DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything.
Hehe...he...he. Whelp, guess what? The end of the world. The end. of the. world.
Someone's gonna die! :D
CHAPTER 26: Fear before Chance
The thought of fighting alone didn't bug me. Fighting alongside someone wasn't much of a problem either; I'll gladly accept the help. But, the least they could do was understand the gravity of the situation, right? I mean, if you were getting attacked by hordes of zombies and your buddy was telling you 'you're holding your gun wrong' or something, you'd get mad, right?
Now you understand my predicament.
"Get out of here!" The girl next to me snapped, her eyes flashing red and a few of the vampires colliding into a scuffle, "Your only getting in the way!"
My eyebrow twitched as my wooden spike impaled one into a rock. We were practically back to back (though with a noticeable size difference) and she was still nagging me. I wasn't too keen on leaving the gate, especially since she'd be the only one guarding it. Not to be rude, but having only mind control isn't much of a solo power. It takes time and focus which this situation direly lacks.
"I'm not going anywhere." I responded stubbornly, irritated my energy was slowly depleting. I had to save that for the main battle, not these guys. It was starting to tick me off- the hordes were endless!
Ruka was not amused.
"They're after you, idiot!" I was surprised she even called me a name, but I sensed some sort of panic in her voice and another emotion I couldn't identify. But I knew she was wrong. They were after Yuki, not me. I'm just the happy meal they picked up on their way to the restaurant.
"It doesn't matter. We have to protect the day class." I rebutted, crossing my arms over each other and two spikes mirrored the movement, slamming two attackers together. For a moment, I admired how Ruka seemed to act flawlessly with her attacks, taking one after another down without a hint of exhaustion. And then she had to ruin it by sending me a glare.
"This is no time for heroics! Get out of here!"
"The same goes for you."
She threw her hands in the air, "You're going to get us all killed."
Nope. Just me.
I shook my head, deciding not to respond and focus more on the oncoming waves of crazies. They were all level E, with some averages mixed in, but nothing I'd not expect of followers. It was strange how resilient I now was to their deaths (but I still felt dread over the fact that I was actually getting used to it) and even stranger how easy it was to kill them. For one, I could probably poke them and they'd turn to dust. But they were energy killers, and even Ruka who's been pretty strong willed when it comes to this stuff, was starting to sweat.
"Look," She began, using the tone of 'if you do this I'll give you a cookie' usually reserved for children, "I'm going to make a break in their lines. When I do, you need to run to safety, got it?"
I felt like saluting, "No, ma'am."
She growled, eyes flashing red and ducking to avoid a vampire that got to close only to be captured by vines, "Quit being so stubborn and go!"
"Ruka!"
Our attention went to a red haired boy, towering above the ranks of vampires and literally lighting them on fire. He broke through, rushing to be by his classmate and help stall off the lines. I ran passed him, stunning them both when I skipped through the opening.
"It's been real," I called as I ran, ignoring Ruka's yells and Kain's confusion, "But I've got to go play dollhouse."
Yeah.
Right.
Now that Kain was there to do buddy duty, I was free to do as I pleased (though I felt like I should be prepared for Ruka to beat the ever living crap out of me- pureblood or not). I ran to the courtyard where I had been half an hour earlier, stopping to catch my breath and embarrassingly fix my messed up uniform. During battle, you forget a lot of the little things.
The grounds were empty, which was a good thing, but I did come across the occasional follower sniffing around. They were dealt with and I went on my merry way, in search of where everyone was held up. Ironically, it turned out to be the same dining hall I had destroyed when I first came here.
The Night Class was stationed on all perimeters and both Yagari and the headmaster had gone to the gate (I was glad I didn't run into them). The only ones I recognized though were Seiren who was stoically watching the huddled mass of day class students who were anxiously sitting around. She had taken up position on the second floor and her eyes immediately made contact with mine when I entered.
I didn't really want to think of what she would do if I stayed too long, so I quickly scooped out what was there and what was not. I worried idly if there was still day class on the grounds but that was solved when I noticed Aido coming in one of the side entrances with a short girl at his side. He started boasting about something, one of them being rescuing Yuki's friend and saving the day class (though they did not look happy to see him which led me to believe they found out).
I short conversation started between the two sides and it seemed tensions dissolved while I retreated out the same door I entered, careful not to be noticed. I had to go off the road though when I noticed Kain and Ruka coming with two day class girls who looked as pale and terrified as ever. And of course, I would hate to be beaten up by Ruka.
I strayed for a bit, finding myself fighting more stragglers until I felt it. Well, I both sensed it, smelt it, and felt it. Dark smog seemed to have settled over the school and the smell burned my eyes. It almost seemed like the trees were bowing, creaking sideways and that to get lower to the ground and the wind had disappeared.
I gulped, dread creeping.
So this is the power of a grown pureblood.
I was pretty sure even Kaname didn't exert this much…power. Then again, something about switching bodies and being sealed for some thousands of years can do a thing or two. Carefully, I made my way towards the moon dorms, covering my nose due to the smell. It was like rotten eggs and sulfur was assaulting my nostrils. It…was suffocating.
But I sensed her. Yuki, somewhere nearby, and her energy was spiking. That wasn't good, but she wasn't alone. She was with Maria and I wasn't too sure if that was good or bad. She was just newly reborn or whatever and to be tossing around that much energy was like a giant flag in the middle of an open field.
I bolted. No way was I leaving her for the wolves.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I was petrified.
Behind a tree.
Watching it.
Inwardly, I was scolding myself for being so cowardly, so weak. But he was right there. I didn't even sense him and he was right there yet his aura was everywhere! And poor Yuki, with that wicked scythe at her side and Maria timidly next to her, a dozen or so hawks ready to fire. They looked as scared as I felt.
He stood there, not even twenty yards away, cloaked in black with two different colored eyes glaring fiercely under reddish-brown hair. A smirk completed it, confident with fangs poking out of his deranged smile.
I admit that all my tough talk about killing him back fired it one big oh shit.
I was not prepared!
Thinking about it, what had I really done to prepare? I hadn't trained, hadn't motivated myself with any tactics other than 'beat his ass'. I started to shake. God dang it, people were going to die because I'm so stupid.
"You're a monster!" Yuki was yelling, tears prickling her eyes, "Killing my parents…it's…"
My heart went out to Yuki, who probably felt vulnerable in a situation. Especially since she just found out her new powers, new life, and her unthinkable past. And that this man was the reason for all her troubles. No words could comprehend.
"Yuki-san…" Maria's voice was weak and I could actually see her quivering, "it's…its him. The enemy we've spoke of!"
Rido laughed.
It was such a hair rising thing to hear, jolts of fear tingling down my spine at the malice within it. Even when he stopped, the mirth in his voice didn't fade.
"Enemy of the purebloods', eh? How unfitting…I much prefer a single pureblood…"
Yuki visibly paled. I felt my heart hammering against my ear drums.
"Juri's blood…I've finally found it…" He was almost cackling, taking fear to an unimaginable level as it literally seemed to choke me. Maria cried out, falling to her knees and gripping her head. Yuki was at her side, frantically glancing between her and Rido as the man approached.
"Now, I've finally found it."
He leaped forward, his hands turning in to talons, Yuki standing protectively in front of Maria, her own weapon shaking in her hands. Still, I admire her determination at such a time, even glaring back at him.
"You'll not get any closer!"
The air shifted, just a fraction, when they collided. Yuki actually held her ground, but only for a moment. The mad man swiped away Artemis, even as it crackled around his hands. Yuki backed up, only to trip on Maria, sending them both sprawling to the ground. Luckily, it snapped the noble vampire out of it to fling her hand forward in a familiar wave.
"Get back!" the birds swooped down, spiraling forwards and slicing at him. he backed up a step, even as his shoulders were literally shredded he cockily placed a hand over one.
"Such a bold move, yet it'll do nothing." Disgustingly, the flesh began to mold back together and the two before him watched in horror as it reformed. He reveled in their fear.
"You're finished!"
I closed my eyes shut, wishing that anything could happen and wishing it wouldn't and oh my kami I'm so lost someone please help me I can't see what I'm supposed to do-
Something fell out of my pocket. It landed on my foot, clicking and spreading open on the grass. I stared, stared, and stared. My heart was still pounding, yet a sense of calmness came over me. A sense of…power.
Shakily, I picked up my fan.
My plan…was all you.
I whipped around the tree, my hand throwing the fan up into the air. A wall of wood crashed between the three, separating the good and the bad. I jumped a top it, weaving the fan and vines snapped out of the ground, wrapping around his legs and arms.
He was unimpressed.
"A nuisance has appeared."
His voice still made me want to climb into a hole, and although my breathing wasn't the best at the moment, I steeled myself.
"Isn't it about time you give up?" I glanced at Yuki and Maria, the former helping the ladder stand and hopping they'd be smart enough to run. Because there was no bad ass Zero to save us, and Yuki is pretty powerful now, there is hardly anything protesting her other than a mortified Maria.
Rido grasped ahold of a section of vines, his smile bordering snake like.
"Insolent child, you're interference will be your end."
My plants evaporated, sparkles of light disappearing in their traces and I leapt back to avoid an explosion where I previously was. A million and one thoughts rushed my head but the only one standing out was the obvious- Keep him away from Yuki!
My hand flew upward into different motions; the tree's groaning as branches flew outward, swiping at him as he sprinted by. I panicked for a moment as he got closer, knowing I couldn't retreat with the others being right behind me. My hands instantly flew upward and down, bringing the tree's down with them.
They uprooted and blocked his path, slamming onto the road and hopefully him. I panted, tensely waiting for signs of movement. Yuki startled me by joining my side. Even with all the issues around, she looked better, prettier I guess. Long hair didn't seem to suit her but; I guess that's the perks of a seal.
"Shizumi," She glanced backward at Maria who was hyperventilating, "Can you get Maria away from here?"
Oh no. No, no, no, no.
"That's not possible, Yuki." I bit my lip as the trees began to rumble, "We're cornered."
Before she could respond, the clearing exploded. The tree trunks rolled everywhere and the man behind it all stood in the center of a crater, smoldering soil around him. A single eye glared at me from beneath his bangs.
"You've become an annoying thorn in my side." His hands returned to their gruesome talon form, "If I must go through you, I'll show no mercy."
Then, he disappeared. My heart almost stopped. Everywhere I looked but he was nowhere. Yuki was doing the same and I made sure to keep an eye on Maria. But I forgot one place. One. Place.
"Die!"
I paled.
Above!
I whipped around, fan at the ready. It was too late and I felt a harsh jab of pain through my abdomen, choking as I was upper cut back into a nearby tree. Yuki cried out, swinging her scythe and managed to get his side, along with his hasty retreat out of her range. She had been swinging for his chest, which gave me a clue she knew a purebloods weakness.
I coughed, shakily standing and swallowing the bile rising. The punch left me breathless and dizzy, though still able to stand. Everything was a blurry mess until I saw Yuki frantically battling him, swinging her weapon as fast as she could. He dodged just as fast, even managing to get a cut on her cheek.
And then he caught her throat.
I jumped forward before I could even stop myself, rushing to save her from being strangled as he held her above the ground. Something inside me screamed when Artemis dropped from her hand, but all thoughts stopped as he turned to me.
"Not a step farther or else."
I froze.
Behind me, I heard a scream. Turning, my gut sank at the sight of two lackeys dragging Maria away. She was kicking and fighting, only a few birds helping her in her time of need. She was still in shock, tears in her eyes, struggling as they readied to eat her alive.
I glanced between the two, eyes wide.
Rido grinned.
"Who will you choose, little one?" he said it like he would to a bug, a gnat in his way. Something he'd squash no matter the option. Yuki coughed, struggling to release his hold but to no avail. He wide red eyes were trained on me and I felt a jolt of pain.
Who do I save? Maria or Yuki? Maria? Yuki?
Who?!
"Shizumi!" Maria cried and Yuki whimpered, the growls of the enemy getting louder and Rido's god dang infuriating smirk-
I was exhausted. My energy was still okay, but mentally I was suffering. So much pressure, so much pain, the lives in my hands and if I choose one the other will surely die- Who do I save?! I don't know who!
So I did the only thing I could do.
I saved myself.
SORRY! NOPE! GOTTA WAIT! MUAHAHAHAHA! -the author is currently busy building a bullet proof bunker-
GaleSynch- Yup. Most likely Takuma but I'm not to sure about that. If it does happen, it wont be for awhile.
aurtn- NU! One she's awkward around and the others she hates! Sparkle vampire forevers!
SleepingMelodies- Awww. I'm glad you like it!
ChristinCC- then use duct tape. It works. Thanks for reviewing!
PEACE OUT!