The wind howled…
Miyu froze, her body becoming tense and rigid. Beating against her small ribs, her heart raced while her mind strained to keep up. She couldn't believe this, it was impossible. He was a Shinma? Instantly reacting, her arms and legs took a defensive fighting pose.
The air was charged with electricity, the well-known suspense before a lethal fight. However there was still nothing she could do to hide the shock in her gold eyes. Her countless years of supernatural experience had been completely twisted by this odd end of fate.
Staring deeply into those cold amethyst eyes, Miyu's emotions reflected into a blank mixture of loss and sympathetic regret-- watching carefully as he adjusted his perfect aim on her forehead.
Then with ruthless spirit he fired the weapon…
Impatient to the moment, Miyu's attention was split as the wavier of thick fabric whipped past her ears. Ending with a note that flared Miyu's beautiful gold eyes, she listened as the barrowing echo of a steel collision dove into the night.
Surprised, she focused quickly, her vision bearing the eclipsing image of her tall servant.
Lava…
Waiting silently Lava grimaced. He had warned Miyu about this, and now it had happened. Again, a trusted person had betrayed her… To Lava he had changed, his appearance deceptive of his true nature. Human or not he had tried to kill Miyu.
At the same time the man in black glowered. With the guardian out of sight he was now resolute to face her tall protector. Towering at least a foot higher, the western shimna would have surely been amongst the most fearsome in the world. However to him, the gun wielder, it did not alter his expression as he too…was fear. Raising his aim to the giant's mask he fired again.
…
The bullet streaked forward as Lava's ancient skill awoke, parrying the bullet with the blade of his hand. Wasting no time he charged forward, his cape a flurry as he sped to melee.
Making his own move, the man in black leapt to the side, sailing across the concrete as the gun's muzzle flashed twice more. But again Lava parried, knowing that each of the shots were as equal and deadly as his opponent's expression. Not wanting to lose the in-fight advantage, the caped protector closed the distance once more, tearing the air apart as he came. Swiftly his hand cut at the enemy's torso; rippling the air. But again the adversary avoided, leaping opposite to the blow, arcing to the far side of the building. Tracing him visually, Lava paused a minute, thinking internally while his foe landed on the distant edge of the roof.
He knew he had been wrong, for no human could move this fast. If he had been human he wasn't now, and perhaps this was the reason why Miyu had been so mystified. Without a sensing ability like hers it was difficult to tell what the enemy's weaknesses were. But even that could not decipher his hidden characteristics. Obviously with a truth like that…this could be a formidable, if not unpredictable battle. Reflecting upon those thoughts, Lava brought his knife hand closer, concentrating deeply into those amethyst eyes. From now on he would fight him as a Shinma…
Racing forward with refined concentration, Lava started his attack, emotionless to the fact that his dark opponent was also sprinting to confrontation. Cutting crosswise Lava struck at his jumping figure, slashing just below the legs as the adversary ascended into the air above.
Inverting with agility, the dark man rotated vertically to take deadly aim at the guardian's servant. With only the time for their faces to meet, the muzzle flashed, the surety of the shot almost certain. But Lava was fast…and the only reward was the familiar sound of defecting steel. Seeing the opening the attack brought, Lava cut at his target, his invisible hand drawing blood upon his razor nails…
But it wasn't enough….
Opposite and landing flawlessly, the dark man changed his position, altering his battle stance while tinted fingers touched his forehead. Reflecting against fresh blood he glowered, obviously in hatred for such a sight. Unaware that the cut was already healed his hand cast to the side, the gun leveled in counterattack. But unfortunately there was no time to fire because at that moment Lava's threatening appearance was beyond melee.
Reacting in shock, but with the least in his violet eyes, the gunman leapt aside, narrowly avoiding a far deadlier weapon than even those steel bladed hands. Glancing back through the maze of rushing air, the dark man watched as the massive scythe impacted the ground, rattling the building with its destructive power…
Apart from battle Miyu thought patiently, watching it all unfold. It was indeed depressing that yet another trusted person had been lost to the abysmal properties of betrayal. All she could sense now was evil and hatred; the very two elements that had brought the demise of so many.
Perhaps that had been the plan all along….
Lava had been right…whatever kindness or character of virtue she had known was gone; replaced with iniquity. But now it didn't matter, none of that mattered. He was a Shinma, and nothing else. Changing to fury, Miyu's gold eyes became her expression while her small hand steadied; ready to cast her flame…
Ending his dodge the man in black focused. The burring image of the masked vampire was closing in again, his weapon held back for another devastating blow. Wishing to keep the distance the gun wielder sprung backwards, locking his vision. It would be easy to counterattack now, there were many openings that a dual handed weapon provided… Soon he would end it and the guardian would die.
However, that thought was suddenly cut short as the uninterruptible presence of cold concrete struck his back.
The maintenance access…
Briefly thrown off balance, it was more than enough to prevent escape. Turning toward the flying death lord, it was only by sheer luck that he evaded the blow; ducking underneath as the half moon blade cut powerfully into the ancient concrete above him; cutting it in two. Deafening the air, gravel exploded to the side, coupled with the rusted door. Not wishing for recur the dark man flipped away, glancing as the severed multi-toned slab of concrete tumbled off the roof, crashing to its inevitable fate upon the ground…
Riding the dark air as if it were a medium, the gunman continued to dodge. Fearless at the fact that his adversary had just terminated the maintenance access; his possessed mind flowed with refreshed hatred. Now he would finish this….
Landing softly only to spring again, the gunman dodged to the side, firing upside down as he rotated in the air. Aiming for the ground, the bullet shot forward beaming relentlessly as it impacted the concrete. Then, guided by ultimate marksmanship, it continued onward, ricocheting up and into the cape of the guardian's protector…
"Lava!"
Witnessing her friend recoil in pain Miyu leaned forward, anxious at the sudden stress. Then without thinking her judgmental gold eyes changed target, fixating coldly on the Shinma. Fueled by rage her left hand lit, wielding the fire that nothing could quench.
"Stray Shinma, to the dark--"
The gun shifted…
With her arm coiled like a triangle, Miyu was nearly ready to fire when the sudden impact of burning pain toppled her concentration. Instantly lancing through her right arm, Miyu screamed trying to contain as much of the torment as possible. Oddly though, the searing sensation lasted only a second as an enveloping numbness began to take hold.
"Miyu!"
Ignoring his own pain in favor of Miyu's Lava whipped back, staring cynically.
Now, that was it….
Removing his mask in one hateful vexing motion, Lava's sharp eyes pierced the night. Locking with amethyst, his face tensed; releasing an expression that might have melted acid. With the reaper weapon already gone Lava shot forward, leaving the ground with the same terrifying speed that had bested Garline. Then like white judgment, his hand streaked into thread silver; its agility beyond sight.
Parting the air at vile speed it found contact, tearing deeply into the fabric of his target's hoddie; sparing the skin by millimeters as the enemy evaded. With the aftermath striking the roof's surface, the building was at mercy as an entire corner collapsed to gravity. Slicing again before his enemy could escape, Lava's hand flashed; colliding in a trail of sparks and the resounding echo of hard steel. Never breaking contact, crimson eyes void of sympathy bled hatred toward their enemy…
In sequence to his melee adversary the man in black strained, having barely saved himself from death's hands. Glaring upwards at his tall opponent, he trembled slightly. Far from fear than it was from strength, his noir handgun aimed skyward, separating the servant's blade from his face. Holding a cross arm block against the advancing stress, it was just enough to suppress further peril.
Opposite and merciless with odium, Lava gazed deeply into his enemy's eyes; Impassive to any forgiveness his knife hand warred against the gun, impatient to its true target. This shinma had hit Miyu, he would kill him now. To him it didn't matter if he was wounded as he had valued her life far beyond his own…
But then something happened…
Coring internally, the pain inside him suddenly raged; flaring like fire before dying into numbness. Weakened by its fatigue, Lava gasped in vice, venting the torment through ruby eyes. Unable to maintain his hold the shinma pushed hard, forcing him to jump back. Deflecting a bullet as he arced away, Lava held Miyu's defense, covering her as much as he could.
At the same time the gun wielder steadied, his weapon freed from the servant's attack. He had been merciless from the beginning but now it was ruthless…
Thinking darkly to himself he shifted his aim to gold eyes, focusing into the guardian's face. Impartial that his previous shot had only grazed her, he was resolute to make this one fatal.
Commanded by apathy, he pulled the trigger…
Flaring her eyes, Miyu stressed her defense with the last of her energy. Almost certain of death the rush of wind sent her mind into bewilderment. Seeing her servant's tired face…he hadn't moved.
"He missed?"
Turning her head Miyu was confused. She had seen his abilities…he didn't miss. Focusing, her eyes widened.
"Lava, look…"
Following her gaze Lava met up with his dark foe, confused to what was happening. Still holding his gun, his adversary hadn't moved one bit. But strangely enough, his weapon was shaking. Even now he was struggling to aim, his wide eyes reacting as shudders gripped his arm. Losing grip on the weapon, it fell to the pavement while both of his hands seized his head. Stammering a few steps he clawed at it, unable to stop whatever was happening.
Watching alongside, Miyu stood firm. Inside her something odd was happening, her blood was rushing…becoming alive with strength…and she knew, from their unified blood, that Lava's was too. Heart racing with a different purpose, it was only by her sensitive ears that she found the source. Glancing to the left, Miyu gasped, her vision focusing.
Sitting on the roof, Shiina trembled on the cold concrete; his veined eye flared. Locked with the gunman, it had become the deepest maroon Miyu had ever seen. Quivering in stress, his little voice strained with muffled squeaks, trying to hold concentration. Miyu could see that his tiny body was quaking, evident that this was beyond his limit. Seeing as how it was it was too late to call out to him.
Climaxing beyond burnout, Shiina's eye flashed black, echoing deeply before the stress claimed his consciousness.
Seeing as such Miyu reached out toward her friend, but Lava's voice pulled her back.
"Miyu…"
Still struggling from his physical epiphany, the dark man staggered, nearly losing his balance.
His black aura was being stripped now, becoming a core as Miyu watched. Tossing about in spiral it was comparable to black snow; and as such was very suspicious. Lasting a few more seconds it forced it's user to the ground, lifeless in Miyu's eyes. Until finally the visible darkness upon his skin shred itself into the night, rocketing skyward in double helix.
Tracing it, Miyu lifted her eyes at the substance, knowing even before sight what it was. Coiling defensively, it quickly changed form, materializing into the silhouette of a man. Defining in detail the attire of an ancient mage took hold; dawning with color.
Shinma…
Holding a spell backsword, he flung it to the side sneering at the guardian with violet eyes.
KARIUDO
Miyu squinted.
"So you're the true Shinma."
The Shinma smiled.
"Correct, guardian…but it doesn't matter now."
Leveling his glowing backsword at her face he smiled evilly.
"It is unfortunate that you have no more power, it would have been interesting to defeat you at prime."
Sharpening her expression Miyu had had enough. In one night she had nearly lost both her companions. Furthermore the dark man was dead. If any shinma could incite her anger this was it.
"You are either very confident or very foolish."
Hand aflame, Miyu was nearly ready to cast her second judgment when a grave voice froze all three of them.
"No…"
Shifting gaze in a mixture of familiarity and surprise Miyu caught the distance edge of the roof. It was impossible…
"Dark shinma…this night…shall be your last…"
Stuttering at the griping presence of pain, the man in black crouched upon the building's edge, gathering his strength. Clutching his chest violently, he forced himself tall gritting his teeth behind sealed lids. Then, his reborn eyes flared the night; fearsome with sapphire.
Reacting in sequence the shinma scowled. How the hell was he still alive? It was undeniable that when a shinma possessed someone it would forfeit their life. So how was it; a human no less, could evade such a practice? Thoughts scattered, he refocused…
He didn't care. It didn't matter anyway; he would kill them all…
Regaining composure his body turned, commanding his sword.
"What can a mere human do?"
The man in black didn't respond, as in his eyes there seemed to be something far more important. He had seen this before… For some reason this shinma was very familiar. It couldn't have just been one he met before. In his life such occurrences were common. No, it was something deeper…
Answering for him his mind flashed, parting fragmented time as it mixed reality with monotone brown…
His village….
The villagers…
Her…
The execution…
The executioner…
Flaring as if a sword had pierced his body, the dark man's eyes raged. Impossible! It…
But…this atmosphere…this surety…
As if he were reading his mind, the shinma tilted his human head, the only difference being purple eyes.
"Oh? Interesting…you… ha ha ha. How foolish that I did not notice it sooner... Ha Ha Ha.
There was no need for words…
With lightning speed the gunman's right arm leveled at the shinma, bearing only an open palm. However that lasted only a second as metal shards began to shred from the wrist. Spiraling into instruction amid his hand, they quickly obeyed, becoming a jigsaw puzzle of triangles. Confusing all his observers, they nonetheless acted with speed and accuracy until finally they settled into completion.
Expressing all he wanted to say visually, the man in black held his aim, the newborn handgun under his tight grip. Discolored into the deepest maroon the veins of his hand transformed into sight, becoming defined and dark with inhuman blood.
Narrowing his own eyes, the shinma in return matched the expression before rearing his sword.
"So be it!"
Releasing a line of destruction, the dark man's agility led him away before a wire of black thread sliced the entire building. With the pain forgotten in the light of his arch nemesis he matched their eyes sailing in slow time. An eternity of words could have held that moment, but to him, his expression said it all. He would never allow this opponent a long battle.
Firing the dreaded red bullet, the shinma was lucky to have stopped it, catching it on the edge of his sword. But the second…he wasn't so lucky. The third…
It was already over.
Cruel without end, the final shot pierced the neck, easily passing though flesh. Relentless in its wake sapphire eyes burned, staring in aftermath. He wouldn't fire a fifth bullet…for the anger inside him was beyond the mercy to end the suffering. Keeping his lock on target the fiend reflected in his vision; struggling with death. Locking eyes, he would have glared at nothing else. In the mixture of his abilities, experiences, and destined torment it felt like waves of burden had just been lifted. Eyeing the spot where his crimson bullet had penetrated, he closed his eyes; their task finished.
Finally, although he never lived for it, he had revenge.
"Stray Shinma, to the darkness!"
Uttering her powerful words Miyu became a pillar, holding her hands high. Equal as her countenance her firestorm raged, reflecting destruction. Lighting Miyu's face with an eerie orange, her eyes burned, heartless as the flames before her. Deeply in her mind everything was clear.
The veil died.
Motionless Miyu's eyes remained forward, holding once again the weapon that sought her life…
But the gun remained silent.
Tall and motionless the man studied her for a moment, lowering his weapon. In return, Miyu remained steadfast conveying the same aftermath expression she had with most battles. Unsure of what to say she could only watch as he stepped backward falling against the maintenance access. He was bleeding from where those shards had come, and she could tell from his appearance that it wasn't the only wound…
…
Losing the handgun, he gripped his chest.
Bowing to hide gritting teeth, the pain flared. Having used his own power in such overload it wasn't surprising that he couldn't stand. Furthermore taking the guardian's wounds didn't help…
Hopefully she would just leave now; indeed they had helped each other in the end but that meant nothing. If the physical torment wasn't enough he was given the added bonus of trying to kill them. Damn that shinma. But it was reaping eternal darkness now, and as soon as he could sleep the anguish would cease. Knowing that his most hated enemy was dead, everything should be alright…
No, everything wouldn't be alright; had he forgotten that he was immortal? Not only that, but fear itself… As if it wasn't enough to suffer for eternity, but to do it alone; always alone... Perhaps the guardian could show mercy and summon her flame once more…
Looking for such a response, he lifted his head, fighting the increasing fatigue as it went. She was approaching him, her appearance fitting for her title.
But something was wrong…
From battle he could remember her face, hardened and callous. The other times it had been simply a mixture of sympathy but still…sorrow. But it wasn't now. Her face was soft and mood even softer. A human had never smiled at him yet alone a shinma. He didn't understand. She looked so kind and gentle as if nothing had happened. Her gold eyes so full of enmity were now compassionate as rain. Turning his head away in denial he shut his eyes.
"Guardian…kill me."
She was close now, the faint sound of dust on her footsteps. He had heard once; no rather knew, that she had said 'eternal happiness'. There was no such thing. But with her so close, his heart told him otherwise…
"No…"
Following his thoughts he spoke to her, barely able to keep his voice above a whisper.
"No…you can't….I am not….
As if she knew the answer Miyu gently cut him off, kneeling down to match his position.
"That's not true."
After all it wasn't true. He was human, a human that had lived many times what one should. The mixture of his abilities, sorrow and actions had told her that. But it was the possession that made it undeniable. Miyu had watched him die, and as always de-possession required life.
Lightly gripping his shoulders she came closer, touching his neck with her white fangs. He really did want to rest. Everything he did told her that. The way he talked, acted, and even fought. He was in essence just like her, merely existing because the winds of density willed it. But to Miyu he carried a greater burden herself. For she could make friends and mix with humans; furthermore she had Lava and Shiina. This person had nothing.
Easing her teeth forward Miyu began to drink, enveloped in a mixture of flowing knowledge and warming sympathy. She was always truly happy to end the suffering of another. Something that a shinma could never understand…
The blood was so clean, Miyu had never tasted blood like this before. It full of experiences; everything he did, everything he knew. Every day, every night…
Her eyes widened and with the last drop of blood Miyu pulled back, her expression turning to shock. Eyes glistening she stared, having learned it all.
Five hundred and thirty eight years…
Not only that but alone. Even she hadn't lived that long… Even more… the Shinma realm… the shinma knowledge within him had been about Japan. It was as if she had never been hunting…
Lava came to her side.
"Miyu are you alright?"
Miyu wasn't sure. It was like someone had flipped a light switch inside her. Most of it she knew, but there were finer details that made even the most concrete concepts look empty. Like the alternate dimensions… All of it was about Shinma's. Eyeing the body before her, it faded, its purpose fulfilled. Then she understood. There never was a book. The book was him; and now…her…
Standing to the parting clouds, Miyu stared at the spot, the man gone. Freed from darkness the moon began to glow, suppressing the night as it always had.
(-)
Ringing once again, the sequential bells of Tokiwa School signaled the end of the day. Spotless and clean, it wasn't long before the hallways were bustling with activity. Being among it, Miyu took the lead; her three friends inquiring about themselves as they walked. When the crowd thinned Chisato was first to speak.
"Hey Miyu I have some good news!"
Miyu turned around beholding Chisato's childish face. Obviously it must have been really good news since it was that classic sealed-eyed smile.
"What?"
"We talked with Miki yesterday and found out something really neat!"
Miyu smiled. It was definitely good news. As Chisato had a tendency to drag things out until she was satisfied with the suspense.
"What?"
"That scary person we saw actually saved her!"
"I see."
Achieving what she expected Chisato continued.
"Yeah, we were thinking of thanking him. Maybe we can scare him too!"
Reacting to the comment Yukari jerked her head, a rather stupid look taking her face. Why was it when Chisato got really excited that she got really dumb?
"I don't think we will see him anymore."
Becoming as one, the three regarded Miyu, their emotions merged. Confused for a second, Yukari looked for an escape, not wishing to drag it out.
"I suppose Miyu's right."
"Yukari!"
Chisato snapped her head with her pleading look. But Hisae reinforced it.
"Chisato, this city is quite large."
"Ooohhhhh…"
(-)
The sun was already setting as Miyu walked home. She had spent a great deal of time trying to understand all that happened in the last few days. Even greater was the new information she possessed. Tomorrow she would visit the outskirts of the city. There was an inter-dimensional cave there. One that seemed quite dangerous since it was full of negative air. She had considered leaving it but she was a guardian and therefore could not. Sensing that she was alone, Miyu summoned her pet.
"Shiina…"
Shiina appeared, becoming light on her shoulder. It wasn't very often that he was called in the daylight, so it must have been important. Turning her head Miyu smiled.
"Shiina are you alright?"
Shiina depressed a little. He had lost consciousness in the battle and didn't know what happened after. If he had let Miyu down he was sorry.
"My eye hurts a bit."
Miyu reached up stroking her friend. Although very limited in battle, he had saved them and for that she was grateful.
"Shiina…thank you."
Shiina was dumb for a second. Then suddenly he burst out squeaking happily at his accomplishment.
Scooting a little closer, Shiina brushed against Miyu's neck, looking forward as she walked home.
(-)
Calm as the wind that caressed it, endless green hills rolled under the distant mountains. Caped with icy snow and patterns of distant forests, no backdrop could have been greater. Everything was flawless from the individual grass blade to the drifting cloud. A place of heaven, a place without anything, something the real world could never give…
Part of the scenery, a man in black stood upon the grass; feeling at one with the beautiful surroundings. Endlessly staring the artful distance he slowly switched his view downward, the emptiness and void gone.
He was not alone.
Wrapped in his arms a girl whose height might have been a foot shorter held him tightly. They were as one in the wind sharing all the comfort that it brought. Gold hair that flowed like water, the pale blue/white dress… However brilliant they were inferior to her crystal eyes, which smiled back; happy as he was. It didn't seem real, as if it were a haze of reality but he didn't care. He smiled; she smiled…only happiness…
Nothing else mattered, he couldn't remember anything else and for some reason he wouldn't have it any other way.
They just stood there, the endlessness of reunion orchestrating the atmosphere.
He could not kiss her yet; this moment was so much more. With her touch always beside him, he again looked out to the heavens, perhaps wishing, perhaps knowing, that this moment would last forever…
THE END