Chapter 25: Brago's Son?

Finally, everyone was healed. Ai couldn't bring herself to ever use that spell again, ever. As Deming and Kurigari stood up from the onslaught and Jun looked at the pile of ashes that had once been Sachiriku's book, The reality hit that their team had shrunken by more than they bargained for. She closed the book and told them they should head up and join the others. Jun, however, was reluctant.

"What's wrong?" Ai asked, walking to her friend. She rarely ever saw Jun so... unhappy. This unhappy, brooding person couldn't be Jun, she reasoned with herself.

He looked to Ai and pulled his bandanna off his head to reveal hair cropped short. "It's just... whenever I try to help something like this always happens. Sachiriku is gone now. I... there's no reason for me to keep going.

"I mean, ever since I could remember its always been you and Asuru who got the spotlight. You and Asuru who got the good grades. Asuru, the athletic smarty from France, and Ai, the genius musician. What was I? Nothing but Jun the tag-along. Jun the moron. Jun the guy that makes you both seem even more amazing by comparison! Why can't I ever--" Jun was beginning to raise his voice, but Ai silenced him with her finger on his lips. He fumed silently for a few moments before Ai gave a response to what he friend had been feeling. To the jealousy that seemed to be plaguing him.

"Yes. Asuru the Soccer Jock. Ai the Piano Prodigy. But you're something too. You're Jun: the Best Damn Cheerleader in Japan." A smile graced Jun's lips and he nodded, following after Honzou and Deming whom had run ahead into Zanna's throne room.

"Teozakeru!"

"Kikuyo!"

Spells were flying all around the room, and unlike with the other shield, The tornado absorbed the attack, electrically charging it but not really doing anything besides. Zanna was amused by the power of the shield that he had made, and decided that hand to hand would be best for Shun. Meanwhile, Tsuine was having a seemingly good time fighting Koumori, even though the land to air difference put him at a slight disadvantage.

The Von Stelkin siblings seemed to be staring each other down, as though waiting for the other to make the first move. Even when it was clear that neither were going to attack, they didn't make a move.

"Rumi... what are you doing? Why are you working for Zanna?" Byron asked, holding his arms loosely, but opening and closing his hands rhythmically. The girl sighed and rolled her eyes, knowing that he was going to go there.

"'Rumi, why are you working for Zanna?' Blah, blah, blahbitty blah blah, malarky!" The girl said, stomping her foot. She tried to explain that she worked for Zanna because she wanted to. It was a way where she could lose herself in a good battle, one where good fights were easy to come by. Byron scowled a bit at her selfishness, but said nothing to her reasoning.

Deming and Ai picked people to help. It was six versus three, so each of the opposing demons would be double-teamed. Ai and Honzou, rather for old-times sake or because they thought they would be a good team up, joined Tsuine as he attacked Koumori, while Deming hustled to join Byron as he fought Rumi.

Deming and Byron VS Rumi

"Sahuu Eonuu!" Ross shouted, and his demon lifted her hands up, as many small dark balls of energy fired out of her hand like an automatic. Unable to throw up a shield in time, it felt as though they were being pinched and torn by the little balls of energy. Panting, Deming lifted his hands for a spell of his own.

Kurigari, injured but not very much so, opened Deming's book. "Gigano Reisu!" And a ball of gravity went swirling at the opponent. Rumi dodged quite easily, but suddenly became excited upon looking at Deming.

"You must Brago's son! I'm so excited that you're in the battle!"

Deming scratched the back of his head, confused at the girl's sudden emotional change. He admitted that he was indeed Brago's biological son, and that he took after his father almost completely in the way of spells. She began to bounce around in a fashion quite unbecoming for a ruler's candidate.

"Will you... will you please use Aian Gurabirei? I've always wanted to see that spell up close!" Rumi asked, her eyes twinkling.

Deming seemed to become severely confused at this point but shrugged, holding out his arm, and holding it steady with the other hand. Kurigari took in breath for the next spell and said, "Aian Gurabirei!" The floor in front of them slammed down, pressured into the tile, creating a shallow crater. Rumi and Ross were both caught in the spell and although Rumi fought it, found that she could push against it enough to stand. Ross gave it a shot, and although the pressure on his shoulders made it difficult to breathe, they could both stand when Kurigari stopped the spell.

Rumi looked as though she had just entered the store of her dreams. "I've always dreamed of fighting you! Who said working for Zanna had no rewards?" She asked and prepared for another attack. Kurigari shifted herself a bit and Deming glanced to the other team.

"No matter what protect Kurigari for me."

Byron scoffed. "Ever hear of dodging? What is she, blind?"

"Yes."

Breath caught in their throats. Byron and Rumi and everyone else wondered how he could have worked with having a blind bookkeeper. But to that Byron agreed to make sure no attacks hit her, and Deming kicked off the ground to attack the girl in front of him.

Chapter 25! We're officially one-fourth of the way to 100! Whoopee!

Also, thanks to the people who have been loyally reviewing since my glorious return to powah.

Deming: Slave to Noah does not own Konjiki no Gash Bell nor Zatch Bell. Review, or I will Dioga Gurabidon your butt.

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