Chapter Fourteen - Mysterious Menace

Vai woke up to Kai's kiss with a start, breathing fast. "It's alright," Kai whispered, holding her tight soothingly. Her tense body relaxed in his embrace, her breathing slowing to its normal rate. "It was just a dream," her boyfriend reassured her. "Don't worry…I'm sure it won't happen."

For two nights now, Vai had been disturbed by nightmares of Kai being mortally wounded and lying dead on the floor, dripping in blood. These sickening visions struck terror and despair in to her heart.

Vai burst into tears. Kai held her close, stroking her glossy, tangled raven hair. "I know, Vai, I know," he murmured, squeezing her gently in his arms. He rocked her slightly, crooning reassurances, love, devotion and passion in his quiet, serious voice.

Vai's sobs faded as Kai hugged her. He soothed her tears and gently brushed them away as they fell down her cheeks. He still held her tight as she fell back to sleep, letting her know that she was safe with him and everything was going to be alright.

The next day, Kai returned to Hiwatari Mansion to hear some terrifying news. Vai also heard about it, watching it on television. A mysterious, unknown person was targeting Beybladers all over the country. Vai felt herself recoil as they showed bodies of bladers that had had their throats slitted. A shiver trickled down her spine. The cuts were the same size as a Beyblade, deep and bloody. Who could have done this? Other unscathed bodies were shown too. They were even worse than the mutilated ones. There was not a scratch on them, yet their skin was deathly pale and shrivelled, their face skeletal, with lifeless, staring eyes almost popping out of the skull; the mouth gaping open in a silent scream. It turned out that the numbers of deaths were low although many had been attacked and were either in hospital in a critical condition or in special care, as some victims were seemingly unhurt, but were lifeless and unfeeling…and couldn't do anything for themselves; as if their very soul had left them, but their body still lived on.

Vai shuddered at how blank their eyes were. It's like living death, she thought, grimacing. It was obvious that a Beyblader was doing this, a very strong Beyblader. But who were they - and why were they killing innocent Beybladers? Suddenly, the nightmare she had been having for so many nights now made chilling sense. Kai's blank eyes wide in his pale, skeletal face…blood gushing from his gaping mouth and the huge gash in his cut-open neck, staining the floor…his body utterly still, lifelessly inert…Heart pounding, Vai shook the memory of the nightmare out of her mind. Pull yourself together, she told herself firmly. It's just a dream…a stupid, unreal dream. "It won't happen," she announced aloud. "It will not happen…not happen to Kai Hi…Hiwata…" The girl broke off as her voice cracked and she let out a cry that was nearly a sob of despair, before bursting into tears.

The next day, at Whitford High, Vai told Kai and Wyatt about her nightmare and how she had suddenly been struck by the terrifying way it was related to what had been happening to Beybladers in Russia and the world. She broke down in tears as she concluded her explanation. The girl was taken into an embrace, warmth surrounding her. She snuggled against Kai's chest while he soothed her in a soft murmur. "I just couldn't bear to lose you, Kai," she sobbed, her voice cracking. "I wouldn't live…" She was racked by anguished sobs, her cries of despair tugging at Kai's heart. Wyatt was deeply moved by her love for Kai. He brushed a tear from his eye while Kai's embrace around Vai became protective.

"I know how you feel," Kai told Vai softly. "I would be lost without you…you mean everything to me." She shivered as a chilling gale ripped through the school grounds. Kai wrapped his school blazer around her, pressing her against his warm chest. She cried even harder and with more anguish into his chest, soaking him with her tears. "I know, Vai, I know…" Kai crooned in Russian, stroking her hair and rubbing her shoulders affectionately. "Shhhh…I'm here. Don't cry, it's okay." He kissed her, long and firmly. His gentle touch soothed her pain and hushed her sobs.

Vai relaxed as he held her, safe and warm. She leaned against his comforting body, snuggling into his chest. With a long sigh, she closed her eyes. She breathed softly in deep, rhythmic breaths.

"She's…asleep," Wyatt breathed.

Kai nodded, placing a finger to his lips. He rocked her slightly in his arms, and she drifted into a deeper sleep. "She needs it," he whispered. "School's finished now, so let's take her home."

Vai slept on peacefully in her bed back at her house. Kai and Wyatt watched over her as she slept, Kai stroking her hair gently, the soft black strands like silk running through his fingers.

Slowly, Vai's eyes opened. "Kai? Wyatt?"

"It's good to see you're awake," Wyatt told her cheerfully, smiling at her.

"How do you feel?" Kai asked her calmly.

"Fine," his girlfriend answered, smiling at both him and Wyatt. "Thanks for watching over me." The two boys nodded, accepting her thanks. Vai was no longer upset and felt refreshed, thanks to her sleep. Just then, Wyatt's mobile phone sounded out its ringtone. Hastily, Kai's friend trotted out of the room to answer the call. While he was doing that, Kai laid his hand on top of Vai's.

"I'll find out who's been attacking bladers, don't worry," he reassured her. "And I'll make sure that they don't hurt me or you, I promise." He held up his little finger. "Pinky swear on it." Vai nodded, wrapping her own little finger around his. They gently shook fingers. They let go, and Kai kissed Vai's cheek passionately. "I'll always protect you, my Vai, I swear it," he told her fiercely. "I'll always be there for you…" They embraced, Vai kissing Kai on the lips affectionately with a long, firm kiss. He responded to it, his lips returning her touch as he kissed her back.

They stopped kissing as Wyatt burst into the room. "Got to go!" he told them quickly. "I'll see you two at school tomorrow!" With that, he rushed off without a backward glance. Kai and Vai stared after him for a moment, before bursting out laughing.

Kai's mobile phone began to ring, vibrating in his pocket. He quickly took it out and answered the call. Tyson's face appeared on the screen.

"Kai, Kenny's found out some important information on the person that's been attacking bladers," he said. "Apparently, he's about our age, he's Russian and his name is Damian. He calls himself the Soul Stealer. Damian has made many appearances in Japan - and people say he's black-haired, has grey eyes and wears a grey cloak."

Kai nodded.Vai, peering over his shoulder, also listened to Tyson.

"At the moment, he hasn't reached Tokyo yet - he's just been attacking bladers on the islands around Japan," Tyson explained. "Ray says it's the same with China, that he's striking on the towns and villages around Beijing and hasn't reached where he lives. It's gone like this for Max in America too. So far, everyone's okay."

"We're okay, too," Vai replied. "Moscow hasn't been touched, but St. Petersburg has suffered a lot lately."

Tyson looked relieved, nodding. "Sounds good to me," he smiled. "Keep a look-out for this Damian - he's very dangerous. And remember what I told you about what he looks like."

"We will!" Kai and Vai answered together.

"If anything happens, I'll let you know," Tyson told them, beaming. "See ya, guys!"

The screen went blank. Kai and Vai looked at each other and smiled. It was good to know that all their friends were okay. Thanks to Kenny's description of the Soul Stealer, they would be able to keep a look-out for him and warn the team of his location. And if Damian came their way, they would show him that they weren't to be messed with.

The following day, as Kai and Vai trudged through the heavily falling snow to Hiwatari Mansion after school, a glittering, black Beyblade zipped past Vai to land at her feet. Then without warning, it flew straight for her neck. Reacting quickly, Kai launched Dranzer Tempest. His dark blue blade collided with the other blade fiercely, inches away from Vai's throat. Dranzer, in a single hard push, sent its opponent flying. A figure emerged out of the thick snow and the black blade shot to the person's palm with a loud slap. A boy with short black hair approached them, his hooded grey cloak whipping about in the chilling gale that whirled the snow around.

"What d'you think you're doing, attacking Vai like that?" Kai demanded coldly. He shot the stranger a death glare and the boy quickly averted his eyes. "You're Damian, aren't you?" Kai snapped. "What's your game?"

Damian sniggered nastily. "You're my two next victims," he smirked. "The girl was first on my list but as you seem willing to protect her, I'll have you instead." He raised his Beyblade. It was made of a clear black stone and its inner depths glowed faintly, as if it had a life of its own.

Shivers trickled down Vai's spine as she looked at it. "This is my blade, Shadow Demon," Damian told her icily, his grey eyes flinty as he gazed at her. "Observe, girl, its power - because you'll be next."

Kai stood in front of Vai defensively, his launcher held out at the ready. "Don't you dare talk to her like that," he spat. "She has nothing to do with this - leave her alone. It's me you should be worried about!"

Vai was surprised at his sudden protectiveness over her. "Kai…" she breathed.

"I promised I'd protect you," Kai told her in a whisper that only she heard. "And that's what I'm gonna do."