His hands were in his pockets and his head was low. "Lord Death thinks there's something wrong with it."
Stein nodded. "Yes, I've noticed that myself. It's strange. It's like her soul isn't quite whole somehow. I can't explain it." He smiled. "At least, not in terms you'd understand."
Death-scythed reeled, "What's that supposed to mean?"
"I think you know the answer to that." Stein took his cigarette between two fingers. "But if you'll excuse me, Spirit, I have to get ready for Aya's return. She'll be in need of some serious care. If she isn't already dead."
Death-scythe shook his head, glaring at the professor. "Do you even have a soul?" He seethed quietly.
Stein raised his eyebrows. "That's a stupid question. Of course I do."
"That's not what I…" Death-scythed fumed. "Never mind."
Stein shrugged.
"And Stein?"
The Professor glanced over his shoulder, eyebrows raised.
"You do everything you can to bring that girl back. You hear me?"
"Please, Spirit. What do you take me for?"
Death-scythe didn't respond. He had been around a while. It was rare to find a person who was willing to risk their lives for their friends. Or for anyone really. That and he knew that if she died…if she didn't make it…Kid would never forgive himself. No one deserved to live with that guilt and he doubted Kid'd be able to handle it at all.