The last couple minutes for Bell were the most nerve wracking minutes he had ever experienced in his life. If he wasn't an albino, his hair would've turned white from all the stress he was experiencing right now. Fighting for Haruhime's and his life by somehow beating a person above his level, literally. Witnessing Kojiro's fight... his mind boggling technique. For it couldn't be anything but that. Three strikes at the same time, two strikes appearing out of nowhere. It almost seemed like magic. But there was one thing that Bell learned. One simple fact that he understood. Sasaki Kojiro did not use magic. Ever. So the space breaking attack he used was used via pure martial skill.
If that was all that happened, Bell might've had time to cool down, to rest his heart. Pretend it never happened, that he was just hallucinating from his concussion and pretend the world still made sense. However, life wasn't that nice and decided to throw something else at his poor mind trying to process what was going on.
When the ceiling broke down, Bell honestly thought for a moment that this was it. He was going to die, not from fighting the hardest fight of his life, not from his attempt of saving Haruhime, but from falling rocks. If it weren't for Kojiro's reliable back in his view, Bell gave himself good odds of fainting.
In another time he would have called the woman beautiful. Piercing red eyes and black hair that seemed to shine against the light. The rather plain clothing just seemed to highlight those two features even more. However at this moment Bell couldn't call her beautiful. How could he? The woman hyperventilated as her chest heaved from exertion. Her eyes were wide and wavering, filled with sorrow and fear. She ignored everyone, her eyes focused on Ryoma as she shivered. At the sight...Bell could only feel worry. She looked like she was remembering something utterly horrible, at the verge of a mental breakdown.
"O-oryou, I need you to calm down! I'm fine, this is just a scratch!"
In demonstration Ryoma rolled his arm, an uneasy smile on his face as he tried to comfort his wife. Yet that action was a mistake as the motion caused him to wince and allow blood to drop down at the floor. Oryou's eyes followed the fluid hitting the ground before lowering her head, her hair covering her expression.
"It happened again... "
As she began to mutter under her breath, ignorant of the world around her, Bell looked at the Crimson Moon, wary that he was going to take advantage of the situation. But instead he took his distance, arms held up in a hard guard for the first time he saw him.
"Mizuchi... !" He bit through his teeth, causing Ryoma to stop his approach to his wife. As Oryou's shaking stopped, her body going rigid, Bell's eyes widened at the name.
He wasn't well versed about the news of the world. But even a kid like him could pick things up when he left the mountains with Kojiro.
Beware the Dragon Serpent of the Far East. She could cause storms on the sea and ruin mountains with a swipe of her hand. The title of "Mizuchi" was known across the world, spoken in the same way one talked about other warriors considered the peak of their country, that every traveller heard of at least once.
The Legiones. The Radiance. The Asura. Individuals said to have bested even Orario, city of adventures in some aspects. Bell always believed the rumors were rather fantastical, more a way to hype up the countries… But feeling the pressure from Oryou, he could believe it now. To think that the wife of the Peacemaker was the one holding the title of "Strongest". The pressure just kept increasing as glowing red eyes from behind the black veil stared down the enemy, her pupils narrowed into slits as she pointed at him.
"You," she growled, sounding more like an animal trying to speak. "You did this to him?"
The man flinched, momentarily turning pale. But then, he shook his head, as if remembering his pride he gained as a level 4. With a cocky grin he spat to the side.
"What if I did?"
Slowly, Oryou turned her head to stare right at Bell. No, rather at Haruhime.
"...Haru."
For a moment he was happy not being the target of that calm facade hiding pure shaking rage. The next moment he tried to hide the Renard behind him, trying to put up a brave face even with his battered body, even with Kojiro already in front of them. However, Haruhime raised her hand, gently putting off his arm. Allowing him to sit down she gave him a nervous but soft smile. Bell blinked before nodding slowly as Kojiro lowered his blade, exhaling calmly.
Her body shook nervously...Yet she stepped forward, past Kojiro, and bowed with respect, her voice only wavering a bit as she smiled awkwardly.
"Y-yes, Lady Oryou?"
"Level up. Now."
The order, growled without even looking at Haruhime, caused the Renard to tilt her head in confusion, her ears twitching.
"D-do you really need i-"
"Not me." Oryou pointed at the individual in front of her, breathing out what Bell could swore was steam from her mouth. "Him."
Everyone slowly turned their heads, not believing what they heard and saw. The Crimson Moon stared at the finger that pointed at him, an incredulous expression as he cracked his neck to the side.
"Hah?"
Bell gaped openly. Kojiro raised an eyebrow while Ryoma's eyes widened in shock. Meanwhile Haruhime was frozen, her smile stuck and empty now. What was she thinking?! If Haruhime's magic was truly so potent, that would make their enemy into a level 5. It was a level Bell couldn't even imagine. Ryoma was already strong, straining his belief of what was possible with a normal body made out of flesh.
Well, if one ignored the impossible Kojiro accomplished, but Bell still refused to believe that actually happened.
Anyway, even with Oryou's fame, Bell assumed she couldn't be that much stronger than her husband, so she would need every advantage she could get. But she couldn't read their minds, their worries and instead narrowed her eyes ever so slightly at Haruhime.
"Don't make me ask twice."
The noble gulped. With a deep breath, she shook her head, before kneeling on the ground, clasping her hands together and closing her eyes as if she was praying. Then... her words echoed in against the walls.
"Grow."
Bell could feel it. Even though this was his first time, his first experience, he could sense that something changed in the air. That something was building up in Haruhime, begging to be released. In that moment, his eyes shone, feeling as if he was back in the past, with his grandpa telling him stories about it.
The wonders of magic.
"That power and that vessel. Breadth of wealth and breath of wishes. Until the bell tolls, bring forth glory and illusion."
She stretched her arms forward, the shimmers of light released from her hands like a gift. It was then that Bell returned to reality, as he saw that beautiful light approaching their enemy. His eyes widened and he struggled to rise, reaching out to Haruhime with gritted teeth.
"Haruhime, do-"
Before he could get up on his feet properly, Kojiro put a hand on his shoulder. When Bell sent him a betrayed look, Kojiro shook his head slowly, keeping a wary glance at the Dragon.
"If she doesn't, I'm afraid Miss Oryou will absolutely lose it." He sighed and crossed his arms after sheathing his sword. "We just have to believe she isn't making a mistake."
"Oryou... " Ryoma muttered, visibly conflicted as his fists shook. On the one hand, he had faith in his wife, Bell assumed. On the other, she was visibly making things more dangerous for herself. Yet he didn't move as Haruhime began to sweat in exertion.
"Confine divine offerings within this body. This golden light bestowed from above. Into the hammer and into the ground, may it bestow good fortune upon you."
Bell's expression softened, sad eyes watching the girl chant and gifting the Crimson Moon a magic circle over his head. Those words, he realized, represented the wish for a hero to appear, even if they were fake. For someone to gain her trust and her blessings, for someone to succeed. It seemed like a prayer for salvation. And that wish was being perverted by being given to evil.
"Grow. Uchide no Kozuchi."
The Crimson Moon was infused with the light as it seemed to fall down on him. The man convulsed and gasped at the sudden injection of pure magic in his veins. As quick as it came, it vanished, with Haruhime gasping for air as she put her hands on the cold stone to support herself. But before Bell or anyone could reach her, to check if she was alright, their enemy's face split into a wide, manic grin. In the next moment, he disappeared from Bell's eyes.
In a momentary blink of an eye, he could see how the fist impacted against her jaw. The next instance, Oryou was sent flying, creating yet another hole into the ceiling.
"Hahaha...hahahahahahaha!"
High on his own power, the Crimson Moon clapped a few times, before cracking the ground he stood on as he jumped after his victim. The group left behind gave each other looks. Exhaustion. Worry. They all mixed together into pushing them to move, just as cracks sounded above them. Ryoma hoisted Haruhime and Bell under his arms, muttering an halfhearted apology, before jumping after them, while Kojiro climbed the walls the old fashioned way.
Once above, Bell and Haruhime gasped in shock at the sight. The people around them, slowly backing off, not quite realizing the situation, shared their shock. After all, how could one react at a woman being pummeled into a wall, the stone starting to give in against the sheer quantity and force of the strikes the Crimson Moon struck as he laughed like a maniac.
"You fuckin' stupid bitch! Now you're dead! Why the fuck would you make her to that?!"
The woman gave no reply. How could she? The fists wouldn't stop, hitting her like rain during a typhoon. Not even grunts of pain escaped her, as the wall began to give in more and more. However, the air began to change. It began with the Crimson Moon's ecstatic expression shifting to confusion. People around them began to mutter, not sure if they were seeing things right. Then, after what felt like an eternity, with the wall threatening to give in, the man stepped back, breathing heavily from exhaustion.
Immediately, Oryou rose, dusting herself off. It was then that everyone saw it. That their eyes weren't playing tricks on them.
She wasn't bleeding. At most, her face had some minor bruises, assuming Bell wasn't seeing just dirt spots on her skin. The woman cracked her neck, sighing as she stepped forward. Everyone, not only the Crimson Moon, stepped back in fear as the air around her began to distort. However, before the smarter people could make their decision, Oryou raised her hand.
"Everyone stays."
Her voice, almost sounded feral, left no room for defiance. It was like an Alpha Predator commanding the pack to sit down. Her enemy sweated before shaking his head, regaining his confidence. Spreading his arms, he mockingly grinned at her.
"Hoh? An audience for your little bea-"
His only warning was that she reared her arm back, fully facing away from him for just a second. As fast as he could, he leaped to the side, avoiding the fist that instead hit empty air. Even then, people, Bell included, screamed at the visible explosion she caused with her swing. Said gust of wind smashed against a wall and actually damaged it. The Crimson Moon could only widen his eyes before putting up his guard and retreating when Oryou leaped at him with a scream. What followed was less a duel in Bell's eyes but a natural disaster. It was like watching a man stuck in a storm, yet avoiding the deadly wind trying to tear him apart. Oryou's arms were invisible to the observers, yet the Crimson Moon avoided them by hair's breadth, his face twisted in focus and strain. As if that weren't enough, he began to hit back. A punch against the stomach as a claw flew over his head. A chop against the leg. An elbow against her chest. Each strike hit true, as a perfect counter. Yet it was him who winced in pain, as if striking indestructible steel.
His back hit a wall. His eyes widened as another fist came after him. With a click of a tongue, he parried the strike, screaming in defiance as he diverted its path. For a moment, it seemed like his arm would break from this act. But in the end, the building behind him was utterly destroyed instead. Blasted away, causing him to dash forward from the force, to try and gain more distance.
Bell was rooted. He wanted to leave. He wanted to do something to help. Yet he could do nothing. The event unfolding in front of him was beyond his wildest dreams. It was unreal. Yet Haruhime's weak voice shook him out of his daze, causing him to stare at her. Straining his ears, he tried to understand her words.
"... level six... ?"
Bell blinked before looking back at the chaos unfolding in front of him. While the number was too abstract for the young man, he could certainly believe it. What confused him however was that Haruhime apparently didn't know before. Wasn't there a rule to announce these level ups? Then again, from what he gathered, only the Guild in Orario enforced these rules. Still, if Oryou was truly level six, then the Crimson Moon deserved respect, if only for his martial skill. After all, he managed to survive against her. This battle was up in the air. While Oryou was clearly stronger in every category, the Crimson Moon's martial skill allowed for a stalemate. At least that was what Bell assumed, as he saw the fantastical battle unfold in front of him. Looking around, he could recognize that the other spectators, staring with bated breath, agreed with him.
But then...
"This mortal body, I leave behind."
It felt like gravity increased once more. Oryou began to glow, as her skin began to darken with scales, her eyes turning into slits. Bell tried to take deep breaths, but barely any air entered his lungs. He saw how her speed increased even more, easily grabbing the man by his legs and smashing him against the ground. Spitting out blood, he kicked her in the face, but all it did was cut up his leg by her now formed scales. Bell could barely believe it.
Oryou still didn't show her full strength. And it was then that he realized why she ordered Haruhime to empower her opponent. Why she ordered everyone to stay as a witness. It wasn't for a worthy challenge. It wasn't because of pride or overconfidence. It wasn't to test skill against brute raw power.
"This weak flesh, I replace."
Her words echoed in the air. Her fingernails extended, becoming as sharp as claws. Her muscles bulged, her form growing as her hair seemed to come alive, extending into the air. She raised her fist as she revealed her sharpening teeth. Her opponent, shaking violently as he kicked her over and over again, began to frantically wave his arms with wide eyes.
"S-sto-"
There was no mercy to give. No holding back from the fist that smashed into his fist, forming a crater in this man's face. Yet Oryou was not done, as she reared her hand one more time. It was then that Bell truly understood this sequence of events.
Sakamoto Oryou merely wanted to prove a point. To demonstrate the foolishness that was hurting her husband while she was still alive. She wanted these witnesses to spread the story... to spread this execution in order to protect what she loved. Her voice was no longer human by now, distorted, monstrous as her human face began to be replaced. Slowly Bell could see the head of a dragon instead. And as much as Bell didn't want to see someone die like this, to see someone lose herself like this, he knew he couldn't stop her. Nobody could.
"Chains broken, seals removed, I announce my name! I am-!"
Nobody but one person. A hand rested on her shoulder and she froze immediately. Her chant stopped, her body convulsing, yet if she felt any pain she ignored it as she turned back, almost violently so. She snapped her head to the one touching her, to see Ryoma look at her with a saddened smile. Gently brushing her hair aside, he cupped her cheek.
"Oryou. Look at me. I'm fine."
"...Ryoma... ?" She muttered, her eyes becoming human once more, the haze of rage starting to disappear as she was breathing heavily. In response, Ryoma wrapped his arms around her, running his hand through her hair.
"Just stop, okay? I won't be going anywhere. You don't need to do this."
At first, Oryou blinked, like a lost child. Her lips began to quiver as tears welled up in her eyes. In the end, she buried her head into his shoulder, clinging to him as if he was her life line. Sobs sounded in the quiet, as they ignored everything around them and focused solely on each other.
"I won't leave you again... never... "
The sound of several footsteps caused all of them to look away from that intimate moment. For a moment Bell thought even more people were coming to kidnap Haruhime. His wariness instantly vanished when he saw a familiar person being carried by a rather large man's shoulder.
Amaterasu's eyes widened as she looked around, taking in the sight before her eyes rested on them. Immediately she jumped off, as the other members of her faction, her own children and those of Hachiman began to spread out.
"Guys! Are you alright?!"
It was finally over. Bell blinked blearily, suddenly feeling very tired. The last thing he saw before darkness claimed him was Haruhime grabbing his face, fear in her eyes.
