Chapter 18 Unworthy Fox

Sienna, ilia, Adam and Blake saw the arena collapse and Kituma avoid falling into the blackness below with Scar.

Sienna: Should have known as soon Scar start playing around with Kituma that he was going to fail.

Adam: Then let me finish where he started high leader.

Sienna looking at the bowing to her. But was not sure that it would be a good idea or not. Ilia looks at Blake who was on her knees and went over to place a hand on Blake, but the cat brushes Ilia's hand away and got up and drew Gambal Shroud on her back and turns to Sienna eyes still wet with tears. But Blake was done crying as her determined face was on at the moment.

Blake: I will kill him.

She said with such stern that this caught everyone off guard on her tone as much as she just said. Blake walks out passing the shock Sienna. Adam would normally be happy that Blake has finally got over her weakness of refusing to kill, but he was not sure she would even kill that dam fox so he decides to follow and keep his distance and step in when he knows Blake is too weak to finish the job herself. Ilia knew Blake can't be serious about killing Kituma. I mean she loves Kituma like a brother at the very least. So she follows her friend and crush.

Sienna watching the three go leaving her alone as she pulled her scroll and pull up a picture of her younger days with Kali and Cyan having a good time. Sienna almost cry reflecting on those days when the world was simpler and more fun.

Sienna: Sorry Cyan he is your legacy. I promise I stop from making rolling in your grave.

She put the scroll away and prepare to leave and follow the rest that was hunting for Kituma. Meanwhile, with Kituma he was tired and almost running out of energy and no shape to face people like Adam and Sienna. He could hold his own against Blake but he would not last long without his Grimm form. But soon he came across to White Fang members that aim their spears at him. They seem confident they got the upper hand on Kituma and could beat him.

White Fang pig: He does look as dangerous as Adam claims he was.

White Fang coyote: Yeah guess he brings shame to his family.

Both laugh at his joke but fail to notice Kituma extend one arm out with fingers aim at them. Before either could notice, Kituma's fingers were cover in armor before extending into tendril that pierces into the Pig's body and starts draining his Stamina and Aura. and after a few seconds, the pig fell over knocked out from being drained. Kituma did not know he could do that, but since he knows he aims them tendrils at the coyote and drains him as well. Once he was done with them but both weren't enough he needs more to refuel himself. Kituma trudge ahead and saw four more White Fang goons and they should be enough to recharge him. He crouches down and sneak up behind the first dog and thrust his tendrils into him and drain his aura and stamina which causes him to gasp which caught the attention the other three that drew there weapons to attack him. Kituma thrust his fingers at one to drain him of his stuff as well.

The white fang with an ax charge but Kituma activate Raging Beast to block his strike holding it back. Once the second guy was drained he stabs his finger into the eagle side draining his aura and stamina like the rest. He fell over as well leaving one left which was chicken. And he starts running but got pierced in the back by Kituma's tendril fingers and was drained of his aura and stamina. Once he was done feasting Kituma was not quite back to 100% more like 70%. He felt can at least hold his own now against the strongest people inside the fortress. He soon enters the library of the base and it was big with lots of old and new books within it. He looks and wonders where would the spider demoness be so he can get rid of her and get out before getting too tired to get out. But when he tried to walk out when a gunshot hit the wall next to him causing him to stop. He turns to the shooter and was surprised by who it was.

Blake aiming her pistol at Kituma her eyes slightly red from crying but her look was determination and also being angry: You not Kituma. Your someone who using his skin as a mask.

Kituma: I am Kituma but I was blind by my revenge and by a dark-

Blake not believing him: Don't give me bullshit I know when someone makes up excuses.

Kituma: but. But...

He knew Blake was not going to change her mind. Blake turns Gambal shroud into its blade mode and had the sheath of her weapon in her other hand ready to fight. Kituma drew Rebellious ready to fight as he got into a defensive stance. And both waited and see who will attack first. But since Kituma had no intention to hurt Blake, she was on the offense. She dashes leaping for a slash which Kituma block the blow and the second strike as well. Then hop up spin through the air slashing all about and Kituma uses Raging Beast to block her attacks. Then she uses her Shadow semblance to dash behind him and prepare to slash with the sheath of Gambol Shroud. Kituma spin Rebellious to block her strike knocking her back a bit. While she retreating, and he grabs the spinning blade and tosses it like a spear at her. Blake leans back to let it fly over her. She had an idea and grab the blade to grab it and use it against him. But when she grasps it and try to stop its flight and toss it back, it kept going dragging Blake along the way.

It landed on the floor and Blake try to pick it off the ground, but it was super heavy and almost like it was fighting against her. Kituma walks over knowing Rebellious was fighting against Blake being used by her.

Kituma: Blake your not going to lift my sword so why not chill-

Blake let go of Rebellious and try punching Kituma in the face but he sidesteps from her punches and kicks. One kick he grabs her leg trying to stop her assault but she had an idea and hop up and deliver a one-leg dropkick into Kituma's face knocking him back a bit. Blake hops back to her feet with Gambal Shroud into her hands. Blake grabs the rope ribbon toss Gambal Shroud at Kituma but he drew Monjiro and block her strike. Blake spins the rope sword at Kituma who use Raging Beast to block her strikes. She tries to thrust with the sheath of her weapon like a foil. But Kituma uses Raging Beast to parry her strike before drawing Monjiro and aim the blade to her throat stopping her attack.

Kituma: Now can we talk like normal people?

Blake looks at him at first of rage still blazing in her eyes, but it soon softens to sadness as she realizes that this is Kituma and he back to normal. She presses herself into him avoiding his sword crying into him.

Blake crying: I am so sorry that I rejected you and hurt you. I should be a better friend- no it should be you I love. Not Adam.

IKituma felt better she said it: thanks, Blake… but I got someone new in my life… but I am not sure if she really the one or not. Honestly Blake I only want you happy.

Moving her face to look at him.

Kituma: I only want you happy.

Blake stops crying and smiled and reply: Same with you.

Their lips were close and both wanted to kiss but knew it would be wrong. Then Kituma felt a sting whip on his back causing him to let go of Blake who back away and saw it was Ilia that attack him and Adam was there as well.

Adam ordering: move her out of the way of this… execution.

Ilia ran to Blake pulling her away though Blake fights her. Kituma got up and turn to Adam and call Rebellious to prepare to fight Adam. Adam saw this coming and decide not to give him the chance so he fires launching Wilt at Kituma which hit Kituma with its butt bouncing off Kituma head. Adam dashes forward leaping to bring the blade down on Kituma. The fox rolled out of the way and Rebellious spin between them not realizing he misses and tries to turn around to head back to Kituma's hand. Adam turns and starts firing at Kituma with Blush. Kituma ran to avoid the gunfire and normally would fire aura blades but he wanted to save his energy so he fires with Kitsune and Neko. they got into a gunfight as Rebellious try to return to Kituma but Adam using Wilt smack the blade knocking it off course causing it to go around and try again.

Kituma kept firing but fail to notice that Kitsune and Neko were cracking and breaking down from all his firing with them. Kituma decides to deliver a charging shot at Adam, but not a normal charge shot. He focuses energy into them as the guns glow about to explode with his Grimm energy. Once he saw the right opening, he fire. The gun explodes hurting Kituma's hands with but the two-shot that were footballs in size as they flew to Adam. Adam smirk as he slightly sheath Wilt from Blush to absorb the shots like they were nothing. But the shots flew by him which confuse Adam. then the shots bounce of a bookshelf shaking it from the impact and hit Adam in the back hurting him but that was not Kituma game plan for his attack. It was getting Rebellious back into his hand which still hurt a bit but they stop hurting quickly.

Kituma launches 3 Dark Daggers at Adam as he approaches. Adam absorbs them with Wilt and as he fully sheath it and fires with Blush. KItuma blocks his strikes before doing a side pin launching a red slash attack which force Adam to absorb the attack. But while he did Kituma dash past Adam and wrap his hands around Adam's waist before suplexing Adam into the ground hard cracking the floor. Kituma was running low on energy especially after his charge shot with the now pieces Kitsune and Neko. Adam got up and decide enough playing around and drew his sword fully as all the red on him glow along with his sword. He uses his Moonslice semblance to launch a massive energy slash at Kituma who roll out of the way but the attack made a large hole to outside. The hole outside lead to a waterfall which was connected to the shower and bathing area of the fortress to the river below.

Kituma charge using both hands-on Rebellious. Adam dodges the first strike slashing across Kituma's stomach hurting spilling blood from the cut. Kituma tries swinging once more to cut the crouching Adam's head. But the bull sheath Wilt a bit to block the strike then backhands Kituma causing blood to escape Kituma's lips before thrusting the butt of Wilt into Kituma's chest causing Kituma to let out more blood from his mouth. Blake held back by Ilia and also Sienna.

Sienna: Sorry Blake but he made his choice.

Blake crying: He was not thinking clearly. He admits this.

Kituma raises his sword for one last strike as it was clear he could not last much longer and Adam knew this as he sheath activating his semblance and thrust his sword into Kituma heart causing an explosion of force through Kituma doing serious internal damage to the fox. Adam pushes Kituma to the hole in the wall to the river below smiling evilly.

Adam: don't worry. I take good care of Blake. Better then you could ever do.

Then he kicks Kituma off his blade to cause the fox to fall to the water below and while falling Kituma fell into unconscious before even hitting the water. Blake fell to the floor crying as Ilia comfort her and Sienna went to Adam and place a hand on his shoulder.

Sienna: Should had you done it in the first place.

Adam: all is forgiven, high leader.

Sienna and Adam left to plan for what to do next. Why Ilia stay by Blakes side. She knew Blake going need someone there for so she does not turn her weapon against herself to end pain Ilia thought. Ilia help Blake up and drag her gently to her room to rest after a long busy day. Cinder and Watts with their drone saw Kituma defeat at Adam and his "death" and Watts made a remark.

Watts: well there goes your knight in shining armor.

Cinder: yes he no longer needed if alive or not. Now take me to the city of Mistral. I need to find me some minions to capture fall.

Watts: you're the boss.

As he starts his jet up and flew off to get Cinder to the requested place so she can finally start the job she promises miss Salem a while ago to achieve. But as they left with the drone returning to the plane to dock, a raven flew down to the water and dive into the river that slowly turning red from Kituma's blood. And out from the side of the river was a wet Raven carrying Kituma who was still out cold. Raven examine his pulse and could tell he was still alive.

Raven worry for the boy: Damm it boy your almost as suicidal as your mom. Lucky for you I was doing a lot since we last talk. As she drew her blade and made a portal with her sword slash before sheathing it and pick Kituma and walk through it.

Atlas. A-8 Base

Meanwhile, during this time Winter was shaken up questioning everything because of seeing demons. She did not know who to turn to but Chro. he was in his lab packing up to go to the base in Vale to aid the Vale military and such. Winter knocks at his workplace door hoping he was not too busy, she needed him right now to help with her issue at the moment. Chro answers the door and was surprised to see her there.

Chro: Winter? What are you doing here?

Winter: I… I… need your help.

Showing vulnerability to Chro which is extremely rare even to her own family members. Chro let her in and she did not hesitate as she heads inside. She sat on his workbench as he sits right next to her so the two can talk not as scientist and Huntress, but as friends maybe as a couple.

Chro: is it about that night with you fighting with Kituma.

Winter nodded: they were normal people then became monsters.

Chro agrees with her; Yeah freaky. Is it making harder for you to trust people?

Winter nodded once more: I can't tell who is a demon and who is not.

Chro then said offhand: ones you know for a while you would know if they were acting strange.

Then a light bulb went on in Winter's head: That's it. Anyone new that has no records must be a demon.

She turns and kisses Chro surprising him then broke it as she got up and said: I must stop their plan.

As she left leaving the stun Chro their as he goes back to working on these custom energy handguns base on an Auto 9 with some special modes. They were not finished and won't be for a while before they are combat-ready. As he works someone snuck in and said.

?: Hello mister Merlot.

Chro sighs not liking his family name after his father's actions years ago: Penny you know I don't like it.

Penny realizes her mistake: Sorry Chro. so you working on Auto 9s for Mister Ironwood.

Chro nodded: Yes these be great sidearms for combat uses.

Penny nodded: understand. Well take care Chro

As she left as quick as she came in and he was glad to have some peace and quiet to work.

Anima seas

Kituma was starting to wake and saw he was in a cabin of a ship and looked around and saw a nice desk with a computer and a war table that show a hologram of Fortress of Miyamoto he was once at. He got up and notice bandages around his chest only wearing pants nothing else showing his fit body. When he got up he heard someone said behind him.

Raven: You're awake.

Kituma turns to Raven who was sitting in a chair near the bed he was resting on. Kituma was happy to see Raven.

Kituma: Guess you save me from being fish food.

Raven nodded: Yes what were you thinking to take on the White Fang all by yourself.

She was acting like a concerned mother to Kituma. Kituma ignores her head out of the cabin and saw he was a ship, a pirate ship like but more futuristic. He notices they were not in the sea below but in the skies above the vast sea. Kituma turns to Raven and asked.

Kituma: Stolen or bought?

Raven: Long story.

Kituma: I see...

He raises his hand to call Rebellious back. But he stops his calling after he thinks back to all the death carnage in the last couple days. He was not a hero. He turns to Raven and said.

Kituma: Can you bring me close to Vale?

Raven knew something was off for the lad. But decide not to push him on it; Sure.

As she went to the wheel of her ship as her crew got to work guiding the ship to the Kingdom of Vale and drop the fox off. But she can tell he lost his drive to fight or to achieve his dream.