Chapter Six: Turquoise Stained Blood Bath
I stood with my back against the wall of a quite large hut, the dawn light casting elongated shadows on the ground. I listened closely, my ear against the wall. Around me were several cherry blossom trees, their soft silky petals falling down around me. The scene itself was quite romantic, the petals seemed to be dancing and caressing the air as they fell to the ground. The mixtures of pink from the sheer amount of cherry blossom trees, deep browns thanks to the small huts and houses made from wood and the oranges from the sunset were jaw-dropping.
Amatsu was quite empty; there were not a lot of people in the streets and not many merchants either. I was leaning against the Amatsu Inn, otherwise known as the Turquoise Lamp. There was a lot of sound coming from within; there were obviously many people inside. The Turquoise Lamp was split into two floors, the top being bedrooms and the bottom being a stage, bar and many tables. Many forms of entertainment were played in the Turquoise Lamp, mostly music though, which was being played tonight.
I slowly edged around the corner, peering through the window, turquoise lamps hanging around the inside of the inn, giving the place an eerie turquoise over-hue. I studied the crowd; there were some members from Impression inside, around 12 on the bottom floor, and upon closer inspection, about 6 on the top floor. I knew that Hinata was inside, whereabouts, I was unsure. I continued to watch through the window, staring inside, hunting for Hinata.
I almost fell from the ledge as I saw her, she was very close to the window, I ducked down, my eyes on par with the window ledge so my line of vision was still clear. I felt an acrid taste burn the back of my mouth, it was acid. I spat on the floor and turned back to Hinata, my rage burning through my veins, even the sight of her incensing me.
I watched as she huddled all her guild mates close around her, pointing to a room in the back as she and two other people headed in that direction. The person to her left was a very young girl, long sweeping brown her falling down to her back, cascading around her body. She was dressed in a typical Huntress outfit. The male to the left of Hinata was tall, very bright red hair that was spiked and dressed as a Sage. I bit my lower lip, once again, the copper taste of my own blood flooding my mouth, rage flooding my senses.
As Hinata disappeared into the backroom, some of her guild mates following her, I slid from the ledge and walked firmly around to the entrance of the Inn. I stared at for a second, taking a deep breath and lifting my head to push against the heavy oak door. I stared forwards as I entered; the stage where the music had been was now empty apart from the instruments, which lay silently. The band obviously was having a recess for a while. I looked around, a few of the Impression members sitting around. I smirked inwardly, a plan forming in my mind.
Hinata stood up and brushed the front of her robes. "So it's decided then, we're going to enter the Guildsman's Championships in Yuno."
A young man adorning Rogue's clothing stood up, "But Hin-"
"But Nothing!" Hinata snapped, her tone sharp. "It's been decided Mordith, like it or leave, simple."
The young man bowed his head in defeat and sat back down. Hinata turned from her guild mates and headed to the door of the backroom they had been occupying. Liruga, the Sage in her guild and a close friend of hers leaned forwards and opened the door for her, allowing her exit. She turned to look at her guild members before turning on her heel, her black hair spinning wildly and landing back in its place. She strode purposefully down the corridor, the wooden walls passing by her, pictures of Amatsu in different seasons speeding by her vision.
"Bunch of imbeciles," Hinata thought, ignoring anything going on behind her. She kept her head up high and her pace fast, turning the corner and entering the bar once again. Hinata stopped in her tracks and stared ahead of her, her mouth dropping slightly, her eyes narrowing before returning to their natural state of no emotion. The members of Impression who were talking loudly suddenly silenced themselves realizing there was something wrong with their leader. The bar had emptied some, only a few tables and people at the bar remained, however, it wasn't this that caused Hinata's state of shock.
Across the room, sitting alone, his legs crossed and a large brown leathery book on his lap was a young Sage with scarlet hair. His head was bowed and he was circling his finger around a glass of water, the liquid inside swirling in the same direction. The sage, realizing someone was looking at him lifted his gaze, his eyes cold and emotionless and stared directly into Hinata's eyes, a thin smirk appearing on his face.
Hinata continued to stare at Faia, her brain working quickly. She knew he'd come, ever since Lillith had appeared and warned her, she knew he'd come. However, she wasn't expecting him here so soon, not to mention the entire change that she could see in his demeanor. He looked cold, he looked merciless, and he looked evil. This wasn't what Hinata had been expecting, she expected the bubbly, fun-loving and cheery Faia from before, not this heartless replacement.
I sat with my head bowed, waiting for Hinata to return from her meeting with Impression. I swirled my glass absent-mindedly, the water quickly transforming into a miniature whirlpool. It was around fifteen minutes later that I felt someone's gaze on me. I knew instantly who it was, I knew the moment had arrived. I lifted my eyes and stared directly into the eyes of Hinata.
She was across the room, her posse behind her. I could tell she was shocked, but only by my appearance, but by my arrival. Bearing this in mind, the look on her face was priceless. I felt a small smirk appear on my face. I removed my hand from the glass and rested both on top of the surface of my large leathery Book of the Apocalypse and kept my gaze on hers.
I knew Hinata didn't know what I was going to do so I decided to give her an idea. I stood up, holding my book before running my hand along the spine, the book opening and floating in mid-air before me. I walked towards the center of the bar, by now, everyone watching the exchange between us. The atmosphere was electric; I could almost feel the static drawing the hairs on my arms to full length. I concentrated a little, my newfound agility and strength roaring through my body as I stopped and stared at Hinata.
"Oh, if looks could kill," I said, the bar now silent, the timber in my voice echoing around the room. Hinata blinked but did not reply. I turned to the bar staff and members of the public. "Beat it." I said coolly. There was no response; no one dared move an inch. My anger flared up and I lowered myself down, my left leg placed behind me, extended to its full length. I looked like a panther about to pounce. I blinked, my kinetic energy controlling the now floating book. The book swirled around before me, crashing into tables and chairs, clearing a large space as the chairs and tables crashed into splinters against the floor.
The book continued to orbit me rapidly, slowing down and stopping before me, glowing with energy. "I said beat it." I said sharply. There was a scurry as people grabbed their possessions and ran for the door, the bar manager staying behind. The door banged shut leaving the bar in silence.
"I don't want trouble here," the manager said, directing his gaze towards Hinata and myself.
"I don't care what you want," I spat "now get out if you know what's good for you. Your bar will still be here tomorrow."
The bar manager looked at me defiantly. "I'll lock the door when I leave," I sneered. Finally, the manager collected his items and left, the door banging shut for a second time. I stared at Hinata and her group, smiling wickedly.
"Well fancy that," I said cheerily. "Just us."
"So I see," Hinata said coolly, speaking for the first time. I walked forward, the book slowly revolving around my body. I continued to look at Hinata as I edged side wards slightly.
"Do you want to play Hinata?" I asked, staring at her.
"Do you want to die?" she retorted. I laughed coldly, my laugh filling the room, the echo eerie. She remained nonchalant and ran her hand through her hair.
"It won't be me who will be dying here tonight Hinata" I said, my voice now dripping with venom.
"Won't It?" she replied, blinking at me.
"Oh no darling, I do believe the dying will fall in your lap this evening."
"You might have changed, but you shouldn't be ignorant enough to believe you can kill me."
"You shouldn't be arrogant enough to believe I can't."
"I know yo-" she began.
"You do not!" My voice rose several octaves, my book rushing forwards and crashing down in the center of table near Hinata, splitting the table in two.
"Let's just end this," she said coolly.
"Which one of your morons am I fighting first?" I asked, glaring at the members of Impression.
"Noelle," Hinata declared, "go."
Noelle obediently stepped up; she was a rather short Alchemist with pale green hair that was cut short. She drew her axe and braced herself, slowly edging towards me before running forward, her axe high in the air. As she brought her axe down, I span to the side a little, my knee connecting with her stomach and my book loyally crashing into the back of her skull sending her head over heels onto the floorboards. She let out a small groan before I kicked her over to the side. I turned to Hinata, "next."
An Assassin vanished into thin air and appeared before me, his katars poised to attack. My book appeared in front of me and acted as a shield, blocking the assassin's downward swipe. I used the palm of my hand to thrust between the pages of the book, the spine of the book connecting with the jaw of the assassin, the soft crack signifying I'd broke it. I twisted my body, lifting my leg up and smacking the head of the assassin before jamming my elbow into his stomach. I felt my hands warming up from Hindsight, fire burning through my body. I swiveled round, the assassin obviously in agony. I lifted my knee, it connecting with his jaw and a soft howl of pain escaping his mouth, I thrust my hands into his exposed body, the fire power exploding onto him causing him to be sent crashing across the room.
As I looked up, three more members of Impression were already on their way. I didn't have time to recognize their classes. I ran forwards, my book connecting with the feet of the first one, tripping him over in time with my leg which rose to deal a blow to his chest. I felt my hands warm up again from Hindsight. I dodged a swing of a large sword from a Knight to my left and used my book to crash into his head. While the Knight was stunned, I thrust my hands into the male before me while I simultaneously used the book to ram into the small of his back, the male letting out a groan before collapsing to the floor.
The Knight was up and I recognized the Rogue from earlier who I had been following. I ran forwards towards the Rogue, my elbow connecting with her jaw as she tried to grab at me. I used the book to once again swipe at her feet, making her trip as I grabbed at her hair, using it to pull her over my shoulder and throw her at the wall, she crashing into it and collapsing to the floor.
The Knight swung his sword forward, calling out "Bowling Bash". I felt a magnetic connection between myself and the sword and felt myself being pulled towards the Knight. I grabbed at my Book and closed it, running towards the Knight, the force between us strong. The Knight raised his sword to attack me; I pushed all my weight beneath the book and rammed it into his neck, my body swinging directly over the Knight, my foot connecting with the small of his back.
The book opened again and spiraled around me as more members of Impression charged forwards. I pushed the book out and kept it revolving at a high speed. My hands cooled down and glowed icy blue. I knew Hindsight had charged the power of ice into my body. The four people stood at a distance from me, waiting for the book to stop revolving. Panic soared through my body. "I can do this, it's just a matter of timing." I thought, my eyes darting around the room rapidly. I spied Hinata sitting in a chair watching the show. An idea flicked through my mind.
My kinetic powers made the book glow as I forced it to arc high into the air, breaking it's loyal spiraling. The book rushed through the air towards Hinata. The four members of Impression took their chance and rushed towards me. I stood absolutely still and waited. The four were seconds away before I jumped into the air, my body rotating till I was upside down, looking at their shocked faces. I quickly thrust the face of my palm into their faces, the icy cold being absorbed into their bodies from my hand. Their blood slowly froze and they stood perfectly still, encased in ice. Meanwhile, the Sage next to Hinata had deflected my books attack.
I landed beside them and lifted my hands to prepare myself when I felt a sharp pain rush through my body, a warm trickle of blood pour down my back. I let out a scream and collapsed to the floor in agony. I was kicked in the ribs and flipped over. I stared up into the ice-cold eyes of an Assassin, his katars dripping my warm blood on the floor. He appeared before me, his katars pointing at my neck, his warm breath on my face. He grinned at me; enjoying the fact he was about to kill me.
Suddenly, my book crashed into the back of his head, cracking his skull. He moaned loudly and toppled from me. I reached down into my boot and pulled forth a large dagger, my book dropping to the floor lifelessly. I rolled to the side and used all my force to thrust the dagger into the Assassin's body. His eyes opened in shock as he registered the new pain. I pulled my dagger from his corpse and pulled myself upwards, ignoring the pain in my back. I felt a whirl of wind and turned to see two Wind Arrows rushing towards me. I jumped backwards, the arrows skimming my clothes. I hurled my dagger across the room and into the Hunter's heart, he crying out in pain and falling to the floor.
A Blacksmith appeared behind me, his body covered in a multicoloured aura from all his skills. I dodged as rapidly as I could, the axe raining down on me. I yelped as the axe ripped at the skin at my shoulder. My mind was numb as I kept walking backwards, dodging every last attack I could. I swerved from another swing and used my power to summon the book, it careering towards the Blacksmith and ripping his wrist from his socket, the axe falling to the floor. I took my opportunity and unleashed a flurry of punches on his chest, spinning round and kicking the Blacksmith with as much force as I could, sending him flying into the wall.
I ran forwards and jumped high into the air, my feet flying above me and my body spinning rapidly upside down. I was now directly above the frozen four. "Thunderstorm," I cried. I heard the distant rumble and I saw the ground shake beneath me. The roof was torn open above me as several thunderbolts rained down and electrocuted the four beneath me and two more who had ran in to try defeat me. All six collapsed to the floor, their bodies still.
I landed difficultly and felt the pain rush up my leg again. I flicked my hair, sweat pouring down my face. Suddenly, there was a Rogue before me and then he vanished. I turned my head rapidly, attempting to find him. I heard a small whisper and then another sharp pain in my back. I fell forwards, gasping for air as pain rip-roared through my body. The Rogue had used Backstab on me; I felt the place where the knife had entered me. As my book came spinning round to connect with the Rogue, the Rogue vanished and my book collided with some chairs. "You won't be using that trick on me," he said, his voice deep.
I felt my hands warm again, this time they were glowing yellow. The Rogue ran towards me, I waited until he was just above me before I lifted my hands, the electricity pouring through my palms into his body sending him careering across the room landing on some tables. I pulled myself up, my own blood staining the wood floor. The Rogue was already up and was running towards me. I summoned my book as I ran towards the stairs, rushing up them as quickly as I could. I arrived at the top and jumped into the air, my book spiraling around me once before zooming through the air and connecting with the Rogue's jaw and sending him ricocheting down the stairs.
I stood at the top of the stairs and looked down at the sight before me, there were bodies everywhere and only a few fighters left. I felt myself being shoved forwards and I collided with the stairs, rolling down them, my body beaten and battered. I landed on top of the Rogue and quickly pulled myself up to see a large Crusader working his way down the stairs. He stopped at the bottom, a hefty blade in one hand.
I backed away from him, stumbling over bodies and tables. He walked forwards and stood before me. "Enjoying yourself?" he mocked. I brushed the hair from my eyes, panting loudly. He lifted his sword and swung it forwards, I jumped back, the sword almost shattering my knees. His swing did not stop, but spiraled and then came crashing down above me. I span out of his way, my book connecting with the back of his knee, knocking him off balance. I took my opportunity to run forwards and jump over him, but he was fast and his sword swung round almost hitting me. He grinned at me and I looked at him curiously till I realized he had me backed into a corner. He lifted his sword in front of him, "Grand.." his concentration was evident and I realized it was over, I was unable to get out of this one. The floor trembled beneath me as his power gathered underneath his sword. I looked behind the Crusader and saw Hinata's gleeful smile, my blood boiled again causing my palms to heat. Another idea flicked through my head and I ran forward, jumping up and grabbing onto the Crusader's shoulders, my new found agility allowing me to balance perfectly upside down. I knew my palms which had been filled with the firepower were burning the Crusader. I shouted, "Heaven's Drive" simultaneously as the Crusader declared "..Cross!" The floor shook and the chairs and tables shattered as the large cross of holy power ripped through the room, the entire building shaking. I felt the Crusader roar in pain as his own attack dealt him damage. In addition to this, a large set of earth spikes ripped from beneath the building causing the Crusader great pain. I watched as the Crusader's eyes rolled back into his head and he collapsed forward, me allowing my weight to pull me forwards and land gracefully on the floor, the spikes descending.
I looked around; all that remained were Hinata and her Huntress and Sage friends from before. She looked at me cruelly, her guild lying destroyed before her. I walked over to her, my body sweating furiously, my book now circling me loyally. She stared at me, hatred in her eyes.
"Well, they seemed fun." I said, smiling warmly at the three.
Hinata stared at me before pointing at the Huntress who stepped forward. She had her bow aimed at me instantly, two arrows waiting to be fired.
"Fire at will?" I said jokingly. I watched her reaction and noticed her eyes narrow. I leaned down, tapping the heel of my sleipnirs and jumped upwards at the exact instant the string of the bow was let loose. The arrows skewered into the floor of the Inn, missing me by inches. I landed a few meters back from my original position, only to have to jump again, narrowly avoiding more arrows. I waited a few seconds, pulling my book forward as a shield, the arrows piercing its leathery skin as I pulled my hand from the floor, my body burning. "Fire Bolt!" I shouted, the book vanishing as several bolts of fire dispersed from my hand, spiraling rapidly towards the Huntress, catching her clothes and setting them alight, the others burning into her body. The Huntress screamed wildly, running forwards and into the bar, obviously in pain. She let out a final howl of pain, collapsing in agony and writhing on the floor slightly before laying still, the flames dying out rapidly.
I looked back at Hinata and smiled. "Don't you teach your guild mates not to play with matches?" I asked.
"Liruga" Hinata said, staring at her Sage. The Sage stepped forward, smiling at me cruelly.
"So you're the one?" He asked, walking towards me slowly.
"I'm the what?" I asked him.
"The one who was dating that pathetic excuse of a being that my mistress killed." He replied, picking his way through bodies. Suddenly, his own book appeared from behind him, spiraling around him. My anger flared at his words.
"You need corrected child, your pathetic excuse for a mistress and human being killed my amazing lover." I saw the boy flinch at these words. Seems I'd hit a nerve too.
Suddenly, his book came rushing through the air. I spiraled out of the way, it almost connecting with my body. The book came charging at me again, this time I was prepared though and brought my own book back as defense, the two books colliding in mid-air. I dashed forward and behind him, my hands coming down to hit the back of his neck, but he spiraled round and grabbed my arms to stop me. I felt pain rush through my body and cried out in agony as his electrical Hindsight caused volts to pulse through my system. I suppressed the tears and lifted my knee into his groin, a howl escaping his lips as I kicked his head, my book colliding into his skull.
I was swept from my feet as his own book dashed at my feet, me losing my grip. I rolled over in time to stop the book crashing through my skull. I pulled myself up and ran across the room, Liruga in hot pursuit. I flipped over the bar and grabbed three bottles and threw them at him, his book appearing in front of each one, protecting him. He was meters away from the bar; I brought my own book to crash heavily into one of the supports that held a row of glasses up. The support broke with a crack and each glass tumbled forwards onto the Sage. He escaped most of the harm, only receiving a few cuts.
I ran from the bar and picked up a table and used it as a shield, spinning round and barely managing to protect myself from his rampaging book. I was running out of ideas. I kicked a body from beneath my feet and saw it was the hunter with the dagger embedded in his body. I looked around for Hinata to see where she was, only not to see her at all. My panic levels ascended to astronomical heights. I turned and saw her standing in the doorway to the bar; she turned and left, the door banging shut behind her. My rage stormed through me. I threw the table at Liruga, it narrowly missing him.
I jumped into the air as his book sped towards me, landing upon the book, my weight forcing it into the ground. I focused as my own book came spiraling towards Liruga, connecting heavily with the small of his back, sweeping him from his feet. I jumped from Liruga's book and pulled at the Hunter, spinning him round and pulling the dagger from his chest. As I turned to see Liruga, his book crashed into my shoulder, knocking me from my feet.
I pulled myself up, throwing the dagger as hard as I could. The dagger sped through the air, Liruga's book heading directly for it. I called upon all the kinetic energy I could muster and my book glowed a fierce aura, dashing through the air and knocking Liruga's book off course. The dagger flew straight and sunk into Liruga's chest, puncturing his heart. He let out a loud cry, his book falling to the floor instantly. Liruga looked at me in shock as blood trickled from his body as he collapsed onto his knees before falling to the floor, dead.
I lay there panting, pulling myself up and dusting myself down. My body was screaming at me to rest, but I could not. I lay my hand out before me and concentrated, my Staff appearing beneath my fingertips, resting horizontally in the air. I grasped at it, the cold metal steel feeling like home. I ran to the door and pulled it open, I turned to look inside. The bar was trashed, bodies laying everywhere, all the tables and chairs shattered and glass glinting dangerously in the light. I stared at the bloodstains on the floor before closing the door and running out into the night. "Hinata is next." I thought.