"Are you sure, Zelos?"
"Y-Yes. As long as you don't hurt her anymore… And you let me go."
"Fine. I'm glad you finally got some sense knocked into you, eh?"
Zelos was silent. Kuchinawa walked over to Zelos to free him.
"Oh, and no funny business, or the deal's off."
"Sure."
After Zelos was untied, Kuchinawa started to walk to Sheena, still keeping his eyes on Zelos. When he reached her, he started concentrating on untying her.
Zelos took this distraction and pulled out his sword. If he was fast enough, maybe he could beat Kuchinawa. It was risky, but he believed he could pull it off. He silently made his way towards Kuchinawa.
"I said…" Kuchinawa said quietly.
How did he hear him?
"No funny business!" Kuchinawa turned around to face him. And before Zelos could react, Kuchinawa had pulled out the dagger and was running towards him.
"Ahhh--!" Zelos said, only able to move to the right slightly before Kuchinawa stabbed him with the dagger. The dagger had gone completely through his left arm. Blood began to run all around his arm, dripping onto the ground. Sheena screamed a muffled "Zelos!", but no one heard.
"Well, well, well, you're faster than I thought. That would've been a death blow if--"
Zelos picked up his right hand, which still had the sword in it, and swung it at Kuchinawa. Kuchinawa's eyes flicked sideways at the sword, and he zipped backwards, but not quite fast enough. The sword left a long cut on Kuchinawa's left forearm.
"Damn…"
"I'm not letting her go without a fight."
"Very well… I need a weapon, though."
Zelos still had the dagger in his arm.
"Then come and get it."
Kuchinawa glared at Zelos, and then he ran towards him. Zelos held his sword out to block him. When Kuchinawa reached him, Zelos swung his sword, but Kuchinawa blocked the blade with his already hurt left arm, and put this right hand on the handle of the dagger. Zelos winced with pain.
"I'll be needing this." Kuchinawa said, and pulled his dagger out of Zelos' arm. Zelos screamed in agony as the razor sharp dagger came out of his flesh. Sheena let out another muffled scream. Just then, Zelos almost blacked out from the pain, and wobbled to the side a little. Kuchinawa took this as an advantage, and tried to stab Zelos with the dagger, but Zelos recovered and blocked the dagger with his sword. The sound of the two metal objects scraping against each other made Sheena close her eyes.
"Finally… A worthy opponent. I've been waiting for so long…" Kuchinawa said with a smile.
Zelos flung his sword forward at Kuchinawa again, and Kuchinawa blocked it with his dagger. This went on for a long time. They were both very skilled, and their movements seemed to be choreographed. After a while, though, Zelos started to get the upper-hand. He wasn't just fighting for his own life, but also for the happiness of Sheena's.
"Can't---Keep---up!" Kuchinawa said, breathing heavily. Zelos struck Kuchinawa's right shoulder with his sword, and it stayed there. Kuchinawa yelled out in pain.
"D-Damn you!"
Kuchinawa took his dagger and tried to stab Zelos' right arm, which was still holding onto the sword. Zelos quickly pulled the sword out, and dodged the dagger by ducking down. Then, he took his right leg and swung it at Kuchinawa's legs. Kuchinawa fell, and lost his grip on the dagger, which flew across the room. Zelos quickly got up, and placed one foot on Kuchinawa's back. He was pushed against the ground, defenseless.
"O-Okay…" Kuchinawa gasped.
"You surrender Sheena right now, or I'll kill you."
"Fine—Fine… You can have her."
Zelos lifted his foot, and let Kuchinawa get up. Kuchinawa glared at him.
"Oh, and no funny business, or the deal's off!" Zelos said mockingly.
Kuchinawa snorted.
"And I'm keeping my eye on you, so you better not fall behind, or run ahead. Can't take any more chances."
With that, Zelos walked off towards Sheena, with Kuchinawa slowly following him. He reached her, and smiled. She stared back up at him, her eyes filled with tears. She was smiling, but even though Zelos couldn't see it through the rope, he knew. Zelos went to the back of the chair, and began untying the knots that bound her.
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YAY! I'm gonna write one more chapter, it'll be the conclusion. GO ZELOS!