Takara and Yui saw him long before Tetsuya did, but even has the figure appeared as a speck over the horizon, they all felt his presence. Takara's ears twitched for a moment, the distant and distinct sound of feathers reaching her. She stood steady for a moment, making sure that the wind she felt coming towards her was truly affecting her song. Drawing out the note she played for a moment, she let her arm fall to her side and shifter her body so she could keep an eye on both Etsu while addressing Yui and Tetsuya. The gasps told her that they didn't feel what she did as she watched with yellow eyes the wind barrier dissipate.

"What are you doing?" Yui asked.

"The wind from his wings clashes with the wind from Autumn's Despair. If I continue trying to protect the pillar in that way, I'll be struggling against Etsu without really fighting. I'd much rather face him head on..."

"Then let me fight him," Yui said. "If I can keep him occupied while you protect the pillar, then..."

"You can't face him alone," Tetsuya said, the fear making his voice crack slightly. "All of us together were barely a match for him. What good will one be?"

"Then we'll make it two," Takara replied. She stretched out her hand towards Yui, who moved towards the older woman.

Tetsuya grabbed her upper arm.

"You can't. I...I don't want to lose you."

Yui reached up, cupping his cheek in one hand. She was terrified, certainly. He could feel her racing heartbeat, which pattered out the same rhythm as his. But her eyes, serpentine as they may be, held an unwavering resolve.

"Once upon a time, I was devoted to Nu Kwa. However, more than protecting Nu Kwa...more than protecting what's left of the world...I want to protect Miaka. She's done so much for me, I can't just give up without a fight."

His fingers slowly loosened up their grip, sliding down her arm to rest for a moment on hers. With teary-eyes, he nodded.

"If you let go of that key, I'll never forgive you," she whispered, managing a smile for him.

She turned away, reaching out towards Takara's waiting hand. If she looked back now, she'd be lost.

Whatever they were discussing, it mattered not. He didn't even bother trying to eavesdrop. He wasn't at full strength. However, he didn't need to be. The four Mikos and four shineiheis were no match for him. The two Mikos that moved out to meet him would be less than a warm-up stretch.

He folded in his wings, reabsorbing them into his body to conserve his energy. There was still another battle after this that may give him more trouble than he cared to acknowledge.

"If you had stayed behind that pretty little barrier of yours, you would at least have died with relatively little pain. But now...well, I'll just have to have a little fun."

Takara's lip curled up in what could have been a smirk or a snarl. Still, it wasn't that gesture that bothered him. It was the conviction in their eyes. Both of those damned Mikos looked so impossibly sure of themselves. But why wasn't the shinehei fighting alongside them...

His eyes flashed towards him for a moment, noting his close presence to the pillar... Whatever he was doing was key to getting to the Lady and the Dragon.

"No," Yui said softly, noticing his gaze and wishing she'd had her staff. She took a stance, arms held before her as she planted her feet firmly in the ground. Takara backed up a few steps, taking a defensive position behind her.

Etsu took a moment and considered them both. He wasn't certain how much they could do, so he had to prepare for the worst while being confident in their weakness and his strength.

"Well, my dear handmaidens, let us get this final dance over with."

Without another word, he drew his bow, an arrow of dark energy appearing in his hand. Yui eyed him, wondering how this fight would play out. He was obviously a distance fighter, and she briefly entertained the thought that if she and Takara could make it a close fight, they would have the upper hand. It was a fleeting hope, but it was all they could hold on to at the moment.

The arrow flew through the air, almost too fast to see. Yui panicked for a moment as she felt Takara begin to play. The ground trembled in front of her as it separated itself from the ground, forming a makeshift staff out of earth and stone. Grabbing the staff, Yui spun it before her, using both weapon and energy to create a shield. The arrow hit the earthen staff, the energy peeling off and around her, drifting by Takara without affecting her. Yui began to charge Etsu, Takara's wind carrying her faster than she could move on her own. Arrow after arrow flew towards her, as she dodged the ones she could and knocked many of them out of the way. It did not stop a few from hitting her. She felt the blood start to drip down her cheek, her leg, her side. All shallow cuts, but the pain would only worsen as the fight dragged on.

Takara quickly changed songs, the ground in front of her trembling. Vines tore through the earth, galloping across the plain to meet Etsu. He finally moved from the location he had been standing in since the confrontation began. The vines attempted to ensnare him, snatching at his ankles as he tore away from them, knowing as Takara knew that if they took firm hold that the battle would be over.

Yui wracked her mind for a moment, turning over each of her Seishi's powers, wishing she'd spent more time mastering each particular ability. Still, not was the time for action, not wishing. Swinging her staff, she pulled on her power, doubling and tripling her image until there were sixteen of her, praying that the illusion would throw off Etsu, if not completely confuse him.

He'd known, for a split moment, which was the real Yui and which ones were illusions. However, the exhaustion started to sink in again. He was spending too much power, while the Mikos had done little more than rest over this final leg of the journey. His power was not so much that he could summon demons in the midst of this holy place without putting his own life force in peril. But that didn't mean he was out of tricks just yet.

Takara noticed the smirk on Etsu's face and transmitted her cautious feelings to Yui. The woman understood, standing still for a moment. If there was ever a time to go all out...

She pointed her staff towards the heavens, praying that even in the depths of the earth, a storm could form.

And it could.

Tetsuya leaned with all his weight against the key, watching the light disappear as the storm clouds covered the battlefield. This task was definitely meant for two, not one.

"Damn it, Miaka. Pull yourself together and get your ass where you need to be. We don't have much time."

They paused up the stairs for a moment. The energy...those emotions...

"They're fighting Etsu," she said softly, the sound almost a whimper.

She still clung to him, supporting herself only through Ryu's strength. It had been a long time since he'd had to support her. The feeling was as comforting as it was disconcerting, mixing old sensations with the current troubles. He looked down at her, noting unhappily how pale she was.

"Miaka, you have to pull yourself together. If we don't make it to the top of these stairs, then all that they've done...all any of them have ever done will be in vain. There's only one way to stop all this..."

"I know, Ryu," she said, her voice coming out sharper than she'd intended. "I know. But I just can't...I mean...what can I do to help?"

"Just believe in them, Miaka. Your belief is more than enough."

The dizi flew through the air, painting words in the air with the eerie grey light of Byakko. Etsu watched, attempting to not give into his own despair. He hated to admit, and did so only begrudgingly, but the Mikos had grown stronger. Maybe it was this damned air...

The words transformed into whatever their material form might be. Everything from wild wolves to arrows flew his way. The few demons he'd managed to summon had drained him greatly, but he only needed to hold out for a while longer. He eyed the arrow heading his way. It was now or never...

A snarl erupted from his throat as the arrow dug itself deep into his side. He couldn't have asked for a better placed attack. It also meant the damned Mikos were getting more accurate with their own attacks. This battle should well be over as long as he can sustain himself until his trump card could be played.

Snapping the arrow in half, he sent a spurt of energy into the broken shaft before tossing it on the ground. He dodged the wolf nipping at his heels, kicking it viciously before slashing its head off with the dagger he kept at his belt. It took only a second, but Etsu wrenched out the arrow, sparing it a fleeting glance before tossing it away as well. There had not been any huge chunks of flesh on the thing, but there was enough.

He coughed once, tasting the blood in his mouth, but managing to smirk a little. The pain would well be worth it...

He's up to something. Be careful, Takara told Yui.

She didn't need to be told that. His offensive attacks had slackened considerably. He was just managing to defend himself, and she hadn't been completely oblivious to whatever had happened concerning Takara's arrow in his side.

Still, she was tiring, and she knew that both Takara and Tetsuya were reaching their limit.

For the love of all things sacred, Miaka....hurry to the top!

Miaka tilted her head, glancing up the staircase. Yui's plea had reached her, and she took a deep breath. What if she couldn't make it to the top before something happened? And even when they did make it to the top...

She felt strong hands on her shoulders and was not particularly surprised when Ryu shook her once.

"Miaka! Don't give up when we've still got so much to do. We've already come so far. Can't you see?"

He looked up and followed his gaze with a finger. It was hard to discern with the spiraling of the stairs, but there was a small patch that did not match the same marble as the rest of the structure. There was a darkness there that could not have been explained by any means other than...

"The exit," she said.

Her spirit and mouth smiled.

Yui let out a soft sigh of relief. Miaka was in better spirits, and she could feel that they were close to the end. Now, they just had to last a little longer...

Damn, this had been a risky decision, but he could heal himself as soon as he reached the celestial realm, that gap between heaven and earth. He could draw power from Gong Gong once more, and finish off this battle that had been going on too long.

Only he noticed the small black rat that dragged the flesh-covered arrowhead towards the pillar.

Both Yui and Takara knew that Etsu couldn't last much longer. He'd lost too much blood, even for a demon. Takara approached Yui where she stood, the two standing together, wondering what would be the best way to end this quickly. The plan formed in bits and pieces, but that was all they needed right now.

Yui thrust her makeshift staff into the air, raining down hail and lightning onto Etsu. Vines and roots erupted from the ground underneath him in hopes of tripping him up for one moment. A moment was all they needed...

A moment was all he needed. After that, it would matter no more.

The lightning struck Etsu, and he let out a scream of pain. He was immobilized for a moment, and that was all that Takara's vines needed. They swiftly climbed up his body, his arms struggling to get free as he lost blood and flesh to thorns in his struggle. His arms raised above his head as the vines reached his throat.

"Gotcha," Takara and Yui smiled.

"Gotcha," Etsu smirked. In a moment, he formed the intricate handsign needed to invoke the spell he'd spent far too long establishing. A flash of black lightning erupted from his body.

Takara and Yui let out a soft sigh of relief as they watched the vines that had once covered Etsu's body slacken, no longer having anything to cling to. Etsu had vanished, and hopefully, would leave them in peace for a few moments longer. They looked at each, soft smiles on their faces as they turned to head back to the pillar.

They took no more than two steps before being faced with Etsu, his hand around Tetsuya's throat, a long nail placed precariously at the man's Adam's apple. With the other hand, he beckoned them. Yui and Takara struggled to keep their emotions at bay. They knew that to let them get out of control would hurt them in two ways. First, it would let Etsu know just how much of an upper hand he had. Second, Miaka would fall back into her despair.

Finally, he motioned them to stop, some distance away, but close enough that they could see the drop of blood slip down Tetsuya's neck and bleed into the fabric of his shirt.

"That's much better, my little handmaidens. I will admit, you were more formidable than I'd imagined, and I applaud you for forcing me to take such drastic measures."

He kicked an object on the ground. Yui heard the squeak and, looking down, saw a glimpse of the mouse before it changed back into the shaft of the arrow. The arrowhead was nowhere to be seen.

"Enough bantering. What do you want?" Yui hissed.

"To be honest, my dear, what I want, you can't give me. Other than stopping this minor skirmish we've found ourselves in."

Takara snorted softly. Minor skirmish indeed...

A soft gasp left Tetsuya's lips as Etsu's nail dug deeper. Yui shot a look at Takara, who trembled slightly, well aware of her mistake.

"I was going to let you witness the end of what's left of your world. However, I may decline to be so merciful if I'm not afforded the respect of my position."

Etsu let his gaze flow from Takara back to Yui. She struggled not to see the grimace on Tetsuya's face. She had to be strong...

"I will let him go in a moment, Xiao Chen. I'm not so cruel as to deny you and your lover a few fleeting moments. But I will tell you exactly what I want.

I want you to tell the Lady and Dragon that I am coming for them. I want them to feel your despair as you know I head towards them. I want to see the fear on both of their faces."

Yui bit her lip, struggling not to succumb to the emotion as he spoke of it. He laughed at her inner turmoil, taking a finger from his free hand and catching the blood that trickled from Tetsuya's throat. With a slow, lingering lick, Etsu savored the blood, resisting the urge to have more. He'd have his fill soon enough.

"Come hold the key, my dear. I have a pathway to clear."

Don't do it! He can't go after Miaka. We have to protect her.

With tear-filled eyes, Yui finally looked at Tetsuya, softly shaking her head no.

I can't lose you, Tetsuya. I'd rather die with you and the rest of the world than exist without you.

She started walking towards the key.

Before Yui could take more than a few steps, Tetsuya impaled himself onto Etsu's nail. Yui screamed as Tetsuya's blood spilled over Etsu's hand and his own clothing, not paying any attention to Tetsuya's own slacking grip on the key. Takara and Etsu both noticed it, however, and both took very different actions.

Miaka's steps had a new sense of urgency. The exit was so close, she could now feel a breeze of fresh air gently caressing her face and lifting her hair. It was only when Tetsuya chose to sacrifice himself that her steps faltered. Ryu and she both felt the loss of life, combined with the wave of despair and fear, and looked at each other. No sooner did they feel that than both heard Takara's voice all but screaming in their minds.

Run!

They did.

Etsu left Tetsuya to Yui, dropping the man's body into her arms. In an instant, he slipped inside the pillar, summoning all of his energy to unleash a large energy blast directed straight towards the top.

Miaka and Ryu felt the charge of energy before they felt the pillar start to tremble. It took them only a moment to realize it was collapsing. The center started to crumble, disappearing and fractures in the wall appeared as the integrity of the entire structure was thrown into disarray. Miaka glanced around them, took a chance, grabbed Ryu and opened her wings.

Etsu opened his wings and managed to enter the pillar just as Tetsuya let go of the key. He knew time was against him as the pillar began to solidify underneath him even as it crumbled above him. It was a race to make it to the top before he became part of the pillar. It was his only chance to survive any of this.

He flew.

Miaka flew straight and true as Ryu knocked aside the debris that threatened to crush them both. When she finally emerged through the top, it was all she could do to hold herself up as Ryu fell out of her arms and she fell to her hands and knees, gasping for breath. The sounds of the pillar grew louder only to be followed by the sound of stone grinding on stone. Miaka finally realized the loss she'd felt earlier.

"Tetsuya. What has he done to you..."

Ryu knelt before her, taking her face in his hands.

"If we hurry, we should be able to save him."

Miaka spared a glance at him before they both jarred at hearing a long gasp followed by a low wheezing. They turned in the direction of the noise...

There Etsu lay, one wing all but torn to shreds, laying in a small pool of his own black blood. However, his eyes were very bright as he saw Miaka and Ryu. She clung to him, fear stronger than rage as the demon pushed himself upright, never shifting his sight away from them.

"At last, Lian...At last, I can finally free you..."

Although the words were heard, whatever meaning they hid was lost behind the horror that neither Ryu nor Miaka could deny in seeing that Etsu was somehow healing himself.