I'm sorry this is a little short—more will follow soon though. Probably.
Goku
I woke up with the stars above me and the cold ground under me and weird feeling inside me. I sat up and looked around the camp. The half-bloods looked like they were asleep, except for Feng. He was sitting up, sharpening a long knife and staring out into the dark. They were a ways away from us; when we'd gone to sit around their fire with 'em, most of them had acted like we weren't welcome, so we'd built our own fire. Now it was going out.
Hakkai was sitting across from me, Jeep curled up in his lap.
Our eyes met.
I rubbed mine. "Nn. It ain't breakfast time yet?"
"I'm afraid it won't be time for breakfast for several more hours, Goku."
I looked around again, "Sanzo an' Gojyo ain't back yet?"
"Unfortunately no. However, it would take them several hours to walk there, and the same amount of time to walk back, so I don't believe the fact that they haven't returned yet is any indication that they're in trouble."
They could be though. That crazy ass was out there somewhere, Sanzo didn't have bullets for his gun, an' Gojyo was hurt still. They could be in big trouble. I thought about how much they'd been fighting lately. Now they were probably more on edge than ever.
"Maybe they killed each other."
Hakkai laughed at that, but it didn't sound normal. "It's entirely possible."
"What'dya' think's gonna' happen, Hakkai?"
"I wish I knew." He stroked Jeep's head.
At least he didn't lie to me an' say we were gonna' keep going west and deal with Ryptcore the next time he attacked us. He sounded serious and nervous.
I got up, stretching and listening to my stomach growl, "Guess I'll get some firewood."
"Very well. Please don't go too far, and be careful."
I smiled at him, "M'kay."
He didn't smile back at me. I thought that was weird for Hakkai, since he was almost always smiling. He had a lot to worry about, I guess. He was really taking what he'd done without his limiter hard…or else he was really worried about everything that was happening. Maybe he was thinking about Jade. I hadn't seen her since we came out here and made camp though, so maybe she was gone for good. I still didn't quite get what she wanted with Hakkai in the first place. Would she give up that easy? She wanted to…have sex with him…or whatever. I guess. But was that really worth chasing him everywhere for? He told her no already. Why didn't she just give up on him? Hakkai didn't want to be with her.
I thought about how he'd taken his limiter off the other night and wondered if she had something to do with that. I didn't see how she could. Sanzo had been there. Wouldn't he have said something if she was there too?
It was a lot to think about.
I walked around the camp a while, picking up sticks and breaking off dead branches, but I kept the campfire in sight, just in case. I also kept my eyes open for Sanzo and Gojyo, hoping they'd be back soon. Maybe being out there together somewhere was good for 'em. Maybe they'd make up and come back as friends.
Sanzo and Gojyo had never been friends—not really anyway—not from the moment Sanzo knocked on Gojyo's front door, askin' about Hakkai. Sometimes I wondered if they just got off on the wrong foot. Like if they met somewhere else…like at a dinner table or somethin'…then maybe they'd be friends too. That would be cool, I thought.
I heard a branch snap in the woods. "Hakkai?"
The light of our little fire was barely lighting up the forest. I could see Hakkai's shadow, still sitting there.
Someone behind me laughed.
"Gojyo? You tryin' ta' scare me?" I growled, spinning around, ready to hit him with a stick.
It wasn't Gojyo.
Ryptcore had totally snuck up on me. I couldn't believe it—he was standing right there, like three feet away, his cold, red eyes glimmering. I could see his teeth: he was smiling. It was creepy as hell.
With a yelp, I jumped back, dropping the firewood.
He swung at me; I was just far enough away that the blow clipped my chin, and I almost lost my balance and fell into a bush. He didn't wait for me to catch myself either. He was coming at me again, with his claws this time, laughing hysterically as he tried to rip me open.
"You psycho!" I darted away, ducked under his swing and punched him in the stomach, but just like before, it was like hitting a wall, and I felt my wrist buckle. "Crap…"
He clocked me good. I did sommersalts and landed in a heap at the base of a tree. His booming, crazy laughter filled my head.
"You jerk." I forced myself to get up, wiping at my lips and distancing myself from him. He was coming for me, that insane grin all over his face, but I was ready for him. I jumped up, sprang off his shoulders to land behind his back, kicked him as hard as I could in the lower back.
Just like before, my attacks weren't doing anything. For whatever reason, direct attacks didn't faze him, and that made me pretty much helpless.
No way I was giving up to this ugly bastard though. No way I was gonna' just lie down and let him trash me. I'd die fighting him, if I had to. I summoned my bo and went at him again, swung once at the side of his head, down at the top of his skull, and forward, aiming to smash his face in.
Ryptcore blocked all three of my lightning-quick attacks like it was nothing. Like I was just a bee buzzing around his face, and then he hit me hard, an uppercut to the chin that had me flying straight up in the air. It was almost cool, flying straight up like that, almost to the top of the trees. Except that there was this terrible pain in my jaw and forehead. I landed rough, wind knocked outta' me, laid there coughing and wheezing and sputtering through blood. Dang. He was so strong. How'd a guy get so crazy strong? Normally, I like fighting crazy strong people, but this guy was…a monster. Really a monster.
Ryptcore laughed like he was at the carnival or something and raised his heel to stomp on my head.
I was up and away, twirling my bo and backflipping and trying one last time to break his head open. This time, he let me hit him—I knew he let me, because the psycho just stood there and grinned when I was attacking him—and a skull-shattering crack echoed around the woods, bouncing off the trees. He staggered back, and there was blood running from his ears, but the smile wasn't gone. It didn't look like he was in pain.
Crazy. Just crazy. I backed down, tryin' to figure out what to do next. It would be nice to have Hakkai's help right about now-maybe his chi could do something against this nutbar—but I didn't want to lead Ryptcore back to camp: he'd kill what was left of the half-breeds, and that would make me, and probably Gojyo too, really, really sad.
No givin' up…
Direct attacks didn't work. I wondered if I could defeat him without my limiter, but that was a thought I pushed away as soon as I had it. Nothing was worth that.
"I ain't givin' up." I told him.
He chuckled, "Maybe you should, Son Goku. You don't stand a chance against me."
At least this time he didn't have that weird, creepy army of his with him. Not that they'd done much last time, but I guess it was just nice that we were fighting one on one like this.
Nice except that in another ten seconds I was gonna' be dead.
With all my strength, I attacked him. I hit him hard in the stomach, forcing him back, and he coughed. I went for his chest next, kicking him square in the breast plate. His armor probably kept it from hurting him, but at least I knocked him into the tree right behind him.
Maybe this nutjob couldn't even feel pain. Maybe that was something they'd changed about him in the science lab or whatever.
That meant bashing him to pieces and busting his bones wouldn't do anything against him; I remembered how Feng had been able to cut him with his sword. I bet losing a limb would slow the ass face down.
I gripped nyoi bo a little tighter.
Now I had a goal at least. Look for some way to rip off his arm or something. Cut it off. Bust it off. Whatever it took. Hopefully in the meantime Hakkai would realize what was happening and come help me. I hated to think it, but maybe Hakkai could take his limiter off without going crazy and wipe this guy out. I mean, Ryptcore was tough, but it was hard to imagine anybody being tougher than Hakkai and me without our limiters.
"Here I come." I spat, sprang at him bo raised high to smack him in the face.
When I was just in front of him, instants from swinging, Ryptcore suddenly caught me around the waist, laughing, swung me around and around.
I screamed, thinking he would slam me against a tree.
Instead, he just let me go, threw me so I crashed and broke through tree branches, and landed with a skid back in the clearing, dizzy and bruised and scraped. Blood was running down my head and my arm, and my clothes were all dusty.
Hakkai was sitting just a few feet away, staring at me with big eyes, "Goku?"
The half-breeds were staring from around their fire too.
I didn't have a second to think about any of it.
Just in time, I jumped up and scrambled out of the way, right before Ryptcore landed where I'd been lying, still laughing like this was the best time he'd ever had.
Hakkai was on his feet too, caught my arm and steadied me as I tried to get a hold of myself. "Well." His voice was dark, "I take it this is Ryptcore."
"He's crazy, Hakkai." I panted. "Nuts. It's like he don't feel pain…"
"I see."
Ryptcore stood there and smiled at us, all creepy-looking in the firelight, "So, you're Cho Hakkai, the youkai slayer? You're prettier than I pictured."
"I suppose we can't all be giant, rabid brutes." Hakkai was smiling, but he looked cautious and tired. "Goku, I suggest we attack him together and hope the other two arrive shortly."
That didn't sound good. Hakkai wasn't all confident and 'we can take this jerk' like I wanted him to be. And what was with having to fight this maniac with only two of us all the time? Just once I'd like to see how he liked fighting all four of us.
Teamwork wasn't something we did a lot. It wasn't something any of us enjoyed. But at least working together I knew we'd get the job done. Probably.
"Direct attacks don't do nothin'." I nodded. "I think ya' should try an' blast 'im away."
"That I will."
With that, I jumped to the side, and Hakkai jumped to the other, just as Ryptcore charged again. I twisted to the side to avoid getting my arm torn off, and swiped at his head again, more to distract him than anything. Hopefully Hakkai would take the opportunity to-
I messed up. I swiped at his head, meaning to either hit him and back off, or miss and swing again and then back off, but that didn't happen. Ryptcore caught my attack before I could hit him, all but wrenched the bo out of my hands and grabbed me by the collar. He jerked me forward and swung me around, my feet dragging across the ground.
"Goku!" Hakkai yelled, "Move!"
But I couldn't. He had me. There was no moving, no ducking, no pulling away.
I saw him cock back, watched his huge fist come right at me. I felt the blow hit, right at the top of my forehead, and then pain slashed through my face and my skull. I heard a crack and the jingle of scattering metal as my diadem shattered, and then there was a bright flash of light. That was the last thing I remembered.
Hakkai
Horrified, I watched as Ryptcore's fist met Goku's face. It must have been one tremendously powerful blow too, because the diadem flew apart on impact.
"No!" I had to shield my eyes momentarily from the sudden flare of unholy light that followed, but I didn't need to be able to see to know what was happening. I heard Goku's familiar voice screaming and gradually giving way to snarling and growling, and eventually becoming hideous, cruel laughter. When I looked again, he was already in that terrible form, standing at the ready, with some unnatural wind blowing through his hair and cape and an awful smile marring his face.
"Oh no." I murmured, taking a step away from him.
This was so bad. This might very well be the worst thing that could possibly happen. The half-breeds were all awake now, all on their feet, watching us, Feng standing out in front like he thought he could protect them. None of them understood what was happening. Ryptcore was standing back too, looking more curious than concerned. Sanzo was heavens know where, he might not be back for hours still; this time, not even Gojyo was here to help me try to get the diadem back on him. Essentially, I was facing two impossibly strong enemies, and I doubted very much that I had any hope of surviving, let alone protecting the hanyou remnants. As I was now, anyway…
Goku surveyed us all, his golden eyes hard and pitiless. He scanned me momentarily, and I couldn't help but wonder if he had any idea who I was. He looked at the half-breeds like they were just a herd of sheep, ripe for the slaughter. Lastly, he looked at Ryptcore, and his smile grew. Ah, yes, now there was an enemy worthy of fighting. There was a challenge.
Actually, I doubted Ryptcore could even begin to challenge the Seiten Taisei.
Nevertheless, he was laughing and gloating, "So, this is the true form of Son Goku, is it? How sad—even now, you're no more than a simpering little boy."
Goku didn't seem to acknowledge him in the least; I had often wondered if he was incapable of understanding speech in this form, or, far more likely, if he simply didn't care whatsoever about anything anyone said.
"What's happening?" Feng demanded, holding his sword out in a trembling hand, "What was that light?"
I kept both eyes on Goku, "I suggest you all leave now. This has just become very dangerous."
None of them moved. Foolish. I didn't have time to concern myself with them, not in this crucial moment. I fingered my own limiter… But no. That would only add to the chaos.
Ryptcore raised his arm suddenly, stretched and flexed his muscle, grinning all the while, "I will prove to the world who is the most powerful." With that, he swung, a sudden blur of bright, long claws, which didn't so much as rustle Goku's garments as he sprang straight up into the air. For a moment, he was a silouhette against the moon, and then he landed lightly behind Ryptcore, ran away from him, heading straight for the half-breeds.
"Goku!" I cried, chasing after him, even knowing it was futile.
Feng saw him coming and made ready to defend, "Don't cross me, you little-"
Goku hit him hard, kicked him in the chin and sent him flying back, and just kept running. He bounced off Feng's chest with a horrible snap, and flew at the next hanyou, a woman in her thirties, and before she could so much as scream, he'd torn her limb from limb and was already attacking the next, and then the next. He killed three before I could even reach him.
"Goku!" I summoned some chi and prepared to fire. At the very least, maybe I could distract him until—
Ryptcore ran up along side me, slammed hard against me, knocking me into the bushes.
I was only lying there dazed for a couple of seconds, but when I looked up, two more half-breeds had been slaughtered, the remaining five were running and screaming, and Ryptcore and Goku were going head to head. In awe, I watched them batter each other back, ripping into one another and exchanging blow for blow in a violent maelstrom of white teeth and flashing eyes. The sight and smell of blood was overwhelming. My heart began to pound.
Who would win? For the time being, they seemed evenly matched, but I could see that Goku's techniques were stronger and smoother, and he had no trouble blocking or dodging or even taking a blow; his recovery time was flawless. That smile was always on his face.
Ryptcore had stopped smiling; already he looked frustrated, attacking almost without thought, taking hits he likely could have dodged just to move in a little closer. Goku ripped his arm open, but he only roared and kept fighting all the more fiercely.
Still, I'd be foolish to think I could let them fight this out and things would be all right. Their battle might last for hours, but in the end, whether or not Goku won, I would still have to fight the survivor.
I heart some whimpering off to the side, looked up to see a young hybrid woman crouching in the bushes and holding herself. There was a little blood splattered across the front of her dress, but I thought it was probably the blood of her friends who Goku had slaughtered.
"Are you all right, Miss?" I got to my feet and went to offer her my hand.
She didn't move. Her mouth was hanging open, lips quivering, eyes fixed on Goku and Ryptcore.
"Please, you must get a hold of yourself." I touched her shoulder, but she flinched away.
With a sigh, I knelt next to her, laying my hand gently on her arm, "What's your name?"
Her gaze flickered, and then she stammered, "L-Lei…"
"Lei. I'm sorry to ask this of you, but I need your help."
No answer. She looked as if she were going to faint.
I kept my voice firm, trying to ground her to reality, "Do you know the way back to your village from here?"
A weak nod was my only reply.
"Then you must go at once and find my other two companions, Sanzo and Gojyo."
For the first time, she met my gaze, and her look hardened, "Why? W-why should I do anything…for you?"
I suppose I couldn't blame her for feeling that way, but I didn't have time to apologize and try to ease her bitterness. I said as patiently as I could, "Because otherwise, all of us will die." I wasn't sure that would be enough. So many of her friends were already dead, I wasn't sure anything would be enough to convince her to trust me…but then she slowly got to her feet, nearly fell again.
I supported her as best I could, although she insistently resisted my touch.
"Y-your friends…you're sure…they can stop them?"
"Yes. I know it. Please hurry; I'd go myself, but I must stay and do what little I can."
With another nod, she picked up her skirts, stumbling a little, turned and vanished into the woods.
I couldn't even afford to watch after her. Jeep fluttered down to perch on my shoulder, cheeping and crooning, and I did my best to still my heart, to summon the courage and the will to do what I had to do. "Please, Jeep. Go with her."
My dragon stared me in the face a moment before bobbing his head, flapping his wings, and launching off again with a shrill cry. He flew after Lei and disappeared into the night.
Ahead of me, the fight was still raging on. Ryptcore and Goku both had blood streaming down their faces and arms and chests. Their clothing was ripped and their claws and teeth were dipped in red. I watched in amazement as Goku knocked Ryptcore flat on his back and tore into his chest, causing a thick spray of crimson to splatter around him.
If I waited long enough, Goku might be able to kill Ryptcore, and then I'd only have to deal with the Seiten Taisei…
I smiled to myself, in spite of the situation. Only have to deal with the Seiten Taisei…
Ryptcore got to his feet; he was laughing again and breathing hard and bleeding all over, thick drops of blood landing on the ground around him, "You're stronger than you look, boy…but you're certainly not impervious to pain; and of course you still have your loyalty and your love and your heart to weigh you down. So suppose I kill your friend, and we'll see how well you fair."
I stood firm, watching Ryptcore warily, ready to fight.
Goku just laughed hysterically.
They were both laughing, laughing like madmen, as if they weren't fighting in a deathmatch at all. It was almost too much insanity for me.
Regardless, Ryptcore took a step toward me, still laughing. I watched him come, arm cocked and claws ready, knowing I'd only have one chance to jump out of the way before—
He hit me hard. I didn't even see it coming; I was all prepared to move, and then out of nowhere, I was on my face in the dirt again, head aching fiercely. It took me a moment to get my bearings, and even then I had a hard time pushing myself up. As soon as I'd lifted my face out of the dust, he struck again, hitting me square in the mouth and knocking me back against a tree.
So fast. So fast and so strong. Stronger and faster than I imagined he'd be. Relentless too. He was coming at me again, lauhing insanely.
I made myself get up, no time to think about the pain, barely managed to block his next attack. It was a wonder it didn't snap my arm. I threw a punch at him, but he caught it and flung me to the side like a doll, and I skid across the ground, scraping my face and my hands, jumped up again just in time to avoid being crushed. He slapped my face, claws nicking my jaw and I felt hot blood start to run down my neck. I feinted back, evaded a jab at my stomach, and attacked with my chi; the warm halo of yellow went straight for his head, but he swatted it away like it was no more than a fly, grinned viciously at me.
"It's no use, Cho Hakkai. You're doomed."
It looked like that might actually be the case. I was already panting and bleeding, my head was throbbing and my whole body seemed to be bruised. Goku was standing off on the sidelines for now—but I knew he wouldn't be there very long before he got bored and attacked again—and Sanzo and Gojyo still hadn't returned. It was far too much to hope that the few remaining half-bloods could help me.
I ran at Ryptcore with all my might and threw myself against him, burying my fist in his gut, but what Goku had said about direct attacks not working was true. My fist may as well have bounced off.
If I had a chance to create a chi attack powerful enough, I might be able to injure him at least, but I'd need to create a diversion, which was quite impossible on my own. Suddenly I wished I hadn't sent Jeep away.
Ryptcore kneed me in the stomach, knocking the wind out of me. I spat up some blood and crumpled to the ground, clutching my gut and straining to breathe. I didn't have time to lay there. I didn't have time to worry about the pain. I couldn't block it out. It was too much. I felt as if my very stomach was rupturing.
Laughter booming around my head, Ryptcore stood over me and nudged me with his boot, "Are you down already? Even the Sanzo priest fared better than this, youkai slayer."
Furiously, I sprang up, flung as powerful an attack as I could muster at him. It was just enough to knock him back; I raised my hands over my head, summoning as much chi as I could, as quickly as possible, and sent that his way as well, just as he was recovering from my blow. The chi engulfed him utterly; it was large enough to swallow his body up and hide it in the blinding light, and I heard him screaming in agony, watched nervously as the light died away.
Ryptcore didn't look half as hurt as he did angry. He was smoking a little, and there were burn marks on his face and clothes, but he was fine.
"No…" I nearly collapsed. That had been a monstrous chi attack, it had taken a lot of concentration and a lot of energy, and still it hadn't been enough.
What…what should I…do?
I couldn't hold him off forever. Sanzo and Gojyo still weren't back—they might not come back at all. Soon, Goku was going to get bored. He was going to attack again: Ryptcore or the half-breeds, or me for all I knew. These two might wind up tag teaming me simply because they were brutal and violent and blood thirsty.
Ryptcore kicked me in the face. I flew up. I fell down. I landed hard and sprawled there, writhing in pain and cursing.
"Don't just lie there. Do something!" One of the half-breeds shouted.
I climbed to my feet, head spinning, struggling to keep my balance.
Ryptcore hit me in the back and I went down again, in more pain than ever. He was going to kill me if I didn't do something. He was going to murder me right here, right now.
I rolled up again, this time managed to dive to the side before his claws sawed me open, lost my balance, nearly stumbled, and leaned hard against a tree, breathing heavily and watching him march toward me, laughing and smiling and gloating.
Goku was laughing again too. If only he were normal. If only he could help.
"Goku…" I choked, but I knew he didn't understand. I knew he didn't care.
There was a whisper and a rustle behind me. "Sanzo?"
I turned to see Jade emerge from the trees, green eyes glowing. She looked mildly at Ryptcore and Goku before looking at me, "What are you doing?"
I was truly believing now that not another thing could possibly go wrong. "What does it look like I'm doing?" I growled. I couldn't help being rude when I felt this angry and helpless.
"You're letting him destroy you."
Ryptcore guffawed suddenly, "Little girl, little girl. I warned you, did I not? Stand against me, and you will perish."
He attacked, fists flashing.
I went one way, Jade went the other, both of us narrowly avoiding another vicious, felling blow. I took a swipe at him, as did she, and then we were together again, just like that, crouching in the bushes.
"You know, I didn't ask for your assistance." I hissed.
"You'll get yourself killed this way, love. Ryptcore is far from ordinary."
"Well, what do you suggest I do then?" I snapped.
"You as well are not ordinary…" She had to stop when he charged us again.
I ducked under him, kicking him in the stomach.
It was enough to slow him down a few moments, and we converged again as he stood coughing and wheezing.
"You're not ordinary, I know." Jade smiled, "But you must face him as a youkai."
"No." I shook my head at once. "I can't do that. It would be disastrous."
"It's already disastrous." She answered, wiping a thread of blood from my mouth. "Even I cannot stand up to Ryptcore on my own, nor can you, but together, as two youkai, we will taste his heart."
"You're wrong." I snorted, watching warily as he began to make his way toward us. Didn't this creature feel pain? Goku had all but ripped his stomach open, and still he was just attacking and attacking and attacking. "If I do that…I'll only be contributing to the problem."
"Perhaps." She tapped one of my limiter cuffs, "But at the very least you will survive."
That at least was true. And in this fight, surviving looked to be the only thing that mattered.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Goku was moving again; he must have gotten bored, because he was floating in our direction as well, smiling brightly. I could nearly hear him. I'm hungry. Let's eat.
"Oh…Goku…"
"Stop wasting time." Jade hissed. "We'll never be able to defeat them both at once."
Unfortunately, she was right. If Goku attacked right now it would all be over. Even if Gojyo and Sanzo came back, they'd probably get killed too. I needed their help, and they would need mine. So I had to stay alive. I had to hope I didn't lose my mind and start rampaging as well.
I touched my limiter again. Wasn't that what I wanted anyway? Freedom to shed blood and to fight? Freedom to just be a youkai?
Nothing is more important than simply staying alive. I must survive.
"It's not as if I have a choice." I admitted.
I snapped them off, one, two, three.
Immediately I felt the transformation change and the violence take hold, and then I could feel the strength flooding up from inside me, burning through me like molten lava. In a matter of seconds, all my uncertainties slipped away, and only my strength remained.
"Oh-ho what's this?" Ryptcore laughed. "You're going to face me as a youkai, I see, not as the youkai slayer."
"I am both." I informed him coldly. I'd never felt such calm before, and now when I looked at him, I didn't see an unstoppable force. I saw an opponent and a challenge. I looked at Goku, who had paused a few feet away, looking me over as if he were trying to make sense of what he was seeing and sensing, and in him, I saw just another fight. Just another enemy.
Beside me, my only ally quivered with anticipation and pleasure, her husky voice singing beside my ear, "Very good, my love. Now, let's spread this blood across the world."
In the same instant, we launched forward, hit Ryptcore hard. I kicked him square in the chest, and Jade drew her sword, attacked with a swift, violent swing of metal that just barely missed. I swiped at him, felt my claws clip his arm. Jade spun around, hair flying in a sweeping, black cyclone, sliced into Ryptcore's chest, and blood sprayed. Smiling, I punched him in the jaw, watched as he swayed far to the side, like a toppling tree.
"The Sage." Jade warned tersely.
Goku sprang in from behind me, clawing at me first with one hand, then with the other. I managed to duck the first and block the next, but his razor-sharp nails cut into my wrist and blood started flowing immediately. He just smiled when he saw it and attacked again, kicking at me.
I jumped up to avoid the attack, and Jade stabbed at Goku with her blade. He was fast, turned to the side and the edge of the sword flowed by, cutting a rip in his shirt and nothing more. Ryptcoe snagged my ankle out of the air and swung me around, knocked me into Goku and we went flying across the clearing, righting ourselves before we even touched the ground. I flung a chi blast at him as soon as I was safely planted on the earth again. He did a quick backflip, a three-sixty and a little hop so my attack completely missed, kicked Jade under the chin in the same moment, and she went careening into the sky.
No time to worry about her. Ryptcore was coming at me from behind. He did his best to gore me with his claws. I jumped to the side, and his claws almost gutted Goku instead. Goku dove under the bloody claws and went right for Ryptcore's face, tore into his cheek and darted away. Jade landed lightly on Ryptcore's shoulder and sprang off it, chasing after Goku. The momentum of her take-off sent Ryptcore stumbling forward, but he kept balance and control, swung a powerful punch at me. I was caught a bit off guard and had to take it, pushed the dizzy feeling away and returned the blow two-fold: once in the gut and once in the forehead, managed to knock him back just as Goku was coming at me again, grinning from ear to ear, claws splayed and ready to tear into me.
It was absolute madness. One moment Jade was beside me, fighting shoulder to shoulder with me, and then she was out of sight. Goku's attacks rained down hard upon me, lightning quick and full of raw, unholy power, so consistent and so fluid, it was all I could do to keep up. Before I was even done fighting him off, Ryptcore was on the other side of me, attacking just as strongly and just as quickly, grinning just as psychotically. I warded them both off for as long as I could, and just when I felt I couldn't go on for another moment, Jade was back, slicing Ryptcore across the back with the tip of her sword and attacking Goku with her chi at the same time.
I ducked down. She jumped over me, sword flashing milk white in the moonlight, glancing off Goku's claws. I heard them both snapping and snarling and taunting each other; Goku's laughter seemed like it would never end. Ryptcore's pain didn't put him off for more than a second. I heaved more chi at him. He took it right in the torso, acted like it was nothing, but I could see how much it had hurt. He grabbed a fistful of Jade's hair, caught the front of my shirt, slammed the three of us together, sandwhiching Goku between the two of us. All three of us collapsed in a heap, yelping from surprise and discomfort. All three of us were up not a split second later. All three of us went at him with claws and teeth and steel and raw energy.
An agonized howl ang through the woods and I saw that Jade had run her sword through Goku's stomach somewhere in the pandemonium. Rypcore took the opportunity to slice across his arm.
Goku rolled out of the way, just before either of them managed to finish him off, threw his head back with an angry, commanding shout, and I saw chi flowing up out of the earth, flowing up his limbs and into him, and just like that, the wounds were healed. Just another difficulty of facing the Seiten Taisei.
The scent of blood was all around us now, saturating the air. Ryptcore tore into my side. Jade jumped on him and bit into his neck, doing her best to rip out his throat with her teeth and nothing more. He threw her off, directly into Goku's arms. He slashed her straight down the arm. Blood. Blood. Blood. It was everywhere. It was making me crazy, making me smile.
All around, the night was dark and the air was cool. That delicious smell was covering everything. I grinned to myself as I carved a long laceration down Ryptcore's chest, and then another and another. Jade and I jumped on him at the same time and actually managed to bring him to the ground. We were on him for a few moments, sitting astride him, both of us going at him with our claws, ripping up hunks of flesh and seeing fresh blood pool. I was caught in it. That sight. That smell. I felt…liberated. I lifted my hands to taste it on my claws and I felt wild.
Enemies and friends. Friends and enemies. The golden eyes of the Seiten Taisei were glowing as he joined us. Just another youkai born to fight and kill. The green eyes of the woman beside me…they were fantastically gorgeous and dangerous, beautifully violent and alluring. I saw her grinning, bright red staining white teeth. It was on me too. Soaking me. Warming my skin. The Seiten Taisei was laughing. Why not? I wanted to laugh too. This was what it meant to be a youkai. This was what it meant to be alive.
When Ryptcore managed to throw us all off, he was bleeding badly and moving slowly. Our prey. He was weakened now. The three of us could take him down. The three of us could kill him easily. Then I'd finish the Seiten Taisei and the woman as well. I would be the victor. I was the most powerful. I would devour what was left of the half-bloods. I would devour all the humans I came across. I would devour the entire world in a snap of gnashing, bloodied teeth.
Ryptcore knocked me in the head, but it was nothing. I hardly felt the pain. It was just another part of being alive. Alive and strong and fierce and full of the will to fight. I watched as Goku bit him in the shoulder and more blood gushed down his chest. He wasn't even screaming now. He was smiling too. He knew this was the reality of life. He knew this was the way we youkai lived and died. There was nothing more precious than this will to fight. Nothing more sacred than this unearthly violence.
I wanted it to exend past this night and into forever.
